You know, we got the chickens done. >> No roosters. >> No roosters. Well, we told him he was four minutes earlier. It's like
what about an hour? Welcome everyone to the township council workshop Monday August 11 2025. This meeting is now called to order. Counciloman Patel please lead us in the salute to the flagg to the flag of the United States
to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Maybe soon. >> Madam clerk, please read the notice of public uh 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. Notice of the meeting was prominently posted on the bulletin board at the municipal building building located to 225 Main Street, Little Falls, New Jersey on January 7th, 2025.
A copy of the notice was sent to the North Jersey Herald and News in the Record on the same date. Additionally, a copy of the notice was filed in the office of the township clerk on said date. A link and a telephone number to join the meeting virtually can be accessed on the township website at littlefallsenj.gov. Electronic provisions have been
established for the public to participate during the public comment portion of the meeting. >> Thank you. At this time, please call the role. >> Council member Patel, >> present. >> Council member Murphy, >> present. >> Council member Hitz, >> present. >> Council member Vaneri, >> present. >> Council President Scoba, >> present. At this time, I want to call up
uh Ted and to explain the discussion of New Jersey tree removal program. Ted, just tell us your first name, last name, and your background. >> Yeah. Hi, Ted Shinsky. Can you guys hear correctly? >> If you just bring the mic a little bit closer. >> Is that all right? >> Yep. Thank you.
>> Okay, it's on, I think. Okay. All right. So, um just on a quick note, I was asked to come to the council meeting to discuss the MS4 um permitting process through the NJD. To give you a quick understanding of that, um I'll give you
a brief background of myself. So, I'm a Little Falls resident. I've been a resident for 57 years. I'm a licensed tree expert. So, that's where I come from to speak to the the council. Um as so as a resident, not so much, but as a licensed tree expert in the state of New Jersey. Um, I work mostly as a
consultant for municipalities, uh, putting them in compliance with New Jersey Forestry Community Credits and the Forestry Assistance Act in New Jersey, which provides liability coverage for any volunteer who works for the town, can even be a township
employee, or anyone who works in the care of trees for the municipality. So, for Little Falls itself. Okay. Uh MS4 was a uh process by which the NJD restructured the way they looked at certain communities. We became a tier
one community. Um tier one community or tier A is sometimes it's referred to. Um putting that in perspective, what that tells us is is that we have levels of compliance. Um the tree removal replacement ordinance is what it's re referred to MS4. So we we just kind of
shortcut it sometimes as MS4. The ordinance was asked to be put in place by the D, not should say asked but required by the D and it has a time frame on it and there is compliance and there are uh actual processes right now where they're doing audits in
communities. Any questions on that so far? >> So, so the MS4 for the my colleagues, it's it's a program that if if you take down a tree, you want to elaborate a little bit what that's about? So, so what it means is the D got involved in
the fact of in communities within the state of New Jersey. Uh they're realizing that due to tree loss in communities, it's causing exacerbated flooding, soil erosion, uh heating, cooling issues. Uh so there are other concerns that they were brought into the equation. U in Little Falls, obviously,
we deal with the D and storm water management issues because of flooding. And so that kind of became where um the crux of it for our community is. And so MS4 does create this legislation or I should say ordinance for a tree removal
permitting process. And what that means is that if you were to remove a tree on your property, uh there would be a cost associated with it for you taking out a permit, it would either give you the opportunity to replace that same tree on somewhere else on your property or to
pay for the permitting fee, which is almost like a bond to some degree. have the town have financing to now place a tree somewhere in the town Park Bark or Street. >> So, I'm a homeowner. I decided I want to take down a tree under this plan that
the state says we need to do. I need to take out a permit. There could be a cost that hasn't been decided yet on on the governing body, but there would be a cost. It would also and if I decide not to replant the tree, I would have to pay a stipen to the town or replant that
tree for the town to plant the tree someplace else >> like a bond. Yeah, you'd have a bond in process and if you don't replace the tree, then the town would re receive that funding >> and they would then therefore place that tree somewhere in public lands on their property >> and and typically uh council council
