Call the meeting to order roll call please. >> Miss Dolan here. >> Miss Bisca present. Mayor Morgan >> here. >> Mrs. Jeffoffrey >> yes I'm here. >> Mr. Kogan >> here. >> Mr. Kamisky >> I am here. >> 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. It's a public meeting for council board and providence county state New Jersey. Adequate notice has been given in
accordance with PL 1975 chapter 231. Then annual notice was made in conformance with section 13 of the act. We have a public hearing for ordinance 17. Can I have a motion please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Uh could you please read the title, Denise? Ordinance 2025-17 is a bond ordinance reappropriating $200,000 in obligations not needed for their original purposes in order to provide for the renovation of burrow owned grass
fields in and by the bureau of new providence in the county of union state of New Jersey. >> Uh what we're doing is uh that 200,000 was uh wasn't used for growth terrace and it's going to be used for the barfield. Uh, anybody uh wishing to
address council in this ordinance, this ordinance only? Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing close. Roll call, please. >> Miss Dolan, >> yes. Miss Bisca, >> I. >> Mrs. Jeffrey, >> yes. Mr. Kogan, >> yes. >> Mr. Kamisky. >> I.
>> Okay. Ordinance 18. Motion, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Uh, please read the title. Ordinance 2025-18 is an ordinance of the Bureau of New Providence authorizing the sale of property known as block 185, lot 23.01,
no longer needed for public use. >> What this is is uh uh property we no longer need, so we're going to uh sell it. Um roll call, please. Oh, anybody wishing to address council on this ordinance and
this ordinance only? Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing closed. Uh, roll call, please. >> Miss Dolan, >> yes. >> Miss Blesca, >> I. >> Mrs. Joffrey, >> yes. >> Mr. Kogan, >> yes. >> Mr. Kamiski, >> I have approval of minutes. December
2nd, please. >> So move. >> I'll second. All >> in favor? >> Yeah. I >> No. So be it. Before we go any further, I just want to uh mention that we've had a lot of carnage
throughout the world these last couple weeks. Supposed to be a a time of celebration, holidays. Uh we just did a manora lighting at the Lutheran church,
festival lights. Uh we have Christmas. You know, I always tell people we just left uh got out of Thanksgiving. We gave thanks for all the blessings and Christmas is a time for giving,
charity, brotherhood, goodwill, and here we are. And in the last week or so, we've had two National Guard uh people shot,
had 15 people killed in Australia, our Jewish neighbors, and I don't know, countless that were injured. Um just today last night Rob and Michelle uh Riner where we're stabbed to
death by their son supposed allegedly >> and Brown University >> Brown University it's all over and I just wish somehow we could all unite
and get along. I just I have a very hard time wrapping myself around that kind of hate. It just is senseless and it makes no sense whatsoever. So, if we could uh stand and have a
moment of silence, please. Thank you. >> Okay, we have some correspondence. Uh, planning board 21 Chandlin. I'm sure Matt will talk about that a little bit.
Uh, Township of Berkeley Heights, an ordinance on lock rating. Uh, Peter Biano uh about uh neighborhood complaints and fences and hedges and harassment. uh the Providence Downtown Business
Associate or Downtown Improvement District thanking uh the council and Bernardet particularly uh on the help that we we've helped them throughout the year. Uh they're a great community partner.
uh New Providence Fire Department uh resignation from Conor Connor man and we thank him for his service and word of adjustment for 210 Livingston Avenue. Any comments?
>> Seeing none, go to council business. Uh Diane community activities. >> Thank you, mayor. Resolution 2025327 is a resolution authorizing the application for the local recreation
improvement grant 2026 for the Burough New Providence. Basically, this is requesting permission to apply for the 2026 grant and the amount of $60,000 to replace the benches in Centennial Park. Um Centennial Park was done what is it
20 25 years ago at this point? Um and >> 20 202. >> Okay. >> 23 years. >> So, um it it's something that we've been talking about. We've been talking about it with beautifification. We've talking about it on council. We've been talking about it with community activities. Um
so, it's something that has been uh well discussed and well thought out. So, this is a great way to help that uh along. Those benches are used frequently. I mean, parents with kids during the day, concerts and stuff. So, it will be a
great addition uh to renovate those. Um 2025328 is a resolution of the Burough of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey rejecting all proposals for sports instruction. Basically, uh the bureau only received one bid which
exceeded um I believe by a lot anticipated cost of running certain programs. So, we're just going to rebid the pro uh the program in hopes of getting additional bids. So, that happens from time to time. Okay. Well, you're still up with communications. >> I will continue ongoing. Resolution
2025329 is a resolution of the Burrow Council of the Bureau of New Providence, County of Union, State of New Jersey, adopting the communications plan for the Burrow of New Providence. So, this is a plan that happens every well, it's a living
document. Um we've all we know that um it is something that uh we look at frequently, we update frequently, but every five years we formalize that. Um uh the major changes to that was the
graphic identity policy um which is still it's under development and uh our recommendation as communications committee is to um have Cindy Reese the public information officer during the 2026 year come up with a comprehensive
plan. Um so Matt and Alex and I worked on this plan throughout the year. If you've heard come to any of the meetings you've heard us talk about it. you know, we're we're looking at it. We're looking at it. Um, we've looked at different uh plans. We've looked at different universities, different um because you
