didn't get that had someone come in and then it looks like essentially we could turn that into a lean on the property. >> Yeah. I mean the the legal particulars of that obviously we'd have to look into. I I don't know if we could actually physically stop somebody from doing it, right?
>> Um but certainly on on the fine side um we could do that and you know um I'll say that anybody that owns a single family home if you're getting you know $100 fines every you know every time right it's going to add up and you're not going to want to pay. So I think that the idea there is not to
necessarily collect the fines. The idea there is to >> to encourage people to do the right thing, right? But uh but yeah, from from a from a legal perspective, we have to look into that. But I but I think ultimately we could just stand behind the >> Okay. Yeah. I mean that's I again I think the more you can hold the landlord
accountable, the more we we will see a solution, but we will see an improvement of the situation. So um but again I I I liked what I saw. I'm going to look at it a little bit more. check in with another couple people. But um I think it's a very positive and close step in the right direction. Appreciate time and
effort that we all kind of did it took to get together. So thank you. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. And one more item I wanted to mention on the process is that even not written in this ordinance is a playbook or guidance for our officials to be able
to build a case that'll be able to stand up in court. So that's all the documentation of pictures, uh, observations and, um, knowing what has worked in other townships, other municipalities to make sure that these do stick because that's the important thing. >> Yeah. I mean, that that's all laid out
in the in the enforcement side. I forget. I think it's like it goes to section J or something like that. Right. So there there's a number of very detailed steps on how that all that's all documented. Um, so it can be for so appreciate
Do you think we'll have something about the next meeting? >> Well, so I I think the what we're what I'd like to do at this point, right, is that we have we still have a working draft like I mentioned, right? I want I want to have the fire marshall take a look at it. Chief Kroski take a look at it. I want to have
>> Yeah, zoning take a look at it. Right. The construction office uh and the judge take a look at it. Right. So, I think we we need to just make sure that we're dotting the eyes crossing the tees there. Of course, if anybody else has any comments there, we incorporate that. Um, if we if we get all that within the next week or so, Mr. Mayor, then I you
know, it's feasible that we could introduce it at the next meeting. Um, but we have to see how we go. >> I think we have a month. >> So, I feel like we have that month where pretty good shape. >> It's feasible. Put it that way, right?
I mean there's a fee associated with this inspection also. >> But if you want to implement this ordinance, you have to have a fee associated with
>> there's going to be >> Yeah, I know. If there's going to be a fine Um, you want to keep going? >> Sure. Sure, I'll keep going. Um, so, um, I, uh, I did get, u, just to
remind the council and the public, right, uh, during our our budget meeting, uh, we did have a, a line item on there for tech upgrades, uh, for the council chambers. Um, >> and that that budget line item was roughly around $68,000. Um, the I did
get a uh an updated quote actually just today, which is why I haven't been able to circulate it to the rest of the council, but they got like an hour before the meeting. Um it does include the revised pricing uh for this and we are I'm happy to say still under that $68,000 threshold. >> 67200
>> 67200 is Thanks, Bill. >> 67200. >> That's that's what we budgeted. >> So we budgeted 67200. this quote $67,19844. >> I'm dead serious. Yes. But um so yeah, so we're under
budget. I again just just uh it's been a few months since I talked about it, but the idea here would be um we would uh be uh implementing a recording system in the council chambers camera. Um we'd be upgrading the microphone system here. um
upgrading the speaker system. We'd be adding a second display uh so that we could have one facing the public, one facing the the deis. Um and uh we'd also be um including some sound equipment that's required by the courts since this this chambers does double as our as our
court. Um so all of those things are are still in play. Um and uh the vendor that we have is uh is on state contract. Um, so, uh, that should, uh, make that process go a little little quicker. So,
um, so yeah, like I said, I just got it. Um, I will after the meeting, I'll circulate it to the rest of the council. Um, but you know, if there are questions, please let me know. But I would like to uh to move ahead with this contract.
capital. So, we have to pass an ordinance to put the money into that. >> We did I know we did an or capital ordinance earlier in the year did not include this money. So, we'd have to do another ordinance that that would
include this. So, yes, but like I said, I'd like the the council take a look at it. Let me know any questions. I've already answered a few from some council members about it. Um but, uh like I circulated after after the meeting. >> How did it look to you? >> It looks great. I mean, I you know,
obviously this is my my job. It's what I've been doing for 20 years. So, uh I know I know this stuff inside and out. Um so, from my perspective, um it looks great. I I um I did have uh some uh some other um
say knowledgeable people in town uh take a look at it as well. Um they felt the same with it. So, excited to see. >> Thank you. >> I guess about staff too. Who's going to run the equipment?
