Good evening, [clears throat] ladies and gentlemen. At this time, I like to call this special meeting of the mayor and council to order and ask everyone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and reflection. as yesterday was Vietnam War
Veterans Memorial Day and we think about all who have served, their families, and the missing in action. >> Please salute the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for it stands nationy and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please note the fire exits are behind you into Snider Circle and to my right into the main hallway.
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 their act upon. In accordance with this act, the mayor and council of the Burough Milford have caused notice of this meeting to be
published by having the date, time and place thereof posted in the burough hall and on the burough website and notices have been sent to the record from the bridge 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 do 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 Saler,
>> Councilwoman Duffy >> here. >> Council Grosky here. >> Council President Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. Mayor Pino >> here. Thank you to everyone joining us this evening both in person and online for this special meeting of the mayor and
council. This meeting has been scheduled as a continuation of last week's regular session which was unfortunately interrupted due to a medical emergency. >> Sorry about that. We are grateful to report that the resident is doing well. I would also like to extend our
appreciation to superintendent Galasso and the new Milford School District for accommodating us with this magnific magnificent space. Although we are not in council chambers, I respectfully ask that all attendees continue to observe the established rules of order and decorum. [clears throat]
As this is a continuation meeting, we will invite the Grenetti organization, if they choose, to provide a summary of the proposal presented last week. Following that, we will open the floor to members of the public who did not have an opportunity to speak at the prior meeting. For those who have already spoken, your comments have been
duly recorded and are part of the official record. If you did speak last week's meeting, if you have something new to say, a new question or a new comment, you will be invited at the end to come up after everyone else has had the opportunity to speak at least once.
So, at this time, I'm going to turn it over to the Grubetti organization. Would you like to do a summary? Yes. Okay. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Uh again, for the record, Andy Norin at Figry Drinker [clears throat] Bidd and Reef. uh on behalf of the
Bernetti organization. Um just to recap, um uh we are proposing a redevelopment of the existing Brookchester Shopping Center with 150 uh rental units uh apartments and approximately 27,000
square ft uh of retail and commercial space with uh 390 parking spaces. Um, one item I did want to address from the last meeting, um, which I think was probably the most significant concern
raised by, uh, members of the community, um, we certainly appreciate all the feedback that that we got and certainly to the extent we can try and respond to to the feedback um, and hopefully as the project moves forward um, if it does um, to try and incorporate as much of that
feedback as we can. Um so one of the most significant um concerns that was raised was the number of school children that are going to be generated from the project and concerned with overcrowding of the schools. So we did look into that. You may recall I referenced the
Rucker study um estimating the number of school children that are generated by rental units in New Jersey. Um so we've looked at that study in more detail. Um was prepared by the Rucker Center for Real Estate. um Mars Davis, PhD, and David Frame, PhD, are the lead um the
the leaders of the study. Um and what they did was they they surveyed um thousands of units um in the state of New Jersey, South Jersey to North Jersey um to determine how many school age kids are in rental units and if there are any
indicators of when there are more um school age children, when there are less and if you could reliably estimate how many school age children are going to um be generated by a particular project. And what they found was that there are three main indicators of when there are
going to be more or less school age kids. Uh number one is the number of bedrooms, right? That's pretty obvious. Um one bedrooms going to generate less than two bedroom units. Two-bedroom units are going to generate a lot less than threebedroom units. Second was the
density of the project. So lower density, low-rise garden apartments and town home type rental projects generate more schoolage children than higher density mid-rise and high-rise apartment
complexes. Number three, they found that the level of income also is an leading indicator of how many school age children will be generated by rental units. So the lower income the average is of the renters,
the more school age students there will be and the higher income, the less school age students there will be. And that's generally because um higher income uh households with school age children, when they when the
children get to school age, they tend to buy homes. Um, so the higher income uh renters tend to be, as we indicated, are the target market for a project like this tend to be young professionals before they have kids or maybe they have
kids before they get into school and then they buy a home when they get to school age or empty nesters, divorce where there are no uh children. Um so those are the three um leading indicators and that and then they they
basically are able to you know look at at you know lower density projects with lower income, higher density projects with lower income higher higher density and they come up with a a set of numbers um across a spectrum of types of
projects um of school age children per 100 apartments. And so and they have the numbers in the study and you can just run the calculation. And if we run the calculation of those numbers, what it shows is that in the market rate units
in this project which are primarily I should say primarily all going to be one and twobedroom units, right? The number of school age children from the one and twobedroom market rate units are are a
total of seven out of the 120 uh market rate units proposed. The affordable units which obviously generate more and are more skewed to two-bedroom and three-bedroom units and are lower income obviously would generate from the 30 units would generate approximately 20
school age children. So you're talking about 27 school age children and not and and by the way they also indicate obviously not generally not all um kids go to public school right so about 12% uh go to private school um or
homeschool. So um that takes the number from about 27 to 24. So that is the number that we think is the conservative estimate of how many new school age students would be generated from this project. So that's about if you distribute that across a class of K
through 12, that's about two kids per student. In addition, we looked into the number of students that are currently in New Milford public schools. And according to Department of Education data, it's a little over 2,000. And it's
a pretty it's a pretty steady um school age population. If you look over the last 15 years, it's actually slightly declined um from from 2010 till today. So, used to be a little bit over 2100. Now, it's down to a little over 2,000. But, so you have a fairly steady
population and if you're talking about 24 new school age students, you're talking about an increase of about 1%. Um, so we think that the data shows that this project is going to actually have a very minimal impact on the public
schools in New Milford. Um and um so I I hope that the data that is presented, you know, will hopefully assuage some of the concern that there's going to be, you know, significant overcrowding uh in schools as a result of this
project. And you know, we're happy to, you know, answer any questions and, you know, again, um to listen to what the public has to say, too. I know our planner isn't here tonight. Um, and I know this is a a study that's
often referenced, but can you just for for everybody's s um education tell us what the timing is on that study, how old the information is? >> Yeah, that's a good it's a good question. It's it's it is um it's from 2018. Um, so it's it's a little bit
older. Um, but I I have not heard of any more current information that would call these numbers into account. So I I I just want to clarify something council. Is it are you basically indicating that the only way to reliably estimate
the number of school ch children which impact our schools is the wealth of the families that move in? >> No, that's just one according to the study that's just one indicator. Um again it's the the number of bedrooms,
right? So we we are proposing the market rates which are going to be you know this is going to be a um highly amenitized building with structured parking. So the rents are going to be the rents are going to be higher um and that's going to um that's going to
result in those market rate units being um leased to on average a higher income. um and they the number that they used was 100,000 um uh annual income per per family or per household. So anybody over
100,000 and obviously that's 10 years ago so maybe it's that's that's a little outdated so maybe it's a little bit more than that but and rents have increased so you have to adjust that but so that's why the higher um rental um the higher rentals that are generated by these
types of units are going to uh have higher income people and yes that is one indicator of three that they saw contributed to the number of school children. The other is the bedrooms. These are only one and two bedrooms. Um and it's a denser project. Again, it's a
structured parking um highly amenized uh denser project as opposed to uh a lower density uh project, town homes which are going to tend to be more spacious units and are going to tend to attract more uh larger families.
>> And what if your estimates are wrong? >> You know, I mean, I don't think they are are wrong. I mean, I think again there's a wealth of data and and sort of recent history that that demonstrates, you know, the number of school kids that are generated by these types of projects. So, um, you know, I think we're
confident in in the numbers and and the data May get a we're going to we're going to open to the public. So may I get a motion to open to the public for public comment on this presentation? Motion >> second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed?
