WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6-5lMqXmI

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: 2Q6-5lMqXmI):
- 00:00:00: Sunshine Statement: Meeting Compliance and Agenda Overview
- 00:01:22: Roll Call, Moment of Silence, and Pledge of Allegiance
- 00:02:28: Presentation: Jacob Glazer Honored with Leadership Scholarship
- 00:06:23: Presentation: Barry Farber Discusses 'Little Billy' Book
- 00:16:35: Proclamation: Gun Violence Awareness Day and Month
- 00:23:19: Approval of Meeting Minutes and Reopening Budget Hearing
- 00:24:23: Public Comment Slot 1: Budget Amendment (Empty)
- 00:24:53: Resolution: Introducing the 2026 Budget Amendment
- 00:26:30: Public Comment Slot 2: Agenda Items Only (Empty)
- 00:27:16: Ordinance 14-2026: Amending Chapter 146 Food and Beverages
- 00:28:37: Ordinance 17-2026: $8.275 Million Bond for Improvements
- 00:29:26: Ordinance 18-2026: $3 Million Bond for Sewer Utility
- 00:30:13: Ordinance 19-2026: $2.95 Million Bond for Water System
- 00:31:11: Ordinance 21-2026: Amending Traffic, Parking Signs at Intersection
- 00:33:59: Ordinance 22-2026: Project Labor Agreements for Public Projects
- 00:35:35: Consent Agenda: Resolutions for Contracts and Grants
- 00:36:53: Public Comment Slot 3: Any Subject - Jean Stooff
- 00:40:15: Council Response: Legal Review on Demonstration Ordinances
- 00:51:51: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Buddhist Temple
- 00:51:51: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Shu (Buddhist Monk)
- 00:56:39: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Jur
- 01:01:01: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Mongan
- 01:02:28: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Greg Alvarez
- 01:06:24: Public Comment Slot 4: Any Subject - Poin Lee
- 01:08:45: Council Discussion: Federated Church Property Purchase
- 01:14:42: Reports of Township Officials
- 01:19:38: Council Comments: Councilman Anthony on Events and Recognitions
- 01:22:53: Council Comments: Honoring the Temple in New York
- 01:23:27: Adjournment: Next Meeting Scheduled for June 8th


Part: 1

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regular meeting. Um, okay. Sorry, one second. So, we're going to, uh, this is our sunshine statement. Um, this is a statement of compliance with the Sunshine Law, NJSA 104-10.

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This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, and adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by law. Specifically, the annual notice was emailed to the West Essex Tribune and the Star Ledger on January 5th, 2026. The agenda and resolutions for the meeting are available on

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LivingstonJ.org. Certain portions of this meeting may be closed to the public for the purpose of personnel and/or other matters as outlined in the Sunshine Law. Decisions made and/or discussed in close session will be no made known to the public at a later time. Notice to members of the governing body and township step any use

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of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purposes of township business and any communications are subject to the open public records act. To the extent possible, this evening's Township of Livingston Council meeting will be live streamed via Facebook at www.fas.comshipenj.

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Questions or comments will also be accepted by emailing live comments at lumonj.org by 4 pm on the day of the meeting and shared with the township council before the meeting. Each speaker shall follow the rules of order in Lumson code 2-15.3.

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Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Thank you, mayor. Council member Minhardt >> here. >> Anthony, >> here. >> Vieira, >> present. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> I'm here. >> And Mayor Klein, >> here. >> Okay, everyone can please rise for a moment of silence. Then we'll follow that with the pledge of allegiance.

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Amy, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation undery

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and justice for all. >> Thank you miss. That brings us to Ess's County updates. Is Eileene present for that? I don't think I see her. So we'll move along. All right. That takes us down to on our

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agenda, our proclamations uh and presentations. Tonight we have three proclamations and presentation and a pres uh three proclamations. Uh Jacob Glazer, how are you, sir? Um we understand, let me just make sure I'm

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holding the right one here. Uh this is our citation as opposed to a proclamation. Thank you. Um, so, uh, Jacob, you've been honored, uh, by the New Jersey League of Municipalities. I'm going to have you come on up and please explain, um, you know, what

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you've done to be honored by them and what the honor is, and then the council will present you with, uh, with something. to bring this down with you. >> So, Jacob was the winner of the uh Lewis B Lewis Bay Second Future Municipal Leadership Scholarship. Can you tell us

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what that means and and you know uh what you uh what you did to deserve that? Yeah. So, it it was a scholarship for high school juniors and seniors. And to apply, you need to write a scholarship to you need to write an essay about what your favorite part of your hometown is. And the theme of the essay was future

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municipal leaders. And I would want to go into a career like that in my future. So, what I wrote about my favorite part of my hometown was the government and how embedded they are with our community. >> Um, and what what about the government? Can you give us some specifics of that?

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So, I did a few things throughout my time in Livingston and I thought that how embedded the town council members are and the mayor and everybody coming to all the events in Livingston, supporting students and all the committees and commissions we have

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really in made my time here enjoyable and effective. >> Excellent. So, I want to just uh read the citation. I'm going to have the council come down while I'm doing this if that's all right. Um, so this citation says for being the first ever

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Livingston student to be one of three winners of the annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Lewis Bay Second Future Municipal Leader Scholarship Competition. The essay, what I like about my hometown, highlights the importance of collaboration between government and the community, including

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students, and the importance of the government body to be visible and embedded in the community. Your proposal to allow students as members of the Livingston environ environmental commission has forged a path for future students to be student members of the commission as well as other committees. And your work on the skip the stuff

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ordinance has led to a reduction in plastic waste due to the elimination of single-use plastics. You proposed the light the way initiative to install inground LED crosswalk lighting for pedestrian safety in an effort to reduce pedestrian deaths. We cannot thank you enough for all your contributions to

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Livingston and we wanted to give you this is not an actual check. Although yes, we'll uh this is for you first of all and uh this is a uh check from the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Don't try to cash this one. Um but uh to

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congratulate you, >> Jacob. Thank you for being involved and for contributing. It's one thing to just say that, you know, you recognize that the government might be doing a good job, but you step up and you help and you have you bring ideas to the table and uh we really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Good work. >> Thank you so much.

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>> All right. >> Thank you very much. >> You did a good job there. >> All right. Very good. Thank you, Jacob. All right. >> Oh, I have the mic point. All right. Um,

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the next uh presentation is going to be Thank you. is going to be uh from Barry Farber, an LHS graduate, uh an inventor and author, and he wrote a book called The Adventures of Little Billy in Search of the Magic Tree. Uh Barry, would you come up and tell us about uh your book

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and uh >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Here you go. We're gonna give it right. >> Y there you go. Thank you. >> All you, Ed. >> Well, thank you all for having me. I appreciate it, Ed. Thank you. Hello,

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everyone. So, my name is Barry Farber and uh I went I graduated from Livingston High School in 1977 and then 30 years ago I moved back to this town. I love it here. I really love it here. I'm not moving anywhere. I love this town. But, um so Ed wanted me to

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tell you a little bit about what I do. Um mostly companies hire me to help them break through with products or people or celebrities, athletes, entertainers. And um so over the years I've written 14 books about inspiration, marketing,

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sales, and the reason I'm here tonight is because I'm excited to tell you that the Livingston High School has taken my children's book. We made an animated series of this on YouTube, The Adventures of Little Billy in Search of the Magic Tree. And Otis Anderson, the

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MVP of the Giants, is the voice of Sherman the Turtle. Comedian Bobby Collins is Bosco the Bear. That's the animated series. But what's really exciting is the high school is now taking the book, an animated series, and

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expanding it into a a play on June 15th at 7:00 in the evening. And those high school students you've seen, right? Maybe I I put it up all over town. We we have some help. But they're they're going to uh expand it in their own

