always feel low in this chair. >> All right, meeting called to order. This is the May 20 May 26, 2026 uh Oakland Burough Council meeting. Uh would the clerk please read the statement of complaints? >> This meeting is being held in accordance with the open public meetings act
NJSA104-6X having been duly advertised and posted in the municipal building in compliance with NJSA 104-8. The meeting will adjourn no later than 10 p.m. unless the majority of the council members present vote to extend the time.
>> All rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> Russ, would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I aliance 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. >> Please remain standing for a moment of silence and let's remember our our our uh Memorial Day people that gave their lives for our country. Clerk, >> would the clerk call the role, please? >> Mayor Kamala >> here.
>> Council President Talamini >> here. >> Councilman Dumpert >> here. >> Councilman Eert >> here. >> Councilman Pignatelli. >> Councilwoman Rose >> here. >> Councilman Saliani >> here. >> We have a motion to excuse Councilman Pnatelli. >> So moved.
>> Mr. Stanley, do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second, Mr. Eer. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. All right, we're up to the mayor's report. We have a pretty light agenda today. Um, first of all, I want to open up with uh Memorial Day. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the
last three days. Um, you know, the DPW, MAME, uh, the public events committee, everybody was ready. They put a lot of time and effort for this parade. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Uh DPW did a wonderful job getting the park ready, but I am happy to report that the
um ceremony did did still take place down at the Legion Hall. Uh we had a couple special guests that were in attendance. We had Congresswoman Poe in attendance. We also had invited uh Assemblyman Azeri. He was also in attendance. Um and you know for what we
had to work with, I want to commend the American Legion for pulling this together and also the donations of food that we got from our local business. I believe it was juniors provided the subs for afterwards. So, it was it was it was a nice it was a nice event. Uh what was nice about it was I had made a request
to the congresswoman's office. One of the things we tried to do unfortunately which didn't happen was I had requested a flag that flew over the United States and I wanted to incorporate it into the 250th celebration that we're having in town here. And we were supposed to have had a flag raising ceremony with the
veterans raising the flag. So, so we had uh originally asked for the flag. Uh she brought it with her and I just want to read the paperwork that came along with it into the record. It said the flag of the United States of America commemorating the nation's 250th
anniversary. This is to certify that the accompanying flag was flown over the United States capital on May 15, 2026. at the request of the honorable Nelly Poe, member of Congress. This flag was was flown for Burough of Oakland in honor of the 2026 Memorial Day service.
And so we have the flag here. We are going to present this to the uh the Legion and we will have a proper ceremony for the flag. And the intent is to raise this flag on national holidays, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, uh going forward.
Okay. Uh let's talk about paving. Everybody's favorite subject. We are now into the uh spring and summer time for paving. Uh people who live on the Dogwood section, I'm sure you already see the sign is up at the top of Yawo uh for the McCoy road paving. Uh they're
expected to be starting that at the end of June. Okay. Early July. Public service paving that's on the other side of town. Obviously, all the gas man work that's taken place. Uh we have we've been meeting with uh DPW, our engineer. Uh we have a meeting with uh
public service next week to formalize the you know really get down to the nuts and bolts so that uh we can get some dates for them so they can start paving all those roads. Once we have the worked out the details with or with uh public service then we're going to immediately work start working on Oakland's burrow
paving program as well. So there's going to be a lot of paving taking place to get fix the roads that were dug up by public service and all the building that's taking place. Uh McDonald's. Uh well, they're six months behind, but uh for those that people don't know, all the signage has gone up on the building. Uh they've done
all the landscaping. Uh they're fixing the piece of uh missing sidewalk on 202 right now. So now you can safely walk on 202 South coming into the center of town once they complete that piece of sidewalk. Uh we don't have a firm opening date yet, but uh certainly they are moving along. uh Oakland Drugs. Uh
we I did reach out to the uh owner of the building asking when they're going to start moving on that building. Uh we're just hope waiting for a call back on that. We're hope you know they got their approval several months ago as a lot of people know that's going to be a Hackin Sack Meridian Health building and it's going to be a beautiful building.
