Yeah, probably for the ordinance. I have an update. >> Oh, yeah. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the July 7th, 2026 meeting of
the Maplewood Township Committee. I will read the open meeting statement pursuant to section 5, chapter 231, public laws 1975. This is to state for the record that adequate notice of this meeting has been
provided to the public by posting and maintaining the annual notice of regular meetings on the bulletin board of the municipal building by mailing the annual notice of regular meetings for 2026 to the news record in Star Ledger in December 2025 and by filing said notice
in the office of the township clerk. >> Mr. Adams >> here, Collins, Mr. Davis >> present. Miss Herman >> here, >> Mary Duca >> here. >> Whereas chapter 231 public laws 1975 commonly known as the open public
meetings act requires that all meetings of public bodies be open off to the public. And whereas section 7A provides that the governing body has a discretion to permit, prohibit or regulate the act of participation of the public at any meeting. And where is desired to governing body to comply with the
provision in this act same time to conduct its business in an orderly and expeditious manner. Now therefore be resolved by the township committee. Tenantric Mapwood does hereby prohibit except to set forth in a formal agenda. Active participation in deliberations of
governing body by the public except as otherwise prescribed by law does limit the public to the observations of the actions and discussions of the governing body at all of its regular and special meetings. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Miss Adams. >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Cing. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Daffus. >> Yes. >> Herman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, please join us in a salute to the flag. 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. >> Good evening again to our July 7th meeting. I'll run through the agenda
quickly. We have two proclamations, one on parks and recreation month and the other on disability pride month. Then we'll have public comment on agenda items only. Um if you uh want to speak about the ordinance on immigrant trust
act, that will be a special hearing and I'll you wouldn't come up then at public speaking. You would come up when we get to that ordinance. Um, and same thing if you wanted to speak on the uh ordinance on restricted areas, but public comment would be for any other agenda items.
Then we'll have our monthly board of health meeting. Uh, then we'll get to those ordinances on final and uh each ordinance on final requires a public hearing. So that's why we have a public hearing for each of those ordinances on final. So we have one ordinance on the
restricted areas and then the second ordinance on the immigrant trust act. So, if you want to speak about either of those, we'll invite you to come up and speak at that time. Then, we'll have introduction of two ordinances. I'm sorry. Yep. Two ordinances. One on
um uh Uklid Avenue parking. The second on an easement for our storm water facility on Metobrook Place. We'll go to administrative reports or reports from elected officials. We have three discussion items. One cancelling the August 18th meeting. I'm sorry. We have
four discussion items. one uh doing veterans tax exemptions. Uh third is a modification of the requirements of using paper documents for public notification. And the fourth is to talk about a World Cup final uh watch party.
And we'll have our consent agenda. And the consent agenda includes minutes, resolutions on paying bills, uh various contracts, um some employee appointments, grant application, and then after that, we'll have our
second public comment, which is on any subject matter that you'd like. If you'd like a hand copy or paper copy, we have paper copies of the agenda up here. So, you're more than welcome to come right up and take an agenda. Okay, with that
we'll move to proclamations and our first uh will be committeewoman Collins Cing. >> Thank you, Mayor. I am going to be reading uh the proclamation today on destination of July as parks and recreation month. Whereas parks and
recreation are essential to communities across the country, including here in Maplewood. And whereas Maplewood recognizes the value of parks and recreation and honors the dedicated full-time, part-time, seasonal
professionals who enrich our community through impactful programs, services, and memorable experiences for residents for all ages. And whereas Maplewood's Department of Community Service offers a
robust yearround programming for all ages, including youth sports, senior classes, arts, and fitness programs, community events, and summer camps. And whereas parks and recreation promotes health wellness by encouraging
active lifestyle, offering spaces for sports, walking, community events, providing vital access to nature, which supports me supports mental well-being. And whereas recreational programs
support childhood development, lifelong learning, and fostering friendships, memories, and community bonds that last a lifetime. And whereas our parks enhance environmental sustainability, preserves green spaces, contribute to
public health, economic vital vitality, and overall community well-being. recognizing that led that that this led the US House of Representatives to designate July as Parks and Recreational Month. And now therefore, be it resolved
I Jane Collins Colding um and on behalf of on behalf of the Maplewood Township Committee uh we would proclaim July as Parks and Recreation Month in the township of
Maplewood. >> [applause] >> And mayor, I also wanted to add a thank you note to all those who work very hard uh who don't always hear this, but we're very grateful to all of you who work.
It's easy to criticize, but it takes a moment to say thank you. And today we want to say thank you to all our dedicated, patient, hardworking people that go unnoticed many times with all the programs and with even a smile in the on the faces and creating a safe
space and memories that they are creating for our community. So we want to say thank you to our staff. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Deputy Mayor Herman. Thank you, mayor. I am honored to read this
proclamation today for the disability for disability pride month. Whereas on July 26th, 1990, the Americans with Disability Act was signed into law affirming civil rights for people with disabilities and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of
disability. And whereas according to the Centers for D disease control and prevention, one in four adults in the United States lives with a disability, including disabilities that affect mobility, cognition, vision, hearing,
independent living, or self-care. And whereas many disabilities are not immediately visible, including mental health conditions, chronic illness, and learning or cognitive differences, reminding us that every person's
experience is unique. And whereas disability pride month se celebrates the strength, resilience, achievements, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing that our differences enrich
our community. make it stronger. And whereas the township of Maplewood is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community where every resident is treated with dignity, respect, and understanding, and where barriers to particip participation continue to be
removed so that all people can have the opportunity to thrive. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Malia Herman, deputy mayor of Maplewood, on behalf of Victor Duca, mayor of the township of Maplewood, and the rest of the township committee, do hereby proclaim the month
of July as disability pride month in the township of Maplewood. Be it further resolved that we encourage all residents to recognize disability pride month by promoting inclusion, expanding accessibility, challenging stigma, and celebrating the
diverse experiences and contributions of people with disabilities, helping to be a build a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered. >> Absolutely. >> [applause]
>> Thank you. And I also want to say actually want to add a thank you as well because in the last year we as a township have done multiple things to dis to um support disability pride. Our police department has launched the blue
envelope program for autistic drivers. Our health department engaged the sensory activation vehicle for our health fair as did as our township did on July 4th this past weekend. So, a big thank you to the administration and MPD for helping to make that happen. Our
town has provided uh provided headphones to neurodeiverse or hearing sensitive community members at both of this year's firework um events Junth and the 4th of July where about 50 residents were accommodated, many coming up to us and thanking us for making fireworks
accessible for their family. Additionally, our community services department is bringing back the all accessess pool party and working on several inclusion programs this fall and winter. And our clerk's office, not leaving you out here, has added accessible parking to the list of things
we consider at each event planning meeting. These are just the highlights, but they show that we are moving in the right direction. We are becoming a town that lives up to the words in this proclamation. However, there is always
more that can be done. So, as I say thank you, I also challenge you. I challenge our administration, our department heads, and my colleagues to continue the work toward making Maplewood a community that welcomes and
supports all residents. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, we'll go to our first public comment session on agenda items. Is [clears throat] there anyone who would like to speak to the township committee on an agenda item?
