Okay, please. >> Miss Dolan >> here. >> Mayor Morgan >> here. >> Mr. Kamisky >> here. >> Mrs. Mcnite >> here. >> Mr. Gardner >> here. >> Let's 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. >> This is a public meeting. Burough Council Bur and Providence County Union state, New Jersey. Adequate notice has been given in accordance with PL1 1975
chapter 231 that an annual notice or revision was made in conformance with section 13 of the act. Okay. Uh before we do anything, uh February is a very busy month and as you know it's Black
History Month and I know the the library and the recreation commission does a lot of things commemorating uh Black History Month and we celebrate and honor the achievements uh culture contributions and resilience
of the black Americans throughout our history not only this month but every single day. And you know, loving history the way I do, there was actually black Americans that fought at Bunker Hill.
So truly, uh, you know, they've been a integral part of the United States throughout our history. I also want to wish our Chinese community a happy Luna New Year. Uh, it's the year of the horse
and I told my wife, I think I'm gonna go out and buy a Mustang. >> Here you go. >> Deserve. >> Okay. But what was really nice uh a woman uh Leila Bakari uh sent us uh the staff uh a platter of
cookies in honor of Ramadan. And Ramadan uh is is uh from February 17th to March 18th. And uh the 19th of March is idol
which marks the end of Ramadan and is the biggest celebration for of the year for Muslims. You know, uh one of my very close friends, I know some of you probably remember Sam over at the corner cafe. He was Muslim and I remember
Ramadan the poor guy would starve himself and I guess they they uh he couldn't eat until after >> sundown >> sundowns and it must be very very difficult for for
children. So uh for me we uh we celebrate uh all three of the holidays and uh wish everybody best of luck. Okay, I need approval of minutes for February 10th, please.
>> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> I >> no. So be it. Okay. Um correspondence. We have board of adjustment for 1778 Springfield Avenue. Eco Sciences uh response act outcome for
111 Spring Street. City of Summit uh the planning board hearing fourth round uh area shared housing plan uh township of Berkeley Heights ordinance 03 amending the
township code to address affordable housing. Everybody's going through the same things. uh Township of Berkeley Heights 04 amending township code regarding the uh affordable housing obligations. Any comments?
>> Yeah, just a couple on the the board of adjustment meeting. Um I guess it was canceled last night, so uh pay attention to when that next meeting is. I I actually was surprised, but I didn't see this uh until today. Um
but this is this is this is a change of use. So, you know, I think it's important that people, you know, I always say pay attention to, you know, the projects and the things that are happening around town. This is definitely a project um you know the public might want to take a look at uh
and and when the next zoning board meeting is coming >> uh in relation to uh the affordable housing you know ad maybe we could take this back with the planner and just take a look because I wanted to see if there's any if there any thing in their ordinances that
they're changing that um affects or not effects but more you know that we want to look at right or address or >> or something of that Good thing. >> Good thinking. >> Okay, we'll go to council business.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um, the first item is an authorization to solicit proposals for a certified arborist. Um, so we are seeking a certified arborist on an asneeded basis to assist with the completion of the community forestry
management plan. in addition to working with DPW to inspect and assess existing burough trees. I know we've been talking about this loosely for a while, so it's good that this is on. Uh number two is authorization to solicit proposals for
electrical services. The bureau is seeking a qualified licensed electrical contractor to prov to provide on call electrical services for all burough owned buildings, facilities, parks, utility sites, and infrastructure on an
as needed basis. That's pretty self-explanatory. Um, authorization to solicit proposals for architectural services. The burrow is seeking a licensed architect to provide architectural services related to the replacement of the boilers and
windows in the municipal center. Um, both much needed services. And last um is resolution 2026-081, which is a resolution of the Bureau of New Providence in support of a 2026
federal funding application to mitigate Bake River flooding through dnagging and debris removal from the Pake River and major tributaries and authorizing Berkeley Heights to serve as lead agency for the Pake River Mayor's Flooding
