Okay, 7:31. We're one minute late. That's fine. So, Al is not here tonight. Um, and I will be filling in for him. So, here we go. Uh, we will call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. >> Miss Dolan, >> here. >> Miss Bisca,
>> present. Mrs. Mcnite, >> here. >> Mrs. Jeffoffrey, >> here. >> Mr. Kogan, >> here. >> Mr. Kamisky, >> here. >> Pledge allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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 notice. Uh this is a public meeting of the Burough Council of the Bureau of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in
accordance with PL1975 chapter 231 in that an annual notice or revision was made in conformance with section 13 of the act. Uh tonight we have a couple proclamations. So um we will have Naen do the
proclamation for food insecurity month. >> Okay. And then do you want to start with red ribbon week? >> We'll start with red ribbon week. Um, >> I couldn't say that one. >> Red ribbon. >> Yeah, that's okay. >> Red ribbon. >> So, we'll go down. Is there anybody from
>> Red Ribbon? Red Ribbon. >> Oh. >> So, what do we do then? >> So, I can take it cuz Al's going to read it. I think at something for Municipal Alliance he mentioned. >> Yeah. >> You can read it if you want and then we can do it again. >> Why don't you read it and then they can
do it again. So when the middle school peer leaders are going to come, they tie ribbons all throughout the downtown. They tie ribbons throughout the whole downtown. I will read that proclamation again for the peer leaders, but Lisa will read it for tonight. >> Okay. So this is a proclamation
designating October 23rd through October 31st of 2025 as Red Ribbon Week. That is a tough one to say. Red Ribbon Week. Uh whereas alcohol and drug abuse in this nation has reached epidemic stages and
whereas it is imperative that visible unified prevention education efforts by community members be launched to eliminate the demand for drugs. And whereas the National Family Partnership is sponsoring the national red ribbon
campaign offering citizens the opportunity to demonstrate the commitment to drug-free lifestyles. And whereas the National Red Ribbon Campaign will be celebrated in every community in America during Red Ribbon Week, October,
23rd to 31st. Whereas business, government, parents, law enforcement, media, medical institutions, religious institutions, schools, senior citizens, service organizations, and youth will demonstrate their commitment to healthy
drug-free lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons during this week-long campaign. And whereas the community of New Province further commence its resources to ensure the success of Red Ribbon campaign. Now
therefore, be it resolved that I, Lisa Mcnite, as well as Al Morgan, mayor of the Burough Province, uh, County of Union, State of New Jersey, hereby proclaim the 23rd through the 31st of 2025 as Red Ribbon Week and encourages
citizens to participate in drugrevention education activities, not only during Red Ribbon Week, but all year long, making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a products. >> Very nice.
>> Well done. >> Okay. So, who wants to come up? >> We should all come up. >> All right. >> Got the whole gang. >> I should come up for the OP sandwich ministry.
>> Okay. So today we're representing um this is the link group uh leading initiative for neighborhood change. >> Uh we're one of several food pantries that are in the burough. Um so this is run out of the Methodist church but we also have OOLP and a couple other so
representing uh food insecurity month. That's my team over there. Okay. So this is a proclamation designating October as food insecurity awareness month. Whereas food insecurity is the lack of
consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active healthy life. It can be temporary or longlasting and affects people across all different races, ages, and income classes in the United States. And
whereas in America about 1 in 10 people and 1 in six children are experiencing food insecurity within Union County alone over 7.3% of residents or about 40,000 people are currently food
insecure including a rate of 9.2% for children or about 12,000 children. And whereas thousands of nonprofit organizations and food banks, including the link program incorporated, have been set up across the United States with the
goal of fighting food insecurity, working tirelessly to provide families with necessary nutritional support. Because food insecurity is often tied to other major troubles like poverty, unemployment, health conditions, and
more, it is even harder to put an end to it. However, with the issue growing every day, more work must be done to raise awareness about it and fight it head on. Now therefore, I, Councilwoman Nine Jeffroy, along with Alan Morgan,
Mayor of the Bureau of New Providence, County of Union, and State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim the month of October as food insecurity awareness month in New Providence, New Jersey, and encourage all residents to observe food insecurity awareness month and support
this cause that so deeply impacts family in every community across our country. So, thank you so much. Thank you. >> So, we're gonna get a picture and then >> just got to make sure we see the
Bucknell logo. >> Okay. So, this is our chair and this is Abby Franco and she was also chair. But these are our two founding members of Blink. if you guys want to talk a little bit about how the program works, maybe about a little bit about school fuel and this is our board of directors.
>> Yeah. So, uh, as you said, I'm a bar. Um, and Abby and I started it together, uh, now four years ago. Um, and we've been doing these populationations every year just trying to get awareness about our cause, um, every year. And as you've seen by the size of the people that we have, we have a huge community behind us. Um, and we're so thankful to have
New Providence behind us every step of the way. These are all made up of New Providence community members. So um what we do is we provide necessary resources for families in need uh in this local area. We do about a 5 mile radius around New Providence. Um so that includes places like Westfield, Springfield,
Brookley Heights, um Summit, etc. Um and we provide food, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies to those in need. Um we do it on a monthly basis. So we have uh a location at the United Methodist Church, which is the one across from the pool parking lot. And every month, families come to us and they get to sort
of shop around a a set of food, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies. That way, it's not like your typical food pantry where you get kind of a pre-made box. They get to pick exactly what what they want, whether it's the, you know, the type of item they want, but also the brand. Um, as well as fresh produce, um,
eggs, meat, vegetable, carrots, or not carrots, uh, eggs, meat, vegetables, and fruits. Um, as well as some local stuff from the giving garden, which is outside Methodist Church. Um just again like our mission to reiterate is to make sure that every person in your province regardless of
income, gender, race, um religion, that they have equal access to live a healthy lifestyle. So like David mentioned, we aren't just a food pantry, we're a resource pantry. Um particularly, we've expanded our efforts within the New Province School District. So, in each uh school in the New Providence district,
there is a pantry called school fuel, which we provide uh grab-and-go items for children suffering from food insecurity. It's completely anonymous with program. So, at any time, um children can go and get the resources that they need. Additionally, something that I would like to emphasize, if you're looking for something to donate,
we do donate hygiene products. Um we do collect hygiene products. We get those out to the families. Uh it's something that's a little less thought about, but that is essential to leading a healthy life is having access to soap and toothpaste and toothbrushes. So, we really want to just help empower our
families and really empower their autonomy to choose what they are receiving, feeding their families, cooking at home. Uh, but we really wouldn't be able to do it without the support of our community. So, we just like to say thank you. >> And donations are accepted anytime. There's a shelf in the back of the church, so you can just drive up
anytime, drop off donations, and they are greatly appreciated. >> Yeah. Again, this is our team, our board, and also our our shopping team members, the ones that make it all happen. Um, Donna and Pat, they have been uh instrumental in all of our of our work. So, thank you again for all
this. We really appreciate all your support. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Hi. Nice to meet you too, Kathleen. >> Thank you so much. >> You don't have to stick around. You can let them know.
>> Yeah, you can let them know. It's pretty amazing in our small little town that we have not only link, but we also have like the OOLP food pantry and the sandwich ministry at OLP, the drive-through dinners at the Presbyterian Church. We truly are a community that values our people.
>> That's true. And giving very giving community. >> Okay, thank you guys for coming. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, guys. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> So, next we have the approval of minutes. Um, I need a motion on minutes from September 30th. So moved.
