very much. Welcome everybody to our June 4th, 2025 township council meeting and we'll read the statement of compliance with our sunshine law. This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public's meeting act and adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by law. Specifically, the
annual notice was emailed to the west tribute and star ledger on January 3rd, 2025 and the 48 hour notice was emailed to the same publications on May 2nd, 2025. The agenda and resolutions for this meeting are available at livingstonj.org. Certain portions of this meeting may be
closed to the public for the purpose of personnel and are matter and or other matters as outlined in sunshine law. Decisions made and or discussed in close session will be made known to the public at a later time. Notice to the members of the governing body and township staff. Any use of electronic devices
during this meeting shall be used solely to the purpose of township business and any communications are subject to the open public record act. To the extent possible, this evening's township of li of Livingston Council meeting will be livereamed via Facebook at ww
Facebook.comson Livingston Township NJ. Questions or comments will be accepted in uh by email and live comments at livingstonj.org by 4pm on the day of the meeting and shared the township of council before the meeting. Each speaker should follow the rules of order in Livingston code
2-15.3. Roll call, please. Council member Anthony here. Batani here. Vieiraa present. Deputy Mayor Klene here. Mayor Minhart I am here. We're going to rise for a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. Ask everybody ask everybody to keep in their hearts uh all the thoughts of
people who have uh died through unnecessary warfare of the last few weeks. And also we pray for the uh safe for the u good health of those who were injured in the terrible uh tragedy that took place in Colorado a few days ago as well.
Thank you to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible for all. Right.
Um, I do not see um Eileen Fisherman for any Essex County updates. So, moving on, we have a few proclamations and presentations. So, first one, Lewis Bay Second Future Municipal Leader Scholarship Competition, Jack Silverman. Jack, I think you like come up and we'd
love to hear what what you wrote and a little bit about the competition itself. Jack was a semi-finalist, if that's correct. Did I say it correctly? You were a semi-finalist in the state. Um, we had a chance to read what you wrote and it was really super um, really very heartwarming and um, I know you have
some special people here in the audience as well who you wrote about. So, it's even better. So, congratulations and uh, I think there's a mic up there. So, we look forward to hearing we look forward to hearing what you have to what you have to say. You got to pull it up. Yeah. Yeah. Face that. Yeah, we Yeah, that's
okay. You can have her back to it. But thank you. You want You can just give a you know give a little introduction of yourself, what grade you're in, and everything else, please. Thank you. Uh my name is Jack Sman. I'm a junior at uh Livingston High School. Uh and this is
and following is the speech I wrote for the Lewis Bay competition. Attending senior prom is a milestone most high school students, myself included, look forward to. Little did I know the first senior prom I would attend would be with my grandparents who have been residents of Livingston for
over 60 years. With more than 150 senior citizens in attendance along with members of the town council and board of education serving them dinner, the intergenerational prom is just one example of the activities run by the township that make Livingston a special place. The town supports all segments of
our community from child and caregiver communities to senior activities to expand expansive services for both children and adults with disabilities to those struggling with food insecurity. These broad range of programs are easily accessible not only to participating residents but those who wish to support them including myself as I have been
fortunate to collaborate with town officials and town volunteers for a number of years. Having grandparents who are 90 and 85 years old, I see through personal experience all that the town does to support senior citizens. In addition to the intergenerational prom, the town buses many of these same
seniors to my school twice a year for a dinner and theater. Working alongside town employees from recreation and senior services rather than ungracefully spinning my grandmother around the dance floor. I serve a meal and escort them to the auditorium for our school's yearly theatrical performance. Knowing how
isolating it can be for seniors, it's fulfilling to be a small part of the town's outreach to this group to help keep them engaged in the community. The interactions you have that night are often surprising, including one I had with the former baseball scout for the New York Yankees who struck up a conversation with me about my high
school baseball career. The many services offered by Livingston to differently aabled individuals make me proud to be a resident. One of the town's many offerings is Shining Stars, a free weekly a free weekly program run by the town's adaptive recreation program in which high school students, including myself, work with children
with special needs in a variety of sports. Healthy Community, Healthy Youth, a town committee that partners youth and adults in various partnerships from theater to mental well-being, is also special to me. I was introduced to it through a high school staff member and under her guidance formed a student arm that focuses on the Livingston food
pantry which supports 60 families in town. The township of Livingston has given me opportunities to learn, grow, and give back. And that's what's so wonderful about Livingston. Even as a high school student, I am encouraged and welcomed by our town officials and volunteers to participate in civic events in a meaningful way. These
experiences have inspired me to pursue to pursue leadership opportunities and partner with community drew groups in college and beyond and maybe even spin my own grandchild around the cafeteria years from now at a Livingston senior prom. Thank you. [Applause]
So Jack, it's first of all, congratulations on being a semiist. Second of all, you know, I read I read what the uh the criteria was and write an essay and theme. What I like about my hometown and um you know, it's just great reading it. Um I know you have some of the Stacy's here also, I think,
from the food pantry as well. You know, everything that you do for Livingston neighbors helping neighbors and what you've done for the town itself is we congratulate you. It's great having your grandparents obviously been here forever in this community and also a staple in this community. So, it's great having them and knowing them personally, it makes it even more special to hear about
it. And I think we were all there also for the inter. We were all there serving as well that night for the prom. So, we had a chance to watch that. So, um like I always say when we when I hear students like you speak, um we all feel good about the future having students like you that'll take, you know, maybe
one day we'll be up here as mayor, one day as mayor of another town wherever you settled in. So, congratulations. I wish you best of luck senior year in high school and when you go to college as well. So, thank you very much. I think uh maybe some of the other maybe anybody else want to say a few words. Deputy Mayor Klein. Is that all right?
