You want to start or do you want to wait? >> You're on. You're live. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the October 21st, 2025 Township Councelor Township Council regular meeting. This is a regular
meeting of the Council of the Township of Montlair. It's being broadcast live on channel 34 and is streaming live on the Montlair TV34 YouTube channel. It's available on demand and can and will be rebroadcast.
This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings act. The meeting was included in the revised annual notice of the meeting scheduled as set forth in resolution R25-038 adopted by the township council at its
regular meeting of February 25th 25 advertised to the official newspaper on March 6, 2025. posted on the bulletin boards outside of the municipal building and has remained continuously posted. In addition, a copy of the revised annual
notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the office of the township clerk. Roll call. Madame clerk, please. Deputy Mayor Anderson,
here. Councelor Birmingham >> here. >> Councelor Damato >> here. >> Councelor Harrison >> here. >> Councelor Toller, >> good evening. Present. >> Good evening. Councelor Williams absent. Mayor Baskerville present. Good evening.
Before we begin this evening's meeting, I'd like to ask that after we recite the pledge of allegiance, we all remain standing for a moment of silence. Let us take this time to remember those members of our Montlair family who are no longer with us. friends, neighbors, and loved
ones who have touched our lives in countless ways. Mark Williams is one of those individuals. We pause to honor Montlair's own, a dedicated firefighter for our township, a beloved barber who
served our community with courage, kindness, and unwavering commitment. His work both in uniform and in his shop chair reflected the very spirit of Montclair. Service, connection, and care for
others. May our moment of silence be not only one of remembrance, but also of gratitude. Gratitude for lives well-lived, for sacrifices made, and for the enduring bonds that keep our
community strong. May I for Calvin Drew as well? >> We can have a moment. In the same moment, we recognize Calvin Drew, senior of Drew Funeral Home, Montlair, New Jersey. >> Please. And if there's other names that anybody wants to call out, please do so.
Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion that we go into the executive session. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Any abstensions?
Uh the the purpose of this executive session is for um discussion of the attorney position for the township um litigation regarding Lacawana Plaza and um redevelopment. >> We can um adjourn.
>> Yeah. >> Madam. >> Yes. >> No. Madam clerk. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yes. I got it. Thank you, Mayor. Thanks, >> Rick. Got it. Thank you. The one that we just got the new one. Good evening everyone.
Thank you for joining us in our October 21st, 2025 township council regular meeting. I'd like to make a motion uh that we adjourn from the executive session and return to our public meeting. >> Second.
All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> No. Okay. Um at this point in time um we're going to the um part well at the top of the
meeting if we have identified things that we are going to pull from the agenda uh we need to do that. So this evening um we're going to remove the new business ordinance A from the agenda and the
consent agenda number six. Um, the finance committee needs some more time to address that. Uh, council members, anyone else have anything that they would like to have? >> I just have a question. You're >> taking off number six. Does five and
seven coincide with that? >> No. >> You sure? >> Okay. All right. Just want to double check. >> I I asked the same thing. No. Okay. >> The motto counselor, you're good. >> Okay. Okay. So, we're going to go to um
proclamations and this evening we have two proclamations and we'll start with the proclamation for women's >> I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry, mayor. The minutes are listed first. >> I'm sorry. Thank you. We've got to do
the minutes, please. Um, we have received the minutes for the September 9th, 2025 meeting and September 15, 2025. Any corrections or additions? I make a motion to adopt the minutes as
presented. Second. All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Abstain. >> Abstained. Thank you. And I certainly would like to welcome Councelor William Harrison um today.
This is his first meeting joining us here and we're very excited to have him with us. Congratulations. >> Okay, now we can move on to the proclamations unless you'd like to say something. Councelor Harrison,
>> thank you. That is so unusual for you not to have anything to say, counselor. Okay. All right. So, um, at this time, we're going to read proclamation for Women's Club of Upper Montlair 125th anniversary. Are there people here who
would like to come to the podium and receive this? And any council members that want to join us? This is a wonderful celebration. They've been doing great things in service in the township of Mont Clair. Thank you.
>> Oh, I think we're good. But thank you, Rick. Okay. So, um, Councelor Damato and I had a great time at a at a wonderful celebration. Um, this is one of our hosts this and it was such a wonderful celebration and for
um an amazing cause. So, we just wanted to celebrate this and let you all know about the uh wonderful organization, the Women's Club of Upper Montlair. Whereas the Women's Club of Upper Montlair marked 125 years with an anniversary party on
October 1st, 2025 in Montlair. And the women's club of upper Montlair has provided an outlet for women in Montlair and surrounding townships to meet and exchange ideas and talk about the
community and provide community s support for organizations. Um different than other charitable organizations in the township. The anniversary is a chance to pay tribute for all of the work and accomplishments of the club's foundation and to help the
club continue um its mission into the future. And the women's club of Upper Montlair started in October 1990 as the Thursday club. Uh it was founded by Emma Allen Dodd and met twice a month for
Montclair women who wanted to exchange ideas, pred present lectures and organized community service projects. The club's mission is to bring women together for mental stimulation and for cooperation in working out the problems
of the day, to consider and provide measures of social welfare and to furnish educational and other entertainment for the benefit and the organization and things for the general public. And whereas over the years the
Montlair the Women's Club of Upper Montlair has supported groups such as Human Needs Food Pantry, the Montlair Emergency Services for Hope and Tony's Kitchen. The club is a member of the Upper Montlair Business Association,
which has been valuable in making business connections and conducting outreach to the prospective members. Now therefore, the mayor and the township of the the mayor and the council of the great township of Montlair do hereby
recognize and congratulate the women's club of Upper Montlair on the momentous occasion of its 125 anniversary. And Cindy has been you're the chairperson of the president >> the president of this organization for a
while. And I'm so grateful for your service, Cindy. I'm grateful for your [Applause] >> Did you want me to say something? >> Sure, I did. >> I don't I don't I wasn't prepared. I didn't bring anything to say, but I
just, you know, I'm thankful for your support. And we have been doing community service in the township of Monontlair for 125 years. And there's not many organizations that can say that. And there's not many organizations that are still around. So, as I said at
the at the meeting, um you know, uh alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much >> and here's to the next 125 years. >> Thank you. Thank you. [Applause]
>> Thank you. Thank you. I think everyone do this proclamation 25th anniversary of the Africu That's right. >> Thank you. >> Our next proclamation is celebrating the
25th anniversary of Apricot Sky Productions. >> All right, I'll try. >> Thank you. >> Do we have anybody from apricot? Yes. >> Thank you. >> Hi. >> Welcome. >> Thanks for joining us. >> Welcome. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. I am very happy and pleased to um give a proclamation celebrating the 25th anniversary of Apricot Sky Productions ASP. 2025 is a milestone year for Apricot Sky Productions. The Montlair
based community theater company. It's the 25th anniversary of playwright Eric Alter, the company director in Prrisario, having selflessly produced and underwritten Broadway caliber plays locally at an accessible price point.
And ASP's mission has always been to bring quality theater to people at low prices, especially to those physically or financially unable to travel to New York to experience fine acting and presentation. And the 25th act, this year's limited
run production, featured the best of the best, the eight greatest dramas and comedies of 25 years of Montlair's Little Broadway. And many past plays in the series have been written by an assortment of playwrights. But the 2025 short plays have all been penned by Mr.
Alter, a prolific playwright, 183 plays of varying lengths, and our 21st century O Henry. The shows will be presented in Monontlair for six days over two weekends commencing September
26th. And all playlets were written, acted, and directed by New Jerseyians. In its 25 year history, approximately 400 playwrights, actors, and directors have participated, some going on to careers in theater. Several of the annual shows
have been charity benefits. Mr. Alter's plays have been published, produced, and performed around the world. And whereas the Apricot Sky production stage has provided a springboard for entry into TV and film for Mr. Alter and ASP. Now therefore, the mayor and council of the
township of Montlair do hereby recognize and congratulate Apricot Sky Productions on the momentous occasion of its 25th anniversary. Congratulations. [Applause] >> Um I didn't write that, but it's really
good. So, um I just want to say thank you very much to the council. Um and uh the community Montlair has always been very supportive and uh it's very much appreciated. So, thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh we're going to move on to
public comment. So, please check your numbers and um guest number one can come on down. >> Okay. Good evening. Ready. Good evening, Mayor Baskerville.
>> Oh, the mic. Thank you. Sound. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Good evening, Mayor Baskerville. Deputy mayor and counselor at large. Good evening, council members. My name is Laura Kenny. I have lived in Montlair
for over 30 years. I am here tonight along with other members of our Monontlair Indivisible Group. Please do stand. Many of whom have been volunteering to provide support to immigrants in our
town and the surrounding area. We have come out tonight to urge you to include the Immigrant Trust Act on the agenda for the November meeting. This will provide an opportunity to debate and
discuss the importance of this act. As you may already know, the act prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperation with federal im immigration authorities when doing so is voluntary. Under federal
law, it ensures that all residents can access public services without fear of deportation or family separation. Like many residents, we settled in Monontlair because it is a community
that values diversity, respects individuals regardless of where they come from, and believes that every person has a right to live secure in the knowledge that their families are safe and that they can live and work with
dignity. We urge you to move forward on this initiative which has already been adopted by at least 20 towns in New Jersey. Thank you for your time and consideration tonight.
Thank you very much. Next guest, please. [Applause] >> Hello everybody. Um, >> good evening. My name is Matt Gvertz. Um, I'll keep this super super short just so everybody could speak tonight.
So, I've been a resident of Montlair for about two years. I rented for the first year and a half and in the beginning of summer I just bought my home here. And obviously like Montlair is just such a great place. Thank you. I appreciate it. Um, and the reason I'm here tonight is because I applied for the housing
commission for the town and you know I applied maybe 3 four months ago and haven't heard anything. And the reason why I'm not coming at anybody in like um a manner of anything negative, but because I truly, you know, I come from like a workingclass bluecollar family.
And you know, I know everything in life is like earned. And I take the no response more so as a sign that like if you want this, you got to you got to make it happen. So I'm not going to just sit back and wait for a response. I chose to show up here tonight just to introduce myself. You know, I don't have
to volunteer for the town. I'm choosing to. I run a full-time business. I've been a real estate agent for the past 10 years. Um, my team has done over half a billion dollars in sales, so we're really busy and like I could just like spend all day working, but instead I
love to like take time out of my schedule to do some good for the town that I live in. You know, whatever I could do to bring a fresh face to the town, create some more equal opportunities for housing, and really just like we we could work on that, too. Um, and
just like good communication amongst people. I feel like the board and people in this town could benefit from like a young fresh face, somebody energetic and like a business owner and somebody who wants to work with others to create this into, you know, a great town. It already is, but let's make it as good as
absolutely possible. Um, so that's really the reason I'm here today. Um, I'm going to show up at the housing meeting tomorrow also. I appreciate you all very very much. Nice meeting you all and uh, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Next guest, please. >> Hello. Uh, my name is Maria Dorigo. I'm
a resident of Montlair. Um, this is the second time that I come uh in support of the immigration trust act. Uh, come and talk speak about that. Um, I don't know if you um are living if we are living in the same planet or in the same country.
I don't know if you have been watching those videos of uh ICE raids and arrest where ICE Asians are using so much brutality and disregard of humanity when they raid, arrest and transport human beings and even children.