>> Okay. All in favor. >> Second. >> Yes. Got it. It's fine. >> Uh correspondence items. Um we have um the first one is David Blit 11 Johnson
Drive. The bamboo ordinance. Uh concerns. Um so this was from September 25th, 2025. So that was from a while ago. Board of Adjustment Notice of Public Hearing 26 Ridge View View Avenue October 1st uh seeking a variance to
construct an addition. We have Remington and Vernick Engineers NJD freshwater wetlands and flood hazard area permit applications. Payic River Cleaning within the Longhill Township and Berkeley Heights Township. Uh this
is from October 2nd. The Union County Improvement Authority is seeking a permit to remove some debris and obstructions from a section of the river that's located on the Berkeley Heights Longhill border and that's going to be part of the park improvement that's
going on at 7:35 Springfield Avenue. Uh we have uh PSEG notice of vegetative maintenance um providing notice of upcoming vegetative m uh management work along the electric transmission corridor. Um
David Blit 11 Johnson Drive again the bamboo ordinance concerns. Uh this is dated October 4th. Um, City of Summit zoning ordinance 253359, introduction amending the development
regulations dated October 8th. City of Summit is providing notice of updates of to their development regulation ordinances. I don't know how I've got this. Sorry, got some weird stuff popping up on my computer. Um the city of Summit is uh so
I said okay so the city of Summit is providing notice of updates to their redevelopment uh regulations ordinances. We have a couple resignations from the fire department. Um I think I have their full names here. Let's see. So David uh
David Buell is resigning. We have Kaden Zoo. >> David David Zoo resigning. >> Um Kaden Kaden Zoo. Sorry. Um, we have a new junior member in Ryan Morgan and I
believe that's that's Al's uh grandson. >> Um, next correspondence is the New Jersey Department of Transportation fiscal year 2026 freight impact fund that dated October 9th. Uh this is providing notice of grant availability
for local freight impact fund which provides aid to counties and municipalities for transportation products that address the impacts of freight travel in local communities and on local transportation infrastructures.
Um see next we'll move on to council business. We'll start with um Kathleen. Thank you, Council President. >> Uh, this is resolution 2025259. It's a resolution approving a proposal from Croll LLC for fixed asset
accounting and property insurance appraisal. Uh, so this is approving the agreement for Croll LLC to do a property insurance appraisal for the Bureau of New Providence's use in connection with its internal analysis of its insurance needs with respect to the identified
property. It has been 10 years since the buildings and contents were inspected. So, we are looking forward to that assessment. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, board of health, Alex. >> Thank you, Lisa. Board of Health. Uh,
ordinance uh 2025-11. This is an ordinance uh amending chapter 333 of the code of the bureau titled sanitary standards. So, the board of health is looking to amend this chapter. Uh so regarding the garbage collection
for uh commercial properties uh right now they can I think we have several complaints that commercial uh haulers are picking up 2 three in the morning. So this brings that ordinance uh in line with what the residential ordinance is like. >> You can just stay right now.
>> I'll continue on engineering resolution 260. Resolution accept accepting written employment resignation from Joseph. Is it Boli or Broccoli? Broccoli. Just like it's read as part-time electrical sub code official of the Burough of New Providence. Uh Joe's retiring uh due to
retire resigning due to retirement. He's been with us for four years. uh authorization to hire electrical subcode inspector. This requests permission for to fill the uh post vacancy left by Joe's retirement. Uh resolution 261. This resolution
approving requisition R202053 for Montana Construction Corp. Inc. in amount not to exceed $38,500 for emergency storm drain repairs at Pittsford Way and Springfield Avenue. uh BC-BID-23-13.
This approves the replacement of a collapsed storm pipe at the intersection of Pittsford and Springfield. Uh resolution 262, resolution authorizing the participation in Resilient New Jersey regional assistance program for the Bureau of New Providence. uh through
resilient New Jersey uh regional assistant program the NJD is funding regional teams instead of developing comprehens interested in developing comprehensive community-led regional resilient action plans with assistance
from our consultant teams. Uh so the bureau we're going to partner with Berkeley Heights Longill Summit Chadam Scotch Plains and the city of Planefield in this endeavor. So thanks to Bernardet, Scotch Plains and Planefield
just were added very recently. >> All right, I will cover finance. We have resolution 2025-263. This is a resolution approving the filing of CY 2025 SFY2026
best practices inventory questionnaire. Uh the 2025 inventory assesses each municipality's compliance with various laws and evaluates the implementation of fiscal and operational best practices. Inventory answers provide taxpayers with
an additional means of evaluating their municipality's performance. There are a total of 70 questions on the best practices inventory with six new scored questions and nine unscored questions. Each municipality must receive a minimum
score of 32 to receive its full final aid payment. We have resolution 2025-264 resolution authorizing the payment of attached bills payable list. The amount is 2,395,754.
The significant items include 1,513490 to the um New Providence Board of Education for their October tax levy. Uh Mont Montana Construction for $299,603 storm related repairs. Horizon
Healthcare for 148,254. That's our October healthcare. the New Providence Memorial Library for 104,957 for their October appropriation and suburban disposal $49,083
uh and that is for September garbage. Public safety uh is then I will I cover that. Um I'll just keep going. Resolution 2025-265 is a resolution appointing John Signarello as our emergency management
coordinator in training for the Burough of New Providence. As you recall, we were looking to hire um somebody for that position. John Signarella is our uh chief at the police at the fire department and is just a perfect perfect
fit for this position. um he will not officially take uh over the reigns until January 1st. However, this um this ordinance, this resolution will allow us to provide him a stipen,
so to speak, an hourly stipend because he is putting time in uh for training and attending uh conferences and seminars and such. So, we are paying him a small stipen for his time. >> He happens to be here in the back. >> He is here in the back. Oh, John. Hi, John.
>> Congratulations. >> Congrats. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Yeah, I don't I don't want to embarrass John too much here, but uh when I was on public safety and uh the ver one of my very first meetings, there was a um there was an event in town and and it was a very serious event and and
the chief uh John uh the mayor, myself, um Bernardet, we were we were just discussing this incident and and I just sat there and I didn't really know him that well and and he was just walking through this incident from the minute the call came in to the minute that he
left, which was like the last person to leave. And it was so detailed. I I felt like I was there. And I and I'll be honest with you, I was so impressed. U and I'm so proud of you and I'm happy that we have you as your as our fire chief. And now I'm even more >> Yeah. >> more proud and and excited to have you
as our OEM because it's a very important role. And I know Chief Hen, you know, kind of played that role uh for us, which was, you know, a very difficult role to play, you know, as the chief of police as well. So, uh, so, thank you for that. I appreciate that. >> And we've had a lot of conversations
about, uh, different storm events and stuff, and we're very excited about you taking over the reigns and, you know, increasing communications and different things within the burrow. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Congratulations. Not not sworn in yet, but yeah,
>> we let the cat out of the bag. >> Now, go start a train. Let's go. >> Okay. So, resolution uh 2025-266 is a resolution approving requisition R2502065
for Whitmir Public Safety Group in an amount not to exceed $29,939. This is for fire department turnout gear. The state contract is 17-fleet-0000810 and this is approving the replacement of seven sets of turnout gear for our fire
department. Much needed. >> So next we have uh some discussion items. >> We have a proposed ordinance amending chapter 333 related to all things chickens.