First of all, Jack, I you don't know I've seen you around and you know you might know my face and I know you but I know your mom since I'm probably seven right straight on through and I know your family and um uh and I've always heard such great things about you and this is it's just nice to read this and uh and think of you and your family
uh when we're reading it because of what great stock you guys come from. So, it's really terrific and we just know you're going to have great success in your future. Uh, especially when you're working with someone like Stacy Rubenstein, who's just a complete home run. It does so many good things for the town. Coming in here once again to uh to make sure everyone uh understands um and
and uh and can and can benefit from not only obviously the pantry, but also the the gift of of doing service for other people. And and that's what you're doing, right? You're recognizing the importance of serving other people. And we're so lucky that we have people like Stacy who help other people to give. Um,
and you can keep coming to the uh to the to that uh senior prom uh whenever you like. Just don't drink the punch because uh we see some of the some of the senior citizens uh spiking it off. So very good. Mayor, can I just add a couple of words? I just want to say congratulations. Um
actually the senior prom is probably one of my favorite events uh throughout the year since uh I've been coming on council in 2019. haven't missed one. But uh you come from a great family also. Uh your grandparents are at almost all the uh the events and a lot of people also look up to your grandfather for a lot of
the um the committees that he's on and and everything. So um good. Just I just want to say congratulations. Just uh echoing everything that was said already. Um and yeah um your your granddad uh former um citizen of the
year by a group I belong to the UNICO. Um but so the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Thank you so much for what you're doing. You read beautifully. That's I mean and wrote beautifully and um yeah you you really hit a bunch of highlights in the town which have been mentioned already but you're a
highlight. Thanks and I'll I'll also finally just echo everything what has been said. Uh yeah, intergeneration prom is is also one of my favorite programs. I did I would not have guessed the ages of your grandparents, 85 and 90. Outstanding. So that's that's a takeaway
for me. Um and and and the health you are in. Perfect. It's just citizen of the year is the only way you can you can describe it. um shining star you mentioned that's beautiful to to give back using that uh you know special needs kids and I know I work with Bob uh
Gabro and other team on LACD I'm leazison on from the council I know the kind of programs we run and thank you for being part of that and giving back other than of course what what Stacy's work and the food pantry but great work congratulations do well come back and
serve back here okay right thank you very much and Just one more plug. I have Stacy here from Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors as well. Stacy, you know, um the best organization in town. You do so much for so many uh in an anonymous way that you know you are the
true shining example of giving back in that way. So I just I want to recognize you and your whole organization and thank you also for everything that you do. Thank you. All right, moving on. We have uh we have an Eagle Scout and a Girl Scout gold presentation. So, uh Councilman
Vier, you want to introduce him and we can Mayor Mayor, we're we're we're excited and uh we're honored to have both an Eagle Scout and a Gold um a gold award uh recipient here with us today. But I think we'll start with Christopher first. Uh and I'll just uh talk a little bit about the Eagle Scout Award. It's
the highest uh rank in Scouting America, which is formerly called the Boy Scouts of America. They change the name. the the Eagle Scout Award uh symbolizes exceptional character, leadership, service uh to their community. And only about 5% of the scouts nationally
actually earn a Eagle Scout award. And um to to achieve this award, scouts must advance through the ranks of scout, tenderfoot, second class, first class, star of life, and earn at least a minimum of 21 merit badges in areas like outdoor skills, citizenship, uh life
skills. um as well as they also have to plan um and lead a project that benefits their local community. Um Livingston C Township uh council is honored this year or right now to to honor Livingston High School senior Christopher Ferrell. Uh
Christopher worked on um with the 102nd Calvary Regiment Association and last year um helped clean, de rust uh and repaint the M the M60 uh battle tank that's on display in front of the West Orange Armory. If anybody's ever seen it, it's actually a fulls size uh tank
over in West Orange. It's uh great. And uh Christopher also made some improvements to beautify the site and signage. And um he chose this project to honor those who have served in the unit since uh 1890 um in uh including his father. So Christopher, we're honored to
recognize you uh in achieving the highest rank um of Eagle Scout. So congratulations. And mayor, you have a uh a citation for Yes. Christopher, why don't you come on up, please? And then we'll give you a plaque and invite all the council to come down and join us. So what? So just so everybody knows, we
um usually we uh come to the Eagle Scouts ceremonies when they take place in Livingston. I believe Christopher belongs to a pack that is at a map if I remember correctly. So, we didn't make it to this one, but usually this council shows up at all the ones troop 11 and
troop 16 I believe are the two that are as well. So, we give this at those Eagle Scout ceremonies. So, we have a citation that I'm bringing along. It says, "The mayor, members of the Livingston Township Council are pleased to honor for honor Christopher Christopher Fel for having achieved the rank of Eagle
Scout, an honor many young adults aspire to but few achieve." It's great words on this plaque. So, congratulations to you. Thank [Applause] you. All
right. So, why since we're all here here, Michael, why don't you just talk about Let me just My notes are up there. So, I'll use my microphone there. So, I'm going to just sit up here and uh and go over my notes um for um Helena
Drachovich. Um she's in troop uh 20290. Um and um Helena is from Livingston and she earned the gold award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouting. and only 2% of eligible Girl Scouts worldwide uh achieve this award which requires 80
hours of service on sustainable community need. Um Helena's project focused on shelter overcrowding and raising awareness about the benefits of fostering and adopting uh age dogs uh throughout Livingston and uh broader community. Um Helena, I I I'm sure
you're excited that you'll be graduating uh Livingston High School in a couple weeks and uh you are planning to attend Sunni uh Caval Skill in the fall and uh I heard that you're uh pursuing a major in K9 management and training. So, you know, it's it's our honor to recognize
you in this wonderful accomplishment in receiving the gold award. And I will tell you that, you know, amongst all of us, we rotate in this town as mayor. And in 2023, uh, when I was mayor, I noticed that on the wall outside, you had Boy
Scout plaques. And I said, you know, and we I was at a I was at a Goldstar event. I think there was a couple of us, and it was a year when I was mayor, and I said, why isn't there a Girl Scout plaque? And somebody said, well, nobody ever wanted one. They didn't create one. So, I actually purchased one and we went back
to with the help of Anna Ferrer and um and Lynn um um I'm sorry. Uh we went back to to 1935 and and collected all of those names of of all those that that uh received the uh those awards. And uh today I actually
put your name on that plaque. So when you leave here, you you'll you'll see that plaque and your name is now uh uh permanently on that plaque. So congratulations. Why don't you come up? And the mayor has uh Congratulations. Congratulations again.
