--------- I hereby announce and state that adequate notice of this meeting was provided by a virtual of a resolution scheduled in the time date and place of the meeting of burough council of burough forest plan for the year 2025. Which resolution was adopted by the burough council on January 7, 2025 and published news in the daily record and
by the posting of such resolution on the bulletin board in the bur hall all the above actions in accordance with NJSA 104-6. Second roll call, please. Mayor, present. Mr. Cortez,
Mr. Burn here. Mr. Houston, present. Mr. Ivy, present. Mr. Plantier, present. Miss Berga, present. And just for the record, Mr. Cortez, that's something unexpectedly come up this evening. Something will not be with us.
Without further ado, we will go. Chief, if you like to move forward, who's here for you with Certainly. Uh good evening. As you're all well aware, uh we've been working for quite some time, it feels like, on
uh some plans for the renovation or construction of police headquarters, original buildings from 1942, as you see from the new plaque outside. um and some additions that were renovations that were made in the early 90s. So um the department has outgrown uh our current
facilities lack of space. So we entertain the mus groups with us this evening are no musual senior and no musual junior. You can guess which one is which. I can hardly tell but uh they have been uh working with me for the
better part of a year and a half or more probably now. um and consultation with the conceptual plans committee that has changed hand a couple times with changes in council seats but uh to present uh some of the uh final schemes that were presented to the council this evening
for uh upcoming decisions uh maybe later this year. So without further ado okay thank you very much. So you have just to let you know you have till 8:30 we have to go into our regular meeting and it doesn't take that long. We have other business to do as well but to give you
no just to give you some sort of Thank you. We can make it as long as I don't want to cut anybody short but I just want to give you the time frame. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. Okay. So, we have a report. We'll give
you the report after the uh presentation, but just to give you a little bit of background, um she made some comments earlier, but I started the firm in 1976 when I had black hair and I'm a lot uh lighter in
weight. So, and one of my first jobs uh uh when I started the business was the uh you all probably don't remember the local public works act of 1976, but that was an act by the federal government that said if you be under
construction in 90 days, they would fund 100% of the building. Okay. So we started out with the fur of Rosel and I I read the regs and all that and demolition was the start of
construction. So we produced a set of uh drawings for demolition and about two weeks and a month later the building was down and we were on our way. We just had to wait till hurry up and get the plans done that sort of thing. So point being that we've done u a number of municipal
buildings, governmental buildings, police headquarters throughout the state of New Jersey. So uh I'm fortunate enough to have uh null join me in in the profession. I uh thought that uh I would have uh an engineer because my other son
went to Stevens, but he went graduated Stevens and went on to other things. He didn't like me engineering his structural engineering. That's right. And I I'm about 50%. I think that's pretty good. But anyway, um we started uh as the chief said about a
year and a half ago um with um doing an analysis of what they had, what you have, and what you don't have. Uh and we started uh interviewing all the uh people and came up with um a document
that was a a planning document showing what the needs are, what you presently have that. And from that we went into um the conceptual feasibility study uh with uh we ended up with about uh seven or
eight schemes of which that was uh turned down to a number but it was uh the police department uh our firm and our consulting MEP engineers Whitman who analyzed the mechanical systems the MEP
systems of the uh municipal police headquarters. Then we went in and and took a feasibility study of the different departments, the different areas of the building and came up with a uh matrix
giving us the square footage and the uh of the different areas and what was available. So, so just to to touch on what you said, the analysis was um kind of two tracks. We looked at um the existing conditions um of both the building and the spatial
allocation for the police department itself. Um then also through the interview process we found um we determined what spatial requirements each programmatic element had. So it was seeing what was needed versus what's
available and trying to find ways of melding the two and and seeing if there's ways of reconfiguring potential additions and and um seeing seeing the implications of all the different types of strategies um in in a different scheme. So right so this is just um a an excellent
metric showing existing conditions of of what's currently there. Um so in in January uh we presented um a number of options. Uh as senior said there were there were initially seven schemes that was called down to two. Um the first
being um an addition a one-story addition at the front of this building with a twotory addition uh towards the rear trying to maximize the limited available square footage on the site. Um, but you know, we'll get into that the the the drawbacks uh and um
potential pitfalls of of dealing with an existing building in an occupied space. Um, so this is kind of showing the program of the uh the basement uh level uh in this particular scheme. And so we did this, you know, for for
all seven schemes trying to figure out how to get um a lot of program into uh into the available space with with the addition to the front and to the rear leaving the area where the emergency generator is uh open. Second. So this is how the massing would
be um in this in this scheme. And so for each each one of these schemes, we we thought about um you know not only the program but the scheduling implications and obviously the cost and timeline associated with um each and how that can
affect the uh the cost of and then with each you know had the pros and cons of these schemes. So that's this is all in the report. This just so we we analyze the cost the time frame and then pros and the cons and obviously
one of the um problems with uh doing anything in this building is the disruption that has to take place to uh to do the work. And just to give you an example for for Uni County, we did the uh clerk's office uh and it was only a
few thousand square feet and it was a fiveyear sixyear project because it had to be done in phases so as not to disrupt the uh passport office and the clerk's office and the record room. So you have to be very cognizant of uh
what's going to happen during that year or year and a half or two year process for construction because it has to be phased because obviously municipal building has to be kept in operation. So I guess alternatively um we were uh
asked to look at um a potential uh location offsite off the these premises and and 25 cable road was was um looked at for its um its ability to kind of have uh more of a free rain or or the
ability to to constru without imposing on the existing municipal operations. When we started, we really didn't realize that you owned as much property as you do over there next to the um the 9/11 memorial and the uh teen space. And
this particular scheme uh was taking the u or demolishing the teen center uh which we found when we really got into it and looked at the lot and the blocks that were in there, we realized that we could just shift the building over. But we'll talk about that a little bit
later. So, by no means is this, you know, a design. It's just really to to show uh the the massing uh the amount of space required on that site. And one of the interesting things that we we found after talking to a lot of people is the
flooding issues with under the railroad bridge that uh it's hard for your emergency services to get from one side of the barrel to the other side of the barrel. So, that's a a major consideration. So, we went through again
uh the uh the costs and the pros and cons. And then another um go ahead. Well, after that, you know, we asked um revisit and kind of pull down and and reconsider some of these options and maybe take elements from from one scheme and and tie them together. So this
scheme is is is six and it is um to uh try to reconfigure the um internal workings of this existing building and put a twotory addition in the U-shape towards the rear where the generator currently is. So um
the green is the exit from the basement up to the stairway. You'll see it in the next slide. I mean that is something that um you know just generally across the board that you know considerations of of ADA accessibility um that that that came to play that need to be
addressed. the ground floor. I mean, I think the one of the drawbacks of this scheme was the fact that from from a police perspective, um it was separating um the chief's office and and some of the police functions across three floors. Um
so, so this is the ground floor with the uh the salt and the the processing towards the rear in the uh in the addition of the the rear building. um and and you know, police functions and and really thinking about um the publicly accessible um portions of the
building versus secure portions. Uh as well as trying to make maybe a more efficient space with the uh the restrooms. So thinking about how the the restrooms the publicly accessible restrooms could work um in the building. So in on the second floor um in this
scheme there are now publicly accessible restrooms um up here as well. And then you can see in the back the chief's office and is similar again the pros and the cons of
the scheme. And then lastly, um we we you know, in in looking at the uh the potential drawbacks of the previous scheme that was off site, um at 25 Table Road, um we looked at some of the tax maps and saw that might there might be a potential
opportunity to utilize the adjacent lots which are also owned by by the municipality. Um thought that this might make some sense in that there's proximity to um existing parking, proximity to to the memorial as well as
the ability to incorporate um additional public safety services uh at this portion of the municipality. And it was interesting because of the parking for the um memorial that parking can s serve
a dual purpose for the uh the police as well where they can keep their cars in the back but the visitors could could use the existing parking that was there. So again, a partial basement for um locker rooms and then the majority of
the program as a onetory building. Then we were we were asked that uh as null mentioned before the there may be a need to have a true public safety um use
of the building where you can move a fire engine over there and an ambulance if if the need be to u make them more readily accessible to that side of of bar. So, this shows just a same building
for the police, but a small addition for a uh a fire engine. As they've both alluded to, um when we have an underpass flood or serious storm, um we have issues getting apparatus, ambulances, police cars to
the other side of the underpass. This allows us to put a fire truck on the northbound side of the underpass while maintaining apparatus here at the same time. Um and you have all probably experienced it when you have to go around the complete burrow into Paripony or Henry Township to come out the other
side that increases our response time by anywhere from 8 to 10 minutes in some cases. So, and then again a list of uh pros and cons and the uh the cost assessment and the possible schedule.
So in consideration you have a lot to consider you know the the renovation portion the addition and renovation and all the disturbance that's um uh
going to be ready for um and that may sound pushing one side or the other but I'm not because you have to be aware that there is some disturbance to the existing uh while you're you're doing the renovation. The addition part of it is easy, but the
interior renovations are something that has to be thought out very carefully and phased to cause the least amount of disruption to the existing operations, right? I mean, it's it's absolutely not instrumental, but there are there's an
additional level of complexity when just thinking about and and there are things that you might um just encounter in doing demolition that um were unforeseen conditions. there's there's always um there's there's always the uh a chance
of of well there's more chance of of something um there being an issue in disability. So you have some serious decisions to make. Uh we understand that you're considering a possible referendum
probably a very good idea. So before you go much further, why don't you give us the price on the three scenarios that are that are here so that everybody has an idea of what we're talking about and that's probably the biggest and most
important part. All right, for um I better put my glasses on and turn your hearing aids up. Haven't gotten that far yet. is this glasses when I start reading eights when it's a six. You know, that's that's the rough
part. But anyway, scheme two uh has a bottom line number. So, if you can just say schemes two is what? So, everybody's clear. That's the the one that's this site. Um one story edition in the front and a twotory edition in the rear.
So, um projected uh construction costs between 6.17 and $7.14 million. Uh and and those prices are in uh 2027 um we um so the the midpoint of the anticipated construction duration and
and did our best guess in terms of what inflation might be for the next couple years. So the the bottom line cost the construction cost as N said was 6.7 to 7 million. The project cost um which
includes fees, furniture, uh commit all your computer equipment and all that you would be up to 7.48 to 8.66. Are those are those two prices you add
those two together? Is that Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate Oh my god, I need to hear and a minute. So, you know that that's probably 18
maybe a 24 month period from start to finish. Then you have scheme five which again was that was 25 table room right? Um that was the earlier scheme and that goes from um
construction cost 8.46 to 9.8 with a project cost total project cost including construction of 9.82 to uh 11 million 37.
Uh and then scheme six which again is renovation here is construction 6.76 to 7.82 with a project cost of 8.2 2 to 9.5
total project cost. And then scheme seven, which was the Ter Road site with the U um additional fire, additional firehouse
is 8.41 41 to 9.73 and project cost of 9,760,000 or 11 uh up to 11,300,000. That is our best guess at this time. Of
course, we do our best toh project inflation, but uh sometimes we hit it, sometimes we don't. So let me give you a few passing that the difference between scheme 7 scheme five it's the same total
project area. So is there less space for the police department inside the vehicle? Yes. Well, I think scheme five demolished the teen center five got rid of the teen center keeps it
there. Yeah, scheme has or that 7 versus 7 as well. I think there's seven 7A that we utilize 7A I believe adds the fire department $250,000
increase to 7A the pay on the side. decreasing our work space area and bear in mind that we didn't speak to anybody from the fire department relative to that. That's just simply a garage space. No, no other rooms. I think the fire
department talked to the in conversation with the fire chief, he was like, "Yeah, just a bay would need, you know, additional restrooms or places for other additional equipment would just be, you know, housing for an engine." So just as a little bit of background,
this started with the with the chief and you know really some um an overview of an inspection I guess of of the police department. So we did I talked to the chief and said you know give us some wants and needs right and
my expectation was a little less than this obviously but the you know the sally court had to be expanded. We needed somewhere for juveniles. We needed somewhere for families or individuals being questioned you know privately you know some sort of you know
those sort of re renovations along with female locker rooms downstairs. again, as long as the mail locker room, some added space, and trying to get that fit into what we have here.
But this is a a much grander scheme than than that. We'll see where it all goes. And I think, as you alluded to before, the council, if they decide to move forward with this, we'll we'll probably go out to some sort of a referendum come
November to the public wants to go forward with this and uh with these price tags moving forward. So that's a little bit of history, really, really vague history. And members of the council have any questions?
Well, if I may, before that, mayor, you're you're 100% right. And the state department of corrections and those agencies that review police departments, uh, uh, the regulations have changed, especially with juveniles. You know,
they, uh, they can't be in sight of somebody else being brought in in handcuffs. So that that kind of thing. So there's a lot of differences in today's regulations as what it was 20 years ago, 10 years ago. Totally agree with you, but I do think we're
grandfathered in some of those areas or whatever. So I was just going to say I think there's some safety issues. I don't know how much the chief wants to spend for officers. I mean really the driving factor of all is this was my strategic plan from 2022.
I believe we're at where um we we plan on doing, you know, open houses for the public to come see our our current working space. And um really our holding cell right now is just a standard office door that that latches closed. Um it's a a bench with a handcuff apparatus to it.
