Hi, Miss. >> There you go. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the May 5th, 2026 meeting of the Maplewood Township Committee. Um before I read this statement, I just want to let you know that we'll be um
doing a salute to the flag. And after that, we'll do a moment of silence for um Jonathan Tieren. And I'm going to ask uh Melissa Manuso, our director of community services, to come up and read
us uh a little bit about Jonathan. So, uh, 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 and star ledger in December 2025 and by filing said notice in the office of the township clerk. Mr. Adams
>> here, >> Collins Colding >> here, >> Mr. Daffis >> present, >> Surman >> here, >> Mayor Duca >> here. Whereas chapter 231 public laws 1975 commonly known as the open public meetings act requires all meetings of public audience be open to the public
and whereas section 7A provides that the governing body has a discretion to permit prohibit or regulate >> the act of participation public at any meeting and whereas desire the governing body to comply with the provision this act same time to conduct its business in
an orderly and expeditious manner. Now therefore be it resolved by the township committee township Mapwood that it does hereby prohibit except as set forth in the formal agenda active participation in deliberations of the governing body by the public and 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. >> Some move >> second. >> Mr. Adams >> yes >> Collins Cing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis. Yes,
>> Herman. >> Yes, Mayor Duca. >> Yes. Thank you again. Uh, we're going to ask you to stand for the salute to the flag and also at the end to have a moment of silence for Jonathan Tierston and Melissa Manusa. Will read that at
that time. 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.
>> Come on up. We would like to take a moment of silence for Jonathan Tierston, our tennis director, who worked with the Department of Community Services since 2019. Jonathan began with us as a tennis
instructor and later became tennis director, bringing with him a philosophy that focus is fun and fun is focus. He spent spring, summer, and fall seasons on the Maplewood courts, teaching and
training athletes of all ages with an open heart, a kind spirit, and a true love for the game. Many also knew Jonathan for his role as Ricky Thomas in the 1980s horror classic Sleepaway Camp.
But here in Maplewood, we knew him as a colleague, a coach, a friend, and a proud father to his 19-year-old son. On behalf of the township and the Department of Community Services, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to
Jonathan's family, friends, colleagues, athletes, and fans. We honor the time he shared with our community and the impact he had on those who knew him. Please join us now in a moment of silence. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. I hate to say this, but we have a pretty busy agenda tonight, but it should go relatively quick because we have a lot of um ordinances on introduction. But we're going to do three proclamations, mental health awareness month, youth
week, and water safety. And I might say that we did a proclamation Sunday for the Maplewood Glee Club and we will be doing one on the 16th of May for Haitian Day. Um so uh we're doing proclamations
both here and at other events. Uh this is part of our effort to recognize all the diversity of our community and to um hold them up as an important part of our community. We then will have our board
of health meeting. We'll have public comment and that's on agenda items only and then we will deal with our 2026 budget. We have a budget amendment and I'll be asking our township administrator to explain a little bit
more about that. Um, if you're watching us, that might be a time to go get something to uh to uh drink because we'll be reading the whole budget amendment line by line. Correct. >> Correct. mayor. >> Okay. So, be be set for that one. Be prepared to eat and have something to
drink. While we're reading that, uh we're going to have on final word passage, we have an ordinance on volunteer incentives. We have another one on the open space trust fund. Uh we have stormwater utility bond. We have capital improvement bonds. And uh we
have an ordinance on final on zoning amendments. Then we have an introduction of an ordinance on sewer charges. Uh creating the Garden State CPACE program. Uh changing some fees for construction,
fees around rental properties, uh fees on fire prevention, fees on development, and then also um handicap parking on Hillrest Road. Uh after that we'll have administrative
reports, reports from elected officials. We have uh two discussion items and then we'll have our consent agenda. So um and then I'm sorry then at the end we'll have our second public comment period and that's on any subject matter.
So with that I'm going to ask Committeeman Daffis if he would uh start us off on the proclamations with the mental health awareness month. Thank you, mayor, and good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us. As the mayor stated, we always start our
meetings with appropriate proclamations. We use the proclamations as an opportunity to raise awareness about important issues and to celebrate members of our community. As the mayor said, we are steadfast in our commitment
to inclusion and and into raising important issues. Um, I understand that uh recently uh some folks out there made fun of or or um sort of trashed one of our proclamations recently as
ministerial and superficial. And I asked them to be a little bit more thoughtful and those who celebrated that thought. Um, when we do proclamations raising awareness about domestic violence is because domestic violence takes lives every single day, including here in our
community. When do when we do proclamations raising awareness about pride, it's because our own LGBTQ community right here in this community is under attack because of what's happening nationally across the country and so on and so forth. And so tonight,
in that spirit and in that important tradition, we proceed with the first proclamation, the mental health awareness month. >> Are we good? Whereas Mental Health Awareness Month was founded by Mental Health America in 1949
as part of the organization's goal to shape advocacy, education, and community engagement around mental health. Mental health is an essential part of overall health and well-being and affects one's physical health, relationships, choices
we make, and how we manage our stress every day. For 2026, there are two themes. The first being More Good Days Together by Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Health, Mental Illness's theme, stigma grows in
silence. Healing begins in community. And healing begins when we do exactly this. When we talk about these things, it is not ministerial or superficial. We highlight these two themes because
one in three adults report feeling lonely and one in four adults report not having social and emotional support. One in five adults in the US will experience a mental illness. And one in six US youth aged 16 to 17 experience a mental
health disorder each year regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Maplewood, South Orange, meaning it's happening right here in our
affluent communities. It has been reported by the CDC that social isolation and loneliness increase a person's risk for heart disease and stroke and type 2 diabetes,
depression, anxiety, self harm, dementia and more. It is because of these factors, through the programming we have through our municipal departments, our health department and our partners,
our partners that we advocate, advertise and create opportunities for citizens to connect and engage and rem and we remind all that you are invited, you belong and you are valued. And so now, therefore, be it
resolved that I, Dean Daffis, member of the Township Committee of Maplewood, on behalf of our mayor, Victor Duca, and the rest of the Township Committee of Maplewood, hereby proclaim May as mental health awareness month in the township of Maplewood. And we further resolve to
remind citizens that Maplewood promotes the use of the 988 hotline for those having mental health or substance abuse crisis. 211 for social services and through our own crisis intervention social service social workers and
partners Maplewood has a multi-prong approach to the health and well-being of its citizens. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, now we have a youth week proclamation and that's Committee Adams.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, and I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments, Mr. Daffus, on um the purpose and um of our proclamations. Um they're a tradition. There are some
um you know formalities that we do at these meetings and uh they're important to and not performative as you say. I was I too was a little bit insulted by those comments um because
I didn't see the point actually like why attack something that's just recognizing what some people are going through whether it's um Parkinson's disease like I did last u last last meeting for um because I have a family member a close
family member who is diagnosed with that other things that we need to just raise awareness awareness of whether and sometimes and um Miss Bro Parliamentary Law was the one that was um ridiculed
for some reason. But um these these um areas that we we do these formal meetings, they they require a certain amount of decorum and process and procedure. And the reason for that is to
keep dialogue um respectful and formalized to the extent so that you can actually make your point without uh what we've experienced for the last 10 years or so with regard to everything being you know combative and nobody listening
to the other side. So these formalities um are important and thank you for saying all that. Um, so this proclamation is for youth week. Um, and this is as a a South Orange Elk. I'm
pleased to read this into the record. Whereas the benevolent and protective order of the Elks has designated May 1st through 7th, 2026 as Youth Week to honor America's junior citizens for their accomplishments and fitting recognition
of their services to the community, the state, and the nation. And whereas the South Orange Elks Lodge 1154 will sponsor an observance of the week of this week in tribute to the junior citizens of this community. And whereas
these young people represent the nation's greatest resource and in the years ahead they will assume the responsibility for the advancement of our free society. And whereas our youth need the guidance, inspiration, and encouragement which we can give in order
to help develop those qualities of character essential for future leadership and go forth to serve this great nation. And whereas to achieve this worthy objective, we should demonstrate our partnership with our
youth, our understanding of their hopes and aspirations and a sincere willingness to help prepare them in every way for the responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship. Now therefore, be it re
resolved that I, Nancy Adams, member of the Maplewood Township Committee, on behalf of Vic Luca, mayor of Maplewood, and on behalf of the entire township committee, do hereby proclaim the first week in May as Youth Week and urge all departments of government, civic,
fraternal, and patriotic groups, and our citizens in general to participate wholeheartedly in its observance. Thank you. >> Thank you. And now, uh, Committeewoman Collins Colding will do water safety.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I guess that touched all our hearts last last meeting we had, and I had a statement as well. Uh, proclamations in Maplewood are more than symbolic. They show what this stone stands for. They reflect our commitment
to diversity, inclusion, respect for all, and not just a selected few. They help define our identity as a welcoming and inclusive community. They raise awareness about important
cultures, histories, and issues. They give visibility and support to groups who have often been overlooked. They set a tone for how we lead, how we engage, and support each other.
