If we could uh find a seat, we can uh start our ceremony. At this time, I'd like to ask you all to rise. >> That's cool. What? [music] Heat. [music] [music]
Heat. >> [music] [cheering] [applause] [applause] [applause] >> President to the flag of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisibley andice. for all. >> National anthem will now be sung by Officer Aia Galard of the Hudson County Corrections. Oh, say can you [singing] see
by the dawn early lights, what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming
[singing] who broad stripes and Bright stars through the paralous fights. Oh, the ramp [screaming] parts we watched
were so gallently streaming. [singing] And the rockets red glare, the bombs [screaming] bursting in
gave proof [screaming] through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangle [singing]
b of the free and the home of the the brave. Hey, [applause]
[applause] [applause] what? [music] Wow. Heat. I'm sorry. I don't care if you're >> You may be seated. >> Our invocation will be led by Minister
Renell Snelling. >> If it is your tradition, we ask that you bow your head. Lord, we ask that you bless each and every individual that is here under the sound of my voice. Father God, Lord, we thank you for this day that you have
made even though, Lord, it may be raining out, we declare the rain as tears of joy, Father. Lord, we ask that you grant grace and mercy to walk with our new chief. Allow the individuals that she lead to understand and that she
may make all decisions with just love, affection, and order. We ask that her h her husband and her family understand her charge. We ask that you allow them to understand what she's going through. We ask that grace and mercy continue to walk with her. The Bible says that the
man that finding a wife finding her good thing and finding favor. So we ask that you bless her husband that she finds favor. We ask that you bless this township for the decision that they've made. We ask that each and every individual here understands the charge that she has and supports her as well.
these and all blessings in your holy name we ask and we pray. Amen. And Iman I don't think I can do as good as he did. It's [clears throat] amazing. Just want to say everyone looks amazing. Before we start, I want to acknowledge town commit, the mayor and township
committee [applause] and thank them for setting history again. The first one was with the chief Albert Sally and now the new chief Naima Malloy. [applause] [cheering]
>> [applause] >> We also want to give thanks to working. We also want to give thanks to everyone that showed up. Every man and female in uniform, the sheriff, directors, chiefs, executives, commissioner Hardy, Bob Chaveveli,
everyone. Thank you. Uh this this moment here means a lot to not just me to every man and woman in uniform. Chief Malloy, my sister, my friend, my mentor, now my chief. And I feel so, you know, honored to stand here and say that before her. I see my chief, my my old
chief, Chief Bendy. I'm sorry, Chief Woodson, [panting] Chief Ernesto Marillo. I'm, you know, forgive me. You know, blame my head, not my heart. But again, for every young lady who strive to do well, look at her. She is that she's the the face of
resiliency. [applause] I'm going to give a brief summary on the chief who's going to turn over the power to her. They only gave me three seconds, but he gave me eight pages. Chief Albert Sally has served the Maplewood Police Department for more
than 25 years, rising through the ranks from patrol to deputy chief and ultimately chief of police. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to protecting and serving the residents of Maplewood while strengthening partnership throughout the community.
His leadership reflects a steadfast dedication to public safety, community engagement, and professional excellence. A lifelong New Jersey resident, Chief Sally graduated from Summit High School before earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Kang University.
Following a brief tenure with the division of Houston and Family Services, he pursued his lifelong goal of serving in law enforcement. After graduating from the police academy in 2001, Officer Sally joined the Maplewood Police Department where he quickly established himself as a
dedicated and capable officer. Within two years, he was selected to serve as the school resource officer at Maplewood Middle School. In that role, he developed and coordinated numerous youth focus initiatives, including the Junior Police Academy, safety awareness
programs, and community engagement activities. He also served as an instructor for the Essis County Police Academy while continuing his education, earning a master's degree in human resource training and development from Satan Hall University. Chief Sally later served as detective
investigating a wide range of criminal offenses from minor crimes to major investigations including homicide cases in collaborations with Essis County Prosecutor's Office. He was subsequently promoted to patrol sergeant before becoming a detective sergeant where he supervised the youth aid bureau. In that
capacity, he oversaw juvenile investigations, served as the department's liaison to local local schools, and expanded youth outreach programs, including DARE, open gym, national night out, after school initiatives, and school security, and
lockdown preparedness assessment. His leadership and commitment to service led to his promotional lieutenant, making him the highest ranking African-American in the history of the Maplewood Police Department. >> [applause] >> As a lieutenant, he commanded the street crimes unit, traffic bureau, patrol
division, and community dispatch division. He was later promoted to captain, serving in an administrative leadership role before advancing to deputy chief. He ultimately became Maplewood's first African-American chief of police. Under Chief Sally leadership, the Maple Police Department has expanded
opportunities to recruit and promote a more diverse workforce, including women and minorities. He has championed community oriented policing strategies, strengthened relationships between law enforcement and residents, and served as a department's liaison to a numerous community organizations. His efforts has
emphasized trust, collaboration, deescalation, a proactive policing initiative that enhanced public safety while fostering positive community relations. Chief Sally is a proud member of the National Organization of Black and Law Enforcement Executives and the Fi Omega Graduate Chapter Viota FiO
Fraternity. That That's wrong, guys. I'm going to let the chief stand up and give his own shout out for his fraternity. I'm sorry, Chief. [applause] This podium is smaller than I thought. I thought I can put this whole book up
here, but I'll just go uh I'll freestyle it. As the kids say, I'll freestyle. Um, thanks. Thank everybody for coming out. Wow, look at this. Um, I was talking to some older Maplewood officers.
