where you're set. Okay. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this uh work session meeting of the mayor and council. At this time, I would ask everyone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and or reflection as we think about Councilman Ortiz Zner, who's been battling a rare
virus the past couple months. Looks like he's turning a corner and he hopes to be with us at our next meeting. Please salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under
God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Before we start, please note your fire exits. To my left, your right into the office, and behind you into the main hallway.
The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to advance notice of and attend any meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with this act, the mayor and council of the Burough of New Milford have caused notice of this meeting to be published
by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the Burough Hall and the Burough website. Notices have also been sent to the record in the Ridgewood News. 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,
courteous, and professional services, establish a sense of trust and accomplishment between all residents, and through research and prudent planning, seek to minimize risk while improving our services. We are sensitive to the needs and satisfaction of our taxpayers while realizing that this governing body cannot be all things to all people within the revenue
constraints imposed by state mandates, economic conditions, and prevailing attitudes about taxation. At this time, I would ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Councilman San >> here, >> Councilman Zer, Councilman Duffy >> here, >> Councilman Gratzky >> here.
>> Council President Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. >> Mayor Patrino >> here. and let the record reflect that our auditor Steve Wilcox is here and our attorney John Chadenian is two minutes out in traffic. First thing on the agenda tonight is
proclamation for national primary immuno deficiency awareness month. Office of the mayor proclamation. Whereas primary immuno deficiency PI refers to a group of more than 450 rare chronic disorders in which parts of the body's immune system is missing or
functions improperly leaving individuals more susceptible to infections, illness, and other serious health complications. And whereas according to the immune deficiency foundation, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are living with a primary immuno deficiency disease, many
of whom remain undiagnosed. And whereas early diagnosis and proper medical treatment can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals living with PI, allowing them to lead healthier, more productive lives. And whereas raising awareness among healthcare providers, patients,
families, and the public is essential to improving early detection, advancing treatment options, and supporting those affected by primary immuno deficiency diseases. And whereas during national primary immuno deficiency awareness month, organizations such as the immune deficiency foundation and the
communities across the country work to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of PI, advocate for research and improve treatments, and support individuals and families impacted by these conditions. Whereas the bureau of New Milford recognizes the importance of public education, compassion, and community
support in improving the lives of those living with primary immuno deficiency and their caregivers. Now therefore be it resolved that I, Mayor Michael Matrino and the Burough Council of New Milford, do hereby proclaim the month of April as National Primary Immuno
Deficiency Awareness Month in the Burough of New Milford and encourage all residents to learn more about PI diseases, support those affected, and promote awareness and understanding throughout the community. That's a tongue twister. Okay. May I get a motion to appoint Thea
Saraki Hurley to Shade Tree Alternate One? >> Motion. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Under unfinished business, may I have a motion for the approval of the minutes for the March 23rd, 2026 public and close session and the March 30th, 2026
special session meeting. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay, we have an ordinance up for adoption tonight. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I ask you to please read the ordinance. An ordinance amending chapter 30 of the
revised general ordinances of the department of Milford entitled land use regulations, thereby amending section 30-32 entitled fees and estro. Okay. Purpose of this ordinance is to
correct the fee for the tax map listing of property owners to be consistent with NJSA 405D-12C of the municipal land use law. Making a motion to open to the public for a public hearing on this ordinance. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen of the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this ordinance, now is your opportunity to speak. Seeing that no member of the public wishes to comment on this ordinance at this time, I would ask for a motion to close to the public. Motion. All >> in favor? >> Any opposed? May I have a motion to
adopt this ordinance on its final reading? >> Second. >> May I get a roll call, please? >> Councilman San, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Grosky, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes.
Okay. Under new business, we have an introduction of ordinance 2026 col 15. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I'd ask you to please read the ordinance. bond ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and
machinery and new communications and signal systems equipment in buying for the burough of Milford in the county of Bergen state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $416,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of
bonds to finance such appropriations to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. >> Okay. This is our annual multi-purpose bond ordinance for various public improvements and acquisitions including road resurfacing, body worn cameras,
replacement of firearms, and fire apparatus. May I get a motion to introduce this ordinance on its first reading? >> Motion second. >> May I get a roll call, please? >> Councilman Sanen, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. >> Okay. And the public hearing for this ordinance will be at our April 27th meeting. >> Okay. The next one up for introduction is 2026 column 16. When the clerk has the opportunity to please read the ordinance.