president they have a fund. Most towns have a fund now. Uh I was in Ocean Township on Thursday night uh discussing theirs and they have a fund in place which probably has about close to 50 or $60,000 in it for tree replacement within the community. So
I think one simple thing to kind of make a note about as council presidentco mentioned you have to apply for a permit if the tree is dead and it's causing any concern or it's considered hazardous. There is no fee for the permit. you would be granted the permit without
cost. Uh that's to protect public safety. That would go for the town's actual trees themselves. So if the town would remove trees for the reason of say renovating a park, they would also have to have some level of accountability for replacement, which they normally do anyway. Um but it's the resident who
would typically remove a tree, not put a tree back, >> right? So, there is an allotted number of trees you're allowed to take at a certain size without any uh you'd put in for the permit, but you would be granted a no fee on that also. And I think it's up to three trees in five years, but you can state that in your ordinance. You
can actually adjust. >> So, um I remember a couple years ago there were some bugs that came from a different country or something off cargo ships. I forget what they're called. >> Emerald Dash4 was attacking our ash trees. >> I remember because and then they infest infested infested some trees. They would
bore holes into it. they would >> we we lost quite a few on Avenue, >> right? And that so therefore if a homeowner had that then there would be no permit and they wouldn't have to pay the town nothing. Uh would they have to replace those trees after they come down? >> They they could if they wanted to but
there is no charge or requirement for replacement. Thank you. But >> I have one question for you. One of I I've mentioned this to a couple of people and one of the questions that I got was is an arborite considered a tree. >> All right. Restate that in so I can
>> Sure. I if if somebody's looking to remove, you know, six arbor vites that they have in their backyard because they're overgrown. Is an arborvite considered a tree or are we talking trees that have uh you know a a trunk with with uh you know with with with
you know leaves above it? >> Right. So, so the consideration, mayor, would be yes, in the actual um ordinance it would state under 6 in in diameter. Most trees would most shrubs don't get to much more than about 6 to 8 in. So, you can put a stipulation as anything below that number. So, it's anything
below 6 in doesn't require a permit to remove. Um, anything above that would then go into this category of a feebased system. So, if it's say uh 6 and 12 in to 12 inches in diameter, it would have one fee. it was 12 and a half to say you
know 16 and a half inches it would have another fee. So fee structure goes as the size of the tree because it's obviously the uh importance of the fact that by losing a large tree like that you lose more than uh what one tree could replace in a short period of time of a smaller diameter.
But yeah there you can clarify what that is and that is important. >> Perfect. Yeah. >> Do you have anything else, Ted, that you like to add? >> So, so the only thing I would mention is is, you know, compliance is is important. It's not an easy process. Um, as we've had these conversations uh with
Council President Scoba and Councilwoman Habitz over some conversations in the Shade Tree because they've both been at meetings. Uh what's kind of happened is it really comes down to the fact that as the town looks at this permitting process. Um it doesn't fall into shade
tree. Uh most of our shade tree members are volunteers, they really don't have a good background and knowledge of trees. Um, it's required by the permitting process that a licensed tree expert, whether it's myself, someone else, but somebody who's licensed in the state of New Jersey, um, is the one who is
actually looking at the trees, determining if they're dead, dying, diseased, hazardous, or they just have to be permitted for removal. Um, so it steps its way out of the shade tree commission. Um, but I think where it does belong is back in our storm water management program. And that part kind
of comes back to the fact of a lot of people will see this as a feebased process that now is costing them more money to live in the town. That's always a difficult piece and I know as as council members, you all face that that challenge all the time as people saying fees are going up in costs. Um it does
change the the nature of our community as people move in and remove trees and and the community starts to suffer over time. um whether there are trees being removed or replaced and all you have to do is go into certain communities and you'll you'll be able to see that reflected um where you where you actually live. People are removing trees without permits where there's no
obligation to actually be concerned with it. Sometimes trees are not not taken into any consideration other than let's just remove it and get rid of it. I don't have to deal with leaves. I don't have to deal with any headaches. So this this concept takes a town like Little Falls which treeline streets you know beautiful community uh bucolic in nature