um older than me, Sergeant Morrison. Um and I and I was asking them, have they ever seen a transition from chief to chief? And everybody's trying to think, you know, I don't think they actually saw a ceremony like this, but we handed the badge over
to another chief. Um we had um Chief uh Jimmy Dval unfortunately um passed away as chief so he was unable to pass it off but um Chief Mallaloy organized all of this so we're able to do the handto hand and
actually that was one of my goals right u to be chief for a brief moment and to be able to move it on to somebody else so that goal has been reached and that'll be reached tonight with our first female uh chief in Maplewood history. [cheering]
[applause] [applause] [applause] >> [applause] >> So I I I just want to say as far as me, I didn't want to be chief for 15 years, 10 years, and all that stuff, you know? I just wanted to be there for a short while and get it to somebody in great hands that's going to take it and
elevate it to, you know, beyond what we we need it to be. And I believe that'll be so with Chief Malloy. I just want to give a few thank thank yous. Um, of course I want to thank God because this would not be possible without God.
[applause] I want to thank my family. My mother is 87 years old. [applause and cheering] She was satisfied with me graduating high school and working at the supermarket. So I would have that was late 80s so I would have been good there but um but that brings me to another
point that uh you should never be satisfied right if I stayed in the supermarket I would who knows what what I would have still been in the supermarket if Chief Malloy stayed as a patrol officer she wouldn't have been chief she had to take you have you have to take that uncomfortable risk or take
that next step sometimes officers come in my office and they say should I take the circus test hell yeah take it if you feel you going to take it take it you know if you if you want to go for deput chief, go for deputy chief. What's stopping you? Don't let nobody talk you out of your spot. Go get it. Work hard.
Do what you got to do. Only So my my goal when I first came into the department, I just wanted to be a detective. And um of course they always say if you tell God your plans, you know, that was my plan, but you
know, [applause] he he has other plans for you. So, let me get off this mic because we all came to see [laughter] Chief Malloy become Chief and uh [cheering]
[applause] Thank you. >> I'd now like to introduce uh township clerk, Madame Liz Fritzen, who will be reading the of the orders. Let's [cheering] [applause] just All righty.
I We also [cheering] [applause] in the main wood at least. Congratulations. [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you. >> [applause]
>> Still messing around. >> [applause] >> Now that I'm official, As my husband said, we going to make it work. It's good enough. We going to make it work. First, I'd like to personally say I am overwhelmed.
This is a lifetime of people, of love, of contacts. I have high school friends here, college professors, my attorney, my doctor, my [laughter] cousins. No, seriously. My cousins are here,
[cheering and applause] >> my child care providers, my godmother, my aunts, my sisters, my brothers, my siblings, my best friends have traveled far and wide. And I can't tell you enough. I am
so thankful and so overwhelmed. Now that I got that out the way, one time for the ladies. [cheering] [applause] >> We don't win all the time, but we did our big one today. >> Gentlemen, thank you for bearing with
me. I'd like to thank all the men, all the gentlemen that create a safe space, that make room for us, that mention our names in rooms that we don't get the time to
enter. Thank you for holding those doors open, being a mentor, and providing the way. I'd like to thank my husband, my children. [applause and cheering] They bear with me. They unselfishly
share me. They support me. They allow me time and space to rest so that I can get up every day and continue the fight. I also would like to tell you that I didn't get here by happen stance.
20 years ago, members of this township committee made an intentional decision. It was very intentional. And I like that they told me it was intentional. I knew this was going to be the space for me. They made an intentional decision to
diversify the department. They said, [applause] "We are going to find [cheering] women and minorities that are qualified and we're going to open a door and create a space for them to be here and to grow and to blossom." And they have
truly lived up to the intentions of that promise. because they understood with that intention was necessary. There's systemic barriers, there's obstacles, there's gatekeepers that try to say no
and keep us out of certain spaces. So, it's important that when we think about those things and think about our career, we move with the same intention. Most of us us in this room, especially those in uniform, have decided to choose
a career of public service. We chose to serve and protect and with that we move forward with that intention of service. But we have to have the understanding of the systemic barriers and the gatekeepers and the
obstacles that many others face. Very early in my career, I was inspired by a female captain. I was just looking for a job. Like I'll say, I just graduate from high school, get a job, right? I was inspired by a female
captain. She was the first woman I've ever saw of rank. She was all a 5 foot nothing, but she was a full firestorm. She made me decide to want to be a cop. She switched my whole life perspective.
And I remember coming home and telling my mother, I think I want to be a cop. For those who know my mother in this room, she is a woman of very few words. She looked at me and said, "Are you sure?"
