Good evening everyone. Welcome to the public meeting of the mayor council. At this time I would ask everyone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and and reflection as we think about our military personnel and the families of our fallen soldiers as well as the victims and the families at crash site
at Lombardi airport. Please salute 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, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. Before we start, please note the fire exits to my left or right into the main hallway and behind you into the parking lot. 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 to discuss their active upon. In accordance with this act, the mayor and council of the burough of New Milford have caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the burough hall and the burough website and notices have been sent to the record in the Bridgewood News. The mission of
this governing body is to provide essential services through the establishment and implementation of public policy that will safeguard infrastructure. Provide fair, honest, courteous and professional services. Establish a sense of trust and accomplishment between all residents and to 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 government body cannot be all things to all people within the revenue constraints imposed by state mandates, economic conditions, or prevailing attitudes about taxation.
At this time, I would ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Councilwoman San >> here, >> Councilman Zyler, Councilwoman Duffy >> here. >> Councilman Gratzky >> here. >> Council President Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. Mayor Puno
>> here. All right. If everyone over here kind of squishes over a little bit, we'll make some more room for some of the people in the back who need to sit. Yeah. >> Okay. Good evening. We thank all of you who have taken the
time to attend this meeting as well as those who are watching now or who will be watching it online. I would also like to thank the Greni organization for accepting our invitation to publicly present their proposal to the governing body for the potential redevelopment of the Brookchester Shopping Center. Before
we begin, I'd like to provide a context and clarity and outline key facts regarding our statemandated affordable housing obligations. At the conclusion of the presentation, we will open to the public comment and questions specific to this presentation. Everyone will have an opportunity to be
heard and we respectfully ask that all participants adhere to the established rules of the quorum and order. As many are aware, the Mount Laural doctrine established a constitutional obligation requiring municipalities within the designated growth areas to provide their fair share of the region's
present and prospective housing needs for low and moderate income households. Under the New Jersey state constitution, municipalities must exercise their zoning authority affirmatively to create a realistic opportunity for such development. I've stated on numerous occasions that
New Milford is not opposed to affordable housing. Rather, we oppose overdevelopment that places undue strain on our infrastructure, our school district, and our emergency services while significantly altering the character of our burrow. New Milford encompasses just 2.2 2 square mileage
and is home to nearly 17,000 residents. Among New Jersey's 564 municipalities, we rank 387th in land area, 159th in population, and 62nd in population density with approximately 7,412
residents per square mile. Our limited developable land is further constrained by geographic and topographical conditions, leaving significant portions of the burrow vulnerable to severe and repetitive flood. To date, 40 homes have been acquired and removed through the Blue Acres program administered by the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with additional property scheduled for acquisition and removal by the end of this year. Previous governing bodies as well as the current administration have worked diligently to ensure that Newil has met its statemandated obligations under
rounds 1 through three, thereby eliminating exposure to builder's remedy lawsuits. While we have complied with the law, we have also consistently voiced our concerns with both the statutory framework and the formulas used to determine these obligations. We have supported legislative efforts,
defended our housing element and fair share plan, challenged the affordable housing dispute resolution program, the fair share housing center, and participated in independent and joint legal actions to seek relief. Although those efforts have resulted in setbacks at both the state and federal levels, we
remain engaged with our state senate and general assembly representatives and will continue to pursue all available avenues and we are working on creating new ones. We will never stop fighting to protect the military residents. We are extremely mindful that both compliance and legal challenges carry
significant costs ultimately borne by our taxpayers. However, we also recognize that non-compliance would expose the burrow to far greater consequences. Round four began in 2025 and will continue through 2035. Today, the
Milford statemandated affordable housing obligation is 368 units. This consists of 258 affordable units of unmet need from round three and additional 110 affordable units allocated for round four. We fully recognize our legal
responsibilities as well as a presence of interested development parties. With input from our residents and in coordination with our legal, planning and financial professionals, together we will work to meet these obligations while minimizing the adverse impacts on the community all of us proudly call
home. At this time, I'm going to introduce our burough attorney, John Shenan. Um, we are very lucky to have John. He's been working with us all through this and uh last week he was actually named one of New Jerseys super lawyers on 2026 list.
So we're very happy to have him. Um he's going to provide guidance to our council and then after that we will invite the Glennetti organization to come up and begin our presentation. >> John, thanks mayor. Good evening everyone. Um, essentially what I'm the
only thing that I really want to let everybody make everyone aware of is that there is ongoing what I would call litigation involving the burrow and the program which is the affordable housing mechanism that's now in place and that
has not yet been resolved and because that has not yet been resolved even though we have the Brunetti organization here to make their presentation tonight there may be certain questions that you have of the governing body that they can't answer because if they answer them that's an omission which will be used against them later on if there is
litigation further litigation because if we don't settle with the program there's a chance that there could be litigation down the road. So I have for those of you that have been here before um I have counseledled the council uh to not respond to certain types of questions. So, I just want everyone to know in
advance that I may be doing that tonight. Um, and they may not be able to answer your particular question because it would actually be against the interest of the bureau and all of your interests as the taxpayers of the bureau. Um, that being said, I fully expect you would be um informed by what
is going to be presented tonight so that you know what's going on. Thank you, >> and I forgot to mention Bill Rup uh also with John Chadanian's office and our planner Paul Ryel is here with us as well. Okay, gentlemen, do this right.
>> Yes. Okay. Thank you, mayor, members of council. Uh, good evening. My name is Andy Norin. I'm an attorney at the law firm of Bakery, Drinkerville, and Wreath. I'm here on behalf of the Brunetti organization, the owner of Brookchester Shopping Center located 8:30 to 880 River Road. Um, we're here
this evening to present a concept plan um for the prospective redevelopment of the existing shopping center. Um I believe the existing shopping center is about 75 years old. Um so although Brunady does I think as good a job as possible keeping keeping it up. Um it is
in fact an antiquated and um uh strip mall really that is past its useful life. Um and so we are proposing to redevelop it uh with a modern mixeduse project that we think will be of great benefit to uh this community. Um, and it
would be comprised of approximately uh 150 residential units and approximately 27,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. Um, I have here this evening with me uh Mark Weinberg. He's the COO and CFO of the Brunetti
organization to my left. And then we have um Jack Raker of Minowasco, the project architect. Um, so unless anybody has any questions for me, I' I'd like to invite Jack um to present the preliminary concept plans and renderings that we've prepared um for the proposed
redevelopment. >> Thank you, Eddie. >> Is this okay? Can you flip it over there cuz the microphone is on that? Is that okay? >> Yes. Okay. Is that okay?
>> See, I'm trying to get the microphone. Okay. I'm going to just sort of Is this on? >> Okay, good. Um, the first plan that I'm showing you is a is a sort of a basement level plan. It's the parking garage of the building and
it's benched into grade along River Road. The grade is up high and along Dorchester Lane, the grade is approximately 10 ft lower. So we have the ability to take this garage and bench it into the grade so that it's not visible from River Road. The back is a
existing roadway that will allow us to access the garage. And we have approximately 174 garage parking spaces. Within the garage there's an area for elevators and lobbies so that you can go up into the into the building. There's
also uh trash rooms in the garage. So all the trash is fully managed inside the building. Um there's shoots that go down from the upper levels go down to a trash room where the trash is compacted and then it's brought out left out. It's choreographed.