you know just countryside kind of appearances it was when it started and then it changes that into a more urbanized area. >> Does this put any pressure on tree uh tree companies that remove trees? >> So in most towns there is a treemitting
tree permitting process. Now the the individuals can either apply as a company. So if you were to require a contractor to come to your house, council president, they would say, "Okay, we can get the permit for you or you would apply for the permit yourself." When we had this discussion regarding this, and I know um uh the
business administrator was part of that um conversation, it was a matter of this is something that was now put on the township without any type of uh funding. There's no it's an unfunded mandate is really what it is. And as that becomes an issue now, who takes the responsibility? We talked about how do
we put that out there? If you did a permitting process, now who's responsible? And then how is that permit being processed? Does it go through our buildings and you know uh basically building permit process? Do we put it through uh anywhere else? It can't go into the hands of volunteers. We know
that when money is involved, that can't work in that fashion. Has to be a township employee. So there are considerations to be put in place. I think there's a lot that needs to be outlined in this process. Um, but it takes, you know, again, rolling up sleeves, just sitting a little bit and trying to figure out what makes sense. Um, as I've been able to give you over
the course of a few months, uh, different ordinances that show different fee base. You can see they're all over the place. There is no fee that is one set number. The D gives recommendations and yet those recommendations change based on the community. in some
communities put their trees at a real high value um almost to the point of where they are uh excessive to say the least. And the idea is is that it's really to put a placement replacement tree in. So if you're looking at the size of the tree
that you're replacing, the cost should be matching exactly what the cost is to replace it, not an excessive cost. >> Other questions from council council ventur >> Ted question for you. So, say a situation where a resident has a tree that they deem dead and they want to
remove it. Now, would they need to contact you as the expert and come and look at it versus going to the vendor who tells them, "Oh, yeah, it's dead. We can take it down." That's another step we'll have. >> So, just just as the mayor pointed out, and I think that was there two great questions. One is is what's the size? And that that really does take a place.
Is it a shrub or is it a tree? Because there's no requirement for shrubbery. It's just trees. So you would have to have that permit filled out and then it would come to the town and the town official or whoever's involved would basically go to the site, look at it and say stamped no fee. In the case of the
tree that's dead or dying, the person puts in for that same claim. If the consideration is that the tree is dying and it's deemed that way by the expert or the the the code enforcement individual, then that tree would then be no charge. >> Okay? So there has to be a you know two
parties have to agree to that >> versus and in some cases council maj they they might have an expert write a letter saying that the tree is in decline. >> Okay. >> Right. Because there are um some tree companies that do have arbiters is the word is that the correct word on their staff that would certify that.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So there's there's in New Jersey there's licensed tree experts licensed tree care operators. That's part of the the lensure law in New Jersey. And then there's what's called the certified arborist which is a recognized title in the state of New Jersey. Also I imagine if this governing body or will this governing body will
will come to terms and this needs to be passed if that fee is uh to remove trees at a certain amount whatever that may be and a builder comes to town and is going to clear trees for in order to build the property. This now will trigger this as
well. So, so there's two two components to that and I think the town can look in negotiating that with builder. So, if it's with a builder, there would be a landscape plan that's drawn up after the pre post construction. So, that part of that could even be if there is a plan in place, the plan would address and when
it's reviewed by planning board or given to shade tree to review, they would just make sure that the requirements are met that trees are being restored back into that site. It may be some type of, you know, a two for one or however the the the construction official would look to to try to mitigate it, but I think you
have to be very clear on the fact that um, you know, there's not there are open parcels of land still in Little Falls that could be cleared. And with that being said, the largest uh uh violator of that was the state of New Jersey so far in Monontlair State and in Route 46.
