Okay. >> Thank you, sir. I can call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner, >> here. >> Miss Dolan >> here. >> Mrs. Jeffoffrey, >> here. >> Mayor Morgan >> here. >> Mr. Kamisky, >> I am here. >> Mrs. Mcnite
>> here. Mr. Gardner >> here. >> Let's salute the flag. I 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. >> The public meeting bur council grow and province county units made New Jersey adequate notice was given in accordance with PL 1975 chapter 231 annual notice or revision was made in conformance with
section 13 of the act. I need approval of minutes for January 6 the journ meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> No. So be it. January 6 reorg meeting. >> So move.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> No. So be it. We have appointments for municipal alliance, Misha uh Coteka, and Amy Le, the board of ed liaison. I have a motion, please.
>> Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. Yes. >> No. So, here we have correspondence. Uh, uh, county commissioners, uh, salary ordinance,
Jersey Strong Coalition, uh, legislature for nuclear power and J. U, uh, Robert Munoz recall for civility and an ordinance request. uh Rachel Wood um council meeting video
inquiry and asking why the meeting uh the the meeting was taken off YouTube the day following. We do that all the time because uh Lamar edits a lot of the stuff that's there uh and then it's put on the website.
Uh, board of commissioners, uh, the meeting schedule, fire department, Ethan Gallow, junior membership, uh, Union County Pollution Control Financing Authority, uh, public notice, uh, New Jersey D,
uh, certificate of environmental stewardship awarded to Ralph Parlor Piano, and we congratulate Ralph. You're going to get a nice certificate. um and Steve Carellis about the um electric
brakes legislation. And we just had a public safety meeting and the chief uh explained to us with the new legislation that that got passed in Trenton that uh we're going to let uh Mr. Robertson take a look at that and merge the two
together because it makes no sense to Yeah. Let's get it right the first time. And um apparently uh we we can overstep some of the some of the some of the things and that's what I I want you to do because
it has nothing to say about scooters. So uh you and Dan I know we'll work it all out. Okay. Any uh comments? Seeing none, we'll go to council business administration. Nine. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, resolution
2026-061 is a resolution authorizing contract between the Bureau of New Providence and Gov Pilot LLC for a one-year term. Um, so this is a cloud-based government management solution for licenses, tree
permits, leaf permits, facility usage requests, OPER requests, parking permits, and more. So if you need any form filled out uh through the bureau, that's where you go. And just just to mention, and Brian and I learned this um at our meeting uh the other day, that
the Gulf Pilots is a separate vendor, right? And on our website, when you click through to get to the permit process, it'll kick you off to a >> to a third party site, >> right? So there's some questions to how come you can't use this on your phone, and the reason is this is a whole separate
>> system that's used for our by our bureau to track permits and things of that nature. >> Yep. Yeah. Yeah. So, when you go to get it, it actually tells you you are leaving the site. Um, particularly for dog licenses, which I was just spelling out. Um, it tells you that you are leaving and then you go and you do it there and then then you go you come
back. >> You know, before we go any further, I forgot one thing. Today is International Holocaust uh Remembrance Day, and it's always good for us to remember what happened during
World War II. it uh it's a stain on humanity. It's a horrible horrible event. And um I kind of it kind of reminds me of what this
country is going through now where we've lost civility. We've lost respect for each other. We don't talk enough together. We don't work enough together. And quite honestly, we have as a
country, I think we have to change our ways. And you know, I'm a little bit of history, a student of history. And it seems like every great civil civilization
that was ever uh created on earth, the downfall starts after 250 years of existence. And we certainly certainly don't want that to happen to this country. So, and why don't we have a
moment of silence for all those who have passed um and you know hope that we have we get smart and our generation after us is a lot smarter than we are.
Let's have a moment of silence please. Thank you. >> Okay, we're continuing with council business. >> Oh, it's still me. >> Huh? >> It's still me. >> Oh, you didn't get that. Okay, >> that's okay. Uh, that's okay. No worries. Resolution 2026-062
is a resolution authorizing contract between the Bureau of New Providence and Civic Plus for a year. So this is the business or this is the company that hosts and designed and hosts our website. >> That's it for me now. >> Okay. Advisory Board Alan.
>> All right. Here goes. Uh resolution 2026-063. Uh this is a resolution approving the request of the new Providence Sustainability Advisory Committee to sponsor community events during the calendar year 2026. And this is just approving the calendar
of events for 2026. >> Okay. Affordable housing. Um, resolution 2026-064 is a resolution of the Burough of New Providence authorizing execution of a
mediation agreement resolving challenges to the bureau's housing element and fair share plan. Um, so so for those of you who are um keeping up on where we stand with affordable housing, we had presented a number and then we received
challenges. So we received five challenges um from various people who did not agree with our settlement and how u we came back with it and this resolution is just merely showing that we did settle um on that mediation. We
settled with fair share housing and we shared uh I'm sorry we settled with um the people up at Nokia. Um so basically um this resolution is just a settlement of that from here. This doesn't end
affordable housing at this point. Um the whole plan has to now go into what's called the program uh which is where the state reviews it and they come back either with questions. Hopefully they approve it and we're done. Um but this kind of just allows us to move on to
that next final step of finalizing on the agreement uh for the fourth round. More information is always on our website if you have any questions on that. >> Okay. Community activities smart. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Resolution 065 is
a resolution awarding contracts for multisports programs to US Sports Institute, High-5 Sports, RA, Sporting LLC, and FC Football Foundation. That's how you pronounce it, right? football. >> Uh this is just contracts for our uh
recreation program uh for all their sporting activities upcoming. Um go ahead. >> Okay. You do engineering. >> Engineering. Uh 066 is a resolution authorizing the return of escrow in the amount of $5,13518
to Dutley Associates LLC. This is a return of escrow on a project that uh was a was a um uh a parcel that was divided into two and a and a house was built over over by McDonald's. Uh the house came out
fantastic. That is complete and our engineer has signed off that the project is good standing and this is a return to the escrow. Uh resolution 067 is a resolution accepting the proposal of Kier's Engineering and Design Inc. for professional engineering services
related to NJ DOT 2025 and 2026 Union Avenue improvements. Uh this is a proposal for collers to help design the improvements which are from uh Springfield Avenue on Union Avenue from Springfield Avenue down to
Mountain Avenue. So as you know that's a very very long stretch of road uh sloped uh runs through our the train tracks as well. Uh we have received two grants in 202 uh five and 2026
uh totaling 1.256400 uh million uh in grant monies. Um the project includes milling, paving, some base repairs, ADA compliant curb replacements, uh great replacements, minor drainage
improvements, striping, uh etc. So, a big project. Um, they will be helping design it and we have to because we're getting NJ DOT grants on that. Um, and we did receive the first one in 2025.
We're on the clock. So, we need to um award a contract on that within 24 months. So, we're we're in process of that. Now, >> Matt, just a clarification. I think the grant total is 700,000 but the project is >> Oh, thank you for claring that. Right.
>> The project is more. >> So 281,000 for 2026 uh and 419,000 I'm sorry 2025 28149 in 2026 for a total of 700 which is
matching uh total project should be 1.2 million. Thank you. >> Okay. Finance Lisa. >> Thank you mayor. We have resolution um 2026-68. It's a resolution refunding or applying
overpayment of taxes to certain property owners. Um there was a certain resident that had a duplicate tax payment. So that's all that was. Uh resolution 2026-69 is a resolution authorizing the contract between the Burough of New Providence
and Edmmonds Govac Govveetk for one uh for one-year term. Edmmonds is the bureau's financial accounting software. Helps streamline the uh daily accounting and allows for automated requisitions and approvals. It's used for billing and
collection of property taxes. Resolution 2026-70 is a resolution authorizing the payment of the attached bills payable list. The amount is 4,248,96057. Some of the more significant items are the uh board of education January school
tax levy for 2.7 million. Um the garden state GIF annual assessment one of two 417,000. Uh depository trust is our interest um bonds for 715 2025 that was about
304,000. The library got their appropriation for January, 119,000. Uh Horizon Healthc Care for the January health insurance, $142,000. Suburban disposal for uh December solid
waste, 49,000. The Meiselle Group for the police department renovation, 46,000. Morton salt, which is Isn't that like table salt too? Morton salt, but evidently they sell rock salt for the roads, $45,000.
