Call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner, >> here. Miss >> Dolan, >> here. >> Mayor Morgan, >> here. >> Mrs. Mcnite, >> here. >> Mr. Gardner, >> here. >> Salute the flag. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Dean's here. It's a public meeting brow council bon providence county union state jersey
adequate notice has been given in accordance with PL1 1975 chapter 231 that annual notice of revision was made in section 13 of the act. I need a motion oh read the title for uh
resolution 2A please. resolution establishing March 24th, 2026 as the date and 717 as the time and the municipal center is the place for the holding of a special session of the mayor and council of the Bur of New Providence to discuss affordable housing
matters with the burough's legal council at which time the public will be excluded. Can >> I have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner, >> here. >> Miss Dolan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Joffrey, >> yes. Um, Mayor Morgan, sorry. Um, Mrs.
Mcnite, >> yes. Mr. Gardner, >> yes. >> Looking at me like, what? >> Tried to sneak one in just to see if you're listening. >> Okay. >> Um, let's uh give it to Paul.
>> Okay. >> We already did our pledge of allegiance public notice. So, >> where's where's Coach Katano? >> There he is. Come on up, buddy. Whereas Arkansas is a lifelong resident
of the Bur New Providence as well as New Proidence High School alumnist, class 1973 and a legendary longtime head coach for boys basketball team at New Province High School for over 40 years of service.
Whereas he is known for building a highly successful program, including winning the 2019 group one state championship and coaching all his games at NPHs.
And whereas he is recognized as a staple of the Province High School athletics and was the first coach in Union County to reach 500 wins exclusively at one school. And whereas reaching 600 career
victories is a rare and remarkable milestone reflecting not only exceptional coaching ability but also enduring passion and consistency at the highest level of high school athletics.
And whereas through the decades of commitment to student athletes, coach Katano has not only achieved competitive success, but has also instilled values of discipline, teamwork, integrity, and
respect in generations of young men. And whereas coach Katano's in uh impact extends far beyond the basketball court, shaping the lives, character, and the futures of countless players, students,
and members of the New Province community. And whereas this milestone stands as a testament to a career defined not only by wins, but by purpose, influence, and excellence. Now, therefore, I
Mayor B of Province County Union State, New Jersey do heartily congratulate coach Kan for his many years of dedicated service to New Province High School with the appreciation
for his remarkable legacy and with Beth's wishes for continued success in years to come. freshman coach, coach. >> Yeah, let's bring him up. >> I see we got Mr. Jelerini in the back.
He's a product of your uh of your program. I think you'd be >> he's in uniform, but Awesome. >> Come on over here. >> Nice. >> Very nice. >> Family. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Congratulations. >> Okay, let's go to public hearing 01. Please read the title. Ordinance 20261 is an ordinance of the Burough of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey, amending zoning ordinance.
>> I have a motion, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Okay. What this uh ordinance amends the Burough zoning board toote support the development of affordable housing in accordance with the burrows housing
element and fair share plan and a January 27th 2026 mediation agreement related to the affordable housing dispute resolution program. If anybody has any comments about this ordinance and this ordinance
only, please raise their hand. Give their name and address. >> Seeing no one. I declare public. >> Is that the one that has St. Andrews and all that? >> Yes. >> Okay. Then yes. >> Just come up. Give your name and
address. >> Sure. I'll go. >> My name is Eric Waters. I live at 394 South Street. I have uh a couple questions about the a couple of the numbers in the proposed zoning.
I noticed that with regard to the setback from South Street, I live directly across from the St. Andrew's property. It says 25 ft. And uh the pastor has said in a public statement that he posted on Facebook
that the great lawn will be untouched. I don't see how those two things can both exist. The great lawn is good 75 to 100 ft deep. So 25 foot setback zoning on South Street is incompatible with that. So I don't know if you guys are aware of
that or that this request was made I don't know not considering the statement that he made but I certainly think that should be considered before this is approved. The other question I had is uh with regard to Ethn Drive 40 feet. I
don't understand that because St. Andrews does not abut Ethan Drive. So are we saying that they can build right up to the back of the houses that are on Ethan Drive? You see, I don't know if you understand
what I mean, but like 40 feet from Ethan Drive would literally be the back of those properties. So, like they could build exactly to their property line. That would be surprising to me. Um, those are the main two things that I had. I mean, I'm just wondering if the pastor has a site plan that shows how
these units could be fit into the property without touching the great lawn. I'm curious if that exists. Uh, if so, I think that we should all see it u before this is approved. Uh, that's all I had. I don't know if anybody else wants to go. >> Okay. Paul, you want to address that?
since you've been in court with all this. >> Well, I yeah, I I can't address the specific questions. Um, but in terms of holding things off, we can't um this process uh I I sure is is upsetting.
It's upsetting to me and aggravating to me, but the the legislature set this process down and basically crammed it into down everybody's throats. >> I don't think that's the question I'm asking though. >> No, no. Let me just finish. Go. Go ahead. So you understand definitely not
what I'm asking. I'm not angry. I'm not I'm not enraged. I'm not anything of the sort. I'm asking a number question about the the zoning that ordinance that's being proposed to written into law today. >> You've asked that it not be written into law today. >> If we didn't put it if we don't pass
these ordinances today, >> then we are subject to what's called builder's remedies lawsuits. >> What? What's special about today? >> Pardon me. >> What's special about today? >> Actually, the deadline was March 16th. We had it extended from there. The legislature said you have to pass these
ordinances by March 16. >> So then change this 25 ft to a number that is consistent with what the pastor said in a public statement. >> And you know, I guess I don't have any problem with it. But like you they should at least address that. He said that
>> and if he's now saying that he gets up to 25 feet across my property, that's a problem. >> Where the carriage houses in the back of the church. Why do they need the 25 ft set back on South Street? They don't need it then. Change the number. That's it. Right. >> No, it's in the back of the church where they're going to be putting it,
>> right? So, why do they need 25 ft set back minimum from from South Street? Make it a larger minimum is what I'm suggesting. That's simple. If it's going to be behind the carriage house, that shouldn't be a problem. You see what I mean? You know the property, right? >> No, I don't. >> Okay.
>> So, it it's it's hundreds of feet from South Street. >> Yeah. Yeah, I don't I don't know what the 25 foot setback is on South Street. Why? What that means to be honest with you? >> It's the minimum setback. That means you can build out to that to 25. Am I Mr. Attorney? I understand correct.
>> Does that mean your your setback is 25 ft? That means you can build out to that line, right? >> To that 25 foot line, >> right? Yeah. Okay. >> But the current plan is not to do that. >> No, it's to go behind the church where the carriage house is on. >> I get it. So then why do you need zoning that allows it to go to 25 ft set back
from South Street across from my house? >> Well, that's standard. >> That could be current. >> That's the right away. >> It doesn't seem like that's necessary. Why don't It doesn't seem hard. Just change the setback. If his plan is the great line will be untouched, put it into the law.
>> The the setbacks along the street are done. So, if sidewalks are going to be put in this and that, >> nobody's planning to put put uh housing up to 25 ft on South Street. >> But, mayor, what's being done is writing
a law. So, once it says 25 foot setback, >> the pastor can change his mind and everyone can come back in next year and there's there's a building 25 ft from the road across my house. >> That's a problem. I think you'll hear the same from others. They they have to
come before the planning board and the planning board would never do that. The 25 ft is for like an easement. >> Then why can't it be changed to 100? >> What's so hard about that? >> You can't change it to 100. >> 75. >> We couldn't.
>> There's a there. It's currently zoned that it already exists that has a setback, >> right? >> Uh and I I'm not trying to look it up right now. >> What I don't get is the pastor here? >> He was. >> Okay. Maybe he can come up and answer that question. If if he says the great law will be untouched, why does this why can't this number be changed to a
greater number? Simple. Seems very easy to me. >> It's not that easy because because you had a presentation at introduction on the 10th. You had the planning board which had noticed stop talking over me. >> Which was noticed.
>> Stop talking over me. No problem. Okay. It's always noticed. >> It's in the agenda. Then you have a planning board meeting. They considered this. They recommended it. Now you're coming here and and I I get what you're saying, but we can't just >> out of thin air decide we're going to
pick 75 or 50 or 100 when we've been having these discussions. We've had this agreement. We've had two meetings where it was presented and now to change it now I think would create a big problem. >> What big problem would it create? You cross it out. So what what you're saying is you have to go back to the planning
board and then come back to council for first reading and then come back to council for second reading. >> Not able to pass the ordinance at this point. >> Okay. >> And that again puts you up to >> So then how come we were only noticed up seven days ago? >> Yes. >> I think that's you're going to hear again and again. I I I don't know what
to say. I'm not I'm not angry with anybody here. I'm just I'm I don't think it's right. I don't think this is the result that you want. I don't think it's going to be good for the character of the way you enter our town. if they build out to that line. I don't think it'll be good. I honestly believe that. That's my true belie.
>> Just if it's something you want to consider, we pass this ordinance as it's written. If you We can always amend this ordinance. We can amend this ordinance next month. We can amend this ordinance in two months. If it's something we we have to talk to the pastor, we'd have to have the planning board look. I mean,
it's >> I guess I just don't understand why is this my mistake? because he said it the great law will be untouched and then the the the ordinance is being proposed proposes something completely different which is >> catastrophic to to where I live in my
house. >> The zone the zoning ordinance that we're passing doesn't >> it doesn't necessarily mean there will be build up to 25 ft. >> I do understand that. But what it does mean is that someone can change their mind later and and the law is there. You guys are writing law.
>> What's this what's this? Does anyone know what the setback on the rest of South Street is? I >> I don't know. I was trying to look it up right now. There's some zones that are 25 feet existing. Um >> that's I think that's right. That's something that uh >> but he made a he can come up and address it. He made a public statement the great
law will be untouched. Why does it need zoning to 25 ft? He may have an answer. I don't know. >> Be because the I think am I right in saying the pastor is not dictating the the zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance is to meet the affordable housing. The pastor is just proposing a plan that will also fit within the
zoning ordinance. >> I I I understand and I think Paul's right. We'll bring this back, do some research on it, bring it back to the planning board >> because we do not want anybody building on that front lawn. >> So, you're correct.
>> Bear in mind that St. Andrews was an important piece of mediated agreement, >> right? So, >> yeah. >> And if you pass that today, then again, >> but we can't pass it today. the 75. >> No, no,
>> it has to go before the planning board and everything else and everybody has to be noticed. So, it can't if we pass this, it has nothing to do with that easement. So, >> yeah, there's a long time before the
>> Yeah. >> the project is actually going to get started. It has a whole process that it has to go through. >> No, definitely. But, you know, it's the kind of thing like I'm familiar with the development process a little bit. It's the kind of thing someone could definitely come back later
and say that's what it says. I'm building out there. I'm sorry. That's that's just that's true. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know. I >> I don't mean to be I I apologize for speaking over you earlier. >> I apologize. I don't mean disrespectful to anybody. >> I appreciate that.