I said, "Yes." She said, "Well, okay." Then I began this wonderful career. It took off. For some reason, I remember after I got promoted to sergeant, I went back to my mother again and said,
"Mom, I'mma be the chief of police." She looked at me again and said, "Are you sure?" I don't know. I said, "Yes, I'm sure." She said, "Well, okay." But it was different this
time. This time, she told other people about it. Imagine that. So, I was a new sergeant and my mother told my then partner, Connie Phills, "You don't have to worry up there too long. my daughter's going to be the chief of
police. And at that time, Connie Fields ran back to me and said, "You know, your mother saying you going to be the chief of police?" I said, "She said that?" She said, "Yeah." I said, "Okay." Cuz what my mother gave me was a level
of intention and audacity. And that's what I move through life with. I don't know what's going to come. I don't know how it's going to work out, but I know that it's always going to be okay. >> I don't know what I'm going to do, but I know that I'm going to leave it better
than it was when I found it. As my husband always say, we'll figure it out. Don't worry about it. We'll figure it out. And that's what we do. We figure it out. We're going to continue the intentions that was set forward by this township committee. the intention of inclusivity,
community safety, and protection. And protection not only of the people and the property, but protection of the values that have continued to fortify this community. And to all my brothers and sisters of MPD, all the staff members, all this
admin staff, I know y'all struggle to get these class A's together because a lot of us don't get in them too often. But I wanted you to be dressed up because I wanted you to celebrate this moment. It's not just about me. It's
about all of you. This is our moment. [applause] This is our moment to start a new beginning, to do it better, to move with intention, to have a fresh direction and
a new perspective. We may not always get it right, but we will try our best and we will fix the things that we can fix along the way. And I also would like to thank the members of the township committee for
continuing to support me to understanding my non-traditional cop cop ways for never trying to change me never trying to put me in a box accepting me for who I am and the cop that I always
wanted to be. Thank you to the electeds that came out, the members of the TC. Everybody is in this room. Some of the most amazing people I've ever known in my life is in this room. If you sitting next to somebody and you don't know
them, take five minutes and get to know them because I promise you, they will change your life. They will change your perspective. And if you don't have any audacity, you will have some after you finish talking to them. >> [laughter]
>> As we leave this space and we retire to celebrate, somebody call them cuz we don't have no head count. I told them we coming with vibes. So, we don't have a head count. Be patient with them cuz we coming.
But whatever you do and or decide to do in your life, be positive. Make sure you help someone. Create some good trouble. Set a goal and make a plan. Make a plan for something that's bigger than what
you ever expected. And allow God to fill in the gaps. And if you don't have anybody to tell your plan to, my mother's over there, and I'm always right here, you could tell it to me. And I promise all I'll
ask you is, "Are you sure?" And if you tell me yes, I'm going to say, "Well, okay." Thank you everyone. Bless you. Please be patient. They have a meeting following this. We're going to take some pictures. If I don't get your picture now, I will get it at the reception. Thank y'all so
much. I am so grateful. [applause] [cheering] >> [applause] [applause] >> We have comments yet, right? >> Does she want to snail? >> Why don't we wait till >> we'll have some uh remarks from Mayor Duca and the other members of township
committee. Mayor Thank you everyone. Want to thank you for coming out today for this uh terrific celebration. Uh I want to start by thanking Chief Sally. Let's give him a round of applause.
>> Yes. [cheering] [applause] [applause] >> [applause] >> Chief Sally stepped in unexpectedly but willingly to take the lead of our department and it was his steady leadership and his responsiveness to the
community that we will always remember. So, thank you for your time. Thank you for all you've done. We appreciate you and wish you the best in your next phase of life. And welcome, Chief Malloy.
[applause] >> It's been an honor and um I I've I've had the opportunity to see you grow as a police officer and as a person. And I think one of my former colleagues, Kathy Levventhal, was here. Yes. Uh she and I were on that initial committee.
[applause] And uh hearing you talk in in in our previous interviews, I'm really excited about what you will be bringing to our department. Uh your leadership, I think you'll be moving it in a terrific uh way. And you know, I I first met Chief
Malloy 20 years ago when she came to us slightly younger um from Irvington, Irvington police officer, and said, "Uh, yes, give it up for Irvington." [applause] And she talked to us about wanting to
work with the community and be a partner with the community. And that's exactly what we were wanted to do. And as she said, our intention was to diversify the force. and that's what we've done for the last 20 plus years. But there's
there's something that uh struck me in our first interview. Two thoughts I had. I had many thoughts, but I'll share two. Um one that as I sat there listening to her, I thought that she would be chief one day and here we are.
And two, that she would have the biggest swearing in party in neighborhoods [laughter] history. And here we are. So, we're proud of you. We're going to stand behind you and we welcome you as
our next chief. Thank you very much. [applause] >> Sure. >> Chief Sally, I just want to thank you. When I was mayor, you were my chief. You were always responsive. you are always by text or by call. Uh you were there
when I needed you and I really appreciate all your years of service here in Maplewood. And Chief Malloy, as only the second woman mayor in this township, I am beyond happy that we have the first woman chief of police.
[applause] I think when uh women lead, we not only uh show what can be done to our young girls, but we get things done and we do it with efficiency. Maybe because we
also run households usually. We we do it with multitasking, with thoughtfulness, and I'm sure based on the interview and all your plans that you already had, um we're going to see that come through you as chief of police. So, congratulations
and thank you, Chief Sally. Welcome, Chief Malloy. Thank you. [applause] [clears throat] >> Yeah, I think so. Hello. >> Yeah. Chief, thank you. So, our outgoing police chief, I would like to tell him
thank you for his leadership. Thank you for his commitment to this community. Thank you for his professionalism and his unwringing dedication and how he how he helped and strengthened Maplewood Police Department. We truly appreciate it.
Thank you so much. Today, we are also so proud to welcome Chief Malloy, the first black woman to serve as Chief of Police in Naples [cheering] history. [applause] [applause]
Let me say that again. The first black woman to serve as chief of police in May history. Thank you. >> [applause] >> This this is a historic moment. It is a
powerful reminder that excellence knows no boundaries and that representation matters. every black girl, every child, every young child in our community can now look at the highest uh uh rank in
our police department and know that their leadership will be possible in the future. Chief Malloy, I have no doubt in your ability to lead with integrity, strength, compassion, and excellence.