Um, interstate waste for December recycling was $33,000 and Union County Utilities is our December garbage disposal for $24,000. All right, we have a resolution 071
approving Mappy Security Group uh for $11,000 and that's to upgrade the card swipe system down at the the C the Corso Center. We have rafflelet uh applications for summit speech school RA
1252 CSA 12 RA 1253 1254 and 1255 they've been properly reviewed and prepared uh limousine applications Rocky limo
corin limo and summit express and they've also been properly prepared and reviewed We also need authorization uh to request project management services from Uni County Improvement Authority for the Police Department
renovation project by using the Uni County uh utilities authority. We uh we were able to save a lot of money. And um it was funny, Dan. Uh you you went
down to a conference and you talked to a police chief, I think in Kate M courthouse, and they used the uh improvement authority down in Cape May, and he explained that how much money they saved by doing it. >> Yes, sir. in Kate May police department
is rebuilt or getting rebuilt now. Um Kate May County does not have an improvement authority, but the neighboring county does. Um they handled all of the arrangements soup to nuts for the um um for the organization trying to
also reduce the cost to the burrow for change orders and um all the like for from engineering um and the construction companies to try and get all that out of the way first. Um, luckily in Union County, we have our own improvement authority, which uh, Bernett and I engaged uh, about a month or so ago.
>> Yeah. And they they've done a lot of projects throughout the county. It will save the bureau a lot of money and a lot of headaches, too. So, you won't have to be on site every single minute. All right. Uh, public works. Uh, Allan.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, resolution 2026-072. Uh resolution approving a contract between the Burrow of New Providence and Nature's Choice NJ LLC doing business as Estroandian Suns LLC for grass and
garden waste disposal for the year 2026. Uh Espondian Suns LLC proposes to provide vegetative waste transportation and recycling services. The proposal includes the transport of up to 5,400 cubic yards of grass, mixed vegetative
waste, brush, trees parts, log, stumps, and wood chips to a NJD approved recycling facility located at 3 Wong Avenue in Chadam for a lump sum cost of $99,900. The payment will be made in five equal
installments of $19,980 build throughout the year. Um, if the total amount of vegetative waste it does exceed 54 cubic uh 5,400 cubic yards, the burrow will be charged $18.50
per cubic yard for all excess material. Uh in addition, uh Estratundi and Suns LLC will load and haul approximately 6,500 cubic yards of leaves from the burrow DPW yard to the Union County Conservation Center in Springfield, New
Jersey at a rate of $6.95 per cubic yard. Uh resolution 202673. This is a resolution approving requisition R26000306 for access systems USA in an amount not
to exceed $24,840 for replacement hatch systems in the wastewater treatment plant. Uh we're going to me and Brian are going to head over there on Friday. But um so the pump building at the uh wastewater treatment plant consists of four levels that house
critical pumping and control equipment. Each level has access hatches for hoisting pumps and equipment between floors. Since installing a uh bar screen system, these hatches are now open daily to remove debris from the basket, significantly increasing staff exposure
to uh fall hazards. So uh currently the three older access hatches lack adequate fall protection and rely primarily on safety chains when open. So this purchase will address these concerns. I was going to steal a joke from council, former councilman Pete Darno, and I
would suggest that you guys visit the wastewater treatment plant at halftime of the Super Bowl. >> Yeah. >> You know, I was told by Diane not to visit during the winter. So, but um yeah, we got to get out there.
>> You know, I think you two will be amazed at the operation. It is very complicated. And um >> I'll tell you they pe keep that place so clean. >> So clean. >> It's unbelievable. >> So organized. >> Yeah. >> He does a great job.
>> Okay. Seniors. Lisa. >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. Resolution 2026-74. It's a resolution authorizing an agreement between the Burough of New Providence and Sage Elder Care for the year 2026. Sage Elder Care provided its 2025 annual
report and social work services agreement proposal to continue providing support, information, education, clinical intervention to older adults in New Providence and their families facing elder care challenges. Um some of the
services include immediate support, clinical assessments, and interventions for urgent situations. Um the proposal the proposed 20 uh 2026 budget reflects a 1.5% annual increase. Um I just want
to say that a you know Sage Elder Care has been has been there a long time. It's a wonderful organization and they do provide critical services to our seniors and we're really lucky that we have them right next door in Summit, you know, to to help our seniors. Um, I know
my mom uses the used to use the Meals on Wheels. >> Um, just fabulous people and a fabulous organization. We're lucky to have to have them. >> Yeah. I think they just um had upgraded that facility a couple years ago and when that happened, we all went over for
a tour and it's amazing what they have um and the engagement that they have with the seniors. on the bottom level they have a um a wood shop >> where they will restore older furniture and it's just such such an amazing um
facility um that our residents get to take advantage of and like you said meals on wheels a couple years ago >> so many services they have the adult there and >> it is and all the different rooms and programs and activities >> it's a great thing to read that one >> okay before we go on
I seen a couple of the neighboring communities and there was a lot of discussion about ICE. So I've uh asked uh Chief Hen to come up and explain our role in this uh this
endeavor. Um I know we go by the immigrant trust initiative that was put out by the the state. I know that our police officers are probably the best trained, not in New Jersey, they're
probably the best trained in the nation, but particularly in New Providence. I mean, we're one of two, I think, agencies that have been reacredited six times and we're on our way to the seventh. So, I want to congratulate you
and all that you've done and making us safe here. But I'd like you to explain to the audience what our involvement with ICE would be if they came here and and what our role is. >> I I appreciate uh mayor and council for
um letting me speak here for a few minutes and certainly um answer any questions that you may or may not have. So the immigrant trust directive was issued in 2018 by the New Jersey attorney general. the attorney general of uh the state of New Jersey um by design has the authority over all law
enforcement within the state of New Jersey and courts have ruled that the attorney general's um directives are the equivalent of law um for law enforcement officers. Um so there's a unlike many other states attorney generals, our attorney general has a lot of law
enforcement power within the state. So, our officers have um been trained um on this directive extensively and continue to train on the directive. Um it hasn't changed since its iteration in 2018. U and outlines how police the police
departments in the state of New Jersey will interact with the with the immigrant community. Um, notably for for our purposes, um, it outlines that, you know, our officers are are still conducting, um, crime and crime, um,
fighting tactics, right? We still take, you know, we still engage people who commit criminal offenses um, in the state of New Jersey. Uh, the the immigrant trust directive speaks directly to indictable crimes, which is um, generally referred to as like serious crimes, fourth degree or higher.
