anything else. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to officially call this work session meeting of the mayor and council to order. At this time, I ask someone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and or reflection as we think of our veterans and honor all who have
served. Please salute the flag. I also >> we get started. Please note the fire exits are behind you into the main hallway >> and also through the side door into the courtroom. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of the
public to have advanced 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 the Milford have caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the Burough Hall. Notices have 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. >> Councilwoman San Houston here. >> Councilman Zmer here. >> Council President Duffy here. >> Councilman Gratzky. >> Councilman Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. >> Mayor Patino >> here. Okay. The first item on the agenda
tonight is appointments. And may I get a motion to appoint John Stormer, Fire Company number one, Randy Stormer, Fire Company Department 1, and Peter Kuclas, Junior Firefighter Auxiliary. >> Some moved. May I get a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Well, congratulations and thank you John, Brandy, and Peter for your service to our burrow. >> Under unfinished business, may I get a motion for the approval of the minutes for the October 27th, 2025 closed and public session meetings?
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. We have one ordinance up for adoption tonight and that would be 2025 col31. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I would ask her to please read the ordinance.
>> An ordinance to amend chapter 16 of the revised general ordinances of the Bman Milford entitled garbage and refues thereby amending subsection 16-3.5 entitled property owners responsibilities. >> Okay. The purpose of this ordinance is
to set the new fees for the recycling containers, which are $26. And if you want the lid, it's an additional $5. Make it a motion to open to the public for a public hearing on this ordinance. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? >> Ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this ordinance, now would be your opportunity to come forward. And seeing that no member of the public wishes to come forward about this at this time, I would ask for a motion to close to the public. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? May I get a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading? >> So move. >> Make it a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sanusen, >> yes. >> Councilman Zer, >> yes. >> Council President Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Seymour, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant,
>> yes. Okay. >> And new homeowners still get one for free. Under new business, item number one is memorial bench and tree dedication program. Councilman Grant and Councilman Zmer. So,
uh just a little bit of uh history uh regarding this. Uh there were a couple of uh people in the in the Milford who had asked about uh memorial
um dedications to family and at the time we had nothing in place for it. So, Mayor Petrino, uh, being that it has to do with Bo Property, DPW, uh, Fields, Recreation,
uh, creating a committee, asked myself and Councilwoman Grant to be part of that committee, and we we sat down with, uh, with a our direct director, John Heinman, and and Sreer, our superintendent.
uh John put together uh authored a a a nice a nice piece uh going forward for this uh um commemorative benches and and trees. Uh with that we sat down and and we spoke
with uh the forespoke and came as you see uh which is like the email says it's uh it it provides the residents and families um with very heartfelt uh dedication
uh to uh their loved ones. So, uh there was some research done by John and Sill as far as the benches go. Uh they picked out uh numerous benches. Uh
many different styles. Uh so we chose one that has the engraving uh already in the bench instead of a plaque which can be uh more costly and also um
unfortunately lifted. Uh and the trees themselves uh will be do will be dedicated with a plaque at the base of the tree and
uh could be in front of the donor's home or anywhere in the burrow. And that's why the recreation DBW is involved because they will they can request to the burrow to the council
uh where where they will be located. So it's at our discretion where these where these benches and and and and trees will be placed. Um they'll enhance recreation. They'll enhance our properties.
Uh regarding the benches, uh I think it's a great idea. Um, as you all see, you all had a copy of this. Um, the benches are 6 ft. Uh, the cost is $2,000 per bench. They'll be maintained by the
burrow uh through a period of time as to where they can't be. The trees, however, um it's a $700 cost and there are stipulations within the first few years.
uh regarding storms or hazard so to speak where we will be responsible up to the second year I believe it is Petty the second year we'll we will replace that tree at the donor's cost but at the burrow's
cost instead the initial price uh if a resident has their tree placed in front of their home which of course the tree stays. However, the plaque can remain or they they will
be able to take the plaque with them. I think it's a great idea. Uh like I said, there's been at least one person that we know of uh who is very very involved uh through the community and their family would love to see some kind
of uh memorial placed in their honor. So this is uh this was a program and now it would like to become a policy. So I'm hoping that everyone here would be accommodating to it and I'll yield to
Councilwoman Grant. >> Thanks. You did a fine job in summarizing what the policy the proposed policy entails. Um the burrow there will be as many benches as it seems appropriate to have in town.
Um we you know you don't it has to be aesthetic as well. So I mean we have plenty of room for plenty of benches. So I don't think we're going to run out of space anytime soon. I think this is a terrific idea. The only thing that occurred to me and it occurred to me as we were as you were talking already. Um
the first sentence says dedications are open to individuals, families and community groups. We didn't say to new Milford residents to or of New Milford. Do we want to allow outside groups um
families or individuals to do this in our burrow? That's something that I don't believe we ever talked about. I think I think we all assumed that but we may want to actually memorialize that in the actual policy. >> I think we put it in the policy.