>> Calendar year 2026 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limits and to establish a cap bank. Purpose of this ordinance is to authorize an increase in the annual budget that exceeds the appropriation limits to establish a cap bank. May I get a motion to introduce this ordinance
on its first reading? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Make a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Samus, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Gratzby, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. >> Okay. The public hearing for this
ordinance will be at our May 11th meeting. Okay, we've come to the point where I'm going to introduce our auditor, Steven Wilcox, and we're going to talk about uh the budget that we will be introducing tonight. Thank you, Mayor. I'm sorry. Good evening, everybody.
Tonight, you have for introduction the 2026 municipal budget. Um, this has been the worst municipal budget year I've seen in my
long stellar career. Um, inflation, healthcare, contractual obligations. Um, and it's not just here, it's it's
throughout Um, your appropriations are going up 3.9%. Over last year, which on the surface doesn't seem to be that uh obtrusive
amount or percentage, and that's made up of contractual obligations to employees, pension bills, healthcare, the library. Uh, in fact, everything in this budget that you control
is hundred thou $102,000 less than last year. So all the departments, wreck, DPW, police, health, all the things that you can control, you're budgeting less than you did in
2025, which means the departments continue to provide the services, the same or better services to the residents. is
with less money and not just $102,000 less. A dollar today is not worth what a dollar was worth a week ago, let alone a year ago. So, it's it's bad budget time. It's it's the
cost of everything just continues to go up so much more than the the two and a half three and a half% appropriation cap and the 2% tax levy cap. And I will tell you based on my experience so far this
year, I feel like the grim reaper because I have nothing but at best mediocre news and at worst I've got pounds that can't they can't put a budget together
that's compliant with either the appropriation cap or the tax levy cap or both. We've done that here. You're you're $800,000 under the appropriation cap and about $40,000 under the tax levy cap,
which are major accomplishments in this environment. One of my towns, which is in fairly close proximity to here, I sent their budget to the state and and said here, they're over this cap. They're over that
cap. What do they do? And the answer is statutoily the state can't help them. It's going to take some sort of a legislative relief to either increase the caps percentages.
Now remember the tax levy cap was 2010 at 2%. You tell me today what is going up 2% or less? Nothing. So, we're in a bit of a crisis
situation. Um, but again, for you, you've made the caps. You have a budget that's like always in New Milford, a very workable, a very good budget. Um, the impact on the average taxpayer
is more than anybody would like it to be. you know, $440 on the average $643,000 plus assessment. The tax levy is going up 5.23% which is a lot more than it's gone up
year to year to year over the last number of years. But you're not dissimilar to I mean Hackinax introduced in their budget tonight 10.4% 4% tax increase. Fair one is going to be at 11%. >> Lucky they only get elected every four
years in >> what percent is our budget? >> H >> what percent is elaborate? >> 5.23. So and it's it's it's a it's a problem. And while the state acknowledges that it's a problem and
they it's funny the person I talked to they referred to the governor's you know first budget address talking which talked about consolidation although her reference was more towards school districts than municipalities
but we're at a point right now where something's got to give something has to happen that either controls cost. It's not, you know, I won't say spending because it's not spending. It's you're not Yes, you're spending the
money, but it's not something that you can control. You get a bill for pension. You get a bill for for for sewer disposal. You you get your contractual salaries, >> insurance, >> you get a bill for healthcare, you get a
bill for liability, you get a bill for workers comp, >> cyber security. >> Here's your number. There's no negotiation. And you're in healthcare, you're kind of lucky because you're not in state health benefits. You didn't go up 35%.
>> Like like when the order says you're kind of lucky. No, I've heard I've heard other I read an article late last week that the state health benefits board met and they actually put out in public that
they're going to go up either somewhere between 10 and 20% again next year. They've gone up over 100% in four years. Yes, we we are not on safe health benefits and we have not been on >> No, otherwise it would it would be this
this picture would be a lot worse. So, as Dr. Doom for the grim rebirth, it it's and it's not going to get better next year. I just I don't see it. You know, gas has gone up a$112 a gallon in
the last 33 days. And I don't care who promises, oh, it's going to rebound. It's very simple. Once things get up, it's easy. Prices go up like crazy. To get them to back down is doesn't
doesn't happen so quick as quickly or if ever, depending on what it is. >> So that's that's what I have. Um, this budget was very painful for everybody.