>> Sure. Um yeah, I mean I'd say so the the way the system is designed um is that it's essentially operated as one button. Um so you know there would be um you know one button to to press essentially to um operate like I guess operate the
system whether it's recorded whether it's you know do it on a on a zoom that's a that's a later thing that we can talk about but um I think for for here uh the intent is that it makes it very very easy so that anybody can do it you know yes we'll do some some kind of
introductory training on how it works because we've never had a system like that here um but after we do that. It's very simple. I mean, if if you know how to, you know, get on a Zoom call on your computer, it's essentially the same. >> So, I think when you brought this up the
previous time, you were going to put together a committee to discuss that, did that happen? >> It it it did not. Um I uh I asked uh a couple of people in town um just that that I know that that have expertise on
it. Um I did not put a committee together um because we you know it's my area of expertise um and you know I I didn't feel that a committee was necessary um >> but we did discuss that at a at a council meeting and I was going to be on that part of that committee.
>> We we did discuss it. I just I think with with um and I didn't leave it out uh on purpose. I didn't leave anybody out on purpose. I think that the again with everything else going on and all the other things that we're doing um you know >> we're all busy. We all have a lot of things going on. I would have certainly
like been part of that because I have questions and ideas and whatnot. I would have been I would have liked to sit down with and really gone over this and see what what our other options were. >> Well, I'm happy I'm happy to sit down with you. >> It's after the fact now.
>> It's not after the fact. They haven't done anything. a proposal and we we can take a look at it. You're welcome to ask your question. >> I will, but I would really wanted to be part of that committee and I think I I thought I made that clear at that council meeting when we discussed that and I'm just a little disappointed I
wasn't even asked involved. >> You made your wishes clear that you be you'd like to be part of a committee. That's true. >> And you said okay. >> I did say okay, but I did but I did not there was no committee. So you were not left out of the committee. Well, if you're being technical, I would have liked to been involved whether it's a committee or no committee. I wasn't even
involved period. >> Well, so >> again, it's disappointing. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> No, that's it's disappointing, especially when we talk. >> Well, again, that's why I'm I'm presenting it tonight so that everybody can take a look at it, right? And you can pro provide your feedback.
>> It's not part of part of the process. I was not part of the process. >> Well, you are part of the process. I mean, >> after the fact, >> it's not after the fact. >> Yes, it is. Everybody here on the council is part of the process. They are all getting the same information that you're getting.
>> That's part of the problem. >> What does that mean? >> I'm getting at the same time that everybody else is getting. >> Why? Why wouldn't you? >> Because I'm supposed to be part of the the committee. >> As I said, there was no committee. >> Well, that's a shame. >> We don't work in that way. >> Nobody The council works together, not
individually. >> I'm not right. And it looks like you took it upon yourself to to take on this project >> without anybody else. >> Correct. >> I did. That's absolutely correct. I did take it upon myself because it's my expert my area of expertise
>> and not wor on how it went. It's not how it was discussed or or I'd say agreed upon and disappointed. That's how things go. Well, you're welcome to provide your feedback at any point, >> right? Yep. You'll you'll have it.
>> Okay. >> We'll go around the table, Mr. Go ahead. >> Well, I also question about landscape designs. I think we discussed maybe having a building and grounds
committee, you know, again a committee to look at those plans and um I just wonder what the status is. >> You didn't need to get a sign that buildings and grounds that
>> so the other topic is the best practices inventory. As part of this process required by the division of government services, we have a council discussion and everyone received a copy of it tonight for you to review. Um the inventory answers provide taxpayers with
additional means of evaluating the municipalities. >> We do have best practices on the agenda. >> Yeah. >> You want to talk about it then? >> I Oh, it's >> No, it's down here. >> I put it on conference because I wanted to give an overview. Oh, you want to put
it on the regular? Okay. had a chance to look at it. So, okay. I thought I would tee it up. That's fine. >> I have one other question
department. Um, there was a voucher here for almost $1,200 for a part-time in the building department to go to a class. >> Correct. That's for um uh that's for one of the the the
um the clerks um to take a training class. >> And what's this for? >> It's for I forget exactly what it is. Um but it's for it's part of her her training um to you know to to become um
>> Yeah. >> Well, it's it's in it's one of the that leads up to that >> up to what? >> Taco. She has to take um a set a certain number of courses for >> and we sent her last year for a taco course. >> It was a different it was a different uh
class, >> right? So, but it's not taco. >> That one is not >> right. So, what what is this for then? >> I I don't have not exactly sure what that is for.
Did it come to you or your committee? >> Yes, it did. >> Why wasn't that brought up anywhere? Is there a plan or something? >> Yes, the the So, right. Foundations of planning and zoning um
and understanding site plan and subdivision. So this is uh so she's been sitting in um next to Karen uh during the planning board and zoning board meeting. So this is the the training to bring up to speed on uh what it would take to to attend those meetings.
