[Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] All right, welcome everybody. >> Andy, we're good. All right. Sorry for
the slight delay. Uh we had something we had to go over in the back. Uh I am going to read the statement of compliance. The meeting is being held in accordance with the open public's meeting act. An adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by law. Specifically, the annual notice was emailed to the Tribune and Star Ledger
on January 3rd, 2025. The agenda and resolutions and meetings are available at livingstonj.org. Certain portions of the meeting will may be closed to the public for the purpose of personnel and or other matters as outlined in the sunshine laws. Decisions made and or discussed in closed session
will be made known to the public at a later time. Notice that members of the governing body and township act any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purpose of township business and any communications are subject to the open public's record act to the extent possible. This evening's Township of
Livingston Council meeting will be livereamed via Facebook at www.fas.com Livingston Township NJ. Questions or comments will be accepted by email and live comments at Livingstonj.org by 4 PM on the day of the meeting and shared with Township 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. >> Banani, >> here. >> Veriera, >> present. >> Deputy Mayor Klein, >> here. Mayor Minhardt, >> I am here. We're going to rise in a
moment for a moment of silence followed by the pledge. Take a moment to uh to remember all of uh the people who have been killed over the last few weeks since our last meeting due to natural causes. And we are thankful for the hostages that were returned uh
yesterday. And we pray for the rest of uh the bodies that are missing to be returned uh at a very very very soon so the rest of the families can have that same um peace that other families have had. Thank you.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Just one bit of housekeeping before we
move on. If anyone is here, uh we for uh the introduction of ordinance 35-2025 that will be pulled this evening and not read as an introduction. Um moving on, Essex County updates.
Nice to see you. >> Eileen Fishman on behalf of Jod D. Um this month we have a lot going on. We have uh Friday, October 17th, gardens a glow at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens on 474 Upper Mountain Avenue in
Monontlair. On Saturday the 18th from 9 to 3, we have computer and electronics um recycling day and that is at the public works facility at Bradford Avenue in Cedar Grove.
And we have strut your mut which is um a few days actually. Uh Saturday the 18th at Branch Brook Park, October 25th um at Essex County Brookdale Park and October 25th at Essex County Grover Cleveland Park near the pond. And then
we have uh trick-or-treating at the zoo and that's October 31st from 4 to 8 at the Essex County Turtleback Zoo. And we have um Essex County Recker Hill Art Park open house November 1st and 2nd
11 to 5. Everything else is good. >> Thank you very much. Always nice to see you. Always nice to see you, Eileen. >> Nice to see you. Don't hesitate to call. Thank you. >> Stay well. Thank you, Eileen. >> All right. Uh presentations. International Day of the Girlchild.
>> Floor is all yours whoever whoever is presenting and hosting this evening. I think Namaste and good evening. Uh I'm Amita Chima. On behalf of Namaste Global Foundation along with Joti Bhya and Fal
Panda I am thrilled to introduce our youth leaders Nikita Chima Ariel uh Jana Bhavnani uh Sonia Bhavnani and Elana uh Kaplan. They today they are presenting um their
presentation is on a day that's recognized by the United Nations uh since October uh 11, 2012. Uh it is the international day of girl child. Um we thank the mayor uh Ed uh Minhardt and
town council members for giving them them the opportunity to speak today. Good evening everyone. We are the Namaste Global Youth and we are excited to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child with you today. Every
year on October 11th, the world honors the power and potential of girls. When girls are given equal chances to learn and lead, everyone benefits. So today, let's celebrate every girl's voice, strength, and dreams.
Now that we know why we're here today, let's take a quick look at what we'll be sharing with you. Why this day matters, why it's important for all of us to be aware, and how each of us can help make a difference, starting right here in our own communities. We'll share three
things. First, why this day matters and why it's celebrated around the world. Second, why awareness is important, not just in other countries, but right here in our own communities. And third, how each of us can turn that awareness into
real action to make life better for girls right here, right now. This day matters because millions of girls around the world are still being left behind. Over 130 million girls are not in school, not because they don't
want to learn, but because they don't have the chance to. In some places, girls are forced to marry before they turn 18. And in many countries, they still face violence, harassment, and unfair treatment just because they're girls. Some are even told they can't
become engineers, doctors, or leaders. Not because they lack talent, but because of old ideas about what girls can or can't do. That's why this day is so important. It's a reminder that every girl deserves safety, education, and equality, no matter where she lives.
