Are we ready? Let's go. All right. Um, as you as you can see, uh, Mayor Al Morgan's not here tonight, so you've got the rest of council, though, which is which is okay. Uh, so we'll have a call to order. Roll call, please.
Miss Velisca, present. Mrs. Mcnite, here. Mrs. Jeffrey here. Mr. Kogan here. Mr. Kamisky here. We do the pledge of 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 public notice meeting of the burough council of the bureau of New Providence, County of Union and State of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this
meeting has been given in accordance with PL 1975, chapter 231 in that an annual notice or revision was made in conformance with section 13 of the act. Uh we're going to start tonight with a a feel-good
thing uh event. It's the swearing in of police officer Nicholas Abuzo. [Applause] You got to go over that middle. Yep. There you go. Yeah. The Bible there and then that piece of paper right under
the Oh, yeah. So, Nicholas, you could just repeat after me. Okay. This is the state of New Jersey County. Repeat after me. I, Nicholas Russio. I think do solemnly swear that I will support the
Constitution of the United States do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear true faith true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments
established to the same and to the governments established in the United States and in this state in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority majority of the people and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully impartially impartially and
justly perform all the duties and justly perform all the duties of the police officer according to the best of my ability of the police officer according to the best of my ability. Congratulations. [Applause] [Applause]
Let's get in there. Yeah, [Music] next we have a couple of proclamations. We're going to start with the OOLP sandwich ministry. Oh, Robert. Sorry, Robert. Let's do
Robert first. We'll have Alexent. Oh, it's in the frame. Okay. Nice. So, Robert, thank you for your service. But we have a proclamation here honoring uh Robert for special law enforcement officer. So, it reads as follows. Whereas, Robert Mor began his law
enforcement career as a police officer for the Union County Police Department in 1986 and retired as lieutenant in 2019 after 31 years of service. and where Robert Moran joined the Providence Police Department in January of 2020.
Whereas Robert Moran was appointed as this SLO2 and then later appointed to SLEO3 in August of 2022. And whereas Robert Moran was assigned as this SLEO 3 of Alan W. Roberts
Elementary School. And Robert Moran has proven numerous times throughout his career just what it means to be a dedicated officer of the law and has gained much admiration and respect from his fellow officers and other police law enforcement agencies throughout the county and the state. He has provided a
safe and secure learning environment for many students that have passed through the Alan W. Roberts Elementary School. Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and burough council of the burrow of New Providence, county of union, and state of New Jersey, that they hereby commend Robert Moran for his outstanding
service to the police department of the Burough of New Providence, and wish to relay with pride and esteem their heartfelt appreciation for helping to make New Providence the safe and happy environment to live and work. Thank you, Robert. All
[Applause] [Applause] right. Now we can do the It's not the best spot there. [Laughter] Come on. The part of Al's historical
pieces will be played by Michael. This was his eighth grade eighth grade science. Okay. This proclamation is for the OOLP church ministry. Whereas in mid-March 2020 at the start of the COVID 19
pandemic, Michael Savage started a movement at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in New Proidence to provide sandwiches and snacks as relief for those in need. And whereas the OOLP sandwich ministry has grown from a handful of weekly volunteers to a
powerful wellorganized team dedicated to providing much needed relief to individuals in the greater New Providence area and beyond. And whereas the OOLP sandwich ministry serves St. John's Soup Kitchen in New York, St.
Joseph's Service Center in Elizabeth, Bridges, which is summit helping its people, Salvation Army and Planefield as well as various local agencies when needed including link and the OOLP food pantry and whereas weekly the OOLP
sandwich ministry makes and collects on average sandwiches to be distributed to the above agencies as well as collects fruits, snacks and other donated items. And whereas on March 24th, 2025, 5 years after beginning this ministry,
the team reached a goal of 300,000 sandwiches made and collected. And whereas the OOLP sandwich ministry is truly a pillar of exemplary service, fostering a cohesive and strong community here in Providence while serving adjacent communities and beyond
within his reach. Now therefore, as Alan Morgan surrogate, the mayor of of New Proidence uh mayor of the bureau of New Providence County of Union and state of New Jersey. I present this proclamation on behalf of the entire New Providence community
recognizing the many volunteers as well as the entire parish of our lady of peace and his pastor Reverend Francisco Medana for sorry my husband for their efforts and outreach providing
much needed relief and fostering a sense of [Applause] Father, more All right, everybody looking? Thank you.
And um so I just wanted to say it is a labor of love. It is something that we do every Monday. Um we follow the church calendar because people always ask. Um it's truly amazing how people just stop by and
decide to join in and it's just a wonderful uh wonderful event. I actually also have um a citation from the a general assembly citation um from John Granik, Nancy Bunos and Michelle Matikudis um to our lady of peace
sandwich our lady of peace sandwich ministry um on the 21st of in this 21st century. So it's another set of Assembly people. [Applause] Yes.
