All right. Looks like >> I don't know if this last meeting you passed a resolution sorry opposing the location of detention facilities in the burrow and on the resolution it says we should form a committee to review our
zoning ordinances and land use law and get some so I was wondering we could get together and discuss who should be on that committee because we want to look at whether we need any amendments to the burough code to further clarify this prohibition.
So who should be on that in those discussions? probably land attorney. Can we can we think about this before our heels and do this? But >> yeah, I want to tee it up and make sure that we all have to it and that we don't like we said that was that was part of
that. Um and I don't know >> maybe by the next meeting we'll we'll discuss >> Okay, sure. Um >> I don't know if you were going to discuss anything about what was meeting.
Just a couple things that I have. First of all, the April 16th meeting is uh election day again. We had our last meeting was election day for the primary. This one is for the general for assembly
seat wondering whether council wants to move that meeting uh from that Thursday to the Wednesday prior to Thursday. So that's the 19th or 16th to the 15th. It'll just make it a little easier on
the >> I think Wednesday night. Everybody's on 15. >> It doesn't matter. >> All right. So, Rose, if you everybody's okay with changing to Wednesday proper notice
>> next week. Yep. Um we do have um municipal building cleaning. We have uh we're looking for substitutes. I believe that closes tomorrow. Um
we've also had a company give us some an estimate for that also. But we should move pretty quickly on that uh because we are down cleaning. and I don't know how long that lasted
couple days or whatever than that. Um, so we need to get some quick solutions to our cleaning issues here. Jamie from the community center is interested in she cleaning up the
community. She can do about four hours. Yeah. So, I know S's not here, but we'll get that moving. >> Yes. That's all I have. Moving forward approval of minutes, Mr. Brun. >> I council Brun move the minutes of
February 5th, 2026 to be adopted. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Nancy. All in favor? >> I abstain. The eyes have moving on to the consent calendar. Mr.
>> Reports for January 2026. Animal control senarian clerk. Building inspector and tax resolution 2026-38 Morris County retired educators association fund
license 3353-26 resolution 2026-39 resolution adopting a temporary capital budget for 2026 resolution 2026-40 entitled refund of overpayment
resolution 41 redemption resolution block number 121 block number 1.01 issue number C1802 third party tax number 25-00002
resolution 2025-42 entitled Bal Morris planning resolution of support to submit a grant application to the 2026 ARP community challenge grant program for $25,000
to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Park Resolution 2025-43 resolutioning the soil disturbance the resation of Allison
part-time construction office clerk building department be accepted effective February 1326 burough council authorized the burough engineer to prepare Plans and specifications for the 2026 capital road projects include Laurel Street, Sun
Valley Way, Kowski Drive, Hley Way, I'm sorry, Hley Avenue, Davis Avenue, and Juniper Drive. Michelle Bradford be granted permission to serve alcohol juice at a birthday party to be held Saturday, May 9th, 2026 from 11 a.m. to
700 p.m. at the park. have received quotes for 2026 water treatment to community park pond and walk on pond from the following lake management sciences. park was for $2,940
and that NJ permit and their quote for Wan Park bond was $1,84 including NJ and Aqua Clear Lake and Pond Management Community Park Pond. Their quote was
$1,650 and that included the NJ permit and their quote for walk and that confirm. So a purchase order will be issued to aqua clear lake and pond
management PO box 143 New Jersey in the $3,330 recreation program instructions attached to a rate at the rate of the date of the 2026 spring recreation program.