>> So what why why are we doing that now at this point? >> Well, is there a reason? >> Yeah, it's advancement. Um it's advancement for employee part employee. >> There's no other reason just advancement
for part. >> Well, it it goes to you know people um you know wanting to to better their jobs. So it's first of all it's $1,200 and second of all the class has already started. >> Yeah it's I believe there it's in the in
the >> and we're just seeing this for the first time now. in the Okay. So, Karen called me and asked me about it and and it's in the budget that to be able to do. So, >> I think something like this certainly
be discussed. Maybe there's a reason why we shouldn't or maybe there's a reason why we should send people. >> Well, again, Carrie called me before she signed up for the class and
and and I didn't see an issue with it. >> It's $1,200. I think that should be at least run by your committee or the council or something. >> Run into the bubble here again. Sorry. >> The bubble. I'm sorry. I don't understand.
>> Just didn't just committee or council. >> But it was in the Mr. Mayor. It was in the budget. It could be in the budget, but is it just is it are we training somebody for another job in another town?
>> I mean, that happens all the time. People people get trained here and they leave here and they go to they go to their jobs and we pay for their training. So, >> I don't know somebody leaving or is >> I have no idea. >> That's the whole idea. That's why I'm bring
somebody is something if the question is is somebody leaving and is she >> I'm just using Bill but questions like that should be asked for $1,200
in the budget. >> Not just $1,200 was $1,200. Anyway, we'll move on. Approval of minutes. Mr. Broom. Hi, Council Member Brun. Move the minutes of the regular meeting dated
October 2nd, 2025 be approved. >> Is there a second? >> Second by Mike. All in favor? >> Opposed? >> Abstain. The eyes have >> consent calendar.
>> Approval of consent agenda for the reports. September 2025. Grant writer, police department, building inspector, burrow clerk, animal licensing, tax collector, and treasurer.
Then animal controllers for August and September 2025. Resolution 2025-127 entitled Resolution of the Burrow Council of the Burough of Morris Plains authorizing the adoption of the 2025
Morris County, New Jersey hazard mitigation plan update. Resolution 2025-128 entitled Rotary Club of Morris Plains RAPEL license number 351-25. The mayor is hereby authorized to
execute a two-year contract from Encore Fire Protection for fire alarm testing. The mayor and council, I'm sorry, the mayor and burough council of Morris Plains approved the appointment of Rosemary Lean and local registar as local and further approved the
appointment of Christian K as deputy register effective October 1st, 2025 and I'm not going to try to pronounce your name. The education foundation Morris plans to be granted permission to hold the 5K race in the burrow along the designated route on September, I'm
sorry, Sunday, October 26, 2025, beginning at 8 a.m. with the police department to provide traffic control and notification through rave alert and the police department's social media to affect to the affected residents. They will also provide any necessary
barricades. Is there a second by Nancy? Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> yes. >> Mr. Ivy, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Miss Moving on to reports of committees and
department heads. The clerk's office and I have been meeting with various department heads about the personnel manual on an ongoing basis and the comments have all been compiled and sent to the attorneys for next steps. Animal licenses year to
date total $10,583 and other receipts for this month for death certificates, marriage certificates, parking, food vendors of $3,456. Finance was the treasur's report and payroll as you saw. Um I wanted to share
that I met with our tax assessor Scott Pau u when he was in the office this week and it was an education for me. So I wanted to share what I learned for others who might be interested. What he shared was that the market value of our homes continue to rise in relation to
the assessed values on the residential side. So we're seeing quite a gap in our assessed values and our um actual market rates for what our houses are selling for. So that's something to keep an eye on. We currently have 10 tax appeals pending in the courts. The one that has
the most exposure for the burrow and has been pending for more than 5 years is the Sinesta property uh which the value of the hotel initially dropped during so that's still in the courts. I asked about future ratables and when they hit the books such as the planned RER
project and Rivian projects and he said that uh in order As I said, I'm learning. Um, he said that new construction once it's fully assessed, once the construction is substantially complete for the principal use, then the ratable goes on the books. So, as of
this year, the warehouses have been fully assessed and that will help with this year's ratables. Rivian and Micro properties will not be fully assessed until they get to CEO about around that time. I also asked about vacancies and how that impacts assessed value. I'm interested in our vacant properties and
what that does to our assessment. and he explained that the owner of the property, if the if the property is ready to be leased, it's assessed at full value. If the owner asks for an appeal because the property has been vacant for so many years or whatever, it triggers the process where the assessor
asks things like, "What have you done to market the property?" So, those questions are all part of the process for exploring whether the appeal goes through at courts in the process. So, those are just some of the things that um I learned. Library library is