What I'm uh asking today is so small, a little courage from all of you. Um that's what we need in times of dictatorship in the midst of an authoritarian regime. uh just a small gesture of solidarity
um for those who are living in our community but are living in fear. I know you haven't experienced that type of fear but I did. Uh I spent the first uh 10 years of my life under dictatorship. I know what fear is. I know what it
feels to walk next to a group of police officers or seeing a Ford Falcon, the car that the military thugs use to kidnap people with the fear of being taken away to a torture camp. That feeling never leaves your body,
no matter how much time it passes. We need more people to join us and defend the most vulnerable because I know it well. First they come for the most vulnerable and then they come for all of us. It is your responsibility as
public officials. It is the right thing to do if you want to be on the right side of history. Put the Immigration Trust Act resolution on the agenda. Thank you. Thank you. Next guest, please.
Guest number four, please. [Applause] Good evening. Good evening. Jim Price, 47 Gordon. >> Um, I would like to invite all of you to come down to Delaney Hall in New York.
Um, if you're not aware, Delaney Hall is an ICE jail and it's used to house a good number of the immigrants that are picked up in New York and New Jersey. It's owned and operated by Geog Group, which is a for-profit corporation. Uh
they have jails across the country. Currently, Geog Group has a $1 billion 15-year contract with ICE to house immigrants. If you would, I'd like you to come down and learn more about the lives of
immigrants and how this administration has impacted their lives. If you come down at visiting hours, the families have come to visit their loved ones and you can chat with them and you can learn how
this government has torn families apart, literally. >> And we're trying to get people to come. We're trying to get elected officials to come down because we need to get more people to come back who have seen it firsthand, can see how their tax dollars
are being used. So, please come down if you can. I will send each of you an email with directions to Delaney Hall. It's way down at the end of Newark uh visiting hours. And I really hope you can make it and it'll also help you
understand why people think the ID ITA is important. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Is it okay if I turn this around? >> Sure. >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Noah Gail. I have two issues I want to talk
to you about tonight. One is thank you Matt for bringing up the housing because you know every time I come here I speak at this podium and asking you all to lower taxes by a huge chunk. I would like I am 25 years old. I have now lived
in Monontlair for over 20 years and I am please asking you to lower taxes. It is very important. I would like to live in Monontlair the rest of my life till the day I pass away at 104. I want to raise the next few generations here. I do I
never want to leave this town as I feel at home here and I feel very attached to it. So, please consider lowering taxes. I I know it's tiring to hear me talk about the same thing over and over at these town council meetings, although it
is the truth. Our taxes in Montlair, our property house taxes are way too high and they need to be lowered by a huge chunk. No one is going to want to move here and keep paying those taxes if they are too high. So, please lower taxes so
I can and many other young people can be able to afford to live here the rest of their lives. Thank you. >> Thank you, Noah. >> Also, one more thing um about Delaney Hall and the immigrant immigrant
immigrant trust act. All of you are absolutely 1,000% right and correct. I suggest you all come to Delaney Hall. We do not want dictatorship. We only want democracy and there should definitely be
term limits. No politician in office should be there forever and ever. And also, I am asking you to all come out and vote for Mikey Cheryl, Democratic nominee for governor, on November 4th. I know it's a I know I'm
not really I I know that it's um a lot to process. However, um we cannot have a governor who is threatening to ban samesex marriage or or someone who's um who's homophobic and
or some who's many other things. Mikey Cheryl will be a get it done governor. She'll get things done. She will make housing more affordable. She will freeze utility costs on day one. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I'm gonna ask please that
we don't um use this time um for campaigning for individuals campaigning. >> Sorry, I didn't know that. >> Okay. No, Noah, I I appreciate that. It it it's important to do, but this is not the correct venue. So, thank you for coming. Um, and we received your
concerns. Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Thank you. Hi, my name is Greg PAC, 97 Pine Street. I'm here tonight with uh ICE out of Montlair and a bunch of other organizations
uh to call for the township council, our elected rep representatives to pass a resolution in support of the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act and the principles that were put forward. Someone before me read all the principles, so I won't read them again. I'll keep this short. But
residents are under attack and it's not just ICE raids uh and harassment but the targeting of human and civil rights act activists by this administration um through Trump's new uh memo NSPM7
which pretty much calls us all terrorists. Uh residents in our community need to speak up, but it is also important that our elected representatives take a stand. I look forward to a resolution being on the agenda and there being a public discussion. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Next guest, please. Hey guys. Hi. My name is Kaylin Kinsula and I live at 25 Madison Avenue in the fourth ward. Uh first I would just like to add to previous speakers points to add the ITA
to the agenda as soon as possible and I hope you can all grow enough courage to do that. Um, and I'll cut to the chase now. I'll be frank. If you saw a vehicle moving at 40 m an hour violating traffic laws, would you stop you or you would stop them, right? I think we can all
agree on that. When it's an ebike, those consequences are acquitted because of the failure to properly properly enforce regulations upon them. And I want to be frank here. You guys need to do more about regulations on ebikes. I have seen time and time again on my way to school
multiple people on an ebike at once going faster than my car or any cars around me, which would mean that they are no longer class one ebikes. Yes, I did my research. Or even class 2 or three, which do require a license. These riders cut the speed cable to make them
go faster. And yet, they still don't abide by traffic laws even though they go the same speed as a car. Except if you saw a car blowing a red, you would most likely see them pulled over. And this doesn't occur with ebike riders. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for
bikes and bike lanes, but these are people who do not know how to own a vehicle that goes past 30 m an hour. I suggest you guys get in contact with the Zero Vision Task Force and think of a resolution because it is a major traffic problem. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next guest, please. Hi again. Um, I'm Parker Chihawk. I'm from the Second Word. Um, I'm here I'm here again today to ask that that a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act be added to the council agenda. I had a call with the deputy
mayor this week and was told, quote, "The political will to add this to the agenda just isn't there right now." Whose political will are we talking about here? And why is it why is that being used as a reason to keep this off the agenda in the first place? What this decision amounts to is a deliberate
effort to keep this away from the public discussions. This is gatekeeping. Uh when I was here the at the last meeting, you assured me that this resolution would be brought to the res uh would be brought to the committee meeting the following day. It was not. It was added to the agenda, but it was never discussed. I was told that the way
to get items onto I was also told that the ways to get items under the agenda was to have two counselors co-sponsor it. >> Uh I was referred to an unnumbered resolution proposal called the resolution establishing protocols for the drafting, review, timeline, and
posting of council meeting agendas. This resolution has not yet been added to any agenda. Even a resolution establishing protocols for managing the agenda cannot find its way to to the agenda. We need to increase transparency of this body and provide a pathway for the public to
effectively bring items to this council for public facing discussion, not backroom chats or private committee meetings. One simple step would be to inform the public of the schedules and agendas, if not the minutes for the 10 non public committees established by R-24-183C.
The gatekeeping needs to stop. Reasonable items must be added to agendas to promote uh public-f facing discussions on the issues that face this town. I am urging you to add the resolution in support of the immigrant trust act to the agenda for the next meeting. Monontlair should stand proudly
with the 18 or more uh other towns that have passed this resolution. Should the political will to do so not exist, then a hearing should be called to bring this to to the public for debate. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next guest, please.
Good evening, mayor and council. Good evening. Um, I'm surprised I many other topics we're dealing with in town. I kind of let the ball drop on this one because frankly I'm I'm shocked that it's not on the agenda and can't
understand in Monontlair why it wouldn't be on the agenda. Um the resolution for immigration truck trust act is kind of simple and when I look at the list of other towns that have done it and we haven't yet what why are we always
behind on progressive actions to keep people safe and this is a nobrainer. It's a no-brainer. So do we want our community members to feel safe in their schools and when seeking health care or providing for
their families? I think we do. I know most of you up here pretty well and I think you want that. So, the fact that it's not up here, tells me something. Somebody's holding it back. Somebody or a couple people are holding it back. I'm
looking at the list. Bloomfield, our neighbor, did it already. We don't even have it on the agenda to discuss it yet. Morristown, Newark, Planefield, Patterson, South Orange, Trenton, Essex County. our county has it. Why are we
not doing it? What is the holdup? Hopefully, somebody can explain that with some transparency here. I'm married to an immigrant. 30 years he's been he 30 years we've been married. 20 years he's been a citizen and I still worry
because ICE comes into communities, snatches first, ask questions later. So, why this council hasn't had this already passed is beyond me. It needs to move. It needs to get on there. We shouldn't be behind these other towns and cities.
We should have been first. Thank you. Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Hello, council. Um, and, uh, man, town manager. Um, I'm Jessica Tillier. I live at three Harvard Street and I'm one of
the co-founders of Bike Bus and Bike Bus World um which is a global organization. I just wanted to update you a little bit on the bike bus impact. So upwards of 400 weekly riders um come out almost every Friday which is approximately 7%
of the Montlair public school population in 2024 and 2025. So just recently we were the winner of eight silver safe roots to school awards. So that was two years in a row. That's the first time that that's ever happened in Montlair. Um and just this year, just this school
year, um just for the last few weeks, on about five of the rides, the media has come to ride with us and there's currently a documentary film being created about us. We are completely unfunded and we're proof that with a little bit of elbow grease and imagination, citizens can do great
things. All that said, Essex County and Montlair continue to have abnormally high rates of car crashes, which puts us all at risk. South Orange and Maplewood received the safe routes to school gold because of further efforts that their
town and their schools took. Um, Maplewood and and South Orange now actually have bike lanes, which they've advocated for for far less time than we have. There's four things I would love for us to focus on this year. One, a continued focus on complete streets. I
want to en ensure on behalf of the hundreds of families that I serve that the engineer and complete streets director role are protected. It's legally mandated and it's just essential. We pave all the time and we have pristine roads that people crash on. Now, it's time to make sure we have
greenways that keep people safe. I'm happy to show you the data that that will keep everybody, including drivers, safe. Please, Mr. Marks, build a relationship with Mrs. Turner and the parents of the town so we can coordinate on safe streets and allow us to finally
not just get silver but get gold. And lastly, when I'm riding in the bike bus, I love hearing the many different languages the children speak with their parents. It is >> truly the most beautiful thing. And bike bus really represents the diversity we
all love so much in our town. I'm the proud wife of an immigrant and to protect our families, we truly need to protect the immigrant trust act and we need that added. I know I know that it feels like a very
challenging time. Um Bnee Brown who I've consulted with just said that trust is down and all leaders really have to face that fact. Trust is down. But I believe it is time to be brave, to be courageous and reimagine what's possible. I'm here to help and support. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next guest please. >> Good evening every Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> My name's Marshall Love. Uh I moved to Montlair 40 years ago. My hair was a different color.
