I hereby announce and state that adequate notice of this meeting was provided by virtue of the resolution scheduling a time date and place of the meeting of the burough council of Burough Morris plans for the year 2026. Resolution was adopted by the burough council on January 7th, 2026 published
in the Morris newsp and by posting a such resolution on the board of bur hall and website. All the above actions being appointed 10 col 4-6 4-6 >> mayor car
>> pres >> Mr. B >> Mr. Cortez >> present >> Mr. Houston >> present >> Mr. President >> Mr. Fier >> pres to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Almighty God, we ask you bless this governing body with an [snorts] 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 Plains. Amen. >> Notice to members of the governing body and burough staff any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purpose of burough business. Okay. Anybody or do you have anything?
>> Uh yes I do. So um a few uh council meetings ago Enrico Finanelli the owner of 40 fitness was here to discuss wanted to set up a spring fitness festival. So over the last few weeks I've been working out some of the details with him. Um and I just wanted to bring it to
the uh council make sure everybody was on board with him setting up such a festival. Uh so the the scope is going to be about 10 to 12 vendors. Um he thinks about 100 people will attend. Uh target date would be Sunday, May 17th, which is the week before Memorial Day
parade. Um and we're going to take I have a little diagram here, but the uh area where the the charging station is in front of Merchant block next to the uh the parade station and then one row on the other side of the grass area should give him ample space and he was and minimize the amount of parking
spaces that we needed to take and he was plenty happy with that. So I Want to see if anybody else has comments, questions, concerns. >> Sunday. >> Yes. >> He's been really uh flexible to work with. He originally wanted Saturday.
>> Uh early uh late late morning. >> What's the >> I think I think you shoot for like between 9 and 10. [snorts] Are they doing like um like free yoga classes and that kind of stuff or what?
>> I think it's going to be something like that. More interactive. Probably bring the kids. >> Oh yes. >> I'm going to skip that one. I'm out of town. [laughter] >> I'll direct them to the clerk to make sure people involve
for conference. >> Yes. So, it's on the agenda. The Green Team Advisory Board has been researching um a relationship to the New Jersey Highlands region uh council, I'm sorry. The region of the New Jersey Highlands is
northeastern New Jersey where about 70% of residents in New Jersey get their drinking water because this region is the home of a critical resource. A law was passed in 2004 [clears throat] called the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning to safeguard
this area. So, we're we were going to have a full discussion on this at a later date, but we're tableabling it until we can have uh further conversations with our professionals. But just for background, the um the Highlands Council is the group tasked with developing a plan to safeguard the
Highlands. So there's 88 municipalities in the region and of those five are in what's called the preservation area which have mandatory compliance with this act that was passed. Morris Plains is one of 36 municipalities in the planning region which means our
compliance is voluntary. So um we will at a later date we will be discussing the pros and cons of you know this voluntary consideration with them um but we as I said have to have some additional conversations and uh I did present some information to the council
on this so they can be prepared to discuss it at a public meeting in the near future. So thanks for your patience on that. >> Mr. [clears throat] Cortez by Mr. Houston. >> No sir. >> Great. We do have approval of minutes. Mr. Bal
minutes for the regular meeting minutes for January 15, 2026. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Tyler. All in favor? >> I opposed abstain. The eyes have it.
>> Next we move on to approve consent calendar for the reports. both for January 2026 is the grant writer and the police department resolution 2026-33 entitled recycling
funage grant application rural forest plants the resolution 2026-34 title resolution approving the issuance of a soil disturbance permit resolution 2026-35 resolution regarding permit permanent
appointment of police officers Ericson. Resolution 2026-36 title resolution regarding permanent appointment of police officer Jell uh resolution 2026-27 the resolution of the burrow of Morris Plains opposing the location of the
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing for detention facility and warehouses and other structures within the burrow of horse plains the county of Morris and the state of New I'm receiving received quotes for a 6
foot stainless steel bumper dog insert from the following companies. A&K Equipment Company for $7,623. Max Force Sales and Service LLC for $8,392.85 that a purchase order be issued to A&K
Equipment Company at 221 West Drive inway, New Jersey. In the amount of $7,623, Ellie Sto be appointed as the clean community coordinator effective Monday, January 26, 2026.
The resation of Donna Carr, facilities coordinator, community center be accepted effective February 18th, 2026. The barrel clerk be appointed, I'm sorry, be authorized to advise for the position of substitute claim maintenance
position. Sorry. [clears throat] The burrow clerk be authorized to advertise for the position of substitute cleaning maintenance position. Resignation of Shane Kelly, Department of Public Works be accepted effective February 16th, 2026.
>> A second. >> Second by Nancy. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Burton. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cortez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. Yes,
>> just that uh that dump that goes in the back of a pickup truck was funded by clean communities and just another effort to get our recycles and all that
kind of garbage off streets. Uh, now we have a public hearing on soil disturbance for 111 Mountain Lane, Robert Keller Construction Lifter. Thank you, Mayor. This is a soil disturbance application, as you said,
from Keller Construction Company. This is in connection with the construction on a single family home at 111 Mountain Way. Uh, this is this is a routine what I call routine. application regarding sort of foundation
excavations, utility excavations, etc. in connection with the construction of the house. Um the the project will involve 461 cubic yards of soil disturbance with an export of 350 cubic yards from the site. I've uh submitted a
report to you and the council members. Uh I recommend that the that the permit be issued that the application be approved and permit be issued subject to um believe eight conditions outlined in my December 16th 20251.