Um but we don't take those enforcement actions based upon the status of an immigration of an immigrant within here in the state of New Jersey. Um it it it outlines our interaction with um federal law enforcement agencies, notably the
immigrant and customs um enforcement agency uh for them and and limits our ability to interact with their official actions that they take under the color of their law enforcement powers. So um we can act exigently in circumstances
that require us um to and exigently is kind of narrowly defined as something that's happening imminently. Right? So our officers do have the authority to interact with some type of um action that could um cause either harm to the
person um being afflicted or the or the officers who are engaged in that. Um that's part of our training to for our officers to make those decisions unlike um the decision to pursue someone the division the decision to for somebody to to one of our officers to use force um
in any lawful type of scenario. So un unrelated to an immigrant um interaction. I'm using those examples just to outline the fact that our officers are making these decisions on a on um a quick basis. Um the the reality
of our interaction with ICE is at this point we have not um just to be clear our officers have not had any uh known interactions within the Burough of New Providence. Have not been requested to and we do not expect to be requested to
provide any assistance by by ICE. Um uh notably we're in contact with the board of education um who questions um who you know tabletops their own exercises and and and wants to know what the police department's interactions would be. So
we're communicating with that branch of government while also um discussing with our burough administration about our our interactions. Um I I want I want it to be clear that you know um from a law enforcement standpoint, you know, a
person who is here um from an undocumented standpoint is we are not targeting the police department in New in New Province is not targeting their status here in the Burough Province. We're concerned with those who break the law. Um we're not concerned with um and
we don't and we use that liberally in the sense that you know we're not considering somebody who's speeding down Livingston Avenue. Um we're concerned with people who are committing crimes with um with specifically those that are higher than fourth degree. um nothing has changed prior to 2018 to this date
now uh from the issuance of this and we're guided um substantially by this this this uh directive to provide guidance to our officers. Um I I know that these are individual um concerns for many of the people who may live within our community. uh and I can only
ask that they trust um our department to do the right thing and treat them with the respect that they expect to be retreat treated with and that um you know our concern is not to do enforcement of of immigration laws. We're not federal agents. We're local
law enforcement. Uh we're not here to to enforce federal policies. We never have been. Um, I've used the example in many conversations of um, prior to, you know, all of this that has taken place. It's not uncommon for federal agencies to be
to conduct business within the Bureau of New Providence. There's been plenty of times that the FBI has conducted um, investigations um, made arrests um, that don't involve the Burrow of New Providence. They're federal actions. Federal laws have been broken and it's
upon that law enforcement agency to act appropriately. it's not any different um from our interaction um whether being requested or not um to to treat that in the same manner. So um I I you know I as
I said it's a um it's a personal um affliction that I think many of these people have to to think about every day when they wake up and we understand that. Um, but I also want to have the persons who are listening to me speak here understand that, you know, our officers are out there doing the job of
serious law enforcement not to enforce federal legislation. So, um, I I don't know if I would have covered everything, but I you know, I certainly want to uh if you have questions or um, however you want to dictate that, >> I just want to I just want to thank you for that. Anyway, I just want to uh make
it crystal clear to everybody here that we are not looking to arrest people on immigration charges. It's not what we do here. We're we're here to make this the
best community we can and we're not looking to uh enforce federal law. And you know, I know a lot of people have a problem making a difference with that, but I know each and every one of your
officers are well trained and and know exactly where the lines are. >> And and I'll be clear too um immigration status um is not relevant to how we conduct business. So in the course of a normal
car stop which officers conduct every day um you know doing traffic enforcement it is not the intention of the officers to go out there and stop somebody and and inquire as to their immigration status. >> It's irrelevant to how we conduct um the
business of the police department. Um our you know in using that example our job is to do traffic enforcement. That's it. >> So we will conduct ourselves to do that and then free ourselves up once we're done. That's that's exactly what we'll do. >> Thank you. And I want to thank you for
coming tonight because, you know, I know your daughter had a basketball game tonight. >> They won. >> Congratulations. >> Perfect. >> But I thought it was important that you come and ex you can explain a hell of a lot better than I ever could. >> And and I thought it was important for
the public to hear. And at this time, what I'll do is open it up to the public to ask Chief Hen any question pertaining to this subject in this subject. >> Yeah. And I just want to be clear that, you know, part of this discussion here
that we're trying to accomplish is to dispel, you know, the the the things that people see on, you know, social media on cable news because, you know, when we look at how this enforcement is done within the state of New Jersey, it's very difficult to apply those
standards here um that you may see in the Midwest or in the South or in the Far West. Um it's we conduct business from a law enforcement standpoint in the state of New Jersey much differently than they do in other parts of the country. And to that end, I I was
curious last February, yourself and Mayor Morgan and Dr. Zerolley issued a memo to the to the community kind of outlining where we stood at the time. So is that something that we could refresh, you know, kind of bring back and update for this year and the current circumstance to to give the community some solace? I I certainly think that it
the document that was published nearly a year ago is still very germanine to where we are today. Um nothing has changed from the perspective of how we conduct business, how the bureau conducts business or how the board of education will conduct business. So absolutely I think it's probably best to
resurrect that. >> Yeah, just change the date. Actually, I don't think we put a date on it, but >> well, I think it's escalated on the other side that you know, from your standpoint, it hasn't changed, but the tactics of, you know, federal agents seem to be intimidating and, you know,
doing things that they shouldn't be doing and it's causing residents to be really fearful of like leaving their house. And so, you know, I really appreciate you, you know, taking the time to sit down with me and Brian and we brought some of these issues up and there were a lot of hypotheticals about,
you know, what do we do in a situation where, you know, somebody shows up maybe at a school and, you know, they have military assault weapons and they start asking people like, "Where are you from?" And if 911 is called, you know, what's the procedure? And, you know, you said it's, you know, a timing issue. It's, you know, if something happens in
the moment and the officers get there and there's, you know, there's chaos going around, you you're at like a deescalation point. You're not there to assist federal agents in any capacity, but at the same time, if they're using tactics that are illegal, I hope that
the police department will hold them accountable as well. >> Yeah. So, I just want to be I just want to make sure we clarify that statement of tactics that are illegal because the tactics that are used Yeah. Yeah. I just want to understand that the tactics that local law enforcement are trained on may
differ from those that are used by federal agents. Um I it is as I as I mentioned um in our meeting and and I say certainly here when we talk about exigency, it is incumbent upon our officers to to protect life to take
appropriate action when uh the time calls for it to take appropriate action. Um use of force in the state of New Jersey is a very serious thing. Um deescalation is part of that use of force continuum that we train on um twice a year annually. Um so it's an
important tactic that is built into our officers from when they from the when they graduate the police academy to when they retire at the end of their career. So certainly um you know we what I what I said you know and I said this in other conversations is that you know I I I
can't speculate as to how we would like deal with the scenario because we can dream up a many different situations but what I can um say is probably with some certainty is that the likelihood is we may not ever know that an incident may
have taken place or is taking place or we'll find out after the fact. Um, logistically, um, I just think that there's probably less action being taken here, um, by ICE. Um, I think that their their type of scenarios are done on a much smaller basis here. Um, and with
that being said, they don't ask for our help. So, um, it's more likely that the public would be witnessing some type of interaction that would call us and ask us to see to look into something that seemed to be suspicious happening. >> Thank you. Yeah, I'll just add I think um I like
Brian's idea of just reviewing the memo from last year if there's nothing that needs to change. Um still, you know, republishing it and kind of bringing it to the top of people's feeds and putting it out through the school district
communications as well as the burrow. Um, but I think that uh a little bit to what Allan was saying that I think it's very clear what the police department's scope of responsibility is in these
situations um as as a local law enforcement. And where I'm kind of seeing the concern is from the resident's perspective because um you know you could
uh be concerned for your own safety even if you're a legal resident. You may be you know Hispanic or somebody who looks like someone who might be targeted. you may be uncomfortable leaving your home or you may see somebody uh get detained
by an ICE officer or you may know that there's people that aren't leaving their home and how can I help them um get them groceries or whatever it might be. Um, and I think that there is an opportunity here for us to think about an maybe an
additional layer of communication to residents uh about what we know about what resources are available, what you know, we're not directing them any one way or the other. We're just giving them access to what are their rights and where they,
you know, if they see uh something that they think is suspicious, yes, call 911 and, you know, get it checked out. Uh don't be afraid to do that even if you're not, you know, a naturalized citizen. So there's
another layer that could potentially and of course the school district I don't know they might they may want to contribute additional information to that too but I was kind of hoping that we could really make it sort of an all-purpose
kind of here's how we you know how we view this situation and um and try to allay people's fears a little bit as it potentially could come into new providence. So that's kind of where I was going with
that with my comments. >> I think we have to be very careful what we put out there legally. >> And I think what what the chief said covered it all. What we are responsible for. We
can't dictate to the state or to the federal government how they how they uh do their operations. >> Yeah. I don't think that was the point. Sorry, mayor. It's not the point to dictate to them how they do their operations. I I'm talking about from a resident's perspective.
>> Well, the residents have a great number of opportunities. I mean, if they want groceries, they can they can go online and order groceries, you know. I >> I mean, it's it's mostly just about providing, you know, publicly available
information, you know, about rights and resources and stuff like that. you know, not taking a position on anything, not taking a stand on anything, but just here here are resources. >> Maybe we could put something on the website if they they they want to do that. >> Yeah. >> You know, I I don't know, you know, what
what rights or whatever you're looking to to put on there. >> And what we we have to run it by uh Mr. Robertson, but >> Sure, >> we could do that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I just don't want to get jammed up. >> No, no, no. >> Okay. >> Understood. Okay,
>> thank you. >> We could do that. Julie, you had a question. >> Yeah, actually, um, >> you have to come up and give your name and addressly answered, but I have another just a point that I'd like to make first. Thank you so much. I appreciate you coming
here and taking the time. Um, I just want to add to your point, Mayor, that there are people living in town that are in the immigration process legally. And I think we've all seen examples where people are confronted, I'll use that word, in an improp inappropriate manner
and they have rights and maybe they don't know what those rights are. So I don't think anybody's asking for legal advice to be printed, but rather these are your rights constitutionally, you know, whatever that looks like. I think that's fair and neutral. You know, no one's asking you to take a stand in that
regard, but it's just providing information. I think that's what you're asking for. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Yeah, Brian. >> Brian Hos, 49 Bradford Street. I don't know if this is something you'd be able to answer.
>> I can try. But um maybe what is this situation for like the schools or um a church or I mean do you know if federal agents can go into those locations?