Thank you, Father. No, thank all of you. If it wasn't for all of you, this wouldn't happen. And we're not stopping. Amen. Stand up if you like. I'll do a proclamation for Ool. You want to stand up for OP? I'd like to invite the rest
of the group to Come on. Let's go. Come on. Yes. Everybody say you're there. Let's go. Yeah. artillery. Are we ready? We have everyone. Hi. Okay. So, um stay there. This is a
proclamation recognizing OOLP Church for their community contributions. Whereas Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, otherwise known as OOLP, formed in 1918 as a mission on Springfield Avenue. And whereas since then, OOLP has
continued to be a pillar of our community, providing outreach and service to individuals in the greater New Providence area and beyond. And whereas OOLP feeds the hungry with their food pantry, delivers sandwiches to local shelters, supports women in need,
honors first responders and provides much needed cheer and support to the community's homebound and nursing home residents. That's okay. Somebody's purse. Whereas teens in the community participate in multiple service projects such as
visiting nursing homes, preparing food donations, and hosting events for seniors. And whereas the parish has instituted a family-based faith program where the entire family gathers and learns together making for a more profound learning and sharing
experience. And whereas OOLP is dedicated to building community within the church through innovative initiatives like name tag Sundays, stepping stones playgrounds, and the OP fair. And whereas OP welcomes the entire
New Province community to share and participate in holiday celebrations such as the Easter egg hunt, the Christmas tree memorial garden, the Christmas nativity scavenger hunt, and Christmas outreach where personal invitations are
sent to members on the outskirts of the community to welcome them back to church. Now therefore, I mike as Alan Morgan's proxy mayor of the new Providence County and state of New Jersey present this
proclamation on behalf of New Providence recognizing the many valuable contributions the parish of Our Lady of Peace continues to make within our community. picture. Very nice. You ready?
Thank you guys so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Take care. You're doing a great job. Thank you for your help. Get back on. We're going to get back on it. Summer's coming. We'll be coming
with our Okay. Refresh. Refresh. Got it. Okay. Give it a try. Give it a go. Denise again. Yep. Okay, we ready to uh continue the rest of the meeting. Um, we have an
appointment to of Katherine Banks to the library board of trustees. The mayor has authorized me to appoint Katherine Banks to the library board of trustees. I need a motion and concurrence of counsel. All
in favor? So moved. My second. Second. All in favor? All in favor? Yes. I. Thank you. Okay. We have a public hearing. Uh Denise, please read the title. Ordinance 2025-6
is a bond ordinance providing for various capital improvements in and by the Burough of New Providence in the County of Union, New Jersey, appropriating 15,873,500 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $15,65,500
bonds or notes of the bureau to finance part of the cost thereof. So, this is a second reading. Um, I will open the public hearing on this ordinance. Any members of the public wishing to speak on this ordinance and
this ordinance only, please state your name and address and limit your comments to three minutes to allow for everyone to speak. Seeing no one, I will ask a motion and roll call vote. So moved. Second.
Missa, I. Mrs. Mcnite, yes. Mrs. Joffrey, yes. Mr. Kogan, yes. Mr. Kamisky, I. All right, we have approval of minutes for May 27th, 2025. I need approval of minutes. So moved.
Second. Second. All in favor? Yes. Yes. Uh, we have a lot of correspondence on the agenda tonight. Um first is the New Jersey Transit federal fiscal year 2025 uh request for federal financial assistance.
We have Township of Chadam zoning ordinance land use application fees um for May 28th, 2025. This is updates to their land use application fees. We have board of adjustment public notice for 15 hillside terrace. Uh they want to
construct a deck. We have New Jersey D FHA verification um a hardship waiver by B&T realy. This is a requesting a hardship exemption from the D to allow for demolition of one building and
construction of another. This is uh Bart's market. Uh we have Township of Chad Chadam planning and zoning board public hearing on adoption housing element and fair share plan round four. So, they're going through the same thing we're going
through. Uh, New Providence Board of Education have put forth their 2025 2026 calendar. Board of Adjustment public hearing for 32 Morehouse Place seeking to construct an addition and a detached
garage. Uh, Zophia Munchowski Machowski. Uh, yeah. So, she is on Radcliffe Drive and is um just raising the flag on some sa safety concerns on that road um asking for us
to take a look at the traffic on Radcliffe by Mane Bridge and that was forwarded to our police department. Uh Jungen County Utilities Authority notice of rate adjustment. Um, this is proposing a rate change on tipping fees
from 2912 $29.12 per ton to $35.52 per ton. County of Union um county manager capital project grant. This was a um a grant that we applied for. County
uh did inform us that we did not receive that grant. County of Union Department of Economic Development uh for Elizabeth Barabash Manor Elevator Grant um extending the contract for CDBG
money through August 31st, 2025. We have Union County Utilities Authority uh they have a revised hearing date um June 9th, 2025. This rescheduled hearing date for proposed rate hikes. We have two
correspondences um from residents regarding 121 Chandlin, the 121 Chandlland development. Um, so just to make a note here, although these correspondences
were directed to mayor and council, uh, we are saying that any questions or concerns about this proposed development needs to be addressed in person at the planning board meeting which is on July
1st. Okay. So that is um a planning board issue versus mayor and council. Um, New Providence Fire Department, Connor Mian, new membership application. Thank you, Connor. Uh, Township of Berkeley Heights Planning Board, um,