Again, if you're here for the immigrant trust, you'll be able to speak specifically on that when we get there. You have a agenda item. >> Of course, >> she's going to follow the rules. She
knows. >> Michelle Babro, 51 Coolage Road. I noted in the agenda items 13 I and J that money is being allocated and spent for streets which have been
impacted by New Jersey American Water um and the work that they have been doing. I urge you, if it has not already been included, to repair the sink holes as a result of New Jersey American water on
Bdon Avenue from Elwood to Parker. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else who would like to speak on an agenda item? Is there anyone online? If anyone joining on Zoom would like to
speak on agenda items, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. Mayor, >> thank you. Okay, we'll close the first public comment period uh and we'll move to our board of health meeting, our monthly board of health meeting. >> Okay,
we got to it pretty quickly tonight. [laughter] All right, let me read the statement. Pursuant to section five, chapter 231 of the public laws of New Jersey. This is to state for the record that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the public by posting and maintaining
the annual notice of regular meetings on the bulletin board of the municipal building by mailing the annual notice of regular meetings for 2026 to the news record in Star Ledger in December 2025 and by filing said notice in the office of the township clerk. >> Miss Adams
>> here. Collins Colding >> here. Mayor Duca >> here. >> Mr. Herman >> here. >> Mr. Daffis >> present. >> Whereas chapter 231 public laws of 1975 [clears throat] commonly known as the open public meetings act requires all meetings of
public bodies be open to the public. And whereas section 7 provides that the board of health has a discretion to permit prohibit or regulate the act of participation of the public at any meeting. And whereas are the Maplewood Board of Health to comply with the
provision this act same time to conduct its business in an orderly expeditious manner. Now therefore be resolved [clears throat] by the Maplewood Board of Health Township of Mapwood does hereby prohibit except set forth in a formal agenda. Active participation in
deliberations of the board of health by the public and except as otherwise prescribed by law does limit the public to the observations and actions of the board of health at all of its regular and special meetings. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Miss Adams. >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Golding.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. >> Herman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. Thank you. Township clerk. The board of health meeting minutes from our last meeting on June 3 have been circulated. Are there any edits
for my colleagues? If none, I move the approval of the board of health meeting minutes from June 3rd. >> Second. >> Miss Adams? >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Cing? >> Yes. >> Mayor [clears throat] Duca? >> Yes. >> Surman? >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis?
>> Yes. Wonderful. Good evening. Welcome, Candace Davenport, our health officer. we turn it over to you for your report. >> Thank you. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Uh we're going to start off with um last week's events which was um
couple of days of heat um extreme heat. Um so we're going to talk a little bit about preventing um heat related illnesses. Um this information as always is going to be posted on our website so people can read it over. But we just want to distinguish a couple of things. Um, a lot of us, I think, experience
heat exhaustion, but we do want to make note that people know what heat stroke is and that that is a a life-threatening emergency. We ask that people check on their neighbors. The weather is is good right now. It's nice and cool and rainy, but should we have another extreme heat
event again, please check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly, disabled, and those with mental health illnesses. Next slide goes into some infographics which are easy to remember on tips to prevent health related illnesses such as staying hydrated and finding shade, avoiding
strenuous activity and um alcohol and sugary and fatty foods. Places to stay cool are on the uh left side of the screen. We have the Maplewood Library which is at 51 Baker Street or the Hilton Branch Library at 1688 Springfield Avenue which is a cooling
center. The Maplewood Police Department at 1618 Springfield Avenue can also be a uh cooling center after hours when the library is closed. Again, residents experiencing a health emergency or heat stroke should please call 911. Um it is
unfortunate to announce that in New Jersey we have about 29 suspected health related deaths uh due to the uh latest extreme weather. Most of them were in the north and central Jersey and um unfortunately they were they spanned the
age ranges of mid30s to 80s. So it wasn't just elderly, it was really um you know spanning the gamut of people. So please check on your neighbors uh no matter where they are. And the next slide talks about uh signs of heat exhaustion. Again, um dizziness, thirst,
sweating, weakness, nausea, and just fatigue or exhaustion are are examples of heat exhaustion, at which point we would advise go to a cooling center or stay inside where you have air conditioning during those times. And next slide. Oh, at this time I'm
happy to announce that our Maplewood Middle School had a tobacco and environmental environment uh public service announcement contest and the theme was clean the air, how tobacco and vaping harm our planet. So, the reason we're bringing this up today is because
the health department also um oversees the municipal alliance for the township which works to prevent uh youth from um substance use and abuse. um not only youth but seniors as well. But we did want to highlight our senior our
students today. Um thank you to ADAPT which is um the Essex County ADAPT which is part of family connections who ran this contest. So I'm going to uh bring the attention to Jessica Delgado and Elizabeth Schwarz to u make an announcement. Hopefully we'll have a
little picture with the student here today. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Jessica Delgado. I'm the senior program manager for the ADAPT Coalition at Family Connections. We're a nonprofit and our ADAPT Coalition is Essex County's
substance use prevention coalition. Our mission is to work with schools, municipalities, community organizations, and residents to prevent youth substance use through education, awareness, and community collaboration. One way that we do this is by empowering
our young people to become leaders and advocates in their communities. We have a youth leadership program called Incorruptible Essics and our tobacco and environmental public service announcement contest challenge students to think beyond the health effects of
tobacco and vaping and to consider the impact on the environment. Do you know that cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world and that disposable vape products are becoming increasingly uh contributing to plastic and electronic waste uh throughout our
communities? Before I recognize our winners, I would like to extend a special thank you to Miss Gaido. She's the health and physical education teacher at Maplewood Middle School for her support and dedication to her students. Each year
she takes time to educate them about vaping and the current drug scene and she encourages these participation in the PSA contests. We truly appreciate her partnership and opportunity to work with her classes on these meaningful
projects. The creativity and thoughtfulness shown by our students remind us that youth do have a powerful voice in creating healthier and cleaner communities. It is my pleasure to recognize this year's winning teams. We had top three PSA
winners. There was a lot of great submissions. I'm happy to announce our first place winning an animation PSA, Harm the Environment, created by Ava Ballentine, Lionus Herod, and Khloe
Hazelton. Um, unfortunately, they were away at camp. Um it's some people are away on vacation, but we do want to acknowledge their um their their their PSA and congratulate them. [applause]
Our second place winning PSA was actually a claimation um the [clears throat] damage you don't see. This was created by Amaya Chapman. She created a video completely with clay and animation which was amazing. So I'd like
to congratulate Amaya and tell her to come up to receive her certificate. >> Yeah. [applause] And our third place winning uh PSA was a liveaction video, the basketball championship created by Lynn Miller and
Keegan Donahghue. Congratulations. [applause] They are they are also away at camp or on vacation unfortunately. Um we did recognize them in the schools though. So, they did get their recognitions and prizes beforehand. Um, if you would like
to view these award-winning student PSAs, we invite you to visit our youth leadership programs Instagram page. They're going to be showcased at incorruptible.sex um where our winning videos will be featured. And now, join me in
congratulating our winners. And thank you to the Maplewood Township and the public health department for providing us the space to acknowledge our youth's accomplishments. Thank you. [applause] >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we'd love that.
>> What is it? Incorruptible. >> Incorruptible. So, this is a statewide program. So there's one for each county and the overall program is incorruptible. us. >> It's the center. Patrick.