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creative way. I sat down and listened to uh Scott Patterson uh direct these kids who were so creative and enthusiastic. And what it is is the three key things is number one is I'll be selling the books after the show and portions of

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proceeds from this book go to the Tamarlain Animal Sanctuary and Preserve where it supports the animals there that are rescued. But the the kids are amazing. They have so much enthusiasm. And then the other thing is is why did I

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even do this book is I took 14 books and I used to do radio. I do some TV now and and interview people from all walks of life, highest achievers in sports, science, business, the arts and I wanted to find out what is the secret to having a good life. Okay. So I work with these

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people ranging from remember Evil Conval. Um Evil Conval I got him a roller coaster at Six Flags. They built a $7 million roller coaster. I worked with Andy McDonald who's a world champion skateboarder. He's doubles partner with Tony Hawk. He's real well

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known and got him a book published at Simon and Schustster. But working with these people, I found the common denominators were five key secrets. And what these animals and what the play will share with these kids is about um each animal. Should I tell you the

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secrets or do you want to see them? You want to hear the secrets? Okay. There is a secret. There's a big secret at the end of this. But the five secrets are Lawrence the owl talks about patience and service. You know our awards in life are in direct proportion to our service. I heard it said best by the founder of

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William Danforth said catch a passion for helping others and a richer life comes back to you. And that's the owl secret of how little Billy can find the magic in the tree but he's got to earn it. He's got to figure out himself. The next one is Bosco the bear who says it's

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all about attitude. attitude seemed a huge trait of high achievers of a resilient attitude no matter how much uh adversity or setbacks they face. And uh so his secret is give a smile to all you see and you will find the magic tree. I know

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it sounds corny maybe but believe me attitude when people are down and you can come back up with a positive attitude that's the biggest trait of high achievers I've ever seen no matter what business. Um, and the third thing is Sheba the Wolf talks about courage. Courage to do things that maybe aren't

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popular, but it's the right thing to do. And I think we need more of that with kids. And then the the fourth one is Sherman the tur not Sherman. Um, Rupert the Toad. And u the bully frog. I'm the voice of the bully frog. You you what are you going to do to do it? You know,

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the the frog starts talking and telling you know uh you know little Billy that he's going to you know make fun of Rupert the Toad. it. His secret is empathy. Look on the inside of those you see and you will find the magic tree. Empathy. And then the last secret is

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Sherman the turtle. Um and his secret is determination. Never give up on a dream that could be and you will find the magic tree. And that's kind of like the messaging that's going to go forward for these kids, but in an entertaining way where it's not forced and they go

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through this, where they learn it and they feel, you know, they they love animals, so they can re relate to them. But to me, that last statement of of of Sherman the turtle, never give up on a dream that could be and you will reach the magic tree. I've gotten 37 rejections from publishers. I kept every

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letter, every single letter. They said they didn't like the animation. It's 270s. um they wanted to have their own illustr I I got so much rejection on all kind of projects but that is what tells you you're on the right path if you have value behind something if you believe in

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it uh you just don't give up okay so I hope everybody in Livingston and all the towns around come on June 15th it's a Monday night at 700 p.m. at the Livingston Auditorium, 600 seats, and uh we'll have, you know, a little

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presentation for 10 minutes from the Tamarlain Animal Sanctuary about animals and what they do. They actually had tryyouts for a chicken. Okay, they they're bringing a chicken. They can't bring a cow and pigs. It would be too much. But they are bringing a chicken who made, you know, they tried out and

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made the the part of coming to the Little Billy Play. So, um, that said, um, I know you gave me like four minutes, so am I on time? >> You're right on time. >> You're right. >> I just wanted to share one thing with you, which I was told not to do. Um, the

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officer's in the back. What is he going to do? So, >> I want to show you something. >> He's armed, Barry. >> This is the most best metaphor for me to give you an example, but I wanted to show you this. I have them for everybody. This is a product I co-invented and we sold about 7 million

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of them. So much rejection. It's a pen, right? A flat pen. And you open it up and you squeeze it together and it becomes a pen. The sides come together and you can even make it addicting. People start snapping it. All right? It folds flat. But it folds flat like we

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do. We fall flat on our face. And the only way to unfold new opportunities to get back up and use that intelligence to move forward. So for me, I'm 67. No, 66. Let's not rush it. But when you Yes.

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Okay. It's a good feeling. I didn't have to sign any insurance thing. Okay. But remember this, falling isn't failing as long as you don't fail to get back up in life. So that was the message. Um I have some pens for everybody here. I think I I don't know if I have enough for

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everybody. >> Thank you, Bar. All right. Thanks for having me. >> Why don't we uh why don't we come down and take a picture with you? Yeah, >> I I could talk a lot more, but Ed told me to be quiet for you know, don't don't go too far. You know what? I got one

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left >> and for the Oh, no. I don't I owe you. I owe you. >> No, I owe you. >> All right. Why don't we uh Why don't we come down and take a picture? >> What's that? >> I know. I Carol, did did you not get a pet? >> It's okay. Or no, I I I ran out. I swear

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I >> No, I want to bring I'll give some to Ed. He'll share it with everybody. >> All right, Ed, you'll sh I'll get you more. >> Whatever you want. >> No, right. >> I was going to say, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can you hold this?

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>> No. Before Before we take a picture, I just first of all, I want to thank I want to thank the mayor. Um I want to I want to thank Mayor Klein for giving Barry a few minutes. I've had the pleasure of knowing Barry now for I think about it. Uh I coached Sam Farber in second or third grade soccer and so

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ever since then we've known each other. We've been friends. I've seen him throughout all these things. And I was listening to you the first time really heard what you had to say about little Billy. I wish more people would take to heart the words that you just gave us because what you say is what we try to pro what we try to talk about at every

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meeting. It's all about those things. Um it reminds me of my dad's expression that he had that I translated. It's the tone that makes the music and that's exactly what you just brought out today. You brought out a great tone for this. I thank you for coming here and I again I thank the mayor for giving him a few minutes. >> Yeah, I'm only sorry that the camera

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couldn't see what you did because of there and and I couldn't even see very well because of the walls here. So kicked me out. My wife said don't do that. >> I don't always listen to her. That's the problem. And just for the audience, I'm sorry I

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didn't I would have brought pens for you, too. But if you get a book at the play, the proceeds go to the animal sanctuary and I'll And you get a free pen with it, too. >> As long as you buy the book. >> Best of luck with the book and play. Excellent. Go ahead. Thank you. >> All right. Nice to meet you. Thank you.

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Can I leave this for >> I don't even like >> I'll take that seat if you want. >> All right. Thanks again, Barry. Perfect. All right. We're going to uh move along to our third presentation. Um this is a uh a proclamation uh in recognition of

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gun violence awareness day. Um we're going to read the proclamation and then we'll have have you ladies come on up and uh and speak. Um Councilman Minhart, you want to start please? >> Sure. Whereas every day nearly 130 nearly 130 people in the United States

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are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year. And whereas since 2020, firearms are the number one cause of death for American children and adolescents. And

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whereas the gun suicide rate in the United States is 10 times that of higher inome countries. and access to a gun increases the risk of death by suicide by three times. And whereas the United States has a ratio of 121 firearms owned

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by 100 residents, up from 88 per 100 in 2011, far surpassing that of other countries around the world and making the United States the only country with more civilian-owned firearms than people. And whereas evidence-based

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public health solutions such as community-based violence intervention programs have statistically proven to be effective in reducing gun violence in cities and localities across the nation and New Jersey. And whereas due to the collaborative efforts of elected

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leaders, community leaders, and law enforcement, New Jersey has the fourth lowest rate of gun deaths in the United States. But more can be done. And >> whereas New Jersey suffers an average of 442 gun deaths per year with a rate of