Um I'm here also as a member of the indivisible group in Montlair and of Third Act New Jersey uh which is a national organization of seniors um with local chapters that uh fights
for climate justice and to also preserve our democracy. Um, I'm here to also support um having the resolution to um enable the immigrant trust act to be passed. Uh, and uh, frankly, I too am
baffled about why Montlair has not already passed such a resolution. We are you you've heard these points already. We're a town that promotes and openly struggles to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and government
affairs. I'm embarrassed. 18 towns and two counties in the state have done so, including Bloomfield, which was unanimously agreed upon uh in March. And I'm happy. Here's a copy of it. And I
don't know if if this is the usual procedure to give you these documents, but you are welcome to this. Um and um uh although Montlair does not have as many immigrant residents as some other
towns, they are here. Uh the MF estimates that 200 immigrant families have children in the schools and half of those are undocumented who need access to public services without fear. Immigrants also work in many Montlair
businesses and there's a growing sentiment and in the business community in Montlair that they need to be protected from unwarranted intrusion by federal authorities. Just look at the signs in windows around town. And I will
uh in case you haven't seen them, this is not a beautiful color copy, but here's one that says we stand with immigrants. Uh, another one that says, "No kings, no ice, no fear. Immigrants are welcome here." I have worked in the labor movement for
many years, helping workers who are fighting for safer working conditions. In the last decade, a largely immigrant workforce has made life comfortable for the rest of us. In the pandemic, they were called essential workers. They work
very long hours for very little pay, constructing our homes, caring for our loved ones, sorting and packing goods in warehouses, doing yard work. It's not enough that these workers have to cope with physically taxing and dangerous
work. They and their families also labor under tremendous mental stress. As you heard from an eloquent and and very moving presentation at the beginning here tonight, I have seen the effects of ICE raids on families working at Amazon
just 35 minutes from here. Deportations, families torn apart, and the effects will last for generations. Is this how we treat people who come to this country as many of our ancestors did trying to provide a better life for their
families? My own grandfather came the document my own grandfather came with was a loaf of bread under his arm from Poland. >> We are living in very sorry when that um buzzer goes off. Um this might be your first time but that means that your time
is up. We do appreciate you for coming. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> So do I give you these documents? We we'll be happy to have them if you leave them over here please with Madame Clerk. Thank you so much. Next guest please. Hello.
>> Good evening. >> Good evening, everybody. My name is Jamie Bedrin. I'm a parent and an educator who has lived in Monontlair for 15 plus years. I live on Gordonhurst. I have two children attending public schools. Um, also graduate of MKA. and
I'm here tonight to speak about the school district's budget crisis. The truth is that our schools can no longer afford to live here. And there's something to be said about
the relationship between a town and its school district. I've always thought the schools were the soul of Monontlair. We have so much in our little wedge of New Jersey, but you take away the
schools and the light goes out. The township and its residents need to think deeply about the future of Montlair. What is truly important?
If our school system tanks, everyone suffers and we have to make a choice. Do we want to inspire or do we want to fail? Education is the key to producing
productive members of society. And as someone who has spent a lot of time in many of our schools as a parent volunteer, an enrichment teacher, and a substitute teacher, I've been witnessed to the best of the best. I love our
schools. There's so much great stuff going on in our classrooms. I really, really hate to see it fall apart. This isn't about the town bailing us out. It's about asking the question, can
we do better for our schools? Do we want to ensure that Monontlair schools are robust and appealing now and in the future? or will we throw our hands up and say
we didn't care enough to even try to help. Thank you. Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Hello. And I just want to say like about two things
today. It's firstly that today my bus was late to school because my road was like my street was
being under construction and like getting the bit of construction. and it was like closed off and it was the part and part of it was where my bus usually comes
from and I was late to school because my bus was late and didn't know the route and like people shouldn't close off streets
before tell before telling the schools So the people who drive buses for kids to go to school know the route. And secondly, it's uh about bike lanes. It's like it's so dangerous without bike
lanes for biking. And I personally think that biking is better than driving. It gives you exercise. It's better for the planet cuz some types of cars can like spread chemicals and gases into the air
and it's not good for all the plants. >> Thank you, Gigi. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Oh, she's a dog. She's getting better and better. Hi, my name is Thea Cook and my address is 9
Laurel Place and I'm here today in support for a resolution in favor of the immigrant trust act. When I moved to Montlair, it was very obvious what this town was. Everywhere you went, depending on what month it was, what we were recognizing, I could see it. It was AIPI
or it was Hispanic Heritage Month. I knew that this town is very diverse, welcoming. It's supposed to be safe. And if it is not safe, we have done something wrong and we need to change that. And a previous speaker mentioned our
ancestors coming here the same way. I don't have to look at my ancestors. My mother and my grandparents, they came from the Soviet Union in um the early 1980s because they were seeking asylum. The idea that someone else has to see
asylum has at any point in their lives moved to this town and is now having their livelihood threatened is appalling. And I we we cannot stand for that. And so I implore the council to prioritize this resolution immediately. And I hate
to sound like a broken record with all the other points made, but we will keep repeating ourselves until this is fixed, until this is rectified. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Good evening. >> I'm Chrissy Thomas and I'm the child of
two resident aliens. They weren't citizens when I was growing up. And when I think about what that means to kids now that are different colored or speak a different language at home, it makes my heart hurt. The Immigrant Trust Act is lowhanging
fruit and I think you should consider it and thinking that there's not enough interest is probably not correct. I also wanted to talk about how I started I'm a product of the
Montlair magnet school system from kindergarten through 12. I started out as class of 88 but I graduated in ' 87. And I wanted to do a quick shout out to the MHS varsity field hockey champs of 1985. They were the state champions, many of whom got inducted into the
Montlair Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Some of the best people you can ever meet were my classmates in in Montlair. I went on to earn my BA, my MBA, a master's in public policy, a law degree, and I've attended Wesleyan University, University of Pennsylvania,
Georgetown, and UVA. My law office is at 96 Park Street and my family has owned properties in Montlair since 1970, always paying taxes. I have kids I have um siblings that are York that are slightly older than me that didn't have the same experience I did in the
Montlair magnet schools. I've got a freshman that's MHS class of 2029 and who's the varsity field hockey goalie. I'm heartbroken by the current fiscal crisis we find ourselves in. Our trust has been broken, but we literally cannot just give up on our schools. We deserve
better. If you want creative, common sense, transparent, fiscally responsible leadership, you have to do something. And I'm asking everybody to write me in on the ballot under personal choice. I'm not on there because time, >> excuse me.
>> I'm going to ask please that you don't do that here with this particular time. I think this is the perfect time to do it because people have to know how to write in somebody on a ballot, >> right? But I was asked not to do like campaigning and that type of thing here. Let me just let me just ask the attorney
because if it's fine then, you know, I certainly don't have a personal problem with it. Let's see if we're allowed to do that here in this venue. >> You can't tell people how to write in a name on a on a ballot.
>> That is what I'm doing. That's exactly what I'm doing. >> It's not appropriate for this particular meeting. It doesn't pertain to any issue that's before the township. >> The schools are an issue before the town. >> But your campaign is not. >> My campaign is not, but that's not what
I'm doing. I'm talking about what this town needs and how they need help from the how how the schools need help from the town and how they're one >> unit. They're separate, but there are still the the town manager still has had
say over the board of school estimate for years and years. We only recently went to an elected board and now we're in a $19 million deficit and we didn't know it at the time that people had to register to run. And now it's time to do
something. And I'm willing to put my hat in the ring and step up because this town needs help. It needs smart people like all of us, all of you who got up and ran for something to get involved. And so I'm asking people to write me in
on their ballots. And to do that, they have to under >> I'm asking you please not to do that in here. >> Okay. >> I appreciate that. Hold on. Councelor Birmingham, >> I I just want to be clear on what's legal and not legal because
>> I asked for legal legal opinion. >> Yeah. I I'm just >> Is it really true that somebody can't come in here and >> campaign >> and and say >> because all of you did it? >> I'm I just want to be clear. What What is the >> It's not It's not appropriate for public
comment at a mayor and counsel meeting. That's probably >> But what but appropriate versus legal like whether we want her to say somebody to say it or not? Like what is legal? I guess. Well, typically under the public comment portion, it has to relate to the
particular meeting. >> I'm running for the township of Montlair and it's if it's a legal argument, then you should have your facts in front of you. >> You are running. You're not running for township. You are running for the board. So, you can >> the board of education in the township of Montlair where I went to school.
>> They're two separate public entities. You understand that? >> And I got a law degree also. >> Yes, I understand that. >> So, [Applause] Um, Chrissy, if we find out what I thought was, I apologize because I'm not
I'm not personally trying to I understand and I I was trying to broaden my comments to include things other than me. >> Um, it's not about me, it's about the town. >> Okay. >> Speed.
>> Absolutely. >> So, cuz I mean, >> you're making incorrect statements of law as the town attorney and I don't appreciate it. All right, >> next guest, please. >> I can't follow the little girl, so I'll try my best here. >> GG.
>> Give me >> Hello, town council. How are you? >> Hi. >> As you know, I am Rosafa. I am the producer as well as the coordinator for the band's last walts that will be taking place November 15th which is a Saturday at Monontlair Art Museum. Uh just going to leave you a little bit of
a heads up of what's been going on. So for those of you who don't know and again I know some of you have been very supportive and appreciative of what I've been able to do. But in the words of Martin Luther King, even though my feet are tired, my soul is well rested. And to be quite honest with you, um although that it has been treacherous and also is
never easy, I've been able to accumulate over $10,000 to make sure that we were able to produce this show. And trust me, it was not easy. >> And to be quite honest with you, I've also dealt with a lot of feedback from the town, not specifically here, but with other uh people, different
businesses, different residents, and I know a lot of them, they support other different people, and that's okay, and that's fine with me. But the one thing that I've also found that's a common thread is a lot of people don't like to tell the truth about their circumstance. In other words, I don't necessarily ask necessarily for saying everybody to help
me out cuz that's not what I'm here for. But one thing that I found out was that there was also a lot of people that I've heard chatter behind the scenes with the event. For example, first and foremost, we're helping two organizations this year. Not just Tony's Kitchen, but also Make the Road New Jersey, which by the way, they help with
housing, which by the way, I was a victim of this year. And it's actually kind of ironic with all the um talk that's been uh coming up here today. They also deal with immigration issues. And it's also been very bothering to me because again, I've also felt not only
within Essex County, but also people that I know personally that have been dealing with harassment by law enforcement. We're not just talking about ICE, we're also talking about law enforcement. This is a problem. What does this have to do with the last waltz? Well, first and foremost, anybody can go. It's a public event. Anyone can
go, including all of you or some of you or a few of you. That's your choice. However, though, uh I am asking at the bare minimum by the council and again, I'm not trying to put myself over Mach Film Festival. I'm not trying to put myself over any other event that happens here. But ultimately what I'm trying to
do here is to see if I can get any and all support from the council from any and I believe I even gave a a flyer here >> which unfortunately to my eye has not been posted or unless I've not been notified that it is has not been posted when I gave it to Ryan.
No, it's okay. That's not I'm not blaming anybody. I'm just saying based upon what I see. Um I also have uh confirmation that I have signs that I'll be able to put up almost like political signs but they're for the last Walt. though they are musical signs if you want to put it that way. But nonetheless, by the bare minimum, any
and all uh help to uh help to get the message out there cuz unfortunately we're actually running low on ticket sales in the pre-sale and that would also help us cuz we do want to see another sellout because I want this to be a staple in Monontlair and I don't care if my name's on a marquee. It is not about me and uh I abide my time.
Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. [Applause] Good evening, Lynn Stockhammer, Forest Street Montlair. I'm here to speak about the ITA, the immigrant trust act. Um,
trying to edit out a lot of what I had written because people have said it very well. I am also really disappointed that this is not on the agenda. Um, you know, at the beginning of the year, um, Mayor Baskerville, you had a
wonderful, prominent, informative announcement on our web page, um, stating that Montlair will not allow ice into our schools, libraries, places of worship. Um, I'm not finding that present on the website any longer or even accessible. I may not know where to
look for it, but um, that is a protection. And I think you also had links to know your rights if I recall. I'm not sure. Know your rights. >> I think that needs to be reinstituted and codified. Um we we have that that
was really you know Monontlair at its best. Um the uh you know on the other hand the American flag remained at half staff per order per order of the so-called president in several Monontlair locations under the guise of mourning a death of a non-public official but in
fact to celebrate the life and followers of an very influential white supremacist. We either followed orders that enabled and promoted this and this hate or we we failed at a critical moment whether through neglect or complicity. Um this
didn't go unnoticed. That was [Applause] that was a national moment and we needed and we still need to be paying attention. Hardworking Lauraine immigrants. I'm going to leave this out.
