Oh, >> great. In accordance with the open public meeting act state law, we advise that notice of this meeting is made by posting on the board in town hall and forwarding to the officially designated newspapers. This meeting will take place
in Education Center at 7 p.m. on April 21st, 2026. Meeting details on the draft agenda are also posted on our contract website. Please all stand and to the republic for which it stands.
One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Cohen, >> here. >> Mr. Costco >> here. >> Mr. Ser >> here. >> Mr. Stler, >> present. >> Mayor Sandy,
>> here. Thank you. >> May I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So move. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. I have a motion to approve the March
9th, 2026 special town committee meeting minutes. >> Motion. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. I have a motion to approve the March 17, 2026 Township Committee regular meeting minutes.
>> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I need to. >> I have a motion to approve the March 17, 2026 special township committee regular meeting minutes.
>> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I state uh reports again. This week is National Volunteer Week and I wanted to recognize the extraordinary residents and who give
their time, talent, and energy to strengthen our community. Volunteerism is the backbone of our town, our schools, and volunteer first aid squat to our civic and nonprofit organiz. I thank every volunteer whose quiet acts of service make a visible difference in
the lives of our neighbors. Wilurn is stronger because of you. Uh on the term strategic planning committee had their first meeting. They elected the leadership. They elected June Choy uh who's the former mayor of Edison and resident as the chair. Uh they elected
Betty Lou as the vice chair and Jamie Serutoo as the secretary. And uh they're eagerly looking forward to beginning the committee's work. Uh the library uh board met yesterday uh and they asked me to relay two messages. Uh first on
Sunday, April 26, Friends of Milbourne Library is sponsoring a Milbourne 250 related program. Liberty's music operator era featuring the ministers of Apollo duo Eric and Eliza
Pac. This program is at 2 p.m. the library auditorium. in the second floor and is appropriate for all ages. Second, Friends of the Library is collecting books and vinyl records for its annual book sale through May 3rd. Items may be dropped off in a bin near the elevator
on the library's first floor. Hard cover, soft cover, children's books, and vinyl are accepted. Encyclopedias, magazines, textbooks, and porn, water damage, or moldy books will not be accepted. Thank you for your generosity.
The book sale will take place May 16th through 17th. A friends member pre-sale will take place on Thursday, May 14th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. That's the end of my reports. Good evening. >> All right, for a change.
>> Good evening everyone. Um the uh as you may know the pedestrian safety advisory committee held um a uh there was a short hill train station uh information session last week um and we gathered feedback and explored new
engineering concepts. Uh the process is still ongoing to talk about um but we are trying to get this project rolling this year uh by the end of the year. So, uh, we're still collecting feedback. There were a lot of different concepts, um, you know, that were thrown out
there. There were pros and cons and, um, but I encouraged the community to, uh, speak up, uh, on the short hills train station pedestrian safety improvements. Uh, also, uh, you may have seen there have been some, uh, there have been temporary angled parking and, uh,
bumpouts uh, put, uh, installed between Lacawana and Home Street. Um, this is a temporary uh, project. Uh but it's an exploratory um measure. It it does add additional parking spaces but also narrows the
crossing distance uh which is critical. That's a it's a dangerous intersection to begin with as a pedestrian um and as a motorist to be honest and uh we've seen a lot of uh double parking in the downtown. So um just a heads up on that.
Um I met with uh Mr. McDonald and uh our engineering department with the department of transportation this week uh past week to talk about striping signage, dangerous intersections such as the U-turn and slip lane by um King
Supermarket um and Route 24. Um so we uh you know and it was an in-person meeting. How about that? We had four different engineers come from Trenton uh and we're forming a good relationship and dialogue to improve um improve traffic patterns uh and uh and merges.
In particular, we've seen a lot of cut through through town as we all know 24 to 70 backs up. Um the flood mitigation advisory committee uh has put together a ambitious April May timeline and advancing. They're
actually meeting right now while we're here um to talk about the orange bypass and van winkl projects. Reminder, this Friday is Arbor Day and there are a couple of events uh with the Shade Tree Advisory Board. Um the mayor mentioned
an event at the Paper Mill, but I uh excuse me with the 250, but also joined uh Bryant's Tavern 1780 voices from the past um Sunday May 3rd and Monday May 4th. Um the Milbourne 250 committee and
Paper Mill Playhouse, Carriage House, uh will have an immersive theatrical experience as the tavern fills with historical figures like Hannah and James Caldwell um during the eve of the Battle of Springfield. And anybody who's curious, Brian's Tavern was where Wawwa
is now um and formerly Paper Peddler. Um let's see. um also have been meeting and and having a lot of discussions regarding utility companies in town and uh ensuring that code violations, lack
of responsiveness or uh and the effects on the township's beautifification are taken care of. Um so many conversations ongoing and um we will be talking more tonight regarding uh the potential
creation of an arts council. Uh today is roughly my 100th day in office on the task committee and continue to focus uh on uh on getting stuff done whether that's through meetings with the county executive department of transportation different consultants engineering etc
post office uh but you know key focus to bring people together have the difficult conversations and put a plan in place uh the squeaky wheel gets the grease and that's my focus so end of my report then happy to be Deputy Mayor Costco.
>> Uh thank you, Mayor. Uh one report, um citizen uh community service, sorry, community service award committee. Um there was a a nomination of sorts of a former resident and I'm working with the
uh that committee to get a meeting set up so they can consider that nomination. Thank you. Good evening coach. >> I don't have anything tonight. >> Thank you, Frank. Um, recreation committee, uh, just a reminder to
register for the pool membership before May 1st to get your free passes. Uh, the 42nd annual fishing derby is coming up on Saturday, April 25th. For those that have kids, 15 and under, five bucks to get in. Uh, for all the runners out there, the four mileer registration is
now open. Uh that's June 7th. And then the uh second annual par three uh breakfast scramble tournament. Registration is open online. Uh that's going to be held Saturday, June 13th. Special improvement district girls night out. It's on June 4th in downtown. If
you have not registered to participate, um you go email info@explore milburnshorthills.org. Uh just a great event. My wife and three girls went have gone every year. It's fantastic. They had a lot of fun. Um the World Cup events start on June 8th. Uh
so if you think traffic around town was busy today, wait for that. Um if you've not registered, uh go to uh info at explore Milbourshore Hills.org to see all the events that are going on in town uh during that week. Big shout out to sponsors for Girls Night Out, the
biggest group of Compass Real Estate. Uh and the World Cup sponsors, IDB Bank, uh located on JFK Parkway. Always a huge shout out to our sponsors. uh finance committee uh we haven't met still pushing the uh work the budgets put
forth uh BOE board of education uh last weekend the science research uh uh kids hosted a symposium with high school uh students researchers around the state uh for the competition uh they did a great job uh and the presentations were
phenomenal. Um the Odyssey of the Mind teams placed very high in the state competition. Uh and then a big shout out to uh we have five teams representing Milbert Hills in the nationals in the robotics uh really this weekend. Uh they went out um I think I saw a couple
parents they went out on uh on Sunday night or so. So uh just a big shout with you guys in spirit knock them dead. Uh joint facilities on the fields. We are all up to date on that. We haven't had a meeting since then. Um open space tax
advisory committee. Uh Dave did a great job updating that last week. Uh and then affordable housing, I defer to council as always. That's my report. Mayor, I >> actually I do want to point out I still reminded me the uh the public
information session on the budget. It's going to be held this Thursday at 7 o'clock at the library. So that's an opportunity to ask questions beyond the the public hearing three minutes. I hope to see you there. >> Business administrator McDonald.
>> Um just a few quick things. This Friday, April 24th, um is the Arbor Day event uh that committee mining where they're going to plant uh 13 trees in sort of commemoration of 13 colonies. Sort of a
good 250 tie in there with Arbor Day. I believe that starts at 4 o'clock in Taylor Park. Uh, also just to piggyback on the Brian's Tavern, just so everyone is aware, that is a ticketed event. Um, so if you want tickets, you can go to the milbur.org
website for that event. Uh, but just there are limited tickets available for it. And lastly, Memorial Day parade on May 25th starting at 11:00 a.m. as uh we have done um for the past few years. So,
uh please hope to see everything there and uh if you're interested in participating, there is uh information on the township's website. >> Attorney Can. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just a brief report tonight. Um on April 15th, uh the Milurn
Charter Study Commission issued its final report. Um they sent it to our our clerk. Um and just so everybody knows, the the Charter Study Commission had its own legal counsel. Um I commend our our municipal clerk for the hard work that
she's done because we'll be having a special election on June 16th. Um, so we've been coordinating uh with the county clerk, with the county office, with their lawyers, with the charter study commission with attorneys uh to make sure that'll actually go smoothly on June 16th, 2026. Um, the notice that
will be posted on the website has been cleared by both the county's attorney and the charter study commission's attorney along with myself. Um, and that's just and that's and also I think um residents interested in that final report, it's been published to the website. There's also a hard copy in the
cler's office if you want to review it. A hard copy in the library. >> Thank you. All right. Public comment. Um or we can public comment. For those of you who are here to speak uh about tonight's ordinance on the Woodfield Historic District, in addition to the
public comment, there is a separate three minute uh comment period during the hearing on that or so. Uh without further ado, uh when invited to speak, offer your comments. Please come to the lectern. Clearly state your name and whether you are a Melbourne resident,
your property or business owner. Please do not provide your full address seeing as our meetings are recorded readily available to the public. Help facilitate an orderly meeting. Permit all to be heard. Speakers shall limit their comments to one of session. You'll be prompted when there is 30 seconds remaining. A reminder, this is not a
time for dialogue. Date the matter. This is a time for the business meeting public offer comments. We'll now open the public comment. >> Hello, my name is an fellow. I live inside proposed historic district and I'm strongly opposed to the designation.
One of my issues is that the nomination has moved through a closed self- validating process. The same body that initiated and wrote the nomination also voted to recommend it while other boards were confined to narrow technical roles. The township committee is the first and only elected body asked to weigh
fairness, boundaries, cost, and community support. To date, it's been a self- validating loop. The HPC initiated and prepared a nomination report. The same HPC then held a hearing and voted to recommend its own work product despite majority opposition from
affected owners. And when the planning board reviewed the ordinance, they explicitly said its own authority was very narrow and does not extend a fairness, boundaries, cost, or owner sent a sentiment. The only check if it was consistent with the master plan, a plan that tells the township to
encourage preservation. So the result, the master plan encourages more districts. The HPC writes and recommends one, and the planning board simply checks it against that plan. No independent body has yet asked whether this is the right district drawn in the
right way with genuine support from the people who live in it. Throughout this process, there's been blurred lines between advisor and advocate. After the majority of residents submitted a petition showing majority opposed the district, HPC
representatives contact petition signers to confirm their position. This behavior looks less like neutral factfbiting and more like a political whip operation to manage opposition optics and protect nomination momentum. When the same body
that grasps and recommends a district also works behind the scenes to influence residents reported views, it undermines confidence that the process is impartial. Why this should matter to you? The historic designation is a permanent or
to reverse regulatory decision that should follow a transparent balanced process. Here we see a majority non-contributing district with arbitrary boundaries, clear majority opposition and a process driven by a small group whose work has not faced independent
scrutiny. Courts diverge municipalities only so long as their decisions are not arbitrary, capriccious, or unreasonable. A record combining boundary inconsistencies, majority non-contributing status, majority opposition, and an insular process
strengthens any future claims that this ordinance fails that standard. In conclusion, we are not just concerned about the outcome. We are concerned about the process. When the same group writes the report, votes to recommend it, and then works behind the scenes to
manage opposition, the township committee becomes our only safeguard against an insular self- validating process. We are asking you to exercise that safeguard fellow mic. Jack fellow. Uh I live in impacted
neighborhood. I I get to follow my wife who's much better at this than I. Uh I'd like to come up here and formally state that, you know, obviously I'm opposed to the change as well. Uh one of the things that appealed to us when we moved into the neighborhood is that it's not historic. We looked at a home on Misync
that isn't a historic district and we didn't want to deal with the additional bureaucracy and costs that come with uh you know renovations and changes to the home. We wanted to maintain our homeowners rights and be able to choose for ourselves. Um you know I worked nine years for a construction company and
does a lot of historic preservation. I'm very familiar with what the costs and the additional time and bureaucracy that it takes to uh you know maintain a home that is truly historic. Uh I do not u I think a lot of people spoke in the past
and explained why we don't you know the majority of the neighborhood who signed petition three times uh it doesn't believe it's even a historic neighborhood. I'd also ask you to uh emphasize and prioritize the opinions of the people that live in the impacted neighborhood and not other individuals from outside the neighborhood that are
going to have an opportunity to speak tonight. Thank you. Uh, good evening everyone. Um, I don't I don't mean to just temporarily uh switch gears, but >> start with your name. >> Yes, it's uh Robert Freriedman. I live in the mountain top segment of Short
Hills. Uh, also a member of the uh long-term uh planning advisory committee. Uh last Saturday morning a sanitation man tragically died in an
accident not far from my home on with road. It happened near it was on South Orange Avenue near the old Shore Hills Road uh intersection. And although the police were not giving details of what happened, they don't believe it was
speeding related. However, this tragedy should be a big wakeup call not only to Essex County, but to Milin's operating administration. For almost a year, I've been warning the county and the town of the huge traffic
hazards on South Orange Avenue straightaway starting from the reservation to the South Orange Bold Shore Hills intersection. This danger stretch is particularly acute at the ingress and egress of Winthrop Road. And my eldest son got into an accident there three years ago
trying to make a deathdeying lefthand turn on the South Orange Avenue which insanely allows drivers to go 45 miles an hour west now while there's residential driveways in Winthropuck Road and just a few hundred uh yards away from the intersection.
Last year, I tried to do something about it. I reached out to the county first since South Orange Avenue is a county road. Took them two months for them to get back to me to tell me that it's the town that needs to do the traffic report. I
put together a full letter in early October to the administration. Um, after two months of making sure that this traffic report was done, finally in early January, a draft report was
prepared, but all it recommended was to put flashing lights around a 45 m an hour sign. When I said that was absurd, subsequently later, um, the administration got back to me and told me the report was flawed. I
said fine. I kept on going to the township emails. I have what all kinds of I don't know how many pages of emails and letters and everything. I'm still waiting for an answer.
And when this tragedy happened, the whole WhatsApp thread was lit up on Saturday morning with all the fellow residents in this town in in my neighborhood. So, the town needs to,
you know, get off it stuff and get this done. Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Jeffrey Feld. I live in the public section. I want to u commend what occurred last Wednesday. The charter study commission was a historical moment. is probably
with the most open transparent process that I've seen in this community. The idea of a charter study commission began in September 2020 and it created a nonpartisan grassroot social movement.
It resulted in a report that I invite everyone to read. This community needs to combat the falsehoods that have been coming out about this study and this enactment.