participating in a program called 1,00 books before kindergarten. It's a challenge and there are login sheets you can get online or at the library to log your books after each 100 books read. These can be picture books with children and then you could read one book more than once. Um the child will receive a
special sticker and there's their name also goes on a display in the children's room. So I thought that was nice. Um planes talk. Tomorrow is the deadline for planes talk. Get your stories and photos to Michelle Diamond at planes talk at morrisplainsboro.org
and the election early inerson voting begins on October 25th and it goes through November 2nd. Something will go up on the burrow email with hours for those locations and our closest location is the beautiful Central Park. There's also a ballot question from the
county about open space funds as well. That's all I got. Nancy on the public safety. >> Thank you, mayor. As per the public notice, you saw that we started a little bit early tonight. We did conduct interviews for two possible uh police
officer candidates. Um I will say that we did make a decision. Both candidates were phenomenal. So, you can rest assured that we're getting a very wellqualified uh very great officer that's going to be joining the Morris Plains Police Department. Um, Officer Amelio Ericson and Officer Jake Zalinsic
have been released from field training. So, they are now officially assigned to squads. That brings us up to the full force, especially with the new officer being hired. Um, there is a prescription drug takeback on November 25th from 10 to 12:00 p.m. That's going to be at the stop and shop. I think that's October
25th. I'm sorry. Is that what I said? >> In November, >> sorry. October 25th. And is that like >> just right out front of the >> 102? Right out in front. Perfect. The PD will be actively keeping the burrow safe during the downtown Morris Plains pumpkin illumination on the 24th. Also
with the Education Foundation 5K run. And we can't forget a joint effort with the fire department at the bonfire. I did check with fire prevention chief this week and as of now the bonfire is still on. I think the little bit of rain helped us. So, I'm going to remain
optimistic and say that uh it is a go. Today was the last day of the open house police department tours. Uh that was from 5:30 to 7:30 today. However, if you did not get the chance and still want to do so, please email Chief Kaskki and he will do his absolute best to
accommodate. And there will be one more public information session on a October there we go 27th uh where we have one already where chief will again go over all the options and be able to break everything down. Mayor Carr, Council Member Cortez and myself started the
first round of the PBA negotiations. We're hoping that we can get those wrapped up potentially by year's end. There's a complete and green streets committee meeting next week on the 21st. That will be our second meeting. Public Safety Committee is going to be meeting with Chief Krasi to start to go over
salaries and things for the 2026 budget. We'll also be meeting with Chris Sheay, the fire prevention chief, just to talk about some of these new ordinances, some that have been passed and some that are in play to get his opinion and just discuss his his position moving forward and what we can do to support him with some of the added responsibilities.
And I would typically do uh something for the fire department, but I do see a couple chief chiefs back there if they wanted to give a very brief over If not, I I'm more than happy to. >> You did first last time. You're going to make him upset.
>> Not at all. >> Go ahead. >> Everybody wants to be a firefighter. >> Good evening. >> Everybody wants good evening all. Uh, not much going on. We're just up to 364.
Uh last two weekends ago we celebrated two of our members Mike Shay and Johnny Gudro under 50 years of service to the burrow. So that's firing that was a big
achievement. I was there. Like Tyler said, we got the bonfire coming up. So, we'll be there for that. And we'll be >> Thank you, Chief. Appreciate everything. Thank you. Again, just to echo some of
the things that just one small correction, our town hall forum is the 28th, Tuesday the 28th. Um, we're scheduled to be back at the community center for that 7:00 start. However, we may readjust with some comments about uh the city arrangements and the ability to hear all
the audio. So, we may move to the borrow school. I'm just trying to confirm that uh that reservation with the superintendent who's uh going to welcome us into his auditorium if it is available. So, but again, uh Tuesday the 28th of October at 7 o'clock, just the venue might change from community center
over to uh to borrow school. Our our tours continue this evening as as Tyler mentioned. Uh a dozen uh plus a dozen plus people came through the building. And again, anybody who has questions, comments, concerns, uh come take a look. We've been getting the same residual comment about, you know, papers with
thousand words. You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it. So, please do come take a look and see what our officers have to work in 24/7 365. Uh, we'll touch base on the deer call report that started September 13th. Um, as of the 3rd of October when our last deer
was harvested, we're up to eight doe's and one very large buck from what I understand. So, helping us keep down the uh the population of deer and more explains uh the damage they do to plantings and the auto collisions with deer. So a great effort by our dear colleague. So that's all I have on this
is any questions, comments or concerns. >> And just to reiterate to chief, big congratulations to Mike Shay and the Johnny. So 50 years doing anything is a long time. So getting up in the middle of the night and inclement weather and
uh leaving families and all that kind of stuff, we certainly do appreciate all their efforts and now turning, you know, their knowledge to the younger guys and the younger crew really commendable. So we thank them as well. Uh public works Mr. Broom.