You have earned this moment through your character, through your experience, through your unwavering commitment to the public service. We are proud to call you our chief and you have our full support as you lead our department in
its next chapter. So, congratulations, Chief. Maplewood is proud. Maplewood is ready. And Maplewood stands with you. And on a personal note, from one black sister to another, you got it, girl. [laughter] And
[applause] and and as we look around this room, I'm very proud of our police department. >> I'm very proud of the men and women that serve Maplewood and makes us proud every day. I'm very proud to sit on this
township committee. I'm very proud for the people that serve us. We are the best of the best because we said so. Thank you, [laughter] [applause] >> Chief Sally. Thank you, sir, for your tremendous
service to Maplewood through all these years. Uh, as mentioned already, you took over the top spot during a very difficult time under tragic circumstances. I was the mayor at the time and you rose to the occasion and
you uh you became a leader very very quickly. You inspired Maplewood's finest and you inspired the entire community with that. and thank you and happy retirement and whatever else you decide
to do next. Chief Mallaloy, we are so incredibly proud. We are tremendously grateful for you and what you're going to accomplish. You said so yourself. You
got to see it to be it. And you are it right now. And I am so incredibly excited to stand with you, to be with you, to see what you're going to accomplish and all of the young black
and brown women that you're going to inspire throughout your legacy that begins this evening. Surrounded by all of those in uniform here today, your family, your friends, and all the dignitaries.
Maplewood's finest. I gotta tell you, it's a great day in Maplewood. It's a great day in Essex County. [applause] [applause] [applause] We're gonna have Reverend Michael T. Morrison close it out in prayer.
Mike. So I'm going to take the liberty to share uh just a little relationship between me and Chief Malloy. 20 years ago, I was uh a worker to death and two little tough people came into the police
department from Irvington. Her and this person named Connie Fields [laughter] and they from there they little rough around the edges if anybody know what I'm talking about. I went to them and I said, "You know what? I'm adopt y'all. Y'all going to be my law enforcement daughters." And so I back then I took
them um under my wing, just mentored them. And I think I had a pretty good run here at my 22 years of Maplewood Police. But the most rewarding part of my career is that when I retired, they
made Naima a sergeant and that made me proud. And so ever since then, I've been um on the in the audience just watching her career go. But I spoke with her. But before I say my brief prayer,
um I spoke with her about her vision for of the police department and and this is not what she said verbatim, but her vision for the police department fits a paragraph from uh Earl Fluker's book,
Ethical Leadership. And Fluker said in his book that how effective you are as a leader will be shown after you leave the job, not while you are there.
If the organization is in chaos and falling apart after you leave is a clear witness to your ineffectiveness. No matter how many accolades you receive or how many things are accomplished while you were there, you created a dependent organization. And when you
left, the boat sank. And Chief shared with me that her desire in her tenure here was to produce new leaders. And so in that with that as a backdrop, um could you bow your heads
and join me in our benediction? God, as we celebrate this historic occasion, we dare not enter this position as chief of police without your presence with us. We need your divine guidance to help Chief
Malloy be a chief that the citizens of this wonderful community is proud to have. God, we need your divine instruction to help Chief Malloy be a chief that make the township committee proud of the decision they made this evening. God, we
need your divine direction to help Chief Malloy be a chief that the officer she leads are proud to call her chief. But most of all, God, we pray that Chief Mallaloy makes you proud the way she leads the Maplewood Police Department.
In closing, we ask a special blessing on her supportive husband and her wonderful children because after tonight, they will be sharing the chief of police with a community that has put their trust in her. In the name of the father and the
son and holy ghost, we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Honor guard, please respond up and retire the colors. Come on. Oh my god. >> [music] >> 2
Come >> [music] >> on. In closing, we'd like to Thank everyone for coming. [applause] Immediately after this, we're having the reception at Orange on the Lawn. You need help with the dress, see one of the
Maplewood police officers. Immediately after the event, Immediately after this we have >> so so uh orange lawn orange lawn is where the party's going to be. Orange one. go for a picture
>> and she's going to come back. >> Now that's how you retire. [applause] [cheering] [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> You just take the pictures. >> She should come back. Chief Savvy should
come back. accommodate an overflow crowd for our new police chief swearing in. want me to say this? Okay. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the July 21st, 2026 meeting of the Maplewood Township
Committee. I'm going to read the open public meetings act 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 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. M Adams
>> here, Miss Collins Cing >> here, >> Mr. Daffis >> present, >> Miss Herman, Mayor Duca >> here. Whereas chapter 231 public laws of 1975 commonly known as the open public meetings act requires the meetings of
public bodies be open to the public and whereas desiring the governing body to comply with the provision this provision this act same time it conducts its business in an orderly and expeditious manner now therefore be resolved by the township committee. Township of Mapwood
does hereby prohibit except as set forth in a formal agenda. Active participation in the del deliberations of governing body by the public except as otherwise described by law does limit the public to the observations of the actions discussions of the governing body at all
its regular and special meetings. >> So moved. Second. >> Mr. Adams. >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Cing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis. >> Yes. >> Mayor Luca. >> Yes. Thank you. I just want to uh let everyone know that Deputy Mayor Herman is out of the country, so she won't not
be participating tonight. I'm going to ask you to stand for a salute to the flag and then also remain standing for moment of silence for three individuals which I'll read. >> 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. >> And if you would remain standing. Uh we have a moment of silence for former Maplewood firefighter David
Abbalos who passed away on July 9th. The firefighter Abalos served with the Maplewood Fire Department from July 8th, 1991 to November 1st, 2017, a total of 26 years. We also want to remember
Rudolph B. Dinglestat, father of retired Maplewood Fire Chief Michael Dinglestat, who passed away on July 15th. Mr. Dinglestat was a longtime Maplewood resident. And lastly, we want to remember Union
County Clerk Joanne Rajapi who passed away on Thursday, July 16th. Her career in public service began decades decades ago and included serving as Springfield's mayor before later becoming Union County register of deeds
and mortgages and then county clerk for over 45 years and she had worked with us on a few um inter county projects. So we want to remember those three people. >> Thank you very much. >> All right, I'm going to run through the
agenda quickly. Uh we have a proclamation honoring our local hero Uh and then we have our first public comment period for agenda items only. We're going to ask you to come on up and give us your name. Uh we then have an or
two ordinances on final passage. Um one dealing about parking on Uklid and the second um an easement on Metobrook Place. We'll have introduction of two new ordinances. one is for disabled
veterans tax exemption and second is um a change in the historic preservation notice procedure. We'll go into our administrative reports, reports from elected officials. We have one discussion item that's uh banning data centers and detention facilities. We'll
have our consent agenda and then we will have our second public comment period which is on any subject matter. So, with that, we're going to move to the proclamation. And, um, normally a member of the township committee does the
proclamation, but we thought it would be more appropriate to have our township clerk do the proclamation as a longtime uh, EMT in Springfield and president of the Springfield First Aid Squad. So, um,
we're going to ask Miss Fritzen to come up with Simone Kelly to come on up, and we'll be behind them joining them, um, to recognize your action in New York City. It's going to try. >> [applause]
>> I'm also the president of the Springfield First Aid Squad. Pretty proud of that, too. >> This isn't about you, though. Liz, [laughter] >> come over here. >> She knows I understand. She does. Okay, it's a proclamation
honoring volunteer EMT Simone Kelly. Whereas emergency medical technicians are often the first to respond when seconds matter,
providing skilled medical care, calm leadership, and hope during life's most critical moments. And whereas New Jersey is home to approximately 10,000 volunteer EMTs
who dedicate countless hours to providing their communities, balancing careers, families, and personal responsibilities with a steadfast commitment to public service.