>> I don't um I can I can tell you um as much as everybody would like to believe >> um board of education is quasi private property. Um, so they have strict controls over the um the ingress and
egress of their their property. Um, I've always I've I've said to to uh Dr. Zerley that, you know, if if an immigration officer shows up inside your school, we got a bigger problem because somebody let them in as opposed to um,
you know, somebody sneaking in. So um I you know I anybody can approach public areas um and seek um to engage with somebody on public property. Okay. >> You know the difficult issue related to
let's say um religious institutions is that they are generally open to the public and inviting the public there um most hours of the day. So in and if your question is simply related to whether enforcement action can take place there
based upon the um the government's legal right to conduct that action, I can't answer that for you specifically for a federal agent. >> I do have I have a sort of followup or continuing question answer. >> No, it's more of a question. Do we know
what the board of ed uh their protocol is if an immigration enforcement agent does show up at the school and requests access? >> I I think that should be addressed by the board of education. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Alan Swanson 47 at Overh Hill Road. First thing, I I don't I don't know any residents who don't have absolute confidence that the the New Providence Police Department
is going to be involved in any of the things that are happening in terms of ICE. I I I've never I haven't heard anything like that. I haven't uh you know so um let's get that uh passed. Um
I I think that we need to really look at what Kathleen says. Councilwoman Kathleen um it's really important to allay the fears of people. Um, they're
not afraid of the the New Providence Police Department. They're afraid of what they're seeing on television. And when you bring up the the children, they're watching children
being shipped off in in vehicles and sent to other states and things and they're people that are afraid. Um, so I I I the document that you put out that
you said all we do is change the date. It's not it's not really sufficient. And Allan referred to the fact that it's not just that there are changes in the immigration policies. It's how it's what's happening. It's
what they're doing um on the street level. So, you know, I'm just I'm I I don't have a lot of questions. I just came up because I I don't want to have wait till the end and you know, there might not be an opportunity to say anything like this.
So, but I think it's important to revisit that um the the document that you put out last year in February, I think it was. um and to to reassure the people and to
do that education piece that's important for everybody out there. There are people in this town who are afraid and to say that they can order groceries to be delivered to home is certainly not
the answer. >> I didn't mean it like that. >> There are opportunities out there. I you know I don't even I wish I had all the answers because I don't because I'm not a federal agent.
I don't know what the federal laws are. All I know is what I we can control here with with Dan and our officers. We go by the attorney general of the state and that that's what we can do. at the
federal that that we don't have really any contact with the federal government and how they conduct themselves. And I think Dan, they don't even tell us they're coming if they come. Am I correct? >> No, they won't.
>> No. So that's that's what you need to tell the people. >> I I think >> but I'm gonna do say that >> I'm I'm trying to think of a good way to put this is because I really feel sorry
for people out there. They're hardworking people. They want what's best for their families. I I I know a lot of people that do I you know I'm in the contracting uh industry. I deal with a lot of
contractors. I deal with a lot of people. I feel for people that work hard and want to make a better life for themselves in this country. But on a local level, we're very constricted in what we can do here. And I think uh Dan
eloquently uh you know presented what we can do. And I wish I had the answers that you want to hear, but I don't. >> No. No, I don't I want to I don't want to hear answers about what you can do to stop the the feds coming in.
What what I'm saying is that you need to the the the system for getting the information out to people that can allay some of their fears. But I I would love to hear what you would you would put in a letter besides what we
put put in that letter that that would that wouldn't you know that's why we got we have a lawyer here so he could go through things. You know it's great to say I I want to blay fears but why you
have to protect the burrow? If you have some recommendations or something, give us give them to Bernardet and we can go over them and we'll let Billy uh look at it and see where we can go. >> But you know,
I wish I had answers. I I wish I did. >> If I can add something to, Mr. Mayor. So, I I had recently had a conversation with a chief in neighboring community who was discussing um some type of public statement that their community
wanted to make. And we we got into some discussion about the immigrant trust directive. And as I just mentioned to Councilwoman Dolan, I said my only advice to them was, you know, just be careful of rewarding words that have been vetted. Right? So, this and using
this immigrant trust directive, there's a there's a lot of um there's a lot of information, not just from a law enforcement standpoint on that attorney general website, but also, you know, good information that the public can read and digest and understand. And I
and I I said to him, just understand the words that were written there and and be careful of trying to reward them to fit a different narrative that is in place eight years later because at at its substance, how it was written is still
very relevant. Um, and it is really a very good guiding principle with how government should be interacting with the public and helping them understand what they should be accessing. >> In fact, maybe we can put the directive put that out. >> We certain So, we certainly can share
that that link on our site in order for them to read all the information. >> Yes. >> I mean, I I I think Sorry. >> Go ahead. >> As Councilwoman Dolan said, I I think you know, it's almost two different layers. There's there's the law enforcement piece of this and the immigrant trust directive. That's kind of the beall and end all of that. But
then there's also the we are a community who helps each other, right? You know, we have we have the link program which is fantastic. We have the mental health advisory committee group which is fantastic. Th this is just another way where we can help and support each other and and and and create a sense of safety
without getting into any legal or or or positional things without any commentary. It's just about creating a sense of safety here in New Providence. And you know, I I we're not going to word smith it out now, but there's probably some language that we can put together that that that speaks to that
without tripping over any problems. >> Yeah. Fine. >> That's what we're going to try to do. Awesome. >> Yeah, >> definitely. If >> you have some suggestions, please don't we can and and have Bill Vic do it.
>> No, I appreciate it. I I just want to say one thing that that the the schools and the churches um there there had been a prohibition to uh for immigration officers to enter those facilities to do
things but Trump um eliminated it when he came came in so that the that's why they went into a daycare center dragged out somebody they they can go into the schools and that was private property. So, I wouldn't I
wouldn't just say, "Oh, no, they can't do that." >> Well, you didn't say that. >> Yes, we certainly didn't say. >> I No, I'm No, I'm I'm not saying you did. I'm just I'm I'm making sort of a generalized comment that, you know, um you know, when saying you don't know about it. No, they can go where they
choose to go and and obviously they can they don't care about the federal laws that are that are out there in the Constitution as far as that goes, but that's my comment. So listen, I appreciate uh I appreciate that you're that you're doing this and having
>> I want to be proactive on this because I know it's been a big rigor and a lot of our surrounding communities and I thought it better that we get out in front of this >> and and and air this out and be civil about it
>> because I've seen some of the uh some of the the other towns and it got pretty unruly and that's not what we want to do. We'd rather solve a problem together. >> Yeah. >> And talk about it than than go down that that that that tough path.
>> Get that out to the people and and assure them that that's that that's your point of view. That's that's what I'm saying is get it out there to the people >> so that they know just what you're saying. You know, >> you took an oath to to abide by the Constitution and that's what we all have
to do. So, we have to be careful what we put out there, too. So, thank you for your comments. >> Anyone else? >> There are three Allens here. I think we could all do it together. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. But I spell it the right way.
>> I'm not I wanted to get into a real argument. >> You and I spell it the right way. >> Your name. >> All right. So, I'm the odd man now. Okay. >> It's all right. You don't have to use that extra L. >> Yeah. >> I think we have another comment. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Bob >> Bob Connley 450 in Elkwood. Uh first of all, Chief, you've already got the trust and respect to the the neighborhood in the town. >> Thank you very much. >> As long as we can keep that flowing, we're in good shape. Um with regards to the the documents you're talking about,
I think that came about in response to a question I had about a year ago. And uh Mr. Mayor, I know it took a a little bit of guts for you and the chief and the superintendent schools to get together and put that out because some people looked a little scatter at it, but I
think it went a long way and I think it's very important to refresh it now. If a word needs to be tweaked or whatever and date changed, do that. But for purpose of expediency, I would recommend just reviewing it, give it a quick
review, reissuing the same thing with a new date. The idea about publishing a list of resources somewhere for people to use. Generally, there's private resources or county resources, that's fine, too, but don't let that hold up the issuance of of this reminder to
people. >> No, we'll get right on it. >> And if people have comments, just let Bernardet have them and, you know, go through them and Billy will uh will look at it and we we we can get it out there.
Thanks for letting take another look and thank you chief. >> You know, we always try and do the right thing. >> You know, we may not agree with everything, but we try and do the right thing. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you, Mike. >> I just wanted to point out as as they were speaking, you know, there there's a a section of our website that does have
links and resources related to, you know, area things. It probably maybe needs a little bit of refreshing. Okay. >> Um but but certainly, you know, we do provide that to the community to use our website as a resource for that. >> Terrific. Thank you. >> Thanks, D. >> Anyone else?