Thanks so much. Thank you so much for that. That was really special. That was really special. Thank you to Amaya and her family for coming and to adapt to for acknowledging them and doing this great contest every year. Moving on to our next slide. We haven't left substance abuse and use
yet, but we just want to say uh that the tobaccof free New Jersey organization recognizes Maplewood for their alfresco dining smoke-free areas and they provided us with information that we can share with um the restaurants and we'll be passing them around um on the next
slide. Uh we have stickers that the the um restaurants can use. Welcome to a tobaccof free property. We have coasters. We have a breathe easy alfresco tobaccof free. So we hope that all of our local businesses that have
outdoor dining will um showcase that and be proud of that. Um we're very proud of that for Maplewood. Next slide is the free summer meals program which is happening right now. It goes until August 14th. We provide free breakfast
and lunches from 9 to 10 a.m. and 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. at our location at 129 Bdon Avenue. We encourage everyone who is um children and teens 18 and under uh to come and sit and eat at the Mapwood Health Department and get a delicious
meal. Um every day is a new day of different types of breakfast and lunches. So we encourage people to uh come and if you have any questions, you can give us a call um at our at the health department. Moving on to other news of food access. Our community food access plus program
is going strong with our hours of operation continuing at Mondays from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at our location at 129 Bdon Avenue. We do want to say that yesterday we had our um Monday session and we had
48 households that we provided food for. So that's a that's a bigger number than we've had before. So we're continuing to grow. We encourage anyone to come if they need um food for the week and it's free food. Thank you to UCCC for
distributing it at our location. The next slide is county services. Uh they're offering a pediatric asthma screening event on July 23rd. Um and also they're offering a pediatric mobile health van um in on July 9th, the 16th
uh the 23rd and the 30th at various locations. We will also be having and just a highlight um an a vaccination clinic for for children at um our location before school starts. So we'll be making more announcements about that, but the county will be providing uh
children's vaccinations at our location before school. So if anyone needs it, we'll be there. The next slide is our nursing and health screenings update. So I just want to provide um that there is a webinar speaking of extreme heat in our conditions lately on extreme heat and
protecting New Jerseys children and teens that's happening on July 22nd. This is a free uh presentation from the New Jersey Inter agency Council on Climate Resistance uh through New Jersey D. So the information is there for people to join the free webinar and
learn more. Moving on, um July is a big month for us as well. Uh these are the locations where we're offering free adult health screenings at our CIT senior citizens residents, uh our Maplewood Senior Center, um in conjunction with other activities through the uh Department of Community
Services and senior programming. And then July 16th, we're having our uh free blood pressure, hemoglobin, cholesterol, and glucose screening in partnership with Zufall Health that will be providing affordable medical and dental behavioral health services and referrals. This will coincide with our
food distribution program on Thursdays as well. Going on to our next slide, just shows our nurse um and all of the reportable diseases that were investigated. This is a lot for the month of July. Moving on
to environmental health update uh for uh this is a really great thing that we're happy to announce [clears throat] that the state has said that uh people need to now ask Maywood has done this for a long time um but they need to ask now for the uh use of single-use utensils
and condiments. So this is now a statewide uh law and everything that is going to be enforced that we've been doing for a while. um again setting the the pace for um environmental justice and um doing well by the environment. So this is we just want everyone to know
that in the future very soon you'll need to um request single-use utensils and condiments. They won't just be put in your bag. Um our on the next slide, our um environmental health inspector has been busy with uh restaurant inspections and
mobile food trucks and um a lot of complaints, 27 complaints that he had to address this month. And moving on to our animal control update for the month of May. On the next slide, we had 41 calls from animal control
solutions. Um that's a lot for them for a single single month. Uh 22 of them were wildlife. And I just want to go to the next slide because a lot of them were for bats, bats in homes, uh people exposed to bats. So, um when someone is
exposed to a bat and they're not sure if they were bitten or not, we do have to advise them to go see their doctor um and potentially go onto a rabies prophylaxis because they're not sure if they've been bitten um and or if the bat has rabies. Animal Control Solutions
then goes to the house, tries to catch the bat. they have to test the bat and see if it has rabies. Um, in all my years of being um, a health officer here, um, we've done many tests with with bats and many of them are negative for rabies. However, we always have to
test um, because they do carry rabies and we have to quarantine animals and pets. So, super important to to uh, vaccinate your animals. Um, but also just know that that's part of the reason why we've had a lot of calls this month.
Um, we will ask people to please uh bat proof your home. So, they are they come in through um exhaust fans um or into crevices and cracks. Um they like to hide in those areas. So, if people could bat proof their home, we could keep the
bats outside eating the mosquitoes and doing a great job and not exposing uh people indoors. To the next slides, we have social services and mental health and we have our crisis intervention social worker uh report for the month of June. Uh they
saw 24 cases this month. And we end with our social services through CSPJ offered on Saturdays at the Hilton Branch Library from 11 to 1 as well as ending with the make the right call uh banner
that we always let people know. Again, for heat related emergencies or heat strokes, please call 911. Those are life-threatening emergencies. 988 for mental health crisis, 211 for social services and um poison control. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you, health officer Davenport, for your comprehensive report that you provide every month. Makes us really proud to see how you continue growing and expanding community outreach and public health in our communities. Um,
wonderful to see. So, uh, I invite my colleagues any questions, any discussion, any comments, please. Mayor, >> uh, with, um, the temporary protected protective status being eliminated,
>> uh, in just a few days? Yes. Um, are we prepared to uh assist families who are either, you know, losing their jobs because they're no longer eligible to work or um if someone has to leave the country, the folks who are remaining
here, how are we addressing that and making our services um making them aware of our services? >> That's a great question. We do provide services um hopefully they'll meet some of the needs that people have. One is food access. So if people are losing
their jobs and they are food insecure, they can come to the food distribution or community food access plus on Mondays and Thursdays and get free food for their family. They can come twice a week every every week. Uh the second thing is the summer meals program. If they have
children, they can come to eat there too. uh the CSPJ, that second to last slide, they can um go there for uh assistance with employment applications as well as SNAP benefits um and uh signing up for healthcare. If they need
help with housing, CSPJ as well as UCCC can help with housing, um temporary rental assistance, things of that nature. Um lastly, if you're talking about um immigrant assistance, uh we can direct them to uh other resources at the
county and state level as well as locally that can um assist them with any paperwork for for those kinds of services. So, they can call us. >> And how are we getting that information out? >> We can put it through our website. Um hopefully people are watching this and
um hopefully the information through tap into and um tap into >> that that's probably not going to reach those folks. Um >> so I know we have uh some employees who are Haitian. Um, can we reach out to our
employees who are Haitian to see >> if we can find uh more conduits to get this information out either social organizations, civic groups, churches. >> Um, I don't think anybody's watching this,
>> right? I >> believe we have a Haitian restaurant on Springfield Avenue. >> We do. There's a couple of place around. >> We have a flyer. >> There's some very connected employees. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Yeah, >> if we have a flyer they can we you know we can >> Candace had put together some packages to go to the churches some of the
Haitian churches and Deart she had put a whole package together and >> we can do more >> through our community outreach personnel. Can we also do a direct campaign? >> Yes. >> We know you know where our residents are
and we can go to those neighborhoods. Yes. >> And those streets and actually you know knock on some doors or or leave behind a flyer. >> Yes. That's obviously um you know flyer in Spanish and Creole. >> Yeah, we can talk to the clerk about canvasing in in those areas.