They turn our values into action by encouraging conversation and understanding. They remind us that representation matters, that every voice counts. Blackamations may not be law, but they will have a real impact how they shape
the culture, build connections, and make wood stronger for everyone, including the next generation. This is not a game. These are real lives and real people. Service come from the heart, not just pass pageantry. We are
not kings and queens in Maplewood. We are human beings and we care for each other and that's what we do every single day. >> Well said. Very eloquent. Thank you. >> So with that being said, I will go into the proclamation recognizing May 2026 as
water safety month in the township of Maplewood. Whereas the township of Maplewood, New Jersey, proudly recognizes that swimming aquatic activities are more than recreation, they are essential to physical health, mental well-being,
confidence, and vibrant quality of life for people of all ages. And whereas the township affirms that water safety education is not optional but crucial in preventing drownings, injuries, and
lifethreatening emergencies. And whereas Maplewood is strengthened by the unwavering dedication com of community organizations, our recreational professionals, swim instructors, great staff, public
agencies who work tirelessly to provide safe facilities, quality swim instruction, and meaningful opportunities for residents to enjoy the water responsibly. And whereas the town deeply values the
leadership of its Department of Community Services in delivering accessible, high quality water programming, safety initiatives, and outreach that directly protect and empower our residents. And whereas the
township also recognizes the vital work of statewide partners, including the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association and the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance, whose continued efforts elevate water safety awareness,
education, and prevention across New Jersey. And whereas the township believes it is our shared responsibility to ensure that every individual, family, children, private pool owners, swimmers and visitors to swim to to beaches and
water facilities have access to the knowledge and tools needed to say stay safe in and around water. Now therefore, I Jane Collins Coding along with our mayor Fit Duca and the township
committee here today do hereby proclaim May 26 as water safety month in the township of Maplewood and strongly encourage all residents to actively learn, practice, and champion water safety throughout throughout our
community. This proclamation is more than a recognition. It is a powerful call to action. Lives depend on awareness, preparation, and education. By embracing water safety is a shared priority. We we not only prevent
tragedy, but built a stronger and more informed, more resilient community where everyone can enjoy water safety, safely, and com and with confidence. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. We um are
going to just before we move into the board of health, I would like to announce that we have been contacted by Congresswoman Analia Mahia's office to hold a town hall Friday night in this room. So, we will be holding a town hall
or she will be holding a town hall uh Friday night. That's May 8th and it'll be at 6:00 p. am. And we encourage uh all the residents who are interested from Soma to join us
6 pm Friday night right here at Maplewood Town Hall for Annalia Mahia's first town hall in Essex County as a congresswoman. So we're very happy to be hosting her. Now we're going to move into our monthly board of health meeting
and I'll turn it over to our board of health president, Mr. Davis. Thank you, mayor. I'll read the opening statement. Pursuant to section 5, 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 and star ledger in December 2025 and by filing said notice in the office of the township clerk.
M Adams >> here. >> Scolinsing. Mayor Duca >> here. >> M >> Herman >> here. >> Mr. Davis >> present. >> Whereas chapter 231 public laws 1975 commonly known as the open public
meetings act requires that all meetings of public bodies be open to the public. And whereas section 7A provides that the board of health has a discretion to permit prohibit or regulate the active participation of the public at any meeting. And whereas desired the Mapwood
Board of Health to comply with the provision, this act same time to conduct this business in an orderly and expeditious manner. Now therefore be resolved by the Maplewood Board of Health, the 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 prescribed by law does limit public to the observations of the actions and discussions of the board of health at all of its regular and special meetings.
So move >> second Adams >> yes >> Collins Cing Mayor Duca >> yes >> Herman >> yes >> Mr. Daffis. >> Thank you. I move the approval of the board of health meeting minutes from our
last meeting, April 7th. Do I have a second? >> M. Adams. Miss. Collins. Colding. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. >> Miss. Herman. >> Yes. Mr. Davis. >> Yes. Thank you again. And we're going to turn it over to our health officer, Candace Davenport. Good evening and
welcome. >> Good evening. Thank you very much. going to go to our first slide which will highlight our board our community health fair that we had on April 25th. Just want to say thank you to all of our partners. One of them who's here today uh CSPJ we had 18
health screenings of blood pressure, stroke assessments and mammograms, 40 vendors and 130 participants. And that was on a rainy day. So we look forward to doing it next year as a two- town venture and hopefully for better weather. And um thank you to all everyone who came out and benefited from
the great services and programs available. On the next slide, we talk about our grand opening which is Friday, May 15th. Oh, there's pictures. I'm so sorry. So, I just want to highlight some pictures of uh from our event. Um you can see all of the participants here. We
had uh youth members, we had seniors, we had um our South Orange Rescue Squad, our Maplewood Library, and all of our food vendors um and our PD. So, I just want to say thank you to everyone. It was a great day. >> Yeah. Wait, wait, wait. You also had a lot of us there. >> Oh, yes.
>> Yeah. Just want to highlight all of us. All of us. All of us. Well, yeah. Know, >> actually, you're in one of those photos right there. >> Oh, that >> there's only one person who didn't make the photo. >> The photo. >> I know. >> I just wanted to, you know, say that.
>> We got you. Um, but we can take more photo ops at our grand opening on May 15th. Um, that's 11:00 a.m. to 1 pm at our new location as the new Maplewood Health Department and Community Support Center at 129 Bdon Avenue. We really
hope everyone can um, stop by and attend. And if you can't, just don't worry because we have so many activities and programs coming up that we we know you'll be joining us uh, throughout the year at our new location. One of the things that we're going to be doing is highlighting and introducing
our new program which is uh community food access plus. This will be starting on Monday, May 18th. That's our launch date with our partners UCCC or United Community Corporation. Uh this will be
um a move from the community fridge uh which is on Springfield Avenue to our new location. Uh this will offer a more structured uh system of food distribution so that the the food um distribution will be more equitable. Uh the dates that we will have them are
Mondays 3 to 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays 1 to 4:00 p.m. at 129 Bdon Avenue in Maplewood. More information is available here and will be posted at the community fridge so that everyone is aware of um the changes and we really think that
this is going to be a great thing for our community. so that everyone gets a chance to access uh food uh both dry goods, perishable items and canned goods um equitably. Next slide. Thank you to Vitalint. On
May 27th, we are having a uh Maplewood blood drive in coordination with the Hilton Neighborhood Association. So, I just want to thank them for that. It'll be at the Mapwood Community Center at Dehart Park at 120 Bernett Avenue from 2 to 6:00 p.m. Um, every pint uh can save
three lives. So, we hope that um people will come and u donate blood because we're always in short supply. >> When is that? >> May 27th. >> Can we get rid of that turn up volume every time? >> Yeah, just hit the little X.
>> Yeah. >> Is it There we go. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to our nursing update. We just wanted to let everyone know um on the
next slides that uh we have a free adult health screenings three times a month. Uh we had one on May 1st at the senior citizens residents uh senior citizen center where we uh screen 10 um seniors and then we have one on May 8th at the
Baird community center and May 12th at our Mapwood Senior Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On the next slide, we just want to update everyone that we do have one new measles case in New Jersey. It is a um infant that had international travel and
was unvaccinated. This came through New York airport. So, we are very concerned um and keeping an eye on this very carefully. Uh just know that um we are experiencing um a high level of cases. As of uh April 30th um 18 1,814
uh confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States uh this year alone. So, we are monitoring them. We'll keep you posted. Next slide talks about our yearly measles cases. Just a highlight in visual form how our numbers have
increased um toward the end of last year and are only increasing this year. Next slide. Things that are going down in um our numbers are our respiratory illnesses. So we just want to update you about COVID, influenza, and RSV that we're
still monitoring that even though those numbers say that they're low. Um do want to mention that influenza B is uh around the um and still going around. Um so we just want to let people know to still wash their hands, stay home if they're sick, and cover their cough. Typical
respiratory hygiene procedures. Next slide. So this is the report for nursing for the month of April. These are our health screenings and our immunization audits for the schools are winding down. So I just wanted to mention that. Thank you
so much. the environmental health update. These are our um inspections that we've done just so that you are aware of that. We also added um a highlight at the bottom of a new section for bat exposures. We're hitting that time of year. In fact, it happens all
throughout the year, but especially around this time, we're seeing an increase in bat exposure. So, we're going to mention those just so that it's a highlight and people understand what is um going on. And also that part of the funding that we do to animal control solutions with our licensing is to
provide for uh rabies testing of um those bat exposure cases. Next slide goes on to animal control. This is the report for the month of March. You can see we had 20 calls. Most of them are wildlife but we do have some
strays. And onto our um last section which is social services. Just want to highlight that we had 32 cases for the month of April for the crisis social worker program. Uh we have Dina Purcell here who is our crisis social worker. Um
who if you have any questions she's available here this evening to answer those questions. We'll also be giving a presentation at the community board on police meeting tomorrow evening. Um just a brief presentation on our programs and um the numbers for the program uh this
year. Next slide talks about uh CSPJ who is also here tonight to give a brief presentation on their services and year-end report. Uh so if you're looking for social services, please note that we have those services available on site at
the Maplewood Hilton Library branch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And you can get assistance with online services like food stamps, employment um applications, and scheduling medical um health appointments and employment assistance.
um and rental utility assistance online. Our last slide as we know is we always count um count on uh these numbers to let people know to make the right call. Thank you so much for the proclamation on mental health which did emphasize those numbers. We really greatly
appreciate it. Um, one more thing that I wanted to highlight which is that the mayor's wellness campaign provide us with a plaque for New Jersey's healthy town to Maplewood for your commitment to pre improving the health and wellness of your community. So, I will be passing
that around. >> Wonderful. >> Could we take a pause there to see if there's any questions before we go to the presentation? >> Oh, wait. Should we take a picture? Very nice. >> Yeah. >> We'll also um be getting a banner which
we'll put up on site. >> Yeah. >> The cover on >> and then we have the year from before. >> It's it's the 2025 with >> Yeah. We haven't gotten the one for this year yet. >> It's not when you >> It's not when you put the shovel in the ground, it's when you cut the ribbon.
>> That's right. >> Okay. Let's get back on track with our agenda. Are there any questions for health officer Davenport? >> Nope. >> I have a few remarks. I want to congratulate you and your team immensely. I want to salute you for this
fantastic move of the health department to the former EMS building in Maplewood. Not only does it return to glory what that building used to be as a building uh providing mutual aid and assistance to people in crisis.
>> It really really uh underscores what it means to have public health. Right. We are now going to be able to provide full service wraparound support to folks in need in our community at 129 Bdon. And that is something that we all should be
proud of. Let's let's stop there for >> Oh, thank you. Yes. >> A little love. >> Hey, makeway. >> And that is really remarkable because uh at a time of dwindling resources from the federal government, state budget in distress, a lot uh disarray. A lot of
municipalities during COVID, after COVID, right before COVID got rid of their local health departments and relied on the county. But this community, this governing body, and I'm going to take a little victory lap here for
myself. I, Dean Daffis, championed our local public health because I saw the vision and what we we could do at this building and I'm so glad to see it come alive and I will be there with bells and whistles next Friday for our grand opening and everybody should join us.