>> My first question is is Tracy Grande here? She was actively speaking at the last meeting when we had a pause. So, I was going to let her go first. So, ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this presentation, we ask that you line up in
the center aisle, come on up and give us your name, and we will give you five minutes. Please, let's start with people who did not did not have the opportunity to speak at the last meeting. Hello, my name is Greg Cuko. I've lived in this town for 45 years. And uh
there's two items that I'd like to bring up. And one is uh I do a lot of home things for my friends and myself. And uh I've been going to supply houses and for plumbing. When Hackin Sack created all
those apartments, they needed to pump the water and the sewage at a higher density than was possible. The older homes that were in Hackinack blew gaskets in their basement because the pressure for the gas and the water
exceeded what they were originally meant for in the ' 40s. So, all of those people had problems in their basement. That's one. Second item was uh when my kids were small and they were born in late ' 80s uh the superintendent at that
time was uh Mr. Bulby and I spoke to Mr. Bulby uh he was going to close some schools and his idea was he had a projection of the student population and I told him he should go to any hospital in the area and see what the nurseries
were and they were expanding exponentially. No one listened. two schools were closed and then subsequently two schools had to have additions put on them because the data that was uh realized was
unrealized. They looked at the moment and not the future. In 5 years from now, do we know if 2018 is a long time away? That's eight years ago. That's that's a that's a tremendous difference in time. So when I had Mr. Bulby, look at that.
He said, "No, there's no increased population. Two schools sold, two additions put on onto the uh existing schools." So, there is a taxpayer impact to all of these things. Uh, and a lot of the houses where you're going to put
this project were built, the Grenetti items were built there in the 40s and a lot of the homes were built in the 40s. So their infrastructure does not support the additional pressure of the water and the gas and probably the sewage also. I
live on Ridge Street. The town is pumping that sewer line almost every time it rains. So where are you going to put all of this sewage? And I know Packinasack is going to have an immense problem with all of those highrises because there's no place to put this
stuff. These towns were designed to be one family homes. That's all I have to say. [applause] >> Hello, my name is Richard Solski. I live in New Milford for 48 years. Uh, one of the questions I came up with is the
drawing that you have there and the loss of 1700 17,000 square ft. Is there any way to redesign that to bring it back to 41,000? We really don't have enough uh businesses in town to start with. Is
there any way of you guys increasing that amount? So I I I think that we've originally one of the things that we have been discussing with the burrow through the course of the um settlement conferences before the affordable
housing dispute resolution program uh which burough council mentioned last time was the burough's desire to have uh additional retail commercial space and so originally we were just proposing the CVS. So we've added a significant amount of additional commercial space. I think
that that is the most that we can do because of the parking limitations on site. There's only so much um you know parking that can fit on site and the more um retail um then the there's just not going to be enough space. One thing
I will say is that although this site is being the retail um is being reduced slightly on this site, if you look at the additional retail being added on the ShopRite site and then there's a third site that I think is going to be included in the affordable housing plan,
a smaller site, but also will have a little bit of retail. If you add those three projects together, the amount of retail will be the the same on the River Road Corridor. So, I think overall you're not actually losing any retail square footage um up and down the corridor.
>> Okay. The other question I had was um um are you guys going to be getting any tax abatements from New Milford or from the state? Uh if so, uh how many years are you going to get an abatement for?
That that has not been decided at this point, but that is certainly something that we will be seeking. >> Yeah. because the more tax abatement you get, the more that comes out of my pocket. So that's our our problem. SO [applause] [applause] the way the way pilots work
in New Jersey, that actually is not the case. And there's actually a net fiscal benefit to the municipality from the pilot. That's why pilots are used throughout the state um on projects like this is because they're actually a net
fiscal benefit and projects like this actually um utilize way less um municipal resources and pump way more uh revenue into the town. So I think the numbers generally demonstrate that that they that they don't hit single family
and um and other rental projects harder that are existing. Um, it's actually a benefit to the taxpayers. >> Yeah. The only benefit that I don't see happening is New Milford. I I live in a type B flood area, which knock on wood
has not flooded ever since I've been in 48 years of town. But when you're adding 150 apartments, flushing toilets, taking, you know, and it's going to run right down by my street. You know, we have a couple of people living here. I
don't know how that's going to handle it all. Are you guys doing any studies on the sewer system for new opening? >> Yes. So, that that is going to happen later in the process when we get towards site plan, but absolutely, you know, the
the drainage from the site is going to be addressed and that's that's state law. So, we're not going to be able to increase, you know, water running off the site. that state law requires you to reduce the drainage. Um, so this is and and by the way, this site is an existing
like presumably close to 100% impervious already, right? And it's and it's decades and decades old. So, we're going to be modernizing this site and the the drainage is going to be is going to be improved from this project and we'll be looking at sewer flows and any necessary
upgrades that are required with respect to the sewer um and other utilities. that will all come later down in in the process and totally understand the concern, legitimate concerns. They will be addressed. >> Thank you very much. [applause] >> Good evening. My name is Michelle Roth.
I've been a resident of New Milford since 1955. So that's 70 years except for a short period of time when I lived in Kansas. and I clicked my heels together three times and said there's no place like home and came back. So my question also
involves [clears throat] pilot which is payment in lie of taxes and historically pilot programs are 1.5 to 2% of um earned income from your development and
that's what's given in lie of taxes for up to 30 years. So historically again that goes to undeveloped or underdeveloped um properties and I don't think Brookchester as it is now it's would be
deemed either of those two. So I don't know how you would even qualify for pilot pilot but if that is granted to you what would you give back to the town? You'll be saving substantial amounts of money. Would you develop
parkland or contribute to the possibility of having to expand our our schools and contribute to the cost of developing or in um um redeveloping the schools that we have?
>> So again, all of that is subject to future negotiation with with the burrow. Um I will say um that um the the percentage of revenue is as you is typically it's a
10% of gross revenue um is the is the base. Um um and we'll be looking into all of those things with with with the burrow as we move forward uh with this pro with this project. Um but I do and we'll and we will have to justify the
need for the pilot and um I'm sure the burrow will be hiring consultants. standard procedure to make sure that the that this project um needs the pilot in order to um be financially viable in order to produce the affordable units
that are required by the by state law. So that's part of the process. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, quick question. I was just wondering if there was any plan to use um renewable energy so there isn't further
strain on the uh electrical grid. >> Just give us your name please. >> Oh car I don't think we typically in these projects we do some renewable uh features. Uh they haven't been determined yet. Um you know things like lowflow water fixtures,
self-programmable thermostats, things of that nature. Um, so we'll be working uh through some of those items as the project is further developed. >> Thank you. >> My name is Carol. I've been in the town for 53 years. I have a question about
the building. You said that the existing building is not suitable to be restructured, that it needs to be torn down. Is that correct? Yeah, I think long term it is not sustainable to continue. >> Isn't the part of the building that CBS
in just as old? >> What makes that capable of staying intact and not the rest of it? >> Because there's a long-term lease with CBS that that supports the maintenance of that portion of the building. >> Pieces get broken.
>> So, what are you going to do? Knock down with CVS then after a while and put more apartments? There's no there's no no plan for that right now. >> Okay. The town, do we have fire trucks that handle fourstory buildings? >> Yes, >> you do. >> Yes.