>> Yeah, that would be great. >> Thank you. >> As we organize something, uh we'll let the elected officials know and if you want to participate in the canvasing. >> I would love to. >> Yeah, we can let me know when and I'll be there. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um other questions, comments, concerns for our health officer from the township
committee members? >> Okay. Will at this point we invite the public who's here in person to address the board of health. Anyone have any questions or no one in person? Mr. Wary, anyone
online? >> If any members of the public on Zoom would like to address the board of health, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. >> No hands raised. Okay. Well, with that we will close the public uh session and I move that we adjourn and meet again on
Tuesday, August 4th. >> Second, >> Mr. Adams. Miss Adams. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Colding. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. >> M. Herman. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. And thank you so much, health officer Davenport. >> Okay, we're going to move to um the
agenda again. We're on item number eight. That's an ordinance on final. >> Yes, mayor. Um, item eight, ordinance on final passage, ordinance number 4010-26 is an ordinance supplementing chapter
206 of the township code public property use of with a new article entitled restricted areas. This ordinance establishes a new article six entitled restricted areas of chapter
206 of the township code entitled public property use of to designate certain municipal property as restricted to authorized personnel only in order to ensure the safe and efficient
operation of township departments and protect township residents and confidential government records. >> And um before I ask for a hearing, M. Credio, could you just give a snapshot of what this ordinance is seeking to
achieve? >> You're so ordinance works in concert with uh ordinance 401, but uh goes a little further than it. So 4010 is to allow the township to establish private areas in
our municipal buildings and other municipal property. Um that only uh authorized personnel and their invitees. So if I'm uh providing constituent services, >> you move that a little closer. >> Sorry. If I'm providing constituent service to someone and I invite them in
my office, then you know they're welcome to come in with us. But the purpose of the ordinance is to uh provide for the safety of all of our employees, visitors to the municipal building and to also uh establish firmer controls over our
municipal property so that we can designate what areas um are public and what areas are not. that works in concert with ordinance 4011, which we'll get to in a few moments, the Immigrant Trust Act, which uh would provide that
we will not allow um certain uh immigration enforcement services to uh enter into private areas of municipal property unless, you know, they were in the middle of a criminal versus civil action. So, the two work together, but
this ordinance goes a little further just to make sure that our information is protected and our employees and visitors are protected. So, I'm going to open the hearing on this ordinance um which establishes the restricted areas.
Is there anyone who would like to speak on this ordinance? And and those who might have trouble hearing uh in this room, if you're if you want to read, we have verbatim down there, so it's easier to read it.
>> Okay. >> But it moves fast, Stanley. >> It moves fast. >> It moves fast. Huh. >> Okay. Um yeah, I read the ordinance and >> just say just please say who you are. Just identify yourself. Identify
yourself. My name is Stanley Von and I live at 94 Bernett Avenue, Maplewood. And I've lived in Maplewood a very long time. And despite being a lawyer, I didn't quite understand this ordinance.
So perhaps it can be explained to me. An inviteee, that's what I didn't understand. If there's an area that's restricted like the library and I want to go to the library, does that mean I'm an inviteee
that's going to the library to interact with a librarian? So really that section of the ordinance is to deal with private areas of so for example in the library they may have uh the director's office they may have
storage areas other areas where the public is not generally allowed to go. When we refer to an inviteee there we're really saying someone that is accompanied by an employee of the municipality and has that employees permission to be present in the restricted area with them.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else want to speak on this ordinance? Seeing no one, please check online. >> If anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your [clears throat] hand. >> I see no hands.
>> Okay, we're going to close the hearing. And um Committeeman Daffis, can we get a motion? >> With pleasure. I move this ordinance to be adopted as a whole and the clerk be directed to post the same as a past ordinance on the township's website and
town hall bulletin board according to law. >> Second. >> And before we vote, I have to read that this ordinance was published on the township website, copies posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building >> and copies made available to the general
public in accordance with the law. >> So now we have a motion and a second. Please call the role. Mr. Adams, >> yes. >> M. Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Thurman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. >> Next ordinance.
>> Uh, yes, Mayor. Also on final ordinance number 4011-26. An ordinance establishing a new chapter 44 C of the code of the Township Mapwood. Ordinance establishing [snorts] hold on. an ordinance
establishing a new chapter 44 C of the code of the township of Maplewood entitled Maplewood IM immigrant trust act. This ordinance establishes a new chapter 44 C of the township code to
clarify the township's policies regarding the use of municipal resources in connection with federal civil immigration enforcement operations to protect the rights and privacy of all residents and to ensure compliance with
state law including the attorney general's im immigrant trust direct. directive. >> Okay. This ordinance has been published, copies posted on has been published on the township website, copies posted on the bulletin board in the municipal
building, and copies made available to the general public in accordance with the law. Is there anyone who would like to speak on this ordinance? Please come on up and identify yourself, and you can share your comments. Hello. Good evening everybody. My name
is Cynthia Gallota and um I'm a co-chair of Soma Action Immigration. Um thank you mayor and the township committee for working on the Maplewood Immigrant Trust Act ordinance. This proposed law shows that the town of
Maplewood is willing to stand up for immigrants who are being deliberately attacked and targeted and who have little political power. It is incumbent upon those of us who can intervene on their behalf to do so.
While this mass detention deportation agenda rages, this ordinance cannot interfere with federal immigration enforcement, nor does it include all the policies that we pushed for. But the document itself
exemplifies a kind of collective stubbornness with the town working to slow down ICE, to force them off town property, to force them to obtain judicial warrants, to put sand in their gears, and ultimately to force DHS and
ICE to potentially work harder for every arrest. In the past several months, there have been abductions of landscapers and construction workers on Springfield Avenue and in Maplewood's residential streets as well as surrounding towns.
Recently, ICE said set a new enforcement arrest quota of 2,000 individuals daily and in the last week of June, there were 10,000 arrests made in five days. Clearly, the speed and scale of the war
on immigrants is accelerating across the nation. This administration wants to scare us to comply with their immoral and lawless removal of 12 million human beings from the United States. The fundamental question of these times
must be, what do we owe one another? What more can we do to protect those who are the subject of the lawless assault by the federal government? The Maplewood Immigrant Trust Act, by virtue of its community protections and lawful
opposition to the inhumane and unjust immigrant operation, does just that. Thank you. >> I'm Susan Verek. Um, I live in Maplewood and I'm the co-chair with Cynthia of the Soma Action Immigration Committee. I'd
like to note that Maplewood early on was one of the early cities to adopt um a sanctuary type of ordinance. Um later on um when Cynthia and I approached then Mayor Adams about um supporting the Immigrant Trust Act in
the legislature that very night uh the u the resolution was passed. Um, as a result of that and a lot of other people working, the state finally did pass a package of laws. Not as strong as it should have been, but but they did they
did move forward to codify the attorney general's directive. This ordinance, thank you for your leadership, especially Mr. Daffus and the entire council. Um, this ordinance is really important to to make it clear, as Cynthia described, where do we stand on
this? Where do we stand in this community? What should we be doing? What can we do? It's also really important for our everyone in Maplewood to understand what their rights are. People don't pe we forget Cynthia and I we
forget we know all about what types of warrants blah blah blah. We've been immersed in this for the last year and a half. But not everyone is a constit is a constitutional lawyer and knows these things. We hope that part of the effort
of this ordinance will be to help educate our people. Uh thank you very much for your work on this. We're very happy to support it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone [clears throat] else who
would like to speak on this ordinance? >> Seeing no one in the room. Is there anyone online? If anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand. Now moving over Dorothy Daniela GI to
panelist Dorothy I've sent an invitation to join as panelists. If you'd like to accept that, you can address the township committee. I'll send that one more time. Welcome, Dorothy. You may unmute yourself and address the committee.