>> I know the the budget committee struggled like there was a lot. This was constant. >> Sure. Because this is really the first time where you just look around, you shake you shake your head and say, "What's going on? How is this how how
could it be? you know, it is what it is. >> I just want to say um thank you to the budget community and especially to Steve to helping us through this because and
explaining and holding our hand but you know we know that we're in for a long haul but uh we appreciate you. I mean, listen, continue to provide your services. Everybody's employed.
But you have to start thinking about going forward. You know, when a position becomes vacant, you have to think a lot a lot longer and a lot harder whether you can fill that position or you fill it can
you fill it part-time instead of full-time where there's no benefits, >> which we've been doing forever. >> I think the one thing, you know, we've been really consistent in over the years is responsible budgets. >> Okay. We're not falling off the rails
and doing things that are going to damage the burrow today or tomorrow because you do something today, it affects you for the next 3 years. And people don't realize that all the time. >> It's it's just it's it's a very bad year.
>> Thank you for all your time and work on this. Thank you. >> What's going to go down first? Gas or tipping fees? >> That just went up. That went up again. You said these have never gone down, >> right? >> Yeah. >> The difference between where they are. I I I checked it out. I can't remember
what it was, but it's like $25 in like a very short period of time that it went up for time. >> You have money for a second, too. And you don't anymore. >> No, you pay for it. No, I mean every everything economically is so interconnected
>> that it it it's hard to try to figure out what what what you can do that can make it better. >> One of our colllocators on the cell tower too stopped paying fish network is
no longer paying their parent that we have the the contract with. So, it's thankfully one of the smallest ones that we're getting revenue from, but the sign of the times. >> Okay. So,
>> any questions for Steve? Otherwise, we'll let him go get bad news to another town. >> I'm going to go home. Hopefully, you see your comment tonight. >> N you don't think so, John? I was surprised to see that Michigan was the favorite, but you would be the
favorite player. >> Harley's my boy, so what do you want? Jersey City guy. All right. This is >> I'm moving for Yukon. I wish it I wish St. John actually I wish St. John's would have beat him, but
>> they didn't. So, please. >> Well, thank you, sir. >> Thank We appreciate we appreciate your time and and back on the 11th of May for the public hearing. >> We send everything down to the state. >> The budget's mailing. >> Will you still be the first place?
>> Jason. >> Yeah. I I >> They don't usually start tanking till the end of the season. >> Closer to the small break. Well, >> yes, exactly. >> Marathon year. We'll see. >> Maybe I say that every year, Steve. >> Maybe. Maybe they'll win 100 plus games.
Excellent. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Have a good night as always. >> Always a pleasure, my friend. >> All right. Could I We're going to do 2006. Okay. 2026 col 108. Make it a
motion to introduce the 2026 municipal budget. Motion. Second. Make a roll call, please. Councilwoman Sanusen, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Grosky, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. >> Do I open up? >> Uh, no. For public introduction. No. >> No. We wait. Got it. >> Got it. >> Okay.
Item number one is schedule updates. Okay, next Saturday on April 11th is Little League and Softball opening day sponsored by New Little League and New Recreation. The parade lineup is at 8:45 a.m. at the old shop parking lot and the
parade will go to Kennedy Field. Uh we will be doing a special presentation at the ceremony because we will be dedicating the a software field to Debbie Ager. On Saturday, April 18th is America's 250th anniversary kickoff sponsored by
the New Milford Road 250 committee, New Milford Historic Preservation Commission, New Milford Environmental Commission, New Milford Shade Tree. Uh the first event will be America the Beautiful litter litter cleanup and that will start at 8:30 a.m. And then at 11:00 a.m. we'll be we'll be planting a
liberty tree on the burrow hall lawn. That will take place at 11:00 a.m. and all everything is going to be at the burrow gazebo. So line up for the cleanup at the burough gazebo and we're going to get ready for the tree planting at the gazebo.