And whereas the dedication of an EMT extends far beyond scheduled shifts or on call hours. It is a commitment so deeply ingrained
that both consciously and instinctly they stand ready to answer the call for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And during the celebration following the
New York Knicks NBA championship victory, you can clap. EMT Simone Kelly exemplified that commitment by immediately providing
emergency medical care, demonstrating the professionalism, compassion, and courage that define emergency medical services. Whereas Simone Kelly's actions reflect
the highest ideals of the emergency medical prof profession and serve as a powerful reminder that the men and women who answer the call to
serve remain prepared long after their uniforms are put away. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Victor Duca, mayor of the township of Maplewood,
and on behalf of the entire township committee, do hereby recognize Simone Kelly for her exemplary service, selfless actions, and unwavering dedication to protecting the lives of
others. Be it further resolved that the township of Maplewood proudly recognizes Simone Kelly, a Maplewood resident and member of the South Orange Rescue Squad, whose actions
exemplify the very best of public service and express its deepest appreciation to the thousands of volunteer and career EMTs throughout about New Jersey,
whose quiet commitment to always being prepared ensures that when emergencies arise, help is already on the way. Congratulations. [applause]
>> [applause] [applause] >> recognize members of the South Orange Squad and the South Essex Fire Department. [applause] >> What do I want to say? >> Sure. I want to say something.
Um, hi, I'm Simone. Uh, first I just want to thank everyone who came to support. It means a lot. Uh, even who isn't who aren't in this room today. Like, it has been a crazy month and I appreciate everyone who has been there through all of that, but also the people
who helped me become the provider I am today. You know, Mitchell, Sean, like some of you really seasoned me into the person I am today. I've always wanted to help people, but I didn't necessarily have the skills or the confidence that I could. So, thank you guys.
[applause] >> Please That's it. >> [laughter] >> out of here. Is anybody going to Orange? >> Yeah, that's what they said. Orange lawn. I didn't know. I didn't get a >> No, he said he's not.
>> Thank you. >> Orange lawn. >> That was all the cool stuff. >> Face. >> I know. Okay, we're going to uh >> move into our first public comment
period. Is there anyone in the room who would like to speak to the township committee on an agenda item? >> Seeing no one, is there anyone online? >> Anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on an agenda item, please raise your hand.
>> I see no hands, mayor. >> Great. Thank you. We have ordinances on final passage. That was >> quick. Uh, yes, mayor. Ordinance on final passage. Ordinance number 4012-26 is an ordinance amending and
supplementing chapter 257 of the code of the township Maplewood entitled vehicles and traffic to prohibit parking within 5t of a public or private driveway on Uclid Avenue. This ordinance will add the portion of
Uclid Avenue between Rididgewood Road and Wyoming Avenue to the list of streets where parking within 5 ft of a public or private driveway is prohibited. >> This ordinance has been published copies
posted cop I'm sorry published on the township website copies posted on the bulletin board and 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 dealing with
parking on Uklid Avenue? 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. >> I see no hands. Mayor, >> thank you. Um, we'll close the hearing.
Can we get a motion? I move this audience to be adopted as a whole and the clerk be directed to post the same as the past audience on the township's website and the township bulletin board according to the law. >> I second a motion. Any discussion? Please call the role.
>> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Calding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Also on final uh mayor ordinance number 4013-26 is an ordinance authorizing the township
to obtain an easement for storm water facilities along Melbrook Place. This ordinance will authorize the township to install and maintain stormwater facilities in certain private property
located along Metorook Place. This ordinance 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 in the room
who'd like 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 hand. >> I see no hands. there. >> Thank you. We'll close the hearing. >> I move this ordinance be adopted as a
whole and the clerk be directed to post the same as a past ordinance on the township's website and the town hall bulletin board according to law. >> Second. Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams. >> Yes. >> M >> Miss Collins Golding. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca.
