All right. >> All right, everyone. Welcome to tonight's uh mayor and council meeting. I'd like to read the Open Public Meetings Act statement. In compliance with the open public meetings law, notification of this meeting has been
sent to our official newspapers and other publications circulated in the bureau of ultipan and notice posted in the on the on the Bolton board at Burough Hall. All meetings are videotaped and posted on our website. A reminder of our fire fire exits. Please
note the fire exits located at the main entrance to the council chambers and in the rear of the council chambers. Jean, can I get a roll call, please? >> Mayor Gallagher. Council, >> Councilman Boyce, Councilwoman Costello >> here.
>> Councilman Guan here. >> Councilman Marty >> here. Councilman New >> here. I ask everyone to stand as we salute the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Will everybody remain standing as uh Councilman Guan blesses this meeting with a prayer. >> Thank you. Uh wanted to take uh this time um to reflect on a couple weeks ago
one of my favorite baseball players um passed away of of cancer uh very young. I think he was in his 50s which reminded me that uh November uh is actually uh nicknamed now Movember. Um and we are
made it is to raise awareness uh of men's health issues. And so you will notice uh men growing mustaches uh to make uh people aware of uh health issues, cancer, specifically prostate cancer. Uh as you can see, it probably
take me six months to grow a mustache. So I will use this time to say a prayer. Uh and and I know of someone that does have prostate cancer. Say a prayer to everyone that has prostate cancer uh or
or any form of cancer. um as we are made well in November. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> At this time, I'll entertain a motion to open the meeting to the public for uh
items that are not on the agenda tonight. >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> All right. We are open to the public for comment, questions on non-aggenda items. Seeing none,
I'll entertain a motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. I see. Now we have um well, first I'd like to start by introducing our and welcoming our newest
council member, Mrs. Donna Costello. I've had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Costello in in the years past and I'm confident in her abilities to do uh what's best for our town. I'll give you a chance to introduce yourself and say a
little bit about yourself later in this meeting. All right. Um I see we have a few appointments tonight. Um Councilman Guan, the first appointment is for you. >> Thank you. Uh this staff appointment
would be uh for deputy OEM coordinator uh Mr. Sean Smith. Uh it's a three-year appointment uh ending in November of 2028. Uh we've been looking for deputy OEM coordinator for a couple of uh months now to support uh Andy and his
lead uh as OEM uh director. >> Second. Any discussion on uh Mr. Smith's appointment? Seeing none, roll call, please. Jane. >> Councilwoman,
>> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Marty, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. And the next two appointments are for Councilman Marty. Uh, thank you. Yep. I have uh two um staff appointments. one for a DPW
maintenance worker, uh, Richard Spurl, and a DPW administrative assistant, Luis Martinez. I'd like to make a motion to have them appointed. >> Can I get a second, please? >> Someone second. >> All in favor? I >> I
>> Any questions or comments about Mr. Sporals or Mr. Martinez's appointment? >> I'd just like to say Mr. Squirrel um was chosen because he has experience in landscape landscaping and building
maintenance and repairs and he happens to be an old resident. Mr. Martinez has been working in Burough Hall for some time now and he will be trans transitioning to this job as a admin assistant to the DPW.
Uh next on the agenda count I'm sorry. Oh, roll call, please. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Guan, >> Councilman Marting, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> Uh, Councilman Guan, the consent resolution, please.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Uh consent resolution. Be it resolved that the following resolutions placed on the agenda by consent require no discussion and the same having been previously reviewed by each council person. Be and are hereby adopted in their entirety by
the mayor and council of the burough pan. Bills and claims release cash bonds and escrow refund New Jersey tax court judgment overpayment. Confirm deputy OEM coordinator appointment. Confirm DPW maintenance worker appointment. Confirm
DPW administrative assistant appointment. National first responders day. >> Thank you. >> Can I get a second, please? >> Second. >> Um, any questions or comments? First,
>> I'd like to pull the national um first responders day off the consent and I'd like to read it separately for the uh minutes. Um, okay. >> I have it here, so I'll read it. Roll call first.
>> Do a roll call on the consent. >> Okay. On the consent besides the National First Responders uh item, can I get a roll call for everything except for the um National First Responders Day? >> Council, >> yes. >> Council Guan, >> yes.
>> Councilman Marty, yes. Councilman New. >> Yes. So, I uh like I said, I'd like to pull this from the consent agenda and read it to the public. Um resolution. Whereas our first responders, including police officers,
firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and our public works professionals, stand on the front lines of our committees, selflessly serving and protecting the ser citizens of Old Tapan in times of crisis. And whereas
first responders respond swiftly and courageously to emergencies, often putting their own lives at risk to ensure the safety and well-being of others, whether in natural disasters, accidents, medical emergencies, or
public health and safety threats. And whereas it is a public interest for it is in the public interest for the residents of the bureau of Altapan to gain knowledge and of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of
the importance of public works and other first responder efforts in their respective communities. And as of 2019, the US Senate has included language to recognizing public works alongside
fellow other first responders. And now therefore be a resolve by the mayor and council of the burough of Voltipan to urge all residents to pay tribute to our public works first responders alongside law enforcement, firefighters, emergency
medical technicians and recognize the sub substantial contributions they make in protecting the health, safety and quality of life for all. And be it further resolved that the mayor and council of the burough of Altapan, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey,
do hereby design designate October 28th, 2025 as National First Responders Day and honor our police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and public works offic professionals for the
important role they play in our lives. Thank you, Jean. Uh, can I get a roll call, please, for that resolution? >> Sure. Councilwoman Costello, >> yes. >> Councilman Juan, >> yes. >> Councilman Marty, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes.