Um garbage. Let's talk about garbage real quick. Uh the uh DPW committee met last week uh formalizing a letter. Our letter will be sent to all residents explaining the new garbage service, pickup times, and everything else like that. So, that's it'll be emailed. It'll be mailed to every single resident in
town as we're getting ready for the July 1 cut over including how to access the recycling center in Pmpton Lakes and everything else. Uh, streetscape, uh, as you heard from last meeting, uh, we do have Boswell under contract and they're currently working on the concept plan. Hopefully,
either the 9th or the following meeting, we'll have concept plan for the streetscape that's going to be downtown. uh for the entire length and we'll get that moving. We want to try and get at least half the sidewalk done from the railroad track up to Maple Avenue with the nice lighting, the ribbon, and
really clean up that section of town. So, that's that's really what we're focusing right now. And then for year two, we'll start working on the other side and start cleaning all that up. Uh just remind everybody the primary election is June 2nd uh for uh an early voting is currently open. And that
really concludes my report at this time. Uh I do have a motion to open to public. So moved. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> And go for the public with two address. >> Not seeing anybody. Motion to close. >> Oh, okay.
>> Elizabeth Puchi, Valley View Avenue. >> Yes. >> Um, I live just off of West Oakland. Now, I know West Oakland is a county road. >> Whose responsibility is it to go along and make sure that the signage on West Oakland is seeable? Because if you go in
a lot of Like I know my corner, >> right? >> It's overgrown. The whole >> You talk about the street signage. >> The street signage and the signs that say, you know, curb ahead or this whatever, you know, it's the signage are, you know, overgrown. The corner
there going up to skyline. Sometimes that signage is, you know, if you get a good rain, before you know it, the trees are all over it. And the going down the other way, you know, past the railroad tracks, the same thing. That's that's part where it's really close to the
road. All that greenery is growing into the road and it it's a little tough sometimes going around and you can't always see all the signs that are on that side. >> So, what we'll do is uh we'll we'll bring that back to public safety. Have them look at it. But the good news is the county is going to be repaving West Oakland a >> I believe this year and when they do the
repaving program they usually replace all the street signs going down the road as well. >> Perfect. >> So that's that's kind of in the works which is a good thing. We'll have DPW >> redo the path too on the side on on my side of West Oakland. There's a path for walking. >> I don't know the answer to that question, but I could find out.
>> That's fine. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Anybody else? >> Sir, >> it's not me. >> It's in regards to the affordable housing. >> Can I just get your name and address?
Jamian Nas 17 Hannah Road. >> Got it. Thank you. >> I have some information here from the Mawa Times that I thought was interesting. Wanted to share. >> Sure. >> Especially at the news that they judged
okay Page Street. >> No, what he did was he he had it removed from the ordinance. Stricken from the ordinance. It's all the process still has to come in front of the planning. So he deferred to the planning board of Oakland going forward.
>> Uh in regards to the affordable housing, I've found some interesting information about uh MAWA's answer. On March 31st, 2025, MAWA mediated and agreed to a fourth round affordable
housing requirements of 495 affordable units to be built over the next 10 years. Uh big news is that during the June 23rd meeting, the town council approved plans to only actually build three of those 495 affordable units over
the next decade. Township planner Darlene Green told the council that we do not have to satisfy the remaining 492 units with additional construction. Over the next few months, we'll certainly hear legal challenges to
MAWA's belief that it does not have to actually build our fourth round obligation. MAWA is basing our drastic reduction upon the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, but the regulatory revisions that are
the basis where we're from the 2024 uh and MAWA made our agreement to the 495 unit in 2025. MA didn't finally fully raise the issue until the week before the July 1st deadline litigation is certain to follow.
Our local towns have tried to avoid their fourth round requirements directly using litigation. Most notably, Montail is heading a group of 27 municipalities. Montail claims to have also reduced their obligation to three units over the
next decade. However, Montville also appears to face imminent litigation. If I recall, when we had that very large town meeting, a lot of people objecting to it, the construction project claimed
they have the water issue handled. Um, which I am a little doubtful of. I mean, I guess we will see as it goes further,
but I just wanted to provide this information. >> Thank you. >> Provide Darlene Green's contact information. >> Did you email that to me? I think you did, right? You you sent me an email, I believe. >> Yes, I think so. >> I was away last week, but I I think I
saw an email from you. >> Certainly. >> You can give a hard copy. It's not a bad idea. >> Thank you. >> Terrific. >> Thank you. you can scan it out >> that and was curious about the possibility of uh townfunded class
action suits if it came to it. >> I don't know the answer to that. I'd have to we'd have to find out get back to you. This is this is a very messy ugly No, nobody's happy about this at all. Yes, it seems it was kind of shoehorned
in and our education system and infrastructure can't handle it. >> I I I listen, you're not going to get an argument from anybody on this days or violent agreement with you. It's the way unfortunately it's this came out of Trenton and this is this is no fun for anybody.
>> No, no, absolutely. I'm certainly available to pursuing that information if class action suits, you know, need any organization or something along those lines. >> Thank you so much. Absolutely. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else?