>> Well, thank more trees in the town than we've ever removed. So, and that money then comes back in what's called a no net loss. So, if the state does remove trees that are deemed valuable trees to the community, we can actually approach that through a no net loss. >> Right. The state would not be exempt
like a public utility. Correct. >> It's not, but they try to find every reason to be. >> Are there questions from the council mayor? Counselor, not much we >> No, no, no. you know, these are um um
there I believe the D has a model. >> Yes. >> Uh ordinance that it's been shipping around and um part of the blanks that are in there uh as Ted was explaining is yes, it's yeah, it's a nice little thick
thing that D is nice to give to us. Um and in there it has in essence blanks. There's no real suggestion on uh the permit fees, the fines, things like that. Obviously, that's a local matter to consider. Um I know in some towns
that I'm involved with, uh as Ted said, the fees are um more reasonable in some as opposed to others. Uh some have um not only the exceptions for uh trees that are dead, but they also have an
exception for uh they allow one or two trees uh to be cut down per year, something like that. Um so that a homeowner if they're cutting down one tree, it's not uh they don't have to go
through an ownerous process. Uh, but if somebody's cutting down four or five trees, that's something you want a little bit more control over. And also, as Ted said, there's there is some flexibility in determining what level of
tree because I believe the model ordinance provides uh um a compendium of options to say, well, if you're below this caliber tree, uh you have to do this. if you're over this caliber tree
after that. So, if there's a larger, you know, you have 120 year old oak, uh you want them to um if they're cutting that down, you want the person to be um not just planting one scrawny little uh
hopefully not Norway maple, but um you know, a a a scrawny little red oak that's going to take another 120 years to grow. So some of those are are considerations that are left open to the town from my recollection and obviously
as I said some towns tend to be a little bit more ownorous than others. Thank you. Um does the public who are attending have any questions on this? >> Can the person in the chat hear us? Because I because Ted's going to probably leave. Um if you have a
question you can ask it now. I don't think they could. No. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Ted. Thank you very much for the insightfulness. >> Thank >> And again, I'll be available if you should need any support or any feedback on this um as I've worked with probably
uh several municipalities currently that are working through this and it's not an easy task. So, just but it is one that needs to be addressed before um I think the D gets into the thick of wondering where to find people. So, >> thank you.
>> Have a have a motion to open to the meetings to the public for general matters and agenda items. >> Moved by Councilwoman Habit, second by Councilman Murphy. All those in favor? >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing to address the township council may do so to the council president. It is preferred if you give
your name and address for the record. Comments are are to be limited, excuse me, to three minutes. However, if appropriate, you may be granted additional time and the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who have joined the meeting virtually and desire to provide comment shall raise their virtual hand in the Zoom application. The meeting moderator
will cue the members of the public that wish to provide comment and the council president will recognize them in order. Members of the public who have joined the meeting by calling in must press star six to mute unmute themselves and star 9 to raise their hand. Members of the public who have joined the meeting via the Zoom application must click the reactions icon and then the raise hand
icon. Once the process is complete, we will return to the regular order of business. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The floor is now open. >> No one in the chat's coming before us. No one in the uh government chambers are coming before us. Have a motion to close the public. >> Moved by Councilman Veri. Second by
Councilwoman Havitz. >> No Patel. >> I'm sorry. Apologize. Councilwoman Patel. All those in favor? All those opposed? Motion carries. Mayor one, two, three, and four. And if you would uh spend some time on three to give the uh the backout on that, how that all
developed and how we came to this. >> Absolutely, Council President. First is item number one, the resolution adopting the 2025 hazard mitigation plan update. And under the disaster mitigation act of 2000, it has been required that
municipalities identify through a uh county hazard mitigation plan goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term impacts to either people or property within their municipalities uh as a result of major usually natural disasters. Of course, here in Little
Falls, one of the primary focuses uh is surrounding flooding. It is one of the things that we have been focused on. It is one of the things that we have continued to take action in attempts to reduce future flooding. Whether it be through uh seeking grant opportunities for gabian walls along our rivers,
whether it be for uh pursuing long-term solutions and of course our most major uh I'll call it accomplishment, securing funding to have the PCman River flood tunnel installed, which will help us, you know, a significant portion of town. uh but continuing to come up with ways
to address flooding throughout our municipality is something that we are uh always looking to do and this is simply the resolution adopting the 2025 Payday County hazard mitigation plan. Any questions with item number one?