And, um, I would just like to personally thank all of our first responders, GBW, firefighters, police, and EMTs for all the sacrifices they make for our town. and Ultapan is truly
blessed to have such a dedicated crew. Um, all right. Now, we'll move on to our council committee reports. Councilwoman Costello, I'll begin with you. I know um the mayor
has assigned you with duties relating to the historical committee and local assistance board. I know you probably haven't had a chance to work with any of them yet. Not yet. >> But I'll give you an opportunity opportunity to introduce yourself and give give us a little bit about your
background. >> Sure. I want first I want to say thank you for the to the council and the mayor for the appointment. Um and I look forward to serving on on the town council with you all. Uh so by way of background, my name is Donna Costello. I've lived in Old Japan for about 13
years now. when my I bought a place on Steuart Court um when I was pregnant with my first child and so we were very excited about moving in to town. Um by way of background, I'm a finance person by trade, started off a career in public
accounting and then went into corporate and served as a CFO of multiple public companies for the last 20 so years. Um after retiring from that, I now serve on boards um public boards and private
boards mostly backed by private equity and hedge funds. And um I serve chair audit committees on those boards and compensation committees. So that's what I do in my my day job, I guess you'd call it. And then um from a community
perspective when I stopped working full-time, I ran for the school board, the regional high school board. So that was exciting. And um served on that term for three years. I am on the PTO board of
the lower school and I the treasurer of regional girl scouts council and I am a catechist at St. Pius right across the street. Um so that's that's all all what I do now. >> That's that's it.
>> That's quite a resume. Thank you. >> Oh and I serve on the old Tapan Town Day Committee. All right. I almost forgot that. And that is this coming Saturday. We're very excited about it. >> Thank you for reminding all of us. >> What? It starts at 100 p.m. And we have
quite a lineup. We even have a live wrestling event >> for the first time. So, we're excited. It's supposed to be a beautiful day. >> Will you be wrestling? Is it >> I will not be wrestling. >> Is it wrestle a council person? >> It is. It is professional or semi-professional
wrestlers. >> Um we've had, you know, tremendous donors come come out. So, it's it's going to be a fun day. >> Yeah, I'm excited. And I will get a chance to meet the historical and local assistant board committees at some point. So, I'll report out on them next
next meeting. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you. >> Uh Councilman Glenn, >> thank you, Councilman. You um couple things. So, uh the library, we had the board meeting, uh I think it was last
week. uh they shared the numbers uh for September that board meeting the door uh count which is number of people going into the library was up 31% from September to September. Now remember in
August the parking lot uh was repaved a little bit so maybe there was some pent-up demand but there's still uh a lot more visitors to the library this month than September of last year. uh year-to- date door for 2025 versus
year-to date is up 12%. Uh year-to- date circulation and so again that's books and other media being um borrowed is up 31% year-to- date 2025 versus year-to- date 2024. So, uh
continued popularity of the library. Um so, speaking of events, uh there's a craft fair at the library November 15. Uh they need uh vendors. It's a fundraiser for the library. Uh they can accommodate 34 vendors.
I think there might be a food truck outside, but the vendors will be indoors. So, if you know of anyone that uh sells and makes crafts, uh please contact the library. They are updating their board policies,
uh both uh policies concerning patrons, uh and employees, uh for and they're going to have a policy uh review committee. So they're going to update their policies every two years and then every five years revamp those policies. An example is the employee code of
conduct which hasn't been updated in a very long time. Uh and as you know uh things are changing in the world of employment. So we need to be up to date or they need to be up to date uh there. uh weekend hours for 2026 uh are changing from 9 to 1 on Saturday and 1
to 4 on Sunday to nine from to 9 to 12 uh both days. Uh they feel it's it's easier to get uh uh workers to come in for those hours and uh there is demand for those hours uh from uh the
constituents there. Uh OEM uh you saw the new appointment we just approved. Uh and then in finance uh in the hiring process of a revenue finance clerk. And that would be the end of my report.
>> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you. >> Any questions for uh Councilman Guan? >> All right, we'll move on to Councilman Marti. >> Uh thank you very much. Uh pretty brief today. Nothing uh new to report from the schools. I was told that we will have some information
um possibly next month and one of our board of ed members is here. So, thank you for coming. Uh as far as call stats, I'm going to give just the numbers for September. 21 total calls. Um five of those were mutual aid calls. Uh the uh remainer uh remaining calls were here in
town. Um and I'm being told that they had a 100% um response rate. So, that's great. um regarding the update on their uh ambulance purchase. So, apparently the um excuse me, I just lost my spot here.