>> Thank you, Board of Health Chair Dean D. Thank you so much. So, um I have a question about actually I want to have I want to make one other statement and then I have a question. The other statement is to supplement your remarks about the move of the community fridge to this new location. You did say that
it's to ensure uh better structure. >> Yes. >> Right. And to ensure equitable distribution of food to those who need the food. >> That's correct. And that is true because what we have seen now with several years of experience at the current location of
the community fridge is that people show up and they don't find food for them >> or it's feast or famine. When there is we get people and they fight over the food and we have some public safety situations there. Uh, and it's a a location that requires people to be out
in the open waiting for food to arrive. And in this current environment with ICE raids happening, and the ICE was in town today, folks, and arrested three people, um, we have heard from from folks that
they're reluctant to be out in the open like that. So this ensures access equity because we will have staff distributing the food during distribution times and it ensures
safety. And when people are in crisis, food insecurity or other, that's what you want. You want inclusion. You want guaranteed access. And you want safety. And I love that we're calling it
food plus food access plus because we're also going to be providing that wraparound support because often households in crisis need help with rental assistance or mortgage uh help prevent foreclosure or they need act uh
assistance with utility bills or they need other kinds of help, right? Uh mental health, >> yes, >> social other social services. So now we can provide that holistic wraparound support and that is really what public health should be doing and that's what
it's about. And seriously like if Washington really wanted to know a model of public health they should just look to us our little town right here with the little that we have and how incredibly resourceful we are. So again to you and your team. >> Thank you to Maplewood. Yeah, just as
you know, as the federal government is, you know, tearing down public health, Maplewood has shown that we double down on our on our residents and and the health of our people. So, thank you, >> Raquel. You're smiling. You're like, Dean's on fire tonight. I am. I am. I had a workout right before the meeting tonight. So, I'm really fired up. Okay.
>> I My other question is, >> could I add also my congratulations to Candace when this idea first um came up and we toured the spot, this space, and Mr. Daffis, congratulations to you as well. When this first came up, it it was
perfect. It would it just um we were talking about how to use that space after the library left and when when this topic of moving the health department there and creating the wraparound services with the fresh with the fridge there, it just absolutely fits the space. It fits our mission. It
fits our values, >> everything >> 100% to all of it. I am so proud of this move and thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you Mr. Daffus for championing this. >> All of us team effort team effort. >> All of us can be very proud about this
new amazing building that we are going to be dedicating or cutting the ribbon or >> cutting the ribbon. >> Cutting the ribbon on Friday. So I am very excited about that. Not this Friday, next Friday. >> Next Friday. Yep. The 15th. Um the question relates to a couple slides
before the end where uh we talk about the CSPJ services currently available at the Hilton branch. Yes. On Saturdays, >> those services will move over to 129 too. Right. >> Um we might leave them there just for now because that's where people are used
to finding them and then we will um look to see if you know if more people come on Saturdays and want it at that location then we will definitely uh move it over. Okay. So we're not confusing people. >> Yeah. We just want to leave we just want to make one change at a time. Sure. So
that um and then you know UCCC is doing the food distribution but CSPJ is doing our homeless outreach and engagement which they're going to talk about and these services and they will be referring to each other throughout the week. >> Great. All right. Let's move forward with our agenda and the presentation from CSPJ.
>> Thank you so much. I'm happy to introduce uh Lashima Edwards to give our presentation on CSPJ and Raquel also from CSPJ. I do want to highlight all of their successes that they've done. Um, it is very notable, especially the diversion cases that is on the last
slide. Thank you. >> Wow, that was that was intense, right? But we're going to make it happen and make it all come together. >> Yes. >> Um, you want to start? >> Don't forget to use that mic. That mic's kind of sensitive or not sensitive. So, put it real close to you.
>> No, you have to be in front of it. >> Okay. Yeah. close to it. Yeah. >> Okay. Is this close enough? >> Perfect. >> Yes. >> Okay. Perfect. Okay. We have a team out there four days out of the week. Um a team of two um gentlemen that go out and do outreach. Um so this data here
represents what we have done since July or actually the last time we met in August um up until April 30th. So just to highlight just a few things because you all can read the slides. Um, we provided 66 transport supports and that includes vehicle transports and bus
tickets for transportation. Wherever folks wanted to go, whether it was for services, whether it was for appointments, whether it was to the wellness center, wherever folks needed access to, we provided those um, transportation supports. Um, we also
completed 58 housing applications, which I think was really great for the team to be able to do that. Having that access to the library made that accessible. Um 101 connections to our community wellness center which successfully connected or were referred to the wellness center. So a lot of folks have
joined the community where they could feel connected and socially. Um also just to highlight we also referred 18 folks to detox and health care and medical referrals if they needed. So what this data shows is that we assisted
with many barriers that um folks face in the community and try to help to support them. Next slide please. You want to add a thing? Okay. So this data here is showing that the 620 represents the total engagement in
Hemis. So everything that is here is the data that is captured in Hemis. So the 620 represents what's in him since the program has started total engagements. Um the 349 represents from July of 2025
to May 4th of the total encounters that were entered into Hemis. So those are different encounters. And then we just added the 304 unique individuals who are in Hemis. So it also shows that we had multiple encounters with the folks
between July of 25 and May 4th of this year. Um and of those individuals, 95 reported to be um individual females and 233 reported to be males. And for those who are not accounted for, they declined to answer.
Uh next slide, please. And just some of our successes. Um since we last started last year, we had 19. I added an additional five, which means overall we had 24 um referrals for diversion. Um this year we managed to between July
2025 and May 4th of 2026 we managed to service five individuals. Three who were which was facing eviction. Um two were facing eviction in court which they had two days and we managed to successfully pay the back rent in order for them to
remain housed. And then we had one individual female who actually ended up being evicted, but within four months we were able to provide a security deposit and first and second month's rent and she is now securely housed. And last but
not least, cuz we have two pended applicants because we had a little sprint um about a month ago where two individuals right now are waiting. They're on the waiting list for TBR. Um so that is pending. So hopefully next time we see you, we can tell you that they successfully have been housed.
>> Hi, Raquel with CSPJ. Um, first and foremost, thank you for your time. And to be direct, we have a team in an outreach team in Maplewood, but what they do in Maplewood is not just outreach, it's prevention, it's stabilization, um, and it's protection for the
community. U, you can either invest in outreach or you can pay for crisis. I you know that's one way to put it. Um Maplewood is definitely on the right side of the line. You know this is this is a beautiful town. Um just hearing all
the wonderful things and and the council's reaction is like it's a it's quite the example to set to write come on down Washington for sure. We'll be right here to support that. Um but we show up in the spaces where where vulnerability is visible to transit
areas um all the public spaces and we engage the team engages with with those who are disconnected from services from housing from support um and we they don't do driveby outreach and hand out cards like numbers and and keep it moving. You know they make connections
they build trust and that takes consistency that work sometimes it's not just you know one conversation sometimes it's 10. sometimes is 20 of the same conversation over and over. But that trust has to be established. Um, and the reality is people don't accept help from
systems, they accept help from those who they trust and who they who they have a rapport with. Um, and then that's where we come in, you know, and that's the work that we do. And what this means for Maplewood is is simple. We handle things early. Um, before they become something bigger, louder, much more expensive, for
sure. um before it becomes a police call, before it's a hospital visit, an emergency room visit, uh before the situation, the town, the whole town is reacting to rather than preventing, right? Or managing rather. Um and we don't we
don't chase these crises. We get in front of them. Um and the cost of proactive outreach is minimal compared to the emergency response that you know the system kind of has to carry weight of social issues for lack of a better term. But we're not adding to any cost.
We're we're reducing pressure on everything else you already fund really. So, and it's very special work. So, it require it's, you know, requires trained staff who understands trauma deescalation um and how to navigate New Jersey's housing service system, which
in and of itself is quite needs quite the navigation um and quite the tool, right? Um but we are not just connecting people to services. We're making sure they actually get through that door, stay connected, and move forward. Um, and build them up. You know, we help
break that cycle, and we stay responsive. And if something shifts in Maplewood, we don't wait. We adjust. We show up, and we'll work alongside you. So, at the end of the day, this program, the outreach program, represents a choice. A choice to be proactive instead
of reactive. And a choice to be strategic instead of stretch thin. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you both. Um, are there questions for my colleagues? >> Um, yes, I thank you for the
compliments. Has our experience here been used to help other communities do this? >> Absolutely. >> Yes. Yeah. We we actually are part of um
we partner with uh DCA in a handful of communities across the state. Um and we do we have a lot of different kinds of partnerships, right? I can list them. It'll take me all night to list them. Um everything from like an emergency like a municipality's emergency response what
we call like a a sprint project, right? So I think there was one here with two individuals. We have some of them are up to uh 30 40 50 60 individuals that you know are basically for lack of a better term swept off the streets, right? And then um put into like a transitional
type of situation and then move along into permanent housing um with all the supports built around that they need. Um so we've successfully done that in five different municipalities. Um and then we work in and we work all over the state
in New Jersey. Yeah. Yeah. And and our closest >> Yeah. >> our closest municipal neighbor engaged in this very successfully is Newark. >> Yes. >> Yeah. where they uh this organization uh and their partner Bridges Outreach um has a significant street outreach
program there trying to get to folks uh near the train station, the PATH program and it's been really really instrumental in getting people who've been chronically unhoused off the street eventually permanently into uh into housing. >> Yes.
>> After that transition like you said. And I just want to take a moment here. I'm sorry I'm going to embarrass you a little bit, Raquel, but good stuff. Good stuff. I want to just, you know, highlight that Raquel >> um is a person with lived experience. She's a Garden State leader. It's a program that uh allows people with lived
experience to be at the table determining policy in this area for others. So, here you are to show that um you know, we can make this happen if we put the resources to it and we work with people and we do it in partnership. And
now you're helping others who were in the same position that you were before. And who better to build that trust with people in crisis than someone who understands what they're going through? Not some municipal elected person, not some bureaucrat in state government, but
someone who is on the ground who knows what it's like, right? >> Yes. Absolutely. And CSP is the largest uh you know peer-led organization in the state of New Jersey. We have 430 staff all over the state and 99.999%
of them are peers, right? So from frontline all the way to the admin um exec level, everybody's a peer. >> Yeah. And this program is led by a woman and here to more women in power too, right? So there you go. This is beautiful all around. >> Yes. Thank you.