>> Yes. Thank you. We have introduction of two ordinances. >> Yes, Mayor. An introduction ordinance number 4014-26. an ordinance supplementing chapter 248 of the township code taxation with a new
article entitled disabled veteran tax exemption. This ordinance establishes a new article five entitled disabled veteran tax exemption of chapter 248 of the township code entitled taxation to clarify
township policy with respect to the retroactivity of such exemptions. >> Can we get a motion please? >> Yes. Uh, I move the passage of this ordinance on its first reading and its publication according to law on the township's website and the township uh
town hall bulletin board and a hearing to be held on August 4th of 2026. Second, >> please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Mr. Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you.
Next we have uh ordinance number 4015, an ordinance amending section 8 of the chapter 271 of the code of the township of Mapwood entitled historic preservation to modernize notice procedures. This ordinance will amend
the form of notices required by the township code in connection with the designation of historic districts to provide for the nomination report to be publicly available rather than mailed to each property. There will be no charge
on the forms of notices required by state law. I move the passage of this ordinance on first reading and its publication according to law on the township's website and town hall bulletin board and a hearing to be held on August 4th, 2026. >> Second,
>> please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Miss her. Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> no. >> We have administrative reports. Mr. Weary. >> Thank you, mayor. A few projects to
report on. First, we have utilities that are conducting work in town. The work is being um organized by the utility itself, but the township engineer has been involved to ensure that our residents are advocated for. The first
uh project is a PSEG gas modernization project. that's generally in the area of Orchard Park and east towards Irvington. That project had started this week with test holes and they expect to begin main
installation next week. Um that's tentative. They are also tentatively planning to begin work at Elwood Avenue and install main heading north on Metobrook, Brookwood Drive and Orchard Road. So PSEG and their contractor NOC
car is providing door-to-door notice to all of the residents who are affected and the township will be putting out Nixel alerts for any road closures. The second project is a New Jersey American Water project. They've started their
phase one of repavement after the uh lead service line replacement project. So, they began milling yesterday and they will continue milling this week and expect to pave Thursday and Friday this week. All of that is weather dependent and I don't know how today's weather
will affect them or did affect them. So, it's possible that extends into next week. Again, New Jersey American Water and their contractor Rockborne are providing door-to-door notification for any residents where road repaving is taking place and the township will put out
nixels for road closures. for uh township project. We are moving forward with the uh rehabilitation of the woodland. Uh that includes a uh an upgrade of the roof structure and and
supporting of the roof structure and upgrading and and repairing windows and doors along the great hall and some work at the stage area and in the uh the staircase leading to the second floor. that work. We've gone through the
pre-qualification process. Um, and the township committee has pre-qualified biders. We just completed a review with the historic preservation commission. They they looked um at our plans and our our architect was uh with them last week to present to them. Now, that project
will go to the state for approval and then we will go out to bid. We expect to award late summer and the the project will take us through the fall and possibly into the very beginning of next year. We
uh once we award a contract, we'll get a bid schedule we'll share with the township committee and with the public. This is a very public project u both in terms of the significance of the woodland but also in what you'll see there um on site. They will be taking off all of the historic slate roof that
will be replaced with slate, but in order to repair the roof structure, all of the slate is coming off. There will also be a lot of construction activity in the area. So, once we have a schedule, we'll and and we're about ready for project kickoff. We'll start to do uh communications with the public
so that they are aware prior to us commencing the project. Um so, we are looking forward to getting that underway. Also uh running somewhat parallel to that project, we have received bids for the replacement of the curtains at the Woodland. So that'll be
coordinated with the the larger rehab project. They will be working um generally in the same area, one in the the great hall and the the uh the stage curtains just above the stage area. And so that'll be coordinated, but we look
forward to having somewhat of a, you know, a grand reopening of that whole space with with a lot of those upgrades. So, uh, that will be part of the communication that we put out to the public. And that is all I have to report tonight. Mayor, >> Mr. Daffis,
>> thank you, Mayor. Uh, regarding the woodland, um, how long do we think the woodland will be inaccessible? >> So, the the full length of the project will be fall through early fall through
could be early January, early mid January. Now, that's before we've awarded a contract, had a kickoff meeting, and started to actually, you know, um to work on the building. So, all that's subject to change. The slate roof is is subject to whether we need to have a a good window of weather for them
to take off that slate roof. So, but but it's going to extend into very early next year. There are some things that we will coordinate to ensure that the woodland remains open. The most important for us, at least right now, is elections. elections will still take place at the Woodland this fall for the
for the general. Um that is written into the bid specification that the contractor has to keep the facility open for that uh part of the project. And then other things we may be able to coordinate with construction. So and but we unfortunately won't know that until
we have a project kickoff. So there are times when the woodland won't be available let's say during the workday but it might be available in evenings may be avail not available for the work week but it is available on weekends. We're going to work with a contractor to make it um available to the greatest
extent we can. There are some things that we're looking to move elsewhere and we've already started to coordinate with the people who generally reserve the great hall in the fall. Um the biggest one on the municipal side is the folly's event. We're working with CHS to have an alternate location there. Um and we are
coordinating with you know we've we've already notified all other um all other uh groups. The the there is a big event that takes place the Oyster Fest. Um we expect that to take pla that the um project will begin after that. So we don't expect interference there but we'll continue to talk to everybody who
typically reserves in the fall u so that they understand what the process is. um as we near the kickoff date. >> So, I recommend that for the woodland that we put up a sign during the construction that explains the project
to people. Uh in this environment right now where we have demolitions happening of homes and other properties of historic significance or quality, uh people will lose their minds. And as much as we think that we're putting out
messages and we talked about at the TC meeting and there was a social media post, you know, we need to have a permanent sign out there that explains the project. This is a historic grant. This is what we're doing. This is the estimated duration.