Seeing no one and clear that part close. >> Chief, I want to thank you. >> Thank you for Mr. Daughter's basketball game. >> Thank God it's a win. >> It's a win and hopefully there'll be many more. >> They are very, very talented. >> Don't be afraid to come out and watch the New Providence girls. A shameless
plug for them. High school basketball team. They are, >> I think, 15-1. >> Wow. >> They're incredible. You don't want to say anything, Matthew. What? No. >> No. Okay. Uh, yes. And we'll be having the county tournament coming up shortly. Um, so we're looking to go deep into the county and deep into the state.
>> Okay, great. >> Let's do it. >> Thank you very much. >> Congratulations. >> Who they lose to? >> Appreciate it, >> Dan. Who' they lose to? >> Um, old to Pan last week. It was a tough game. The two sixfooters. They were >> They were a good team. >> Wow. >> Okay. Thank you everybody.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, committee reports. uh public safety. We all know about the uh snowstorm we just had. From what I hear, we may get another one this weekend.
I guess we're in that that zone, >> you know, but um I can can report that there was a few uh service calls that we had to make. The police said the uh the residents are very good about keeping
the cars off the street, not going out. That makes a big difference. They don't have to There were a couple fender benders out there, but not the major. Um the fire department and the rescue squad were fully staffed. You had a couple
calls, right? But they weren't snow shovel related. They were just >> medical calls. >> Medical calls. uh fire department uh they they did a fantastic job. They were they were fully staffed. You know, they uh fire
department and rescuers for the role volunteers. So, you know, um you got to give them kudos. They're always there. And of course, we have our unsung heroes, which is DPW. These guys worked how many hours?
>> 24 straight. >> 24 straight. And you know it it's a tough job. I've been out there with on the plows. It's not fun. You're over there bouncing around all the time. Um
and you get tired. You you literally just get tired. And there uh we we uh three trucks broke down. We're waiting for parts. One you said was a transmission. So that may
take a little little bit longer, but you know, we got through it like we always do. And um you know, I just want to thank them because I know what it's like. >> How many miles road? >> Yeah. People don't realize that we plow
42 miles of road >> in the burrow, new providence. >> That's a lot of road. >> A couple of different times on this one. I saw at least three or four passes. >> You know, I I've been in those those snow storms and it rain it snows a
couple inches an hour. >> You can go around like Crane Circle. Go around Crane Circle, go down, do Pearl Hawthorne, you come back, it's filled up again. >> So, it it's wild. It really is wild. And
we had one section that wasn't done too well by Robert's school, but uh Burma getting rough got on that right away and hopefully it's all cleaned up now. Wow. >> So, you know, we do the best we can with what we have.
So, um it was actually one of the contractors. So, but you know what? It happens. >> So, >> the pickup uh was a little bit messy. The what? >> Pickup was a little messy. >> Yeah. Yeah, it was. And you know what? Like I said, nothing's ever perfect, but
you know, they do the best they can. It's >> like, where can you put all the snow? There was just too much of it. >> Yeah. Well, you know, there's nowhere to put it. DP doesn't like you putting it in the river. Years ago, we used to fill up uh trucks and dump it in the river.
They don't like that anymore. So, but um besides that, besides saying thank you, we're uh pretty much uh right on uh right on schedule. I know we're getting another salt delivery the end of the week and uh we'll be good with salt,
too. So, everybody's scrambling. Okay, Alan, committee report. >> Um I really have nothing to report. You know, I we met with the uh board of health had our first meeting. We have our sustainability meeting tomorrow. Me and
the the council woman will be sitting down talking about affordable housing probably many many times. Um me and Matt met up with uh Allison for the activities committee and had a a briefing about that but nothing really
much to report. >> Great operations are normal. >> That's my favorite report. >> Short and sweet. That's why I do it. Kathleen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, for the diversity committee, we had our first meeting on January 21st. Another will be scheduled
soon to complete the process of electing a chair and establishing goals for 2026. Uh, Councilman Kamisky and I will be supporting those efforts. Uh, the new New Providence Municipal Alliance, this is the committee that focuses on supporting education and awareness for
parents and students related to substance use and abuse. We met on January 7th and we're in the process of gathering survey input from New Providence residents. I don't know if you've seen that on social media, but it is available. It's I think it's also on the website.
Um they're looking to get input from the residents to help inform priorities for programming in the upcoming fiscal year and Councilwoman Mcnite and I will be supporting those efforts. Uh, Council Person Lerner and I, as well as Burough leaders, are in discussions with the
directors of the NP uh, community pool uh, to plan for the upcoming pool season and more will be shared about that at the February 10th council meeting. And then the N New Providence Historical Society met on January 15th
and Council Person Gardner and I were there. Um, we got a thorough overview of the historical society's current plans and goals. Uh, and if you haven't yet signed up for the Colonial Libations event, it's happening this Friday at the
Saltbox Museum from 7 to 9. Uh, please go. I went to the one in November and it was a lot of fun. Um, so it's definitely worth it to check out the museum, but also um taste the libations and then hang out with uh hang out with your
fellow residents. Uh, that's it from me. except I did want to just mention one one quick thing. Uh again, kind of um bouncing off of your uh civility uh request. Um
I'm not sure that our last meeting, January 6th, went the way that anybody really wanted it to. Um it really should have been a routine kind of uh uh adjournment meeting and
and then you know moving into the peaceful transition of power for the reorg meeting and it it it kind of went off the rails a little bit and I don't think this is really not about I don't think it's politics that are dividing
us. I think sometimes we just do things and say things and act and without thinking and I I think if sometimes we just stop and ask ourselves what are we trying to achieve by
whatever point we're trying to make um you know we can really get through these kind of difficult situations and without bringing politics into it and that's really a goal of mine. uh and always has
been is to just speak to people about the burough business and um and keeping that top of mind. So, just wanted to throw that in there. >> Okay. Nine. >> Okay. Thank you, mayor. Um, so being
that it's January, all the committees are having various uh planning meetings, discussion meetings, uh, getting to know their new liaison and getting everybody up and running for the year. Um, as um, Councilman Werner pointed out, we did
have a board of health meeting um, so anticipate some good things from them this year um, regarding a chicken ordinance which is coming uh, and then also a sanitary standards ordinance which is coming. So, they are primed up to get rolling for this year as well.