>> Yes. Yes. Um so Alex and I will be kicking off the discussion as the liaison to the board of health. Um so the topic comes up periodically about chickens. Um about residents owning chickens um how this can be how can we
have them, how can we regulate it, etc. Um it kind of sounds like a foreign concept to many because you wouldn't think that there would be chickens here in New Providence. Um so what Well, plenty of times, but >> um but what we want to do is we want to
um address it and we want to understand all the pieces of it and decide um do we want to allow chickens at all? Do we want to have a solid ordinance around it? Um the solid ordinance is also being discussed simultaneously in Berkeley
Heights. Uh just so you know, uh chickens are allowed in Milbour. They're allowed in Madison. We believe they're allowed in Summit. Uh so our surrounding towns do have chicken ordinances. Um so to ensure that we have the most complete
chicken ordinance, we did >> we did research >> commercial we research Bernardet did research um around and I think Paul did research around making sure that we've considered every aspect of this. So, we're not putting forth an ordinance
tonight. We would like to bring our thoughts to council, get your thoughts to see what is it that would make a complete chicken ordinance. Um, so some topics around this would be u permits being renewed annually. Inspections, so
inspections of chicken coups should be done annually or on a complaint basis. Uh there should be a zoning clause that zoning has approved location of the coupe before the application is submitted. There are many different types of chicken coupoops. Um suggest
having the resident provide plans for approval of the coupe. Um and also we would need to uh figure out how many roosts on site and nesting boxes. What do those coups look like? Would they have an impermeable floor? Um how many
chickens would be permitted? Um, would we allow roosters? Most people don't allow roosters. Um, what about the selling of eggs? Um, there. So, as you can tell, there are many, many different aspects. What do you do if there's a sick chicken? >> That's true.
>> So, basically, so like I said, tonight, you know, Alex and I would like to go around and ask everybody on council their thoughts. We're going to be drafting this up um and hopefully bringing it to your attention. I would just note that the reason we're even discussing this this from time to time as Naen said
>> people do complain about their neighbors having chickens. People are waking up. People it's creating some infestation in some places. So this is a response to residents. It's not that we're trying to >> there are active there are currently residents who do have chickens and >> and their neighbors are not happy
>> and their neighbors are not happy. I don't know if they're not getting eggs. I I'm not really >> so we're trying to find a happy medium not to not to be chicken free. What what are the complaints? >> I think no. >> Well, if they have a rooster. >> Okay. >> I think it's the noise. You can hear those roosters for like
>> Yeah, >> definitely. Uh rat rat infestations. >> There there's a possibility of rats. There are also other predators that come when you have chickens, >> snakes, >> smells, smells, >> smells. So, is there anything in your
ordinances that would have some kind of regul like a >> a a routine inspection for health code stuff and >> yeah, I think >> rodent infestation. >> I think we're proposing >> those are things that we would have to look at
>> an annual inspection and that's actually so when the coupe is approved so a coupe can be constructed to prevent a lot of that. So, um, if you have a, uh, permeable floor versus a non-permeable floor, stuff like that would try to keep
up the cleaning. If you keep up the cleaning, then chances are not as high that you would have rats. If you have a solid coupe, um, that would be hard for snakes or weasels or rats to get in. So, I think all these all these things need to be factored in.
>> And also, we don't want to reinvent the wheel. A lot of other towns have gone through this. Uh so we can learn the good and the bad from them. >> Yeah. I mean we we have a good sample ordinance from Tene and we believe um Berkeley Heights is looking at that ordinance as well. Um but how many
people in town that we have been alerted to have them? >> I think Bernardet would you was it five or six or so? >> There's at least five or six. Yeah, >> there's probably more. >> Five or six that we're probably aware >> aware of. Yeah. And the second point says there should be a zoning clause
before the application is submitted. >> So you would have to have So we would have to put that in the ordinance. Like if I guess like a >> like right now you could be in an apartment and technically you know we don't have anything that you you we'd want to require you have some sort of land not right up against your neighbor
some sort of setbacks. That's what we're going to learn from what these other towns are doing. >> Like if if you have a coupe, you don't want the coupe right on top of your neighbor's property. You want to have a certain setback away from your neighbors. You want to have a certain setback. You don't want it in the front yard. You want in the backyard. >> I think it's going to be fair to assume
not every home is going to meet the requirements to be able to have a coupe. So, >> so we we want to make sure that the regulations are um solid enough to protect all of our residents and something out there >> and fair. Yeah. >> And fair.
>> Yeah. My sister-in-law in Parland's neighbors have chickens >> and she complains about them being like right on her fence and >> Well, that's the free range question, too. >> Yeah, that's a whole >> Are you going to let them free range during the day, put them in the coupe at night? Are you going to just let them
roam in their coupe area? >> You know, um my mother has chickens, but my mother has eight acres of land. So, that's a >> Who knew this was part of our job, right? Mhm. I think it's fascinating >> and the eggs are really good. >> Yeah. My only concern is this is the
sanitary thing, you know, if it attracts other animals. But if >> if we can be assured that they are going to keep them clean and >> I I think for discussion purposes, we we just wanted to feel everyone that I think we're going in the right
direction. We'll work with everyone to get a a good solid ordinance. Yeah, >> it was just that we we weren't hoping people would say, "No, everybody should have chickens." >> Well, is this something that council wants us to continue doing? Should we continue looking at this ordinance?
>> I would say yes. I mean, I my perspective is um I mean, I haven't seen any chickens running across the road or anything. I think probably the people that have them are taking good care of them at this point. And I don't know if you've heard
or if we've been contacted by any um current chicken owners to say, you know, I'm doing everything that's needed and I I don't have issues with snakes or vermin and this is how I protect the
coupe and etc, etc. Um and and I don't know the the situation with those who have complained, the neighbors who've complained. I would definitely say um there's no we should not allow any roosters >> because I think that that is uh uh you
know definitely a source of uh noise that is not needed at you know 4 in the morning >> right >> um and also just the way that the coupe is situated as you talked about with zoning and making sure that there are certain you know regulations around and
then the sanitary nature of it. Um, those really three things. It sounds like that's all kind of talked about in this TAC ordinance from what I've been able to see so far. >> So, you know, I'm in favor of it. I think if we can give better guidance to
the public about what's expected and um, you know, maybe instead of the permit fee, we could collect eggs instead >> for link. Just kidding. >> For link. >> For link. Exactly. That's a great idea actually. >> But, okay. >> I do have a question. So, is this
specific to chickens or is it other fowl? >> I believe it would be all egg laying fowl. >> Okay. >> So, that would include your >> peasants. Quail. >> Quail. >> Ducks. >> Ducks. So, I might have an issue with ducks. I mean, ducks are very cute, but
um my cousin's also on a lot of land out past, you know, past Fington, out west a little bit. Um she was saying that the ducks are the worst. They're nasty and they're very dirty and >> so, >> okay, >> I don't know if we >> they need water. >> I guess we can
>> Well, we've got ponds, you know. >> Well, we will research. Um, >> we will research and report back. So, stay tuned. We just Does anybody else have anything? >> Listen, whoever has chickens today are are in violation of our ordinance. They
shouldn't have, right? Because it's not in our ordinance to have chickens, right? So, >> you know, let's start there, right? Um, and if we're getting complaints from people having chickens, yeah, I mean, it's our job to take a look at whether or not that's something that we would like to, you know, provide, right?
>> Um, I would be reserving judgment until I see I would like to see in more information from our board of health, more information from our planning board, >> right? more information from um you know our legal team in terms of you know what
the ramifications of having livestock you know in your backyard is. I don't have any of that information at this point in time. So >> if you guys want to gather all that stuff up and provide it for us we could review it take a look and make a decision on whether or not this is something we want to pursue. Definitely.
>> I think that's that's the right course of action >> and we'll be working closely with the board of health as well because then they'll have to adopt any ordinance related as well because it will be consistent between the bureau and the board. >> Okay. >> Okay. So stay tuned for more information on chickens. Thank you.