know how we stalk other uh uh municipalities in the area because why recreate the wheel? So, we've looked at a lot of different um uh policies and we've come to the conclusion that our recommendation and one of the goals for council would be to have Cindy and the
bureau look at a graphic identity policy, come up with something that's comprehensive and um usable for the bureau, right? um she and our wonderful burough administration and our our employees would be the best people to
come up with what will be the best give us a specific identity and but not overburden our employees. So that's one of our um that's our recommendation for that specific policy and I don't think there was anything other major going on
with that policy. I mean, if you look in in as you've reviewed it, everything that we do is enumerated in there. In 2022, we did this. In 2027, well, not 2027, 2024, we did that. So, >> it's a living document. We've always
said that from the beginning. And we'll we'll look for ways to improve it every as chance we get. >> Yeah. And it's a very high level document. So, >> can I ask a question? What is a graphic identity exactly? >> Well, I can read you. It is it's
basically um branding. >> Okay. So, colors, fonts, >> right? So, a graphic identity policy what we put in the in the the uh plan the plan is ensures a unified professional and recognizable visual
presentation of the burrow in all communications. A consistent identity strengthens public trust, improves recognition, and conveys coherence, modernity, I'm not pronouncing that correctly, and proximity to citizens. Okay. >> So basically like when can you use a seal? What should this uh report look
like? How should we you know what font we can use >> letters footers. >> So um you know actually like Alex was saying at at Rockefeller University it gets down to the like minutia like thou shalt not use a a subscript unless it is in x y and I don't know we need to be
that specific. So like a standard PowerPoint slide deck kind of template. Yeah I got it. Thank you. Yep. So, >> okay, engineer. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, resolution uh 330, resolution approving change room number
two for grade construction in amount of $10,340.93 for the new Providence Community Pool Bridge Replacement Project. So, this was just a slight change order for uh some of the work on the abutments um like a field condition. Uh resolution 331,
resolution approving progress payment number three for grade construction amount of $17,000 $17,212.32 for the community pool bridge replacement project. So this is the final payment less than 2% retainage.
Resolution 332, resolution approving requisition R25 02459 for Document Solutions LLC in the amount not to exceed $4,896.99 for Epson T5170M
large format printer and scanner for planning and development. Uh I think this is long overdue. uh rather than sending out uh uh burrowed uh plans for being uh printed and scanned, uh we're buying our own scanner, uh this will definitely save money in the long run.
>> Okay. Finance A. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um resolution 2025-333 is a resolution authorizing payment of the attached bills payable list in the amount of $498,960.72. Uh the large items in that include our
monthly health insurance bill to Horizon for $143,7363. Our monthly appropriation to the library for $104,957.50. Our solid waste bill to suburban disposal, $49,83.33. returning escrow and a bond to South
Street Commons, $25,3452. Um, some confined space equipment for firefighter one for our firefighters, $20,51,3.80 and UC Utilities Authority November disposal for $19,797.90.
The next resolution is resolution 2025-334 which is the transfer re resolution. So as always this time of year as budget is winding down we shift some stuff from line to line. If one line has excess and one line needs a little bit they
transfer it back and forth. So this is usual course of business. So this resolution is doing that. >> Okay. >> Thank you mayor. Resolution 335 salary resolution. Uh this is the salary increases for the burough employees not covered by the collective bargaining
agreement. As stipulated in employee handbook, salary increases will become effective on January 1st. So all these increases are in line with all the collective bargaining units. >> Okay. um resolution um
336 and that's a resolution which authorizing the sale of retire of a weapon his service weapon to uh Sergeant Wilson. We always do that for anybody that uh retires.
Uh 337 is a resolution for Motorola Solutions for $4,49841 and it's for radios for the police. Uh raffle application RA 1249
and that is for Sulk School PTA and it's been properly uh prepared and reviewed. And resolution 338 is a labor contract between the Burough New Providence and the uh chief of police to go through uh
2027. Anybody any comments? >> Seeing none. So before we do anything else, um Paul, this is your last meeting with us. This is
>> and we wish you all the best in retirement and I personally want to thank you for being such a good counselor for me and for the uh entire burrow. It's been an absolute pleasure working with you. >> I appreciate it.
>> So on behalf of the burrow, >> you can come up. >> Now you know why he wore the tie. You didn't even know. >> You know, it's really sad over the
years. You know, you really get to know people and it's going to be different. >> Yes. >> We do want to give you the clock. >> Thank you very much. >> You know what? It actually works. >> So, I appreciate it. >> Now, now he can't be late. Even though
he'll be retired. >> When is he late? That's right. He'll continue to be on time. [Applause]
>> Yeah, we did. Doesn't want to sh >> We'll just wait. >> But you keep my mouth shut. But again, what are you going to do during the day? You won't be able to call. >> He's at least a one a day phone call for me.
>> At least. All right. Committee reports. Uh the one thing and Alex is more of an engineer, but u >> really >> a little bit >> a little bit experience. I see Kate's
here and uh just wanted to want you to know and I know you already know because I taught you this morning about the lines in the pipe uh went through. Thank God. They'll have to rip up a bunch of uh uh landscaping and everything else.
