Yeah. Thank you. enough to sit there. go. That's it. Good evening. Welcome to the Township Council Workshop, Monday, September 8th, 2025. This meeting is now called to
order. Counciloman Patel, please lead us in the salute to flag. I pledge alce 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. At this time, Madame Clerk, please read the statement of public notice. >> 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, Little Falls, New Jersey on January 7, 2025. 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 set 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, Madam Clerk. At this time,
please call the role. >> Council member Patel, >> present. >> Council member Murphy, >> present. >> Council member Habits, >> present. >> Council member Van Sherry, >> present. >> Council President Scoba, >> present. At this time, I'm going to call on our very own Commissioner Lazar, who resides in Little Falls, to do the presentation on the Peekman Preserve
Park presentation. Commissioner, the floor is yours. You could go to the podium. Do we have the So, I am uh County Commissioner Lazar. I live here in Is this working? >> Yes. >> Okay. In Little Falls. I'm joined by our
director of historical and cultural fears, Kelly Rafell, who has done a lot of work on this project. Uh, I wanted to bring it to you because I know it's been quite a while since well back in 2005,
which is a long time ago, the county bought this property for $5.7 million. And the reason we bought it is because there was a developer who wanted to put 25 houses in the PCman Preserve.
uh with help from Congressman Pascal, we were able to get the funding we needed to buy that property and keep it the way it is because we all know there's floodwaters. It's a big part of
what the flood water is uh in this town. So, this is a really exciting day for Little Falls and say county. It's a $2.5 million investment in the uh PCman Preserve and it will transform this 12 acres
of natural beauty into an area that will be accessible to people throughout the township. Um it's fully uh funded. It's not no cost to the taxpayers, no cost to the township. We,
the county commissioners, are making sure that everything is done. And Kelly took the lead on this project because she is so good at what she does. When we open up, you are when we open up the um castle, you're going to see all the work
she did. So, let's look at this. It's a $2.5 million uh funding project that we're doing on the 12 acres. And what we want, the goal actually is to extend public access, uh, enhance the nature of what it is
now, but also being mindful that we need to make sure that it stays as a wet land for all excess water in this town to go to. So, we're really happy to be able to do that. Now, the timeline is this. The design work is
done. All right. All done. Phase two is the permits and they're in progress now. After that, uh, we put it out for bid for construction and hopefully by 2026, we'll be able to get started on it and
make it just beautiful. It's going to be beautiful. You can go to the next one. So, it's really a transformational project for our community. The PCman Preserve was an underutilized park as we all know people. I mean, we would all
walk there, right? I often I walk there. It's a beautiful place. But now, it's going to be a place where our visitors and our residents will be able to go and see exactly like what it looks like in its natural state. I'm a big proponent
of preserving natural space. So, this is a huge project that I am fully invested in. It's about sustainability, accessibility, and making sure everyone, no matter their background or ability,
has a space to enjoy the outdoors. It also reflects the county's ongoing commitment to balance recreation with the protection of our open spaces. It will also support the Morris Canal Project as we work to connect 26 miles
of the canal in this county. Oh, you're ahead of me. Hold on. Now, this is a rendering. This is not the final project, okay? This is just showing you what it's going to look like. We're going to have a bulkhead and
at that bulkhead, we're going to have parking for kel five or six spaces. Yeah. So, with this trail head and the parking and this multi-use structure, what we hope is going to happen is that
school children can go there, look at the natural beauty, learn about what Little Falls has to offer. We also hope that it will guide people through the preserve. Well, we're well, we're looking at the bulkhead now, but we plan
on combining trails and paths and a boardwalk over the wet part of it so that people don't have to worry about getting through it. And it's going to it's just going to be great. These images are an example of what it could
look like. And as we move further along, we'll get a better idea of what's going to happen there. Next one. So the environmental and educational impact. Well, this project includes ecological
restoration, revitalizing the woodlands, and creating a ma managed meadow to support pollinators and wildlife. By balancing passive recreation uh with the environmental protections
that we're going to put into place, we'll provide opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and outdoor education. And you will get a lot of bird watchers. I believe that. And through our cultural heritage exhibits, visitors are going to
learn about the history of the Pecman preserve. We're going to have information of what was it like before we all came here, right? What was it used for? How did it develop? As I said, going back to 2005, it was all over the
newspapers when this developer wanted to buy this track of land and build houses. We stopped them. And in fact, I saw some articles, Tina, with your name on them going all the way back to like 2008, 2009.
So, what are the community benefits and the next steps? Once complete, the Pekman Preserve will be more accessible, inviting, and enriching for all ages. It will protect the natural beauty that is here now for
future generations while strengthening Little Fall's role as a destination for outdoor recreation. Construction is due hopefully the early part of 2026, depending on how the permits and everything go, but we hope to get
started then. And what do you think, Cal? About a year before it's done. >> Yeah. So, we're happy to be here because we want to work with the mayor and council here in Little Falls to bring this project to fruition and we want to
encourage people once it's done to go there and just enjoy the nature, the wildlife, and everything that's in the Peekman Preserve. Because right now, you really can't walk through it. So, I mean that's our presentation. It's brief, it's
short. As we get more information, we will be here to share it with you. But we just wanted to give you an idea and the people who live here of what to expect as we move forward with the project. >> At at this time, um, Commissioner, uh,
why don't you take a seat and you answer some questions from the public along with Kelly. Chief, if you don't mind sitting next to um Councilwoman Patel and that Kelly and the commissioner can sit here and answer the public's questions or comments concerning this project. Thanks, Chief.
>> Yeah. So, at this time before the uh I ask the public to talk, uh anyone from the council would like to have any questions or comments uh through the floor. Councilwoman Habits. >> Thank you. I'd like to thank you both for coming today and and showing us this
presentation. As you know, I've been emailing with Kelly back and forth on behalf of the open space as I am the open space liaison. Um so I know that you said about parking um the do we have actually a um architectural plans that
would show where the parking is going to be? >> Yes, we have full architectural renderings. So what you've seen in the presentation is just images of the park and renderings that conceptualize right once built what really the two structures that we're building will look
like. Um also right how the path configuration is around the park and ideologies on artwork which I can explain more later but we do have a full set of construction documents as that is provided for our D permitting. So that
has been sent down to D. It's still I mean that could take three to six months just for the D to you know provide us a permit and a response whether changes need to be made. We also are submitting down to the state historic preservation office which is a requirement as the
mors now as everyone knows is listed on the state national register of historic places. So that's another 45day of review. So they're seeing these plans. We're anticipating comments so there will be minor changes. Um, but we're happy to if anyone wanted to view the plans and councilman, I know you'd asked
for them, but I was waiting this meeting, so we will send them over. >> That would be great. We'd really love to discuss it at the open space meeting. Um, as well as my second question is um I felt like there were at one point was uh talk of bathrooms. Is there going to be a bathroom facility that you would be
adding or portaotties that you would be adding? >> No, there will not be portaotties. So, I know Commissioner Liz was there said bulkhead, you know, other terminology is a trail head. Um, so Peekman Preserve will be the first county park that will have a formal trail head. So, in that
structure, I'm sorry it's not back up on the screen. Um, but right, it is a pavilion, so there will be picnic tables underneath seating. Um, and in it is designed with two restroom facilities. Um, these restroom facilities will not be like your traditional, you know,
metal toilets and, you know, sort of all concrete. It'll be tiled, formal bathrooms. There will be times that those bathrooms will be opened and operated. Um, but there will be restrooms. The two um in and actually the one that's on the screen right now, as you can see, it's sort of that right
bulk uh stone portion, that is the restroom versus and then around it is all open. The other pavilion does not have a restroom. That is just a picnic pavilion, but it is matched in style and design. >> And lastly, the maintenance of that facility will come from the county.