So >> was the applicant okay with the conditions? >> Uh they haven't said to the contrary. Haven't heard anything. >> Did Joe Norton >> Joe Norton involved? Yes. And he will be involved when when there's the review of
materials that will be brought into the site. But that's all that's all the one of the conditions that >> are [clears throat] there any questions of Mr. Ryden and the soil department. >> No sir. >> We'll have a open
my bad. Are there any questions from the public on the soil disturbance for 111 Mountain Way building resolution for the next meeting and issue that was quick [laughter]
start at Happy birthday >> tomorrow. >> Happy birthday. >> Happy birthday. >> Moving on to reports of committees and or department heads of finance. [clears throat] >> Okay, I want to start with some good news. Barrow school art teacher Kirstston Riby was recognized as the BFW
New Jersey teacher of the year at an award ceremony in Tom's River on Saturday, January 24th. This prestigious state award recognizes excellence in citizenship. So, thank you, Miss Ricky, for representing Mars Cla with Pride. From the clerk's office, the deadline
for pet licenses was January 31st. Uh, if you missed the deadline, New Jersey law still requires that your cats and dogs be licensed. There will be a $5 fine for late licenses on top of the license fee of $20. Uh, the clerk's office has been working
on setting up and will be taking down the special election for a CD11 open US congressional seat. Polls are open till 8:00 PM. So if you haven't voted, you have 15 minutes. Uh the clerks are also working on our annual report of or completed, I'm sorry, our annual report
of OSHA violations, um which is the occupational safety and health administration. You can find that posted on bulletin boards in every burrow building. Uh they also worked on our annual raffle license report for the state and they're processing over requests. From the website perspective,
the web master has been really busy working with groups to update the burrow calendar with the new meeting dates for 2026. Thank you for your patience. We're waiting as the reorganization meetings take place and those meetings become official. They're being posted by the different departments. So, uh, thanks
for waiting on those as they get go up for the year. She continues to work on the new public notices page, which the state requires us to go live with by mid-March. So, we're in testing on that and training for the employees who will be needed to post their notices on a new
web page. She's also heading up she helped set up a page for the Centennial Committee. So, everything's in one place. So, that is now live. You can see all the announcements and events there. Uh she's working with Wreck to look at automating the pool badges. So, when you come to the pool, some type of a
scanning situation instead of a physical card. They're working on looking at different options for that. She's also [clears throat] working with the farmers market and the clerk's office to implement online registration for our farmers market vendors. She uh we're also looking at updating the requirements for our municipal storm
water page on our website. One of the requirements there is that we link to our tree ordinance which [clears throat] we are not in compliance with currently. It was uh supposed to be updated for May of 2024. So, um we'll be discussing how we're going to re um re reook at that
ordinance for for adoption. And um I have one more thing uh on website. I discussed that we need to re uh do the communications survey that I uh that I sent out in um 2020 uh just to
kind of get the feel for where the residents are on our current website and other ways we communicate. And so I'd be interested in having some uh input from residents on that. If anybody's interested in being on a communications advisory board to help work on that survey and other communication issues,
I'd be interested in hearing from you. So, you can submit a volunteer form that is on our website. Uh finance, the CFO filed our annual financial statement. This is a required unodudited financial report that New Jersey municipalities must file file by March 1st of each
year. Its purpose is to provide an early preliminary snapshot of the municipality's financial performance for the prior calendar year, allowing the state to monitor local government solveny before the final audit is completed. This will be posted to the B
website in the next couple of weeks. [clears throat] The finance office is also working on the annual debt statement. They completed the fire code report and the construction code report to the state of their respective fees that were collected for year end 2025.
And um I registered myself trainings of never too late, understanding the annual financial statement and uh one on capital planning and infrastructure improvements. Those will be in March. The green team has its next monthly meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at the
community center. We're um excited to announce that the burrow was approved for a grant by the board of public public utilities to receive a local government energy audit for the burrow. So the company coordinating the grant has already reached out to schedule an
initial 30 minute call to prepare for the audit. The purpose of this grant of this audit is a is to provide a overview of the bureau's facilities and to improve our energy efficiency. The audit will be very detailed to give us cost of
investing in energy efficiency improve improvements as well as the targeting the best programs for us to apply for grants to fund those improvements. Most likely any improvements will be over a year yearsl long period where they'll be um if we're going [snorts] to make any
it will be something that we'll have to put in our capital budget each year as we look at our budget. Um we also looped in a leazison to public works councilman Brun and a public works supervis superintendent and assistant superintendent who will participate in the audit since they have the keys to
the castle so to speak and uh what I understand about utilities can fit on heavy pin. I'm not the person. So, uh, the audit process is expected to take about a month to complete, including follow-ups and questions after the process. And that's all I have.
>> Thank you. >> Public safety. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everybody. [clears throat] As read prior this evening, officers Zen, Zitch, and Ericson have their permanent appointments to the Morris Plains Police Department. After completing a 12-week field training,
every officer goes on a one-year sort of probationary period, which they have both successfully completed with flying colors. Just wanted to recongratulate Amelio and Jake. We're proud to have them on board and keep them on board. Uh, the community emergency response team had a meeting last week. There was
around 12 attendees. To my knowledge, the plan is to try and have that official and ready to roll out by around the Memorial Day weekend parade. It would be great to have an extra 12 people out there helping out with the police department and the DPW, etc. It's still not too late to sign up. It is a
rolling sign up. So, if yourself or anyone's interested, you can reach out to Lieutenant Bob Gield or potentially Chief Kaskki. They can guide you in the right direction. Uh, Chief Kroski has handed in his budget for 2026. I'm going to be calling a public safety meeting next week to review everything with
Chief. I'll also be meeting with Chief Kevin Rango from the fire department and chief rashet with fire prevention tomorrow to go over their 2026 budgets and requests. Chief has been working with the mayor, myself, and council member Ivy to continue to engage with PSNS, the architectural firm we've hired
to help us with some of the designs and schemes for upgrading Burough Hall and the police department. The conceptual plans committee will be meeting this month to officially go over everything, review and plan a path forward. The completing green streets committee met again on January 22nd. We had a great
meeting. We have officially finished our draft of the policy along with the checklists and are about to circulate to the committee for more questions and comments. We are just about ready to bring this to the council for saying and I really appreciate everyone's hard work on this so far in the committee.