Other things that are are coming there, there's some uh assembly uh uh um resolutions coming up for storm order uh and we'll see if they get passed. Maybe
they can help us. But Bernardet went to a meeting with Angie Deainy from Berkeley Heights and they went to Channon Burough, right? and talked to the mayor of Hanover and uh he talked about uh how they got
funding to I guess they dredged the whippity river. >> So um maybe you can expound a little more on that Thomas how we how we today they went about doing it. So, ironically, um, our own engineer,
Andy Hibblelet, um, was part of that project. Um, and they had set up the meeting with Chadam and Berkeley Heights, and Andy invited me along with the mayor from, I think it was East Hanover or Hanover. Um, and it was congressionally funded um, money. Um,
Mikey Cheryl helped get it for them. Um, and over the I think the course of three years that it it was more than a million dollars. So, it would really go a long way at this point. Yeah. Now I I can tell you that two years ago, Congressman Kaine had a bill
in which was Long Hill, Berkeley Heights, New Providence >> Summit >> and Summit and we tooured the whole river and went through the whole thing. However, Congress uh eliminated it in the last round. So, we're going back to
the well again to try and get that funding. So, that's where we're at right now. Um, I want to thank the the fire department. They uh went around did their Santa uh was very successful. They uh they
actually had two over 200 stops this year which you know it it was incredible. And they did have their uh elections >> very contentious election process. >> Yeah. Everybody stayed the same. I think
I think I that that was the quickest selection ever. >> It was at least the ones we >> It was great. So, but we want to thank all them. Uh we had the Hanukkah lighting tonight at Faith Lutheran. >> 19th year they've been doing it. So,
it's it's always good to see everybody getting together and celebrating. So, >> they were talking about making it even bigger next year. >> Yeah. >> For the 20th, >> right? So >> um a lot of good things happening in
town. So >> I guess uh very proud of this town and the way it conducts itself and um you know we really don't have any you know major problems but you know that's because we do the right things
here. So at that point I I'll leave it to you. >> Oh go ahead. >> Thank you mayor. Uh so this is the last uh I guess committee report for 2025. So just wanted to recap. Um I was assigned
three committees as the primary council person when I joined the council in January. The first was the diversity committee which is at the beginning of the year had only one volunteer appointed and I was working with Alex Kogan. Uh we met with former volunteers
as well as residents who expressed an interest in getting involved in this important community group and I'm happy to confirm that we have a robust slate of 10 volunteers uh to be appointed and um relaunching this committee once they
are appointed next month. Uh we also have a preliminary calendar of 2026 events that has been prepared for approval. Uh the second was the new Providence Municipal Alliance. This is a committee focused on supporting education and awareness for parents and students
related to substance use and abuse. Uh this committee is funded through grants offered by Union County and they've been able to offer many important programs in the new Providence School District in the 2020 24-2 school year as well as gearing up for the next installment of
every 15 minutes production happening in 2026. Uh the third was administration which involves working with our business administrator Bernardet Kakaro and her team on issues related to business operations, contracts, equipment and
policies. Uh the new Providence Board Commissions and Committees or BCC's members handbook that was published in 2024 falls under this group and an update is underway to incorporate some minor updates uh for clarity for the New
Providence volunteers who share their time on these BCC's. Um, so as my first year on New Providence Burough Council comes to a close, I just like to take two minutes to express my gratitude to the burough employees who welcome me and patiently educated me about the workings of the
machines behind the scenes that make this town run so smoothly. It's really hard for an average New Providence resident, which I was until uh last year, um to truly appreciate the dedication and expertise of so many members of our local municipal
organization who keep the wheels turning every day, 247 year round. our burough administrator, Bernardet Kucaro, as was echoed by the letter that came from the business community um team that was um mentioned in
correspondence has been an invaluable source of information and insight for me in my first year here. I also have a much deeper appreciation for our emergency services personnel, our police department, volunteer, fire department, volunteer EMS, and our department of public works. They're the ones who come
to our aid when needed and strive to keep New Providence the safe town it has been and will no doubt continue to be. And of course, I'm grateful for the time and effort expended by Mayor Al and my fellow council members to show me the ropes. It has been a steep learning curve, and I appreciate the guidance
I've received. It's been an honor and a privilege to serve on this governing body this year, and I'd be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank the voters of New Providence who put me in this seat in January. I do not take it for granted and will continue to work hard to earn the trust and support of
all New Providence residents in every vote and action I take for our burough going forward. And for everyone in our amazing community, whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year, uh let it be one that is happy, healthy, safe, and peaceful. And let us all vow to
state take stock of our blessings, be kind, and be there for each other in the year ahead. Thank you. >> Good. Thank you, mayor. Yes, I think that's actually one of our guiding policies that we've always had um even before being on council is to when we're on
council and when we're working on any committee, we're working for every resident, not just a specific party or you know, just certain residents. So, just um communications really quickly. You know, I'm going to say go to the
source uh notify me 91 smart 911. Um I'd like to just point out that there's always a lot going on behind the scenes with communications and our uh burrow always helps. Um uh one thing we were
talking about the communications policy being a living document even though it it will be approved. Um, for example, when we had the storm in uh June or July, um, communications committee got together with Bernardet and Dan and
talked about uh, improvements to what we could do and how we can change it based on the needs and based what we heard from the residents. So, um, things happen all the time. Thank you to all the residents who take communication seriously and actually will call us,