>> From the county, yes. Through my office and the department of parks. >> Okay. I will leave it open to my fellow council members and the public. Thank you. >> Does anyone from the council have any questions or comments? >> Kelly, you alluded to artwork. You want to elaborate now? You opened the window
to that. What artwork are we going to be anticipating? U so when we started this or when I started this process through Pekkham preserve we were doing tours of the history of the Morris Canal in Little Falls um and the gentleman here had meant who's in this room right now
had mentioned about this idea of um I'm calling them shadow houses because there were there was a settlement and buildings historically on this property. So initially we were going to put which if anyone's been to Philadelphia and the Ben Franklin Museum if you're by you see sort of this metal structure that's
supposed to annotate his house the privy etc. So initially our first concept was to do that um through wetlands and obviously not getting right we would not get permitted to build such structures um so we decided to go in the avenue of as you're walking the park because we're
building a new trail network that doesn't exist now um along the walk you will get right interpretive signs that will talk about the ecology the Morris Canal but then there are probably five to six different art installations that would kind of resonate with the history
of Little Falls and the Morris Canal to tell that story. That's our concept. We are working and we've been actively working on getting grant funding, arts grant funding, which we have um small grants we have gotten. Um so we are
ready or at the time now to submit in public process. So it'll be public artwork. So it' be like an RFP. So call for artist will go out. We would get submissions in and then we would open up to whether to the public or through a committee to decide what art
installations go into the park. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Mayor, do you have any questions or comments? >> No, of course. I always appreciate the county investing here in Little Falls. I know there are a number of tremendous parks that the county has built and
maintained over the years throughout the county and we appreciate you focusing this one in Little Falls and bringing all this to Little Falls. >> At this time, we'll open up to the public for those that would like to ask any questions or have comments. You're welcome to approach the podium. You can
state your name for the record. Janine Baron, 26 viewer. My question, my first question is um you you're talking about breaking ground in a few months at the beginning of 2026. What way did you get feedback from the
community on what you're doing? Like did you do surveys? Did you have focus groups? Did you have a planning session? This is the first I'm seeing any plans. So, I'm curious to know where you got community feedback. >> So, we initially started when we were doing walking tours of Pekman Preserve
and about it was really about the Morris Canal. >> And I'm sorry, when was that? >> It's got to be two years ago. >> This is like it's been a long process. Um, so 23, maybe even 22. >> And just to say this process actually
started prior to myself. Um it was when uh councilwoman Sber was the liaison and some initial feedback came from the open space committee at that time to them as well as surveys that were posted from the county >> and and
>> surveys that went out to the comm the entire community. >> So then we did a because of green acres to get green acres funding and the grant process we have to do a public outreach segment. So we have presented at our commissioner meeting. Um we have also
put out a public survey that went out to I mean P County community at large. Um and we did two grant funding cycles. So this was for 23 20 and 24 and excuse me 24 and 25 which was a recent year.
I would just like to add to what Kellyy's saying because if you go back and and do the research, you're going to see going back to 2007 89 that we have been working with Little Falls to do something with Pcman Preserve. Uh at
this po, you know, at this point now we're we're ready to do it. Uh, Tina, you wrote several articles about it and so we kind of figure that if you've been around that you would know that this is something that we've been talking about.
>> No, we we all know that this has been talked about for a very very long time, but no one has seen any plans. Like I don't think I think it's very new information that you're putting in um a a pavilion with bathrooms and parking
spaces. We don't even know where exactly those will be located. So, I think it's important that you get community feedback on exactly, not just concepts of what you're doing. I mean, it's wonderful that you got the grant money and enhancements are always very
much appreciated. Um, but I'm talking about people actually having specific comments like maybe, you know, putting in, you know, a pond and and and just different ideas that I'm sure a lot of the people that live in this town would
like to talk about and have, you know, like a planning session, but it sounds like you guys are already so far along there's not really an opportunity for that. >> Well, I don't think we're I mean, we're far along. Yes. because we wouldn't be here tonight if we didn't have some firm plans of how to move forward.
>> Right. And which is what you're saying is why we're here to say, "Hey, look, this is what we're planning. >> We always invite the public's feedback." So, is there any way we can have a a >> So, so perhaps you said you have
architectural drawings, but you don't have them here tonight. >> I don't have them with >> Okay. So, that's something that I think that everyone, especially those of us that live in that neighborhood, would be very interested to see exactly where everything is going to be located. Whether we're advocates of bathrooms
across the street from our homes and parking spaces, these are and I'm sure there's some other ideas that a lot of the residents here have and they'd like to communicate. So I I think it's it would be a great idea if you held some kind of a like planning session and you
brought those plans so you could so we could have like a dialogue about what is exactly going to be in that area. >> We can do a community form. Sure. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> The floor is open.
>> Uh good evening. Uh my name is Robert. you could just raise the microphone so you're not uncomfortable. >> Thank you, sir. Uh Robert Doug, 160 my road. Good evening. Uh thank you, chairman, Mr. Mayor. I just want to say the the endeavor is well worthy. Uh thank you very much for uh investing in
the committee. I guess my my question is in uh in 2010 the the county authored a study, the PC preserve study. >> So my question is kind of twofold. One one is uh ho how far do you deviate from the concepts that were already developed
in 2010 as part of that study now and then the 2.5 million is that is that the construction cost or is that the total project cost? >> So I was not here in 2010. So this plan
was birthed out of the Morris Canal Arts District plan which we did in 2021 which covered the whole Morris Canal right stretching from Little Falls all the way through Wayne to Wayne Clifton Patterson Woodland Park. Um so the concept in that
came at least project that I'm doing today that we see today. Um then your question regarding the budget the 2.5 million that we have is the whole project budget. >> Okay. So that's landscape restoration, that's the building of the pavilions, picnic tables, the restroom, the
walkways, and our permitting fees. So it's the whole project in totality. >> Okay. So you haven't you haven't used at all? >> We have not >> this stuff 2010 which was full of concept renderings, you know, nothing. Okay.