>> All right. The DPW they do continuous work on our vehicles all change to keep them running. Our police and DPW vehicles. They do some of the dirty jobs. They take all the garbage out of the parks. Their sewer detail rain generators and clean the sewers two times this period. So we appreciate the
efforts there. Uh they're still cutting grass even though that's coming down to a a stall because the weather's changing. I saw the sidewalk repair came out very nice but up by Mount Way school seemed like there was a little shift in the concrete so they were able to repair
that. Pools winterized for the season. There was a leak over at the Wnan Dam that they were able to repair. They were helping out trimming some trees on Homer, Carl Island, Sunset, and they completed two rounds of brush
end the season for that. Did some tree join on Hicky Way. They also cut down a tree on Franklin. They they put top soil and hay where the stumps were. They ground the stumps and the leaf season has officially begun. So, they are falling and people are
making piles. So, they're out there picking those up. So, we thank Right. Thank you. So, I have an update on our projects. This is mostly old news. Road sidewalk, as you know, is done. Sidewalk is in. It's functional. There are some
finish work items to be completed. That's supposed to be happening tomorrow, which that'll be 100% done. We'll be able to close that out with the DOT and contract get out. Uh the road project,
same kind of thing. We still have a pretty long list of punch list items for the road. They're all minor little clean up, little top soil seating at places, fixing in some broken curves and the street sign. So the chasing
>> a drain pipe >> and a drain. >> Yes, that is on. I have one question here. It's on. >> Thank you. um been chasing the contractor. You know, he he's been uh everybody's been very busy, but he tells me uh next week he's going to get
hope I hope at his next meeting to tell you that. And then the last one is our uh community park trail project. I completed the plans of that and I'm going to be meeting next week with Mr.
Cortez at the site walk the alignment of the trail. Just make sure everybody understand where it's going and what it's going to be like. And following that, the next step is to submit those plans to county park commission for approval.
After that, we have to then file the paperwork for our construction. So that's that's a process. It's it's I don't know how long that review will take. I would say three or four weeks till by the time that's all done we get
the grant approved probably looking at a spring project. So that's all I have building public is not here public health wellness day will be this Saturday so I
won't be reminding everybody about it anymore. Uh 9:00 a.m. to 12 at the community center. Uh there will be 16 vendors and other government entities available are there uh presenting. Uh there's also going to be vac flu vaccines for pediatrics uh and adults. Uh so bring the whole family. um should
be a good event. Uh so I'll definitely be bringing my my kids. Uh for Munis Alliance, uh the next uh the stage fund um presentation or show of Adams Family Junior will be November 1st at Burough School. Um eat dinner with your family
night was in September and they had a pretty decent response of 20 participants giving tips on how they feel they can uh gather with their families for for dinner on a more regular basis. So they'll be working to keep getting more people involved in that. uh next year. Uh they're also participating or they participated in
the uh sponsorship of the Steven Hill Speaks of Variety um show or presentation for the sophomores and juniors at Morristown High School. Um and then Friendsgiving is coming up uh November 21st and I'll give more information as that gets closer. Teen
Center uh the seventh grade event is coming up next and next week I will be performing interviews to replace uh this the teen center supervisor. Hopefully within the next couple weeks that will be hired and we will have the full staff there again. Um this Saturday uh the
recycling center volunteer fundraiser is happening. Um so there's information in backpack mail for any parents want their kids to attend. Uh we can provide a community um community service hours uh for validation for that if they're interested. Uh that's also from 9:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. So get your flu shot, come some uh recycling uh clean communities. Uh we're moving forward um a little bit on the um trash receptacle project that I brought to uh the council a few weeks ago. Um so the art templates were given to Mountain Way
and Burough School. So those uh they're working on that. I was actually pleasantly surprised that my daughter came home today telling me that they started working on it and they're very she's very excited about what she ends up she's putting together. So see how that uh turns out. In the next meeting, I'll bring the um final cost after it
goes to market to the council so we can have it approved and ready to uh procure by the end of this year. Uh along with a piece of equipment for the DPW to help them more efficiently move trash and uh litter around town. >> Yes.
Uh there's a couple different configurations. So that'll be one thing when I talk the uh it'll be a good chunk of it because they'll expire. So utilities. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um so on the uh
sir on the uh certificate um logs. Let's see. We had uh 86 uh certificates uh for the month of September. Um and as far as permit fees collected, uh they collected
$28,76 in permit fees. Um uh as far as ordinances go, um so we we talked about at the conference session earlier, the dwelling ordinance, which obviously is a draft in progress. laid out kind of what the the plan is there
um to to move that forward. Um I I do have all the notes for uh ordinance 1423 uh from the public from uh members of the council. Um so we'll move from the dwelling ordinance into 1423. We'll we'll do a similar process um with that.