The uh plans are completed. Um they have uh the prelim the preliminary um of getting the drawing uh from the vendor which will be sent to the core for review. Also, this is a big one. Um, there was a dog
adoption event that was going to be held at the Ammon Square. Um, and it was moved. So, that's good in case somebody didn't know about it because there's going to be a lot of cute little dogs there. Um, that will be open for adoption. That's going to be on November 1st from 2:00 to 5:00 at the endless
core. Um, the only thing I do want to report for the board of health because again there wasn't much from our last meeting. the mayor uh last meeting had asked for some stats on um Lyme disease um just because of all the uh conversations that we've been having uh
with uh the deer population. So I wanted to read a little information regarding Lyme disease. But uh first before we get into it, I do want to just I pulled the stats for the last 3 years of New Jersey uh residents, entire state um that have
been infected with Lyme disease. Um in 2022, we had uh 5,897 residents. 2023, we had a pretty big uptick of 7,224 residents. And uh yeah, and then in 2024, they don't obviously have the 2025
stats yet, but 2024 stats were 6,256 residents. The one thing that I did find interesting was that uh the last three years were actually some of our most elevated uh years going back 15 years or so. So there's obviously uh an issue.
Whether or not it was underdiagnosed, under reportported prior, we don't know. But we have to kind of take that into um uh into consideration. So real quick, this is not my words. I'm actually reading this. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to
humans um by uh backlegged uh ticks which are only uh found on uh deer. Um they Lyme disease can affect the central nervous system, the heart, and uh the
joints. Um it's actually in my world. I think I mentioned it last um week what I do for a living. Um it can affect the heart uh pretty catastrophically. However, it does tend to improve with um treatment. So it can actually create heart block where the heart doesn't uh
pump effectively due to a uh electrical um short circuit have you. Um so yeah, tick must be attached to the body for 36 to 48 hours or more to transmit the bacteria. So that's why it's very important when you come out from walking in the woods, walking your dogs, do a
quick body check. If you see ticks, get them off of you because they really have to be on you for 36 to 48 hours so that the bacteria is transmitted. Um ticks become infected after feeding on small animals such as mice or other rodents that carry bacteria. So let's try and
keep our properties clean. If you see anything out there, any uh water that's that's sitting where it would attract rodents or anything, just try and get rid of that. Um, and let this I found interesting because this I didn't know. Most of the Lyme disease is actually uh
transmitted by immature ticks. So the the little baby ones, so they're tiny. Um, so that's something to keep um, you know, uh, in the back of your mind, especially when you're checking your kids when they're coming in. Um, and the last thing I want to do, uh, want wanted to mention on that is that, um, the
early symptoms after a bite usually occur between 3 and 30 days postbite. So, it's actually relatively quick. So, that's all I wanted to say on that just because the mayor had asked for some stats. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Anybody have any
questions for Councilman Martis? >> Councilman, I have a question about um I'm not sure if you know, but the field that uh the regional high school is working on along Deis. What are they doing there? >> You mean right over here? >> Yep. >> Yeah. So, they're actually, that was
mentioned many, many meetings ago. Um, but they are putting turf down. >> Not only are they putting turf down, they're also going to put a netting system for when they're playing soccer. So, no balls are going to go on the street. Not that I've ever seen that. >> Okay. Cuz the whole field is torn up. It looks like torn up drainage and everything.
>> Yeah. The pipes that they have there are enormous. So, that's good. Um, but yeah, it's going to be turf lights. They're actually really doing a nice job on it. So, and I don't have an answer for you is when they're going to be done yet. >> Okay. >> But I will ask. >> Thank you. You're welcome.
>> All right, let's move on. Um, I have some comments for my departments. I'll try to be brief. Our uh report of our seniors, they had a great time last week at their trip to West Point. Um this Thursday, our
seniors will be treated to an international lunch and learn focusing on Greek cuisine and culture. Um members from the police department will be there to talk to them about guarding their finances. Seems like criminals these days are always coming
up with new ways to scam people out of their hard money. Uh last week a girl scout attended our senior meeting to introduce ideas for her Gold Star project. will be looking forward to working with her um uh as she helps the
seniors with their technology items. Um report of the DPW. I want to congratulate and welcome Mitch Mr. Richard Sporl and Mr. Lewis Martinez to our DPW staff. Report of our fire department. I want to congratulate our fire department, ambulance corps, and
police department on the successful completion of their annual 5K fundraiser. And a big thank you to all the participate participants and donors to the event. Uh recreation report this Saturday, as
councilwoman um Costello mentioned, um will be our uh annual town day, which was rescheduled. Um it just so happens that our annual Raga Muffin parade is that day also at
Oaks Park. Our Raga Muffin parade starts at 11:00. Town Day festivity starts in one. So they'll be immediately following each other. If you want any more details, please look at our burrow calendar. All right, that is all I have to report
on. Next on the agenda, next on the agenda are the mayor's comments. We'll reserve those for the mayor when he returns next meeting. Um action on the minutes. Councilman
Guang, can you uh read the minutes to be approved? >> The minutes to be approved are the closed meeting September 15, 2025, uh the regular meeting September 15, 2025, the closed meeting October 6, 2025, and
the regular and executive meetings of October 6, 2025. >> Can I get a second, please? >> Second. Um, a roll call, please. Council
>> woman, abstain. Councilman Guan, >> approve. Uh, yes to October 6. Abstain from September 15th. >> Councilman Marty. >> Yeah, I'm going to be the same. I'm abstaining from September 15th. >> Councilman Hugh.
