Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the public meeting of the mayor and council. At this time, I would ask everyone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and reflection as we think about the terrorist attack in Australia, the shooting at Brown University, and the men and women of law
enforcement who protect our communities every day. Please hold the flag. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty
and justice for all. >> Thank you. Before we start, please note the fire exits behind you into the main parking lot and to my left, your right 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. Notices have been sent to the record and
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. for 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 ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Councilman Sam Houston, >> here. Councilman Fner >> here. >> Council President Duffy >> here. Councilman Grzky >> here. >> Councilman Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant. Mayor Patino
>> here. >> All right. Tonight is one of our special nights with the Milford Police Department. So, I'm going to ask Chief Clancy to come to the podium and uh walk us through it. >> All right. Thank you. So, tonight, thanks for uh letting us take some time out of the meeting. We're
going to swear in our newest officer and we're going to issue some um departmental awards. We usually do it at the end of the year like this. This is the last mayor and council meeting of the year. Um, so tonight, New Milford Police Department's newest officer, Brian Johnson, is a 2019 New Milford
High School graduate who went on to salary Regina University in Rhode Island, where he played football, too. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2023. In 2024, NMPD hired Brian as a SEO1 officer, special law enforcement officer, class one. They're
unarmed and they help us at all kinds of events and they're really uh it's been a great program ever since we started it. He did a great job at that and proved that he was really capable of being a full-time officer. In April, Brian was hired as a full-time officer and attended the Paya County Police Academy.
He graduated on October 21st and has on has been on field training ever since then. He will be released from training very soon and I welcome Officer Johnson and his family up to the deis to be sworn in. until the Bible on both sides.
You should have your mom on one side or you on the other side. Yeah. I State your name. >> I, Brian Johnson. >> Do solemnly swear >> Dolely swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States. >> I will support the Constitution of the United States >> constitution of the state of New Jersey. Constitution of the state of New Jersey
>> and the rules and regulations of the New Yorker Police Department >> and the rules and regulations of the New Yorker Police Department >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established in the United States >> and to the government established in the United States >> and in this state
>> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and I do solemnly swear >> and I doly swear >> that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all of the duties of office >> all of of office of police officer of police officer according to the best of
my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me. Congratulations. I don't know if everyone knows this. Officer Johnson just got engaged to his girlfriend who's been Congratulations. Congratulations. So, congrats to Officer Johnson who's
already doing a good job and you'll see that as we go through tonight. But we want to get through these awards. Um, we tried to um briefly describe what happened which is very hard to do. So, I only have one page here on something that could have been 10 pages. But, uh,
our first award tonight is, uh, is a stabbing that happened in the Milford and how we responded to it. On March 17th, 2025, NMPD received numerous 911 calls about a violent dispute in front of New Milford High School. Officers responded and determined that a juvenile
had been assaulted and stabbed. The perpetrators had fled the scene moments before NMPD arrived. Captain Van Seders was the incident commander that day. It was St. Patrick's Day. So, I was off and and did an excellent job allocating resources, directing all personnel where
they needed to go, requesting assistance from surrounding police departments, and keeping the chaotic scene under control. This was an all hands-on deck type of situation, as you can imagine. And through investigation and teamwork of the officers on scene and the detectives who responded, they were able to take
two of the involved parties into custody that afternoon. one who had entered the high school to avoid detection and another who was quickly walking away from the scene. The victim, who was picked up on River Road by a passerby, who was trying to help, flagged down
responding officers when they realized that this victim had seven stab wounds, was bleeding significantly, and needed immediate assistance. The NPD detective bureau worked with their partners in the Burton County Prosecutor's Office for weeks and ultimately five adults and one
juvenile were charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of weapons, hindering apprehension, among other charges. Usually, I would say in detail exactly what everyone did, but in this case, there are so many we'd be here until 11:00.
But know that every officer I'm about to call up played a significant role in this case. Um, so I'm going to read them all. Uh, Nick is going to hand out the uh, medals so we can we can applaud at the end. Uh, Lieutenant Perez, Lieutenant
Hagerty, Sergeant Mattis, Sergeant Derice, Detective Ligos, which was this was his first case in the detective bureau. So great job, Detective Compi, Officer Agnello, Officer Rugani, Officer Castanada, Officer Francine, Officer
Rico, who was inside on the desk, but that was probably one of the more chaotic spots, uh, Cleo Mitchell and Cleo Johnson at the time. So great job come out and receive and Captain Vant. Great job.