Um, we had a personnel committee meeting. Um, we will be reviewing the employee handbook this year. Um, so hopefully we can go through that with bring that up to speed from whenever that was done the last time. Uh, mental health, I had a meeting with uh, Councilman Gardner and um, really just a
planning meeting, but I'm sure you'll discuss that um, as well. And uh, so everybody's just gearing up for a great year. three. Matt, >> thank you. Yeah, I agree. So, we're just kind of getting our feet wet with some of the new committees and new committee
members and learning some things. So, uh like Councilman Lerner said, we met with the community activities and I just want to reiterate, um you know, our community activities department is head and shoulders above any department in Union County, most
likely in the state of New Jersey. I absolutely one of my one of their biggest fans. They just do incredible work. Allison did a really nice job of of, you know, bringing Allan up to speed on what they do and and there's a lot to learn because they do a lot >> a lot. >> They don't just do recreation stuff. They every event that happens throughout
the burrow, right? Today we approved the sustainability committees um you know calendar of events and and that that was that's more of like a guideline on on some of the things that we've talked about leading into the end of the year. I think there's a couple other things that the sustainability
committee might be working on as well that will be introduced. But again, the recreation department is very instrumental uh and it's really community activities. It was renamed I guess community activities years ago because that's what they do. They do everything in this community that relates to uh any activities whether
it's recreation or community events. So, um I'm actually looking really looking forward to to working with Allan on that and and working with Allison and um seeing what we can do to help make it even better. Uh communications, uh let Brian uh give his uh update on
that as well. But, uh another just great meeting of learning what the communications committee is about and and our handbooks and and and all that good stuff. So, um, you know, we always talk about our communications is our our handbook, uh, is like a living document,
right? And we're going to look at it and we got new fresh eyes and we'll look at it and we'll see, uh, where we can improve it, right, if if necessary and and add or subtract if necessary as well. So, uh, that was a good first meeting there. Uh, engineering and construction, just want to reiterate the
the project that we just talked about today, Union Avenue, that's the big project right now that's open. Uh there's a couple projects on the horizon. We're talking about the police department. Uh the DPW building, I think we're we have some uh
delays in relation to what the building is going to be and the company and things of that nature. So that might slip into next year, but again, those are big ticket items that we'll be working on this year. Uh labor negotiations. We have uh the labor negotiations with with our police this
year, which is always fun. Um, >> and teamsters >> and teamsters, right? Uh, before I get to planning board, just like we talked a little bit about sustainability, I just wanted to mention on the diversity committee, our first meeting was really
refreshing to be honest. There there were only five of the 10 committee members on the on the call, but of those five, four were brand new people, right? And brand new meaning first time just volunteering on a committee. So, they had a lot of energy, right? had a lot of
uh a lot of discussion uh for our first meeting. So, you know, it's great to see we always talk about how this community really thrives on its volunteers. So, this is a perfect example of we got fresh new volunteers and I can guarantee you there'll be some good stuff coming
out of that committee uh as well. Um and then just wanted to end on the planning board. The planning board we finalized Toll Brothers, right? So, we've been talking about Toll Brothers for like six months, right? Six, seven months. We've >> had multiple meetings on it. Uh the Toll
Brothers uh development um was approved. So, so that development will be moving forward. Um the next steps there will be uh the resolution will be drafted and there are a lot of
um there are a lot of things that we discussed over the six or seven months that that are going to be required to do uh in terms of that development. So, that's going to be a bit that that a resolution that once is passed will then
go to our Department of Construction for them to work on the plans and and get the that ball rolling. Um, if you want to see the plans and where we landed, they're on the website. So, you can go to our website and you can see those. And, you know, I want to thank the mayor
who honestly was very direct to be honest, right? I mean, and and he made a lot of really >> great points about the Burough of New Providence and what we expect and what we want, um, as part in terms of
development, uh, in the burrow. So, uh, it took a little bit of, you know, pushing and shoving. I don't know the right term, but, uh, they ultimately got to a point where they, you know, the development was going to happen, right? I mean, the bottom line,
it was going to happen. There's it's part of our our you know third round uh overlay and you know we were able to get a good result the best result I think uh for the bureau of new providence and that didn't come from just you know the
mayor screaming and yelling right part of it also came from the public and there were a couple hundred people in that room day one packed it's the most I've ever seen uh for any meeting uh and it it it spoke volumes and and it dwindled towards the end. Uh but I think
it dwindled towards the end because people started seeing that they were actually making changes and and we got to a place where people were really happy. Even the people that were across the street that uh were were really against it, I think ultimately realized that that was the best result we could
have possibly got. So I want to thank the public uh for for showing up right and and literally being heard because that that spoke volumes to to me. um that board, you know, they put a lot of time and effort and many many hours and
long hours at night, you know, and you know, Brian was a resident, right? Showed up to all those meetings as well. It it's an effort. Um and and so I just want to thank the board and the attorneys and and everyone involved. It was it was the single hardest um
application that I've seen in 12 years. So I hope um we don't have many many more but unfortunately we will uh with you know the affordable overlay and um you know meeting our mandate but again uh everybody did a great job and I just wanted to say thank you for that.
>> I just want to want to add on I got a chance to see a lot of the process you know sitting in the audience as a private citizen and really kudos to the entire planning board. I mean from where it started to where it ended it it really is the best possible solution given the constraints you know um it it
was a great example of compromise and a great example of of just the community and the board really you know holding them to account so just really fantastic job to the whole planning board. Thank you. You're here. >> Thank you. >> I mean I think it's uh noteworthy that
they eliminated 23 units. They lowered it a whole story and they changed the whole design. >> Yeah. >> And they didn't they didn't uh uh negate any of their affordable housing
obligation. >> And they're all integrated so you don't even know where they are. That was a big important plus. >> Well, even even little things like the look and feel of the place, you know, that I know mayor, you were really keen on that one. And again, the before and
after on that was really stark. So, >> you know, I remember the first meeting and me and Brian are sitting there and we're having like side conversations and I'm like, "This is what it should be. This is what it should be. This is what it should look like." And you know, months and months later, like finally, like basically everything we had talked
about, okay, made this recession. >> Well, I'll tell you, I think Matt's right. It made a big difference that the uh the public was here. >> Absolutely. >> And you know, the numbers spoke volumes there. So, >> that's great. Lisa,
>> thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to say, Kathleen, I agree with you 100%. Um, we we've been saying all along to keep politics out of things. And so, you know, going forward, I look forward to
working with everyone as a team. I know that we will put politics aside and we will put New Providence first. That has always been our goal. So it's on >> and that doesn't mean that we can't agree to disagree. >> Sure. Sure. Of course >> because that happens
>> with any group civil and we we we respect each other and we can disagree left and right. But you know when it comes to local stuff like this, there's not too much to argue about. >> Pretty cut.
>> Can I just say something? Look, um at the end of the day, we're neighbors. >> Yeah. It's not like we're sort of like fighting with someone that lives fighting is like a maybe not the right word arguing or disagreeing with people that live, you know, hundreds of miles away. We're neighbors and we should act
neighborly. All the stuff that happened during the election. Look, I'm I'm a big boy. I know people like to talk, like to call names, and it doesn't affect me. What affects me is not willing to work together to make
this burrow the best it could possibly be. And you know, I had a long conversation with Matt after our first meeting that look, there may have been some like, you know, issues in the past, but I'm willing to put all that stuff behind us because the business of the
burrow is what it's about. And, you know, Matt reiterated, you know, actions speak louder than words and I'm willing to put that action ahead. So, I know most of you on the council haven't got to know me and haven't given a chance to
get to know me, and I'm hoping that you do. I'm a great guy. I'm a little biased because it's me, but I want to I want this to be a positive environment where we can get stuff done.
And that's not to say we're not going to disagree, but the civility aspect, we should be able to talk amongst ourselves, agree to disagree, and put the burrow ahead of it
all. So, I'm all in. >> Great. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lisa. >> Um, so everyone had nice little preliminary meetings, but America 250 really hit the ground running. Uh so so Naen and I met with uh America 250 on
January 12th. Maria Duca was elected chair. Thank God because she's >> How surprising that is. >> Thank God. Um so and I don't know if my report will be anything like Dian's was, but we will try. Um so what we're really
basically looking to do, and I'm going to just kind of repeat everything that Diane has already said, really looking to spread the 250 logo this year. Um, we're working on that. I know the police have the logo in their windows, which is great. Fire and EM EMS are working on it. >> And on the cars.
>> And on on the cars. Yes. On the on the car windows. Um, we're really looking to see if we can project it somewhere. So, we we just had a lot of thoughts and ideas. So, we So, more on that later. Um, I know that Diane talked about the
lantern project. Um, we have the 13 lanterns hanging at the Saltbox Museum, which is beautiful. And the goal is to have them spread around town. So, we want it to be an organic movement so that people, you know, go and order
them, hang them on your property, and even after this year that we just kind of continue it. It's just charming and it's beautiful and it's just speaks to New Providence like so much, you know, these charming little lanterns. But, we really are going to push that. So, we
are working on a flyer. Once we get that approved, we're going to push that out and hopefully everyone will get on board. >> Are they solar? >> They're solar. I just ordered mine on Amazon. >> It's going to be tough hanging them in trees. >> Well, you got to hang them down a little bit lower so that they're they don't get
the canopy of the leaves. >> Um, but it's possible. You got to hang them a little bit lower. >> Not necessarily in the trees. So, where I have mine is I just have um a post that I put plants on, flower, a flower post, and I just have them hanging on the flower post so they get the direct
sun and they look beautiful lit up at night. They kind of they flicker like they're Yeah, they're really nice. Um highly recommend. >> You have to use Amazon. Is there anybody else? >> You can anywhere you see them. >> We can't actually promote any >> but anywhere you see it. >> No, I got mine on Amazon. You can get
yours wherever you like. >> Um what else? So, I passed out to you to to all of council just um a calendar of events. We'll be getting this out to everybody soon. >> It just, you know, has events every
single month of what we're going to be doing to celebrate America 250. We are working in collaboration with the historical society, the library, and the schools which are really hosting a lot of these events. Um what we are going to
be doing as a burrow is on Saturday, April 18th is uh Reverend Codwell Day. There's a lot of history about him. Working on a display at the library that really explains his connection to New Providence and why we really picked
Reverend Codwell uh for this particular endeavor. But it's going to be a day of donation. And throughout that entire day, we're going to have a list of places where you can donate, things you can do, blood drives,
um, donating at link, donating at the historical society, but that will come. So that's on April 18th. And then another exciting thing is the oldtimey baseball. If this is anything that you might be interested in, please let us know because we are looking for
volunteers. >> I would. So, we need players. You know, we're going to be getting these oldtimey fun uniforms. Uh, and then we'll have them play maybe against a new timey baseball team. I don't know. >> Wonder if the new province high school
team would play. >> Well, we have the Reds, you know. So, the Reds maybe we can kind of mix the teams up a little bit. So, >> Oh, yeah. That that'll be a close game. >> We're going to mix the teams, you know, not all not all the Reds on one side. >> Um, so that was America 250. I have a
very important question. Will the Hamilton movie Watch be a singalong? >> Um, good question. >> Yeah, absolutely. You can sing if you want. >> No, we want people to actually come. >> Yeah. >> Um, on the 20 on the 14th, Naen, myself,
Al Morgan, we met with the New Providence Biz and did. that that was a high level strategic meeting just kind of going over some of the goals and objectives for this coming year and just reiterating that the businesses are totally vested and totally support our
community. So please keep in mind that they sponsor so many things. Please, you know, shop local when and if possible. Uh library board met on January 20th. The the friends of the library gave an update on their planned activities for
the year. They, as usual, they have a ton of activities, um, you know, revolving around art and fundraisers. One of the interesting things that I picked up is on May 16th, there's going to be a a vinyl record sale.