>> Okay. So that will so we can revise that first sentence um and that'll take care of that. It seems to me that it should be just for people in and community uh groups in Milford. Okay. >> And he is our our chief editor. So are
we by saying that we're saying that either the family or the person had to have lived in the Milford >> something like the flags >> yes there be a relationship to the Milford >> right >> it can't be just some you know connect to I'm totally okay with that
>> you know too many organizations and originally we thought about organizations we did deleted that because we don't want this to become commercial >> yes right >> um so right so you don't want somebody from Connecticut or coming in and putting a allow say the elks to donate events to a
fallen member the women's club >> anything right >> yes we believe in the burst has be changed to indicate that in those days >> you think that sounds okay right because we're not discriminating whatever we're
allowed to do that bench okay >> the bench will not have a fact on it I'm not sure if you mentioned that that the um the the whatever the person wants to have written there actually will be etched into the bench. >> Yes. >> So that and it's three lines I mean the spec specifications are in the policy um
and easy to follow. We really do want to commend uh John Heman who actually authored this originally uh from something for us to start our our meetings on and Sill who went along also investigated uh and and
did some work on the benches uh for what we might needed uh and what was conducive to our needs and and cost efficiency. So they did a fabulous job as they always do. Yeah, we only need one meeting to hash this out and it was a very cooperative meeting and worked
well and >> excellent. >> Yeah, >> it's been memorialized by an ordinance. John, >> I think we should. >> Okay. It doesn't just become a policy. It's an ordinance. >> Exactly. Can you adjust it so that >> I prefer you do it the way that you want
it to sound quite involved, right? >> Yeah. Do you want to send me what you're drafting and then we can but it's probably easier, right, than put into the ordinance? >> Yeah, I mean I can do it. >> You want to do it? Yeah, that's fine. >> Is this its own or is this going to go fit into something we already have?
>> I have I'm going to ask the people who do our codification cuz they always give us the idea of where they think it falls. >> Okay. >> So, if it's a policy that comes it wouldn't come under say recreational DPW. It would just be an ordinance that's
created. It might come under recreation because high recation property >> that we're using for at least property >> for the trees, right? >> The we'll find out where it should go. So that means we would have
>> at the next meeting. >> So December. >> Yeah. >> Regarding the trade, you're giving a one-year guarantee. Is that what this looks like? >> Yes. And if it dies within the first year, >> the borrower will replace it.
>> And then if it dies in the third year, >> you know, well, we'll replace it at our cost. I mean, the homeowner will have to pay for it, but they won't be paying that amount. They will be paying whatever the burrow would pay to purchase the tree. So, but there
I mean it's a little confusing because say it's per it's planted on the eastment, >> right? >> And >> it dies in the first year. >> It dies in the first year. >> The burrow replaces the tree. >> You get now it dies >> in the third year. >> Third year.
>> Burrow replaces a tree. >> They say I don't want the tree anymore. It keeps dying. Plants a tree there. >> Goes away. You don't >> the plaque there or you remove it. The plaque is is becomes personal property.
>> I love how it's like it becomes a bad thing. A little bad. >> I think that's little. >> It's accurate. >> It's abandoned. >> Well, that that has a legal implication,
doesn't it? >> Danger. Nobody buys that that property and and and the people that leave leave the property. The people that buy that property don't necessarily have to leave that property. >> So you're going to send you're going to send
yeah >> keep talking. >> That's what we're trying to to to not happen. And then also under the benches uh if a bench is damaged beyond repair in its 10th year
>> uh we'll make a reasonable effort to replace it. >> What does that mean? >> Exactly what it says. >> It can't be a guard a guardian to that rusty mail >> that will try to save fix up everything.
>> Okay. Even sometimes even they can't >> which is rare. >> It's rare. >> You really believe program I do. >> I think it would work well with this guy.
>> Sandy, do you have a question? >> I do have a question regarding the benches. Thank you, mayor. So, it's to follow up on the 10year uh the 10 year lifespan of the bench. So, do people have an opportunity to renew the bench
if it's not like it's is it kind of like a 10-year expiration? >> No, that was advent forever until it done >> till it no longer >> it's a material.
I don't remember what what mystery >> it's like the rest in the heart as >> like they like to track stuff right so it should last >> okay >> it's a good program and I'm I'm glad
we're moving forward with it >> item number two is schedule updates tomorrow Tuesday November 11th is our annual Veterans Day ceremony sponsored by the Nova Public Events Committee. It'll take place at 11:00 a.m. on the
Burrow Hall lawn. On Saturday, November 15th is the Standup for Veterans Comedy Night sponsored by the New Milford VFW. It'll take place at the New Milford VFW at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, December 7th is our annual
holiday tree lighting sponsored by the New Milford Public Events Committee. It'll take place at 6 p.m. at the Barl Hall. On Monday, December 8th is our annual holiday nativity lighting. It's also sponsored by the public events committee. It will also take place at
6:00 at the Burough Hall. And on Sunday, December 14th is our annual holiday manure lighting sponsored by the public events committee. It'll take place at 6 p.m. on the Burough Hall lawn. All of our holiday lightings will be at 6 p.m. on the Burough Hall lawn. And at all of our holiday lightings, we ask for it to
be a food donation. So, anyone who attends, we ask that you bring one or two cans of non-p perishable items that we will send over to the uh local food pantry. >> And that concludes my reports for the month. >> Okay, that's right. Cuz you Yeah,
this is new. I just >> Great job. Thank you very much. Yeah. >> Was there any? >> Okay. So, I learned about it today. Saturday, November 15th is Stand Up for Veterans Comedy Night. All of the communities there are actual vet. So,
it's a fundraiser for the VFW. >> It'll be held at the VFW at 8:00 p.m. >> It's a great way to conclude Veterans Week, you know, with the coming night. That's interesting. >> That was $35, I believe.