stop us in, you know, supermarkets, stop us wherever we are and who put in action lines and such like that. Uh, text us, call us at all hours. Um, like we said, uh, our recommendations for that committee would be the graphic identity
policy. Um, also, uh, we've been working with Cindy. We've been talking to her to create um uh and finalize a list of like standard social media posts um just silly things that uh it she would have uh just canned posts um which we think
that would just go a long way. Um and the final thing um we've been talking to uh community activities. They have a Facebook page. Having an Instagram would just be a a really easy uh bounce off of that. Um, winter
winter catalog is still out. I'm I think there are some uh classes beginning January. I think there are still some openings. Uh, call community activities or look on the website. Um, Alex and I uh along with uh Mayor Al did attend the
uh annual meeting for the fire department. you know, I'm always an advocate and I always say, you know, volunteers welcome, donations welcome. Um, personally, another congratulations to Dave Palutini who uh just finished
fire one and fire two. Shout out to him. Um, I've known him since I think kindergarten. Um, another one of my Cub Scouts. So, huge thank you uh for him stepping up and uh congratulations. Congratulations to John. Um he had a
great first year um and he will continue to do great things for our town. Uh historic preservation commission just uh we had a meeting the other day and the one thing that I wanted to point out is we actually had uh two guests. We had and I his name is Jimmy, his dad's name
I believe is David and it's a Rostenowski I think it is. Um so Jimmy is a a a boy scout working on his communications merit badge. Um he lives in New Providence. He's in uh the troop with Berkeley Heights. It's just like a great thing that he could go on to the
website, pick a meeting that was a public meeting and go to that meeting and be welcomed by you know he it was an unannounced guest, right? And it it was a great experience for him and his dad and you know we went off topic for him.
It was it was a great experience and I just think like further to to um Al's point, we do welcome people. They've been here before >> to council meetings. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. Um you're going to talk about toys for tots probably.
Um and we have a downtown improvement district meeting tomorrow. So unfortunately I won't have an update for you. But I also wanted to reiterate um the fact that the did NP biz um mayor
and council and our burough administration um have been working very closely and very well together. Um it's it's been a great year and there's just going to be great things to come and kudos again. Thank you, Bernardet, for all you do and
for everything that you uh behind the scenes. There's so much going on that most people don't realize. Um, everybody in today's day and age wants to know something yesterday and especially in government, that's not the way it works. So, thank you for everything that you do
for us and and pointing us to the right direction and helping us off with everything that from your office. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um I have two committee updates tonight for the committees that I'm on. Um first is
affordable housing. Um so if you may recall from the last meeting um I had mentioned we were going into our second round of mediation uh to come up with a settlement. Um that was um a successful meeting that had a couple of little things that needed to be tweaked. So we
are going back in this Thursday as well. So stay tuned. Hopefully, we'll be able to wrap this up um as is required by the end of the year. Uh we may need a special meeting for that, but um stay tuned. We're not sure yet. Uh the second one is related to older adult services.
Thank you for the reminder. Um last Wednesday the 10th. Um Councilwoman Bisca and I went >> Happy belated birthday. >> Thank you. Thank you. for my birthday, we went to the bar, we went to uh Dorso Center, uh where we um we joined them in
presenting toys for tots uh to the police department. Um Linda Kale, who is the president of that organization, said uh last year they had just enough toys to fit on a half a table. This year they filled up a pickup truck. So they did an
amazing job. So kudos to the seniors uh down at Dorso for donating toys for tots. Um on the 18th of the this week, so Thursday, um the police are driving around to all the other organizations where they are currently still
collecting choice for tots. So that's at both elementary schools. Um I believe a couple of the businesses, uh Dr. Robinson's office is collecting toys for tots. So if anybody still wants to donate, feel free. You can stop in at 1351 Springfield. Um I'll gladly take that donation for you when they come
around and collect on the 18th. Um the other item for older adult services this last Friday uh council person Dolan, Councilman Kamiski and myself went up to Lantern Hill uh for our quarterly update with our residents up there. Um
basically we just gave um our committee reports very similar to this but we gave it up there to Lantern Hill. Um we had about 15 people 15 20 people I think >> maybe 20 >> um in the Metropolitan Room. Um it was very very nice. Um, we brought up some
festive holiday cookies and uh, coffee and it was very uh, very good back and forth um, communication. So, we say we come up to give our report, we want to hear back from them with questions and we did get some very good questions. Uh, so stay tuned for 2026 calendar. We're
going to be repeating that up at Lantern Hill, but we're also going to be expanding the series to the Dorso Center and the Barabash Manor. Um, again, our goal with this committee is to keep our older adult residents engaged in our community and a part of the community
and up to date on what's going on. >> So, that's it for me. >> Okay, Alex. >> Um, not much. I I'll save my uh farewell message. Maybe I'll filibuster and break Corey Booker's record so Brian doesn't get sworn in. Um, but I'll I'll mention
it at the reorg meeting. Uh but I do want to mention um what Mayor Al started with about uh what's been happening Jewish community and everything like that. um you know the New Providence one thing unique about it is and I saw this firsthand October 7th when we did that
vigil and how many people came out even today 19th year in a row I think I've attended all of them with you as well and you know and today was kind of real telling where in this country did I ever think that you needed a police presence to go light the monora and that's that's
the sad part about it but you know and Jewish saying always has about if you want to know about our holidays really comes down to uh they try to kill us, we won, let's eat. That's basically what Jews think about it. And today we won. You know, seeing the community come
out there. Um uh really touching. A lot of people here on council reached out to me. Uh it's a tough time, but you know, you got to believe in faith of people. Um and I I strongly believe this country will persevere no matter how bad it gets.