>> I you know, I just feel something has to be said about it. I I'm not even against affordable housing necessarily. I'm sort of against the way it has all gone down. But I do think there are matters of sort of character and respect for the the neighbors in the neighborhood and I'm sure that the pastor as a man of God is
very concerned with all that and I'm sure he'll address that. But um you know that's all I have. I I'm going to yield to somebody else. And >> you know I appreciate you coming and bringing that to us. You know, I was born and raised in this town and just like and we've seen drastic changes
since we grew up here and that's not the intent of and we will look at at the planning board the next meeting. I'm glad you brought it up. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Hi, my name is Rosemary Zeder. I live at 410 South Street. So, I wanted to make a couple of um read a couple of things out to you, then ask you my questions. Um, so I've lived in New Proidence since 2005. I think the population was about
was under 12,000. We're now at what 135 maybe >> 14 >> 14 >> 13. >> Um, you did a re-examination report in 2017 with some comprehensive goals. Some of those comprehensive goals were
encourage the redevelopment, revitalization and restoration of brownfield sites and other contaminated properties. Preserve the unique character of existing residential neighborhoods. Ensure practical and appropriate development control in order to preserve open space and both active
and passive recreation facilities. Conserve the natural landscape and protect sensitive ecological areas of the burough. protect the safety, appearance and stability of the burough and preserve the historical, architectural and cultural character of
the community where appropriate. We have a number of concerns with the um St. Andrews site um from a South Street resident perspective. We are directly opposite the church. Um, I
have serious concerns around traffic congestion and safety. Even today, South Street is busy. People do not stop, vehicles do not stop coming down that road from for the crosswalks. Um,
there is a proposal to put 500 units up in Nokia area, my understanding from reading everything, and 68, if I'm not mistaken, in the Lantern Hill area. All of those residents and the 24 that
are being proposed to be put across the road from us, all of those, their direct route into and out of town is South Street. Union is 25 miles an hour and and does not go into town. Maple has some restrictions and again doesn't go into
town. All of that traffic, all of that additional congestion is coming down South Street. So from a safety perspective, there are safety concerns today. There are regular accidents with cars coming down too fast, going off into neighboring properties whenever
there's ice, rain, snow, even when there's not. Um I think it's a hazard for any families. Um in terms of crossing the roads and things in terms of aesthetics and quality of
the housing, I do have concerns. Most of the affordable housing that is being built is being built amongst um property developers developments. Here we're talking about 24 units which
are all low-income housing. So, I do question the quality and the standard to which those buildings will be built to ensure that they're put and built aesthetically in accordance with some of the surrounding properties. Um, a number
of us live in, you know, historic properties in town. Um, and if we're talking about building something that's that's like Murray Hill Apartments, then that's very different to Hansel. It's very different to the
houses opposite on South Street. Um, so that is obviously another another big concern. >> Unfortunat I agree with you 100%. And I think everybody up here on council agrees with you about the housing. It's
mandated by the New Jersey Supreme Court. We have no control over it. What we did do, it goes to the planning board. Now, Toll Brothers wanted to put 104 units in. We we worked with them to
eliminate 23 units, change all all the uh all the architecture to match pretty much match the neighborhoods. We're well aware of what you're saying and we'll do the best we can to accommodate what we
have to accommodate, but it's like Paul said, it's really out of our hands. I um >> I I I appreciate I appreciate the fact that you know Mount Laurel doctrine has meant that your hands are tied with that regard. However, your hands are not tied
necessarily where the housing and the development takes place. >> And I think there needs to be some thought in terms of you're talking about adding more in the middle of South Street when all the additional housing that
you're sticking up there is 570 units effectively all will be coming down that street as well. I know the county is looking to do some renovations, but they're not our roads, so they're county roads. So,
they're looking they're looking to uh change signals and do doing a lot of things when this all this stuff starts up on Mountain. So, >> uh I have no control of what the county is doing. >> Understood. But then I I I guess my next question is, are we going to end up with
traffic lights outside of my house opposite the church in order to help with the traffic lights? traffic lights are where they are now on central like we've been asking for arrows on on central and uh south for for years
>> right >> I mean that would that would alleviate a lot of problems but you know we're dependent on them >> right I do I do want to state as well I do concur with everything my neighbor Eric said in terms of the setbacks and things and I completely agree with his
concern if it's If it's passed through tonight at being a 25 foot setback, then there is nothing to stop somebody. Even if they say right now that they have no intent to go to that 25 ft setback,
there is nothing to stop them from doing so. >> Understood. >> Um Paul, if we if we do something like that with the planning board, is that considered spot zoning? What were you talking about just adjusting? Are we talking about the 25
foot or we >> the 25 foot? >> No. >> No. Okay. >> I don't believe so. >> And I'm >> We can bring it up to the next planner board meeting, >> right? >> I mean, the other the other thing that I'm concerned about obviously is our property value. We bought in 2005. It
was a small a small town. We're destroying the tapestry of the town effectively and it it's all right where we live. And >> nobody can ever explain to me I I understand the need of affordable housing. It's not the affordable
housing. It's the builders won't build the affordable housing unless they build 80% more. And that's where where the rub comes in. And it it's horrible. what is going on
in this state. It really is. And it's not only us, especially in this northeast section of New Jersey. They're they're putting in all this stuff. I mean, there's a name for it, but I'm not going to say it publicly, but
you can only fit X amount in a certain space. And they just keep jamming it in and they keep raising the numbers. And you know, these numbers are good for 10 years. What's going to be happening in 2035? Are they going to raise them up again?
>> Right. It >> it's it I wish I had an answer for you. I really do. It's my heart's breaking when I see what's happening in our town. >> I mean, the in the infrastructure is being destroyed as well. I mean, we absolutely we've been re I my
understanding is my children are all now in high school, but my understanding is that South Street has been reszoned. We were Roberts. Most of the affordable housing is on the Robert's side. >> It was already reszoned. >> Sorry. >> It was already reszoned. >> The school district.
>> The school district has been res. It's been reszoned. I know. But in but in terms of the but in terms of the the the zoning and the requirement, >> all of the development all the development is on the Robert's side >> and >> my daughter goes to Robert. So I'm I'm definitely in that.
>> Yeah. >> In that pool. >> Yeah. I I think there's a lot of questions that need to be, you know, >> well, that's the reason is because that's where they have the land. >> I mean, on the other side of town, it's all all developed with housing. So,
>> all right. I'm going to let someone else speak. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Yes. Um, I'm actually here on behalf of my parents. Um, my parents live at 20 Ethan
Drive, which is directly behind St. Andrews Church and more importantly, it's directly behind the parking lot >> that is um that is owned by St. Andrews.
Yeah. So what from what I understand um my brother is also with me. Um we both met with um >> need your name. I don't think >> Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Fran Jakowitz. Um and my my parents are Franklin Lorraine that live at 20. So um when we
met with Pastor Gun, he um proposed uh to us to purchase my parents' home um to build the affordable housing on on my parents. I I don't know if they were going to use the home specifically because I do know that the home on the
very end of Ethan Drive is already affordable housing. Um and then there's the house that's next to that and then there's my parents house. >> There's three houses after that, right? >> Yeah. Well, there's the affordable housing that's on the very end um across from uh Dr. Lakes's uh business and then
my parents are there. So, one of the major concerns and and I do have a video and I and I implore you to see this video because it really does speak for itself. Um, if you're going to have the church and I'm I'm visualizing this from looking at my parents house. So, if
you're visualizing it, the church will be here >> and the affordable housing will be here. >> There is two drains uh two sewers and then a drain on my parents' property. Um, the video that I have is from the
July 14th where everything was underwater. I think everybody might remember that horrible storm. >> We know. >> Well, I I have a video where and and I and if I can show it to you if you don't if you don't mind if it's okay. Um,
may >> Well, the best thing the best thing to do is send it to Bernardet and then we can all get it at >> Bernardet. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. because doing it doing it on the phone here is really going to help.
>> Okay. Um, cu >> c a r o. Do I have like an email or something? >> Cu o new p r ov us. Okay. See, that'll be helpful
because then she'll have it, we can see it, but we can also when the plans come for this, the planning board will see it. Yes. >> So, if there's drainage problems, we can address that. >> Yes. So, there's there's actually an extreme drain problem because the water,
as you'll see in the video, comes down the mountain, comes because it comes down the um the parking lot. It comes into my parents' backyard. And I'll also send you pictures of the water line to where the water came up to the house. My parents concern is that with the
buildings being on either side now there it's literally a funnel coming into their home. They have and I and I do want this on record. They have never ever in the 55 plus years that they've been living here, they have never had water in their home. And I and I the
water line goes on the house and they also have a crawl space under the house. So those two areas were very concerned about having damage done to their home and you know with the amount of time that they've been living there. If something changes like this we have to
assume that it's going to be this this construction. Um so I do I do want to make that a strong point. The other point that I'm I'd like to make also too is that if you're going to have 24 units, and 24 units is going to
potentially, and I'm just roughly estimating this with a mother, a father, and possibly a child. You're looking at 72 people in now because I grew up there and I know this area. That's a very small area behind the
carriage house. That's not a lot of land. That's not a lot of I don't know where all the movement's going to go, but if you're looking at just three people moving into one unit, you're looking at the potential of 72 possibly up to a hundred people living
in that one small area. And it decre I mean, yes, it does decrease the property value. We are we're all very aware well aware of that. But and again, I don't know if this is something that's even a possibility or even thought of, but because we've lived there for so many
years, there's the Murray Hill Apartments and because the and again, I don't know if this is a possibility, but those apartments are already established. With those apartments being already established, instead of perhaps purchasing my parents' home or the homes
that were next to my parents home, why not purchase a portion of those apartments that are already established? They're made of brick. They're not going anywhere. They're they're stable. It's not going to increase congestion. It's
not going to it's the the we're not going to have the new build that's going to be going up there. We're not going to have the water issues. We're not going to have, you know, possibly even property value being be being destroyed.
When we met with the pastor, the the the purpose of the the the the units was to also help with the finances of fixing the church. So those that finances that if he could purchase perhaps a portion of the apartments, then using that
income to fix up the church, then it's kind of like everybody wins. He he gets the opportunity to to have that money to help fix up his church. We don't have additional buildings being built because they're already established there. I mean, I I don't know how much money is
going into the 24 or the proposed 24 units, but if that money could be used to perhaps purchase something that's already existed, then everybody wins. >> The town's not buying the property. We don't buy private property,
>> right? >> Uh if the church wants to buy that, the apartments is a is a private entity. If the church wants to do that, that's up to them. >> But I I guess my that might I'm sorry. I guess I'm confused.
>> But I thought the money that he was getting was to build those units. >> What money? >> From a developer, not from the town. >> Okay. >> The town doesn't The town doesn't buy
property to put affordable housing on. So there's no possibility that there could be another option besides something that perhaps is existing to to perhaps purchase to or or to perhaps turn into >> We've looked at everything over the
years. We've been working on this since what 2016 >> and we were always fully compliant and then they come up with the new numbers and it blows everything out of the water. Mhm.
>> Well, I guess one of the main concerns also too is the two sewers that do back up and the drain that's also there. I mean, how will these be addressed when >> that'll be you'll have to come to the planning board meeting when the plans
are submitted. They have to conform by RSIS standards and the water flow has to be uh better than what it was >> when they uh started. They'll probably
put under underground retention basins, things like that >> for rainwater. >> For rainwater >> and there are permeable coverage laws, right? >> Yeah. So, I mean, so am I asking is this something that's actually going to improve the situation that we have?