>> Okay. All right. The other thing I mean the building looks very nice, but the aesthetics for New Milford is not there. Go look at Emerson. Go look at Parkridge. Those towns look horrible now with buildings like that. It's just not the right thing for the Milford.
>> So with respect to the aesthetics, um this is the sort of feedback that we appreciate. I mean the aesthetics I think are something that you know are things that we can address. Um and that's that's Jack's a pro at that. So if there's comment, feedback on the
aesthetics as we move through the redevelopment planning process and the site planning process, we we want to hear that and we want to try and design and build a building that the community is going to love and is going to think fits with the community. So >> right now it's just big boxes. That's
all it is is boxes. >> Yeah. So we appreciate that and you know any any feedback and we'll we'll listen to that now but in in the future as we sort of go through iterations of the design you know Jack will take that into account and hopefully come up with a
design that again the community can be proud of and loves and is works with the community. >> I don't think four stories anybody will be proud of but we'll see. [applause] Hello, Marie Thompson. Um, quick question for you guys. You keep referencing this study from records
in 2018. Do you have any postcoid real estate data that you're basing any of these numbers on? I I'm I'm not aware of any, but again, I'm also not aware that there's anything in this study that has been shown to have been, you know, materially
different now than from 2018. >> Okay, cool. Let me correct you on that. Um, right now, if you even go through the current Brookchester apartments, you're going to be able to see that there are a lot more children than you are estimating. So that tells me that
you guys aren't taking into account properly even the buildings that you're currently supposed to be on top of and that's been mentioned as well with the maintenance issues for both the current Brookchester shopping center and the Brookchester apartments. So after co we
have a lot more people especially in the younger generation the millennials like myself and even younger who are staying home longer. We have people who are multi-generational families and I think you need updated data. This is
almost 10 years old at this point. So the estimations that you're coming in with don't make any sense anymore and it feels very out of touch to me. So, the one thing I'll respond to is is the this data actually supports what you were saying, which is that the Brookchester
apartments do generate more students because they're lower density. They're garden apartments. Um the rents are lower. Um and so because of that, they have a higher incidence of school age
kids per unit. This product that is going to be built, this type of apartment building is a very very different type of product than the old old sort of old school garden apartments that generate more school kids. This type of apartment building generates
much much fewer school children >> and that would open up a whole different set of issues. In general, if you're targeting the young professionals, you're going to get more transient tenants who are not coming in to build this community and grow with it. So, like everybody else has been saying,
and I hope you guys are really hearing, the overwhelming feedback that I am hearing from the town in general is that they're not looking to bring in tons of more apartments. They're looking to stay with more of the single families and to really grow the community together,
not to crowd people in and not to have people who are looking to come just for a few years and then bail. THANK YOU. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> UH HELLO, MY NAME IS Ethan Kim and this is Michael Lean. [clears throat]
So, uh, I just wanted to ask about if you have any plans about addressing like these jobs at these like shopping centers and how you're going to address like unemployment, like the unemployment that's going to be caused by renovating
these places into apartment buildings. >> Again, I think the overall retail in this corridor is actually not going to be reduced. So um we don't think that there's going to be a reduction in employment and actually also there will
be creation of employment from the rent the rental units um and and and construction jobs but also long-term you know maintenance and property manage management jobs. And then the other thing I will add is that again these
units tend to be higher income um units. they're higher rents and the people who live there tend to have disposable incomes and they tend to spend that money in the community. So buildings like this tend to be a significant boon
um and generate significant economic activity for businesses in the community. >> What about the unemploy unemployment during the building of the structure? we we we we haven't, you know, figured
that all out yet, but again, there's going to be new retail opening up while this retail maybe is going under construction. So, um you know, we'll we'll we'll we'll have to see exactly how it shakes out. But there may be opportunity for, you know, for retail to to stay in this project or to move to some of the other buildings that are
being constructed. >> Uh right. But, um I also wanted to ask what about like the immediate effects of unemployment? for example, like people who work at these shopping centers, I don't they're probably not going to be working they're probably not going to be working with like infrastructure or real
estate, right? So, how are you going to address like the immediate immediate unemployment that's going to come from all renovating these buildings? Is there like any way you're going to address this unemployment or >> there's not something that we are doing in particular, but again, there's going to be additional retail that's created.
So there there may be opportunities for um for employment in um in the immediate while our building is under construction to go into these other projects potentially. >> The the the ShopRite project will have
12,500 square ft of new retail and the um 730 River Road project I think will have approximately 5,000 ft of retail. I could be wrong about that. >> What about like >> if if you want to speak, you have to come to the podium.
>> What about the like immediate community uh like backlash? Because I know a lot of people like to be around there and just be with their friends or like have real uh like people take food and like
groceries from there and possible like other purchases that could help them in their just daily life. Well, I will say actually one of the some of the feedback that we got early on from um from the mayor and um a
couple of members of the council was just that that they wanted to see some outdoor amenity space so that people who were going to be coming to the retail would be able to, you know, go eat and and hang out and everything. And so we have incorporated some outdoor amenity
space on on site. Um um so so hopefully we'll be able to you know the project will be able to address that to some extent. >> Yes. But during the construction there's not going to be anything for anybody to do. We're just going to have to what [clears throat] are we going to do when
it's under construction? >> There will be a period of construction. Yeah. >> Thank you. [applause] Yeah, we didn't catch your name. >> Oh, Michael. >> Hi, Sharon. Homer, most of my questions have been answered tonight, so thank
you. But I have one last question in regards to the plans. >> Can you speak too short? [laughter] >> You want me to say it again? >> Okay. Sharon Hillmer. And most of my questions have already been answered.
So, thank you. The last question I have is in regards to the plans being submitted to the D for approval based upon the proximity to the river. Will that be done? Does that need D approval? >> I actually don't know if it needs D approval, but if it does need D
approval, then we will be obtaining D approval. >> Okay. Okay. Cuz I >> I think it likely will. If it's in the flood hazard area, it would require permits. But I I don't know the answer. We're not at that point. But if we need permits, we're going to get the permit. >> Yeah, because I can't even put up a fence without them approving it. So, I'm
thinking yes. >> I suspect. Yes. >> Okay, great. Thank you. [applause] >> My name is Felix Bolino. Just wondering if you guys have done any like um traffic studies u regarding the area cuz new Melford has two main roads, Bart and
River Road. And knowing that there's going to be 150 units is really going to create more traffic on an already overcrowded street. Um, you know, besides that, how is this going to affect the police department? There's
more people. There's more traffic. How is this going to affect the fire department? >> So, we will do a traffic study. Again, that is down the road in the process. Again, this is very, you know, preliminary concept planning. When we get to uh more detailed design, there
absolutely will be a traffic study. If there is a requirement to do um any improvements to accommodate traffic, that that will be addressed. >> And based on those results, what um determination are you guys, you know, what determination can you guys make? >> I I can't I can't can't say that right
now. I don't know. I'm not an engineer. I don't know. But all I'm saying is that a traffic study will be done and if if if improvements need to be made then then they will they'll be made. Um that's part of the site planning process. Um and what was the second question? >> Well, just how is going to affect the
police department? There's more people to handle with the same thing with the fire department. There's more people to handle. So again as I indicated generally um these projects and you know if we do a fiscal impact analysis in
connection with an application for a pilot I think it's going to demonstrate that the resources used by an this type of um apartment complex a mixeduse project um and the revenue that's generated from it um the revenue sort of
dwarfs the amount of re resources that are that are attributable to it. So that it's going to be a net fiscal benefit to to the town. >> All right. Um just my last comment, just keep in mind that river road is pretty narrow as it is. It's just a a a two
lane, one up and down. And not only people from Newford commute through there. Um people from River Edge, people from other towns are just going through there. And I don't see how that can improve in, you know, in reference to this project cuz there's just no room
for errors there. It's just very narrow. Thank you so much. Thank you. [applause] >> Hello. Good evening. My name is Mark Gavilius. Um I'm actually I don't have a structured questions but I've been observing a lot of our my fellow at
Milford uh citizens here and a lot of my concerns have been already addressed. The primary reason I attended this last week and today is because of the school system. I have a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old and which I'm very concerned about their um future.