Congratulations again. All right. So in the middle, the citation says, "The mayor members of the Livingston Town Livingston Township Council are pleased to honor Helena Draulich for having achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award for the highest award in Girl Scouts, an
honor many young adults aspire to, but few achieve." Very well said. Congratulations to you. Christopher, we need I'm sorry. [Applause] No, no. We'll take a picture. I know she has newspaper.
[Applause] Can you put that? Yeah. All right. Now, we are pleased to honor the Livingston Taiwanese Association. So, who is speaking on behalf of the association?
Okay, the mic is over. I forgot where you guys put it already. We have a plaque at the end, but why don't you speak for a few minutes and then we're happy to present you with a plaque. Um thank you very much for the invitation and this is our
community members. Uh we are in this library home called since uh 1980s and we had about 150 families in
this town. Um our community include um a Chinese speaking church, a senior citizen group and we are very interested in the uh Debston High School scholarship
program. So each year when we have the fundraising, we make sure we support the uh uh scholarship program. During COVID, our community since Taiwan was very uh well
prepared. So, we're able to import mask from Taiwan to help out with the file file departments uh emergency medical personnels and savas medical
centers. Um I have to look at my notes. That's okay. So do I. Don't worry about it. Um so the uh here in Livingston uh we have with the US
headquarters of Formosan Plastics. Homosen plastic has an annual uh revenue of5 billion US dollar and the headquarter is in Livingston and it
occupy a complex of uh 8 acres 250,000 square foot of space it employ about 500 peoples and so it contribute a lot of uh um activities ities, economical
activities to the communities. And I'd like to say a few words about Taiwan. So I don't know you know about Taiwan. Uh Taiwan is a the size of uh
New Jersey and it has 23 million people. It's the uh a very prosperous and democratic country. It's well known for its uh uh
worldrenown cuisine and people are extremely friendly. Just look at all of them. Um, Taiwan is most importantly it has its very welldeveloped high-tech
chips and also with the AI technologies uh it's going to be the number one in the world in terms of AI technologies but most importantly is its
vocation and its close relationship with US. It becomes the US first line of defense against China, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines combined. It's a very
important friendship between US and Taiwan. Uh thank you again to for us to have this chance to speak and we'll continue to
uh thrive in this community and help out whatever we can. Thank you again. [Applause] So we we have we'll read a proclamation, but first of all, thank you very much. Obviously, we're pleased to have you here this evening. We're honored to have
you here this evening. We appreciate everything that you give back to this community um through all the hard work they do and through the scholarships as well. Um again, we talk about it very often, the welcoming and the inclusion and the diversity that this town has and you obviously, you know, you being here
this evening represents that as well. Um I'm not sure about any other of my councilmen, but I can say that after spending many, many years uh in Hong Kong, I have visited Taipei. I've been to Taipei and I went to Sunmoon Lake many, many years ago as well. So, I don't know if any of my other councilmen
have been there, but I can tell you that I agree with everything that you've said from the food, um, the people, the friendliness, and and only being an hour, an hour and 20 minute flight from Hong Kong, I many times I've been there. So, thank you very much for being here this evening. Um, any other comments or we'd like to give a proclamation as
well? I'm happy to take any other comments or we can give the proclamation. We have a proclamation as well. All right. All right. Let's go. So whereas Taiwan, we're gonna go down there. We'll do it. Oh, okay. Bring my glasses.
print just went down to this with reading glasses. This is actually a lot bigger. You're gonna be You'll be happier with this. Oh, no. Reading glasses. Hold it for me. All right. I'll hold it. I'll hold Let's go everybody. Hold on. Hold on. One second. I forgot who the order is. I just have the I got it. I
thought I had first and second. I have first and second. You said third for the uh for the second. Yeah, I wrote it down. You You weren't paying attention because you were on your phone. No, that's not I have third. No, no, on the other one I got third. No, I You guys are arguing
like a bunch of ready. Whereas Taiwan is a prosperous and democratic country known for its friendly people and the world renown cuisine. And whereas Taiwan ranks 12th in purchasing power parody GDP and the
and is the eighth largest trading partner with the United States. And whereas Taiwan is also recognized for its leadership in advanced chip manufacturing and AI technologies. And whereas Taiwan plays a critical role in
the strategic defense framework for of the United States, serving as a key ally in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. And whereas the township has a large Taiwanese community that proudly call Livingston their home
and serve the community with pride. And therefore, I, Ed Minhardt, the mayor of the township of Livingston, announced my deep appreciation and respect for the township's Taiwanese community and their dedication to improving the well-being and vital vitality of our township. And
therefore, I now proclaim June 4th, 2025 as Livingston, Taiwanese day in the township of Livingston. Congratulations. Thank you for being here. Thank you for bringing to our attention. Of course. Sorry.
Thank you. Oh, I know. Nice to meet you. Oh, okay. Well, thank you for bringing it to our attention. It's lovely. Lovely to meet you. Thank you. No, you got So I got three. I got three. What number do you think I am this time? You one and two. I'll show you exactly
where I wrote it. N I I got one and two this time. You got one. I don't I got three this time. M SK. And what's the other one? All right, I'm really okay. This one I got one. [Applause] [Music]
I got three this time. Yeah, he's okay now. Oh, really? Of course you're not on my side. All right, we're gonna uh All right. Well, he goes last. All right, we're going to continue. We're going to continue because we have a whole bunch of other things to worry about this evening.