So there's some safety concerns um there as well with just a glass window on it can be easily broken. Our officers literally sit um as close to these two chairs together when they're processing some processing somebody. And our solution to that is to handcuff the individual to a desk so they don't have
free movement. So it was really driven a lot by uh the safety concern for our officers and the space that they have to work in. Um expecting you know that I you know they have families and I am expecting to keep them safe and I don't always feel 100% that we're doing that
with where we're at. Again we we retrofit a police department into uh you know building from the the 1940s with a small renovation. So, we're lacking some space, you know, upstairs. The department's obviously grown. We've gone from 17 police officers to 18 police
officers. Um, and, you know, actually 19 now currently. Um, but, you know, some there's some additional space. The locker rooms that we don't have, you know, um, ability to grow for uh, two of the projects listed here allow us for, you know, future expansion. As you all know, the the bar
is growing in size and population. Um, and at some point your your your police force may have to grow. So um schemes two and six I believe um kind of limit us to the expansion whereas um seven and
7A allow for some future growth of the agency for the next you know 25 30 even 40 years. So you uh you accomplish a lot. Um, and again, we we've used the phrase as we're discussing this cost versus value, right? Where, you know, you're looking at a project of course,
and I know there are large numbers, but what's the value in an additional 5, 10, 15, 20 years when you don't have to invest into another renovation of the building because um, we went with a smaller scheme at the time. So, again, but the reason why we've all discussed
going out to referendum is because we want to see what the public's appetite is in investing in in our agency. um why we may go in November and ask the public to you know provide their input and support or not support these projects. Yeah. I mean, I've been up so
I'm a volunteer firefighter said he could have asked me. I've been up here and there's a patrol or sorry would say, "Hey, we're interviewing a family down here in the chambers. Could you respect private?" Of course, you know, but knowing that I'm a dual, you know, councilman and so so the
space seems very limited as the mayor, you know, alluded to. So I think it's important the salt I've been on about 28 years and we've we've had some property like oh build just a garage over here for the engine or just place it there for the storm. So I think
from fireman point of view I think they'll help like said between 8 10 minutes that can seem like an eternity whether you need an EMS or or fire or police to to arrive. seems like a long time, but you know, I think it's some great benefits to some
of these plans over some of the other ones. Thank you. We haven't experienced that very often. What's the flooding of the bridge? No, delayed response over there. I got pictures from 1920. 1920 is the same thing. Yeah. Right. Right. Thank God we
have that delay and we do mutually. Anyway, questions. Well, I just want to talk about the floor. I do appreciate the detail and the expertise that you guys brought. So, I think it's very impressive. So, and
the cost are large. I know our CFO Anna is in the back there. So, she could probably, you know, if you have specific questions, I think for 20 year bond, it was Yeah. So, we have uh so we we've discussed it and um it'll add about6 to
$700,000 um over 20 years and it'll cost the president roughly $230 $240 per month per year for the uh 11
million month or per year. A month per year. I'm sorry. Per year. I'm sorry. I think my fuzzy math was like between 16 and $18 a month. Well, your fuzzy math and Anna's fuzzy math. Her math's better than my math. That's
why she's there and I'm Yeah. a month. You're right. That That's $17 a month, $200 a year for still a lot of money, but I think absolutely to keep our officers safe, our residents safely. Well, again, some of the other things if you know, if you go back, I think it was
like slide two or three. It was really early in the presentation where we show the current site and you all kind of know from being here on a day-to-day basis what we're dealing with. It was the uh the outline of the property in yellow line. There we go. Our current site. So, you
can kind of see where we're at now with, you know, five patrol verol vehicles I should say. um and three administrative vehicles and all the staff that comes on site. So that's another consideration of you know access to this building when we have to move you know out towards the
back and I think one of the schemes we actually lose parking spaces when we're currently kind of already over subscribed for the site. Um but again you know we can make do with um with some of the options that we have here as well.
So really just questions about this just really solidify whether the council even wants to move forward with this or not. And then so because I just have a question. Yeah. So I thank you guys very much for the presentation.
I think it's much needed and chief I took a tour so I know firsthand uh what it's like down there. So um I just uh two questions. um the the I don't know how to phrase it the
future um extension the future ability of it right so I think as as chief the chief said right he's already in an antiquated building so if we were to do whether it's these renovations to this building or whether we build a new building um how much more time does that
give us is it a 10 year plan 20 year plan 50ear plan where does that take us in terms of you know design and keeping up with uh whatever codes and safety that you need to be up with. I mean, we have a current inspection coming up again in August from Department of
Corrections. So, we'll see again applying for different waiverss and things, but um you know, what we would get to is probably you know a good you know 45 to 50 year plan of being in line with um the current standards. Um, again
to to null's point, right, we have to walk juveniles into the building through, you know, certain closed sections. We can't hold them in places where doors can be locked and held securely. Um, you know, our sally port where we currently use for storage of, you know, our bicycle unit that we revamped a couple years ago that
technically violates those standards. We don't have any place for for storage of those things. So, we do we we we would meet a, you know, opportunity to, you know, solidify us for, you know, 45 to 50 years. Is that it with with either design whether it's renovating this or
building new or Yes. Okay. So either design would give us about 45 40 45 years. I mean as far as standards are concerned you're talking about growth of the agency as far as personnel. I can't answer that question. You know I don't think we get um the additional space
that we need um for files and you know housing of personnel and what have you. So, so that my next question would be I think you kind of answered this already, but what what would be your preference in terms of where what you would like to see would be a new building or would it
be renovations? Yeah, I mean the new building would obviously do two things for us. It allows us to expand for the next, you know, 25 30 40 years plus of growth of personnel. Not that I will be here that long. Um but at the same time you're also considering that um you know
we're not then overs subscribed for the site where we currently are. Um and then there's no disruption to the public. So at certain points in time we have to close the municipal building to do electrical and water and heating and HBAC. So some of the hidden costs that are not here is the fact that you know the police department will be housed in
trailers for a period of time and maybe the front entrance to the burrow will be closed or um and all the other like I've talked about with Mr. controls like what happens when we have an issue where somebody cuts an electrical line or a water line. So, you know, offsite allows us to do that construction turnkey and
move in and have seamless operations. We wouldn't have a disjointed, you know, concern about, you know, where does my staff, you know, get changed for the day. Where do we process prisoners? And, you know, we might be processing prisoners down in Hanover Township to, you know, accomplish our objectives. This is kind of best case scenario. All
right. Thanks, but the burrow would never close. So, No. Yeah, we would we would maintain 247 operations as a police department. We would always figure out things for the clerk and what have you. Yep. Whether we'd be visiting, you know, a trailer somewhere or another
office rented out. But again, those trailer costs, the rental of office space, that's not in these figures. So, you know, schemes two and five versus, you know, seven is those costs aren't figured in. I appreciate your due diligence and
thoroughess of everything. It's a labor of love. Yeah. Um, thank you for your excellent work and for the many months you've been dealing with all the different possibilities, but um, I am having a tough time with this and I do better now
with a spreadsheet, you know, that has the options and like the project What are you pick this one? What what are you getting that you don't have in the others? These are the value addeds. These are what we're giving up disruptions. You know, how long is it?
Like I noticed that there's different times for building build out estimated. So that's a factor for us because that's a cost benefit to us too when it takes longer. So I know I'm not I know we're not being asked to compare and pick one now, but if I had to, I would want to
see everything so I could kind of like look how they lay out pages back and forth to try to but I don't think we're really I mean when it goes out for a referendum there will be different scenarios of I just can't see what we're getting with
this one that we're not getting with the other one and I know you have your pros and cons here but they're very general in nature with with the way you summarize them. I know you know what they mean but I have not been involved so I don't really know what future challenges is that something we can
drill down on. Yeah, that I know you have all that and I know you have tons of data. I don't want to make more work, but for me it would be much easier to see that way. And then when it comes to the cost, I know like Anna mentioned $16 to $18 a month. So if it came down to
the public having to make a decision on, you know, an A or a B at some point, what that extra $2 a month or 200 a year, what are the what is the value that we're adding for that for that plan
over the one before, you know? So I just think that, you know, that's as a as a consumer, I would want to see what that what that is. And the numbers that we're talking about, just so everybody's clear, is this is all rough numbers. Okay? So the $17 a month or the $240 a
month, that's just an approximate. So I don't want everybody to hang their hat if it's $15 or $19 a month, whatever. But we're just trying to get in the ballpark. Just don't want anybody to hang their hat on any number that any of
us are. And I know that um what about aesthetics? I know you don't want the front of the building to change the front footprint. Um I mean here just the parking is in the rear to come all the way around the front for the public. It
would be difficult, right? Yes. I don't think we change the the front entrance of the building. That's just additional work space. The front entrance remains the same. This entrance here will remain the same. the side. The entrance. Yeah. But you know, so those kinds of
things like are important too. Like and obviously we're not getting aesthetics from this. Uh but obviously not as important as functionality either. We have to see whether the public I think it's all important. I think
everything you said is important. I think the aesthetics, the cost, I think it's all important. It's certainly important, but we got to get to that step around. And I think it's also, you know, we're asking taxpayers to take on an additional
burden. So, what else is are we anticipating possible increases? You know, it's an uncertain time. We don't know where prices are going on materials and other things that we purchase for, you know, office supplies and computers and stuff.
So I guess for them to make that decision it would kind of be relative to what else is going on and that's a hard that's a hard call but I feel like you have to have a little bit of context for that just so general a very general idea
right furniture I know they have you know they included that in other numbers furniture and the computers so again very very rough is about $300,000
furniture and very just to give you an idea regardless of where we go to wire it I mean you're still going to need another picture you're still going to need another computer
just again a rough that's great thanks I think for the really great presentation. My concern also with NY's was um from the aesthetics from your perspective. Can you give a little bit of background on what types of
um the front elevation would look like and how we possibly I don't want to do it either. I just want to hear what I don't think they've gotten to that. Would you say it's difficult to make it not look like an addition? Oh, it's going to be very
difficult. I don't want to look a throwaway option, but to me throw option. Um, the one where we're adding to the rear and we're taking away some parking spaces. The the construction staging area would take up how many spaces would you say for that
18 to 20 months? It's probably as big as the addition. Okay. So, for a long time, residents would be inconvenience as long especially the operations of the police department. We would have the offsite parking there's parking across the street. I'm
sure we can there's going to be an inter the floor plans are really detailed to go through all these laid out. Um not sure if there's room for body engineering or how we can make the
operations of a new building cheaper to operate than the existing building. Well, we we have to get direction from all to you know, do you want to uh it's always a difficult balance between initial costs and operating costs. You
know, sometimes you have to pay a little bit more to pay for that to pay for lower operating costs. you know, so it's always a delicate balance between the two and then of course um you have lead
and all that kind of stuff that you may or may not want and it's all has to be considered. But it's interesting we we did that for the county of Hudson
and we got lead gold until Um, we said, "We need a $5,000 check to send to the US Green Building Council." They said, "No, not for a plank on the wall." No, I'm good. I just wanted to say thank you so much. I mean, since January, I've
been fortunate to be very involved in this process. So, like for Nancy, I know probably between, you know, the mayor, myself, Chief, and Dave Schultz, we have a better idea of what those differences are. And I think I'd be happy to have you meet with us to kind of go over some
of them. And when Chief and I were talking about that feasibility study that we wanted to put in the budget, that was really breaking down those costs, the furniture and everything, but we're not there yet. And I think that's totally okay. So, I will keep I do not have any questions, but just wanted to say thank you so much. I think it's
great to have both options. From speaking to people, it sounds like one, you know, may be a better option than the other, but that is not up to me. That is up to, you know, the people of the council. Yeah, we have four options, right? Maybe five would be a no, right? So,
yeah, that impressive stuff. So, thank you very much. I think it just helps everyone get a better be able to grip the situation a little bit better and then helps us explain it a little bit better to the residents on pros, cons, costs, all that stuff. So,
Andrew, do you have anything to say? You've been involved with this. Do you have anything that you want to put at all or no? As far as going out between your deck and that so we have discussed um again how we
would write this and who would write it and discuss the bond attorney and then also the uh auditor does this as well. also did one for the uh the school. So, we're still going back and forth with
some input. No matter who does it, at least both of them sure you guys decides to move forward. That would be kind of the next step. The council wants to move forward and put
something together. Are you okay moving forward? Absolutely. 100%. Yes. Yes. Yes. So, looks like we'll be moving forward towards towards a referendum in November. And I appreciate your time and your efforts coming out here and thank
you very much. Thank you. We'll be in touch. I'm sure that you will be in touch with anything else. Is that going to be a bunch of choices? Two choices. My thought initially was to again confer with all of you um and have us select
two options um referendum drafted exactly so you could see the cost increase of a tax or you know what the building would cost overall. So that would be included in the referendum so the know the voters would know exactly what they were getting. So would be there would be two options for offsite
one for offsite one for on-site and the third was no we're not going to do anything at all right now. Okay. Um, it needs definitely be more simple than this. Yeah, but it really it's it's what's written. They'll be doing public presentations ahead of time. We do.
