Greatness. Ready. >> Good evening. Welcome to the July public meeting of the mayor and council. We hope everyone is safe. It is storming pretty bad right now. So, the best thing to do is stay in your house. New Jersey open public meeting law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to advance notice of and attend
any meetings and public business affecting their interest and discuss their active. In accordance with this act, the mayor and council of the burough of Milford have caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date time and place thereof posted in the burough wall and on the burough website. The mission of this governing body is to provide essential services
through the establishment and implementation of public policy that will safeguard the infrastructure, provide fair, honest, courtesies and professional services. Establish a sense of trust and accomplishment between all residents and the research including plants, minimize risk while improving our services. We are sensitive to the
needs and satisfaction of our taxpayers while realizing that this governing body cannot do all things to all people within the revenue constraints imposed by state mandates, economic conditions, and [clears throat] prevailing attitudes about taxation. At this time, I ask the clerk to please call. Councilman Sam
>> here. Councilman Zmer >> here. >> Councilman Duffy. Councilman Broky >> here. >> Council President Seymour. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. Mayor Patino >> here. Uh before we start, please fire
exits in front of me and behind you into the main hallway and to my right, your left into the council chambers. Okay. First thing I need to identify is a proclamation. National office of the mayor proclamation.
Whereas more than 40 years ago, the National Association of Town Watch, NATW, introduced a unique nationwide crime, drug and violence prevention program on the first Tuesday in August called National Night Out. Whereas since 1984, National Night Out has grown to become a celebration beyond just the front porch vigils and symbolic efforts
amongst neighbors to send a message of neighborhood camaraderie. Whereas National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie camaraderie to make neighborhood safer, more caring places to live. And whereas National Night Out provides a unique opportunity
for New Guilford to join with thousands of other communities across the country to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, bringing police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Whereas it is essential that all citizens of New Milford be aware of the importance of crime prevention programs and the impact
that the participation can have reducing crime, drugs and violence in the Milford. Whereas the mayor and council play a vital role in collaborating with the Milford Police Department for joint crime, drug and violent prevention efforts in our community. Whereas the bureau of Milford sincerely thanks the men and women who arly wear the badge
locally and across our nation protecting citizens and making our community safer for all residents. And therefore, I, Mike Patrino, will hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 4th, 2006 as National Night Out. And we hope that everyone joins us on Tuesday, August 4th at Kennedy Memorial Field for our
celebration. >> And fireworks. >> And fireworks. >> And there's a rain day. >> There is a rain day, which is going to be the sixth. >> Yes. >> Okay. Let's hope rain comes tonight. No rain next week. >> No rain next week. >> No more.
>> Okay. Okay. Under unfinished business, make it a motion for the approval of a minutes for the June 29th, 2026 public and close session meetings. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. We have a couple of ordinance adoptions up tonight. First
one being ordinance 2026 18. And the clerk has the opportunity to please call the vote. >> No. Read the order. [laughter] >> Councilwoman Duffy. >> Yes. Right. >> An ordinance to chapter 30.
>> Okay. >> An ordinance to amend chapter 30 of the revised general ordinances of the bar of New Milford entitled land use regulations thereby amending subsection 30-28.8 entitled non-conforming buildings and uses. Purpose of this ordinance is to
permit expansion of pre-existing non-conforming structures without a variance when proposed addition does not worsen the non-conforming condition. Make a motion to open to the public for the public hearing on this ordinance. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> Any ladies and gentlemen, if anyone has
any questions or comments regarding this ordinance, now is your opportunity to come forward. >> Seeing that no member of the public wish to come forward at this time, I ask for a motion to close the vote. >> Second. All in >> favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> May I get a motion to adopt this
ordinance on its final >> motion? Second. >> May I get a roll call, please? >> Councilman San, >> yes. >> Councilman Zylmer, >> yes. >> Councilman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Gratz, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes.
The second ordinance up for adoption tonight is 2026 col9. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I'd ask her to please read the ordinance. capital ordinance to appropriate the sum of $617,000 for the installation of field lighting at Williams Field in by and for the
Burough New Milford in the county of Bergen, state of New Jersey and providing that such sum so appropriated shall be raised from the from state and county grants and from the open space trust fund of the burrow. >> First, this ordinance is to appropriate funds from the NJ great interest grant
in the amount of $148,000. a Burton County Open Space Grant in the amount of $194,343 and a Burough New Open Space Trust in the amount of $274,657 to install field lighting at Williams. Make it a motion to open to the public
for the public hearing of Miss >> Second. All in favor? Any >> opposed? Ladies and gentlemen, the public, anyone has any questions or comments regarding this or audience? Now is your opportunity to come forward. Seeing that no member of the public wishes to come forward at this time or
ask for a motion to close the public. >> Second. All in >> favor. I make a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading. >> Second. Make a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sandus, >> yes. >> Councilman Zner, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes.