>> Theoretically, it should. >> It should. >> And and hopefully the flow will will be a lot better, too. So, >> they have to increase the pipe uh size and things like that going to Ethan and then down, >> then uh
>> they'll have to do that, too. >> Well, they're also very concerned. They don't want anything touched as far as their gradation of their home because what happens is is it ponds in the backyard and then it actually flows down the driveway and down, you know, it it doesn't affect the house. But the
concern is is is if it does affect the house, then it's, you know, obviously they they're my my parents are in their 80s and 90s. They they can't afford to have this happen. >> No, I understand. We'll do everything we can on the planning board side to to
mitigate any problems. >> So, I mean, if there is c can I, you know, if there is any damage done to my my parents' home, and again, I'm just thinking in in future terms, what do we do? >> You have to call your insurance company.
>> I mean, there's >> But in 55 plus years that they've been living there, there's never been an issue. My concern is is that with this happening and there is an issue, it's there's this is no fault of their own. >> This is something that's been done by
the town. >> And you can't go by that rainstorm in July because that was like a one in what 500 years storm >> and they didn't have water. They didn't have water in their house. >> Because I got some >> Well, but that's the point I guess I'm trying to make.
people that never got water that you know got it. But I hear what you're saying it and the planning board will look at it and I invite you to come to planning board meeting and listen to the engineer. >> Okay. >> They could give you the the the answers
and we we'd be happy to show them all all the information you sent. >> Yeah. Well, I'll I'll send all the pictures of the back of the house so you can see what our concerns are. We're very concerned. >> I get it. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> That's a specific thing that the planning board does deal with. They will
look at all that water issue, all the pipe issue, and they will address it. >> A lot of detail will go behind every aspect of development for sure. >> Yeah. It's it's just the funneling effect because you're having one building on one side, you're having another building on the other side. There's water only runs down. My concern
is where does it go except for their backyard and that's where it went. >> So, you know, that's >> the developer will have to model that all out. and look at >> and and possibly maybe put in additional drainage. Is that some
>> and they'll put in >> catch basins? >> Yeah, there is there is a drain on their property right now and that thing all of it overflows. The the sewers are overflowing. The the drain is overflowing. It's almost like the water is going well it's coming down.
>> They'll probably have to put in a few retention uh bases >> on the St. Andrew's property as part of the project in addition to what you're talking about. >> Right. >> Yes. >> So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Yes. >> Hi, my name is Lori Lake. I live at 5 Ethan Drive from Mr. and Mrs. Jakowitz. I have a two-part question. You mentioned the 40 foot setback. Is that from the actual curb of the street on Ethan Drive, not from the property line
of the homeowners for these 40 foot setback? >> I would think Ethan Drive is the the the 40 foot. >> Yeah. >> So, it's from the street. >> It's from the actual asphalt street 40T not from the property line
>> is now where the houses are. >> Okay. So, I'm going to double down on Mrs. um on Fran that they could in theory build right up against the property line of her parents' backyard >> that's still backyard setbacks.
>> Well, that's my question. Is it from the property line from their backyard property line is a 40ft setback or is it from the actual street that you drive on Ethan Drive which I don't know what >> the street is the front of the house. >> There's two separate the
>> two separate setbacks. So my question well to so I want so how close to the property line could they potentially be for the properties that back up to uh the St. And parking lot? >> I don't know because I don't have the plans in front of me.
>> Okay. And then my other question is being living on Ethan Drive with the apartments is a nightmare and there's a lot of street parking from the apartments. So, what would the parking situation look like for I know the daycare is saying obviously the church
having services and all that other stuff. So, what does the parking situation look like? So, it doesn't all land on Ethan Drive with everyone calling in their cars every single night. >> There are are parking regulations that they have to confirm to. >> Okay. Well, again, so how does that when
the the daycare is open and the employees are parking there? answer it because I I haven't seen the plans. >> They haven't submitted any plans yet. So, we can't determine that until we see some plans.
>> But there is a requirement for dedicated parking that goes along with the development on the property. So, that there has to be a sufficient number of spaces by code. >> Would it be I'm I'm assuming two spaces per unit something that of that nature. >> It could be like garage or tandem parking like for townhouse
>> by apartment. There will be a requirement for parking and that is part of the plans that we will see. >> And is there garages attached to the >> I'm not sure yet. >> I haven't seen the plans >> and that'll be at the next planning board meeting. >> Well, by the time that all goes through that can be
>> who knows how long it's going to when they submit plans then you'll get noticed. We have to notice everybody within 200 feet. >> Correct. >> So you'll get noticed when that is >> when that comes up. So once the plans are set, I mean is that like a done deal
though or is that something that can go back and get adjusted to speak? Okay. >> And every every um like the engineer, the architect, they'll give a presentation. The public gets to ask questions of that individual, that
professional at that time. And then after the whole thing's done, then you can you can ask more questions. >> Okay. Parking ends up being like a huge concern and even for the Toll Brothers property. I think they had three meetings alone just about parking like hours and hours.
>> It was more than that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The planning board is very thorough. When an actual plan comes through, every aspect will be discussed. Every aspect will be presented and people can come with their questions and discuss at that time. >> Okay. And I have one final question because I know the current house that
used to be the um kindergarten nursery school is not part of the plans. Is that something that's going to be grandfathered in as a standalone home or is that something that could be subject to >> I haven't I haven't seen the home. I haven't seen the plans. >> I I don't know. >> I don't know exactly what they're
planning. >> Is that something that the town I don't know if the town could do it could require that to be a standalone single home and not be incorporated into the building to again get there's four houses on that side of the street, there's three houses on my side of the street. Well, I think the whole that
whole whole block is multifamily, so we'd have checked the zoning. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Warren. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Good evening everyone. Miri Kapoor, 72 Kendallwood Drive. Um, my biggest
concern is we moved to New Providence because it's very open, beautiful, lot of woods where I am. My property is my backyard is towards Lantern Hill. So, it's all wood, beautiful,
and I just cannot wrap my head around and you mentioned it, the traffic congestion and the amount of houses that are going to be built. Plus there is also uh proposals to
build more things next to Lantern Hill. There are some technological development things like that. What will be the plan for controlling the traffic congestion especially on Mountain Avenue, South Street leading
into Diamond Hill and Union cuz that itself has so much traffic right now with with properties being built where the Nokia was and San Andrews, it's going to be a nightmare.
Well, as I as I indicated, those are county roads and they're going to reconfigure them. From my understanding, the police department, they came to with a plan with to the police department and they said, "Well, that's not going to work." >> So, I mean, they're not even going to
even start with that until they we they get plans for Nokia because they don't know exactly what's going to be going on if they're if they have to add a lane or whatever. But I know they're talking about changing the traffic signals. >> But changing the traffic signal,
>> I can't change the traffic. I This This is courtmandated. >> I understand. >> If we do a builder's remedy, what that means is that a builder could come in and do whatever they want and they you
know what? They don't even have to abide by the zoning. But as as a city, >> we do have some rights. >> We have no home rule at all really anymore. The state has taken home rule right out of the right out of
everything. The little bit that we can do, we do. And I wish I had better news. It frustrates me more than anybody. Like I said, I was born and raised here. I never expected all this stuff.
But every town is going through this and it's horrible. And I don't understand. What I really don't understand is how they're building all these units in Hudson County, Hoboken, Beo, Jersey City, all these
places and they're exempt from the state number. Why? Nobody. To this day, nobody can give me an answer. Why is Montlair
exempt? They're a suburban community. Nobody has been able to tell me that. And I've asked on the state legislature, I don't get an answer. But they're still
in all these suburban towns. And even out I have when the mayor out out in West Jersey where it's all open space, they said I we have no place to put it because the Highlands Act won't let them
build on the open land out there. He said where am I supposed to put this stuff? Whoever thought of this is didn't realize the ramifications that is going to hit all our communities. Not they never thought about the
increase in population in schools, the traffic, the sewer plants, how we going to process all the all the sewage, right? >> I mean, the parking, everything. and >> you know >> and the pollution
>> because if we're going to have so many houses then there's going to be cars >> water runoff everything we're just overdeveloped but it's like I said the home rule is out of our hands the only
thing that we can do is abide by the law do >> but that doesn't help us the residents >> it doesn't help us either except we have to do it because if you get the builder's remedy. >> They can do whatever >> they do whatever they want
>> and that's my big concern. Now there are number of houses can we not say okay you are bound by the state law like okay you have to have these houses built but can we not say instead of 40 reduce the number so the traffic
>> I mean we we we got to have some say in this >> talking about miles per hour. No, no, I was talking number of units. He got it. >> We can't change the number of units. >> We we were given we were given a number of units that we had to comply with. So we were given 201 units by the state
that we had to somehow >> find places for here in New Providence. >> But and and that by the way is one of the upsides of this of the St. Andrews project, right? That it's a 100% project. So it it's preventing another development somewhere else in town that's five times the size. So I mean
it's it's it's small in the grand scheme but it's it's actually a wonderful piece of this project that that that that that it's 100% not the 20% that the builders are required. >> I mean the biggest problem is that yes we have a need for affordable housing. What we don't have a need for is unaffordable housing and developers are
coming in under the guise of affordable housing and just building massive highdensity housing units >> and it puts disproportionate burden on the entire town and the developers make you know millions and millions of dollars >> and then the state doesn't say anything like there are no rules for those kind
of when the developers are coming and just building non-affordable housing. >> No, they can charge whatever they want. Mhm. >> Well, and and just to to kind of run the picture out, we're doing everything that we can, you know, to to to keep the character of the town intact. You know, the the planning board has done a lot of
that. We have a community forestry plan that that we're working on. You know, there's lots of open parks and stuff like that. So, none of this is a direct answer to your question, but the the as I think the mayor said, the stuff that we can do within the boundaries of the town are very much on our mind to to to find every lever that we can push to to
to to keep the character of the town intact. Believe me, if there was a way that we could get around this, we would have done it. And we're in the same boat. >> You know, I understand that, but it's unfortunate that this state >> It's frustrating, >> right? >> And if we try to fight it, we're going to end up losing a lot of money in court.
>> Well, not only that, you they fought it, fought it, fought it. They've lost every time. It's cost them millions of dollars in legal fees and fines. And you know what? >> No, I understand. >> They said six months they got a worst deal. You got they hit their worse off
now. So >> my other big concern is the schools the population in the school. >> We have nothing to do with the schools. >> But we are >> but but when the houses more houses will be built the children will go somewhere. >> We
>> and do we plan to have another school or like >> that that >> expand? >> That's the board of education. I can't speak for them, but we are in contact with them with their demographer and how many extra kids, but we work with them.
They're right in this building here. So, they we we talk all the time about safety. We talk about, you know, overcrowding. Um hopefully one thing we're not doing is pilots
and that way you know um a lot of towns uh take the money all the tax money if you do a pilot and none of it goes to the schools. >> We won't do that. >> No, thank you. I appreciate that. >> And and you know what? If we do do a
pilot, we would dedicate x amount to the schools because that's just not not right. I mean, there aren't kids. We represent everybody in town. So, we're concerned about the schools, too. >> Yeah. I wish there was a there was a way
that the state understands that what we will be going through every day. >> Yeah. >> And I don't I I can volunteer going and talking to them. But I know. So, actually, my suggestion then is, and you know, I'm I see you feel the same frustration that we have. >> Yeah.