We're going to have a couple of town halls. Like I said, we're going to host open houses at the police department uh up the lead to um November for the vote. So, probably, you know, one or two in September, one or two in October, just here on a Saturday when anybody wants to stop in or phone numbers on the website.
you ever want to walk in the door and see what we're we're working with downstairs. Um and then, you know, obviously, you know, we can get up to the farmers market with some drawings and some pictures, just an opportunity to go out there because we know um you know, everybody's overly concerned about construction in the burrow. So, that's
why I wanted to be here and present publicly to let you know what we're doing with and and be upfront about, you know, costs and figures and disruptions and and all those things. So, we have until uh August, I don't know the exact date. August 10th, August 8th. Okay. So,
whatever uh to get the referendum drawn up and presented to the county. So, a version of this will be made available to the public so that they can see some of the options and what we're
looking at. So, that's really to think the attorney's I I think so. um once everything gets narrowed down obviously before the town halls so they'll have something for that obviously and that would be my objective
with all of you is to decide on like I said and off site and on site and then obviously the no options easy um but then to present on those two features so we're not going through you know five different
okay thank you everybody I really appreciate it thank you very Can they give us 10 minutes for an executive before they clean up and then you come back? Sure. Yeah. No, you can you can leave that all on and just give us about 10 or 15 minutes for an executive session and you
can come back. Part: 2
If you please rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance and pray. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for
all. Almighty God, we ask you bless this governing body with an understand with a with an abundance of wisdom and understanding so that in fulfilling their public trust, every deliberation will result in actions that will promote the common good and general welfare for
all the people of Mars. Plain approval of minutes in Mr. Cortez's absence tonight the minutes of the regular meeting I'm sorry of conference I'm sorry I move that the
minutes of conference executive and regular session on May 15th 2025 be approved there second mayor all in favor opposing The eyes have uh now I'm going to turn
it over to uh Chief Ross. Again, thank you uh Mayor and Council and obviously the public for enduring me yet again during a public presentation. Um I know we had one at 7:30, but uh this is something that's uh really important to I and our staff as well. Um
so again, thanks for the opportunity to have you all present with us this evening. This is a good size representation from the department. So, um, in 2023, we revised our awards and recognition policy. Um, it was very limited on what officers were recognized
for. It was basically you saved a life in the course of duty or unfortunately you were wounded in the course of duty. And we don't want to see any of those things happen. So, um, but we uh opened up our awards policy a little bit and annually during what should have been police week, but uh we're probably going to have to revise that a little bit
because three of us rode to Washington DC during National Police Week. So we may adjust slightly but um this is our third annual awards recognition ceremony for the officers. Um generally what happens in the course of the officer's dayto-day operations they'll encounter a
situation and we think it's deserving of uh some type of recognition other than just a written commendation. Um it goes through an awards panel of three officers and we recognize the officers um uh with citation bars and a
certificate. So, just good to uh recognize their their fine work as they do every day for us. So, without further ado, um you see Jake Solinsuch and Amelia, where are they? They have hair now, so it's harder to tell them. And
Emilio Ericson are brand new officers, graduated the academy on June 2nd, so they're in their field training process now. So, um uh they joined the department just recently. Uh but Amelia, come on forward. Mayor, you want to join me down front? You want to join me down
front as well? Absolutely. Right there is fine. You can tell he's new. His uniform is still fresh. So Alio joined the department with previous experience from Washington DC Metro Police. Uh but when he joined the department, he came with his bachelor's
degree. So we have an educational award that we'll present to him as well. And 10 years for the United States Army. So we thank him for his service. So, as the officer goes through his hopefully 25 to 30 year career with us,
you'll see some of the officers this evening are wearing uh a citation bar. And what happens is they will aware wear the awards when they're in uh the class A or class B uniform. So, we have the United States Army citation bar for you
as well as your educational award. [Applause] Jake Zillins. I'm getting close on the pronunciation, I think.
No, not yet. It's good. I won't settle for perfect. That's respect. That's respect. There you go. Uh Jake joined the agency having served five years with the United States Marine Corps. So, he's presented with our military service award.
[Applause] Citation bar from the United States Marine Corp. Thanks. Congratulations. [Applause] Two officers couldn't join us this evening, unfortunately, but we're recognizing their service to the burrow
in arresting and apprehending intoxicated drivers. Cullen Preciato is awarded the mother Against Drunk Driving Award as well as Clay Lickshots will also be awarded the certificate from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award. Again, those both
have citation bars to go with them. Lake Juan Shaw, come on forward. So, uh probably one of the uh prestigious award outside of uh an injury on duty or worse um is our distinguished service award. And I say that because it's recognized
by the peers of the agency, somebody that is a role model for the agency. And this is pretty big for Nikon since he's only been with us for two years now. Um, so it's pretty commendable that uh the agency thinks so highly of Nikquan, his daily effort to the community goes uh
without saying that he really deserves this award. So for distinguished service as voted by his peers uh the distinguished service award from the department with that congratulations those with the shiny shoes and probably the only award that doesn't
have to be uh put in front of a committee of officers to acknowledge uh is the chief's commendation um and probably somewhat overdue on this award. So, uh, last week we were in front of a panel of about a half a dozen chiefs, administrators from out the state. We
were awarded our fifth consecutive reacreditation. 4% of police agencies in the state of New Jersey have that uh recognition of being accredited. So, they come in, they review all of our policies and not only about your policies, but are you following what you say, what you do? It's uh a labor of
love, we'll call it. Um, so hours and hours and months actually probably of uh going through policies and proofs and proving to a state uh body that we actually follow our policies and protect this community the way we say we do. So
uh Pete Roth, come on forward, sir. This is our this will be our fifth consecutive reacreditation, which is put us in 4% of law enforcement agencies in the state of New Jersey. uh a great honor for me as the chief uh and then for the mayor and council I'm sure as well. Um but Pete has been part of every
single reacreditation I believe since we started in the accreditation program whether it's accreditation manager or co-acreditation manager but um we would not have obtained uh this achievement without Pete. So I'm wrecking him this evening with the chief's commendation
award. partner. Thank you. Very good, Mayor. Thank you very much for the opportunity. Thank you for the time, folks. Thank you for enduring me yet again. But, uh, thank you for the officers coming out, supporting your federal officers. I appreciate it. So, you're always [Applause]
I'd like to say thank you to the chief and and to the whole uh department, right? Every officer. And congratulations to you guys graduating and becoming the police officers here. Thank you for your service. Nuan, you've uh we I think this whole council is here
probably except for a few who hired you and and really to to come along a long way in two years like this is really tremendable. Pete, making the town and the department look good with another accreditation is something super. So, thank you to every one of you, the chief
and uh couldn't make the residents happier, safer, and more proud of you guys. So, thank you all very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everybody. Thank you. Thanks. [Applause]
Okay, we have approval of consent calendar again. Nancy and please Uh, excuse me. Um, before we do the approval of consent, um, I'd like to, uh, recommend that we remove resolution 22, sorry, 2025-85,
uh, where more explains resolution to submit a grant application, uh, for the community tree project to plant shade trees. Um, I did speak to the vice chair of the shade tree commission and he's not aware of this. Um, so it's my feeling that I think I believe the shade
tree commission should look at this. um making recommendations back to the council prior to us passing resolution. Uh so I think this is one that they went out for previous and there might be a time frame. So I don't know whether you want to take this off and not have an
opportunity for that if the time frame doesn't allow it to be put back on the calendar. I would put it on the calendar. We can always take it off then. You know, again, we have a meeting in July once a month and if there's a time
frame that is due, which I do not know, that might jeopardize. I I understand, mayor. Um I appreciate that. It is, you know, an application for for grant um and in my speaking with
Mr. Mleier, um you know, his feeling is that the shade tree isn't isn't aware of it. So, I'm curious how how this came to a resolution of the state recog. Did you talk to the chairman? I talked to the vice chair. Did you talk to the chairman? Not talked to the vice chair.
Maybe the chairman would have that answer. Do we know how this resolution came? Uh I don't not 100% sure how it came about. Um I know that there was talk about it and like I said, they did get it last year, I believe, and then they wanted to try again to get other
ones. I mean, it's a $2,500 grant and it's for trees. I don't know what the issue really to pull it and jeopardize the grant. If that's the will of the council, we'll pull it. We'll put it on number 13 and then the the council can
vote on that and see where it goes. I just I think anything that has to do with another committee or commission um should be recommended by that committee or commission and you you had said that came to us and don't know when. So my
concern is I think that's my recommendation. So, um, was this okay? So, we'll put it on number 13. See what All right. If you do that, I would, uh,
sorry, what you say? Put on number 13. What does that mean? Resolution. Resolution. The council can vote on. Okay. Thank you. And So I would while we're going to do this, we'll I'd like to talk about the last
one before we read that as well. We can talk about that in executive and come back out in executive or under resolutions. Yeah, we'll talk about it in in the executive and then we'll bring it back up under resolution. You say the last one. Which
one are you talking? Uh the b representative authorized to direct applications the last resolution. I think that's a policy decision. So I don't know why that would be but it's not a particular person. It's a
policy. I move that the following reports be approved for April 2025. The treasury report and tax report and the following reports be approved for May 2025. The federal clerk animal licensing sanitarian police department and fire
prevention. Resolution 202576 entitled annual report of audit for the year 2024. Resolution 202577 entitled Dor Art Corporation ABC license state license number 14233003.
Resolution 202578 entitled Joe Lickers Inc. ABC license state license number 1423 444003003. Resolution 202579 entitled Meto LLC ABC state license 1423
33004003 in pocket. Resolution 202580 entitled Chris Investments LLC ABC license state license number 142344002007. [Music] Resolution 202581 entitled Mars Plains 1
LLC ABC state license number 14233005009 in pocket. Resolution 202582 entitled annual audit corrective action plan. Resolution 202583 entitled authorization to set up a reserve for the preliminary
cost to North Drive road improvements for the Barrow Morris Plains. Resolution 2025-84 entitled resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to the T-Mobile hometown grant program for $50,000 toward the Wanton Park Labor
Equipment Project. Resolution 202586 entitled bure plans resolution of support to submit a grant application to the US department of justice for the cops fired program. Resolution 202587 entitled transfer of a police motorcycle
from the city of Elizabeth to the bar. entitled a resolution at the Bureau of Mor authorizing the use of an online reverse auction for the purchase of electricity supply services for the public use of non street light service. Resolution 202589 entitles a resolution
of the bureau of Mars claim authoriz authorizing the purchase of of use of an online reverse auction for the purchase of electricity supply services for public use or street bike services. Resolution 202590 entitled Resolution Endorsing the 2025 housing element and
fair share plan. Resolution 202591 entitled refund of overpayment bar council approves a police vehicle to be transported to New Jersey police security expo in Atlantic City from June 22nd, 2025 through June 26, 2025. Having pulled the council on May 22nd,
2025, Giovani Cortez was granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a birthday party held Saturday, May 24th, 2025 from 400 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the community park. Audrey Eatman be hired as a substitute crossing guard for the police department
at a daily rate of $90 retroactive to May 29th, 2025. The residents of Walsh Way west of Oregon Trail be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, July 19th, 2025. 48 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, July 20th, 2025
from 48 p.m. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The residents of Hawthorne AB, Homer a Carile AB, and Sunset Road be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 4:00
p.m. to midnight with the ring date of Sunday, September 14th from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Further permission to serve alcoholic beverages be granted. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The Department of Public Works be author authorized to advertise for the position
of laborer with class B CDL preferred. MG Car Club Central Jersey Center be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a club picnic and barbecue to be held Saturday, September 6th, 2025 from 10 to 3 at the community park. Having received quotes for goats to
graze the invasive species at community park from the following neighborhood farm LLC $1650. Green goats Reinbeck $9,000. Crescent Nar Farm $4,500. That a purchase order be issued to Neighborhood Farm LLC 167
Buttermilk Ridge Road, Asbury, New Jersey in the amount of 1650 $1650. Craig Roth labor be granted the $1 per hour increase for receiving his class BC CDL license retroactive to May 16th, 2025. Shane Kelly, probationary laborer
be promoted to the position of laborer in department of public works and be granted the $1 per hour increase for receiving his class BCDL license retroactive to May 27th, 2025. Mark Bellationary labor be promoted to the position of laborer in department of
public works and granted the $1 per hour increase for receiving his class B CDL license retroactive to June 3rd 2025 having received the minutes of the board of health from May 14th 2025 approved at the meeting July I'm sorry June 11th
2025 the resignation of Carol Powell has been accepted effective May 31st 2025 Shan K Mulligan be hired as board of health secretary and an annual salary of $200 prorated effective June 1st, 2025. Thomas after
be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at his first birthday party to be held Saturday, January 5th, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community Park. Daniel Vanderplug be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a family reunion to be held Sunday, July 27th,
2025 from 10:00 a.m. to dusk at the community park. Having received quotes for police department 100th anniversary badges from the following symbol arts LLC $35316 point emeralds $39781 [Music]
Smith and Warren $4700 that a purchase order be issued to Symbol Arts LLC 6083 South 1550 East Ogden Utah in the amount of $3536 Morris plane seniors be granted permission to park approximately 12 cars
at Veterans Park baseball field parking lot on Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. while on a bus trip to New York City. Robert Pette be granted the $1 per hour increase for class for receiving his class BCL license retroactive to June 17th, 2025.