On Sunday, April 19th is Bill Ervolino sponsored by Friends of the New Milford Public Library and Friends of Ordell Public Library. That'll be at 1 PM at the New Milford Public Public Library. And refreshments will be served. On Friday, May 15th is the Michael Pebbney and Lauren Ceino Scholarship
Barbecue sponsored by the New Milford High School Scholarship Fund. It'll take place from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the New Milford High School cafeteria. On Wednesday, May 20th is the New Milford Antibbias Symposium sponsored by the Burough of New Milford, New Milford School District, and the New Milford
Police Department. It'll be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the New Milford High School Auditorium. On Monday, May 25th is New Milford's annual Memorial Day parade sponsored by the New Milford Public Events Committee. Parade lineup is at 8:30 a.m. at the
Nightsfield parking lot. And the parade will go from the Nightsfield parking lot to the Burough Hall as usual. Did I miss anything? >> Uh, yes. The big basket bonanza. >> Is this the one on the 20th? >> This is for the 18th to the 25th. >> 18th to the 25th >> at the library. Big baskets full of
wonderful things for YouTube. >> Um, what is the cost of that? I saw a flyer. I didn't see a cost on. >> It's a donation. >> It's a donation. >> A requested donation. >> Donation. I will post the flyer. >> I think it is posted. >> No. >> Oh, goodbye.
>> Yeah, I I'll post it. Right. >> Thank you. >> Got it. >> Anything else? >> Any other events? No, for now. Okay. >> Well, the arts committee will have its events on May 30th. >> That's close enough. May 30th. >> May 30th. 2MCA.
Lots of performing arts. Should be fun. Okay. Item number two is administrator's report. >> Thank you, mayor. I have a lot to report. Uh, one item of interest is that a member of Congressman Goheimer's staff
will be holding mobile office hours here at the burrow hall prior to our next mayor and council meeting on Monday, April 27th. They'll be here at 6 p.m. interested people who need to come and have anything they need to talk about. >> That, right? >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. um didn't make it to the agenda, but it came in today and it was something that we discussed last year. The um office staff recognized as summer hours as far as their contract generally runs July
and August and last year they asked if they could start in June and uh that was agreed to. So, the the proposal is to be able to start summer hours beginning June 1st, which would be a a closure at 1:00 on Fridays if everybody is open to
that. Otherwise, it will start on July 6th. >> Is that what we did for hatched here? >> Yes. June. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we need to vote on this? >> No. >> Oh, I can I get a motion to start summer
hours on June 1st? Move. >> Second. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. >> And then the only other thing was to mention that our next council meeting is a public session. It's scheduled for not two, 3 weeks from tonight. And that is
uh April 27th at 7:00 p.m. >> Public session. >> Yes. And speaking of that meeting, I want to mention ahead of time that Senator Lagana will be visiting us at that meeting and he will be talking about legislation that he'll be introducing that is going to hopefully
severely affect and help us with our some of our affordable housing obligation numbers. Um, I'll give you just a little preview. We're talking about garden apartments that are built before 1980 and possibly a different status than they are now.
So, we are looking forward to that. >> May, I appreciate the support that we get from our legislators. Yes. 38. They do a tremendous job. >> What's the What's the date of that meeting? >> 27th. >> Do you know the status of anything or should we just wait here? >> I know he's going to be introducing it.
I believe probably a couple days after our meeting, but he'd like to talk about it here since we are one of the um towns that have been talking to him for a while about this very issue. So, we hope that will be somewhat retroactive.
>> Not sure yet. >> We have 2,300 garden apartments and an obligation of 368. So, >> don't know what's going to happen, but those numbers are in our favor. >> Yes. Uh I have something to add to um the
environmental and energy commission's uh working on their community energy plan and I'll have a a sustainable Jersey is working on her preview of that. I'll be forwarding that to you within a couple weeks. And they would EEC would like to
do a public presentation at the May 27th meeting. And that would include they're wanting to invite the members of sustainable Jersey and the consultant who's helping to work on the community energy plan to do a public uh public uh
information and have an opportunity for the public to comment on the plan as well >> on the 27th. >> That would be May 27th. Okay. Okay. Resolutions. Has everyone seen the resolutions? Do any need to be pulled for further discussion and or vote?