>> Yeah. >> I will send the flyer to Chris and Okay. Was there any events that I missed up until December? No. Okay. Uh, and unfortunately, in case people do not know, there will be no Santa Claus
coming on a helicopter this year. Unfortunately, Santa Claus has another obligation, and we're hoping to get him to visit by helicopter again next year. >> Oh, welcome. >> Okay. Item number three is the administrator's report. >> Yes. Short report tonight. A few little
engineering updates. Main Street improvement project. The concrete work is underway this week. The ADA renovation of the two bathrooms on the first floor of Burough Hall is underway. And this is my favorite of the report. Um, we actually have I don't even want
to say it cuz I'm like nervous, but the C actually ruled in favor on something for us. They've confirmed that we can begin the work already approved for the French restoration concurrently with the submission of an application for a minor technical modification to expand the
scope of work. So, we're going to be able to start the part the part that we already have the approval for. Um, and there's a resolution on tonight's agenda authorizing the engineering for the additional design, the D application, and the construction management. Um, so
that's that. Burrow Hall as is closed tomorrow uh November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. And our next meeting for the mayor and council is a public session scheduled for Monday, November 24th at 7 p.m. And that's it for the mayor. >> Any questions for the administrator?
>> I have a question about the French club. Do we have a do we know about start time like when they were action? >> First the first week of December was the >> the tenative schedule. >> Question. Chris, I don't know if this
would come through your office, but any feedback from our food pantry about our food drive? >> Uh, I have any feedback from the food pantry, but I will tell you we had an incredible response. >> Incredible response.
>> Yeah, we got good turnout at the football game that night. It actually made me think that it would be beneficial for us to like brew those a couple of times a year because it was so worthwhile and people are always willing to to help.
>> I was going to mention it later, but since we were talking about the food pantry, I'd been in contact with them and I told them, you know, once we got past the food drive and the holidays, we would sit down with them. They wanted us, our help to be, you know, better
marketing partners because I found out so many people in town didn't realize we either had a food pantry where it was, how they drop stuff off. So I said we would sit down with them and work with them and we'll figure out something. So when we do things like this, we're not starting from scratch. We can just, you
know, boom and and serve the people we need. So that's good. >> Yeah. We don't have to establish or create something. It's weird because like we don't have a le on. We don't Yeah. But we want >> We'll sit down with them and I'll make sure that you're in on that meeting.
>> Okay. >> I actually spoke with Tracy Dor not too long ago and told her I'd be interested in working with us. So if you learn your thought I'd be happy. >> Excellent. >> Perfect. Perfect. Okay. Has everyone had a chance to look
at the resolutions? Are there any that need to be pulled for further vote andor discussion? If not, may I get a motion to open up to the public for public comment? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen of the
public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding the good and welfare of the borrow of the Milford, we invite you to come on up and we'll give you five minutes. Seeing that no member of the public wishes to come forward at this time, I would ask for a motion to close to the public. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? May get a motion to adopt resolutions 2025 col 244 through 2025 col 249. >> Some move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Any opposed?
Okay. Uh ladies and gentlemen, we will be going into close session. >> Can I say one thing? >> I am so happy and I want to congratulate my uh colleagues Lisa and Randy for their glorious and fantastic win. And
I'm so happy that I will not be sitting next to a stranger on next meeting. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. We'll be going into close session. Uh when we come out of closed, we will immediately adjourn the meeting without
taking any action. So may I get a motion to go into closed? Move. Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? And the last thing I want to say is I just wanted to uh congratulate the new Milford High School athletics. They've had a very successful fall season. The boys soccer, girls
soccer, volleyball, football, and cross country all in the playoffs this year. So, bravo to them and to our Athens. >> Also, the High School Musical is later this month. So, if anybody >> I don't have a flyer for that. >> Um, I just I saw it on Facebook. I think
it's a Facebook sometime. >> Can you send me the flyer? >> If I can find it. Um, and I think it's the 19th, 20th, and 21st. It's pretty nice. >> So, schedule I wasn't thinking of that because that's not my thing actually.
boys soccer. >> Yes. >> November. >> I think 192 Saturday. I'm not sure. Some It's um >> Yeah. So,
>> so we're all favor closed. Correct. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. you there.