sir, can you shut that door when you leave? Thank you. Yes, please. Oh, house. This meeting is now called to order. Monday, February 9, 2026. All rise to salute to the flag. Councilman Ventur,
please lead us in the salute to the flag and to the stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you,
Madam Clerk. Can you 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 building located at 225 Main Street, Little Falls, New Jersey on January, 2026. A copy of 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 littlefallenj.gov. Electronic provisions have been established for the public to participate during the public comment portion of the meeting. >> Thank you. At this time, madam clerk, call the role. >> Council member Patel, >> present. >> Council member Murphy, >> present. >> Council member Havitz,
>> present. >> Council member Vaner, >> present. >> Council President Scoba, >> present. Have a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 22nd, 2025. Moved by Councilman Vener, second by Counciloman Hits. Madam Cler, call the role. Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, >> abstain. >> Council member Hitz,
>> yes. >> Council member Van Sherry, >> yes. >> Council President Silva, >> yes. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes of January 5th, 2026? Moved by Councilman um Murphy. Second by Councilwoman Havt. Is that correct? >> I'm sorry, I apologize. Council member Patel,
>> call the roll, please. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, >> yes. >> Council member Hav, >> yes. Council member Vancerry, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. Have a mo motion to approve the minutes of the meeting January 5th. I mean I'm sorry on we did that correct? Correct. >> We need to do the reorganization as
well. I'm sorry. Can I have a motion to approve the re reorganization of the meeting on January 5th, 2026? >> So move by Councilman Murphy. Second by Councilwoman Abbott. Is it this time? >> Thank you. >> Call the RO please. >> Council member Patel. Yes. Council member Murphy. Yes. Council member Habit. Yes. Council member Vancerry.
Yes. Council President. Yes. At this time I'm going to turn the floor over to Mayor Damiano. Thank you, Council President. This evening, I am honored to deliver the state of the township. This is typically done at the second meeting in January, but because of the uh extreme snow that
we had and weather conditions, uh that meeting was was cancelled. So, we are going to be providing the state of the township this evening. Good evening everyone. Truly a privilege to stand before you as mayor of the township of Little Falls delivering my 10th state of the township. First and foremost, I want to thank the residents of Little Falls
for giving me this privilege. It is truly an honor to serve you as mayor, and I remain humbled every day by the pride, resilience, and sense of community that defines our township. Tonight, I'd like to reflect on what we accomplished together in 2025 and share
what we have planned for 2026. The past year was one of hard work, careful planning, and meaningful progress across every department of our municipal government. That progress did not did not happen by accident. It happened because of dedicated public servants, engaged residents, and a shared
commitment to moving Little Falls forward. This past year was defined by steady progress, responsible planning, and the day-to-day work of dedicated professionals who keep Little Falls running. Every department played a role, and together they delivered real results
for our residents. Throughout 2025, the municipal clerk's office under registered municipal clerk Cynthia Krauss continued to serve as a vital link between township government and the public, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with state law. The clerk's office the
clerk's office experienced a continued increase in OPER requests, many of which were broad and complex, requiring coordination across multiple departments. Despite these challenges and the added pressure on staff time and resources, the office consistently met statutory deadlines while maintaining
uninterrupted service to residents and the governing body. In addition to managing OPER requests, the clerk's office successfully fulfilled its core responsibilities, including election administration, records management, ordinance maintenance, and vital statistics. staff completed all required
state certified trainings, strengthening internal procedures and ensuring continued compliance with evolving regulations. Looking ahead, the clerk's office will focus on cross trainining staff in 2026 to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and service continuity. The
fire prevention bureau, headed by fire official James D. Maria, had an exceptionally productive year in 2025, generating a 47% increase in revenue. The bureau conducted 633 fire safety inspections and delivered numerous public education and outreach
presentations throughout the community. A major focus of these presentations was lithium ion battery safety, helping residents understand usage and the risks associated with improper handling. The department also conducted 10 cause and origin investigations and responded to
99 calls for service through the daytime staffing in coordination with the Little Falls Fire Department. In 2026, the bureau will transition to a new national fire reporting system, allowing for improved data collection, analysis, and nationwide reporting.
The Division of Construction and Inspections, also headed by James D. Maria, generated approximately $500,000 in revenue in 2025. Through strong and consistent code enforcement, the department collected $82,000 in penalties, which directly enabled the purchase of two needed Ford Explorer
vehicles at no cost to township taxpayers, which are used by our department for inspections and allowed us to replace two vehicles that were nearly 15 years old. The building department conducted 1,551 inspections and issued 559 permits
during the year. code enforcement under the direction of Donald Barnett completed 859 inspections and issued 167 violations. These efforts ensure that our community remains safe, compliant, and well-maintained. Our Department of Public Works under DPW
Superintendent Ron Campbell once again demonstrated its commitment to safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. In 2025, DPW installed flashing crosswalk signals at Wilmore Road and Pattern SNAV and upgraded crosswalks throughout our town to be wider and more visible. Don't
block the box markings were installed throughout Main Street in numerous locations to improve traffic flow and safety. The DPW planted 23 shade trees and created a new pocket garden at Wilmore Road Park, continuing our investment in green spaces. The township
also began recycling styrofoam, a material once thought to be nearly unrecyclable at the DPW yard, expanding our sustainability efforts. One of the major infrastructure projects they completed last year included the replacement of the pecman of the bridge leading to the Pake River off Mars Canal
Lane, something wanted by so many residents. And this year on Arbor Day, a tree was planted in memory of longtime DPW Superintendent Phil Simone, honoring his years of service to the community. Our DPW ensured that a new lightning lightning detection system was installed
at AM field and our sports and recreation complex to enhance safety for athletes and spectators. And our DPW continued their efforts under our clean communities grant program and had crews out nearly every weekend picking up litter at no cost to taxpayers, reinforcing our commitment to keeping
Little Falls clean, safe, and welcoming. The Little Falls Police Department continued to build on its strong foundation of professionalism, accountability, and community engagement in 2025. Under the leadership of Chief Brian Pearl, the department successfully achieved NJSACOP
reacreditation, reaffirming that best practices are being followed across all operational areas. This distinction not only reflects the department's commitment to excellence, but also helps reduce liability, exposure, and insurance costs to the township. The
police department was also awarded the gold AAA traffic safety award recognizing its ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety. Significant investments were made in leadership development and incident command training for supervisors ensuring preparedness for both routine operations
and critical incidents. Officer wellness remained a priority in 2025 with the development and implementation of a comprehensive wellness program requiring annual physicals and mental health check-ins promoting officer health and resiliency. The department expanded the township
surveillance camera program and completed technology upgrades to the interview room to enhance investigative capabilities. In 2026, the police department will continue succession planning in anticipation of retirements, implement phase one and phase two of the
automated license plate reader program, expand health and resiliency initiatives, while all while upgrading the IT infrastructure and duty firearms. The department is also looking to establish a drone program to be first responders, support search operations,
crash reconstruction, emergency response, and large-scale incidents. In 2025, the fire year for the Little Falls Fire Department, headed by Chief Ken Sitchi, they responded to 520 alarms, including mutual aid responses throughout the
region and multiple extended duration incidents. These included structure fires, commercial fires, and large-scale mutual aid responses, including wildfire related deployments. Throughout these events, the department demonstrated professionalism, preparedness, and
unwavering dedication to public safety. In 2025, all mandatory testing of equipment was completed, including air packs, hoses, pumps, and ladders. The department continued working closely with New Jersey American Water to improve water supply infrastructure and
maintain a shared service agreement with Baramis for apparatus servicing. A FEMA grant in the amount of $98,000 was secured for clean air systems at multiple firehouses, and additional funding was obtained for new rescue tools and equipment.