Coalition. So this also we've been talking about for a while. So um this is us seeking authorization to form this coalition um like I said that we've been discussing for a while with Summit Longill Cadam and Berkeley Heights to seek federal
funding to mitigate river flooding from the Pacific. So which is very important and a great thing. >> Keep going. >> Okay. Well, this one this one is actually with with uh Councilman Gardner. Um so uh we've met with the
mental health committee for um a couple times and we came up with our calendar um and we also um are looking to work with the coalition from last time. Do you do you want to kick us off? Do you want me to go? >> Um yes. So I I guess you know this is a
resolution approving um a slate of events that are local to New Providence in addition to ones that we're partnering with surrounding towns for. and and the the the hope and the intention is that all of the communities will see that we are coming together to support this mental health awareness
month and suicide prevention month um and and and really bring our communities together to make sure that people have the resources they need. >> Exactly. Exactly. So, as with last year, uh we're we're looking to work with the cross town um initiative group. There were 10 of us last year. Uh there's
talks to bring on a couple more um as well. And that would include the um the vertical banners, the signs, the green ribbon, the the banner across Springfield Avenue, which I know has a lot of logistics that go with it. Um
some sort of kickoff. Um like last year we did the kickoff in the um in Centennial Park, which was wonderful. Um and the big one is paint the town green. So, where we uh um get volunteers and we go to the different stores and we paint
um messages of hope, green ribbons. Um it's it's a great great thing. It's great to see all the kids involved. Um and we'll be working with the schools, working with the businesses, putting out some social media. Um it's really good. And paint the town green um is something that is shared across the towns as well.
Um and then as well as putting up um signs that people are getting um from the Rotary Club. So it's a great great month. Um we're excited to uh to pick it up again and move forward. Um and then um as you mentioned about suicide prevention month also doing vertical
banners for that. So um stay tuned. It's going to be another great year for mental health. >> It's awesome. >> Okay. Community activities. M. >> Thank you. Resolution 2026-083 is a resolution approving requisition
R2600455 and456 for Ben Schaefer Recreation Inc. in an amount not to exceed 971,93625. That's correct. 971,93625 for Oakwood Park playground renovations
uh using the ESCJ co-op. Um this is a requisition for Oakwood Park uh playground replacement. As you know, we've been talking about this for a very long time. Uh Allison Smith and the recreation department has put in a tremendous effort in helping design a
new playground uh utilizing what's called the Greenacres Jakelaw grant uh which will allow us um which will allow us to put in a equipment that is accessible for wheelchair children. So
this is a f fantastic um addition to the to the burrow. Uh we're also going to be using uh Union County Kids Recreation Trust funds as well as some of our capital funds for this playground renovation. This is just approving the requisition. So this is us approving or
being able to lock in the price for the construction costs and the equipment costs. Well, we still require additional approvals. As you know, we mentioned um this is DP and we also needed DP approval for the they had
to do some testing. um at the park, not just in the playground area, but throughout the park. So, they took some tests uh of the soil and and everything came back clean. So, um everything is looking great for this, and I know there's a lot of people that are really looking forward to it.
>> Sounds like it's going to be a great space for kids, especially some special needs kids. I read that there's like a quiet area if someone needs to just remove themselves or >> accessible parking. There's going to be accessible u equipment. So Allison was
showing us um wheelchair accessible playground equipment. I mean that's pretty awesome. >> That is great. That's very nice >> and a great value for the taxpayers given the grants that were secured. >> That's right. >> Okay. So more to come on that when we get ready to break ground. We'll give
out as more information on that when that gets closer. Resolution 2026-084 is a resolution approving 44 resol R26000446 for Sephlli and Sun, Inc. in an amount
not to exceed $16,500 for 88 bathroom improvements at the old barrel hall. That's what we're calling it now. I like it. >> Sus one Academy Street. >> No more >> uh using our pars county co-op as well.