>> Thank you. How you doing? John Tumi 159 Wilmore. Um so few things back in 2010 when this was approved. We we were all part of this fight against Alfie that um Pascal came through and bought the property. At that point it said it was going to be a
passive reserve. >> Um in 2010 they did a study related to that passive reserve that somebody spent a lot of money on. Um what we're seeing today, some of it is passive, some of it's really not. Buildings, bathrooms,
that's not a passive preserve. Um parking that was not part of it. It's supposed to be a natural preserve. Supposed to be gone back to what it was with some walkways through it, some boardwalks and things like that. Um the second part of this is I was at a meeting about the bridge that may or may
not go through. That's a whole another topic. Um at the end of that, you guys were there with the plans. I inquired what's going on? Can I see them? And I was told no and I was told to leave. >> That's what I was told. >> So, no one has seen this. If you look
online, there's no links. There's no architectural renderings. No one has asked anyone that lives across the street or down the street what they think. I never saw a survey. So, there's a lot of things being said that aren't necessarily as it came across. So, I
think that needs to be factored in. I think what um Janine said that you know this this needs to be an open forum um it's impacting the entire community if there's buildings and there's bathrooms there's plumbing there's now people there 24 hours a day potentially um you
say that there's going to be lights there's going to be a lot of things that well you say there's not how is that now the police is going to have to maintain it there's a lot of things that are going on that has not been brought up that has not been taken care of all the passive things the pathways a gazebo So
things like that. That's wonderful. That's fantastic because the deer basically own it now. You can't even get around there. I walked there with my dog. So um all of those things are wonderful. Art, who doesn't like art? We're all for that. Pathways, everything. That sounds fantastic. So that people can go and enjoy this. It's
a beautiful 12 acres. It's sitting there not being used. Um there's a lot of things that need to be taken into account. Um that's all I would say. >> Thank you. Just in response, um the meeting that we had a year ago, maybe
more, was specifically regarding the pedestrian bridge. At that time, the D changed its outlines, which meant that the project of just the bridge had to be redone totally going for
permits and uh drawings, going back to the architect. I mean, it's a big project. It does not fit into this project because that pedestrian bridge is a 5 to6 million
project on its own. >> I'm sorry, we don't have dialogue from the audience, but you're welcome to come back up. >> Thank you. >> Just for the for the record, you have to speak to the mic. Um, when I was at that
meeting, I saw you guys looking at plans at the end of the meeting and that's when I inquired what was going on. Anthony was there. Um, and I was told basically told to get out of the room, not politely, but um, so, you know, I saw the plans. I saw I saw that you opened the plans and I was like, "Hey,
that's across the street from me. What's going on with that? That's not related to the bridge." And it was the bridge meeting was over and I didn't get any good. >> Yeah. Well, um, listen, we we'll do a public forum. We will take all your suggestions
at into advice, but the bottom line is that the bridge is a totally different project than what we're doing at the park. So, >> anyone would like to come up. Hi, I'm Karen Chalice, Seven Prospect
Street. Um, I think John and Janine summed things up very nicely, but also can you explain to me why there's a need for a bathroom in this setting? Uh, is there some kind of requirement? Because to me, it's not the kind of park that you're going to be there for eight hours
a day where bathrooms would be a critical issue. And I'm very concerned about my property value going down with bathrooms being put up across the street. I'm concerned about crime. I'm concerned about graffiti. Like John said, we walk our dogs there. Now I have to be, you know, thinking about who's
coming out of the bathroom. Um, so is there a reason there's a requirement for bathrooms or someone just thought that was a good idea? >> No, it's simply that usually when we take on parks projects, right, people ask for restrooms. So having a restroom at a county facility because right now I
understand it's underutilized, but if it's going to be utilized, then we don't put a bathroom in. Then it'll be the opposite from the public. Oh, do you we need a bathroom? Can we have a bathroom here? And I think having the pavilion or the thought was having the pavilion or small pavilion was better than having
portagons which then do get vandalized and things like that. >> But again, um this was just part of the park plan. It's one, you know, one restroom. It's not like two restrooms in the park. Um and even the addition of
the pavilion, it was for picnicking. like it's not meant like there's no fields, there's no playgrounds. Like it wasn't meant to be like we consider this a passive project based on >> the uses of the park, not necessarily questioning whether a pavilion is, you know, active versus passive. But that
was the reason that, you know, >> I could potentially swallow that, but the bathrooms I have a significant concern over uh for the reasons I already stated. also thinking, you know, you have a strip mall right there that's very close walking distance and boy, you
could sell some sodas at Quick Check if they go in to use the bathroom. So, it could also increase uh some revenue for some of the local businesses if maybe, you know, want to use the bathrooms, you have to buy something and it's right there. Um,
again, it's hard to tell with not seeing the renderings with that one picture over there. um impact to trees. Is there a percentage of trees that are going to come down? Are you going to do your best to preserve all of them? What is that going to look like?
>> At this point, it's very minimal tree removal. We're more focused on the knotweed and the invasives along the bank which unfortunately even if us removing them which is why we have a team of sort of separate team outside of our landscape architect who is focusing
on the ecology and the different plantings um because if we remove the knotweed right the river there's on the other opposite side of the bank and as it flows down right it's going to come back even if we remove it all during this project. So, um, that's what we're focused on. As of right now, I know
definitely there's only two trees based on their health, but we are not planning to take down trees. That's not purpose of the project even with the pavilions being built. >> Okay. >> So, >> um, and then maintenance fees, whether
it's gardening fees or or to the structures. I know to do the initial building and whatnot, it's all covered by grants, but then I'm sure there's going to be fees that are going to impact taxes. Also, how does it affect Little Falls? Is State County going to
be responsible for policing that area or is Little Falls going to be responsible for policing that area? >> So, just so you know, it's county property. We are responsible for it. We have a very vigorous parks department that will be down here making sure that
that's in top-notch shape. If you've been up to Gar Mountain or Rifle Camp Park, you've seen that the landscaping is second to none. We will make sure we take care of that. And our sheriff's department and I'm sure
Chief when you guys drive around, I mean, everybody's going to be there to see it. And We're going to take care of it. You can trust us. We will. >> Um, and then like you said, did you say the permits are in already?
>> We don't have permits. We submitted. >> So, how hard is it? So, if we do have the open form because I will also concur, I never received any notice or survey and I live right across the street from that park. I've received nothing. Um, so if we do get an
opportunity to comment, what are the possibilities of adjusting to say, "Okay, everything's great except the bathrooms or >> we have time to make adjustments." >> And does that impact negatively the ability to get? >> It doesn't. It just prolongs the time.
But again, D has a long rigorous process themselves. So, right, we're talking six months out, you know, if not more. Three to six months, if not more. >> All right. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Good evening. Robert Chalice, 7 Prospect
Street. Um, I just was wondering if even you could just let me know where is this bulkhead going to be. Is it going to be that close to Wilmore Road or is it going to be in land in the middle of the park? There is a
it's actually in one of the Rings Hall. >> I have copies of the slideshow in the back if anybody wants them. >> And where's Prospect Street? >> Prospect Street is the one that goes in the middle. So, it's going to be right
across from Prospect Street. Mayor, I think it's five. No, five. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I can't really tell from there. It's it's it's I can't even see it. It's where the sign is for the county sign. That's that's where it's going to be behind our foot path. Is that where it's
going to be? Are we keep >> sort of right there? So, I Which part of Wilmore Road there at that park is Little Falls? I I was told that from the footpath the foot path to Wilmore was ours. Behind the footpath was a county.
Is that is that what it is? >> Do you know those Kelly? >> I think >> I was told. So now the bathroom would go if if that's what I was told. >> If that's what I was told, so that means this bulkhead would be going on Little Falls.
>> No, their their their structure will not be going on our property. >> Okay. And I just to comment I before I retired I was around Rifle Camp Park in Garrett Mountain quite a bit and there just recently the bathrooms aren't working and in front of every bathroom
is two Pora Jones Rifle Camp Park and Garrett Mount. So this is long term for us. We've been there for 30 years. So this is going to look real cheery for the first five years but what about the next 10 years?
Like I said I've been to Rifle Camp Park. I've been to Garrett Mound for 27 years as when I worked. Those bathrooms never worked. And now, right now, two Ford Johns in front of every built bathroom up in Rifle Camp Park in Gar.
Why? Cuz they don't work. And now we got that. Just to say with my wife, I do understand why we need bathrooms for a passive foot bridge, a foot path. I'm sorry. If you're going to go and walk there, walking could take half hour, 45
minutes. You know, if you need parking spaces, okay, work that out. But a bathroom and a permanent structure, especially for something that flooded right up to that spot when uh the last time we had a flood,
uh I don't I don't feel about it. And when I had to do an addition at my house on Prospect Street, I had to send out letters to all my neighbors within a certain amount of space around my house. Now they're going to put a bathroom next to mine. I didn't hear anything. I had
to look in a paper. No, I had to send letters, registered letters out from the planning board to show that I was building. Nobody did that for the county. And just to reiterate from my neighbors, never heard anything except for walking pathway. Nothing about
buildings. So, thank you very much. >> Hello everybody. Tom Baron, 26 Vmont Terrace, a little false. Um, I just want to say for the record, I I think everyone's very excited about this project. >> Just so it doesn't come across as negative. Like I I think that's a a positive thing. Everyone wants it. We're
all glad it's not 25 uh units or whatever was supposed to go there. Um, I just think it's important that we recognize that and the locals. I lived on Wilmore when actually this project was probably first discussed and now I'm on Vmont right behind it. Um, we're all eager to see the park part of this
project happen. I just think you might want to take into consideration that this many people are are, you know, verbalizing to you that the bathrooms and and even the parking to a certain degree um are a concern of ours. So, this is not to discourage the project for the record. I think we all want to see it happen. We just want to see it
taken into consideration our feedback. Um, that said, I was also curious about uh Wilmore Road sidewalks. You know, I'm a broken record. I've been bringing this up for probably five years. Is that part of this project? I know the foot bridge isn't. Is are sidewalks on Wilmore part of this or not?