All right. It's also uh we're also we also have a proclamation uh for men's health week which we will read uh as a collective group. So, I think Sean Sean, I think you're first. Sean, I think you're first and second on this. Please, please allow me to go first.
Okay. history. All right. Whereas men's health month is part of an ongoing international effort to educate men, boys, and their families about receiving regular disease prevention screenings and living healthier lifestyles. And whereas nationwide life expectancy for men
averages 5 years fewer than that of women, that's no good. Uh with men experiencing higher rates of health problems such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and premature mortality. And whereas men's health network is recognized for their esteem and creation of maintenance and champion
over national efforts of the officially distinguished men's health month and men's health week as established in 1994. And whereas men's health month is a time for the public to recognize the mental and physical health needs of men and boys while encouraging fathers to be
role models for their children through preventive health screenings, healthy living and seeking uh needed help. And whereas the growing epidemic of suicide and substance abuse requires special effort to raise awareness of the
unrecognized and undiagnosed depression and mental stress in boys and men. And whereas the centerpiece of Men's Health Month is National Men's Health Week, a special awareness period passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 31st, 1994
and officially facilitated yearly by the efforts of Men's Health Network. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Ed Minhard, mayor of the township of Livingston, County of Essex, state of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim June 9th through the 15th of June as Men's Health Week in the Township of Livingston.
Thank you very much all. We're going to move on now to the agenda, the rest of the agenda. May I have a motion for the approval of minutes pending any corrections for May 27th, 2025 regular conference and close? So moved. Second. All those in favor? I.
All right. All those opposed. May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on agenda items? Motion. Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. The meeting is now open for public comment on agenda items only. Seeing motion. Motion to close. Second. All those in favor? I.
All right. Opposed? No. All right. It is now time uh for the municipal budget. Uh madame clerk. Mayor, this is the time for the public hearing on the municipal budget amendment for 2025. The amendment was advertised as required on May 29th,
2025, together with the notice of hearing for this time. Printed copies have been made available to the public during the past week. Before opening the hearing, I wish to outline the procedure. Each person desiring to be heard and rise and give his or her name and address before speaking. I will
recognize one speaker at a time in order of rising as nearly as I can determine. Add address all questions to the chair where necessary. They will be referred to individual members of the township council of municipal officials or our adviserss. Questions must be confined
solely to the municipal budget amendment before us. The introduced budget, school or county matters are not proper subjects of this hearing and will not be discussed or answered here tonight. I now declare open the public hearing on the municipal budget amendment for 2025. Observing no further applicants
from the floor, I will entertain a motion to close the hearing. Mayor, I move to close the hearing. I second a motion. Mayor, I request the clerk read section two, the adopting resolution for the budget. The clerk will read the resolution. be resolved by the council
members of the township of Livingston, County of Essex, that the budget herein for set forth is hereby adopted and shall constitute an appropriation for the purposes stated of the sums therein set forth as appropriations and authorization of the amount of
$39,358,8045 for municipal purposes and 1,740,490.64 64 for open space, recreation, farmland, and historic preservation trust funds levy. 3,872,612.37 for the minimum library tax. The summary of revenues surplus
anticipated 6,397,000 even miscellaneous revenues anticipated 16,256,780.30 30 receipts from delinquent taxes 3,371,1973. The amount to be raised by
taxation for municipal purposed is 39,358,8045. The amount to be raised by taxation minimum library tax is 3,872,612.37. Total revenues of 69,255,670.85. I could read it. Okay. I offer the foregoing resolution and move its
adoption. I second a motion. Uh the uh the clerk will call the role. Council member Anthony after. Yeah. You want to do discussion now or you going to do discussion before the role or after the role? Uh there should be no there should be no discussion during the vote. So we should
have discussion now. That's okay. Read the role please. Council member Anthony. Yes. Banani. Yes. Viera. Yes. Deputy Mayor Klein. Yes. Mayor Minhardt. Yes. All right. It is now usually our time for council to say a few words. So I'll ask everybody u to be brief as possible
especially on the as you get later on in the uh as you get later on in the people who are reading. Uh, I think Councilman Anthony, you're up first. Yes. And I'll be brief. Um, as always, I just want to thank uh Ann for another tremendous job on the budget and Barry and all the
department heads who always ask uh for what they need uh rather than everything under the sun. I think everyone uh works together uh cooperates together and I think that's a sign of your leadership in town hall while we're uh all at our our our day jobs. I think you do a
tremendous job when you start uh Barry talking about how the for the average house that goes up for a cappuccino or Starbucks or a venty but maybe not at all on the turnpike it's really expensive. So it's probably more there
than uh what the average bill is going up per month. Um it's just amazing because everything goes up with inflation and just costs of goods and services but yet we are able to keep the same goods and services, the same services that you just mentioned
Caroline. It's amazing that you know our library is topnotch open space um all the services that people move to this town for. Um and we're able to do it uh with such a small increase is absolutely amazing. And Barry, since you've been here in 2018, our rating keeps going
better and better, uh surplus and and all of that. So, I I think uh the uh health of the town is very strong. So, thank you you so much for all you do. Kon, uh yeah, thanks, Mayor. So, absolutely second what Councilman
Anthony said. Uh start I'll start with you and um great job always. you're keeping a tight ship on numbers and the spend, especially when it comes to ask versus spend. You you always keep that keep that tight. I see that firsthand
working with uh you Barry and mayor on finance committee and on a very regular basis. I see that. So, so thank you for all the great work and Barry, thank you for the leadership there as well. I mean, it's um it takes a lot to keep this the ship right. Um I will put a perspective uh in addition to what
council member Anthony said uh our inflation rates are wellnown what we are raising here is less than inflation rate meaning you know we are our expenses have gone up but we are able to maintain our fiscal health in such a way that we are keeping it under the inflation rate
of the price of this of the tax hike. So it is really a remarkable job. Um great working with you both and and mayor as well as the council and and rest of the department heads. I mean they are also very very responsible in their asks in their spend which is the result of all
of this this great numbers that come out. So thank you Councilman Vier. Good. Um first of all I just want to uh thank you Ann and thank Barry and the administration for such a wonderful budget. Um, and since since you've come
uh on board last uh last couple years, the these uh these budgets have been really under control. And uh I just want to thank you and your entire staff for everything that you do. You know, for the homeowners, when you see your um tax bill in the mail in probably the next couple weeks or so, just remember of
that entire bill, 19 cents on the dollar is just from the municipality. That's all all of us control is just 19 cents. and what we do for that 19 cents, uh, you know, police, fire, DPW, roads and bridges, the the youth and senior
services, um, recreation, building, zoning, you know, again, we do that for 19 cents on a dollar. And this year, nothing has been cut. And it's a it's a remarkable what you and your office and and Barry, what you and your office and your entire staff do. So, I just want to
say thank you very much. And and again, just know when it comes to your entire tax bill, we only control one little portion. We do not control the school board. We do not control the county. We control that 19 cents on the dollar.