Is there a second Second by Mike. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Broom. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. >> Yes. M. >> Yes. >> At this time, I'm going to have a public
hearing on the um community park pool improvements. The B of Morris Plains is seeking funding to the New Jersey state of New Jersey green acres program for improvements at the community park pool located at Jere Drive in Mars plane. Boro proposes renovating the community
park pool. This application includes locating and repairing leaks in the pool, replacing the slide, and replacing all lifeguard chairs. A public hearing was published in the Morris Newsby on February 5th, 2026, announcing the public
announcing that the public is encouraged to attend the public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on Thursday, February 29th, which is February 19th, 2026, which is tonight at 7:30. The public
hearing will be held as part of the regular scheduled council meeting. The concept plan, environmental impact assessment, and cost estimate documents are available here tonight. They're on the table if anybody's interested and on the burrow website. The estimated cost of the project's components are locate
and repair pool leaks 150,000. Uh replace the slide is 35,000. Replace four lifeguard chairs 15,000 for a total of $200,000. If the Green Acres Grant is awarded,
$50,000 will be a grant and $150,000 will be in the form of a 20-year loan at 0% interest. I now opening the public hearing for comments from the public, please come up forward. State your name and address for the record and your
comments. Anybody wish to speak on the application? Don't see nobody. I thank everybody who participated Steve putting this together and people that got the pricing for you together. Jerry your input from the rec
department as well and thanks to everybody participating. I close the public hearing. Moving on to reports of committees andor department heads finance. >> Thank you. >> I just received a tax collector report
from the month of January. We collected approximately 2.57 million for tax in the month of January. The finance office continued working on the annual debt statement and they worked on some transfers that you see on tonight's
agenda and they're starting to review the budget sheets submitted by department. The library is hosting a special lunar new year celebration this Sunday, February 22nd from 1 to 3 p.m. The information is in the weekly email, but they are going to have a local Morris's
res who is going to teach an origami craft. She's a journalist as well. And um there's going to be an author reading by Maplewood, New Jersey author about the meeting of the new year. The green team met on Monday, February 9th. Nothing new to report at this time
except to note that we have noted that the US drought monitor conditions worsened for Mars Plains. It came out today. We moved from moderate drought to severe drought. In this week's US drought monitor, we've been in a drought for 16 weeks since October 28th and it
is expected to persist for the next three months. So, we're at level three. There's a level four which is extreme and level five is exceptional. So, the next meeting of the team is scheduled for March 16th. Last night, the mayor and I attended the Mars County
League of Municipalities dinner. It's a gathering of elected officials across Mars County and we meet you know, networking and talk about best practices and um the last Mayor Carr congratulations for being the first vice president of that committee last night
was inducted and Mike Sarah spoke from the state New Jersey municipalities. He's a speaker and gave an update on legislation that is in the pipeline and he also speculated on what the new governor would prioritize her budget for us which is scheduled for March 10th.
We also met our new intergovernment liaison from the Cheryl administration. His name is Abe and I believe the mayor's already had conversations with him about road. >> Yeah, we have extensive conversations about road.
>> How I met him there to get at this point. I also attended a downtown round table meeting yesterday which was held at BE furniture. There were about 20 business owners in attendance. Topics of
discussion were a preview of their updated website, a project they are working on to streamline the many donation requests of small businesses get survey they are planning to conduct about local residents uh their wishes local resur.
They talked about the opening of the new ugly dumpling at the plaza and new ways to help highlight our small businesses through influencers and blog posts online and leveraging existing events like our farmers market to highlight local businesses and downtown Mars
Plains continues to be free for businesses to participate in and the next two round tables will be in July and November. >> Thank you, Mayor Nancy. Thank you for going to that yesterday. I typically try to go as the liaison for council and BTC but had a followup Dr. I was glad you
came. So, thank you. >> Excuse me. >> The what committee? >> The BSC now, business support committee. >> You thought nobody was listening. >> We haven't made a public, you know, official announcement yet. So, >> there's no mayor one at the office. But
anyways, thank you again, Mayor. Um, real quick, uh, on the police department front, there's a virtual meeting tomorrow, 12:20 with PSNS, the architectural firm we're working with to look at the smallcale renovation plans for Burough Hall. We should have some financial numbers delivered soon, in
which case we can get the larger group, the conceptual plans committee, together to review and discuss. We did find out that a few other municipalities in Morris County have applied for and received grants for this type of public safety progress. So, we'll be exploring this as an option and any grant money
received would be obviously put to great use and lower the burden of the taxpayers, which is our main goal. Junior Police Academy applications are open. Anyone in the sixth through 8th grade may apply. This is a four-week full-time course that takes place at the academy in Morris Township each summer.
I personally attended the graduation last summer and I was very impressed not only with the caliber of the students but the instructors and the school itself. It's a great program for anyone interested. The C the community emergency response team will be meeting again on Monday the 23rd at the BFW.