Very exciting. >> My son just My son just bought about 50 vinyl records. >> Yeah. Well, I just overpaid at a local business that was going out of business, but like um vinyl record sale on May 16th. >> They're coming back. >> They are coming back. May 16th, >> but our turntable's coming back.
>> My my sister gave my son my father's >> turntable and then he just went off. >> But >> it has actually it's refreshing listening to the vinyl records to be honest. >> It is. >> I bet you're not playing it on 78,
>> right? >> I remember 78. >> So um the friends also presented a check to the library for 14,400. That's how much we appreciate them. Um, that check is used to pay for all the programming and they use it to pay for all the museum passes.
>> So, thank you to the friends for that. Um, just an aside too, the li the library had set aside about $25,000 to buy new tables, chairs to refresh the furniture. Um, but we received a very generous donation from a business of
gorgeous stuff. Saved us $25,000. So, all of the chairs and meeting tables now in the Conti room have been donated. They look brand new. They're absolutely stunning. And a lot of the seating chairs out in the reading area also donated. Beautiful.
>> Um, so again, lots of programming. Please check the website. A lot going on at the library. Uh, the senior committee, Naen and I met with Allison and Michelle on January 20th. We reviewed, you know, basically what um
what Michelle does for the seniors at the Dorsa, which is a law. Um they have a calendar that comes out every month. There's multiple activities a day, programs, opportunities, um virtual programs, language classes,
arts, crafts, knitting, exercise, you name it. U Michelle does a wonderful job there at the Dorso Center with our seniors. Um, I also learned that Allison and Michelle are responsible for our AARP certification. Um, so just in case
nobody knew, uh, New Providence is AARP certified. There is a three-year master plan that gets renewed every three years and, um, Allison and Michelle are in charge of that. We also will be scheduling, uh, quarterly catchup
meetings with our seniors. We, you know, we have to decide when. I think, you know, at the Dorso, we thought about Fridays because it kind of coincides with their bingo. You know, we might get a lot bigger crowd if we get them there for something else. But so we'll be spreading that out among the council
people here. Uh so between Zorso and Lantern Hill, we'll see what we can do with getting in front of our seniors to inform them of what we have been working on, what's going on in New Providence, what they need to know, and and open it
up to questions from them. >> And Barabash Manor as well. >> And Barabash Manor. Yes. >> Uh and lastly, finance committee. We had a very preliminary meeting. um just reviewed the uh preliminary uh schedule
and we are tentatively scheduled for May 20 March 24th to present the budget. >> So stay tuned. Alan and I I'm Brian and I have a lot of work ahead of us. Looking forward to it the next couple of months. Um it's it's labor intensive
budget. >> Yeah, it's good work to do. >> Fun stuff. So >> Okay, Brian. >> All righty. Um on communications, uh as as Matt said, we had we had a good meeting um starting to look at some of the the data and statistics for for the for the site and the services that we
offer. Um looking at, you know, what are the most effective ways of communicating stuff out to the public and and mostly just looking to start setting our goals for the year and as Matt said, looking at the handbook and just to kind of uh getting a course charted. Uh no meeting for legal and regulatory yet. Uh mental
health, uh great first meeting. One of one of my big takeaways was that we have more potential events and needs than than we have people right now. So, if anyone in the sound of my voice is interested in volunteering, um we'd love to we'd love to have you. Uh come on in
and help out. Um there's a lot of great stuff planned over over the year. We're just trying to figure out, you know, how how to make it all happen, but there's a lot of good work happening there. Um Community Forest, uh and cable TV, we're still waiting for the go sign for those. Um, and then last but not least, the
highlight of my report is we have a rock star in our audience because from the board of education, I can report that Bernardet received a a recognition for her fantastic service uh to the board of education. SO, >> I was looking real quick. I was like, is
there a rockstar? >> Bernardet's the rockar. down. It's all all you. >> That's a good point. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I would just like to reiterate what the mayor said about um thanking our DPW, Office of Emergency Management, Police Department,
EMS, fire, uh, for their work during the storm. Uh, their level of professionalism is off the charts. Um, and I do ask that our residents be a little patient as our DPW crews continue to clean up. Uh, where the snow may have stopped, they are still out there
working. They're still cleaning sidewalks. They're still on the intersections. They're still trying to, you know, make some roads a little bit more wide. Um, so if you can just give them a little grace, that would be great. Um, due to the ongoing snow removal at the DPW yard, um, and the
work that they're doing, they are not going to be open on February 7th for recycling. So, the recycling yard will be closed. Um, and then um just two plugs for um February 4th, the police department is hosting their annual town
hall meeting here in council chambers between at starting at 7:00. And on February 5th, uh we will be hosting an information session for residents that live on and around Maple Street between Central and Mountain regarding the upcoming safety and roadway improvements
along Maple Street, which will include the realignment of the intersections at the Felsway and Maple and Mountain Avenue and Maple Street. These improvements are intended to enhance safety and traffic operations for motorists and pedestrians. Letters are going out to residents tomorrow and the
meeting will be held here in council chambers beginning at 7. That's all I have. >> Okay. I'm glad you reminded me about the uh we made a commitment I guess three years ago and having the
uh public the uh traffic studies and and all that done with the police department every February. So that'll be uh that'll be good. Um, also I want to congratulate John Signarello who's our new emergency
management coordinator. He's also the fire chief. He did an outstanding job and um, you know, we kind of forget what all that goes into that. The the biggest part of that job is having to report everything. So,
>> okay. Um, at this time we have a public comment. Anybody wishing to address council? Yes, sir. >> Uh, Rich Cuomo, 126 Bradford Street. So, first of all, I just want to echo the thoughts and sentiments around DPW. I drove in Jersey City today for work.
>> We do a a great job here. Very clear. I'm actually glad you're here because Kate sent a bunch of questions and I was Oh, >> yeah. We'll get you the answers. What I want to know, uh, are you available on Thursday so I can meet with you guys and
go over everything with you? >> We will talk. I don't know about Thursday, but we definitely need to find some time to connect without without >> Yeah, because Thursday I'm I'm free. So, >> all right, let let me talk to Kate. We'll see what we can do. >> Okay. Um, so just, you know, given that, so on behalf of the Rise New Providence
stormwater resident task force, I would like to share with the full council a set of questions that the mayor just alluded to that we submitted to the stormwork committee, storm water committee via email prior to this meeting. Um, we respectfully request responses within a reasonable time frame. So already, thank you for that.
We will continue. Um, if we can talk about anything tonight, even better. Um, but we're, you know, not expecting it. So, first and foremost, I think we just want to understand, you know, given the changes, um, if committee membership has changed and what that membership may
look like. >> Kathleen, >> Kathleen, >> great. >> Hi. >> Looking forward to working with you. >> Same. >> Um, the remainder of the questions really revolve around three themes, mapping, maintenance, and communication. So, I know we talked about interested to
hear the communication because that's definitely a key piece to the message we're trying to get out around storm water and the flood remediation. So, in terms of mapping, um, is storm water mapping actively underway right now. >> And we have to we're talking to Congress
about it, but we are. So, >> okay. All right. Um, you know, I I'll don't actually expect a response because I know some of these will we will wait for the formal written, but I did want to just for the benefit of the council just read them. Um, what mapping methodology is being used or planned?
Um, is there an established timeline for completing the mapping? Right. Everything's frozen now, so it's not as big a deal until it melts. Um, and then it overflows and and overloads our storm water drains and and other um runoff. So, it will quickly become a problem.