There were uh three other awards for that one uh from other towns and I'm going to give them to their chiefs to give to uh two Oral officers and one Dumont sergeant. Next on July 21st, NPD was notified through law enforcement sources that
that a vehicle wanted in a shooting out of New York City was hitting on license plate readers in the New Milford vicinity. Officers Duran and Kibblehan were working a day tour that day and were familiar with the wanted vehicle through previous encounters. Officer Duran saw the vehicle in transit at
12:30 p.m. that afternoon and pulled the vehicle over. Officer Duran was backed up by Officer Kimblehan and they safely took a male and female into custody from the vehicle. Detective Compi and Sergeant Mattis also responded to the scene to assist and notified the detectives of the 32 precinct in the
NYPD who responded to New Milford, which is rare. So we knew this was a real one and interviewed both sub both suspects. Both were charged for the shooting and remanded to the Burton County jail and eventually extradited to NYPD. A search warrant of the arrested male's apartment
in Northford revealed items that confirmed both parties were involved in the shooting. It was the clothing that they were wearing and some other items that they had in the uh surveillance videos. Excellent police work by the following officers. Officer Duran, Officer Killan, Sergeant Magis, and
Detective KZY. Please come up. take over for two of the awards here. Um, so first one up is uh the NY NMPD would like to recognize the three officers responded to a check on the welfare call on September 25th, 2025 that turned into a homicide scene. At
2:58 a.m., Sergeant O'Brien, PO Chairman, and PO Francine responded to 650 River Road on a report of an irrational caller who was stating that someone would not let him leave the residence. The caller met the office in front of the residence and in an eerie manner made statements that he had hurt
someone inside the apartment. Three officers took quick action to detain the caller and followed correct procedures with holding it. Upon checking the residence, officers located a deceased body as well as an aggressive dog. Again, officers took quick action to tender the deceased, secure the animal,
and preserve the crime scene. The officer's initial response and containment of the scene led to the arrest and charges of the caller for homicide against the victim along with the assistance of the Milford PD Detective Bureau in the Burn County Prosecutor's Office. These initial responding officers handled a very chaotic scene with the utmost
professionalism and investigative skills. Milford Police would like to present Sergeant Michael Bryant, Officer Shane Sherman, and Officer John Francine meritorious service awards. We have the ability to watch uh body cams now after the fact. And that scene
was um pretty hard to look at, but something that stood out was the aggressive dog that was literally biting our officers as they were uh trying to keep things under control. So that was really a tough one for those guys and luckily nobody got really hurt
um on our end. So congrats, guys. On October 8th at 9:50 a.m., Sergeant Mark O'Brien was on patrol when he came across a vehicle that had just crashed into a tree at the corner of Newbridge Road and Burch Road. The the vehicle had serious damage and smoke coming from the engine compartment. Sergeant O'Brien
found the driver of the vehicle slumped over and barely conscious. Luckily, the door was still functionable, and Sergeant O'Brien was able to open the door and make contact. The driver was a little reluctant of the assistance being offered by Sergeant O'Brien, but he was able to remove the driver just before
the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The driver was transported to Hackinack University Medical Center where luckily he only sustained minor injuries, but he was charged with driving while intoxicated. Sergeant O'Brien was in the right place at the right time and was able to remove the driver from an
extremely dangerous situation, possibly saving his life. Congratulations to Mark O'Brien. The last of the award tonight, the last award for tonight, I would like to recognize Officer Turn and Officer Johnson for a large scale narcotics and courtesy procedure that occurred on
November 11th, 2025. On this evening, both officers were assigned to the same vehicle as part of the field training program for Officer Johnson. Shortly into their shift, they conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle that had numerous equipment violations. While on the traffic stop, officers observed large amounts of THC oil products in the
vehicle, which was beyond the threshold allowed by law. Both off officers continued their investigation and were able to recover an additional amount of cannabonoid products, 8 ounces of raw marijuana, the digital digital scale, and $46,000 in currency. The driver of the vehicle was
ultimately arrested and charged with distribution of narcotics and money laundering. She was then sent to the Bergen County Jail. These officers went above and beyond their daily duties to proactively arrest somebody involved in criminal activity. And the Milford Police Department would like to present Officer Shane Sherman and Officer Brian Johnson
with the meritorious services. So, those are five events that kind of went above and beyond uh whether we were called there or it was selfinitiated, but um you know, our cops do great things every day um all all year long. So, some of them don't meet the criteria
to talk about here, but I know that they're doing a great job, and I think everyone should know that. So, thank you, and I think that's it. Merry Christmas. Happy holiday. We want to thank Chief Clancy, uh, his captains, command staff, and the men and women of our police department. They're
the reason why we're one of the safest towns in Bergen County in the state of New Jersey. And, you know, I think I speak for everyone here, like this is one of our favorite nights. The only thing better is when we're giving certificates to like your football and our scouts. So, the Johnson family knows all about that. They're here for all
they got. Every certificate we've ever handed out, they have somewhere. So once again, we just want to thank you for everything you do. We look forward to a uh a great year and we wish everyone happy holidays. So thank you. Thank you. Two minutes to exit otherwise you
statement. Do it everyone. Heat. Heat. My daughter. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> No. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Thank you. >> What do you say?