Firefighters also completed extensive training throughout the year, including engine, ladder, rescue, and swiftwater rescue training, much of it secured through grant funding at no cost to the township. In 2026, the fire department the fire department will p will pursue
capital funding for new apparatus, additional PPE, pagers for the state radio system, and the new chief's vehicle while continuing to prioritize training, safety, and compliance. In 2025, the Office of Emergency Management and Community Emergency
Response Team headed by Sergeant John Monado focused on preparedness, visibility, and community engagement. Thankfully, while the township did not experience major emergency activations, OEMs and played a critical role in planning, coordination, and on-site
support for dozens of township events, including parades, festivals, concerts, races, and holiday celebrations. OEM insert also participated in regional preparedness efforts including tabletop exercises with the Pake Valley Water Commission and responses to include
incidents along the Pac River. Training and volunteer readiness remained the priority despite the challenges of limited realorld activations and the ongoing need for recruitment and retention. Looking ahead to 2026, OEM Insert will focus on establishing a permanent facility, expanding training
opportunities, enhancing public education efforts, strengthening flood monitoring and mitigation planning, and pursuing FEMA grant funding. The Little Falls EMS, headed by EMS coordinator Mike Banderki, experienced another demanding year in 2025,
responding to 1,79 requests for service, an increase from the prior year. At the same time, Little Falls EMS continued to be a net provider of emergency services to surrounding communities, assisting Totoa, Woodland Park, Clifton, and several other
municipalities. This level of service reflects not only increasing call volume, but the professionalism and reliability of our EMS team. Planning for the future remains a priority. In November 2025, the township ordered a new ambulance through a cooperative purchasing with delivery of the new
ambulance expected in 2028 due to the nationwide manufacturing delays. To maintain readiness in the interim, upgrades were approved for an existing unit, including a power stretcher loading system to reduce injuries and strain on personnel. Looking ahead, the township will continue planning for
fleet replacement and long-term facility needs, including the development of a consolidated emergency services building to support EMS, OEM, and the emergency communications. Through a partnership with the Clifton Health Department, led by health officer
John Beagle, public health services continued un uninterrupted in 2025 despite statewide reductions in federal grant funding. The health department delivered dozens of educational programs, outreach events, and health clinics servicing residents of all ages.
These efforts including included school-based education, flu and vaccination clinics, dental and nursing services, tobacco age of sale enforcement inspections, and community focused programming hosted at the civic center and library. In 2025, the
township also established a Little Falls Public Health Committee, providing a form for collaboration, feedback, and long-term health planning. In 2026, the health department will complete and present a comprehensive community health assessment, expand educational programming, and continue inspections
and outreach efforts that protect the health and wellness of all of our residents. The recreation department, led by Tyler Pacero, had one of its most active years to date in 2025, overseeing nearly 80 program events and activities that brought residents together
throughout the year. These included seasonal events, athletic leagues, senior programming, community celebrations, and special events enjoyed by residents of all ages. A major achievement was the successful restructuring of the summer camp program, which improved safety,
compliance, and staff retention while continuing to to deliver meaningful experiences for our children. Facility upgrades were completed at the recreation center and inclusive programming continued through grant funding supporting residents with disabilities. The Little Falls Farmers
Market also enjoyed its most successful season yet. Building on that momentum, the market will relocate in 2026 to the train station parking lot to allow for additional vendors and improved accessibility. In the year ahead, recreation will
introduce new programs, complete restroom renovations, and a new playground project, and continuing expanding opportunities that enhance quality of life throughout the township. None of what I've outlined tonight would be possible without the dedicated employees of this township. I want to thank every member of our municipal
workforce for their professionalism, commitment, and tireless service. I would especially like to recognize our business administrator, Vince Quatron, whose steady leadership and day-to-day guidance help keep township operations running smoothly, and our township clerk, Cynthia Krauss, who ensures that our government and meetings function
efficiently, transparently, and in full compliance with the law. To the residents of Little Falls, thank you for your continued engagement, support, and trust. Serving as your mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I look forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead. Thank
you, and may 2026 be a year of continued progress and success for the township of Little Falls. All right, Council President, now that I've lost my voice reading that, I have two more proclamations that I'd like to read this evening. Uh the first being
human trafficking month proclamation. I will admit that human trafficking month was a January initiative but unfortunately because the cancellation of the meeting we did not want to skip reading it. So I will read it here this evening. Whereas human trafficking is among the world's fastest growing criminal enterprises and it profits from
the explor exploitation of vulnerable population including minors and adults. Whereas human trafficking is a borderless crime against individuals that violates the most basic human rights and deprivives victims of every shred of personal freedom. And whereas victims can be US citizens or
non-citizens and can be any age or gender, but they have a shared experience of having been forced, tricked, manipulated, or threatened into compliance with the criminals seeking to exploit them. And whereas broad public awareness of human trafficking that is informed by the live experiences of
survivors brave enough to share their knowledge is best practice when seeking to understand and prevent trafficking. And whereas the township of Little Falls stands committed to protecting human rights and individual freedoms by raising awareness of human trafficking. And whereas the township of Little Falls
is committed to ensuring that those impacted by human trafficking receive services that are traumainformed and responsive to their individual needs. And whereas the township commends the work of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking for its survivor
inclusive efforts to end human trafficking in our state and beyond through education, advocacy, and assistance to survivors and to increase coordination and visibility of New Jerseys commitment to end human trafficking. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor James Belfford
Damiano, on behalf of the township council, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as human trafficking prevention month in the township of Little Falls to raise awareness about the signs and consequences of human trafficking, to promote opposition to human trafficking in all of its forms, and to encourage
support for the survivors of human trafficking throughout the state of New Jersey and across the world to put an end to this criminal activity and restore freedom and dignity to its survivors. And last but not least, we have the proclamation recognizing Black History Month,
which whereas the township of Little Falls takes pride in recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month, celebrating the many notable contributions that people of African descent have made to our country. And whereas in 1986, Congress passed public
law 99-244, designating February as National Black History Month to bring awareness to black history. And whereas we celebrate the diversity of black people, whether they selfidentify as African, African-American, or black. And whereas
we recognize this year's theme of a century of Black History commemorations honoring the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 192026 1926.