Fire department staying busy with calls. Slightly slower start to this year but picking up. They've had some parts and equipment ordered for the apparatuses and we're still on track to receive [cough and clears throat] the mini pumper this April. Uh they were out this week clearing and shoveling out all the fire hydrants in the burrow. I saw them
out there working hard. So just doing an excellent job with that. I know there's still 10 ft of snow stacked up all around. So I don't know where that's going anytime soon. Uh fire prevention front again meeting with uh Chief Shay tomorrow to go over budget and requests. The new ordinance is in effect with
apartment inspections which have started. Uh Chris has shared his recent report with me along with a year-end recap of 2025. The 2025 year end report has a total of 1,185 prevention items addressed. The 2025
state report has been submitted to the Division of Fire Safety and has been approved. No corrections required. In the first month of the fire in the first month of this year, fire prevention inspected four apartment units under the new updated ordinance. In the January
report was a total of 137 prevention items so far this year. Uh the traffic committee will be getting together this month as well to go over a few pressing issues from parking permits to a few projects that are coming up this year. The business development committee or
the BDC met yesterday. That's Mayor Carr, Council Member S, and myself. We're working on updating the name in the mission statement in addition to working with downtown Mars Plains, which has sort of a subsidiary of the BDC, which has done a great job of uh supporting us and been extremely
successful with community engagement, support, and events. That's it for me, Mayor. Chief Chief, >> good evening. Yes, I'll echo the sentiment of congratulations to Officer Eric, Ericson, and Zimuch. Uh how fast a year goes been phenomenal additions to
the department and we look forward to a a long and safe and successful crew of the PD. Uh we had our first department ride along on Tuesday. Uh again when you joined us for a tour of the burrow for eight hours riding with officer Ferris. Um so again that application process is
open through again Lieutenant Gild can be found on our website. Simple background check and a waiver and off you go. You can experience the day in the life of a Morris Plains police officer. As council member Pontier mentioned, we did have our cert meeting on January 28th. Um discussed disaster
psychology is one of the mod modules and curriculum that the uh cert members have to go through. And the next planned meeting is February 23rd. We're going to do a tabletop exercise based on some of the curriculum. It's going to be at the BFW from about 7 to 8 o'clock in the evening. Uh while I have my OEM
coordinator hat on, I'd like to thank uh DPW, the Minutemen, the fire department, the school district, and our PD staff. We met a couple days prior to uh winter storm uh when that unloaded on us and the mayor was on the phone. Um Tyler stopped into the meeting as well and I
think had a phenomenal response. We all first responder assets to to make it quite an eventful storm and clean up afterwards. So kudos to everybody involved in that. Um I do have a deer call report as that's winding down at the end of this month. Total of nine
female deer and six male deer have been harvested this year. Um that will conclude on February 21st. That's it for my report unless there's any comments, questions or concerns. Just a couple piggybacks off your report is the smile
on that girl's face that was in the ride after her out to move and she's familiar with this kind of stuff too. This is just a different aspect that you saw. That was really fun to see. A lot of things that
came out of one of the things that came out of the storm is and you only realize this kind of stuff when it snows heavy and a lot is the parking situation some of these streets in town and really not being able to get the snow all the way to the curb. Obviously, people parking
in the streets. So, at that traffic committee meeting, I know it's already on the agenda, but we'll be addressing that. >> Yes, we will. >> Some of those parking I'll say complaints or whatever you want to do. So maybe an update to the ordinance in place. Also the emblem that you came up
with the design for the emblem that was saw really cool. >> We're combining on the Facebook page department and then uh for those that don't know, we're taking the over the old uh senior citizen van that had only
a few thousand miles on it. Correct. And uh need some minor we can get some of our cert members to our events and shut them to uh in the community park when we have fireworks or other trainings that are outside of the area. So, uh um dy utiliz that wrapped in the logo on it.
So, it'll be a good venture been a good start for the program. >> And just one other piggy back on finance. We got notification from movies that our rating A1 has the same fantastic
interest >> public. So, PW has, as we said, did a great job with clearing the snow best they could with some of the streets that were [clears throat] blocked. They saw as probably as many times as they plowed.
Then they went back and uh and I know it's some people nearby. It's a little disturbing, but they cleared the center town at midnight to get the parking the front cleared up and then the back parking lot. They have a a machine that does the leaves and then they have that
has a snow thrower. So, they tried to widen the streets, but they did widen the street. So, they really the storm wasn't over for them when the snow stopped. So, they were really out there quite a bit. So, we appreciate all their work and they also helped with the fire department. They cleared a lot of the fire hyd. So, [clears throat] we appreciate all
the work and they did a lot of work over on American Road and 53 of the new developments over there to help get their streets open and wider. [clears throat] Excuse me. So, we appreciate all their hard work. They continue working vehicles in between all the snow. Picked
up the garbage. They finished taking down the Christmas lights. Um they run their sewer line back on Johnson Road. They had to have Danville bring their jet over because our uh our equipment is not working properly at the moment. Uh
they ran some generators and cleaned some sewer lines for time. So I appreciate all the work that they did in all. >> Thank you, Mayor. update on on our projects. The Route 53 sidewalk as you know I reported and going the road
project have been done and all completed but paperwork doesn't stop there and so we've gone through the process with local a DOT they're finally that's all been taken care of and we expect to see the final payments come to
the burrow for those for those grants very shortly. So that's for Route 53 sidewalk in Glenwood group. um our new uh local aid projects we have for North View Drive that has been designed and completed and we have uploaded that to
the local a website for the review and comments and hopefully quick approval for that. And then lastly, uh the new project on Branice Avenue and Sun Valley Way, we're starting the design on that. That's that's going to be a couple
months in in the works. And once that's ready, we submit that way for their >> project is that >> pardon me >> that gran valley. >> Yes. >> Such as a paving situation. >> Yes. More or less, you know, typical no
one pay with cash basin upgrades and crosswalks and re all the the usual. >> No cutting trees, right? >> We got you. >> I promise.