>> Mr. Bur, we've talked about these sidewalks and the mayor will bring this up again and that why that becomes a challenge um to create sidewalk. We would love to have the town what I would call a walkability town where people can walk from point A to point B. And there are certain times when unfortunately
that may not be able to happen. But mayor, would you elaborate why that becomes an issue? >> Sure. These sidewalks in the grant that we received were part of a federal grant. The administration of these grants is extremely extremely ownorous, extremely expensive to a certain extent.
Uh and there's a lot of risk associated with them. And what I mean by that is unless you have somebody on staff who is I'd say almost an expert in administering these grants, uh the potential to not follow each and every one of the steps that's required by the federal government to receive the
funding could potentially negate the grant. Um so we have been in touch with the county uh who as part of other federal grants is going to attempt to administer the grant for us on our behalf to install these sidewalks. So there is still a possibility that they
get installed. I have no timeline on it whatsoever right now. Um we are working with them trying to see if we can do it in conjunction with the actual pedestrian bridge that is being forecasted by the county to help.
>> So no but because it is the same uh federal funding source that would be funding both of them. So that was the reason that we were looking to potentially couple the two of those together. thing my thought was if a building and bathrooms weren't happening which I would imagine of the 2.5 million I think you said it is that's got to be
the lion share of the expense I would imagine sidewalks on Wilmore is probably less than that so if there's a revamping of the project I just wonder if sidewalks could be incorporated into that part of the plan that's all I was thinking but we do that's all I got thank you >> thank you
>> hi everybody John Veter 110 rid uh someone who was there back in ' 05 I want to thank the county again because um yeah there was countless meetings about the Alfie building the 26 homes there on the old cycling track. So thank you again for then thank you for
everything that you're doing. Um we have two amazing advocates for Old Town Hall here. Uh they help us all the time and one of the things that we're doing at Old Town Hall is having a hopefully the first Mars Canal visitors center. So, I just want to see, and we've talked about this, that uh we accentuate some sign
markers for the Mars Canal, and now we'll have an actual place to start as opposed to just meeting in a um parking lot. And I really appreciate you listening to all the good residents here that uh that live here and look forward to having that public session. So, thanks for everything that you do.
>> Trisha Tumi, 139 Wilmore Road. Uh, I want to reiterate what Tom said. We are very happy that you're going to be doing some trails, things like that. I'm totally disappointed about a bulkhead, about bathrooms. Um, again, I don't
believe any of us received anything as far as plans or information regarding plans. Um, I talked to Anthony often. I talked to people in the town often. Nobody ever said anything was coming
forward. We also went to a meeting in uh about the Pmpton at Pmpton Plains has a new Mars Canal extension. We went to a meeting in March and specifically asked about that and they said they are they had no plans, nothing. So, this has kind
of taken me by surprise. Um I would like to give you this. It's a picture of a outdoor classroom with trees and falls. >> There's a lot of rocks down there. There's a lot of quarry rock, the red quarry rock that Little Falls is known
for. >> You know, maybe that can be incorporated with some nice trees. That's a pretty setting from a zoo in Cincinnati. Um there's also a catalpa tree down there. Please don't cut that down. It's gorgeous and it's right in the middle.
Please work around it. Um, and if you want any other ideas, we've got all of us have ideas, but please don't do it back. Don't do bulkhead. >> Is there anyone else that would like to speak on the Peekman Preserve?
>> Counc May. >> Yes. I'm sorry, Councilman Murphy. >> Thank you, Council President. I just want to thank uh Commissioner Lazaler and and Kelly for being here tonight for the presentation. Um, you know, this is my first time seeing this as well. Um, you know, and I I did receive some phone calls and some emails from residents in
the area and you know, bathrooms are something that I think even in the township we're we're looking to do and um, you know, I've kind of been doing my research and speaking to some elected officials that in townships that have them. Um, and I've kind of been getting some mixed feedback on it as well and and you know, kind of some of my concerns. Last time I went to Verona
Park, you know, on a Saturday, the bathrooms were locked and the porter johns are out front just as you know, Mr. Chalice had alluded to. So, you know, my only ask would be that if if we could definitely work together with council and mayor and the community as well and maybe just pump the brakes a little bit and just see exactly, you know, our next steps in this and with
the county's next steps in this that we we come to a successful outcome to where everybody's happy, council's happy, mayor happy, you know, the community is happy and that we can kind of team up on this, you know, because again, this is even my first time seeing it. So, that's my only ask. Appreciate you guys being here. And you know, as as the community alluded, we're all excited about this
and it's a it's a great investment in our community and and I'm really happy about it, but just want to make sure that it's something that we're all, you know, on board with and comfortable with. So, but thank you. Thank you again. >> Are there any other comments from the council president? >> Through the chair, Councilman Ventur. >> Thank you, Commissioner Lazar. You know,
obviously you heard a lot of feedback and there's a lot of residents that are in this room right now that have concerns and want to provide input. I guess as a next step as my colleague just allude to can you set something up where you could have an open forum, you know, to have the residents come in with
maybe some pictures of the plans and everything so that the visuals because I know we've done that before at at the civic center for different things. I think maybe that uh we'll go over and then maybe take some feedback potentially about making some adjustments. I know you're probably hoping it would just be, you know, easy
and just go ahead, but it's obvious that there's a lot of concerns here and maybe just, you know, take a step back and just get some feedback and then go from there. So, it would be my best advice. >> So, Councilman, uh, the reason we came here tonight was to open up this dialogue.
>> Okay. And, you know, things do get changed like the pedestrian bridge when some of your residents came to the county and said, "Hey, you know, it's too low. The trees are going to get caught." blah blah. So, we listened and
we took the steps we needed to take to make sure that the pedestrian bridge will be up high enough to meet the expectations of the residents and the D. And one of the things that we want to do
is just like again I have papers back there with this whole presentation so anybody who wants to take it with them can. We are open to discussion. We've done it a million times where we've sat down, we had community forms and we took
into consideration what the residents wanted. This is not, you know, in stone. So, as we get more details because we're still waiting for the permits, we're still waiting for the rest of the renderings.
We are open to having a community forum and we would invite you to come back and share your thoughts and we'll share what we have and then come to some kind of agreement or conclusion of you know what's the best thing for Little Falls.
We have a very good relationship with your mayor and council. We will talk to them. They I know they will tell us exactly like they did tonight what they're looking for. But in the long run, Kelly knows what she's doing. She's working with the
professionals. We will make sure that when this project comes to fruition, everyone will be happy. >> Thank you, Commissioner Lazar and Kelly for coming to our council meeting this evening. We will get back possibly we'll have a special meeting for uh this
project going forward. uh so that um the mayor and council can be part of it and we'll uh communicate to you with a date that's uh convenient for yourself as well as with the council and we'll get that out to the public. >> That's great. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Look forward to it. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Have a motion uh to open the meeting to the public for general matters. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Venturi. Second by Councilman Habitz. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Chief, you're welcome to stay up at the deis if you want.
Looks pretty good up there, right? >> Where are we? Uh, madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing to address the township council may do so with 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 have raised 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 we will return to the regular order of business. >> Thank you. The floor is now open.