It's still by far the best country to live in. Uh but I do want to thank everybody in the community that came out today and who reached out during this difficult time. So that's all I had. Thank you. Thank you to everyone. >> Matt.
>> Okay. So, Lantern Hill, I do want to just say it was it very it was actually fun to be honest. Um you don't realize that the residents of Lantern Hill for the most part are not New Province people, right? They come from all over.
Uh, and they've as they asked some pretty interesting questions, right? How did New Providence get its name? >> When was it incorporated? Like a lot of history stuff, which was which was, you know, fun. >> Um, >> I look forward to continuing that. And I
think that's a really good thing for not only Lantern Hill, just to get to know the new residents because they're from out of town and things like that, but also, um, you know, expanding that maybe, you know, with our senior center as well, right? and and just getting in front and and having conversations. That was fun. So, thank you for that. Uh the
pool, we had a meeting with the pool and just uh give a quick update since COVID, you know, revenues for the pool, they're down, right, due to declining memberships, expenses are up, right, due to increased costs for insurance and wages. Um you
know, so really need to focus on how they can increase their memberships. We're going to have them come in next month. Uh give us a little state of the union. Okay. Uh planning board, South Street Market. Uh so we actually had a special meeting on the South Street
Market. So if you know the South Street Market next to MP Fuel, um they're going to basically subdivide that building. South Street Market's going to occupy the right side of the building and Skolnix is going to occupy the left side
of the building. Uh they're going to update the the outside, the exterior, the parking lot. Um it's going to actually look really nice. Uh new going to get rid of that old falling down sign, put a new sign up. So, uh that's
going to be a nice addition. Um and then Toll Brothers, Toll Brothers came to the last planning. I mean, I mentioned that they had revised their plans. So, just give you a quick update. Uh their revisions were were um
very big in impactful revisions. They originally had 104 units for that property with 21 being affordable. We've been beating them up over many months about trying to cram 104 units onto that
property um just wasn't really a good a good fit. uh they decreased they came in and decreased the number of units to 83 but still kept the 21 affordable units. So that's a huge win for New Providence. Huge. Um
they've updated their elevations. Mayor Al beat them up about a lot of the um colors that they were using, right? A lot of the flat roofs that they had on some of their buildings and was adamant that that just did not fit in New
Providence. So they they came back with changed elevations, pitched roofs, they changed a lot of the color schemes to really match what our design standards here are, you know, in New Providence. Um they added sidewalks around the perimeter of the entire property, which they didn't have in their original
plans. Uh they removed a road in between two buildings. They removed that road, made it open space, changed some of the parking within the community that instead of having parallel parking, it's head-in parking. That was a suggestion that came from a resident, okay? A
resident who showed up to the meeting and there were a lot of residents that came to the meeting and I've been saying this for a very long time. It's so important for residents to show up, ask questions, you know, make comments. Uh that's you know what the board's doing over six five six meetings now and
they've come back with all these changes and all these changes are really uh in the benefit of the burrow and I think this project you know obviously we would much rather have an office building but you know that ship is sailed you know a long time ago so they're going to
develop that property and they're going to develop it in a way that is going to turn out to be in the best outcome of the burrow. So, um we're still we're still um hearing final uh uh
cross-examination, which is kind of funny to say, but um you know, some property owners across the street do have a lawyer and and he has a couple witnesses and he's going to cross-examine some of the witnesses that already um testified. So, it's still an
open um discussion. I just wanted to make sure you guys uh are fully aware of the changes that were made that I personally think are significant and they were also part of the um comments, you know, and and and questions that came from the public during those
meetings. So, so uh the process is the the process, right? And and if you know, we go through it and and work on it, uh we get good outcomes. I would just say as an outsider looking in, if if you were to compare the initial application to where you guys on the planning board
where we are today, it's two different projects is what it looks like to in layman's terms. It's I think a lot of good feedback a lot of good feedback from the residents from from the the planning board. I know when these projects get thrown at us, everybody's excited, but you as you've always
preached, the process has to take place and we'll see where we get to. So, >> I thank you guys. >> Thank you. Thank you both. >> Can I ask a question about the South Street Market? >> Yeah. >> Is Skullix the bagel place? >> Yes. >> It's actually It's actually I don't know
is a ba bagels, but they're going to have smoothies. >> I've been to the one on 22. It's a franchise. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a franchise. So, but I mean I know them as a bagel place. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I heard smoothies. That's what I heard. Smoothies. >> It is. Okay.