Dorothy, you're currently muted. If you'd like to unmute yourself, you can address the township committee. You should see a button that says audio that would have a red slasher. >> I'm so sorry. I'm very good at Zoom and
not not at the township meeting. Forgive me. Can you hear me now? >> Yes, we can hear you. >> Thank you so much. I'm Darthothy Daniela Josephie. I've written many books on social justice and I was a professor. Uh, and I just want to say how proud I
am being new to this town six years ago, though my family has lived here for 20 years. How proud I am that you've introduced this ordinance and will be passing it. And I want to just remind everyone that the immigrants we care
about have come from countries that were devastated by US policy. In 1926, Emily Greenbalch was the second United States person to win the Nobel Peace Prize because she wrote a book about occupied
Haiti, and how horrible the US military and US corporate interests were destroying the beautiful island of Haiti, which was a peaceful place before the US colonized it and occupied it. The same thing is true of many of the Latin
American countries from which these immigrants come. They were devastated by United States policies and United States colonial greed. So I just want to say that this is a wonderful conscience for
all the good-hearted people of America that you are enacting this ordinance to make up for some of the history of our country which has not always been kind and there's a double meaning why we should be kind to these immigrants if we
look into the history. Thank you so much for letting me speak. Thank you. >> If any other members of the public would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand now. >> I see no more hands. Mayor, >> thank you. We'll close the public
hearing. Uh, Command Daffis, can we get a motion? >> Thank you, Mayor. I want to say first that the next step here uh should we have full passage tonight uh is to establish and first of all to start training all of our township staff
including our law enforcement personnel uh and then to establish an FAQ that we're going to use for public outreach and have a couple town hall meetings where we can engage with the community
so that they can understand our rights, their rights, our rights, uh, law enforcement, um, what would Maple would do in a scenario when they're engaged with ICE or ICE engages with them. So, that is
forthcoming. So, with that, oh, and stay tuned for my report coming up shortly where I will make an ask of the township committee uh, associated with this ordinance. So, don't go anywhere. All right. So with
that, I move this ordinance to be adopted as a whole and the clerk be directed to post the same as a past ordinance on the township's website and town hall bulletin board according to law. >> I enthusiastically second that. >> Any discussion? Please call the role.
>> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss [clears throat] Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Thurman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Approved. >> Yes. [applause] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. We have an ordinance on introduction. >> Uh yes, mayor. Ordinance number 4012-26. is an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 257
of the code of the township of Mapwood entitled vehicles and traffic to prohibit parking within 5 ft of a public or private driveway on Uclid Avenue. This ordinance will add the portion of Uclid Avenue between Ridgewood Road and
Wyoming Avenue to list the streets where parking within 5 ft of a public or private driveway is prohibited. >> Can we get a motion? I move the passage of this audience on the first reading and of its publication
according to the law on the township's website and town hall bulletin board and a hearing to be held on July 21st, 2026. >> Second, >> please call the role. >> Miss Adams, Miss Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis,
>> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor [clears throat] Duca, >> yes. Thank you. We have another ordinance on intro. >> Uh, yes, Mayor. Item 9B, ordinance number 4013-26, is an ordinance authorizing the township to obtain an easement for storm water
facilities along Metobrook Place. This ordinance will authorize township to install and maintain stormwater facilities on certain private property located along Metobrook Place. I move the passage of this ordinance on
first reading. It's publication according to law in the township's website and town hall votes board and the hearing to be held on July 21st. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Mr. Adams, >> yes. >> Mr. Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes.
>> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to go to administrative reports. Business administrator, Mr. Weary, >> I have no report tonight, Mayor. No report. Okay. Anything for Mr. Weary. Got off the hook. Uh, Township Attorney
Jennifer Credidio. >> I have no report tonight, Mayor. >> All right. Well, this is this is uh Yeah, we'll see what happens. Anything for Miss Credidio? Uh, township clerk Elizabeth Fritzen, you have a report.
>> No report. [laughter] >> Yay. >> You have no report? I can make something. >> No, >> no, that's okay. That's all right. [laughter] >> It's quite rare. >> I wanted to see your expression, mayor. >> Okay, so we'll move to elected officials. Committeewoman Adams.
>> I have no report, Mayor. >> All right, you're welcome, everyone. >> I'm sorry I'm not carrying on the trend. [laughter] >> Well, you told everybody to stay, so you better have some good things. >> I have some good things. I have some good things. I have some good things.
Okay. Number one, I want to highlight uh some legislation that's headed to the governor's desk for signing. Uh of particular note is something called the Garden State Balcony Solar Act. The Garden State Balcony Solar Act. It allows New Jersey residents, including
apartment renters, to legally use portable plug-in solar panels. This was never allowed before. The legislation exempts systems under 1,200 watts from permits and utility approvals, which is the majority of these portable little solar panels, and specifically prevents
landlords or uh apartment associations or other housing associations from banning their installation. the if the governor signs the bill, and we think that she will, uh, New Jersey will become the 10th state in the US to allow
plug-in solar, providing a DIY option for residents and a more affordable option for residents look looking to curb rising util utility bills without altering their roofs. So, we will keep an eye out on that signing so that we
can start getting that information out, mayor, uh to uh all the residents that we have, especially our renters who may not have access to solar currently. An update on our ongoing rent control.
Uh we we we've been working very hard and very close to bringing back to the township committee for their consideration a a a brand new updated rent control ordinance for Maplewood. Uh and through this process, we've learned
a lot. Um and uh this is also going to enable us to strengthen our internal town hall process as it relates to inquiries related uh to rent increases and rent control in Maplewood. We're going to establish in the township
clerk's office a rent control officer who will be the point person uh to deal with most uh inquiries coming from the public who will be responsible for uh keeping important uh rent um
registrations and other pertinent documents from uh our residents and the landlords in town and uh who will be the the liaison to the rent control board. Uh so uh you know good stuff coming in
the coming months. I want to provide an update on the reinstallation of our rainbow crosswalk we which we were hoping to do in September. It looks now that we're going to uh looks more likely in October and
we're staying on top of this. Again reminder why why does this keep getting pushed back? Uh we're looking to reinstall a rainbow uh crosswalk on Valley Street right outside of the municipal building here on the corner. Um Valley Street is a county road. The
county is redoing all of the crosswalks along Valley Street through Maplewood and into and through South Orange uh with federal funding through a federal improvement program. Um they are almost
done. They're almost done. Uh but there remain a couple of um a couple of intersections in South Orange actually that have not been completed and they need to be completed before a final inspection can be done and we we can't
do anything uh to the crosswalk out here until the final inspection is done of the entire Valley Street corridor. That was supposed to happen in July. It's being pushed back a little bit uh into September. So uh we are looking to do
what we need to do thereafter now because because unlike the first time when we installed our rainbow crosswalk, we're living in different times and these crosswalks are under federal scrutiny
and there's a lot of pressure and a lot of bullying against these happening. Uh, I want the township committee of Maplewood, this current township committee this evening to reaffirm its commitment to our reinstalling our
rainbow crosswalk. Do we have that commitment from this governing body this evening? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. It's unanimous. Terrific. Thank you. [applause] And I want to signal that unanimous support, including the public's support,
and I'm sure others out there, if they were here, would do the same to our administration, uh, who will hopefully use that as encouragement, inspiration, and ongoing support in their efforts because I know they're feeling the heat. Uh, the
township officials that need to make this happen are feeling the heat. Uh, and we want you to know that you have our support. So, make it happen. and I'm here to support along the way. Finally, of this governing body tonight, I'm going to make the following ask. We
discussed this a little bit last time when we were first introducing our immigrant trust act. And since then, I have done some research with our friends at the league, our legal partners there. Uh I've also done some research at DCA
where I work with local government services. This relates to our establishing an immigration legal services fund. Okay. Um [applause] I know there were some reservations against this at first
and we needed to get more information. Uh, I have spoken to township attorney Gerdidio uh before the meeting tonight and I'm going to be connecting her to uh local government services at DCA who will walk her through uh options that we
have in doing so if this governing body is interested in doing so. So, I will say that using Cynthia's words from just a couple minutes ago, what do we owe our neighbors right here, right now? What is
the right thing to do? How are we going to meet the moment? And especially after the Supreme Court decision, not just the increased ICE activity. I mean, this federal administration is doubling down on this lawlessness. They're not holding back.
They've set a quota and since we last met two weeks ago here, there have been four incidents of ICE in our community alone. So, what are we going to do? How are we going to meet this moment?
And in light, in addition to that, of the Supreme Court's decision ending TPS status for our Haitian neighbors, and we have a sizable Haitian community, we're going to need to do something. all that we can to connect people to immediate
support. Now, I know I know that you're thinking that, but Dean, Governor Cheryl gave $20 million to the detention fund, right? That money, how is that money being used? That money
is supposed to go to the to the nonprofit legal services providers throughout the state who are engaged in immigration legal services support. We know that that money is good, but it's not enough. We hear from Make the Road.