uh as everyone have already expressed the schools are already strained to the max and you know last meeting I was very disappointed with the answers that you know it sounded like you didn't really
have an answer yet and even today I'm still disappointed because it sounded like it's not on your agenda it's not on a high priority >> on your agenda because what the other uh I think I forgot her name but the 2018 that's very outdated. That's pre-
pandemic. A lot has happened since then. So, is there any other updated information that you have that you can kind of present to us and make us kind of feel hopeful that you know the school or kids future will be okay?
And I think this is regarded as still the gold standard in data for school age children in New Jersey and in apartment complexes like this. >> Yeah. And also going back to the age of the
building, are you saying that since the building is 76 year old, that's the primary reason you want to redevelop it or is there any other reason why you want to? >> No, I mean I think I think it's the
reality is that it's again it's an antiquated >> building. it's beyond its useful life and it it can't continue in its current iteration forever. And so that's sort of the Yeah, that's sort of the what's precipitating this?
>> Yeah. Are you sure you don't want to just say it's because the brunet uh organization wants to generate, you know, uh three $4 million a year? Is it because of the bottom line? You don't want to just say straight out say that it's because of that or you want to just
EVALUATE [applause] I don't I don't think it's I don't think anybody would be surprised to say that the Bernetti organization is not in the business of losing money. They're in the business of making money. And so continuing to have this this complex the way it is, they're going to not make
money. And so yeah, obviously that's what's developed the property that they're they're a business. There's nothing >> cuz the thing is 7 you say 76 year old year old building right I I guarantee you I guarantee you that anything you build if you knock that down you build
something else that building will going to outlast the new building that you're going to build up there cuz they don't make them like they used to as the saying goes right I mean that's how it is >> and the thing is I and I'm not just kind of pulling this off my hat the houses
here in Milford the average age is 75 years That's from collateral analytics. So ladies and gentlemen, I think we ought to just go home today and just knock out our houses. [applause] But you know what? I have a suggestion though.
Instead of uh redeveloping, I mean I know affordable housing redevelopment, you know, that's good for the economy, but there's also a lot of cons and as a lot of folks here have touched on it. the sewer system, utilities, the in our
wonderful um police department, our mayors, our town. Um actually, let me just kind of step back a little bit. Sorry, I'm like kind of like all over the place. I moved here from California in 2008. And New Milford was the first town I
lived in. Actually, this was the first time I had my I held my job. And I just came to love with the people. They were just just so welcoming and wonderful. I mean the first two months was like ah this is so boring like there's nothing good here but I just [laughter]
I just came to love it. I moved and then in between that I moved to different towns you know Dumont Wington and then I finally you know what New Milford is the place where I bought my house. I built a family. I have a two and a 5-year-old. Like I said, um my suggestion to uh the
Bernetti organization is I think and this is probably >> sounds 30 seconds. This is going to sound crazy, but I think if you if the Bernett organization um donates the town that property to the town, I think that
the Manil um neighborhood will love your you know the Bernett organizations because the town can build a place where kids can hang out and create camaraderie for the community. And I mean we want to preserve this the
way it is and it's just you know beautiful time that I don't want to just It's going to change to that matter. Thank you. [applause] [applause] >> You like >> Good evening.
>> Yes. >> My name is Loren McMacken. I am a lifelong resident of New Alber. I understand that you are looking at this area as a as need of redevelopment.
The borrow's master plan did not designate this area as in need of redevelopment. What the master plan actually says is that Nimford's commercial property is at the
lowest percentage in Bergen County and that we should maintain it and build it up, not tear it down. This building, this complex,
I don't understand how you can you can say it is in need of redevelopment when all the stores are occupied upstairs. I understand the only thing up there are your offices. Why have you not refurbished them? Why
have you not put the money into the property to get the most out of the property? The people of New Milford rely on all of those stores. They've been a staple all of our lives >> for those of us that have lived here.
[applause] You can't complicate that. This is a small town. It's a single family town for the most part except for our garden apartments that were built to welcome
back the soldiers. I for one after I got married lived in Brookchester. We had three children there before we bought a house in Milford because we decided we were going to raise our children in the town that we loved that
we were involved with and still involved with. When you drive down the streets of New Milford, you see a wellplanned community. You have single family homes. You have garden apartments. You have
River Road, which is where your stores are. You go down further, you have the older historic homes and the older section of town. It's a beautifully planned community.
And it's a community where people choose to stay for generations. Brunetti has been a staple in New Milford. Give back to the town.
Refurbish that building. Make something of the downstairs. You've got plenty of parking in the rear. There's plenty of parking. Fix it. Maintain your own groundwater. Give something back.
PLEASE. [applause] >> HELLO, MAYOR. My name is Dan Monty. I'm actually a resident of Dumont currently, uh, but looking to move here pending a divorce with the child. Um I have made a request of uh Miss Donna Hansen, James
and my classes, Elizabeth Sandor uh Dor and they have all three of them have yielded their time for me because of an autism diagnosis. I've pre th all of my questions out via text to speech that these questions come down to
just under 8 minutes. So I would like to use those time and the allotted time tuning. Alternatively, I can play it back at Alvin and chipmunk speed. Um >> that is fine. >> Okay. Excellent. Um just so you know and I can provide that audio file for you as
well. This is a list of questions you work hard. Um that's pre-established. Um I'm skipping some of them because they've been asked and answered. Uh, just for the record, who makes up the Brookchester Shopping Center partnership, please?
Private information. >> But I can tell you it's controlled by the Brunetti organization, >> public record, but okay. Um, if I were to write you a check to purchase that property right now, what would what
would that check need to >> I can't answer that question. >> Can't or won't. >> Can't make up a number. >> Would you take 100 million for it? >> I personally would. Yes. [laughter]
>> So, you take 100 million for it. So, that would be the value of the property that could be used for accounting purposes for the pilot. Correct. Oops. [clears throat] >> Uh, if you were, I believe you were previously unable to provide estimated costs due to pending engineering
studies. Correct. >> For certain questions, there were there were answers about how much things would cost >> that were not answerable because the engineering hasn't been done. >> Yeah. Again, this is a preliminary concept plan. So you have not done any detail.
>> Uh if you haven't run those numbers, how could you possibly know the viability for tax relief for pilot? >> Again, we're going that's later in the pro that will come later in the process, >> but you've already acknowledged that you're going to be pursuing it. So you
have some premise of how much this is going to cost. We generally know these types of projects and that pilots are required for viability, but we have not run any of the numbers yet. >> So you're but you've already
acknowledged that you are going to be applying for one without having run the numbers. >> That's what we sus that's what we intend. That's what we suspect. Yes. >> Okay. Um, and you uh you've sought developer has
sought pilots for their projects in the past. >> I'm not sure. I'm I I don't know what Bernetti has done in other another project. Does Brunetti know? >> Yeah. The projects that you're
>> the microphone. Pardon me. Thank you. The projects that uh Bernetti currently has in New Jersey portfolio are of age where pilots didn't exist. So this would be something new. >> This is the first project you guys have developed under the pilot with pilot available.