Um, on the maintenance side, does the bureau currently have a documented preventative or predictive maintenance program for the existing storm water system? And this is really important too because it's not just about when a storm happens. It's making sure the pipes are clean before
>> really to go through all this now is I'm not going to take everybody's time but >> I I've explained this in over and over that all these things are going to be longterm.
You know mapping all this maintenance we take care the hotspots first which we pretty much have this past year. We've spent how much? It it's it's close to a million dollars already with remediation.
So, you know, there's only so much money that could go in the pot. And for us to continue, we got to go through the capital budget and get a new budget for the year. So, right now, you know, to give you a a timeline, I
can't do that right now. And again, I'm not looking for it on the spot, but I think >> for not being in this and that alone, right, with all due respect, >> over the course of 20 years, so >> you know, with all due respect, I think that there are some more immediate problems that we can solve, right? Well,
we have a camera and the town, right, does town a lot. It's $7,000 a day that we have to do. >> So, those are the things we need to talk about, right? How do we and in terms of that maintenance and proactive understanding? We we hire colleagues that have
acquirement. >> So you have a lot of answers. It seems like what we want then to flip to the last theme is around the communication right and the transparency of that communication. So we really understand not just as the coun you know as the committee and task force but also as a residents because it's you know we're
representing some hot spots about seven or so around town. There are a lot of other spots that we're not aware of. Right. We've had some residents stand up and actually identify themselves and and work with us. But we know that across the board it's a big issue, right? It doesn't take much to drive action lines
and I think we've uh pretty much took care of almost all the action lines that came in. >> So the action line requests that came in were just to identify areas in the burrow that residents felt we were having issues that may not have been on the burough's website on the burrow's
radar. Um, obviously our emergency personnel have a different view of what happens during a storm because they are actually out there in the trenches and they're they know where the manhole covers are popping and where, you know, where we're putting up barricades that
cars don't go through flood waters. So, um, that all plays into what's happening. >> Agre and and 100% agree and and we obviously appreciate that. I think again what we're asking here is what we're looking for is that collaboration, right? because your best weapon against all this are the the residents who see
it on a day in and day out basis and they're the ones frankly being impacted the most right when you know I came up personally too my basement's flooded a couple of times fortunately and and extraordinarily appreciative as as Kate is as well of the work that was done on our street and we view that as a template for how we take this activity
forward right it started with just the camera and the pipe and we found out that pipe was didn't exist anymore I think we can apply that very simple thing we're not asking for millions and millions of dollars to be spent though if it turns into that then we start talking about that we have that conversation too so just I think the
collaboration patience and working together is really what we're looking for and that goes into the communication discussion as well um so like I said you know we do appreciate the collaboration we appreciate and and thank you for the offer we will figure out if we can meet Thursday um looking forward to continue
the collaboration working together because I think this is a really big issue for the town um because let's face it we don't want to be underwater and we and we see what happens. We've all driven through it and our houses have been impacted. So, thank you all. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else?
>> Yes. Alan, >> I can Alan Swanson, 47 overhill road. Um, you know, I've come here for many years and we haven't always agreed. So, I just want to let you know that I'm also a really great guy. Okay. >> Must be an Allen.
>> Stole my life. >> Couldn't prison. >> Yeah, but you spell it right. >> I do. Um I I too want to say it was great that the Toll Brothers who
came in here at the initial meeting and going some of that coming across as well we're the Toll Brothers. I mean, what? We're the Toll Brothers. And of course, the outcome was uh very positive for us and they discovered that, you know,
well, okay, we were going to have to make some changes here because these people know what they're talking about. So, that's good. Um I have um a quick question about um the cor the procedures and and the correspondence
aspect of the the meetings. I'm I'm curious as to when when you have something from the residents, is there something additional that that happens other than you've announced at the meeting here that I I received a letter from this person or that person? I mean,
is there is there an outcome for the people um when they send in things? >> Well, usually it's just a matter of fact correspondence. So I would say I would say that yes, correspondences are responded to depending on what the
correspondence is and whether it deserves or or requires a response. >> But yes, there there are actions for all correspondents >> uh from the residents, the ones that show up on and ver that can talk to this that they're when they put the agenda
together, any correspondence that comes to mayor and counsel goes on the agenda. Correct. and and that's the requirement. >> We get a lot of correspondence to to us individually. It might be uh a specific
question which we then will contact that resident and answer their question. Um, if it's a statement, then it's just a statement that gets posted on the agenda if it's to >> So, I'll give you I'll give you an example of today. There was a correspondence about the
video being pulled or wasn't available. And the response back to that resident was yes, it's available. It was actually pulled down. The 30 minutes that you looked for it wasn't there because it was being edited. So, it was responded to. Does that make sense? >> Oh, sure. No, I I'm I'm just
>> So, Alan, to answer your question, anything that's addressed to mayor and council goes on the agenda. Many times many times the items that are on the agenda have already been dealt with, but they have come into mayor and council, so they become public. So, many
of these residents have already received answers to their correspondence. There are some that council may have to take action on that remain open until after we discuss it. >> Is the is the response to when someone
puts out something that ends up on the agenda something that should be also available to the public? >> Not necessarily. >> 95% of it is just, you know, like stuff from the county or D. I'm not talking
about the county or I mean I I don't want to go into it >> like the one like like the one with from uh Mr. Carellis with the ebikes. >> I I made a few comments about what we're doing with the ebikes and the new
legislation. So I mean >> I think what you're saying Alan maybe is that you see cuz you're looking through the agenda you're clicking on the link you see the correspondence because it's available publicly on the agenda but you don't see the answer to
the question >> don't see the public respon I mean >> right but >> if what's the point in putting it on the agenda if the response >> to it is not also public >> oh a lot of residents sometimes want something to be put on the agenda so everybody knows that they've asked the
question. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they just say, "Hey, you know what? I just I don't want to be on the agenda. I just want to know why this happened." Sometimes they want it to be on the agenda. So the council, it goes on the agenda. >> Yeah. If it's on the agenda and there is a response that has been made by the
council, why wouldn't that be something that's should be in the public realm as well? >> If they've asked us a question and you've given a response, shouldn't the public know the response? >> It's operable. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. >> I said it's operable. If you want it, you can go get it.
>> It's public record. >> I I I I think >> the response is public record. >> Yeah. >> I've sent many respon letters in over the years that I've not received any responses on. So I don't I couldn't look up any public record on some of the
suggestions that I've put in. I'm not trying to I don't know argumentative. I'm just trying to clarify it that you are saying if it's on the agenda and you give a response. You've given them a response that you don't it doesn't have to be open to the
public. I mean, how would I know? I I have to do an Oprah request if I want to know. >> Or you can just call the burrow and say, "Hey, I saw this correspondence. Could you tell me what the answer was?" They'd be happy to give it to you.
Okay. Um, just one other quick little thing I that I want to say that given given some of the things that have been said about uh the demonstrations that I coordinated in the in the town, um,
there seems to be this notion that somehow if there's a a demonstration or a protest that it has something to do with new providence necessarily. It doesn't any any more than you know
the the no kings demonstrations that were here weren't weren't about anything that was wrong with New Providence or anything. New Providence became a venue for that just as the, you know, the people in other all over the country are
are demonstrating because of what's going on in Minnesota or whatever. And they're not they're not necessarily demonstrating against the leadership of Minnesota or the police in Minnesota. Um
they just want to ex take advantage of their first amendment right to assemble to address redress the concerns that they have uh that are taking place at the at
the national level. Um I bring this up because um there will be more demonstrations in New Providence. um not when it's almost below zero, but um
we're we're not quite as involved as they are in Minnesota. So, I'm I'm not organizing anything in the near future, but um there there is a a desire on the part of people to get out and express their concerns at of what's going on
nationally. and um and it's this is a good place. I mean people, you know, came in and things were be handled very well here. Uh and and the the thought that
this is a separate thing, but the thought that somehow someone like me needs to pay um for the services that are provided here doesn't really jive with our
constitution. So just those kinds of comments are kind of useless, I guess, is what I'm what I'm saying. Anyway, so I I appreciate the >> Hey, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yes, Linda.
>> Linda Gleon, 118 Woodbine Circle. I want to thank council for dialing back the vitriol. you really all seem to be making an effort to get along and get on with the business that council is supposed to do. So, I appreciate
everybody's making an effort to do that. It is obvious that you are doing that. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Linda. >> Anyone else? >> Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing close. Any motion for items 1
through 17? >> So moved. Second. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Learner. >> I. >> Miss. Dolan. I. >> Mrs. Joffrey. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kamisky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mcnite?
>> Yes. Mr. Gardner? I entertain.