>> Next we have um a discussion item around the bamboo ordinance. So, as you recall at the last meeting, we were introducing a ordinance regarding um bamboo, right? And you know, whether you can plant it,
grow it, have it um and if you did have it on your property, how it needed to be maintained. And I think that one of the um things that we really were made aware of was some the um the compliance issue
around the bamboo and people that currently have it. So I believe the ordinance as we were looking at it last week had a 30day time frame around you know rem remedying
uh the bamboo. So we tabled it last week and are bringing it to discussion this week. Um you know depending on what we agree with Paul will take that information and run with it and create a new ordinance or a a modified ordinance
revised. Um so just you know what are what are the thoughts? I know that we did I think we sort we did talk about the time frame the the remediation time frame wasn't realistic um as >> yeah I think I think Paul had commented
that we working with Keith we could remove the 30-day requirement uh from the ordinance right and then Keith can Keith can kind of manage to his timeline right based on when he serves a notification >> right and I think I'm comfortable with
that right I mean that gives the homeowner for enough time to, you know, plan for it and discuss and and work with the bureau to, you know, begin planning on how they can remediate if there's an issue. Uh, and then from that point on, it's up to our, you know, our
professionals to to make sure that they're progressing and moving forward to to remediate as necessary. >> Yeah, I would say in light of what Mr. Sienko brought to the table last meeting, you you made a very good point. you don't have in 30 days you probably might
get one estimate where you require multiple estimates to procure your contractor and I think uh discussions with Keith it was in the spirit of progress as long as the resident can show progress um that they are they're not looking the other way that they are
making progress I I think that's going to be the intent of this ordinance to we still it's going to be an ordinance you're still going to have to remove it if it's in the way but um you have to show progress to a burough official that it's happening. I think that's where we're all landing on. >> Yeah, exactly.
>> And I I think that um just because some people don't see the bamboo doesn't mean that it isn't a problem. Right. So, I know that people have approached me and said that their neighbors have it and it is a problem. It's encroaching on their neighbors property. So, their neighbors shouldn't be penalized for something
that's not theirs. So, just like an existing homeowner who has it, uh, the argument is that they shouldn't be penalized, but they shouldn't those that home owner should not be penalizing somebody else. And I mean, if you drive down South Street, you clearly see the
bamboo that is encroaching on the sidewalk and will be in South Street soon. And that's actually a safety hazard. I mean, think about if it was raining or snow or ice. Like, that's a very Well, that's a very big potential >> safety hazard
>> or safety situation, not a hazard. >> Yeah. And I think every situation is going to be a little bit different. I mean, there's some homeowners represented here um in the correspondents and who've spoken before that have large amounts of it and you
know that's going to be expensive and um time inensive uh to remove and I think we need to take that into consideration versus other homeowners who might have very small amount and then just what reflecting to what you said Diane if the
bamboo that's uh appearing in neighbor A's yard is actually coming from neighbor B, you know, whose responsibility is it to remove it from neighbor A's yard? Um, and I think we need to be clear about that, too. So, you know, there's definitely some more
things that we need to talk about and settle on this, but uh I think the bottom line is that it's, you know, we're we're serious about trying to eradicate bamboo from New Providence um properties and uh this ordinance just
needs to be written in such a way that it's actually achievable um by our residents. >> Exactly. >> Yep. So, we'll work with uh Keith and we'll work with Paul. >> Any comment, Paul? No, >> the only comment is like like you I
conferred with Keith and you know, Keith had expressed a concern that um he have some deadline and and I had said, well, I I viewed it as in kind of any other violation. You know, if if somebody, I don't know, as an example, maybe puts a
deck up without a permit, you got to take the deck down. And there's no deadline. it's or he'll set a deadline, but as he indicated, uh, you know, as long as he has a sense that they're working towards it, he's never going to impose, uh, you know, fines or or issues
as long as he's satisfied they're working at it. So, there's no reason for a hard and fast deadline. >> Did he feel that there needed to be a deadline for discussion, like acknowledgement? >> Honestly, I didn't have that conversation with them. I I I think the
way it would work is if he finds somebody's got bamboo in violation, um he would give them a notice. Um he would tell, you know, I I'm sure he'd have some discussion, but it would be up to him to issue a violation notice and tell
them it's got to be removed. And my understanding of this working in in other arenas, I can't say bamboo removal, is it's a cooperative thing. Um hopefully it's cooperative, but even when I I know when construction officials, zoning officials issue
violation notices and you're supposed to go to municipal court, you go to court and and same thing happens in court, you know, with the judge. Um you know, okay, we're going to give you another month, you can come back and we'll see. So it's just it's just a matter of communication
and working together. And I think all we're interested in in this ordinance is, you know, making clear of what is and is not permitted. Um and then Keith's going to have some discretion in enforcement. >> Okay.
>> Okay. Um we will move to council committee reports. We'll start with uh Mr. Kamiski at that end. >> Thank you. All right. Uh this is planning board updates. Uh we had a meeting um October
7th on Toll Brothers and uh we discussed parking, architecture of the buildings um and and the integration of the affordable housing units throughout the property. Those are the big ticket items we discussed. Um next meeting we're
requesting parking was an issue or a comment relating to parking. Um Toll Brothers removed parking from the secondary lot, 53 spaces that they were adding to to the to the um
project. Um they are okay moving forward with those 53 spaces if the planning board will appine that we can hear it. the lawyers that were hired by um residents in the area
um has an opinion that the planning board cannot hear those 53 spots and that's a zoning issue. So, they're going to be writing their briefs and they'll be submitting their briefs to um to the burrow and to to the planning
board for our review. That next meeting, I just want to make clear for the Toll Brothers is not going to be until November 4th. Okay. Uh the next meeting for the planning board is October 21st. And at that meeting, we'll be discussing uh NP
Mountain Developers, which is um uh basically 70 Ryder Way up uh off of Mountain Avenue between Mountain Avenue and Southgate. And that's a 297 unit age restricted residential development. Um so if you're interested
in in listening to that um discussion, please come to the October 21st meeting. And if you are interested in continuing to ask questions for Toll Brothers, again, that meeting won't be until November 4th. Um all meetings are 8 p.m.
here in council chambers. And that's it for me. >> Thanks. Thank you. Um, talk a little bit first about sustainability committee. As you guys all heard last time, we did get the silver c uh uh certification from
sustainable New Jersey. Huge accomplishment. Again, thank you to Doug and all the committee members. Um, another uh recommendation that came from the sustainability committee. We discussed this at the last meeting about uh putting in a resolution supporting
the superstorm fund. um uh it would be just a resolution of support. So the sustainability committee which is an uh volunteers that are all part of uh our outreach have fully supported that. Um everybody reviewed the
uh the language and I think our next step is to bring it to a resolution perhaps at the next meeting. So >> what would it >> that we're showing support that at the state level that is state, right? Not federal. >> The climate super fund. >> Climate super fun. >> Is this the one you mentioned? >> Yes. Yeah.
>> This is from the New Jersey League. >> It's a standard >> from the league. >> It's just an offer of support. A lot of municipalities have done it already. So this is good to hear that our committee sustainability committee wants us to put this forward. So, I support their their
position on that and Kathleen's as well. Um, storm committee, storm water committee. I know there's several residents here. Uh, we had our meeting October 13th this past Monday. A lot of uh it it was only
our second meeting. Uh so, um very we're still in kind of the organization stage of that committee. Um, we have figured out how we're going to map the entire town and all the hot spots or wet spots perhaps is the better word. Um, we have
a lot of information. We need to create some sort of database. When I say information, we have it from the fire chief. We have it from the police chief. We have the DPW represented. Um, so every call that's ever been made in the last several years, we're aware of and
we're mapping it and want to find a way, um, to know what happened, when it happened, how it happened, and what do we need to do to address it. Um, uh, Union County Police, was it, uh, Bernardet is a Union County police drone
unit had come out and has done, uh, a very interesting videos. um I believe six or seven videos throughout throughout all of our channels uh that lead to the Payic River. The videos are extremely telling. Um the amount of
residue that is collected by storms that have happened in the last several years, the sediment is creating little islands. Um, uh, I just remembering what Ralph uh, said from DPW, you used to be maybe
2 feet lower in some of those spots. And now when you see the videos, you see little islands being created. Um, somebody looking at that video for the first time will say, "Oh, it's quite easy. Let's just bring a little bulldozer, a little bobcat, move everything to the sides, create the
channel back." Um, that would be great, but D does not allow anybody to go set foot in there without permits. Um, we're going to be reaching out and explaining our situation to D. How do we get uh permits? What what do they recommend
doing? Another interesting factoid is if that little sediment island has a little tree growing out of it, you are not allowed to touch that little island. It's now part of the vegetation. Um um but there's a lot we can do on the maintenance end. There's uh cutting back
some of the trees, not the roots, cuz the roots are actually helping keeping the foundations of the bank in in in place. Um you heard us read a resolution about partnering with neighboring towns, six or seven towns. Uh that's going to be a next step in that's just for
planning purposes. We also had Collier, our engineering firm, at the meeting. um they're going to start mapping um uh every single brook, every single uh connection point that we have that's going to be required by D anyway. So
even though we have very good mapping that we think is good, it it's kind of interesting. Every department kind of has their own and it all kind of meshes into one big map, but having an official um engineering firm come out and do this
uh with GIS mapping is going to be very very telling. Now, with all that said, what are we going to do for for our own system, the storm water system? Um we have to continue maintaining it. We're going to have to start budgeting.