All right. Item number two is the resolution authorizing the affordability assistance grant. This one I'm not going to spend much time on. This is one that we have seen uh regularly throughout the year as individuals apply for the affordability assistant program here in town. So we do see those from time to time and this is another approval of
that. Any questions with item number two? All right. Item number three is the resolution authorizing the development of a public parking lot. And this one is in relation to in particular the uh old municipal building or 35 Stevens A
municipal parking lot. Uh, as many people know, there was a $150,000 made uh $150,000 payment made due to our pileup uh program, our payment in lie of parking uh which was made into or supposed to be made into our public
improvement program uh trust fund. And the use of those funds is intended to assist in creating additional public parking spaces throughout the municipality, primarily in our downtown area. and KV realy in the past was required to make this $150,000
payment into the uh parking improvement program fund and those funds I think would be very well suited to make the improvements surrounding the 35 Stevens A former municipal building which once completed will have public parking
surrounding it. It currently is now although a good portion of the lot is essentially unusable. Uh it had been for some time. It was most recently used as a staging area for some uh streetscape improvements along Stevens A. Uh and it is certainly in need of serious work in
order to be real formal parking spaces. Uh which would be a paved lot, you know, curbing things of that sort. And the municipality is looking to allow KV realy to spend those funds in making improvements to the 35 Stevens A parking lot. uh the municipal public parking lot
that will be there with spaces dedicated for public parking in the future. The intent of in doing so is because KV realy hiring a private contractor to perform this work uh would allow three to four times the amount of work to be completed for the same dollar amount
because the owners restrictions that are placed on municipalities uh drive costs up two, three, four times higher than private contractors are able to perform the work for. So having this work performed uh in that area of course with proof of every dollar being spent uh
will be required and we are looking to see some major and substantial improvements to that parking lot once that building is completed. Uh this resolution would allow them to do so which would be a major benefit to the municipality because we then do not need to spend the funds to do so. will have a
good chunk of the work already completed and then the municipality can complete the work and formalize that as public parking uh for anyone to use. Any questions with item number three? >> Question. I'm sorry, Councilman Murphy. >> Uh any chance we could potentially table
this one till next meeting? My only request just because I know we got this one around 5 and I didn't necessarily get to read it probably till around 600 6:30. I'm not even saying against it or anything about that. I just know you know three of the council members are on for the original application prior to council Patel getting or us getting here. So just wanted to see if we uh potentially could table this till next
meeting. >> Yeah, I am I'm I'm I know this came uh kind of late. We were uh between myself and councelor were fine-tuning the language. I mean I have no issue in taking this to the next meeting to give you uh to give the council members ample amount of time to vent it to ask any
necessary questions. Uh but we'll put this back on on the next meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, there's lot this lot is not being completed anytime uh in the month of August for sure. Never mind maybe 2025. But uh but yeah, >> I figure that's why >> certainly some time to uh to to review
this further and vet it fully. Uh so that was uh that's item number three and uh resolution C which is now being asked to be tabled. Uh thank you. Items number any other questions before we move on? >> All right, items number four and five.
Uh item number four is our ordinance 1524, our salary ordinance amendment. Uh and in the past, the municipality has had been fortunate when Mr. Coochie was the business administrator to also have him serve as the municipal CFO. Um and because he was also the township
administrator as well as the CFO, uh the salary associated with a CFO in Little Falls was much smaller or a fraction of the total cost that full-time CFOs are currently looking for. uh and in looking for a full-time CFO, we want to be sure
that in the event a qualified candidate is found that we could pay them a salary commensurate with the job being performed. Uh again, we something that may happen in the near future or may not, but at least having the ability to hire a full-time CFO in the future is
something that I think the municipality needs to have the ability to do. And with the current range, it would be impossible to find or hire a full-time CFO. So providing a new salary range uh is something that we are looking to do by adopting ordinance 1524.
Any questions on item number four. All right. Item number five is an ordinance 1525 amending chapter 19 animals. Uh council president, if you'd like, I can certainly uh elaborate on this. um to in some detail and then
answer any questions that the council may have. But this is uh in short uh a rooster ordinance and something that the municipality has faced over the years and actually now for a number of years is occasional and sporadic uh complaints
and issues surrounding roosters in town. And of course, the number one single largest issue being the noises that they make oftent times very early in the mornings, especially in the summer, uh, waking people up. And frankly, in a
township like Little Falls, there is almost no reason that a resident needs to have a rooster. And I want to be very clear, this is not an ordinance prohibiting chickens. We understand that
people want to have chickens, chicken coops in their yards and they enjoy the benefits of having fresh eggs in in their yard daily. Uh so this is not in any way limiting chickens from being present. There is a cap number of I believe eight chickens that would be
permitted and there is a very small fee associated with registering having chickens every single year just to ensure that all other requirements are being met. Uh but again to be clear, this would be in short an ordinance to prohibit roosters from the municipality,
not chickens. Any questions from the council who I know have seen this ordinance or have we've talked about it on a number of occasions? >> Councilman Havs, I know you were spearheading this. You want to add anything to this checking orders? >> I don't. I just want to thank councelor for being able to help us get this
ordinance together so quickly. um the residents that reached out to me, I'm sure they will be very happy about this and thank you very much for all my counseling to >> Okay, we're going to move on. Have a
motion to um have a motion to approve the correspondence and applications. So moved by Councilman Venturi, >> second >> second by Councilman Hlettz. Um is this a roll call? >> Yes. >> Yes. Ro, please call the role for the approval of the correspondence and applications.