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4.8 deaths per 100,000, a crisis that cost the state yearly $5.3 billion. And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens is consistent with keeping firearms away from people who are at risk of harming

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themselves or harming others. And >> whereas protecting public safety in the community they serve is a mayor's highest responsibility. And whereas June 2nd, 2026 would have been the 29th birthday of Hadia Pendle Pendleton, the teenager who marched in President

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Obama's second inaugural parade and was tragically shot and killed weeks later in her hometown of Chicago. And whereas the idea of gun violence awareness day and month was inspired by Hadia's friends who asked their classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear to announce

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themselves to other hunters when in the wild wildness. And orange is the color that symbolizes the value of human life. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Township of Livingston affirms its commitment to reduce gun violence, to pledge to do all it can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, to encourage

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responsible gun ownership, including the safe storage of firearms, and to support common sense gun violence prevention legislation and policy consistent with the Second Amendment, and declares the first Friday in June, June 5th, 2026 to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day

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and June 2026 to be Gun Violence Awareness Month. And now therefore be it resolved I, Sean Klein, mayor Township of Livingston, hereby affirm that this Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the month is of June 2026. Um, I just want to say that we do

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a lot of proclamations here and there's not that many that we always read the entire full proclamation and as I recall every year we've done this, we've actually read through the entire thing to pl to place a proper emphasis on it. So I just want to say once again, we've done that this year. Um, everyone on the

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council here of course is on board uh with this proclamation and uh if you ladies want to come up we can present it to you. You guys want to come down? On. Okay. We're here with Stacy, uh, Lori, and Amy, uh, who, you know, who have made it an annual, uh, I think all

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three of you involved every year, I believe, right? Okay. So, um, if someone wants to speak, um, let's see. >> Okay. So, thank you so much as always. We really appreciate the support that we get from all of you every single year and all of our proclamations, whether it's this or voting rights. Um, we are

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accepting this on behalf of NCJW Essics, which I will just very quickly say is imminently in the process of becoming a new organization. We are rebranding. We're now going to be called TOVA and that should be happening in the next day or two. And also Mom's Demand Action. Everything in the proclamation that you

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read is really what we would have said because it says everything. Um, just so everybody knows, New Jersey is the fourth safest state in the entire country and that's due to all the legislation that's passed. Every um we have um many many laws on the books. There are some that are pending. The

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safe storage um um bill is pending right now. And if anybody feels so inclined, they can call their state senator John McCann. can call um our local assembly people and let them know how important it is that safe storage um I think 1.5 million people in New Jersey own guns

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and it's really important that these guns are protected and kept out of the reach of children and that bill is passing through state right now. Um the I think it's next Friday Maplewood is having a gun violence awareness rally. We are not doing one as part of TOVBA or MA moms action, but there is one in

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Maplewood. And I just really would hope that people read up on this and understand how important it is to um enact these laws and how lucky we are to live in a state like New Jersey where it protects our residents. So, and thank you very very much. >> Thank you, Lori. Thank you very much. Uh so, let's get a photo.

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Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Nice to see you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Okay,

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we will now move on to the approval of meeting minutes pending any corrections. We have regular and conference meeting minutes from May 11, 2026 and close session minutes uh from May 11th as well. Can I have a motion to approve the meeting minutes pending corrections?

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>> Motion. No second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Okay. Uh we'll move along now to continue the public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget. Uh Jared, just tell me what how we want to proceed on this uh

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from a mechanical point of view here. >> Yes. So, mayor, uh you'll ask for a motion to reopen the public hearing on the 2026 micial budget that was adjourned and continued from May 11th, 2026. >> Okay. Can I have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to open a public hearing. >> Second it. >> All in favor?

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>> Any opposed? Okay. Okay. So the the uh the the microphone is now open for public comment. Uh limited to uh four minutes. >> Yeah. On Right. On the budget which >> on the budget on the budget amendment. Yeah. >> Not on the amendment. On the >> on the budget to be amended.

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>> Right. >> Okay. >> Seeing none. >> Seeing none. >> Uh motion to close public hearing. >> Second. >> Uh all in favor. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. So >> roll call, right?

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>> Yeah. You need a roll call to close. >> Roll call on the close. Okay. >> Council member Minhart. >> Yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. And now we move Jared to the resolution uh for resolution 26186. Uh clerk, can you please read the

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resolution? >> Resolution 26-186 to introduce the 2026 budget amendment >> and that'll have a public hearing on June 8th. So it's introduce and have a public hearing on June 8th. Thank you. Um, can I have a motion for resolution 26-186?

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Is there uh any discussion? >> Okay. Barry, do you want to just uh speak to the amendments and or or Ann, you might want to just explain what we're talking about here? >> Yeah, as we discussed the last hearing, the um state of New Jersey has to review

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the municipal budget. It was all sent down uh timely. The state um is being very uh detailed in their review this year. Uh they did identify a few things that wanted some things. The the amendment is not uh particularly substantive, but nevertheless requires

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um a a public hearing and an amendment. So um on June 8th, we will have the full presentation of the budget as we typically do at which point you'll vote to adopt the budget as amended. >> Thank you. Um Mayor, I just would like

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to say a quick couple of words. So I'm going to call out an and Barry. uh tremendous amount of work. This goes on and on and uh you know every little uh question you take time meticulously get

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details answer it. Uh I know Ed and I see your work firsthand. Uh when we sit down on finance subcommittee you go through details. So I want to just make sure I call out and say thank you. Uh it it is it is lengthy but it's the right

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thing to do and they're going by the books and it's it's important that we do. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other comments? >> Okay. Caroline, can you please call the role? >> Council member Minhart, >> yes. >> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein,

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>> yes. Uh, we will now move to public comments on agenda items only with a 4-minute time limit. I >> have a motion. >> Motion to open the meeting. Public comment on agenda items. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Yep. >> Any opposed? Okay. At this time, the meeting is now open for agenda items

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only. There's a 4m minute time limit per person. Residents can come to the phone. Please state your name uh and whether you live in town for the record. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed.

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Okay. We've now closed public comment on agenda items and we'll move on to the passage of ordinances. Uh there are four there are four ordinances. We the other one was for introduction that we took off, right? So there's four ordinances for second

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reading. Correct. Okay. Um so we will start with uh Madame Clerk, please read ordinance number 14-2026 by title. >> Ordinance 14-2026 amending chapter 146 food and beverages. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Can I have

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a motion to open the public hearing? >> Mayor, I'll make a motion to open the public hearing. >> Second it. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. And the public hearing on ordinance 14-2026 is now open. There's a 4-minute time limit per person. Again, if you come to the microphone, please have your name and statement whether you

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live in the town for the record. >> Motion to close. Second. >> All in favor? >> Yep. I >> Okay. Opposed? >> Move the motion to move. >> Second. >> Okay. Any council members have any comments on ordinance 142026?

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>> Okay. Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt. Yes. >> Anthony. >> Yes. >> Vieiraa. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Buptani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Klein. >> Yes. We will now move to ordinance n uh excuse me 17-2026. >> Ordinance. >> Yep. Go ahead. >> Ordinance 17-2026

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8,275,000 bond ordinance for various improvements. >> Can I have a motion to open the public hearing? >> Some move. Second. >> The public hearing on ordinance 17-2026 is now open. 4 minute time limited per person. If you come to the microphone, your name and whether you live in town

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for the record. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Can I have a motion to adopt? >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Okay. Any council members have any comments on 17, 2026?

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Okay. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Council member Minhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Baptani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. Uh, madame clerk, please read ordinance 18206. >> Yes, mayor. Ordinance 18-2026,

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3 million bond ordinance, sewer utility. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to open the public hearing? >> Motion made. >> Second. >> Any all in favor? >> Yes. >> Okay. Opposed? >> Okay. Public hearing on ordinance 18206 is now open. There's a 4m minute time

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limit. Residents can come to the microphone. >> Motion to close. Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to adopt to move the uh ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second.