public hearing for the fourth round housing element and fair share plan. A lot of correspondence. Uh, so we can move on to council business advisory boards. Councilman Kamiski, thank you. Uh resolution 167 is a
resolution authorizing the agreement between the Bur of New Providence and Mary Hill for a donation of a public art sculpture. This is for um shared dreams which is a sculpture that we have uh I believe over by is it by the library? It's a silver sculpture. It's actually really really
beautiful. Um Bob Bob Hill the artist passed away a few years ago and uh Mary his widow uh has decided to donate this generously donate the sculpture to the peripheral providence. It was ours
permanent. Affordable housing committee. Thank you. Um resolution 2025-168 is a resolution of the council of Burrow of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey, endorsing the fourth round housing element and fair
share plan as adopted by the planning board. Um, so just like the couple of other towns we just heard, uh, did this, uh, we are as well, uh, for those of you who recall from our last several meetings, um, our plan, um, is for 51
units, 48 of which are being satisfied through our renewal of, um, affordable houses in the Barabash Manor, um, as well as, um, Southgate at Murray Hill. Um, so that is the plan that we're proposing. That's what's going to be
passed through from here on out into the courts and we'll hear back. So stay tuned on that. Resolution 2025-169 is a resolution of the council of burrow of new providence, county of union, state of New Jersey adopting the affordable housing trust fund spending
plan for the bureau of new providence. So the current spending plan expires along with the third round at the end of June. The updated fourth round spending plan is consistent with the third round. It allows for the collection and expenditures of all current and future
affordable housing trust fund monies that will contribute to the development of affordable housing within the burrow. Uh so this is something that's also part that we need to do. Uh so this resolution is taking care of that aspect. Thank you. Community activities. Thank
you. Resolution 2025170 is a salary resolution. Um it is to authorize the hiring of additional camp counselors for this season. Uh the we this is our new committee for under community activities. It's the
older adult services. Thank you. Uh so resolution 2025-171 is a resolution accepting bids and awarding contract to current elevator technology inc for the project commonly known as Elizabeth Barabash Manor
elevator replacement in the amount of $183,718. Um so five contractors picked up bid specs and attended the pre-bid meeting at Barabash Manor on May 29th. Four of the contractors returned bids ahead of
the 10:00 a.m. deadline. The low bid is from Current Elevator Tech in Milford, New Jersey, and was for 183,718. 85,000 of that is part of the CDBG grant, which we just heard about that we extended the deadline for, and the
remainder, the $98,718 will be paid out of the affordable housing trust fund. that was from the third round, not from the fourth round. So that's how that's being financed. Um, and I know the residents are very excited to have a functioning elevator. That thing has been on the fritz for a
long time. Thank you. Engineering and construction. Thank you, council president. Resolution 2025-172. Uh, this is a really good one. Resolution approving a change order number one for Portoeno Builders in the
You guys ready? the deduct amount of $54,28148 for the NJ DOT FY23 Maple Street improvement project. So, this amends the original contract to reflect that the project came in under cost by $54,28148.
When do you ever see that? That doesn't lovely. Uh resolution 2025-173 resolution approving the payment number four uh final for Portoino builders in the amount of $72.97 for the NJ DOT FY2023 Maple Street
Improvement Project. So this is the final payment for um the Maple Street Improvement Project from Central to Springfield Avenue. Wonderful. Thank you. I will cover finance resolutions. We have uh resolution
174. This is a transfer to reserves trust accounts resolution transferring money from the 2025 appropriation accounts to SUI which is the state unemployment insurance trust fund for snow removal storm recovery trust fund
and reserve for terminal leave and reserve for tax appeals. Resolution 175 is a resolution providing for the insertion of any special item of revenue in the 2025 budget pursuant of NJSA4A
4-87 chapter 159 PL1948 Sustainable New Jersey 2025 grant. We're adding $2,000 to the Sustainable New Jersey grants from the grants into uh
the budget. Uh resolution 176 is a resolution providing for the insertion of any special item of revenue in the 2025 budget pursuant of NJSA 48487 chapter 159 PL1948.
's alcohol education rehabilitation and enforcement grant inserting $1,44.33 into the budget that was received as part of the state of New Jersey Municipal Court Alcohol Education
Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund. Uh resolution 177 is the resolution to authorize payment of the attached bills payable list. It's 988,164.30. Some of the more significant items include the Garden State Municipal GIF
uh 367,721. This was payment three of three. Horizon Healthc Care is for our June healthc care payment $141,219. Suburban disposal $49,83.
That's May's solid waste um bill. Pamis Ford for a police car 46,840. Suburban disposal for April solid waste that was 45,333. JCPNL is our electric bill for April
33,41. Um Musco lighting 31,000 for the pickle ball lights. Uh Drager 22,822 for L Alcoa test machine. We have $22,730
for UC utilities authority. That's for May Garden Waste and Rotundian Suns 19,980 for garden waste. A lot of bills. Um, resolution 178 is a resolution awarding a contract
to professional property appraisers for municipalwide reval of all real property. Uh, this is accepting the bid for burough revaluation of all real property for $515,35. Um the just so that everybody is aware
the company this this company is going to be providing publicity and education on the reval so everybody knows what to expect and what's coming and how it works. We anticipate uh this coming hopefully by the end of the summer.