Having received public builds bids for contract 2025 C for the repair of replacing two tennis courts at the Mars Plains Community Park, that a contract be awarded to Green Valley Group, Inc. low bid of $49,710 and that the mayor be authorized to
execute the contract. The highlighted community park pool employees attached be hired for the pool season at the position and position salary and date stated for the 2025 season. The bureau treasurer be authorized to advertise for the receipt of bids for the construction
of a tennis wall within the Burough Mars Plains contract 2025D in the Morris NewsB 2025 edition of the official Burrow newspaper on July 10th, 2025 with bids to be received on August 6th, 2025 at 10 a.m. Council Chambers
Barrow Hall. Is there a second? Second. Second my art. Roll call, please. Mr. Burn. Yes. Mr. Houston. Yes. Mr. Ivy. Yes. Mr. Pontier. Yes. M. Yes. Just
two things I have. Is I should have done this really before, but the goats, is that the ones that are here now or those are the And then really I have to say um thank you to Carol How. Um she spent 40 years
over 40 years as the secretary of the board of health here. and she's stepping down from that role, something that she really did not want to do. And uh but we wish Carol all the best moving forward and she really was a
true asset to the board of health and communications and the uh the minutes and everything else that she did there. So I really want to thank Carol for real real true dedication to the bureau over years. So thank you Carol. Um just A
couple things I want to bring up. Um, so there's a lot of emails that come into the clerk's office and then it always has all of the uh every council person's name on it. So just so that the public is is aware. So if something comes in with with everybody with all the council
people's names on it, the council cannot uh respond on that email due to sunshine walls and that sort of thing. So, if anything has to be distributed to the to the entire council, I I recommend uh sending individual emails or sending it
to the clerk's office and then the clerk can disperse it to the whole council. Um some I've heard that we oh we don't get responses or all kinds of other things, but really that's probably one of the main reasons um for that. So, if people
could just be cognizant of that when they're sending emails to to members of Burough Council. Um, the other thing I do want to bring up is Larry Ripley and the Morris Plains drug blood drive that's sponsored by the Morris Plains Rotary um was honored last week and uh
for 15,000 pints of blood that's been donated here in Morris Plow uh over the last 25 years. That's a real accomplishment. Um, and I'd like to thank the burrow, this council, and previous councils for for making that uh community center and everything else
that we make available to that blood drive uh to to achieve that uh monumental amount of donations, blood drive. So, Larry Ripley's been there probably since day one and uh he's to be commended on
on building that program and really getting it to where it is. There's some volunteers here that do go there. So again, thank you to the volunteers and Larry Ripley and everybody who was donated blood. Those are just a couple of um at this time I'd like to invite
members of the public to come up and state your name and address. Oh, I'm sorry. One other thing. There's an overview over here. We did a town hall for our fair share housing. So if anybody did not That's that's the
handout that we had the other night at Hi Lori 12 Linderbury Lane. Hi Lori. Hi. All right. Well, thank you so much. Um I'm here to follow up with the council about ordinance 14-2023
um section 13-5.1C um which was the permitted uses um and Number six of that ordinance talks about the drive-thru restaurants that are permitted principal uses in the B2 and B3 zones. As you know, there's significant concern about this use
remaining permitted in Mars Plains. Um, what's also interesting is that the number six listing of permitted uses specifies that drive-through windows of financial institutions in B2 and B3, OB and C1 are permitted. If approving board
is satisfied, there is enough room on site for queuing of cars and drive-through windows for pharmacies in B3 only are permissible if the approving board is satisfied there is enough room on site for queuing.
Yet, the statement about drive-through restaurants in B2 and B3 was included without any discretion regarding enough room for queuing of cars as and so it it has the appearance that it was added as a as an afterthought or or rush through
perhaps but um a little concerning that we have it in the B2 and yet we don't have any further discretion but um if you may recall in December 2024. Um, and the final meeting I asked, you know,
when the drive-through restaurant use would be removed from the B2 zone, and I was told to be addressed after the reorg meeting. And in January, again, it was raised by another community member. And we were told that, of course, you know, after a broader evaluation of that whole
ordinance, um, to make sure there were no other hidden gems in there, um, that it would be revisited. Um, and Bill, I have to say your efforts on the ordinance committee are appreciated and your transparency and updates so far,
but we're I'm recognizing it's June 19th and um, you know, the concern is that with each day that passes, we run the risk of either, you know, a site having a an application to renovate, right, to turn into a drive-thru or that if the
current decision that was made about the friendly and joining property um is overturned for some reason. I just wouldn't want to see another application slip in. Um so can you provide us an update on kind of how and when the
drive-thru restaurant um use will be removed from the B2. Um so that that specific ordinance I know I've talked about it a lot. Um I've referenced it a lot. is, as you mentioned, a large ordinance. Um, and
and I'll be honest with you, there's there's I haven't given it the time that that's needed, um, to to review that in in depth. Um, so, uh, you know, we I need to spend the time to do that. We we do have to look at a number of things,
um, including that that drive-thru. Um, I can't I can't make any promises as to what's going to be removed or added or changed. Um, it's definitely something that, um, we'd have to as a council and then um because it does have to do with land use. I believe it has to go through
the pling board. I said there's a lot of steps in the process. Um so um unfortunately I don't really have an update for you as far as progress goes. Um it's it's still on my list. Um but I I haven't made any progress on
I can I can appreciate that it's a huge undertaking and I know we've seen actions coming through on on ordinances or um things being presented to this council for things you are getting done. I guess I come back to the question of
so you you kind of alluded to how right that that a number of things have to happen your review followed by you know either coming to the council or definitely the planning board right um so that's kind of the how but but the
when I guess is a bigger question because we're coming around the bend here for the the summer and into fall and maybe if there's a goal you know to try and a date by which this can be achieved so that we have some
confidence then you can back into as a as an ordinance committee and also as a planning board and as a council as to you know how do we get there right what do we have to do to get there um by setting a target date to have it achieved by because I don't
want to be you know for the sake of this town again for the concerns about the days passing buts Also, you know, if I'm in the final meeting in December again this year raising this topic, um I'm I'm just I'm concerned. So,
understand it would be great for the comfort of kind of our community to have a sense of the goal, a line in the sand kind of when we at least hope to have it completed by and and to back into those steps. And I know there are other
probably urgent topics, but from a from a community concern perspective, I think again um those changes that came through that one specifically, but in case there are others in there, like we would like
to see those addressed with more intentional um managing of that project and and a deadline. Yeah, I I understand your your concern. Um I think that um
what I can do is um kind of put some milestones together for um looking at different parts of it um you know to as as was alluded to right it's a very large ordinance right to sort of do any sort of changes goes through an entire process so I can't
make any promises as you know hey by by the end of this year we'll we'll have revised the entire thing but um I think you know it's definely reasonable um to that you know we make some notable um progress on it that's uh that's um
mentioned to the public. So um as far as a timeline goes um you know I I don't want to commit to anything. Can I ask? No, I understand that you need to think about that and and again back into like what would be
required, but I guess a follow-up question is does it need to be changed in its entirety in order to go through or can sections of that and I asked that to to any of you can sections of it be addressed um
initially right can we do can it be done in stages? So I think if they're going to look at the whole ordinance, they have to look at the whole ordinance. You don't want to peace meal two, three ordinance can be changed, but if they're going to look at it, it should be one change.
Okay. So it can't be kind of dissected. When it was initially passed, I was told there were a few provisions that I was comfortable with and people said you can revise it the next day. I disagree respectfully and I think document that
it's I mean can I can we guarantee that if we pass some some changes next meeting that it's not going to need changes a year from now I can't because we don't we may not perceive everything or things circumstances change but I
think that is doable to identify some priorities that we can address that are major concerns and you know I think there are things in there that also need to be looked at standards and other other parts that kind of play into it,
but that's a bigger project. So, um I mean some of the changes or whatever would require some of those other changes, right? So, necessarily say that as a general state, right? Change something, it may trigger
something else. So, things can be changed. They're certainly going to look at it and certainly change things maybe that are that are going to be changed or that that don't look well we did it the first time we didn't do anything above
standard so we can get that done that time why can't we do that again well that was that time that's that's the whole point this may I said it may trigger something else right change here may trigger something else that that has to be changed so so I I think it's
reasonable to expect from the public and It's also reasonable to um you know with respect to the to the council and the committee um that you know we we can uh take a look at the ordinance in sections
um and that we can um make recommendations um amongst the council and and then discuss it as Nancy said Miss Fergie said um it's a living document right so some of those things need to go before the planning board we'll bring that back we discussed and
we can say this needs to go before the buddy board right so um I think it that's a reasonable expectation um I think from as as the chair of the ordinance committee um I think it is it is on me to to run that process um so
you know I will um you know I I will put it on the top of my list and then by I'll say by July's meeting I will have action an action plan yeah and and That's terrific. I think hearing what
the priorities and knowing that at least this one that I've raised is is known to be a priority um for from the community and um you know if there are other priorities that we see that can help raise that here in terms of um greater
sense of urgency then we will bring them we will bring them to you you know and in our public comments um if that if that's helpful but this one I just want to make sure greatly appreciate your discussion around that and consideration of of uh
addressing things in in stages. Thank you so much forward to your update in July. [Applause] You don't need music. Yes.
Uh Jessica or 15 Hillview Avenue. Hi Jessica. Hi guys. All right. So um I'm here as a Mars Plains resident to try and understand. I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on
TV. Um but during the May town council meeting and the June planning board meeting, uh when asked about Ron Kelly and his position on the planning board, Mayor Carr, you advised that we speak to Mr. Kelly. So, um, I received from Mr. Kelly the email that he sent to Mr.
Brewer on May 16th after the May town council meeting. Mr. Kelly asked that I share it on his behalf to help explain his understanding of what happened. Andy, I guess it's Mr. Brewer. I was told that at last night's meeting back
in May, I was given options regarding being able to stay on the board. In your letter, I was led to believe that there were no options and I chose not to resign because in reality I was removed. Also, Jason, Mr. Carr, said at the
meeting last night, he was the one who found out about the ruling and on Monday, which was the first time we spoke, he said he was not aware of the ruling and apologized, but said there was nothing he could do and thanked me for my service. I am confused about the situation with Maryanne Stucker as it
appears she's being treated differently. I am not aware that anyone has been appointed to replace me and would appreciate that not being done until I'm made aware of what these options are and have time to respond. Respectfully appreciate your help and consideration,
Ron. So Ron informed me that after he sent this email, he did not receive a response. Mayor Carr, you read it read rated um that there were options given. So when I'm reading this and just having a little confusion. So who didn't he get a response from? From Andy, Mr. So I
can't speak for and I know that there was previous emails that were sent to Ron explaining uh the situation and his options. Yeah. Right. So one of my big concern, you know, just as a community member wanting to know more and understand is we just
want to be sure and understand the process, right? I want to understand what happens and that what is making sure that it's fair and reasonable when it comes to appointing people in this position. So, you know, after reading the email, I have one, you know, one really big clarifying question is all of the talent positions are posted in our
um agenda for tonight, right? We're getting any job that's coming up. They say they approve it, it's here. So, if Mr. Kelly had been on the agenda and it was brought forward after he had already been a member of the planning board. Why wasn't it notified then that he couldn't
be on both? That's a good question. It fell through the cracks. So I I just I I just don't understand why the conflict wasn't identified then and I think he needs some more clarity as well. Um I mean I've spoken to Mr. Kelly. Um I just spoke with Mr. Kelly the other night at
the center. So I I don't know. is telling me something different than he wrote to you. So I don't I don't know where he's coming from with with that email. Yeah. And just as a community member, I wanted to make sure that I brought it forward because I believe in transparency. I believe in each one of
you and I would want the same for any of you and I just want to make sure that he's given the opportunity that if he was given option of your job of this then we still listen. I didn't want to get rid of Ron. I think Ron was an asset to the planning and so but if there come becomes a conflict just like
that have to be dealt with, right? So, that's what I was doing. Yes. The conflict at the time. We appreciate and you just had mentioned it when u Mr. Sher was up here. So, I wanted to make sure that I followed up because I got information. So, we wanted to make sure that you knew um and you know, maybe Mr.
B could reach out to Mr. Kelly and kind of talk through a little more. I would suggest that. I know that they did have there were emails back and forth. I never knew there was any I am here to serve.
Thank you. [Applause] Carolyn Bennett, 19. Thank you. Um, all right. So, first I want to express my appreciation to the town
council for allowing time and space for public comment. It's not something to be taken for granted and I genuinely thank you for continuing to hold this space for residents. I also want to acknowledge that change takes effort and we have seen some progress in recent months. For that, I we are grateful. I
want to speak not just as a resident, but as someone who truly cares about the integrity of this community, specifically the community I'm raising my children in um and the example that are set by those in the leadership positions. It's become increasingly difficult to ignore a pattern of behavior that many of us find troubling.
Time and again, we've watched as voices are talked over, dismissed, or outright ignored. Not but not because of what's being said, but because those views don't align with the select few in positions of power. There seems to be a culture where respect is conditional,
where collaboration only happens when there's agreement, and where the loudest voices dominate instead of the most thoughtful ones being heard. These are not the values this community stands for, and they shouldn't define our leadership. I am hopeful that we are on our way to breaking this cycle. Let's
also not pretend there's an elephant in the room when it comes to the McDonald situation, because there isn't. It's clear residents are frustrated um and rightfully so. We're demanding transparency, which has not always felt like a priority, but that application has also highlighted ways our town
government can improve how we can be more open, more responsive, and avoid business critical typos. These moments should be viewed as opportunities for growth, not reasons to silence or shame those who speak up. As a newer resident,
totally transparent, I keep hearing about precedents set in this town many, many years ago, often by a small group of long-standing decision makers. While I respect the history and the people who helped shape this community, which I now call home, we have to ask ourselves, are
we honoring tradition, or are we letting it hold us back? Wake up. Literally, the world is changing. The way we live, work, and connect is evolving. Our town needs to be evolving with it. What's even more concerning is how I've repeatedly heard how some residents are
afraid to speak up. That should be a red flag to everyone in this room. No one, especially in a local democracy, should feel hesitant to share their perspective. That fear doesn't come out of nowhere. It comes from being talked over, shut down, or made to feel that only certain opinions are welcome. At
times it seems that only those with longstanding roots in the town are truly heard, whether intentionally or not. We can't build a better community if we aren't willing to listen to all of our voices. Leadership means engaging with different viewpoints, even uncomfortable ones. And it means creating space where
residents feel like they belong, not feeling discouraged from participating. That brings me to a few questions and I hope they are received in the spirit that they're intended because I like everyone behind me are just genuinely trying to understand. I'm happy to send along over email as well which I will do
to individual email addresses. Um because I want to make sure I can ask them all tonight. So if you don't feel like answering them, I'm I'm sure others can follow up. So my first question is, is it common that the same individuals are appointed across multiple committees and leadership roles? Is this
intentional? If so, what could the reasoning be? Is it unintentionally shutting the door on new voices who want to contribute? Or is it simply a case of not enough community interest in those positions? If it's the latter, that may signal a deeper issue in how accessible
or welcoming these roles may feel to others. And I'm going to be honest, the Kelly and Separate situation on the planning board has raised eyebrows for me. And I imagine I'm not alone, as seen here tonight, which was not coordinated. Selfishly, I just want to better understand how we got here and how we
ensure something like this doesn't happen again. I know a few residents have asked questions again and again, but I don't believe we've received the clarity or transparency we've been seeking. When exactly did the town realized Ron's membership was non-compliant? Was it truly in December 2024 like noted? Or was it earlier? From
my understanding of the discussions to date, Ron's class 4 designation became non-compliant when he began working at the community center back in 2023. Let's assume for a moment that this was an oversight as mentioned. That's still confusing to me since the eligibility
criteria has not changed from 2023 to 2024. This shouldn't have been new news. Mistakes are part of any process, but acknowledging them openly and taking responsibility is what builds trust. Avoiding accountability only makes it harder to move forward together. And
honestly, it looks shady. If this was a genuine oversight, what processes are now in place to make sure that it doesn't happen again? The other thing I'm not wrapping my head around is if there's truly no path for Ron to be reappointed if he steps down from his current job. Based on what I heard
earlier this week at the planning board meeting, it seems that legally he can be reappointed. He appears to be an asset to the board, which I think was also just said, someone with history, knowledge, and dedication. Why wouldn't that reappoint be pursued? And while we're asking questions, I'll say what
others are probably whispering. It does it does seem like exceptions are being made for certain members. So, what makes Ron different? And I've heard over and over, we need to talk to Ron directly about what options were provided to him. Um, and like Jess said, that information would be great if it could be shared
publicly because I think there's some misalignment there. It creates the perception that something is being withheld, and that's not the kind of transparency that we're looking for. Um, I don't want to assume this, but it makes me think of the word retaliation
and I don't want to go that route, but I would be a liar if I didn't say that that's not something that's come to my mind. So, I would just really like to understand how all of these facts can be laid out in a way that I can wrap my head around not getting to that as the conclusion. I said this before, I may
not fully understand every ordinance or process, and I continue to admit when I'm sitting at this table and learning on the fly. Um, I I'd be lying if I said the word retaliation hasn't crossed my mind multiple times. And again, I don't want to assume that, but I I will just keep saying that. So, thank you for
bearing with me. And I'm going to close with one last question. Answer it if you want or not. Um, is this truly the the community of caring that we're we're building together and that we're proud of, or are there things that we can do, you know, to to make it better and the one that we all want to be in?