>> Any other questions from the from the township committee? >> Wonderful. Thank you for your presentation. Um, are there members of the public who are here in person who'd like to address the board of health? Ask any questions? Come
on up. You guys could sit down. Yeah. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you. Michelle Barro, 51 Coolage Road. >> Welcome. >> I It's a pleasure to be here. I have been donating food for from an
organization, leftover prepared food. Will you still be accepting that at the community fridge and how do I do it? >> Good question. >> Thank you. And others and yes, so for all uh donated services, Thank you so
much. for all donated uh food items, uh we're going to ask that people call UCC to coordinate the delivery um of those to the location. What they'll do is they'll coordinate with the people to bring the food um when they're there on Mondays and Thursdays and distribute it
out right there. Um if that's inconvenient for people because sometimes Mondays and Thursdays don't work for everyone, they will also pick up at your home to make it easier for you. So, yep. Yep. So, that's a new that's again part of the plus system
that we're doing. Um and then as for um you know we always want to encourage people to provide um fresh perishable items that can be individualized um and individually passed out uh uh dried foods and canned goods. So those are the
items that we're looking to provide to people. >> Thank you so much for your donations. >> Any other questions for other members in the public here with us? Seeing none, Mr. Wary, can we move to online? >> If anyone joining on Zoom would like to
address the board of health, please raise your hand. I see no hands. >> All right. Well, with that, we're going to adjourn this meeting. Thank you again for great presentation. >> Thank you so much. >> And we'll meet again on Wednesday, June 3. Do I have a second?
M >> Adams Collins Cing. Yes, >> Mayor Luga. >> Yes, >> Mr. Herman. >> Yes, Mr. Davis. >> Yes. Thank you. And turning it back over to you, Mayor. >> Thank you.
>> We are now at our first public comment period. Is there And this is on agenda items only. Is there anyone who would like to speak to the township committee on an agenda item? >> Seeing no one, would you check online, please? Anyone joining on Zoom would like to address the township committee
on agenda items only, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. Mayor, >> thank you. We'll close that public comment period. We'll move to item nine, which is the beginning of the budget. >> Oh, yeah. >> And we have a script. And I'm going to
deviate a little bit from the script because I don't like everything we're doing, but you can start. I I'm going to start uh with line one. >> Yes, >> mayor. >> Jeez. >> This is a time fix for the public
hearing on the 2026 municipal budget. The budget was approved by the governing body on April 7th and advertised as required by law on April 8th, 2026 together with notice of hearing for this
time. Printed copies have been made available to the public during the past week and a supply is here on this table for anyone desiring a copy. >> If anyone has not secured a copy of the budget, you may do so now. Come on up.
Only if you're in the building. Um, okay. And you're next, >> mayor. I have a resolution regarding the reading of the budget by title only >> and that's going to be moved by
committeewoman Adams and seconded by committeewoman Collins. >> I offer the foregoing resolution and move for its adoption. >> I second. >> Please call the role. >> Madams, >> yes. >> Mr. Collins Cing,
>> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you. So the just so everyone is aware, we pass a resolution so we can read the budget by title as opposed to going down line by line by line by line.
Uh and the budget as we said is available here as if anyone would like the budget and it is available after this meeting. If anybody wants to come to town hall and pick up a copy, they can certainly do so. Um we now are going to open the hearing on the 2026 budget.
So, if you'd like to address us, uh, it would be come up here. We're going to ask anyone online. Um, this is only about the municipal budget. So, it doesn't deal with the county budget nor the school budget. So, I now declare open the public hearing on the
2026 municipal budget. Is there anyone in the room who would like to offer your offer comments? >> Seeing no one, would you please check online? If anyone joining on Zoom would like to address the township committee in the 2026 municipal budget hearing,
please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. Mayor. >> Okay. Um, can I get a motion, uh, Miss Adams, to close the hearing? >> I move to close the public hearing on
the budget. >> Second. >> Okay, >> Adams. >> Yes. Collins Golding. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. And then, uh, Committee Adams, you
have another motion that is, uh, to amend the budget. So, it's 11A. >> Okay. Got it. >> Yes. I move uh the resolution Oops, sorry. 11A. My bad. Sorry, I was in the
wrong one. I move resolution 160-26 to amend the township budget for 2026. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded. I believe uh Miss Fritzen, you have to read that amendment.
>> Yes, mayor. I'm going to read the amendment and I will not feel bad if anybody uh you know moves around. >> You're fine. Just speak just speak into the mic and let's go. Bear with me. The print is very small.
It's a resolution to amend the Maplewood Township 2026 municipal budget. Whereas the local municipal budget for the calendar year 2026 was introduced on April 7th, 2026.
And whereas the public hearing on said budget was held on May 5th as advertised. And whereas Mapwood Township desires to amend said budget. Now therefore be resolved by the township committee township of Mapwood that the
attached amendments to the introduced budget of calendar year 2026 be made. Be it further resolved that uh two certified copies of this resolution will be filed in the office of the director division of local government services
for certification of the local and municipal budget. So amended. So uh just so the public and the township committee of course can follow what I'm reading. We start off with general revenues and then I will be reading uh individual
categories and uh the first column is uh the numbers are from and then two uh miscellaneous uh revenues section F special items of general
revenue anticipated with prior written consent of director of local government services, public and private revenues offset with appropriations. National opioid settlement fund from
$28,573 even and the two number is $30,463 even. Body Armor Grant Zero and the two numbers $4,31
even. Safe and secure grant zero and the two number is $14,678 even. Emergency Management Performance Grant
also zero as the from number to $10,000 even. Click it or ticket it. The from number is 0 to $2,120. Even
total section F special items of general revenue anticipated with prior recon written consent of the director of local government services public and private revenues offset with appropri appropriations.
Uh the from number is $255,346 even 2 $288,65 even. Item uh three miscellaneous revenue section G special items of general revenue anticipated with prior written
consent of the director of local government services. Other special items, police department outside duty administrative fees. The from number is $311,360
even to $168,360 even. Inter fund due from general trust fund. Uh nothing in the from column to the to column $673,18
even. Total section G special items of general revenue anticipated with prior written consent of the director of local government services. Other special items.
The from is 4 million 94 4 million 900,872 to4,539,890 even. Subtotal general revenues
um from is $18,828,33 and that's a two number of $19,391,040 even total general revenues from is 62,799,246 even to 63,361,983 even. >> All right, that's page one.
>> Yes, it is. >> How many pages? >> There's uh two more pages. >> Well, I'd call it a page and a half. >> Okay, >> just keep going. >> General appropriations
>> pay a operations within caps. public buildings and grounds other expense $590,500 even again we're starting with the from numbers in this entire column to
the two numbers on this page to $617,500 even total public buildings and grounds $590,500 even to $617,500. Even
total appropriations within the caps 51,342,496 even 28,411,362 even. Total appropriations including contingent within the caps
51,352,496 uh two 28,411,362 even detail other expenses 11,300,316 and the two column is 11,3 $327,316 even current fund general appropriations continued
deferred charges and statutory expenditures municipal within the caps deferred charges deficit in operations from number zero and it goes to 284,4
$40. Even total deferred charges and statutory expenditures, municipal caps within caps 5,924,511 even. And the two number is 6,28,551 even.
Total general appropriations for municipal purposes within the caps 34,335,873 even and the two numbers $34,646,913 even. operations excluded from the caps. Public and private programs offset by
revenues. National opio opioid settle settlement fund 28,573,000 even and that goes to $30,463 even.
Body armor grant zero goes to $4,031 even. Safe and secure grant from zero to$ 14,678. Emergency management performance grant from 0 to $10,000 even.
Click it or ticket 0 to 2,100 $2,120 even. Total public and private programs offset by revenues. the from column $255,346
even and that goes to $288,65 $288,65 even total appropriation excluded from caps 17,623,182 even and that two number is 17,655,9
911 even detail salaries and wages 4,310,810 even and the two numbers $4,310810 even. Other expenses 13,312,372 even and the two number goes to
13,345,91 even. Municipal debt service interest on notes. The from column is $533,650 even and it goes to $752,628 even. Total municipal debt service excluded
from caps. The from number is 8,378,79 even and that goes to 8 million597,687 even. Total general appropriations for municipal purposes excluded from caps.
The from number is 26,763 and 73 $373 even and the two number is 27,15,70 even. Total general appropriations excluded from caps.
First number the from is26,763,373 even and that goes to 27 million15,70 even. Total general appropriations the from number is $61,999,246 even and that goes to 61,661,983
even. Total general appropriations the from number is 62,799,246 even and that goes to the two number is 63,361,983 even. That concludes page two.
>> And that actually is the the general operating budget. And now we're going into storm water utility and the open space trust fund. >> Yes, we are. Okay. Uh stormwater utility appropriations from storm water utility.
And again the first number I read is the from number and the second number is the two operating other expenses $311,300 even and it goes to the two number is $538,185
even debt service payment on bond anticipation anticipation capital notes from numbers 224,8 $885 even and the two numbers zero. Interest
on notes $14,000 even and the two numbers 12,000 even. Total debt service 238,885,000 even and the two numbers $12,000
even. Total storm water utility appropriations. The from number is $874,935 even and the two number to the column 2 $874,935 even.
Open space trust fund appropriations from the open space trust fund. We have uh payments on bond anticip anticipation notes and capital notes. The from column is $48,695
even. The to column is $48,71 even reserve for future use. From column is $533,530 even. The two number is $533,524 even total appropriations. The from
number is $623,250 $255 even. The two number is $623,255 even.
Okay. Be it further resolved that these amendments in accordance with the provisions of NGSA 4A4-9 be published in which is uh the official Township of Maplewood website and posted
and that said publication contain notice that the hearing on the attached amendment will be held on May 19th at Town Hall 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, New Jersey at the municipal building at 7:30 p.m.
Be it further resolved that pursuant to NJSA484S9, these amendments shall not be effective until after the public hearing thereon. >> And I don't even work in the finance department. >> That was very good.