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Now, we'll move on to old business. I'd like to begin with um discussion on our ebike ordinance. I'm sure all of you
read the memo from our administrator uh burough administrator. To me, it seems like title 39 covers a lot of the legislation involved in uh ebikes. Um it's by no means comprehensive
and I understand that the state is working on firming up their legislation, right? Um wondering if anybody has any comments. If not, I'd like to table this until we have more the rest of our council members here and our mayor here to talk about it.
>> Yeah, I just I agree with you. If it's covered under title 39, I'm wondering why we would need an ordinance that's a little bit uh redundant. So, I think it's a good idea to >> agree. So, we'll table this item until uh we have a full attendance.
>> All right. Next on our um old business agenda is our Halloween discussion. Um just to fill Councilwoman Costello in >> Mhm. >> Um I don't know if you had the opportunity to watch our last meeting, but um fewer of our residents came in
last meeting to talk about the possible closure of roads on Birwood and Country Squire. Mhm. >> Um during uh for a few hours during Halloween, we all know that that area
gets pretty crowded uh during Halloween. Um we had some people introduce the idea concerned about the safety of the kids running around on the streets. And then we had some some residents concerned about
not not having access to the roads if the roads are closed. It was proposed that the roads are completely closed and residents can't even get in and out. >> Um our police department and our
department uh OEM department gave a proposal. I'm don't know if all you guys uh took a look at it. Basically they gave us three options. One option is complete closure from Altapan Road onto Birchwood and uh through country
the country squire area. I'm not sure. I don't have the map. Does anybody have the map? >> Bring it up on my phone. You have >> Okay. >> Oh, there's three options there. >> Thank you. Yeah. So, this seems to be option one,
completely closing the road on Country Squire. Um, thereby >> it it is a soft closure. I mean, it's a closure, but residents would be able to come. >> Okay. I understand there will be police
on each corn on probably on each corner uh guiding traffic. Um, and that would inherently close Westminster and Windsor and Old Crown Road >> for what period of time?
>> That's between four and six, I believe. >> I just have one comment on that. I from what I understood, it's they're going to have soft barricades uh to Country Square and then they're going to have two officers. They're not going to have officers on every corner.
So, two officers walking the perimeter, I guess you could say. >> Correct. Yes. >> All right. And that was option one. >> Yep. >> Option two would be not closing um
Country Squire, just limited to uh no parking on one side, closing Westminster and Windsor Place, thereby closing Old Crown. Also, option three would be not closing at all
and but just limiting parking on all sides of the road on Country Squire, Westminster, Windsor, and Old Crown. >> It's not limited. It's no parking.
>> No parking on both sides. Correct. All right. So with that, we have our options that were provided to us by the police department and the department of OEM. I'd like to open it up to discussion with uh you guys here.
>> I've um taken part in trick-or-treating for quite some time now, probably the past 12 years. And I've personally always wondered my husband, our friends, why why it wasn't close to traffic. I felt like it was a hazardous situation.
It is for children. In fact, when my son was about 2 and a half, he ran right through my arms into the middle of the street and almost got hit by a car. And the car was not driving slowly. It was It should have been, but it was not. And I still remember every second of that
moment. Um, so I am I'm supportive of option number one. I think for a limited amount of time, once per year, and with the residents being able to to get into their homes, I I don't see I don't see a
downside to it. Um, if I think about timing wise, I think the place is pretty cleared out by even 5:30, maybe even 5:15. It's really more like a 3:45 to 5:15 kind of. It's a very
short window and it is packed. Um, you would hope that that people could, you know, monitor their own driving and behavior, but unfortunately that that doesn't that doesn't seem to happen. I don't think parking in my in my
experience, parking has not been the issue. It's not like we're walking around parked cars and going into the middle of the street. there there there's not many parked cars to begin with. It's more about the kids running across the street from house to house.
They don't typically run on the same side of the street from house to house cuz the houses are f far apart. So what they do to get as many houses done as quick as possible is they go across and back and they zigzag and that's why
that's why it becomes very challenging. Don, just to remind you, this is a Friday, so I know it's normally 3:15, but on a Friday, I go later. >> Yeah. And it's Right. You're right. I appreciate that. Um, so yeah, I'm I'm
supportive of of option of option number one. I think that would be great. >> Thank you for those comments. Anybody else? >> Yeah, if I may. So, you know, when we're up here making rules and ordinances, we
usually are doing it to solve a problem or react to something that happened that we weren't proactive about. The fact that this proposal was made, I feel personally if we actually if I don't do anything and then something
happens, I feel it's on me now. Right. So, you're right. So to me, yes, I'm feeling forced into it, but to me, there's there's one phrase and it's safety over convenience, right? If we can be
proactive about safety over convenience, and we did hear from people that don't want this and they would be inconvenienced for a period of time, but honestly, for two hours where they can, you know, park somewhere else, they
know ahead of time. It's not like it's not like okay so let's say there was a a fire and there are fire engines and you can use the street that's a surprise right here it's not we could be proactive about it they can be in their homes they can be not in their homes they can park somewhere else etc we're
giving everyone fair warning it's only a two-hour period of time but as leaders of this let's make sure that this happens the right way let's close it down at exactly the time that that we promised let's allow those cars to come in let's make sure that nothing
crazy happens that you know if we do approve this in the way that I think we we will um that we're relying on you guys to take charge in this and to show us how good it can become and how it can be sustainable for years after this.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you council. >> I like to add some notes. So like I mentioned in the last meeting uh my kids still go there. Um they love going there. all the friends, everybody hangs out there. I have done drop offs and I have done pickups there and it for me I
was appalled. I'm like, "Oh my goodness, this is, you know, and having my emergency uh background, it was just it was a lot." Um, a lot of kids and to your point, they're not they're literally crisscross and they're jumping. You're going 5 miles an hour and you feel like you're going too fast.