>> Councilman Gratz, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. This one was a long time in the making and I want to thank all of the residents who supported this in our prep process throughout the letters of support. It really made a difference and this is going to be great.
Okay. Other business, we have one introduction tonight and that is 2026 2020. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I must go to East ordinance. An ordinance to change the name of a portion of a certain street in the bur of New Milford, thereby extending the limits of Robert Chester
way. Purpose of this ordinance is to extend the limits of the street Robert Chester way to include recreational facilities north of patrol and Raywood Drive to facilitate swift and proper response in case of emergency. So, this came about because down there when there was an emergency call, it's very
confusing to relay what your address is and for EMT GPS to pick you up. So, this is going to solve that. May I get a motion to introduce this ordinance on its first reading? >> Have a second. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I councilman Samson. Yes. Councilman Dmer. >> Yes. Counciloman Duffy. Yes. Councilman Gr. >> Yes. Councilwoman Grant. >> Yes. >> Was getting excited that we were
considering the 24th, right? >> Public hearings on the 24th. >> Item number one is Community Poling Services COPS Grant. Councilman Gr. Thank you, mayor. Uh we have the opportunity to uh apply
for a federal grant, okay, that will cover up 75% of entry- level salary and fridge benefits uh for each approved position for a three-year funding period, okay, based on applicants current entry- level salary levels and
full-time sworn officers. uh in speaking to the grant writer uh she she suggested that we apply for two police officers because we would have a better opportunity to get this grant. Okay. Uh
what we need is to approve them going to go for the grant. Should we get approval for the two offices, we will have to hire the two offices, but it doesn't have to be, you know, right away because you have a three-year opportunity there. So, what we're looking for is, and by
the way, um I left out the important thing. It's $125,000 per police officer. So, we're looking at a possibility of $250,000 and paying salaries and fringe benefits. And one of the positions was already approved at our last meeting. It would mean that if we were to get the
grant, we would be committing to going to the full staffing level. >> And the grant just pays for one year salary for each. No, it's $125,000 per officer >> over 3 years. >> Over a three year period.
>> And if it's more, it pays more. If you're paying an officer, say $50,000 on 25 and then $75,000. Second year is another 75. That's two years. >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. On the part's part. Yeah.
>> But we've already we've committed to one. We've made that decision and what we're saying is if we were to get the grant that would mean that we would be committing to going to full staffing levels for the police department during the grant period. If we don't get it,
>> no required we're not required to hire two. >> Another one >> training. >> If we get the grant for two officers, we would >> one more two. Yes. To bring us up to level. Yes. So basically be we'd be
getting 125 for the first one already hired on top of 125 in the second. >> But this is only a one payment. I mean it's not going to continue for the entire >> No, it's one. It's like a three that we're going to get is 125
officer. >> So it could be less. No, I mean if we get the grant that's what the grant >> all right the entire [clears throat] time they'll be hired for 20 years or right >> what so the length of the grant is one year >> three years
>> so it's three years >> 25 for a year >> no of course but for an entry level officer it's not $125 >> if you hire an officer for $50,000 okay >> and you're getting $125,000
that covers approximately 2 and a half years salary. >> So we're looking for approval to apply for the grant. Like I said, if we do not get it, we are not committed to hiring. >> I think you
mean I, you know, I took uh the initiative from the finance department. for that material >> there would be yeah there that there would be a hiring freeze
>> for a certain amount of time. So if you see me hesitating that's why and you know sometimes these grants get dangled out in front of us and then we have to make up for that down the road. So I'm a
little concerned about that. But I say uh since the the uh finance chair is also the police liaison uh it looks like you are supporting this. >> No, I'm definitely supporting this.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. From a money standpoint, we could be throwing away $250,000. that could pay for two cops and we will be within our number of police officers. >> If we're going to have the correct
number of officers according to our ordinance, then we might as well get two bucks for it. >> Yeah. >> Don't let the backdrop of police sirens. [laughter] >> Honestly, stop. It's unfortunate. July has been brutal
for us. Can I get a motion to oppose the grant? >> Motion. All in favor? >> Any oppos? I >> Okay, item number two is schedule updates. >> But I would also like to point out like
again it's over the course of a period of time. So we can hire them one in this year, we can wait until next year for the other. And there's continual attrition in the department. So >> it doesn't necessarily mean that we're going to remain at full staff.