It was not a MAGA Republican scheme. Remembers are long-term Democrats. And I people that over the next 60 days you're going to hear falsehoods. Read the report and why we need to change our
form of government. Um, I'm surprised that it wasn't mentioned that there's going to be a special joint meeting between the SID and township committee this Thursday at 6:30. I don't know why it wasn't mentioned, I only found out about it by looking at
the agenda packet of the SID. Um the reason I say that the day after the last township committee meeting the township filed a motion seeking privilege litigation attorney's fees against me and just be fair properties
one I asked for a courtesy professional courtesy of two weeks was denied then the reason was they said we didn't give them an extension but if you look at the docket we gave an extension originally it's amazing I make over requests for
the bill list and time summaries. I ask everyone in this community to look at the pleadings, look at the time summaries. It's unbelievable that the township attorney did not do the research about the direct benefit study need until
after the lawsuit was filed. The issue was raised at the public hearing. Um there's issues as to what was bare properties to dismissed without prejudice. The township attorneys told court was dismissed with prejudice, but
I have a consent order with Sid that says without prejudice and a train that I provide to all of you said without prejudice. Um look at your minutes. They're sanitized. When you look at the January minutes or meetings, there's no mention of the shout out to me. February 17th when I
warned you about the deadline that was coming up that you had to approve the round four by March um 16. It's not mentioning why is that? Why am I always portrayed as the evil one when I've been trying to guide
us? My name is Eileen Klein. I live in Keen Road and I'm directly affected by what Rob was talking about with the tragic accident that we had on Saturday. Um this we moved into this neighborhood in
at 2000 in 1999 and the one drawback that I had for this neighborhood was this intersection. I didn't know about town government or anything. I called the the um parks
department or the the county and I said, "Can somebody come talk to me about making this safer?" And my suggestion was putting in um um turn lanes on South Orange Avenue where it'll make it easier for us to
make a left turn out of our neighborhood or people turning into the neighborhood. and he looked at me and said, "Well, I would never let my wife make a left turn out of your neighborhood." And I was appalled that that was his attitude and
it never went any further. And you know, this is now 20 years later. And I'm asking the township committee to please make sure that we get a bonafide inspector who is a specialist in traffic
and safety and explore this area because something needs to be done. That poor sanitation man lost his life. I'm not sure how but it was related to the traffic and the intersection and you
know old Short Hills Road and and Winthra. So, please do what you have to get the committee here to talk to the committee on the the county level. Get us a a bonafideed
inspection inspector that knows what the heck they're doing. Not somebody who's going to pat me on the head and say, "Well, I wouldn't let my wife do it." You know? I mean, Billy, thank you for all the effort that you put in to making this town better. Thank you.
Christine Bast Township. Um, I just have a couple fast questions. Um, I just wanted to understand a little bit about some of the resolutions, particularly uh the protection of the Green Acres program for Taylor Park
inclusive playground project. Um, and the reason why I'm asking about that is that um, you know, I know that's obviously a grant and it's being matched by the township, but I want to make sure that the approval of the green acres program doesn't layer on any additional
things that could impact the historic designation of that park or any other types of rules or obligations that we have to deal with with other organizations such as mainstream air. So, I just wanted to ask if somebody might be able to answer that question for me later. I'm just ignorant on the
issue. Um, and then, uh, sorry. Um, the only other thing really that I had was, um, in front of Old Short Hills Park, and Alex, I know that I've bugged you about this, but I was thinking about it. Um, I am so tired of watching contractors trash our town, and I don't
know why people think that that's okay. between trashing like Curbstone, burning the road. Um, you know, there's a group of contractors um across from uh Old Hills Park right now. They're working on one home of two that was a development
and it's a new homeowner and I don't know who they are, but they're contractors. They have so many contractors there, it's ridiculous. And they have been parking literally practically on the bushes on Old Shore Hills Park, which is on the master plan a historic park. It's not historically designated, but it's one of the most beautiful things in our town. And
they've just destroyed the place. I mean, it's literally all the grass is gone from probably, I don't know, 60 or 70 feet. And all we need to do is just put up a couple more markers so people can't park there and put some really now at this point saw it in. And I know that
Alex, you were generous enough to go out there and talk to um the contractors, but you know, telling them that they can't get SEO, you know, until they fix it. I mean, they could be there for two more years. They've been there for two years already. And I can't even walk
through that. It's it's dangerous. It's muddy. And I just feel like we need to really enforce code in this town. Those people are like so lazy. Literally, they're young men. And there's no reason why they can't drop off their stuff. Just like I take my surfboard when I can't surf in M talk and I don't have a
parking pass. I drop my surfboard off at ditch planes and then I park my car somewhere else. They can park their car on beach. Thank you so much. Bye. These are regarding the hastened timetable for the reading and final passage of an ordinance. It seems that
perhaps the catalyst of this proposal was the frustrating error in having to delay the final passing of the CEDA abolishment. A very uncomfortable, controversial, and heated issue. Much township news, business, and otherwise
is communicated via word of mouth. Many residents will probably not surf the website for news or watch township committee meetings on YouTube because of the lens. Also, the item of Milbourne Short Hills is now defunct. So, with an
abbreviated timetable, there is less opportunity for residents to learn of township business and news, especially critical and controversial news such as the CEDA to debacle. Your fiduciary obligations is to always operate in the
best interests of your constituents. Shortening the time for business decisions to be made and promagated in a more expedient manner is definitely not in the public's best interest. Should this or other similar discussions arise, the bend must always be toward
transparency. The process of public notices and public meetings are for those who are governed, not those who govern. Thank you. >> Anyone else from the audience? >> Last chance.
>> No. Close public comment. There'll be another time. >> There'll be a hearing on the There'll be a hearing on the >> Did you want to Do you want to >> There's going to be another time before the December will be the historic preservation
ordinance. So, there will be a time. Speak up. >> Thank you so much. >> Uh in that case, uh responses. Why don't we start with you? >> All right. Uh so I will respond regarding
um the speeding and this tragic incident on South Orange Avenue and Winthro. Um I would agree. South Orange Avenue is a very dangerous road as you know pedestrian safety advisory board for it. Um, I'd ask that
we uh would do a followup uh Mr. McDonald uh with the county um or if you have any more insight and uh that would be great. We can do that offline. Well, uh but you know, I
think it's it's uh it's on our residents as well. You know, we have to be more conscious on these critical roads and at these intersections. I mean, there's no rush. There's no rush. I mean, we're hearing comments earlier today about Milbourne Avenue and you know, we've changed that three to two lanes in in
one one part and people are talking about, well, you know, the cars are moving slower. Well, you know, the cars are moving slower because they were moving too darn fast and uh we really got to take it down a notch with us driving. Uh, Miss Best, uh, regarding the green the um,
I'll defer to Mr. McDonald on the Green Acres question, but regarding Ultra Hills Park um in code enforcement, I know that we have uh multiple code enforcement officers and um I would agree that uh destruction of our public park um should not be within the scope
of the con their construction project. So hopefully we can button that up. Um and uh the township website, we do have notifications uh system. So any meetings or um ordinances I believe as well
anything that is uh posted uh we I do encourage residents we all do I think to sign up for the Milbour um s Milbourne alert system is the name of it now yeah Milbour alert system on our website and you can get notifications on everything
and I I would agree the item I love the item uh but this is this is a great way to um stay up to speed on what's going So, it's any meetings and ordinances and there's a calendar on the website as well
and that's all my comments. >> Deputy Mayor Cost. >> Uh thank you, Mayor. Um taking the comments in order to think fellows will I'll have some comments but I'll do it during the hearing. >> Um and uh the winer
was Mr. Freeman's climb on the Winthrop. I I do think we got to look at that and do something on it. But I think that Mr. McDonald's can address that old Short Hills Park. I agree as well that that's got to be fixed. Um to Mr. Tazar,
um you know, I've said before, I made comments at the time that was occurring. Um and as I said before I was elected and now that I'm on the event, just because we can do it, meaning we can shorten periods, doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. Thank you. Any co
>> Sure. Obviously, you know, something needs to be done about the uh the south lounge traffic. I'm not sure um how much is in our control, but certainly as uh Mr. Ser said, the squeaky wheel does get tension. So, we need to do something.
I'll defer to Mr. McDonald to explain what's already been done. Um, and as for um, Miss Pis's comment, as you know, I did not support that. I still don't support it when it comes back. Um, I think having the skip a meeting is a
good time for people to learn what's going on and and formulate their thoughts and either come out and support or Sure. the uh uh obviously South Orange Avenue is is is is literally uh looks
it's like the autobond. So uh I I support anything we can do to slow traffic down there. Uh and the other one would be uh Parsonage Road and White Oak. Son got his license at 8:30 a.m. was in a wreck by noon at that
intersection. So I mean it's crazy. Um, I I just want to I want to go off not on a tangent, but listen, we have so many great things going here on in town. Crime's gone down by 63%. Budgets coming out. We're the lowest in Essex County in terms of the low the tax. There's not
going to be a tax assessment till 2029. We had that pushed back. Um, we have new fields coming for our children. It's fantastic. uh the number of projects are on the docket right now for the open space tax fund advisory board to look at. There's so many great things going on. I don't
want to get mired down in the negativity uh that that some people bring forward. Um you know, Miss Paser, I I understand everything you said. I I just want to reiterate though that, you know, CEDA was not disbanded per se. It was reconstituted. It was reconstituted for
a number of different reasons. One is it blatantly left out two of the black African-American churches here in town, uh, BAM and and Zion. And and they spoke, Pastor Marbel stood up here and spoke about it. Uh, the number of tiles
were egregious in terms of people getting tiles for the 250 project, nine 10 tiles for some organizations and other organizations like Zion and BAM left off. So, um, they did not keep minutes, they did not, uh, follow protocol, etc. So, you know, everybody,
there's a lot of different moving parts going around in all these uh all these different items. Um, Miss Best, I agree with you. Old Short Hills Road. I mean, uh, if somebody's coming in there ripping up the concrete, ripping up the grass. Uh, I actually
differ differ though. I think it's withholding the CO, Alex, is is not a bad solution because obviously somebody's paying for that, wants to get in that house. Uh but maybe we throw a monetary fine on top of it. I don't know. Uh there's some option opportunities we can look at and I look forward to having the discussion on
later in the day. That's it. Thank you. >> All right. Um so this good fellow um we talk about HBC a little bit later, but we'll just like point out process was followed. Our HBC ordinance that we have in town is considered the model
ordinance for the rest of the state. Um and the way that works is the process was initiated by the neighborhood in this case. Um we had a majority of residents uh come forward and say they wanted to be designated. Um we have
better things to do with our time than to just unilaterally decide to go designate neighborhoods. So this process was started by your neighborhood. Now it seems that many in your neighborhood may have changed their mind along the way. Um and uh you know we were asked during
the process to to give more time and we did uh and now we're here today so we'll deal with that later in the meeting. Um but I just want to say you know the HPC board is the one that determines whether a proposed district is indeed historic. They voted. They determined that that
district was eligible to be considered historic. And you're right it is up to the TC and uh we will take action uh or or not tonight. Um, let me see here. Mr. Freriedman, um, you and I have talked about, um, the area near near Winthrop
Road, South Orange, Bulls Road. Um, the cars do by by there. Um, you know, I think that we did a traffic study and I think that Mr. McDonald will speak to that. I think there's some updates that we need to do to that or it was
incomplete or something. Um, I do also think that we should probably reach out to the county on this. Um, Mr. Orlando, uh, I believe you might be watching via Zoom. Um, you know, I would like to bring this to your attention and then maybe we can loop in, uh, Sanji, the
county engineer to see if there's anything that be done. That's a very dangerous intersection. And, uh, you know, we should see what we see. Uh, Miss Pest, uh, I agree contractors
should not be tearing up our curbs or roads, uh, or parking on our parks. Um, if that is indeed occurring, we should enforce it. So, um, you know, I would encourage Mr. McDonald to see if we can have the police go and do some
enforcement in that area. Uh, and if there was damage was done, if we can attribute that to a source, then we should try and deal with that. Um, Mr. These are um you know we're the most transparent township committee that we've had in decades I would say. Um yes
it's unfortunate that we don't have local newspapers anymore. Um fortunately that's that's you know no fault of our own. If I could will a milk item into existence I I would but we have what we have. Um but what we have done is we
have an alert system where you can sign up and you can say I want to know anytime there's an ordinance that's posted. I want to know anytime there's a bid. I want to know anytime, you know, there's a weather emergency. There's different categories you can sign up for. And I'll tell you, you get those push alerts so fast. The other day, uh,
I thought we were going to have to reschedule a meeting. And I got a push notification uh that it had been rescheduled within five minutes of me sending the email to reschedule it. In fact, it was so fast that uh I then had to cancel the rescheduling because the
scheduling error was um resolved. So people got some extra alerts, but it's lightning quick. We're very responsive there. So anyone that wants to know what's going on in town has many many ways to do that. Um so I see no reason why we should be any different than
other towns. Most other towns do their ordinance reads sequentially. First read at one meeting, second read another. Obviously, if it's a land uh use or a zoning ordinance, it needs to go to uh the planning board or if it's a a
historic preservation, something there has to go for HBC review and we'll leave extra time. Um we've also, as you can see, uh tonight, we have a lot of people here. We had residents uh say we wanted more time with this, so we actually postponed the second read of that
ordinance. So when there's a reason we can do a delay but the delay should not be the default. Um that's my opinion about that. Mr. McDonald. >> Thank you mayor. Yeah I think I will
just comment on uh two of the items uh as it relates to South Orange Avenue. Uh the mayor's correct. We've we have done a traffic say a matter of fact the township committee approved uh the placement of a speed indicator sign on South Orange Avenue uh as it approaches
uh Windthrop. Um this was a measure uh suggested in that study to alert people to the speed they are going. The difficulty with South Orange Avenue, as many are aware, is that it is a fourlane um county road that main objective is to
carry people from one side of the county. Uh basically, I think it's an east west uh direction as as um efficiently and quickly as possible. Um and it is and that condition exists from
essentially you know South Orange to uh the border of Floren Park. Um it is not an easy solution to say just slow down the traffic on on South Orange Avenue. We've had this conversation Mr. Freeman had these conversations with the county.
Um it is a uh a reluctancy to do that um given the amount of traffic that it does handle. Um I think also what we were attempting to do is find solutions that were um least intrusive. Um one of those
is to uh address the sight triangle at wind throw. My concern is is that the real solution which is to eliminate the lefth hand turn from wind drop you know uh may not be the desired solution but um so that has not been suggested at
this point but what has been suggested is to address the sight triangle to put in a speed indicator sign so that people know that as they're approaching that uh intersection and that traffic signal at old truck road and South Orange Avenue uh their speed slow down um and to
manage their speed Um, as far as the accident goes that occurred, um, on Saturday, uh, it's obviously it's still under investigation. So, I just wouldn't want to make the assumptions as to what occurred and why it occurred. So, uh, as it relates to Ultra Hills Park
and the contractor parking there, yes, the individual has been parking on Fairfield Drive as well as on the side of the road on um, Oer Hills Road where there is no no parking signs um, where
parking is pro uh, permitted. Um and I think so so that that individual who is working on that property parks in a safe manner that doesn't obstruct traffic that doesn't um create issues on a tricky portion of older road as it bends
at at Fairfield Drive. And so while they have a you know it's a balancing act, right? We're trying to balance between somebody that's doing work on their home and their ability to uh have they have a bunch of contractors that are already fitting in the driveway and then those additional contractors um and working
with them to do so in a safe manner and also putting them on notice that when they're done uh they will not receive a CO from the township until they restore old the portion of that side of the road that they've been parking on. Um so it can be done in a safe manner. So, this
has been addressed and spoken to with the contractor. Um, uh, not received very many um, complaints aside from the one that we're hearing tonight. Um, as it relates to that, we can also ask them to park more of the vehicles on
Fairfield Drive so they can do that in a safe way as well because there's parking permitted on that street, uh, Beachcraft, whatever. But, um, part of the reason for that was just so they could do so in a safe manner. Um and and as it relates to Green Acres, uh
the Green Acres portion of the park is only the playground area. Um the park is is identified on the township's Rossi uh which is um you know our our open space uh with that's uh with the state but Green Acres is only associated with the
the designation only and and this grant which is not a match. It's a $750,000 grant uh which the town should best provide $250,000 um uh dollar. So it's a 7525 grant. Um and but um but yeah, so that's the only portion of the index.