Um, and to uh Councilman Guan's point, it's two hours. um everybody has a fair warning about it and not only that, the residents are still going to have access to their driveways because there will be officers walking around. So, I think that will um allay some of those fears uh a bit. Um and at the end of the day
also when we're making decisions here, it's what's best for everybody. Um and knowing that everybody in town, all the kids go there, I too I support option one as well. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman.
All right. for my comments. I'll provide a counterargument. Um, it's been mentioned that if we do allow this to happen, this will be the place that everybody in town will go to,
including out oftowners, for trick-or-treating. Now, do we have I asked you ladies last time Well, I'll give you an opportunity. I asked you ladies last time if you um actually pled the residents in the res
in in that uh neighborhood, what would they think? I don't know. I would like to poll them. Okay, I'll give you an opportunity to speak, but call me oldfashioned, but that just to me it doesn't seem like what Halloween is. It
does shouldn't be blocked off like that. I could imagine something like a culde-sac being closed off cuz all the neighbors agree, hey, let's close off the block for a party, right? But this inconveniences people, you know, elderly
residents, things like that. Um, so me, I'm more in favor towards restricting parking on it. But given that, I am going to go off the agenda
and I am going to uh accept comments from the public at this time. So if you want, I'd like a motion to open to the public before we make a decision about this. >> I second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi.
>> Name and uh address for the record, please. >> My name is Dorene Feifer. I live at 12 Windsor Place. I sit here and I listen to this and I've lived there for 28 years. As I said at the last meeting, I have watched
Halloween just grow and grow and grow. My kids experienced Halloween there. However, all of you that are sitting up here don't live in that neighborhood. So, you bring your kids to our neighborhood and then all of a sudden it
becomes the responsibility of the people in the neighborhood to watch out for everyone else's kids. Just a couple of points. First of all, restricting parking would be the ideal solution because what we have now is we
have parking on both sides of the street. So the kids and their parents are forced to just march down the middle of the street, take the parking away or restrict the parking to one side of the
street and now you have a lot more room for people to wander up and down through the neighborhood. Okay, people are they're all over your lawn and it's okay. It's Halloween. It's for kids and that's what it's supposed to be.
But rather than close off our entire neighborhood, and I last time we were here, it was a hard shutdown of our neighborhood. Now, it sounds as though the police have said this is going to be a soft shutdown so that if I have to get out, I can get out of my driveway and I
don't have to I don't have to worry about that. However, as I talked about last time, we have I I've lived there for so long that when you try to go out of your driveway and you're driving 2 miles an hour, you're screamed at. You're screamed at by
parents that live nowhere near our neighborhood who brought their kids over there. And I understand that whole concept. I really do. But they scream at you to get out of the road. They scream at you because you're going down the middle of the road and
they're all in the middle of the road because you've got cars lining both sides of the street. My suggestion would be shut that road down by 3:15 because shutting it down at 3:45 or 4:00, it's already going to be completely
packed. There's going to be parking all over the place. People are going to be parking everywhere in the world. So, the fact of the matter is is that take the parking out of there. The people who want to bring their kids in from other sides of town or from another neighborhood, that's fine. But either
have them go home from school with their friend that lives in that neighborhood or or figure out a way to get them there earlier. It it it's just it it's it's too much. And I think what concerns me is that is
this a topic that we have to now explore every year because next year it's a Saturday and are they going to shut down the roads for four 5 6 8 hours so kids can go trick-or-treating?
I I I don't to me the answer is block the cars out of there completely. Let the kids have the entire roadway and then that way if you have a car that needs to come through, they're not even going to be taking up half of that
roadway. I don't know. That's the way it for years and years and years. I had a was a woman sitting here last two weeks ago who told us that her daughter has her friends and her daughter come in from Hworth.
The more you block this neighborhood off, the more it just becomes a free-for-all for not only all Japan, but I've told you before, I've had buses come in, stop on Country Squire Road, kids jump out. It's become a
free-for-all, and it's going to only get worse. And the idea to just cut us off from everything is wrong. It's just my suggestion, just my opinion. But I think if you took the cars off the road and you gave the kids
the entire neighborhood there without the cars and only people who had to get in and out. I've driven down that road during Halloween. It could take me 10 minutes to get from my house on Windsor Place to the corner of Birchwood Road. You do it. You drive slow because you're
cautious. I've never seen anyone speed through that area on Halloween. Thank you. >> So, it seems like um there won't be a full closure of the road. Residents will always have the
option in option one or two. Anyone else from the public? >> Name and address for the uh record, please. >> Sure. Jen Griffin, 56 Old Crown Road. >> Jordan Sheen, 42 Edith Street.