Stay calm. >> Great idea for the library. >> We can do that for the library >> like we did for the library. Yeah. I don't know what others think, but I think that >> No, I think it's a good idea. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> I like giving Patrick more things to >> Yeah. >> Um, and incidentally, do you know what
happened tonight that uh closed off Baker Street? >> I saw utility crews out there. I think it was New Jersey American Water >> that late after 6:00. >> Not sure the reason. I can find out. I was as surprised as you were. >> I didn't see any utility. I just saw a
lot of cop cars. >> Oh, no. There were when I came by on my way here tonight, it was from from Valley towards the library. There were very large trucks. They look like New Jersey American Water trucks. >> Yeah, we all got rerouted through Pearson. >> That was great.
>> That's why I was late. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> What's the timeline for public service this project? >> It's going to extend well through the fall. Um, right now they're just doing test pits, so it's early in the project. As we know more, again, the notification will be made direct to the residents, but as we know more from PSEG, I'll
continue to update the township committee. >> Could you give us a a quick update on the uh playground at Maple Crest Park? >> Yes. The the contractor continues to uh make installations there. the the pace
has been slower than we would like and slower than the contractor had indicated it would be when we kicked off the project, but they are still on uh track to finish within the contract completion schedule. So, specifically, they've
enjoyed the majority of the playground equipment. They did install an incorrect color of a swing set, so that has to be uninstalled and reinstalled. that um that require that has like a four week lead time. So that delays us a little
bit, but there's still work that we're doing concurrently. After that comes in, which we expect in another two and a half weeks, it will be uh that play the swing set structure will be installed and then they'll pour in place the
rubber surface material and uh that is that will generally be the completion of the playground. They're in the [clears throat] meantime, they are still putting up some of the fencing structure and they're still doing work inside of the um the shelter house there on those bathrooms which are uh being upgraded.
So, uh the the work continues there and again taking [clears throat] a little longer than we had expected, but it's still within the contract completion time. >> Great. Thank you. Anything? [cough] Okay, Miss Cridia, >> I have no report. Mayor,
>> I have one thing that I would like um you to look into and advise the township committee. Um I've seen I guess they pop up on my my Facebook page u situations with other
governing bodies in New Jersey where speakers have um refused to or not felt comfortable in giving their home address. And I know as a practice here, we asked people to give their name and
their home address. And when we had um a very controversial time over the Israeli Hamas uh war, we had people come here and they felt uncomfortable giving their home addresses because of what the
situation we're living in now. And and even we who fill out the forms now, our home addresses are redacted. Um, so I would like you to just if you could give us a memo on is there any re requirement
that we do ask um and that we ought to consider if there isn't whether we want to change our practice and just ask for the person's name. >> Sure. And you know there may be different requirements depending on whether it's a public hearing as opposed to okay regular public comment but
>> All right. >> Absolutely. Mayor >> that would be great. Thank you. Anything else for Okay, Miss Fritzen. >> Uh yeah, just one thing, mayor and township committee. We will uh without a doubt be having the persontoperson
uh transfer of the liquor license for um Pickets Bar and Restaurant at our next meeting. So, I know it's a late start night. Um anyway, and that's my other reminder that we will be beginning a
township committee meeting on August 4th at 8:30 p.m. due to national night out so that you could all participate and uh the close session will begin at 8:00. It's already advertised that way at the annual uh meeting notice. And
then at the tail end of the uh conclusion of our agenda meeting, we will have the uh transfer. I don't anticipate that it'll be um anything um controversial in any way and before the fourth I will get all the information to
you um with their record checks and everything um that's required. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Okay, we'll move uh reports from elected officials. Committeeman Davis. >> Thank you, Mayor. I do not have a report
this evening from boards and committees, but I do want to highlight uh that our health department continues to do uh a heck of a lot a lot of good in serving um public health in our community. Um there's a ton of things happening. Our
free summer meals program continues through August 14th, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children and teens ages 18 and under are welcome to come by and get a free meal. Um, we have a community cancer health
screening event happening on this Saturday, July 25th, uh, between 10 and 1 p.m. at the Hilton Branch Library. Free exams covering cervical pap, mammogram, colarctyl, and prostate. Um,
and a ton of other things going on. So, uh, I presume that all of this great stuff is on our website for people to access it. And, uh, we do continue pushing this out through our, uh, multiple modes of public communication,
including the emails that we send out, the weekly e eblasts. So, if you're not on that list, make sure that you sign up for it. That's all I have. >> Thank you. Committeewoman Collins Cing. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just want to
announce our summer concert series is back. We had our first July 1st with Jay July 17th with Jay Nash and the 24th will be Richard Barta. Uh July 30 31st will be Rosewood band. August 7 G DJ Fosa and August 14 the men of soul. So
the mission is free and it's going to be held at our gazebo um 1688 Springfield Avenue. It's between 7 and 900 pm. So, please join us. And we just want to make sure everybody was um enjoying the Maplewood Summer uh of soccer where we
have our Stowfront installation at 1978 at the Maple Arts Center. Uh it's a burst of colors and global inspiration. So, stop by and take a look at what we've um put in the windows for you to see. And I also like to add our
programming for our arts and our senior programming. Let's let's start with the programming with our water aerobics. Uh pickle ball. My kids took the tennis and the basketball. It was awesome. Mapso basketball tri was is coming up. And uh
also for the senior program, we have Thursday in August escape the heat series. Register for bingo and salad jar and trivia day. And last thing to add is uh our senior s center will have the arts arts and crafts conversation
running throughout August 25th. Uh I think that's everything I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Committeewoman Adams. >> Yes, thank you. Uh just a couple things from engineering public works and planning. Um we are uh the engineer and