>> Council member Patel, yes. >> Council member Murphy, yes. >> Council member Habits, yes. >> Council member Vener, yes. Council President Scoba, >> yes. Have a motion to approve A, B, and D. >> So move. >> Moved by Councilwoman uh Patel and second by Councilman Venturi. Please
call the role to approve A, B, and D. >> Council member Patel, >> yes. >> Council member Murphy, yes. >> Council member Habs, yes. >> Council member Vancerry, >> yes. Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Madame Clerk, please read 1524. >> Introduction of ordinance number 1524, an ordinance entitled 2025, Little Falls
Salary ordinance with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for September 8th, 2025. >> Have a motion to introduce 1524. >> Moved by Councilwoman Hlettz. >> Second. >> Second by Counciloman Patel. Please call the role to introduce 1524. >> Council member Patel. >> Yes. >> Council member Murphy. Yes. Council
member Habits. Council member Vaneri. Yes. >> Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Madame Clerk. Ordinance 1525, >> introduction of ordinance number 1525, an ordinance entitled an ordinance of the township council of the township of Little Falls in the county of Fay, state of New Jersey to amend chapter 19 animals of the code of the township of
Little Falls with a second reading and public hearing scheduled for September 8th, 2025. >> Thank you. Have a motion to introduce 1525. >> So moved by Council Murphy, second by Councilwoman Habits. Roll call, please. >> Council member Patel, yes. >> Council member Murphy, yes. Yes. Council
member Hwood. >> Council member Vaneri. >> Yes. >> Council President Scoba. >> Yes. Council Murphy, you want to lead us off? >> Thank you, Council President. >> That time of year again for the town calendar. >> Uh so, uh applications for advertisements are now out. So, if anybody is interested in advertising in
the calendar, uh they could reach out either to myself, Councilwoman Hlitz, or uh Tyler Pacero over at the rec center. Uh he has a little application for you that you could fill out and advertise. Um, other than that, we did have to cancel our domestic violence awareness committee meeting on Tuesday. Obviously, it was a scheduling conflict with
National Night Out, so we're pushing that off till September. Uh, not too much to report at this time. Uh, it's all I have, Council President. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Murphy. Question on the calendar. This is for Little Falls businesses to, uh, partake. Correct. >> Correct. Okay. Thank you, >> Councilman Benerry.
>> Thanks, Council President. Um, just a few updates for me. Uh great job the other night by the Little Falls Police Department as well as you know the fire department uh DPW and EMS for National Night Out. Kudos to Corporal Vanic for his last one. You know, John has taken a
lot of pride in making sure these events are go off without a hitch and it was another good one. It's a nice way to go before he gets ready for um retirement. So again, it was a great night to come out there. And I do want to say uh thank you too to the building department. So, as I was there the other night, a
resident came up about an issue where he lives and the bu um building department quickly looked into it. Next day, they had addressed the resident uh concerns and notified the resident that was causing the issue, take care of the problem. So, again, it's always good when you have these events and residents
are asking questions and you can put them to the right resources. So, that was a very good and pleasing. Um, I also want to thank New Jersey Transit. Um, there's a resident of Monontlair A that has had some issues over the years with the train station and some of the work that's been going on there. So, I
reached out to New Jersey Transit and met with the resident as well as Manette Romano from NJT. Um, she's also the mayor of Milbour when she's not doing that. And we had a good conversation with the resident and talked about uh some of the things that can be addressed now versus things that she has to work
on. And it seems like they've already started taking some action with some of the requests that came through. Um they're also looking at revisiting the parking lot and maybe reconfiguring it because it's very outdated. A lot of the signage needs to be replaced as well as
the striping. Um also during the conversations uh and I know PD's been involved in this and Mr. W will connect with you as well. One of the things that we had asked for years was about jurisdiction when it comes to uh the parking lot, which has always been New Jersey Transits. And a lot of residents
would complain about most of the commuters running the stop sign, especially too when the train tracks were down zipping through. So, we did ask um Annette Romano from New Jersey Transit about the possibility of the township pos taking it over. And we were contacted by New Jersey Transit uh
police department. Um, they said it's a little bit of a process. So, I'll get that information over to you. They sent me an email um, last week, but it's something to consider because there have been some concerns. Like I said, when the trains are down, a lot of residents take advantage of zipping through, especially on Montlair. So, more to come on that. I'll send you guys what I have.