Um, resolution 85, and I'll talk about both of them in a second, is also approving requisition 447 for Selian Sun and amount not to exceed $18,140 for ADA ramp at the Oldber Hall, one
academy street uh using Mars County Co-op. So, these two uh rec um resolutions are approving uh renovating the bathroom and creating an ADA ramp over at the old bar hall which will be become our temporary police station. So,
we're making that 88 compliant. >> Okay. Finance L. >> Thank you, mayor. We have resolution 2026-86. It's a resolution refunding or applying overpayment of taxes to certain property owners. Uh there were three specifically
that uh were duplicates. So those are getting refunded. Uh resolution 2026-87 is a resolution amending term of appointment for Tim O'Coner as part-time deputy tax assessor for the Bureau of
New Providence. Um you know we in prior meetings we had approved Tim as our part-time deputy tax assessor. This is just following state statute to amend the term. So this is going to go from
December 3rd, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 and then July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2030. Um, again, per state statute. Uh, resolution 2026-88
is a trust fund transfer resolution. So, here we're going to be transferring money from the appropriation reserves to the reserve for insurance and snow removal and storm recovery, which we're using quite a bit of this year as
opposed to prior years. Um, that's why we have that there. So, thank God. Um, resolution 2026-89 is an emergency temporary appropriation amending the 2026 municipal temporary budget to include appropriations for
equipment maintenance and repair and vehicles for the police department. Resolution 202690 is the resolution authorizing the payment of the attached bills payable list. the amount of 3,925,9868.
Some of the larger items included 3,219,773 uh to the county of union for our first quarter taxes, 196,309 to Horizon Healthcare for our February healthc care insurance,
142,289 to the county of union for our first quarter open space tax. 49,083 to suburban disposal for our January garbage bill. County of Union got 41,42
and that was for first quarter shared dispatch. Woodland Builders 41,375 for snow removal. ESR Tundi and Suns 29,885 for leaf disposal and Union County Utilities Authority 23,384
for January solid waste disposal. a lot of garbage and insurance there. So, there we go. Um, I will do public works. Yes, you will. >> Uh, resolution 2026-91 is a resolution approving requisition
R26000393 for Ben Schaefer Recreation, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $28,510.40 40 cents for VSI iron sites planners for downtown uh ESC NJ co-op number 65MC
CCPS. So this is uh basically approving the purchase of 20 planners for downtown. The money for this project was allocated already as part of the downtown streetscape project. And um we are also going to be using some
reallocated grant money from sustainable New Jersey to to cover the cost of those. Resolution 2026-092 is a resolution authorizing the application for treatment works approval
permit for toll New Jersey 1 LLC 121 Chandlin Road block 221 lot 6. This is authorizing the mayor to endorse the TWWA application for 121 Chandlin. Um TWWA is a treatment works
approval application and it's a regulatory submission required to obtain permission for constructing or modifying domestic wastewater treatment systems, sewer extensions or pumping stations. This is
a um New Jersey Dmandated process and ensures that the projects comply with the fluent standards, downstream capacity and technical design requirements. So much needed there. Um and lastly, we
have an authorization to hire DPW summer help. Um I can't believe we're looking to hire summer help in during snowstorms, but here we are. Um and it'll be here before you know it. So, this is requesting permission to post for three summer help positions. The
salary there is $17 an hour. >> 37 days till spring. >> Oh, can't come soon enough. >> Okay, Kathleen. >> Thank you, mayor. Resolution 2026-093 is a resolution authorizing an agreement between the Bureau of New Providence and
the Union County Improvement Authority for the public safety expansion and renovation project. So, this is seeking authorization to enter into a shared service agreement with the Union County Improvement Authority to oversee the construction of the police department, including
procurement, project development, approvals, and payment to contractors. Uh, this will ensure a very efficient operation and producing uh this um this new facility and um we're glad to be
partnering with them. >> Okay. We'll go to committee reports. Um, I really don't have much, but I I I do want to bring up a couple things. >> First, this snowstorm was the worst
we've had since I think >> 10 years 1996. >> I got to tell you, our guys were out there and they did a terrific job. Uh, I was out there with Ralph. Um, I couldn't
believe where you would be one minute. You go around a block and the snow filled up the the road again. >> A lot of snow. But our guys came through. They worked how many hours straight?