We hear from the Alliance for Immigration Justice. These organizations are at capacity. And there are so many cases and so many people who need to know their rights and who need immediate support. So I ask
this governing body whether or not this evening, right here, right now, as we just passed our immigrant trust act, do you support our attorney exploring how we can establish for Maplewood our own
immigration legal services fund? So let I'll answer first. Um I'm absolutely interested in finding out more from our attorney. I also want to find out how it gets funded from our administrator. >> Right? >> So it's not just a meth a question of
establishing the fund, but we've already passed a budget. So how would it be funded in a in a budget that we've already passed? So I want to know all that before we move forward or as we move forward. >> Right. Okay. Great. Let me take the temperature of my other colleagues.
Committee member Collins Golding. >> So, uh, Dane, you may already know this. I'm an immigrant. I come from a family of immigrants from West Africa, Liberia. My brother was deported and he stayed in immigration jail for 5 years where I raised his four children. Uh, this is
very personal for me and yes, I support any and everything that we can look into, research, look under to do what we have to do to protect families. Yeah, I should state for the record that we were concerned that maybe this would not be
uh appropriate or there would be restrictions under under the local finance rules and I found out that that is not the case that there are ways to establish this fund and you know exploring that further and what that looks like if there's support for it. Committee member Adams.
>> Yes, I support it. I think um obviously needing more information from administration and attorney but I'd also like to if there's we do have the Maplewood fund and if there's a way we can also offer up the possibility of people donating to such such a fund.
>> Yep. >> And Deputy Mayor Herman. >> Yes, I would like to hear more from about how we can get this um put together. Um I am definitely interested in anything we can do. I was at Delaney Hall and
this was the number one ask that the individuals on the ground who are working day in and day out to support the um families of those in the facility and they said over and over again they need help with legal services. They were asking for the governor to fully to fund
and she did come through with a a large amount but I think there's more that can be done and I'm very interested in hearing more of what we can do. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Appreciate it, mayor. That's my report. Okay, thank you, Deputy Mayor Herman.
>> Thank you. I was going to have no report, but I got handed a bunch of things to share with the seniors in our community. Um seniors, you have a very busy summer up um coming up in July. Um
so for July and August on Tuesdays, there are events every single Tuesday in July and August. Um, so there's on Tuesdays, the first Tuesday is a free walk-in craft day. The second Tuesday is
a senior social. The third Tuesday is a free walk, another free walk-in craft day. And the fourth Tuesday is um Oh, it's another craft day. There's a lot of crafts going on. This is amazing. I want to get in on this. Um Thursdays is the
other big thing. We're we're having a beat escape the heat series for our seniors and um all of these are um in the morning. So they're around like 9:30 or 10:30. So really something to look forward to and put on your calendar. On Thursdays we're going to have a movie
day for the first Thursday in August. It's going to be Song Blue, which was specifically requested. I actually really want to see this. I haven't seen this one yet. Um, and then the second Thursday will be bingo. Big question being, is Mr. Duca gonna call the numbers? Because that's really popular
at our Fourth of July. But, um, regardless, it will be a very fun time. And then the third Thursday is salad in a jar with Gina. And then the fourth Thursday will be trivia day. So, all of those really fun things to look forward to. And for our senior social on um we
have a senior social on July 14th at the senior center um with electrify soma. And then tomorrow at the senior center we will have um individuals with our assemblyman on's office helping with um
applying for um property relief programs. >> Property uh tax relief. >> Yes. Property tax relief programs. So like state New Jersey Ankor. So, um, do I have a question? Oh, um, actually I do have that
information. Hang on one second. So, at the end of our pool season, we do have a bunch of things. I believe the senior one. Okay, so Labor Day is the 7th, which is when pool officially closes.
So, I believe it's the 9th with a rain date on the 10th. >> Wednesday or Thursday? >> Yeah. So, Wednesday the 9th with the rain date of Thursday the 10th. >> Is that it? >> Yes, >> that's it. >> Wow. Okay. >> Wow. [laughter]
>> Committeewoman Collins Cing. >> I think she beat me this time. Okay. Um, just want to add our arts and culture department will be hosting some summer concert series and the concert series
are going to be at the gazebo July 17th, July 24th, July 31st and August 7th and August 14th. We're gonna have food trucks, uh, dessert trucks, art and
crafts, and some workshops at, um, on those dates. And I also want to add that our we our summer camp is still going. We do have summer uh, tennis camps for young
kids. You can still enroll your kids. Uh, we have a basketball camp as well that's open. We have uh we have three more series for the month of July that's still open. You can register your kids. We have also uh the dive camp coming up as well and that's going to be August 10
to 14 and I may add one last thing that I took a picture of today. Oh, it didn't save. Oh, it did. Here we go. the national night out and that's going to be August 4th in um Maple Crest
Park Police Community Partnership. And that is it, but I wanted to add one that's not related to arts, culture or um activities that we're having. I wanted
to also talk about the gender affirming care protections that um was signed and passed in June of this year and we're very happy the A2218s 22260 bill that was passed and that's a
celebration for all of us as we fight for each other and the transgender athletic um ban that was um the Supreme Court have allowed the states to enact bans against transgender for women and girls, girls competing on femal sports
teams. And Dne was um nice enough to put something together and we came to town hall, I think about a week ago or two weeks ago where we protested. You know, history has shown that equality has never been handed over willingly. Uh it always been won by people who refuse to
back down. So we will not be silenced, will not be fearful. Um, prejudice is used to just justify exclusion. And to my LGBTQ plus community, friends, families, you deserve safety. You
deserve respect. You deserve equal rights under the law. So, we stand with you and this is unacceptable. And the last thing I would like to celebrate is the New Jersey Voting Rights Act that was signed. >> [applause]
[cheering] >> by Governor Charles into law. The signing was quick to get these protections in place as soon as possible. Starting August 5th 15th, New Jersey voters, especially voters of
color, will have strong protections under their own state law. So, we're very grateful for this. And this is work that we all did together. And I'm so happy, you know, the governor took 48 hours to sign it, but we're waiting on pins and needles and she did sign it.
So, um, I thank all my partners who made phone calls, who were letters. It took us four years to get here. New Jersey Institute of Social Justice, they worked and we we worked hard behind this. So, this was really a win for all of us.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, I have no report. Y. >> All right. >> So, we're going to move to our discussion items. And Miss Fritzen, yours is the first. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, mayor and town
township committee. Uh, we normally uh cancel the second meeting in August and uh I'm asking for your consideration at this time to do just that. >> Does anyone want to argue to have a second meeting in August? No. >> Anyone want to move to cancel the second
meeting August 18th? >> I'll second it. >> Please call the role. >> Adams? >> Yes. >> Mr. Collins Cing? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis? >> Yes. >> Turman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca? >> Yes. >> Cancelled. >> Cancelled. Okay. Mr. Weary, your next
disabled veterans tax exemption. >> Thank you, Mayor. State law provides that 100% disabled veterans can apply for full exemption from property taxes and the law provides that governing bodies may choose when to make this
exemption effective within with some boundaries. Our current practice in Maplewood is to provide the exemption from the date that the completed application for exemption is submitted to our tax assessor and our tax assessor has recommended that we adopt this
practice by ordinance. We brought this to the finance subcommittee last month. that was discussed at length there and and we looked at all of the, you know, potential implications to different uh choices that the township committee could make and the finance subcommittee had recommended we bring this forth for
discussion following along with the tax assessor's recommendation again that the any 100% disabled veteran who qualifies and applies for a full exemption from property taxes would receive that exemption from the date that they are
complete application. is submitted to the tax assessor >> and that is the practice now. You said >> that's right. >> So all we're doing is codifying the practice now. We're not changing anything. >> That's right. >> Anybody Everybody's okay with that? >> 100%.