>> Perhaps reach out to your legislators and express to them how you feel. reach out to your local assembly men. Reach out to, you know, um, our local state senator, who is in agreement with us, by the way, but reach out to our two new assembly men and express your
frustration to them at what this bureau needs to be going through. Perhaps they should hear that to become educated on what we are concerned about. >> Yeah, definitely. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Seeing no one
Um, thanks uh for having this meeting TAC 55 Hansel Road. >> Um, so um, Mr. Mayor. Um, I sent you a email. Okay. So, those that's kind of context of what my questions are and
it's more holistic than perhaps things that you guys can't really kind of know right now because the plans haven't been fully vetted. >> But, uh, a couple of things. Number one is I guess I'm really concerned that the first time we hear about this is just
about a week and a half ago when we got it in the mail. It was sounds like the way that the letter was written, it's already a done deal. We had as as the residents that are affected by the this over development that it's um that we
got no say in it. We had no prior knowledge of it. >> We probably we really don't have a say in it anyway because Paul can tell you he's been in court. We had a challenge. We lost the challenge. We got to do it. >> No, no, no. I I get it. But when did you
go to court? >> Well, most recently, two weeks ago, we still had two challengers. We We have two challengers that part of their challenge is claiming the St. Andrews project they don't think is ever going to happen. They don't think it's practical uh and shouldn't be part of the plan. Look, I I agree with almost
everything that's been said here tonight. And part of the problem is as you're expressing, we were given ridiculous deadlines, unnecessary deadlines by the state legislature. You know, we we we had a plan back in June that we filed.
>> Under the the law, developers had until the end of August to file challenges to the plan. Of course, the developers all waited until August 30 and 31 and then filed challenges. And I believe we had four or five challenges.
um under the legislative plan then we have to go to mediation >> right >> and under the plan everything had to be done by the end of December in terms of whether we had a mediated agreement or not >> the mediator there was a program and the
mediator is so swamped as are the planners that are appointed to this we don't get our first mediation till November um and we we were basically attacked right off from our first plan and we had to redo our whole first plan. Um then we
had another mediation in December 18th something like that I believe came up with a plan that which is really what we have here um with some tweaks I think but satisfying most of the challenges but two but then
we had to wait for they're called a special adjudicator but that's a planner to review it recommend it give it to the retired judge who is handling the mediations. They don't they didn't get that done until late January, early February, >> right
>> at that point. Now we're told we've got to get all this done by March 15th. It was a Sunday, so March 16th. That's not enough time. >> Yeah. >> And it's not necessary. I mean, this is my opinion now. I'm just preaching, I guess. But I don't know why, and I don't
disagree with you, but it's what we were stuck with. >> Yeah. But I mean you guys knew this kind of the end towards the third or fourth quarter of last year that this was going to happen. >> We didn't know what we were going to have. We didn't know the recommended. Yeah. >> In terms of Yeah. I mean we we didn't
know what property was going to be doing what. We didn't know what challenger was going to be willing to work, who was going to withdraw. Toll Brothers was one of the challengers. We ultimately worked that out. But there was nothing concrete that we could say to to the public, hey,
here's what we're proposing. >> Yeah. >> Have a hearing, then go back to the mediator. >> Yeah. >> We were we were given very very tight parameters and it's not right, but I don't know what else I could say to it. >> No. And and I know that there's you know if with the limited time I understand
but I guess some of the things that I wonder one of the residents had had mentioned about allocation of you know um space like that's existing Murray Hill you know that as an example and I I get that we don't buy property it's
that's not in the business of the town but we could reszone that we we have no problem reszoning the area that right now is Toll Brothers we have no problem resing zoning St. Andrews, we have no problem reszoning um Lantern Hill. Why
not do that for Murray Hill? Why not do that for Gail Drive? >> But if you if you reszone >> Yeah. >> what is there is still entitled it's grandfathered in and is still entitled to operate as it is. You know, you understand that. But you could phase in
the necessary requirement for the 200 um required part of that a part portion of that to be affordable housing. >> But but then you'll be attacked on that that's not a realistic realistic development potential. Gail's drive actually was was brought up and briefly
discussed but shot down very quickly by the special adjudicator is that's not practical. We don't, you know, they they want something that they feel in their infinite wisdom is going to happen relatively soon. >> Well, 10 year 10ear time span. >> Relatively soon.
>> Well, and and >> they're going to tell you that what you're proposing Yeah. >> isn't practical. Isn't a realistic proposal. I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just telling you I know what you we what the response was. >> Right. >> But I'm saying like some of these other towns that you've mentioned, Mr. Mr.
Mayor, like um the um like Montlair as an example or some of the Bergen County ones, they could be going after that type of an approach. We don't know. We don't know. >> US Supreme Court already ruled that you can't they they ruled against all the
towns. There were 40 towns that that got together >> and there's 26 >> US to >> to get involved. And I said, "No, it's a waste of money." and it went right to the US Supreme Court and they said, "No, you got to do it." >> Yeah. So, I mean, the fact is is that
there we could brainstorm as this town other solutions to this problem, which actually gets me to the point of how we got to this this proposal here because when you look at the map and you look at the town, it literally is the south
central part of the town where most all these residents live. There is no uh aspect on the east or west side or the north end north end of uh New Providence that has the affordable housing requirement. So it's disproportionate in
my from my perspective allocation of land for affordable housing. >> Well, there's only only certain pieces of property that you can put developments on. You can't go into neighborhoods and just buy five different places of property and put a
couple units in. It's it's not feasible. >> Well, I mean, >> and we've gone through this at Nosy and Neil that we had a choice. We had to pick certain sections >> or we had to overlay the whole town. I'm
not we can't overlay the whole town. developers will come in and buy five and six properties and put a big unit right in the middle of a neighborhood. You can't do that. >> There was a lot of thought into that reasoning and especially like behind
Bard and that whole area and that was to preserve the integrity of the neighborhoods. >> I know but it's not the same neighborhood anymore. So you got to understand from from my perspective, the perspective of the people behind me that it is disproportionate what we see we
all we hear all day is right now what's going on on Central A and you know I can hear it from from my home office and it's just going to get worse as we talk about what's going to happen with St. Andrews what's going to happen when they knock down Lexus Nexus. Um, so to me it
is disproportionate. Something that other parts of this town are not hearing maybe to the >> I live on your side. So like I I know what you're talking about, right? You know, >> um, but if we didn't do it this way, like Al was saying, the builders could
come in and buy up a couple houses on your block and put in put in, you know, 30 units. What would happen then? I know that's a prevailing thought, but again, this is the first time we're getting we're hearing of this and all we've seen is overdevelopment. So, it just from my
perspective and again only having a week week and a half's notice of this, I I I I struggle to think that this is the only solution quite candidly. >> Okay. >> And and the the last thing I'll the last thing I'll say is about St. Andrews is that we're setting a very dangerous
precedent if 89% of that property being developed is affordable housing. So 24 out of the 27 is about 89%. That opens the door for other people to say okay well you did 89%. You could do
that in other places. You can do that at the 500 you have in Nokia. Why not add more? especially if the allocation from 2025. >> What's even more scary is that the court has also said that nonprofits and churches can now do what's happening.
That's >> I know I saw that ruling. Just to your point, Neil, to your point, you know, >> we we would welcome properties to come in and their builders to come in and build 100% affordable units, right? Give us give us 200 affordable units at at
Murray Hill. We'll take it right now. sign, right? >> That solves all our problems. >> But unfortunately, the builders don't make money when they do that, and they're not going to do that. And we all know that they're in it to make money, right? So, the 20% set aside for affordables that we um are are being
applying to our properties is pretty much mandated by the state. >> No, the 20% I I get. I'm just saying that doing that >> if the builders if the builders wanted 10% or 5%, they take it. >> Of course, because they wouldn't go down. They wouldn't go up, they'd go down. Right.
>> Right. So, you know, St. Andrews is a is a property, just so everybody understands, is is a pretty large property, and they're going to develop on that property regardless, right? They eventually would have built something there for some some housing or something, whatever they decided to do
on that property. It's a large property. Uh and just like Al said, the churches are now um you know looking to be able to sell their properties to developers um for affordable housing >> and we don't have any control over >> when they came to the burrow and said
hey you know we understand you guys are being challenged for affordable housing on some properties. We would like to be included in that. All right. and we're going to offer you to build 24 affordable units out of 27 units. And we
looked at that and said, let's do the math, okay? To get to those 24 units, we got to build a 100 plus units. And they're just going to build 24. So the person earlier was talking about, you know, two, three kids or two, three
people per unit. Uh we're looking at 75 people was the was the calculation which by the way they're not all going to be they have to be one two and maybe three bedrooms. I'm not sure depending on the property and whatever but there will be very few three three bedrooms if any. Um
mostly one and two bedrooms. >> So you're looking at let's call it 40 or 50 new residents versus three to 500. Right. Big difference. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, so for this property to be included in in our affordable housing
round is it's actually a positive thing for the entire burrow. And we look at this and and I understand your point that you know there's a cons there's a um saturation if you will on certain parts of town but unfortunately certain parts of town had more open space or
certain parts of town had more industrial spaces that were uh easier to overlay. And like Paul said earlier, the requirement that from the from the courts where don't just give us a plan that you think will work, right? Give us a plan that you know has some legs and
that you know has a a possibility of being done in the near future. That's a requirement. So to say, hey, you know what? We're going to overlay, you know, Woodbine Circle, right? Every house on Woodbine Circle, we're going to overlay that and they can let's put it over there because that's on the other side
of town. That's, by the way, my block. Um, is it realistic to say that 69 um, family homes are all going to sell to a developer at once? No. Right. Is it is it realistic to say that maybe even two or three will do it at a time?
Possible. But is that fair to the entire Woodbine circle, right? To to overlay the entire development to allow for only a couple of people to to, you know, participate in that. No. So, we look at it across the entire burrow, right? If we look at the entire burrow, what's the
best possible outcome that we can we can get for the burrow? Everybody up here reviewed all the plans that we've received, all the challenges we received. Uh, and we honestly truly believe that this is the best possible outcome that we can get for the burrow. >> Yeah. No, and my my point and I appreciate that, Matt, it's just that um
it would be good for us to have gotten a little advanced more advanced notice than than I understand the constraints that you guys were. I totally agree as you heard from Paul that you know we've been talking about this for a few months now in terms of the overall process
>> but the timing itself was absolutely horrible right and it was horrible we we get we were getting plans and we were we were talking about them right we have committees so the committee talks about it and by the time the committee talks to each of the individual council members we're already here at a meeting
a day later right we see it on Friday we're talking about it over the weekend and now were here talking about it in the meeting. So, it wasn't something that the burrow mayor, the administration council was sitting on for a long time going, you know, let's let's, you know, see what we could do
with these plans. All this happened in months, you know, leading up to days leading up to, you know, hours, you know, before >> yeah, >> was voted on or being voted on. So I I hear you and trust me and I can I promise you Al said it before there's
not a person up here right on council there's not a person resident in the town that thinks that this is a good idea right let's put thousands of units up in all these small towns USA and and and what they're doing is really destroying it and we all understand that
we we we absolutely positively feel for it because we live here right and we got we have children and And you know, I want my children to grow up, move out, come back, raise their families here, right? And I'm think what's that going to be like in 10, 15, 20 years from now
when their kids are growing up. So, you know, listen, we that's why we we spend the time and we spend the hours to try to make sure we're doing the right thing for for everyone. And I get, you know, everyone has different stories and everyone has different properties.