Deputy mayor, um I'm sure that it must get tiresome, Barry and Anne, to get thanked over and over again for all your hard work because this is especially for an we know this is like a year-long project every every year and Barry, we know you put no short amount of time on this and and so thank you for all your hard work. Um, Councilman Bhutani has
stolen my very favorite talking point, which is very frustrating, but what I always point out is that, and I think that you guys are practically like wizards. I I don't know how you do it every year, but that the rate of increase in uh in the uh cost of homeowners for the municipality, which
at this time was 2.12%. Uh is below the CPI uh which was 2.9%. So we are below inflation again which means that in real dollars we are get government is getting smaller more efficient. You guys are doing a better job spending this town's money and and
you know and hopefully under our direction that's part of that but uh you know you you guys are the ones putting the sharpening the pencils and making the recommendations and I just think that it shows what a fabulous job you're doing. Um I also just want to say it's important we you know this council has put a tremendous emphasis on public safety. It's always uh the major number
in the budget. Um and once again it is that way also and I think uh we have made um this whole council is very proud of the strides that we've taken in reducing crime uh in the last uh a little over a year with some of the technology we invested in and and
beefing up the police uh department. So uh that's always a top priority and and uh it will continue to be so. Thank you. So it is a good it is a good night for Barry Nance. I'll be the fifth one as well. It's like Christmas it's like Christmas Eve or Christmas morning for you guys. All right. So
So, you know, as as you know, my friends on the council have all said, and you know, it's been great. Thank you so much. This is really indication of your hard work getting this done on time. Um, getting this done when it should be done. Um, thank you very very much for everything you've done, Barry, as always. Now, it's been seven years,
eight years since you've you've come on board. We've worked together. My second time being mayor with you, the second budget with you being mayor, me being mayor, excuse me. And again, just, you know, you professional. You get stuff done. You get it done as we need it for this budget. And thank you very much. It is a great budget. Councilman Bhutani,
thank you for your hard work on Fridays at the for the finance committee. This is also part of the work that we put in together and getting this done on time. Um I just got to follow up on one thing that Councilman Vieira said this year. Um it's actually less than 19 cents. If you look at this where your tax dollars
go, it's actually 17.9 cents is all that we deal with this year. Um no for the formissible formissible. And believe it or not, this year the county the dollar that your your dollars go to, the county gets more than your municipality this year for the taxes. So that's a very
nice correction. So So I just I just want I just want everybody to know that that it's not really 19 cents. It's a little bit it's it's right under 18 cents per dollar and we stretch our dollar a very very long way. Kudos to everybody who works in this building. Kudos to everybody who works at the
community center, fire, police, um the clerk's office. everyone does hard work, makes us kind of look good up here. So, we appreciate all the work that our employees do because without them, none of this happens. And so, um I just want to thank all the employees as well. Um I
also want to take just also want to thank our the council as well because um we work hard, we meet, we talk, and um I'll give kudos to my other four councilmen up here as well because we all care about this town. We all love this town and we're all here for the right reason, doing what's right for
this town. So, I want to thank each and every one of you as well. Thank you. Mayor, if I could just briefly, um I want to uh and and you touched on it. Uh none of this is possible without the mayor and council and their support. Um they are great stewards of the public dollar. Uh they don't they don't
pressure us. They want to provide the services, but they also hold us all accountable to deliver great services as efficiently as we possibly can. And we certainly couldn't do any of this without without the mayor and council and all their support. Uh, I'd also echo all the department heads. They've been they're great members of the
organization. Everybody, I think takes their job seriously, very careful stewards of the public dollars. And and lastly, I'd also thank Ann um since she came on board, it's been a great partnership. I think we're very like-minded in in where we're going with finance. And then finally, I'll close it with with wishing Anna a happy birthday
today because she's here on her birthday. Barry, thank you very much. Did I Did I miss Did I miss the last thing? I'm sorry. It's also happy birthday. Yeah. So I Yeah. So So happy happy birthday and happy birthday to you. We uh Yeah, it's on record today is your birthday so
everybody knows. All right, we're going to we're going to move on to some of some more business part of this meeting. Uh we are on to second readings. Uh and I'm sorry, Caroline. Ordinance 22-2025, please. Ordinance 22-2025 amending chapter 29 to add a new
section 29-52.1 reserved school staff permit parking. I'll make a motion to open public uh hearing. I'll second. All those in favor? I Okay. The meeting is now open for uh comments on 22-2025.
I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. Second. All those in favor? I. I'll move it. Second. You read the role, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Banani, yes. Vieiera, yes. Deputy Mayor Klene, yes. Mayor Minhart, yes. Okay.
Uh, Karen, can you read Ordinance 23-2025? Ordinance 23-2025 amending chapter 170, land use, article 12, District Regulations. Motion to open the public hearing.