>> Okay. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. Public [clears throat] buildings and grounds. Mr. Cortez is >> Thank you, Mary. But just keep a little short. Our clerk is going to have a long night tonight. Uh please go on our website and see how much activities are at the community center for adults. It's just so many great things to do and a
lot of fun. I'm just going to mention two of them, which is one is uh the program for body toning on Mondays at 6:30. And just to make everybody feel a little bit warmer, pool registration on March 2nd. So think pool. Great. Um, with Tyler and the mayor, we
did meet with the for the committee to come and and talked about, you know, how we can go forward and come up with a plan. Um, also we talked a little bit about passive park that we're doing in ID Wild
area and also get the residents involved. I couldn't attend the meeting, but the mayor maybe can talk about it later. And uh, we had two or three meetings with myself, Mike United as you know we're going to be returfing the the field at the Simmons Park. It's the most
used field in Mars and we met with the with Jerry Sitman myself Mike Morris United we're going to get Morris playing soccer involved. They're indirectly involved right now but they will be fully involved in whole thing is to try to make uh something where everyone will
leave the table happy and of course our residents are first and then we also explored other We're going to do a turf. When I say a turf, I'm not saying giant stadium. I'm saying a little area where you can, you know, even little kids, seven, five, six, seven year olds can go
play and it's it's nice and clean. There's no mud and we can also rest the fields. So, when we do have a game, we're playing a real grass and that's the whole purpose of the of the turf area. And so, Mike was I can't tell you how instrumental he was to uh with his uh just so you know, he's an engineer.
He has Caddy came up. Park came up with a whole bunch of ideas as to how to make the fields a little smaller. You know, tweak here, tweak there. Still work in progress. There's a lot of work to be done. Just letting you guys know that we hopefully will have new turf field and
doing our best not to be uh burdened at all with taxpayers. So, it'll be all uh most of it hopefully private funding. And uh that's the hard part because you know people do that they they expect a lot. So, our job will be to put our residents first. first and then enjoy uh
for another 20 years turf field that we have. We'll hopefully have one or two more and I will update you guys as we move forward. >> Um >> S you outlasted that turf field. >> That that turf field was done with a $4 million grant from Morris United. Didn't
cost taxpayer anything. And I tell you that I love when schools uh Northtown High there's no school school. something or holiday. It's packed from the morning till night and just see our kids there. It's a it's a wonderful thing. Um
and that's about it for sure. >> So So no, I just wanted you don't know but people don't know how instrumental you are getting all those turf fields and even grace going up there getting that all and what a passion it is of yours to get these fields and see the kids out
there playing and everything else. >> The greatest satisfaction in the council a resident is to see our parks filled with kids. That means we have a great community and we have the best community. There's going to be nobody east of Mississippi. I got to say >> I'm sorry about that. >> No, no, just a question about about
that. Um because Chief Grai uh sent me something I think it was last year, a couple months ago about the the lighting. Um you raised some safety concerns over there about some of the lighting it could be a little brighter. Um so I just I was wondering if are you guys going for a grant to improve the
turf and I'm wondering if there's a possibility to maybe add some >> the lights are part of the uh part of the grant and they'll be also >> hopefully uh not played by large planes. >> Okay. >> And that's a very sensitive issue also with the lights because we you know we do have residents on believe it or not
from Handover Avenue that had first complained. So we we had the lights in the field. We had to lower the angle so that it didn't light travels very fast as a lot more than it sounds. And you'd be surprised. You think a light so far away
would have an impact. But we did make those adjustments. And with the new technology they have now, they're able to really put the light where it goes and it's not that light pollution. I don't ever heard that term, but it's centered on just the field. So those new
lights will be so much better. players and also for the community. It will be less impactual. >> So that's going to be looked at as part of what you guys >> correct. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. >> And then also possibly building one more training facility on we're working on of
course everything will be done with and we're ready to council for questions and answers and also the area that was there showing or in the parking the the parking lot itself
any lighting there some tree trimming and you know fix some of that issue. We have the light. Maybe we put a light there with the pole. Remember the can can that light be turned maybe to shine on. >> Okay.
>> I go I'll go take a look. >> But I think I think the to your point about brighter lights, you know, LED, you know, maybe something can be looked at as part of what you're doing for specifically the parking lot, right? As well as the as well. Just from a safety perspective, >> when they leave, they got to get in their cars with bicycles.