Everybody's affected personally. Um, I could tell you like we said earlier, once these plans are uh turned into our our um construction officials, they review the plans and they look at them
and say, "Hey, you know, do this, change that, you know, this is too close to the street. This won't be approved by our planning board, you know, and they work with the developers to try to make that as best they can before it comes before us, the planning board. Once those plans are in are sent in, there's a planning
board meeting, you guys are all notified that you can come look at the um at the plans. And I encourage you if you look at them in advance and you have questions. Don't wait for the planning board meeting. Reach out to the construction officials. Send them an email. Say, "Hey, what's this? What's
that? Hey, I see this 25 foot setback. You know, does this mean this?" You can get answers to all those things. And if you don't like those answers, obviously, you can come to the planning board and and question it. But look at those prior to the planning board. Come to the planning board prepared. Um we we Brian mentioned and and Allan were at the
planning board meeting for Toll Brothers. They had made comments about how much work went involved in in in the Toll Brothers project and someone asked a question, do the plans change when they're develop when they're when they're um you know turned in? Yeah. If
you look at the Toll Brothers, what they came to us with and what they ended up with are entirely two separate >> Yeah. project. was at one of those meetings >> and and honestly they fought they the planning board fought just as hard as we
did for this um affordable zoning requirements, you know, to make sure that it's the best possible outcome for New Providence. So, you know, again, I you know, I I get it. I understand how, you know, upsetting it
gets. Uh I just want every again just just to reiterate, we all feel the same way. We're all in the same boat. You know, we all we all don't like it, but we're we're stuck with it. >> Yeah. Unfortunately, our boat is sinking a little bit faster than others. So, thank you guys. >> Thank you.
>> Come for a couple. >> Yeah, pastor. >> Father Daniel G, St. Andrew's Church. Mr. Mayor, council, residents of New Providence. Uh I won't go into a lot of details obviously. Um we hope that our
plan will be done next week and so we can submit it to the planning board so we are we are at that point our site plan. In fact I saw um one of the surveyors on campus yesterday doing a final thing to get it to the engineers so that hopefully the plan is done. I
just do one thing I want to address is about the front of the church. So, when we had our own parish meeting, the parish was adamant that they did not want to to do anything to affect the great lawn because I don't know if everyone's aware, but there's actually a
memorial garden there. >> Um, and we did at one point we asked, "What would it mean if we if we move the memorial garden?" And I got to tell you, I would not still be the director of that parish had we done that. uh there is a way to do it, but they
were adamant that they wanted their loved ones to be able to stay there. So, I just want to address the front lawn and saying the only thing we need to do there is we need to expand uh the the memorial garden just a little bit, but it will still be a green space. Uh there
are some residents from Hansel who Neil, it might have been you reached out to me about a meeting. Um obviously I'm a little busy next week with Holy Week. Um, but I did say that after Holy Week, I would be happy to meet with someone
uh, anyone who wanted to be part of that. I've got a business card I'll give to a few folks uh, from South Street if they would like to uh, email me and or contact Neil and find out when that meeting is going to be. Uh, once our I will check with our attorney and once
our plan is filed. Um, if our attorney is okay with it, I will make that available to anyone who wants to look at that. uh as well. We have not come to this plan at St. Andrews uh lightly. It has been years of planning and discernment and asking the questions
about what we should do with our property and how best to serve our own needs, but also the needs of the local community. And so, this has been a prayerful long discernment for us. I've been here almost nine years. This has been going on for about seven years that I've been or over seven years that I've
been uh at St. Andrews. So we this is not something we're taking lightly. Uh our parishioners live in New Providence. So they also are this is something that they are taking seriously as we have thought about this and made these plans. So I just wanted to put that on the
record tonight. Um and I will pass out my business card if anybody wants to join the meeting again hopefully sometime soon after Easter. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anyone else?
Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing closed. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner, >> I. >> Miss Dolan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jeffoffrey, >> yes. >> Mr. Kamisky. >> I >> Mrs. Mcnite. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gardner.
>> Yes. >> Okay, let's move on to ordinance 02. Please read the title. Ordinance 2026-02 is an ordinance of the Bureau of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey, amending the code of the burrow by repealing and replacing
chapter 275 housing in its entirety. >> Okay. I think it's pretty self self-explanatory, but it uh repeals and replaces the housing of the burough and providence code and the affordable housing regulations in accordance with
the recent amendments of the New Jersey Fair Housing Act. Uh if anybody would like to make a comment on that ordinance and that ordinance only. Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing close. Uh roll call, please. I just need a motion too. No.
>> So moved. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Mr. Learner. >> I. >> Miss. Dolan. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Joffrey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kamisky. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Mcnite. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gardner. >> Yes. >> Okay. Have an appointment. Joseph
is that >> on the diversity committee. Um, I have a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> No. So be it. We need a motion for approval of minutes for March 10th,
please. >> So moved. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I. Yes. >> No. So be it. Okay. We have correspondence. Township of Berkeley Heights. Amendments to the mix zoning use overlay zone just like we did. Uh word of
adjustment for A67 division. Uh New Jersey Fire Department resignation of Sha Pile. We thank him for his service. Burough Mountainide housing uh elements. Same as what we just did. Elizabeth Martin, Ridge View Avenue, uh related to
flooding issues. Uh the engineer is I'm told is going out there next week or the week after to take a look at the uh crown on the road and uh see if there's something we can do with it. Uh county union department of engineering about
mosquito spray. >> I'm sorry. I don't mean to I thought we were going from session to session. I don't know. We are we done asking questions from residents? >> We're done. Just on those ordinances ordinances. >> Well, I didn't get to discuss section three. I thought we're going from
section to section. I've never been to one of these meetings before. >> What's section three? >> Well, I live I should I go up to this podium? >> Which which item are you discuss? >> We're going to have a p So, we've already voted on those two ordinances,
but we'll have more public um you'll have an opportunity to come up when we've gone through our council business. >> Okay. Today. >> Yes. Uh-huh. Yep. >> Okay. Um, motion to accept a correspondence.
>> Everybody good? >> We're good. Oh, yes. >> Okay. Administration Nine. >> Thank you, Mayor. Resolution 2026-113 is a resolution authorizing the Bureau of New Providence to apply to the NJ
Department of Environmental Protection for the 2026 NJUFF green communities grant. So, this resolution seeks um permission to apply for and obtain a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Urban Communities Forestry
Program in the amount of $20,000 to conduct a tree inventory and develop a community forest management plan based on the tree inventory. Resolution 2026-114 is a resolution appointing McKinley
Mertz of MJ Planning LLC as burrow planner for the Burough of New Providence, County of Union and State of New Jersey. So this resolution um before we got to this, the bureau solicited RFQS for a municipal planner from
February 11th to March 10th and we received three proposals. MJ planning is recommended to be hired and McKinley Mertz as the lead representative for the burrow. McKinley has previously worked with the burrow for nearly 10 years but
with for but with another firm. Resolution 2026-115 is a resolution amending contract term for Susan Grul of Hire Grul and Associates for professional planning services related to affordable housing.
So this resolution recommends hire grl to remain as special planner for affordable housing through June 30th 2026 to continue to work on fourth round of affordable housing for the burough. So just to finish up all the work that she did on the affordable housing
resolution 2026-116 as a resolution awarding contract to Green Touch Nursery LLC for a part-time arborist consultation services for 2026. So we are recommending Green Touch
Nursery to work on as an a work on an as needed basis to complete a tree inventory and assist with the completion and management of the burough's community forestry management plan in addition to assisting DPW in planning
and development with tree replacement and policies. Um the next item actually the next three um are authorizations to solicit. So the first one is an authorization to solicit
proposals for plumbing services. So we are requesting permission um to solicit RFPs for on call plumbing services for all burough owned buildings, facilities, parks, utility sites and infrastructure. The bur the bureau does not guarantee a
minimum amount of work. The next one is an author authorization to solicit proposals for financial advisory services. And the last one is an authorization to rebid composting services. Um so we had put out this authorization before. We received zero
bids. So we are trying to put it out again um to see if we can get any bids. >> Okay. Committee pool. >> Thank you mayor. Resolution 2026-117 is a resolution authorizing amendment to
agreement of lease between the Bureau of New Providence and the New Providence Community Pool and Recreation, Inc. Uh the updates to the lease include the burrow taking over the landscaping and the insurance for the pool building. The term of the lease will run from May 1st,
2026 through April 30th, 2029. The pool additionally agrees to monthly financial reporting. >> Might as keep going. Engineering Matt. >> Oh, >> Matt left. Okay. Resolution 2026-118.
This is a resolution accepting the proposal of Collier's Engineering and Design, Inc. for additional construction administration services related to the bridge at the community pool replacement project. So, we're approving additional engine engineering work to manage punch
list items due to earlier coordination delays with community pool scheduling which extended the project. >> Lisa, >> so we are going to be doing the budget presentation. Do we have is it going to be are the slides going to be put up or
>> I can I'm going to try again. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> While you're doing that, I'll just give a little intro. So, um, like I said, tonight we're going to be introducing the 2026 municipal budget. Each year, this process gives us the opportunity to assess our financial priorities,
consider challenges and successes of the past year, and develop a reasonable plan that meets our community's needs for the current year. The 2026 budget requires a lot of effort. Okay. So, and it's close
collaboration between the department heads, the burough administrator, our chief financial officer who's sitting in the back, um, Mayor Al, and the finance committee, which is Brian and myself. Uh, so I just want to thank everyone
that was, you know, involved in that and put all of their time and thoughtful consideration um that you dedicated to this work. Together, we focused on balancing fiscal responsibility with highquality services
our residents expect and deserve. So, this year, you know, like in prior years, we continue to commit to our AAA bond rating. Uh we committed to delivering essential municipal services efficiently and effectively,
planning thoughtfully for long-term infrastructure needs through a well ststructured capital program, and managing rising costs just like you do at home. The burrow has the same issues. So as we walk through the presentation, we'll review the
components of the operating and the capital budgets. We'll discuss some major cost drivers and challenges for 2026 and highlight initiatives and investments that will continue to move New Providence forward. Um we're going to present the budget
tonight. We will then post it uh on the burough website. the public will have an opportunity to take a look at it and then on April 26 28th actually April 28th we'll have a public hearing um for
the budget and then we will do a vote and adoption. So I will let Brian kick it off with the first couple of slides if we're there yet. >> All righty. Well, >> well you could start going if you wanted to find it. >> I've tried this. I can talk about
operational and capital budgets all all night. >> Really? >> Sadly, yes. >> So, I mean, I I I can just kind of go into it a little bit. So, so that there are two main components to the budget uh that we look at as Lisa mentioned. One
is the operational budget, one is the capital budget. Operational budget are kind of the annual expenses, year-over-year stuff, stuff that where the need doesn't change that much. the the the the costs and and and revenue pieces of it may change, but the needs don't change that much uh uh year-over-year. Whereas the capital
budget, those tend to be finite purchases, one-time purchases that have a specific lifespan, and the the cost can be advertised over that lifespan. The general idea there being to not uh uh uh cause undue burden to the taxpayers or mostly to avoid surprises
year-over-year. Um, one of the things that is is being introduced new this year, the multi-year plan's new this year, right? >> Well, it's five. It's >> Yeah. Yeah. So, okay. So, so one of the things that we're introducing new this year is is a forward-looking capital plan. Uh, so that you can see not just
what what what we're doing today, but what the plan is for the coming years. Obviously, understanding that that's subject to change um depending on the needs of the bureau, but that, you know, we at least have a sense of of where we're going with this. In addition to, you know, looking back at at all the good work that's been done over the last
couple of years, um, as Lisa mentioned, uh, the the budget process starts in November. It starts with a call out to the department heads and and, uh, it all all of the requests for operational uh, capital needs. Uh, it gets filtered into uh, Bernardet's office and this and uh,
Jim Tesa's office. They review it all. They kind of filter it down. Finance committee uh, takes a look at it. Um, you know, for example, one of the things that we focused on a lot was looking at the other revenue sources besides, you know, uh, uh, property taxes and and making sure that th those numbers were
as sharp as we could get them to reduce the burden on taxpayers and and we had a lot of success with that this year. >> It's buzzing. >> That's okay. Bernardet tells me that there that there's money set aside to fix that
in the budget. Um, it is in a previously approved ordinance uh fund which is actually not part of the budget but it exists and I have a spreadsheet that says so. Do you think um so again what you know what goals for the process
fiscal responsibility is is obviously a big part of it. Um and it's fiscal responsibility not just today but for for for the future as well. Um, we we we want to make sure that we have enough money not just for the things that we know are going to happen, but for the things that might happen, you know, this
the unexpected storms that, you know, the the unexpected snowfalls, all of those things. Um, tax appeals, insurance plans. We want to make sure that that that we have everything that we need to make sure that the that the the bureau stays fiscally solvent, but as Lisa mentioned, in a way that that represent
that that that meets the expectations that the service meets the expectations of the residents. So, how do we do that? Operational efficiencies, reviewing staffing needs every single year. Uh, shared services is a big one. I can give you a quick example of that. Um, in 2025,
um, the the wastewater treatment shared services agreement netted the burrow over $330,000. Um, and that's with contracts from other um contracts with other surrounding communities that um that that that bring
money into the burrow. Similar thing for E911. Similar thing for sorry, not E9 for for 911 services. Similar thing for um uh uh court services. Uh so those are all additional revenue sources for for the for the burrow. Grants obviously a
big one. I'd love to get some more grants, but you know, we we we try to maximize grant opportunities. Um and and all of that is being mindful to the tax to the impact on the taxpayers. Um and again, not just today, but in the future. Uh Lisa mentioned the the AAA
bond rating. That's relevant for two for two real reasons. The first one being it's a general uh uh assessment of the fiscal stability and and and viability of the of the of the bureau. And AAA is a rating level. Oh, hey, look at that.