And whereas each black family has a unique and interesting story which although we may not be able to fully understand, we can listen and show that we care, treating each other with respect and empathy. And whereas we encourage all people to recognize these issues by standing in the gap at every opportunity and bridge barriers with
fearlessness and determination to improve lack of representation of black people. And whereas today we celebrate and affirm the contributions of all black people to our community throughout our state and the nation. And now therefore, be it resolved that I, James Belelfford Damiano, the mayor of the
township of Little Falls, do hereby proclaim February 1st through March 1st as Black History Month and call upon the people of Little Falls to continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, equitable, and prosperous for all. And that's all that I have this evening,
council president, unless there are any questions from the council. Does the governing body have any questions for the mayor regarding Thank you, mayor. We're going to come back to the council reports and the attorney report. We're going to move on to um agenda items. Have a motion to
open the meeting to the public for agenda items. >> Moved by Councilman Venturi, second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. 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 appropriate, you may be granted additional time in the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who have joined the meeting meeting virtually and desire to provide comment shall raise the vertical hand in the zoom application. The meeting moderator will view 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 a meeting via the Zoom application must flick reactions icon and then the raise hand icon. Once the process is complete, we will return to the regular order of business.
>> Thank you, madam clerk. The floor is now open for agenda items only. Those that would like to speak, please come to the podium. I see no one in the chat. Is that correct? I see no one come. >> Good evening. You uh for the record, sir, you have to state your name. You don't need to state your address.
>> Danny from William Street. Um, I've been a resident for around a little over 11 years in Little Falls. Um, my house constantly gets flooded. >> Sir, I don't mean to sir, I don't mean to interrupt you at this point, but this
is just for agenda items. You have a you'll have an opportunity to speak on this issue at the next public session, which is going to come up right after this. But if if you have any questions regarding what's on the agenda, we'll entertain it. But if not, you'll just have to wait for the next public session this week.
>> Asking questions about the uh map program on the agenda. >> That's not on the agenda, sir. So, if you just wait a few moments, we'll be able to speak. Okay. Thank you. Does anyone wish to speak on the agenda? Seeing no one, have a motion to close.
Moved by Councilman Ventur, second by Counciloman Patel. All those in favor? >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Have a motion to approve the consent agenda. So move >> moved by Councilwoman Patel, second by Councilwoman Habits. Are there any questions regarding the consent agenda
before we take a vote? Madame Clerk, call the role. Sorry, we have >> Yes. We had a motion by Councilwoman Patel, second by Council Councilwoman Hits. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. >> Council member H. Yes. >> Council member Venturi. Yes.
>> Council President Scobber. >> Yes. Have a motion to open the meeting to the public for general matters. Moved by Councilman Venturi. Second by Councilwoman Havtz. All those in favor I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries. Madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing
>> anyone wishing to address the township council may disable president. It is preferred if you >> I don't know where it is again. >> Record. >> Comments are to be limited to three minutes. However, if appropriate, you may be granted an additional time in the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who join the meeting via uh virtually and
desire to provide comment shall raise their virtual hand in the zoom application. The meeting moderator will see the members of the public that wish to vote comment and the council president will recognize them in order. Members of the public have joined the meeting by calling him must press star six to mute unmute themselves and star 9 to raise their hand. Members of a 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 regular order of business. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Okay, sir. For for the record, your name again, please from William Street. um that MAP
program, Mayor Diano, did you work with uh Governor Murphy on that program? So, I I know you sent an email earlier today with a letter that you received. Uh and I was made aware of the letter that you received by another resident uh
in your area that received it uh last week. And I was disheartened when I read the letter. >> Yeah. that to find that the MAP program and the funding associated with it uh is not being continued. It was a program that was brought to our attention first
as municipal officials and the state through the federal government required our local buyin in order to allow residents to participate in the program and I happily accepted the opportunity for residents in Little Falls to be able
to apply for funding to elevate their homes. uh between late 23 and early 24, what you and so many others in your area had to experience with backtoback floods a month apart for me to to witness from
from really the sidelines as much as I was there uh was absolutely devastating. and to come to find out recently after we were told there would be all of this funding available for elevations in the area only recently to learn that it no
longer meets FEMA's compliance for I guess the uh debt asset the debt ratio of what it would actually cost versus what it might cost them long-term to now be no longer approved or terminated uh was certainly a shot to the gut. I I
unfortunately our involvement in that program is limited to administering it once and if the funding becomes available. What that means is is that we approved it and said we'd love to have this in town.
If individual homes were then approved for it in the future, the way it has worked historically, we haven't had we've never done this program in the past, but the way all the other ones similar, Blueac Acres, FEMA have worked is that the municipality then deals with the elevation of the home and the federal government reimbures the
municipality for the funds. Between those two stages, uh, the homeowners are dealing with FEMA and the federal government and the state government in order to, I guess, secure and finalize the funding. Unfortunately, it appears based upon the letter that you and
you've received and I received recently uh that program is suspended and there's no longer funding available for it. >> So, in other words, the government is dysfunctional. Like they're not going to get any I I won't sit here. Where's the funding? Wasn't there
funding allocated for it? I heard there was like 10 million allocated for the area. So, where's that 10 million at? I I agree with you and that was my understanding as well. Uh like I said, the first I learned of it was last week. Based on what I read in the letter that you received, it appears that the
federal government feels in order for these programs to qualify for funding, the federal or state governments need to feel that whatever dollars and cents they spend on your project, your house, individual homes, that the claims that they will pay out in the future, will
never exceed what it would have cost them had they not elevated your home. meaning if they're going to spend $100,000 on your home, it better save them at least $100,000 in perpetuity. And based on what I read in the letter, it seems that they feel
that may no longer be the case. And again, this is not just to you. I'm now aware of a couple of residents in the neighborhood that have received this. Um, but it's it's extremely disheartening because this was something that we were uh almost I don't want to use the word guaranteed,
but we were promised that this funding was going to be available for residents. And like I said, I only found out about it believe it was late Friday or Saturday and uh and then through you today. So, it's certainly something that I'm going to be finding out more about moving forward. I'm certainly going to be asking questions. Yeah, I
>> uh I'm sorry that I don't have more information for you now, but unfortunately again, this is not a program that we all we do is administer it once the funding is approved or or and welcome it in town. And so right now, we're in that middle stage when this notice was was provided. So, uh I will certainly be trying to do some more
digging on it to have more information for you soon, but unfortunately th this cancellation or termination of the project was well outside of of of our hands and anything that myself or this council did. >> You know how I felt. That was very mean-spirited to raise our hopes that we
wouldn't have to see our homes damaged in future flooding and just to pull the rug from under our feet. That is very mean-spirited. Okay? That is not how our government is supposed to take care of the people. Okay?