[Applause] So, that's uh certainly a lot. I don't know um I don't remember all your questions, but I took responsibility. I appoint those people to the to the planning court. So, I took the responsibility. I probably didn't follow
up with whe Ron was working or the red flag came up when he accepted the job. I'll take that on his I don't have a problem with that. And if there's a way that that Ron could come back, I would reappoint Ron. I have no problem doing that. I never had a problem Ron or his
uh being on the planning board. And it had absolutely nothing to do with anything that went on here, a decision that was made. I have we've I've spoken to Ron after his decision. We we talked about why I voted yes or why he voted no. We've talked about all that stuff. So I don't have any animosity towards
Ron and I don't think Ron has any animosity towards me and my understanding is that he was given these options. He chose his option to stay working whatever reason that was I don't know but that was his option. He knew that. So if Ron wants to step down from
his position in the B reappointing him if that's if if that's even possible. So I have no problem doing that. Okay. And I appreciate that response and and I know that was a lot and I think that some of the what I just heard is like the first time that we've
heard it. So I I mean I always took owners of that. That's my appointment. That's so that's I never blamed him being on the planning board and getting a job on anybody else. That never came out ever. I was my appointment. He got a job.
Nobody thought about, oh, he can't have this position if he has a job in the B. I I think I'll take the Okay. And if there's some way that we can work it out and get reappointed under, I have absolutely no problem doing that. That's
fine. I hear the mumbling behind it. So, I think like hearing this is is a step in the direction that we're hoping that we can go. Well, I don't want to speak for Ron, but I guess it's to the point where I'm going to have to speak for Ron. He was given these choices and what choice? It's confusing to me because he
just the email that he just that was just read said that I was not given choices. So, I don't know if we have to like drag him here for him to say that, which feels super awkward, but listen, if there's a way that I can put Ron back on on the planning board that that works, I have no problem doing it
whatsoever. So, but that decision is up to And I believe Ron was given those those options. I will I will make sure that Ron knows that tomorrow morning. I will make sure that Ron knows his options and make sure that he's aware of everything that
happened and why it happened. That sounds good. And and I don't want to be like the face of the edges. I'm hearing things all sorts of different people and it's just super confusing. So I and and I'm hearing things from all kinds of people too and and different attorneys and different members of the
public and this meeting and that meeting. I've spoken to Ron. Ron has never said anything to me. We we've spoken very nicely to each other, shake shook hands and none of this was ever brought to my attention.
Well, I've got Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Joanne Dugan, 31 Canfield. Um, can you tell me what options Ron was given? You know what, Marilyn direct answer
this question? And here's why. So, there's an active litigation going on here with this McDonald's application. This doesn't really have anything to do with It it does because yesterday a motion was filed by the attorney there challenging the appointments of of board members calling that to light and that
motion is now pending in superior court of New Jersey. So, and my job here this evening at this board is to protect this board, protect this B, not the planning board attorney, but at the same time, things that are said here become discoverable in that lawsuit. And with a
motion pending, which names Maryanne Steard, names Ron, all of these names are in that motion. It this is not a deposition, yet it's recorded. So, therefore, I have to, not necessarily because I want to, but I have to protect his board. I'm not going to allow his
answers to given Okay, then we'll see it in court, I guess. Anybody? Cooper Johnson, 51 Sun Valley Way. Cooper, uh, if I may, could I pass out a timeline of the whole stard uh, Kelly
sort of situation to the members of the council here? Thank you. If I may, I'm going to be reading this point by point here. interject if anyone has any sort of revisions, any sort of details that they would like to add to this timeline to give the public a more
comprehensive overview of how this whole situation panned out here. So, in January 2023, Mr. Kelly joins the planning board as a class 4 member in the same month there, uh, Stacker joins the Shade Tree Commission, too. Any
disagreements with that? I'm I'm not again I'm not going to have counsel. You certainly are free to state what you say, but I'm not going to have them answering this point. I'm not going to have them answer the question. You're not going to confirm these dates. Quite frankly, I don't know that they can. All
these are public records. Who created this guy? Uh this was created by a fellow member of the plan better Morris Plains. And where did that individual get this information from? Public records. All of this is publicly available either through their layback machine or the Mors plansboro
website. All right. But again, you can read this into the record, but I also want the record to very clearly reflect that. Nowhere is this confirmed to be true. Okay? It's clearly hearsay. So I I you can make a point. You make your statement, but I don't want this to reflect that at any point in time anybody agrees that any of this is
accurate up here in this board. Okay? This is not a document I created. It's not a document anybody in this board created. So it's got it's coming from third parties outside this room. Understood. I'm not I'm not I'm not challenging integrity of it, but I also at the same time to be fair want to
indicate that I have no way of proving or any of this being accurate. I have screenshots with dates provided. Unfortunately, I did not create photo copies of this. If you anyone wants to check this out, feel free to. All these are available on either the uh way back machine or on the current Morris Plains
website. If any is all council members aware what the way back machine is? It's an internet archive website which allows you to pull up previously archived versions of websites online without altercation. Uh to continue onwards in September
2023, Mr. Kelly begins to work at the community center which a planning board uh board class 4 designation then becomes non-compliant with. In January 2024, Ster joins the planning board as a class 4 member. uh the planning board class or designation is
also non-compliant as the with the shade tree rule for the entirety of 2024 both these people are non-compliant planning board members and around January 2025 uh Mr. as uh deploy exits the planning board
segassified as a class 2 on the website here. We have a screenshot of that. It is exactly unclear when but it's after sometime in the January 7th council reorganization which does not reflect this change. In April 2025, uh Mr.
Brewer notifies Mr. Kelly that he was resigned from the planning board seat and when he accepted employment at the community center. And at May 2025, uh, Mayor Carr states that the council meeting at, uh, Mr. Kelly was, and I quote, given options. They characterize Decard as a non-compliant classification
as a typo. We can also quote this from today's meeting as well. So, as you can see, we also have some red bubbles up here. These are some of our main questions that we want to just ask here for sort of just further clarification for public purposes. So why wouldn't Secretary D to have resigned from the
shade tree as soon as she accepted the role on the planning board? Answer as much as you can while still like being within legal precise council. I'm not going to answer question. Oh, good. When did the town become aware of Steart and Mr. Kelly's
mclassifications? As same probably answer here. Uh when was classification update on the website? Same answer I assume. Yes. Uh, how thorough was the legal analysis that led to this sort of draconian conclusion? Why couldn't this conflict
have been resolved by Mr. Kelly simply quitting his job as has been done with Miss Tekker there previously? And what is the legal reasoning here? I assume same answer. Correct me if I'm wrong. Yes, but that's I mean that particular question something you can raise to the
planning board that question. He may choose not to answer it, but that's a question more directly put in. The next planning board meeting is next July. So, I figured that this would just be answered here to get us I'm just I'm just trying to help you. I
understand, you know, and again, I don't want it to come across like I'm trying to throw a roadblock. I'm really not. See, I'm in a very unusual position because I recognize we have the members of public here that have these questions, but I unfortunately am not
the public's attorney. I'm this board's attorney. So, I sit in a chair here that's very different from from from my colleagues and I and it quite frankly it it creates a legal problem for me if I allowed them to answer these questions. And again, it's not that I don't want them to. I wish I could because I think it make this a little
bit easier. However, the court of law would look at me and say you you you you've got a duty to your client and you're not doing. So, that's where I'm coming from. But at the same time, I'm trying to help you by saying some of these questions can be raised planning boards to planning boards and he may be
able to answer them. Okay? But this council cannot because there is active litigation. We'll make sure to raise that to the planning board meeting next July. Uh for the final question just on here, is the seat technically now vacant and Mr. Kelly puts his job? Why can't he just
simp be simply reappointed as was at least viewed on the outside with the whole uh stard situation uh earlier there? Just so you know too on that. Okay. Now again I'm not the planning court attorney but the the question there on that question is whether or not Mr. Kelly can be reappointed
and I spoke to Mr. Brewer who was planning attorney. The question becomes once there's a conflict. Okay. We're not sure both Mr. Brewer and I although I don't I think Mr. did come to the conclusion no but you should ask him
that in July that you can never cure that conflict that once there's a conflict even if you then let's say it's a conflict because you have a position somewhere else if you vacate that position I'm not so sure that that individual can then come back onto the
planning board because the thought process is the reason it was a conflict initially was because of an appearance of impropriy or some other issue and just because you've now vacated that position it doesn't necessarily undo a conflict that existed. Um, you know, for
example, been a crime and then down the road you do something, it still might have been a crime that you can't fix. So, that's really the thought process. It may not be that easy that he vacates the conflict and then comes back on the court. I'm not suggesting that he can't because Andy and I did discuss this at length, but I think but ultimately
that's Andy's call from the planning board or Mr. Bird's call from the planning board and I think his conclusion was no. We didn't I didn't follow up on that with him because it is a planning board that's a separate body from us. But that is a a a relevant question to ask Mr. Brewer at the July
meeting. But I just want you to understand it. It's not like this hasn't been discussed or it's it's it's it's not transparent. I can assure you I remember us sitting in the library parking lot when we were having this conversation. So it has been addressed. And your answer lies with the planning board and with council for the planning
board on that. Uh to to conclude here, I would just like to present one final train of thought here with the question, no answers are really required here. And so I would just like to ponder whether Miss Ste uh Steckert and Mr. Kelly were treated equally relative to their
situations and the whole sort of criteria around them. If we say yes for instance, then of course that would require some more explanation. And that really boils to down to was Mr. Kelly given the same opportunity to either resign from his own positions and to
still be uh still retain a membership and planning board there which either can be answered with a yes or a no here. Yes basically becomes why is this not backed up by any other sources and in fact is refuted by Mr. Kelly himself in
that letter that we've mentioned earlier and if the answer is no here then this is therefore not equal treatment here. If we go if we take the answer of no to whether they were treated equally, then we would of course be wondering who would be treated better in the sentence.
If it was Miss Steckert, it would be we would be wondering why in the instance and if it was Mr. Kelly, that would simply not be true here as one of them has membership on the planning board and the other one simply does not. Thank you.