>> Okay. >> There is a possibility by the time you we're ready to hire a second someone else had left and we're still not at full. That's a possibility. >> Okay. Summer movie night sponsored by North Recreation Committee. Um, the next
two are on July 29th is Moana 2 and the first July movie was cancelled because of weather and is now on uh August 5th and that is How to Train Your Dragon Live Action. All movies start at sundown and are at Nightsfield. On Thursday,
July 30th is Revolutionary Lives exhibit opening reception sponsored by the New Milford 250, Revolution NJ, and the New Public Library. It'll take place from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mil Public Library. And then the exhibit itself will be on display from the 29th through
August 16th during regular library hours. >> That's July 29th. >> Yes, July 29th to That's the reception. The reception is on the 30th. >> The reception is on the 30th. Okay. >> Which unfortunately I will not be at. I
will be on a uh business trip for so I'm going to miss it. I attend. >> Can you say a few words on behalf of the mayor Council Press? >> Happy to. >> Thank you. >> On Tuesday, August 4th, it is our annual National Night Out sponsored by the New
Police Department. It'll take place from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. on Kennedy Memorial Field. And yes, we will have fireworks to end the evening. >> And rain date. >> The ring date is going to be August 6th, which is the Thursday of that week. Um,
the Milford annual New Milford Tina Del Carnival is August 5th through August 8th. It'll take place at the New Guilford Elsa. Roughly, it's 5 to 10:00 p.m. I don't know the hours for the the
Saturday, but it's usually like 3 to 9. On Friday, September 11th is the 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony sponsored by the New Milford Mayor Council and the New Milford Public Events Committee. The time, the exact time is to be determined. We believe it
is going to be 3:00 and it is on the Burough Hall lawn. And another part of this is um residents are actually going to have an opportunity to help us honor those we lost on 911. For the month of August, we are going to be asking people, anyone who wants to make an 8
by8 origami crane, they can write a message in it and drop it off at the burl hall. And that crane will be used in our 911 uh ceremony display. We are going to be hanging 2,977 cranes from the burl hall for the ceremony. So, it's cool. If you can make
a crane, put a little message in it. There will be a drop box in the burl hall and uh we will use it for the ceremony. They look like this. >> White. >> White. Yes. >> Yes. It's going to say 8 by8. It's going to
be a link to a YouTube video. So, if you want to learn how to make one and it'll say the dates and the drop off. And it's something we've never done before. So, it's going to be interesting. >> So, people can just cut. There's instructions they have to get the materials from home. Or are you going to be handing out paper?
>> All you need is an 8 by8 sheet of paper. So you take a regular piece of paper, cut an 8 by8 and it teaches you how to fold it. >> Okay, great. >> That's it. >> And there's a link on the website. >> There will be. Yes, there'll be a link on the flyer. Probably a scan code. I know the women's club, they're very
interested and I actually uh talked about it with the senior center last week when they did bingo and they're all in. They're all in. So I will find someone to make a crane for me and I will write a message in it and hang it up because I already know that I I can't do it. Okay. Item number three is the
administration report. >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Uh for the engineering update, the DOT has approved the bid documents for the roadway approved. I I've repeated this at a couple of meetings because the point of it is it's for the East Woodland Road, Grieve Drive, Bridge Street, and
intersecting roadways, but there is public service work that's going to be completed on some of those streets. So, we're going to um time the bid to coincide with the completion of public service work. Um, the engineer provided a a contract award recommendation on
June 29th for the Clinton Avenue, Yugenot Road, Arlington Road, and Neil Street improvements. And there's a resolution on tonight's agenda to award the work. The engineer provided a final punch list to the contractor for Main Street improvement project on June 29th and followed up on July 13th and is now
preparing the NJ DOT closeout documents. After 6 months, we finally had some feedback from the D on the minor technical modification for the French Brook restoration project. The engineers preparing revised documents for resubmission to the D. They had a few
minor requests. She seemed to think that this is something that we can easily achieve and we're hoping to move it along. The EPA has provided approval for the bid documents for the Pine Avenue and used road sanitary sewer rehabilitation project and the engineer is finalizing
the bid documents for solicitation. Uh the engineers provided a proposal for engineering services for the Williams Field Lighting Improvement Project and a resolution to authorize the engineering services is on tonight's agenda. Other than the administrator's report, other
than engineering report, uh just to note that we have one meeting in in August and that's scheduled for Monday, August 24th at 7 p.m. That's it for me. Thank you. start. >> Thank you, mayor.