Um there it has there has been suggested that uh or my my suggestion might be um including some uh some of the things um in the schedule uh we might want to look at sooner than others. Um so um for example what what
types of properties are allowed what's owned. So, um more more to come on that um as we kind of develop that. Um uh let's see as far as utilities go. Um
we're reached out to JCPNL. Um I took a I took a run by um that that light uh that's over on >> heated. Yes. Um it's not actually out. It's just blinking. Looks like the light bulb just needs to be plugged in. >> So I'm going to We've got a message out
to JCP. >> Yeah, strictly you message me out to them to do that. Um on the um uh on the for Verizon cell service, which has been an issue for members or the members of the community over by Community Park. Um I did reach out to
Verizon. Um I'm I'm I'm going to go back to them because they told me the only way that they can uh classify anything is if people call 611. Um they said that's that's their ticketing system. Uh so I would encourage any residents if you're having any issues um with uh any
cell service, please call 611. Verizon is not aware of any outages in that area. Clearly the residents and Mr. Mayor and and the chief, you obviously it's a different story over there, but uh I did ask them for a meeting for them to come out and meet us and go over
there. Um they said that uh the best way is to log in via 611. So, I've heard from very reliable sources that they are aware of the problem. >> That's a >> Well, I'm I'm happy >> I know I know it's that's just what
they're telling you, but the they're they're aware of this problem. >> Okay. Well, I'd be happy to, you know, we can talk to the sources together. >> Yeah. And continue with this meeting or whatever. >> Yeah. I mean, if if you have a source that's aware of the problem, I would love to be included in that so that we
can resolve this. So, it's clearly an issue. >> So, um uh let's see. >> Um so, the the planning board, um they're having their next meeting October 20th. Um the zoning board of
adjustment, their next meeting is October 27th. Um and then just on uh specifically on the the friendlies property that's over there. Uh so um there there were some uh complaints
about noise about uh some some work starting prior to the start time. Um I I know that uh Mr. Okconor, our construction official, um responded to that email. also responded to the site. Um, told the contractor that, you know,
they need to start at 8:00 and not before. I know that there's been some water trucks over there. I know that there's still, you know, a fair amount of dust that's been that's been created over there. Um, and I know, you know, from talking again talking to Mr. Okconor, he's he's doing a lot of this stuff, you know, on on his off time as
well, right? He's aware of the situation. Um, he lets me know what's going on. Um, so we're trying to do the best we can to keep it down um and and move this move this through um as best we can. Um so um you know hold the hold the uh the
contractors responsible there. So um and uh that's all I have. So just with the the start time, the contractor was well within their start time that priorities
>> 7:00, you know, they didn't start before seven and they'll ask them if they start at 8. There'll be people on the site maybe not jackhammer. So they said they would be
>> I believe the ordinance is seven. So they can start at 7:00. >> So I believe the specific complaint was that the the rock pressure whatever it was started at 7:15 in the morning. >> Um and I I understand that's within the ordinance, but you know it's it's a
disservice to to the people that are over there. >> Yeah. Just, you know, you have to realize that that's what the ordinance is and the contractor is >> Oh, I'm aware of the ordinance. I just >> Yeah, I'm not you specifically, but I'm just saying that's what the ordinance says, but the contractor
tone it down. >> Right. Right. After after Mr. Fox though reports about that even though there have been several complaints. So has there been any discussion about finding them or not? >> Uh yeah, Mr. Okconor has told me that uh
you know he will issue find a violation. Um but it it's hard because he's not there all the time. Um, so when he goes over there, um, he does respond and tells them they got to, you know, they got to be using the water truck. I mean, I know, um, it's not been consistent in
in using the water truck. Um, but, you know, he does respond as best he can. So, okay, that's it. Invite members of the public to the for state your name and address.
coming out. >> Hello. Um, you unknowingly kind of teed up the comment that I have. So, uh, I'm here tonight with a recommendation from Plan Better Morris Plains that relates to the ongoing topic
of amendments to ordinance 14-2023. So for context, plan plan better Morris Plains has a running list of suggestions for how the bureau can engage in more thoughtful and strategic planning with full understanding that certain changes
can take time to design and pressure test and implement. We've organized our suggestions into short-term, midterm, and long-term targets. We're happy to discuss this full list of suggestions with each of you whenever you might have the time. But tonight, I specifically
want to highlight and put into the record one very important short-term suggestion that we believe can and should be implemented immediately. The change itself is as simple as they come. All you have to do is delete a single character.
We recommend that schedule C permitted uses in chapter 13 of the Morris Plains Land Development Ordinance be amended to delete the X from the line item restaurant common drive-thru from the B2 zone column. The final sentence of footnote six on that schedule would then
also need to be revised accordingly. And that's it. We're removing a single X to respond to an issue of very high public interest in in town. We see removing a single permitted use from a single zone as not impeding the town's
ability to attract business. And removing this use would actually make the ordinance more consistent with our master plan given the negative impact the drive-through restaurant will have on traffic safety, noise, and air quality. So, in the interest of avoiding
any future similar debacles, we urge this council to take swift action to remove drive-through restaurants as a permitted use in the B2 zone. And as I previously stated, this is not the only change that we recommend. Other changes,
though, will take more time to consider, and we have therefore categorized those as midterm targets that can come later. But the removal of drive-through restaurants is a very easy change that should not be controversial based on everything we have learned over the last year. And this is why we feel it can and
should be implemented immediately and separately from any other changes that you're working on bill in the the larger uh review of of that ordinance. And as a final note, just to be clear, we fully understand that this amendment would not have an effect on a pending McDonald's
application should it survive appeal and DOT review. Our intention is to proactively prevent the next application in view of what we now know. So that's our our request. I know that there is a process to be followed for making these
kinds of amendments. But um you know our view is that this should be fairly easy to implement. So would love to hear thoughts or comments. >> I you know I sorry >> um yeah I think that um your your
suggestion um as as well as some others um that I've reviewed um would fall and I appreciate the the category that you put them in short term. Um you know obviously as you know it's it's a a large ordinance. There's a lot to it um and um you know we just have to take a
look at what we we we can do um and what would take longer to do, right? Like I like you heard tonight in our conference session with the bike ordinance, right? We want to make sure that we're we're doing this for dotting the eyes and crossing the tees, right? And we understand that, you know, things change, right? We can change ordinances
at any time. Um, and uh, we want to make sure that when we do this, we do it right. However, I don't want to stall things that um, could could be done shortterm to benefit the the better of March. So, I appreciate your suggestion and we'll definitely consider it. Okay.
>> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Hi. Um, Anthony Panini Central. >> Um, so it was recently brought to my attention that the uh police station
proposal uh on the ballot is a non-binding proposal. So with that in mind, I just wanted to come before you and ask how does the council see itself adjusting its trajectory in response to the public
opinion that's measured in the question exact what what exactly are you asking? >> Yeah. So, so if if you were to get that reception say tomorrow and it was 90 to 10 that yes, we we're approving it to no or vice versa for that matter. The
figures really don't matter. Um, how do you guys see yourself adjusting your trajectory in response to that measurement? Because it is non-binding so it objectively doesn't hold merit outside of what you guys give it and see
it for. So >> um I just wanted to come before you and ask how you see yourself planning accordingly to that and adjusting to that response. >> I can't speak for the council but what I can say is this has taken a temperature of the residents of the burrow >> right
>> and you know it's overwhelmingly one way or another. I'm sure that the council I can't speak for the council but I would think they would certainly take that into consideration and make any decision. >> Right. And and I'm not saying that you guys wouldn't, but I am asking is there
any sort of commitment that can be made um to assure the public that they're heard in that measurement outside of like yes, we will broadly take it into account, but we like is there any sort of objective commitment that could be made in response to the reception? So
from the question, >> I don't think a commitment can be made. Maybe maybe it can if the council members want to answer that question. Um but certainly um they would have to weigh out whether they wanted to do the if it was a yes, right? They would have
to weigh out whether they want to do the $8 million renovation or $12 million uh new building, right? So that would certainly have to be weighed out. >> Um even moving forward, you know, the all the finances of the bureau, we really have to look at afford that,
right? I think there's a lot of factors unless somebody from the council wants to speak. >> The best I could answer. >> I know and I'm I'm not trying to put you on the spot, but just to make sure that the public's opinion isn't taken into
account. I just wanted to come up and and see if there was any sort of objective commitment that could be made to any degree in response to the reception of the ballot question. >> I I think it certainly will be taken into consideration. >> Okay. there's an overwhelming vote in
one direction, that's what we'll be doing. So, if it's an overwhelming no, the project will not go forward. If it's an overwhelming yes, we'll have a lot of different things to look at and discuss at that point. >> Is there any sort of I I have heard overwhelming before? Is there any sort of specific percentage or even a
ballpark like figure that can be given? >> And I don't know if I can answer that. If it's 5149, >> right, >> that won't be super fun. But I think if it's like 60% of more in one direction, to me, that's a clear sign that there's
a majority on one side and those voices will be heard. >> That that's all I got. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> See nobody else. We'll move on. Introductions of ordinances, which we have none. We have no ordinances on second reading. We have a resolution
approved. >> Read the resolution number 2025-129. Resolution authorizing the hiring of Noah D. Roy the Morris Plains Police Department. Is there a second? Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. >> Yes. Miss >> I'd like to welcome and congratulate Noah Roing on his
acceptance to the uh we have no unfinished business new business best practices. >> Okay. So as I was starting to say you all received the best practices inventory uh copy here that Anna our CFO completed. She went through it with me
and this is a tool to provide an additional measure of evaluating the municipal performance. So, we want you to take take a look at it and ask any questions you might have to myself or Anna. On the 24th of October, it has to be submitted to the Division of Local
Government Services. And um a few of the best practices in here jumped out at me as areas for us to explore in the future. So, I just wanted to highlight a couple of those as you go through it. Question two, under budget, we did
establish a storm recovery reserve, but as yet we have not allocated funds to it. So at the end of this budget year, if we have funds left in this budget line, we can put them in reserves for future storm recovery protect from that one. under financial
administration. On uh question 17, we're looking at putting something in the budget for a financial advisor to handle all the bureau's notes, all of the bureaus's notes and bond sale purchases. This helps us get the best deals on interest rates and sale prices. So, we've used a financial advisor here and
there, but we um we have an opportunity to secure one so that we can use one person for all of our our trades purchases. >> That's becoming more and more of a trend. ities and sometimes a lot of the times you get a better interest rate.