>> 32. >> 32 hours straight. >> I don't know how they do it quite honestly. It is tedious. It's dangerous. And um you know you could you when you
they call the term hit the ball where you get so tired. I I don't know how they do it but God bless him. Um John Signarillo our our new emergency management coordinator did a fantastic
job. I tell you everybody was knew what they had to do. I know Jess the rescue squad had few calls right? seven, I think, and the fire department had seven. So,
and unfortunately, we had one person pass away uh from shuttle. Um but everybody works together here, get things done. I was at Ralph this morning
and he we were going over what what they had to do. It's not only plowing streets. You got to clear out all the intersections. You gota the walkways have to be cleaned. The uh where the school crossing guards are, they have to
all be cleaned out. It's it's quite an effort. You don't realize it until you're right there and and see it going on. So, I just want to thank them so much, all the employees for doing what they have to do and and the volunteers
because it wouldn't happen without their dedication. When I say pioneers strong, I mean it. So, that's all I have. And don't forget the police. They're out there, too. So, uh just unbelievable.
Okay. And Bernardet, you're always there. Okay, Kathleen. >> Thank you, mayor. So, um the diversity committee is now up and running. Uh we've identified two co-chairs. Um we're really excited about their ability to
establish their framework about how they're going to be operating and what goals they're going to set for 2026. Um their next meeting is Monday, March 9th at 7 p.m. always interested in in more volunters. if you have an interest, you know,
please fill out that volunteer application form. Um, the municipal alliance, there's uh no update. There's another the monthly meeting is happening next week. Uh, but they did have to cancel their screen aers movie screening that was supposed to take place um now
supposed to happen tonight um because of the school closing. So, um hopefully that can be rescheduled. uh the Providence community pool. We're very happy to share that the registration for the 2026 season is open.
Uh and um you know, we would just encourage our residents to take advantage of this um amazing facility that's right in the heart of our town. >> Early bird special. >> Early bird special till April 15th. >> So, put this on your calendar to make
sure you get the registration in before then. Um, npool.org is the website you can go and they're going to ask you to register and it goes through the community pass system which is managed by the burough. Um,
Brian's going to talk about the historical society. So, that's uh the end of my updates. >> Okay. >> AP. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I don't really have much to report either. I mean, I already talked about mental health. Um, board of health. I actually was going
through and I saw the the a post that came out today about um watching out for birds and I had seen that on the news as well. I guess there's a lot of bird deaths in New Jersey. So, we have on our website the board of health put out a flyer about how to if you encounter
something like that. So, I recommend going on >> there a reason for it or >> I I don't know. It's um >> probably starving. >> Yeah. No, there were there were um a lot of >> Should they be flying south or something? >> They missed they missed that one. But um so just something for people to look out
for. So uh go on to our burough website. I believe board of health had posted that up. Um and you can find the directions there. I thought that one was pretty interesting. Um we are having an affordable housing meeting uh sometime this week. So more to come next week or
next meeting. And that's it for me. >> Okay. Uh so wanted to mention coffee with the cop. Um let's ago. >> So yeah, so coffee with cop. I don't know if anybody I just stopped in. I think I saw and naen there as well. Um
you know we have coffee with council, right? And we go and we sit down somewhere and we just you know hope somebody resident has a question and comes by. >> These guys are sleeves were rolled up. They were behind the counter. They got the the the you know the apron on and they were literally pouring coffee. I thought that was pretty cool.