I think I mentioned this the last time. Um we uh Montana Construction who's done a terrific job. Uh but for them to come out, it's probably about $7,000 a day to put the camera in. And then of course once you put the camera in, you see the
roots, you see the problems that you have. It's good to know your problems. That's the number one issue we need to do is diagnose what the problem is. Um some of the problems we can solve with routine maintenance or preventative or predictive maintenance as it's called.
And I think we are fully committed to doing that in the next couple budget cycles. Um but I only thing I wanted to mention to the folks on the storm water committee. It's very early on in the process for us. We are still organizing
our approach. Uh I know that we received a correspondence to all of mayor and council. Uh that will be addressed. Uh meaning we will give you a response of how we're going to communicate. Um but right now I think when we originally met
for the first time and you could stop me anytime burning the the we thought it was going to take 2 to 3 months for us to kind of come up with a plan of attack. Uh I think it would be too premature to to promise anything of what we're going to do and how we're going to do it. But we are definitely heading in
the right direction. I think there is a very good commitment by all the people on the committee. Everybody understands the problem. None of us want to be uh dealing with floods uh throughout the the streets and and the brooks. Um so
more to come is all I I wanted to say. I don't know if you wanted to add anything. >> I think you hit it all. >> That's all I have. One more one more personal comment. I think uh this week has been um extremely personal to me.
Um, as a Jewish American, I think having all the hostages free has been a a terrific point. Uh, regardless of your politics, uh, peace is extremely important to all of us. And, uh, I commend all the governments that had anything to do with getting the hostages
back, prisoners back. Uh, it's it's good for everyone's peace of mind. So, just had to get that off my chest. Thank you. >> Thank you, Natie. Thank you. >> Thank you, Alex. That was Thank you.
Good report. Thank you very much. Um, okay. Just a couple of things. Um, so tomorrow, I don't know if somebody else was going to be talking about the reevaluation information session, but um, there is an information session here tomorrow at 7:00 related to the reval
uh, the revaluation which is going on. Um the team has been out on the street already, but this is a great opportunity for you to bring your questions to understand more about the process. Um so hopefully you can join us here tomorrow at 7 o'clock. Um also tomorrow uh the
now for the mental health committee. Um and I just had to open this because I was I would be remiss on the name of the author. Um there is a series that is starting at the high school tomorrow. Um it's called the anxious generation which
um is going to be starting it's a first of a three-part parent series. Um it's going to be community conversations about how we can help our kids balance the digital world and real world sleep better and stress less form stronger
social connections and increase attention span. This is based on a book that is written by Jonathan Hate Hi DT. Um, and I thought that was something that was very interesting. Um, you know, having children in this time, I think
it's important for us as parents and grandparents, um, people who need to who play a role in guiding our children's lives to better understand this. Um, so I know I for one will be attending that tomorrow. Um, and last but not least, uh, for Revolution NJ and the historical
society, last Thursday, Councilwoman Balisa and I attended a discussion on Carl Scholes and the Gilded Age. It was held at the Corso Center presented by Maria Duca. Um, and it was a very fascinating conversation about a family.
Um, Carl Scholes was a businessman who um, ran a mineral water uh, firm. And while a lot of people were going to Newport and other places for their second homes, he wanted to come to the mountains. So he came here to New Providence and he bought he had a huge
track of land 400 acres uh that's up at the top of the hill Murray Hill section um is what he started named after Murray Hill in New York. Um, so it was an amazing uh conversation and kind of really I feel like that's the kickoff of
the historical society um having more discussions for revolution and Jay next year. Um that I thought it was very interesting. Do you have anything about that? >> No, it was an ex it was an excellent uh talk. It's a fall talk. Um we will also
have a spring talk for with the spring meetings. So just keep posted with that. Um they're always excellent. But you want to talk about the mug >> and Yes, I sure do. I should have brought my mug tonight. >> Um we also kicked off a um it's a stein.
So the historical society is uh sponsoring the uh sale. It's a stein. It's uh very nice. It's off-white color and it has our logo on it. America, >> our council advisory committee.
>> America 250. It's uh it's a great uh a great stein, a great fundraiser, $20 each, very affordable, makes very nice holiday gifts. So, um I purchased mine the other night. So, stay tuned. Those will be everywhere. They'll be at the um
Pioneer Day um as well. Buy them. Yep. And buy local. So, that's it for me. >> Thank you, Naen. So, I just want to mention that Anxious Generation um The Anxious Generation has been a bestseller uh for months now. Um, so the fact that
that discussion is coming into New Providence is is key and and super important, especially in light of, you know, just what we're, you know, just this world that we're living in and how uh everybody is just glued to their phones.
>> Exactly. And whatever we can do to help navigate our children through that, I think is so important. >> Absolutely. Um, as far as myself, the uh what do I have here? Um the beautifification committee is still out there trying to
raise funds to uh beautify and beautify our parks, but in the short term, as I said at the last meeting, to light up Centennial Park for the holidays. Um if you don't have a reflective house sign, please consider purchasing one. The
proceeds from that do go towards the beautifification committee, or you can just make a donation if you already have a sign. Um, so I I thank some of our council folks that have have made a donation towards that. So they're working hard uh try trying to get that
done. Um, library and and mental health meet next this coming week. So nothing on that. Um, but one of the things that I did want to mention was that we did put out recently our um, volunteer application and this is to be able to
volunteer to serve on one of our volunteer advisory committees. We do have quite a few that need some members. Um, beautifification committee needs people. Diversity committee needs PE people. Mental health can always take a
couple more hands. um alliance >> all the municipal uh alliance sustainability. So these are all committees that are volunteer that our residents have direct input in that they are members um council sit on these
advisory committees but we're just liaison. We're not running it. We're we're not running the show. this is completely the resident's voice and and and how what you know the residents would like to see come from some of these uh committees. So it is really
important that you consider volunteering um that you go online. The application is on the website. It's under government um volunteer advisory committees and then there's a um a link for volunteer
application. So please consider volunteering giving back. >> All chairman of all the committees should be going out to all their members as well to make sure that if they want to reup and continue to volunteer next year, they still required to fill out an
application. >> Right? So this is an annual process. So if you're already a member of a particular committee, you do have to reup reapply. We're not going to just assume that you're coming back because that usually is not doesn't work out
well. Yeah. Well, we created the handbook last year and the whole process is in the handbook. Um, and like you said, the council advisory committees um serve at the pleasure of council and we guide what we we would like them to do,
but a lot of different ideas come out of them too. >> Absolutely. >> I'm up. >> Okay. So, you know, I always say communications go to the source new us. Um, don't forget to sign up for Smart
911 or notify me. Um, our communications committee actually met since our last C council meeting and it was very, very productive. Um, we spoke about like we usually do and it comes up every couple months, couple years, how to uh how are we doing, what are we doing? Um, is
there any other way to engage the community? We talked about um like 311 systems uh because we had received a couple things. Um based on our diverse population and our age range um we have
obviously many many years of people um basically our um our n our notify me system takes the place of any other kind of app. So you can go onto our website sign up for notifications you can get
them um in in various ways. Um the one system that we were looking at or Bernardet had said um they cost these apps like the 311 system cost between 10 and $13,000 a year for that type of service and it's an annual fee. So being
the frugal fiscally responsible department or you know committee that we are we felt that if we are already satisfying that need that's probably not something that we need to get. Um, we also talked about an email newsletter and that's approximately $2,400 a year.