>> Sir, >> just a quick question. Frank Furbacher, 56 Walton Avenue. Was just wondering, I wanted to make sure I had this correct. Um, regarding Page Drive. So, Paige was restricted in our ordinance that was
passed by Oakland uh in order for us to meet our obligation when it came to affordable housing by the deadline. Is that correct? >> Well, I don't understand your question. >> So, Paige Drive, originally before we had the deadline to be in compliance
with the affordable housing, um, from what I understand, we placed an ordinance that would restrict access on Page Drive. >> So, emergency vehicles only, >> emergency vehicles only. And then what we just heard from the judge most recently was
>> we that needs to be rescended, that part of it. It was struck from the ordinance. >> struck from the ordinance. So it's officially struck >> from the ordinance. But gotcha. >> It still goes back to the plan. He he's he's saying let the planning board deal with this >> and the planning board will deal with that. This is something that would
happen before ground is broken. >> Oh, we don't even we don't have the site plan. We have nothing. >> Gotcha. >> We have nothing on this other than they're they're saying a mistake in the ground saying we want to do this. >> Gotcha. >> There's there's nothing we have nothing to work off of. >> We have nothing to work off of. So, um,
essentially when they say bring it to the planning board, we don't we don't know if that could be weeks, months, or whenever. >> Could be years. >> Could be years. >> Don't know. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. Just wanted to make sure I had that straight. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Anybody else? Not seeing anybody. Have a motion to close. So, move. >> Mr. Palme, do you have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Sally, all in favor? >> I. >> All right. We're up to approval of minutes. We have May 12th, 2026. Do have a motion to approve.
>> Some move. >> Second. >> Does anybody have any changes? Not seeing any. Roll call. >> Council President Talamini. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Dumpert. >> I also unfortunately have to abstain. I was laying my father to rest. I appreciate the public's understanding.
>> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes. Okay, we're up to approval of minutes May 12, 2026 executive session minutes meeting minutes. If anybody's any changes, it can only be done in executive session. Do I have a motion to
approve? >> So moved. >> Second. Does anybody have any changes? Not seeing any. Roll call. >> Council President Talamini. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Dumpert >> for the same reason. Abstain. >> Yep. Councilman Eert. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. Yes. >> All right. We've got uh several special announce announcements here. We have authorized social affairs permit for the Lakeland Detachment of the Marine Corps League for a poker night on June 18th,
2026 from 7 to from 7 to looks like 11:00 p.m. 7 to 11. >> 7 to 11 p.m. support of the Marine Corps League 65 Oak Street. We have authorized raffle license RL1603 for the Marine Corps Detachment 744 for a 50/50 on June 18th, 2026 to support the Marine Corps
League Detachment 744 at 65 Oak Street, Oak, New Jersey. We have authorized raffle license RL604 for the Marine Corps League 744 detachment for a raffle on June 8th, 2026 in support of the Marine Corps League at 65 Oak Street.
>> Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Yep. >> Do I have a second? Oh, second. >> Okay. >> Dumper gets a second. >> Okay. So, we're gonna give who sent it first. Talamini, right? >> Talini and Dumpert. >> And then Dumpert. Okay. >> Roll call. >> Council President Talini. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Dumpert. >> Yes. >> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes. >> All right. I've got two appointments. I've got this is with mayoral appointment with council consent. I've got uh appointment to public events forest for all committee. like to
appoint Natalie Gregory McKela and for the environmental commission I'd like to appoint David Petroski. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Council President Talamini. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dumpert. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes. >> All right. We're up to resolutions. I'd like to pull out 261 176. 261 178. 261 179. All right, the consent agenda. We have
26172 authorized recreation refunds. 26173 authoriz resolution authorizing refund for tax exemption for disabled veteran helms. 26174 resolution authorizing tax exemption for disabled veteran cars Cassenda Castenda.