Let's see. I made some notes. Uh we had a contest of police in coordination with uh some other participants. Uh had a decorating 250 uh Rev uh your house. And uh we have three winners. First place
went to 263 Griev Drive. Second place went to 187 River Lane. And third place went to 259 Graphic Boulevard. Sorry, Randy. [laughter] >> Uh, night out will be August 4th. Uh the shade tree uh commission is working on
uh introducing a uh [laughter] a theme to paint the mural uh at the tree farm and uh they'll be announcing that at the shade tree meeting. More information to follow. Uh that's it for
me. >> Thank you, Mayor. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Cuz I'm unplugged. I can't hear myself. Um, public events, recreation, nothing going on there. And planning board meets
tomorrow night. Uh, I went down and spoke with Sil down to DPW just to get some information. He he wrote out some stats for me regarding the storm we had July 4th. So, I'd like to read and share them with you just for
your information. Um, the preliminary. These are the preliminary numbers and he says that the tree crew is still taking down trees associated. So minus that the town trees
lost so far were 40. And he says we're that number will definitely increase. Homeowner trees he says between permits and phone calls they've gotten for fallen trees was 40 to 45.
uh not including the tree the tree crew the work that was being done other than uh removing the trees. They had a chipper truck of 10 loads of wood chips from chipping branches. Garbage truck 31 yard loads of branches.
There were 10 of those. A 30 yard containers loads of branches were 12. and they have done five special pickups of branches curbside since the storm. Uh the last one being the other day. So
they've been very very busy to say the least. Um also there was one commemorative bench sold that's going to be placed down at the pond and that's in memory of Alex who
owned the Manopra deli. >> That's nice. So, uh, it's been purchased. It hasn't arrived yet. And, uh, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Sanderson. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just want to follow up
with the DPW, like the July 4th storm. The the departments did a fabulous job with response and they're out there busy now. Again, it's been quite a summer. So, um, >> cool summer. There you go.
around. >> Yep. >> So, thank you to all the crew and their families for all the extra work they've put in. The um my committees take uh July off. Uh however, I just want to
update you. The uh EEC is finishing up the community energy plan grant. So, they did all their deliverables and they're working on the final report. So the report will be submitted uh by the end of this week and um we have another
um the DP um uh blue acres is coming up for the the follow-up meeting is going to be August 17th >> here >> here at Burough Hall.
>> What time? >> Uh 6:30 same time. So people who attended and filled out their email will get a direct email. Uh pe uh members of the public can attend uh Ruckers
students will be presenting uh site plan drawings for everyone to look at and discuss. No action will be taken on these drawings. This is visioning process. Um, and if you did
not make the first meeting, you're welcome to attend the second meeting. There's no pre- requirement. So, it's open to the public. Uh, so it should be interesting. I'm excited to see what comes in. We had lots of interesting uh ideas and feedback. It was interesting discussions uh in the June meeting and
uh TX the green team is plugging along with TX. Uh that that program's super popular and uh always looking for volunteers to help out. It is a communityrun program. Uh and uh the green team is a fabulous group of
people. So if you're looking to do something for the community that's low in like low volume of hours but high impact for your community, come and join. >> Excellent. >> And that's complete. Thank you,
>> council woman. Great. >> Thank you. My needs did not meet this month. Um, they deserve a few weeks off, I will say. But I do want to mention that the uh book sale organized by the friends of the library will be on Friday and Saturday, September 25th and se
September 26th uh books drop off starting on uh September. I think that's the day after Labor Day. Um the the uh catalog garage sale will be on September 26th and 27th and um some information
will be available at national night out and for friends of the libraries uh table. So come and uh see what get the information you need. >> Can people pick up uh applications at the national for the applications? Yes.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Councilwoman, >> thank you, Mayor. Uh, just a moment about something I want to mention to you, Lisa. Anytime I tell anybody about that
program, about collecting the plastic, >> they people go crazy. Your town is so completely different. It's like you said, it it's doesn't take a lot to do, but it's like
>> I I feel like I've created at least one bedroom for myself. [laughter] >> I need my own box. See what I mean? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So, um all right July for the uh
although it's a vacation one um quite busy starting with the 4th. I do want to mention specifically our uh fire department, police department and DPW
were really called upon uh that night and uh and to our residents too. It was scary and they hung in there. So to everyone that night, um a big thank you from myself