Private hauler comes. It's managed that they know when the private hauler is coming. They bring the trash out. The private hauler picks it up and then they bring the chance right back in. Now I'm going to go up to the next level. This is the main level of the project.
Um, so what you're looking at now is built on top of that garage. And these this building sort of is an S shape. Along here, we have a nice motor court entryway that's on top of the garage. It's the main lobby. So, I'll have a
rendered view of that in a little bit. You'll be able to see it. And then over the garage, we have a nice landscape terrace. There'll be like, you know, fire pits and grilling stations out there cuz you can't really grill in an apartment. So, we put a lot of the amenities out on the deck. A nice indoor
amenity. They'll have a club room, fitness center, things of that nature. And then we have retail here along the front. Again, giving a a nice view of that um perspective. The building's a total of
four stories. It's 150 units. Um about total of about 62,000 square foot. We have plane parking. Uh we're providing 300 spaces where 338 are required by residential site building
standards and the CVS is remaining. This is the every floor of the building stacks up. Elevators come up through. You just take the elevator to your floor from parking garage. Um, we haven't laid out all the units yet,
but general that's the shape. Uh, roof plan, very simple. We got a small roof amenity up top, place where you can go up. We'll have some lounge chairs, uh, places to sit. Elevator goes up to the moon and uh gives you full access.
This is the area here. Um, you know, this is really where the weather is happening, FedEx, UPS, things of that nature. And, uh, it's very attractive building, four stories, uh, over the garage.
>> And that's it. Anybody has any questions? >> Is the CVS building untouched? >> The CVS building is, yes, going to remain. >> Is it Is it going to look like the CVS building or is that going to be somehow matching?
>> We we have no plans yet to to make any revisions to the CVS. >> Excuse me. Thank you all so everybody could hear so transparent. Thank you. >> I asked if the CVS building would be touch. >> I heard you talking about everybody.
So >> yes, when we we're going to open to the public for this presentation, so just hang on to your questions until the presentation's finished. >> So I'm just waiting for questions. >> Not from questions from up here. Anyone else got to come speak? They can ask
questions. >> All right. Any any council members have a question that John's going to say don't ask? >> Well, what about our plan? I just wanted to follow up on what I heard was a question I had as well with regard to the retail. So currently there's a triple stores there,
restaurants, etc. And you mentioned a number I think it was 27,000 square ft >> of retail including the CVS remaining. >> Correct. >> So there' be a net slight reduction compared to existing conditions. >> Yes. >> Okay. But there would be some storefronts. Can you just show on the um
plan again just so it's clear >> perspective here they have more closet. Right. It may be helpful to show on the >> location. Maybe to show where CVS is now and a dollar store next to it and where new
constructions proposed. >> So the CVS store right adjacent to it, >> but that's where we're extending and wrapping the retail. All all the color blue meter is fail. >> Okay. So the existing is the square if you will.
>> There was to the right of it. >> How much retail is there aside from CVS? >> There's an additional 8,000 ft of retail. >> Can you tell us what will happen to the current stores that are there while there's construction going on? As construction goes on.
>> Those buildings are going to be knocked down. Those retail that needs to be knocked down. Were there any accommodations for the current businesses >> for for CVS? I'm sure there will be >> I'm sorry for CVS there will be accommodations.
>> So So C the CVS obviously is going to remain and I think the intent is that they would remain throughout the construction. Um with respect to the other stores, we obviously will to the extent they they would like to relocate into the new building um the Brunetti organization is going to try and
accommodate them. um that the details of that have not yet been worked out though. >> Yeah. A question for council. Uh Mr. Dorne, you mentioned this is a 75-year-old strip mall. Pass it useful life. Pass it useful life for whom? And
based on what? SO, so what I mean by that is that the the capital maintenance and repairs for this building and a building of that age um the the cost of that up upkeep over time
um is too expensive for the rents that they're going to get over the long term. So, in in over the course of the next, you know, who knows exactly how long, but over the course of the next, you know, 5 years, 10 years, there's going
to be um the strip mall is no longer going to be the strip mall that that it is. Um and that's just the reality. when you get to the point of having a building that's that's that age, it just the the capital maintenance is not supportable by by the rents and the fact that there are all these small tenants
that um um that are there. So that that's just the reality I think of of where this property is at this sort of stage of its life. >> Yes, Mr. Baker, can I just follow up also on parking? I think you briefly mentioned it. So parking is always an
issue certainly in this section of new for generally. So the there are requirements at the state level for multifamily residential. This proposal would be consistent with those the numbers. It is actually we're providing more spaces than RSIs.
>> Okay. And again I won't get into too much detail there but as your planner for the bureau I can say that are these statewide 1.8 spaces for every one bedroom 2.0 zero spaces for two uh 2.1 for three and um yes and then the retail has a required amount of parking to go
along with it. We park the retail at the at the required amount. >> Okay. So to be clear, so it's two so it's not one set of parking for both of the sets of uses. There's residential parking that meets the numbers in your proposal. >> Yes. >> And then for the commercial space, there'll be additional parking. >> That's correct.
>> And the other parking beyond that is it's all shared. In other words, but but we meet the numbers for each individual use. >> Okay, >> great. Thank you. >> So the the only residential parking is the garage. >> There's no retail parking in the garage. >> Okay.
Again, we have 15 minutes. We have a total of about 27,000 retail and we have we're required to have 370
338 spaces required. We'll provide 390 and of those spaces how many are EV 15% would be required to be EV. >> That number is 39. Yeah, the 39 we actually have uh there's
there's 39 that we get credit for, but we have an additional uh 819. So that's 3819. Our required EV parking is about uh 57 >> and that's required by state law for you
know as you um so you have to basically make them ready to be EV um to to accommodate electric vehicles. So 5% 5% 5% I think is the state requirement over over a period of time. So >> So additional or have more spaces and
we're not open to the public yet. >> And of those 390 are those physical spaces. >> Those are 390 physical spaces. So, just if I can explain for everyone from the public who's here, especially for those people that haven't been to a
meeting in a while or have never been to one before, um, when we open up the floor to the public, everyone's going to get their opportunity to speak. The council does not in in any meeting, not just this one, and any meeting, they don't answer until everybody from the public speaks and puts all their
questions out on the table. It's not a dialogue. I just want everybody to understand that's not how a public meeting works. It's not a back and forth, okay? It's not a discussion. You're here to make your public comments. Once you're done with your comments and during when you make your comments, if you have questions that are appropriate for the Brunetti
organization to answer, I've instructed the mayor that he can allow if the Bernetti organization wants to answer them, they can answer them. But the mayor, if the council are not going to answer any questions until everybody is done at that point, when everybody is done, they close the public comment
section. Then they will respond if they want to to any of the particular questions. I just want everyone to have an understanding that it's not going to be throwing out questions to the governing body and then responding back to you because that's not how public meetings work. >> Mayor, if I may follow up on one other
point as well, just because the whole in your prologue or introduction, you mentioned the affordable housing laws here. So, just I don't know if we discussed it in your presentation, a certain percentage of the units would be required to be set aside for low, very low, and moderate income households. Is that correct?
>> That's correct. So it's 150 units you're proposing currently, >> correct? Total 150 units total. >> There' be a 20% set aside, which would be 30 30 units, >> right? That's consistent with what is being imposed elsewhere in New Milford and the entire state at this point in
time. >> Generally speaking, some rentals would maybe be 15%, but yeah, I think 20% is pretty typical. >> Understood. In most actions like this, it's typically 20%. Okay. So again, that number just I'm not sure 30 >> 30, right?