I'm sorry because it's been said before, but these people are our town, our friends and neighbors. I am not one of them. Um I'm a privileged white woman, but they are all of us and we are better than this. Um on behalf of voices who
cannot be here, and thank you for those who are um and who have had the courage to be here, perhaps at risk, the people are standing up. We're speaking to you, council, and we need Montlair to speak to the legislature of the state of New Jersey. We're we're asking you to simply
pass a resolution and submit it so that it gets onto the governor's desk. Um, Deputy Mayor, we spoke briefly um when we ran into each other. I understood you would be le liazisoning. Um, you were also going to get back to me. Um, I
believe that in essence what you said that you believe that this is a state level matter. Okay, fine. I agree. We do need to take this to the state level, but we have to start here. This is our business. Um, we will lose federal money with or
without supporting the ITA. If there are considerations before this council as to us taking a stand and standing up of we're going to be in the crosshairs, we already are. Can I say one more second? Thank you. We are standing up and this
is this you are our elected officials. Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Let us not fail at a critical moment. The resolution is a good step. Thank you so much. Thank you. I appreciate your politeness.
Next guest, please. Hello. Uh, my name is Rita Doo. I'm a student at Montlair State and I'm also here to speak in support of the resolution that in support of the immigrant trust act. Um I think it's an
incredibly urgent matter that should have already been on the agenda but because it has not I think it needs to be on the agenda at the November meeting. Um and at that point it needs to be passed because um ICE has already operated in Montlair. Um, and that's bad
enough. And, um, the fact that any routine encounter with police is a risk of of immigration getting involved and detaining um, immigrants, residents of Montlair, is kind of horrifying. I'm terrified for the people that I know, which is nothing compared to what they
and their families are going through. Um, I I think I think it's an incredibly urgent matter and hopefully the council can do the right thing and um and look into passing this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next guest, please.
[Applause] Hi, I'm Mariana. I'm J's mom and I live on Gonhouse Avenue. I'm the mom of an Nishwain student. So, I'm here today firstly about resolution number eight. I I'm really happy to see it on the
agenda, but I'd like to ask you to pull it out of the consent agenda and actually discuss it because the public needs to know about this. You're looking at a $4 million increase in health benefits cost. That's about $10,000 per
employee. That is completely fiscally unsustainable and just impossible. And I'd love to know how much of a savings you have with this new plan. Also, is this plan sustainable? Because the brief description in the resolution makes it
appear that we have a plan that's just as unsustainable, just as excessively generous as the old one, and we're just doing away with the problem of adverse selection. We also we're also adver we're also selecting out of the estate
plan. But the state plan is spiraled out of control because it was too generous. and the state has negotiated with their own employees for a more reasonable plan and local deserves the same. You also need to to do the same thing that the state did. You need to negotiate with
your employees and at a minimum get the same concessions that the state got. So I think it's very important that you be transparent with us about what happened, why you chose this, how much of a savings and how to make it sustainable. If I still have a couple minutes. Yes.
So, there's one thing that's worse, a lot worse than having to fix your sidewalk because a tree uprooted it, and that's losing your tree. So, I just had a surprise tax. I just paid almost $3,000, $2,900 something to fix my
sidewalks. And it's not fun, but that's the law. I have to do it. But now my street is going to lose another three trees. None of these trees are dead. It's extremely important that we keep our trees and
your cold enforcer and your arborist are playing fast and lose with the trees. I was basically offered if I wanted to lose my tree, they would take it out and the town would pay for it. I didn't have to. You cannot allow that. We need an ordinance
to protect our trees. We need a little bit of a climate resilience in this town. Right. There are worse things than liability and there are worse things than paying for sidewalks and that's losing our trees. And very last of all, we need the town
to be able to have a courtous cooperative relationship. I need Mr. Max to have a coop good cooperative relationship with Miss Turner because when he doesn't, our children suffer, right? We need the town to communicate
with this goes on street safety on road closures. So thank you. I'll just hand this over to Mr. Max. >> Thank you very much. Next guest please. >> Tony Martin 41 North Fullerton Avenue. >> Um what a remarkable bunch of citizen
activists we have in this town. does my heart good to hear all of these people speaking so well. Tonight I would like to speak about two citizen activists who need our help and support. one Ahabava Lisiad who is the founder of
the tenants organization of Montlair and alongside whom I worked for years. Uh we were not paid anybody by anybody as as Trump accuses activists of being
uh no two long hard fought years to get rent control in this town. I now sit on the rent control board. I think we make a huge difference having that rent control. It's not perfect, but it's an enormous benefit to so many in
this town. Ahaba was the soul of the effort. recently, not that recently, some months ago now, she was burned out of her salon and health center. And due to
complex insurance and bureaucratic situation, she's still right there burned out um and not able to rebuild her business until we give her our support in various
ways. Um, I am working with a council member, may I say, um, uh, councilwoman Toller. Um, and perhaps others of you will join with us in trying to arrange a fundraiser to help her get back in the
game. Okay. Secondly, um we citizen representatives get to know each other and we really got to know each other during that reign of mushana politics that preceded this
council. Um, oh my gosh. I mean, there were so many times we sat out here and we heard it. It It felt like an airplane, a fighter pilot jet was flying over the uh
counselors dumping a load of crap, if you catch my drift. So often that's how it felt. And people stood up and some of them uh were more eloquent than others and some of them were absolute warriors
in pursuit of the truth. One of them had extraordinary uh financial acumen. She has lawyerly chops and she is now a rightin candidate for the board of education.
I don't know her too well except what I've seen here. She's awesome. People who need to know more about her should simply go online, check her out. Chrissy, C H R I S S Y Thomas. Get your
pencil when you get your belt. Thank you. Next guest, please. Hello everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today tonight. Uh my name is Lily Benavides. I live in Paripony. I come here as
>> I'm sorry. Please tell us your name again, please. >> Lily Benavides. Um >> thank you. I'm here as an immigrant and I'm also here representing the Green Party of New Jersey. I'm coming here to um support the
resolution for the immigrant trust act which I think is absolutely necessary right now. um since uh it's been a stuck in Trenton. It's not moving and um we need to pass it as many towns as we can
to protect uh the immigrants. But it's not just the immigrants. any anyone as we heard before, we heard that anyone of color, anyone with an accent when anyone that does not speak the language.
Uh we need to do this to uh make uh our communities to feel safe for our kids. Um, my kids are not necessarily white and they are at risk and many of the
children of the family that I know and uh I'll tell you um experience uh recently that my granddaughter was stopped by the police because of the name on the plates. Okay.
So I was razor profiling and uh they asked her if she had documents. Nothing happened but she was very scared and then she was scared thinking that if me or her mom were going to speak about this that the police was coming or
immigration was coming to our house. So um this is absolutely awful and we need to do whatever it takes to stop it. ICE person. Thank you.
Next guest, please. [Applause] >> Good evening, Mayor and Council, everybody in the audience. U my name is Barry Bender and I live quite a distance from here in Fork River and Ocean County. Uh I've been to a number of
places where we've um been before the town councils or town committees speaking about the ITA. Um I really didn't expect to Montlair to be one of those towns, but we all have to be uh aware of the of the facts that are out
there. New Jersey is is being invaded by an illegal army. As far as I'm concerned, we need to the people in Trenton need to stand up and they need to, if worst case scenario, bring a lawsuit against the federal government for what they're doing because what's
going on is, as far as I'm concerned, is illegal. They're violating state rights. But what I want to talk about here is you folks uh endorsing the ITA. The more towns that endorse the ITA, it puts more pressure on the people in Trenton and
they need as much pressure as possible because this has to be passed here. Again, I don't think I'm exaggerating in saying New Jersey is being invaded by an illegal army. The the leadership here, township level, state level, county level, at all levels, they need to step
forward and say, "Not here in New Jersey." Thank you. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. Hi, I'm Lauren Berman. Um, I support everything everyone's saying about the Immigrant Trust Act. That's not why I came tonight. Ironically,
one of the things that I came to talk about tonight is that we're approaching the anniversary of the termination of Paul Burr and we have no attorney. And now we have an attorney sitting here who I hope just doesn't know the law. I
hope that that's what's happening. So I'm going to read from the ACLU of New Jersey website. Now, do I have the right to speak at public meetings? The law currently requires municipal governing bodies and school boards to set aside a portion of every meeting for public
comments. Other public bodies may also allow public comments, but they are not required to do so. If a public body provides a time for public comment, it may adopt written policies that require speakers to sign up in advance and that
limit the time of each speaker. When addressing the public body, the public body is not required to respond to your questions. The public body cannot censor your speech during a public comment portion because it does not agree with
you or like what you are saying. The public body also cannot prohibit comments based on subject matter so long as the comments relate to any issue that a member of the public feels may be of concern to the residents of the
municipality or school district. We are in a situation now where we have a write-in candidate who has very high name recognition and has an actual opportunity to win a seat on the school board. And you may be costing the
township the candidate that they want to win tonight with your actions. If anybody knows what thumbs scaling in a municipal election in Mont Clair can do, they are
sitting where you are sitting. It is an outrage that this is going on tonight and it is totally unacceptable. Now, given that Chrissy Thomas, right, in candidate, put her name up there, was just prohibited illegally from
explaining how to do so, I am asking that she be given the remainder of her time to get up here and explain it. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Next guest, please. >> I'm going to sit here for my other 28 seconds. Does anybody else up here want
to say anything about following the law? >> You're supposed to follow the law. We This is the whole point. We want to live in a democracy, not dictatorship, people. >> Okay. I'll use my other 12 seconds to say that you continue to follow OPMA less and less every meeting. At the
beginning of this meeting, you took items off the agenda. That meant you discussed the agenda items in executive session. That cannot happen. There's a very limited list of things you can discuss in executive session. His appointment in its entirety was not one just as an attorney cited in the Monontlair local said before you appointed him.
>> What did you say? [Applause] >> Good evening. My name is Lonnie Summer Pidilla. I'm a resident of Montlair. Um I am I I would first like to restate as I stated last town council meeting that
I support that you having a resolution for the immigrant trust act. Um, in addition, I would like to talk a little bit about efficiency, um, which, you know, I think is something that we really need to be
looking at at the township level. Part of that um is acknowledging that one of the significant costs that our township as well as our school system has faced is
legal costs and part of the reason for that is receiving not great advice from attorneys historically. Um, so our previous counselor council was wrapped
up in an enormous amount of litigation that is still ongoing. Um, and that really comes from not having an attorney advising you properly and or
not taking that advice. Um, and so, you know, tonight I think we saw an example and I'm sorry I don't mean to offend you, but your advice was wrong and it things like that can lead to litigation
and cost us millions of dollars that we don't have. So, when we're talking about efficiency, this is one of the things that really plays into that. And so I really encourage you to do your due
diligence and really vet any attorney that you have coming to sit with you up here at town council meetings and advising you in your council practices. Um in addition,
Mr. remarks in the your Montlair pod interview. One of the things you said was that there that you have instituted a hiring freeze and so I'm a little confused as to why there are positions that are open to be filled, including
one on the agenda for tonight for a housing specialist. Um, so I I'm not sure what's changed since your interview with the Montlair Pod until tonight, but I really support having that hiring freeze in place
because we really need to be taking a hard look at what is happening in our town and how money is being spent because there are a lot of people in town who have a lot of needs and deserve to have those needs filled. And we can't
do that if we're spending for, you know, things that we really don't need to be spending on. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next guest, please. >> Madame Mayor, may I May I Excuse me, Lonnie. The housing the uh resolution
that you see on tonight for the housing person is through a grant. >> Next guest, please. And the engineers, >> that's different. >> That's different because that was the other thing I saw open. And I think there were three positions on there that are different. I want you to understand that one.