>> Yep. >> Okay. So let's move it forward. We can put it on for introduction at the next meeting. >> Very good. >> And next one is yours the modification. >> Yes. As we are considering the historic the potential historic district
on Rididgewood Road, we've been looking at notice requirements um for doing such a designation. >> Someone's listening to the ball game >> Yankees [laughter] >> and >> Yankees. >> I wanted to bring to the township committee's attention uh one of the
provisions and its implications and see if there's any interest in making some changes to the notice requirements. Specifically, it says in our current code, it says with respect to u designation of historic districts and historic properties, the owner, we will
notify them, them being the owners, of the date, time, and location of the hearing concerning the proposed designation of the property and send them a copy of the nomination report. this second piece, providing them a nomination of a copy of the nomination
report when we're talking about a district can become somewhat cumbersome. So, uh, the the potential district, what we're looking at now is 133 properties. There's a fivepage report, but it includes 445 page sides of an appendix.
So, that's a very, very large mailing. you're talking about 225 sheets of paper that would go out to 133 property owners. So, um the you know there is there is some implication that one it's just a lot of paper and the environmental impact especially as the
township has looked to improve our efficiencies as when it comes to how we use paper even small things like printing everything double-sided. you know, sending 225 sheets of paper to 133 residents is a lot. There's also a small
um impact on on the cost. You know, these are sent via certified mail. So, it would cost about $2,000 to mail all these out there. if the township committee would like to entertain a change and we had circulated uh proposed language
uh yesterday. Um we had proposed language that says with respect to the designation of a historic district notify the owners of of record of the date, time and location of the hearing concerning the proposed designation of the property same as is currently and
advise them where they can obtain a copy of the nomination report. So that way instead of sending that full appendex of 445 pages page sides, we would provide them information on where they could find it. It could be places like the library or we can have printed copies
here in town hall for anybody to come um to review. Still making paper copies available but also making digital copies available. And we've seen some notice requirements go that way and actually put a second has changed recently where now we the
township can make our public notices on our website for very similar reasons. has become more common place and so if this change to the first part would be considered regarding how much we send a property owner. We'd also recommend that uh the township provide that instead of in the official newspaper of the
township where now we're printing in a newspaper 450 sheets of sides of paper we could uh provide all that information on our website. >> The link >> the link. Yeah. >> You you're done right. Okay. Uh, Miss
Cidio, just could you give us a legal opinion whether or not this is um appropriate? >> Sure. These are um provisions of the code that are voluntary by the township. They're not required uh by the state
law. Making these changes would make it consistent with other um investigations or studies. for example, an area in need of redevelopment, you receive a uh you receive a notice under the statute of
the proposed hearing, the time and place, and where you can obtain a copy of the study. Um, we are certainly empowered to make this change because it is voluntary additional notice um that the township placed in the code and we
can modify that. And um ask what else? Something else. Um All right. So, uh any discussion on township committee members? >> I'm going to abstain on the record as I am within 200 feet of this potential new
historic district. >> Okay. [clears throat] Anyone else? in favor of it. >> Um I think this is a a valid suggestion that brings us more in line with modern practices. >> I agree.
>> Yeah. Um I disagree. I think I am troubled doing it now because we're likely to move forward. Oh, I know what I wanted to ask you. This is a 271 ordinance. Does have you determined whether it has to go to the planning
board or not? >> So, because it's a procedural ordinance versus a substantive ordinance, it does not have to be referred to the planning. >> Okay. So, um you know, in the fall or September, October, we're going to be
presented likely be presented with some recommendations on the district. And I'm a little concerned about changing this just before that process starts. Um I know there are
some folks who are um in favor of it in the district, some who are opposed to it, and I'm just concerned that the discussion will move on that we change the rules in the middle of the of the process. So that
that's just my feeling. But um you know if we have three people that want to move forward then we can just >> uh >> so let me ask a question. Are the individuals still going to be receiving a um notification? >> Yes.
>> So they'll still get a notification and they if the letter is five pages they could presumably get that. It's just that this 455page document or appendix >> is what would be available online or
uh on paper if they wanted to come in and take a look or go to the library. >> Online I would be angry as a resident if I got pages. >> I really would I'd be like what a waste of money. What a waste of paper. What a waste of
>> Yes. I think we would look at the information elsewhere. Absolutely. Yeah. >> Are we all concerned about um the comment that the mayor made in terms of what it looks like? >> No, because I a question. >> No, not are we? >> The information is there. I think we
have a very valid um argument against that and you know criticism is just going to happen no matter what we do. >> Okay. So, I think unless anyone's changing their mind, I think we're going to move forward with it. Okay. Okay.
Last discussion items, the World Cup final. So, our USA team did not make it through their round last night. >> That's because of President Trump's interference. >> But there are still eight teams in the U in the running. And um on July 19th,
right here in New Jersey at 3M, the finals will occur at the uh >> I don't know. >> It's called Well, it's called the New York New Jersey, but my wife keeps saying it should be New Jersey [laughter] >> stadium. That's right. That's where it's >> It should be just New Jersey. >> She's She's usually right on everything.
Just for the record, [laughter] >> right? Make sure that goes. >> So, there's going to be, you know, obviously as we get closer, there's going to be a lot more interest. And we had a a terrific block party, watch party in Maplewood Village. We've had
the, you know, we were one of the few towns to get the the World Cup bus to come up to Springfield Avenue. So, we were on top of this. We've been on top of this. Um so this thought of having uh you know as part of our effort to boost
local businesses moving to the Newark Way where we have um some of the businesses there and doing a block watch party on July 19th uh in that afternoon that Sunday afternoon bringing in some local food vendors um and also allowing
alcohol to be consumed on the street uh in public like we did in Maplewood Village. And when we say on the street, it would be on Newark Way from the borders would be on the south uh the entrance to Dehart Park and on the north would be Bordon Avenue. So in between
there um and it' be the same rules that we had um in Maplewood Village. Uh so the we don't have this nailed down yet because we're still talking about it. Um, but wanted to see if there was an interest on the part of the township
committee to approve a motion to allow the consumption of alcohol on that stretch of Newark Way that I just talked about and then we would move forward with the businesses there and residents there to plan the watch party. >> I have a question about where's the
money coming from for the cost. >> So, that's that would be a question. A lot of it's going to come from us just like the last watch party. >> Yeah. But uh like is there money in a bud one of the department's budget? I assume it would be department of
community services >> or are we taking it from somewhere else? >> Yeah, I mean there's not a um >> no I know >> there's not set aside money for some specific purpose. So it would require us to go through the budget and find money. Certainly, we wouldn't move forward with
it if we thought we weren't able to at the end of the year responsibly expend it, but there's not a specific pot for >> Yeah. The major cost is going to be rental of the screen. >> Yeah, that's at 5,000 right there. >> Yeah, that's what we're talking. That's >> And we need cops to close the street or
do we not need cops? >> Uh, I think we have to talk about that. Yeah, >> we don't need them to close the street, but we have >> But the question is anytime you have alcohol, now there's a little different there because there's two I guess Well, it's almost same thing. We had two or three. Yeah, there's two two uh
>> alcohol related businesses there. >> So, I have a couple questions, Mayor. Um, so is this to replicate what we did in Maplewood Village? In other words, it is a watch party in the street open to everyone? >> Yes. >> Okay.