And uh I hope that you can get that program uh more funding for it or restarted because um you know I'm on social security and be a disability you know and I can't afford to pay for it to have my house elevated but at I also
can't stand watching my house be destroyed from flood after flood and you know seeing a house start being wood rotted and stuff from you know flood after flood. I I need help. I need the house elevated. I mean, you know, um I I
feel happy and glad for the other homeowners on the street that have their house elevated and uh after a flood, you know, they don't have to throw out everything. But, you know, houses like mine that's not elevated, I got to throw out everything that's in a garage, in a
shed, everywhere in a backyard because, you know, all that sewer water and whatever is in I send you pictures so you could see what my house looks like in a flood. All that nasty water from the sewer and whatever outside up to like my side in the house, okay? and
everything that was on the ground floor floating around and you know lost you know and I can't keep going through that. I I mean before the a week before Christmas that flood right we had just finished doing the touches from the last
flood a couple years ago. We can't keep going through this. I need help. I need my house raised. >> Yeah. Like I said, I empathize with you and and it's certainly something that I'm going to be trying to get more information on about why this may have been been cancelled after we were again
essentially promised this funding. Well, I hope you know maybe uh this new governor will you know reinstate the program, refund it or what. I mean, >> well, retry business doesn't do it. >> Is it? >> So, one of the issues is that this is al
although the state administers one level of it, the funding is really federal funding, >> right? >> We right now are in a very weird uh interim period where we don't have a local representative in a in the congressperson's office because the seat was recently vacated. So, as soon as we
have a concrete line of connection that I that I can make in the in in the uh the the congressperson's office, uh I will certainly be reaching out to them. In the meantime, I am going to reach out to the state. I know the state I know it was on state letterhead that this was
canceled. I don't know that the state canceled it. >> Canceling the program is on a state letter head, right? So I I I don't know if it's from FEMA or from uh the state or >> typically FEMA dollars and cents or from the federal government. >> I don't where it's from.
>> I will I will absolutely be be finding this out. I said I only learned of this very very late last week. Uh so hopefully soon I'll have some answers. May >> maybe you know you could get Governor uh Sher to you know reinstate the program and fund it or whatever. Get it more
funding or something. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Does the council have anything? >> Yeah, I have something through the floor. Councilman Ventur, I >> have an update because I got the same email with the mayor on Friday from one of your neighbors and I've been in touch with him the last couple days as well because as the mayor alluded to, we
don't have a sitting congressperson right now because of Governor Cheryl, you know, resigning from her position. But I did reach out to Congresswoman Nelly Po's chief of staff. He used to be the chief of staff for Congressman Pascal and Congressman Pascal did a lot when it came to flooding and you know
Congresswoman Po's office is dealing with the same thing. So we're hoping to get some sort of update what happened what transpired in the inter room until we have someone in our role here in Congressional District 11. So we did reach out and they are looking into it. So hopefully we'll have an update because like I said a couple of your
neighbors also got the letter and they reached out to us too last week. >> We're trying we're trying to find out what happened. It's a frustration believe me for everybody. I I send you the pictures of what my house looks like for his flood event. Use those pictures. Show the politicians or whoever needs to
see them. You know what I have to go through every time after a flood. I have to look at that every time and clean it up. It's not It's not healthy. It's not It's I can't live like that. I need help. >> Sure.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. You have two communications that came before the governing body and the mayor at this time. Can you read them for the record? >> The first is a an email from Wendy McNeel. Um, and it is addressed to the
mayor and township council. We are writing to express our concern regarding certain aspects of the proposed development of the Pacman preserve. We had hoped to attend tonight's meeting of the council to speak in person, but we have a conflicting obligation. So instead, we will write with some of our thoughts and concerns. While we are
delighted to know that the preserve will be enhanced by walks, path, walk paths, and boardwalk areas, we are specifically and very seriously concerned about the proposed bathrooms that are slated for construction there. We enjoy visiting many local park uh area parks and trails, but do not expect nor do we see
public restroom areas provided for visitors. Her concerns include the potential attraction to people who seek restroom facilities as a refuge either for homelessness or for engaging in other activities such as smoking or drug use out of the public eye. Without going into detail, these concerns have been
observed in areas of such parks as Brookdale Park and Branch Brook Park, both much larger parks that provide restrooms for their many, many visitors. This park project, much smaller by comparison, does not seem to require public restroom facilities. and we are concerned that such facilities will be
much more of a deterrent uh detriment than a compliment to the grounds. Of course, there are the sanitary issues of both the internal and external spaces. Who will be responsible for the regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that if young children enter the facilities,
they will be clean and wellmaintained? Who will respond to the clogged sinks and clogged toilets that will occur without regular supervision? Any public school or recreation administrator would attest to the frequency of mischievous misuse of the facilities and the resultant flooding of floors and
unsanitary conditions that must be addressed in response while funds must be available for the building of this facility. Will ongoing funds be available to support the continuing cost of maintenance? Will there be a contact number posted for users to report issues of toilet flooding and unsanitary
conditions? These types of situations must be considered and a plan put in place in order for this building to be safe and accessible for our residents. If a building of some sort is contingent is a contingency of the grant funding, please urge the county to reconsider the type of building and consider some other
sort of a small structure that would serve a meeting a meeting a meaningful purpose. One suggestion would be a small structure containing tables and or seating like a small classroom that could be accessed for nature, talks, etc. by county naturalists, local teachers, and library personnel. For
instance, perhaps shelving could be placed with area maps or pictures of local wildlife that visitors could look for in their walks. Additionally, the benches on the trails could have shade screens where there are no trees or handicap handicap accessibility considerations could be increased in
some way. This old teacher could go on and on with suggestions to safely and meaningfully invest the grant funds, but in the interest of being concise, I will stop here. As lifelong Little Falls residents who have chosen to stay in our muchloved hometown to raise our three
children and who now take pride in having our children and their little ones growing up in the same familiar environments, we have always respected and appreciated. We reach out to you for support, help, and support. While we hope that our voices will be heard by
the county officials, we trust that your voices carry m much more authority and influence than ours in the long run. And we urge you to consider the pros and cons of this singular aspect of the PCman Preserve project. Since we are unable to attend in person tonight, we thought it'd be best to send our
concerns in writing so that you would have time to give thought to your positions and potential responses on behalf of our town and the neighborhood surrounding our local preserve. We have learned that there is an upcoming county meeting which we do plan to attend but again believe your thoughts on this and your voices at that level would be a
significant help. Thank you for your kind attention and consideration of these concerns as we believe they will impact us all. Regards Wendy and Roger McNeel and um Councilwoman Havitz did respond. You don't need to. >> Um no I I can just respond. I I did uh assure Miss McNeel that Council
President Scan and I will be at the meeting on the 18th and I did urge her and any other residents I see there's a lot of the residents here today uh to attend the meeting as well um so that we can talk to the county. Um as far as I know, I did speak to um uh Commissioner
Lazara uh who also said that she notified the res the county notified the residents uh with a letter letting them know about the meeting. And I did reach out to Mrs. Veron letting her know cuz I know that she was talking to residents um about the meeting and she said that
she did know about the meeting. Um and they do have concerns as they had the concerns uh prior of having the bathrooms, having the parking. Uh there is a classroom type structure that is proposed. Um and there was also some concern about that. Um but we did say
that we would go to the meeting and that we would hear the um if there's been changes. The county did assure that nothing was set in stone. Um, I know that there was some talk of some paperwork that some residents thought was submitted. Uh, the paperwork that
was submitted according to Commissioner Lazara was just the same paperwork that they spoke about when they were here, paperwork for the grant that needed to be um, submitted to the state and then it would be submitted to the township.