>> Yes. I'd like to um select 114 202614. Okay. >> May I get a motion to open to the public for public comment? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any post? Ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding anything regarding the good and welfare of the B of
Milford, come on up and we'll give you five minutes. Lori Barton. Um I saw on your agenda uh resolution to um support the legislation that council
congressman is proposing. Um and I think that's a good move. Glad to see that. But after last time when we spoke, I I was hoping for something a little bit more as far as a statement from the mayor and
council. Not not a resolution, but just a statement. I went through and just took bits and pieces from a lot of different towns. I wrote something up and I just like to read it to you. It's kind of what I was hoping a benign statement to get from the mayor and
council. Somebody read what I have here. We are in in New Milford are aware that federal immigration and customs enforcement officers have been active in some communities including areas in New Jersey. These actions caused fear and uncertainty for many families. The Burough of New Milford remains committed
to keeping our communities safe, welcoming, and united. The New Milford Police Department does not enforce civil immigration laws and does not ask about immigration status during everyday interactions. This follows New Jersey law and the attorney general's immigrant
trust directive which is designed to build trust. New Milford is home to people from many backgrounds and we remain committed to treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. We believe no person in the United States, regardless of citizenship, race or
immigration status should live in fear of violence or intimidation while exercising their daily lives. Milford is committed to the equal, respectful, and dignified treatment of everyone in our community and does not condone actions that intimidate, terrorize, or harm
members of this community. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person. Immigrants are our neighbors, our co-workers, our classmates, our friends, and our family members. They are an essential part of our community, our economy, and our shared future. Our town is stronger because of its
diversity and we stand in unwavering solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. New Milford is your home. We will continue to stand by every resident regardless of immigration status and to lead with humanity, clarity, and resolve.
And my opinion, it's benign. It's just talking about the uh everybody's worth as I said as a person. And I was hoping that this body would embrace something like that in addition to
having a resolution to support Congressman Godheimer's legislation. This is just a statement, not a resolution, and I would hope that you could find a way to possibly do something in this vein. >> Thank you.
Seeing that no other member of the public wishes to comment at this time, I would ask for a motion to close the move. Second all. >> Any opposed? >> May get a motion. Let's we're Let's talk about 2026 14 first because pulled out.
>> Um I listened to what Lori said and I do agree with her. I'm pleased that we are um issuing this resolution in support of Congressman Gahheimer's uh bill which was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on March 9th. I'm not sure
uh what kind of chance it has of going any further than that. I certainly hope it will go further. I wish it were a little stronger than it was, but I am happy that he's doing it. Um it's not a perfect bill, but it's a good start. And I have posted a copy of this bill on my
uh councilwoman Facebook page if anybody actually wants to read the text. I also posted a copy of the um of the New Jersey attorney general's immigrant trust directive that Lori referred to. This directive as mentioned in our
resolution and it guides the actions of the police forces throughout the state when they interact with federal agencies such as ICE. Uh for example, it prohibits New Jersey police officers from participating in federal ima im
immigration raids among other things. Uh we are by and large all immigrants or descended from immigrants and we are all people and uh in Milford more than 40 languages are spoken at the high school. We are a cauliflower. We are a melting
pot and Milford is richer for that. And bottom line is we are all people. We're all human beings. We all deserve respect and dignity. And um certainly uh our local residents deserve that. And I'd like them to know that we have their
support that they have our support and um we hope that everyone will be safe. I vote yes. So I will vote yes on the board. >> We're not on that one yet. Okay. >> Anyone else have any comment?
Well, I would just I would just add that I I thank Congressman Godheimer for uh not only his hard work on this legislation, but his his leadership. Uh he he not only works hard to address difficult issues, but he's always
embraces working with both sides of the aisle on problems that require bipartisan support to help solve problems. Um, there's no such thing as anything being perfect, but I think it's it's it's a fantastic piece of legislation that he's
introduced. I'm grateful for his leadership and um and I do believe we certainly stand in solidarity with our entire community. Okay. Make it motions to adopt resolutions 2026 col109
through 2026 col13 and 2026 115. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? May I get a motion to adopt 2026 col14? Motion. >> Second. >> Megan Loco, please. >> Councilman Sanen.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Duffy. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gratzky. >> Yes. >> Council President Seiwa. >> Yes. Councilman Grant. >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there any other business for this council? If not, I would ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion.
>> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining us and uh parade next week, opening day 9:00. You know what?