Did you give one to theates? Thank you. Just a question for you. Are you uh are you pre- legal? I'm thinking about it. Great attorney. That was that was very good. Thank you
for your time. Thanks for coming up. [Applause] And this is a handout and there's reference to it. So we probably mark it like A1 or something. You should put in the minutes that this
is A1. Keep a copy of it too. Hello Cutler Road. Hi S. Hi. Something completely in the other direction. Um, mayor, is there any update on the flood
remediation? Remember that was supposed to take place in April and we got rained out. So, we're waiting obviously through the waiting season. Maybe sometime in August would be on the books. I know I have not taken it off the books for sure, but uh I know that uh it has
gotten less now just because the tree company was out there volunteered their time and energy on a day that they had free to go out there and pull some of the stuff already out of the And you were going to send me an email, but I I never got anything. No, I didn't
send it. I will send it. Another tree fell um across send me an email. Again, going back further, I don't know if the brook is in your property. If the brook is your property, no. Or if your property line extends past the broke, no, then then it's going to be your responsibility. So, we'll have to look
at that. Yeah. But I All right. I will send it to you tomorrow. Okay. All right. Good to hear it's still on the bus. Yep. You're good. You're good. Diana Road. Um good evening. Um I am here tonight on
behalf of downtown Queens to share some updates. Um we had shared them with um Mr. Cortez, but he is not here tonight. And I think that would mean that um Miss Ferggo would have to read them on our behalf. after she just got through that
agenda. I didn't want to inflict that on you. So, I will share them with you. We were um we were so happy to have um the business development committee named for 2025 and wanted to report that
we do have a meeting um scheduled for July 1st. We're looking forward to that to connect and um continue our 2025 planning. Um, for those of you who do not know, in Q1 we also built and released um an updated um
business directory on our website. It is now linked through the bureau. So, thank you very much for connecting that. Um, we will be continuing to update it and it is searchable. So, that was a big initial accompl accomplishment for 2025. Um
you also may be aware that last year we completed our bike rack design contest which was done in partnership with Morris Arts and the grant that we received. Um we have since had the bike racks fabricated uh with a local welding
company Manning Metal Works. Um and we are expecting that they should be installed in another of days. So we are extremely excited and want to for support and thank you in their car. Um I think he's he did tell me he's got to
wait for the mark out, right? Is that what he's waiting for? Are you not sure? I don't know what we're waiting for now, but it's been about eight months. So we're just I believe it's a mark out. Hope we're not waiting much longer. Um and uh we are also doing some work
partnering with local businesses. We've um been been working together with the farmers market committee um that Sal is also managing um and we have a new volunteer who is our liaison between businesses and the committee to help curate some opportunities for businesses
to benefit from the market. Um so that is one of our ongoing projects. We're also hosting an upcoming virtual social media 101 session that will be free for all local businesses. Um and an additional um 2025 roundt on August 11th. Um, all of this information will
be up on our website and we'll be promoting it on social media for any businesses that are interested. Um, we have a save the date for our 2024 pumpkin elimination which we will be sharing with you. It will be on Friday, October 24th. Um, we'll be hosting a
Zoom session for volunteers in July on July 10th. So that's information is also online for anyone who is interested volunteer. Um and finally, um we are looking forward to announcing
another really big project that we can't share yet, but it will be in 2026. Um and we will be back to share more about that very soon. That's not fair. Stay tuned. Get excited. Keep us in suspense.
That's all. Thank you very much. Thank you. I love everybody. Uh, thank you to the entire committee. You guys are really working hard. We're making certainly uh headway here with with some of your projects. Things are really catching on. So, I do appreciate that.
Uh, the bike racks we thought we had, but uh the 11th hour that kind of went sour, so we kind of had to back that back that up a little bit. So, but hopefully they'll be here very soon. And the market
underground. So we were told by the end of the day tomorrow. So the mark out. Yeah. Oh, okay. Good. Who told you that? Oh, okay. I was going to say utilities, they probably lied to you. Well, he was. Yeah, he was told that. Very good. Good.
Been there for two weeks. Thanks for all the work. Thank you. Anybody else? Seeing nobody, we move on to reports of committees and department heads. My name is Chris Bergie. I met with Jason and Anna, our CFO about
health insurance broker. Uh we're still looking at ways to save the bureau money on our health insurance and also possibly help employees identify ways to save their out of pocket plus as well, but there's more research to do there. Um we're preparing our CFO is preparing
for the electric utility online reverse auction as you saw in the long winded list of consent agenda there. Uh that will help us select our third party supplier for non street electric light supply electric.
Uh we we reviewed the audit findings which was also on the consent agenda and um Anna has been answering questions from seniors about the property tax anchor and state New Jersey filings that are due this year and she prepared April reports. The clerk's office has been
some short-handed the past couple weeks but is doing a great job currently uh keeping up with things and they worked through the primary election on June 10th. Long day in preparation in advance and after to take down marriage applications and licenses,
death certificates, food vendor licenses with total revenue in May of $11,000 and ongoing open requests and preparing for this meeting and always answering calls from our residents and visitors to Mayor Carr, myself and Anna and Mike Ivy
also met with uh our IT team Rajes and Mutu to look over our IT infrastructure, review projects completed in 24 and planned projects for 2025, including the server hardware upgrades and implementing a self-service portal
for single sign on and password recovery and reset, so we don't have to wait for them to reset our passwords when we forget to update them. Any names, but that's all I have every month. Thank you, public safety. Tyler, thank you,
Mayor. As everyone saw earlier, we had the Museio group in here to go over the presentation. That was part of the conceptual plans committee that I'm always talking about. So happy the public is finally able to get to see what we've been doing and working on. And it sounds like we'll move forward
and keep that going. We did have a public safety meeting on May 29th. Myself, Chief Gaskski, Art and Sal met to go over all things public safety, hiring, buildings, equipment, miscellaneous. Again, myself along with Chief Gaski, Lieutenant Gild, and other representatives from the Morris Plains
Police Department attended the public safety graduation uh where our newly hired offers officers, Amelio Ericson and Jake Zalinsic graduated on June 2nd. Uh they are now on, you know, the active supervised shifts until September. Tonight, as you saw, there's some
department awards being given out. I just wanted to give a big congratulations to everyone that was an award winner. The cert program is official and Chief Karaski uh has put out a flyer on the website and out. So the essentially the uh MPPPD put out the
flyer explaining what's required and what is needed from applicants. We have seven applications so far and plenty of room from others. So if anyone is interested in that, again that's the community emergency response team. They'll be helping out in parades, family day, all sorts of activities like
that. Doing, you know, helping with roadblocks, etc., so that the police can, you know, again, kind of focus on the some of the higher level things and just making sure they're keeping us all safe. Um, they will receive OEM training, which is the Office of Emergency Management, and be guided by Lieutenant
Guild. Also, a resolution this evening for the purchase of the 100-year badges for next year's centennial. There's an upcoming security expo in Atlantic City from June 23rd to June 27th that some members will be at. Um the department will also be getting a uh
a police motorcycle from the Elizabeth Police Department. I think this will be a great opportunity for enhanced community policing in addition to having an extra vehicle in the spring, summer, and fall. Don't judge me if you see me asking for a ride on the back of it because I'm just as excited. Um, on
Monday of this past week, we held a a thank you breakfast for all the crossing guards. It was a fun time and a wonderful way to thank them and appreciate the residents who are helping keep our children safe. I know one of my daughters likes to ride her bike to school, so I said it Monday and I'll say it again. Thank you very much to all of
our crossing guards. Fire department's busier than ever. They are up to almost 230 calls year to date. Uh, they are still finishing up the report for May, but that should be out soon. The 5050 fundraiser is back. Uh this is for the fire department. They're going to be at
the farmers market almost every week this summer selling tickets. They are $1 each. I spent some time with them this past Saturday and we had a good time and selling some tickets. If they sell all 20,000 tickets, the winner will get $10,000. And that drawing is going to be on
August 30th at the block party. The fire department also received permission to use the uh where the McDonald's location will be for training drills, rescue, evacuation, etc. I do believe some local residents received a letter or someone at their door explaining the procedure. So, if you do
see some fire department activity over there, do not be alarmed. This is an opportunity for them to take that space that's kind of sitting there now and and get better and and really get to do all those drills. So, I think that's amazing. All the pumps were recently tested on the apparatuses and successfully passed. Next is going to be
the hosed and hose and ground ladders. Some of the the fire departments hoping to participate in the Brookside Fourth of July parade. They will have a heavy a heavy presence coming up to this family day alonging uh along with Chris Shay. On the fire prevention front, Chris is
actually actively Wow, I'm in trouble tonight. Uh inspecting daily along with assisting the fire department. We plan to have a one-year review with him in July. His position will have been full-time for about a year. So, it's a smart opportunity to review and plan for next year and moving forward.
And also, just to jump back to the police department, I write these reports from hand every week. So, um they were honored and it was very fun to watch them be a part in carrying the Special Olympics torch during the torch run through town on June 6th. I know all the burrow school was out to support them
and I'm extremely proud of the officers for getting to do something amazing like that. Uh we had in-person court this past Monday. Judge Carluchi and Carluchi and the staff do an amazing job. On May 29th, the Burough students held a mock trial here that I was able to attend
which was overseen by Judge Carluchi. Um and I must say a very well very well done job to all who participated. I was very impressed with these students that did that. I have no business being an attorney, but it was about a plagiaris plagiarism or stealing of a song between
two performing artists. And again, it was really fun to watch and really impressive. Coming up, we have Family Day on Saturday the 28th. That will obviously be an all hands-on deck day for public safety. And very quickly, uh I just wanted to touch on what the the mayor said about uh my buddy Larry
Ripley and the blood department. I think that's an amazing program that we have and also being a member of Rotary. I just think it's incredible. My daughter spent a year in the hospital the first year of her life in a blood transfusion saved her life. So that is a very important thing to me and I think an
amazing thing that we do here in Morris Plains and I'm very proud just to be here. Thank you, Mayor G. Good evening. U just a couple other small items. We had lead graduation. So, our fifth grade
kids got after their several weeks of lessons with Sergeant Hines. Um, got to enjoy some time at the Funflex courtesy of Greenville Alliance and the police department. Uh, so thank you to everybody who supports our lead program. I will be absent from the meeting in July, but I did want to mention some
upcoming things for August. are always uh very well attended event. Kona weather cop where we travel around with Kona Ice to several different parks in the burrow is uh I think it's a Tuesday but it's August 12th so mark those calendars you'll hear the lights and sirens coming. Um and then prior to that
is actually one of our larger events of the year is national night out Tuesday August 5th. A lot of community serviceoriented organizations the fire department EMS Morris County OEM the sheriff's office prosecutor's office the list goes on and on. Red Cross is joining us this year. a large event. Hopefully uh the rain
gets out of the way here for a good event because we got a little wet last year. Um but I also did want to mention to conclude uh two things. The cert program is out active applications online. Something that can certainly uh help give back to the community especially in emergency person situations. Um and that application and
background check are available to you if you just email Lieutenant Gil. And then finally uh June 2nd was Academy Graduation for Officer Ericson and Officer Sinsic. mayor was in attendance along with Tyler. We appreciate the council's support of adding to our police department. Um so after the week
of policy review, they're now on the road. They spent now four or five shifts um in the patrol vehicle with their FTO's. Um so we wish them well and obviously to all of our officers in addition to to Jake and to to be safe as well. So that concludes my report. Any
questions, comments or concerns? Thank you, Chief. Appreciate that. And uh lot of lot of activity down there. All Wow. Thank you. Public works. Art. Thank you. Mayor mentioned earlier about the goats and seen them yet. I think they're
pretty amazing. There's some lava goats with some baby goats here. Where my report? They're eating poison ivy note and I don't remember the names of the other invasive species, but they say it's very
important. So, some of the life was any frogs and other animals that might go in and out of the ponds. If it's overrun with these invasive species, it eliminates some of the animal life. So, but they're very cute. Uh we were there, we had a meeting the night they arrived,
so we'll see. But, um thank the beauty committee for also weeding all the planting areas of town. And they're very dedicated. And I know we said this before, but they'll share plants if you have extra names of flowers in their gardens from
home. They'll put them in the town uh plot. So, they do a great job and they keep our town looking fantastic. So, appreciate their efforts. Uh DPW, they uh work on our vehicles daily, clean the garbage in our parks, uh cut the grass
in between the raindrops. It's been challenging this year for all the rain we've gotten. They've completed their CPR training, painted some curbs. Uh they planted 20 skip laurel uh trees on port road path which we're excited about to get more foliage. Cut down some dead
trees. Um replaced guard rail and I thought we were going to have to put a heater in our town pool because it had been so cool, but now it's 100°. So uh prepared the pool for opening day. They power wash, painted, put together filters, uh plumbing, bolts playground,
so the pool is up and running. So appreciate all their hard work. all their inspections today. Friday swim team though tonight was supposed My daughter called me crying because it started the lightning right when they got Yeah. No swim team could use it
tomorrow. Good. Thank you very much, Mr. Rogers. Thank you, mayor. Update you on our three construction projects. The road sidewalk. Actually, none of these updates are going to bring us anywhere. To piggy back on what Art said, the rain
has just stifled all our construction work. The contractors are all backed up. Anyway, Route 52 sidewalk, we have our DOT pre-construction meeting on June 24th, next week, and started construction will be determined at that time. our Glenbook
Road project and our Capitol Road project. Both were award to construction. We had the the construction meetings for those two jobs on on June 10th. That contractor is backed up with paving work that has been stalled because of
the rain. So, we're talking about mid July start. And that's all I have. Just as long as they know when school open all that the the completion dates are tied to opening a school. So the fell
tells us that he's he feels he can get that in even with the delay. Fantastic. Good. Thank you. Uh public buildings and grounds. I don't know if anybody not we'll move on to public sanitation or public health sanitation sewers. Mr.
Thank uh for the teen center. Uh they wrapped up their 2025 school year with the parent night and the fifth grade stepup night where the parents and kids had their first 30 minutes to tour the house and the remaining time was for the kids to enjoy. This is part of a recruitment event to bring the kids there. So see who wants to register for
for next year. Uh the board is meeting well they already met late now uh tonight to sol solidify the 2026 schedule uh coupling the teen center schedule along with tighter communication with the schools will ensure that we deconlict any uh events that happen uh between the two for next
year. Uh the registration form uh to include the background check form is being finalized and will published in the next town newsletter that should be ready in the next hopefully 48 hours. uh for a municipal alliance. Uh they also wrapped up their year. Uh June 11th was the league graduation as chief mentioned
uh with the funplex event uh followed by the family game night. Uh Stephen Hill also spoke uh to the seniors on May 23 and this was geared towards facts, laws, and terminology around drugs and alcohol uh giving the attendees a real look into the consequences of partaking in those
things. Uh the alliance is looking uh to the fall already uh to plan the programs like the eat dinner with your family night and stage fun. more dates uh more to follow as those uh dates approach. Uh lastly, board of health um they're continuing to perform health inspections around the burough to include at the
farmers market. Uh there were a few areas that needed to be addressed on the first day, but luckily these were just administrative errors or issues, not anything resolved around food safety, and I believe all those issues were resolved uh as of last Saturday. Uh they
are doing a very good job of checking everything. So, anytime you have any samples, they're doing a very good job making everybody's safe, everything's being kept cool and uh especially when it gets hot like this. So, uh they're doing a great job for us. Uh wellness day is confirmed to be October 18th uh
from 9 to 12 at the community center and the board is currently looking to bring more family focused vendors to the events uh just to bring in a larger uh group of people to uh be interested to go there. Um and in case no one has noticed uh summer has arrived in a hurry
and it is hot uh and it's going to remain hot for the next few days. Uh, it's important to protect yourself and your neighbors who are susceptible to heat sickness. If you're going to be outdoors, please familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you have kids, please make sure they're well hydrated before they begin outdoor activities,
especially with camp kicking off. Um, ensure they take breaks, even if they say they're not thirsty because my kids always say that. Make sure they drink. Uh, and with all the rain that we've had, there's bound to be stagnant water. And with stagnant water comes mosquitoes. Uh, please inspect your property. Make sure there's no standing
water that could be become a breeding ground. Uh if you are having issues, Morris County has a service well where they'll inspect your property and provide treatment for you. You can visit uh morrismosquito.org or call 973-2856450 to request service.