You may ask, "Aren't we more aware now than ever before?" Yes, we are. But awareness isn't just about knowing. It's about noticing what's still not fair and caring enough to change it. In rural areas, some girls still walk miles to fetch water while their brothers go to
school. That's not because they can't learn. It's because they don't get the same chance. At home, girls are often expected to do more chores than their brothers, leaving them less time to study or relax. And on social media, girls are judged
more for their looks than for their ideas. That can make them feel like their voice doesn't matter, but it does. So yes, awareness matters. Because when we lift up girls, we don't just change one life. We help build stronger families, stronger communities, and a
better future for everyone. >> Big change starts small. Right here in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our hearts. When we include everyone, when we listen, and when we stand up for what's right, we create ripples of kindness and courage that grow bigger
every day. Because when one girl is encouraged, a whole community shines brighter. And when local change begins, the whole world starts to change, too. We can start making a difference right here where we are in our schools, our homes, and our communities. In schools,
let's encourage girls to join science labs, sports, and debate clubs, and encourage them to lead. At home, equality begins with sharing chores, and giving everyone the same chances, boys and girls alike. In our communities, we can create po programs that support
girls like mentorship, scholarships, and safe spaces to learn and grow. Even small actions can create big change. One girl can make a world of a difference when she's educated and supported. She can lift her whole family out of poverty. She can become a teacher
who inspires others to dream bigger. She can become a doctor who saves lives. She can become a leader who changes laws and shapes the future. Every great change starts with one brave girl. And that girl could be any one of us. So now you might be wondering, what can
I do? It starts with something simple. Listen. Listen to girls. Really listen to what they dream about and what they care about. If you see unfairness or bias at school, at home, or anywhere, speak up kindly but firmly. You can also support programs that help girls learn,
stay healthy, and lead by volunteering, donating, or even just sharing their stories. And finally, be a mentor. Believe in a girl's potential. Remind her she's capable and cheer her on. Because every small act of support can change someone's path. And together, all
those small acts can change the world. >> Today isn't just a day to talk about girls rights. It's a day to act. It's a reminder that every girl matters. She's valuable, equal, and powerful. Gender equality isn't only a woman's issue.
It's a human issue and it affects us all. This day isn't just a moment on the calendar. It's part of a movement for change that starts with each of us. So let's make sure every girl is seen, supported, and celebrated not just today, but every day.
And today um we are very excited to have somebody from the United Nations take some time to encourage all the girls of Livingston on this special day. We have Varuna. Let's all together join me in welcoming Wuna today to this meeting.
>> Thanks Ji. Thank you. Um, good evening, council members, ladies and gentlemen, and girls. Um, as you know, you heard, my name is Vuna, and I work at the UN. And I'm very happy to share my thoughts on the
International uh Day of the Girl Child with you. I too was a girl not too long ago. Just kidding. It's been a while. But thankfully, I grew up in a home where education goals, career choice, finding your passion, and following your
dreams was always encouraged regardless of your gender. In fact, my dad wanted me to be an astronaut, and he would have loved to see me fly in space because he believed in me. Well, I didn't make it to space yet, but that's what it took
that he believed in me and he had faith in me. And that gave me the confidence to go out there and take on the world. Do you know that women continue to be under reppresented in management positions as well as STEM professions in
the US? To bridge the gap, it's essential for you, me, and us as a community to encourage girls to expand their wings, break stereotypes, and realize their full potential. and council members, I'm
sure you'll agree with me that it would be amazing to see more ladies at this table and maybe one day some of these young girls in this flourishing town. Um, so finally, I'd like to leave you with a few words from Jane Austin. It
isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do. So, thank you for believing in girl magic. [Applause] Today we celebrate every girl, the
dreamers, the learners, the leaders of tomorrow. We honor their voices, their courage, and their endless potential. But more than ever, we would like to remind everyone that each of us has a role to play. Every word of encouragement, every act of fairness,
every chance we give helps a girl rise higher. Because one girl rises, we all rise. as families, as communities, and as a world. Thank you, and let's keep making a change, one girl at a time. [Applause]
>> So, okay. So, first of all, thank So, first of all, thank you very much for for bringing this to the council and girls, you were great. You were, it was really great watching and listening to what you had to say. Um, first of all, you're all very well you're very all of them are
very poised. you gave your presentation um very well poised, very rehearsed. It was really lovely to listen and and to follow along. Um we actually did have just a we we had a a a member of this council who was a female who actually is
now uh sitting in Trenton as an assembly woman as well. So there is so there was exactly so so we did you know so that was lovely. So that was as well um you know I was thinking about I was looking around us council members. I think all of us have a daughter and one of us has
a sister. I know you don't have a daughter, but I you have a you have a twin sister. So, I just want to make sure I know all the rest of us have daughters up here as well. So, um we encourage them. I know we encourage them. I know how much we all love them and support them. And I know how close you are with your twin sister as well,
uh who actually lives here in this community in Livingston as well. So, we are very much uh in favor of everything that you all said today. Uh, we loved hearing it. And um, the only thing I can say is that we invite you to come back
on any Monday night that we're here and ask questions. We love when people come and ask questions. I say it all the time, any questions, anytime. We're here every other Monday at 7:30. Um, and the mics are open and if you ever have any time to come back or just want to sit
and learn more about what we do, we'd love to sit with all of you or individually and to learn more about what we do on the council to encourage you to sit here one day as as you well said. So, thank you very much. Thank you. It was great. Very great. I think we could take a picture with all of us maybe and all the girls together. That'd
be okay. That'd be great. Guys are great. >> Great job. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Great job. You guys were great. That was great.