>> Absolutely. Yep. Thank you, sir. Public health, sanitation, and good everyone. Uh, first for our clean communities, I want to thank James Mendino for his years of holding the clean communities uh coordinator role. Ellie Falco has stepped back into the
role. So, if you were one of the many groups involved with cleanup, you'll be hearing from her going forward. Uh, so far she's setting up assemblies with the schools to happen in the late spring. So, I'll share more details as those are finalized and reorders are going in for replacement banners, stickers, whatever you want to call it for the parks. Uh,
so that way in the spring all the recycling track containers will be uh clearly and freshly labeled. Uh, for a teen center, uh, they held two events recently at the forum park roller rank and at men arena for ice skating, both of which were very well attended and right now they're planning for the next
Valentine's Day themed events coming up the next few weeks. Uh, and board of health will be meeting on February 11th. next Wednesday short. Just picking back on yours and Sal touched on we did meet with the
architect team for the ID wild park ID wild pool and we will be holding a public hearing sometime the end of February here in a date 23rd 24th somewhere around that area but everybody
will be notified when that happens. We'll have some renderings. We gave you some ideas. The renderings are just renderings, right? So, we really want the ideas from, you know, residents up in that neighborhood, past pool members because there have
been generations of members that are still in town at that pool and of course the residents of the girls that will be coming out on that. Um, just the other thing Mrs. mentioned earlier she was very involved with the
kids here. [clears throat] So kudos to her ordinances and public utilities. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. Good evening everybody. Um so on the planning board update uh plane
board had their re reorganization meeting on Monday January 19th. During that meeting we reelected Mr. Mikeagley as the chair and Mr. John Bezel as the vice chair. Uh we reappointed our professionals, Mr. Andrew Brewer as our attorney, Mr. Bryen as our engineer, and
Miss Liz Leane as our planner. Uh for the minor site plan committee, we appointed Mr. John Bezel and Miss Marian Stecker. Um and one of our newer members, Mr. Ross Malpier. Uh this committee uh so the uh the minor site plan committee uh assists in reviewing
minor development applications, small scale projects such as minor site improvements or changes with the purpose of advising the board on compliance before final approval. Uh for the master plan review committee, uh we appointed Mr. Mikeaguia, uh Miss Sue McCcluskkey,
and Mr. Andrew Wolf. Uh this is a committee that evaluates and updates the bureau's long-term development strategies, [clears throat] land use goals, and zoning ordinances. Uh it ensures that municipal policies remain current to guide future growth, development, and redevelopment, including recommending revisions to
non-residential zones to keep commercial areas vibrant. Um uh let's see. Uh we also heard the uh the rest of application PB1-25, otherwise known as the the Rivian service center uh and voted unanimously
to approve the application. Uh the terms of the application and what the planning board has agreed to will be read in a resolution at the next pling board meeting, which is actually on Monday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m. Uh and then I also uh did review the budget uh with
Mr. Mikeagia. Um so we're preparing for the budget meeting coming up in March. on the zodia board of adjustment. Um so they had to uh actually cancel the January 26 meeting due to snowageddon. Um their reorganization meeting will now
be February 23rd at 7:30 p.m. here. Uh during that meeting they will uh you know they'll set the dates for the month of meetings, select their chair vice chair, appoint the professionals uh and they'll be welcoming back um Mr. Shaji Eid and Mr. Bob Webster each for four
year terms and Mr. as an alternate for a two-year term. And I did also review the budget with Mr. Dave Schultz. Uh their their budget remains uh flat uh for this year. Um on
ordinances, uh so I did uh follow up on an email that Chief Kasky had sent to the DOT about the uh forts on restriction signs. Um I not surprising I have got nothing from them. Um but uh I will continue hounding them until we get
an answer. Yes. Thank you, Chief. Uh because, uh is important, I think, chief, as you pointed out, even though we have an ordinance, if we don't have the signs, it's it's difficult to enforce uh those restrictions. So, it's important we get those signs up there. Um especially with um you know, some of
some of the things that are that are coming down the pike here. We want to make sure that uh you're in a position that your police force can can enforce those rules. So, we're we're sticking with it. Um uh the public will notice there are two ordinances on the agenda tonight. Uh ordinance 1-2026 which is a
bond ordinance which appropriates funding for the fixing of the roads in Morris Plains and ordinance 2-2026 which establishes pay grades and fixing salaries for the police department. And uh lastly, the ordinance committee has been working on finalizing what I'll
call the checklist ordinance, which after a year of discussion and edits from the planning board, zoning board, and engineer will finally provide an application process that is simple to follow, produces paperwork, and saves the applicant and the burough money by removing unnecessary meetings. Uh this
has been a long time coming and is a very welcome update. So, I'm very much looking forward to at the next meeting introducing that ordinance um and then um hoping to get it in March's meeting and then um the planning board and the zoning board can start with that new
process. Um and that is my update. Moving on to public invitation for public comment here. 118 room. I have trouble keeping my train of thought sometimes, so I have a whole
bunch of notes. But is it all right if I pass these out? This is um a copy of my email from January 5th to you and the reply I got because I don't think >> and then just give a copy to Got
to make an I just want to be clear from the start. I'm not [clears throat] trying to be difficult. I'm not trying to be a pain in the butt. I've been raising these concerns about the debris pile. at the former friendly site because they're
legitimate concerns. They're health and safety issues possibly. And I'm not the only resident that wants the answers. Um, many of them reached out to me knowing that I had emailed you asking whether I've received answers because
they share those concerns. These questions deserve full, clear, and timely responses, but unfortunately that's not happening. At the December 30th meeting, I raised several questions regarding the large
pile of crushed debris and the potential risks it possesses to the public. By that time, those answer those questions could not be answered. I informed Mayor Carr that I would email him the questions so that he could obtain the necessary information to answer them. I
sent that email on January 5th, 6 days later, and the only response I received from you was an acknowledgement that you had received the email and that you would get the answers in a timely manner, but then no answers followed. So, I raised the issue again at the
January 15th meeting. At that point, it was deferred to Mr. Heran, and Mr. Her grand stated that he had met with several people from the construction department and that he had had answers but that he did not want to provide them then until he confirmed the information
with the experts and he stated that I have the answers in a day or two. 13 days later on January 28th which was actually 29 days after I initially had asked those questions at the December 30th meeting I finally received an email
from Mr. Moran containing some answers, many of which were very vague and only addressing some of my questions. The email also contained information that I know to be incorrect. Specifically, the email stated that it
has been only roughly one month since very little or no activity occurred on the site. That's not accurate. It has now been nearly three months as of today since demolition and the
crushing of the debris was completed. All the vehicles and equipment left that site before the end of the second week in November. What remains and what my concerns have focused on this entire time is the large pile of debris.