Land and regulatory. Thank you. Legal and regulatory. Oh, what did I say? Land. Land. Legal. Legal and regulatory. Okay, thank you. Um, the next four resolutions uh deal with um
issuance of plenary licenses. So, the renewal of retail consumption licenses to our um local businesses. So, 179 um is the issuance of plenary retail consumption license to Helity LLC for
202526. That's for Providence Bar and Kitchen. The next one is to JFWNP, Inc. for 2025 2026, and that's Jersey Fine Wines. Next is uh resolution 181 is for
Providence Liquors, Inc. Resolution 182 is for Porto Healey, Inc. for 2025 2026, and that's the diner. And last is resolution 2025-183 which is resolution relative to issuance
of club license to hilltop social club incorporated for 2025 2026 license year and that is renewal of club license for lantern hill. So they have a club with that. I think that's what they call
their their restaurant. And yes, they have frequently. They do have a lot of fun. Good for them. They have a lot of fun. They do. Uh personnel. Alex, thank you. Uh resolution 2025-184, resolution accepting written employment
resignation from Arlene Reagan, uh deputy director of the community activities department of the Bureau of New Providence. This is a sad one. Arlene's been working there at the recck department for over 17 years. Um I know both my sons way back when did uh wreck
basketball t-ball. I mean she she's definitely the staple there. So we thank her for her work in providing sporting opportunities for students and adults and her work on the public art committee for the past seven years. So we want to wish her all the best in retirement. I
believe that she's the one who uh started the pickupball craze in Providence. She saved baseball to be honest with you. Um, you know, lacrosse, soccer were taking a lot of lot of the kids away. Baseball was kind of dwindling at the
time. Um, we were ready to just not have a recreation baseball league. And she she worked really really hard uh working with other towns. She got a bunch of towns to commit to putting leagues together. And uh yeah, she saved baseball. And she did the same with
girls softball. Yeah. Kind of saved off. That's right. Yeah. We're gonna miss her. A lot to thank her for. We will miss her. Uh public safety in uh Mayor Morgan's absence. Alex. Sure. Resolution
2025-185. Resolution accepting written employment resignation from Robert Moran as class 3 special law enforcement officer from the police department of the Bureau of New Providence. So we had the proclamation for Robert. a few uh minutes ago. So, uh
he was SLO at Allen Roberts School since uh January of 2020. As we did before, one more time, we thank him for his professionalism and caring while dealing with staff and students. Uh next one is authorization to hire special law enforcement officer. So, we're seeking permission to begin the
hiring process to replace Robert uh due to his retirement. Uh raffle application MP Lions Club RA1243 resolution 2025-186 uh resolution approving contract with Urban SDK Inc. for the purchase of
traffic analytic software for 2-year term in the amount not to exceed $13,000 Sourcewell Co-op. So, this approves a contract with Urban SDK to provide the police department with a comprehensive speed and volume data for every roadway in New Providence, which will replace
the need to do manual counts. So, uh, Chief Hen um shared um this product with us. Uh, I think it's going to be extremely useful for the department uh going forward. So, we're happy that you brought this to to our approval. Uh,
resolution 2025-187. Resolution approving requisition R2501394 for Signal Control Products LLC and amount not to exceed $49,122.60 uh for rapid flashers uh for pedestrian crossing at Springfield and Livingston
Avenue midblock crosswalk. NJ state contract 24 f-71858. So this approves the purchase of replacement rapid flashers for the intersections of Springfield and Livingston and Springfield and Ridge
View. Last one. Public Works Resolution 188 is a resolution approving requisition R2501395 for Sephllian Sun General Contracting Inc. in an amount not to exceed $50,000. This is for 2025 sidewalk maintenance.
As you all know, uh Ralph maintains a list of sidewalks throughout the town that uh need maintenance. Um and this will go to work right away fixing up our sidewalks. Awesome. Um, next we have discussion items. I believe Diane, you
have some Yes, I have some updates you want to share. Revolution 250. So, I actually handed out just two pieces of paper to everybody. Um, I didn't want to put it on the screen or anything because there is a logo in there which I'll talk about. Um the committee wanted to um put
our mission statement out there for everybody and it reads um New Providence Rev 250 committee brings our town's revolutionary history into focus offering residents and visitors a chance to discover, engage, and celebrate the
stories that shaped our community. In partnership with local businesses and organizations, we are creating programs and events that help us connect with our past, celebrate today, and inspire our future. Through interactive experiences, commemorative events, and educational
resources, we aim to ignite curiosity and pride in the heart of New Providence. So, we worked a little lengthy on that. Um, the key words there would be connect, celebrate, and inspire. Um, I gave you a couple little tidbits of information. In New
Jersey, the organization formed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation is called Revolution 250. And there's a a website if you want to see it. Um, I will not say the word for revol uh for 250th anniversary because although I can say bsentennial,
I constantly forget how to say quincentennial whatever it's called. Um but in as a nation we are calling it America 250 and that's the logo. Um on
December 5th, 2023, New Providence Burough Council passed resolution 2023 324 um a resolution of the Bureau of New Providence supporting Revolution New Jersey. Um, our committee, although it's
called Revolution 250, we would like to have our information, our logos include America 250 versus Revolution 250 because as we've talked to different people, um, America 250 sounds more u inclusive and genuine and um, it's more
identifiable and relatable. And um that's I I have a mockup of the logo and the reason that it's not being shown is because those are not the fonts but that's the whole idea of it. Um so it'll be America 250 the words connect,