So just to sort of bounce off of somebody joining you. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Brian Zagel Country Squire. >> Join. >> Do you want to share? >> Troy Carbon 7 country Squire. >> Carlo Filipone 128 Clark Avenue.
>> Go ahead. >> Another chair. Can before we um get into everybody's thoughts, can you just share possibly with us what the Ultipan Police Department's um vote or choice is on plan 1, two, or three? >> They don't really have a choice. They gave the options to us. This is a
decision for the mayor and council. >> Do they have a recommendation? >> They probably have Anna, can you option? >> Yep. Option. >> They were an option order. >> So, they recommend option one. >> Correct. >> Their concerns are mostly safety. I
think that's the main concern. >> Um, in in terms of safety, would it also be possible maybe to borrow a golf cart from Old Pan Golf Course in case there needs to be faster movement or things of that nature? >> I know that's >> for purpose.
>> For comfort for residents who are concerned and >> I don't know. >> So, I would as much as I would love to do that insurance purposes, >> too crazy. >> Too too crazy. is not even on the at the facility. It's used for something
different. Say and >> there was someone that fell off a golf cart and and died. Um he was an athletes manager or something like that. >> There will be two officers there. >> I would just Yeah. >> What I can't imagine the the police department does have a a quad that they
could use. >> And was there a plan for the DPW to have barricades and movement and there was a discussion on that and they would >> the roads are closed. They're going to they are going to barricade the roads, >> but they're movable. >> Mhm. >> For emergency purposes. Okay. >> I remember and I know you're pulling up
the list. The last time we spoke it was setting the president to other towns and we're already they're ahead of the curve. Sorry. They're they're ahead of the curve. And in fact, no, no, no. I we could speak to this together. Um Jordan got some information based on the surrounding towns and what their plans
are. And I'll let you speak to them. I knew you were pulling up the notes, but Norwood um closes Kensington Avenue from 3:30 to 9:00 p.m. Rivervale closes Rockland a major cutthrough from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. every Halloween. Harrington Park closes Lynn to Eastbrook Road and
George Street to Eastbrook Road from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. And closer also closes a main road. And that's as far as I got research wise, but I'm happy to >> Worth as well. Hallworth. >> I'm just wondering if they were the the
residents were properly noticed about that closure. Were they asked or were they told that it's going to be closed? >> You understand what I mean? >> They could they could have asked them, "Hey, are you all right with closing your road from this time to this time on
Halloween?" I don't think that happened on in this case. That's my concern. >> I don't know if we tell them it's going to be closed. a week before Halloween, what are they going to think? Oh, I got to go here. I can't get out. >> They'll probably be concerned about
things like >> in due respect, I think anybody that lives in the road in the roads that are supposed to be closed already is aware of what's going to happen on our and and to go back to safety just for a moment,
>> locking off parking just so people don't walk. He did. >> He did. He did. All right. >> But can you speak into the microphone? >> Yeah. >> Hold on. >> Troy >> Troy Parvin 7 country Squire Road.
>> Perfect. Thank you. Everybody can hear me. >> Be recorded. >> Go ahead. Take it. >> It really does come down to a safety issue. uh eliminating parking on certain
sides of the road is not going to stop children from walking down the center. I think Councilwoman uh hit it clearly on the head. These children are zigzagging across the street back and forth. I witness it every single year for nine
years now. I've seen children dart out from their parents' hands almost getting hit by cars, even going 2 m an hour. It happens. And when you're talking about a five, sixy old getting hit by some a car going two miles an hour, there's still
going to be a really big concern and and some possible major injuries to that individual. Um, so the inconvenience to certain residents, the safety far outweighs that that potential inconvenience that's going to happen in my opinion.
>> If I make if I can make a comment about the parking, right? So, the original proposal not having any parking seems like it's safer, right? Because you only see road. You don't see anyone darting out from cars, etc. And so, the visual
is much better. But here's why I think it's actually not as safe is because if I'm bringing uh my child, young child, to the neighborhood and I cannot park there, where am I going to park? In a different neighborhood. Now, I have to walk. Now I have now I have three kids
walking along Old Tapan Road which I feel is more dangerous than if we had parked in a in a closed environment where everything is is contained. And so that's why I feel like that's not necessarily uh a great solution. Um so
parking to me is okay, but again as long as we manage um you know what what goes on and and the cars etc. And you know, and in terms of other um you know, towns coming in, I mean, I
none of us can control this. As you see, other towns have their own Halloweens. And so, if ours is best, great. That's fine. But we're not going to sell tickets or anything like that. But again, managing the crowds, if it gets too big, then we're going to have to deal with that. But it I don't want to
decline this for something that's totally unknown, right? like if this is too much then next year we won't do it. But hey, let's give it a try. Let's do it in the most in the safest way possible and then we'll see next year. >> Council Councilman Guan, I I think you you make a valid point as well.