But nothing is set in stone as far as the the bathrooms or the parking lot. There's still room for discussion, which is what that meeting is about. I know that the residents did prefer to have the meeting here in Little Falls. Um I just found out about the meeting when
the residents found out about the meeting. Um and I think maybe logistically they have their engineers, they have their staff there. Maybe logistically it's just easier for them to have everything there. Um, so I am hoping that you all attend the meeting and we can all have a discussion and
come to some sort of compromise about what's going to be there. >> Madam Kirk, can you read the second correspondence, please? >> This is a um a letter from various Little Falls residents and this is to the township. It says, "Dear Township Supervisor, the below comments are are
in response to the notification letter dated December 30th, 2025 from David C. Krueger, President Environmental Technology, Inc. for the above referenced permits. This letter was received by Little Falls residents on or around January 2nd, 2026. Plans were made available to interested parties on January 6 by the municipal clerk's
office due to some confusion related to the location of the plans. I note this that is as it resulted in reduced time for residents to review research and understand the contents of the plans and to provide comments within the required 15-day window. As such, we hope that you will consider extending the commit
comment deadline. The residents of this area are excited at the prospect of taking the necessary action to preserve this wetland and wildlife reserve. That being said, the undersigned have some questions and concerns about the submitted plans. There are new imperous surfaces being added to this unimproved
park noted in the plans which includes a proposed pavilion, bathrooms, and paved parking surfaces. The plans note that details related to the p pavilion structure were included in separate architectural drawings, but the municipal clerk's office does not have these drawings for our review. We would like to better understand how these
surfaces may impact storm water runoff as it relates to the wetland rip ri river rivarian riparian zone and the pcman river. While the surfaces themselves are not in the official flood zone or wetland area, although they are close, those of us who live in this area
have seen flood waters rise outside of the delineated flood zone and even as far as Wilmore Road multiple times in the last 20 years. Page 8, item nine of the application indicates that a storm water review is not necessary as it does not meet the definition of major development. We'd like to understand
this better since it seems nearly every area of this 12 plus acre parcel of land is being impacted in some way. We believe that the restrooms and parking lot are not necessary for such a small park and would be better left out of the project to provide additional protection to the surface waters uh state of New
Jersey. In a joint meeting with Payet County and Little Falls Township held on September 8th, 2025, we were promised a follow-up meeting to allow the residents of Little Falls to review the plans with the intent of providing stakeholder input prior to submittal or permits.
This meeting has not been scheduled at the time writing this letter. We look forward to partnering with state, county, municipal fishes officials to see this project move forward for the protection of the environment and the betterment of the community land within Little Falls. Please let us know what
the next steps would be to make this happen. >> Thank you, Madam Cler. Uh the floor is now open. >> For the record, you could just state your name. You do not need to state your address. >> Good evening. My name is Karen Chalice. Um congratulations to all the great work
in 2025. It was great hearing all the accomplishments. Um I am here to talk about the letter that was just read. I didn't realize that I wrote that letter. I didn't realize it was going to be read tonight. I do want to thank Melissa. She worked very hard to get her hands on those plans. And not only did she work
hard to get the plans, but she made the effort to call us back and say, "I have them. Come in when you're ready." Um, instead of just saying, "Come back tomorrow. Come back tomorrow." Uh, so I really do appreciate the effort you made there. Um, so I think I summarized most
of it in the letter, but again, I just want to follow up because we did start with the meeting on September 8th. At that time that we were told there would be a meeting. We hoped that it would be before the permits went in because those do contain permits to the D. It's the
only reason we knew that this was happening was because the D sent us the letters. So that letter that I said was actually to the D because it had to be within the comment period. So the also you you referenced um a notification
went out about the meeting on the 18th. >> That's what I was told by by Commissioner Lazara. >> If I if if a formal blanket notification went out, I didn't receive it. >> I did get a notification because I was directly emailing the person in charge
of the project. I copied a few people here in this room saying, "When is this meeting going to be?" I've been asking monthly since September. and she told me when the meeting was and so then I also told my neighbors when the meeting is. So I don't know that an official meeting
notice went out other than what's on the um website. >> Okay, that was what she told me. So I will clarify with her and I'm sorry that's that's just what I was told. >> Understand that's what she told you. I just want to make sure it's clear and on the record. I don't want anyone to have the impression that some kind of official notification went out if it
didn't. >> Okay. Um, so we're trying to tell as many people as we can to attend the meeting. Uh, like Wendy said in her letter, you know, this body, you're a representatives, you probably have a little more clout um with the county.
Uh, I'm not really sure where this body stands on the bathrooms because I haven't received feedback from any of you if you're in support of them or not in support of them. So, I would like to understand that better. If you aren't support of them, why help me to understand that? Because this is a small
park and we know from quality of life issues. It's going to be a problem. These bathrooms, um, like Wendy noted, graffiti, vagrants, um, maintenance problems. We also checked around at certain county parks. A lot of the
county parks now have, um, lock and key on the bathrooms with portaotties instead. it just seems like it's inviting so much more trouble than the need for the for the facility because it is a small part. So, I'd appreciate any
followup from any of you as to where you stand or how you feel. And I'm glad to hear you're going to be at the meeting on the 18th. >> Before we proceed, mayor, would you like to give a synopsis of the how we got to this point with the county, the original um you can stay at the podium. Okay. You rather sit down. You're welcome to sit
down. uh a synopsis of how we got into this point from originally what this property was. >> Yeah, this uh property was initially slated for a development a number of years ago and the county came in and
purchased this land with the intention of keeping and creating some additional green space uh in in the area. Um which as we know, you know, development along the Pman River certainly can introduce additional water to the river. can certainly create additional flood issues
downstream. Uh so we're always appreciative of the county for having, you know, purchasing this property and having prevented uh however many units may have possibly gone here from from going there. Um leading us to this project, I I think
was a surprise for all of us up here as much as it was for anyone out there in the sense that there was very little municipal involvement leading up to this that meeting in September. Um, we knew about it probably about the same time as everyone else here. Um, there was I know
the county hosted several meetings. We weren't very well aware that they were happening. Um, much like all of you here, uh, we're now at a point where I think, you know, there's a decision about a bathroom being, I think, the single biggest, most contentious issue
related to this project because I think some walking paths and some improvements to the area may be welcomed by by most. But the bathrooms themselves, my position on on bathrooms in general are that bathrooms are great for the first
five years. Uh they're always maintained, they're always clean, they're always well put together, over a period of time, no matter how much maintenance you think you may do or upkeep you may have related to a
bathroom, they tend to become worn down, neglected a bit. uh I'll say uh they battle the elements themselves and all of that takes a toll on them. I know it was a discussion and a major discussion amongst myself this council for for
Wilmore Park and there was some funding that we were considering applying towards a bathroom there and we've held off so far. I do know I get questions regularly about can we have a more permanent and better bathroom at the playground itself. uh maybe being a little bit different than this park area
uh and the usage that the two of them see and and their visibility and their proximity to the street and all of that. Uh but a bathroom sort of off the beaten path although it'll be along a path uh here I I I think initially may have its
its benefits but over time I don't know that the benefits would continue to outweigh the potential detriments that would come with it. Uh, so I'm certainly I I don't want to say I I guess I'm somewhat torn, but far lean far more
towards the idea of these bathrooms not moving forward in this area. Uh, because of, like I said, over time they they do become an issue. They become a maintenance issue and potentially an attractive nuisance for for some. Uh, certainly something that I think I have
concerns with. While the county tends to patrol their parks from time to time, I know that the initial phone call is not going to be to a county dispatch center. It's going to be to a Little Falls dispatch center. And it would not be responsible of Little Falls to then say,
"Where is your closest Pay County patrol officer right now? They should respond to Wilmore to this PCM preserve park." the person that's going to respond is going to be a little false police officer. Taking away from potentially something else that may be happening
here in town. So again, while I'm torn because it seems like on its face a good idea to have these bathrooms here, I'm not sure that the long-term benefits outweigh the detriments. >> U council uh council Patel, would you like to weigh in? Any comments?