>> Uh yes. um what is the total financial net generated by the property as it currently is utilized uh including profit taxes and income to place >> I don't think that's not something that we're going to discuss publicly >> not have the numbers and I wouldn't
expect you to but there is a number there um understanding that you don't have those we it's fair to say that it is both positive and significant at least to the individuals associated with that not necessarily the developer correct I'm I'm not sure I follow that. But
>> well, if somebody loses their job, it's going to affect their family. >> Cool. I'm going to consider that an answer and be affirmative. >> Um >> I'm sorry. I don't want to be uh argumentative or anything like that. Number one, we're not uh at liberty to
divulge any financial information uh due to the private nature of the organization. Two, what someone deems significant or important might not be deemed significant or important to someone else. So, I don't want to say that we
make that the that the property makes so much money. the property does what the property does and it that's a lot of money to maybe to some people not a lot of money to other people and again I don't want to again you know diminish
anything here but again financial information is not something that we're going to disclose. No, and rather than being argumentative, you actually make my point, which is that what is significant to some people might not be significant to the developers and all
associated with it and thus very easy to overlook the implications of the current people as businesses close and people lose their jobs. Um, as currently utilized, what is the annual fiduciary
benefit to the town? As currently utilized, what is the current burden to both the Milford town and the BOE for the property? For the proposed utilization of the property, what is the projected annual fiduciary benefit to the town?
For the proposed utilization of the property, what is the projected burden on New Milford and the BOE for the development? >> Again, it' be a fiscal analysis done at some point in the future if we are proceeding with a pilot. That's all I
can tell you. And if that ratio, the financials went down or the burden went up, that would not be in New Hford's interest. Correct. Again, I'm not sure I'm following, but
again, I I believe that we will be able to justify the need for a pilot. The burrow will have, you know, we'll be able to vet those numbers. Um, so that will all be determined, you know, in the future. >> Oh, I'm sure you'll be able to justify the pilot. What I'm saying is if that
places a greater burden on the town and they realize less fine fiduciary income because of it, that lowers the livability of the town by putting burden on the residents. Correct. >> That that's correct. Except that I don't reject the premise because I think we're
going to demonstrate that the project will be a net fiscal benefit to the borrow. >> Yes, you're planning 10% and the numbers show too, but also use data that you're making conservative. estimates with are by their very nature optimistic.
Um, how many jobs exist in those businesses right now? Full-time, part-time, and proprietorships. >> We don't know specific number. >> Are those jobs in businesses not useful? >> Nobody said that. Well, you're saying
the business the the [clears throat] building isn't useful. Further, you're saying CVS, which is constructed at the same time, is useful because they have a lease. I'm not [clears throat] sure if how a lease would affect the age of the building.
Does your awareness does a lease affect the age of a building? No. >> You're laughing like it's a stupid question. That was your answer. >> I never said that. >> You did. You said that the age of the building was discredited for CVS because
they had a long-term lease. That was your answer earlier. >> Yes. That's different than what you just said. Well, if they have a long-term lease, it is the building is fine, but if it
doesn't have a long-term lease, the building is no longer serviceable. [applause] You have removed the fundamental premise that the building has passed its useful life in your answer that this can be accommodated with a long-term lease.
>> Okay. you 8 minutes is up. We're going to actually we're going to extend your time 2 minutes. >> Well, like I said, I have three people who give me time, so that could be 20. Also, the time on here was 7 minutes [clears throat] or 3 seconds. Some of them are adjusted, but is what it is. Um
is the Well, my understanding is that the driveway is going to be placed uh in a road subject to flooding. Correct. traffic study hasn't been done. Traffic study hasn't been done. >> That's again that's civil engineering question that's going to be addressed
when we go through this site planning process. >> Um the garage is going to be accessible to your current fire apparatus. >> Trucks will not be able to get in but there is access. >> Well, okay. Fire fire trucks would never want to go into that building.
>> Yeah, the fire trucks will approach the building from from around from the perimeter. They would never want to go into that building. >> Fire truck. That would be dangerous. >> Fire trucks are very expensive. You wouldn't drive them into a burning building. No firefighter would do that.
>> Quite the contrary. I've actually seen it done, especially when you need to use the top mounted aerial for suppression into a parking garage. So, I witnessed it on when I called 911 to report it. Um, is the
parking garage going to be suitable to handle an electric vehicle fire with the added thermal and duration time? >> We'll work with the fire department to accommodate whatever their wishes are. >> It has come to my attention that the residents of your park across the street are no longer allowed to park in the
parking lot of the commercial property. Given that you already have insufficient parking space for your current residents and occupants, what are you going to do to ensure that there's ample parking for your occupants and residents both current and future? >> So with respect,
>> that was the last question. >> Okay. With respect to the Brookchester Shopping Center, the redevelopment, as we indicated, is going to produce more parking than is required and that is going to be needed for um for the new
project. And as we indicated last time, we're working with the burrow on a plan to address the deficiency in parking uh at the existing Borchester apartment complex. >> Uh sir, you said I gave you the time of set just under 8 minutes for the voice
to speech and some of the questions are being redacted and I have three people so that's a total of 20 minutes. So um what is the STU trafficking? >> Sir, sir, we gave you 10 minutes. Yes. And I have accommodations for 20. Thank you.
>> You don't. >> I did. >> You don't. >> You don't. >> Why did they give it to me? All right. >> I'm sorry. [applause] >> Okay. My name is Brian Freriedman. I hate public speaking, so please bear
with me. I'm confused. >> Just repeat your first name, please. >> Brent Friedman. I've grown up in this town. I went to kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school, the whole works. When my family moved us from Brooklyn, we lived in Brookchester for a time. So, I know the ins and outs
of New Milford, which I really truly love. I'm confused about a couple of things which I need clarification on. For the first time tonight, I'm hearing about a 730 River Road. What is that? Is that another project that's going to be
developed? I'm a little bit confused about that. >> That is another potential development project, but will not be discussed during their presentation because they're not affiliated. >> So, it's another developer. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, I think it's good that we're
all becoming aware of this other potential disruption to our town. The other thing I'm confused about in is last week at the meeting, I thought that it was said, if I understood correctly,
that the zoning as it stands now for the Brookchester Shopping Center area is primarily commercial with minor residential. So, if that's the case, I'm wondering what are we doing here and why are we even
discussing this? [snorts] >> I know I'm not being disrespectful. I just want to really understand what's going on here. >> We don't think you're being disrespectful. >> Okay. I don't mean to. >> I was going to speak for myself and say I didn't think you were disrespectful. Very legitimate questions. Um, so if
everyone introduced myself, I'm John Chadian. I'm the burough attorney. Um, for those that haven't met me before, don't know me, um, the the the questions that you specifically just asked with respect to, um,
what what where the Can you repeat the the question one more time? >> Which one? The first one or the second one? >> The zone. The Does the zoning zoning the zoning zoning? You were correct because the planner was here. Paul Grael, who unfortunately couldn't be with us. planner all rival uh uh I believe answered that question at the last
meeting and said that this is a commercially zoned area um with minor res residential pieces to it. However, I think you've heard both from the the attorney for uh Brookchester uh I think I said this at the last meeting as well.