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>> Do any council members have any comments on 18 2026? >> Okay. Madame clerk. >> Council member Minhardt. >> Yes. >> Anthony. >> Yes. >> Vieiraa. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani. >> Yes. >> Mayor Klene. >> Okay. And finally, uh, yes. And then finally, uh, please read 192026.

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Ordinance 19-2026 2,950,000 bond ordinance for water utility system. >> I'll make a motion to open public hearing. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Okay. The public hearing on ordinance 19206 is now open. There's a 4-minute

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time limit per person. If you come to the microphone, please state your name and whether you live in town. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. And I have a motion to to move it. >> Moved. Second. >> Okay. Any council members have comments on 192026?

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>> Maybe a clarifying quick question. Uh Barry on the water utility system. This is the phase C, >> correct? >> Face CH of the phase C of the PAS uh restoration. >> Thank you. >> And how long are we expecting anticipating that to take?

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>> Well, C are the wells that are not even currently in violation. So, those uh are still being designed and I think that's probably a 2027 construction project and get it wrapped up. >> Thank you. Um Carolyn, if you can call the role. >> Council member Minhardt. >> Yes.

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>> Anthony, >> yes. >> Vieira, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. >> Uh there are now two ordinances for introduction um >> uh tonight. Uh the first is uh 2026. Can

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I have a motion u for introduction? >> Ordinance 21-2026 amending and supplementing chapter 29 traffic and parking signs. >> Move it on first reading. Second. >> Okay. Is there any discussion?

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>> Maybe a description maybe from from Barry on this one. Um yeah, this is a there's an intersection hillside Terrace uh where the police and the traffic division have determined um there have been a number of accidents and it's currently does not

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it's not a stop intersection. So they've recommended that we do that uh for safety reasons. Yeah know thank you Barry and this is the kind of uh proactiveness that goes in uh Barry if I'm if I heard this right and I've been part of the conversations earlier this

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is how it came about from the data analysis from the traffic uh department and police chief to ensure that uh some of those streets are flagged and then reviewed. We put the uh the uh equipment

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in there to analyze how many people goes above, be below the limits of the speed and what can be done. And this ordinance is about addressing those issues. Is that >> correct? And and I think it's reflective of a broader movement that we've certainly had over the last couple of

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years to kind of relook at all of our streets, both from a pedestrian safety tra, you know, a an automobile traffic. The traffic division's gotten very proactive in evaluating accident history, speeds, etc. and and certainly goes handinhand with the pedestrian,

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bicycle, all the initiatives that are underway. >> Thank you, Barry. I think that's that's that show goes to show, mayor, that, you know, uh this council and this uh township management is continuing to do the work that is important for the road safety.

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>> I I know, deputy mayor, that that's a a passion project of yours. Um so, thanks for your work on that. Uh, madam clerk, can you please call the role? >> Yes. Mayor Council Member Reinhardt, >> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieira, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. >> And mayor, the public hearing on this

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ordinance will be Monday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m. >> Thank you. That moves we move on to ordinance 22-2026. >> Ordinance 22-2026 establishing requirements for project labor agreements on certain public construction projects. I'd

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>> like to make a motion to approve the ordinance. second. >> Any comments from the council members? >> I I I have just a couple words. Mo most uh I will say that the uh I believe the June 8th is the next uh the second hearing. Uh I'll say most of it, but

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this is just a a wonderful ordinance um that will be passing hopefully passing um uh living businesses will uh be uh be helped by this plus also hands-on training to our students in our high school also uh through this. Uh, so I'll have more to say, but I just think this

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is just a wonderful ordinance. >> Any other comments? >> U, it's, uh, it's a wonderful facility that they have. Um, and to Councilman Vieira's point, this is where, you know, rubber hits the road. Um the facilities

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that these uh this organizations have it gives opportunity to young kids prepare them with the skills required and on top of it really ensures that they get the safe passage up not just get trained but

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also get safe jobs unionized jobs but at the same time make sure that the opportunities are clearly visible. So, I I completely agree. It's it's it's a wonderful ordinance to have. >> Okay. Madame Clerk, please uh call the role. >> Council member Minhart,

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>> yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieira, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Bapti, >> yes. >> Mayor Klene, >> yes. >> And this will also have its public hearing as Council Member Vieira mentioned on Monday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m. >> Thank you. Uh we now move on to the consent agenda. Uh, all matters listed

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with an asterisk are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the governing body so requests, in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the

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agenda as part of the general orders. Do any members of the council wish to have any items removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion and voting? >> Okay. Madam clerk, please read all the resolutions on the agenda by title and resolution number. >> Yes, mayor. Resolution 26-189

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authorizing the award of a contract to Downs Tree Service Company, Inc. for trees. Resolution 26-190 authorizing the award of a contract to Downs Tree Service Company, Inc. for stream cleaning. Resolution 26-191

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authorizing the award of a contract to Rivax Contracting Corp. for the municipal parking lot. and resolution 26-192 Ridge Drive NJDOT local aid grant 2027. >> Can I have a motion?

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>> So moved. >> Second. Okay. Uh can you please uh call the role? >> Council member Minhartt. >> Yes. >> Anthony, yes. >> Vieira, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Banani, >> yes. >> Mayor Klein, >> yes. >> That brings us to public portion uh on any subject. >> Motion. Motion to open the meeting for

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public portion on any subject. >> Second. >> Okay. You'll be limited to uh three minutes. Uh you can please come to the microphone, state your name and whether you live in town. Uh whoever would like to come up. Uh our our general commenting is three

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and our agenda item is four. >> You said four. >> No, it's three minutes on the >> on the open portion. Okay. Jean Stooff, 18 North Drive. Uh, about three years ago, I had a

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meeting with Meet the Mayor. The mayor couldn't make it, but but um Ed Minehart was there and I asked him to um do very specific things to check with surrounding towns for ordinances about

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demonstrations. uh because I had been a little disturbed with a few things that had happened here and I was also very disturbed with what happened at Suburban Torah and I felt if we had had an ordinance that never would

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have occurred but I did ask the mayor about getting information and I wrote a letter with specific request I'll read you. My initial suggestion was to ask the surrounding towns if they they had

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an ordinance that we could examine with a legal basis as a guideline this issue. That way we could have passed legal ordinances or rules that had already been through the legal process.

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As I said at that meeting, townships would be more likely to send the desired information to the town rather than me. That's why. But I did go online. There are a few of them there. And I do have

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um just a a short list that's generally online. It's obviously has been through the legal process. So, it's not something you really need a lawyer to go through and come up with an ordinance. I understand that you addressed the issue,

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but you didn't notify me. And I've never, except for one letter I got from uh the township uh manager early uh after I'd had that meeting with Ed uh

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tell, you know, telling me that they would pursue. I asked how many towns specifically how many towns you checked, how many had ordinances, very specific questions, but I never got an answer.

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And I don't know if that was done or not. I don't know if those answers were given at your meeting but I feel uh for me to come here tonight or any night is a real effort and I feel it's

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an imposition that you as council members have imposed on me and I just want to know I'd like to know that you really did this work and what you did and I want to know how I can learn that.

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>> So, uh, Jean, you you came and asked us these questions a few weeks back. Um, and >> I also came three years ago and asked them and I I did it repeatedly. >> Let me let me just respond to what you had said. um you came a few weeks ago and asked and we and at the next public

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meeting because it's broadcast and so people have access to the tape and have access to being able to watch it online. We did even though you weren't here, we did go through the measures of having uh Jared, our town attorney, explain, you know, the legal questions as answers to the legal questions you're bringing up

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because fundamentally these are legal questions and we we do uh determine that we're going to follow the advice of the town attorney. >> Could I just say something? Hold on one second. Please let me finish. So, we did reply to you before. Um Jared did want to email you on that, but we didn't have

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an email contact for you. So, we're glad that you're here tonight and we are prepared that if you were going to come tonight that Jared would have would be able to give his legal opinions on your questions. >> You have no you have no email for me. Then, how was it that the man town manager was able to send me an email?