>> Just that we have been looking into it. Um I don't think I have a personal opinion at this time. I think our goal is to hear what the residents uh have to say. We've heard from what you said before. We continue to listen. Um and we're going to make sure that your voice
is heard at the county level, right? Because at the end of the day, it's what each one of you, especially those that are directly impacted, feel as opposed to overall. So, we're just taking it time to time. We're also just starting to look over plans right there. It's a
lot to get through as you fully know. Um but yeah, personally I don't have an opinion on this at this moment. >> Councilwoman Habits. >> Um yes. So as you know I am the open space liaison uh for about a year and a half to two years working with the open space. There were many times that I was
speaking with the county wanting them to come and present the plans for open space prior at the meeting so the open space committee could be able to look them over. There definitely was some disconnect in that, I'll say. Um, so
when the county was here, that was also the first time that we were kind of going over some of these things like the bathroom, like the nature center, like the parking lot. Um, I always knew about the art installations like that had been spoken about years before I ever became the open space liaison. Um, I think I
echoed the mayor and saying, "Listen, you can ask him. We've looked at these bathrooms for Wilmore Park that are self-cleaning, self-locking. they cost, you know, whatever x amount of dollars and I have begged all of them that if we're going to go with something for Wilmore, which we did get some grant
funding for um that we should be able to put that there and then we also have our DPW. So, I would be much more in favor of having the bathrooms at Wilmore Park where they could be used by the playground and have all of those those um amenities um versus having one as you
said at that are probably going to get less use could are off the beaten path and may not be favorable in five years as the mayor says. Um, that being said, you know, it is the county's project and we want to be able to work with the county
and compromise with the county as much as we can. Um, because we do want the rest of the project, right? The rest of the project is great. It's great for town. It it it's great that houses years ago, I'm sorry. Uh, we're not built there, especially with the the flooding concerns that we have. So, we do want to
be able to work with them. and I would appreciate any of you who would come on the 18th and we all just have a discussion about moving forward. As far as the permits, this is the first I'm hearing about it. She assured me that the permits are just part of the D
process and that it's still not set in stone like it's not set with a contractor or so on and so forth. So, I just wanted you to know that. Can I can I can the rest council councilman Venturi because you asked a question I want to give my colleagues due time to
respond. Councilman Venturi >> my my opinion I mean that meeting we had here was the first time I saw anything and based on the reaction from the crowd it was obvious that no one liked it. And the biggest challenge that we have sometimes and I know the mayor and I talk about this all the time is
communication you know and there was lack of communication on the county's part. they should have sent notices in advance and maybe set up some images in the library or here or whatever just so people had a good idea. I hope that with this meeting coming up they listened to
you when you everybody was here earlier um and updated the plans because I think again as everyone's kind of alluded to we don't need a bathroom. I I think we've established that we have we can get something over by Wilmore Road Park. But again, I hope they're going to communicate and I hope they're going to
listen because and I encourage everybody to go because the more voices the better because I think you know sometimes too they have a vision. They look at things that they want to do and think, "Oh, they're going to love this. We're giving funding to the town." It's not always
the case. Believe me, we work with county a lot. Sometimes we agree with them. Sometimes we disagree. So, I I think raising your voice of concern is going to be key and the more the marrier because I hope Commissioner Lazaro will see that majority of the residents that live right there do not want this and
that they'll go back and make what's best for that area because I looked at the plan too and I looked at that building. It reminds me of what they have um over by Garrett Mountain, the Breton Camp Park area. It's the same exact kind of setup over there and it's just like that works over there but it's
not going to work where it is in the PC Reserve. So, I hope that they are going to make some modifications. They're going to listen to the residents. So, I encourage everyone to go to that meeting. I know my colleagues are going to go and maybe some of my other colleagues will go as well. >> Voice your concerns. That's my best advice. >> Councilman Murphy.
>> Thank you, Council President. So, what I'll say on this on this matter is I think parks have their place and I think they don't and I think it's situational. I think at Garrett Mountain where you have an area that is very secluded that's patrolled constantly where they have units assigned to there where
there's sheriff barracks and it's constantly patrolled. It has a place. There's no homes that are close to it. I think in this situation I have to agree with you. I don't think it is there's a place for it there. And I have to be honest and probably disagree with some of my with my uh council mates up here. I don't even see a place for one more
road. I got to be honest with you. I think the proximity to homes in this uh vicinity is just a little bit too close. Um, I happen to think the port, again, I don't have kids. I know a lot of people complain about it, but I do know the port parties are somewhat useful if you have to go, you have something there. Um, so that's my stance on it. I think,
you know, I'm happy to go to that meeting to with the county and and speak to them about it. I think situationally, in some instances, they could be great. you know, if if they're being maintained and you have units assigned to them. But again, I think my problem is if we have a Little Falls police officer patrolling them and this is a county park or a
county area. I don't see the county regularly come to Little Falls. I see them at Gar Mountain. I don't know if they're going to be patrolling little little falls and getting out of the park. So, I think it's just going to ultimately be a burden. Um, and as the mayor said, they look great in the beginning and in 5 years from now, who knows what it's going to be. And I think ultimately it's just going to be uh something that we're kicking down the
road, a problem down the road. So, I agree. my stance, my personal stance on it is I'm not for it, but as my uh council mates also alluded, you know, we're we're the voice for you guys. Um our personal opinion matters, but really it's what you guys think and and we're
here on behalf of you guys. So, um happy to go to that meeting, happy to be uh you know, the cheerleader for all you guys and and and push against it. So, that's my stance. >> Thank you, Council Murphy. So, I'm not a big proponent of bathrooms at times. The trails I hike, I don't there's no
bathrooms on them in the Cedar Grove preserve or the trail that I hike, the railro the railroad trail that's up the road on Francisco. There's no bathrooms there. Now, those are not county parks. Uh so I think the county the reason why they were looking at the bathrooms is
they were thinking of bringing small um I shouldn't say small, they're bringing school children to the park. So, young uh kids um I remember when I had them, it's quite a challenging when they need to use the facility. Uh what do you do?
You know, you can't just run home. Uh so, I think that was where where the county was going. Uh bathrooms constantly need to be cleaned. They need to be looked after. Uh and when you have a lot of masses of people using them, they come under a lot of scrutiny. So, I
am personally not for them in that location. I think it should be more of an organic uh look uh without the bathrooms there. Thank you for coming to us this evening. >> Can I just do some follow-ups on some of the comments I heard quickly? >> Go ahead.