State your name for the record. >> Good evening. My name is Carlos Suedo and I live at 117 Brower Town Road. Uh, in about 2004, my wife and I decided to move here. We absolutely love living
in this town. Uh about 10 years ago, uh we decided to have chickens in our backyard. Uh sorry, I'm getting >> Yeah, I apologize for that. Go ahead. If you just continue. >> So, about 10 years ago, we decided to
have chickens in our backyard. Uh we looked at uh several uh we didn't find any restrictions here in town. We were very happy about that and so we decided to move forward. We also looked at some other towns nearby uh to see so we can
have a guideline of what other towns are are doing in terms of uh code and things for chickens. Uh we found mix uh uh mixed rules uh around us and uh so we decided to move forward. Uh we we got
some chicks and our my kids absolutely love them. Uh recently I found out from a a neighbor that uh there's going to be an ordinance uh and some rules uh put in place and uh while I agree with uh part
of the the uh ordinance uh for example on having roosters, they're very noisy. Uh I wouldn't want my neighbors uh to be annoyed by us uh with a loud rooster crowing at 5:00 in the morning. Uh but
we do uh uh with our chickens uh we get very uh we get along very well with our neighbors and we've never had any complaints from our neighbors. So I'm asking for a reconsideration of some of the things uh that I see here. For
example, uh if I can ask uh the number eight uh shall keep no more than eight chickens. Uh why why is that number? If anyone can tell us, >> we came uh okay through the floor. But may I ask, sir, how many chickens do you own currently?
>> Uh we have 20 chickens. >> You have 20 chickens. >> Yeah, >> Councilman Habts. >> Uh no, I was just going to say so this ordinance really did come about. We actually started talking about this ordinance in 2021. Uh one of our former
council women, uh Tanya Sber, she also was the owner of chickens and we started talking about that at that time. We had some complaints of roosters and we started talking about the ordinance at that time. The rooster I think there was one it went away whatever happened and
then you know it was never really brought up again and we had kind of like you said lacks um rules about chickens. Um most recently there's been a few other roosters around town really disturbing some of our residents. Residents came to us asking us about
roosters. Uh we again looked at the ordinance that we were going to uh move forward with at that time with our counselor um and the counselor um went with um ordinances of other towns, surrounding towns. Um these six chickens
came from like personal consumption. Usually having six chickens uh times the amount of eggs that they would produce per week would be for personal consumption. Usually having more chickens than even six would be more than a personal consumption, more like a
farm. You know, different regulations would have to be put in place. Uh we did go with eight to give it a little bit of leeway. I I don't think anyone knew that you had 20 chickens in town until you said it right now. Um but um councelor, we might want to refer to how we wrote
the ordinance. Councelor Wel, >> well be before we get to that, can I um just sir, you have 20 chickens. Is this for personal consumption that you >> Yeah, we we love our fresh eggs. >> There are seven people in my home. Uh
chickens don't lay eggs every day. Uh you know, maybe the ones in the farms do, but uh when they're being raised by, you know, organic food and natural booth, uh they don't lay every day. So we we don't uh they lay about 200 eggs a
year. So >> 20 chickens. I mean each one. >> Oh, each one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh so not 360 uh eggs a year, but 200. So it's not it's an average of like a a day and a half
for for each chicken. So on an average day, we get maybe 11 eggs, nine eggs. And uh we all eat a lot of eggs. We love them. Uh during the pandemic, it was uh very important for us cuz we were
able to get fresh eggs every morning uh most mornings and uh we absolutely love them. Um the reason you don't know know we have chickens is because we don't bother anybody here. So we uh our
chickens are pretty much quiet. Um our we have the blessing of having a big yard. Uh our chickens are over 100 feet away from the house. uh way way way back there and uh over 100 feet from any neighbor. Uh our our
property uh goes back 500 and something ft and uh so very quiet back there. Um we looked at Wayne for example uh just to get like a referral uh reference and
uh their theirs is 25 uh chickens. Uh we also looked at Montlair. Montlair I don't think has a number. They just set it by X amount of feet by for each chicken. Uh and it does have like a I think it does maybe have a number of a
max you can have. Uh so I'm asking that uh a consideration be made uh because not everybody's backyard is the same. So maybe uh change it so that it fits the space that one can accommodate for
for chickens. >> Okay. So counselor uh through the chair that council and habits is asking and as you heard this resident we have many homes here are only on a 50 front lot and 50 by 100 ft. So having 20 chickens on that type of property would be um not
feasible. But this resident seems to have a large parcel of land. Could the ordinance possibly take a look at size of land versus how many chickens? >> Well, first of all, these regulations
have to be viewed in where they're coming from. These regulations are health and safety regulations. These are not uh at the heart of it, right? Um so it is completely within the council's purview to make rules uh that they feel
are appropriate for this township relative to that. Um the township has no agricultural zone. Okay. There are no farms. There's no permitted farms in town. Degree to which you have any agricultural uses,
they're pre-existing non-conforming. Um, interestingly, uh, I believe the the, um, the code in Wayne about the 25 chickens, I think refers to agricultural property because
Wayne does have some, um, agricultural designated land, but just leave that on the side for a second. Um, one of the towns I did look at, um, several Bergen County towns of similar size, similar disposition, all have some sort of
limitation. And the reason for that is there is a difference uh to regulation wise between personal use and then um theoretically individuals using the chicken uh egg production for the um for
sale. uh that's why a number is set and that's why even Monontlair even though they don't say a number by virtue of their size uh limitations they it effectually in in effect uh renders a
number. Um, by the way, West Milford, uh, which a town which has tons of land, uh, tons of, uh, properties that are measured much larger
than Little Falls. They have a max of 12, uh, for a for a lot that's one acre. Um, so and I believe there are relatively few lots within the township of Little Falls that fall on the 1 acre
or more standard. So can the township change that number? That's completely within the council's purview. Um, I do believe that the council needs to take into consideration
uh size first of all. That's an important factor. Uh I believe they also need to take into consideration um putting a you know this is not you're not you're not trying to do an end run
in zoning. You're not trying to develop a farm zone and not say that these people are but I'm just saying that that's one of the issues with the regulation you're doing under health and safety not as a zoning issue.
>> Okay. Thank you councel. Um, Councilman Venter, >> I was going to ask, so listen, I'm not a chicken expert. Um, I like eggs. I know that for a fact. But with the coups that you have in your yard, do you have multiple ones or is it just one because the way your space is set up? Because I
know sometimes I think Fairfield, keep me honest, right? Six, >> I believe. So, >> yeah, because I know they'll have six in a coupe. I mean, how do you have it set up? Just out of curiosity, is it one large one or you? >> So, we have one coup and then we have a chicken run, >> an enclosure around the group.
>> Uh, and it's just the the one >> what's the one because you have the room because it's so far back. >> Okay. Okay. Because I know sometimes two like is it councelor um sometimes too? Is it multiple coups with some of these towns? I read something earlier today about it.
>> Right. So there there's also, you know, once again, you can place restrictions on the coupe itself. >> Uh but in essence, when you place restrictions on the coupe, you're placing restrictions on the number of chickens. Cuz if you're saying the coupe can only be X,
>> right, >> by Y, then obviously, you know, I guess when we talk about chickens, we don't call about being humane. But being nice to the chickens, you want to give them a certain room so that you're not
uh stuffing the coupe with chickens. >> I call it humane. >> Yeah, we re So, we received an email today, I think, from that address. Is that how is that person related to you? >> Which address? >> Uh the address you just stated. I thought we received an email >> 117. >> Yes,
>> this is my address. >> Uh >> I I sent a letter uh an email. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Okay. I I think I sent a letter to Councilwoman uh Murphy, but Okay. Get a Maybe you didn't have a chance. >> We got Yeah, I think we got an We got an email, I think. Yeah. >> Yeah. But that's I think
>> Yeah. Got it. Neighbor. Thank you. Got it. >> All right. So, I appreciate you coming this evening and explaining your concern uh about having 20 chickens. Um we're going to take that under consideration. uh the counciling body the governing body as you heard the
lawyer and our lawyer and uh from the council members we are you know also somewhat concerned that h not we don't want families to or residents to run a business uh having multiple chickens uh but you know this situation as you explained your family
is totally for personal consumption and not for reselling or giving it away to other members of your other family members it's totally for personal consumption >> sometimes we have to buy eggs uh Sometimes you have to buy eggs. >> Yeah. So >> we eat a lot of eggs.