Again, anyone that is interested is encouraged to reach out to Chief Krasi, Lieutenant Bob Gield, or go to the Burough website for next steps. The traffic committee has traffic committee has not yet had a chance to meet but will be soon to go over a couple local parking and snow related issues along
with discussing some of the street improvement projects that will be coming up this year. The complete and green streets committee is set to meet again for the fifth time on Wednesday, February 25th. We have our final draft and checklist in place and we'll be looking to get approval to advance this
to the council for questions, comments, and concerns. And we're going to have a special presentation from a resident, Steve Persac, at that that I'm looking forward to. The Morris Plains Police Department also received a new patrol car. We have it in our possession, but still needs to be detailed and updated
for patrol. I'll be meeting with Chief Karaski next Monday to go over the 2026 uh regular budget and capital budget as well. Uh fire prevention. Chris is always out inspecting, continuing to include apartments in the bureau. I met with Chris last week to go over the 2026
budget and capital requests as well. And uh if you have an old or unwanted fire extinguisher at your home, um the Morris Plains Fire Prevention Bureau is collecting any old extinguishers for proper disposal. You can call the office at 973-59-241
or email them at mpfp morrisplainsboro. That's b.org to schedule pickup. You can also drop them off at the rear of their office located at 555 Speedway, which is the red building next door. Uh, fire department calls are picking up. I do
not have an official account yet, but I know they're staying busy. And I also have the chance to meet with Chief Kevin Rango to go over the budget and capital requests for 2026 as well. Um, court system running very smoothly. Our interim prosecutor, John, has been doing very well. I spoke with a few people
that said there's been an uptick in communication across the board. So, that's been a very positive note. And just a reminder, if you've not yet registered your pets for a license, please visit the burough clerk's office for assistance. That's all for me. Mayor, >> can I ask a quick question about the fire extinguisher?
>> Yes. >> Um, do they recycle them? >> So, I I don't know exactly what they do with them, but I know that they have a way to properly dispose of them. So, they're requesting ultimately that if you do have an old one, I mean, in reality, one that's even more than five
years old is considered old. They did um just being in real estate, New Jersey did get rid of the requirement to have a fire extinguisher in each home. But I do know that when Chris does the inspections, he does, you know, prefer and check that they're there. But if you do have an old one, you know, that you
think is too old and possibly not working anymore, again, it's just a great way to not like you are not supposed to put that in the regular garbage. Oh yeah. >> Nothing that fantastic. >> Fantastic to hear. Everything is going great. Fantastic public works. Mr. Boom.
>> Did he copy your paper? >> This is from our weekly meetings. >> Okay. Thank you. So the DPW are mechanics work on our on our town legal these cars running speed and safe for our employees. They were picking up
garbage in the parks which is a good sign that people were actually out fever. a salted road. >> We're halfway there. >> They finished widening the road, which was really appreciated with the snow blower attachment to get the snow out of
the road. Fantastic. as they were doing that they were clearing some fire which is very important and then this time here when it's not so they much appreciated with the work they do on the building so they painted the
basement at the 55 door there drains on down road they cut and chipped a couple fallen trees that were on and sunbed
make sure all the catch patient rain that was coming clear those bathrooms and they're helping with the 100th anniversary cocktail party that will be over at the BFW. They put a tent
>> inside. Oh, sorry. All right. So for for building ground recreation under pool director Jerry Sman met with Jonathley about getting pricing on bathroom partitions and then the launch
blocks for the so they're going to work on that. They received or receiving estimates for the every quarter next week. I'm not sure about that. Uh rec center busy as always with adult programs and pick a wall. The tennis
courts project advised us that they will make the expansion cuts on the courts as soon as snow melts. Uh we will be meeting with the tennis court resurfacing contractor so they can move right in after they make the expansion
cuts. The courts will be operational. Simon's turf field. Discussions still going on about returfing department Simon's field and we're enlarging uh the field to meet the 77
standard. There's a meeting next week to come up with recommendations for council approval. The beautifification committee, the committee uh weather permitting will inspect all the plants to see how the former drought damage and now the cold
and snow damage to see how the Two birds with one. >> Mr. Ivy, public health, sanitation, and sewage. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> So, for teen center, uh, they're continuing to hold great events for the kids while being mindful of the budget. Costs have risen from last year, which
is making a little bit difficult to hold on and hold the same events year over year. But the board will be analyzing this year's spent compared to last year to strategize ways to do more with less and be prepared for next year. Uh, While on the topic, the board is still looking for a fundraising coordinator. So, if
you're interested, please contact me. Uh the board of health, uh the county health division reported on their normal January activities across environmental health, public health, nursing, and health, education, uh pre-opening inspections passed dumpling amongst other businesses. But we're happy to see
that dumpling is open and busy. >> Finally, >> I don't want to say >> everybody's been asking for years. The county is also working with the RHS team on the creation of an online food handlers class. This class will be offered in addition to the inperson
classes already available and may be required for establishments with unsatisfactory inspection findings, but overall the intent is to increase accessibility for people to obtain their certifications on their schedule. Um, and then lastly, the a review of the board of health website was completed.