>> Just a question is it I mean we can hold back the CFO but as a residential property you know is that is is there something more we can do because the truth is we don't give it to them. it doesn't become an issue until they want to sell, you know, down the road, which could be
>> Well, look, I I mean, I think again, we can force the issue. We can get them off the road. Um, we can get them to park try to park on their property, do do something. um they can uh once once they're completed, they no longer need those amount of I mean the the the
homeowner has been uh very cooperative in this in this way and understands exactly we've been out there several times to talk to them. Every time we've received a complaint, we we've gone out and addressed it. Um so um you know,
again, we can just kick them off the street and tell them they can't park there anymore. That's probably the easiest way. now. >> Yeah. >> But >> I don't know where they're going to park. So if they start parking on Fairfield Drive and then we get complaints that they're parking on Fairfair Drive, then what do we do? And
then if they start parking on Beach and we get complaints that they're parking I I just feel like if you know >> it's it's a valid point. I'm pretty sure somebody who lives on Fairfield or in a $6 million house doesn't want a big truck parked in front of their house. I
know I wouldn't in front of my house. I'd be up in arms park. As I said, it's it's a balancing act. If there's a way to address the the park restoration prior to or the parking, we will, but I mean that they're they're they're actively doing work on on that. And so, and the more you like to a degree, the
more you restrict that, the longer it could take as well. So, >> that being said, >> I think it'd be better, you know, the trucks that had to park on on lawn or parking on our park or park on the homeowner's lawn as opposed to one park.
Sounds like you'll >> y >> Thank you, mayor. Um I have to respond to um some of the issues raised related to bare properties. Um I think we've given this information before um but I just want to clear uh the record. Um to
the extent that um there was an issue that there there were no orders entered. Um two things. These were filed again with the court uh this week. um because the bear properties uh parties um tried to file new orders. Uh we think they're
trying to extend their app period which has long ran. Uh but I'm looking at an order here. It's dated July 17th, 2025. Uh it's on my screen. It's also part of the pleading that has been filed. Um and this is Baron Properties One. And it
says the plaintiff's verified complaint is dismissed for the reasons dated on the record. So that's an order dismissing the complaint. I'm also looking at another order again which we filed into a contention that there were no orders filed. It's also dated July
17th, 2025 and it's says ordered that plaintiff's complaint B and is hereby dismissed. Um those are two orders for the two cases. They were both entered uh by the court um on July 17th, 2025. They're on the docket uh and they were
refiled at the court. Um, and I just think that it's it's important um that the public understands why we're moving for sanctions and it dubtales in a conversation as to why the township uh did not give a courtesy adjournment. Um, in bare properties 2, there was an issue
with one of the resolutions. Um, after the complaint was filed, we reached out to plaintiffs council um and asked for some additional time uh to answer, which is common. Um it wasn't a long extension. That request was denied on
the first day that the plaintiff's council could put the township into default. Plaintiff council not only put the plaintiffs into default but then broadcasted it to the media, came to meetings and then um would and then a lot of times in law if there is a
default entered the parties work it out. They come to some consent. They say okay we're going to file our answer. You vacate your default. um instead um the Bear Properties um plaintiffs uh forced the township to file a motion. And
again, I'm looking at an order. It's also entered July 17th, 2025 addressing that. And it says order that default be and and is hereby vacated. And the second order paragraph allows the parties to enter their answer. And why do I bring that up? That cost this
township a lot of money. Um if the bear properties had been reasonable throughout any of this, sanctions motions would not be filed. We now we had a settlement conference uh with them which was not full. Um so we believe that sanctions are appropriate here
especially given the filing of bare properties 3 which substantially seeks the same things that bare properties one and bear properties too sought. Um, at some point, um, this frivolous litigation has to stop. Um, taxpayer dollars, um, are at stake. Um, and I
just, and just on a personal note, it's, you know, sitting up here as your municipal attorney, I try to keep costs down. We have a very reasonable municipal rate to the township. Um, but to do things like not allow um, township time to answer and not vacating
increases legal costs. So on one end the person who is increasing the legal cost is coming up and complaining about the legal cost. So he's creating the own he's creating his own issue so he can come up and complain about it. Um we wouldn't have bare properties litigation fees two cases which were both dismissed
by the court. Court found both cases on the merits did not have merit would not have would not have any legal fees had they not been filed. So good way to keep fees down if they're not filed for those litigations against the township if you are a resident. No further report.
Do you have a ball of how much the bear properties has cost the town to date the litigation? >> So bear properties one preceded me. Um when I came in I believe it's well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars if not close to $200,000. >> So it's over
>> over $200,000. Again that's not all my firm. Um I came in after Rare Properties One. I've been litigated. I can tell you for a fact that bare properties 2 cost a $60,000 which is what we're seeking against the fair properties plaintiffs and our sanctions
and I believe the sum total of the annual fair property sit assessment is under $18 under $2,800. So put that into comparison quart million versus what $2,800 a year. Is
that a great use of taxpayer dollars? We don't think so and that's why we took the action we did. All right. Um consent agenda resolution. Township committee will now consider the consent agenda resolution. There any comments from the committee in regards
to any items listed on the consent? I have a motion to approve resolution 26-220 resolution 6.128 which are listed on the >> motion. I have a second. >> Second. Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Khan,
>> yes. >> Mr. Cosgro, >> yes. >> Mr. Sherudo, >> yes. >> Mr. Stler, >> Mayor Simandandy, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Ordinances. Ordinance 2746-Q6. Stler is scheduled to sponsor. >> All right.
For the record, seems I always get the ordinances on open containers. >> I know. >> I know. I know, right? >> I would like to present an ordinance entitled ordinance number 2746-26,
ordinance creating a temporary open container area. Um, I move that this ordinance be taken up and passed on first reading and that the township clerk be authorized to have the ordinance posted in accordance with law on the Milburn Township public notices page and for hearing and final fashions on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 at the
Millburn Education Center. >> I have a second. Second roll call move, please. >> Mr. Cullen, >> yes. >> Mr. Posco, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerudo, >> yes. >> Mr. Stler, >> mayor Secandes, >> yes.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Ordinance 2747-26. Stler sponsor. >> I'd like to present an ordinance entitled Ordinance 2747-26, ordinance creating a temporary open container area.
I move that this ordinance be taken up and passed on first reading at the township clerk be authorized to have the ordinance passed in accordance with law on the Milurn Township public notice page and for hearing and final passage on Tuesday May 5th 2006 at the Milburn Education Center >> second the motion roll call vote please
>> Mr. Cullen >> yes >> Mr. Costro >> yes >> Mr. Cerudo >> yes >> Mr. Stler >> mayor secondhand. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Right. 2740-26. >> Good evening. Cohen is scheduled.
>> Yeah. I still to do with our excuse me. >> I would like to present an ordinance entitled ordinance number 2748-26 ordinance amending and supplementing the township of Milbour development regulations and zoning ordinance. This
ordinance is it's uh respon comes out of the zoning committee. It's uh it was raised so that um no pun intended. It was for the the town building height so that the the the homes that need to be raised to to have flood so they don't
flood underneath um it exempts them from the height requirements. It also um spans uh redefineses what a half story is. So except about >> I move that the ordinance be taken up and passed on first reading and that the
township clerk be authorized to have the ordinance posted in accordance with law on the Milbourne Township public notices page and for hearing and final passage on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. Please be advised of the different location of this meeting and public hearing which will be held at the Milbour Library,
second floor, 200 Glenn Avenue in Milberg. Second. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Cullen, >> yes. >> Mr. Costro, >> yes. >> Mr. Cerudo? >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler? >> Affirmative. >> Mayor, second, >> yes. >> Thank you.
>> Take a five minute recess. All righty. So, we are going to resume our meeting. >> So, right now we're going to be doing the second reading of ordinances and this is the one most
ordinance 2728-26. I present for consideration an ordinance entitled ordinance number 2728-26 ordinance designating the Woodfield Short Hills Estates as a historic district pursuant to the historic preservation ordinance by County of
Gilbert. Tonight is the time set for the public hearing and final passage advertised in accordance with law. You now declare the hearing open. If anyone would like to speak, please come up to the podium online. This one
like Thank you. My name is Ellen Thunderberg. I reside in the Woodfield section of Shore Hills and have lived here for 22 years. I am opposed to the historic designation for our district. Five months ago, Miss Canfield first
raised the issue of designation of the Woodfield section to the Historic Preservation Commission at their November 6, 2025 meeting. I know this because I watched the YouTube video. Miss Canfield said that she hadn't paid
any attention to this area, but that the residents had invited her to speak and they had put together a petition. She told the commission that there were 54 properties in the district and that 40some wanted the designation. She continually stressed to the commission
that the request for historic designation was being driven by the residents of the neighborhood. Miss Canfield then made a motion to have a nomination report prepared based solely on her representations that night. The commission approved her request. The
first time many of us really paid any attention to historic designation was when we received a notice about a January 22nd historic preservation commission hearing. How could this happen? When we asked to see the petition of those who wanted it, we were
told it was lost. I recently put in an Oprah request. I was told neither the clerk's office nor the historic preservation secretary has a petition on file supporting the historic
designation since that petition is supposed to be the basis for the creation of this district. Is this process even valid? But what we do know is a petition opposing the designation does exist and it was actually filed
with our town clerk. We also know that Miss Campfield's claim that 40some properties wanted a designation was simply untrue and there was never a majority wanting it. For the petition opposing designation submitted right
before the March hearing was signed by 31 of the 54 properties. That's about 60% of the properties opposing the designation. The residents who would be affected by the historic designation do not have a
vote on this issue. That decision will be made by the five of you. It is our hope that you will listen to the majority of residents who oppose the designation and you will not impose the
ordinance on us. Thank you. Hi, my name is Austin Ozalawa. Uh, I am a resident in the Woodfield area, Woodfield area that's affected by this. Um, what I want to talk about is, as Ellen said, I mean, the majority of of people that are affected by this are
opposed to it. I think it's very clear you all understand that that's part of the record. Um, I think then we have to think about, well, if it was passed, how does that affect people? How does it affect a majority of the people are against it and if it is imposed? What happens? Well, first off, I think that
it's not necessary. We have a lot of zoning. We have a lot of permitting and inspections that are all part of that process. If there were to be something changed, you have you have limits on lot width, lot depth, setbacks, building coverage, building height, lot coverage,
single family dwelling requirements, how to worship limitations on size of acreage. I mean the the the thought that those limitations are not sufficient to protect us from things like subdivision um and other thing other people taking
away sort of the all the aspects of a community we love is just untrue. Um you know based on the facts there's only two or three uh properties in our in the affected area that could even be subdivided. Um and I just don't think that's a realistic risk that we're
focused on. So then what do we have to gain by putting this in into place again against people as well? Well, we add additional layer of bureaucracy not only to the contributing homes but to the non-contributing homes. And as you know a significant amount of these homes are not contributing. They have no for for
admission of the people applying for this have no historical value but are being imposed with additional bureaucratic limits on what they can do. uh a checklist for approval of things that have significant number of items on them. Um obviously as you know
additional fees, escro fees, application fees, you know, 15 copies of surveys, site plans, landscaping plans, drawings, etc. A a huge layer again on people that don't actually want this to happen. So what so what are the risks? Well, people
have to put in a a huge fixed cost to start a process that they really don't know how it's going to end. There could be any conditions that HC wants to put on people in order to you sort of enforce what they view as maintaining the historic preservation of the area.
These standards are are vague on their face which again puts a lot of risk at people to try to do what they need to do and put honestly put a lot more money than they might think to get things done. There is a requirement of minimal change to defining characteristics. Um
preserving historic character, recognizing a house as a physical record of its time. All these things are very vague. Like I wouldn't know how to do that other than to try to maintain what my house looks like, which I always want to
do anyway. I mean that's always the thing. But to go into something and really be beholden to something that arbitrarily is impossible is what I view as a problem. So I'm against this motion. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Arjent
from Saworth. I want to underscore part of the 30 plus properties that are opposed at the 53 uh to this ordinance to get for historical designation. At present, this proposal does not meet the standard criteria for historic designation, which is intended to recognize districts with a cohesive
architectural or historical identity. Woodville reflects a broad mix of styles, construction periods, and alterations without a unifying narrative or intact streetscape that would justify designation as a coherent district. The proposed boundaries further undermine its credibility with properties included
and excluded inconsistently and without a clear rationale given the appearance of a gerrymandered district rather than a naturally defined historic neighbor neighborhood. Compounding these concerns is a lack of transparency as homeowners have not received meaningful explanation regarding the exclusion of their
properties for a process with such significant lasting implication for property rights. This level of inconsistent opacity is deeply concerning. Additionally, it's important to address the broader context in which much of the designation is being considered. Much of the support of the historic designation appears to be
rooted in a desire to limit future development, particularly in response to New Jersey's affordable housing obligations. While such concerns may be understandable, they are misplaced. The premise that Woodfield is at risk for this type of development is itself questionable given its irregular lot
configurations, established built environment, and limited proximity to transit and redevelopment corridors. Milbour is already addressing its housing responsibilities through formal planning mechanisms where such decisions properly belong. Ultimately, if the concern driving this proposal is future
development, particularly affordable housing, it's important to be clear about what the law does and does not allow. Under long-standing New Jersey president, including Southern Burlington County, NAACP vers versus Mount Laurel and its proency, municipalities may not
use local land use tools to avoid their constitutional housing obligations. Courts have consistently made clear that when such obligations are at issue, local zoning, even well-intentioned overlays like historic designation, must
yield. In this context, this proposal does not offer the protection it presumed to provide. Instead, it imposes lasting restrictions without achieving its stated purpose. Despite your political persuasion, most Americans have a grievance with the dysfunction of
the general government of this country. You know, local governments has always been kind of the the shining gold star in in our in our country. And I think it's really important that local government is often viewed as the most responsive and trusted level of governance. When decisions of this
magnitude appear to advance without clear alignment with this expressed views of the community, it risks undermining that trust. Historic designation is consequential and enduring. It should be pursued only where the criteria are clearly satisfied and where the process is transparent, consistent, and reflective of the
community it's intended to serve. Thank you so much. My name is Peter Humphre. I live in the Woodville area. I'm opposed to the adoption of the ordinance. Um before any action is taken by the Township Committee that deprises of rights for this micro homes. There should at least
be a consensus of residents in favor of the action. When this first started, it was filled with some sort of spontaneous self-d designation. But most of us had no idea what was happening. When we woke up to what was going on, we stood to talk to our neighbors. It quickly became apparent that only a few of the owners
of homes in the neighborhood wanted to be part of the historic district. That's our consensus. We have listened to the reasons of advanced becoming a historic district. We have heard about preventing subdivisions and affordable housing. We've seen mocked up pictures of public housing built in the midst of our
community. Last weekend in the last stitch draw the dice we were told fuzzy math concluded that studies show that prices of homes will sore if we become a historic district. Studies showing values of homes declining in historic district because of increased cost of
repairs or renovation were never mentioned. We have not dismissed any of the arguments out of hand. Instead we have talked about them as a community. Majority of us have concluded these reasons do not hold sway. We look around our neighborhood at the beautiful homes.