>> Yeah, exactly. I think one we used we saved $190,000. >> Yeah. And it's not expensive. I think the last it was like $1,000 to save $190,000. >> Right. There are nine questions about lead remediation. So, we're in the process of working on that and
implementing that in the burrow. Uh we still have to identify a local agency to coordinate or contract with a lead evaluation contractor to provide those inspections, but we we're we're in the process. >> That kind of just stalled though, right? Where exactly are we with that? And I
thought we had a third party. >> That's my we don't have a third party. We've had some third parties approach us saying that they could do it. We haven't. >> Wasn't there wasn't there
you had two or three. >> Yeah, I think the discussion was whether or not we wanted the third party to do it. Um, and going on memory. Um, but third party to do it and then I think we would that some of that cost would be
absorbed by the property owner uh to do that inspection. But then I think it all needs to be it needs to come to the construction office and then they need to actually submit to the state. Um, So >> I think we have no no All right. But I
don't think we touch it. I think it's all the contractor and the uh and the housing owner. We do collect a administrative fee for that and then but I think it's their responsibility also to send it out to the but we get the
receipt. >> Well ultimately it'll hold the state will hold the municipality responsible for it. So I don't I have to ask them again, but I don't know if this particular contract can do it. I think we I think
>> there's a question under personnel. Um, question 49. The police department has a process to verify that their officers have valid licenses and certifications, make sure everybody's up to date. The spreadsheet could be as simple as that. There are other positions in the bureau
that require ongoing CEUs and licenses including the CFO, the treasurer, tax collector, clerk, building inspectors, public work superintendent, etc. And we currently don't have a process in place to track and verify that all these licenses are kept up to date, the CEUs, etc. So, that's that's an administrative
oversight opportunity that we have that I think will benefit the bureau and and the people we serve. Um, under technology, it asked whether we routinely utilize this. This was not scored. AI
as a platform in one or more of our departments. It's not scored. We currently do not use AI in any uh, you know, repeated way. But I think it's something that all of us council members can keep our ears to the ground when we go to the conference next month and see what what municipalities are using it
for, how we can best use it, maybe something that's there to implement if it's inexpensive, how our decisions and um we did well under transparency questions for information posted on our website and there's also information about an
insurance broker. Again, that's something I would like to work at implementing next year. We talked about it this year, but it's something that we have to put in the budget to help us navigate the complex insurance market that we're in and um the incredible fees that for healthcare that we're all
paying. So I think a professional there is also like you said a best practice that other most other other municipalities are using and I think it's something that we should try to move forward. >> Those are my points but please look it over and let us know if you have any questions.
>> So just just a general question right um so this this survey right is um it's on a scale of what zero to one for each question. There's different scoring for each question and some you get a point for it's not applicable, you still get a
point. So each question is scored differently. Okay. >> And and where does the scoring go? What does it do? Like how does it impact us? >> So it impacts us. There's a I can send you there's a Q&A where you can see if you score between these scores and these scores, you know, you get so many points
and the points indicate the u percentage of your state aid that you will be receiving. So we we scored um in the top here so we would get we would qualify for the full amount of aid >> um just so you know that that's where we landed on this but um there's always
room for improvement and the questions that are unscored this year may be scored next year. So they're kind of giving us a clue as to what we might be looking to try to implement for for next year's um survey. >> And you know thank you for explaining it. And do you know it like for example
like let's just say that we score I don't know the same percentage as as another right is there any sort of ranking system that says we get you know we're first in line for a versus >> no if you score the way that you score >> they just want you to see they just want to know
>> for your state aid >> is there does that does that sorry for all the questions but just trying to understand does that um does that number does that target change every year or is it always the same in other words I What's the total that you What's the total you? It's not always the same number of questions.
>> Total we got 32. >> Yeah. 38 or whatever. >> I mean last year I think was 64 question. So it's different. >> And are the questions? >> They just give you where they want you. >> Are the questions different every year? >> Yeah. Okay.
>> Some are the same like the financial stuff and make sure you're following procedures for finances and budget but um they throw some new ones. >> And this is coming from the state. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Probably with a little help from vendors
obviously. >> Sure. There's some lobbying going on here. >> All the lines >> and we're and we're apologize. >> Right. So, sorry. Just to be clear. So, out of 36 questions, we we answered 32
in the affirmative. So you got 32 points. So see how it says yes. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Moving forward. Vouchers. Miss Berg. >> I move that the checklist dated October
16th in the amount of 3,327,644.77 [Music] be approved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Second by our roll call, please. >> Mr. Grim, >> yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> Mr. Ivy, >> yes.
>> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Is there a motion to adjourn? We need no motion to second. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Everybody have a very happy Halloween. Thank you for coming out. coming. >> Yeah.