You guys ready? >> Yeah. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome to the uh work session meeting of the mayor and council. At this time, I'd ask everyone to please rise for a moment of silent prayer and a reflection as we think about the new Milford Volunteer Fire
Department. Since our last meeting, they've had more than 30 calls and two of them have been major hazardous structure fires. One in town and one assist in Oregon. Please 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. >> Please note a fire exit behind you into the main hallway and kind of to my right, your left, into council chambers.
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 interests were discussed or acted. In accordance with this act, the mayor and council of the Burough of New Milford have closed notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and
place thereof posted in the Burough Hall. Notices have been sent to the record in the Ridgewood News. The mission of this governing body is to provide essential services through the establishment and implementation of public policy that will safeguard the infrastructure, provide fair, honest, courteous, and professional services,
establish a sense of trust and accomplishment between all residents, and through research and prudent planning, seek to minimize risk while improving our services. We are sensitive to the needs and satisfaction of our taxpayers while realizing that this governing body cannot be all things to all people within the revenue
constraints imposed by state mandates, economic conditions, and prevailing attitudes about taxation. At this time, I would ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Councilwoman Sanus >> here. >> Councilman Syler >> here. >> Councilwoman Duffy >> here.
>> Councilman Grosky >> here. >> Council President Seymour >> here. >> Councilwoman Grant >> here. Mayor Patrino >> here. >> Before we start, um there's two resolutions I'd like to add tonight. So, I'm going to ask one at a time. I'm going to ask for a motion to add 2026
colon 86, which would be appointing Harshell Joshi as a CLEO officer. So, >> move second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? And the second one would be
2026 colon 87 which would be um Brandon Flesher appointed as a CEO officer. >> Motion second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. So added. Okay. First thing tonight is
proclamation for black history month. Office of the mayor proclamation. Whereas the history of Black History Month goes back to 1915 and was first celebrated in 1926. And whereas in 1976, President Gerald Ford issued the first African-American History Month
proclamation. And whereas National Black History Month serves as both as a celebration and as a powerful reminder that Black History is American history and black culture is American culture. And whereas understanding black history is important to understanding our nation. And whereas it is appropriate to
acknowledge and celebrate the immeasurable contributions of black Americans, honor their legacies and achievements of generations past, recognize past injustice, and confront injustice that still fits today. And whereas we are committed to advancing equity and racial justice. And whereas
as an African-American burying ground was discovered in the Milford and is believed to date back well before 1884. And whereas we support the recognition, acknowledgement of the African-American burial ground in which enslaved people were buried. And whereas the Burough of New Milford wishes to honor the history
and contributions of African-Americans in our community, our state, and our nation. Now therefore, I, Mayor Michael Batrino, mayor of the burough of Milford, proclaim February 2026 to be Black History Month and encourage all residents and businesses to celebrate
our diverse heritage and culture and continue efforts to create a world that is more just and more peaceful. Moving on to unfinished business, may get a motion for the approval of the minutes from the January 26th, 2026 closed and public session meetings. Motion >> second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay, moving on to new business. Item number one is budget update. Councilman Groski. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh budget draft uh is being worked on. It can't be completed until uh the annual financial statement
is completed by our burough auditor. We're also waiting for a couple of external numbers to come in and uh we're hoping to have a draft for review by uh February 23rd. That's it. Thank you. >> Excellent. Any questions for Councilman Brownsky.
>> Okay. If not, we're going to move on to number two, Williamsfield administrator. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I think I sent something out about this. It was good news. Um we received Yes. We received $194,000 from Bern County Open Space
toward the lighting project at Williams Field. This is in addition to the $148,000 that we received from NJD Green Acres. The total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $600,000 with professional fees and the balance
of the construction. So, we will still need to bond $258,000 to move forward with this project. But very nice that we have more than half. >> Yes. >> Covered by grants. >> This is the uh last field that needs lights and completes it. Yeah.
Excellent. >> You complete me. There you are. >> And thank you for what applying for the grant. Thank you to the residents who filled out the surveys and took part in that because that that's a process that we have to do now to get to get grants.