celebrate, inspire and the new providence in there. So and if we can we're going to try to use the turkey and the zero for the hole in the zero. I want the sold me. Yeah. So, um, and then just a quick listing of some of the, uh,
the thoughts that we're throwing around. And I included some historical society events, again, things that we're thinking of doing versus things that are, uh, planned in, uh, detail. Um, and that is also going to then once the committee determines exactly what they
want to do, we'll put together a p budget for those events and we'll present it to council later on. So, um, we have this idea for, uh, the Liberties Tree Lantern project. Um, so it's really quick. It's the, uh, the Liberty Tree in
Disney, Walt Disney World. There's 13 lanterns on it and that represents the 13 original colonies. And uh we're thinking of at some point possibly um possibly in August we'll have you know kickoff we'll invite tap into and we'll
have tree uh that in the tree at uh the Saltbox Museum and then possibly up through April 17th which is the first anniversary because April 17th 2025 is the an is the 250th anniversary of Paul
River's ride. So, April 25th, uh, uh, 17, 2026 would be the first anniversary. But, so we'll put it at 13 different spots. Um, and then possibly, uh, invite people to purchase lanterns. Um, kind of like igniting the the the way that the
revolution, you know, started off with the spark and then just kept going. So, that's something like really cool. um in my reverend Caldwell charity drive which is um too long to discuss but um different things like that the a flat Washington and a flat I think her name
is Cibil I forget what her she's from upstate New York she was the Paul River um she was a daughter of a military person I don't remember if he was a general or not Maria Deluca could tell us something different but um so would have a flat Washington and a flat female um historian not necessarily Betsy Ross
because uh we want to make it a a little bit more relatable to our small town. Um, and that's the other thing, just relating it all to our small town, etc. Um, and then, uh, just a really quick, since we're on the 250th anniversary,
Saturday was the 250th anniversary of our flag. Um, it was flag day and I don't think I printed off my little thing. Yes, I did. Um, so on June 14th, 1777,
the Continental Congress approved the design of a flag for the United States, which at the time featured 13 stars and 13 stripes representing the 13 col colonies, and for that, we thank Betsy Ross. So, that was Flag Day. Lot of history. A lot of history. I'll be I'll
be giving you 250 uh tidbits along the way. Stay tuned. Stay tuned. Yep. So, um, if I I get Do we need to approve the mission statement or I think Okay. Anybody comments?
Questions, comments, anything. It's we have a really great group. We're excited to expand into, you know, committees once we decide on all of our different events. So looking forward to all of these events. Exactly. Various stakeholders from all around the town, the businesses, the library, the school
district, schools. So if anybody's at all interested, please reach out. Thanks. Very exciting. Great job. Thank you. Do we have any other discussion items? Okay, we'll start with our U council committee reports. We'll start with
Diane. Coming back to me. Right back to you. Right back to me. Community activities. I'll start with community activities. Um, and like I always say, go to the source. Um, there are still some, uh, youth camp activity, uh, youth camp and adult summer class spaces
available. Um, Alex, were you going to speak about the green challenge or Okay. So, uh, we are doing our second annual, uh, green challenge. Um, it's the New Providence Recreation Department and Sustainable New Jersey. Um, it is funded
by the 2025 PSENG uh foundation sustainable Jersey grant which we just heard about. We just put it into the budget. This program will be from June 30th to July 25th. And the um the challenge is offering free of char it's free of charge for all residents and it
aims at encouraging small sustainable changes that will make a big difference in our community and for the environment as a whole. It was uh very wellreceived last year and um go on to again uh the the website new. us um and
register on community pass and if you have any questions call the rec department. Um July 3rd is our fireworks and it will be bigger and better this year. It's kind of like a little bit bigger for this year so that in 50th
anniversary of the country it will be even bigger. So um I know everybody asks fireworks are slated to um begin around 9:15. I think people start gathering around 7 um etc etc. Um you're going to
talk about older adults. Um the historical society flea market was rescheduled from last week because of rain to this coming week and you can still drop off any items that you want to um drop off. We talked about that.
Um, the downtown improvement district in conjunction with the new Providence business community uh has their summer concert series July 10th, 17th, and 24th at 7 o'clock in Centennial Park. Um, the schools are all uh winding down. I
believe tomorrow is the last day. I believe tonight was the eighth grade promotion. Um you have clapouts for the grammar schools, retirements of teachers, um and graduation tomorrow night and project graduation. And um personally uh
some of us from uh Saltbrook are would love to give a shout out to Jeannie Drexinger aka Miss Meyer. Um she's the principal at Saltbrook and she is retiring this year. So thank you for a lot of years. Yeah. and thank you for
your amazing service for many children going through Saltbrook. And I think that's all I have. Great. Um I'll go next. The only um committee that I sat on was the
board board of ed. Um they met last week and basically what they they covered the 2025 to 2030 district strategic plan and goals uh for the next five years. Uh a lot of really good information here. Um
this was presented by Miss Serily and Mr. Ulierro. Um all of this information can be found on their website if you want to dig into it a little bit more. Um they made a couple of appointments. A new high school assistant principal,
Tanya Kelly, uh was selected and um and as Diane said, a couple of retirements including Mr. McGee, who is set to retire on June 30th. I know he loved by a lot of kids.
Um a couple of events, too. So Diane, myself and Nen attended Unity Day at the high school and that was an amazing event. Um so proud of the kids for for putting was there too. Who was there? Kathleen. Oh, Kathleen was there. Yes.