The people who have kept them beautiful are the people who own them. We believe the best people decide how to maintain their homes for the people who live there, not a bureaucrat or a commission who do not live in our neighborhood. We don't know do not need any more supervision. Owners of 31 homes signed
our petition requesting protesting adoption of the ordinance. Prior to the March 3rd meeting, one household changed their mind. Since then, last Friday, one additional household has asked to remove their signature for the petition because the husband and wife could not agree on the issue. They asked to be treated as
neutral. We respect that decision. Since the last meeting, people in our neighborhood have been barged by emails, phone calls, texts, many from people who don't live in our district. Doors were banged on. People walking their dogs have even been chased down in the street. All an attempt to get people to
change their minds. One did. They became neutral. But no matter the rest stood firm in their opposition to the ordinance. So here we are. Of the 54 properties there now about 10 who, for various reasons, including marital bliss, do not
want to get in the middle of this skirmish. There are only about 14, including someone who owns two of them and one who lives in Florida, who are in favor of designation. and the rest 30 oppose the ordinance. 30
to 14. It's not even close. Two to one. Twice as many people in our district against the ordinance as in favor. Accordingly, this evening with respect, we ask you listen to us and do not impose the ordinance on our neighborhood
against the wishes of a majority of its residents. Thank you very much. Hi, my name is Kathleen Lomax. I live in Woodville States. And it's funny, it seems like we've got competing realities being discussed,
changing numbers on people in support, people against. Um, but really the whole discussion truly was generated by the people in the neighborhood. I was one of those persons or people. Uh we just were responding to changes happening
especially close to Woodville Estates where it looks like a little Miami huge big soulless glass houses um popping up especially at Hartford Avenue or road wherever it is. And it was also this drive for historic designation was also
motivated by this proposed state law um that would allow condos and other large buildings in any area including Woodfield estates. Yeah, we have some unusual lot sizes. I don't think a builder would have much difficulty putting in the 40 units per acre if it's
a funny shaped acre. Um and I hope other people's concerns if this law doesn't pass. I don't want it to pass. I hope it doesn't, but if you look at the state assembly, it's 57 to 23 and people in support of this law. So, I'm
concerned. Um, so getting the historic designation would help protect the beauty that would fill the states both from what I consider out of character, extremely modern glass boxes, and it would also help if this that proposed state law passes. Wouldn't prevent affordable housing, but they'd have to
fit the character of the neighborhood, which is a high hurdle. Um, despite that, there have been some few tenacious neighbors that have set to keep the neighbor from being designated historic. I think the tactics have been kind of intense and they've shared data that
seems to focus on some cherry. Um, it's really gotten kind of hysterical. I haven't seen anyone chase down walking a dog. I walk my dogs all the time. Um anyway, I also want to mention that the current count seems to be just barely over 50%. I haven't seen
the numbers be 30 to 14. Um really I think it's just barely over 50% saying you know the designation and it's also worth highlighting as as Mr. Humphre was suggesting the the dispute between spouses. So in that signature uh the
count whatever it is it's one house versus yes one house no and in a lot of the split households it's the woman who's not being heard and I don't think any political party wants to silence the women just because they don't agree with their husbands.
>> So I would encourage the committee to please vote in favor of the historic designation. It will protect the character the beautiful character of Woodville estates and does have more support than 14 votes. Yes. Thank you.
>> I've been a resident in in Shard Hills for about 40 years. Um I want to address this issue and I think it deserves serious consideration. I wish hope you adopt it. First, this is not an untested idea in our township. We already have several designated historical areas that
reflect the original version of vision of short hills as a planned community. Expanding or adding districts is a continuation of approach the township has already embraced is not a departure. Secondly, our historic designation is fundamentally about protecting what
makes this community valuable in the first place by protecting its irreplaceable heritage. Chort Hills was intentionally designed with a cohesive character. Architecture, landscape, scale, all working together. Over time,
that has become a major part of why people choose to live here. Without some form of protection, the character can be gradually lost through incremental changes that individually may seem small, but collectively reshape the neighborhood.
Third, there are practical benefits for forh preservation for its beyond preservation for its own sake. In high value communities like ours, predict predictability matters. An historic district can provide clear expectations about development, helping prevent out
ofcale construction, preserving neighborhood consistency. That kind of stability is an asset for long-term property values. It will help stabilize and increase property values over the long time long term. It'll help attract buyers who value character and continuity and will encourage
reinvestment rather than tear downs. So we you do have to acknowledge the concerns that many of the residents here obviously have expressed like issues like property rights, cost, additional approvals and they should be real. They should be taken seriously. But the designation I think is carefully
designed to be as clear, fair and minimally burdensome as possible. This isn't about freezing neighborhoods in time. It's about guiding change in a way that respects what already exists. Finally, this decision is not just about today's preferences. It's about
stewardship. Once historic character is lost, it cannot be recreated. My question for you is whether we want to take a proactive role in shaping the future or a reactive one. Thanks.
>> I'm going to be short. you don't need to block me. Um, yeah, my name is Terry Eert and my wife was supposed to come up. She's getting a little shy. So, um, I'm I reside in the Woodfield section of Short Hills. Uh, my wife's
family and us have lived there for 42 years. Um, and I'm opposed of the historic or heritage designation of any of any kind. Um, and I just wanted to go on record
and say that no applause needed, but thank you for hearing us out. >> Hi, I yell horn. I live in the Lfield section. Um, I just wanted to say that I'm opposed to the historical designation. We really have a majority
of the residents and that are opposed to it. And it really got me thinking about the first time I heard about it was over the summer when Laura Oberdek hosted a meeting to tell us about it and there was a signin sheet like for us to get more information and I know a lot of
people signed it and I think that's what was used as the petition to start this whole process which seems like very I mean unethical and not transparent like no one told me I was signing a petition. Since then, I've obviously signed the
petition against and it's just so interesting that apparently now that original petition can't be found it and and when we say we have 31 of our residents who are not in favor of the historic designation, do we have a number of how
many residents? I mean, we're very transparent in telling you that we have 31 out of 54. What does the other side have? the residents that do want historical, what are their numbers? Does anyone know?
Um, and so I just want to reiterate again that we're against the historical designation. Thank you. >> Good evening. I'm Dr. Beth Mallet. I live in the Woodfield section of Short Hills. I've lived in my non-contributing
non-historical home for 34 years. I am opposed to this historic designation of my district. I urge everyone to look at the historical society's not denial of 62 Western Drive written
up in tap into Milbour on April 7th. The HPC meeting continued to ask for more and more and more from those residents and that has been in progress for more than 18 months. I urge them all to read
that. To think that HPC is easy to deal with, not financially difficult to deal with, doesn't delay time for renovations is is not correct. Thank you very much
for this opportunity and for your work. Hi everyone. I'm Laura Overduck. I'm in the uh the field estates area and as has been said I'm favor of it. Um you know I do math day in and out and uh I want to regroup us around the facts because I'm
just hearing numbers that are just not correct. So, first of all, um, our district actually by the state definition, 41 houses are historic. They were built more than 50 years ago. It actually is a really lovely old neighborhood with a lot of old charming
houses. Um, secondly, if you look at data on what being historic does, I actually I really ground through the data. You have to use current data. I use Z estimates off Zillow because they're all simultaneous. I know there's
something else floating around, but sale prices. They are sales of houses spanning 10 years. Economic upturns, downturns, COVID, it's just kind of a hot mess. It's it's meaningless. What you have to do is look at everything at the same time and look at a really big sample. But when you look at that, it
shows that that Short Hills Park district versus what's exactly around it. Same school district, same traffic, $41 a square foot more. It's it's decisive. And you know how you know it? because the people in that neighborhood are not here fighting to have their
historic destination taken away because they know it's working for them. And that neighborhood is freaking beautiful. It's just beautiful. It shocks me how hard people want to fight against having that. And I want to point out that um the people who've been opposed, first of
all, it's at 29 who are opposed. It's barely over 50%. And the work they've gone to to get that number, I don't think has been terribly honest. First of all, like a great example is the boundaries. The boundaries are not
arbitrary. Everyone's mortgage is online at the Essex County Records website, which I think is kind of crazy, but they are all there. Any of you can look up your mortgage and see that on page three or four, it gives the coordinates for the property and says exactly what zone it's in. And sure enough, they exactly
match what we've said. they're in Woodfield or they're in Hilltop or they're in Samuel Watkins lands or the hardshore lands, the mortgage lenders and the county all agree that these are the boundaries and it's been like that for decades. And I guess the point is is
that a lot of hysteria has been whipped up by not educating people of things like that and just not letting them know. To that point, I guess in a way this petition being barely over
50% is kind of moot because actually to the point made earlier, you're the stewards of our town and you're here to vote for what's good for it. Clearly this going historic would be good for all of us in many ways. And I think
that's the job here, right? You could What if you offered to just cut our taxes? Would you just vote for it if you liked it? >> You wouldn't. >> Anyway, I heard you. >> Good evening, members of the committee.
My name is Tupi Kushwal and I live in the Woods neighborhood and hello to all my fellow neighbors here. I'm here to formally oppose the proposed historic designation of our neighborhood. Um, I appreciate the character and charm of our community. That's why I chose the
neighborhood. Um, but this designation is the wrong way to do what we are trying to achieve here. The homes in our neighborhood are beautiful and only 25 of the 54 properties are considered contributing and all have had
significant repairs or renovations or additions since they were built. I'm opposing this designation for three specific reasons. Erosion of property rights. A home is the largest investment most of us make in our lifetime. This designation strips me from the autonomy
to make necessary improvements, repairs or modernizations to my own property without navigating a burdensome subjective bureaucratic process. Financial hardship. I mean we have heard from multiple resources. Historic compliance often negotiates specialized
materials and contractors, which drastically inflates the cost of even routine home maintenance. For many of us, this turns a charming neighborhood into an unaffordable one. Third, lack of consensus. A designation of this magnitude requires overwhelming
community support. Yet, many of my neighbors feel their voices have been minimized or overlooked during this process. A neighborhood should be a place where we support one another, not where we impose restrictive mandates on our neighbors and their private assets.
I urge I respectfully urge the committee to vote against this designation. Instead, let's look at the ways to encourage neighborhoods pride and preservation that are voluntary, not mandatory. Thank you for your time. Jean Pastasternac, nearly 30-year
resident of Shore Hills. I'm speaking tonight in support of the historic designation for the Woodfield State's neighborhood. This effort did not appear overnight. It represents a substantial investment of time, research, and civic commitment by residents who care deeply about the long-term character of our
town. At its outset, it was met with genuine enthusiasm and broad support. It's disappointing that the process has since been overshadowed by division. A small some uh real estate developers and development connected but vocal group
has shifted the conversation through pressure and conflict discouraging others from supporting what was and should still be a forward-looking initiative. That dynamic should give this committee pause. Public decision should not be driven by misinformation
and the loudest voices, but by thoughtful consideration of the broader community's interests. I want to recognize those residents who have remained engaged in good faith. Their perspective reflects something important. Preservation is not the
opposite of progress is a form of it. Ensuring that future generations can experience being surrounded by beautiful architecture, beautiful old trees, and an exceptional quality of life we value today is a legitimate and worthwhile
goal. I would also urge this committee to stay grounded in his long-term fiduciary responsibility to this township. Land use decisions are not isolated. They shape the trajectory of our community for all of us for decades.
At a time when development pressures across New Jersey continue to intensify with the Democratic party being in far and away in the majority and pushing legislation that's going to require more and more overdevelopment. It becomes
even more important to be deliberate and not reactive. Protecting the beauty, architecture, streetscape, and bucolic nature of our exceptional suburban Milbour short hills sometimes requires balancing individual preferences against
the collective good. That's not easy, but it's precisely the role of you as elected leaders of this township. I ask you please evaluate this proposal on its merits, its long-term value, and the signal it sends about what kind of
community we intend to be, not simply on the volume of opposition and the number of signs in front of your face tonight. Please think long term. Thank you. >> Good evening, members of the committee. Uh my name is Lauren Scatteron and I
live on Kennyworth Drive at the intersection of Bos Manor and Kennyworth on the circle. Over the last 5 years, two out of the four historic houses on the circle were tear down. That's a lot of change already happening in our neighborhood. And do not repeat what was
just said with a lot of I just would like to urge the committee to preserve our historic district and our neighborhood. Uh good afternoon council. My name is Pashant. I live long with field drive. Uh I am opposed to the historic
presition uh designation. Um and I think that I just wanted to make sure that every understood that there is no coercion. There's been no um there's no there's been intense activity because I think there's concern. There's been a lot of research by I mean a lot. There was multiple people in our neighborhood
that looked together, cross-cheed our math, looked at a lot of different um data. We spoke to architects in town and outside of town. We spoke to our uh various realtors. Um and unanimously from the professionals who deal with
housing. um they they supported u the sense that it becomes more difficult uh when you're in a historic uh district for days on the market for resale value um and for basic maintenance um I think it's a beautiful town that we live in no
doubt about it my kids have gone through here we've been here for 17 years and we love living here and I think the people who choose to live in this town in Woodfield Estates uh appreciate that and o over the time that we've been here the the neighborhood has remained remain
beautiful and continues to mature. I don't think that there is one viewpoint of historic preservation. It is not a consistent um neighborhood. The I I appreciate the historic uh documentation that was provided uh in support of this,
but even back in in the 40s uh in the development of Woodfield Estates, there was not one consistent style. There were numerous styles. and Woodfield estate still lives up to the the beautiful trees, the beautiful land acres, the lots, and the beautiful homes, frankly.