If there is documentation supporting the timeline stated in the email, I would love to see it because I have extensive photos and video documentation supporting my timeline. The debris pile is described multiple times as recycled crushed concrete and
brick material. And it's stated that the burrow knows of no authority that would allow them to force removal of this material within a certain time frame as long as an active construction permit is in effect. I want to state clearly for the record,
there are no active construction permits in effect at this time. Contradicting what was stated a few sentence later in that email, it states that the bureau believes construction permits would be secured in the near future.
This directly confirms what I have just stated. There are no active construction permits, which makes the claim that the burrow lacks the authority to require removal incorrect. The email also stated that the bureau is
not aware of any industrial history of the site, which I'm not quite sure. I don't understand the relevance of that comment and that it has not received any NJP documentation documentation suggesting
the president presence of hazardous materials. My question was and still is does the bureau have receipt of any NJD or other authorative documentation stating that that material is free of hazardous
materials. That has been my primary question from the beginning. If documentation exists confirming that this pile which has been sitting uncovered for months blowing through my neighborhood adjacent to food establishments, public sidewalks,
schools, etc. If you have documentation that it is clean and non-hazardous, that would address or significantly reduce many of the concerns that I have been repeatedly asking. without documentation classifying this
material as clean fill or approved under a beneficial use determination, then this debris is classified as solid waste under NJAC 7 col26 and it should not remain on the site
indefinitely. Additionally, I personally witnessed and have video documentation that that structure de demolition the the structures were demolished and were taken down with the roofs intact under NJAC
726-1.6A6 6 A6 soil and fill that contains or is mixed with such debris such as roofing material, lumber, insulation, wallboards, metals, plastics, and other construction debris is considered solid
waste. Material meeting this definition cannot be repurposed, recycled, or redeposited in any fashion and must be transported to a solid waste facility. Compounding my concerns is the fact that
the asbestous report for 415 Spee Avenue was incomplete. Of the 23 samples reportedly taken, three were not submitted to the laboratory for analysis. I brought this to the town's detention in September after obtaining the report through an
OPER request. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the deficiency until after the structures had already been demolished, releasing dust and debris throughout the surrounding area, including my property. At the time of demolish at time of the demolition of 415 Seawwell, no visible
dust suppression or remediation measures were being used. I have video documentation showing the structure as it was demolished, dry, without wetting, and that the water truck was on site but not being used. To date, I have never
received any response to my September 11th email addressing the incomplete laboratory report or other concerns raised at that time. As a result, this raises serious questions about whether roofing and other regulated materials
may now be present in that pile. An open demolition permit is not the same as an active construction permit. The demolition authorized by that permit has been completed. The permit holder's failure to request a
final inspection doesn't convert an inactive site into an active construction site, nor does it authorize indefinite debris storage, especially without any dust remediation taking place. My point is debris storage is not
covered under a demolition permit. Leaving the permit open administratively to delay removal of the debris is considered lack of enforcement on the town's end. In my opinion, it is not an active construction site and does not
have an open active construction permit and should not be authorized for any construction staging or storage for a possible future construction project. The continued lack of clear, complete,
and documented answers to the questions that have been repeatedly asked is deeply concerning. At this point, it's just giving the appearance that the interest of the commercial property owner are being prioritized over the health, safety, and quality of life of
the nearby residents and within the community of county. That's all I wanted to say. Thank you. >> Thank you, Joe. >> So, Joe, what I can do for you is uh I will set up a Zoom meeting with our professionals so you can ask these
questions directly to those professionals. >> I've asked Mr. >> meetings and and you have a copy of the response I got. I I really have wasted a lot of time that I don't think should
have ever had been wasted. I'm not going to sit down for another meeting or any meeting. I just want I'm not trying to be difficult. >> No, I get it. >> I I just want to know that this is safe.
It's sitting there and I truly don't believe that they have the right to have that sitting there when demolition is done. The structures are down. >> Jill, if I could just real quick
I understand your concerns here, but what I want you to try to at least understand is what I attempted to did was in connection with that response that you're not finding. I can't hear you. I'm sorry, >> Joe. What I'd like for you to understand
is is what I tried to do in connection with that response that you were addressing this evening was I was trying to put together something that I thought would at least capture some answers for what you were looking for. Now, personally, I don't know the substance of those responses. That's not my area.
>> I know. I understand. >> All I was No, I I hear me out. All I was trying to do is be, I guess, the, you know, the the ring leader of the response and bring everybody together. So, when I told you at that January 15th meeting, you have a response in two days. I did send it out and unbeknownst
to me, I I had to make some corrections because I was actually wrong in some of what I had because again, the substance is not my cup of tea. Um, once I made those changes, the professionals, and just so we're clear, the professionals being Mr. Ryden, Joe Norton, our our soil expert, I guess, so to speak, for
lack of a better word, and and Bill O'Connor, our construction official, came back and says, "No, these are these are pretty spot-on." Now, whether from a soil perspective and an engineering perspective, they're spot on. I'm just going to rely upon that. However, I also hear you tonight are not satisfied with
those answers, which I I can appreciate. So, as the mayor said, and I don't have a prompt diligence. I'll set up a Zoom call with the same guys I relied on to give you those responses. And you can ask, for example, example that question. Do we know that this debris is safe? And how do you know that? What's the
documentation that supports that? I for one, and I know as council, but love to give you that information. I assume it's out there and you should have it and we can all I can do is try to facilitate. >> I could I would be thrilled if someone could just say, listen, here's a report or it's been tested or this, you know,
we have authority to do this. That's all I want. And it with the lack of >> all I want is the opportunity to put this Zoom meeting together for you so that I can somewhat participate in it pretty strongly and see if we can't alleviate these these concerns and I
can't help facilitate that. I think I can. I really do. But I but I think it rather than me trying to take, you know, you know, a couple of ingredients and make a salad that I don't really particularly understand myself, I think it'd be helpful for us all to sit down on a Zoom call. My office will set it up
for you. You can ask these questions. I will steer the professionals and keep it structured. And I'm hoping at the end of this conversation, you're you are or your concerns are alleviated and we can provide you with whatever documentation we have to satisfy your concerns. for
example, that this is safe to bring and that these roofing issues and things like that. I I think you're entitled to that. >> I know I'm entitled to that and that's what I've been asking since September. Um I'll think about it. >> Okay. >> Let me know. You have my email because clearly I emailed you the response and
my number and my contacts information is on. I'm happy to if if you're willing to meet I'll set it up. >> Okay. Let me >> I have a question for you. I know if I understand correctly, right, there is there's nothing
um there's nothing the burrow can legally do to force the owner to remove the the debris >> from that side. >> I believe there is >> that's a that's a hard question to answer as I think there are limited situations [snorts] that they can you just let me a little closer. I think
there are limited situations in which they can. Okay. However, I think the concern here was the fact that uh the site is deemed inactive in the sense that we don't see anything happening.