>> There um is something that only only a small number of municipalities have. The other is a lot more practical. when we go out for a bond, we get a lower interest uh rate as a result of it. So, in the example on the screen, a 20-year bond just by having the AAA bond rating
saves the taxpayers an average of $1.3 million over the 20-year life of the bond. Um, last but not least, you know, from a tax perspective, it's taxed on real property. So, that can shift over time, but there are three three different places that the taxes you pay
go. One is to the municipality. That's what we're going to talk about tonight. The others uh are to the local schools. That's the lion share of it and also to to Union County. But this council is is only uh uh charged with the taxes that go to the municipality. So with that,
I'll turn it over to Lisa. >> Okay. So the uh 2026 budget overview. Um so the proposed budget that we're presenting tonight is under the state cap requirements uh for appropriations and tax levy. Uh we continue to maintain
all current programs. We know that that's very important to residents. Um you know two two things that are important um right our staffing level. We want to be make sure we have enough people to do to do the work and our current programs.
Um we continue to deliver high level of services. We did add um a couple couple positions this year. one was a part-time safety inspector. Um, as we know, we also added
the part-time uh OEM person uh that was uh that we just did that like a couple a couple months ago. And we also have an additional person at the wastewater treatment plant which was sorely needed. Um they were pretty much operating on a skeleton crew there. Uh the budget
includes state aid. However, the state aid thankfully we're we're actually thankful that it stayed the same this year that it didn't go down. Um, but by staying the same, you're kind of going backwards a little bit in the fact that all our other expense items are
increasing. Uh, just the rate of inflation is increasing. State aid is staying the same, kind of taking a couple steps back. Uh, this year the proposed budget is about 28.1 million. And what this equates to is a municipal
tax rate of 3.42% or approximately $131 uh additional per year on the average assessed home in New Providence. So if we look at the breakdown, um Brian had mentioned before that your tax dollars
don't all go to New Providence. I know we've said this millions of times. um your T. So on this chart here, you'll see that if your average tax bill is say $16,800, only about $3,500 of that is actually staying in the municipality for us to
operate our our work. Uh the rest of it goes to a variety of different places, Union County, Board of Ed, Open Space, um a little bit to the library as well. some of the challenges that we've had
this year um the same kind of challenges that you've all had at home and that's just rising costs. Um insurance costs are up 13%. Health premium insurance so health insurance premiums 18% increase. Uh dental insurance was up 5.5%.
We've had some some hefty tax appeals that we're dealing with right now. Um pension costs are up over 3% and these are all non-discretionary uh expense items. We have no say. We have we have to have them. Um it there's
nothing that we can do. So these increases really do put a lot of pressure on our operating budget. But you know I don't want to just point out all the challenges. You know, while we do see those challenges, we also should be aware that a lot of the departments
did actually show flat or near flat changes. So, you know, despite inflation, despite increased costs, these departments were able to come in at zero or close to 0% increases, which is uh very admirable and we're very
thankful for. The uh budget appropriations pie chart is always an interesting one. And you could see that there's three categories that really make up about half or a little bit over half of the appropriations. The largest being public safety. And that's actually something
that we're proud of and will never say that we're going to take away from public safety. Um we believe in a strong investment in our police, our fire, OEM, our EMS. Um these areas all receive appropriate operational and capital
support. Um, for instance, we mentioned the new OEM coordinator. Another, um, example would be the body cameras that we approved this year for our police department and fire. We're doing PPE equipment, radios, um, apparatus
planning, just, you know, continuing to support those that keep us safe and are there are there working for us. Another big chunk going to pension, employee benefits, and insurance. like we just mentioned and of course um a chunk going
to pay our debt service. Without the debt service uh we wouldn't be having the capital projects that we do. So the that is what directly funds funds our capital projects. So you could see the rest of how we operate the bud of the bureau has very little small slices and
I always like to say like all of our programs all of our activities through community activities is only 2.4% of the budget and that's 2.4% 4% of 20 20% like which is crazy to think about. Garbage
and recycling is always a challenge. We have three-year contracts. They're we're contractually obligated to increase every year, but we did, you know, a good job by tying in or locking in a three-year uh contract for garbage
recycling and and waste disposal revenues. So the biggest chunk of our revenues does come from municipal taxes 64%. Um other than that we do have you know some allocations for other areas
delinquent taxes. Other revenues includes parking permits, cat licenses. I know Diane always likes the cat licenses. Um, so everything else that the bureau collects outside of taxes and um, our state aid comes from those other
sources, liquor licenses, um, those type of revenue items. Grants, you'll see on here, is is at 0.1, and that's only because we don't count grants until we actually get them. So, we're not going to make assumptions. Um, we apply for as
many grants as we are that we can as long as they fit into our capital um projects, but we count them when we actually get them. Ah, so that's me. Um, so that all of that was the operational budget. Now we
get to move on to the capital budget. Um, this is where we address the the big needs of the bureau. Um, and and and again, as I mentioned up front, this is something the idea is that it's advertised over the life of it. So, if we're buying a building that has a lifespan of a fixed amount. So, we don't
so so so we we don't pay for it all at once. We pay for it over the life of the building. Um, we'll get into what what the specific things on the plans are right now, but the the general idea is that these are shared costs. These are necessities of the burrow. Um, we have aging infrastructure. Some some of these
are are on multi-deade replacement uh cycles, but they are all things that need to be addressed. And but this is also where we try to ring as many dollars as possible and and and find the the the best places to put them.
Okay. Um so like we've been saying, the the burough council, mayor, our staff, we're all committed to remaining fiscally responsible. We pursue projects based on the needs of the community, not so much on the wants of the community,
but based what we really need. Uh the 2026 capital project budget or proposed budget includes $2.6 million in capital improvements. The projects are reviewed on a case-byase basis. uh before making any
decisions to move forward in funding and completing the projects. Um we discuss it and we approve it here before moving forward. Some of the projects that we're going to be looking at this year, we have a whole list. Um everything from pedestrian
safety upgrades, storm d snagging. We do have storm water pipe replacement and maintenance on the uh capital projects list. Road resurfacing which we do every year. We do have curb and sidewalk improvements, sewer lining repairs,
manhole restoration, wastewater treatment plant work, all kinds of pumps, computer systems, everything that they need. uh municipal building roofs, windows, boiler replacement,
EMS and police radio replacement, fire department um self-contained breathing apparatus units, fire department building repairs. We do have some improvements for Centennial Park uh
benches and some tables and as well as Warner uh field playground path improvements. So, like we've said, this is a plan of proposed projects must be approved through a bond ordinance. So,
just approving tonight's operating budget doesn't necessarily automatically mean that we're approving all of these projects. Just so that we're clear. And that was, you know, I think we talked really fast. Um, but that pretty
much wrapped up the 2026 budget. um challenges lay ahead in costs increase and we we squeezed every penny that we could and we're still at 3% but
>> I know you guys have been working really hard on it. So, >> thank you. >> Good work. >> Thank you for all of your work and thank you to the administration and to Jim >> for putting all this together. >> Yeah. >> I don't know how you do it every year, Jim. >> What work? >> He's the real wizard. You're a magician.
>> Oh, yeah. Thank you. >> 17. >> That's right. >> Okay. >> Okay. I got to keep going. >> Um Okay. So, we have ordinance 20263. That's uh calendar year 2026 ordinance
to exceed the municipal budget appropriations limit and to establish a cap bank. So, the introduction of this ordinance allows for the 2026 municipal budget to exceed 1% of the 20 25 budget
and establishes a cap bank for funds not appropriated as part of the final budget up to three and a half percent. So if we don't use all of it, we can bank it and use it for the next two years. So that's basically what that's saying. Uh resolution 2026-119
is a resolution approving the introduction of the 2026 municipal operating budget and establishing a hearing date. So this is um we introduce the budget tonight. A hearing of the budget and tax resolution will be held
here at the municipal building on April 28th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at which time and place discussions regarding the budget and tax resolution for the year 2026 may be represented by taxpayers or
other interested persons. Resolution 2026-120 is a resolution approving the introduction of the downtown improvement district 2026 budget and establishing a hearing date. This introduction of the
DID budget uh which is the businesses in the downtown area. They agreed to pay an additional assessment beyond their regular property taxes to support initiatives in the downtown. The public hearing date is April 28th, 2026. We're
very grateful to the DID. They do pay, as I, as it says here, extra dollars so that um they can maintain the beautifification of the downtown area as well as particulate for that. Resolution 2026121
is a resolution authorizing the payment of the attached bills payable list. The amount is 199,56.37. Uh the most significant items are interstate waste for our March recycling 34,400
gen electric which is a service call for a traffic light. They charge a lot of money don't they? >> $27,766. Uh, our February water bill was 21,968 that went to New Jersey American Water. Uh, $19,520
to MJ Pepe for snow clearing. 1942 to the Westfield Regional Health for our quarterly bill, >> $18,670 to UC Utilities Authority for our February solid waste disposal, and
$16,350 to Higher Grill for professional services are related to affordable housing. Our last resolution under finance is 122. This is a resolution authorizing
the filing of corrective tax appeals, counter petitions, and counter claims with the Union County Board of Taxation and or the Tax Court of New Jersey. This basically authorizes the our municipal
tax assessor um in consultation with the burough tax attorney to take the necessary legal actions related to property tax assessments. So, we're giving him the authorization to act on our behalf. >> That's it. >> You done? >> I'm done.