So, I don't think that there is a need for this designation. Thank you. >> My name my name is Debbie Taffet and I do not live in Woodfield States. I live near the uh say my address, but I live in a different district in town here
near the Deerfield School. I'm against this whole historic um classification. And what makes me really wonder is my house is now 70s something years old. So does that and it's an expanded ranch. Does that make it historic? And there's
a slippery slope here. I think where we're going to name this people want to name this historic. Well, then maybe that should be historic. And where does where does that come from? So I say I say no. I'm against it. I hope you'll consider all these people's opinions
because I it just it just doesn't seem to make any sense for Woodfield or for other parts of us part of the Woodfield estates and officially I don't have any words as well spoken. I've lived in uh field
estates I'd say about 42 years as well as partners back there. Um I wanted to uh stress my opposition to the uh historic designation. I believe that it's uh somewhat
arbitrary the the boundaries of it. I don't think you're taking into the full scope that the Oki track is a very important part of the Woodfield estates and to eliminate that from historical
designation misses a huge issue that could potentially come up. If this gets voted in to be historic, we are stuck in that position. If the Oki track eventually
does get sold, that's where all your multi- whatever fears that the historic committee has is going to be. And there goes your historic your historic neighborhood that is now burdened
>> with the label of being historic when you are not protecting it with the Oki track the other side of Woodfield Drive. It just seems very arbitrary the boundaries and we have we have worked
hard on getting a petition making sure everyone who is signing the petition understands what they are signing. They not only signed it one time, two times they signed it three times. We have many times requested to see the petition of
the people who want to keep it historic and we have not seen it. We have heard that there are but we have not seen any historic position uh petition and the people who are not on this petition doesn't mean that they are for historic.
They didn't want to get involved. They don't want to sign marital issues. So if the squeaky wheel gets the grease, let's see that happen. And if we have the majority, as you said, what are we worried about? Let's see all these
expressions come true. and not designate us historic. We are the majority opposed to it. Thank you. >> Good evening councilors. My name is David Wong. I 61 drive in the Woodfield section. I want
to strenuously oppose um the historical this designation. Um there was no coercion or whatever. I signed the petition three times. I'm strainlessly against it. There's there's
no um there's no fun business other than uh you know maybe there was a donut atious place. Uh but yeah, you know if if this this historical district was so great, people would be everywhere jumping for it. But
no um just want to tell you uh very much. >> Hi, my name is Patricia Manzy. I live on Drive. I've lived there years. My family has had three homes in short hills over time.
I'm very much opposed to the historic designation of the neighborhood for all of the reasons that have been stated. So, thank you very much for your consideration of not passing this votes. Thank you.
>> Hi everyone, my name is Shen. I live in Brookfield State. I home I own a home which is considered as contributing to the historic uh I'm not a good speakers I'm not a good reader so I'm in a very bad position right now here uh ever since we
received the letter from HPC a life of a lot of residents in Woodfield neighborhood has changed very badly very badly I had to cancel couple of trips the last time when I when the historical meeting was there I was supposed to be in San Francisco then the next meeting I
was supposed to be in India for work then I was supposed to be in today I was supposed to be in central please do not postpone it anymore you've already heard from the resident all the residents are here you have already heard from them that they do not want this please please
listen to those pe those residents these people voted for you these people showed their trust in you and even in even on the record Mr. Mayor you have said that you're going to go with the majority. You can clearly see where the majority is. So please please respect our our
decision. We I've done so much research on this. I've not seen a single data point where I would say my house will be much better off with historic. It is so expensive to maintain the processes. But I've seen
I've seen multiple different application. I've seen I've seen at least 10 recording of HPC on YouTube HPC meetings on YouTube. Not a single one I said, "Oh my god, I should have been there in those meeting as a owner of those house. Please don't
do that to us." Um I met pretty much almost everyone in this neighborhood. Initially they did not understand what historical mean. Initially the letter which was sent by the HPC, it says yes and no, yes and no, yes and no. people thought that oh my
name is no here so I I'm not going to be historic but then they real later realized that irrespect of it's yes and no when we got from township township that even if it's yes or even if it's no you are going to be equally impacted as historic so lot of misunderstanding now
we got you gave us 45 days to go back and figure it out what is right what is not right we're still here we still have the similar number what we had before so I really urge you to Please consider the majority what you promised what you have been promising over and over again that
we're going to go with the majority. You already see where the majority is here right now. Please just help us here. Uh I can go through more about the regime of how in the opera request we could not
get the petition for it. I don't want to go there but there are there are a lot of gray areas there which was done in this entire process. I hope we get rid of all those things here today and we just say no to this today and we get we give us you guys give our right back to
oursel. Thank you. Christine Best, I'm just making a fast comment that's neutral. Um, as a resident, two words, no, three. Hilton Garden in Thank you. >> We have anyone online? We do it.
Decl. Fine. >> Hey, could you turn your video on, please? >> Hi, it's uh Ellie Danto from Two Woodfield Drive. Um, I just wanted to thank you for allowing us to have a Zoom tonight. Had to be home with the children, but I did want to uh take some
time to voice my opposition to the historical preservation society. I think uh a lot of the opposition summed up the points well, and I think we're anxious to hear you um vote against this. Uh so, thank you for your time.
Becca, if you could uh turn on your video and unmute yourself, please. >> Yes. Is that on? >> Yep, we can see you and hear you. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, my name is Mike Becker. I'm always saying I'm in town 50 years. It's
now 51 years. one thought. Um, and I know you're not supposed to give your street address and all that, but I'm going to do it. I lived at 163 Highland Avenue for 20 of
the 51 years and it for sure it was historic uh Steuart Hart for his son and his daughter lived across the street and the carriage the horse carriage house next door. Ernestine Hardorn moved
there because the house was too big for her. Eventually got too big for me, even though I have seven grandkids. Here's my point. I'm all for historic homes. That home was definitely historic. But next door to me, I had a I hate to say this,
a very unattractive, ugly, contemporary, but it was in the historic district, so it had to go along with the rules and it wasn't historic. So, the bottom line of what I'm getting at is I'm for historic. I'm not sure I'm for historic districts.
I'm for historic homes. And there are He had 80 homes. They were numbered. My home that he built for his son was not numbered, but the other ones are are numbered 1 through 80. They're all historic. And Kenfield knows that and she knows which ones are. And I'm sure
in the U in the area we're talking about, Woodfield, there's some beautiful homes in them that are a start. I don't why does it have to be district? Why can't it be individual homes? Thank you very much.
She climbed. >> All right. So, >> hold on. >> Hello, my name is Annette Goodfellow. I live inside the proposed historic district and I am strongly opposed to the designation. >> I want to focus on one hard fact from
your own nomination report and what that fact means for what you're about to vote on. The proposed district is being sold as a way to protect a historic enclave, but that the township's own report shows that most of the houses in the proposed district are not historic under their
own criteria. That undercuts the basic premise for imposing a historic district. To be clear, the HBC's nomination lists 54 properties inside the proposed district. It classes 26 properties as contributing and 28 as
non-contributing. In other words, the historic district is 52% non-historic. Let me say it again. The proposed district is 52% not historic by their own designation.
That alone should give you pause. Historic districts are supposed to protect a coherent concentration of historic buildings. Here, most of what you're regulating has already been judged non-historic. And it gets worse. For those homes that are deemed as
contributing, none of the houses are by named or notable architects. Nearly all of them have been altered or expanded over time. So, I have to ask, what is the ordinance actually preserving here? a 1930s house in its original form or a
30s house plus a 90s Renault in a 2023 edition. If the answer is the latter, then this isn't traditional preservation at all. It's locking in whatever mixture of old and new happens to exist today and adding a regulatory overlay that
applies to all homes. And to be clear, there is a 100page rule book that is not limited to the small subset of contributing houses. It is applied to everyone inside the line. The bure bureaucratic overlay means a paid
application fee, a seven-page checklist of required materials, and up to 45 days of delayed work before work can begin. If you approve this ordinance, you are voting to impose that application process, the fees, the delays, and a 100page set of restrictions on a
neighborhood where a majority of homes have already been classified by your own experts as non-contributing. a housing stock that has already been altered, a group of owners who in majority have told you explicitly and repeatedly they do not want it. Nothing in your ordinance and nothing in the law
requires you to designate a majority non-historic, a majority district, a majority opposed district and lay this kind of bureaucracy over it. This is a policy choice and I'm asking you not to make that choice. Thank you.
Phil Kersh resident. Um I don't live in the Woodfield area. I live in a historic district in the Wyoming area. Um and I can contribute something regardless of what side you're on about this. I can contribute something about how it affects the decisions, the ability of
the homeowners to make decisions. My wife and I didn't realize the home was in a historic district. It's a pretty ordinary home. Happened to be built in 1956. We have some beautiful historic homes in the area. I think a handful, I would say. Um, and like I said, my wife
and I didn't pay any attention to this. We didn't know it was historic. Our house didn't seem historic until we wanted to have solar panels installed. Now, we're south facing and the sun shines very brightly on the front of our house. And when it snows, our snow melts
like twice as fast as the people across the street. So that's great. We found out that because that we could put solar panels on, but because of an historic district, they couldn't be able to be seen from the street. Now, you have to walk across the street and look up at
our roof to see our front roof, but that made it impossible for us to do it there. um on the back of our roof. These panels couldn't be seen from Sagamore Road or obviously from the street. So, that was okay. And fortunately, we had
it still made it worth putting the panels in, but there's no way we get the same amount of solar every single day being on the back as opposed to the front. And we have a period like the snow this winter and a freeze. We went,
I would say a month, >> about a month having no solar. when we certainly would have had it. You know, we would have gone a couple of weeks without it on the front, but I could see by the metal we would have had it. So, we pay for that all the time. And it's just one simple example. We're glad we
could put the panels in. Um, you know, the HPC said, "You have this solution. If you want it, that's fine." But what I'm saying is it took away a decision in that case of what we could do as homeowners. And I'm sure there are multiple examples of where this takes
away the decisions of homeowners again for what they want to do with their homes. I think anybody whichever side of this they're on for Woodfield that's certainly another thing to take into account and from my experience I just wanted to share that. Thank you.
>> We move this public hearing. Apolog, if you could turn on your video, please. >> Okay, hopefully you guys can hear me. Thank you. I appreciate the time. uh that the panel is uh putting into this and the committee is putting into all of this. Um I I uh also live in the
district. I am opposed strongly to the historic uh preservation designation. Uh as you can see, I am with uh what seems like virtually the entire district here uh opposing this. Uh it's really just a
hassle for everybody that does nothing uh to help us out. As as you can see just driving around the neighborhood uh the houses are are wellkept uh and uh very few are contributing and the vast majority of residents are
against it. So this is kind of a simple issue here. If if people are against it, if it's not necessary, then we shouldn't pass this. So that's my two cents. Um, and and thank you for taking the time. >> You state your name for the record, please? >> Yes. Rick Horn.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You didn't sound the >> last last call for public. >> Okay. >> In that case,
>> justice issue going once, going twice. All right. I move that this public hearing be closed. The ordinance be adopted on final reading. The township clerk be directed to post the ordinance by title. It's passed on final reading
in accordance with law. I have a second. >> Second. >> All right. So, in this case, we're going to have a discussion. I'm going to start. Um, so a few items. Um, so one, the silver lining in all of this is all of you that are here from the
neighborhood gotten to know each other a whole lot better. So whatever side you fall on, um, I think that's the silver line. Um, next up, there was a petition, uh, I saw it at one point, the majority
of the people in this neighborhood seem to want to be designated historical. we would not have started this process. We wouldn't be going through this process if that were not the case. Now, I understand people change their mind. Um,
what concerns me a little bit though is I think some people change their mind due to a disinformation campaign that I saw going on. Um, I personally received pieces of disinformation uh by some of the objectors sitting in this audience
and I think that's quite unfortunate. I I think that the neighborhood should make this decision based on truthful and honest facts and it's unfortunate that it seems that disinformation has prevailed. I'm also troubled by the
reports I've received about harassment and intimidation. Um I have a letter here that was sent to me. I'm going to read some excerpts of it. Dear Mayor Sakamandandy, I'm writing to voice concerns about the events happening in my neighborhood where build the states over our potential
destination as historical. I've been mildly in favor of the idea all along, having seen years ago how my own house survived because of a caretaker's belief in preserving these homes. But in the past couple of weeks, those who are opposed become incredibly aggressive about pressuring neighbors to sign the
petition against destination. Both canvasers have gone door-knocking, sometimes going multiple times after being told no thank you. Most disturbingly, one couple came to our door and demanded that my spouse and I signed a petition, but we refused. Few
days later, a different neighbor who has been our neighbor for over 20 years, but has never introduced himself before came to our house. Later on in the letter, it goes on, "When I told him we were going to the meeting to learn about the reality of both sides, began to make very thinly veiled threats against us,
we did not change our position and sign against the story. I think it is horrifying that neighbors are so desperate to block this when going historic would actually benefit our neighborhood." Makes me question their motives and also makes me question the petition. While my spouse and I
disregarded our neighbors hostility, many people are very scared by threats and we just came and signed a petition. It is important that the township committee understand that the tactics used to pressure people and that until this bullying and harassment went on, the majority of the neighborhood rightly
wanted this letter was stated report. Now, I've seen data that um suggest that homes in historic districts actually have higher value, especially in short hills. Um there are a lot of
buyers that, you know, short short hills attract premium buyers and there are a lot of buyers that'll go and seek out a historic neighborhood because they know that when they buy in that area, it's going to look pretty much the same. It's going to have its character preserved.
It's going to be protected against overdevelopment. It's going to be protected against someone buying a house, tearing it down, and putting up a giant glass box. One that looks similar to children inviting in. >> Stop that.
>> Stop waving. So >> um so there are there is a certain type of buyer that will pay a premium for living in a historic district and the data shows that. So look, I think ultimately it is up to the residents um
of the neighborhood and we we've said that all along and I'll maintain that. Um but I will say and I want to go on record saying I think you guys are making a horrible decision. I think you're going to regret it in the future. >> I think that the laws that are coming down from the state and being hoisted
upon us are trying to steadily erode single family zoning across the state. Um while historic preservation districts won't prevent that, what it will do, you know, it can't prevent the overdevelopment, but what it can do is it can help preserve the character of
your neighborhood. So, for instance, if this law that's that's pending uh in the state legislature uh that would give religious institutions and nonprofits the ability to build uh as long as there was an affordable housing component at ignore local zoning. Um if it was in a
historic district, that could still happen, but it would have to go in front of HPC for review and whatever got built would at least be within the character of the neighborhood. So, if that law passes, I have a feeling we're going to see some of you back here, uh, saying you've you've changed your mind and want
to become historic. Um, the other thing that I want to address is, you know, someone brought up the fact that the district maps seem arbitrary and and gerrymandered. You know, the whenever you do a district, you have to draw the line somewhere. And
in this case, history helped guide where that line was. this land was all part of, you know, a single parcel known as the Woodfield estates way back when and that's where the lines came from. Um, so whoever had questions about that, that's
that's why that happened. The other thing that, you know, I find interesting is the initial ring leaders of this opposition. Um, you know, one of them was a gentleman that uh wanted to tear down his house and was concerned he wouldn't be able to do that. he was able
to tear down his house and now he's no longer in the opposition. The other individual uh had plans that he didn't share with his neighbors to build a massive structure in his backyard and to take down 200 plus year old trees that
soak up a ton of groundwater. Um, and you know, unfortunately, we have no mechanism to to stop this. And we're looking at uh tree preservation ordinances uh that would help protect against the storm water damage that can come when people remove big trees. Um,
but you know, I I think it was a little disingenuous for those individuals not to be upfront and honest about it. Um, and another set of great leaders are real estate attorneys. You know, I really question what their motivations are. You know, do they work for developers? Do you know that?