I saidion. >> All right. All right. All right. Well done, ladies. Good job. Great job. >> Thank you. Great job. Thank you for the uh I told everybody about the dates already. >> So, we discussed everyone's got on the calendar. >> Congratulations. Great job. Great job as well to you also.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you for stopping by. [Music] >> Wait. So before before the girls go I just want one thing I did want to mention I and I'm sorry I didn't we do have on the council I'm sitting on the chambers here we have Anne Coochie who
is our CFO of the town very big responsibility and Carolyn Mazuko who is our town clerk who none of this goes on at least out here without all her hard work and dedication so we're very happy to have both of them as well so thank you >> and the most efficient election run as
well by yes so and we look forward anytime you want to come back like I said every other Monday we're here we love to have people come and join join us. So, so please come back. >> I would also just point out the board of ed which has a much bigger budget than we do is mostly women. >> Four out of five. Yeah.
>> Four out of five. All right. Um, can I have a motion to approve the minutes of September 29th, 2025 regular conference and the closed session of the same date? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Uh, can I have a motion to open the meeting to public comments on agenda
items? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion to close. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor of closing? >> I. >> Okay. Uh, we're going to final hearings. Caroline, you want to read, please? 33 20225.
>> Uh, thank you, mayor. Ordinance 33-2025 amending chapter 35-26, outside employment of police officers. >> May I'll make a motion to open a public hearing. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor, open the public hearing. >> I >> I >> Okay.
>> Mayor, a motion to close the public hearing. >> A second. >> All those in favor? >> Okay. >> Mayor, I'll move it. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Council member Anthony. Yes. >> Banani. >> Yes. >> Vieiraa. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Klein. >> Yes. >> Mayor Minhardt. >> Yes.
>> Will you please read ordinance 34-2025? >> Ordinance 34-2025 2.1 million bond ordinance for acquisition of real property. >> Mayor, I'll make a motion to open the public hearing. >> Second. >> All those in favor open the public hearing. >> I.
>> Seeing none, I make a motion to close. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor of closing the public hearing? >> I. >> I. >> Okay. I'll move it. Second. >> Okay. Or roll call, please. >> Council member Anthony, >> yes. >> Banani, >> yes. >> Vieiraa, >> yes. >> Deputy Mary Klene,
>> yes. >> Mayor Mhard, >> yes. Thank you. Uh, going on to the consent agenda. All matters listed with an asterric 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 iteing body so request, in which case the item will be removed from the
consent agenda considering its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. Anybody want to pull any matter or can we read them all together? >> Okay, Kylin, will you please read them all together? Um, >> thank you. Resol resolution 25-295 authorizing the award of a contract to
Arcadus US, Inc. Resolution 25-296 authorizing a contract with Rapid Pump and Meter Company, Inc. Resolution 25-297, authorizing a contract with Raritin Group, Inc. Resolution 25-298 authorizing a contract with JCT
Solutions. Resolution 25-299 authorizing the award of contract to Motorola Solutions Inc. and resolution 25-300 authorizing thirdparty payroll dispersement services with Prime Point.