>> Next guest, please. >> Good evening, mayor and council. >> Good evening. >> Okay. Ahaba Felicidad, president and first founder of the tenants organization of Monontlair. And as such, for those who also know now, I am the owner at Ahab Felicidad here and
body. I've been a wellness practitioner and in hair about four decades now. Um, so I'm a lifelong Monontlair resident, daughter of one immigrant, a single mother, and someone who built everything I have without a silver
without a silver spoon or trust fund. I'm here tonight as both a neighbor and an advocate, reminding us that community starts with how we look out for each other. Um, not just in words, uh, also in awareness. And um I would like for us
to all be mindful of who is entering our buildings with us, especially as theft and safety concerns rise. I hear a lot and I see a lot when I'm out and about uh due to a program that I participate in with my business and neighbors are
talking to me more regularly. um now um increased even with us having the rent control law in place, there's still rural residents talking to me about things that are going on in buildings. So, there has been some issues have been
some issues with theft. So, I want everyone to pay attention to just who may try to piggyback you coming into um your building and knowing your neighbors and making sure that you don't have to be overly involved to make a friend or say hey to a neighbor
and be familiar with who's in your building, whether it's a 8 unit building or a 28 unit building or a 99 unit building or garden community. Um, just try to be aware of who lives around you so you're not letting strangers in to
take from everyone. I also want to thank everyone who volunteers and serves in our in our community every day. Your work matters. Um, I say this not to overshadow but to strengthen. We all play a part in keeping Montlair safe and connected. I
want to highlight one resource. It's vital for our tenants, our rent control office. It exists for a reason. If you experience a violation, report it. Documentation awareness protect all of us now and in the future. God bless you. Salude den.
>> As for me, I'm not going away. I just had a call even today that came in about um going to the rent control office for a violation and getting help. And then I made recommendations. So, we still do that. in terms of the resources we will
offer through the tenants organization of Montlair. Um I'm here to represent every tenant in Montlair, those here now and those who will come after us who deserve stability, respect, and a voice. We are watching. We are listening and acting in
accordance with the law and um love for this town that we all call home. Thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you very much. Next guest, please. [Applause] Um, hi. Good evening. Uh, I am here for
just a couple of things. Uh, so I was riding my bike today trying to figure out where the noise of a gas leaf blower was coming from cuz that's what I do when I hear them. Um, and a friend of mine, an old lady, uh, stopped me
saying, "Stop. I was looking for you." Um, she was really, really distraught. I had visited her garden which is beautiful garden so wonderful and she gave me plants which now are in my garden and and that's one of the ways in which people in Monontlair get to know
each other and it's super sweet. Um and she said I was hoping to bump into you. My neighbor chopped down five oak trees. Look at my garden now. It's completely changed. And it happened to be a house that did not get a permit to remove
trees. I won't say what house that is. Obviously, we need a better tree ordinance. We need it now. We needed it yesterday. Um I know it's a complicated one, but we're losing tree canopy. Um
our tree ordinance right now isn't even being enforced properly. People are cutting down trees without permits. So, we can't even track, you know, what we're losing. I was at the planning board yesterday. um for the
public comment for the sustainability and resilience amendment and I was really disappointed in a lot of the content in that document and I hope to see a better draft. Um that's a huge concern of mine. I support the Immigrant Trust Act. One of the best
things about moving to America has been meeting people from all over the place. That's not how I grew up and I would like for America to stay that way. Um, lastly, you know, school and town is separate and I'm really appalled at the
situation the schools are in. I had a feeling for a long time that there was stuff going on that we didn't know about. Um, certainly I was experiencing that with uh my issue, but um they go they go together. my daughter
uh has been talking about a lot of the things that you council are talking about and so I really do hope that you can write in Chrissy Thomas uh in on the ballot because I think she would really make a good BOE member. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Next next um guest please. >> That's it for everybody. >> Okay. Um, I'm going to take a a 10-minute break at at this point in time and um then we're going to reconvene. I'm I'm going to give um our attorney an
opportunity if she wishes to um seek another opinion. I certainly don't want to sit here and do something that is not in alignment with the law. I certainly don't know what it is and I lean heavily um on on our attorney here. So, uh we're
going to take a 10-minute break and then reconvene. Yeah. >> One quick thing. >> Yeah. >> I just want everybody to know, especially if you're first time, that not having a dialogue during public comment is not never a sign of disrespect or that we're not listening
to what you're saying. It's just that is a best practice that I I strongly believe in. What I want to do is us to move to a format where we do have a session immediately after public comment where we respond individually to everybody rather than doing it on the
fly. We would write down what people are saying because it's mostly it's fair to people. >> If people are breaking the law on the fly, you kind of have to >> break glass. I Yeah, there can always be an exception. So, I I I'd like I make a motion um to adjourn for a 10-minute
break. >> Just to follow up on what councelor >> Damato said. Uh one, I I do want to correct we did not discuss what items were being removed from the agenda in close session. That was not discussed
there at all. I can absolutely tell you that. I was sitting here. We did not discuss that. And two, following up on what he said, you know, we're working on developing a procedure. It it is better and I've been in many municipal governing bodies to listen to what the
public has to say and then after everyone is done then respond and we are going to be discussing during this little interlude uh with our attorney what comment political comments are appropriate during council sessions. So,
if you're interested in that, don't run away while we're >> right. So, we're going to take a 10-minute break for the third time and then we'll reconvene shortly. Thank you. Also, how's Thank you. Um, and I thank all of the members of the public and the council
for your patience. I thank those of you who um were kind enough to bring to our attention something that we did hear that was not in alignment with the law or appropriate. And I'm going to ask our attorney uh Kumar
>> Thompson >> Thompson please if she would uh just address you for one moment. >> Yes. So um yeah, thank you for bringing it to my attention I and and everyone else in terms of the public comment section. In most of my municipalities
that I've worked at, they've always limited that um to the items on the agenda or to matters germaine to that meeting and subject and topics that are to be discussed. Um I was informed that the only restriction on public comment in Montlair is as to the time limit. So,
um, >> New Jersey, >> well, there are municipalities that put time, place, manner restrictions in, yeah, under the open public meetings act, you can put restrictions and I do I have worked in municipalities in Bergen County that have those restrictions. Um,
and in this case, we only have the one public comment period. So, I was incorrect. And, um, I believe the mayor is going to invite you back to finish your comment. >> The campaign? >> Yes. Uh, >> the campaign on the public microphone. that call.
>> Thank you, um, attorney. So, um, during during the 10 minutes that we were out, uh, we we reviewed the law and at this particular time, this, um, body does not have a written law regarding how we're
going to address that. Certainly, that will be one of the, uh, things that's very high on our agenda. uh just like the immigration act. But I do want to um offer um Miss um
Chrissy Thomas. I'm sorry. I I'm sorry. >> I'd like she can speak. I'm I'd like to offer Miss Thomas please to your um opportunity to come to the podium and um
you can have your three minutes to share with us >> what I appreciate the council recognizing the constitution and the right of everybody to speak. I am sad that Noah Gail was told to be quiet because he said something political. I'm
sad that anybody that tries to come up and do something nice for the town or even takes the time out of their day to speak is told that they're acting illegally when they're not. It's absolutely
unforgivable for an attorney to give advice like that and to call somebody out like that in the middle of a speech when they don't have to and to even ask if that's appropriate. You know better, Miss Dr. Baskerville. Mayor Baskerville.
And it's not really okay that I'm being asked to come up here again and speak when I was interrupted. >> I'm And when rude comments come from the peanut gallery, >> it's inappropriate.
if you >> I've got a freshman at MHS, class of 2029, who's the varsity field hockey goalie, and I'm heartbroken by the current fiscal crisis we find ourselves in. Our trust has been broken, but we literally cannot just give up on our
schools. We deserve better. If you want creative, common sense, transparent, fiscally responsible leadership, you have to write in on the ballot under personal choice. I'm not on there because at the time that you had to register to run, we didn't know about
the 12 to19 million deficit, much of which is going to be recurring if we don't change course. I care very deeply about this town and I'm the benefit of our s our magnet system at its best. I'm ready to meet this moment and work for
all of us to bring back the magic of our Montlair magnet schools if you'll let me use my skills, my law degree, my MBA, my masters in public policy to benefit this town at a time when my skills are very much needed. If you want new smart leadership that shares your values,
please write in Chrissy Thomas on your ballot for board of ed to do that on the ballot. It has under the board of ed candidates, it has personal choice. You have to fill in the circle and write in your choice. You can do that
for me by writing in Chrissy C H R I S Y Thomas T H O M- A. Um, I also learned that the woman who came up here and spoke so eloquently in Spanish is running as a write-in candidate for governor of New Jersey. And you could
write in Lily Bian Bonitz, ben A v I ds, Lily. Um, if you are so inclined. Um, I'm all about Mikey Cheryl. I think that she's the best choice. But
that's all I have to say about that. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other um guests who have signed in? No. Okay. Okay. Greetings, Kalia Sweat. Good evening. >> I have not been in this room for a while
intentionally because I felt the um the increase of the black oppression within this room. So, I stopped coming months ago. Uh as you know, I was the person who brought brought forth the black liberation flag. I see that even that was disrespected, dishonored, and
disgraced. You had to create an ordinance for that flag that you didn't even follow. It was supposed to go up on June 19th, but it didn't. A different flag did that was red, white, and blue. What I saw here tonight is so inappropriate. You're not supposed to
campaign at public in public comment. Now, she knows why I'm making noise in the back because of her comments about a symbol that represents the freedom of my people, the people that I'm a part of.
So, I am an advocate at schoolboard meetings. So, I will be there and I definitely do not want to deal with any more white supremacy on that school board. When we got an anti-racism policy passed, it wasn't because of individuals
like this. These are the people who stand in the way of black progress. And I'm really, really disappointed. I haven't even wanted to come in this room. I think it was very disrespectful how this woman here was spoken to. It was very disrespectful.
I've been watching all the meetings. I haven't come, but I never stopped watching the disrespect. how people are talking about homeless people, mentally ill people. When you start making vulnerable people even more vulnerable, you're evil. Why are we Why are we acquiescing to
this type of energy? These are the same ones who stood in the way of the black liberation flag. And we have meetings in here about affordable housing that we're not going to do. This place is wild
and I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed. I see everyone smiling at you. You're the council person who yelled for me to get out the room and disrespected other black women. I guess everyone forgot. I have not. I have not. And folks who make people like this
comfortable, you make all of us more vulnerable. I definitely stand in agreement with the uh immigration um act. We have we have people born and raised here who've been here who are the descendants of folks who didn't choose to even come here who don't have
protective factors and we have the audacity to allow someone to come stand here and campaign at this podium. Let her win. See what I I will be at every school board meeting. Everyone. >> I'm not looking for a pause. You don't need
>> Thank you. Is there um another guest here? Okay, we're going to move on and and that will end our public comment for the evening and we're going to go to um
new business. Um Council Damato, can we start on your end? Uh new business ordinance B. We have uh uh item A was withdrawn. Is that correct? >> So B is an ordinance to create the
position of housing specialist and I so move. >> Second. >> Any any discussion? >> Yes, mayor. >> Yes, >> if I may. Um I just wanted to clarify. Uh so this is an ordinance to create the position of a housing specialist. Um
this is a um I wanted to just say that this is a fully grant-f funded position. It's um and when I asked um I was told that it was only uh it's a position that will only last two years um which is the time of period that it's funded. It's to
uh we are getting the money from a um our participation our selection as a participant in um the New Jersey Homes program um which is administered by the Department of Community Affairs. It calls for um an award of $50,000 per um
per year for um for uh basically um uh staff support um to help implement um our township's affordable housing programs which um were codified in the um fourth round housing element and fair share plan and and the spending plan. So
um what we were told by um Janice Tally um under whose direction this person would be working whoever is hired is that it's a part-time hourly role um and it's you know the purpose of of having um support in the township is to um help
us um to to sort of jumpstart our housing pro um affordable housing programs and initiatives. So, um I just wanted to make that clear uh because I know that there are some questions. Um uh questions.