>> I'm not sure you're out of um but you know I think overall um I think you guys are making a big mistake but ultimately it's your yours to make and uh I'll respect that.
Anyone else? >> Sure. Um, I don't I don't like the word ring leaders. I think maybe organizers do better. Uh, that being said, um, you know, I bought my house because it is an historical neighborhood. It's close to town. I can walk to the train station.
I'm not worried about somebody tearing a house down across the street, etc. But I did that on my own militia. I had to sign a piece of paper. I said, "Hey, Ben, you understood I understand that this house is historical and you have to go through a number of things that the
historical procedures, etc." And I've done that and I'm happy to do it because I love where I live. Uh, and I love my home. It's 154 years old, 13 foot ceilings. Um, and I've been to a number of homes up in up in the Woodfell states. I've been on this overex. I've
been hats. uh should be maintained the character of them etc. Um I almost feel like over the last what three months four months as a uh you know I'm in private equity but I probably should be a therapist or a
psychologist. Everybody in this room I've met for and guests in diners in the pubs. I've got calls in Germany. calls at the national championship in in uh in Miami. Uh you
know, and just putting in the time and the effort. What I do hope is whatever happens tonight, you guys are all neighbors. You live together. There's a lot more that unites you guys. Uh personal respect, uh having the having the respect for people's decisions. The
bedrock of democracy is the ability to agree to disagree. And that should not ruin your neighborhood. Sha, I got some emails about divisiveness and such. We have enough of that on a national politics level, but where where we sit today in your beautiful neighborhood, I almost bought in your neighborhood, by
the way. Uh I think it was two oval um around the corner there. Beautiful neighborhood, beautiful house, needed a lot of work. Um um what doesn't really uh uh so you know as I go through this I I
really just want to encourage everybody to say whatever transpires tonight you're all neighbors uh you know the be I was at a safety meeting on Sunday I mean god forbid how many meetings we have to go to or volunteer to go to uh but safety is about your neighbors your neighbors are your best line of defense
if you're traveling if you're out if you see somebody suspicious walking in neighborhoods somebody with without plates on the cart, etc. So, you guys all have to look out for each other and and have each other's backs. I'm big believer of that. Um,
you know, I too heard uh initially that uh it was 804 against, etc., etc., which all right, I I hate I hate forcing anybody's hand, but if that's the number, that's the number. I said, you know, let's go through let's do the
work. Let's understand who's who's who's where the numbers come out. Uh because I have a very difficult time stepping on people's civil liberties on their home ownership rights is usually your largest asset, etc. Uh and and I've put myself out there. I think I've met just about everybody in the room. So everybody in
my neighbor know everybody in Woodfield. Um so I just want to, you know, encourage anyone who if it passes, uh if it doesn't pass, if it doesn't pass, you could always selfdesate. Uh, I mean that's always an option as well. Um, if
it means a lot. Uh, but at the end of the day, um, you know, I just want to make sure you guys all understand and respect each other and that that neighborhood uh, you know, uh, hills, right? So, I'll use the word hills. I mean, I've talked to enough people, it's
been, uh, very difficult. That's where I'll leave it. >> Okay. I first of all I want to say that I think historic preservation is a good thing. I'm historically been a supporter of it. The various things that we designated one of the things that we
designated was the the Short Hills Village neighborhood and albeit that was commercial properties not residential. One of the overarching principles when I was involved in that designation was to make sure that anyone that was included wanted to be included. And there was a
property that logically should have been included, but the owners of this commercial property were very much opposed to it. Um, it actually bought two different historical districts. I'm not going to say what it is. Maybe you can figure it out, but it was not included. And from a historical point of
view, it was probably one of the more historical properties in the whole in the whole area. Then we moved on to the Marianwood uh Nodingham fiasco where we saw signs throughout the town, not unlike the ones you have today except
they were on the street for for everyone to see. And you know that was that was either tabled or you know it's not going to come up again. And I'm I'd be willing to bet that there were probably a bunch of people who who had those signs on
their lawns that if they were asked again today about making that area historic given some of the development that's going on there, they probably have a different opinion. So, um, but as I said throughout this process, what I was going to be guided by was the
numbers. And while I do agree with Mayor Sakami, I do think that um that this is this is an unfortunate mistake. I'm going to side with with the majority as I said I would and I I it's pretty clear that the majority of residents don't
want it. So that's that's how I feel. >> Thank you, mayor. Um I I want to say thank you to all of you who contacted me, whether it was emails or whether it was discussions. I truly appreciate talking to to all of you. Um and u I've
always said I I will talk to people and I will listen to them. Um as some of you know I sit on as the TC liaison to the HPC. I believe in its mission. Um and I think it's a good thing. Um I think it's
not as ownorous as people feel it. The people who who don't want to be designated. Um there was a mention earlier about um 62 uh Weston Western. Um and I think if you dig into what happens, what's going on with that
application, you'll see that that is it's not it's not an undue delay. Um it's a it's a big project. Um and it's complicated what's going on there. Um but however um you know this came like some of my comrades here have said it
came as that to to all of us as hey listen the neighborhood wants to do this that they almost I thought they all wanted to do this as it's progressed it's it's more than clear that um no one want almost no one wants to do it um and
uh I'm just not willing to to to force that uh upon this many people who feel that they don't want it Thank you all. >> Yeah, I'm listening to my colleagues comments and everybody's comments tonight. Um, we've received a lot of
correspondence. No question. There's been a number of conversations and uh been able to learn a lot about um store preservation about this process. Um, you know, I think one of the biggest
pieces, no question, and I is that, you know, we need to protect our community from the state's ploy to overdevelop. No question. Whether people want to debate the affordable h the legislation on the a on the number of units, no question
the state wants to overdevelop. Um, and we need to protect our residential neighborhoods. They're going after single family zoning. Period. Single family zoning. Um, we need to protect the character of our community. I mean, I've driven down and I have my own
opinions. You know, I was driving to town um driving to Milburn Shop right today and you know, you see in the Washington section, which is a different area of town, but you see multiple con, you know, a number of houses that are
under construction that were tore down, and you have a square next to a triangle next to is a trapezoid next to a square next to a square next to a square. Um, is that going to go out of style? I
mean, I think many of us um uh you know, have been to um old shopping malls and to old airport terminals and you see what new airport terminals look like and you see which ones are still standing and how they're really
out of date, weren't designed well. And um I just hope that there isn't shortsightedness on some of these costs that we're seeing up in neighborhoods. Um and uh your ch not that you could
actually buy things in a neighborhood but uh just just the look um but I I would agree for my what my colleagues said about the passion right and the engagement of all the neighborhood uh residents um and I hope that you know at the end of the day everybody you know
they respect each other as neighbors and that everybody has passions but um you know what what a way to get to know your neighbors. Um, so I I I would say I'm I'm I've listened to my colleagues. I do believe we need to protect the community. Um, I
also respect the voices of of the residents and I'm ready to take a vote. So mayor before you call the role and just so the public is clear under Benas is clear um order under section 804.3J
of the miracle code which is which is final designation and what it says is all action taken by the pouch committee on proposed designation so shall become effective upon a federal vote of majority of its full authorized membership except in cases in which a protest has been filed
with the township clerk in accordance with section 804.3. In such cases, a proposed designation shall then be subject to requirements of NJSA 405D-63. And what that section of code says, and it I'll summarize it. If if a protest
petition is filed with 20% of these lots, which we have here, it requires a twothirds vote of the governing body. So in this case, we have five members. So, it would require four affirmative votes. Um, abstensions don't count. So, we're not counting nos, we're counting yeses.
We'll need four yeses to approve this ordinance based on the protest file from this. >> All right. Call for a drum roll, but we don't have equipment for that. So, without further ado, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Coin, >> no. >> Mr. Costco,
>> no. >> Mr. Cerudo. >> Seeing that we have two >> can't explain your vote. Mr. >> abstain. >> Mr. Stler. >> I abstain. Mayor secondy Stand
follow. beginning. >> All right. >> All right. Ordinance 2745-26. I am the sponsor. I present our consideration of an ordinance entitled ordinance number 2745-26
ordinance amending chapter 7 traffic to revised general ordinances of township of the purpose of the proposed amendment to chapter 7 traffic's general ordinances intended to provide higher range of fines and penalties related to
chapter 7 infractions that will be established by resolution each year. One of the main goals for the increase in the range for penalties is to combat nonprofit parking space in the streets. Ordinance also establishes a prohibition of loading and delivery during certain
traffic times to reduce congestion and conflict. Deliveries and loading will be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tonight is the time set for the public hearing and final passage as advertised in accordance with law. I
declare the hearing open. Everyone online. >> Okay. I moved this public hearing be closed, that the ordinance be adopted on final reading, and the township clerk be directed to post the ordinance by title as passed on final reading in accordance
with law. May I have a second, please? >> Second comment. No. In that case, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Cohen, >> yes. >> Mr. Posco, >> no. >> Mr. Mr. Rudo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stler.
>> Affirmative. >> Mayor Sakamandandy. >> Yes. All right. Moving on to pled business. Local historic designation of train bridges. Mayor Costco. Is this new?
>> Um yeah. Yeah. I don't mind. Thank you, Mayor. I don't mind taking that. So, um, if folks have been following this, they know there was a a report done, um, you know, via the, uh, HPC, which was sent up to us designating the, uh, bridges,
the railroad bridges in town, uh, and that's all of them, you know, kind from the one near Benihana all the way through town, uh, as historic. um in an attempt to to preserve those and to make sure that if they are repaired, they're
repaired in kind. Um so that's that's it. Seems I think we've talked about this before. It seems to me like a good idea. Um I think things back in the day, especially the bridges were built a little bit uh better than than they are
now. Um so to have them replaced in time seems to make sense. What what if any action do we need to take at this point? We authorized money for report, right? So there needs to be that you know coming out of historic preservation some
kind of recommendation to move ahead of it, right? >> I thought they did. >> Yeah. >> So then we need an ordinance. >> We need >> Yeah. So if we could get that ordinance ready for this meeting, that's great. >> Sure. Yep. I support
>> especially the one on Short Hills Avenue that they keep uh getting stuck on and then that's gets repaired. >> I wouldn't want to see it get repaired. >> Right. >> Yeah. I don't know how that bridge is still standing.
>> All right. New business proposed tree regulations. Um Mr. >> Sure. So overall there's been a um and it came up tonight. Um there have uh there's a lot
of concerns. I ser serve on the shade tree advisory board and there are concerns from the township forester from the shade tree advisory board and from residents at large uh about uh
trees that are being taken down that are historic that are fixtures within the community or within properties. um that uh you know in order to make room for
homes, patios, sports courts etc. And there is not generally there is not enough regulation um or input from or the ability for the forester to have input on um these trees
before it's too late. That is the 101 layman's of this. The second factor is is uh sort of the impact that taking down these trees broadly has. Number
one, storm water impacts, right? The amount of water that these trees absorb on properties. Number two, um the cover, right? the cover, the shade cover
um in uh in these areas of town. Number three, of course, is the bucolic nature, no pun intended with the word nature, but the nature of um or pun I should pun intended actually um for the natural
beauty and the beautifification of our new parts. So, broadly, those are the broad the more specifics are um within a proposed ordinance. Um and uh feel free to jump in, mayor. Um but there's
basically two different tracks. One is um trying to involve uh the forester earlier in the process on developments >> and also um which I wanted to have a
discussion about is uh basically the process of removing trees and replacing trees. We currently have processes in place that allow people to take down trees um more broadly, right? And pay
basically pay and not plant. Um and I believe and we've had discussions that um that should not be the case in certain cases. There should be the requirement unless you're in the corner.
Like there's many different reasons why you wouldn't why you'd still not have to plant a new tree, but in a lot of cases that you would still have to plant trees and within properties make that work. >> Mayor, do you want to explain your your certain on the storm water?
>> Yeah. My my concern uh is that you have people that take down a giant tree that's, you know, 50 100 years old, let's say. um that can have a major impact on storm water management for the
neighborhoods. So these large trees absorb ton of water. Um, I know I know this for a fact because well, science tells us that, but also uh just uh anecdotally, I have a tree in my front
yard and uh my lawn always seems to yellow uh around that tree because the tree just sucks all of the water uh out and I have to have my sprinklers over there water it till a little bit longer. So, um these trees absorb a lot of storm water. We've had, you know, residents
come and say, you know, I never used to have water problems in my backyard until my neighbor took down a tree, you know, right along the property line. Now my backyard's flooded. So, what I think you should do is if you're going to take down one of those trees, um, we should
be able to have a way of quantifying how much storm water it would have absorbed. And then individuals should have to uh plan for that much extra detention. So might mean they have to put in a dry well or some other storm water
management system uh you know if they're going to take down one of these big trees. So that's something that I think we were having um the planning board conflict engineer who has a lot of storm waterman expertise
with him on that. Uh we're still waiting on that. Um that would be that would my strategy. Um you know I will say tree regulations they're they're difficult because it's like each case is is different. Um I would make sure that
whatever ordinance we do I think we should outline in there what a appeals process or or what you know if the forester makes a decision that you can't take down this tree. Uh I think it'd be good for people to know writing the ordinance what they can do whether it's
come to town committee or shy advisory board wherever it may be to do that appeal that would be that would be helpful as well. I just I just want to say I I understand what you're saying about the storm water. That makes sense. But I do think you can't depend
especially a house on a smaller lot that has a giant tree that needs that needs to come down because it's grown big and it's now too close to the house, something like that. The current ordinance, which does allow you to pay your way out instead of planting trees,
that may be your option because your lot size is just not big enough. I think it's like seven to one. If you take down a tree, five to one, seven to one, you just don't have the room. If you planted five trees, they would all die because there's not enough room for them to to
exist. I do think that measuring the storm water and replacing with a drywall. Anybody can do that if there's a cost of that. But, you know, that's that's okay. We need to have that. But we still need to have that out of um when there's just not enough room to
plant thatbody is able to get through that. >> I agree. I think we still need that out and >> um you know I just again it's a very tough thing because it's like each case is its own unique set of circumstances.