So 30 would be set aside again. Correct. >> Income restricted. Okay. The remainder would be open to the market as rentable units. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> What is your estimated time frame on a project like this? >> Yeah. I guess I guess mayor what's the
question is construction when we construction oh construction probably would be at two 24 to 30 months probably for a project like this >> beginning when >> that that that's probably a little bit trickier but you know um obviously we
would like to move forward as soon as possible but I I I would imagine we are not we wouldn't be starting for you know at least another year or Are there any other questions for Bill? >> Yeah. On the um units, do you have a um
estimate of the bedroom counts on those units in terms of how many one two and three? >> So we we've made some basic assumptions early on. Um, I think we use just to start 60 and we're doing all this with
math like just average size of units. How much square footage do we have? So, we used a 60/40 mix of ones and twos. Um, I didn't count the threes, but you know, they're generally in in around just a slightly larger group than two. We just put them on the corner or
something. Well, you're right. >> But there's 20% of those are are uh below and moderate units and of that the restriction is that less than 20 could be one bedrooms, more than 20 have to be three bedrooms and then be two.
>> Y so all the all the markets will be one and two bedrooms and then the and then the affordable units will be a mixture of one, two and three bedrooms in accordance with state law. When you calculated your parking as you put
requirements, you must have had some count of bed moves then, right? >> Uh yes. >> So can you just tell us? >> It was approximately 6040. So it's like 60% two bedrooms, 40% one
bedroom. So doing the math um estimates, what do you think a project like this would generate in school students? >> So >> I know there's a Rucker number. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we we have not done a formal study. I mean what I can tell you from
having done a lot of these projects over the last 20 plus years um is that generally speaking the market rate units generate very few school age children and they're they're they're one they're one
and twobedroom units. Um and and they're one and two-bedroom units and in a project like this um there there there just is not a significant um school age population from those one and twobedroom units. The affordable units of course is
a different story because there is a lot more two and threebedroom units. Um so there would be certainly some school age population. I don't have that number off the top of my head but we're talking about 30 units. So, um, you know, I I don't think that the number is is is is
overwhelming here. Um, and we can certainly, um, you know, find out and and and and look into the numbers a little bit and and provide an estimate. >> We'll look into the numbers a lot. >> Why aren't you prepared with those that
information? You were coming tonight that people would be interested and it seems to me you could have anticipated these questions. >> Yeah. So, so, so this is the first meeting that we're having. This is a preliminary concept
plan. There's a number of steps that we need to go through with the council and the planning board before we get to a fully approved project that would be, you know, ready to start construction. Um, so at at some point in the future, absolutely, we would do a formal study.
um um of the impact on on the schools and that's that's not a problem. Um but that's just we're just not at that at that stage yet. >> So you haven't done yet I'm sorry you haven't yet done an environmental study for example >> study? No. No ma'am.
>> When would those be done? >> Um I mean it it it can depend but um typically that's that sort of thing. the the the environmental study or community impact study. Usually that's done in conjunction with um site plan approval. Um uh and a study about the number of
students would perhaps come up during a redevelopment area designation, redevelopment plan um um stage. That's that's more um the time frame that we would probably do that council. Sorry, but to to Councilwoman
um Grant's point, shouldn't you have done that research before presenting to our full community to have an idea as to what impact your proposal would have on our school district and our entire community? >> So, I appreciate that. I think we're
very comfortable that again the overwhelming uh number of units in this project will not um generate a lot of students and will not have a significant impact on the schools and we're happy to
again at some point in the future at the appropriate time um um produce a study that would demonstrate that. >> So based on what you do you make that purpose? Um, so again, I mean, number one, I've done dozens of these projects. Jack's done dozens of these projects. The Bannerity
Organization owns numerous um, apartment complexes. Um and there is, as the mayor um indicated, there's a study that was done by Ruckers University um that shows that there's very very um small um uh
number of school children that are generated by one and twobedroom um apartments uh that are consistent with this type of product. So the the typically in this type of product the the residents are going to be younger
professionals um and a lot of empty nesters um as well divorce that that sort of thing that those are the um those are the types of um residents that will be occupying again uh 120 of the
150 um uh rental apartments in this um Bill, >> any questions on this side? >> Bill, anything else? >> No, I'll just calculate. >> Uh, is there anything else you want to say before I open to the public?
>> No. >> All right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to ask for a motion to open to the public. Anyone has any questions, I'm going to ask you to kind of like just form a little line and come up to the podium. All we ask is you have to give us your name. do not give us your address and we will give you it's like
this whole law now you know security and everything. So um and we will give you uh five minutes to ask a question or make a comment and then the next person next person >> motion to open to the public.
>> All in favor? Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen, the public we are now open for any questions or comments regarding this presentation only. just sneak sneak into the microphone so we capture you. >> My name is Moa Kelly. I've lived in town
for about 30 years. So I don't have as much as others, >> but I do know a couple of things. Two of them are based on rumors. One is I understand new apartment buildings built
in the state of New Jersey do not have to follow the local rent leveling percentages for the first 10 years that they are built. do with that what you may um also would
they be able to stay with the 2% rent increase then also what is the process that you were talking about you know with planning board zoning board and what's the best way for us to follow that
so that I can come to these meetings and find out what's going on do do I wait or do I go or >> John do you want to wait to have you answer that question on how I mean. >> Yeah, I mean I I mean I can I should
with her questions >> for now. >> So I actually have a question for Mr. Nor. There there was a question about rent leveling and the 2% increase. Are these units being proposed to be rentals or for sale? >> Rentals.
>> Okay. So then for the rent leveling question, the answer is yes. That that's accurate that that they're not subject to the rent leveling ordinance. Um because of new construction, >> correct? For the for the life of the finance of the initial permanent financing up to 30 years. Correct.
>> Um so that's that's answer your to your first question. That's not a rumor. That's the state of law. >> Um the the process just so everyone understands there is a sign depending on how this development goes and and whether there's there particular
different methodologies for how construction like this could happen. If it's financed by the developer um solely then it goes through the regular planning zoning process and there will be planning board meetings. There will be site plan approval as Mr. Nor referenced before there will be uh the
zoning if there are zoning issues um that will be made before those boards if it if they if there's a and I I think there's a desire by the developer to have this declared an area of needed redevelopment. Um if that happens that's a whole different process and that and
then there are multiple hearings that go before planning board that comes before the council. Everyone will be well aware um and notified well in advance. All you have to do is check the website. Our burough administrator is Zach Nibson Ber she will make sure that folks are on the website well in advance and everyone is
well aware of when those meetings are going to be. Um but it it's going to depend. I can't tell you right now exactly what process is going to be followed because I don't think we know. Okay, I have one more rumor question. Um, I understand that since you own uh
Brookchester and you own the by CVS that you have been allowing tenants of the Brookchester apartments to park in the Brook in the like in front of CVS. Is it true that you all of a sudden
since this started you've decided no, you're not going to allow that and you've told tenants they can't park there? Okay. So, so yes, there there is a there is a plan to to curtail the parking of the
apartment residents in the um shopping center parking lot. I will say there is also a plan and we've been trying to work with the burrow to resolve the parking issues across the street at at Brookchester Apartments. So, um, that that is ongoing and in process and we're we're we're working with the burough to
to try and resolve that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Lori Barton. Um, I've been a resident for almost 48 years. I have a a few questions. Um,
I'm wondering if the one and two bedroom market rate units all will be having dens >> because we all know that the difference between a den and a bedroom is the lack of a closet. >> Yeah. >> No, >> none of them are having dens. >> Not that.