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>> Jared didn't have your email, but Jared, let me if you can. I just don't want to have a back. Please answer. Can I just say something to you? What I asked did not involve anything legally. What I asked >> All your questions are legal questions. They're all >> No, no. What I asked was that you check

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with other towns to find out if they had ordinances and what those ordinances were because that would avoid having to have expense and time spent with legal uh analysis. >> Okay. Jared, do you want to reply? >> Uh mayor, I just you it's not going to

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be a back and forth though, but I will respond. So, Gan, uh, you brought this to our attention, uh, late 2025, early 2026. Um, on February 9th, 2026, I made the following comments. We had hoped that you would be here on that night, um, or that you had, you know, watched

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it. As the mayor said, our it's widely available. So, I I'll just repeat what I said. on February 9th, 2026. I want to briefly address the question that was raised about how the township of Livingston handles protests and demonstrations and whether our approach is consistent with surrounding mun

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municipalities. By way of background, I serve as a municipal attorney not only in Livingston, but also for Milbour, North Cwell, and Morris Township. In response to this question, I not only reviewed those towns, but I also reviewed several neighboring municipalities and how they address

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protests, including West Orange, West Cwell, Rosland, Floren Park, Springfield, and East Hanover. Some municipalities such as West Orange, and West Caldwell have adopted ordinance that expressly refer to demonstrations

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or protests and require permits under certain circumstances. Other towns such as Springfield and North Cwell address protests through parade or procession ordinance when activities involve marching in the roadway. By contrast, municipalities

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such as Milbour, Morris Township, Roseland, Floren Park, and East Hanover generally do not have protest specific permitting ordinances. Instead, they regulate larger or more complex gatherings through general general event

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park use or public safety frameworks or address them through coordination with the municipal clerk or police department. Importantly, despite these differences and how the ordinances are written, the practical legal outcome is largely the same across all these towns, including

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Livingston, because municipalities are constrained by constitutional law. Under the First Amendment, residents have the right to engage in peaceful, expressive activity in traditional public forums such as sidewalks, streets, and parks without the need for government

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permission. So, as long as the activity does not obstruct access, interfere with traffic, or create legitimate public concerns. I also want to address a concern that sometimes arises, which is a belief that protesters should be required to pay for police time, traffic

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control, or the use of sidewalks and other public spaces. The township understands that concern and municipal resources are limited and it is reasonable for residents to expect that public safety costs are managed responsibly. However, on this point, the

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law is very clear. Municipalities generally may not charge people for the exercise of their first amendment rights. Sidewalks and public rightaways are not rented spaces. They are traditional public forums held in the trust for expressive activity. A peaceful protest standing on a sidewalk

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is not using municipal property in the same way as a private event reserving a park or facility. Similarly, the township may not require pro protesters to pay police cost simply because their speech may draw attention or require monitoring. Courts have made it clear that the cost of protecting public

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safety during expressive activity cannot be shifted onto the speakers based on the content of their message or the reaction it may provoke. There is however an important distinction when activity goes beyond ordinary public use such as requesting roadway closures,

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exclusive use of park space, amplified sounds, stages, tents, or other logistical support. The township may require permits, coordination, and some cases reimbursement for extraordinary services. That applies equally to protests, parades, festivals, and other

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events. Livingston's approach reflects that distinction. The township does not require permits for peaceful protests that do not implicate public safety or municipal resources. It requires coordination of permitting only when necessary to address logistics and safety, not based on the content or

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viewpoint of the speech. In short, while some towns regulate protests through explicit permit ordinances and others do not, constitutional law ultimately brings all municipalities to the same place, Livingston's approach is consistent with neighboring towns and wellestablished constitutional

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principles. >> Jared, I want to thank you for that because it was clearly a lot of thought and effort went into it. Um, it was in response to important questions that we're getting from the public and I think you did an excellent job covering all the data points. I really I really think like you you you looked at how

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many towns a dozen towns that were surrounding us. You you compared all their ordinances. You talked about in summary legally, you know, where that gets us and how Livson might differ from the other towns. And I think that he has done a very good job and and and this is why the council relies on his

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legal expertise when it comes to these matter. These are all legal questions. So it's not just a simple sorry that we would read an ordinance from the surrounding town and and you know someone as a physician I'm not going to be the one to make you know to rely on my judgment uh on these issues. I'm going to make sure we have the right

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people in place working for the town that can help us to sus through these issues and and I I really think that we do have the right people in place. One of the things that troubled me was my initial request was in a closed meeting with no minutes to Ed Ed Minehart and I

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he agreed that because we pay taxes >> wasn't a closed meeting. I'm just saying that well your time is actually but that wasn't a closed meeting was a closed meeting. >> It wasn't I didn't say it was a closed meeting. >> You use the word closed meeting. That wasn't a closed meeting. discussion. There was no one. There was

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a meeting where no one but Ed and I were there. So, no one heard what was said. That was the initial request and I believe that there was a certain amount of agreement that because we pay taxes

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which support the police and pay them that possibly if you had an ordinance it would there wouldn't be no fee required for people who lived in the township. Okay. There might be for others, but whether you heard we've heard the >> Wait a minute. Whether you address that

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or not, the point I'm trying to make is your council was not at that meeting. So, he really didn't know what my request was. >> It was it was explained to me. Yeah. And you you came to several meetings, Jean, >> right? Questions over and I listen, let's let's move on. I think that we really have made an extraordinary effort

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to answer your questions and they were important questions, but I really think we've answered them. I'm sorry, but what I wanted to say was that and and sometimes you limit the length of time that someone can speak. So sometimes you may say a number of things about the way

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you feel and one thing may have nothing to do with the other and yet everything was looped together in this. The main thing was that if other towns have an ordinance, it's obviously legal for us to do it and we could have the same thing. And I saw no reason why we

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shouldn't. And I still don't see any reason why we shouldn't. And frankly, when when the attorney is basing things on hearsay that Ed and I discussed that day, I would say that's not exactly a legal position.

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>> Jean, thank you. Mayor, just can I just clarify a couple things? Please go ahead. >> So, I was I was filling in that time because I think at that point, Mayor Anthony was no longer you're out of town or you couldn't make it. I I just want to let you know that I submitted your what exactly what you said to Mayor

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Anthony uh that evening. I think you came at 6:30 that evening if I'm not making So Mayor Anthony had all the information that you and I discussed and after that I know he presented over to um to our to our town attorney but I just want to bring up one more point since Gene brought up uh that night in

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November uh in front of the synagogue in front of um suburban terror which I certainly was directly affected and we have some police in the back. I just want to thank again that evening was really one of the evenings that was an extraordinary we've never seen in Livingston before and we have two policemen here in the back who represent the entire LPD and I just want to thank

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the entire LPD again for what they did that evening for the entire town of Livingston keeping us all safe and as representatives of the LPD here this evening I just want to commend both of you and please pass those back on to my comments back to your whole force afterwards. So, thank you guys very much.

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>> I couldn't agree more with what the mayor is saying. What I was trying to do is to be to preempt stuff, not to have it happen. And if you have an ordinance, sometimes you can prevent these things happening. >> Thank you, Jean. Okay. >> I just want to know though, you never

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addressed when you discussed in what meetings having the ordinance, and I was never invited to anything. >> It was February 9th, 2026. Why was I not in? >> It was an open public meeting just like this one. It was noticed and and you had come to the one before it and the one before it and raised the issues.