So we updated some out outdated or redundant public health links, updated all the uh the board members and we uh there was some language implying endorsement of specificies or providers uh which has been removed and will be replaced with county recommended resources. Uh the primary public
communications will continue through town newsletters and the board of health Facebook page. So please give that a follow and the next order of health meeting will be March. >> Thank you Mr. Mayor. All right. So for the month of January, uh the annex
office processed eight requests for a total of 6 hours. Uh the construction office issued 27 new permits and collected $7,134 in fees. Uh there were 13 electrical permits, 12 plumbing permits, eight
building permits, four fire permits, and four mechanical permits. Uh they issued 25 certificates, 24 for operations, one for in addition. They performed uh let's see 65 electrical inspections, 57 building
inspections, 34 plumbing inspections, 21 fire inspections, five mechanical inspections. Uh and uh Parker did a pear tree. >> They they did a lot of vlog. >> Well, that was all just in the month of January. So, they are they are busy over
there doing a lot of inspections um making sure everything's up to code and uh including the ugly dumpling. So, that all got approved. As we all heard um on the uh the planning board uh so pling board did hear an application uh which
will update what's known as the Eminem property across the warehouses on 53. Uh the application was largely for aesthetic updates to aesthetic updates to the fascia of the building. Uh the pling board did pass the application. Um and I believe the builders during that
uh during that hearing did did they were asked uh and they that they plan to start construction in June of 2026. Um, not holding my breath for that one, but that's that's holding your head on that. >> Um, but we'll hope.
>> We'll hope for sure. Um, for uh ordinances uh so there are uh on the agenda tonight, there are two ordinances on second reading. Ordinance 1-2026 is a bond ordinance which appropriates funding for fixing the roads and marsh
plains and ordinance 2-2026 which establishes pay grades and fixing salaries for the police department. Uh there are also two uh ordinances on the agenda for first reading. Uh both uh ordinances are around the action the council needs to take uh regarding
affordable housing. Um ordinance three is affordable the affordable housing ordinance um which uh Mr. may correct me if I'm wrong here, but I believe that just updates the definitions for affordable housing >> and from different things that are different from round three and four.
>> Okay. Comprehensive round four required by the state, >> right? Exactly. Yeah. Required by the state. I think that's the the key thing there as well as ordinance four which uh establishes overlay zones um uh and then permitted uses again regarding uh
affordable housing. Um and then uh just on Just quick two two two quick plugs here. Um Morristown High School uh is going to be putting on a production of Fiddler on the Roof from March 12th, 13th and and 15th. Uh there are many Morris playing students including my son
uh who's in the production. So if you want to go see some uh um bottle dancing, if anybody's familiar with the show, uh you can go over there. They've been they've been uh working hard on that. And then uh the Burough School will actually be putting on a production of Bye-Bye Birdie uh April 17th and
18th. Uh the kids are super excited to perform a classical musical. Um and shameless plug, my wife is directing. So come on out. Uh support your local arts and more skits. And that's all I have. And and the Houston family.