Um so proud of the kids for for putting that on. Uh it was so well attended. Every detail thought of. It was just a wonderful event. Um, so like I said, the high school kids, Shondaanda, Sunil, um, and I know I'm forgetting people, but,
uh, they had music, they had, um, information booths. It was it was a nice It was a nice day. Yeah, they did a great job. And the best part is they're only freshmen. We have them We have them locked in for three more years. Hopefully they I believe so. They were
great. Yeah, they were very excited. Me. Okay. Um, so I'm gonna be reporting on older adult services. Uh, this last Friday, Councilwoman Balisa, Mayor Morgan, and myself went up to Lantern Hill, uh, to visit the residents and to introduce them to what our new committee
wants to do. Um, basically, um, in case you don't remember, the purpose of the committee is to make sure that older residents are included in all of our activities and also that we know from the older residents what they need from us. So, it's really opening up the lines
of communication to have a back and forth relationship uh to make sure they know everything that's going on here and that we know everything that they need. Um, so we had a great kickoff to that. This is going to be a series. Um, like I said, it was myself, Diane, and Mayor
Morgan. We talked about what council does, how we are structured, and our committee process. Um, we also gave brief reports on a couple of our committees. Uh so the next couple we're going to be doing it again in September and December and we're going to be rotating two other council people with
us. So um you know it'll be myself or Diane and then two of the other council people to make sure that all the residents hear about all of our committees meet all of our council people and know how to reach out to us if they need us. So it was a great event. I think we had between 40 and 50 people attend. Um we each spoke and then
I think we had at least a half hour of QA. So it was great. It was very It was very good. And we had snacks. I'm sorry. And we brought snacks. And we brought snacks. Always very important. Coffee and something. So, um that was great. Uh board of health. Uh just one thing to
report about them. If you look on our burough website, they gave us um some information about bat safety. So, kind of something you wouldn't automatically think of. Uh but bats are very indigenous to our area and they do come into our homes. That's it. and um you
know what to do if you actually see one. So, knock on wood that I don't have that issue or that anybody else doesn't have that issue as well. But in case you do, check it out on our burough website. And thank you to the board of health. They're always on top of everything giving us information on topics. Uh so
stay tuned to our burough website or our Facebook page for more information. We had a bat flying around in the swirling boat across the street. No, I'm not a critter. was hanging off of somebody. Actually, something that we had talked to that we had mentioned to our older adults at Lantern Hill was
about our smart 911. So, I just wanted to do a PSA for everybody to sign up for alerts and I think you have to renew that every so often, too. Probably. But that's it for me. Thank you.
Thank you, Lisa. Um, so a couple things on uh engineering and construction. We had a engineering meeting last week. Everything seems to be on track. The one thing I wanted to mention uh the Pic Avenue Bridge, which is a Union County project. Uh the chief uh Hen who just
left uh put out the police department put out a a notice today. Uh it's on the burough website from June 17th through June 26. The structural beams are being delivered uh for for the bridge. uh they're coming from Route 78, so they
have to trek them through town. So, there'll be some uh sporadic closures here and there. So, just keep an eye on the the alerts. Perhaps we'll use the smart 911 if we have to to let residents know. But, uh from now through the 26th, um but it is progress. So, the I
believe, Bernardet, correct me if I'm wrong, sometime this fall is when it's slated for completion. Early fall. Early fall. I I give you leeway. sometime this fall. But again, that's a Union County project. Um not too much um that we have
control over. Um the other one on diversity, thank you for mentioning Unity Day. The other thing the committee is uh looking into now uh we've have a couple of meetings with some prior board members um committee members I should say uh
looking for next year uh sponsoring one or two events like we have done in the past. So right now it's just uh very very much in the planning process. That's all I have. All right. So all I have is just a planning planning board update actually.
Um so the next planning board meeting is next Tuesday. It's going to be actually virtual via Zoom. We'll just have a resolution to approve. That's it. So that'll be a Zoom meeting. Um, I know people are anticipated and and looking forward to voicing their opinions and
comments on 121 Chandling. That will be on Tuesday, July 1st. Um, I encourage everyone that has an interest in what's going to happen there to to attend those meetings. Hopefully, we pack the room. the more people we
have, the more people understand what's going on, the more people ask questions, uh the more people voice their concerns, uh the better it is for the board to, you know, be able to devel or help develop and and and plan help them plan
the project in a way that's better for the community. So, uh I encourage as many people to come out as as available. Um it in order to be heard, like Lee said earlier, you need to be um at the
meeting in person. Uh or you can actually have an attorney represent you uh or an agent uh as well. So um yeah, I mean it's it's a project that uh will not be solved in one meeting. So it'll
be multiple meetings. No no question. Um, meetings begin at 8:30. Oh, sorry, 8 o'clock. And the last testimony is heard uh between 10:30 and
11. So, there will be no additional testimony after that time. So, is that your only agenda item that I I I don't have the agenda for that meeting. I just know that that's on the agenda for that meeting, but most likely that will be the only item. Uh, if anybody else wanted to be heard on July 1st, they
probably won't be. So, N um I forgot to mention uh did I say that the chat with the mayor is going to be July 11th. We will not have a coffee with council in July or August, but we will be at the um any event that is
going on. I know National Night Out is in August and the concert series. So, and obviously we're always available. When are the concert series starting? uh the 10th, the 17th, and the 24th of
uh of July. It's on the calendar 7 o'clock. I believe they started it. Thank you. Uh just a few things. Uh road paving. Once the money becomes available from the capital budget that was passed this evening or will be passed this
evening, we'll have a list of um the roads that are being paved this year up on the website and DPW will be communicating the schedule once we have it. And lastly, uh bulk pickup uh 1B is the last zone uh slated for pickup
beginning um next week. Items can be placed curbside this weekend. If we have already picked up in your area, they will not be returning. So, anything that is left at the curb is your responsibility. It either needs to be recycled or um thrown away uh in the
garbage um once once they pass your house. So, even in 1B, if they pass you, that's it. They're not coming back either, even if it's your week. So, once your stuff is picked up, they only they only pass you by once. That's all I have. Fair enough.