26175 resolution authoring refund of electric payment for Freda Paramatan. I apologize if I do not pronounce your name properly. I got 26177 award contract for TNM for master plan redevelopment examination report. 26180
authorized hire of part-time clerical assistant construction at the clerk's office. 26181 authorized hire of part-time senior center aid. 26182 authorized contract for 279 Ramapo Valley Road. and 26183
authorized estimated tax bill for the third quarter for for year 2026. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> All set. We got it. Mr. Dumpert, Mr. Saliani, roll call. >> Council President Tamini, >> yes. >> Councilman Dumpert,
>> yes. >> Councilman Eert, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Rose, >> yes. >> Councilman Saliani, >> yes. >> We're up to 26176. We had to pull these out because some of the council members have conflicts. We have uh 26176 authorized share service agreement for CFO of Hillsdale. Do have a motion to
approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. I think who got it down here? >> No, it's alert. Right. >> Mr. Eert. >> Roll call. >> Council President Talini. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dumpbert. >> Yes. >> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Abstain. >> All right. We're up to 26178. appoint Captain Brock as officer in charge. Uh for the residents that don't know, uh Chief Keenan is retiring. His official
last day is June 1st. Uh and as you know, we had a bunch of promotions uh last meeting and this is to make designate Captain Steve Brock as officer in charge starting June 1st. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Extremely happy to bring this motion
forward. >> Mr. Mr. Saliani, do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second, Mr. Talamini. Roll call. >> Councilman. Council President Talamini. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dumpert. >> Yes. >> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes. >> All right. 261789. Authorizing settlement agreement for employee number 000028864. Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Mr. Talamini. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. Miss Rose. Roll call.
>> Council President Talamini. Yes. >> Councilman Dumpbert. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Eert. >> Abstain. >> Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes. >> All right. We're up to ordinance. This is final adoption of 26 code 991. Adopt
to amend the road opening ordinance. As you heard testimonial at the last meeting. Uh we are now here open for uh final adoption and we have our public hearing. Does do I have a motion to open the public? >> So moved. Mr. Nard. >> Second. >> Mr. Talamini. All in favor? I
>> Anybody from the public wish to talk about road openings? >> Sorry, >> road openings. Permit. We're modifying our road opening permit when the utility companies come in so we have more control about permitting and getting the jobs done faster. >> Okay.
>> I hear you. >> Okay. Uh do I have a motion to close? >> Some move. Second. >> Calamini. Mr. Saliani. Who would like to uh >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I >> Sorry, getting ahead of myself. >> That's okay. Who would wish to introduce for 26 code 991?
>> So moved. >> Mr. Talami, do you have a second? >> Second. >> Second. Mr. Eert. Roll call. >> Council President Talamini. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dunert. >> Yes. >> Councilman Eert. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Rose. >> Yes. >> Councilman Saliani. >> Yes.
>> All right. We have no work session. Do anybody have any new business? >> Not seeing any. Do we have any old business? Not seeing any. uh council leaison reports. Uh let's start with Mr. Talamini. You ready, Mr. Talam?
>> Yes, I am ready. Um so, first uh I I just want to say thank you to everyone for what everything they did for the Memorial Day uh celebration. Um it's it's kind of sad that we weren't able to do more because of the weather, but uh uh they always do such a great job and
it's it's it's for such a wonderful thing to to commemorate all the our fallen uh veterans. Um, I I just want to say thank you again to to to everyone. Um, especially Maine. I um she does so much for the town and and the Memorial
Day parade is is high on her list and she she uh she does such a wonderful job of of just making sure we we honor our veterans. Um and then after that we have um uh the the green team. They uh we had
a a native plant sale and and uh it was it was the most plants that we ever sold. Um they they did it on May well they they they handed them out on May 9th. There was pre-sales. Um it really was a great great great effort. The team was was amazing. They they they unloaded
the truck, put them all together, uh prepackaged everybody's purchases, made sure everybody got what what what they needed. there was one thing that was short and we were able to get that and um it was just it was just really wonderful the the the teamwork that's
involved in the in the green team. Um and then also the community garden filled up. Um it's it's going strong. Um we have a partnership with with Ponds Church. So, uh, whatever whatever vegetables we grow in there, um, in in
our plots, we we donate to Pond's Church for for for, uh, for their food pantry. And other, uh, people are are welcome to do the same. The the members of the of the garden, uh, committee. So, um, uh,
thank you for that. And, uh, I think that's it. Mayor, >> Mr. Dumpert, >> thank you, Mr. Mayor. And just to echo Russ's uh thanks to all involved in the Memorial Day celebration uh planning uh the report from DPW uh if we take a look at Veterans Park, we'll see that it got
quite a facelift. So big thanks to DPW um and uh and a special thanks and and congratulations to the American Legion and Mike McNelte for all they did to adjust at the last minute and and host that wonderful celebration. That's it for me, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Saletti. >> Sure. I have a couple of updates. Uh I
want to start with the fire department, the chief. Um uh the chief asked me to update the public. Um typically on Memorial Day, Oakland Fire postmemorial service due to the weather that has been moved to June 4th at 700 p.m. in front
of the firehouse. I encourage all residents to attend that. In addition, the fire department is currently looking for volunteers. They do drills every Monday, 7:30 at the Yawo Firehouse. Please show up interest and meet the guys and and see if um and see if uh you
want to be part of a great a great team for uh recreation for Oakland recreation. Fall recreation is now open for all sports um soccer, football, cheer, the deadline is for June 15th. Please sign
up as early as possible because what happens is especially with summer we need to put coaches together, coordinators to put their their teams together and uh June 15th you sign up and then over the summer everyone you know wants summer vacation then they have to put everything together get ready to start in August. So sign up as
soon as you can and please they're always looking for coaches, coordinators and volunteers. Anyone who wants to be a coach or coordinator, please reach out. Please reach out to um through Oakland rec through Oakland Recreation. We're always looking for volunteers. You can sign up at oakland-enj.org
recreation committee. It lights up right in front of you and it says, "Hey, click here to sign in for registrations." I do also want to point out one another update to the web page. Um, at that same web page, they actually put a lightning detector for all those baseball players and softball players who were using
Oakland Refuction Field. As you know, we have a lightning detection system and people want to know, oh, lightning strikes, when we go back in the field. Now, on the website, it's a it's a counter for when the field would reopen based on the lightning strikes. So, this way there's no doubt, no one's getting yelled at for making a bad decision.