Again, if we can get everything through the notify me. Um, right at this moment, we discussed not going with an annual newsletter. Plus, we have uh various different through the um notify me. You've got the
pack newsletter, you've got the wreck newsletter, you've got a whole bunch of different things that you can sign up for specific to what you're looking for. Um, and uh, we will be working on the communication plan and then we will be rolling that out to the rest of council
and hopefully get that done. Um, it's a 5-year plan to get that done for the beginning of next year. Um, community activities, classes are going well. If you could believe it or not, they're almost halfway through the fall session. Um right now the department is working
on special events like Pioneer Day which is um October 26th, the last Sunday of the month. Um and the Veterans Day at the Corso Center, but that's uh you know in November. Winter basketball registration is open that starts December 1st. Um, and I don't know if
you guys have noticed that there is a new look for the Academy Street entrance >> um with the desk and you know so it's when you have uh classes at night or different things there will be somebody sitting there and basically I said that it looked I said to Allison the other
day that I it reminds me of like a student center right a student center at a college and she's like that was actually what they were going for so I was happy about that. Um, and it's kind of going to be like a, oh, what did they do now? They're looking to spruce up, you know, paint, get some chair, not
chairs, but, um, bench seating and such. So, it will be a much more inviting and more useful use for that space. Um, also, Allison Smith and Liz Lee have been invited to speak at the League of Municipalities.
>> So, um, the topic is, uh, I I don't know exactly what it is. I'm paraphrasing, but how to turn a small grant into a big impact. Apparently, uh, the league was really impressed with what they did with the green challenge because that was funded by a $2,000 grant. Um, so it's a
huge deal. I mean, huge kudos to them. Like, so I was excited about that. >> One out of 564 towns. >> Uh, there's actually what she she gave me a number of 300, but yes, that's >> 564 municipalities. municipalities, but
I think there was something like 300 people who or municipalities that received similar grants. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, >> I'm just saying to speak on behalf of our little burrow. It's great. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah. >> Great news. And you know, not to belabor this, but again, a kudos to our
sustainability committee because when we were in a couple years ago when we were in League of Municipalities at the state sustainability uh seminar, we're like our municipality does that, you know, like our group does that, our group does that. So, you know, we are pretty pretty cutting edge. Um
uh Naen talked about the fall program. The fall uh graveyard tours are still back. Uh this coming weekend is four centuries in a weekend which is a Union Countywide um
uh activity. Uh the graveyard tours are on the 18th at 1:30 and 2:30 and also on the 1st at 1:30 uh November 1st there is um the Mason Room and the Salt Box will be open to the public. Always great things to do. Um
and just uh definitely check their website. Um we did have a D did meeting that I forgot to report on. Um the DID and um has kicked off their destination New Providence initiative. It's basically a focused effort to elevate
New Providence businesses, the New Providence's business community and boost economic development. Um since the kickoff the work has and if you remember uh the did in our annual budget we hired somebody a team to do that.
>> Um since kickoff the work has focused on building fundamental elements and goals. Changes are incremental and paced and will roll out as resources and approvals line up. The aim is steady practical progress that supports local commerce
and sustain in a sustainable way building on prior efforts while bringing a new level of coordination and followup um followthrough which fall festival month of October that's something um which will culminate like I said pioneer day on the 26th um we also had uh
downtown trick-or-treating as a is on the 25th um we had a open house for the packet club which was a great event. Um, they support so many of our uh businesses and our our uh organizations in town. Um,
>> fire >> also fire department. That was my I was going backwards cuz that was in the middle. Our fire department had an amazing open house. There were so many happy kids. I personally had some of the Zeta's ice cream. Thank you very much. Um, it's an annual event. So, you know,
if you missed it this year, definitely go to it next year. Shameless plug. They are volunteers. So, please consider donating. Um, and Councilman Kogan and I went to Spanish Heritage Month >> celebration. Y >> celebration of
>> celebration starts. Oh, yeah. For Yeah, Hispanic Heritage Celebration. >> The banner said Spanish heritage. Yeah, it did. It did. Interesting. Yeah. >> Um, at the Berkeley Heights Y. Um, so that was really great. And shout out to
Lena who uh we were able to have some fun with her and listen to her sing. She has an amazing voice and you know it was just it's so nice on so many levels and that's another thing that the kids have championed. So that was really very exciting.
>> Um did you want to say anything about that? No, you said it. I just like the unity day. The this was put together by the kids, you know, a little guidance from adults, but it's very, very moving. It was very good. I thought it was you learn, you always learn something.
>> Okay. And I do have one more shout out. So, one of my friends sons um has been selected to represent team New Jersey at the 2026 USA games um for the Special Olympics. Christopher Wisinski. So, um
I'm really excited about that. He's um she we were talking about it and I told her I would mention it um in the sport of flag football and it's the 2026 USA games in Minnesota. So, he's representing Team USA. So hopefully we'll get to, you know, follow his
journey and it's really cool. >> It's a New Providence kid. >> It's a new Providence kid. Yeah. And he's um you know, so it's the Special Olympics and he's just >> beyond thrilled. So, how old are you? Uh I think he just turned he turned 18, right? He's 18. So >> nice.
>> Yeah. So it's very exciting. >> That's it. >> Definitely a little more. >> Sure. >> Just want to make I don't want to cut you off. >> Never know. Um so with respect to the diversity committee, um unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the Hispanic
Heritage Day, but I'm glad to hear that it went well. I got a full report from Lena and maybe we can get some um some social media posts out about that because I have some pictures from her. >> We have video of her singing. >> You have video of her singing. That's awesome. >> It's worth putting up. It's terrific.
>> That's great. >> Um so we'll look forward to supporting that event on an annual basis. Um and the diversity committee did meet last night. Uh we do have a draft calendar of activities and we'll be submitting it to council for review and approval um before the end of the year.