>> Mayor, I'll make a me uh motion to approve the resolutions. >> Second. Okay. Roll call, please. >> Council member Anthony. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Vieiraa. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Klein. >> Yes. >> Mayor Minhartt. >> Yes. Thank you. Can I have a motion to open the public portion to any agenda
item? Anything? Anything? No. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. The meeting is now open for a public portion on any subject. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> I. Okay. Uh reports of town offic
township officials and council members. An >> Thank you, mayor. Um, quickly, we're going out to bid on um on note sale. It's about $48 million, which includes that 2.1 million that we just did to purchase that property. So, that's on um
November 13th. >> Great. Thank you, Adam. >> Uh last Friday, we put up the new tree request for people who are interested in having a tree planted within the rightway. Uh it did go up Friday. We
have now 70 requests in the system. Uh we will get to it first come first serve. Our public works department will go out and verify that the location that they've selected is viable and they will look to uh plant within the season the season window. >> Uh if it's not done this time, it will
be done at the next season. >> Great. I guess my question is I know deputy mayor has a question too. My question is when they put the requests in, are we getting back to them that it has been received and somebody will be coming out? So, as public works gets them, they got an automatic response that they received that we received the
um uh the request uh when public works goes out, they will let them know whether or not the location is viable or not. So, public works will have to go out and start verifying all these locations. >> Great. Sean, so I just I think this is great. Um Adam, thanks for sharing this with us that we had seven requests in
three days for trees. I think one of the things that we hear a lot about on the council is grief about trees coming down and we want trees to go up. There are we have a tree fund and we have money uh to spend on buying trees for residents and would just everyone here on the council would be encouraged to please if you
want a tree in your property and the right away which is usually about 10 ft from the street. Uh we are happy to uh to try to make that happen and so please uh we on our website you'll see a request form um and please do that. Uh let's get some lots more trees in Livingston. Thanks,
>> Mayor. If I if I may, um I second what what Sean just said. Uh I think there was a lots of excitement. I mean, when folks read that, there was a lot of shares of that announcement. That clearly shows that there was a great idea. Uh lots of residents liked it,
loved it. I'm I'm hoping that we get lots of applications as well. Um and we go through this process. There is uh one of the things that hey, new construction is coming up. This tree is gone now. Why is it not replaced? etc. This actually opens it up. Uh the township actually
installs this tree from the fund that we have. So it's not taxpayers money or anything like that. It's really the availability of resources and we make Livingston green more and more. Yeah. >> Great. Thank you, Adam. Anything else? There we go, Barry.
>> Hi, >> okay Russ. Uh yes, Thursday night I'll be attending the public hearing for program year 2026 for the Essex County uh community development block grant program. So we're going to have to see what is going
on because they didn't have a whole lot of information how the program was going to be funded and stuff this year. So >> okay, >> we'll be there and electronics recycling will be coming up. >> Yep. >> On the 25th. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Carol, >> thank you mayor.
>> Uh thank you, mayor. I just want to note that tonight is the last night of voter registration. We close uh at 9:00 tonight and while I am here, there is somebody in the clerk's office. Renee Risky is over there and is able to assist anybody who um realizes that they
are not registered to vote in the state of New Jersey. Um if you possibly just moved here uh in last minute, remember that you haven't um registered. We do have somebody here uh and the office is open. run over. You got you got 45 minutes.
So, um, also I just want to thank all the students that stepped up to be, uh, student pole workers. Since the last meeting, we had a huge response and I'm very happy to say that a lot of Livingston high schoolers will be working the polls for us on the Tuesday. >> It's great news. It's great great program that you've you helped put
together. So, thank you very much. Very very very happy about that. Counselor. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. Just briefly, as I said, I'm going continue to update the public on our fourth round fair share housing. uh to continue transparency on that. Um Thursday we have our first mediation session uh with the court. Um
as the public is aware um there are currently four developer objectors along with fair share housing's objection. Um we'll be discussing some strategy tonight enclosed. Um and we will uh advise the public as to any resolutions that may or may not come about uh based
on our mediation session. And this is a mandatory uh statutory mediation session. Um that and Frank Banish who was our special adjudicator in the third round will continue to be our special adjudicator in the fourth round. >> Thank you very much. Um I think uh
Councilman Anthony has the announcements for today. >> Okay. Since the last time we met, um, we had a a a really nice event. The Sanskriti, uh, breast uh, cancer awareness walk was held at the Oval on
October 5th. Uh, it was it was a great attended uh, event, but it was also uh, we were joined by bowler uh, Sir Kurtley Ambrose, a cricket player, and it was it was really a joy to be with him. He's like a legend. Stands about 67 or so.