>> Well, there's nothing left to happen. >> What what I come to learn from my meeting with the professionals was while I would tend as a as a you know a non-expert in this soil issue also think it's inactive because I don't see vehicles coming in and out. I don't see ingress or egress or things that I would
deem to be an active site. I come to learn that from from the engineering perspective. It's it's it's an active site so long as it hasn't been inactive for a period of time, which I believe is 6 months. Now, I know there's some disagreement here tonight factually that it's whether it's been Now, I believe it was Mr. Norton who told me it's been
inactive for a month. Uh Jill seems to think it's at least three months based upon her her evidence and her documents. I you know, Jill may be right. It may be three, but my understanding Bill, if I'm wrong, is that unless it's unless it's I don't say abandoned, but inactive for a
period of six months, it's actually an active site. Um, >> that's all I know. But >> the amount there doesn't make it active like that should be there, >> right? But Mr. Mr. Norton advised me that they have a permit and that permit runs with the property owner and that
permit's good for two years and and the property owner gets to determine what's done with that permit and we can't force them if they want to sit on it for two years. Whether I agree with that or not is a different question, but that's how I understand the process. And again, now I'm trying to answer questions that subscribe.
>> I I I understand it's not your expertise and you're just the messenger, >> right? I'm just trying to be a conduit. >> Um, but I do have a copy of the demolition requirements. Um, you know, and a list of things that, you know, and certain things, you know,
they did down the line. proof of insurance I guess notice of disconnection of utilities the asbestous abatement inspection which is questionable. Um then it go down the line
it says remove debris call for an inspection [clears throat] grade and seed the site if there are no building permits issued for new construction. None of these things, all those things,
you know, at the end of the list that happen after the structures come down, none of them are taking place. And it's my belief that they're not taking place because they want to just sit on it until if and when they get approval for
the McDonald's from DOT and all the other required things that they might have. That doesn't justify leaving a giant mound of questionable crushed debris which would now they're trying to
consider it as construction material when there is no construction permits. They have an open demolition permit. The demolition is done. The >> everything's done. Can >> you email me that document you're
referring to? >> This is just a list that the town And this was like a photo that I had taken when I went for the Oprah. >> I think there's some disconnect on the um what the meaning of a word degree or all
that kind of stuff is also right for a lay person as far and for a construction person you know degree to you may mean one thing >> that pile [clears throat] is not anything that they need for demolition. It's actually the result of
the demolition. It should be gone. It according to this especially and everything else I read online. >> But there's also a timeline for that sort of thing. But we will get professionals. We're going to get the professional. >> Show me that. That's what I requested in my email. Show me the the documentation, the ordinance, the rules, the laws. Show
me that and I'll be quiet. >> Let's get the professional. >> And none of that has happened. and and and I have been considered a very patient person, but I'm really starting to lose patience
personally because yes, my husband and I are directly affected most more than anybody else in this town. But wind travels and that stuff blows when it's not frozen now. It blows. And if there's hazards in there, it's not
only affecting me, it's affecting everybody in this town. And we have the right to know. >> And I also want the right to know if you can prove to me. I'll shut up. If they are legally allowed to have that sitting there, >> we will get the professionals in a room.
You let us know if you want us to facilitate that and you can be in that room. >> I thought that already happened with somebody. >> It did happen with him. And you're still satisfied. We're willing to take another step to get to to get you and everybody else satisfied. >> Mr. Mayor, can I ask a question? >> Sure.
>> Uh in in the reason I John, I was asking you uh about the legal ramifications is because I wanted to clarify that, you know, if the burrow can't legally do anything for a period of 6 months. Um there are certainly, I'm sure, things we
can do in terms of going to the property owner and just asking them, right? We've done that in the past, right? We said, "Hey, listen. There is a uh there's residents in this neighborhood that are concerned about this this pile of debris. What however you define it, right? It's a concern they have it to be
a good neighbor, right? Wouldn't it make sense to to >> speak for the construction official that's been done? >> So, you have to check with him. >> But my question is can we my question is can we set up a meeting you me uh Mr. O'
Conor Bill O' Conor and Mrs. here. She'd like to be involved in that and let's let's call the property owner and just ask them, hey, can we remove the debris, right? Try to be neighborly with them and ask them if they would do. >> I don't think that satisfies Mrs. Ciru's question.
>> But if I understand correctly, that's ultimately that that's what you want, Mrs. H, right? Is is you want the debris removed? of the debris removed or or show me the legality of them allowing that they're allowed to keep it there and that it is
safe. >> Those are questions that we have to ask the question and sit down. >> That's what she >> I've been asking this. >> Well, if you let me know, we'll facilitate that that meeting with the professionals on the Zoom. >> Okay. Now, I'll waste a little bit more
of my time. >> Let me know. >> I'll discuss it with my husband. Joanne Dugan, 31 cancelled. Um, you brought up having a Zoom meeting with the construction officials or whoever's involved in answering these questions.