>> Goodness sakes. >> Very good. Thank you. Uh the one thing that I do have is um on February 24th right here at 7 o'clock we'll be having an informal session or discussion on uh the IDA wild pool and ideas getting
feedback from residents up in that neighborhood and ask the members of that pool and and everybody's invited but it'll be here um on the 24th at 7 p.m. The architect will be here. He's going
to have some very, very rough renderings just to give everybody an idea of what something like that could look like. We're looking for ideas, feedback, any anything that anybody wants to add. Um, now I'd like to open up the floor
for a public invitation for comment. Anybody wish to speak, please state your name and address and Seeing nobody, we got to move on to ordinances. Mr. Houston, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
First, we have uh let's see uh sorry, I council member Houston, introduce the following ordinance and read the same by title and move that it be passed on first reading. Ordinance number 3-2026, an ordinance of the burrow of Morris Plains amending chapter 13 quote land
development unquote repealing and replacing chapter 13 article 5 subsection 13 quote affordable housing ordinance unquote of the code of the burrow of Morris Springs, New Jersey. Is there a second?
>> Second by Miss Burger. Roll call, please. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Padier. >> Yes. >> M. Yes. >> I, Council Member Houston, offer the following resolution. Whereas the above
ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 19, 2026, and passed on the first reading. Now therefore be it resolved that at a meeting to be held on March 5th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. billing time at the municipal building in the said burrow, this council will further consider for second
reading and final passage the said ordinance and be it further resolved that the clerk of this burough is hereby directed to publish a mail the proper notice including the ordinance post the ordinance on the bulletin board in the municipal building and to make copies available to members of the general public. >> And is there a second?
>> Second. >> Second by Mr. Brun. All in favor? >> Opposed? The eyes have none. >> I, Council Member Houston, introduce the following ordinance and read the same by title and move that it be passed on
first reading. Ordinance number 4-2026. An ordinance to provide the partial amendment and supplementation of quote chapter 13 2000 Burough of Morris Plains Land Development Ordinance quote to establish portable housing overlay zones in the Burough Morris Plains.
Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Mr. Ivy. Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> I, Council Member Houston offer the
following resolution. Whereas the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 19th, 2026 and passed on first reading. Now therefore be it resolved that at a meeting to be held on March 5th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. prevailing time at the municipal building in the set burrow, this council will further consider 4
second reading and follow passage the said ordinance and be it further resolved that the clerk of this bur is hereby directed the public should know the proper notice include the ordinance post the ordinance on the bulletin board in the municipal building and to make copies available to members of the general public. Is there a second?
>> Seconded by Mr. Pontier. All in favor? Opposed abstain the eyes have it on the ordinance is on second reading >> I council member Houston read by title the ordinance entitled ordinance number
1-2026 by ordinance providing for the improvement of various roads in and by the burrow of Morris Plains in the county of Morris New Jersey uh appropriating 670,750 therefore and authorizing the issuance of 636,000
bonds or notes of the bureau for financing such appropriation. Which ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting held on February 5th, 2026? I announce that the meeting is open for a public hearing on the ordinance
to speak. Seeing no one, I close the public hear and council member Houston state that the above ordinance as read by title on segregating at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. >> Is there a second? Second by roll call, please.
>> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fontier. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> I declare the ordinance adopted and finally passed. >> I, Council Member Houston, read by title the ordinance entitled Ordinance Number
2-2026. An ordinance establishing payrades and fixing salaries and benefits for the police department of the Burough of Morris Plains. Which ordinance was introduced and passed on first reading at a meeting held on February 5th, 2026? >> Is there a second?
I open the meeting up for a public hearing. Seeing no one, I close the public hearing. I, Council Member Houston, state that the above ordinance as read by title on second reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Is there a
second? >> Second. Second by half by roll call please. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pontier. >> Yes. >> M. Yes.
>> I declare the ordinance adopted and finally passed. >> Moving on. The resolution. Mr. Green. >> Read the resolution 2026-44 entitled Police Department. >> Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Fontier. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mr. Houston. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ivy. Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> We have no unfinished business. No new business. We do have some vouchers. Miss
>> the checklist February 19th, 2026 in the amount of $800,850 approved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Second by Mr. Roll call, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Houston, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Pier,
>> yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Very good. And we do need an executive session beside you anyway. being resolved by the burough council 19th day. The mayor council shall meet the
effective session for which the public shall be excluded to discuss matters pursuant to NJSA 104-12 subsection E7 pending for anticipated litigation for contract negotiation
other than in subsection D matters falling within the attorney client. >> Is there a second? >> Second by Nancy. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. The eyes have it. We are going into an executive session. Uh
we will be returning. Can't tell you exactly when or whether there'll be any business after. More than welcome to wait in the hallway or in the conference room right down the hall.