But again, this is something that we've heard from the residents on Montlair AB and something we can look into. Um, one other thing, too, I'm working on is the September 11th ceremony. Now, we're in August, but we got to start planning for that. We are looking at uh September 11th, which is a Thursday this year at 6
PM at Wilmore Road Park. Going to put together the program like we usually do. What I may ask for some of my colleagues here, I may have to travel for work that week. So, if I do, if you guys wouldn't mind subbing in to help out with that ceremony. So, more to come. I'll know more in the next couple weeks. But, if I
do have to travel that week, you guys don't mind covering for it. That's it for me. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Hles. >> Uh, thank you, Council President. Uh, so just some library updates. Um, this Thursday, the 14th, at 11:00 a.m., there will be a preschool painting class, uh,
ages 3 to 5. So, be prepared for those little ones to get messy. There are a few openings left, and you would register at the library website. Um, as well as you can register for the art studio class, which is ages seven and up, which will be on August 20th at 6:30
p.m. Also, registration is open uh at the library website. Uh be sure to log in to the library website or their social media for all the up-to-date information of the goings on at the library. Um this Wednesday starts our first uh movie night. So movies in the
park, it is again returning to Wilmore Park uh beginning at 7:30. Uh there will be food and a great time for everyone. Uh this Wednesday is Moana 2, one of my granddaughter's favorites. uh followed by Minecraft on the 20th and Dog Band.
That is something that Frankie and Tyler from the Wreck picked out um on August 27th. Uh so hope to see you all there. And then lastly, um it's coming quick. Uh the township will be hosting its annual townwide uh yard sale Saturday,
September 13th from 9 to 3:00 p.m. with a rain date of uh Sunday, September 14th. The permit is $5 where you can register at community pass. Uh but the registration does include a yard sign and all of the advertising for the sale. That's all.
>> Thank you Patel. >> Uh thank you, council president. So the Clifton Health Department informed us that on August 3rd, um there was a confirmed case of a resident of S County who had developed measles following
international travel. Um they did let me know that it was not a resident from Little Falls or Clipton, but now that there's been a case in state county, we're just informing the public. Um measel symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and
a rash that usually appears between 3 and 5 days after symptoms begin. Um this rash starts off as flat red spots on your face uh at the hairline and kind of move downward. So if anyone sus suspects
exposure to measles um please contact Clifton Health Department or your primary care physician immediately um over the phone first before going there in person. Uh the Clifton Health Department is also partnering with New Jersey Blood Services to host a blood
drive at Clifton City Hall. That's going to be Monday, August 25th, 2025 from 10 to 4. and they're hosting a free prostate cancer screening also at Clipton City Hall. And that's going to
be on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 from 1 to 5. And finally, our next public health committee meeting is September 10th at 6 at 6:30 and that's right here in town hall for anyone that wants to attend. That's all I have. Council President, >> thank you.
>> Have a motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only. Moved by Councilman Ben Ven Cherry, second by Councilwoman uh Patel. All those in favor. >> All those opposed? Motion carries. Madame clerk. >> Anyone wishing to address the township council may do so through the council president. It is preferred if you give
your name and address for the record. Comments are to be limited to three minutes. However, if appropriate, you may be granted additional time in the sole discretion of the council president. Members of the public who have joined the meeting virtually and desire to provide comment shall raise their virtual hand in the Zoom application. The meeting moderator will cue the members of the public that wish
to provide comment and the council president will recognize them in order. Members of the public who have joined the meeting by calling in must press star six to mute and unmute themselves and star 9 to raise their hand. Members of the public 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. The floor is now open. >> Seeing no one else seeing no one come before us. Have a motion to close the public. So move. >> Moved by Councilman Ventry, second by Councilman Habits. All those in favor?
>> I. >> All those opposed? Motion carries. I want to thank the entire staff for assisting me in getting this agenda ready for this meeting. Have a motion to close this meeting. >> So moved. >> Moved by Councilman Murphy. Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Patel. All those
in favor. All those opposed. This meeting is now closed.