>> Okay. Because that certainly makes a difference with the school children. Um you mentioned with the garage entrance uh from the Dorchester Lane area and that's an area that floods very badly which obviously would impact all
the cars under there as well. So that's definitely a major concern. Uh the number of spaces there that would be impacted and what happens to those people and the cars when there is when it is flooded. Okay. Other than that, I have a lot of uh concerns about the
commercial enterprises. Okay. The way I understand, you're proposing 27,000 ft of commercial space, but only 8,000 square ft of that is new, which means the CVS is 19,000 square ft.
I'd like to know the current area in square feet of all of the commercial CVS and everything else. How much is there currently? I think it's 41,000. >> Okay. So, so we're we'd be losing a significant amount of commercial space
there. >> Yeah. I mean, that that in the 41 includes the CVS, too, >> right? So, it includes that 19,000, but still there's a huge decrease in the uh number of square feet of commercial space. Can can you tell me how that drastic
reduction in the commercial area will benefit New Milford? >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, first of all, again, this is an aging strip mall. And so, the the idea that that this strip mall and the
existing 41,000 ft of retail is going to exist in perpetuity is not accurate. So, you you can't compare. You can't really compare. Just cuz today there's 41,000 ft does not mean that it's going to be in perpetuity. So, what we're going to be doing is we're going to be replacing
that with a we think a really, you know, beautiful um um new mixeduse project with state-of-the-art um uh retail and residential. And so, this is going to be an aesthetic
improvement. Um, and you're going to get retail that's going to last hopefully for another 75 years. >> So, basically, I'm going to say this still has no benefit for New Milford. Okay. Um, so this our small 2.2 square mile community.
We already have a population of almost 17,000. 34% of the housing units in our town are already apartment rentals. That's without the new ones that are going to be built 160 or so. They're going to be built next door by the Shopright. We have very few commercial
businesses. You may say that this strip mall has outlived its usefulness, but it is 100% leased. And those businesses have been here for a long time, many of them. So tearing down a strip mall that's being
used at that capacity doesn't really benefit the New Milford residents. It doesn't benefit the business owners. doesn't benefit the people who are employed in those businesses. We're going to lose those 14 small businesses. They're saying it's going to
take, you know, 2 3 years to rebuild. Well, they have no place else to relocate while that's going on. So, those businesses will be gone. Places like Romans who've been there, I'm not sure if they've been there for 50 years. Um, these businesses, they're owned by
our neighbors. They employ our neighbors. Right now, they're currently located adjacent to the three largest apartment complexes in our town, and they provide needed services within walking distance to those current residents in addition to the ones that
will be in the new apartments by the Shopright. And those apartments at the shop, right? One of the reasons that they were approved for that location was so that the 20% affordable units in that building would have some businesses,
some amenities nearby for the people to walk to. These are going to be gone. So, my opinion, and I think most of the people here, these these businesses, they're vital to our community's economic and social well-being, and we
don't want TO LOSE THEM. HI, MY NAME IS MARY WALSH. I just have a couple of questions. Um, what's the square footage of each of these new apartments that you're putting in? >> We're not sure, but the one bedrooms are in the 700t range. >> Yeah, it's very small.
>> The two bedrooms are in the,00 range. roughly >> because that's when you can't make the one bed apartment a little bit bigger. >> You know, we'll do a market study before we uh go to design units and we'll size them according
>> and then what size is the threebedroom apartment? >> Generally around 1250, 1200 1250 >> big difference in the last two. >> Um I think the onebedroom apartment could use a little more square footage. Okay. And uh what kind of heating would
each apartment have? Electric or gas? >> We haven't done the engineering, but uh typically uh each apartment unit gets its own heating system. It could be an all electric building. Um we're seeing that more and more. >> That's important. That's a big expense. Electric heat,
>> right? Well, it be like a heat pump system, but becoming much more efficient nowadays. >> It's still expensive. Plus the plus the rate that we don't know what it will be a gas system by the way every own your own thermostat it's controlled
>> uh by the >> okay um for the new businesses that you plan on having moving in what types of businesses will they be? >> We think they would hopefully be similar to the businesses that exist there today. >> But do you have any idea? Do you put now
resumes so to speak? >> No. Again, this is very early in in the process and and again, we would certainly hope to work with some of the existing tenants to to to find a way to keep them if that's possible. >> Yeah, that'd be good. Okay, thank you. >> Hi, good evening. Uh, my name is
Christine Vani Brewster. I give my maid a name because I have lived here my entire life, 50 years. um also chosen to graze my four children here in this town. So, this town means a tremendous amount to me. This is my life, this
town, and this is the life that I've chosen for my children. And I appreciate the presentation that you gave, but I don't I felt like you were speaking to a bunch of potential renters versus the community that is going to be affected.
Um, so I I didn't feel I learned very much how my town, my children's town is going to be improved by your project. The the main thing that I want to raise is I have children in the school system and I understand you are not prepared
with those that information and I'm sad that you're not. Um, but you know, I'm you know, I did a dissertation on the not moral decision. You know, I I get how this works, you know, affordable housing and it is going to affect our
school system. Absolutely. And I'm sorry, but you'd be foolish to say that it's not going to impact our school in any way. And as a mother, um, my daughter is a junior, so she's probably going to be out before this project
starts, but I have twin 9year-olds, so I'm around for a long time, superintendent. Um, and you know, this is this is this is it, you know, and and I I'm I'm concerned. I am concerned residents of New Milford about the state
of the high school, our two our our grammar school and our two elementary schools. I am truly concerned. I think about this at night sometimes like this really as a taxpayer, this really concerns me. I also feel that New
Milford is turning into either a $1.5 million house for sale or mobile affordable or affordable housing. And I'm wondering what what kind of community we're going to be in the next 10 years. >> What are we going to look like? Like what are we trying to be? Who's going to
live here? You know, I mean, it's going to be a very interesting mix of people. Um that's that's really all I I really wanted to say. um just truly concerned about um the resources on the school
system and what you're you know I I don't know if that you have any care or concern how the project affects the school system but there are schools townships that are going bankrupt because of projects like this. It does
happen and it's happening in counties not here not far away. So that's it. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Gail Ablamsky. I've been in town for 43 years. Um, I'm originally from New York City, but I raised my
children in New Milford. And >> I'm sorry, ma'am, we can't hear you. Can you move the microphone? >> And now my grand my daughter liked the town enough that she wanted to be closer to grandma and being this is a beautiful town. And now my grandchildren are going to the same schools that my children
went through and you know you know we want it to stay the way it the way it is now. Um I was asking to you know to read this question but I have something I want to add after. How do you plan to address the parking for these new apartments when there was already insufficient parking for the existing
apartments? So again, we we are providing more than sufficient parking on site for the proposed um uh proposed use and we do have a plan and we've been working with the burrow um to resolve um the parking
situation across the street. >> Okay. And and the other thing I wanted to add and don't be fooled just because these are one and two-bedroom apartments that there's not going to be children because my parents had a one-bedroom apartment and so they were able to get a bigger one. I came along and I didn't get my own room until I was 11. So there
may very well be children especially if you have young marrieds moving in. They will have children and then maybe they'll move out and you know buy a house and stay in New Milford. But anyhow we are definitely concerned about the overcrowding in the schools because when my kids went through the school
system it was different. The schools were divided up differently. The elementary school was K to three. the eighth graders were actually in the high school where they didn't belong because they couldn't do anything and then finally everything's like kind of good right now but who knows what will happen down the road if we bring in you know
too many children. So anyhow thank YOU Hello my name is Amarie Rogers. I missed the presentation which you have so I may be covering things that you already covered. Um, I've been a proud resident of New Muffford since 1998.