So, I think we're going to have to do a little bit more work to figure out what the balance is between, you know, protecting trees. I mean, it's like if you're if you're tearing down a house, you're building a bigger house and it's going to be in the main footprint of the house or the driveway, then I think,
yeah, I mean, the trees got to go, right? But if you want to put a pool in your backyard or you happen to want to put it where this hundred-y old tree is, well, if you can design around that, you know, that would be preferable. And then you know there so you know one of the
aspects of ordinance is right um all trees 10 in 10 inches in di diameter or larger require mobile change. >> What is it now? I mean they some of them is it is that shorter you know smaller trees than today
because they do require a permit for a big tree. >> I I do think we need a math formula for the smaller lots. Yeah, >> we did a a defined a defined comparison between what's on the books today and what we're proposing just for transparency purposes. I mean, listen,
>> a tree that's sitting a 100-y old tree, 150 old tree that's sitting on a hill that can topple over and crash a three or four million house should be able to come down. They should be able to pay to take it down. So, I just need to understand what the comparison is versus what we're bringing up. the house that
Phil remember that the the the tree that was in front of my house was 140 years old, 150 years old and it dropped what they call a widow maker right into Wyoming Avenue and could have killed whoever was driving underneath it and they said it was safe. But when you have
the 40 50 60 some of the winds we had this year, Alex can probably pine better than me that are going to take down some of those trees. I just got to be very careful with uh with uh doing it because then it also creates a liability as well. You say somebody can't take a tree
down and then it falls in Rex's house then who's on who's on point for that. >> Yeah. No question. No question. Just >> we got to do the work and understand and do the analysis and do the comparison so we understand what the difference is. >> Yeah. I think one of the biggest things
is trying to include the forester in the processes for >> I'm surprised right now. They definitely are because they came and looked at some later in the process and to the point where sometimes especially on larger projects
>> commercial >> commercial project they really it's it's it's almost like >> so it's commercial not residential. Well, it's both, but it's both, but maybe we need to look at them. >> The one of the the broad the broad comment is sort of it's almost too late
by the time it gets to the Forester. It's almost just like a final pass as opposed to conversation. Um, so so basically we're trying to get consensus willing to look into this and to put together. >> Doesn't the bar have to sign off on the permit? >> She always did.
>> So, it's not too late in the process. So just to jump in here is is that you know from a just a brief analysis of this was that when it comes to a conforming uh site that is just going for building uh
permits uh the forester is brought into the process um early on for that for that site review. Um um when it comes to the planning board also similar process. It's really the
zoning board that I think there's a a late to the game um right uh with the forester which is something that we've identified and are are have had a again just a brief discussion internally about um about when that could take place in a
in a or in a better way or how we integrate the the forester into the zoning board process uh quicker. But um because the zoning board is, you know, they're they're not necessarily making a decision based on the trees on that property. They're only looking at it from the zoning code. But that property
getting zoning code approval. Is that is that then sort of a go or is it now you can come to the building department and you get denied for all these trees and you can't now build what you went to the zoning board for? So I think there's just a little bit of discussion that needs to take place about about the
zoning board of adjustment. um and and when to force to go through >> but not and not but not everybody that wants to knock down a tree even has to go to the zoning. >> Right. >> Correct. >> I think we're saying in the cases >> we want to avoid the situation where someone goes for a variance. They go through that process. They get the
variance. Then they go for the tree removal permit and then it turns out well they can't take down that tree. Now they've got to go right and redesign it and then go back to the zoning board potentially if they still need. >> Is that is that a process at the zoning board? I mean, what do they, you know,
shouldn't they bring the forester in before they issue that? >> I think that's what we're talking about. >> When do we bring the forester in during that process? And we're saying, we should do that earlier like we do with the planning. >> So, is this to change those applications that go to the zoning board, but if
somebody doesn't need to go to the zone, you know, someone's putting in a pool, I mean, that doesn't necessarily go, does that always go to the >> No. Right. So again, >> but but the forest is brought into that process, >> right? Right from the beginning. >> So that's what I'm saying. So it sounds
like the problem is just with the zoning board application. >> I mean, if I was putting in a pole, I would go talk to a bar for say, "Hey, I got these two trees over right where my my new beautiful $200,000 pull's going to go, but I have a problem tearing them down."
>> People that go, they don't do that. >> Not that's you're the you're the exception. I just it just >> I do all the money in the planning. >> Sounds like we need to to carve out a section for the zoning board and and and the rest of it because the planning board part is working. The people that
don't go to the zoning board, that part is working. So, it seems like that's what we need to just focus on. That's where the problem >> and the math formula >> and small lots too. >> Okay. >> So, do you think that makes sense? I
know you and the team were going. >> Yeah. So, so that that makes sense. I think also what you're looking at is is the storm water aspect of it and whether you can quantify the the the the species of tree to the size of the tree and how much storm water that tree bring takes up. And in addition, I think some of
this is just further tightening of some things whether it's tree protection zones as well as um uh exemptions which I think have uh proven at times to be problematic. not necessarily from a standpoint of whether or not they're going to be able to take down a tree,
but I think sometimes people will just make a decision because it's exempted rather than saying, "Oh, I I need to have a real conversation about where I'm going to put this driveway now." Like this ordinance would change it to where they're putting their driveway. Um, not necessarily that they wouldn't be able
to do it, but that it's just not automatically exempt. Do >> do we have any input from the environmental commission? Absolutely. >> The Sha Tree Advisory Board is I brought this up with the EC. So, one of the reasons it started is someone
came in front of the EC story about how a tree got taken down and they started having storm water issues that they didn't have previously. Um, and so that couple some of the reasons we decided to take a look at this. Um, so it's, you know, I can bring
this back to them. Uh, you know, once we have something on paper, we can have them refine. But they did seem supportive of this idea to make modifications. And >> yeah, as long as it's processoriented and not restrictive to a point where you're choking out a resident, I'm fine
with it. As long as there's the process in place and it includes a methodical way to get those BRs, but I don't understand why somebody would say, "Hey, again, if I'm going to build a full right on top of these two trees, I want to have a farester come and pine on the
trees first get that done." you want to move that up in a process complying with that. But um I also think we should outline the steps to appeal >> a decision about forester but we did that with right we
>> we outlined the you know 20% that so this would >> do the same thing just give clarity directly in the ordinance that way residents know if I get denied you're my recourse or oh I should be a recourse >> but but the case of somebody who has a
you know a tree it's grown so that some of the branches are like over the house and if you chop it down the tree would become unstable that the forester is pretty well involved in already and and those people still have to either plant new trees, pay to get out and now we
would add you know either or I guess that's another thing too is you tell somebody they can't cut down one of these trees and I'm talking about massive trees. This tree was what 5 foot in diameter. That thing Oh, you can't tear it down. It falls on my house. I'm coming right here
with a lawsuit in hand, you know, ready to go. So, you know, the house, you should be able to take it down, >> right? Right. Okay. Yeah. I mean, I just don't think we if we should, you know, be stepping in front of that. But >> yeah, look at it. >> You should be able to take it down, but
you are still responsible for managing the storm water. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. Yeah. Correct. And you know the winds we had this past year do what was the highest clock Alex? >> We're up the I mean we're up in 50s 60s. >> Yeah I remember like 60s just south of
70 something. But those will take down just about anything. So you got to be cognizant that we could have oneoff effects that are going to take these trees over. >> Sure. Well we won't find somebody if the wind takes down that tree. >> No no that's not the point. They want to take it down and we say no >> and then it comes down and wrecks their
house. >> Right. Right. I think Alex >> sorry I'll just give you I'll give you another just quick example because we went through this in South Mountain area when it came to pin oaks. So there are there are there is also a point where
the trees despite you know they kind of outlive their usefulness u bas where they're planted you know they planted pin oaks in a median on these on these streets in South Mountain that just couldn't handle the root system. So all of them were you know compromised and we
we had a big storm snapped a bunch. So we started taking some of that obviously then that became a a very good thing about us taking down the tree the very beautiful pin oaks and and but it was you know it does become a a concern that from a safety perspective and that they're going to come down and then you
know you kind of replant and restart you have to kind of restart the process of building your your shade tree and your shade again. But yeah. >> Yeah. And and I think a lot of it's education. You know, people don't know necessarily the history of some of these
trees. Do the neighborhoods. I mean, you know, Lawrence Strive is all uh uh Appalachian Street. They're all Yeah, they're treated. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, but they're all treated. They're all treated. But then Street um
anyways. Okay. So, we have consent. Yeah. I thought I thought it was new about tree companies being licensed or I mean I thought that was always the case but it seems to be highlighted in red in this stuff. So is that is that changing or are we forming a registry like we did with
>> I thought we but I think I think it's um I think it's al also putting in here more of like penalties for the like for those tree contractors if they're which is going to be a legal question of what can then be done if they're registered with the township and you know they they
have three violations you know are they suspended from doing work in township for a certain amount of time things. All right. Uh so next up is proposed council committee. >> All right. So um hopefully everybody's been able to um read a little bit uh
that was provided. Uh but overall um we have had a lot of interest throughout the town whether it be creative collective whether it was the cultural engagement whether it was um art advisory that current exist currently
exists whether it's explore Melbourne short hills whether it's talented art students across parking lot Melbourne high school so you know there's basically in this whole there's been a lot of interest in art and it just the
process has been real murky and I think the current systems in place um don't provide the right uh uh arm you know the art advisory committee is limited in their definition and their powers um and uh so we look at our neighbor
summit they have rotating art pieces that are on a temporary basis um they have uh for example near the uh um train station. They also have a rotating pieces near their town hall. um the uh
uh on the one of their parking garages they have a mural that's you know which is obviously I don't think that's temporary but long story short is they have they have an approval process in place right so it starts with um you
know there it goes ultimately goes up to their um their town council but you know there's a review by the you know by the attorney by the risk manager uh there's an application, there's an agreement to terms, there's an initial review. Um,
there's a really good defined process on public art, right? So, it's it's black and white and it's understood and they prioritize a lot of my rotating. >> By public art, do you mean out outdoor art? >> Yeah, outdoor art. Uh, but but it could be indoor too.
Because I guess isn't this isn't I'm not saying they're doing it, but isn't this the job of the art advisory committee that we already have? They're the stewards of whatever the town owns in the way of art is my understanding. That's that's their charter. >> Well, and if they if they're not doing
it, we're not that basically >> better than forming a new want to do is modify scope of what the arts advisory committee does. may call it something different, but uh for example, the STID is trying to do some sort of project right now where they're
going to be doing a public art plan for the whole town. Well, they didn't even bother to consult the art advisory committee. We ought to have one central place where if you're doing something related to art, it should go through and be advised by this committee. And
you know, I think some the some examples >> I'm okay with that. I just think it's to have that and the art advisory committee this would replace and be >> once again it would enhance it broader >> scope
it basically there's the example of Westfield now Westfield does a very good job there's the proposed ordinance which my I would like to sort of get feedback I'd like to model the ordinance that um Westfield has with some exceptions they have a town story we don't have a town
Maybe I don't know there's a leazison historic uh to the historical society and more residents. I think we have three or four but could we could we could make it unlimited >> because I believe the art advisory committee is one of our orphan committees right I don't think any of us
there's no liaison from the TC on that >> so you know I think I I'm not sure if we're going to form this you know somehow or another right somebody needs who was ever leading it seems like that would be you Jamie
>> I just got added on two new committees uh who are going to figure the leaison. Uh >> but I'm just saying, you know, I wouldn't want to see yet another. We have a gazillion committees. We've just added, you know, another one for strategic planning. So, >> which I'm
>> so rather than having yet another committee, I just think >> this is somehow in, you know, rename it whatever we do, but we don't need both of them. >> I I agree. >> So, I don't know what name >> I will say with regards to, you know,
all these committees. Um maybe we'll get lucky and next year we'll have seven council members and we'll be uh we'll be able to spread the workload out on the see what happens with that. >> What do you think?
>> I'm fine with centralizing. I would just take the current committee um you know and just you know change it change its uh >> expand it >> expand it chart you know >> maybe have a representative from the SID
for instance on there a liazison seems like the SID sometimes gets grants to do art that way they're included and maybe it makes sense to have a leazison HPC >> yeah yeah I think a leazison from HPC
from the city. I mean Westfield has has the leazison from their downtown group. Uh it's the city just name and then um leazison from town hall. >> All right. Well, it sounds like we have consensus labor point. Let's just move
on. >> No, as long as as long as >> All right, that's it. One final note, make sure you let advisory committee member know that we'll be doing this. That way it's not a surprise and they're thinking it's like
disappearing but it's not. >> So announcement we are working on. >> Sure. >> Yeah. No, of course. And I and I can help weigh in. >> But I think this is also a call to the community and to students and to artists
at the high school and to those who didn't feel I don't know whatever. >> Let's bring it in a board of ed representative. So, this is a call to the community. If you're listening to this, and maybe
we'll put in the Milbour message at some point, but if you want to get involved in art, um, reach out to me. That's it. All right. Um, second, public comment. This public comment period is to allow
for final comments from the community. When invited to speak, offer your comments. Please come to the left turn. Clearly state your name. Whether you're a Bel resident and your property or business owner, please do not provide your full address. Seeing as our meetings are recorded, you are available for the public. Reminder, in order to
facilitate orderly meeting and all to be heard, speakers shall limit their comments to one three minute session. I'll open the public comment period. >> Hi everyone. Uh my name is Shelon. Uh I live in the Winthrop neighborhood with
Rob. I'm concerned about that traffic accident issue there and that south orange uh uh section between Short Hills and the Brook uh Brook Drive. There's a very sh
and and it really makes it very unsafe. Uh if we are at the speed limit of 45 miles per hour and I just I'm a physicist. I just did a calculation there, but that section is only about like uh uh 1,500 ft to 2,000 ft. So, if
you drive at 45 miles per hour, it's only less than 40 seconds. And if you reduce the speed limit to 35 sec uh 35 per miles per hour, it's only uh it's only 8 to 7 seconds less. Uh I mean
more. she only reduced the speed only like reduce the time of uh 8 seconds for them for that particular section. So that's why I disagree with the earlier comment that it's going to slow the traffic. I don't agree with that because
based on this calculation you have those traffic lights uh between these uh I mean at the end of the the section and those traffic lights usually take two minutes and how about 8 seconds uh with those two minutes of wait it doesn't
slow the traffic at all so I really urged uh the township could help us to you know uh talk to the uh leadership in the in the county to to to reduce the the speed limit there. And also
um uh it doesn't matter we're making left turn or right turn because if the traffic is faster, it makes the same difficulty. It it everywhere you make a left turn is difficult then make a right turn. It doesn't appear here because so there's
no reason to block the left turn. So that's not not a solution at all. It's the only thing is that the speed limit is causing the issue that the you know the turn is difficult. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um Brock Freeman again, um
Mountaintop section uh resident. Uh, I'd also like to clear up a couple of misjudgments I believe the township administrator made early in the meeting regarding the speed limit issue. First of all, that stretch of South Orange Avenue at issue consists of
about an eighth of a mile if that which ends at the traffic light. I'm just echoing what my uh what my neighbor uh just mentioned. So lowering the speed limit would hardly lead to any congestion issue. related to that, a tiny inconvenience
pales pal in comparison to someone getting into a paralyzing or fatal accident. Second, there's only two ingress egress roads in the neighborhood as mentioned before, Winthrop and Puritan.
By forcing someone to make a left-hand turn on Ultra Hills Road off of Puritan, another heav he heavily traveled county road, banning people from making a left onto South Orange Avenue from Winthrop is a non-starter. Third, the town can certainly try to
reach out to the county, but unless Joe D can somehow pull out a a rabbit out of a hat, the onus needs to be on the township administrator to oversee a revised traffic report and make sure whatever consulting firm is competent
and makes the appropriate assumptions. Bottom line, the mountaintop neighborhood, which makes up of at least at least 160 residents, is crying out for dramatic decrease in the speed limit. I can show you the WhatsApp
uh you know uh threads. Trust me. So, do I really need to spend time putting together petition on the whole neighborhood? I will do it. But which speaks to the issue broadly speaking the township administration at
large needs to develop more of a default mindset of what the town can do to accommodate its citizens not automatically say what can't be done. Thank you. >> Jeff Feld again the poet section basically have three comments. One goes
to your discussion about the art council Jamie and you talked about the Westfield example. You use the word downtown group. Remember the five district. There's four other districts in the city downtown. Also, um you were part of the
original um formatted CDC meeting. Most of the agenda was discussing art related projects, whether a jazz festival or an art show for cottage industry. And I think part of the issue we have to find
out is what committees really have jurisdiction. Should the CDC be talking about art projects or is that wrong on this new art uh jurisdiction issue? Because that's part of the fight you're having with the SID. Um earlier today
we had major discussions about the neighborhood. We heard words of misinformation campaign, honest and truthful facts, harassment and intimidation, tactics, pressure, cramping upon civil liberties, uh storage of public trust.