>> Uh well, I don't have a question. I just would say that, you know, especially given, uh that we are going to have to be, you know, a little tighter in the years going forward. Um that grant-f funed positions can, you know, it can be a bit of a trap. I just read a book, not
a great book, but it had some good bits called the innovation delusion. And it was big parts of it were about federal government and other superior governments, um dangling grant money to do something and then municipalities in particular being um ending up with cost
structures that they later ended up uh you know having to work around. So, I just as long as I mean I'm not interrogating this particular position too hard and I do believe that our housing um functions and services probably need some centralization and
coordination and maybe a ZAR. We've all I think we've all talked about it. I don't like the word ZAR, but um but in here I think that going forward every time we say something is grant funded a position um we should be skeptical. We should be healthfully skeptical about
it. And that's all I'll say. I'm done. Thank you. Um, anyone else? >> Councelor Birmingham. >> Um, can I just clarify the in the job description it says assist in the township's accessory apartment program. Is that Can you just explain is that the
ADU or what is that? >> Yes, that's our accessory dwelling unit program. We have a lot of inquiries that come into our office and there's a lot of activity at the state level to try and make the process simpler with models
of ADUs and and cost coming up with costs to to reduce the cost to build them. So, um we're going to try and integrate some of those conversations here in Montlair. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else have a question?
Okay. Um, planner tally, I have a question. So, regarding this, um, position, um, as you know, the, um, community collaborative on, um, unhoused residents has recently retained Michael Woods to a
position that almost reads identically to what's in here. And um the purpose was to be that one um umbrella person to bring us all together and uh make sure that we're not
duplicating services and to do a lot of the things that are here. So I guess because this is a grant fund, we just, you know, wanted to use the money. I'm not I'm not really clear because Family Promise and Partners for Health, they
gave a large large chunk of money specifically for the same type of position. I get it. they are uh you know they're not part of the township per se but if we're going to collaborate with people then I'm just trying to figure
out um why the the duplication when we're doing collaborative efforts we're meeting with them you know at least once twice or more a month to talk about the similar things that are written in here >> um respectfully they're very different
positions uh the work that Michael Woods does is valuable working with the unhoused really evaluating their needs, this the service needs um because it's it's not a single trait population. There's a lot of different issues and a
lot of different efforts that go with addressing the needs of the unhoused. This is to create housing. It's to create affordable housing, low-income housing, moderate income housing. We also have a workforce housing initiative that I'd like to expand as well. while we have it in some of our redevelopment
plans. So, the focus is not so much doing the wraparound services for the unhoused and and identifying them and getting them to the services that they need. It's more basic than that. It's to help us to create opportunities for affordable housing. Part of which is
supportive housing. We've talked about that. >> So, while it's related in that end, it's it's a much different focus. And this person um again we've been going through extensive training with the state talking about what we're doing in
Monontlair and what other m municipalities are doing and the state said we understand you all need staff to jumpstart these programs and these initiatives working with the faith-based organizations and the nonprofit organizations who require a lot of handholding. So, that's um a lot of what
this person will be doing to get those programs um up and running in a two-year period. So, hopefully, you know, it'll be much easier um once we get the programs running and the conversations going. So,
>> okay. >> Thank you. >> Just want to for the record to >> Thank you. Councelor Damato's made a statement. This is not going to serve the purpose of the ZAR that we want. This is for a very unique specific. We still need that person though. So I just wanted to clarify that.
>> Do you want to discuss um that for the public so they'll know what you all are talking about? >> Well, you know, my recommendation in thinking is that we need someone that handles all things housing, not just affordable. Okay. One person. Our programs operate under three separate departments. We need one person to
handle all three items. this particular job or grant-f funed position will cover one portion of the three. So, there's still some conversations that need to be held to find a person to do all three so that we have all of our housing issues
programs under one person, one department, one roof. Right now, it's separated. I just wanted to put that on the record. So would that be um an additional staff member that would have suggested unless we can find a way to make this work for that particular person, but because it's grant funded
money, we have to adhere to whatever the grant specifies this person does. >> Um so I don't think we can do it with this particular person that's going to be hired >> because they wouldn't have the section 8 training, if you will. So we still have we need someone.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other um comments, Council Williams? No. Okay, >> Madam Clerk. >> Deputy Mayor Anderson. >> Yes. >> Councelor Birmingham. >> Yes. >> Councelor Damato. >> Yes.
>> Councelor Harrison. >> Yes. >> Councelor Toller. >> Yes. >> Councelor Williams. >> Yes. >> Mayor Baskerville. >> Yes. >> Council Birmingham, please. I have new business ordinance C, an ordinance to amend section 327, vehicles
and traffic 327-9.1 multi-way stop intersections. And this is an ordinance to um place a multi-way stop intersection at the intersection of Lraine being the major street, Lraine Avenue, and Norwood
Avenue being the minor street. And this is located very contiguous to Buzz Aldrin school. So I so move second discussion. Uh I'll just quickly say this is my
block. Um these were my people who pushed for this. Um, I have a neighbor uh who told me that when he moved in around the year, I don't know, it was like 19 in the mid '9s and he said to his new neighbor, "We should have a stop
sign here." And he said, "I've been trying for 20 years to get a stop sign." So that's 50 years or something like that. Anyway, it's there. It's a very important intersection. There are three schools. It's the only place in town in the township with three schools in two blocks. And there have been a lot of
incidents there. So I I won't go on, but I I want to thank our engineer, Mr. Hernandez, and I want to thank DCS Director Ashley. So we had this on the agenda at a meeting of the complete streets oversight board, and they said,
and I pushed very hard, and they said, "This is does not really fit the criteria based on the crash data, the available crash data for a four-way." But they took the leap and when I, you know, when I said I think that there's a lot of uncaptured data and they said,
you know, um, because it's a school and and we're committed to this, we're going to we're going to take the leap and and engineer Hernandez sent me that email at midnight that night. So, he was working at midnight. He sent it to me and the
next day at 3:00 there was a crash at the intersection. Thank you very much, Madame Clerk. >> Deputy Mayor Anderson. >> Yes. >> Councelor Birmingham. >> Yes. >> Councelor Damato. >> Oh, yes.
>> Councelor Harrison. >> Yes. This is an intersection that really needs that stop sign. I travel there frequently and it's needed it for a long time. As councelor Damato said. >> Councelor Toller. >> Yes. I want to copy and paste what councelor Damato and councelor Harrison
said. Does the stop sign is needed? Someone who went to Mount Hebrin. Some of you know it as Buzz Aldrin. That's fine. >> Councelor Williams. >> Yes. >> Mayor Baskerville. >> Yes. >> Item D or an ordinance to amend section
347 of article 26 inclusionary zoning ordinance of the zoning code of township of Monontlair. This is an ordinance that stems from the the fourth round housing element and fair share plan that the planning board adopted that was endorsed by the
council. It includes some of the recommendations to facilitate affordable housing in in the town and I so move >> second um planner tally. >> Thank you very much um and thank you for
what we have here. I think that it's very um important that the community understands um what this is. So if you would please give a summary so that people will understand what this says before we vote on that.
>> Sure. So this is ba the first trunch of changes to our affordable housing ordinances coming out of not only our fourth round housing plan but pending changes at the state level to the uniform housing
affordability controls which they've been working on for the past year and they're supposed to be adopted in December and I didn't want to start making those changes until they were adopted at the state level. So today um what we did is we eliminated the minimum density um for a project wi to which our
inclusionary zoning ordinance applies. So by getting rid of the minimum eight units per acre any single family housing project that generates at least five units um would our afford our inclusionary zoning ordinance would
apply and they'd have to provide one affordable unit if it's five units. We also um made a change to increase the set aside for affordable units for projects that required a use variance. Um and the idea is when you're
requesting a use variance, um it's not consistent with the zone, they're they're asking for a permission from the board of adjustment for a use that's not permitted. In exchange, um we've increased the affordable housing set aside from 1 in five units to one in
four units. again hoping to uh increase the production of the supply of affordable housing. Um we also added another requirement that 15% of the units that are created are set aside for persons with special needs. That would be a form of supportive housing. Um that
would come with uh case management services. That's one of the definitions of supportive housing. Um, we've changed the term of the affordability controls, these new terms, which is 40 years for rental units. And
by term, I mean the term of the deed restriction. So, it's 40 years for rental units and 30 years for sales units. These are state requirements. So, we're putting this in our ordinance to meet the current state requirements. Um,
we made a an adjustment to the the cash and loo payment for when uh projects um either cannot build an affordable unit for some reason and we almost always require them to build a build the
unit on site. There's been one occasion where they were allowed to build it offsite. Um, and what they can or what they can do is they can pay into this um into our housing trust fund and we increased the value of that in terms of the baseline subsidy uh to $250,000
and added an annual increase um so that it would be recalculated every year uh to match what the market is uh to build those units. So that's essentially those are the changes that are proposed here. >> Okay. Yes. Um councelor Toller.
>> Yep. Thank you. Um Janice, my question is this new ordinance, this is only going to apply to new development. It doesn't apply to anything that has a application on file currently. Is that correct? Or will it apply? >> Right. If it's already been approved, right,
>> it doesn't apply. Okay. How? However, if the deed restrictions have not put in place because we have some projects where they've been constructed, but the deed restrictions have not been recorded. I believe they have to meet
the new requirements. >> Okay. >> Can we verify that? Not now, but >> because that's a state law, not a local. We I guess the answer it depends. Okay. So, if it's a state law, then the new state law requirements would apply. I mean, because this is great, but I don't
know how much more future development we're going to have to be able to take advantage of this. This really should have been put in place years ago. >> This would apply to everything in good. That's wonderful. That's great to hear. >> So, there's 60 units there if they build the 300 that's in the plan. >> Very good. Thank you,
>> Planner. I have a question. Um, so regarding the 15% of affordable units that goes for special needs, um, I'm I'm certainly in favor of of affordable housing for special needs, but I'm Is that
of the 25% that is required? Is that saying that 15% of the 25% must be used for people that have special needs? >> Right. So if you it's 15% of the affordable units that are created. So
it's if you only have one affordable unit in your project that's not going to kick in. But if you have um a certain number and I think that it's seven or eight. I might have put it in my memo at that when you reach a certain number then one of those units is going to have
to be set aside and marketed for people with special needs. And we've talked with um people um with the unhoused coalition and with the other organizations that there is a list that's maintained. >> Um I believe it's called the CFC list.