One of the main reasons I chose to live here was the close-knit community and the small, supportive classroom settings for our children. While our town lacks a traditional downtown area, the strip malls along
River Road have served as vital community hubs, places where neighbors meet and local businesses thrive. Not one of these cherished areas is under threat. When my daughter began her education at Berkeley Street School, class sizes
average 12 to 15 students. Today, I hear that number has nearly doubled to around 30 students per class. The proposed redevelopment of the Brookchester Shopping Center, which would replace beloved local businesses such as Romans Restaurant, Dollar Power, Subways,
China, Elite Nails, etc., etc., only stands to make overcrowding worse. If we add more housing, where do we expect the to educate the additional children in a system already stretched thin? Are there
plans for new schools, playgrounds, youth activity centers to support this growth? Without such planning, this project could create serious long-term challenges for our town. Instead of eliminating successful local
shops, New Milford should focus on strengthening what makes our community special, supporting small businesses, enhancing our educational resources, and developing more spaces for youth
engagement. The proposal of re of redeveloping Brookchester should be reconsidered or rejected. We truly need, what we truly need is not more housing density, but investment in our schools, youth
programs, and local economy. Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Ronnie Lazarus. I've also been in town for over 60 years. So, all of this is a big concern. This shouldn't be happening here. But I have a question
and that is in 2013 Mr. Bernetti came to the mayor and council and proposed upgrading the existing Bookchester apartments and explained how that would satisfy all our affording affordable housing requirements. There was no
mention of eliminating the stores in the Brookchester shopping center. Why was that project abandoned? Um I can answer that question although I was not involved at at the time. So that that um plan was I think um a plan to
redevelop the existing apartments with higher density um apartments. Um uh given New Jerseys um uh their landlord tenant laws here, it's basically impossible to invict evict tenants. And
so there's no way that you can um remove the existing tenants in order to build new apartments on the existing um uh Brookchester apartments. So that plan um while I think there was it was well intentioned um there's just simply no
way to redevelop existing apartments with higher density um you know higher rent apartments. It's not it's not feasible in New Jersey to do that. >> Okay. It was it was a plan and it was out there. So,
>> they must have they must have done some work. >> They they they they thought it was a possibility and I think they ran into reality. >> Okay. Well, I hope you run into reality here too. Good evening, McMack and Madison Avenue
in the Milford. To fall back on that, a few years ago, you were up, somebody was up here. You wanted to build three and fivetory buildings over there off of uh the boulevard. And you're using the same excuse that they used back then, the age of the structure. How much have you spent in rehabilitating this current
building right now that you want to knock down? Yeah, that that's not something that we're able to discuss. >> Okay. >> Uh, how many part how many cars you going to have parked in that lot underneath the building?
>> What's the capacity? >> Okay. Uh, I have about 45 years experience working for the water company. >> Please keep it down so the microphone can pick up his voice. >> And having grown up close to the pro proximity to the Hackinac River,
catastrophically every 10 years, you're going to have a big flood. Where you going to park all of these cars? >> Yeah. >> With 4 ft of water. >> I I mean, all I can tell you is that we are going to comply with all storm water requirements. Um, >> so you have no answer. Where you going
to put 150 cars? >> My answer is that we're going to comply with all legal requirements. So you have no answer. >> So okay, you got the same answer. The age of the building and I'll say the same thing to you that I said to these people
years ago. My house was built in 1880s. I better go home and knock it down cuz it's getting old. Just a question for the mayor and council. Uh if you just give me a little bit of liberty here. You don't know how many people are going to be living in
this complex. There's a proposal for 160 more apartments where the old shopright is. Uh I did a little research back then on another project and I did it again the other night. The average consumption is between 80 and 100 gallons per person
per day. of which 80% of that is considered waste water. Showers, dishwasher, washing your hands, so on and so forth. Suppose there's a catastrophic failure of the sewer system. Are they going to help pay for it?
If it has to be replaced on a capital item, they're not. >> Yeah. The council's not going to answer. >> No, it's just theoretical on my part. Uh these people here don't want to dig into their pockets so these people can make money off more apartments.
>> Hi. >> Hi. My name is Emily Taro. Um I'm pretty much a lifelong resident. I was born here, left for a couple years, came back to raise my children here. This is an amazing town. You can see by looking at the people here and the people who can't
even get in here that this is not wanted. The only people who that this is going to help is you. You are the only one who is going to gain from this. We are going to lose. And if you don't understand that, then that is a huge
problem. Our schools are already overcrowded. There have been so many great points made today. And I the questions I wanted to ask pretty much were already asked, but the question that you won't answer about the
Brookchester apartments that are dilapitated that I hear more issues about nonstop. You're not taking care of that, but you want to put in a brand new luxury apartments. And then you also on top of
that claim that rent is going to increase because of you uh rebuilding, refixing instead of making a new monstrosity hackin sack looking building in our small town. >> Okay, you won't answer questions about
that. But how much are the rents going to be when those storefronts open? They're not going to be able to afford those either. So, please do not pretend that that is how it is. Before we continue, is it okay if we open the back door?
>> There you go. If you push it, it should stay open. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Juan Zingerella. I've been living in uh New Milford since 2022. >> Could you just repeat your name for me? >> Uh Juan Zinderella.
Uh I've been living in Milford since 2022. And in the short four years that I've lived here, I've learned to really love this town. And uh I also want to uh just note that uh I'm um I'm a uh a mechanical engineer by profession in
construction. And I'm just curious to understand how you uh did you do a study uh showing that the building is too the the current building that's there that it's too expensive to maintain because I mean we
work with old buildings all the time and I work with buildings that are built in the early 1900s and they can be upgraded they can be built. What what what were your findings exactly? Did you do a study mechanical if a mechanical engineer do a study? What? How did you
come up with that conclusion? you know, I don't think again we're able to get into the details of the finances of the project, but the the the the reality is that um >> I'm not so concerned with the finances, but like what are your findings in terms
of uh >> but that's what that's what it has to do with my my client has to they have certain income from the building. They have certain operating costs from the building. They have certain capital costs from the building. So, they know how much the building costs to maintain.