>> Thanks so much. >> You look a little warmer than last night. >> Thank you. Oh my goodness. Thank you, you guys. Thank you. University Center.
There you go. >> All right. Next on the agenda is a proclamation for World Meditation Day. This was uh suggested to me by one of our residents. Also the mayor proclamation. Whereas mental health and inner peace are
central foundations for a thriving resilient and compassionate community. And whereas the United Nations General Assembly has officially designated December 21st as World Meditation Day recognizing the transformative power of meditation to reduce stress, improve health and foster global harmony. And
whereas for over four decades, Garuda Sri Ry Shanker and the Art of Living Foundation have served millions across 180 countries with humanitarian initiatives promoting stress-free living. Whereas on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, millions will participate in
the global movement of stillness synchronized in a live meditation led by Guda Sri Ravi Shanker at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Whereas this initiative invites all citizens of Milford, regardless of background or belief, to pause, breathe, and connect, creating
harmony between communities, thereby strengthening the bonds of our local community and creating a ripple effect of peace across the globe. Whereas the Burough of New Milford is proud to be stigmaf-free community and supports the holistic well-being of its residents through raising awareness, education,
and promoting inclusive events, including the mayor's wellness campaign and the public and private partnerships that bring residents together in spirit of unity and mindfulness. Now, therefore, I, Michael J. Petrino, mayor of the Bur and Milford of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim December 21st, 2025 as
World Meditation Day in the Milk and I invite all residents to join in this global observance of peace and connection. They are going to pick this up this week. >> Okay. Make it a motion to appoint Benty Veron to planning board class 4.
Lorraine McMacken Planning Board Class Board. Gerard Smithson planning board alternate one. So move second. >> All in favor? >> I any opposed? >> Okay. May I get a motion to appoint Daniel Azerone to Milford company
Milford Fire Department Company 2 and Israel Chibaria Milford Company Fire Department company 2. So a second. All >> in favor? I any opposed? >> Thank you very much everyone and uh thank you for volunteering your service
to the Burke app. Under unfinished business, may I get approval of the minutes from the November 10th, 2025 work in close session meetings. Some >> move second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. So that's the last.
>> Okay, moving on to new business. Item number one is NJ DOT fiscal year 26 roadway improvements administrator. Uh so at the time that I listed these on the agenda, I thought I would be um briefing everybody individually, but as it turns out, we had a meeting of our
finance committee earlier today and we talked about both of these projects and I can share information on them together. So we've received grants for two road projects. Uh the first a CD CDBG grant for Clinton Avenue, Yugen
Drive, Arlington Road, and Neil Street. The total estimated cost for engineering and construction is approximately $256,000 and the grant is $135,000 which leaves us a balance of $121,000.
Um we had asked for 160 for the grant and we got 135. The second is a DOT grant for East Woodland Lumen Grave Ridge and Pleasant with a total estimated cost for engineering construction of 447
or $448,000. Um, we had asked for a grant for $384,000. Unfortunately, I mean, fortunately, we did get a grant, but it was only for $151,000, which leaves us a balance of $296,600. Um, you know, in discussing the projects
with Vince, neither of them can easily be scaled to reduce the cost. So, we're recommending that we proceed in full on both. And to do so, we need uh $418,000 to fund both of these projects. Uh, we talked about funding some of it from our
existing road program capital account. Um but when we discussed it at our finance meeting this morning, the CFO suggested that we should fund for both projects and fund the road program capital account at a reduced amount for 2026. And this is what the finance committee
is recommending. So with the council's approval, I would have our bond attorney prepare the ordinances for introduction at our public meeting in January. Any questions? Everyone okay with that? So we'll do a little bit less in the
road program and basically put it towards this we have projects on the table with grant money and it's a lot of streets. >> Yes. Okay. So that's one answer. >> Yes. Okay. So item number three is
schedule updates. Okay. We are at the end of the year. So, the only thing I have is that the Milford Fire Department's um officer swearing in ceremony will be held on January 3rd at 1 p.m. at Milford Firehouse Company 2 located on Trenton Street.