You need to look at the record of BP2. We heard of an order was dated July 15th was not docketed till October. for various hearings. The judge announced her rulings on the two cases till August
19th, 2026. In October um 29th, 2025, she directed us, myself, Mr. Tanter, to submit orders to her. And if you look at the ominous order Mr. Caner submitted,
said the BP2 was dismissed without prejudice. Truth matters and the court and we remember the words sorts of a public trust. This township has intangible goodwill that it's losing from the courts. It's
not just in BP1, BP2. It's in the round three litigation. Judge Russo stated that he had to enter an amended order to have the exhibits to the final compliance and um
I forget the word but those exhibits have never been submitted. There's never really in my mind ever been a final order with appropriate exhibits in the round three case that goes back and all I know is because I raised that issue, you brought a sanctions motion against me.
Dam PR Towns resident in regards to the February or March discussion to impose a fine on those who failed to shovel and plow their property in a timely manner. And I want to say I fully fully appreciate that this is a
safety issue for pedestrians. However, the knee-jerk proposal was again an excessively punitive $500 fine with the justification, quote, "They won't do it again," unquote. There was
no utterance of a prior warning. There was no consideration of extendulating circumstances. 31% of Melbourne Short Hills residents are 65 years old or older. Can some of them still remove snow? Of course. Yet,
however, the remaining 69% may also have instances of illness, injury, disability, or simple un simply unable to do so. This large faction is therefore dependent on service providers
as am I and they are not always dependable. Service providers often commit to a time appearance to be 11:00 in the morning and they'll turn around at 5 or 6 in the afternoon. an excessive fine of $500 with rigidity of
enforcement of six hours after the snow falls with no concessions for extenduating circumstances is extensively punitive. Yet again, I urge you to take these comments into consideration should you decide to move
forward with the fine. Milbour residents deserve a kinder and gentler administration. Thank you. Hey guys, Christine Best back again. I can't decide what to talk about. You got to talk about all these fabulous new things. So, I'm just going to make a couple quick comments. Robert, uh,
totally support what he's talking about. That neighborhood is a nightmare to get out of, and I learned that when I'm campaigning. Uh, wouldn't want to make a lefthand turn on either of those four-lane roads uh, at all. So, um, yeah, he's totally right. So, um, I I'd
love to talk to you guys about the trees because I actually have some interesting ideas to add to to your considerations and maybe I'll just email it to you at some point when I have some time. Um, but I want to talk about the art um uh council that Jamie brought up. I actually think the fact that he's looking at restructuring, you know, we
have three people in in the ring for art right now. And I want to explain why um why I think that explore is most likely possibly involved in it. Um because we are involved in being a Main Street designated community which ties to New Jersey main street. I don't know as much
about this Steve does. He's he's very very smart. But they have a four-point approach and part of that is design of the downtown and that does include while it's not required. It highly highly encourages the use of public art which
is why we now have an RFP out for a public art master plan. Okay. Um and you know I think the concern and Jamie brings up a really good point is that we can't just create random committees that duplicate the efforts of other comm uh committees. And that's really, you know,
I'm very very glad that Jamie brought that to everybody's attention. Um, you know, I I want to talk to you too because that that grant that was given for that that could have been used to actually do a mural to beautify our town versus doing a strategic plan. And
somebody who went to Risie, I mean, doing a strategic plan for art isn't really that difficult. And I bet you there's somebody in the art advisory board that could have done that um had they been asked. So, you know, kudos to you for doing that. Um, and I also want to talk just quickly about CEDA as a
committee, and I know everybody's heard about it again and again and again, but as somebody who who can paint um, and was a fine artist and a designer and then went into corporate America, I the the Cedar mural was an abuse of the
arts. And the reason why I say that is number one, it's not aesthetically pretty in any way whatsoever. as a design piece. It's really poorly designed. And that's not my biggest issue. My issue is probably at least 40% of the tiles on that mural are
advertising tiles for nonprofits. Okay? That's not art. And so I definitely don't think that committee should ever be involved in art at all. And um I feel really strongly about it. So I'll talk about threes another time. And thank you
so much for everything today. Bye. Jean Pastnack. Um, I just want to say I completely agree with Rob that that's so treacherous there. I'm not shocked at all that somebody got unfortunately killed there. So, I hope that gets a high priority. Also, the um Woodfield
Estates decision, I think you guys made a mistake. Uh, you're going to regret it and I hope it doesn't discourage other neighborhoods from coming forward. I hope it happens in my neighborhood and I'm fully supportive of any effort to do this. Um, I also want to echo Christine's comments in support of the
art council that Jamie has brought up. So, as chair of the Republican committee, I'm speaking and also two weeks ago I was appointed to serve on the Walter Strategic Planning Board. I'm here tonight because two weeks ago, Committeeman Cohen voted against this
board and said on the record that he objected to Republican activists on it. he was referring to me. I'd like to respond. Let me tell you about this activist. More than 35 years ago, I became one of the first women named managing director
at a major Wall Street firm in London where we both worked. I call myself a pioneer and I'm proud of it. I served on the Milbourne Board of Education and based on that experience, I spent years advocating for special education as well
as long-term strategic planning for the school board and now the town. While the Democratic majority was in charge of the town, they ignored me every time. Now, I need to say something plainly. For a decade, while Democrats controlled the
township committee, they removed almost every Republican and elevated Democrats to boards and committees, building their profiles, expanding their influence, systematically ensuring that anyone who might challenge their rule was kept out.
Jackie Lieberg, the previous chair of the de Melbourne Democratic Committee. She ruled CEDA for six years as a self-appointed unelected chair and continues to chair explore Melbourne short hills. Somehow one's political activism wasn't held against them back
then. I wonder why. Maybe it was because it depended on which party you belong to. And now committee Cohen had the audacity to call me an activist as if civic engagement is a disqualification, but only when the engaged citizen is a
Republican. It's a catch 22. A Republican who dares to speak up and get involved is dismissed as an activist. But a Republican who stays home and doesn't have the qualifications to serve, well, too bad. So tell me, Committee Con,
which is it? And while we're on the subject of who is fit to serve, Committee Cohen Committeeman Cohen sits on the Milbourne Democratic Committee, which saw fit to elevate as a township committee candidate someone who registered to vote in 2020 and never once cast a ballot until 2023 when she
voted for herself. >> All right. Uh in that case there will comment members as well. >> Fair enough. And then >> uh a couple things. Um I'll just say this. I take on Richwood
was saying that uh our township administrator, Mr. Mayor Alex, uh rolls with a high iron fist and he he just dismisses these out of hand. I've spent what almost three years now on this committee. Anytime I've called, anytime a neighbor's called, anytime
he's I've seen him in his office, he picks up the phone, he does the work and we appreciate it. Um, you know, some things are out of his control. Uh, you know, he said earlier that hopefully Orlando is watching from the from the county. Those are the guys who will make
this decision. Uh, Rob, I you know, I appreciate everything you do. I he is a very good friend but out of hand dismissing no left turn there you know if that's what the the uh people we hire to look at it and such say then maybe
there will be no left turn there. So let's do the work. Let's understand it. Let's not just uh cast dispersions on our township administ administrator. Um to Miss Pizar again that narrative false narrative uh there will be extenduating
circumstance. We discussed it up here for hours for hours about extenduating circumstances about >> extended >> extended the time. We talked about uh working with the prosecutor, working with everyone to understand the circumstances. Uh so you know that's
just a false narrative that's being put out there. It's not true. Um and then uh um the whole art thing. Let's see what comes out of it. Appreciate it. Thank you. Have a good neck. >> Sure. Of course, I'm going to respond to
pass. >> I think the issue I think where this all started and I certainly know your qualifications and I remember all the work that you did for on the board of education for families with special needs. My family being part of that. Um,
I think the issue that I had, it stems from when we wrote the ordinance that forced Mrs. Lieber step down as the party chair or choose between stepping down as the party chair or stepping down as being part of as being on the on the committee and I I didn't know that you
you know I see you're not the chair but I think that's what I was reacting to and if you were not the chair um then you know then certainly you have the qualifications to to be on the committee. I know that you were the one who's pushed for this for all these years, but as the chair of a political
party coupled with Mr. Freriedman who was a brief candidate for committee being two of five people on a committee looking at the long term, I didn't think that that was um an even balance. And when when I said that, what I was told was that somebody else in the committee
who I've never met or two people on the committee who I've never ever met are registered Democrats, which is certainly their right. I don't know who they are. They're they're one of them I think is new to the town. That's what I was reacting to. But I didn't expect that you would step down as Republican chair.
Although, you know, maybe one day that's what will happen. >> Yes. Uh okay. So, Mr. felt um I was referring to the ordinance from Westfield specifically says one representative from the board or staff of the downtown Westfield Corporation
which is why I mentioned the word downtown. >> Um uh I support Alex as well. I think uh let's get the facts straight. You know, on this intersection on South Orange Avenue, you know, frankly, there are two lanes there and I drive there. I've never seen it back up heading towards
Floren Park really. Um, and I'm curious why there are two lanes. I understand it's a county road. I'm not saying let's just go and do one lane, but I don't know. Maybe that's a solution, too. Um, or maybe the cars will drive even quicker because there's just one lane. But let's get the facts. Uh, Orlando,
uh, Earth to Orlando. >> I have an update on that. >> All right. Great. >> He was watching responding to me. >> Excellent. All right. So, excellent. Um, let's see. Art. Yeah, let's just keep
rolling with the horror. Um, you know, this whole idea, you know, political, I mean, Jackie and Richard are on exploring Milbour. They hold the two resident seats and they were both former township committee members. Um, you know, there's been chairs and many
people within the Democratic party who have served and continue to serve on these boards and commissions. Um, Mary McN, former the late great Mary McN was kicked off of what was it? Zoning or planning. Um, you know, it's unfortunate, but uh, I think, you know,
we just got to work together. Uh, Miss Pear, I mean, obviously we want to there are circumstances. What about children and who have to get to school and uh and you know and those who have to to get to work and you know you have to I mean we
we want to we want to make sure it works for all residents. That's why I've convened scout troops with uh Miss Hawkins and with Dr. Frankle and we've talked about those. I think this this whole you know negative wave I don't know where it's coming from. I mean,
we've been so transparent about everything. You know, uh, this administration, we're trying to do good. So, I I I I I ask to work in partnership with you to on these things if you'd like to make
tweaks and suggestions or we're all yours as you did tonight. Um, but you know, we're we're trying our best. Um, I think that's it. Nothing. Thank you, Mayor. >> So, during the break, uh, I did get a
note from Orlando. He's our county representative. He watches these meetings via Zoom. >> Um, so he immediately reached out to Sanjie, the county traffic engineer, uh, and inquired, you know, he could look into the situation. Um, so we will see
what develops there. Um, you know, I think one of the challenges is, yeah, you know, a left turn out of that road is the safest thing to do. Um, I don't know. I don't know how you fix that
other than to not make a left turn, but we'll, you know, it sounds like the neighborhood doesn't want that. Um, so we'll we'll see what the county we'll talk with the county. We'll see what they they say. Um, you know, maybe maybe they'll be amendable to adjusting the speed limit. You know, the only thing
about adjusting the speed limit is that's generally a suggestion to to people in this town at least. Um, so, you know, while we can adjust speed limits, I don't know that'll necessarily make people slow down. So, maybe there's
maybe there's a more creative solution. We'll we'll talk with the county and we'll see what we can do. Um, as Mr. pointed out, I think he already reached out to the scouts about the snow shoveling. Um, and I believe that our new ordinance actually extends the amount of time people have to clear the
snow. Um, but at the same time, it does raise the penalty if you don't do it. So, you know, I think that was a good balance. And as far as, you know, negativity, it seems that the negativity that I'm hearing is coming from that side of the room. Um, not not up. Yes.
Um, with regards to um, Miss Lieberg, you know, she could have remained the chair of the Democrat committee, um, she just would have had to step down as chair of the SID. She could have stayed on the SID. Um, I think it's a good
point to both of them are former elected officials. So, the fact that a brief someone that was briefly a candidate like that shouldn't disqualify them from serving on a committee. when we let former members of the township committee serve on and chair committees, right?
It's just ridiculous. And uh I really hope that uh come June 16th that the residents of this town choose to uh choose a better way and and choose to to go to a new form of government uh that has nonpartisan elections because I'm
tired of all this partisanship. It's it's nonsense. um it has nothing to do with local government and uh it just invites people to have these factions that oppose each other for no good reasons. So I I really hope that uh
in a few months we'll have some clarity and uh hopefully next year we'll we'll have a better system and uh we won't be having these same arguments. >> I just want to say I wasn't talking about disqualification. I was talking about balance and I don't I did not feel that committee was balanced. Glad you bring up balance because I think that
since Ben and I uh got elected and got to this day, we've started to see much more of a balance on these committees because I mean previously if you were a Republican you might as well have not even applied. It seemed like you weren't considered. I mean I can go back and
historically look maybe I'll do this exercise because it' be interesting. Um very few Republicans were allowed on on committees. Just make sure you go back far enough to when there were no Democrats. >> And that was a problem too, right? >> Look, we're trying to write the
>> right and we've done a good job of trying to balance uh the committee and with the strategic planning committee. The former Democratic mayor of Edison who's been a resident for quite a while is on that committee and is now the chair of the committee. I mean, you don't get more qualified than that. So,
um, you know, let's try to move past the partisanship. All right, that's all I have to say. >> Alex. >> Yes. >> So, um, first of all, I'd just like to, you know, certainly Mr. Freeman, I didn't mean to, uh, have you take
umbrage with what I said. I think more so I was just, uh, setting some expectations as it relates to what uh, is possible and what may occur. And I don't and I and I was I want to be
cognizant of not taking an incident that is tragic and first and foremost I just like to clarify that the individual is not dead at this point. Um but um but that but that may or may not had it's sort of like making this correlation to
this incident that may or may not had anything to do with speed or we don't know any of that yet. And so again I was just sort of setting expectations. certainly didn't mean to upset you in any way or think that I was a a no man. Uh quite honestly at times I I feel uh
you know the opposite which also can lead to uh you know a lot more work. Um so so anyway I certainly will be looking into it make sure you know I definitely look into you know why you haven't received the report yet. Uh and I'll get
that to you straight away uh if I hadn't sent it and I do apologize for that. Um but but anyway, so I just wanted to I just wanted to clarify that appreciate >> any further com I