>> Coffee. >> Yeah. Got it. Thanks. And the lawyer for the property, his last name was Skolnick. No relation. >> Okay. True story. >> Just felt it differently. >> All right.
>> Just a few reminders. The burrow offices are closed on December 25, 26, 31, and January. Oh, wait, no. Uh, January 1 and January 2. Next Thursday, Friday, Thursday, Friday. Um, and prematurely I'll remind people that we're picking up
Christmas trees until January 9th. So, no meetings in between. That's all I have. >> Thank you. All right. Before I uh before I forget, we did have some snow,
but uh DPW did an outstanding job as they always do. you know, they were out, they started at 11 o'clock the previous night and I was in a couple other towns and they were all complaining our streets weren't
clean, but ours were. So, uh, they always do a great job and I want to thank them. >> It's not an easy job. You go out there with them, you see it's it's not easy. A lot of bumps out there.
Okay. At this time I have public comments. Anyone wishing to address council with your name and address? Yes, sir. >> Hi, good evening. Uh, I'm Enoch from 30 West 4th. Uh, so I just wanted to ask
what was done under the storm just because I saw some excavating. I saw they were out there Thursday, but I don't really know exactly what was done. They put a liner in in the pipe >> because it was kind of caved. >> Is that right? >> Yeah.
>> He's Yeah. And burnt >> the pipes are starting to lose their integrity. So the liner that they placed in it um will make that pipe good for 50 years um so um instead of having to dig it up and replace it, they shoot the liner through um and it essentially
creates a new pipe. Oh, >> okay. Is there anything we need to do as residents to help? I I just clean it whenever I see I I shovel it. >> Storm drains? Yes. If you see leaves in your storm drains, please take them out because all of that stuff ends up going through the system. >> And like I said before, I've been
through the three floods already. And without an actual rainstorm, I'm just questioning. >> So are we. So are we. So, you know, as I said to Kate the last meeting, I mean, it has rained not as significantly as as
it did in July, obviously, but um it has rained. Um I think you guys have seen an improvement on the street even in in a mild rain and we're hoping that you know this was the last piece of the puzzle. >> Okay. Is is there any uh assessment that's be done as far as how much it can
take like >> you know unfortunately where you guys reside it's a low-lying area that also feeds off of the culvert. So when the storm sewer fills up and the culvert fills up and it starts to back up through the system. I mean you may see water in those heavy heavy raintorms but
I think on an average rainfall you should be fine. >> Okay. >> And if you're not please give us a call. Yeah, I think the pipe there was collapsed as we know and probably not doing much. Now with uh with the lining it now we have a path for to get all
that water out. So >> you're correct. Until we have a real >> substantial rain, we're really not going to see the results. But I think >> optimistically that this should solve most of the problems. >> I mean honestly there's nothing left there to scope clean replace. I mean, we
we've done a lot of work in that area. >> Were they still considering a check valve there or No, >> that wouldn't be us. That would be the homeowners. >> The homeowners. Okay. >> Oh, what is a check valve? >> So, a check valve is just a valve. That's one way it prevents water from coming back into the system. So, if you want the water to flow towards the
river, it won't allow the water to come back from the river. >> That that would be in the storm drain. >> It would be in a pipe that >> Yeah, I see. Okay. Okay. That's it. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Thank you. We removed a big hair clog and we're hoping that
>> No, not even a hair clog. It Well, >> there were some roots, but >> there's no there was no place for the hair clock. >> Yeah. >> Well, >> in certain sections, I mean, and honestly, when when they were going in with the camera, you know, one day they would look and the camera went through
fine and then there was other days we put the same camera in the same spot and we lost it in in a hole um which was the excavation and stuff like that to retrieve the equipment. So, But the contractor was very uh very happy. >> Yes. >> Very optimistic.
>> Yes. He uh he told me it was like Christmas morning. >> Anyone else? Yes, sir. >> Peter Biano. Um 59 Fairmont, but I own 45 Potter Street. Um I was here last spring. I'm sure you guys all remember.
We have a neighbor who is a constant problem um and is harassing me, my neighbor, my employees who come to maintain my house. I have a landscaping business um for just parking in the street. Um meanwhile, she's not doing
anything about issues that she has in her property. She has plants in the rightway, plants that are too high in the rightway, dead trees in the rightway, an illegal fence that's put up, signs that she puts up herself saying no one can park or she's going to call the cops. Um, there is a sign that
it says I can't idle in front of my house where no one else has that in town. Um, so again, I'm back here. Nothing's been changed. She took out one bush. That's all she did after that last conversation that I when I came here. So, I want to know what's going on. It
seems like everyone was excited. She was going to move cuz her daughter went to college. She's still here, so we can't wait on that anymore. Um, it's getting a little ridiculous. >> Yeah. Um, I know Keith is uh going out there.