>> And those numbers start making you crazy. >> So there was a one number that you said about a half hour ago. Could you repeat that number? No. So, thank you. So, we have a motion uh made and seconded to amend the budget.
Uh I would like to ask Mr. Weary if he would give us um an explanation of why we're amending the budget, the process, and what what did you find in this uh further process in the last month or so that we've been looking at the budget.
>> Thank you, mayor. So after the township committee introduced the budget earlier in April, we complete the auditors completed our 2025 annual financial statement and that AFS shows us an unodudited account of
our 2025 operations and it also shows us our year-end balances. On the operation side from last year, we have very good news. It shows that we generated $3.2 $2 million in additional fund balance. And in our 2025 municipal budget, we used
only $2.7 million as revenue. So less than we generated. And that results in our fund balance increasing from $10.6 million to 11.1 million. So that's very good news for the township finances.
just explain why that's important and how what are the decisions that we make that really uh having a strong fund balance impacts that. >> Yeah, there's a few there's a lot of benefits that come from having a strong fund balance. So, one you need everybody
needs cash flow. We don't always take in municipal revenue at the same rate that we're paying out municipal expenses. As a taxing entity, we also collect uh taxes for the county and for the school district. there are times that we are remitting money to them that we may not have already collected. And so cash flow
is really important in that respect. But that goes for all of the bills that we pay. We want to make sure that we have enough flow so that we don't find ourselves at any point in the year uh not having enough cash on hand to cover our expenses. It also helps our rating.
So when we go out for to be rated for either bond anticipation notes or for permanent financing, rating agencies look at the amount of fund balance we have and a better rating gives us lower rates on interest. So that's saving the township money which is really great. Um
and so you know those are maybe the two largest things um in a single year. Year overyear though, there are times when a municipality has greater expenses than it's able to generate in revenue that year for a number of reasons. You know,
recently we saw COVID, it could be large capital expenses. It could be other large expenses that were just not anticipated. And so having a healthy like even in personal finances, having a healthy savings account helps you kind of even out some of those peaks and valley year-over-year because you can
use a little more fund balances surplus in one year and maybe a little less in next year. And that helps us because it can it helps keep our municipal tax rate. So what residents see on their tax bill year-over-year, it helps it helps us keep that a little steady uh over time. And so that's really helpful for
us. We have a a fund balance policy where we want to keep a certain percentage of our our total budget as u in fund balance. And so we're we're just about within our our target goal of total um fund balance we want. But just
like every year our municipal budget generally grows because the cost of goods and services increase, we also want to make sure that we're we're um having more money in savings in that fund balance year-over-year. And so we were able to do that this past year as a result of our operations and that's
really good news for the township. So um again fund balance the the 1231 number for fund balance is 11.1 million and and all that is result of operations. The annual financial statement also shows us our year-end
balances and a lot of those year-end balances feed into the uh the budget document. We had since the AFS was not done uh prior to the introduction of the budget, we made some assumptions and some of those things are now being corrected to really fine-tune some of
the appropriations in the in the um uh in this resolution that you're you're passing tonight. You can even >> for our public following along, can you explain what the AFS is? the annual financial statement. >> Yeah. Just so people who are following along with the budget. >> Yes. Yes. So again, it's it's the
unodudited account of our our prior year operations. Um the you'll see there are even some small amounts like I think the last one that the clerk had read was a $6 difference in an appropriation out of the open space trust fund. So it does get that granular. The one-year endear
balances that we that our auditor identified is a deferred charge in our current fund and that is a result of our financial records not reconciling with our cash cash position. By statute, we are required to raise a deferred charge
um in the following year budget. So, one of the amendments to the budget is an addition of $284,000 that will cover that deferred charge. We also add an offsetting revenue so that you know all of the changes we've discussed in this budget
amendment are have no impact on taxes. They're they're they're tax new. >> Can you remind us this even the amended budget the percentage increase in tax rate from 25 to 26? >> Yes, it remains at 2.95%. So that's the same on introduction and
we expect it to be the same in two weeks when we move to adopt the budget. And we also identified a uh an interest on no payment that was coming out of the stormwater utility that should be in the current fund and that was probably the other large number that you saw in this
budget amendment. Again, after all of this, the the tax increase remains at 2.95%. And we're we're fortunate to be in the financial position that we're in because it makes these kinds of amendments much easier for >> Okay, any questions or comments?
All right, we have a motion to amend the budget. Please call the role. We have a motion in second. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Colin Holding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Dulga, >> yes. And then um
Miss Adams and and Miss Collins Coding, can we get a motion in a second to move the adoption of this budget to um May 19th? Mayor, I move the adoption of this budget to the May 19th meeting. >> Second.
>> Call the RO. >> M. Adams. >> Yes. >> M. Collins Cing. >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis. >> Yes. >> Surman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. And we will have a as uh our clerk said in reading the amendment, we will have another public hearing on the
amendment on May 19th. And we expect to do a final adoption on May 19th. Um, we're now going to move to ordinances on final passage. >> Yes, mayor. Uh, we're at item number 12. Ordinance on final passage. Ordinance
number 3194-26 is an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 65 of the code of the township of Mapwood entitled volunteer incentives. This ordinance will amend and supplement chapter 65 of the township code to
include Maplewood residents who volunteer with the South Orange rescue squad. This ordinance has been published, copies posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and copies made available to the general public in
accordance with the law and it was published on the township website. Is there anyone who would like to speak on this ordinance which um allows Maplewood residents who volunteer with the South Orange Rescue Squad to get some uh
benefits? Seeing no one in the room, is there anyone online? >> Anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. Mayor, >> thank you. Deputy Mayor, can we get a motion? >> 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. >> A second. >> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams? >> Yes. >> Collins? >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis? >> Yes.
>> M. Herman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duka. >> Yes. Thank you. We have another ordinance on final. >> Uh, yes, Mayor. Item 12B, also on final ordinance $ 3195-26, ordinance appropriating $680,64 from the open space trust fund to
provide for various purposes in and by the township of Mapwood and the county of Essex. 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 would like to speak on this ordinance, which is the open space trust fund? >> 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. Thank you, Committee
Davis. >> 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. >> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins,
>> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Surman, >> yes. >> Mayor Dooker, >> yes. Thank you. 12C. Uh next we have uh 12C ordinance number 3196-26 bond ordinance providing for various
improvements to the storm water utility in and by the township of Mapwood in the county of Essex, New Jersey appropriating $736,165 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $736,165 in bonds or notes to the township to
finance the cost thereof. >> 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 would like to speak on this ordinance?
Seeing no one, is there anyone online? >> Anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. there. >> Thank you, Committee Adams. >> 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 town hall bulletin board according to law. >> I second. >> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffus, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes.
>> Mayor Duca, >> yes. 12D. >> Uh, yes, Mayor. 12D. Ordinance number 3197-26 bond orders providing for various capital improvements in and by the township of Mapwood in the county of
Essex, New Jersey appropriating 5,75,000. Hold it 5,75,819. Therefore, and authorizing the issuance of 5,422,000 even in bonds or notes to the township to finance part of the cost thereof.
>> This ordinance has been published on the township's 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 would like to speak on this ordinance? Seeing no one, check online, please.
Anyone joining on Zoom would like to speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands. Mayor, >> thank you. I move this ordinance be adopted as a whole and the clerk be directed to post the same as the past ordinance on the township's website and the town hall bulletin board according
to law. >> A second. >> Please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. Mayor Duca. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Next we have uh 12E. Ordinance number
3198-26 is an ordinance amending chapter 272 of the code of the township Mapwood entitled zoning review and permits to amend the fees for zoning review.
This ordinance will amend the fees charged for a zoning review by the zoning officer for any proposed development or renovations that are subject to the township's zoning laws. 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. >> Anyone joining on Zoom would like to
speak on this ordinance, please raise your hand. >> I see no hands, mayor. >> Thank you. >> I'll move it. 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.
>> Any discussion? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams? >> Yes. >> Miss Collins Golding? >> Yes. >> Mr. Davis? Yes. >> Thurman. Yes. Mayor Duga. >> Yes. Thank you. We have introduction of ordinances. >> Uh yes. Uh we're at number 13 now. They're all introduction of ordinances.
Mayor. The first one being 13A. Ordinance number 3199-26. It's an ordinance amending chapter 123 fees of the township code to revise certain sewer charges and chapter 223
sewers to extend sewer payment dates in certain circumstances. This ordinance will amend certain sewer charges and extend the due date for sewer payments in certain circumstances.
Mayor, I move the passage of this ordinance on first reading its publication according to law on the township's website and town hall bulletin board and a hearing to be held on May 19th. >> Oh, second. Sorry, I got lost here. Please call the role.
>> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Cing, >> yes. >> Mr. Dus, >> yes. >> Miss Miss Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you. >> Next one. And uh also an introduction ordinance number 4000-26.
It's an ordinance opting into the Garden State CPACE program to facilitate the financing of CPACE projects. This ordinance authorizes the town of
Maplewood to opt into the Garden State CPACE program enabling eligible commercial and certain other properties to obtain direct financing for clean energy and resiliency improvements through a voluntary special assessment
mechanism administered in coordination with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. 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 June 3rd.
>> Second >> oh wait did I >> hearing on May 19th >> May 19th apologies. >> I second that one. >> Do you want me to do the motion again? >> No, we're good. Please call the role. >> Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Calding, yes.
>> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Thurman, >> yes. Mayor Duca. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Next, we have uh item 13C, ordinance number 40,1-26. It's an ordinance amending chapter 123
fees of the township code to revise certain construction fees. This ordinance will revise certain construction fees. I move the passage of this ordinance ordinance on first reading and its publication according to law in the township's website and town hall
bulletin board in a hearing to be held on May 19th. >> Second, >> please go to the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Next we have uh 13D which is
ordinance number 402-26 an ordinance amending chapter 209 rental properties of the township code to revise certain rental registration fees. This ordinance will revise the missed appointment fee with respect to
rental registrations. Period. >> Period. I move the passage of this ordinance on first reading and its publication according to law on the township's website in town hall bulletin board in a hearing to be held on May 19th. >> Second, >> please call the role. >> Mr. Adams,
>> yes. >> Mr. Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Herman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. >> You're up. Next on introduction, ordinance number 403-26, an ordinance amending chapter 123 fees
of the township code to revise certain fire prevention fees. This ordinance will revise certain fire prevention fees. >> And before we move and second the ordinance, um Miss Credillio, could you uh discuss this a bit?