>> They were making lattes. >> Where was it? At Starbucks. Yes. >> And they were I love it. >> Made me a latte. >> So, I think uh we got to step up our game as well. The point I'm trying to do, that was pretty cool. Um I do want to thank the DPW as well. I did get a
lot of positive feedback from from a lot of residents about how our streets were when you left New Providence, it was, you know, messy and New Providence wasn't. Um you know, that doesn't come by accident, right? It comes with a lot of dedication and hard work. So, I want
to thank those guys and and I and I don't mean to say that other towns aren't dedicated, right? And because every DPW in every town works really, really hard. There's no question about it. Um, I just, you know, these guys just did an outstanding job and I want to thank them for that as well. And I saw you out there. I saw your videos. I
want to, you know, you're an inspiration for for for everyone. I always say all the time, you know, um, when you look at the mayor, you want to see a guy that's just going to show up for everything or a person, sorry, that shows up for everything. and you do. I mean, you're there for everything. You're born and
raised and and you know, I'm proud to to to serve with you. So, thank you for that. >> Um, high school sports, I know the winter seasons are coming to a close. I just want to wish all of our high school sports teams uh good luck, my son included. Um, playoffs start, they
actually pushed back. Congratulations to the girls team for winning the county, which is I mean, we went >> That's tough. We went 50 years without winning the county and we've won it now like three out of the last four or five years or something. I mean, it's it's just incredible. >> Um anyway, I just want to wish all the
high school sports teams good luck in their in their playoffs. >> U community activities. Just wanted to just note a couple things real quick. Uh the recreation youth summer camp brochure, which is always a big ticket item, um is on the website. And Rec
wanted us to announce this year's something new. The recreation department will be hosting a summer camp open house Tuesday, March 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the municipal gym. Residents can come and learn about all the camps, meet the
rec staff, ask questions. U take-home information will be available. Uh registration for summer programs will be opening on March 17th, the greatest day of the year >> at 9:00 a.m. Patrick.
Um, this is actually a great idea. Open house. I love it. Um, >> the PBA and the rec department are also hosting a blood drive in the municipal gym on Friday um this this Friday uh from 1 to 7:00 p.m. So, if you are an interested donor, you can make an appointment via the blood center website
or just walk in on that day. And that's it for me. >> Anthony, we ought to congratulate Catana for 600 wins. >> Yes. Amazing. >> It's incredible. >> Yeah. So, you know, thank you for that. You know, Coach Katano, 43 years
coaching the the boys in this town. Uh, young men really. Um, 600 wins. He's one of only 25 coaches in the state of New Jersey to ever do that. I mean, this is New Providence. This is a tiny little New Providence. This is one of 25 people
in the entire state to ever do that. >> That's amazing. >> He's a special guy. >> Well, he was a tough Bill and I uh you went to high school with
>> long time ago. >> Lisa, >> thank you. Um I don't have much. Um the seniors I put out the final um agenda um or schedule. So hopefully we'll we'll get that uh started next month. So that
should be good. Um Brian and I just met for finance committee. Um we are on to draft number two. Um couple challenges this year, but we'll we'll we'll save that for for another day. Um we are
still on track to be able to share this information with the rest of council by uh the week of March 9th. We might not have the state aid number in yet. Um but we will share regardless with or without that number. you past couple years and I
think we've said this before that state aid number has not really changed. I don't know this year. I mean I'm not going to say it's not going to change but we'll see what happens. >> Don't jinx it. >> I don't want to jinx it. We don't want to jinx it. So I'm not going to say anything about that. Um so that was
finance um public works. I think you guys had just said it beautifully. So proud of our DPW uh hard workers. I, you know, I was speaking with the wife of of one of them and she's, you know, she hadn't seen her husband for like a day
and a half. Well, she had to be out so she had to go out and shovel her own driveway, so to speak. But, um, they are just unbelievably committed and do such an amazing job. So, thank you to them. Uh, library board is meeting right now as we speak, so I'm unfortunately
missing that. Um, community forestry management plan committee. Uh Brian and I met with Bernardet to just kind of wrap our heads around really what this committee is tasked with and what we're planning on doing. Um I'm going to get