>> I mean, I can I have arborist friends that can go and deem those trees hazards. They're ash trees. >> The burrow can't make people take down the dead tree. You can't site uh give a citation for a dead tree. >> No. >> Even if it's been brought up by me as a professional who
>> we go on private property. >> It's in the right way. >> It's not our tree. >> I mean, if that falls on somebody, and I brought this up here, don't you think you might be liable for that? >> The federal policy is we don't cut down
dead trees. >> I'm not asking you to cut it down. Someone, she should cut it down. >> There's kids that walk by that every day. >> She would be liable, not the town. >> Okay. >> Well, that's why that's why I was saying
maybe the town should give a citation like, "Hey, this tree." >> My understanding is that that was evaluated. It was not deemed to be a hazard or a danger. >> It's a ash tree. I don't know if you guys know anything about ash. It's emerald ash. >> I'm not a tree expert. I'm telling you, we Somebody did go out. I think a couple
of people did go out that we had from the burrow. and evaluated tree and didn't deem it to be a dangerous. >> I don't know who has any experience with trees. If you looked at that tree >> before the winter time, you'd know it's dead. If you drive by, there's limbs on the street every day.
>> Did the burrow remove our ash trees? Did we remove ash trees? >> We are very familiar with ash trees. Yes. >> It's an expensive issue. I understand, but it's it's an issue. And on top of all the other things, it's >> I mean, she gets to do whatever she
wants. Uh Dave, the zoning official is going out there and taking care of it. >> I I haven't seen anything. I mean, it's been months since I came. I came last spring. Nothing has been done. She took one bush. >> Understood. >> I mean, everyone else follows the rules.
Why did she get a pass? >> Understood. >> Uh he will be going out. >> Okay. And how do we get how do we find out about the results and what's get being done about this? Because I'm concerned. I mean I'm concerned about
the kids walking by. I mean I walked by today I have pictures. There's no she didn't clean the sidewalk. I mean isn't there an ordinance on you need you have 24 hours to clean the sidewalk? >> 48 hours. Yeah. >> It's been more than that. So >> okay. >> For all the harassing she does everybody
else. I mean she's doing things wrong and nothing's being done about it. So I would appreciate something gets done. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Peter. >> You >> anyone else? Yes, sir. >> Hello. Uh, Rich Cuomo, 126 Bradford
Street. First of all, I just want to reinforce the gratitude that, you know, Kate Enoch and I have for the work getting done um in a relatively timely manner. And I think it's really a testament, right, to the to the town to be able to achieve that. Um, and really listen to the residents. That being
said, you know, there would be a butt here. Um, we're still looking for more, right? What we'd like is a formal readout to really understand what work was done officially, right? A whether it's a paper document, to really understand the video, to really be able to see it because when we're thinking to
the future and to our property values, it's really important that we have proof that this work was fixed, right? And as we all said before, unfortunately, we have to wait till the next big storm. Not that I'm, trust me, rooting for it. I'd prefer to never have to have another big storm for the sake of everyone else in town. But unfortunately, that's going
to be the only way we're going to test it and really see if it works. So, I think it's kind of a two-prong thing, right? We need the proof in writing so that when we now, you know, we're going to have to definitely let future um buyers know that that there were issues
with it because it's it's frankly it's obvious. it's public. There have been insurance claims and so on and so forth. So I think it, you know, I'm just asking number one for that readout. >> I understand, you know, it's up, it's the realator's responsibility to inform, not the town's.
>> I'm not looking for the town to inform. What I'm looking for is the readout for we for us as eventual sellers many years from now to have the proof that the work done. >> I'll leave it to Paul. >> I'm not sure. I think it's >> there will have to be a sellers disclosure that there's flooding, right?
I mean, that that's just kind of >> that would be between the individuals. >> So, I'm not sure what you're looking for from the town. The town can't be involved in >> having some kind of uh I don't know what you're like a central >> Not what I'm looking for. I'm looking
for a write a write up of the work that was done on our street. Very simple. >> Isn't it called the public record the proposal that Montana provided? You know, the work Well, that's a public record. Yeah, I think I >> Yeah, access to the public. >> It's right on the website. >> It's on the website now.
>> Resolution. >> I think is it attachment to a to the resolution from last time? >> Yeah. >> The contract. >> So, the complete not the contract, the completed what was actually done and >> their proposals. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> and if it's not there, just shoot us an
open request and we'll be happy to provide it to you. >> All right. Thank you for that. Um the second thing I wanted to talk about today was the um kind of I I was I came up here before Halloween had a conversation about working as a partnership collaboration right with the
task force that we've been you know with the council ideally um we've reached out a couple times to schedule some time with you Mayor Morgan and we've not heard back. So, I'm just curious. Is there any >> quite honestly? >> Yeah. >> I don't have anything really to report
except that we're we're we're working working with the other mayors and and things like that. We are working with the engineer so that come up with a plan. There's really not anything to report. It's all
all going. Once we have something, I'll be happy to sit down with you. >> Understood. I mean, I know Kate talks to Carmen all the time. >> I mean, he could he could give you more information than I could, >> right? So, we talked about possibly, you
know, as we have with the sustainability and and the diversity committees, right? That there are some resident volunteers that could interact and and again collaborate. And that was something that we had talked about as well that I had asked directly back in October. So, I'm just curious. >> I'd be happy to sit down with whoever
wants to talk. Okay. But I'm not going to bring all the engineers and >> not looking for that. It was going to be >> because uh it cost the people a ton of money. >> No, it was it was just a reach out to say, you know, what are some available dates you have? Because I think we you know, >> Alex volunteered a couple dates. Kate
and I had thrown out a couple dates and we just hadn't heard back. So, I'm just curious >> happy to work with whoever we need to to get it scheduled. >> I'm running out of time. >> I understand. >> Okay. >> But I am going to appoint him on that committee. So, >> we'd we'd love to have them. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Lucky you. >> Yeah. >> But maybe we'll grab a coffee with them. >> Yeah. Nothing for That's That's exactly it. You know, go to Jersey. No problem. >> Even better. >> Write that down. Write that down. >> It's on record, right?