Second. All in favor? I I. Motion to close the public hearing. Second. All in favor? I like to I'll move the ordinance. Okay, I'll second it. Roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Batani. Yes. Vieiera. Yes.
Deputy Mayor Klein. Yes. And Mayor Reinhardt is recused. All right. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh, ordinance 24-2025. Ordinance 24-2025, hometown heroes banner program and setting fees. I'll make a motion to
open a public hearing. I'll second. I'll make a motion. Sorry. To close the public hearing. I didn't even say it's open, but it's okay. We can close it, too. I'll second it. Yeah. Open it. It's open now. Okay. Seeing no one, um, I make a motion to close the public
hearing. Second. All those in favor? I. I'll move the motion. Second. Okay. Um, roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Banani, yes. Vieiraa, yes. Deputy Mayor Klein, yes. Mayor Minhardt, yes. All right. We have a few for introduction. Uh, please read ordinance
25-2025. Ordinance 25-2025 amending and supplementing chapter 68 animals. Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the ordinance for introduction. Second. Okay. Roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes.
Batani, yes. Yara, yes. Deputy Mayor Klene, yes. Mayor Minhardt, yes. And Mayor, the public hearing will be Monday, June 23rd at 7 p.m. Thank you. 7:30. 7:30. Ordinance 26-2025. Ordinance 26-2025, bond ordinance amending bond
ordinance number 19-2025. I'll move it on first reading. Second. Okay. Uh, roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Banani, yes. Vieira, yes. Deputy Mayor Klein, yes. Mayor Minhard, yes. This will also have
its public hearing on Monday, June 23rd. Okay. 27-2025. Ordinance 27-2025, bond ordinance, amending bond ordinance number 20-2025. I'll make a motion to approve the ordinance for introduction. Second. Okay. Roll call, please. Council member
Anthony, yes. Peptani, yes. Vier, yes. Deputy Mayor Klene, yes. Mayor Minhartt, yes. Public hearing on this one will also be Monday, June 23rd. Okay. 28-2025. Ordinance 28-2025, bond ordinance amending bond ordinance number 21-2025.
I'll move it on first reading. I'll second it. Okay. Uh, roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Banani, yes. Vieira, yes. Deputy Mayor Klein, yes. Mayor Minhardt, yes. Public hearing will also be Monday, June 23rd. Okay.
29-2025. Yes. 29-2025 prohibiting offering singleuse food and beverage accessories except upon customers request. Uh, mayor, uh, Councilman Anthony had a, uh, proposed amendment to this ordinance. Um, there's
currently five whereas clauses. Uh, Councilman Anthony is proposing, um, that we add a whereas clause, it would be the fourth whereas clause. Um, there would then be five and it would say, whereas the township desires to educate the public about sustainability and how
this ordinance will benefit the environment and how the ordinance will be implemented within the township. Um, so I think um, Councilman Anthony would like a motion uh, to amend the ordinance. I'll make that motion to amend the ordinance. I'll second. I'll second. I make motion need to move his
own motion. I can't I can't move it, but somebody else. You moved it. We need a second. I'll second. Okay. And may I need a roll call? Okay. So, roll call, please. Council member Anthony. Yes. Banani? Yes. Vieiera? Yes. Deputy Mayor Klein? Yes. Mayor Minhardt? Yes. And now
you need a motion um to introduce the ordinance as amended. Okay. So we have a motion to introduce 292025 as amended. I'll introduce 29-2025 as amended. I'll second it. Thanks. Okay. Uh may I have a roll call, please? Council member Anthony? Yes.
Banani? Yes. Vier? Yes. Deputy Mayor Klene? Yes. Mayor Minhard? Yes. And this will have its public hearing Monday, June 23rd. Also, thank you so much. and the consent agenda. All materials listed with an asterric are considered to be routine and not 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 agenda as part of the general orders. Would any of the council would like to remove any of them be read separately? Not hearing any. Would you please read
all of them together? Resolution 25-205, authorizing disposition of surplus property. Resolution 25-206, appointment of Edward He. Resolution 25-207, appointment of Caroline Puma. Resolution
25-208, authorizing the award of a contract to Jessco, Inc. Resolution 25-209, authorizing the award of a contract to M McDonald LLC. Resolution 25-210, approval to submit a grant application and execute a grant
agreement with NJ dot for the milling and paving of Waller Road and Donic Road to Belmont Drive. Make a motion to approve the resolution. I'll second. Roll call, please. Council member Anthony, yes. Banani, yes. Vieiraa, yes. Deputy Mayor Klein, yes. Mayor Minhart,
yes. Okay. Is there a motion to open up the public portion? I'll make a motion. A second. All those in favor? I. Okay. Okay. The meeting is now open for public portion on any subject with a threeminut time limit. Good evening uh mayor, council members,
all the authorities from Livingstone and the community of Livingstone. My name is Caroline Puma. I am on behalf of the board member of SAS along with La Tamayo and we would like to extend our next fundraising activity invitation to all the community. We're doing a social
dance, Latin dance at the community center next Friday, June 13. Um, it's Latin dance night. Um, it is going to be June 13, Friday, June 13 from 6 to 9. It's going to be in the senior center and we have instructors
from Dance Cult Academy in Livingstone and we're going to have a DJ. We're going to have light refreshment. It's going to be a lot of fun. We're going to learn how to dance salsa and bachata. Everybody's inviting the entire community. Please come and join us on this special event. It's our last
fundraising event. Um suggestion donation of $25. And of course, this goes for our big festival in September 28th. Sunday, September 28th. We're going to have our uh Hispanic Heritage
Festival Saison in town, which is going to be on Sunday, September 28 from 1 to 5. So this year we have four hours of a lot of activities and in order to be able to put these activities together, bouncy houses, photo booth, uh dances,
performances, shows for the entire family and um educational tables for the entire family. This is a free event for the entire community. So in order to put all this together, we're doing this fundraising event and uh we hope that everybody in town can come and help us
and collaborate with us. Um and also if they can if anyone is interested on donations sasson livinggmail.com you can send us any information if you want to participate and give us any donation for this event.