Councilman, you had brought up the fact that um we start closing down roads. We're going to have uh individuals from other towns come to this part of the fact of the matter is Councilman Wu, it's already happening. It already happens. Um, and I don't think we're
going to see an expansion drastically by closing down roads that all of a sudden you're going to double the amount of individuals coming solely for Halloween. People come because it is generally a safe area, but I can tell you from living there I I do have concerns.
>> Okay. Anybody else have any comments? >> May uh May I uh Carlo Fipon 128 Clark Avenue. So, I'm on the other side of town. So, I just want to commend the council for its decision here. I think you guys are making the right choice. Trick-or-treating is new to me. I'm a
newer parent. So, I have a six-year-old and a one-year-old. >> You did it when you were young. >> Yeah. So, so to me, trick-or- treat was one of those things that I had forgotten about for over 40 years. So, when I had a daughter and she became friendly with Jen's daughter, uh we were invited into
the neighborhood in the community and we were pleasantly surprised. And I'll tell you why. for five years we put candy out on our block >> and not one single child came to our door depressing my wife who's a teacher by trade right they're all over there so
when we found out um we were invited and we had an amazing time >> it forged friendships it caused the community to come together um and that togetherness is what builds us as a community is what I believe so uh I commend you uh Councilman Guan for being proactive and that's the most important
thing here is that we can support the children the parents concerns and the members of the community. So, and if certain members have concerns, I I do find it a little ironic the members that have those concerns, their children have already grown up and they've already gone through this. Um, but without the irony and without that be with that
being said, I just want to commend the board for making that decision. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Yes. So, um, I live at 20 Country Squire. It is so much fun. My kids love it every single year. We have nine Costco sized bags of candy to give out
and we're always empty. Um, so you know, it's tons of kids. They need to be safe, but it's a great experience and a great time for everyone. >> So, what would happen when you're 60 years old, still living in the same house? Would you feel the same? >> Probably. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. My grandkids will come
there. >> Easy to say. >> I'm 56, >> so I'm close. >> I'm right up there with you. Yeah, we I have neighbors on Country Squire Road that are are 60 plus and they are more than happy to have the roads closed down and still experience Halloween as it is.
I can't speak for everybody, but I can speak for my immediate neighbors. >> All right. Is that all? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for coming. >> I'll entertain a mo. Uh we have one more one more. The special one that you opened.
>> Yes. go and fight for 12. Being a a fireman for 50 years, we more than understand safety. We're all concerned about safety. But the issue with the cars isn't the residents who live there. It's the cars
that come in. 90 I'd say 99% of the cars on the road are the cars that came in. If you keep the cars out, that issue goes away. Yes, a resident may need to get in or out. Okay, there's police there. The police
have their little ATV with the sirens and lights on it. If needed, they could escort somebody in or out. But the issue is not the residents cars. The issue is allowing hundreds of cars to park on the
streets, block the roads completely. So it does make it unsafe. But again, your option one, which is a soft close in my mind is absolutely the best because it allows the residents to get in and out
if needed while creating a safety issue by taking those cars off the road because that's where the safety comes from. It doesn't come from residents and there's no resident speeding down those roads. I've lived there for 28 years.
You can't go 2 m an hour. So there are not people speeding down the roads. It's impossible. It's time square on New Year's Eve. >> It's impossible to speed on those roads. >> So we agree. Thank you. >> Can I add one comment? >> Sure.
>> Um Mrs. Fifer had mentioned that if we're going to leave the roads open till 4:00, they're going to get congested, right? I agree with that. I think 4:00 maybe too late because >> when I get there at like 3:45 it's already crowded. The cars are going to
be in those streets already. >> I I meant to mention it too 3:00. By 3:30 the place jam the whole cars are there already. The only problem is what time does
>> 2:55 >> 255 >> have to give them enough time >> for those residents who can get in or out coming from elsewhere. >> That's correct. >> So if you allow your residents to come in and out at 3:00 >> or maybe even 3:30, maybe 3:30
>> 4:00 it's already too late. >> No matter no matter what option we take, I think it'll be smart if we if we uh disallow parking on those streets starting 3:00. Wicked. I'm reading the latest police and just these kids. I mean, you'd be able to see
that a kid is not running between a car. >> I If I could get in and out. >> Ma'am, you really need you need to come up. You're not being recorded. >> What's your name again? >> Yes, please. >> Dorian Fip for 12 Windsor.