It's the uh continuum of care list where we would draw from to occupy those units. >> Um council Birmingham, >> just to follow on, you mentioned case management goes with that. >> Yes. >> How is that funded?
that would have to be part of the package that a developer would put together. Usually what they would do is they would identify a nonprofit organization that would sponsor that unit and provide the case management services. >> Okay. And then my next question is um
this elimination of the minimum density threshold of eight units per acre, >> right? Um is are we supposed to are we would you recommend that we replace it with a different threshold or just remove it entirely? >> Remove it entirely because there are
projects um some single family residential projects that were fully exempt from this even if there were seven or eight units because the density was below that eight um that eight dwelling units per acre minimum. So just to be fair the the recommendation was to
drop the minimum density. So any project that creates a certain number of units would have to provide for affordable housing and you could build a small affordable a small single family house um that would be uh appropriate for a low or moderate income housing uh
household. So it doesn't it's not limited to the type of housing. You can incorporate it into different types of uh housing development. >> Councelor will I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Councelor Williams and Councelor Damato. >> I'm I'm confused by your last comment.
You're saying you can build a single family home that would say that again. >> Absolutely. You can build a single family home that serves as a low a lowinccome or a moderate income household. The developer would have to
subsidize it, but you would be a small single family home. >> Okay. >> Would not be a you misunderstood what you said. >> Okay. Not. Yeah, it would be one in at least, you know, five houses. One would have to be affordable.
>> Council Damato, >> is there any way that this, you know, speaking of subsidy that you can in any way model the impact that this has on the pool of ratables in the township? So, I mean, we have to now look at every all the legislation we pass about, you
know, the impact the economic cost of it. And there is some cost to this because it it will lower tax revenues. >> It will lower tax revenues. I don't think it's going to create that many affordable units. So I think the cost
will be uh subsumed um particularly if it's a part of an inclusionary development. When these are built the developers are subsidizing the cost um and and they build it into their proformas. we uh so it's it's actually
baked in and built into the cost analysis to create these units. These units do pay taxes. They're not tax-free. They just pay less taxes because they're deed restricted. So, I mean, I think in the in the it's not going to create a huge number of units because honestly, you're right. We're
not going to have we don't have that much more development anticipated, but I think the costs are not significant. If it's inclusionary development, it's borne by the developers. Um, and they do pay taxes, >> but there's still a huge gap between a
market rate unit could be taxed $10,000 a year versus what? I mean, how do you model it? >> They're stratified. Some of these are moderate income. So, they're at 80% of of median income or 60% or at 50%. So, it it's not a one-sizefits-all. When
these projects are put together, they have to offer the if it's a sales unit at different price points for low-income and moderate income households. I think the average is about 55%. >> But it costs the township itself. We should just be clear some
>> but I I don't agree. Councelor Harrison, >> the the yes, it will have less tax revenues, but the from the overall development, there will still be an in a significant increase in the tax ratables to the town. And the choice is yes, we could
have everyone in town live in a million plus dollar house and there would be great ratables, but this would not be a town I would want to live in. If I wanted to do that, I'd move to Alpine and be happy with a bunch of rich neighbors, but that's not the town I want to live in. you know, it's going to
be these developments are going to significantly increase. You're talking about at least five units and the ratables to town is going be more than what's there now. And and you have the other reality of the state is requiring
that 20% of the units be affordable, period. And then in order for the township's fair share plan to be approved, we have to provide for that. So, it's not like we have an alternative, but in terms of the Montlair that I have chosen to live in for 70 years, even though I had to
commute 4 hours a day for 20 plus years to do that, it's important to make to have continue to provide affordable units in town that will be paying taxes, not as much as a million-doll house, but still paying taxes.
>> Mayor, >> anyone else? Deputy. Um, so I I mean this is just one tool in the tool box, right? Like this is to create affordable. >> We're working on many other zoning initiatives. So this is one tool. Yes. >> I just wanted to point that out because I don't want people to get confused when
you said like this probably won't result in a lot of affordable units. Like this is not the only thing that we are, you know, um, using to do that. Um, and I guess I mean is part of the the reason for the getting rid of the minimum
density um or the the minimum residential density is to avoid the need for um like variances. >> No, it really has nothing to do with v variances. It's to increase the number of opportunities to to for development to create affordable housing. There's no
reason why an eight or a sixunit subdivision could not include an affordable unit >> and should be exempt from it. So that was the idea. >> And dwelling you when when we say dwelling units because the language used here in is dwelling unit.
>> We're talking about we're not talking about bedrooms, right? We're talking about individual apartments. >> A dwelling. Yeah. Dwelling unit is defined I believe in the municipal land use law. It's a a unit for one household. >> Kitchen, one ba, a kitchen, bath,
>> depend any number of bedrooms. >> Okay. And I just have one last question and that has to do with the um supportive housing. >> Um which um you know I think is really important. Um >> uh so just maybe it's just the language or the way it's um maybe it's I'm a
little I might be a little bit confused, but the 15% of of affordable units shall be permanent supportive housing. Um, and when I look at the definition of supportive housing, um, I mean, it's pretty clear that it's it's meant to be like somebody's per like permanent
living situation, but it also says that in the definition combined with flexible support services tailored to the individual's needs. So, um, on page three, it says where it says that the 15 uh% of the new affordable units have to
be permanent supportive housing. Does that mean also that you know that there has to be flexible support like whoever's living there does do we have any sort of window into whether or not the flexible support services are I
think in my conversations with my many hours of training over the past couple months with DCA we've talked about uh supportive housing and emphasize the importance that when you require like it includes the services so the whole idea
is and I I hope I I was trying to make it clear in the in the language here and maybe we can tighten it up, but the idea is you're going to set aside those units for supportive housing. You're and that the developer is going to identify a nonprofit organization who'll fulfill
that requirement and include the services that they need. So that's going to be part and parcel with those unit and it's it's it's basically they'll have they it's not going to take place at the housing unit itself but they will provide a mechanism by which those
services are provided because not everybody needs inhome services. >> Okay. >> Anyone else? >> Thank you planner. >> Madam clerk >> deputy mayor Anderson. >> Yes. Councelor Birmingham,
>> yes. >> Councelor Damato, >> yes. >> Councelor Harrison, >> yes. >> Councelor Toller, >> yes. >> Councelor Williams, >> yes. >> Mayor Baskerville, >> yes. Thank you. And now we're going to move to the uh consent agenda.
Manager Marks H. >> Yes. >> Number number six was the only one that we were going through. >> Did you go through that? We didn't go through that already. Did you >> Tony? Um Tony Stan is here to answer any questions if you have any questions from
the deis or if you want to. >> Yes. >> I don't know if you want to discuss it or or pull it. So should we start with one item one or >> yes? Thank you. Would you start at one? >> Okay. So item one is a resolution authorizing
the township of Montlair to sign a memor memorandum of agreement with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs DCA to participate in the NJ homes launchpad program. Item three is a resolution awarding contract for the Upper Mountain Avenue
Roadway improvements NJ dot funded project which was bid number 25-25. Item number four is a resolution authorizing awarding a non-fair and open contract to spatial spatial data logic SDL for the software license agreement
renewal for the three years for the proprietary software license agreement pursuant to NJSA 481-51D. >> Council Williams. >> Yeah, I wasn't quite sure what this was for. So just give us
>> I could provide a little bit of back background. So there are um a limited number of uh platforms uh for permit management. So um this platform is multidisciplinary. It's usually shared
among various departments, code enforcement, building department specifically. It also there are modules for municipal clerk, municipal engineer, uh planning and zoning um applications. uh whereby multiple departments enter
data for permitting. So let's say a um a resident comes in, they want to build a house. Um the resident either through the online platform um or through um uh a desktop either on like a a mobile platform through your phone or through a
a a desktop could fill out an application to build a home. Um it it can be managed if so we have a different program or platform for planning and zoning. So uh specifically for spatial data logic um it allows a property owner
to se to seek planning board zoning board approvals uh for their particular project. Uh it then gets passed along assuming it's approved by the planning board or zoning board. Um it then gets passed along to the construction department. So it's a seamless platform.
So the the building department can see that it was previously app approved by um approval agencies or approving entities um and then could issue building permits based upon that. There are also platforms for the municipal
engineer uh to be able to if there's any storm water permits involved. the more um municipal departments that participate in it, the more people, the more seats that are actually uh licensed and adding data, it becomes more robust
and the more people who are using it um the the stronger and more um kind of a robust platform it becomes. I don't know if I'm adequately providing >> No, thank you. >> background information on it. I just it replaces it replaces paper applications
and you're able to see from a from a one particular department. You're able to see what other departments are doing with regard to that one particular property. >> Should have left with the replaces paper application. >> It replaces paper. >> There you go. >> So that's great. So everybody will have
eyes on the same one application. techn everybody who's participating the the departments if a if a particular department is not >> you know doesn't have a seat they may not see that so >> right so and then the other thing is the
certification of funds form we have to fix that since we have a new hire >> we did have a conversation so Deb Bartlett is here I was going to introduce her towards the end of the >> I know she's here but we're still >> we had that conversation this afternoon >> thank you Okay.
>> Oh, so >> thank you. >> Thank you. Um item five is a resolution authorizing a change order um to the contract with SHI International Corporation for Microsoft Office 365 support service plan to increase the
contract by $5,149.31. Item number six is a resolution authorizing expenditure to purchase computer equipment for Township PC refresh project. >> Number six. >> Yes. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> So, item six. >> Number seven, please. Item uh seven is a resolution authorizing award of a contract to CW CDW government LLC under ESCJ cooperative contract for the Cisco
Security Protection Enterprise Agreement for the township for a period of 3 years. And item eight is a resolution authorizing termination of participation in the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program.
Yes, I would like to. >> Yeah, Council Williams, I >> I think uh one of one or more of the constituents had questions about this item on the agenda. I thought it would be worthwhile to spend a couple of
moments uh discussing this and why we're doing this. So, >> and I could speak to that at the appropriate time. I mean now or or after? Now now. Okay. Sure. So on uh July 8th, 2025, a
handout, it's a press release from New Jersey um Treasury, New Jersey Department of the Treasury, which I'll pass along. Um so on uh July 9th, 2025, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury came out with the uh premium information for the New Jersey State
Health Benefits Plan for the 2026 plan year. basically January 1, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 for um there are different parts of the program covering uh medical and prescription benefits for state employees and for local government
employees on the and schoolboard employees. So for the local government employee portion, the premiums for participating in the New Jersey state health benefits plan were going up by 36.5%. Um the township of Montlair currently in
2025 budget spends approximately $10 million on employee health benefits. So um the 36.5% increase in that one single line item for the township of Montlair is almost a $4 million increase. So our uh tax levy
is approximately $62 million. So that one increase in that one line item for 2026 uh translates would translate into a 6.39% increase in taxes on our $62 million tax levy that is just not
financially sustainable. So, uh, Perma, which is a, um, an agency or entity involved with, um, actuarial and risk management services for municipalities, counties, school boards in the state of
New Jersey in analyzing the New Jersey state health benefits plan is projecting that this is not just a oneanddone deal with the with increases for the New Jersey state health benefits plan. They are projecting increases of 37%
uh for the 2027 plan year, 50% increases in the state health benefits plan for the 2028 uh plan year and 60% increases in the 2029 um plan year. Actuaries across the state
are describing the state health benefits plan as being in a death quote unquote death spiral. So many entities, local governments, municipalities who can get out of the state health benefits plan are getting out, you know, while they can. So our health insurance or our
insurance broker um is IMAC, IMAC. uh they solicited they went to market they solicited quotes for employee health benefits for uh medical and prescription health benefits for our municipal employees and the retirees who are eligible for those benefits. Um they
found a many um uh insurance carriers actually declined uh based on past performance or or the loss ratios. They found a quote they got a quote from Etna for a fully insured plan for our
municipal employees that is equal to or better the state than the state health benefits plan. There was a question about savings. Uh the savings for between the 2025 plan year and the 2026 plan year are modest. It's between 300
and $400,000 in saving savings. the the it's the point of this exercise is not so much saving the 300 or $400,000 uh for 2026 but avoiding those 50 60% increases in the future the out plan the
out planning years the 2027 2028 2029 um so we had a meeting this afternoon with all of the bargain there are seven bargaining units um we unveiled it to the bargaining units we went over questions we are making ourselves available ailable uh for any transition.