I think others have indicated there's a massive zoning process and and planning process that goes forward with this type of project. So we're at this is at the very most preliminary stage if you would in terms of being presented to the public. No one has voted on anything. No
one has approved anything. No one has said this is what is going to happen. This is a project that is now being presented by the developer who wants to do it. And that's why we asked them to come so that they could present this to the public and get the public's feedback for what they would like to do with the
project. That is a long way difference from the project being approved and shovels going in the ground. Right. We're we're nowhere near that stage. That that takes multiple I mean there's depending on how the project goes forward. It could be anywhere from a
handful to way more than that number of meetings uh you know with the planning boards. I've had projects that have been 30 nights 40 nights depending on the planning board. I mean depending on what how big the project is and what goes on. I'm not saying this is that project. I'm just telling you that there's a lot of steps to this where it has to get
presented to the planning board to the back to the council back to the planning board. There are multiple steps that go involved in this. >> Okay. But with all due respect, seriously, are you going to also involve all of us in that process? >> You're so I don't mean to interrupt you.
You're 100% involved in that process. In other words, these are public meetings. These are not privately held meetings. These are open public meetings which depending on how big the issues get, they can be held. I've had them in towns where we've held them in the high school gym because we we need to have that many people. We or we know that many people
are going to come. It's not in the mil for decent where I was the attorney for about 10 years. >> Okay. So, I'm understanding it correctly that potentially we can hold the Brunetti organization to the current zoning that we have.
>> It I think it's going to depend on I mean there's an affordable housing obligation, right? That's why we know that's why this why we're here, right? I understand the town is subject to an affordable housing obligation, >> right? But that doesn't necessarily mean a fourstory high monstrosity. >> No, but it means that that the town has
to allow reasonable development for it to satisfy its affordable housing obligation and there's a number that that that we didn't come up with. The state entity came up with and said this is the number that you have to meet. So, as part of that, we are dealing with
that. I mean, it's it's potentially going to go into litigation. So, I don't want to talk too much about it or it could go I don't want to say it's going to it could go into litigation. So, I don't really want to go into that in great detail, >> but the holding someone to a particular
zoning. Um, that's the zoning that there is now, >> right? >> If there's if there's going to be a change in the zoning, that would be have to be approved and it would be approved at public meetings where the public will have a right to come speak. >> Okay? because I truly believe the public of New Milford is depending on each and
every one of you in our council to protect this community. The last thing that I'm going to say is with all due respect to you, I find the Rutgers study laughable. I also find it
an insult to our intelligence to be saying that um higher income professional couples or divorcees or empty nesters, let's just stick with the first two categories. To say that professional couples are not going to
have children or that divorced people don't have children is completely ridiculous. And I want to put it on the record. I along with some other people here tonight, we work in the new Milford public schools. We see with our own eyes
how crowded already our schools are, how much of an extra stress is put on our teachers. And I would really strongly suggest that before you think of really ruining our community, you get a little bit more serious and do better research.
That's all I'm asking. THANK [applause] YOU. JUST A JUST A REMINDER that our affordable housing obligation as of today is 368 units. >> That that's what we own. >> I'm back. My name is Laura Kelly. I was
did speak last week. >> Okay. Has anyone who did not speak last week have an opportunity to speak before we go to anyone from last week? >> I'll speak. >> Right. Just got to hang on one sec. >> Okay. >> My name is Donna Sia. I now live in New
Milford, but I've owned property here for 37 years. But in the affordability category, two questions. Has is that senior citizens count in that? I mean, there's a lot of people that that live in the town that maybe want to sell
their houses, can't afford taxes. What about taking care of the seniors, setting aside some apartments for them? >> That's something that we've looked into that certainly there can be um age restricted housing and age restricted affordable housing. That's not something
that we can accommodate in this project because the way um that federal law is set up is you would have to have basically a separate community for the age restricted. You basically federal law prohibits you from discriminating against families with children, right?
So you can't um have an age restricted community um unless it's a separate community that's specifically designed for people over the age of 55. And so the way the um the property is set up, we can't have sort of two separate
projects on the property. So there's no way that we could accommodate senior affordables on this property. >> I had a second question. >> Yeah. But but yeah, seniors absolutely seniors can rent the can rent the housing. We're not >> Right. But but it won't be specifically
designed and marketed to for seniors only project. >> Sorry. >> Please speak into the microphone. >> Sorry. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, second thing I have, well, I have a daughter with special needs. She's okay. She's situated. She's in a supervised
apartment, but I know United Way and I know a lot of these communities are, you know, always looking for areas because they could have like apartments that they manage themselves, but would
be for the adult special needs. And that certainly would help the school system because they're not going to be in the school. How does somebody get a hold of who do the who is the contact because I know people in United Way, I know ARC, I know New Concepts, they have people that
are scouting. How do they go about getting information for your development? >> So yeah, that's something that we would certainly consider and we can get, you know, provide you with our contact, our cards afterwards if you want to get in touch with us. I would give it to these people because that that'll help the
schools. They'll drive. It could do a lot of good and plus, you know, it's it's a good thing. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. [applause] >> Hi, Barbara Paladino. My question is on the Mount Laurel um
mandate. How many units did you say we're responsible for? Was for low income for the low-income housing. >> Was it 300? >> Before we do that, can you guys open the
door in the back so we can get some air here? >> Thank you. I'm sorry. You want to know what the number of our affordable obligation? >> Yes, >> it was 368. >> And how long is that for? >> Once we read that reach that number, are we done? >> No, they'll be around five.
>> Okay. Our affordable as of right now our affordable high location it's perpetual it never ends. >> Does based on population >> does New Milford have the real estate to meet those numbers and future numbers
>> according to us? No. Then what are we going to do? >> Well, we fought it in lawsuits which we've lost at the federal level, superior court level, state level. We are continuing to >> we are continuing to look at
opportunities to protect our town from overdevelopment, >> but we don't have the real estate to meet the mandate now or in the future. >> There isn't open space, but keep in mind that people can knock down other
structures and build. >> Okay. Thank you. >> [applause] [cough and clears throat] >> Jody Seafford. Um, I have two comments. First one is good news. I want to personally thank the police
officers who saved young man's life yesterday. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> That's officer Coinsky, Paneki, Carlino, Hosini, and Delaran. Thank you very much. [applause] Um, second is things we've talked about,
some talked about, but um, your present Rochester Apartments. Something needs to be done there before you think anything about continuing this project. We talked about the parking. I don't
know if anyone's talked about the cockroaches, >> but the worst thing of all there is the mold issue. The board of health has to get involved and it's not just one department. It is several. So to have the audacity to come
here and talk about this meeting to all these residents who are totally against it is you didn't use your common sense. Please take care of those issues before you decide to build anything more. And that mold issue is a major major health
issue. And there's going to be people that are proud that I'm saying this tonight. The people that can't be at this meeting tonight to speak about it. [applause] That is a major health issue and you better take care of it
soon. Thank you. [applause] Thank you, officer. [applause] Good evening, mayor and council. Uh, Danny Ketti. Um, there are a couple things I want to say. I've been a 50-year resident in town. Thank you guys for everything you do. We grew up together, a lot of us.
And, uh, being in town that long, community goes a long way. You know your neighbors. You know your your next door people in the houses next to you. Last year, we had Uh I think Mr. Mayor you posted we were the safest community
number nine in the state of New Jersey. We didn't make that this year. It's not because of the cops. It's because of the transients. At the end of the day we had a homicide on the road in a rental complex stabbing at the high school. We've had
issues down here in the apartments. And I feel being a member of the community that the developments that are renting to residents that are coming into town are not doing their job [snorts] to know who they're renting to.