They know how much um how how much capital costs it is, how much revenue they're taking in, and they know over time what that trend is looking like. So, that's that's that's the best I can do to answer the question. Hi, my name is
>> Hi, my name is Matt Pierce. Um, I have a couple specific questions and I'm glad we're on this specific layout. So this property is located basically at the center of the south side of town. It's kind of a hub for the community. It's
within walking distance of a huge portion of our population. Is there any plan to improve this sidewalk situation right now? We've got super narrow curbtight sidewalks on a 35 mph road and
a dangerous entrance on River Road. If you eliminate this entrance, you still have two entrances to this parking lot and space for about 20 more cars. You could put some sort of walkway from the
intersection to the building so that people walking in from Burchester aren't walking through a no man's land parking lot. I also wanted to ask uh you said that it was a four fourstory structure. Does that include the subterranean
parking or excluded? Excluded. So, four stories above river. >> All right. Just making sure my notes are accurate. Um, you have no plans in this project to alter the CPS building. Do you have even
nebulous plans in the future? because I'm assuming that that indicates that it's a later built structure, but given the value of the land, that's 19,000 square ft that's not being improved or used above the first
property. >> Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the question, but yeah, there at this point there's there's not >> nothing in this project for CVS. I mean, >> wait. >> There's an existing lease with CVS. Um,
so there's there's no plan for the near term to do anything different with CVS because they have an existing lease. >> Okay. And then I guess my last question is, uh, do you know if there are any limitations or incentives for the retail space to try and get in a healthy mix of
useful retail establishments for the local area? Like for example, a walkable distance grocery store would be a huge benefit to the people not only in the building but in Brookchester. >> Yeah, I don't think there's enough space
for for a grocery store here. Um and I don't know anything about any incentives to bring in retail tenants. It's not something I'm aware of. Um I I can answer the first question that you had about the sidewalks. I mean that that is certainly something that we will consider and would be part of the
redevelopment planning process and the site plan approval process. So that that those are certainly you know aspects of the project that that you know will look into and that perhaps the the the council will will require and and or the planning board. Okay. So the last thing
I have to say isn't a question. It's just kind of a public comment. Uh, I've been here for almost 20 years now and I hear everyone around here who's lived here their whole lives, raised their children here and they love the fact
that they've lived here their whole lives. I just want to ask you all to think about will your kids have that experience when No, no. When when they graduate high school and move out of your house, where do they go if there are no one-bedroom
apartments for them? Where do they go if there's no affordable housing? >> But that's that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mike Mulligan. Uh the mayor probably knows what I'm going to be speaking about. I live I live near the
apartments. from a block away and uh he knows um one of my biggest uh pet peeves is the runoff from Mil Park and you guys I mean the Brookchester for been here since I guess after the war is that correct was built right after the war.
>> Yeah. I'm there probably older than the buildings that you're talking about uh renovating and for you not to uh eyeball what's what your existing property that you have and you can't take care of a parking situation that you you currently
have. There's there's I have overrun parking onto my street. I'm not allowed to park in front of my house because of Brookchester Apartments cuz you don't provide enough parking spaces as it is. And that's one thing that you should be improving before you go and look for you
can work out a parking situation or improve the property that you existing have since the World War II. And then you're going to tell us what you're going to be doing this to a new project that you can't even provide enough parking as it is to the existing uh properties that you have. So what's your
plan? I know you said you're working with the the town, but what's your plan for additional parking for what you already have established with Brookchester? Like you said, those apartments are they're from like the 1950s, I think.
So, um you know, they they were built they were built in a different time. Um and as I said, we're we're working with the burrow on a plan. >> Well, that's that's where that's where I'm getting at cuz I have run off. I'm not allowed to park in front of my house. I got to wake up every morning moving cars and worry about a police
officer giving me a ticket because of the runoff of Brookchester Apartments. But you're saying you keep on saying you got something in the works, but what is what is the planning works? What is the situation? >> All I can say right now is we're we're working on a plan to to to install
additional parking uh on the Brookchester apartment site and we're working on that. We're working with the we're working with the burrow. >> All right. Then the other question I I know a lot of the questions it was asked already that's why I'm not you know going further into anything but I understand like uh somebody mentioned
about the flooding and that you're talking about parking bringing cars down by that what's that street right down there >> and if it does flood how is these cars going to get out of your parking garage area? I mean, you have you have a plan
for that when it does flood. >> Again, when when we get to the point where we're we're doing engineering and civil engineering for the site, all that will be addressed in accordance with state law. >> All right, that's all the qu the other questions were answered. But thank you. >> I test that Mr. Milligan upset about
parking. Lorraine Montilo, uh, I have one question. What is that property currently zoned for? Is it just commercial or is it commercial residential? >> It's the burrow's business zone which
allows commercial residential allowed in certain circumstances but at a much lower density than this proposal. >> Okay. So right now that's a commercial property. >> Yes. Much of there are many properties on river in the same business zone the B zone. >> Okay. My next qu my next understanding
is that your tenants pay the maintenance at Gchester over here. You don't you don't support their maintenance. >> That That's not correct. >> I thought I just heard you say that. How much is there a percentage that you pay
to improve that property? >> I'm sorry. You're talking about the apartments or the commercial? >> I'm not talking about the apartments. I'm talking about commercial. >> Oh, okay. >> How much do you put into that building every year or do your tenants pay the
maintenance? So, so I mean this this complex works like a most um commercial complexes where the landlord takes care of maintenance and then allocates a share of the common area expenses to the
tenants. That that's that's how most commercial properties work. >> Okay. And may I ask you another question? Why has the upstairs been left empty for about 10 years? Why haven't you renovated that, rented that out, made more commercial space so that you can generate more money?
>> Yeah. So, that that space is not rentable. That's that's that's been that way for a long time. That's one of one of the issues that that um the Brunetti organization is having. >> Not rentable because you chose not to renovate it.
>> I think it's an issue with the market that there's not a market to um rent that space. >> Okay. And then my last point is I'm very invested in the school system of New Milford for lots of reasons and you are
in a very unique position. You own Brookchester Apartments. So I'd like you to do a study and see how many children are generated from your one and twobedroom apartments that affect our school system. I think if you looked at that, you'd
understand why this crowd is here tonight opposing me. >> You might have to escort me out. >> I just came from My name is Katherine Sudrog. I've been here for 59 years. Well, actually since
1959, so 60 some odd years. This is my town. And I think I've said this before. Mr. Brunetti himself, I think, would be ashamed of what? The greed.
>> The greed that you were looking at. And I know you're not listening. You didn't hear one word we said. and you don't care because you're going to do what you want to do. That's fine, but we're not going to incur the taxes, not the people here.
What you're doing is you're making this small, beautiful town into what somebody said was like hackinack, >> a mess. Rochester itself is disgusting. You have not updated it. You have people
living in slums. You're collecting a high rent from these people. You have four to five families living in a twobedroom. What are you going to do about that? Clean that up first before you start a project that the town IS
AGAINST. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? What are you going to do about the schools? The schools cannot take on any more children. And you're going to have the same problem that you do at Bookchester. Please look at me, sir. You're looking down because you don't care.
You don't care. >> I'm I'm actually taking >> No, not you. >> The person that can't speak for himself, >> which I think is a shame. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. I'm I told you. I told you he might have to escort me out.
I just came here from Hackinac Hospital cuz my husband's dealing with cancer. So, I'm all riled up. So, I'm listening to all these people say everything that I wanted to say, but I I'm aggravated sit standing there watching this this man here. They care less. This is his
project. It's a mess. Put a mess. Clean that up first. Make that look nice. That's what Brunetti had right from day one. He loved it that there was a waiting list to get into that place. It's a The nickname for Bookchester is ghetto tester.
And now you're going to create something worse. >> You know, you brought in the crime in this family into into this neighborhood. >> It might come again. Now you're Who's going to pay for the cops? More cops. Who's going to pay for all the teachers?