>> Just want to let this council know over 40 people signed that letter that I sent to the D and I could have definitely gotten more if I had more time. Um that's number one. Number two, the plans that were submitted. Uh when it comes to
the pavilion, it said see architectural plans for pavilion details. There were no architectural plans to be seen. So, we have no idea what that pavilion looks like or if it's just bathrooms, if it's a classroom, what we have no idea. Um
I'm very familiar with the submitt of environmental permits to the D. It's what I do for a living. Um, I was disappointed because the best time to make those changes is before the permits get submitted to the DP because that
costs time and money. They paid these consultants to do all that work and now they're going to have to resubmit everything if they decide to eliminate um that information which costs more time and money. So, that's disappointing. And then um I also want to make sure I I
don't understand like does the planning committee of Little Falls get involved? I know they're copied on the plans because again they didn't apply for any storm water permits and there was a requirement when you disturb more than an acre of land that you have to apply for a storm water permit. That they're
definitely disturbing more than an acre of land and there's no permit. So has anyone from Little Falls said, "Wait a minute, there's a red flag here." And then lastly, Little Falls has to give the permit to allow them to break a pool more road for the plumbing. So I'm
hoping that again the right departments are engaged early. They're reviewing the permit requirements so that they can put in the necessary swap gaps and ask the correct questions well in advance. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Uh Mayor,
before you comment, I just if there's other residents that like to come up. No. Go ahead, M. >> Brief response to that. We're only going to be that the it doesn't come before the planning board in Little Falls or it has not at least uh and
>> Mr. I'm sorry we we can't have you talking from the audience. You have to come up to the podium. >> It hasn't it has not come before the planning board. Certainly I can tell you that uh I I don't know if a copy was delivered to the township of Little Falls, but not for planning board review
uh or planning review. And as far as Wilmore Road, because it's a county road, the road opening permit would be a county permit. So that would also not necessariling permit necessarily that we would need to issue, but to in order to connect to the
sewer line in Little Falls, uh yes, there would be. Um I will tell you those are issued largely as of right in general because again there's no major planning board review here. Uh it depends on the type of pipe in the area. Clay pipes are obviously a lot more fragile than you
know newer more modern pipes. I don't know how old the pipe is uh in that particular area. Um but it would certainly be something that we would have some say on but very little say on. So when we get when we as a township get copied on all these plans, whether it's
this one or any other one, are we saying no one from the township reviews the plans to make sure they're >> I'm saying I don't know that we were actually copied on this plan. >> I I saw >> until it was >> I looked. >> Well, just because it says CC. >> Understood. >> I don't know that it was actually
delivered. But who like somebody should be looking to see who should have a copy of this on the CC and making sure it happens. I would hope >> if it was, it would have been delivered most likely to our building department and to review a plan for the county on
the county property, >> that process for going forward to make sure our town is on top of these. >> I I can find out. I I I don't know that we were actually. >> Well, okay. You can check. you'll verify, but hopefully going forward you'll have a process for that. Thank you.
>> Thank you for your time. Is there anyone else like to come before this governing body >> Bob Chalice? Uh just want to agree with some things that the mayor said and everybody said about bathrooms going downhill. Grew up in Toa, been through to West Pops my whole life. Every bathroom with that that was there when I
was a kid's got and it became a nuisance. became a place for everybody to be derelict and sky. Uh being a Patterson police officer for 27 years and McGar Mount mostly is Patterson. I was there way more than the county. Uh another thing was we got a flyer out for the Pekkin Preserve when the county
was here presenting all this stuff and it said it was going to be uh all grant money. We it wouldn't cost us anything, but if you look at the thing, it said $600,000 in grant money, $1.6 uh million in interest free loan. I know that's not
municipal tax, but that's we're taking a loan to do this. So, we're not just paying interest on, but we have to pay back 1.6 million in county taxes. I know it's not municipal tax, but it's C. That's another thing that we're going to get hit with that, too. We don't even want it. How much of that is the bathroom? 600,000.
Why don't you fix up the one car first? >> Well, that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to come before the governing body? Anyone in the chat? Have a motion to close the public. Moved by Councilwoman Patel, second by
Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion carries. We'll go to council reports. Council Murphy, you like to lead us off? >> Thank you, Council President. Uh just first like to thank the mayor for the state of the township. Look forward to working with him as well as the rest of the council in 2026. I'd also like to
thank uh the four individuals Little Falls Police Department on their promotions tonight. all hard workers and all welldeserved and Little Falls will continue to be a safe place. So, just want to congratulate them all once again. Uh, aside from that, the town calendars did go out about two weeks ago. Just want to recognize and thank Tyler Pero for his hard work in getting
that together and sent out. Um, they were delivered in a very timely manner this year and in conjunction with the 13-month calendar, so it worked out pretty well. So, myself and Councilman Hlettz worked on putting it together along with Tyler Pacero. So, I just want to thank him. Um, if anyone did not receive a copy of the calendar, uh, you
can head to town hall or to the rec center uh, and pick one up during, uh, business hours. Uh, aside from that, we also had a domestic violence awareness committee meeting last Tuesday uh, where we we were assigned uh, now Sergeant Rakinelli as the liaison for the Little
Falls Police Department for the domestic violence awareness committee. Uh, so he's hitting the ground running. Uh, he's he's working on ways to better the relationship between the police department and the committee. So the committee is very excited to have him on board. Uh I think he's going to be really really good fit for us. Uh we're already getting to work on some things and some ideas which I'll bring to the
committee once we have uh once we have him set in stone. So just excited to work with him and what the future has to come for the uh community uh for the committee. That's all I have. Council President. Thank you. >> Thank you Councilman Murphy. Councilman Ventur. >> Thanks Council President. >> All right. I got a bunch of things but first let me start off saying congrats
to Deputy Chief Pressing uh Captain Gil Crest Lieutenant Pasparrow and Sergeant Ranelli. all four welldeserved getting promotions. Uh looking forward to working with all of them obviously. And also want to recognize too Sergeant Strers Fleck who is retiring tomorrow. So if anybody's around, make sure you
stop by at 4:00 outside over here for her final radio call as she retires after many years of service in the Lul Police Department. Um, this Sunday I want to remind everyone about the third annual Ramadan event ceremony will take place at 5:00 pm at Wilmer Road Park and then we should conclude around 5:30 and
everyone is invited to come back to the Little Falls Rec Center where we will have food trucks, other vendors there for sale, some arts and crafts for the kids, a bounce house. It's it's always a nice event. You know, we'll get three 400 people that come out to these events. So, we're looking forward to it. I just want to thank the committee
that's been involved. you know, myself and um Tyler Pero from the rec department. They've worked in lock step with us just finalizing all the details for everything for this Sunday. I also want to say thank you to the New Jersey DMV. Um if you saw last week, we had the invite come out for the Real ID
appointments and we got lucky this time. When I reached out to my contact about having them come back, the response was, "Do you want 5 days?" "Sure, we'll take five days." So, um, February 23rd to the 27th, we we booked five days at the civic center and I can tell you all five
days were booked within the day. Uh, first couple days went quick, but then as the day progressed, the rest of them filled up. So, just grateful for the DMV. Hope I know a lot of residents were able to make an appointment. So, it's good perfect timing, too, because as of February 1st, you know, there's an additional charge of $45 if you do not