>> Sure, mayor. Um, after we discussed this in the code subcommittee, there was additional feedback from the township's fire official with respect to certain of the inspection fees for non-lifehazard uses. Um, the fire official feels these
fees are necessary and desirable in order to carry out the department's functions and uh make it operate efficiently. Um, consistent with what we discussed at code, the small um, small property inspections are going to have
one fee previously discussed at $60 would now be $75 for any occupancy up to 6,000 square ft. Um then the the following fees are going to be 75, 225 and 325
respectively for different space categories up to 10,000 square ft or larger. Also with uh multifamily dwellings, again the smaller units, a three to five dwelling unit is going to be a $60 inspection fee with that number
rising to 150 and 240 with respect to uh properties between 6 and 25 dwelling units and then over 25 dwelling units. >> And those numbers are included in the ordinance that we'll be introducing. >> Yes, that is included in the ordinance
that is posted right now. >> Okay. Thank you. So, can we get a motion? >> I move the passage of this ordinance on the first reading and it publication according to law on the township's website and township hall bulletin board and the hearing to be held on May 19,
2026. >> I second. >> Any comments, questions? Please call the role. >> Miss Adams, >> yes. >> Miss Collins Golding, >> yes. >> Mr. Davis, >> yes. >> Thurman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duga, >> yes.
Um, next we have ordinance number 404-26, ordinance amending section 27 271-71 of the Maplewood zoning and development regulations entitled development fees,
revising application fees and required escrow deposits under certain circumstances. This ordinance will revise certain fees and escrow deposits to be paid in connection with an application for
development. >> Thank you. Before we go into um moving it and second it, Miss Gita, you have some additional information with this. >> Sure. When we discussed this uh ordinance at code committee, there was a desire from the subcommittee >> bless you.
>> Bless you >> to include uh consequences for applicants who do not uh replenish their escro amount as required by our ordinances. Uh we've spoken with the planning board attorney. He had some recommendations to this language. Um, so
now it reads that if the applicant fails to remmit the additional escro amount within 15 days of notice, the planning board or zoning board can consider that uh delinquency and scheduling matters. So someone who's in compliance with their esco requirements may be scheduled
ahead of someone who's delinquent. The planning or zoning board may reschedu a pending hearing andor the planning or zoning board may include payment of any outstanding amounts as a condition of any approval. >> Thank you. Can we get a motion, Mr. Davis?
>> 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 May 19th. >> Second. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Adams. Yes, >> Collins Golding.
>> Yes, >> Mr. Daffis. >> Yes, >> Herman. >> Yes, >> Mayor Duga. >> Yes. And our last ordinance on introduction. >> Uh, yes, Mayor. The final one, uh, ordinance number 405-26.
It's an ordinance to amend chapter 257 of the code of the township Mapwood entitled vehicles and traffic with respect to handicap parking. This ordinance amends section 257-56 of the township code to remove a
designated handicap parking space at 14 Hillcross Road. >> I move the passage of this ordinance on the first reading and its publication according to law on the township's website and town bulletin board and a hearing to be held on May 19th. >> A second.
>> Please call the role. Miss Adams, yes. M. Collins Calding, >> yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. Sherman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duca, >> yes. Thank you. We'll now move to administrative reports. Mr. Weary. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just one item. New Jersey American Water, as everyone's
aware, has been doing lead service line replacements and meter pit installations throughout town for the past year. And we have just after uh winter finished and people's lawns are starting to grow in, we're getting a lot of complaints that New Jersey American Water has not
restored, especially around the meter pit where usually between the curb and the sidewalk, but also in some areas if you had a service line replaced that went across your front lawn, it may now be a muddy patch and around the med the uh the meter pit is, you know, a lot of
crushed stone and and nothing is growing. The township engineer and I have been working or or trying to work with New Jersey American Water over the last few weeks to get them to expedite those restorations. We have asked them for a timeline and ask them for contact information where residents can go to
complaint or to ask for updates on their own installation. So, we're trying to work with New Jersey American Water to to manage this a little bit better. uh and we will have some communications going out to the public on what the timeline should be and where they can
report any issues. So, want to give that I know I've received some um concern from members of the governing body and also a few departments in the township and receiving concern from residents. So, just wanted to address that. That's all, Mayor. >> Yeah. The other thing that would be very
helpful is if we can um soon release what roads we're going to be paving because I'm getting similar questions. >> Yes. >> As I walk around this community, the dissatisfaction with New Jersey American Water is just
>> out there. Mhm. >> And so, um, people are asking, you know, the a lot of these patches have sunk >> of settling and people are asking what are we doing? So, if we could put that out there also, it would be helpful. >> Yes.
>> Thank you. >> I have a question for our administrator. Do we have an update uh from SCFD regarding the um the thing that I shared at the last public meeting relating to
the repeated false alarms, fire alarms from Gaslight Commons and the process that SCFD has in place to rescue residents from apartment buildings or other dwellings during fire alarms, uh
residents with mobility issues. >> Yeah. On the first part, we the SCFD management committee discussed this at their most recent meeting and I believe the the fire department was tasked with making a report back to the management committee on
>> and also um you and the administrator of South Orange are to look at our current penalties for false alarms, financial penalties to see if um we need to boost them some. They were very aware of the
repeated calls at Gaslight and um are working with management to get the system repaired. At least that's what was reported to us. >> Do we have any data on our end of how many times we responded to a false alarm there?
>> No. >> I'd like to see >> doesn't but SCFD would >> Yeah, SCF. Yeah, that's what I mean. SCFD do does SCFD have any data? >> They they do. We can request that from them. Yeah. >> Great. Great. And then regarding the
process that SCFD has for residents with mobility issues to register for their program of assistance. Do we have an update on that? >> I don't No, I don't. >> That may have not come up in your meeting. >> No.
>> Could we reach out and find out? >> Yep. >> Thank you. Anything else for Mr. Weary? Miss Credidio, >> no report. Mayor, >> anything for Miss Cordillo? Miss Fritzen,
>> on a roll. I want to report that uh we have a primary election on uh June 2nd and uh we have a voter registration deadline um on May 12th and township offices uh
the township clerk's office will remain open straight through to 900 p.m. Uh early voting locations are up on our website as well as all of this information. And early voting this year uh for this election will be from May 26
to May 31st. uh Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday from uh 10 am to 6 pm. And um as far as events go, we have uh
Memorial Day uh parade and ceremony coming up. And you've probably already noticed if you have a group that's looking to march in the parade that we already have everything um out and available. We're getting returns already from many groups and uh we're putting
together the uh ceremony and um my final thing is we have so many events that we are having event planning meetings numerous every single week uh just to keep up. So it's great a lot of
programming. That is my report. >> Anything for Miss Fritzen? Okay, we'll go to elected officials. Committeewoman Adams. >> Oh, I'm first. Just one thing I just wanted to from engineering public works and planning committee. We held two
public meetings uh in the last week with uh over a hundred residents um over the two meetings. Um just to go over the plans for Prospect Street. Um we have some deadlines to meet because we have significant grant money um funding this
project from um for the entire length of Prospect Street. Um it'll include the current plans are including uh bike lanes for the majority of uh the the length of the street and a lot of the
input was really helpful um in that uh it has um helped the engineers and those of us who are meeting with them um in between these meetings to amend the plans based on some of the feedback. and we'll be meeting one more time and then
we'll um have the plans hopefully done in the next couple weeks I think I want to say. So, um other than that, I think that's all I have. >> Great. Thank you, Committ Davis. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have a few items. We talked about the health department's
move. Excited again about that. Please come on out and celebrate our ribbon cutting and grand opening over at 129 Bdon next Friday. Um, I want uh folks to if you've gotten your latest uh copy of
Matters magazine, you probably saw an article about the Maplewood Arts Council. Uh, it's a really great article. Have a look. It talks about the history of the council, uh, why it was put in place and what it does. Um, and we hope that it will uh, garner some support and interest in the community as
we're looking for volunteers and new members. Um there the Maplewood Arts Council has put out a space util utilization survey, meaning
facilities for artists. Um and generally uh a survey to the community to get feedback about events that are produced in town, whether they're cultural celebrations or others. It's a great opportunity for you as a resident to um
have your voice represented. Do you like what's what's happening at these different facilities? Do you dislike it? Are there things that we're not doing that we should be doing? Are there things that we're doing we should be doing better? And so on and so forth. The survey will remain open through the end of this month. And I um ask the
support of township administration in promoting that through our comm's channels over the course of the next remaining weeks of this month. Our rent control board is up and running and we should have a new ordinance uh in the next couple of months. We're moving
along very well. We're also going to increase our membership from our current ordinances five members to nine. Um and we will be uh having great uh equitable representation among owners and tenants
uh on the rent control board. Our community board on police is meeting tomorrow night. join us to find out what they're up to. And uh in discussion tonight, I will be pointing out some revisions we're making to our ordinance that created the board. And last but not
least, our pride planning is in full swing at this point with less than a month to go before June. June is pride month. Uh I wanted to make note of a couple of events that are township events. um
in particular put on the mall on the calendar. We will of course have our pride proclamation during a township committee meeting uh at starting at 7:30. On Wednesday, June 3rd, remember because of the primary election on Tuesday, June 2nd, TC will be on
Wednesday, the following evening at 7:30 p.m. Come on by and support our pride proclamation. Our pride flag raising will be the following evening on Thursday, June 4th, right out here, uh 6 pm. Pray for good weather. Our lavender
graduation is happening on Friday, June 5th at 6 p.m. at CHS in the auditorium. Uh I ask for township administration support in promoting the registration of that event. It is open not only to our
graduates but to graduates throughout the state of New Jersey, high school, LGBTQ identified and allied students. Um, and we want to make the graduation successful. It is the only graduation of its kind that we're aware of. Uh,
certainly in North Jersey, if not in all of New Jersey. Uh that same evening at 7:30, starting at 7:30 at the Woodland, uh the graduates will have the opportunity and other supporters to have some fun. The Lavender Ball, we used to
call it a prom. We were told that was outdated. So, we're going back to our roots, our LGBTQ roots, and we're calling it a ball. So, uh come on out and support and have fun. Uh, our youth pride picnic will uh occur on June 7th
starting at 12:00 p.m. over um by the Hilton branch of the library uh by the gazebo area. And that's always a great opportunity for youth to create their own space and have fun. And we usually provide uh snacks, pizza, ice cream, and
music. So, those are a few events that I wanted to put on everyone's calendar for now. and I'll report more wholesomely uh of course uh at the next meeting right before Pride. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor Herman.