Does anyone have any schedule updates to mention or would like to add? As everyone knows, Santa's mailbox is open until midnight on December 24th. So get your letters in and officer Hannik will pay the postage.
So no postage later. >> Item number four is the administrator's report. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh engineering update. We had two NJ DOT program road programs that we recently completed in October for the first Roslin, Monroe, and
Marian. And then the second one was for Clinton, Lynwood, Maple, and Roosevelt. The DOT conducted their inspection in November, and the engineer responded to the DO's comments on December 5th. Um, the engineer has prepared a mid-
project punch list for the contractor to complete on the Main Street improvement project. We've had a few little hiccups that we're trying to make sure get corrected before we move forward. Uh, as you can tell by the state of our hallway, the ADA renovation of our two
bathrooms on the first floor of the Burough Hall is continuing to progress. Uh, and the we're waiting on some information on the deliveries for some materials on that will determine the completion date, but I have a drop dead date from community development ongoing.
So, um, the contractors mobilized and begun work for the first days of the Frenchburg restoration project and the engineer preparing a minor technical modification application for submission to the D to extend the project limits. That's it for engineering. Uh the
Burough Halls got a few early closings with the upcoming holiday. On Wednesday, uh December 24th and Wednesday, December 31st, the Burough Hall will be closing at 1:00 p.m. and will be closed for a full day on Thursday and Friday, uh
December 25th and 26th in observance of Christmas and of course January 1st for New Year's Day. And the next meeting of the mayor and council is our annual reorganization meeting. I can't even believe that we're here again. scheduled
for Monday, January 5th at 7 p.m. >> That's it for me, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you. Reorg coming up. It's always an exciting. >> Has everyone had a chance to look at the resolutions? Are there any that need to be pulled for further discussion and or
vote? Okay. If not, we are going to do some quick county council committee reports. We're going to start with Councilman Seymour. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I'll be brief. Uh the only update I have is that our flood mitigation advisory committee has their final meeting of the year tonight
upstairs. >> Yes. And our eagerly looking forward to starting in 2026. And I want to wish everybody a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and happy new year. >> Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Broki. >> Thank you, Mayor. Since we were uh
having a discussion with police today, uh I've come up with uh some numbers applied to me by the police chief, which I find to be quite interesting. So, I'll share it with the rest of the council. Through December 12th, there were 18,64
calls answered by the police department. In 2024, there were 16,87 calls. Back in 2019, there were only 9,414s. This is almost double from n from 2019
to 2025. Uh our boys in blue are extremely busy. Okay. Uh some of the increases are in arrests. Arrests uh from January 1st through December this year from 20 to 24
are up 53%. Burglar is up 35%. Uh domestic violence is up 16%. what did go down and believe it or not a shot lift in 29% but I that I attribute that because uh shot right is very very uh
how shall I say upline watching on uh who is walking out the store and they are pressing charges. So uh the big thing though I want to point out is in in six years we've practically doubled from 9400 to 18,000
police calls. So that is a tremendous amount of money uh a tremendous a tremendous amount of cause and I thank the PD for all their efforts. They've done a fantastic job. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you.