and municipal alliance met this month on October 8th and as we heard at the beginning of the meeting red ribbon week is a national campaign it's celebrated across the country the last week of every October
and Mayor L will be meeting with the peer leaders in Centennial Park and read a proclamation recognizing red ribbon week in New Providence and then they will tie the red ribbons around all the the trees and lamposts around town to remind residents to live drug-free. Uh
the school district also has plans uh for different activities in each school and the alliance sponsors a red ribbon week dance for the middle school students. So that'll be happening. Um, the alliance also rolled out a new campaign I mentioned last meeting called
parents who host lose the most. And again, another national campaign to bring awareness to the consequences parents can face if they are caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers in their homes. And it reinforces everyone's responsibility to promote
healthy choices in our community. and its key message reminds parents that it's unsafe, unhealthy, unacceptable, and illegal to provide alcohol for underage youth. It decreases their act uh young people's access to alcohol by
reducing the number of parents willing to provide alcohol for young people. And over time, it reduces the likelihood that teens will drink alcohol and suffer the health effects that come from underage drinking. And you might have seen some uh lawn signs out there uh
that don't talk about elections but talk about parents who host lose the most. And if you would be interested in one of those uh please contact the alliance at newprovalliangmail.com. >> When is the uh red ribbon thing in this
book? Uh, well, the week is October 23rd to 31st, but I don't actually know what when the Centennial Park event >> is going to be. Yeah, sorry, I meant to look that up. Didn't find it. >> Okay. Um, Bernardet,
>> thank you. Uh, just two things. Uh, as Councilwoman uh Joffroy mentioned, uh, Professional Prop Property Appraisers is holding their town hall meeting tomorrow night here in Burough Hall at 7:00. Um, I just want to thank all of our residents that have already cooperated
and opened their home uh, to the appraisers. They actually are finishing up um, the entire burrow this week um, in their first round of attempts. um if they missed you, they would have or should have left a card so that you can
make an appointment um and they can come back when it's an convenient time for you. Um but if you can if you have any outstanding questions tomorrow night, you can um bring any questions to them directly or you can always call Brian Flynn, our tax assessor, and he will
answer anything for you. Um, and lastly, uh, just a reminder, leaf collection is starting on Monday on the west side of town, which is South Street to the Berkeley Heights border. Um, if you need a pickup in the first pickup, uh, you really need to have a permit by
Thursday. Um, for the first pickup, uh, leaves should not be put out until Thursday before your scheduled pickup. They must be put out by 6:00 a.m. on the Monday of your pickup week. Um once they go by, they're not coming back until your next scheduled pickup and the leaves should not be left in the street
during that time. Uh sticks, rocks, other debris may not be co-mingled into the leaf pile. They jam the machines um which slows down the progress and only leaves from your property are permitted. So if your landscaper is doing your leaves, uh they also need a permit uh
and they may not leave anybody else's leaves. And yes, that does happen. So >> that's all I have. >> Quick question. >> That's a good one. >> Um the bridge and p bridge any any update there? It look it looks great. I mean >> it's getting there. >> Yeah. So last meeting you mentioned by
the end of the month hopefully. So no changes there. So that's great news. >> And then uh >> what's the status on the pool bridge? >> So the contractor is working on a lifting plan with collars. Uh so the the bridge frame is is constructed. They
want to be able to p pour the concrete and then lift the bridge into place while they're working on the abutments. Um, but their initial plan uh to do that did not pass muster, if you will. So, they're still working on a plan and as soon as they have that in hand, they'll
they'll go back to working on it. >> Okay. And so, are we in we're not in jeopardy of that pushing off the next year? >> Uh, I am in contact with Collers almost every day and I am well aware that uh we're getting to the freezing weather and not ideal for pouring concrete. So, right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I just want to mention too on the
property appraisers, um, if you see them on your block and you happen to be running out like I was and you're not going to see them, you might not see them again. They'll they'll just just tell them your address. I'll come right there. Listen, I'm going to be I'm leaving now. I'm not going to be back
for a couple hours. I'll come right now. It literally took 10 minutes. So, um, like I said, if you see them on your block and you you happen to be running out, just say just say, "Hey, do you mind just doing my house real quick and get it done with?" It's real simple. So, they're very flexible. >> It's great. Yeah.
>> Do you know what percentage of the houses? >> I don't know yet. >> Okay. >> The the goal is for at least 80%, but the tax assessor said today in our in our weekly meeting that uh he feels that the burrow will far surpass 80% participation. Well, I can tell you on my block when he came when I saw him, I
asked him there were they knocked on 22 doors. Uh they had 15 people answer and 13 people let them in. >> Nice. >> So that was those were the numbers I got from the guy on my block. >> Hopefully our communication is working. So yeah, that's good. >> Okay. Next we have public comments. This
is an opportunity for any member of the public to be heard about issues that are not separate topics scheduled for public hearings tonight to help facilitate an orderly meeting and to permit all to be heard. Speakers are asked to limit their comments to three minutes and may only
speak once on any one topic. When you come up, please state your name and address for the record. Hello, my name is Josephine Sharf. I live at 68 Crest Drive. I've lived here for about 34 years. Um, I was hoping that the mayor would be here because a
lot of this is addressed to him. Um last month um I read something um that Mayor uh Al Morgan had was being quoted. I was very impressed with it. It said um he called for civility to return to the political discourse and he said that the
rhetoric has to tone down and he warned that the political division would bring our whole nation down. And in the same thing that I read, Councilwoman Dolan also spoke and she pointed out that some disturbing activities had happened in New Providence where lawn signs supporting a candidate had been removed
or vandalized. And um she warned that with so many security cameras in town, the perpetrators would probably be caught and brought to justice. I honestly forgot about the article. I read it my oh this is nice and put it aside. Um but I remember the general tone of it and how pleased I was to read
it. Um, some of you might know, some of you might not, but recently a black SUV drove over a homeowner's lawn and purposely destroyed a political sign, not with their hands, but with a car, with an SUV. Um, and um, and the video
was posted online for everybody to see. And it was honestly very upsetting. As someone who's lived here for a long time, I thought of myself having a, you know, nice town, friendly people. Um, that someone could be so violent and act in such a careless manner. Um, I I found it distressing and um I never thought
that I'd have to worry about a neighbor doing something like that to another neighbor. We could always use our words, you know, be kind. Um, and I thought about how intimidating such an action would be to someone running or someone even thinking about running. And I also thought how embarrassing it was for our
town. I don't want our town known for something like this. You know, why would you move to a town like that? you move to a town like I remember Berkeley Heights having this this reputation of being bickering heights and I didn't buy a house there. I bought a house in New Providence. So um so it was upsetting to
me and I don't like doing this. I don't like talking in front of people. Um but I remembered that article and I thought you know we have people who think good things. So I went to look for it to see to reread it. Um so I went on Mayor
Morgan's pa Facebook page. I realized I hadn't been actually following it. I followed it today. Um, even though I see him all the time. Um, and it wasn't on there and I didn't remember where I saw it. Um, and I looked on his personal page, didn't see it there. And then I thought, oh, I'll go on the New Providence forum. A lot of times you
have a question about something, you go on there. And I just searched for civility. And sure enough, the article popped up. It was a tap article. And so I reread it, liked it just as much today as I did then. Um, but I thought about
it and the more I thought about it this afternoon, the more I thought I had to come here and talk. And the reason why is I think the mayor's lived here for a long time. He served this town for so long. His voice matters. It's an important voice for people to hear on things like that. And and what he said
was was good. Um, so I I'm coming here to say I want him to reiterate that and I want him to be more forceful in his reiteration and and and more widespread. It should be on his page. It should be something that's announced in a council
meeting. We should not have this kind of action in our town. We should be respectful, polite to each other. And I think that his voice would matter. I really do. Um, so that's what I'm asking. Um, maybe it was posted other places. I don't know. But it wasn't posted
where I saw and I thought it should have been. Um, that's it. That's all I wanted to talk about. >> Thank you, Josephine. And I think for you know if you think about it for the most part you you know there's I was just thinking this while you were talking for the most part I think 99.9%
of us are civil and >> I agree with you and it's such a shame for one or two people to ruin it but but it does >> but you owe it you're going to you know unfortunately you've got like you know one of these but >> um >> you can't ignore it because it's not one thing they this was on top of the other
signs being done. It's persistent and and it's happens on both sides. Yeah. No, I'm not I don't to be honest with you, it took me a while to figure out whose sign it was. So, it wasn't this wasn't about a polit this is not and what I'm doing here is not political. It is saying that we should not have this in this town. It doesn't matter. If it
was your sign, I'd stand up for you. I don't even, you know, I have no idea what party everyone is. I know some, but not all. Um, so I I I think it's just something that has to be said. I think we have to stand firm. Um, and I think, you know, we can't I don't want to be bickering New Providence. Do you? I
mean, why, you know, 4,000 people saw the post on on on Facebook. Tons of people commented on it. I've seen you guys comment on lots of things. None of you said this should not happen. >> I want to hear all of you say this should not happen.