You're going to pay for that? Not the people living here. That's all I need to say. I'm sorry. Thank you. Hey, Tracy Grandandy. How are you? >> How are you? >> Hi. All right. I don't do really well
public speaking. I'm also very short, >> so almost everything's been covered already, but um so we talked to church about something called generations and it's about investing in your future,
right? This is all very upsetting. You get on the internet, you Google, you see all of the towns creating, right, this fair housing projects and what it's doing to the school systems. And so the one thing that I heard that disturbed
all of us this evening was not to have the numbers and hear that the apartments won't bring in more children. And I work with children and I can tell you that a lot of them live in specialized housing
in apartments. So I think that we really do need and it doesn't matter to me who brings it in um some figures. And the reason we need the figures is just like the church, right? Generations we have. It's going to be generations. This isn't
something that if it happens is going to be temporary. This is going to be permanent. If we fight it and we lose, it's going to be permanent in New Milford. They're going to be our neighbors. It's going to be our children. And it's going to be a permanent impact in the school system.
And as somebody that works with the school systems, knowing the impact on our children that school has um a lot of the schools have right right now tremendous busing, transportation is a
huge money problem. The specialized schooling and therapeutic schools, specialized occupational, physical therapy for disabilities, huge impact on the school systems. We had funding cut
after COVID. So if this housing and I suspect it will bring children especially the two and threebedroom at least um at the younger age levels in you know kindergarten, first second grade and as families grow they may not choose to necessarily move out of town
cuz we're wonderful we are. They may choose to buy a home and stay here. So, I think that it's going to be imperative and I think you have good intentions in doing the right thing other than maybe the bad parking and you'll see that on your title insurance. Roberta can help
you with that. Um, so we need those numbers because, you know, places like Planefield, New Jersey, their tax increase was 36%. Right? So, I I don't you know, hopefully for us, we already have pretty high
taxes. like we're giving it a go here. We're worker bees. That we I'm not going to go through everything I printed out. A lot of it was already touched on with, you know, the funding limitations and developmental pressures that hit, but
this is information we need. Ambulance, please. >> 911. Someone needs to call 911. Okay, >> great. Ladies and gentlemen, uh we have moved to the conference room. There was a medical emergency during the
presentation in the courtroom. Um the courtroom is is being occupied by police officers. The person with the medical emergency um was responsive and was sent to the hospital. So we are you know in our thoughts and prayers on that one. So we
are in a conference room and we are going to continue with our open session meeting. Um anything related to the Brookchester presentation will not happen at this meeting. That is to be continued. So
>> under proclamations, I have a proclamation for Earth Day. I will read it at a future date. >> No, we're open. >> We're open. >> Public comments. We need to formally close that. >> Okay. Make a motion to close the
Bookchester public comment. >> All in favor? Any opposed? >> Okay. May get a motion to appoint Dominic Jango to fire department company 1 and Sarah Lavine to Junior Firefighter Auxiliary. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed?
>> May I get a motion to appoint Peter Torpy to planning board class 4? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? I want to thank Dominic, Sarah, and Peter for uh volunteering for Milford. Under unfinished business, may I get approval of the minutes from the March
9th, 2026 work and close session meetings? So move >> second. All in favor? >> Any opposed? All right. We have a few ordinances up for adoption tonight. First one being 2026 col 10. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I ask you
to please read the ordinance. An ordinance amending chapter 10 of the revised general ordinances of the bar of New Milford entitled building and housing to add there to section 10-12 requirements for the issuance of certificates of occupancy. Okay. Purpose
of this ordinance is to ensure that all municipal fines levied against a property are paid prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. May I get a motion to open to the public for a public hearing on this ordinance? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or
comments regarding this ordinance only, now is your opportunity to speak. Seeing that no member wishes to comment at this time, I would ask for a motion to close to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Making a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading. >> So move.
>> Roll call, please. >> Councilman San. Councilwoman Ducky, >> yes. >> Councilman Groky, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes. Councelor Grant. >> Yes. >> Next one on the agenda is 2026 colon 11.
And when the clerk has the opportunity, I ask please read the ordinance. >> An ordinance to amend chapter 8 of the revised general ordinances of the burough of Milford entitled parking and parking lots to add there to section 8.8
parking of electric vehicles. Purpose of this ordinance is to reserve parking at publicly accessible electric vehicle supply service equipment parking spaces for the parking and charging of electric vehicles only. Make it a motion to open to the public for a public hearing on this ordinance. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> Ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this ordinance only, now is your opportunity to speak. Seeing that no member of the public wishes to comment at this time, I would ask for a motion to close the vote. >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? I.
>> Any opposed? Making a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Making a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman San, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Robsky, >> yes. >> Council President Sean, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Okay. The next one is 2026 col 12. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I'd ask her please read the ordinance. An ordinance to amend chapter 10 of the revised general ordinances of the burrow
near Milford entitled building and housing thereby amending section 10-1.3 fees regarding fees for leadbased paint inspection for residential rental dwellings. Purpose of this ordinance is to establish fees for leadbased paint inspection for residential rental
dwellings pursuant to NJSA 527D-437.16. May I get a motion to open to the public for a public hearing on this ordinance? >> So move to second. >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen of the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this ordinance only, now is your opportunity to speak.
Seeing that no member of the public wishes to comment at this time, I would ask for a motion to close to the public. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? Any opposed? May I get a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading? >> Second. >> Make it a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sanen,
>> yes. Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Grosky, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. >> I don't imagine there's too many people against, you know, inspection of lead paint, lead based paint.
Okay, we have 2026 colon 13, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> An ordinance amending chapter 7 of the revised general ordinances of the Barb and Milford entitled traffic thereby amending section 7-3.6 parking prohibited certain hours for
street cleaning and snow removal. >> Okay. The purpose of this ordinance is to add a provision for the removal of vehicles on certain streets during certain hours for the purposes of snow removal. This came on recommendation of our police department when we introduced it. And may I get a motion to open to the public
for a public hearing on this ordinance? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen of the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding this ordinance, now is your opportunity. Seeing everyone is shaking their head no. I ask for a motion to close to the public.
>> Second. All in favor. >> Any opposed? Making a motion to adopt this ordinance on its final reading. >> Motion second. >> May I get a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Councilman Sanus? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy? >> Yes. >> Councilman Grosky? >> Yes.
>> Council President Seymour? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Grant? >> Yes. >> So, under new business, we have one introduction tonight. And when the clerk has the opportunity, I'd ask you to please read 2026 column 14, >> an ordinance amending chapter 30 of the revised general ordinances of the bar of
New Milford entitled land use regulations thereby amending sections 30-3.2 entitled fees and escrow. >> Purpose of this ordinance is to correct the fee for the tax mapping listing of property owners to be consistent with NJSA 405D
of municipal land use law. And if I remember correctly, it's 25 cents a name up to $10. Right. >> Well, whichever is greater. >> Whatever is greater. Okay. Make it a motion to introduce this ordinance on its first reading. >> Second.
>> Make a roll call, please. >> Councilman Sanen, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Duffy, >> yes. >> Councilman Gratzky, >> yes. >> Council President Seymour, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Grant, >> yes. >> Okay. Uh the public hearing for this ordinance will be at our April 6th. No,
that's Yeah, April 6th meeting. Okay. Okay. New new business. We have schedule updates. On Saturday, March 28th is New Milford High School Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the New Milford High School Athletic Boosters. It will take place from 8 8:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the New Milford High School cafeteria. Um, also on that day is our annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by New Milford Recreation. That'll be at 10 o'clock in Nightsfield. So, right across from the cafeteria at Nightsfield will be the uh egg hunt. And there's no rain for the
egg hunt. On Saturday, April 11th is our little league softball opening day sponsored by New for Little League and New for Recreation. uh parade lineup is at 8:45 a.m. in the old shop parking lot and uh we will march to Kennedy Field
and we will have our ceremony and first pitches and field dedication. On Saturday, April 18th is America's 250th anniversary kickoff sponsored by the New Milford Red 250 Committee, New Milford Historic Preservation
Commission, New Milford Environmental Commission, Milford Shade Tree. Uh, our first event will take place at 8:30 in the morning. It'll be our America the Beautiful litter litter litter cleanup. Um, we will be cleaning up litter on all the ball fields and around the recreational complex.