Um in order to leave the state health benefits plan, uh the governing body of every you know municipality that's entertaining it uh leaving the state health benefits plan has to p pass a resolution by November 1st of the year
in order to leave for January 1st of the coming year. So this was discussed uh with in the finance committee several times with our um insurance broker. Uh we hired an independent actuary to actually fact check with the insurance
broker. He was in agreement uh about the savings and about the justification for leaving the state health benefits plan. Um and um I mean it's the recommendation of our insurance broker myself to go to
um to go to the Etna fully insured plan uh which will be equal to or better. Um as far as the one resident said um concerning we have to we have to you know have less rich plans. Um health benefits are part of the labor
contracts. It's a negotiable item. We can't just take away um you know health benefits from any of the bargaining units. Uh we will be in a position to uh bargain for reduction in benefits. But uh as everybody knows through a bargaining process you have to have two
agreeable parties. So you know the the bargaining units themselves the municipal labor unions will have to be agreeable. Um, and they have skin in the game because each municipal employee uh pays for a portion of their health benefits through what's called chapter 78 contributions. So, every municipal
employee has skin in the game in terms of pay making contributions towards their own employee health benefits. Those contributions on average are about 10% uh of their of their salaries. Does anybody have any questions? I also
have um so um oh I have presentations which I'd like to pass out um that were prepared by IMAC our health insurance broker. It goes over everything that I just said in much greater detail. I don't want to bore you with it. Um but I
am available IMAC is available. Uh Alicia Dawkins who was here this evening is available to speak um to any you know any questions that anybody may have. Again equal to or better the health benefits themselves are negotiable so we
can't arbitrarily unilaterally change any of the health benefits. What is not negotiable is the network that we're in. So, you know, we leaving the state health benefits plan, which is Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, going to a more coste effective plan, whether it's in
this case ETNA, but if it were say Sigma or United Healthcare or any of the other networks, that's a not non-negotiable item. That's not something that is subject to negotiation. >> Yes, Council Burningham. >> Um, thank you, Manager Marks. I think
you did a really nice job explaining. I I just want to um sort of echo what you said in terms of just the really dramatic increase. So I think in the past five years we've seen a 115%
increase in the local um government share of premiums. And just to acknowledge this is obviously um you know something that we as taxpayers have to deal with but it also as manager Markx said it really does affect the
employees as well too because they are putting out more money as well. So I will say that really last year one of the very first things we did when we joined you know this council is we looked for alternatives to this um to
the state health benefit plan because we don't see it as a sustainable future um plan for the town. Last year we had no options just so we're clear like this is not something that we were sitting on. This is something that we were looking can we join HIFS can we can
we join a fully you know is there someone who will ensure us we had no options last year this year we do have an option as you alluded to we are not expecting a lot of quote unquote savings at least initially we're really talking about
cost avoidance and really trying to find something that will have will be more sustainable in the years to come so um again I Just want everyone to be aware this is something that we will be really
trying our best to really look at ways we can potentially um cost avoid uh going forward and just acknowledging that this is a really difficult situation for for everyone. Thanks.
Anyone else? Okay. >> And um item number nine is the bills list. >> Yes, I have a question. >> Council to >> Thank you. Um well, Mr. Scandalberry
just cleared up one question I had which was on page two. geese chasers. Apparently, we have dogs that chase the geese away. That's pretty interesting. Um, on page
four, the vendor number is 101022. It's Sunonny Electric for Wong School Composter. Is that that program? Um, I thought that was paid through a grant, but maybe I'm wrong. Where the there
were two schools designated to do composting. Is that the same thing? >> That is a program from my understanding, recollection, I don't see her. That is a program that Lisa Johnson was working on. So, that is a grant-f funded endeavor. Okay. >> So, even though it's grant funded, we still pay for it in order to seek reimbursement. >> Okay. Then the last question I have is
on page six. The vendor number is 99218. It says transportation of soil for $18,000. I'm just >> Shark Transportation. Vendor number 99218. [Music]
>> Okay. >> Okay. You pretty sure? Okay, those are all the questions that I have and I'm still waiting on the angel's landscaping bills to so I can perhaps add them on to the next
>> I think uh >> I don't recall getting >> Dr. Ashley, I was Was that something that was Oh, okay. Miss Fancy, >> that was the um I believe I did send the backup um to
you and that was concerning the um that was concerning properties. >> No, I was looking for Angel's Landscap and for the snow plowing, >> but the um Excuse me, please. Director um Tally, can you come? Um Tassy, I'm
sorry. Tally. Passy, my apologies. That bill was dated um September and that was the that was the monthly maintenance. It wasn't it was the monthly um it was the monthly maintenance on the abandoned properties.
It's wasn't for snow removal. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> So, they are the same. We use the same vendor for snow removal as we do use to upkeep monthly the four or five abandoned properties. So we haven't
incurred any snow removal charges as yet. And what I gave you was for um those properties. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You got it. >> And in fact, if I can add that we do make the payments but we lean back the property. >> Okay. So we don't lose any money on
that. >> Thank I I just had a question about uh Thank you, Madame Mayor. >> I just had a question about the Cameron Animal Hospital payments. I was just curious what those were about. >> H
those are uh invoices from 2025. The contract wasn't signed for Cameron Moore Hospital till about five weeks ago. Uh last November, I'm sorry, last
December 17th, the governing body approved the resolution to contract for Cameron effective 125 through 123125. There was no signed contract, so the the
bills weren't paid. So, uh, I got a contract signed, like I said, maybe about 3 weeks ago, and what you're seeing here are 2025 bill invoices that hadn't been paid to date. Anyone else?
No. Okay. Um, so we took number six out and then we're going to do a roll call on the consent. >> Madam clerk, may I have a movement and a second? Mayor, >> so moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Deputy Mayor Anderson,
>> yes. >> Councelor Birmingham, >> yes. >> Councelor Damato, >> yes. >> Councelor Harrison, >> yes. >> Councelor Toller, >> yes. >> Councelor Williams, >> yes. Mayor Baskerville. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um and so um at this point in
time um I'm going to make a motion that >> can before we do that I know we don't have an order for this but um going off of my being a quiet person for for the past three meetings multiple
residents have come up uh on the immigrant trust act and I would like to see that on the agenda. ender for the next meeting. I don't I think this is an act that is very relevant to Montlair. It's putting in legislation what has been in
effect from the state attorney general for several years now. And I think um I there have been whisperings of concerns about retaliation from the bully in Washington, but one I don't think the way to deal with bullies is to let them
bully you. two, given that Essex County has adopted the resolution, given that and the commissioner sponsoring it lives in Montlair and is the chair of the Monontlair Democratic Party and given that the sponsor in the legislature also lives in Montlair. Um, I don't know that
there's some magic that if they're going to do something that they're suddenly going to not do anything to Montlair. I don't think it's likely, but I think it's an important statement for the town to make, and I would urge that it be on the agenda for the next
meeting. >> Yeah, I totally agree um with you, Councelor Harrison, and um when it was discussed a few weeks ago, um it did not seem as though there was enough support from the entire group, but I am 100% with you and um so we can do that. In
fact, if you want to put pass a resolution and I can second it and that can get on. That's how we get things on the agenda. Um, I'd like to make a motion that we adjourn and go into executive session because we must talk about um the attorney position that we
did not have a chance to discuss earlier. And it seems as though that's a very important thing that we need to take care of. And I'd like to be able to do that um this evening, have those discussions. >> Before we adjourn though, since Councelor Harrison had a chance to say,
can can we >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh yeah, if I may, um I did want to I I did want to say this after the public comment. I'm glad to hear um Councelor Harrison's thoughts and I did want to address just thank everybody who came
today to speak out in the in the last meeting. Um, you know, we we did have the the item on the human services and public safety committee agenda. Unfortunately, we did not get to that. Um, but we did um, you know, I did hap happen to have conversations with the
mayor and um, councelor Birmingham who were both on that committee and, um, several others. Um I'm glad to hear that councelor Harrison um is is expressing support and um you know basically um this this came to us last month and um I
I personally feel that it's important to uh to it's an important um show of support to um the many you know people in our town who and not just residents but people who work in our town who um you know whose families have mixed
immigration statuses. So anyway, I'm sorry. Um, but I wanted to just let everybody know that um we we are going to have this on the agenda. Um, there were concerns that other counselors had. We do have $2.4 $4
million of federal funding. But um I think that um if it can help show the legislature that um as councelor Harrison said um that our town is in support um that is important not just to
pass a resolution but I think it's also very important um not just to pass a resolution but um the thing that's going to make people feel really safe is is if residents um and our elected officials uh learn um uh rights of immigrants um
and uh know how to protect them. And >> do you want to say something too? >> Excuse me, I'm not finished. So there is a and try to do go to the website. >> We promise that we were going to talk. >> Do go to our website which um does have the information that we included for
residents, for workers who are immigrants um and um attend some trainings. There's a training on the 26th in Fort Lee that will teach you how to be an upstander and to respond to um incidents where
immigrants are being harassed and um and so yeah, that's what I would encourage. >> Yes. Um >> a motion to adjourn to Can I say one thing this because this is timesensitive. Who's the attorney? But yes,
>> and we will talk about the attorney, but I just want to encourage everyone who may be eligible for the New Jersey property tax relief programs where there is a deadline of October 31st to please check for your eligibility and fill out
a um application if you are eligible because these are very valuable programs. um seniors, you can if you're under a $500,000 income, you will get $6,500 back from the state of New Jersey. So, please um I just want to
take a moment to encourage everybody to check their eligibility and fill out an application. >> Thank you. Um this next week. >> Okay. No, it's Thank you, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Council Birmingham. Uh Mr. Marks, is it okay if you can please encourage the tax department because I
had two residents today that needed help with their applications and had some questions. They said that the tax office was very helpful. So, if you could just ensure that >> um they're still being helpful that the doors are open. They can answer some questions for residents to complete those applications. That would be
appreciated. Thank you. >> Motion that we go um Can I say one thing? I have I have a board meeting tomorrow night. So, if anybody didn't get a chance to tell me, give me a piece of their mind, tonight, you can come tomorrow to the Belleview, beautiful Belleview uh branch library, and then
after that, you can leave early at 7:30 and go to the DOE candidate forum um across the street. I'd like >> to make a motion that we go into executive session. >> I don't care. I mean, if we don't, we just don't talk about the attorney. If you guys don't want to do that, we can
do that the next week. It's been >> four meetings anyway. So was >> yes. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I. >> Thank you to the public. We're going to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing a township
attorney. I know. >> You're back on. >> Thank you. >> Bless you. >> Like to make a motion to come back into the regular session. >> Second. >> Exit the executive session. >> All in favor? I.
>> Opposed? Obstain. A motion to adjourn the meeting. Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Good evening.