Mr. and I the engineer did some changes that we're going to be looking at um bringing to the township committee if we need to for uh requirements for street opening permits with regard to shaving of existing trees roots since we've had
a couple of upsetting um mature trees come down over by uh Ritzer Field. Um we are also talking to the uh school district about that um since it was their contractor their project for
sidewalk repair. Um and with um MRPs which is um mixed wait manufactured rigid plastics uh the recycling we are moving forward with getting a bin at the DPW yard to have regular drop offs um
since we had such a huge um contribution I should say I would say of of people's broken laundry baskets and patio furniture and all sorts of things that we can normally not recycle. So, we are going to be like the second
municipality in the state if we start collecting those regularly and bringing them to Beayshore. So, once again, we're ahead of the curve a little bit um and trying to get more things out of the out of the landfill. So, that and the other
stuff's not ready for prime time. So, that's my report. >> Thank you. Okay. And um I [clears throat] just have three items. One uh we concluded the our celebration of the World Cup, the men's
World Cup. Remember that we have the women's World Cup is in 2028. >> No, no. I think it's 2028. >> Yep. >> Okay. I think so. Every >> I think it's >> every two years. We'll have to Google. >> Okay. Go ahead. Um I'll be glad to be
wrong. Uh, and um, we learned a lot this time. Our whole idea was to try to drive people to local businesses and I think we did a pretty good job at that and we had a good time in uh, at our watch party. So we we will be planning for
2027 and [laughter] for the women's world >> 27th June through July. Second, we have um received a copy of the library strategic plan which was adopted by the library board last Wednesday and we're
going to have them come in at one of our September meetings and do a short presentation. Good. >> And then lastly, National Night Out is on August 4th. We talked about that. This year it'll be at Maplerest Park because Dehart Park is undergoing construction and that'll be at 6 PM. So
come on out, enjoy um hot dogs and pizza and games for kids and all kinds of activities and you get to pick up a lot of good information from um municipal and community organizations. All right, we're going to move to discussion items. We have one tonight
and that's or an ordinance banning data centers and detention facilities. And so I put this on and this is an ordinance that was recently passed um just last week on final by the Neptune uh township
township committee and it bans data centers which are I think we know what they are but they're internet data centers, cloud data centers. these these huge buildings where um they suck up a lot of electricity and it also bans
detention centers and we know what those are. We have Delaney Hall in Newark. Um just on the on the data centers uh PGM which is the largest electric grid operator and that's a number of states including New Jersey they just went out
to auction and the results are that they're going to be adding $6.3 billion in costs to um households and businesses >> within the next three years in that region. Right. And what they're
attributing it to is an increase in power demand driven by data centers. >> Yes. >> So um our banning it would not uh eliminate data centers, but I think it a number of communities are going on
record stating that um the data centers are dragging or or I guess the demand for electricity is just sucking it all up. And um right now our electric our electric grid system sometimes is unreliable as it is. So I would
recommend that we adopt a similar ordinance to um Neptune to ban data centers and detention centers. Again um and both of these we don't have a lot of space for these but you never know. Camptown Road
>> get some big buildings there. In five years or so it could very well change. And um I don't think we want a detention center in our community under any circumstances. It's kind of interesting that um in Rockaway
the the governing body there uh is opposed to it, but they're not necessarily opposed to what um ICE and their activity, but at least we're being consistent with our opposition to both ICE activity and a detention center. So,
I would recommend that we ask our attorney to draft an ordinance on both of these. >> Agreed. >> Yes. >> So, mayor, a couple of uh I guess nuances. So, our zoning ordinance provides in general that uh uses that
are not expressly pro permitted are prohibited. So, today as it stands, both of those uses are prohibited in the township. So this would be a clarification for the avoidance of doubt in that section to specify these with respect to detention centers. Um you
know the federal government and unfortunately Roxberry is going through that um experience right now is not required to get local zoning approval. There are other federal laws that they're required to follow which the very lengthy Roxberry federal case um
lays out the laws that the current administration did not follow in trying to cite there. Um I understand that it is consistent with our other positions but you know to the extent that um I just want us to all be clear on the the ramifications. >> Well, we don't know if that's going to
be forever, right? So it might be that I think we ought to put it on the books as far as uh you know something that's not prohibit not not expressly prohibited is prohibited. You know people can always go for a variance but if it's clearly it's not allowed it's not allowed and I
want to make it very clear that both of these things are not allowed within our borders. So and if the federal government wants to come and fight us over a detention center and we'll take up that fight. >> Sure. I agree with that approach. So we can just come directly back here. We don't have to go to code committee with
this. >> I mean, that's a >> you can if you want to if you I would suggest we do that. I would suggest that the that our attorney writes it up and goes to code committee. So, you can drill down a little bit on that and then and then I don't think it has to come back here for
um discussion. I think if the code committee's okay, then I think we can put it right on the agenda. But there there might be some particular things that you want to talk about in code where smaller group you can do that. >> Great. >> Okay, that's all I have. Um,
next up we have the consent agenda. Committeeman Daffis, >> I move the consent agenda. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Holding, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. And we're at our second public
comment and this is on any subject matter. Would anyone like to address the township committee? You faked us out, John. [laughter] >> Oh. >> Uh, seeing no one, is there anyone online on any subject matter?
>> If anyone joining on Zoom would like to address the township committee on any subject matter, please raise your hand. I see no hands. Mayor. >> Okay. Can we get a motion to adjurnn? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. Adamos, >> yes.
>> Collins calling. >> Yes. >> Daffis, >> yes. >> Mayor Dula. >> Yes. And we will meet you again on August 4th. Remember, we are starting >> the open session at 8:30 >> because
>> and closed will be at 8. And that is because of the national night out. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much.