Um, after that we will have our Liberty Tree planting at 11:00 a.m. and everything will take place by the Burough Hall Gazebo. So, it should be a fun day. On Sunday, April 19th, Bill Ervolino is
at the uh library at 100 pm is sponsored by the friends of the Mila Public Library and Friends of the Oridel Public Library and refreshments will be served. >> Yes. >> Okay. Were there any upcoming events that I missed? >> On May 30th, the arts committee has its
um um performing arts event at the YMCA. It's in the afternoon, I believe, 2 to 4, and it's free. It's going to be great fun. >> And our first anti-hate and antibbias crime symposium in partnership with the
school district, police department, prosecutor's office, and sheriff's office will be on Wednesday, May 20th at 6 p.m. at the De Mo High School, New Auditorium. >> Okay. Yep. I will update on the uh on our next meeting and we'll also be adding
Memorial Day coming up, believe it or not. Yes. Crazy, right? Um, and also if you go to our website, you'll see this. This is all of our uh Rev 250 events so far scheduled. There might be a couple extra ones being added throughout the year, but you'll see this on our
website. So, you can uh mark your calendar, administrative report. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, the engineering update. The engineer has submitted revised bid documents and is awaiting approval from
the NJ DOT for the roadway improvement project for East Woodland Road, Grief Drive, Bridge Street, and the intersecting roadways. Uh the engineer is submitting bid documents for an environmental review to the Bergen County Community Development Block Grant for review for the Clinton
Avenue, Yugenot Road, Arlington Road, and Yell Street improvements. Construction on the main street improve project has paused for the winter season and will resume in the spring. Uh the contractor has completed the fencing and guide rail installation and will be
addressing punchless items and soil restoration for the initial limits of the French restoration project. The MJD application for a minor technical modification was deemed complete on February 2nd and is under review.
Um on the 2026 municipal budget is scheduled to be on the April 6th agenda for introduction. Um something I've been announcing at previous meetings pursuant to New Jersey Public Law 2025 chapter 72. The burrow
is transitioning transitioning the publication of all legal and public notices from the newspaper to the burrow's official website www.newilfordnj.gov. Beginning March 1st, the bureau is required to make the comp complete text of all legal notices publicly accessible
on its official website free of charge. Website publication supersedes newspaper publication. All notices must be available on the web page for at least one week from the date of the initial posting. In addition, the borrow is required to maintain an arch archive of
legal notices for at least one year after the notice was removed from the current legal notices web page. Uh there's a prominent notice on our homepage for public notices. If you click on it, you're going to see everything that's current and there's a a link for the archive on that page.
Uh the burough hall will be closed on Friday, April 3rd in observance of Good Friday. And the next meeting of the mayor and council is a work session which is scheduled for two weeks from tonight on Monday, April 6 at 7 p.m. And that's it for me. Thank you. >> Any questions for the administrator?
Can I get a motion to forgo council committee reports? >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Everyone has a chance to look at the resolutions. Any need to be pulled for further discussion and or vote? May I get a motion to open to the public?
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Ladies and gentlemen, the public, anyone has any questions or comments regarding anything related to the good and welfare of the burough of Milford, we ask that you uh comment now. Just just say your name loud. >> Katie Hill.
>> Um >> just let's before we start nothing. We really don't want to talk about Brookchester at the presentation because of what happened and it wouldn't be fair to the people that have left. So >> if we can save those to the next time they come, but if you have anything else, >> I assure you it has absolutely nothing
to do with my current confidence. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, one thing I did want to ask since the parking restrictions have been lifted in the burrow of New Milford, I know it is something that perhaps may fell to the wayside, especially since there is an
overflow of parking on streets in the burrow overnight. Um, I would ask the mayor and council to consider an option to measure side streets to see if parking can be restricted to one side or the other in cases where the streets are
excessively narrow. Um, case in point, Terrace Avenue. Um, there is a difficulty in driving down a regular vehicle in the event of an actual emergency. I do believe that we would have a specific issue. So I would ask
that it be brought to light perhaps to perhaps in the narrower streets of the burrow perhaps determined that parking should be limited to one side or the other preferably on the side that is not
containing a fire hydrant. >> I'm sorry. There will be a second comment after this from my friend over here because >> we we can have that looked at. We've done that in the past. Uh James, Elizabeth, concourse, things like that. We we've done that one side of
street parking because >> I in a neighboring burrow. I'm there frequently and they have a a no restriction on either side, etc. No curves, no sidewalks, whatever. I understand we have sidewalks. We have better opportunities here, >> right?
>> But I find it difficult to drive my small car, >> right, >> in streets where there's parking on both sides. >> It is. Yes, it will be measured and they go by the scientific data, the measurements and decide whether or not emergency vehicles can make it because
you know lots of people think streets are too small. Sometimes they are, sometimes they're not. But we will take a look at it. >> I wrote down Terrace. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anyone else? I'm just going to say something. I'm not sure if you remember this, but there was um a property at the
very end of Terrace Place >> um that the developer wanted to put that 28 unit apartment building on. You remember that? There was like that wasn't terrace. That was >> Carlton Place. Yes. I live on ter. So, yeah. No, we're not going to look at it now.
>> That's good. >> Okay. Never mind. But I'll I'll continue. Sorry. I was just saying >> state your name >> Kaminsky. Um, one of the biggest issues also was this big snowstorm we had. Now, obviously that's something that doesn't
happen often. However, it it made it even shorter for the cars to come in and out and the trucks had a hard time because cars were parked on both sides and it was um impacted by the snow. And
so I think that needs something to be addressed as well. If we ever do come across snow like we had, we need to make sure that those areas are clear in those sections because of the shortness of
>> So I do know especially after the first snowstorm, we did go back and we were removing snow particularly in commercial areas by the schools and in culde-sacs and denon streets. Halfway through that second storm, there was nowhere for us to put stuff. >> There wasn't. I know that. So, yes, I know that. But that that it was just one
of one of the issues. >> Not you, but some residents had suggested that we dump it into the river. And I said, "Well, that's going to be easy for a D problem. You can't do that." >> So, we we do the best we can. And that those backtoback storms was, you know, that was a killer. could it c it was an
issue park pulling out because we would park driveway and I could not literally pull out of my driveway because of the shortness of it. >> Yep. Understood. We will take a look at everything. >> Thanks. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. >> May I get a motion to close to the
public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Making a motion to adopt resolutions 2026 col 99 through 2026 col10 7. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Um the Earth Day proclamation, I'm going to read it on the 18th at our Red 250 event since I'm also doing Arbor Day and Earth Day is going to be the 22nd. So it'll still be before. So, I will add this to
that event. Um, are we going close or are we doing close? We're doing close. >> All right, ladies and gentlemen. We are going to go into close session. When we exit close session, this body will take no formal action and we are going to
adjourn. So, thank you very much for being here. Um, have a great night and uh >> thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Motion to close. >> Motion to close. >> Motion second.
>> Yes. >> All in favor. Okay.