Thank you. Please can follow us on Facebook and Instagram Livingstone. That's great. Thank you. Thank you very much. I know I know we all had a great time last September. Um, where is the information? Can you give us emails to send a donation if we can't if we can't come on Friday and we can send a
donation? Like send a donation. What where is the what's the email address again? How how do we send you a donation? Sell at Saison Livingston. Son Livingston. Okay. Okay. One of Yeah. Yeah. Please leave them
right up there. Yeah. Yeah. We can also post it. And I see that there's cash at the front. If you have extra copies, if you have extra copies, you can give it to us. Thank you so much. Sure. And Caroline, you're the Carolina I assume just got appointed to LCDI and vision
2020. So congratulations. Thank you for today that impressed like oh thank you. Yes, I'll be more than happy to join the committees and support the town. You can make a donation for this. Thank you. And Laura, one other thing I I do know,
uh, you guys dance on Bollywood dancing too, right? On Bollywood music and all of that. I I I heard one of the times. Yeah. There you go. There you go. So, it's it's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun. Yes. Yeah. When I come to come to uh senior
center for other meetings, you guys always make a lot of good exciting noise and you know, good stuff. That's Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any other comments? Oops. Good evening, council members. Um,
my name is Pretty Ma and I live in town. Um, so I just wanted to take a moment to recognize and commend our town's incredible first responders. A few weeks ago, we had to call the first aid squad to bring my mom to the hospital. She's fine. Um, my mom has mobility
impairments and is no stranger to our town's emergency services, especially the town's police department. Officers Shepard and Hustleberg responded with professionalism, compassion, and care that truly stood out. Like so many officers and first responders who have
come to our home before, they were wellinformed, calm, and exceptionally courteous, treating my mom with dignity, patience, and respect every step of the way until she was safely on her way to the hospital. Their understanding and sensitivity means so much to us. It
highlights the importance of having first responders who are not only highly trained, but also educated and working with members of the special needs community. That kind of awareness makes a real difference. I'm just here to say we're incredibly grateful to live in a community where our first responders
consistently show up with heart, empathy, and strength. Thank you. Thank you very much. First of all, first of all, I'm first of all, I'm happy to hear that your mom is okay. So, that's that's number one the most important thing. Number two, I want to thank you for taking time out on a Wednesday evening
to spend an hour or two um and say and you know, pass on these these thanks. It means a long I know it goes a long way to us but much longer goes much farther with all the first aiding responders that we have in this town. We also feel the very same way that you do. We are very very fortunate to live in a
community that so many people care about the residents whether it be first aid whether it be volunteers or the LPD the paid professionals. We are very very uh fortunate for all that. We thank them all. Um and we echo exactly what you said but thank you again for coming out and speaking out this evening. It means
a lot to us. Thank you. And again, we're very um just grateful that they are so well educated in dealing with special needs communities. I mean, it's not just the elderly, but there are other needs as well. So, um just keep it up. Thank you. We all feel the same way. We'll
pass on those regards. Thank you very much. Motion to close. Motion to close public comment. Second. All those in favor? I before we before I'm going to just make one I'm going to take the opportunity to take a public comment.
Um, this evening marks the last uh meeting that Mike Iso will be here representing the West Essex Tribune. I thinking about it, Mike, that I think it was about five years, four or five years ago when I was mayor last time. I think I welcomed you to this community as well. Uh, when two terms ago, two terms
ago, was it? Wow. Wow. Time does fly. I Wow. I I guess I missed I missed I missed the whole term then, but anyway, it was quite a while, but I do remember sitting here welcoming you to this community. Um we appreciate everything that you've done uh for this community, for this council uh and that and that
the West Sex Tribune does as well. Uh all of us are very fortunate to live in a town, a city, a state in a country where you can come every week to our meetings, report and write freely about what goes on in these meetings. I think people under, you know, don't take that as much value that they should, but it's
very much appreciative. We always don't have to agree what everything is written, but you have the right to say it and we have and we have the right to agree and disagree and that's the beauty about this country that we live in. Um, you've been here with us every other Monday night. You're almost like a six council member at times. Uh, we
appreciate your humor. We appreciate uh watching some of the sports games sometimes as well and keeping up on all the scores while we're here on Monday nights. Um, we thank you for all that you've done. Um and it's no secret at this point that we look forward to w working with you as well in your next
endeavor as you'll be taking over the communications director job here at town hall. So we you know we welcome you from that perspective as well. I think I can say from all of us that we look forward to working with you and all the great things that you'll be doing for this town um as well. So congratulations. Thank you and we look
forward to seeing you even more than just on Monday nights. Thank you very much. Of course. Appreciate it. Any other I'm happy to Okay, Sean, I think comments for the Okay. Um, yeah. No, go ahead. I was just saying
ditto for the rest of that. Oh, I wasn't um I think the mayor covered all of it. I was actually going to go to the, you know, our comments in general, but uh yeah. Yeah. So, all right. I'll carry on. All right. before before before the deputy mayor says it uh Michael uh it's
it's a fantastic uh time that I even though it was a short time for me uh I've I've read your every piece of article 22 years did tribune have been doing it and for last uh several years you have been doing it as an editor of tribune uh your thoughts were very very
structured I always valued that and welcome welcome to the team now on the other side um and I look forward to working with you to have uh all and more of our communications transparencies creation creating more opportunities to have integrations between our community
our government and everything and anything we do do in between. So so thank you for all all you have done and welcome actually Sean before I'm sorry Sean before I don't mean to interrupt you but um any comment and anything to say this I I we go around I apologize. Yes, thank
you. Um, first of all, thank you all um for tonight. You made my birthday very special. Actually, we passed the budget. What can I say? Well, thank you for spending your Thank you for spending your birthday with us. I couldn't think of anything better. Really? No, but
thank you and thank you for the kind words. Um, you got an email tonight that I didn't send. I just want to give you a heads up on that. And I'm trying to figure out with Stephen what happened. So, if you see something weird tonight on your email, it didn't come from me.