Um time for 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 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. So, please state your name and address for the record. Hi, Patty. Hi, I'm Patty Miller and address 180 Central F.
So, um I'm so glad that tonight is the night I chose to come. I loved the small town community celebration. It's the thing I love about New Providence, just small town values. And I feel like it's just the perfect night for me to come and say what I have to say. So, Saturday
I attended the No Kings Rally. And as you know, it was rainy. Probably 500, 600 people showed up. Um, it was an incredibly moving experience. I've marched like in DC. I've marched in Brooklyn. I've marched in uh or New
York. This was the most moving experience. Uh, people were like honking. People were very respectful. It was a joyful day. People were honking, you know, raising their fists in solidarity. I'm obviously a Democrat. It was very meaningful to me and to all the people next to me. Um, so mo and you know I just kind of welled
up with tears. It was a very emotional day, very kind of joyous and and emotional because people were out celebrating their right to sell to their right to protest, you know, their second amendment right. It's a wonderful wonderful thing that they were able to do to to assemble. It's our first
amendment right to assemble peacefully and we did. So most of the people were, you know, a lot of people were filming uh, you know, raising their hands in solidarity, raising flags or whatever. Um, three people passed by and flipped us off. Uh, one one guy, uh, you know,
drove by with his window down and and said, "F you" and go Trump and all that. One old lady with a Trump bumper sticker passed by and she was filming us, which, you know, whatever. You know, she's a private citizen. She can do that. But then I saw a council woman drive by
filming us. Um, and it just did not sit right with me that a city council woman would film the the rally, the No Kings rally.
And, you know, I thought about it. I I messaged the person. I didn't hear back from her. I I was curious like, what are you going to do with the film? Like, why would you film it? I don't understand. Uh, you know, for what purpose? Are you an ally? If if you are an ally like everybody else, like awesome, that's fantastic, you know, but if you're not
an ally, then what is the purpose of filming? What what is the purpose? What are you going to do with that film? Are you going to replay it? Are you going to show it? Are you going to distribute it? Like, what are you going to do with that? And I know I'm at 3 minutes, but I just wanted to say thank you guys so much for your service. You are endowed
with an incredibly sacred responsibility, not to be taken lightly. no matter that we're this wonderful small town. You have a sacred responsibility and you enact it. Um and and so I just wanted to come and express my confusion.
Uh I you represent me even though you're all Republicans. You represent me beautifully, you know, most of you, you know, and I appreciate it. Um so that's my time, I guess. But um at any rate, so yeah, so I just wanted to
say it doesn't sit right with me and I urge you to reflect that you represent me as well and uh and and that's it. And that's one of the great things about our country, about our community, about about everything. So thank you so much. So Patty, I just want to say that there
were two of us on Saturday that were out of town and we would have loved to have seen it and we were curious. Yes. So the person that did film shared it with me, okay, so that I could see because we I had no idea like I'm like, are we going
to have five people? Are we going to have 500 people? Is it in the park? Is it outside of the park? Like so it was really to share with the chief council folks. Well, then I'm delighted that I came and asked and I and I wish because I I messaged the person and I wish the
person had said this is what I did. Then I wouldn't be here tonight. I'd be watching, you know, the the hockey game, you know. But um like when people come to our council meetings, but um yeah. Okay. So there were two of us out out of town that day. Okay. And
so just for the record, I was a person who did via videotape. I wanted to see as well, just like Councilwoman Mcnite wanted to see or other people did as well. And the way that I wanted to see and was to drive through. So unfortunately I did not have time to
attend because our family had plans. So I drove through and I videotaped at the request of a couple of council members and that was how I participated. So a lot of people were videotaping and it's you know it's it's fantastic. But I but I did message you and asked you know I
just kind of messenger all that often. So they do back up. I do have to follow up on that more. Okay. Um but we can talk about it further. It's okay. I'm I'm I've said my piece and and uh and that's it. But thank you all. Thank you all for service. Thank you and thank you for coming. I needed her comments. I thought not a
great day. Alan Swanson, 47 Overville Road. Uh I'm actually I'm going to talk about um speak about the demonstration that took place on Saturday. Um,
there are plenty of really absurd and stupid statements that and accusations that have from from some rather uninformed people that have taken place surrounding this event. So, I'm going to let everyone know exactly what the facts
are related to this demonstration. First, this event was not initiated, organized, paid for, or anyone's responsibility except mine.
No outside agitators, no secret deep state, not George Soros, not the Democrats, not communist, just me. On May 30th, I contacted the New
Providence Police Department and informed them I wanted to hold a demonstration on June 14th at Veterans Park. I said I anticipated 20 people perhaps
and uh unless something happened to change that. Chief Hen responded with a thank you for letting them know and told me I should contact Officer Bud if I had any questions.