They're taking the rents. They're putting them in apartments. We don't know who's coming in the door. With that being said, that's a problem because I got kids in town. I got family in town. Lived here their whole lives. It's not about how much money I have, they have. you have
at the end of the day. My family lives here and that's a problem when something happens like that. Met labs in town. This is not where we grew up. We grew up, we didn't have these problems. But with that being said,
I'd like to ask about the development itself. I hear it's 150 units here that they're presenting. There's two other potential units. with those units based on the hackath numbers of what those units are getting. They're averaging
$3,000 a month plus. So 150 units times $3,000 a month plus the retail on the commercial end of it. They're going to gross probably somewhere around $10 million a year on the floor. We got a failing swim club, failing baseball field,
failing football field because it's in a flood zone. We can't adjust it. Right came in. They built a softball field for the kids. That helped. But there's still a lot of kids that are in the school system that don't have the amenities they deserve to live in this town. You know, the
Guilford birthplace of, you know, Bergen County. That's what sign says. Why come to work every day? You know, I I'm not one to say change isn't good. Change is going to happen eventually. you know, you you're only remembered as long as
the last person speaks your name, right? And then we're all gone. But with this situation here, my I got three generations in town going on four. It's going to go on to five and six and so forth. I take pride in the town. I take pride in my my property. I take
pride in my neighbors. But with this, there has to be some kind of a give and take where the community can get what they need out of this. And if it is approved, the developer, their team has to step up and listen, they're grossing
10 million a year, 10 years, 100 mil, 20 years, you know, do the do the arithmetic. They got to come to the table with something for our community. We can't come on the back end of this. It's got to come out of my taxes for everybody else. [applause]
And uh I'm going to study where they mentioned something about high income. High income don't be nothing. You know, you got people making 3 million a year, they could be trash. You got people making 40,000 a year could be gold.
Those people give you a shirt off the back. It doesn't matter who's in those apartments, it's how they're raised. Humanity is different now. There's diversity in humanity. I'm I graduated with the mayor. You know, we're a whole different generation than the kids there are today. Whole different generation
and in time that's going to change again. So with that change, we need you guys to understand the people that you're allowing into our community cuz we live here and no disrespect to you at all, but I don't believe the Bernetti team leadership lives in town. I live in
town. So with that being said, you just got to understand this where I live. you know, if you don't see that that we live here, then you got to take this and put it in their in their town where they live, you know. And that's all I'm going to say tonight. I appreciate you guys letting me come up. Thank you, Mayor
Council. [applause] [applause] Okay, once again, I'm Laura Kelly. Um, I did speak last week, but as we go on, I'm coming up with different things. Um, one thing that I really want to say is everybody needs to stay involved. You
can't go to two meetings and just then complain when it's done. Um, so please get your friends and neighbors to join us at these meetings. Um, it doesn't affect me as much as it's going to affect you, the house, the
homeowners and stuff. But, um, I think it's good to do to come to the meetings, not for the program. But anyway, um, the town is going to have to, um, hire a consultant for this program. Is that
what you said? Well, they generally towns generally generally generally would do that. >> So that means it's another expense for the town >> because you don't pay for that. >> Well, typically developers will pay for
the municipal consultants and the costs that the um municipality incurred as part of as part of the redevelopment process. >> Okay. Um how long has this been in discussion?
because it sounds somewhat like it's a done deal. [laughter] >> I hope I hope you're right. Um >> I hope I'm not a deal. >> We we approached the town approximately a year ago and um um so it's we see it
very differently than than you because you know we would have liked to have made a lot more progress than than we have. So, we've been I think as as um the mayor [snorts] and um and John um the the burough's attorney has
indicated, we we've been in an adverse process um with respect to the affordable housing, tried to mediate and settle that. We we haven't as of yet, but but we're hoping to and we continue to try and work with the burrow and to you know listen to the community and to
accommodate um you know the the the feedback that we're um hearing and and hopefully can you know eventually move forward with the project. >> Okay. I would hope that you would consider solar power for some of the energy for the new build.
Um, and I know this is a crazy question, but do you have any idea when you would break ground? Are we talking 3 years, 6 years, or it depends on how it goes? >> I think it depends on how it goes. But, you know, I think I said last time and
we're at least a year to two years away from thinking about breaking ground. >> Okay. And where do you go from here from mayor and council? What's your next step? Are you going to the planning board? Are you going to the zoning board? >> No, I think it that depends on the
burrow. But first, the first thing that would need to happen is that we would need to have a a settlement of our affordable housing dispute. >> Oh, okay. All right. That's it. I'll try TO [applause] HI, Carrie Hiddle again. Um, I've been
writing down some notes, so forgive me if I read some things here. I'd like to know the current um residential density. >> You spoke already tonight, right? >> Yes. I'm not allowed to go. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh Tony Bell been a resident since 2007.
Um it's kind of interesting because I you can even just go on YouTube and look and see developments in New Jersey, right? And you get similar players in the actual uh
events that transpire. You've got developers trying to earn money. Of course, [clears throat] you've got a mayor council interested in their taxpayers and gradables and dealing with obligations from the state.
Then you've got all the taxpayers as well. And it's kind of ironic that we're in a high school because that's a makes for a very interesting word problem. Um, how do you solve that? Um, and hearing what people are talking about today,
many of the people who come up before me, hearing that it's really kind of a done deal. Sounds like it's a done deal. Uh it's really concerning when the taxpayers only real recourse is to come here and voice our concerns about it. Um
that's really concerning. That's all I have to say about it. [applause] I'm gonna read all of this. Hi, I'm Emily Taro. I spoke last week. I was obviously not happy with any of you. And I'm still not happy with any of you tonight because every comment that you
make, you seem unsure of. Every response you you're bouncing back and forth on on an answer and then you're snide, oh, I hope not. To the question asked before about this being a done deal or moving on forward to this. Excuse me. We live
here, not you. That's number one. Number two, you want to talk about affordability, [applause] affordable housing. The current Brookchester apartments do not qualify towards affordable housing. Why? Because they have not been updated to qualify.