have your real ID when you travel. So, it's another way to save money. So, looking forward to that. We will have members of the rec department there too just to make sure that the DMV uh team is set up for what they need inside as well as outside. Um I also want to say
kudos to the Little Falls Police Department as well as DPW. You know that last snowstorm was a monster and you know we met myself, council presidentco, members of the DPW, our business administrator as well as the police department just to go over plans and making sure as I said before
communication's key. I'm been a communicator for 25 years. It I tell people tell them, tell them again, tell them again because you got to tell them to the blue in the face because they won't listen. And I think they did a great job making sure that the nixels went out, alerts went out on our uh jumbotrons, communications went out via
email, social media, police were driving around, and you saw the difference. There were less cars on the road, less cars being towed. So, we're hoping that, you know, that sticks going forward. You know, obviously, there was a lot of frustrations, too, with some of the county roads, and I can tell you, we tried. We were on the phone with every
commissioner, I think. And kudos again to the DPW, you know, a couple weeks ago. They were out till Mayor, keep me honest, 700 p.m. to almost 1:00 in the morning cleaning up the center of town, making sure the mayor and I were out there, too, with a couple shovels helping out, but it was just, it goes to
show you that the uh businesses in town came with a concern. We tried to address it. We asked the county to do it. Fortunately, they didn't come through for us, but you know, our DPW did a great job of addressing that. Um, a couple other things in addition to the uh snow situation. One thing council president as well as the mayor and I
know Mrs. Krauss knows this as well as we were talking about the ordinance that's in place. One of the suggestions from the Little Falls Police Department was addressing the title because the one thing that the police department as well as the DBW tend to hear when they go around telling people to move cars,
well, the the ordinance says temporary parking prohibition for snow plowing and removal only. But if you read the ordinance, it's almost like a news article. No offense to my reporter friends that are to my left over here, but a lot of times a headline gets attention and the story is a little different at times. So, I think what we
need to do is kind of take a look at this because a lot of what is in there when it comes to moving a moving vehicles when snow is on the ground is there, but what we keep hearing from people is when I look at the ordinance, it says temporary parking prohibition for snow plowing and removal, not when snow is covered on the ground. So, it's
something we can look in to and hopefully revise because this came to from the police department. was a concern because they hear it all the time. The other thing I want to look at too is addressing and I know my colleagues, you know, Council President Scoba and Councilman Murphy, we've talked about this as well, is the situation with Stevens Avenue. That is a
municipal lot. And what we keep hearing from the businesses that the school continues to take most of the parking spaces and I noticed too that there's a parking sign for one of the employees of the school, but it's on our lot. I think what we need to do is what we've talked about addressing the parking on Ridge AB
is getting the ordinance in place so that we can restripe that parking and make it clear with signage that from 7 to 4 p.m. there is no parking only for schools because I know what we've heard too, a lot of the residents on Ridge tend to park there and they take away a number of parkings for teachers. And I
know we talked about too with the parking lot having allocated spaces for teachers but not the whole lot because what we keep hearing from the businesses is you go there at 9:00 in the morning and most of the lot is full and we know a lot of teachers are there but understanding there's other parking and if we can open up some parking around
the school area it'll be easier. Listen, every teacher goes through at any town. Believe me, I have two siblings that leave early in the morning to get the parking where they work and teachers in other towns. So I get it. But I think it's something we should address because we keep hearing it and I'll put it to you and my colleague because I know you've heard the same thing as well.
>> Right. So, we do have this law and we do need to take a hard look at how we're going to navigate this going forward because I think Councilman Murphy will contest businesses do need people to park. New Jersey like likes their cars and they like to park uh when they patronize the businesses and at times
certain businesses uh there's uh take our restaurants or or the breakfast place falls false kitchen you know uh two three people means two three cars so we understand that we're going to be taking a hard look so how we navigate that going forward
>> that's all I have council >> councilwoman habits >> uh thank you council president uh So, I do echo the same congratulations to the officers that were promoted tonight and to Sergeant Strawthers Fleck uh on her retirement tomorrow. Um library updates.
Um you can go to the library's website or our social media pages to see all of the updates, but I do want to bring up the libraryies uh book delivery. It's available and obviously has been very useful in this cold weather. Um, I was there last week and they were out and
about uh delivering books to everyone who cannot get into the library um in order to pick them up due to the cold and snow. Um, all you need is a library card and the delivery is free. You just have to call the library. So, that's a very good service especially in this
weather. Uh, we did have our first open space committee meeting um in January and uh we did discuss the Duva playground. We discussed a couple of our upcoming playgrounds that will be on our 5-year plan, but the Duva uh playground
uh that is going to be redone hopefully this year in the spring or fall. Um and it will be our first inclinus playground um that will be redone. So, it's the small playground that is at Duva Field that will be redone. And then lastly, uh
the mayor did allude to this in his uh state of the township, but the farmers market will be moving. Um we've been very successful and we have outgrown the space. Uh so we did get permission to use the train station. So the farmers market this year will be in the train
station. Uh there is parking at the train station site. We'll be using one side of the train station and the other side will be for parking as well as on street parking and still um parking in our municipal lot. So it'll kind of be the opposite. Before people were parking in the train station and walking to the
municipal lot. Now people can park in the municipal lot and walk to the train station for the market. So we're very excited and that will start on the third weekend in May, which I believe is May 19th. That's all I have. Council President, >> thank you, Counciloman. >> Uh thank you, Council President. I too
want to congratulate the four officers that got promoted. Um we look forward to working with them. We'll continue working with them. Just a few updates from the public health committee side. There's a mocktail paint and sip being held at the Clifton Elwood
Library on February 11th at 6 PM. You can enjoy a painting session and a quick brief uh engaging presentation on mental health, stress, and self-care resources. Um on Monday, February 23rd, between 10
and 12:00 p.m., there is free blood pressure and glucose screening at Clifton City Hall, which is 900 Clifton Avenue. Um, walk-ins are welcome. Uh, February is American Heart Month and heart disease does remain one of the leading cause of deaths in the United
States. And so on our township website, we have added a whole page of resources under the health department page from ways to improve your heart health, uh, access to free stress management counseling, and other ways that individuals can actively participate in
American Health Month. So, please go check it out. Our next public health committee meeting will be this Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30 PM at the Civic Center. And that's all I have, Council President. >> Thank you, Council Mattel. March 18th, we're going to be holding our uh St.
Patty's Day program for the seniors. Uh it'll be at the Civic Center. I see we have a new committee member in our audience tonight. Thank you, Timothy, for showing up and participating. There's only three of us that serve on this committee. So, I'm I'm grateful that you're going to be lending a big hand to get these programs
that we do off the ground this year. And the first one's on March 18th. Uh please mark that colleagues in your calendar. Um I also spoke with our new CFO, Council Councilman Murphy. Hopefully next week we'll be able to sit down with
her and go over the uh the finances of this township. So going forward, we'll have a great good idea in assisting the mayor in planning our financial future. Councelor, do you have anything for this governing body? >> Have a motion to close this meeting?
>> Moved by Councilman V uh Murphy, second by Councilman Venturi. All those in favor. All those opposed, this meeting is now closed.