>> I want to disagree with you on Diane and I immediately when when things were getting out of hand, we immediately made a statement. So did >> the folks that were running. A lot of times for us to go on the forum, we we get in trouble for going on the forum. Okay. But I I agree. I agree with your
sentiment, but we immediately >> Well, it could be on >> it has no place in this town. >> Mayor Morgan should be doing it, too, because Mayor Morgan is the voice of New Providence and he's been mayor for how many years? >> You know, I think that he says a lot of times at a council meeting, and that's where it should be said.
>> No, it should also be on his page. I mean, he should have shared the article when he when there's another article about him. When there's another article about him that doing something, he posts the article about himself. He did not post that one. I'm sorry. It's It's remiss. He was remiss in not doing it. I knew him. I He's,
>> you know, don't tell me that he shouldn't have done it. I I believe and I think a lot of people agree with me that he should be forceful about it and say it. We are all one town. It's important that he do it. And that's what I'm saying. I'm not going to change my mind. You're not going to change my mind. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Anyone else? >> Come on down. >> This is Robert Sherman 15 North Drive. Alex, you sir about what was it? Flood mapping by police call. Calling the town
or police. Well, my experience over the years is calling the police, not 911 or the town during a flood is a waste of time. It just goes busy, busy, busy, busy, and then we have to clean up. >> I I think my comment just to to to
clarify that the police and the fire department respond to any kind of emergency, whether it's a flood or not, they log that. That That's what I'm referring to. >> But I get busy signals when I call over the >> No, no, no. on patrol when there's a flood. If they go and they see a flood, they have to close down the street.
They're saying, "Yeah." >> Well, that's interesting because on July 14th, they came to black off the street when it was over. And this is like the fifth or sixth time our street has flooded. So, and it's I believe the view of many is why bother
calling. So, I'm wondering what will the committee, the town committee do to better get an idea where flooding occurs? Because just relying upon phone calls will not work. >> We're not relying on phone calls. We we have data of where where the problems
are. You and I both know where they are. We know your street is in very bad shape during a storm. We're logging every every location in town that has an issue. And that's what we're doing. We're trying to create a database of what happens. I believe one of the
things we want to learn and I think you agree with this is when it rains 2 in per hour >> is the town okay >> when when it rains 3 in an hour, what areas are not okay? What what what's the threshold? I think that was one of the questions I believe you even had.
>> Well, that gets to the downpour thing which I mentioned the last meeting was ignored. So I'm glad that you guys are interested in that concept. >> Yeah. >> Of calculating down downpour rates and trans and really converted >> nothing in the creeks prevent flooding.
>> Correct. >> I'm not a hydraologist who is going to explain. >> I understand. You and I both know that. >> No, nothing was ignored. I just want to make that clear. You wait, excuse me. You said that you you call the fire I'm sorry. You call the police department and it's busy >> busy busy busy. This fire first.
So >> yeah, we we'll look into that. That's the first I've heard of our police department. >> It's a non-emergency. I'm not going to call 911. >> Emergency number, just the regular. >> Yeah. 66511. >> But there's there's also an answering service, right, to leave voicemails. So, >> yeah. >> To have a busy signal. I'm I'm very
surprised. We'll look into that. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh Brian Gardner, 25 Nolwood Drive. Um I do want to very quickly give a plus one to what Josephine said. There's literally no downside to making a strong statement, you know, on behalf of the mayor for
calling for civility. I'm a huge proponent of what the mayor and and and Councilwoman Dolan said, and the more often we say it, hopefully the more people who will hear it. That's not actually why I'm here tonight. Um la last week I was driving my kid to middle school and it was raining and the traffic on South Street was backed up
you know past central through the light and you know took a little while to get through it and that's pretty typical and that that whole situation is its own conversation all by itself but it had me thinking you know it one of the reasons why it's complicated is that there's some town streets involved there's some county streets involved and I was also
thinking about you know what the mayor said a couple of times that some of these things take a long time to deal with. So my question tonight is, can we start planning now and working with the county to get some kind of townwide traffic study once the bridge is
reopened, once, you know, Primrose is up and running, once the Bard property is is open, you know, during the school year to to really get a a comprehensive look at what our traffic looks like today or probably, you know, in a couple months from now, but, you know, in the current state and then what options are
available to us in partnership with the county to address some of the challenges. So just hoping that we could maybe get the ball rolling on that. >> Anybody want to take this one? >> So every year for the last couple of years, the police department has held an open session about traffic and they've
created a traffic master plan. They've divided the town into four regions and zones. And they've had people from each of those regions and zones come and give their experiences with traffic. And from there, they've created a um hit list, so
to speak, of things that they're going to take off that list. They report back to us then at the end of the year to let us know how that's working. And then they repeat that the next year. So, every single year, the police offer this open session for people to talk about
and they discuss traffic, what what's change, what you know, changes, improvements, etc. and they do report back to us as council and to the public on what it is that they've improved. I believe that can be found on the burough website. Um the original master plan as
long as the improvements that are on it and the progress >> and Brian to your question the last the last one that we attended that was on their radar for sure. What is Primrose? What is Bard property? What how is that going to impact? So they do
>> that traffic pattern that you see there by the high school was a result of you know feedback and um and changes that were made to improve that high school traffic circulation. >> The other thing about that traffic pattern is for safety
>> versus convenience for people, >> right? Everybody's funneled into the high school in one direction and they leave in the other direction. So there was a big safety component related to that also. Absolutely. Which people always overlook. >> No, no, no, no. And to totally understood and and when I actually got
up to the school, the the the drop off work very smoothly. So that's why I said that that's kind of a whole conversation in of itself. Um I I I I love I love what you're saying, but that is essentially anecdotal data, right? It it's whoever shows up, whoever has something to say about it. And then also anytime they get a complaint from
anybody, anytime that they, you know, god forbid there's an accident, anytime there's an issue, all that gets logged into >> and and they do hire a traffic study company to to do this stuff. So it's not anecdotal. >> Okay. Okay. That that's that's what I was looking for. >> Standing on the
>> It is a numerically based thing. >> Are you talking about the living document? >> Are you talking about the forum that was held in February of last year? >> Um I don't remember the month it was. There'll be another one I assume in February. >> Every year. Every year. >> Okay. >> It's advertised on the website on our
social media. If you actually sign up for notify me, you'll probably get a notification about it. >> Excellent. >> So, I think the slide deck from last February is available on the website. um what has happened since February. I'm
not sure if they're updating that as it goes along, but >> it would be good to know like what's on the docket for >> and perhaps we we can get Andrew Diamond or somebody to come in and give a presentation. >> Yeah. Well, they do they present what they've they have they lay out their plan and they'll present at the next
meeting what has been accomplished, what's in the pipeline, and what's going in the future. It's all it it's a comprehensive plan. We're one of the first towns to to to to be proactive in doing this. >> Understood. But I I guess maybe my final question would be, is there coordination with the county built built into that
process? Cuz you know, several of the main roads in town are county roads and there's only so much we can do with them. >> Oh, definitely. Always. Especially the first street crosswalk that comes to mind is South and Central, all of which are county. >> And they're always looking at whether or not we can add a traffic light on this
road or change put a put a noturn lane on that road if it's county and things of that nature. We reach out to them all the time and and try to plan accordingly with them. Sometimes this they say no, sometimes they say yes. >> It's a living document, so it's it's dynamic and changes as the environment
changes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Of course. >> Anyone else? Okay, seeing no one else, um we will move to uh our consent agenda. I ask for a motion on items 1 through 10.
>> So moved. Second. >> Second. >> Third. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Dolan. >> Yes. >> Miss Bisca. >> I. >> Mrs. Mcnite. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jeffrey? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kogan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Kamisky. >> I.
>> Great. Thank you. And uh next we have a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Hi. Hi. >> Thank you. Thanks for coming everyone. >> Thank you for coming.