>> Thank you, Mayor. I have a few things to announce. First of all, I want to say it is May, happy Jewish American Heritage Month. We will be reading a resolution on that at our next meeting. We also have three events this year to celebrate
that heritage month. We are partnering partnering with South Orange to um put these on. So, I'm really happy to share them. You'll see more of them in our uh socials and our uh newsletter. On May 24th, we have the Shalom Fest with
Jewish dancing, food, lots of fun. That will be at the Woodland. That same week on Wednesday, May 27th, uh there will be a free film screening and Q&A that will be in South Orange, co-sponsored by the both both towns. And
then the following night on um Thursday, May 28th, there will be an author book talk. This is on a a book called Hidden Lives: Stories from Child Survivors of the Holocaust. And our special guest will be um Relle Goldstein, the author.
And so we'll have um three events this year to celebrate that heritage. Um so keep an eye out for those. Um this weekend we have our second installment of the talk to the township. So myself and Miss Collings Colding will be um on
Springfield Avenue right around Walgreens from about 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Um I hopefully my other colleagues might join us. Um come on by and talk to us. anything you want to talk about. If you want to talk about traffic safety, you want to talk about bikes, you want
to talk about um proclamations, heritage festivals, the pool. Oh, you know, I love to talk about the pool. So, oh, and I can also talk about our amazing varsity softball team at the high school and how well they're doing. So, lots of things we can talk about. Um, save the
date for a couple of things coming up. Our we are planning a wear orange event at town hall for Friday, June 15th at 4:30. So, you'll get more information on that shortly. And then also that Sunday on June 7th, I will be speaking at the
Ethical Cultural Society. The June marks the midpoint in my term on the township committee. We have three-year terms. So, I'll be reporting on what I have done on the first half of my term and what I plan to do um in the next half. And from
my committees, I want to report that from my from the all access committee and the recreation committee, we were really pleased two weeks ago and to to go and do the groundbreaking of the new inclusive playground at Maplerest Park. So, I hope you caught some of those
photos and video um online. We are just thrilled to get this project going and we're looking at July uh that we might be able to open it up. So this is very exciting. Um we can't wait um for the communications committee. I wanted to um
you know just share one of the things that we have been working on. I know some of my colleagues spoke earlier about proclamations and one of the things that we're trying really hard to do is to make our website to improve our website and make sure that we have a lot of really valuable information on there for our residents. And one of the things
that we did and thank you to the clerk staff for helping us out on this. But we have now a database of our proclamations um that have been done so far this year and for the last two years. So, if you ever wonder, you know, this month is a
is a special month for a certain cause or a certain um you know, um heritage month and you want to see has the township committee done a proclamation on this um you can go and check that out. So, if you go on our website under the clerk's office, there is a list for proclamation. So, I want to thank the
clerk's office for putting this um database together. It's a really wonderful resource for our community because these proclamations um are about our values and so I'm happy to share that. And then last but not least, the
pool opens in 17 days. >> Wow. >> So that that is Saturday, May 23rd. It's coming up, but um you have until June 1st to buy your early bird tickets. So,
these are your early bird pool passes. Make sure you snap them up because this rate is the lowest rate since 2012. It is a really good deal. You have until the end of the month. Um, I'm reminding
you every single time I'm up here to go and get your pool passes because we're all going to be there and we're going to have a great time. And that's my report. >> Thank you. So, we will be at the groundbreaking and the ribbon cutting for the playground. >> That's right. >> That's right.
>> That's what you want. That's your timing you want. Committee woman Collins Cing. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, this is going to be really short and sweet. Like Malia Malia said, um, Township Committee woman, uh, Malia Herman said, we will be
at, is it Walgreens this Saturday? Okay. And stop by. Let's talk about the latest fashions and our swimsuits and some important stuff. >> We're going to come by and harass you. >> What is it? The the Walgreens line of fashions. Is that what you're going to be doing? >> Fashions. Yes. Uh on our community
services, I just want to remind everyone we have a list of camps and activities um for this summer. We have some field hockey, girls flag football, spring tennis, uh adult open gym basketball,
maps basketball, softball, squirt soccer, uh we have parents and mean soccer. So multisports we have and just some other activities. Track and field. That's a wide range for everyone. for the parents, for the young kids, the
young adults, please go on our site and just look at what we have and register to get our updates. And also for our arts department, I just wanted to remind everyone we have um well the arts and culture, we have a Haitian flag day raising coming up and that's going to be
on May 16 on Saturday at town hall here. So we will have a guest speaker, we'll have food, we'll have music, we have dancing and lots of good eating. So, please join us. And the Maplewood uh record fair is going to be Sunday, May
17, and this is going to be um at the Woodland. So, Emilia did mention about the Shalam Festival, which will be exciting. They're going to have Jewish dance troops. They're going to have face painting. They're going to have traditional food and much more. She's
worked really hard on this. It's going to be really exciting. So, join us. And I think we have acoustic jam sessions at 1978 um on May 31st and we have another one in June and July as well. So join us with all these activities that the staff
has worked really hard to put together. It's going to be an exciting next three months. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Uh I have just now you took a bunch of things. I just have a couple things to say. Everyone, I'll just repeat again that this Friday night at 6 PM, our new Congresswoman, Anna
Lilia Mahia, will be here right in this room uh for a town hall. She's uh very interested in finding out what our interests are and have a give and take with us. So, please come out 6 pm. It should only take an hour. I think they're trying to keep it to an hour.
So, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday night right here at 574 Valley Street. And lastly, uh, Mayfest is on May 17th, Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. And one of the features is we will have the
New Jersey New York host committee for the World Cup, their double-decker bus. So, you can come out and get some swag from the bus. You'll be able to take pictures on the bus. There'll be some games, some fan experiences there. So,
come out. And then Mayfest is a great experience in and of itself. So that's 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 17th. And with that, I will move that we go beyond 9:30. >> I was going to do that. >> Second, >> Adams. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Collins Golding. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis, >> yes. >> Thurman, >> yes. >> Mayor Duga, >> yes. And our first discussion item is Baker Street and Valley Street right on red restriction. Committee woman Adams. >> Yes. We spoke about this a few times at
uh engineering public works and planning. The uh recommendation of the consulting engineer who studied it would be that um there's a no right on red from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. if I'm not
mistaken. Am I not mistaken? 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Right. Or is it 7 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.? 6. Okay. I just clarifying because that meeting was, you know, five years ago, it feels like. Um, so that's
the discussion item. Um, is there I personally disagree, but I I know I'm in the minority, but what does everybody else think? >> 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Yes. >> Okay. Anybody uh everybody okay with that?
>> I also disagree. So, I act I recall actually that our engineering and public works meeting, our traffic engineer did a study of the crossings there, and he found um heavy pedestrian traffic pretty much like you said, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and a
little beyond. Um, however, I recall him saying that based on his expertise, a straight no right on red is safer than a sign that has exemptions. So, um, based on that comment that he made with his expertise and my own personal experience
of that intersection, um, the pedestrians who have been hit there, I believe that, um, we should not make that change. Um, so currently there is uh, an in ordinance. I believe there is
a no right on red at the intersection from Baker turning on to Valley and currently from Valley turning on to Baker that is allowed. However, the county put up a sign that says no right on red except for exemption. So, I do
not support making any changes. I think it should be no right on red at both of the turns. This is a very busy and dangerous intersection. Children going to and from two schools, Tuskcin and MMS, cross at both of these sidewalks.
Plus, residents heading heading to and from the train and to our new library cross here. Additionally, numerous families and residents from all over Maplewood cross to attend Maple Woodstock, Pride, Fourth of July, Junth, any of the other amazing events we have there. Um, a pedestrian, if you recall,
was struck there uh crossing Baker earlier this year. Um, and then if you also recall, our crossing guard was struck at that same intersection last year. Um, and speaking of our crossing guard, um, who has been there for many years, she's a lovely woman. I spoke to her and asked what it's like to guard
that intersection since the county did their work. If you recall, they did a bumpout of that corner. And so what it did is, while it does make the crossing a little bit shorter from Baker, um, it also makes the two crosswalks much farther apart. and she said it's really
difficult for her to go from crossing um kids across Baker to go all the way over and then cross them across Valley. And she said she does find it to be very um unsafe and um you know so for that reason um you know I I I really think
that we need to look at this from a traffic safety perspective. Um I do apologize to motorists who might you know uh not like this sometimes. I'm in a rush too honestly and it's it's hard to wait at a light. you know, you're at a red light and there's no cars going the other direction. I get it. That is
that can be annoying. But we have got to slow traffic down in our town. Residents have told us at these two bike lane meetings that we held um and even emails that we've received since the meeting, even a couple today, they want a more
pedestrianfriendly town and they want it to be safe to walk around. I am absolutely 100% committed to traffic safety and doing everything we can to make this town safer for our kids walking to and from school and all of our residents walking around. So, I
can't support any changes. I would move that we keep the the turn from VA Baker onto Valley no right on red at any time. and that we make the turn from Valley onto Baker. Also, no right on red at any
time. >> Can someone remind me what our traffic consultant recommended? Well, the discussion by the whole engineering public works committee was landed on 6:00 am to 8:00 pm to have no
right on red to allow it later when there's very little if any pedestrian traffic. Um the consulting engineer that Miss Herman is referring to mentioned that he personally prefers no right on red ever anywhere. Mhm.