So, um I just want to give you a head. So, you're not lowering the taxes any lower. What's that? No, no, but thank you again. I really appreciate everybody. Okay, Adam. Nothing for this evening. Okay, Barry. Uh yes. So, uh, following
up, and I was going to note it anyway, but for those watching, uh, and our one member of the public that's still here, um, for those may not be aware, Judith Heler was longtime communications director in the township. She recently retired and we certainly thank her for
her service and wish her well in her retirement. Uh, but we're equally excited that Mike uh, has agreed to join us as as the new public information officer and run our communications department. We think it's gonna open a new chapter and and we're really looking forward to it. So, uh, Mike will be
starting next Monday, right? This coming Monday soon. Um, and then, uh, only sort of alluding, so I'll remind and you may have may have been going to mention it anyway, the whatever whatever the mystery email is, the five on five is
not canceled. The five on five with the board of ed is still on for next uh, week uh, June 11th at 7 o'clock at Mount Pleasant Middle Middle School. Correct. June 11th at 7 o'clock at Mountain Pleasant Middle School Middle School. Right. So notwithstanding whatever phantom email got sent out, it was not
cancelled. Um and other than that, uh we now kicked off u the whole series of activities in the summer at the Oval. Uh June is Arts in the Park. Is that what we're calling it? Yeah, Arts in the Park. Uh and then
July is July is summer concerts and August is summer movies. And that's every Wednesday night at the Oval. So, just a reminder and if you want to see what the schedule is and what the activities are, it's all on the website. Thank you, Russ. Uh, just a reminder that this weekend is our first
electronics recycling event of the year. Um, it'll run from 9:00 to 2:00. Um, we'll do electronics, we'll do confidential paper shredding. We accept fluorescent tubes and rechargeable batteries. Councelor, you want to just say what we
discussed about earlier and close as well to for the public? Uh so in close session and conference uh we discussed uh two litigation matters the Melany matter and the Enelo matter. Uh we also discussed uh fourth round fair share housing. Thank you. Any other comments? Uh just happy birthday to an and
congratulations to Mike. Carolyn. Well I have to say happy birthday to first and foremost. But um elections are coming on Tuesday. We don't have early voting in Livingston, but we are open
from 6:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10th. So, come out and vote. Um, and check your sample ballot to know where you're supposed to go before you head out. Thank you. And, uh, well, thank you in advance for all the hard work you and your entire staff will be doing that day. I know it'll be a long day for you. And so, thank you in
advance for everything that you've done and and up to the preparations as well. So, Deputy Mayor, it's all yours. Thank you, Mayor. Um, so I'm just going to run through uh some events that we have um participated in and what we expect coming up on the calendar. Uh, we
all stopped by um the presentations at the Orodor Academy uh and we want to congratulate uh Venita Kana and and all of her students and and all the kids who participated. We saw some great speakers and it was a really fun event to go to. Um we uh uh Kaitton and uh Ed and
Michael went to the senior health fair at the YMCA which was well attended. Um we uh they also uh so Kaden, Ed and Al also went to the business um forum for the bid on uh 61. We had a pancake breakfast for the first aid squad which
was a fundraiser for them. We heard from uh pretty today about how valuable their services are and I can I can agree with you last year someone in my family needed their services and they were wonderful when they came during a difficult situation and we are so lucky to have them. Um there uh upcoming uh is
on the 8th we have a number of events including uh as uh Russ mentioned the electronic recycling. I just want to repeat that again. That's at the community center starting at 9:00 going at 2. Um there's also Summerfest that day which is a uh everyone here probably knows is a giant festival um that is put
on uh for the enjoyment of all the kids and that's a a big fundraiser for charity that's put on by uh Rotary is Yep. Um, and also on that day, uh, there's a Trial Blazers event, which is a wonderful organization in town, uh, that is doing a fundraiser at 4:30 at
Metobrook, and they, uh, use that to raise, uh, cancer research for children, uh, and all that's on the 8th. Uh, and then, um, on the 10th, um, of course, that's uh, election day, and everyone should make sure they go out and vote. Um, there is also an event in the evening, the Jewish National Fund at 6
o'clock at the gazebo. will be having a uh concert with the Sofi uh Friendship uh caravan. So, it's really I guess the Israeli version of the of the scouts and they come and they're going to be doing a a concert of sorts. Um there's also a
um uh we also talked about was that every Wednesday we have something uh so every Wednesday night coming out to the Oval there's going to be events uh for uh there was an art event. today was the first uh uh which was art on the sidewalks and I think that uh Kaitton uh uh was able to participate in that uh
you got it too. So some of the council people were able to stop by there before the meeting and participate. Uh so just to again to reiterate June is art every Wednesday, July is concerts every Wednesday and August are movies every Wednesday. Um on the 9th of uh on the
9th of June we're going to have the Portuguese flag raising out here at at 5:30 uh in front of the building here at the flag pole. So everyone uh come and celebrate uh all the everyone with Portuguese heritage and those who love them should come out and help us raise the flag. Um and even though Ann's best
intentions to try to cancel our five on five um we uh it is on it's unsuccessful. We're doing it an u going to be on June 11th. Uh and then we've just heard um from uh about the SSAN uh fundraiser on uh the 13th of June uh a
Latin dance uh extravaganza at the community center uh at 6 o'clock that we can all look forward to. Thank you, mayor. Great. Thank you very much. Not hearing anything else. Uh I will ask for a motion to adjurnn. Motion. Second. Okay. All those in favor? All right. We
are ajourned. Thank you.