>> Was that one? >> Was that one traffic light? >> One traffic light. >> One traffic light. So, let's go. 27. >> So, that is the replacement of a traffic light that was hit during the the last major snowstorm. >> So, it it'll be subregated through the insurance company, but we have to pay
for it first. >> Okay. So, I was about to ask what's one track. >> I was going to ask the price for a brand new one that >> that is the brand new one. >> Okay, so it's not a lot of money. >> A lot of money. A lot of money to run a burrow. It >> sure does.
>> Okay, your turn. Go ahead. >> Okay. Okay. Sorry. Um, resolution 2026123. This is a resolution awarding the contract to American Recycling Technologies Incorporated for the provision of clothing bin Services for the benefit of the municipal alliance.
We had gone out to bid for a uh recycling bin vendor and uh we're just approving this particular vendor. Uh we receive $4,000 per year for the bends. >> Okay. We have a limousine license
application for Summit Express. It's been properly prepared and reviewed. Resolution 124 is a resignation for Bryce Garrison. Um 25year veteran on our police force. Uh he's
going to be missed. I know he was a a great training officer for a lot of our officers. Really good guy. He's gonna be missed. And um you know it's just it's unbeliev I remember swearing him in.
>> Okay. Um, a resignation from William uh Rogerio for crossing guard and resolution uh requisition 260561 for Pellegrino Chevrolet not to exceed
56,849 for a Taho Tahoe police vehicle on the Bergen County co-op. Okay. Uh Allan. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Uh resolution 127. It's a resolution approving requisition R2600636
for Safelli and Sun Incorporated. Hopefully I said that right. Any amount not to exceed $19,555.40 for sidewalk maintenance. Uh Morris County Co-op number six. Uh this is just approving co uh curb work on various streets and sidewalk replacement outside
the municipal center. That's it for public seniors. Seniors >> resolution 2026-128 resolution approving requisition R2600573 for FOIA Trinity Electric LLC in an
amount not to exceed $3,400 for the elevator exhaust fan at Barabash Manor. Um this is required as part of the elevator replacement project. >> Okay.
The committee reports uh public safety. We just interviewed six candidates for police officer to as a replacement. We had six great candidates. >> Great. >> So >> that's good. >> That's good.
>> Yeah. Good for uh Dan's gonna have to pick one, >> but I please have >> very young people coming in and want to be police officers. Uh we had the stormwater meeting. Um went over a lot
of things with the engineers. Um, one of the things, uh, I guess, uh, next couple weeks, engineer KU is going to go out and look at Ridge View Avenue. Uh, they say the crown's a little high, so we may
have to repave that. Um, Armstrong is uh going to come out and remove those trees over on Crest Road out. It's really not blocking the uh the concrete channel, but we're going to
remove it anyway. >> Um they went over to Maple Street to try and camera what's going on. >> And this is what I explained to everybody. Here it is. We go to camera to see if
anything's broken. An unmapped manhole. >> So you had to go. It's been covered up. They saw pictures that they had to dig it up and find a manhole. And I guess that that picture looks like they had to
go down like two feet, right? So they're going to have to resume that probably after Easter to get through that. But um this is what I mean. You know, you get into these pipes and you don't know what you're going to hit. So you it's always
something, you know. So given timelines, you don't know because you don't know what under what's underneath there and what you're going to hit. So uh but we're working on that Maple Street uh next because they seem to be uh getting
head heavy. So uh that's where we stand right now and Carmen's going to keep giving us updates what's going on. >> Okay, Alan. >> So nothing really too much to report. Uh our sustainability meeting is tomorrow.
Um we did send out a bid for uh composting and we got nothing back. So we're going to rebid that out. Um I guess the hot ticket item is uh free cycle that we're going to be having two free cycles this year. >> Oh, good. >> Yeah. One in the spring and one in the
fall. Um the the dates are posted already, but um I'm sure we're going to have a lot more to talk about tomorrow. I've already got a pile going, so >> Oh, yeah. >> Hurry up. Okay,
>> thank you, Mayor. Uh, the diversity committee's next meeting will be Monday, April 13th at 7 p.m. Uh, we heard earlier tonight's meeting that the New Providence School District Assistant Superintendent, uh, Joe Ugliauro will be representing the school district as a
liaison to the Burough's diversity committee. And planning is also underway for this year's Unity Day celebration which will be held on June 6th at the high school as was done last year. Um for the Municipal Alliance, uh the rescheduled screeners under the
influence film uh was shown tonight at the high school and that was focused on debunking myths and sharing strategies parents and schools can use to positively reinforce healthy habits and avoid substance use. Our next meeting
will be Wednesday, April 15th at 7 PM in the Lincoln room. In interested parents and community members are always welcome to join us. In terms of the new Providence community pool, just a reminder that registration for the 2026 summer season is open. Uh, and the early
bird special pricing deadline is fast approaching at April 15th. 15th. >> Yes, >> thank you. That reminds me. >> Same. We'd like to extend our appreciation to the pool board for their collaboration on establishing the renewed lease for the next four years. Uh the New Providence Historical Society
group met on March 19th. We reviewed their many projects and upcoming needs over the next few months, not the least of which is their support of the America 250 activities in town. Uh, also the society's annual dinner is coming up on
Thursday, April 9th at 7 PM at Vintage Tavern in Gillette. There will be a speaker discussing the Lape Muny peoples and European settlers in New Jersey. Uh, so please, if you're interested in joining us, you can register for that
event at newprovidence historical.com. And then just to add one more thing about storm water, I wanted to make sure everybody was aware there's a statewide sponsored storm water 101 seminar being
held on Thursday night. Um, and it's uh it starts at 700 p.m. The bureau has advertised this on their website and on social media. It's free, but you need to register to get the link. So, you could probably Google
Stormwater 101 New Jersey webinar and it'll come up for you. >> It's on the It's on the um our bro >> our burough website, too. But yeah, just in case you struggling to find it. >> I was trying to do it from my phone and I couldn't register from my phone. >> I don't know about
it. >> Okay. >> Oh, okay. Well, anyway, um lots of us are going to join that to see um what the state's going to be saying about it. >> That's it for me. Thank you. >> Operation operations normal. Mayor,
>> one thing I did forget is that uh Alliance Club is having the Easter egg hunt. >> Oh, yeah. on Saturday starts at 9:30. >> And the eggs we did, I think they did uh >> I think they're doing 2500 eggs this
year. >> And um you know, the thing will be over at 9:35. And uh the police department go on the website and uh they're doing uh egg your house that they do. It's a fundraiser
and they go in high and it's always a good good deal. No age limit. >> No age limit. >> No age limit on that one. >> Okay, Lisa. >> Um, so we had a meeting with America 250. Rev 250. I don't think it's America
250. >> We go with America. Um, so we're really focusing on our uh Reverend Cadwell Day charity drive which is April 18th. It's going to go from 10 to 1. Please check the website because there's a lot of
information. um available on the website regarding all the different drop off points. There's going to be 12 different locations throughout town where and each location is going to have a specific type of item that they're collecting.
For instance, um the new the New Providence Presbyterian Church is going to be collecting travel-sized toiletries. Um, the New Providence Police Department is collecting coats and blankets. Um, Faith Lutheran is collecting games, travel size games,
card decks. So, what we're collecting, both used and new, are everything from clothes, food, um, gift cards, I think, for CSA, um, books, items for the troops, and
more. So, you know, please take a look at this. We really want this to be a huge success. It's it's for a couple hours, 10 to one on April 18th. I think Maria Deluca is going to be coming >> at the next council meeting to talk
about it a little bit more. Um, but just and so I don't know if you've like I know Diane has talked about Reverend Codwell, but I always said like what's up with Reverend Codwell? Like why do we, you know, why are we paying so much attention to him? But he was a central
figure um in the American Revolution and he was a chaplain in the third New Jersey brigade. Uh he famously handed out himnels so that the torn pages could be used as waiting when supplies ran
short. But what happened was after his wife was killed uh by British troops, he moved his family to New Providence. And there is the connection. So he moved his family to New Providence. continued supporting Washington's troops, including his using his home to collect
supplies. >> So, in his honor, we will be collecting for uh supplies for everyone. >> Actually, if I can just interject with that. So, if you go on to um onto Facebook, onto our burough website, there is like a list of things that you
can buy new to participate, >> list of things that you can um bring from your home to donate, and there's a map. So, kind of like um >> I'm gonna hold it up. You're not going to be able >> and we're gonna give it to the video as well. Okay. You can go around on the map and you can see specifically where to
donate all those items. And what they're going to be doing is like a passport kind of thing. So, once you go to each of those sites, you get a stamp on each of those locations. Um and the goal is to hit every location with what they're collecting and then you can bring back I'm not sure about prizes, but there may
be something. >> We're looking to add a prize. We're looking to add a prize if you complete all the stops along the way. So the whole purpose is New Providence is our culture is about volunteerism. Our culture is about helping each other and
helping other people. So this event is really the epitome of us as New Providence residents helping each other and giving back in the spirit of Reverend Caldwell as he did as well. So I hope you all participate and I hope you join us. This is be our highlight event of this this part of the year. Um
so it's going to be great. So I encourage everybody >> and one slight correction. The egg hunt is 9:00 and on at 9:30 >> he said end at 9:30. >> No, he said 9:35 should be 9:30. >> He said start at 9:30. I got >> starts at 9.
>> It starts at 9. >> Then it'll be over at 9:00. >> It'll be over at 9:00. >> Changed it. Huh? is >> the Eastern. >> Yeah, you got to get there for that. >> Um, all right. So, let me just let me >> This will be on the online. >> Sorry.
>> All right. Let me continue. Library board. Um, the friends did their the friends of the library did their report. There are wonderful in fundraising and giving back to the the library. Um, they're going to be having an accessory sale on April 25th and they're going to
be doing that vinyl record sale, which I think we talked about before, on May 16th. >> Um, the library is well underway planning their summer reading program. They're getting all of that finalized. Uh a unique theme this year going hand
inand with America 250 is read white and blue featuring our famous uh new Providence Dragon. Um they are also putting out a mailer. So this is the first time that the library is going to be doing this. It's their first ever
mailer from the library giving a lot of information. Um, you know what they're all about besides checking out books, you know, all the programs, all the activities they do. And yes, the purpose is to educate residents and get some
more library card signups and hopefully get some volunteers for the library out of that. Um, again, check the library website. There's a ton of programming, too many for me to mention here. just check the website and um and and see
what you can uh attend there. And then lastly, this Friday will be our first 2026 adult catchup. So, we're continuing um with what we started last year, but this will be the first one for 2026. Uh we'll at 10:30 we'll be at Dorso and
then at four o'clock we'll be at Lantern Hill. So, um, this is a good opportunity for mayor council to be able to meet with seniors or older adults and just give them updates as to what's going on
in town. A lot of times they can't make it down to council meetings, so we bring the c we'll bring the news to them. Uh, we'll do a little budget talk maybe on Friday and whatever else we want to want to talk about, whatever questions they might have for us, too.
>> Okay, Brian. All righty. Um, just a couple of things. Um, board of education next meeting is is also on Thursday. They're doing the similar budget process. So, I would encourage you to to to check that out. >> Um, mental health, uh, A&E had their
most recent meeting, uh, this past Wednesday, and it was very well attended. That was really, really exciting to see. So, uh, plans for mental health awareness month are are well underway, but there's still plenty of opportunity to volunteer. Um, and that is all I have.