6.9 >> 6.9 when once I go past a certain height I don't even see them anymore. >> That that guy was amazing. Uh and he joined us and walked the uh the full I think three trips around the oval. So that was really nice. And Sansi did a
great job putting that together uh as I have for several years now uh with that special guest this time. The health department uh and it's out there right now. I'm pointing to outside the hallway and town hall here that uh go pink for
breast cancer with literature um and all sorts of um uh pamphlets, materials to uh for breast cancer awareness um and and there was a a a photo to try to build awareness uh Councilman Bhutani and I and I I think that was we were
representative of the council that was on uh October 7th um to try to build awareness for the go pink for breast cancer month. Uh there was a Livingston Chamber meet the mayor uh here at town hall on October 8th and we had our own
mayor here who did a great job and thanks Barry and Adam for um it was kind of like filling in um the chamber and whoever attended on uh what's happened in the last year and actually the vision for going forward and um we put some stuff up on the screen and answered a
lot of questions that night. So thanks guys. Uh then let's see uh as late as yesterday we had the Italian flag raising uh which uh included uh UNICO who um who uh organized it but desserts
and some speeches um by uh the uh president Patanil and um and um our mayor and um the assembly woman was there as well uh gave a proclamation to the outgoing uh president uh Andy Cassie and that was a nice event and as you can
see right Now we have the Italian flag uh which is near and dear to my heart uh flying outside of town hall. Uh we also have the uh on a sadder note but on a a memorial note we have the flags out here from 26 countries uh in memory of of the
lives lost and uh the victims of October 7th uh 2023. Um you may have seen them right out here on the on the oval. um coming up. So that's everything in the past uh the last two weeks or so. We have the Livingston Advisory Committee
for Disabilities, the ALCD. On October 18th, they'll have their Halloween party at the community center. That's at u I think it's at 12 to 2. Uh we also on uh the 19th, the October Fest
was bumped from the 12th to the 19th and Council Bhutani explained all the activities there last time. Councilman Vieier. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, he did for me. >> Yeah, >> that's right. I'm sorry. >> It's like you last week. I was there. Um Yeah. So, yeah. No, but Counciloman Pani
gave the report last last week and gave a very thorough. I apologize. I just have I just have um October Fest on my mind. >> Is your name on the side? All right. So, at least you know that somebody's listening to Thanking. Thank you for listening. I I'll give you
that. Um Okay. So that is on Sunday, October 6. It looks like good weather this time. Octo October 19th, 11 to 6, sorry. Uh on the same day, the Horseneck uh motorcycle riding club is uh making uh peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I
believe that's at uh 1:00 or so. They do a great job. Hundreds and hundreds of sandwiches. Um we have on October 25th the Sanskriti um is fireworks for Dvali. That's at 7 o'clock at the Oval. Uh that's coming up on the 25th. On the
25th also, uh recycling, electronics, uh re recycling, and paper shredding day. That's from 9 to 2. That's at the community center. Uh this is the second and last of the year. Uh if you want to mark your calendars on that, electronics, recycling, and paper
shredding. Um we also have um Beth Shalom on the 26th. Um I believe is at 9 9:15 9:15 uh temple Beth Shalom has uh namaste and habdawa a service there um
which should be a beautiful event. Uh we then have the Big L Hall of Fame um brunch that's at 10 o'clock on the same day, October 26. And the same day, October 26th, the Friendship Circle has their walk um over by Lifettown, and I
believe that's at 11:00. Sorry. Uh for losing my voice here, we then have the um this may be out of order. a couple days before the 15th annual haunted walk. Uh it's at the community center on October 24th and
25th. $5 a person, 5 to 8:30. Always a fun time. Uh check the website for any details. And um we should uh that that should just always be fun. Do we have trick or trunk this week? This year too
on on the 31st. Trick or But we have do we have a meeting? We have a meeting before that. Okay, great. So, uh, Haunted Walk, uh, October 24th and 25th. And on November 1st, which is after the meeting, we have the the, uh, At the
Oval, 6:30, we have Nightmare Before Christmas movie, uh, The Showing at 6:30 at the Oval. Um, I think anything else did I miss anything? >> I I can't believe how much you got to when you just found out today that you were doing this. >> Well done. Well done. You You learned
>> your voice is sore from you'll let her speak. So, just uh two two things real quick. Uh we will be moving our next meeting. We are moving it from um Monday the 27th to Wednesday the 29th. Just a note, uh the 48 hour notice will be
going out, but just give everybody notice. And also, um he I guess he went out for a second, but just wanted to thank the LPD for being here again this evening and keeping us uh safe not only here, but every other day as well throughout the town. So I think that's it for right now. We will be going back
into conference into open um for a few minutes as well. So we'll see everybody in the conference room. Thank you. >> The only further action the council will be taking is its closed session resolution.