>> Um, if I would I would be fine with it were it not for so many parents driving their kids to the middle school and picking them up. if if we truly had more fewer cars driving to all our schools, the especially the upper grades, middle
school and the high school, that's part of the that's a huge part of the issue. And we're changing traffic patterns and we're trying to address it all over the place when there are there are students who should be and historically have for over hundred years been walking to these
schools. So all of a sudden we need all these traffic patterns. But it also the more cars are on the road, the more pedestrian car interaction you have, the more opportunity there is for accidents. Um, so
I would, but the problem is the traffic backs up and all the way if you don't have a right on red ever, the traffic backs all the way up to the country club there on Baker and just it it it ends up
being road rage situations and people speeding up to try to make the light uh when it's green so that they don't have to sit there. So I think a common sense approach and a logical approach would be to allow it later in the day um to turn
right on red and you know pedestrians and drivers both need to be responsible for making sure it's safe to you know for driving and for walking but >> that's how I feel about it. >> So right now there's a conflict because on the books we have a noturn at any
time. >> Yep. uh off of B. >> The county changed >> uh the county changed that to 7 to 9:00 a.m. no turn and 2 to 4 p.m. Our consultant was very clear that he was against that for sure. >> Yep. >> Because people don't know times, you
know, when you have those block of times, people say, "Oh, I thought it was 7:00, blah, blah." >> Sure. Sure. >> So, um that's that's where we are. So, right now, we have no turn on. If we do nothing, it will revert. It'll just stay where it is and that'll be no turn on at
any time and the county will have to uh fix those signs to be consistent with the ordinance. Is that correct? >> It's a county road so they get >> county road. So they >> they get to regulate the turn from valley onto Baker. >> Not the one from Baker though >> onto Valley. Correct. >> Right.
>> They have put up sign those signs on both of the turns. I I believe that if we went to the county and said that we want no turns to be consistent on both corners, they would probably agree with us.
>> That was my follow-up question. Okay. >> I don't know. >> Do you have anything more? >> Yeah. I just want to say I think the simple thing the simplest thing to understand and to enforce is the no turn on red at any time. And that is a big intersection.
And while at night after 8:00 p.m. there is less traffic, I do think that that's also a time when people could be impaired, tired after work and or more than that. Um, so just to keep it safe and simple, no turn
on red at any time. >> You know, I think there a couple of things going on. uh we have a school right there and kids are constantly at that corner and that road is really really really wide and I think uh whichever solutions we come out here
tonight will not satisfy what we're trying to achieve uh those kids being the crosswalk the roads being wide like the cross guard crossing guard talked about and the county road and our baker our our turn that is you know is what it
is right now. So I think part of what we need to do is uh do more research and see how we can solve that problem because uh our most valuable citizens and community kids are on these roads.
So I think um we have to find a solution for that. The simple fix wouldn't work in a long term because I know I've been on that road and I try to walk my kids most of the time and my husband walks my kids sometimes. Well, most of the time I kind of walk the kids every so often,
but it's crowded. The cars are backed up all the way down past the school around the corner. Um, it's just a terrible situation. I think we need to think this through and figure out a way that we can come up with another solution, you know,
servicing all the needs that we have. We may not get it all right, but I think we can come up with some creative ideas and we should put more thought into what we do here. >> So, let me press let me press you. So, right now there's no turn at all times.
Are you saying that until there's further study, you want to keep it at no turn at all times? >> Well, right now there's there is turn 7 a.m. to 9. >> No, that's no turn 7 a.m. to 9. >> That's not what's on the books. >> Yes. Right. I >> You want to keep it what's on the books?
What's on the books? There's no turn >> at any time. >> Yeah. >> Off of Okay. All right. So, there's there's there's not there's insufficient votes to uh change what we have. So, we need to and so let me ask the second question. Um so, that would be no turn
at any time on Baker Street onto Valley right on red there. That would mean the elimination of the arrow. >> I'm not sure because I still don't. It's Oh, the arrow is when you can turn and it's not red,
>> but it's also Okay. All right. So, that doesn't So, that so they would have to come back. So, we'd have to go to the county and say we want no turn on red at any time from Baker Street to Valley Street and um they'll have to come back and tell us about the arrow. The question now is do
we also want to request from the county no turn from Valley onto Baker Street? No turn on red. >> I would be in favor of that. It's too >> I would be in It's a very long It's like >> you have to pull up a lot far very far
to make that right. So I would absolutely >> That would help a bit I think. Yeah. Just to >> All right. >> But I think we'll have to revisit it. >> Okay. So I think that's where we're coming down is that no turn at all times from Baker to Valley. No turn at all
times from Baker from Valley onto Baker. one we control, one the county controls. Okay. So, we will get that to Mr. Kitner and he will make that request to the uh >> to the county. Okay. >> Mhm. >> Okay.
17B, Community Board on Police, the ordinance revisions. >> Thank you, mayor. This is my discussion item, and bear with me. I do have a lot of detail to uh to express here to share. I know that I've uh forwarded a memo to the township committee uh in
advance of tonight's discussion and uh worked on this in partnership with our township attorney of course and the board itself. But for the public certification because good government is transparent and informative government. So the board was implemented back in 2018 my first year on the township
committee. I was uh an advocate for the board uh as a resident and on the original working group of the of the board uh along with um Mayor Duga. The board has several functions including the ability to review civilian review
complaints. These are complaints received by the public via email or portal about their interactions with MPD. Use of force incidents. These are interactions involving MPD that required the use of any physical force, including physical activity related to an arrest
and the ability to review internal affairs investigations after their conclusion. Meaning the board cannot affect any discipline or investigatory result. It can merely advise or recommend any actions. For instance, recommending additional
training of our offices officers post investigation as a result of their review. When we created the board and passed our ordinance, there wasn't much guidance if any from the AG as to these types of functions at that time. In
fact, in neighboring community of New York, they had a board and it was being sued at the time for swimming in these lanes. So, we didn't engage in this type activity at first and therefore never codified our process for such activity. Since then, the AG guidance became
available and the board found a process for this type of work in close partnership with MPD, one that both parties are very comfortable with currently. The revisions to our ordinance make this process official, ensures our compliance with all related
AG guidelines, and generally tightens up our procedure in other areas as well. In summary, the revisions codify the following. That two TC members would serve as governing body liaison, non- voting members. Currently, I serve as
the liaison. Uh on occasion, uh committee member uh Vic Duca, currently Mayor Vica was also a liaison. I um to do this for the rest of this year along with me. I recommended uh Deputy
Mayor Malia Herman as she also chairs public safety and that aligns really well and overlaps with the work of the public safety committee and she graciously accepted that the governing body liaison can only attend the board's executive sessions by
invitation by the majority of the board. The board is an quasi independent body and should have the ability to go into executive session without the u governmental liaison. That when holding executive sessions, the board shall provide a summary of
such meetings in accordance with the open public meetings act. That the board may request of MPD and receive copies of any documentation related to ci civilian review complaints. Civilian review, complaints review.
Little wordy there. uh reports filed by the public, arrest records, use of force reports, bodywn camera footage, dispatch reports, 911 call records, recordings or transcript transcripts of radio interactions, internal affairs materials, any related documents or
reports submitted to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the Attorney General's Office of New Jersey or other prosecutorial body that the board may request and receive the following in its review of use of force similar similar materials to do the use of force. review
that the board may review these materials only in person at MPD headquarters in the presence of MPD personnel. That's what we're doing right now already anyway. We're just again codifying this in the ordinance that
while at MPD headquarters, the board may meet in private outside the presence of MPD and after the removal of any MPD materials that they received that any board member serving on the board civilian review, use of force or IIA investigation review subcommittee may
not have a conflict of interest as outlined by AG guidelines. The following are identified as potential conflicts. Any member not subject to conflict um to a conflict of interest background
check. We conduct background checks of all members of the board. So, we're good there. We just need to codify that. Any member that hasn't executed a confidentiality agreement. We require that for board membership. We're codifying it. An MPD employee or officer in the last five years. any state,
local, or other law enforcement agency employee, a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney practicing in Essex County, a relative of any of the above, a candidate for public office, any officer, employer, or official of the township, including any one of us as
electeds. I currently am the liaison to the board. I helped create the board, but I do not serve on the subcommittee that does any one of these uh reviews that the board civilian review use of force internal affairs investigation subcommittee report out to the rest of
the board and to the public its findings subject to confidentiality restrictions. Meaning that since the board is doing these reviews, the subcommittee of the board is doing these reviews, it should report out its findings in findings in general terms to the rest of the board
and to the community. And I will add and I will share this with CBOP tomorrow night when we meet that I find that um we need to do more of that going forward so that the community understands what trends have been identified and
what the review of such materials um has revealed about our law enforcement process here in Maplewood. Those are the proposed restrictions and the reason behind them. I support them. It is something we're
doing already. We want to put it in the ordinance to have it official and to preserve it for future board members. >> I'm good. >> I'm good with it. Uh the one thing I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Did you have anything you wanted to add?
Mad, you're good. Um the one thing is if uh Deputy Mayor Herman is going to also serve as the leazison, then we should do an official vote. >> Oh yes. >> Of the township committee. So, I think we ought to um put on for the next
meeting a resolution uh appointing Deputy Mayor Herman as an additional liaison. We have the ability to put two people on there, but we didn't do that on January 1. We just want to do that. >> Great. Thank you for that. >> Okay. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Can we get a motion on
the consent agenda? Committeeman Daffis, >> I move the consent agenda. Second. >> M. Adams. >> Yes. >> M. Collins. Colding. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis. >> Yes. >> Herman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. >> Yes. Thank you. And this is our second
public comment m uh period on any subject matter. Is there anyone who would like to address the township committee on any matter? Seeing no one in the room, please check online. >> Anyone joining on Zoom would like to address the township committee on any
matter, please raise your hand. I see no hands, mayor. >> Okay, with that we will uh close this meeting. We will meet again on May 19th. Can we get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Mr. Adams. >> Mr. Collins Golding. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daffis.
>> Yes. >> Turman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Duca. nest.