Uh two things. There is a spot. And then just it was brought to my attention the Probably I think it was last year that the donated TV to the center. Oh, was that from Okay. I believe. Yeah. I didn't hear about I just heard about
it this weekend. We have a couple. Is that factual or I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. The Rotary donated a television set to center. I'm not aware. It was last year or something. I didn't hear about it. That was probably the one that I
looks good. And I want to shout out for the municipal alliance, the chairperson, Annette Wolf, who is behind me. She walks the walk because there's a project graduation that happens every year for Marstown High School students. The night
they graduate, they all get busted to a fun facility where they're they play all night with like laser tag and karaoke and all that stuff. And she was one of the chaperons I found today. and you know she's a true believer and uh it takes people to really step up to make those things happen for our kids. So
grateful to Annette and her many years of service. She's a true asset there. Really is. She's excellent. Thank you. Moving on to ordinances and public utilities. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um
all right, so uh the mayor and res actually brought some Verizon polls to my attention. Um, so I did reach out to Verizon. Um, they did fix the one pool that was over on Mountain Way. Um, I did get a positive response from them about uh the other the other ones that are on
202 over here by TD Bank and then the wires that are over by Littleton Road Center. They told me they're they're dispatching crews this week. Uh, so I'll keep on him. I keep I keep send progress. That's good. I keep sending him an email every week and he you know
he he responds back. So, I've got positive positive comms there. So, that's good. That's good. Um, definitely hazards there. So, for sure. Absolutely. I want to take care of it. And and I would encourage uh if there's any resident um that does see anything wrong with a poll. Um every poll has a number
on it. Um just what I've learned is that if it says VC, that's Verizon. If it says I think JP, um that or JC, right? Um so that that's a power pole. So there's there's what you should do is grab the the number and the
letters of the poll. Um you could submit those to the utility company or you can reach out to me as as the liaison and and I'm happy to uh come over and take a look and and uh add it to the list. So um uh on the ordinances side uh already
talked about ordinance 14 2023. So I I I am committing to an action plan by July's meeting. So I will I will get that. Um the mayor's asked me to look into a couple of other uh ordinance as well. There's a frontage ordinance and all street parking ordinance. So I am
looking into those as well. And then the um the uh extended stay the room and border. Yes. Yep. Yep. And we need that you know we have some issues to take care of. Yes. Understood. Um so all those are my to-do list before July's
meeting. Um uh I know ordinance 62025 was sent to NJ DOT. That was the one for um over here in Hawthorne to do the four ton restriction. Do we hear back from NJ? Nothing. Okay. Um I don't know, Mr.
Ryden, I know I spoke to you a little bit about that. Do we um when we send those things to NJ DOT, do we expect a response from them or uh I I would expect so. Sure. Okay. Okay. All right. So getting things from DOT is takes a long time. Okay. Well, we'll just we'll
just I guess keep waiting, but we'll keep following up. Um uh let's see. Actually, the fire marshall brought um something to me from an ordinance uh perspective. He'd like us to consider uh creating an ebike ordinance in light of um some of the
recent events in town. Um so, I'll be looking into that. Maybe referencing some other towns uh ordinances as well. Um and that's what I have for ordinances. um on the construction office. Uh so the uh
over at the annex uh they've been working hard to uh get their software system updated. Uh it's something that was started by um Mr. Wagner a couple years ago. Uh and now we they finally completed it. So their SPL software is
is up and running and I actually got my first report from them um similar to the fire chief's report. So, uh it's a work in progress, but uh reading from this report, uh for the month of May, uh they completed 34 permits. Um and they
collected $20,31 in fees. Um I expect as we get through some more of that software, I'll get some some more detailed updates. Karen did say that it printed out a 60page report, so I obviously don't want to read all that, but um but we'll go
through uh we'll go through that and we'll find some of the the data there. Um uh we are also looking into uh so we did meet with all the um uh different companies over there about scanning all the documentation in that's over there all the plans and everything which is a
uh a compliance thing. Um we also did approve it in our budget for this year to account for some of that. Um so I'm currently kind of consolidating all those quotes and then I'll bring it back to the council for consideration. Um one thing Nancy you mentioned earlier when you were looking at um with the IT
updates. Um, we want to uh can we add um cloud storage into that because that's going to be a big big part of what we're doing. So just Yeah. Yeah. There's on-site storage. Okay. So we can probably add it. Okay. Yeah. Just something to consider. We maybe we
should just have I think you got to really check that because I think the storage kind of is getting up to max. Yeah. I mean the that's there now can't handle this. Right. So, it would have to be a separate separate, right? And and that's what I'm asking is as you guys
are looking at, let's just maybe you can pull me into that conversation so we can give you an idea of how much storage we're going to need for that as well. So, um just on some of the other uh projects that are happening in town. So, 415 435 Speed Well, also known as
McDonald's. Um uh the report I got today was that uh they still do need to satisfy their fines before they they can apply for and continue with their demo. Um and Tyler, I think you mentioned earlier the fire department is doing some training over there. Y um so so
that's currently where we're at with that. Um I I did get a a note um that uh if they do any work over there, they do have to put up an orange construction fence that's around there. So that's going to be a big visual indicator that that work starting over there. But uh as
of right now. Um there's they still haven't uh uh met their compliance. Uh so they can't do any more work over there yet. Um 329 Speed Avenue, which is uh the Rivian dealership, uh they do
have, sorry, it's a Rivian um service center. Uh they have their demo permit. Um they're completing their demo. Uh the zoning officer, construction officials, fire marshal, they've all been over there reviewing the site. Um They have not yet applied for what known as fit
out permit. So plumbing, electrical, mechanical. So they're still in that that demo phase. Um 225 Littleton Road, which is WER. Uh they have applied for uh demo, electrical, and plumbing permits. Um they should be starting soon. So I don't I think they're going
to the inspectors are going to go over probably tomorrow and early next week uh to do their inspections over there. They have Okay. I know uh uh Bill O' Conor was saying that uh he's he's meeting with them tomorrow. Yeah. Outside
outside stuff. Yeah. Um warehouses still no movement. Still no tenant over there. Uh let's see. Planning board update. Um so the planning board had their meeting on June 16th, 7:30. Um there were no
obligations to review, but we did hold a public meeting and and voted to approve the adoption of the housing element fair share plan as an amendment to the master plan. And tonight the council approved resolution 2025-90 which endorsed the housing element of fair share plan. Um we had a public
information session last Tuesday at federal school auditorium. Uh and through the efforts of our residents, it was live streamed as well. Uh the mayor um Ed Buzzac who's our foral housing attorney, our zoning and planning board chairs, our engineer, John Haran were
all panelists during the session. Uh myself, Councilman Pontier and Councilwoman Berggo were in attendance as well. Uh the session was well attended by about 20 people with another about 113 views online uh with a number of great questions from the public. So that whole session is available on
YouTube if anybody hasn't seen it. Um through a lot of work, mostly on our planners part, but also through the affordable housing committee and the and the attorney, we were able to get our real estate and development uh potential down from 106 units to 10 units. Uh this zone will be up at the intersection of
Route 53 and Route 10, just behind the recycling center adjacent to the existing Sinesta suites. Um uh there and and this now starts a 62-day window to file objections to this which opens on July 1st and closes on July on August 31st. Um and as the mayor pointed out
earlier, there's documentation up there um in case anybody has received it yet. Um and the next planning board meeting is scheduled for July 21st uh here in this front. Um mayor, anything you wanted to add to that? No, I think that's uh fine. I think the the housing element plan it's been gone over and
gone over now. So I think most people have a grasp of what's happening here and again it was a tremendous undertaking and to get it down from our original 137 in various ways uh that are that's in the bill we got it down to 10. So I
think uh with some other credits we're a little bit low but that's just a a huge relief s relief. And again I I reiterate it the burrow is not against affordable housing it's the density. For every one unit of affordable, a builder is
potentially able to build five units. So, anytime we can get density down is is really what we're looking for. So, uh really thanks to everybody that was involved with council planning board committee, everybody really professionals
took a lot and I think we really position the bureau not only uh well for this round but for further rounds coming up. Um, so the zoning board of adjustment update, um, they had their meeting Monday, May 19th. Uh, they did hear one
application for completeness, um, and I believe they deemed it complete and their next meeting is Monday, June 23rd, uh, which I think is this coming Monday here in this room. Um, the, uh, let's see. So, the checklist review committee uh, which was uh, myself, uh,
Mr. Ryan, our engineer, Dave Schultz, the chair of the zoning board and my career aglia. Uh we had several meetings regarding our land development application. Uh the committee's goal was to simplify the document embodying all the necessary items needed between zoning requirements and planning board requirements as well as provide a
simpler and online accessible form for the applicant or resident submission. Our current uh land development document is 37 pages long and has many redundancies within the application. Um the uh the two documents uh contain now
the two documents uh contain all the same requirements as our current applications. However, the information is better organized and more easy to understand from an overall applicant perspective. Um so we now have we um we will have two um documents. One's a
Morris Plains planning board or zoning board of adjustment application for subdivisions and site plan review. And the other is a zoning board adjustment application for variance relief and a checklist for that as well. Um so now they do uh they have separate uh these
two applications now separate zoning board requests from pling board requests and provide the applicant and or resident with easy transition to the appropriate board for application review and approval. Both the zoning board and the planning board are currently reviewing the revised applications and will be discussing their suggestions at
their next meetings. And that is all I have. Just uh with Verizon, there's still and this has been worked on now a couple times. There's still cell outage 202 from the area
around Mount Tardis uh you know 202 around Kohl's. Okay. and then Avenue, Mount Faris, uh from 202 various areas along Mount all the way
out to Richdale Avenue. I did get an email saying that it was repaired and fixed, but dead zones all in there. So, I have Verizon service. I don't know if it's just Verizon. They keep asking me that, but I know there's
That's an issue. I can look into it. Would you um if it's possible? Same guy that you know the same same one that dealing with same if you would mind. He would be familiar with right. If you wouldn't mind forwarding me that email. Yeah. Excellent. Thank you. It's just a
confirmation email. Sure. I don't think it has the address. Yeah. Okay. All right, good. I took a note. Um, we have no introduction of ordinances. We do have ordinances on second reading. Houston. I, Council
Member Houston, read by title the ordinance entitled Ordinance number 7-2025 bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of firefighting equipment by the Burrow of Morris Plains in the County of Morris, New Jersey, appropriating 1,400,000
therefore and authorizing the issuance of 880,000 bonds or notes of the bureau for financing such appropriation. Which ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting held on May 15, 2025? I announced the meeting is open for a
public hearing on this ordinance. This is uh putting the funds in place which was budgeted for for a new engine for the fire department. Seeing no one, I close the public portion. I council member Houston state that the above ordinance as read by title on
second reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Is there a second? Second. Second by Nancy. Roll call, please. Mr. Yes. Mr. Houston. Yes. Mr. Ivy. Yes. Mr. Yes. M. Yes. I declare the ordinance
adopted and finally passed. And unfortunately, the last time that we heard that takes about three years to receive this piece of equipment. Hopefully, it's before that. I, Council Member Houston, read by title
of the ordinance entitled Ordin ordinance number 8-2025 an ordinance to appropriate $130,600 from the capital improvement fund to the various improvements in and by the burrow of Morris Plains in the county of Morris State of New Jersey. Which
ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting held on May 15, 2025. Uh I announced the meeting is open for a public hearing on the ordinance. Again, this is putting funds in place that budgeted for for uh fire department
radios. I believe the police radar sign and the uh tennis court. Seeing no one close. I council member Houston state that the above ordinance as read by title on second reading at this meeting be
adopted and finally passed. Is there a second? Second. Second by Tyler. Roll call, please. Mr. B. Yes. Mr. Houston. Yes. Mr. Ivy. Yes. Mr. Pierre. Yes. MGA. Yes. Okay. We have no unfinished
business. No new business. U. We do have vouchers. We not want to discuss. No, but you can, but you can on resolution. So that has to be discussed and then individual roll call. Okay. Just an
individual roll call on uh 20 2025-85 I think Bill. Well, no. I'm looking at the resolution itself now and I see that there's actually decisions made here about where these trees are going to be
planted and if it's not discussed with the shade tree commission at a meeting who's making these decisions about where these trees are being planted exactly my concern. So then we'll take a vote on it and move it forward.