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>> No, I think the we have we have to >> the time I'm talking about is uh three years ago. >> Okay, Gene, I can't speak to three years ago. I don't remember what happened two weeks ago, but the three you're saying three years ago, I don't remember what the circumstances were three years ago.

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>> Make one feel that you represent every person. We have gone through extraordinary measures to make sure we've answered all the questions around your qu all the answers around your questions. I you know it's it's it's I think it's a little unfair to say that we have not really made an effort here to try to address all the questions you've raised. We have

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>> now because I'm so public you're doing it but when I just ask questions p first time at the meet the >> first time when you came back to us in February we had a we we we researched all the answers for the next meeting. We went above and beyond for you gene and we're doing it again right now. We're redising the whole thing.

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>> Can you tell me why the the uh township attorney I mean that the township manager never uh sent me the answer the questions I asked about how many townships uh you checked and how many had ordinances and how many >> I just answered that on behalf of the

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township team gene. It's not his he he he can delegate and it was delegated to me and I I answered your question. I have a letter that may uh refute that but >> all right there there other people might want to come and speak. Please let's give other people an opportunity.

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Um hi uh dear honorable mayor, deputy councilman and citizen of Lston. Good evening. We're honored to have the opportunity opportunity to speak tonight. My dmer

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name is Shu. I'm Buddhist monk. We're here because we believe there has been some confusion about who we are and our intention are and what we have hoped to contribute to the Livingston community.

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We appreciate the chance to introduce oursself more directly and openly. Last year, the American Association of Buddhist Education entered discussion with the with the Federate Church of Livingston regarding the possible

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purchase of the church property. Throughout those conversation, we share our intention to preserve the church building, maintain the cemetery with care and respect and continue continue

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the property's role as a place dedicated to spiritual life and community service. After many months of discussion and review, both the church board and congregation

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congregation voted to approve moving forward with a sale to the uh American Association of Buddhist Education. We signed a contract to purchase the church on October 21st, 2025.

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While waiting for final completion of the sale process, we learned that the township sent a letter via certified mail to the Federal Church of Livingston on December 23rd, 2025

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that the township want to use eminent domain proceeding to purchase the property. the situation uh understandably became more complicated for everyone involved. Later we learned that several concern and public

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discussion emerged online and within the community including a Facebook post on December 6, 2025 with image and description that did not accurately reflect who we are or our intention for

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the property. Unfortunately, we did not have many opportunity early on to introduce ourself due directly to the Livingston uh resident or township officials. Uh

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we're grateful for the opportunity to do that right now. Tonight we would like simply to share a little uh about our existing community and what we have done at our current location in the historic

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village of Rancokus, New Jersey. A member of that community has joined us this evening to offer his support at our location which was also formerly a church property. We have worked to

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preserve and care for the building with respect for it his its history and character. We have thought to maintain the property. >> Sorry, I need you to please uh you know you're allowed three minutes. You have to uh please >> I'm almost done. Give me just a little

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bit time. Thank you. uh we have thought to maintain the property responsibility uh responsibly and use it as a place for spiritual uh practice, education, reflection and service to the border broader community.

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We hope that through dialogue and mutual understanding we can continue building positive relationship with our neighbors and with the township. Thank you again for the time and consideration. Thank you. We appreciate your thoughts and uh

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thanks for coming in. >> Members of the town council, mayor, deputy mayor, and citizens of Livingston. >> Your name, please, and whether you live in town. >> Jur and I don't I don't live in um >> What is that name?

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>> Jur. Um and I do not live in um in Livingston. >> Speak to the microphone, please. >> I don't live in Livingston currently. Um, I would ask you to please stop and consider what it is you were doing.

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You're using governmental power to prevent the establishment of a Buddhist temple, interrupting what appears to have been a lawful and good faith religious transl transaction between the Federated Church of Livingston and a Buddhist community seeking a home.

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This is not merely a land use or a zoning matter. It is a moral and constitutional matter. Livingston bears the name of Governor William Livingston, a signer of the Constitution and a defender of liberty of conscience.

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Yesterday, our nation observed Memorial Day, honoring those who gave their lives defending the freedoms upon which this country rests. among them the free exercise of religion. Those freedoms were not secured only for

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the powerful or for the familiar. They were secured precisely for minority communities and vulnerable faiths. I also want to speak honestly and carefully tonight. I have seen suggestions that the church

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and cemetery somehow require protection from the Buddhist community. And yet this Buddhist temple has already demonstrated its ability to preserve and care for a former church property in southern New Jersey over many, many years. And for the cemetery, as for the

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cemetery, Buddhists understand deeply that places of burial are places of reverence. So I would ask respectfully. What exactly are we afraid of? Before I continue, I should also say something personal. I was raised in the

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congregational church. My father was a congregational pastor. I was born while he was in seminary. So I speak tonight not in hostility to the Christian tradition, but out of reverence for the religious culture that helped shape this country's

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constitutional vision. And perhaps beneath tonight's debate lies an even deeper question. Can a constitutional democracy endure if it loses the capacity for reverence? Not allegiance to one religion, but the

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human capacity to honor conscience, restrain power, and protect the dignity of those whose faith or traditions differ from our own. I'm sorry, I have three versions here. Um, in very short,

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I would hope that that you would stop to reconsider what it you're doing using the the mechanics of government to stop the free exercise of religion in a town that was

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named after Governor William Livingston. whose life was dedicated to creating a culture where government was restrained from impeding the freedom of religion. So I know it's a lot to ask

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to reconsider. You've been you've put a lot of time into making your decisions. But I would ask that you listen to the others who appear tonight and that you will stop and and really do as Governor Livingston suggested that we really

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listen to our to this as a matter of conscience, not merely a matter of expediency. Thank you. >> Thank you. good evening and good evening to all of you. I have

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uh written something but it's just about the same thing you just heard. >> Your name please and whether you live or town. >> Uh my name is Mongan. I am a an American Buddhist and uh I came to support this project.

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Um as stated before, it seems what I was going to say is just about all the same things you just heard. Um, our Buddhist tradition is a tradition of compassion, wisdom, care,

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uh, in alignment with the proclamation against gun violence, in alignment with, uh, Little Billy's, uh, five points, right? Um these are values that are

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fundamental to what we represent and what we practice in our day-to-day life and what we uh attempt to share with others. The whole idea of living according to these principles is the very practice of the Zen and the

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Buddhist traditions. Uh this project is not to take anything away from Livingston. Uh the way I look at our country is as a bouquet of flowers with various colors, various traditions, various things. And

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I feel that this project is something to add into the bouquet uh to beautify the place to to make it really colorful and gorgeous and to support the community all of the community outreach programs

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that normally are an expression of the Buddhist practices. And so I hope that you do vote upon it favorably uh for the community and for our togetherness as a nation and as people of different colors, different ideas,

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different principles, the things that make us who we are. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Good evening, U Mayor Klein and town council members. >> Good evening >> and friends and neighbors. Uh my name is

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Greg Alvarez. I'm a long-standing living uh Livingston resident um and member of the Livingston community. Uh I also had the distinct pleasure of serving on the uh town planning board and appreciate everybody's time and effort and the

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significant skill and experience that you all bring to these matters. Um I do not intend to speak to some of the concerns raised by the prior uh speakers. Um I do simply want to add for as they say whatever it's worth uh a few

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words of support for the AAP Temple and Retreat Center for Sefue and really the very nice people associated with their community. My mother-in-law in the back row is a Buddhist nun and a long-standing member of the community. U

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she's a great mother-in-law by the way. Um um uh so so so I'm familiar I'm familiar with their current location in Rancokus actually their previous location which uh before that which is used uh used to be a religious school in

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a church building my family and I have had the pleasure of visiting the temple many times and have attended uh many function there uh including uh new year celebrations uh based on my experience this group has always been excellent and consider considerate neighbors to the surrounding