Had you taken a position to take advantage of this, we would not be forcing New Milford to go to the courts to move forward with a project like this. Okay. So, how about you take that in? As I said last time, fix what is
already broken before moving on to something else. [applause] My next comment, hold on, I can't read like this. Um, some of these things may have already been written, but I mean spoken about, but I
might go over them again. What about those all those apartment buildings that were or apartment complex that was built over on Newbridgeidge Road? Half of them are empty. The apartments there are half empty. I think there's one storefront,
maybe two. I understand it's Tina, but it could literally impact our town by where it was. So, how do you expect if T-C on a major busy road cannot fill storefronts, you're going to fill storefronts with your accelerated prices
for rent? Okay. And you talk about letting seniors rent in there or divorcees rent in there. I'm a divorce. I can't afford to live in those. You think I'm going to be able to afford to live in those with my kids? You also had children, and I know this for a fact, in
your twobedroom apartments who literally have four children in there at a time because that's all their all their parents can afford. And if that is what you're allowing in there, then that's on you because these poor people have to live in a place where there are
cockroaches, mice, rats, more complaints than I've ever seen. I know somebody who over the winter her pipes froze. When she called maintenance, they basically told her, "Well, we'll get there when we get there." Take care of what you are
ruining first before you move in and ruin this town cuz that is what you are doing. [applause] Hi, this is my second time again. I was here last week. Hard act to follow. That was great. Um Christine Brewster for the
record. Um just a couple points I wanted to make. Um just so I don't feel left out. I also graduated high school with the mayor. So [laughter] that's how long we've been in New Milford. And that kind of reflects the community that we have. Um I too have a
child with severe autism. Um he right now is receiving incredible services in this city. Um in this burrow I should say. But as to the woman who spoke earlier representing the school system,
it's for the grace of God that a teacher doesn't leave or they don't close down something. That's my kid. You know that this is why I'm I'm here. and that's one of my four children. So, I've got a lot on my plate there. Um,
I also wanted to mention something and this I I don't mean this to be political cuz I I'm the last person that ever wants to get into a political debate, but unique New Milford is uniquely positioned and I think those of us that live here know that we are eight miles
from Yankee Stadium. we can get to Hanke Stadium faster than I can get probably to, you know, Emer the end of Emerson. So, I've sold a couple houses in New Milford um as my family expanded. And
again, no offense to people from New York, but that's exactly what we're going to get. We're going to be flooded by New Yorkers that are probably being outpriced by their current politician. And that's the political climate we're we're in. You know, I I can guarantee
you will have mostly people from New York coming into New Milford. And again, no offense to them, but consider that I think that needs to be considered when you reference the Ruckers report from >> 2018
>> 2018 that it's a different climate and New Milford is a different kind of town because we are so close to the city. And that's all I wanted to say. Thank you. [applause] >> Uh McMack and Madison Avenue to Milford. Start off by thanking all the men and women in the armed services for keeping
us safe in this country. Includes my grandson, second year as a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps. LET'S [applause] go over some of the things that have been said already tonight. Uh we'll start off with traffic. I don't care what traffic survey you have or will
come up with. You're going to add 200 300 people driving vehicles out of that complex if it's approved. Can you explain to me why it took me about 40 minutes to go from my house on Madison Avenue on the border of Dumont
to Tene about five miles. I had to go there last week. 40 minutes to get there. Yet your project would have no impact on it. What I also want to talk about is the schools. I didn't go to New York public schools.
My wife and four children did. But years ago, as that one gentleman said, had to sell the schools. One became a library, two became other districts. A few years later, we got to add on. Who
bore the financial burden of that? People sitting behind me. I've lived in this town for 76 years. I've seen a lot of changes. None of them right now are that good. And I'll go back to the sewer system again. As I
said last week, the EPA estimates 80 to 100 gallons of use per day per person. 80% of that. You can look it up because the government doesn't lie to the people in this country.
80% of that becomes sewage. So I could see that in the future everybody would flush a toilet at once. Fudge Crane will be there in no time replacing the mains. Who's going to bear the burden of that cost? With the added uh population
one to two people living in each apartment, that's what 150 apartments. Is that what you say? >> So, let's say it's 150 or 300 if you double it, man. Are they going to be practicing celibacy? Is that going to
be part of their contracts come about? You can't make any guarantees about the things that you've said here. Uh [applause] the last thing uh
uh oh the last thing I wanted to talk about was expenses. With the increase in population, the FBI would turn around and say, "We have to recommend that you add on one, two more police officers. Perhaps we will need a new fire department or a new firehouse, new fire
truck. >> We lost our ambulance core because of a lack of volunteers. Who's going to bear the cost of the added police officers if that's going to be required? Are we going to have to have a partially or fully paid fire department?
Who's going to bear that cost? You're just killing us. You're killing the people in this town. As I said, I've been here for 76 years when half of the town was fare. Good luck with your project. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and Council. [applause] >> Anyone else?
>> For the record, there is someone else in the audience I graduated with, but I'm not going to out her. >> [laughter] >> Hi, Gail Oblansky. I've been in Milford since 1983. I did speak last week. Um, and please stop dissing New Yorkers who come here to live because I came from
New York City. Wow. >> Anyhow, um what I was going to say, everybody made good points, but you were talking about more, you know, once this if it ever happens that there will be retail, but what is going to happen with those I
think it's about 14 different stores now because you said would take 24 to 30 months to build. So, does you know, Roman Pizza, do they just are they just unemployed? I I know those two young men were worried about the unemployment. So, if CVS stays, but the dollar store goes
out of business. I mean, they have the long lease. Does that mean that Brunetti is just going to have short-term leases, not renew leases, and just everybody, they all have to move. You have Kesler and that's rehab. I mean, places like Verizon, that's a franchise. They could
go someplace else. Same with the, you know, the the Subway store, you know, they could open up elsewhere. But what about these, you know, mom and pop stores? Where are they going to go? And what are you going to do? Just you know what? Make them move out.
>> I mean again I mean hopefully these the tenants during the con time of construction will be able to relocate to other to other space and then hopefully some some of them may be able to come back. >> But I mean that that's an expense move here there. Once if they do move, you know, they're just going to probably stay where they are. We're not going to
have Romans. We're not going to have all those other good places that we've had all these years. Vincent's Jeweler's been there forever. And you know, I'm just saying that these these people, maybe they can go someplace temporarily. Chances are they don't come back. And then we meet we, you know, Barrel and Brew, we missed all these, you know,
these good places that have been there for years that are like neighborhood places. They're not, it's just going to be totally different. That's all I have to say. Thank you. [applause] Hi, Ronnie Lazarus. I was here last week also. Um, and there was a question
addressed to you then about the flooding in the back of the complex over there back by Dorchester. And you didn't have any studies and you weren't prepared to answer in this last week. Did you do anything?
Do you study anything? >> No. Again, this is a very early stage of this process. And so, as I indicated earlier, drainage, flooding issues will absolutely all be addressed when we do
detailed uh civil engineering plans for the site. And by state law, again, this property is not going to um convey more water off of the offsite than it currently is. Now, the state law
prevents that from happening. So, our civil engineer is going to design the the project and is going to accommodate storm water in accordance with state law, and that is going to be an improvement upon what is currently on the site today.
>> Okay. It's not only do you have what 150 apartments there, the river floods into that area. What what are you going to put basins there? What are you going to do about that? >> I don't know the answer to that
question. Um we obviously can't control what's happening with the with the river, but to the extent state law requires us to um accommodate um drainage and infiltration on site, we will do that. And to the extent we need a D permit to get this project approved,
we will obtain that permit and the D will vet the drainage and the impacts on the flood hazard area. >> Now, the last time we had an issue like this, they were using flood claim maps from 1980. Are you going to make sure
they're updated? >> We have updated maps. >> Yeah, we have updated flood maps. It's actually on our website. >> We do. Okay. Okay. Also, I've been a resident here for 70 years. My house is 70 years old. Should I knock it down in
5 years? [laughter] >> Instead of m instead of maintaining it, which if I wasn't doing now, it wouldn't still be standing. >> So, maintain what you have before you start building something that you're not going to maintain either.
ANYONE [applause] ELSE? >> I go again. >> No. [laughter] My name is Casey Hiddle. I'm in a unique position in this. I just wanted to admit that I am the third person to graduate.
>> May I get a motion to close to the public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Ladies and gentlemen, once again, thank you for attending tonight. I want to let's give another round of applause to the police DEPARTMENT [applause] and Dan Pit up there for doing this on
live stream [applause] and we wish everyone a happy Passover, happy Easter, happy holidays and uh enjoy spring break. Thank you. Thank you.