>> Uh I'll you know just we find that a little bit humorous, but I guess uh that's >> Yeah. I mean >> good for that you're eating healthy. I mean we know organic eggs are the best to eat, right? I gather because they're not >> I mean um my daughter likes to bake a
lot so she uses them for baking and so uh breakfast. >> What's your address again? 117. >> Well, thank you for your time. Do you have any other questions for us? >> Just just one more if you allow me. Um,
so, uh, in the enforcement part, it is saying, uh, the township health officer, uh, pretty much can, uh, appear at any time, uh, to, uh, inspect the, uh, the chicken coupe. And, um, I'm just asking
why that is. I mean, I know that, for example, when when someone has a dog and they get a license, I don't think they expect someone to show up their home uh inspecting uh their dog. >> I think God counselor, >> maybe I misunderstood,
>> right? The there there is only a permit process, >> just a permit. >> So once you have the permit, that's that's the only process. >> Yeah. There'll be no unannounced knock at the door to >> Yeah. They can't do that. you know that the that he have the the uh officers
shall have the authority to discern compliance with this section. >> So I just thought it was meant someone was going to show up and and look >> right. No, no, no. As as of 758 and 56 seconds, as far as I know, there's still a constitution. Uh I don't know what those guys down in Washington are doing,
but you know, they can't the the township health officer cannot just come onto your property. Okay? He can ask because there's been a complaint or something and you know ask your permission but no no it's only for the per it's only to make sure that the
coupe is uh permitted. >> Thank you sir. Thank you for coming this evening. The floor is still open for agenda items. >> Good evening. My name is Adam Kasakowski 147 Broward Town Road. >> Raise the mic. >> Thank you. Last time I said an alleg
pledge of allegiance to a flag was in high school and the first two years I had no clue what I was saying. So I was just following along. This kid on the other hand yes. So we say the allegiance to the
American flag and every verse of the anthem ends with the land of the free and the home of the brave. Are you brave? How many how many eggs do you eat a day? What do you eat for breakfast? >> What do you eat for eggs for breakfast? >> Eggs.
>> How many? >> Four. >> How many eggs does Tata eat? >> How many? He said 10. Eat three. I eat eight. My wife eats four. And my younger one, uh, the
rambunctious one, he eats three. I have evidence, uh, videos of him eating eggs yesterday. If you'd like to see, I have it on. I I can also generate invoices from uh Trader Joe's. How many eggs cartons I buy a week.
So, we were looking for a property during uh COVID that was not restrictive. I literally had a list of towns. I went through all of New Jersey uh looking who restricts chickens. Uh Little Falls was not one of them.
Uh I've I've called towns. I called this town. Some towns were not up to date with their uh ordinances. They they had dusty notebooks in the bottom drawer and they were not comparing very well to what was online. It turns out that
Little Falls was not one of them. >> Good job. Uh so I didn't get around to having chickens yet just because uh when we bought a house, I took it upon myself to quit my job and renovate the house and got the house everything with
permits of course. Um, so I didn't get around uh working uh more than full-time a week. Uh, my wife uh full-time works full-time, full-time mom. We're very busy. I was planning to raise a a build
a a chicken coupe. Um, so Carlos is my actually a neighbor and I was the neighbor who informed them of the of the ordinance. I told him about the dark clouds upon us. Uh, as I went to his house to tell him that his youngest son
was walking back from the coupe with a basket, a wire basket full of eggs, this kid was ecstatic. Uh, it it was something beautiful. Like I saw myself back in my motherland uh retrieving eggs. And you know this this
town was it it the farmers uh established this town in 1711 before US was a US uh and it was it was farmers. I I believe I still have some foundations of some uh animal building in the back of my yard
which is uh close to 300 uh feet long 55 wide. Uh, so reading this ordinance, uh, I just got concerned that knowing what I know about chickens, you're not eight chickens don't yield, uh, eight eggs a
day. If they did, who would I give the eight eight eggs to? To my kids and my wife or to myself, who's the provider for them? Who who needs to be stronger in this symbiosis? Uh so here I am uh in front of uh all of you to ask that you don't pass the
ordinance in the form it is now. Uh I'm also 6'3 and the coupe is not supposed to be higher than six feet. Uh I'm getting older. I don't want to be banging my head uh you know on a low ceiling or a or a door jam. Um
yeah uh as I'm I'm I'm with Carlos on that. uh if if you could kindly consider uh redoing it or giving consideration to bigger lots that pay higher taxes. Uh we
we bought the you know we we bought that house we fought for that house paid you know well above asking for a reason. We didn't bid on another house that would with a much smaller land because it would be a nuisance the chickens down the line would be a nuisance to to the
neighbors. Uh the neighbor who actually told me about this ordinance uh she's been asking me when are you going to have the chickens? But she she wouldn't mind. We we we have uh we have the land to uh keep them, you know, and not cause
any nuisance to to uh neighbors and we only have two neighbors on the left and on the right. Thank you very much. >> Before Before you leave, sir, may I ask how many chickens you own? >> Zero. >> You had Oh, I'm sorry. You want to put chickens? I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. I misunderstood that.
>> And I and I also didn't didn't go ahead and didn't grandfather myself in by getting chicks before this meeting. Neither did I build an extra shed, you know, >> uh for the law because from what I know, the law doesn't work backwards,
>> even though it's not criminal. Um so yeah. >> Okay. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Yes. Through the floor, Councilman Murphy. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um so I'm not going to speak for everybody up here, but I think the large majority of us, the reason that I think a lot of this even came about was because we were
getting a lot of complaints on roosters. Um, and I think our phones are ringing off the hook from a lot of neighbors. And I think the intent of this not necessarily was to try and restrict. And I'm glad that you have come forward because maybe we didn't know how many chickens are were even in the town. Um, if you did mail me something, I'm sorry I didn't check my box in a couple days,
so I'm sorry I didn't see that, but I did get the email. Um, but I I'm more than willing to happy to look into this and see what we could do and work with council on how we could change this. Um, and I think the largest was, you know, intent was for roosters again. So, >> and I think that kind of spiral into
other towns and ordinance that they had and >> when we came up with with the restrictions. Yeah. Yeah. Once once again and through you council president to councilman Murphy's point obviously once again as said before it's certainly
up to the council as the law makingaking body to determine what the appropriate standards should be and whether or not there should be exemptions for certain um uh or a a a
consideration for uh larger parcels. um or um the number being changed that is completely within your purview. >> Thank you. Do the floor. Councilman Habits if I may. >> Give me one moment sir. You could just
council habits. >> Um yes. I just want to say so after hearing from both of you, I would ask that and talking to our fellow council members, I would ask that maybe we could table this part of the ordinance and revisit it again and see if there's any
adjustments we'd like to consider. >> Go ahead, sir. It just, you know, uh, reading it, it felt like there was a collective punishment for, you know, 314 years of no chicken ordinance and some roosters in the town just ruin it for everyone, you know. And Carlo, I know
for a fact they don't have roosters. We weren't planning on have roosters. My wife likes to sleep in when she can. I I wouldn't dare to have a rooster. And I I have good neighbors. Uh, you know, you buy a house, uh, neighbors are like a Russian roulette. You don't know what to
expect. And I have good ones. I wouldn't want to screw it up because uh we're pretty invested in this town. I put a lot of uh sweat money and and uh we're pretty good uh financially. So we wouldn't we're not selling eggs. Okay.
We have good uh sources of income. So that would not be our side gig. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Council President. >> Yes. Councilman. >> Can if Carlos can come back up. I just want to ask you one question if you don't mind if that's okay. Third floor.
Um you have 20 you said correct. Um what other concerns did you have with the ordinance as it reads besides the number? Is it was it anything else? I just wanted to make sure that there was >> just a health officer issue. >> Pardon me. >> You you brought up the health officer.
>> Health you'd have anything else? Right. There was nothing. >> Yeah. >> I I I I misunderstood the way >> but nothing else. Right. >> Pretty much. I mean, like I said in the beginning, I I agree. Roosters shouldn't be kept in polite company.