Is there a motion table it? So the deadline for this grant is June 30th for it to be submitted. So keep that in mind. Yeah. I just I again I I don't know enough about shade trees and I don't
know enough about the location that is recommended um in here which is um so it's a $2,500 grant to purchase and plant shade trees at Mountain Way and Silven Drive. Um, I just don't know that that is the right
location. I know nothing about it. Um, and again, as I said earlier, I don't believe that the shade tree commission um discussed it either. So, without, you know, without having our commission look at it, I I I understand that there's a timeline on the grant and I think it's a
great grant. I just I don't know that it's the right place for I don't know me. I don't know if you wanted to turn down the possibility of getting any kind of shade tree regardless of where it is, but that's just me. But take a vote on it and see where it all lands. That's all. I just I I I think they take a
vote. That's all. Well, it's up in June. It's June 30th is when But I I just I don't know. I um something like this. I think it it I don't know how it came here. And you mentioned earlier, Mr. Mayor, you don't know how it how it got here. just
yeah I just I think something like this if there's a timeline on it right it should have gone to the shade tree in enough time for them to look at it and then come to us I think the fact that we're up against the clock now I I you know I I don't have an issue with it and and I I other than I don't know that
it's the right place for these trees I don't know whether that has to be down there or not but anyway who made the decision but who made the decision That's all we're asking. All right, we'll take a vote and move forward. I don't know
right now. Well, hey, not to put Mr. Mleier on the spot, but I do see him in in the back there. I don't know if I'm allowed to talk. Am I allowed to speak? Yeah, you can come up and speak. I don't have much to say. Well, I just as the only representative of the sheet tree commission here, I
think. Am I allowed to speak? state your name and address. My name is Rob M. I live the two maple lab. So go ahead. What? So I I think that so there there's an application there's a resolution in front of the council tonight. We that never came in front of the shade tree commission. My personal
stance is I'm not against the grant. I mean I think more trees are always better if we can get them. Um it it does speak to something that I wouldn't normally air but it's my ongoing frustration that the commission does not follow the proper process. Uh during our last meeting I that we have um working
committees put together so that we could um have a clear division of responsibility so things like this wouldn't fall by the wayside and my motion was not seconded. So I think that maybe this um grant in particular you know I don't have a problem with but I think that there is an issue on our
commission with not following um proper process. The goals that were presented as I said in one of our meetings to the council at the beginning of the year also were never voted on by our commission. So there's a pattern here. It's not just a oneoff thing. It's rushed in my opinion. So,
I appreciate it. But, but as you've stated, right, you the shade tree commission has not seen this resolution, has not made comment. So, I believe I'm sorry. It's okay. Just that they have not made any comment or recommendation on the location of these shade trees
being planted at Mountain Way and Silven Drive to your knowledge. Um, so I cannot remember. Uh, so this year, no. It has never come up. We've never voted on it. uh have never been discussed. Maryanne Steard uh did apply for this grant. I can't remember if it was last year or
the year before. And there were a number of locations which we did vote on. Um I would also uh you know have to go back and look at my notes to remember if this was one of those or not. I don't have those with me right now. So I'm not sure. Um like I said, I'm not against
getting trees for tomorrow. I'm all for it for planting more trees. Yeah. So my my take is whatever the council thinks, but I do wish that we would follow the process to put things through committee and we would have discussions. I think that that is a real problem on our commission
and I think anyone's watching the videos can see that. I appreciate it and uh I appreciate it. Thank you. So anyone else take a vote? Am I Am I good? Mayor, you're great. Okay.
All right. So we just we'll move forward with this. Uh um on resolution 25 2025-85 somebody has to move the motion if somebody moves motion and somebody has to second the motion and then an individual will be taken. If nobody
moves the resolution dies it dies. Is there somebody who wants to move this resolution to res the process doesn't seem like it's follow but as Rob said I'd like to get
the money and plant trees I'd like to move the motion forward so you're making a motion to to to move or approve is there a Sorry, John. Real quick.
Okay. My question was in this in this resolution, it specifically says trees in Mountain Way and Solar Drive. Do we h if we get this grant, do we have to plant them there? Because in the last grant, there are a number of locations suggested. So, I believe yes,
that the the grant parameters are you have to talk about the species of tree, you have to about the location, you have to talk about how it fulfills a role in the community. There's an education component. So, it's a pretty um pretty detailed application and this does outline that the school principal has
made some commitments and there was you know clearly there was a lot of discussion that went on somewhere about this. It may have been it may have been the previous grant and they're just going to reapply for the same. I'm not sure because as I said I've never heard anything about any of this never was
discussed. So, we have a second by Mike. Take a roll call, please. Mr. Burn. Yes. Mr. Houston. Mr. Ivy. Yes. Mr. Pontier. Yes. Miss Ver. Yes.
And we have no unfinished business. Mr. Mayor, sorry. Just since there wasn't any time in uh conference this this meeting or last meeting, I did invite Jim Hunt to be here tonight. I would very briefly at least like to start the discussion on completing green streets if possible.
I was I guess going to bring up in new business just because I know what else to do. Yeah, we have no unfinished business new business so we'll do green. Okay, awesome. Um so as I circulated in May uh the the draft that we've been working on in the traffic committee and
with everyone um that Jim Hunt was you know took a lot of time to to do and write. Essentially the next step for this would be the resolution would appoint a policy advisory committee to recommend a complete and green streets policy to the council within six months
of the date of the resolution. So essentially all I'm asking for is for people to consider this and to consider making that resolution. All that does is help us put together the advisory committee to then make the actual
recommendations on the complete and green streets. Clearly um for people that essentially don't fully understand what it is, Jim might be able to explain it a little bit better, but it's a policy. It's a
means to provide a comprehensive, integrated, connected, multimodal network of transportation options through planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of new and retrofit transportation facilities along the entire right of way for all users
and all abilities. Um, essentially it's just a way to improve public safety in the sense of crosswalks, people in cars, people walking, people on ebikes, people on scooters, people in wheelchairs, just sort of people in cars up and down the
board. And I realize that we are a small burrow and other townships and burrows do have a larger implementation, let's just say, of this, but in speaking with residents last year and this year, it seems something that is very important to people and having some form of this
adopted for the burrow. So, I will lead that charge. And um again, I invited Jim Hunt here. He is literally the complete and green streets policy expert. He's involved in multiple other t townships and committees on things like this. So,
um, being that I am not an expert and if people did have questions, I did just want him here to be able to get that clarity both for the council and for the public. And Jim, thank you very much for coming tonight. I appreciate you taking the time out of your Thank thanks for considering this. Just your name and
address here, Jim. I'm good. Finding a cold. This is to protect me. I'm not contagious, but appate anyway. Jim Hunt 44J. Um, yeah, as Tyler said, this is a safety issue. When we got the state to
pass the New Jersey safe passing law, which I led the team to do, it was unanimously bipartisan. Everybody, because it's a safety issue, working with the chief doing so much to improve safety on the roads, handicapped in some ways by the design sometimes that we
have on the roads. So this is an opportunity to take a look at what we do to seize opportunities when we repave to do things that would let everybody move about in the way they choose more safely and speeding can be reduced more opportunities to connect trails and
paths so people can get on their bikes and kids can ride. The e the ordinance that you're mentioning it's all over the place. People are considering these ordinances. The difficulty we have without a framework in which to consider an ordinance is what do we really want to do with do we want to encourage those
kinds of things. Many of the ordinances are being passed about ebikes discourage their use at all and that's not what's happening. People are using them all the time. So this is a way to to look broadly at the many different ways people are choosing to travel and will travel in the future. I how many ebikes
have you passed recently? How many scooters? How many It's amazing. I saw somebody coming down 202 on one of those hoverboard kinds of things the other day. So, they're all over the place. What we have to do is decide what can we do. One of the things that's so impressive about the burrow is that we are highly walkable already. We're
highly the opportunity to cycle is there. It's a little dangerous in some places can be improved, but we have a real gold mine in terms of a community that's livable and walkable. This is a way that many towns have chosen to put a framework together for safety and
improved access by multiple devices. So, I do hope that you can take a look at it. If you look at the committee that would be forming the policy, it I think is pretty representative of the kinds of voices that that can tell us what's the best way to handle this kind of policy. So, thank you for taking the time. It's
been a long night. You've done a lot of stuff on your agenda, but thanks for considering it. Thank you, Jim. So, I I did go over this. I do have some concerns with with the language where it says entire and all you know some of those strong words right there which which is the which number three it says
entire right of way I mean it may not be entire right of ways right in some of these instances so and I do want to just bring something else up and u I know the state uh adopted this yes and um we've been battling with with the state
obviously now 25 of the added lane out of 10. Yes. And they put this uh policy and this is this is why really I don't I'm saying this because I don't want to handicap the burrow in any way, right? Or blanket the bur. So now this complete green streets
policy that the state has really just about voided the uh the extension of the lane or the addition of the lane 53 down to 202 to alleviate some back up and get some of the traffic throughout
10 over there. They wanted to close uh five businesses driveways. Um, they wanted I don't remember how many parking spots off the top of my head. More than 50 parking spots at least. Uh, maybe a hundred now that I'm thinking about it
along those businesses, the front uh areas of those businesses. Um, putting sidewalks and grass areas and whatnot along Route 10, right, which would would hamper their their property for the owners, right? It would hamper parking. uh some of them would have walls and
tall steps going up to the build buildings in some instances. So really have to be careful just trying to to do this so we don't in the cap the burrow in any way like that because essentially if we let this you know go for this
project moving forward you'd have for sale sign and for lease signs out there because nobody would be able to patronize those businesses. I I understand the concern and the polic has been applied in ways that are not conducive on state roadways especially,
but this is a policy for the burough. Yeah. No, I I understand fully. We we the resolution suggests and I think the policy would would probably carry the same message which is up to us what we decide to use it for and certainly we don't want to use it on route 10. No, I
know even in here. You know, I just want to be very careful we don't handcuff any any of the businesses or you know the I understand. I'm just I understand that that's not No, I want to be careful. I want to be careful as well because I think one of the things that really makes us we have a new opportunity for
what I call now uptown, right? Wer and so on. We've got our downtown, we got our uptown. We can encourage business and you look at the statistics and places that use complete and green streets policies, usually economic growth is is improved, right? Yeah. I'm
not disputing any of that by any means. No, I understand. I understand the concern and when we I've heard about this before and it does seem a mislication. I will say that because I've also worked closely with the DOT on the target zero commission and other kinds of things that they're doing. They
now have a a directive to do more contextsensitive application of the green street complete green streets policy at the state level. May you help us? Don't know. Not going to make any promises. Yeah. Yeah. This is a whole different but they told us there's really there's no deviation. you
know, this change, the commissioner has changed those things now, but we're it's a work in progress with the state. The county, as you know, the chief and I are both on the local safety action plan for Mars County where they're considering these things. And one of the things that's being recommended, at least it's in the draft, is a complete green
streets policy for the county. So, we don't have these problems with jurisdictional issues, right? So, we we've hit a county road. What are we going to do with the county road? Now, we can work together perhaps a little more effectively with the county. So, I think there's only a to this if we get the policy we want. That's the point of
this committee is the ones we want. Correct. Even the state enables us to do it, but it's up to us to decide what to do. I think we be able to help pick the committee too, which you know helpful. Yeah. No, it's just that you know, it's something that I saw here when you see entire, you know, some of those strong
words like that. I gave my feedback on this like quite a while ago. You did incorporate, thank you very much, my questions. footnotes and and some revisions. So, I appreciate that. Um, so I think we've all had this the same amount of time.
So, I'm prepared to vote on this. I don't know if everyone else had the same amount of time, had an opportunity to really look at it or uh can we commit to voting on this at the July meeting? Yeah. At the next meeting. Yeah. I just wanted to start the conversation. It's
been so busy. I think if people can get the revisions or any comments. Does anybody did everybody look at this at all or does anybody else have comments? Does I can get my comments to you? Yeah, please. I know we did basically just an initial round, you know, then brought it to the traffic committee and then they
recommended you know. So by the align that'd be awesome. Great. Plan on that. So if everybody has any any comments just get them by next week or whenever I appreciate here that you address the question I had
on that align with the master plan and I think that's important in anything we do that we have to make sure that align with the master plan you cited those areas that are aligned with this process. No I appreciate the comments and the feedback. It only makes it better when
we get those kinds of comments and if it's possible to move it forward in July, perhaps some thought to who might be on the committee so we can get to work. Great. So that would be a council advisory board. Yes. And I know that was the business part of
the business thing was one of the traffic committee concerns we had that you essentially, you know, did address in here. From what I've read, I've been trying to read as much as I can about all this in the different townships. it does seem to enhance business in the attractiveness of people wanting to be in the areas where extra people are
walking and hanging out and you know have to have that safety as well. Um, so I feel confident you and the traffic recommendations for if you know people or you know if you need somebody who would be interested in the mobility
issue from somebody who has a disability like you know I know somebody so let's try to get those names in front of us for the next meeting too. Yeah. Yeah. I think having a nice list of people to to consider would be great and I think would be a
really dynamic committee to have. just all I think Jim had, you know, from a, you know, an MHS 12th grader to a council member, someone from the senior group, a resident with a disability, you know, I I just think, yeah, that would be a really dynamic team that would devise a really But I mean, can you get
names? Yes, absolutely. And I can help with that. I'm just saying, yeah, we'll get there. I I volunteer. Don't try to get out of this now. Thank you very much. Thanks for the very long Appreciate it. Thank you very much for coming, Jim. I appreciate your time here.
I move that the vouchers for June in a total amount of 3,359,450. Second. Second. Second by roll call, please. Mr. Graham. Yes. Mr. Houston. Yes, we do need an effective session.
by the bureau of Queens on the 19th J day of June 2025 that prior to conclusion of this regular meeting of the mayor and bureau council of the bure regular meeting has been open to this public the mayor and bureau council shall be in executive session from which
the public shall be excluded to discuss matters as permitted pursuant to NJSA 10 col 4-12 subsections seven and eight. The time when the matters discussed pursuant to paragraph one here can be disclosed to the public is as soon as
practable after the final resolution of the enforcement matters. Is there a second? Second by Mike. All in favor abstain the eyes. However, I thank everybody for coming out. We will be coming back in
close. You're more than welcome to