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community. They have treated the sacred nature of the property with dignity, have enhanced the surrounding community, and from all appearances have been embraced by their neighbors. They also

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have provided a welcome service to the local and surrounding Buddhist community. Now, I know there was an ordinance passed on May 11th and the town is interested in acquiring the federated church. Uh I'm not familiar with the reasons why the town feels that that

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property at this time is needed for a public use. Uh why that it is in the uh best interest of the town to buy that property or how that thinking may have evolved over times. Uh but uh I have no

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doubt that the town would be well served by having such a caring community take over the federated church property to put it to a good use to maintain it with dignity. Um and of course save the town

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the financial burden of maintaining that property. The AAB temple also would be uh able to serve the Buddhist community in Livingston and surrounding neighborhoods and provide a beneficial service in the process. In many respects, this seems to be a win-win

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situation for the town. >> Bless you. >> But I will leave that to your good judgment. From my perspective, this community would be a great addition to Livingston and would be worth exploring as an option or alternative to the town

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purchasing the property. Thank you. >> Thanks, Greg. Hi, good evening. Uh, my name is Poin Lee. I'm a resident of Milbourne, actually, not Livingston. Um, I'm here to also support the AB temple. My mom,

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who is here with me tonight, um, she's been attending for over 20 years. U, my grandmother before that. And um I also regularly visit with my children. Um we come to Livingston a lot. We come for Chinese school here. We come for um

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dance here. And um I know that there's a lot of support amongst other uh Buddhists and others who parents might be Buddhists and the children and grandchildren want to be a part. Um it is very Rancus is very far. There isn't really a temple nearby that we can go

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to. We typically drive an hour and a half to go. Um, and so we would like to really ask to reconsider the ordinance uh not ordinance, the um the reason why was seized for um the township instead

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of letting them use it for religious purposes. It's been um very well-maintained. My dad actually who's um in his six late 60s is a a volunteer who goes every single Sunday with my mom and um he takes care of all the

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gardening um all the cleaning there and my children also volunteer there regularly with me. So, um, just wanted to say that there's a lot of other supporters, um, in the broader Milbour community who are similar age to me and also children, um, and others, um, uh,

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elderly who would like to come as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'm seeing no other speakers. Oh, do we have one? Okay. Yeah. Okay. I have a motion to close public portion on any subject. >> Motion. Second. >> Okay. All in favor?

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>> I >> opposed. Okay. Um I just I I think um first of all, I want to thank uh everyone who came from uh the uh in support of the Buddhist temple uh for coming tonight. Um I think it's really important to be clear. Um I'm certainly I'm certain I'm speaking for the entire

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council when I say this. Um the one of the great strengths of Livingston which we pronounce over and over again is the diversity of people who live here who are welcomed by the town uh to be here. Um, and we certainly don't feel in any

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way uh that having uh a a Buddhist uh temple in town would be perceived as anything other than a wonderful thing to have. Um and I just want to be very clear about that point because um there have been a couple of the speakers raised the issue that you know maybe

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that there were you know maybe there was some otherness involved or uh that there was some fear and I can tell you right now that um I I have not seen any uh you know apparently someone said they saw something on a Facebook page but I have not seen that those things and I have

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not seen negative comments or been told negative comments or been approached by residents uh saying negative comments. Um we are a welcoming and diverse community. Uh we welcome um we we hope that this as this property uh you know

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is something that the town uh really felt it was in a strong interest uh to to purchase. I mean I can tell you for myself personally uh that when I first got onto this uh council 12 years ago, the first thing I said was that the Federated Church is the most important property for the township to hold. And

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that was 12 years ago. So this is something I certainly I've been thinking about and excited about for a very long time. Uh and it predates any discussions for any secondary use of the federal church. Um and I just want to be clear that there is no uh there is no ill will

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by anyone on this council toward anyone who's coming from the uh you know speaking on behalf of the Buddhist temple. We wish you all well and we hope that we you will be part of our community. Um, and I just it's important to just say that out loud. Um, I don't know if anyone else on the

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council has any comments on that. >> Oh, I mean I guess Go ahead. You want to go first? >> No. Jar, can you give the timeline because I I think there's about a year and a half missing somewhere. >> Yeah. So, um, just to clarify and and Mr. Lewis could help out. Um, I wasn't involved in the early on negotiations,

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but I I think the mayor said it right. Um the Federated Church property uh is one of the most important pieces in Livingston. Um it's a high-profile corner. It's where Mount Pleasant and Livingston Avenue cross. Um it's across from town center. Um and

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we had the township. This was not to stop a Buddhist temple from coming to town. I want to make that clear. Uh when the township found out that the that the property was for sale, uh we went after it. We engaged the broker. Um we we did send a letter out expressing our our

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desire that we would contemplate eminent domain. Um but we did not use eminent domain. Um we have a private sale. Um that contract was executed today actually. Uh we had the ordinance authorizing it. Um so the the the sale

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is done to the township. Um I think that it's something that this council is proud of. Um we think it's going to be a great uh community space. Um they have a you know I think there's a lot of uses for the church that this council is excited about. Um they're excited about the cemetery and they could probably describe what it means to them more what

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this this property means to them. But I think for this particular group um this had nothing to do with the uses that you wanted it for. This was um the council and and the township believed this property to be very valuable and they wanted to do something for its

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residents. Um, and we again believe it's a valuable piece of property that all the residents will have the opportunity to enjoy. Um, and given its location, it was crucial to the township and I'll yield back to you, mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, it the time for

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public comment is closed. Sorry. We're certainly can discuss afterwards. Um, >> I don't >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, >> oh, Barry, go ahead. >> Yeah. I I just wanted to also weigh in and and I certainly reiterate what everyone said. um our interest in the property had absolutely nothing to do

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with stopping the Buddhist church or anything about the Buddhist church. I me personally certainly the mayor spoken how long it's been um on his radar if you will, but um I was check my emails. It was in July of 2024 um that a longtime resident who's been a

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very vocal advocate for the arts approached the council to let us know it was for sale uh encouraging the town to look into it as potential uh performing arts, some other things. Um, so my first contact with the realtor was almost two years ago. It was in July of 2024. At

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the time, the asking price was significantly higher. Um, so we weren't sure that would work. Uh, but then even by the spring of 2025, they had lowered the price. Um, we I had additional uh conversations and site visits. Uh, ultimately we toured the property. At no

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point were we even aware. Uh, we kind of heard other people were interested in it. We didn't know of any contract. Um, we did not, as the attorney indicated, utilize eminent domain. Uh, we we made an offer. They accepted the offer to our knowledge if they whatever contract they

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had with you was not no longer in effect. Um, so again, I would just reiterate this and and certainly to the extent my office or anyone here can assist in in potentially finding alternate locations, whether it be in Livingston or in

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neighboring communities, uh we would certainly and always do welcome uh all face and all people. >> Thank you, Barry. Uh that brings us to uh reports of township officials. Um

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we closed poke. Yeah. Um uh Barry, do you have any uh comments or uh >> No, just uh as I'm sure everyone will join in, I uh certainly thank um the Memorial Day committee and all those volunteers. Obviously, the weather didn't cooperate. Uh so we didn't weren't able to have the parade, but the

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ceremony was was very moving and impactful and certainly recognized Karen, Jen Walker, and her whole team and the entire committee. That's it. >> Thank you. Good. Uh Russ Jones. >> Yes. I just want to remind residents that we have our first electronics

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recycling event on J Sunday, June 7th. Um we also take uh rechargeable batteries, um fluorescent tubes. There will also be trucks there for confidential record shredding and we do make uh a room available at the community center for a day or two

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before. If you can't make the date, you can drop off electronics and then we'll see it gets recycled. We asked that nobody drop off records because we can't guarantee that they're going to be kept confidential. So, >> thanks Russ. So, those are obviously very well attended events. We've get