>> They're they're, you know, I I grew up part of my childhood was in the Dominican Republic. And uh it's it's not fun to be next to a neighbor with a rooster. So I when we first got our chicks, we made sure 100% we didn't get
any any males. Uh and uh so that that's never been a problem for us. Um, and by the way, you know, we've had our chickens for, uh, now close to 10 years. Uh, they don't last that long normally. Uh, some of our our chicken our hens are
older, so they're not those are some of them are not even laying anymore, which is why we don't get that many eggs. And also in the winter time, they they don't they don't lay as much. Uh, days are shorter. >> They lay when it's light outside, and they use a lot of their energy uh to
keep themselves warm. So, the production goes down considerably. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, if you don't mind, um, tomorrow, uh, if you would send your contact information to my email. If you don't mind, I'd like to come to your
property and see how these 20 chickens uh, roam your property and get an idea. >> They don't they don't roam, but >> they they're not free. >> Heck around. >> He may or not. Thank you. >> We can cannot.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Is there anyone that would like to come before us in the chat? I think not. Have a motion to close the public comment. So move. >> Moved by Councilman Murphy. Second by Councilman Ventur. All those in favor? >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Mayor 1 through eight.
>> Thank you, Council President. The items 1 through eight. First is a tax refund resolution. And again, as we see from time to time, uh we have individuals who may be veterans, which is the case here, uh who are entitled to tax refunds for tax that may have
previously been paid uh without having been properly allocated the veteran deduction. So that is what item number one is addressing, a refund for a veteran uh who paid taxes and is entitled to a refund. Any questions on item number one?
All right, next item number two is the resolution authorizing the affordability assistance grants. And again, as we've seen from time to time throughout the year, uh, individuals who are entitled to the, uh, fair share housing are entitled to the affordability assistance grant. And for each one, uh, a new
resolution needs to be passed. Any question on item number two? All right. Item number three is the resolution authorizing the application to NJDCA for a roid grant program. And this is again another opportunity for the municipality uh to potentially
secure a grant and that would be grant funding um for individuals with disabilities grant program for approximately $20,000. Uh this is a resolution to submit the grant with the uh hopes of securing funding to make provide some recreational opportunities
for individuals with disabilities. Any question on that items? All right. Item number four is the capital budget budget amendment resolution. Uh and as required annually, capital budget amendment resolutions are required that project sort of a five-year plan for municipalities and
their capital budgets. Any question on item number four? All right. Item number five we've heard quite a bit about tonight. That is the ordinance 1525 regarding chickens and roosters here in the municipality. I don't know that additional explanation is needed for anyone here on the deis
but happy to provide if there's any additional questions. Next item number six are ordinance 1526 our salary ordinance and this is just an update to our salary ordinance and the positions throughout the municipality with minimums and maximums set by this council uh ranging for individuals that
are providing services to this town as employees. Any question on item number six? All right, items number seven and eight. uh I'll do them sort of together although they are two separate ordinances. Item number seven is the uh
this year's capital budget related to the uh ambulance here in town. Uh $480,000 is the estimated amount for to purchase a new ambulance. And for those of you who may recall, now it's 10 years ago, the municipality secured two ambulances at
the same time, at the same time that Patterson was purchasing uh a handful of ambulances for themselves. And we jumped on board with Patterson because of the bulk pricing. We were able to secure two ambulances at the same time about 10 years ago. Those ambulances are now 10
years old. Uh they have certainly seen their fair share of wear and tear. And while they're not at the end of their useful life yet, they're certainly beginning to approach the end of their useful life. And unfortunately, because of delays in production, even if this resolution or I should say this
ordinance is approved or introduced tonight and adopted at the following meeting, ambulances once a PO is issued are taking over two years for municipalities to actually secure. Uh so this right now is some future planning that with two 10-year-old ambulances and
one that's I think about 20 years old. Uh we are looking to ensure that we are able to continue to provide EMS services here within the municipality to our residents and forecasting and projecting uh the absolute need for one if not two ambulances in the somewhat near future.
This being the first of those two uh which would allow us to then begin rotating our ambulances and we will in all likelihood within the next year or two see another request for an ambulance through a capital ordinance here before this council because again they are both
of our current ambulances are 10 years old. So that's what item number or ordinance number 1527 is. Any questions on 1527 and the ambulance? Mayor, Mayor, uh, are you on? You're going to go over 1528. >> I'm gonna do 1528. >> Okay.
>> Ordinance number 1528 is similarly, uh, an ordinance for capital requests and securing of a number of items here within the municipality. This covers a number of our departments here in town. The first being, uh, a a large F550 for
our DPW, which has about a little bit over around $100,000 cost associated with it. The next is acquisition of communication and signal systems equipment for radios for a building department and that has about a $25,000
request ass it's actually $24,000 request associated with it. We are looking to acquire additional and replacement equipment and machinery uh for communications and signal systems for our police department uh including things such as license plate readers,
body cameras, invehicle cameras, tasers, firearms, uh firearm training equipment, radios, tactical gear, uh and drone equipment that is totaling $345,000. There's also the acquisition of new additional and replacement equipment and
machinery and rescue tools for use by our fire department. And that has about a $90,000 price tag on it. Uh this total amount of all of these items is the total amount that you see here in this bond ordinance of $564,000. That will require a $27,000
aggregate down payment for the purchase of all of these items. Uh and then the ultimate uh capital ordinance to fund the remainder. Are there any questions on item or bond ordinance 1528? >> Thank you, mayor. Have a motion uh and a
sec. Can have a motion to approve the correspondent applications? >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilwoman Patel, second by Councilwoman Habits. All those in um roll, please. >> Council member Patel, yes. >> Council member Murphy, yes. Council member Habits, yes. Council member Venter, yes. Council President Scoba,
>> yes. Have a motion to approve resolutions A through E. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Patel. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Venturi. >> Madame Clerk, call the role. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Habits. Council member Vaneri.
>> Yes. >> Council President Scoba. >> Yes. We won't be hearing 1525. That's uh not going to be heard tonight. Uh Madame Clerk, please. We need >> Well, >> we need a motion to table. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Have a motion to table
1525. So, >> so move. >> Wow. >> He wants to be responsible for that. >> Council Council Murphy moved. Second by Councilman uh Councilwoman Habitz. Uh call the role to table 1525. >> Council member Patel. Yes.
>> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member Habs. Council member Vaneri. Yes. Council President Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Madam clerk, read 1526. >> Introduction of ordinance number 1526, an ordinance entitled 2025, little fall salary ordinance with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for
September 29th, 2025. >> Have a motion to introduce 1526. Moved by Counciloman Patel, second. >> Second by Councilwoman Habitz. Call the role to introduce 1526. >> Council member Patel. Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. Council member Habits. Yes. >> Council member Vener. Yes. >> Council President Scoba.
>> Yes. Madam clerk, um I'll have a motion to introduce 15 um 27. >> Moved by Councilwoman Habits, second by Councilwoman Patel. Call the role to introduce 1527. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, >> yes.
>> Council member Havitz. Council member Vaneri. >> Yes. >> Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Madam clerk. 1528, please. >> Uh excuse me, Council President. I just have to read 1527. >> I'm sorry. Read 1527. Introduction of bond ordinance number 1527, an ordinance
entitled bond ordinance to authorize the acquisition of a new ambulance in by and for the township of Little Falls in the county of Pay State, New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $480,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond
anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for September 29th, 2025. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. 1528. Introduction of ordinance of bond ordinance number 1528. an ordinance entitled bond ordinance to authorize the
acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and mach machinery new communication and signal systems equipment and new automotive vehicle including original apparatus and equipment in by and for the township of little falls in the county p state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of
$564,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds with a second reading in public hearing scheduled for September 29th, 2025.