I mean when you when you hear numbers like that I'm sure there's multiple factors that go into that. I think one of the things that causes more calls is through our community policing people are more comfortable calling the police on things. previously there lots of stuff that goes without being people
being called going, you know, unreported. So I I think I hope that's a good part of the spike that we're seeing. It's people are actually calling instead of just standing there with their phones watching something happen. >> So Mayor, to your point, increased awareness increases falls. Yeah,
>> that can be a good thing. >> Absolutely. >> Council President Duffy. >> Thanks, Mayor. Um, I do want to report uh from the board of health um and our
uh health officer from Mid Bergen Regional Health Commission that it is flu season right now. So, everyone beware and be well. Uh also we're hearing a uptick in measles cases and
the question does always come up um those of us that were you know vaccinated when we in the 50s and 60s uh yes your vaccine is still in you know in
order and you will be fine. There's a there's a small window in the late 60s, but you should have it checked. >> Yes, my one of my brothers had to do that. That's true. >> Um, also, uh, I just want to mention a
few of the programs that they've been doing around town. Uh, there's a strong and steady low impact fitness class. This was, uh, October and November at the senior center. Berkeley and Gibb
School both um hosted hygiene lessons from the portabell and upcoming in February uh the Owens Middle School program of smoking cessation which means quitting
smoking. Um, and maybe cuz I know the mayor had mentioned to me was concerned about that and that is something that will be uh covered in this program and they're looking to expand it throughout
the rest of the schools. Um, so I also want to congratulate our historic commission for a successful year and you know we're on to the 250th celebration in 2026.
So congratulations to them. Um, and more recently I just want to thank the DBW for the fall and the holiday decor. The burrow hall looks beautiful as well as the burrow front lawn and around town.
So, thank you so much for that effort and also to the Milford Fire Department for bringing Santa to our uh tree lighting ceremony. So, um that was a great night. So, just everybody happy
holidays. That's going to be Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, Mrs. Close. >> My pleasure. Well, uh the planning board, uh I don't really have any updates on that except I
want to congratulate and uh thank the uh the uh members of the planning board who were just uh upgraded from their uh alternates to a a class 4 uh position with the planning board. uh public
events uh just had their large month of December with their three main events and uh they did an outstanding job along with help from the DPW. Um they they you know they don't have a lot all year long but when they do come
out they do a great job. BPW once again, excellent job with the with with with the last recent one to three that we had that turned out to be what, five to six maybe. Uh did a great job. They're out all day long. Roads were great. Um they
did a a wonderful job in getting the leaves. I I got to tell you, you know, just on my block alone. I put them out one day and it seems like the next day they were gone. And I do remember in the past where they could be out there for a long time pushing with snow. So, they're
doing an excellent job. Uh, recreation, uh, I don't, the only update I have on recreation is I know at some point, I think it's next week, they're going to start interviewing some candidates for, um, coaches for softball. And that concludes my reports,
everybody. Happy uh, happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, and God bless for a a happy, wonderful, safe New Year. >> Thank you, >> Councilman. Thank you. The holiday events were all really, really nice. So, thank you for your communities for
public events. They're a great event. Uh the green team and the environmental commission. I just want to acknowledge the hard work that the volunteers do all year long. I don't have a big report for December because they take some time off. Uh but they are continuing to work
on their grants. the TX program continues uh rolling along and we're still looking always looking for volunteers to help out with that. And um if people want information about the home energy assessment program that's
available on the burough website uh underneath the green team, uh please check into that. It's worth doing some research to find uh to see if there are rebates and incentives that match your needs. Um and the environmental
commission uh thanks the mayor and council for approving their ability to work with a consultant for the community energy planning grant. They will be having a meeting tomorrow uh to continue work on that program. So, uh, the
committees are always doing great work and we appreciate everything they do and the council and the mayor's support. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, all of our holiday events were outstanding. >> Um, good turnout, >> great attend, >> everything went smooth and I really like
to thank the public events committee and and Darwin. She really, you know, handles three major events in one month, back to back to back, which is pretty amazing. And then just >> yeah, the nativity lighting and the manura lighting.
>> You saw your breath outside. It was It was pretty cool. >> Um the only other thing I would say is just a reminder to keep on checking the historically bridge landing website as they have events all holiday season. Some pretty cool events going on over there. Okay.
I would ask for a motion to open to the public. >> Motion. >> Second. All in favor? Hi. >> Any opposed? Well, ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding the good and welfare of the Burman Milford, we invite you to come forward and we will 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 the vote. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? May get a motion to adopt resolution 2025 col 262 through 2025 col
276. Motion >> second. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Ladies and gentlemen, we will be going into close session. When we come out of close session, this governing body will take no action and we will immediately adjourn.
So before I ask for that, I'm going to just say once again, happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, happy holidays, have a happy and healthy new year, and we look forward to a stronger new Milford in 2026. Thank you. Make it a motion to go into adjourn. I to go into close. So
move. Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. >> All right. Very sacri