Could we do that in a public forum where other people have questions for the neighborhood? Could we have the [applause] next planning board meeting or council meeting where it can be at a public forum where people can ask questions and have, you know, a more
open, transparent I don't know if they it would be in a public form, but it certainly would be. >> Why? Well, these are public questions. >> Yeah, these are >> that's a legal question for >> Mr. Haran, any comment on that?
>> I you certainly can have public comment on this. >> No, we want the people here that can answer the questions because all we get is ask this person, ask that person. >> So, so I can tell you that I'd be happy to be in that. Okay. I'd have to I don't
want to call. I want them in this room. >> They can't at night because they work till 4:30. So, we they'd have to volunteer to come in. >> Okay. Maybe we could ask them if they would volunteer to come in. >> Okay. I wouldn't be the person to do that, but I would. >> Well, who is? There's nobody. It's always ask this person. You ask that.
You guys work for us. You know, you need to You're the ones who are supposed to answer our questions. We're not supposed to have to go around asking all these other people these questions. That's that's for you guys to do >> to get our to get the answers to our questions.
>> Joan, what I will do is is I will I will contact the professionals tomorrow. Okay? If you give me your contact information, I'll copy you on any communications I send out and I'm going to try to facilitate that public meeting for the for the presidents that are concerned about these questions to come
and and I'm happy to come to it whenever that may be and we'll go from there. >> Okay. But I think all these people would have questions that they'd like to ask also >> and okay that might be helpful but I have to reach out see >> okay thank you
question I again but I don't want to start acting like what I'm saying >> yeah I'm just curious% Could you speak into the microphone please? >> What what I did was I created a writing right that I thought was responsive to an
>> and I relied upon the substantive answers of three experts. That's what I did. >> I then sent it out and it was okay by those three experts and then I sent it out >> whether it's I I certainly and I'm not tonight going to elaborate on that substance because that's this isn't you
know trial tactics. This is soil questions. So I'm not the person to answer that. What I'm hearing tonight, however, is that there are some concerns from the public that may be alleviated by having a meeting face-toface here with those professionals, and I'm one of
those professionals, and I am putting on the public record tonight. I am certainly happy to do that. But there are three other individuals that I have to contact, and then I have to now try and put that together. And I will do that for the for the hopefully the the benefit of our res
>> in that meeting. Maybe we can ask like Bill to at least test the soil. you make, you know, [clears throat] saying you should go test this oil, right? >> Well, first I'll ask if it was done in part of that meeting if not it may have already been done and I think if I recall it was we get that answer because
we're going to move >> contaminated soil is going to raise it up and there may be a report on that and if there is I'll see what I can do. >> Okay. Well, I asked in my email if there was any documentation. So, they should have handed that to you if there was.
>> Right. >> Then the answer I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be here frustrated and upset. That question was danced around and nothing was answered. >> Anybody else?
Seeing no one, we'll move on to introductions of ordinances. Mr. Houston. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, Council Member Houston, introduce the following ordinance and read the same by title and move that it be passed on the first reading.
>> [clears throat] >> Ordinance number 1-2026 bond ordinance providing for the improvement of various roads in and by the burough Morris Plains in the county of Morris, New Jersey, appropriating $670,750. Therefore, and authorizing the issuance
of $636,000 bonds or notes of the bureau for financing such appropriation. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Cortez. Roll quote, please. >> Mr. Brun, >> yes. >> Mr. Cortez,
>> yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> yes. >> Mr. Ivy, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> I, Council Member Houston, offer the following resolution. Whereas the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 5th, 2026, and passed in the first reading.
Now therefore be resolved that at a meeting to be held on February 19th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. prevailing time at the municipal building in said burrow, this council will further consider for second reading and final passage of said ordinance. It be further resolved that the clerk of this burrow is hereby
directed to publish and mail the proper notice include the ordinance, post the ordinance on the bolton board of the municipal building and make copies available to the members of the general public. Is [clears throat] there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Ivy. All in favor? I
opposed abstain the eyes. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, Council Member Houston, introduce the following ordinance and read the same by title. Move that be passed on first reading. Ordinance number 2-2026, an ordinance establishing pay grades and fixing salaries and benefits for the
police department of the burrow of Morris Plains. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. here. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Burns, >> yes. >> Mr. Cortez, >> yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> yes. >> Mr. Ivy, >> yes. >> Mr. [clears throat]
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> I, Council Member Houston, offer the following resolution. Whereas the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 5th, 2026, and passed in first reading. Now there therefore be resolved that at a meeting to be held on February 19th,
2026 at 7:30 p.m. prevailing time at the municipal building in the Z burrow, this council will further consider for second reading and final passage of said ordinance. And be it further resolved that the clerk of this burough is hereby directed to publish and mail the proper notice including the ordinance, post the ordinance on the bulletin board of municipal building and make copies
available to members of the general public. And is there a second? [clears throat] >> Second. >> Second by Mr. B. All in favor? I opposed abstain. >> We have no ordinances on second reading, no resolutions, no unfinished business,
no new business. We do have vouchers further. I move that the checklist dated February 5th, 2026 in the amount of 2,500,7 579,164.78 be approved.
>> Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Grim, >> yes. >> Mr. Cortez, >> yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> I'm sorry. Can you strike my abstain? There is no need I don't think for an executive [clears throat] session unless anybody just if anyone's curious about the resolution that we passed on the warehouse detention center outside
>> yeah and just final thing the centennial cocktail party's coming up there's invitations for everybody If you need a copy, please uh feel free to take one and hope to see you all there. And is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Is there a second? Second >> by S.
>> All in favor? >> I abstain. The eyes have it. Thank you very much everybody. Have a >> warm weekend. Thank you.