>> Thank you. Have a motion to introduce 1528. >> So moved by Council Patel. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Venturi. Call the role. Madam clerk. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. >> Yes. >> Council member Habits. >> Yes. >> Council member Vaneri. >> Yes. >> Council President Scoba. >> Yes.
For the record, um the on the tableabling of the second reading of p uh for public hearing for ordinance 1525 that would be tabled to the September 29th 25 meeting.
>> Chief, you have anything for this governing body tonight? >> I'd just like to uh thank you for having me come up here. Changes the scenery up. this a lot more enjoyable up here. The peers are more comfortable now. >> Thank you, Chief. Councilwoman Vatel.
>> Thank you, Council President. Just a few uh quick updates for the public health committee. Um, the Clifton Health Department will have free eye screenings at their Clifton satellite office um on Thursday, September 11th between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. They're also partnering
with Screen New Jersey to hold a free prostate cancer screening at Clifton City Hall. That's going to be held on Tuesday, September 30th from 1 to 5:00 p.m. And finally, the next public health committee meeting will be held this Wednesday, September 10th at 6:30 right
here in town hall. That's all I have. Council President. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Patel. I I'm sorry, Councilwoman Habits. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh, a few library updates. Um, this week or actually next week, they will be hosting um a aerospace forensics of the World
Trade Center disaster. It is part two of a series. Uh, you can register at the library's website and that will be Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30. Uh there will be a presentation of an in-depth look at the World Trade Center disaster. Um there will also be kids
video games uh from for fourth sixth grade on the 12th at 3:45 um p.m. You can register at the website. Uh this month it is Mario. Um and you can register at their website. As always, you can see the latest updates on their website or on their social
media. Um this Saturday, it's that time again for our townwide yard sale. Um, there's still time to register at Community Pass and if you have any problems with the community pass, you can call Tyler Pacero at our recreation department. Uh, the permit is $5, but you will receive a yard sign as well as
we will be doing all the advertising for you. Um, that morning, Saturday morning, there will also be a countywide reusable bag collection uh right here at Town Hall sponsored by Pake County. Um, it will be in the parking lot here from 8 am till 1 pm. So, if you have a lot of
those reusable bags, don't know what to do with them, uh, bring them down to our the recycling event sponsored by P County. Um, lastly, I'm happy I'm happy to report uh that we are the recipients of the PI County Dig into grant. Again, uh, this is our third year in a row that
we have received it. Um, it consists of the daffodils that everyone has seen around town. uh we will be getting another 3,000 daffodils um 10 trees that will uh be planted by our DB DPW uh with input from our shade tree commission and this year we will have the addition of
native plants uh that will be planted at uh Wilmore Road Park. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Venturi. >> Thanks, Council President. This Thursday at 6 PM at Wilmore Road Park, we will have our annual 911 ceremony. So, just a
reminder everybody to make sure if you're around to stop by. Uh, unfortunately, I am going to be traveling for work. So, I've asked Council President Scoba to lead the ceremonies and he's going to work with all the special guests that we'll have. So, again, sorry I cannot be there, but
you know, please if you are around on Thursday, stop by. Um, I want to say thank you to the Little Falls uh DBW department for a few things. Uh myself and Corporal Polola have been working with them to address some of the roads in town and we had a chance to look at
all the signage that we currently have, what is outdated, you know, what is being covered by trees, where we need to add some stuff. So appreciate the fact that, you know, the DPW department has been working on getting the replacements or updating where there are some problem areas. And also kudos to them as well.
Same thing with myself, Corporate Polola. We've been working with um DBW because we want to repaint the crosswalks in town to make them more safer, having the hashes as well as the double lines to really make them pop. So, we're in the process of just um getting that squared away so we can have
the vendor come in and paint a number of our roads. The other thing, too, is I want to say thank you because last meeting we had, I mentioned how the new uh lighted crosswalk was put up on Patterson A. Happy to say the second one was put up by Wilmore Road Park as well. We are looking to get some more this
year because we can definitely use them around town. Uh so thank you to DPW for handling that. And then one other thing I'm um working on with Commissioner Bartlett from the county is with Newark Pompton and with the wave of uh new buildings and new storefronts, a few
residents uh have reached out in that area asking about additional crosswalks. So, after speaking with um Commissioner Bartlett last week, we kind of took a look at what's out there, where potential some additional um possession crosswalks ago. And now, uh Mr. Di Maria
from our building department is working on securing a map that uh Commissioner Bartlett will then send over to the state to look at and do a site check to determine whether or not they can add the crosswalks and hopefully to add the uh lighted pedestrian signs as well. So, more to come on that, but appreciate
that Commissioner Barla jumped in when I reached out to him. And then one other thing that we're working on with Mr. Wel and mayor and council president will come to you as well. You know, we've talked about adding some additional handicap parking in town. We're looking to add two on Wilmore Road Park. And after talking to several of the
businesses on Main Street from Patterson AB down to Maple there where there are no handicap uh signs in that section on Main Street, we're going to look to add two on that street. One near the corner of Patterson and Maine and then the
other one um near 44 Maine. So more to come on that. Just got to get some additional details for our counselor, but then hopefully we'll have that soon to present in front of the council. That's it for me. >> Thank you, Councilman Murphy. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh we did have a domestic violence awareness committee meeting uh last Tuesday and as
October is fastly approaching which is domestic violence awareness month we do have a lot going on. So we will have a flag raising uh on Tuesday um September 30th last day of the month. So when you wake up on October 1st the flag will be up. Um so that'll be at 6 p.m. obviously in the front of town hall. Um we'll be
at a couple events that we have going on in town as well as getting ready for the purple ribbons that we'll be putting up on the telephone poll. So a lot going on on the domestic violence awareness committee. uh front for the month of October. Uh I did have a conversation with the state and it appears that uh
JWBS, Jersey Battered Women Services will be taking over uh for the county. U for those aren't aware, obviously the county shut down the uh DV and SV centers. Um and so JWBS will be picking up uh that responsibility. Um that's who Morris County currently uses. Uh,
basically they're going to be coming in for the 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, support groups, legal legal advocacy, um, and batteries intervention. So, they do have a lot more than that, but that's kind of their primary function. So, they'll be picking up all that. That used to be the
county's responsibility. Um, I think that as of last week is who when you call the hotline, that's who they're pushing everybody to. Um, and so we're happy finally to have something in place. Uh, because there was kind of a couple week span there where we didn't have any information really to even give
anybody or shelter for them. Uh so good to see that there actually is finally some organization that's picking that up. Um and glad to have them in place other than that's all I have. Council President, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Murphy. Um tentatively on October 1st or October 15th, City County Sheriff's Department
reached out to me to put on a presentation with Little Falls, Woodland Park, and Totoa, a specific program for senior scams. And chief, you'll probably agree that your office is flooded with these calls for seniors that are getting
taken uh in all different ways, pam primarily really with money uh with bank accounts. Um and when I told the mayor of this program, he himself said a family member was scammed uh from someone. So uh this is a growing
problem. Uh, and I'll have more information as this program develops, but we're really glad that the sheriff's department reached out so we can inform our seniors to be careful going forward. Have a motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items. >> So moved by Councilman Cherry, second by
Counciloman Hits. All those in favor? I. >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Madam clerk, >> anyone wishing to address the township council may do 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, we may 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 the 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. >> See no one come before us. Have a motion
to close the public comment. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Ventur. Second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Have a motion to go to executive session. >> Moved by Councilman Venturi. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? >> I.
>> All those opposed. No action will be taken. This executive session is discussing pending or anticipated litigation. >> Thank you. We'll I'll do it in a minute in a minute. something that really doesn't really involve us.
>> Okay. You're just all you want to do. We're going to have have a motion to return to open session. So moved by Councilman Venturi, second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor, >> all those opposed. I want to thank the staff for helping me uh put this agenda
together. Thank you very much. Have a motion to adjourn this meeting. So move. >> Moved by Councilman Venturi, second by Councilman Patel. All those in favor. >> All those opposed. This meeting is now closed.