it wrong if I try to think of try to say this off the top of my head. So I'm just going to read what the mission statement is. It's recognizing the value that street and park trees contribute to the quality of life in the bureau of New Providence. It is the burough's mission to promote a sustainable and productive
community forest and trees resource that will in turn improve the quality of life for the municipality's residents. That puts it that sums it all up in a nutshell. Um we did approve tonight um to look for a arborist on an as needed
basis. We will need the arborist to help us uh do an inventory of all the trees. We will actually inventory all the trees in town, which I think is amazing. And basically what we're going to be doing with that is just recognizing what we
have, what trees are are, you know, within this inventory within our the confines of our burrow. And also help us to be proactive. Like if we had this in place maybe when all the ash trees were um you know having diseased and having
to come down, it might have been a little bit of a different story. instead of kind of chasing it, we we want to stay in front of it. So that's the goal. Um so the first step is to find an arborist to help us with that inventory and then we'll take it from there. >> Okay,
>> thank you, Mayor. Um just a couple of things. Uh the historical society met um they for I I have to admit one of the things that amuses me is that it's one of the few meetings that I have that's on Zoom. Um so kudos to them for that. Um but they they got a lot of stuff going on. They
had their libation tasting event at the Salt Box. I wasn't able to make it myself, but apparently it was a smashing success and they're looking to to do more of of those kind of events. Um, and then the annual meeting with dinner and program is coming up on Thursday, April
9th at Vintage Tavern. So, please keep an eye out for that. Um, they're they're very excited about that. They have a guest speaker coming. Um, and I mayor, there's some folks on there that could go you toe-to-toe history of the town and I'm sure, >> you know, they they they uh they they
they know so much about this town and it's absolutely fascinating to to hear it all. Um, they're also um working in concert with the Rev 250 folks. Um, the Liberty Lanterns are are are still uh a thing. Uh, so keep an eye out for that.
And I think that's the gist. Oh. Uh, Reverend Caldwell Day is April 18th. Um, and you get to hear all about uh the the the history of the town and all the connections that we have to George Washington and um different presidents and all of this stuff. It's absolutely
fascinating. Um so that that I think is the big stuff. Um we talked a lot about mental health, but just another plug, uh the third Wednesday of every month, 700 p.m. right here in Burough Hall, uh down the hall from here. Um, you know, as as Councilwoman Joffrey mentioned, we have
a huge slate of events coming up. We need help. So, please, you know, uh uh uh step up and and volunteer. Um I I cannot wait to see the town painted green again. Um and I think that is the bulk of it. Uh board of ed is on Thursday. And the other the only thing
that I'll add to, you know, certainly my thanks to the DPW folks and and all the hard work that they do, but I'll also add a shout out to whoever's taken over the OEM uh social media. they have a, you know, they I don't know the sense of humor that that that they have is is really hitting the nail on the head from
folks that I've been talking to. So, thank you to to that whoever is doing that to to get the word out. And that concludes my report. >> Okay, >> I have nothing to talk about but snow.
>> Let it snow. Let it snow. >> We're not saying that let's get an inch tonight. >> I move that be stricken from the record. And hopefully it's only an inch. And uh >> they're saying possibility of a big one Monday.
>> They always come on Sunday, Monday, don't they? >> Well, it's supposed to be a nice weekend in the 40s with the sun out. So hopefully it'll melt a lot of it. So um Okay. This time we have public comment. Anybody wishing to address
council? I declare the public comment closed. >> Okay. I need a motion for items 1 through 17, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> Yes. Yes. >> Oh, wait. >> Roll call.
>> I'm sorry. >> That's new. >> That's new. >> Yes, indeed. >> Miss Stolen. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Joffy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kamisky. >> I. >> Mrs. Mcnite. Yes, >> Mr. Gardner. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Motion prejournment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Yes. >> So be it. >> And please when out out there with the snow, the ice, please be careful. >> Please be careful.
>> And when you get an alert, please, please put your car in the driveway. a couple cars that were left out. I don't know how they're going to get dug out, >> but everybody get is given fair warning
to make sure their car is off the street. So, um I know we'll probably get a couple phone calls, but it's the way it is. Unfortunately, >> it is what it is. >> They were told.
>> Yeah. Oh boy. >> So, >> it's very difficult to go around things. >> Yeah, that's a lot. >> Okay.