and my family. Um so the 250th anniversary committee has been busy. Uh of course the PD um sponsored for us that uh decorating contest which was
really brave. Uh and then the 17th just this uh last weekend um we had our community camp out which I you know people to thank um the the
cooperation from the DPW and the recreation department specifically Sil and John Iman for their personal and departmental uh commit commitments to the committee and to making this event
great. Um, we had what do we have 30 30 t >> Okay. And you know, the parents were like chilling around the around the camp and at one point um these guys slipped
on the lights for the uh field and the kids went immediately in there, played every game you can imagine. And it was just really a really great night. um fire department came and made
hot dogs uh >> and a beautiful campfire. That was amazing. It looked so nice. >> It the DPW built that out of dirt and stone and uh it was just really a a good
evening for families and for those of us that were there. So, big thank you. Um, and I'll mention also like HDI mentioned, um, we are having our, uh, exhibit at the library opening, um,
this week. So, I hope you can attend. and uh Nancy Baron is very proud that this exhibit came to me and she likes to brag
that no other Bergen County town got it. So, it's a big get for us. Um, of course the other, you know, the the the fire inspector, the fire department, the
board of health, the reports continue. So, I have those if you'd like to move, but other than that, that's Thank you. Uh, I'll add, yes, the camp out was
amazing for the first time. I think it's the first time we've delivered a town camp out in Milford. Um, lots of people are asking if we're going to do it again. We'll see. And I learned how to make the ending. >> January will be a good time. >> January is great. Going through the storms. I'll echo what everyone said,
but what I will say is I received dozens texts, emails, and calls. everyone thanking us and saying how wonderful, police, fire, everyone was and how fast we were uh cleaning up and keeping everything safe because it was a mess.
It was a mess. It was an 8 minute crazy mess and there was a lot of mitigation effort. >> [clears throat] >> Um, mayor, I just want to also um specifically mention the fire department because not only were they covering in
Milford, they were honoring their mutual aid responsibilities, there were a couple of fires in River Edge, home fires that were very bad. So >> they really made me >> for a span of 48 hours. I ran into Tom
Ryan like every 45 minutes somewhere crazy. [clears throat] >> Crazy. It started at the fireworks and then it just from there after that land. >> Um just two things for the future
in a future meeting. I don't know if it's going to be next or September. Uh, one of the things we're looking at is we're looking at um cleaning up one of our ordinances that has to do with like recreational properties and names. [clears throat] Some things are named, some things are not the ordinance, like Barry's Park is not the ordinance. Oh,
>> things like that. So, we're going to be doing some uh cleaning on that. And the other thing is I'm pretty close to being able to present to you the u proposal for the new burough flag. We are pretty much there with all the uh handone
members. get the proper green and the company that's going to produce them. So hopefully by the next meeting I'll have a sample and we'll uh we'll move forward with that. What are we changing? >> We're changing it to green and white instead of white and blue. The problem we have with the white flags is the
white flags get extremely dirty fast. So we are looking at a green background flag with the same logo just in white on top of it. I think it unifies Wilfred and Milford's colors of green and white. Everyone knows that. and uh it's going to look great and they're going to last
a lot longer. So, it's exciting, but we want to do it right and it'll be it'll be carried in ordinance, the exact colors and all that. So, going forward, there's an exact record of it. The clerk is the custodian of the new Milford colors, the official Milford green
colors. I know about the seal, too. Just >> when I look at ordinances for state flags and things and other topics, it's how it's laid out. So, we're going to uh we're going to do that. That's all I have. Resolutions. Does everyone have a chance to look at them?
Are there any that need to be pulled for further discussion and if not I ask for a motion to open to the public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Ladies and gentlemen, the public, anyone has any questions or comments regarding good welfare, now is
your opportunity to come forward. Seeing none, no member of the public wishes to come forward at this time. Other motion to close the public. >> Motion second. All in favor? Any opposed? Make a motion to adopt resolution 2026 1826
205. Motion second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay, ladies and gentlemen, uh we are going to go into close session. When we come out of close session, this body will take no action other than adjourn.
Uh hope everyone is safe tonight. Like I said, try to stay in as much as possible. We hope that you enjoy the rest of the summer and we will see you at National Night Out. Thank you and have a great night.