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500, 600, 700, 800. >> So, uh again, anyone has any electronic recycling uh or confidential papers to dispose of, light bulbs, please, please bring them bring them over to the center. >> Right. Time is 9:00 to 2:00. >> 9:00 to 2 o'clock. Great. Thank you,

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Russ. uh assistant town man uh township manager Adam Lerner. >> Thank you. Uh as you mentioned in your Memorial Day speech, we had 76 banners total go up of all the uh veteran banners. Uh just we've received a couple con um calls about getting more banners

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up. Uh this period is closed. It's closed for a two-year period. So at the end of 27, we will reopen the banner applications. We will take new uh applications. Uh obviously this year we'll do much more uh because we've got to do two uh registration periods this

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time. So the end of 27 we'll have something on our website where you can then apply and go back up uh for the next Memorial Day. >> Thank you. It's been a wonderful patriotic addition uh to the town. Uh township clerk Carolyn Mazuko. >> Um just a reminder that next Tuesday is

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June 2nd is the uh primary election for 2026. Um, uh, early voting open today and the closest location is over at Turtleback Zoo. Uh, you also will be able to do a mail-in ballot voting up until 8:00m on

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election day next Tuesday. We have a dropbox in the back of the building. Just reminding uh, everybody what your options are and that um, started today and we're ready to go. >> Thank you, Caroline. And just to let everyone know, voting at Turtlevac Zoo is a piece of cake. It takes 30 seconds. You walk in, you get it done, you walk

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out. So very convenient uh chance for everybody to vote. Um CFO an Coochie. >> Yes. Thank you very much and thank you for uh your support with the budget and what we're going through right now. Um we did I just wanted to um say we closed

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on the first PAS loan on phase A with a million dollar loan forgiveness which was great and then half of the loan is interest free. And that's one of the reasons why we had to do the amendment. it didn't close until May, so we weren't sure how much that was going to be.

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Thus, the amendment. So, thank you again for also a good time to mention um that uh we're this township is light years ahead of other towns in terms of the water remediation. Um we talked about it before, but it's worth emphasizing because we had a lot of questions about

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the water. I think it's at this point 95% of the uh water input coming into to the township has been cleaned already. So, um, we're we're going to be done very soon and, uh, it's it's been a long time coming with a lot of money. Uh, but, um, we we really finally, uh, can

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see the finish line, which is wonderful. Uh, Jared Caner, T Township Attorney. >> Yeah. Um, I'll just give a quick update for those who have been following the Express Auto Spa uh, issue. Um, last

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week um, Councilman Vieiraa, Councilman Myarn, myself, and Mr. Lewis met with the principles of Express Autospa and their council. Um we believe we came up with a framework uh for uh noise remediation. Um that framework was

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communicated to the residents uh today. Um and we're going to see how that uh is implemented. Um but um we did discuss this and closed and what I could say is this township is committed to protecting the quiet enjoyment of the residents who

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live behind the car wash. Um, so we will remain vigilant and make sure that those remediation measures that were discussed are implemented and actually uh solve the problem that's creating for those residents. >> Thank you, Jared. Uh, we'll have the uh council comments from Councilman Anthony

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tonight. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, since the last time we met on May 11th, uh, a few things that went on in town. Um, we had the Kuanas Carnival, which is always a big hit. Uh, fun for all ages. Um, good weather this year. A little cold but no

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rain. Uh, we also had the AAPI picnic. I believe this was the third annual. So, this is a great tradition in town. We had the ShopRite uh grand reopening. Uh, that was on the 18th. AAPI picnic was on the 17th. Um, on the 20th there was the

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Livingston Public Schools art exhibit. Um, all the great work by our kids um was at the um this year was at the high school gym. kind of grew out of the community center last year which was uh packed. So at the gym it was a little more comfortable. Um and great art by

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all our kids. Uh on the 21st we had the annual fire inspection dinner. Um just a great thanks shout out to our uh our bravest. Um we have one of them here right now. Um at least one I'm sorry. Yeah, no one. Um and uh we uh just uh

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tremendous our volunteers. uh they they put their lives in harm's way and also um from a financial standpoint just saved the town a lot of money by having such a great volunteer fire department. Um the Memorial Day parade uh committee, I think uh Barry mentioned it. Great job

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as usual. We had a beautiful service, although it was inside uh next year. Hopefully the uh the weather will uh cooperate with us. Uh we also had uh the St. Mary Armenian Church 100-y year anniversary in the last uh couple weeks.

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So, congratulations uh there. Going forward, we have on the 28th at 6 p.m. So, that's um upcoming this week. Uh the Essex County Commissioners are here. If you want to come see uh county government in action, I believe they're

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also celebrating Jewish Heritage Month. That's at uh that's here at 6:00 p.m. Uh we have the Portuguese flag raising that is on 5:31. That'll be at 3:00 p.m. here. Uh as Carolyn mentioned, we have the primary election on 6:2. Uh Russ

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mentioned the electronics recycling day from 9 to 2 uh at the community center. Uh that's on on 67 on June 7th. Uh same day we have Chinese Wellness Day. That's at RWJ Barnabas, the Ambulatory Care Center, the ACC. And we have the Pride

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flag raising at noon on that day as well. That's uh 67. Um I think that anything else from council, >> you keep saying 67. Uh Councilman Anthony, I don't know. >> Oh my god, my kids are Is this the uh Is

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this it? 67. Sorry. Yes. 67 happens to be a very busy day in town. Um I believe that's it. Uh again, uh congratulations. Oh, Jacob left. I got a chance to see him on the LEC as liaison there. Uh terrific young man, uh involved in Skip

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the Stuff, um Envirro Art and a bunch of LEC initiatives. And um I think that's it. Uh any Knicks fans, go Knicks. >> I just uh I just for the record, I think the uh the commissioners is not a meeting per se. I think it's just a presentation. They're honoring um

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honoring uh the temple in New York. they're honoring uh which is the oldest temple in this area. Um they're also honoring Rabbi Gowarts from Temple Ben Cheshin and I forgot there's a third person that they're honoring that evening. >> It's their Jewish heritage. >> There's not actual meeting per se. It's just it's just Yeah. >> Thank you.

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>> Um good. And I know that uh Commissioner uh Seabold is uh is is you know is uh planning. >> By the way, that was a surprise, Mayor. >> It's a surprise to who? She knows. >> She's well aware. It's a surprise to nobody.

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Um I wanted to just make a couple of uh of comments. Um so first of all uh you know it's an annual I think very important annual tradition uh for the fireman inspection dinner. Um we always get a full report from the fire department on all their activities. Uh

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and it's the number of of activi the number of incidents I guess was the right word for it. Tell me if I'm saying the wrong word, Tim, but there are they have over 1,200 every year that they are involved with either in training or responses that they do to uh different circumstances. It's just an incredible

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uh number of things that they do just day in and day out. Uh it shows the incredible level of commitment that they make. Um and we just can feel nothing but gratitude uh for all that. And then um for I just want to also comment on the arts. It's just when you walk around the arts at the gym, as as Councilman

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Anthony uh said, um the the quality and the amount of art that is there is an absolute joy to see. Uh and then on the Memorial Day parade, it's got to be it's a heartbreaking decision that Karen has to make to cancel that parade. Uh but we know that she uh she did her best to get it on and uh and it's too bad we didn't

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get to have it this year, but next year we'll do it. Um uh that moves us to um uh we're going to adjourn the meeting. Our next council meeting is scheduled for um for the 8th, June 8th. Uh can I get a motion to adjurnn? What's that?

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>> Uh so moved the day after 67. >> All right. Second. >> All right. Second. >> Uh the meeting is adjourned. Thanks everyone.