It's tied into the it's tied into the services that monitor the fields. So, I think that's it's a good thing to have and go there and leave our poor coaches alone or they're doing enough for us and we don't have to yell at them for not opening the fields. Um, one last update on OC report. Volunteers are needed for all the
committees, television, bulletin board, newsletter, welcome website, website and social media. If you are interested in volunteering, please email occ.org and fill out a volunteer interest form on the borrow or fill out a volunteer interest form on the burrow website. The
TV committee recently streamed and recorded the Memorial Day American Legion and I'd like to thank everyone from the committee that came out do ensure the event. Now, just one thing I want about this event. The OC filmed this live. They actually filmed a live
event. It was live on YouTube. Great job by them. Great job by the volunteers. So, I want to give them um give them a um a call out for what a great job they've done. and the the friends of the Oakland Communications is looking for volunteers to help put some fundraising efforts. If you want to be part of the
Friends of the of the Oakland's Communications, please um please reach out at info@ friends of at friendsofoc.org or and the next meeting will be held via Zoom June 1st at 6 p.m.
And one more point, both the friends and the communications and the communications commission will be the Oakland carnival and they're and they're eager to hear from residents about feedback and work they can do for everybody. Um I do also want to thank everyone for the events. It was a great
time um at the BFW, great job of Mr. McNel, >> American Legion, excuse American Legion, excuse me. Great job of American Legion and uh it was a great job everyone coordinated it and uh so thank you everybody. >> Mr. Sal, I just want to put a point on what you're saying about uh the the OC was using some new technology that the
bureau current had just purchased in the last budget round which allows us to or allows them to stream the meetings live on YouTube. So if we have another large meeting like we had down here uh dealing with the affordable housing, we can have
it a larger venue down at the senior center and they have the ability to transmit that live back. So it provides a lot of uh better opportunities for serving the public. Thank you. Council council, >> I have nothing to report. Mayor >> Councilman, >> thank you mayor. Um for the arts
committee, unfortunately they had to cancel their outdoor market on the 23rd due to rain. Um, but their next outdoor market will be on uh June 13th from 10:00 to 3. So, definitely stop by and check it out. Um, they're also starting their free outdoor concerts at Great Oak
Park with the first concert this Sunday the 31st from 3:00 to 8:30. Um, and the band is the Steve Leonard Band with Funky Warlocks. Um, the next arts meeting is uh is Monday, June 15th at 7 p.m. at the
senior center and they're always looking for new members. >> Thank you. And that's all I got. >> I and I encourage the public. I mean, we had a good concert series last year uh down at Great Oak Park. I mean, it's it's a nice venue in the band shell. It's a nice night out. So, please I encourage everybody to watch the
calendar. Please come out. It's free. Take advantage of it. So, thank you. Um that's it. That's it. Thank you. All right. We're up to uh bills to be paid. Councilwoman, >> okay, bills to be paid is $638,58.86. So moved. Do I have a second? >> Second, Mr. Roll call.
>> Council President Talamini, >> yes. >> Councilman Duffert, >> yes. >> Councilman Eert, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Rose, >> yes. >> Councilman Saliani, >> yes. >> All right. Uh, do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Mr. Talamini. Mr. Eer.
>> Was Eeri? >> I'm going to give it. >> Uh, all in favor? >> All in favor? >> I >> I All right. This concludes today's council meeting. Next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, 700 p.m. here at council chambers. Thank
you everybody and have a good evening.