Well, something did happen. When I put together a flyer announcing the event, it began to be circulated by individuals and groups uh in the area and on social media
uh word of mouth and emails and and what have you. So when I arrived at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, I had no expectation that there were going to be many people coming and it just had planned on I
would talk with people who came in at the gazebo where it was protected from the rain. And I set up some flags and a few things with some friends. Around 11:00 a.m. people started arriving at the gazebo.
By 11:15, there were about 30 or so people there and in the casino and I spoke with them and thanking them and saying that I was speechless at the turnout in uh what was now a constant rain.
Around 11:25 a.m. there were people coming from all directions. Everywhere you looked, people were coming. I felt like if you build it, they will come. Um,
I I told the growing crowd at about 11:25 that they should go out and they were all coming to the gazebo. I said, "You should go out and line the sidewalks." And they immediately went out there and the crowd kept getting larger and larger and eventually a
couple of people took an actual count of everyone that that was there. I think it was around noon or so that the the count was done and and I was told that there were over 1,000 people there. Not 200, not 400,
not 500. The actual count wasn't estimated. They counted them. I'm proud to be an American who believes in our flag, our constitution, our democracy, and the rule of law.
And while I initiated this event, this event was not my event. It wasn't any group's event. This was the people who took advantage of one person
saying, "Let's get together and show our objection to what's going on in Washington with the president and Congress." This event took place with a thousand people of all ages. There were a number of children holding signs. There were people with walkers there. There were
people with wheelchairs in the rain. It was unbelievable. And many umbrellas. The event was peaceful without arrest, disruptions, or conflict. Most of the cars driving by were honking
their horns and waving. Most of all, everyone was respectful of each other, of the police who were there. Uh, and especially when it was all over and they all left and I stayed
to check everything out, I could not find a single piece of paper, cup on the street, in the park anywhere. It was just um amazing.
Now, I believe everyone in New Providence should be proud that such a large, peaceful, and respectful event could take place in this town. We should be pleased that this could happen rather
than the people who have criticized. So, in the end, I I thank the police. I I thank the people who got out the word, the people who waved the American flags
and the signs and chanted slogans and waved at the cars and and just extremely reassured by people exercising their their right, their constitutional
right to come out and tell people what they think. And uh so I thank you all too. I really do. Um because I think you should be proud that this happened in the way it did on Sunday, Saturday.
Thank you. Thank you. We are proud of our citizens, right? Respectful ci civil um residents. So thankful Hi, my name is uh Tanner Tulle. I live
on 15 Clinton Avenue. Uh I saw tonight that um the city is uh or the Burough is paying for some new safety ped pedestrian safety infrastructure at the corner of Livingston and Springfield. Yes. So, I just had a few questions
because I live right there and I've see a lot of um really close calls um between people of all ages, but especially children. Um so, I know the the flashing beacons are kind of farther away. So, with the the new ones, are
they going to be at the intersection? Act at the actual intersection? Do we know that? I'll let Bernard handle that. They're replacement for what's there. um they'll mimic what's at the corner of uh Springfield and Academy. Okay. So, I
guess I would just um I'm sure this is far down the road, but I would express my concern. Um I'm actually a professional planner. I'm a transportation planner for Hudson County. So, um I'm always here to help. I'm just I moved here
pretty recently, so um you know, I haven't met many people here, but I'm always here to help and volunteer my services. But I would express a little bit of concern with that because um some cars either don't see the lights, don't realize it. Um so that would be my
concern. We don't me and my wife, we have a one-year-old son, we walk with him in our stro a lot. We kind of just avoid that area and we walk down um closer to um South and Payic Street because that those flashing beacons work a lot better. Um, and on that same note,
um, um, I think, uh, we since we did pass a complete streets resolution, the the council about a month ago, I think that would be a good impetus to look at some other things. My only, you know, there's a lot going on. There's a lot of kids, especially now that it's summer, kids are running around. I think that's
great. But um um the only other spot is um I think we need this the burrow needs to look at and I know it's a county road on South Street, but is right in front of Bars. I'm sure all of you are familiar with that where people park on one side of the street then just jaywalk across. Um there's that new building
that doesn't have a a tenant yet. So I think unfortunately that intersection or that that um area is going to get worse. So, um, so I think the the bureau just needs to consider some pedestrian safety
measures there. Thank you. Thank you. I'll be quick. I'm Brian Hos at 49 Bradford Street. And I also want to thank everybody that participated in this uh rally that we had last Saturday. It was great for everybody that
attended. And I also want to say I think I think your name was Patty. This wasn't an event just for Democrats. It's for anyone that has concerns um about what's going on in Washington. And I want people to feel welcome to uh to
be nonpartisan if that if the occasion necess necessitates itself. So this wasn't a Democratic event. This is this was an event for people that are concerned. So Republicans, independents,
Democrats, all are welcome in participating in those types of events. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else? Seeing no one, we will close uh public dis public comments and move to formal
action. So, we will need a motion uh on items 1 through 24. So, moved. Second. Roll call, please. Miss Felisa, I. Mrs. Mcnite. Yes. Mrs. Joffrey. Yes. Mr.
Kogan. Yes. Mr. Kamisky. I motion to adjurnn. We are done. So moved. Second. So moved. Second. Yes. Favor. All in favor. Amen. Amen. Happy 4th of July, y'all. Oh yeah.