>> Okay. One thing I did want to say is that all the paperwork and letters were sent to Berkeley Heights and went to uh Senators Kim Booker and Congressman Kane for the grant.
>> So hopefully uh it'll go through this time >> like like they told us, it's a minimum of two years before you hear anything. Let's hope >> government. >> Okay. Yeah, that's government. Okay.
This time we have public comments. >> Bernadette. >> Oh, Bernardet. >> She wants to go home. >> Yeah. Operations normal. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, just two things. Local government week begins April 12th and runs through the 18th. Uh, this week highlights how local governments provide
essential services to the community. We are planning a few different community events throughout the week, including our annual touch a truck. Um that we have moved to April 14th this year from 5 to 7:00 p.m. just ahead of the council meeting. Um and just a quick reminder
that yard waste collection be begins burrowwide on Monday, April 6th. If your house looks anything like mine, there's cans and cans and cans of debris. Uh please have items placed curbside by 5:00 a.m. weekly for that collection. That's it. >> Okay.
Oh, one other thing. Chat with the mayor will be rescheduled because first Friday is Good Friday. >> Yeah. >> So, okay. At this time, we have public comments. Um, anybody wishing to address council um come up with your name and
address and um we're limited to three minutes. Yes, sir. >> Hi, I appreciate your stamina. I'm pretty tired just sitting there. So, my name is James Kang. I live in 267 Southgate Road, across the street from Lantern Hill, where it's been empty. And
I didn't know what was going on there when we moved in. Uh, we came to New Providence because I Googled good schools, safe neighborhoods. You know, I have a 5-year-old and three-year-old. So, I thought we are, my wife and I are on the assumption it'll be a I guess a retirement facility. And on this letter
that we got, it says block 320, which looks like it's Lantern Hill, is now going to be affordable housing instead of retirement housing. Is that >> correct% will be >> okay >> affordable? >> Okay. So, I mean >> I mean, I feel like I'm up against a tsunami here because I think 450
required units is not realistic development potential for any town that has 13,000 people. But I know that it's a pretty tough tough thing you're up against. However, I mean, I don't know how the school system is going to handle it because
you're talking about 13,000 people. Now, we're going to add seven, eight, n,000 people. And uh, you know, there's budgets like Montlair, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, $13 million, $20 million deficit. You know, Montlair is like, it's almost a dead heat as far as raising the taxes permanently for
everyone in town, right? So you're looking at everyone that has a home paying $2,500 a year more in taxes just because they mismanaged their budget. you know, by my >> I'm just saying, but I I don't know how that's going to I mean, that's way beyond my pay grade, but I was told
there was going to be maybe a culde-sac and Southgate Road cuz I live right at the end of that culde where where you go from Mountain Avenue and in the winter time it's scary because it's a very steep gray downhill and there's tons of traffic and when I
pull out to take my kids to school in the morning, I have to wait for 15 20 cars to go by even now. Then I got to go into Central Avenue and make a left turn where there's another 15 and 20 cars. You know, it should be a three minute drive and it's seven, eight minutes right now. Okay. So, I was wondering if uh is there going to be a is Southgate
Road going to be blocked off coming from Mountain Avenue or what was I I Googled it. I couldn't find anything. >> There's been no decision on it. We have to look at how that that whole thing's going to be uh >> configured up there, >> which will be the best traffic pattern. >> Yeah. Okay. I mean, I think it'd be
better if the entire town was open to overlay. I mean, I know it's not realistic, and I think more people would get involved and fight this as opposed to let's keep it quiet, put in this one area, and then less people will make a big deal out of it, you know, but I
think that Allan Roberts and Salt Brook, the population of of the elementary school, it's going to be a huge difference because you're talking about, you know, 2,000 more units right there. It's a disproportionate burden on the Allen W. Roberts. >> Yeah, because it's from west of uh South
Street. I mean, that's just >> I mean, it's the only buildable land that we have left. >> That's sort of the problem that that's where developers are going to put it in. >> So, how tall are they going to make these buildings where Lantern Hill was? Because I'm I'm here five stories. >> Same height that Lantern Hill was. >> Okay. >> Not on the overlay.
>> On the overlay >> is And that's new, right? Because that's in bold. That was that was in bold in this. There's no plan to actually >> No. Right. Right. Now that that piece of land right there is an overlay zone. >> Okay. >> And that that's only if the builder comes in.
>> Entirely different. That's if a if if Lantern Hill decides to sell first of all. Okay. >> Then a developer would need to come in. I see. >> Then there would have to be something else done there right now. That's really just an overlay. That's entirely different than what's going on at Nokia. That's entirely different than St. Andrews. It's something separate.
>> Okay. Is Noia Berkeley Heights. Is that new possible? only uh 500 ft from uh Mountain Avenue going in is New Providence. We have 45 acres. >> Okay. >> And the rest of it, 150 is Berkeley Heights. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. I appreciate
you listening to me. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Alex Kogan, 16 Ridge Drive. It's nice to be on this side. I don't know why you would ever do this. Um, great to see Paul. Um, question about the budget real
quick. Um, I love the template, whoever put that together. >> Awesome. Right. >> Um, um, for capital budget, and I know every I I don't think this is a new concept of planning ahead for five, six years out. The there's a line item for
infrastructure. Um, it says municipal infrastructure. And I understand the way that everything's funded. You have to keep it very macro. You can't make it micro. Do you have an idea how much is is aside for storm water? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. 275
>> per year. >> Or I think it fluctuates up and down right over time. >> Yeah. >> So that's that's great to see. >> So thank you. Um >> one comment >> there's going to be an ear margin for that every year. >> I saw that. That's terrific. Um, the one
thing I would um I would add and I think as being a former councilman and knowing what you guys do, the one thing you don't do a good job of is promoting all the things you that we do really well. >> Um, you do a good job of pro at pointing out the negatives.
>> No, I and that's what people supposed to do. Um but um and I'm very delighted to hear that Ridge View the the the curbing. I'm delighted to hear the stuff you just found at Maple Street. U but I
do um want to say that I think it this is going to require continuous investment. I know sometimes it's very hesitant to to put a camera into into the sewer line or storm water line to find what you're going to find. Um, and
we need to do more preventative maintenance. If you don't do it, it's considered planned neglect. And neglecting it, it's only going to make it worse. So, I I think I said this before to many of you, it's like a colonoscopy. You want to find the palop, you want to remove the palip right away.
And we do the one thing we do have is we have a wonderful uh machine. We have our own camera. So, we don't have to pay others to do it. Um, we can do it on our own. And I hope we we utilize that apparatus uh and do it more often. I
think you already do it when you pave a street. And if if not, maybe that's a really good time to do it. Just send a camera in, find out what you're going to find, come up with a plan, and go from there. Um I've met with many of the residents uh from the Rise NP group. I
think it's just um there was a study that was done when um you're waiting for a bus or you're waiting for a train and you don't know when it's coming. Soon as you put up a marker that says train arriving in 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, however, anxiety levels go
down. So, I think the residents just want to hear what you're doing. I was very happy to hear there was a storm water management meeting. I think you got to get that >> get that message out. get it out to those residents so they know what's happening. Um there's going to be a lot of good things. I know Collars is going
to be doing the mapping plan, the outfalls. I know we approved that last year. Um, I know you've had some deterrence with the snow and and all that stuff, but uh these residents there and and I know you all understand these are all legitimate concerns, but I think
you have to come up with some kind of plan to one by one to try to knock these palyps out of the way. Um, and the last thing I'll say is, and and you guys know I'm a smartass at times, but the two of you made a video saying we're putting
bioells and we're putting rain gardens in. You're roughly Yes, you did. Roughly 10% of your term is already occurred. You're four months in. I haven't heard anything about what's happening with bioells or rain gardens. >> So, that was a suggestion, by the way.
>> And yeah, I mean, you are a smartass. We know that. But, you know, when we made the video, these are things that we were going to bring up as potential mitigators to some of the storm water that was happening. I didn't come in and
say, "Hey, I'm putting in a bio swallow. Hey, I'm here. Let's do it." >> No, you can watch. >> We're waiting on the community forestry plan. We have an arborist that was on the agenda today. Um, and I'm looking forward to bringing them on board. the soonest we can get them in, the sooner
we can get a plan, the sooner we can get a holistic solution. So, very much still on the radar. >> I was wondering why you were here. I knew you were going to pick on us. >> Oh, stop. >> Bring it. I love it. >> No, it's fine. >> No, I I I welcome. >> I think it all it all ties into the same objective really to address our storm
water and flooding issues in town. Um everything that we're doing is going to ultimately tie in with the what the sustainability committee is trying to do and you know what the community forestry plan wants to do the storm water task
force it all relates to trying to mitigate this issue that we have. >> Yeah. Uh so it's it's uh it's definitely a multi I got a big much better appreciation for the complexity of this issue from just the one task force
meeting that I sat in and on. Um and it is a massive undertaking you know to figure out the the right way to apply resources and the right the the timing of everything. So, you know, we're
still, you know, looking at a lot of a lot of threads and trying to form like a plan around it, but it's it's going to take, you know, it's going to take a few more conversations. >> I totally understand this, as the mayor has already said, this is not going to happen overnight. Um, it's going to take
many years. Um, the one thing I at the last meeting, I know there was uh residents talking about hotspots, mapping, and whatnot. There's they do have all that information and I think I know with our police department, fire department, DPW and I understand there could be some
legal things why you can't as as a bureau can't put certain things on a map but it does exist and I think you just have to sit down and we got to communicate much much better. I think >> the only thing is >> you start listing hot spots. >> I understand
>> you're going to ruin people's property values. >> I agree. And I can't do that in good conscience. >> I agree. >> And you know, >> I think I think what I would suggest, mayor, is pick a zone, pick an area, say we've we've looked at it, we've done
Yeah. map by map. And I think that's going to help tremendously. I think >> the stuff that already happened in Bradford, the start at Deerfield uh Flume at um what's happening at Maple, >> Maple Street, >> Maple now. So this you're knocking them
off one by one. And I think as long as you have a plan of attack, I think that's what people really want to see. >> I would agree with that. And even the manhole, you know, as as bad news as that is, once we get it fixed, then it's fixed >> and it's on the plan, it's now mapped. >> Yeah. >> But we don't know what's after that.
>> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But >> so that's that's what I'm saying. You never know what you're going to run into. >> Yeah. And I I appreciate all of you. >> And let me just say something. Look, I I know you're an engineer and I don't claim to know everything or even anything about, you know, storm water
management other than >> just remember everything flows downhill. That's all. >> Let me just write that. >> No, I get it. I just Everybody has the same goal and it's to maintain, you know, property, you know, mitigate storm
water and like we can't stop it from raining. I said that in the video, but we all need to work together to come up with the best solution. You know, two brains are better than one. Five brains is better than two. >> So true. >> Hopefully.
>> And and they have 30 or 40 brains. Yes. And I'll be one of those as well. So, thank you. >> That's excellent. Thank you. Thanks, Alex. >> Anyone else wishing to address council? Seeing no one, I declare the public
hearing closed and I need a motion for items 1 through 21, please. >> So moved. Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner, >> I. >> Mr. Dolan, >> yes. >> Mrs. Joffrey, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mcnite, >> yes. >> Mr. Gardner,
>> yes. >> All right. >> Part. >> Can I have a motion for adjournment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> No. So be it. Want to wish everybody a happy Passover, happy Easter, and um
>> just be safe out there to you. >> Thank you.