Just say one thing. It's It's 3:00 in the afternoon, so I anticipate there'd be more families there, more kids there. >> Sure. Sure. Um, it's a watch party using equipment that the township would potentially fund and provide.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Similar to what we did in the village. >> Okay. Wonderful. And um all the businesses would be engaged in this >> um if they want to be >> if they Yeah. If they want to be. Okay.
So because there were some conversations about this and there was one business in particular in that area that was interested in hosting something. So I wasn't sure if this was a watch party in the street or uh just overflow from one
particular business. >> No, it's a watch party in the street. >> Okay. Although if they did it, we wouldn't have to pay for it. >> So, I have a couple of questions as well. Um, so we talked about this in the recreation committee and the recreation
committee was very interested in doing a watch party and we talked at length about where to find the space. The difficulty is that it's 3 in the afternoon. So, you need to have a special screen if you're going to show it outside. You can't just project it because it's not dark, it's light.
>> Correct. So, um, do we, you know, and then we, um, the discussion was around the screen and we were told that it was, uh, expensive to rent the screen and that it was very difficult to even get the screen for the June 25th.
>> Do we have any information about whether or not it would be available? >> That's what we're working on. So the screen would be a screen that we would be able to show something like we had before that you can see that during the daytime and we're I spoke to Mr. Weir
yesterday. I don't know if you have more information on what we have. >> I do. Miss Manuso the director of community services had connected with the company that provided the screen for the last watch party. They've been booked up for a few months so they're not available. We could continue to
explore options but that was the first place we looked at. >> Yeah. So, it's not going to be easy to pull off, >> right? >> The other question I had was about the neighbors. Typically, for a block party, when you shut down the street, I know this because I've gone door todoor and and done this, you have to collect 80%
of signatures for everybody on the block in order to shut it down. So, I'm curious what reach out we've done. There are um in addition to there's a there's a there's a brewery, there's a restaurant, there's um an electric company, there's what I believe is a 247
towing company. Um, so I wonder if we've had any reach out or with >> we've done we've done none of that yet. There's also six in this stretch >> residences or eight residents that would be. So we would we would try to limit it so that it would not impact the
residential area. So pretty much we're we're um >> the auto places, you know, and then we'd have to work for seat and towing too. So all that has to go forward. the so we this is not an approval of the event. This is just whether we can put it all
together. Are we okay in allowing alcohol to be consumed on the public street if we meet all the criteria that we're talking about? >> I'm always okay with >> not if we're not in favor of it then we don't need to knock on anybody. >> Right. Right. I understand the ask and I will I'll just say that I'm always in
favor of consumption of alcohol in public. So, so I will um enthusiastically support that uh if we can pull it off and we engage all the relevant stakeholders. >> Mr. Mayor, if we could just clarify a couple of things. So, in accordance with
our recently enacted ordinance, um these approvals are done by resolution. So, we would make a motion tonight which would be reduced to writing uh by my office and the clerk's office given a number. Um, you've identified the date, you've identified the physical boundaries,
which are both required by the ordinance. The ordinance also requires us to identify hours. Can we just delegate that in motion to the business administrator um to identify in in connection with the with the event? And
then I just want to clarify for um people in the area so that they're not expecting uh because it is different from a block party. I think deputy mayor you were using that as as an analogy but there is no requirement to receive consent of the neighbors for the
municipal event. So I just want everybody to be on >> we would do that anyway. We would we would we would inform them and explain to them what we're trying to do. >> Yeah. >> Did you have other >> um if we're voting tonight on a
resolution? Is that what >> Yes. resolution to allow consumption of alcohol on July 19th if we can put together a watch party >> because I feel like I would like to know the cost and what the neighbors all like
what all the businesses and neighbors >> the cost may be cost prohibitive and the neighbors may say no but in order to engage in that we need to have a vote tonight on whether or not we're going to move forward with exploring that because we otherwise support being able to do
very different. I'm all in favor of exploring it because this is something that >> this is the thing. We we can't >> there's no time. >> There's no time. So, it either has to be a decision tonight >> or then we say we we're not ready to make that decision. That's a that's a
very valid feeling. if we're not ready to make the decision. I mean, this all was put together quickly because we were trying to think, well, can we time this for USA games and then it didn't work because the game came up quick and then the game now, well, they're not playing anymore. But, so then we said, well,
let's focus on the last game because that's the last game. So, um, we have not put together all the things we're talking about because this is sort of the lynch pin of putting all that other stuff together. And if the cost doesn't work, if we can't find the screen, if
the neighbors say I'm not interested, if seat and towing says absolutely, I can't allow this to happen because I need to get in and out and we can't figure out an alternative. Um, if the cost is, you know, I said, well, if the cost in general just to operate it doesn't work,
then we won't do it. But if we don't have this piece, then we won't do it anyway, >> right? I'm in favor of exploring it and I'm fine with the um alcohol consumption on the street. I agree with Mr. Davis on that. And um then uh I do have my work
is hosting a watch party for the final game and we have a large screen. So if anyone if this doesn't work out, Downtown Summit has one. [laughter] >> That sounds like a conflict. >> No, no, no. I also Wait, let me maybe
your company has a second screen. So, >> I was just gonna say I can check with him to see if >> maybe we can uh grab that summit screen. Sheesh. >> Uh, mayor, I'm all for um a party paid for the township outside drinking
allowed by the township is a absolute yes. [laughter] I think we should just >> so I mayor I want to thank you for going through all of those questions and with that with those concerns in mind I am um a yes to okay >> um explore this knowing that you know
we're going to keep cost in mind and and make sure that our um neighbors on that street um are um on board. So, I would make a motion that we allow uh consumption on Newark Way between
Bdon Avenue and Dehart Park entrance uh on July 19th on uh during the day of the uh World Cup final match with the game starting at 3 and that the actual hours will be determined by the administrator.
>> Um and will that be permitted even if the party doesn't happen? >> Well, I'm serious. >> No, only if only Only if the party happens. Only if the party happens. >> I mean, that's kind of important caveat. >> Yeah. Right. >> Only if the part you you got what the >> Yeah.
>> Only if the party happens. >> Got it. >> Yes. It's only uh the motion is to permit it in connection with the township sponsored event. >> There you go. The township sponsored event doesn't happen. >> Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Adams, >> yes. >> Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis,
>> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you. Okay, we have our consent agenda. >> Uh, may I move the consent agenda? >> I second it. >> Second. >> When did you Adam? >> MH. >> Oh, is that what it says there? I didn't see that. Okay. Sorry. [laughter]
>> We're just used to covering for >> Thank you. >> Please call the role. >> M. Adams. >> Yes. >> Collins Golden. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Herman. >> Yes. >> Mayor D. >> Yes. Thank you. We're now on our second public comment. If there's anyone who
would like to speak to us on any matter whatsoever, if you'd like to weigh in on drinking on the street, we can have you talk about that if you want. >> I see no one. Is there anyone online? Anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak in public portion? Please raise
your hand. >> I see no hands, mayor. >> Okay. Um, we are going to adjourn the public meeting, but we need to go back into our close session to deal with um personnel matters. So, I'm going to ask for a reading of the close session um
statement and then we'll do a motion and adjourn. Uh we will not be coming out here. We will journ from the close session to an open session in that room and then we will adjourn the meeting officially at that time. Please read.
>> Whereas section 8 of the open public meetings act chapter 231 public laws 1975 permits exclusion of the public from meeting in certain circumstances. Whereas this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist. Now therefore be
resolved by township committee township of Mapwood in the county of Essics state of New Jersey. The public shall be excluded from discussion of any action upon the adherence speci subject matter. The general nature of the subject matter discuss as follows. Personnel
anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter be made public. >> Got a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Miss Adams. >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Cing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis. >> Yes. >> Man, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca.
>> Yes. Thank you very much everyone for attending both in person and online. >> Thank you everybody.