So, thank you. It was a team effort. Okay. Item number three is schedule updates. That's me. Okay. On Sunday, February 15th is the annual Crescent Moonlighting sponsored by the New Milford Public Events Committee. It'll take place at 6:30 p.m.
at the Burough Hall. And this will also be a food collection event. So, we ask that you bring a non-p perishable food item for our local food pantry. On Sunday, March 15th is annual Bergen County St. Patrick's Day parade sponsored by Bergen County and
Bergenfield. The flag ceremony raising will be at 1 p.m. and the parade will start at 2 p.m. starts on Washington Avenue and will go all the way down Washington Avenue and end by the Yum border. And as I had mentioned before, we are very honored that Chief Brian Clancy was named the
Grand Marshall. Our chief yesterday was celebrated at the uh annual St. Patrick's Day committee's brunch um where there was some proclamations for him, certificates, and you know, kind of some funny stories about him.
It was a good time. On Saturday, April 18th is America's 250th anniversary kickoff in New Milford, sponsored by the New Milford Rev 250 Committee and the New Milford Public Historic Preservation Commission. The time for that is to be determined.
It'll take place kind of near the Burough Hole Gazebo. This ceremony will include raising of the 250th anniversary flag and the planting of a liberty tree. There may be some more things thrown in that, but as we get closer, we'll be advertising quarantine.
>> Yes. 18th, >> which is also Randy. >> Uh, no. >> That's right. >> Thank you, Randy. Once again, >> were there any other events that I failed to mention that are upcoming? >> Yes. So the uh environmental committee
commission is looking to uh at the 18th to do a uh >> April 18th. >> April 18th. >> The last one you just mentioned April 18th to do a litter cleanup that day and that will also be TBD so that people
will not have to choose between the events. They're going to environmental commission would like to coordinate with the rev 250 committee to make sure that >> absolutely >> coordinate together and support each other. >> Wonderful.
>> Moving on to item number four is administrator's report. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh we received three responses to the request for proposals for marketing services for the new Milford Fire Department. The uh New Milford Fire Department has received a staffing for adequate fire and emergency
response grant part of which provided for marketing to increase recruitment and retention. The proposals have been forwarded to the fire department for their review. Um, next item. Pursuant to New Jersey Public Law 2025, Chapter 72, the burrow
along with every other municipality in New Jersey will be transitioning to publication of all legal and public notices from the newspaper to the burough's official website, which is www.nemilford jersey.gov. Beginning March 1st, 2026, the bar is
required to make the 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 p web page for at least one week from the date of the
initial posting. And in addition, we must we're required to maintain an archive of all legal notices for at least one year after the notice was removed from the current legal notices web page. Our page is up and running. Um, and uh it's a big departure from uh
what public notice laws have existed the entire time that I've been part of uh public public employment. >> So, save us some money. >> Yes, it will. Uh we're still we're still advertising through March 1st in the newspaper.
>> So we'll have to change the uh >> I did already. >> Okay, perfect. >> I already reduced the budget >> every dollar. >> Every dollar. >> Also the open public news >> to say it's on our website and gives a web address instead of record. >> I will update
>> cuz people are less right. >> Okay. >> Because it was paid. Um, Bur Hall will be closed next Monday, February 16th, in the observance of President's Day. And the next meeting in the mayor and council is our work um, is
our public session scheduled for Monday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. And that's it for me. Thank you very much. Excellent. Okay, the resolutions. Has everyone had a chance to look at them? Are there any
that need to be pulled for further discussion and or vote? Okay. If not, I'm going to ask for a motion to open to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Ladies and gentlemen, the public, if anyone has any questions or comments regarding the good and welfare
of the world of Milford, now is your opportunity to speak or introduce yourself to us. >> I I was waiting for Mr. Dcasta. Everybody should know me, but if you don't, I'm Kendra Moore. Mr. Dcasta was supposed to introduce me to you and him to come today. >> Yes. So I am the new board of education
leaders onto the council. I don't have anything. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And we'll um we will get your number and your email address and we'll give it to our administrator in case we ever need to contact you. Everyone will have it. Sound good?
>> Okay. Excellent. That's >> that's okay. That's okay. >> Seeing that there is no other member of the public that wishes to speak at this time, make it a motion to close to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? Make it a motion to adopt resolutions 2026 82 through 2026 87. Second. >> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Is there any other business before this
council? If not, I would ask for a motion to adjourn. Motion >> 7:14. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay. >> Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.