>> January 2nd. >> That's all. >> Okay. >> I don't think I'm going to do it on January. >> That's a terrible It'll be the 9th probably. travel. >> Great. >> All right. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> I'll get to you. >> All right. You have our email. >> I have your phone with my in my phone. >> Perfect. Even better. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Rich. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I'm a big fan of end of year recaps, too.
>> Um, hi. Um, just wanted to say thank you to all of you for the collaboration over the past six months or so. Um, as Rich said, it has been timely. Um, and we know that we know that the effort that we push forward together um, over the
past six months isn't something that happens regularly. Um, and we appreciate every single person's um, hand in that and part in that. Um, just to close the loop on the reporting thing, um, I had mentioned a few times Andy Hippolyte came out to our properties and said once
the pipe was done, he would be able to give us a hydro analysis of what storm the pipe can now handle relative to July 14th, uh, Ida, the random little ones that had hurt us all this summer. So,
that's kind of the report that we're hoping to see it. We understand that there is no um legal crossroads between us selling our property and what the town um did, but it's it's that understanding so that we can provide the right information should we ever choose
to sell. So, I just wanted to kind of clarify that if that's outreach from myself to Andy with someone copied on it, I'm happy to facilitate that. Not asking anyone else to take that on. Just looking for some direct direction on how to get that. Um and then secondly, um
completely hear you, mayor. have really appreciated our growing partnership I think that we're having and Jersey Joe's seeing each other a couple times a week. Um, you know, from our perspective, I wanted to let you know that for 2026 between now and June, our task force
goal is to make sure that inevitably when the town is hit next summer with some type of storm that we know is coming, sometimes we don't know they're coming. It's a cell. It lingers over us. that from a community perspective, we have clear communications, that we're
coordinating in the right ways with emergency service people, that there is a um a citizen-led daisy chain of text chain that we can communicate with each other, that we can help each other, that there are protocols around how we show
up for each other, and ways that we can create little pods in neighborhoods to help people dig out and clean out and get their garage and get their kids toys cleaned up um and that we can come together so that from where I stand right now as as a citizen I can't let
Memorial Day come and let another storm come next summer and the task force that we created and are working really hard on plans behind the scenes isn't there to show up with anything tangible. So when Rich says, "Can we sit down and talk?" It's from that voice that we want
to help. And that's why we're so desperate for a collaboration because we feel that what we're trying to do can only bolster all of you and your efforts if we do it together. So I just wanted to end the year with that tone so that you know exactly where we're coming from
and that you can think about it over the holidays. If it's if it's f um you know informal, that's fine. If it leads to formal, that's great, too. But we are going to be working really hard and we're excited for what we can contribute to this community together. So, thank you so much.
>> Sounds good. >> Yes. I haven't been here in a while and I I just realized sitting here that um I I I meant to do this at some point uh after the um the the demonstration. Um as you
know I I I believe I organized both of the no kings protest in um in uh in the town here. And I wanted I wanted to say that I so much appreciated the
participation being there of the police department uh at the October uh demonstration. There were about 2,000 people there uh officer Diamond and I
determined that. And uh so I I do want to I do want to um thank the uh officer Diamond and the other officers who were there uh because uh as with the the first Nokings uh demonstration, it came
off without any incident, without any it just was it it was so encouraging to see so many people um in collaboration with the police and with everyone and with the with the town
because once again as I mentioned after the earlier there there wasn't at the end when I looked all around there wasn't a single sign there wasn't a single piece of paper there wasn't a coffee cup nothing so um but the main
purpose I wanted to come up here was to uh to thank uh officer Diamond and the others who were there for how much they facilitated the the event. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else?
Seeing no one, I declare the public hearing close. I need a motion for item 2013. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Miss Dolan, >> yes. >> Miss Blesco, >> I.
>> Mrs. Joffrey, >> yes. >> Mr. Kogan, >> yes. >> Mr. Meski >> I >> Okay, at this time uh motion for Germany. >> No. >> Oh yeah, we can. >> No. >> Keep the cameras rolling for another few
weeks. >> Ajourn to January 6th. >> January 6th. >> Yep. >> I have a motion, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Please. >> Say all in favor? >> Yes. I.
>> All in favor? >> I so be it. >> Thank you all for coming. I want to wish everybody a happy Hanukkah, happy holidays. Merry Christmas. >> Merry Christmas. >> And please be safe out there. Be careful. Don't leave packages in cars.
There aren't people going around looking through cars again. So, >> oh boy. >> Please, please be vigilant. >> Happy New Year. >> And happy new year. Happy new year.