What it is is that if we have you you have to you have you don't want the cars there because kids run between the cars. That's when we don't see them. Okay? And we don't see them because we've got cars parked on both sides of
the street. I'm I'm trying to make this work for everybody because these kids just as my kids were allowed to have fun on Halloween and should continue to be allowed to have fun on Halloween. I know that you said just because I'm older and
my kids are grown up, that's not it. I have a grandchild on my on the way and you know so the fact of the matter is is that if there's no cars that are blocking the vision shut that road down at n at 3:30 post signs there that said
there will be no parking on country Squire Windsor Westminster oldrown Birwood wherever however we go there will be no parking here just like you do for the high school for the football games between the hours of this and this then you have the cars off the road and
the kids and their parents. Yes, they might have to park up on Sundon Court and walk down a little bit. Okay, even if they had to park on Ultipan near Altapan Road, Altapan Road in that area has sidewalks so you don't have to walk your children into the middle of the
road on Ultan Road. So, I'm just trying to find something. Yes, safety is an issue. I I agree. And when my kids were little, you'd grab them by the hand and and you you just you knew because people were darting in and out. It has gotten
much worse over the years. It it certainly has. But the fact of the matter is taking those cars out of there, the line of sight is that much better because even if you have a car going down the road, say I'm coming down Windsor Place from Country Square and
I'm going home and I want to turn into my driveway. Everybody can see me because and and there's not another car that a kid that a 2-year-old or a three-year-old child could get in between and dart out. That's the problem. >> So Dor, you're saying close the section
but put no parking on either side. >> I'm thinking, and again, this is just my thoughts. I'm thinking no parking on the side streets, right? No parking on Country Squire. >> All of us have driveways that are big enough. Okay. Yeah. I mean, and if you
had a couple of friends come over, >> you could I mean, we could easily fit two or three or four of your friends that could go into the garbage. Block that. Just don't have the parking there because that's what is the blocking the site and you can't see what these kids
are doing. >> No parking either side on Country Squire, Westminster, Windsor, and Old Crown, >> I guess. And how about I don't know if you that section of Birchwood is like up there at the end down >> I think >> I don't know I'm just saying you know
like by K's house there that you know at the end there that would be >> because that would be that's you got country Squire here and you've got Old Crown here. So you'd want to kind of put in that little Right. >> I'd imagine I would imagine all people be parking on Birchwood then.
>> Yeah. So they could park further down on Birchwood and walk. And if they were near Old Tapan Road, I know what you said, but there's there's um sidewalks there. >> Yeah, there was saying most people the other neighborhood. >> Kids deserve to have fun. I I said it
two weeks ago when I sat here. I am not antih Halloween by any stretch of the imagination. >> I've dropped thousands of dollars in candy. So thank you. >> Now, can I say something? You had me a little confused because I thought initially you didn't want the streets
closed and no parking and now I I love the way we did a complete >> I think that everybody is just No, I think that it's just that >> I think we all realize that safety is the most important thing. >> And we we absolutely do and
>> the fact of the matter is how do you make this how do you make this safe? It has grown. It was crowded. It was packed when my kids were little. Okay, my kids were 30 and 35 years old. Okay. So, it it was crowded and and it was packed then
it just gets worse and we are getting people in here who are coming from different towns that we are getting >> can't control >> buses and you can't control that. We can't be asking for, you know, ID when people come to come to trick-or- treat. >> We get it. But first of all, two weeks
ago we were talking a hard close that we would be stuck into our house. >> That's that was the thought. >> That's fine. But we're here now and this is what we have. >> Soft clothes is what >> I think soft clothes because as I said, but to me soft clothes fine, but get
those cars off those side roads because the kids are darting in and out. That's that's just my thoughts. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> So, can can I get a motion to close to the public first? >> Uh motion to close the public. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I have a question. Are we are we going to consider expanding the time limit? >> Uh I think we could we could uh >> Okay. >> Well, let's decide on um >> I'm sorry. >> We're close to the public. Is it Is it
concerning this? >> Yes. Before you close, >> I'll make a motion to open it up again to the public. >> Second. I second. That's fine. >> All in favor? >> I >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Sorry. Um, >> I just want I just want to say Margaret Heramis um 37 Birchwood Road, right on
the corner of Birwood and Nottingham Court. Um, I just want to say that they do park both sides of the street on Birwood Road in that section. And I'm sorry if I if you made that clear that you would close that. I apologize, but >> not on Birchwood.
>> They do they do park and >> they come in and they even park in the culde-sac of Nottingham Court. That's right. So if you close the street, close the street, they can't get into Ningham Court. So that wouldn't be an issue. But Birchwood Road, they park on both sides of the both sides. >> I just think the concern is I don't
think we can shut down an entire >> district of the town. So we have to kind of contain it and hopefully the fact that everything is going to be a soft close and everyone's going to know that that area that's what's going on. I think maybe we can kind of hurt everybody there. >> Yeah. And that is where most people
park, but they're not most people that they're not overly congested with trick-or-treaters. A lot of people park there >> and go up country. >> Exactly. They they do trick-or- treat there. They Yes. They're I mean, I put my chair outside my front door with my
basket. And in the house are basket basket baskets of candy. >> And I don't even go in the house anymore. I just stay outside. I take pictures of the kids. The problem with closing more and more is >> everybody's going to ask >> it. It's not even that. It's just that
the the police Oh, yeah. We look at what can be closed and make a certain um kind of area that no one can get in. Birchwood then opens up more >> and and we just can't and there's not
you would never be able to cover it with two police officers anyway. >> That's a great point. >> Could it just be part of Birchwood Road? I'm not talking about the B I don't know what goes on at the Birchwood Road section that comes off of Ultra Pan Road. I'm talking about Birwood Road and in Country Squire where Willow is
Ningham Port and that whole section there. >> Then you can't go from one side of the town to the other side that really >> take Willow down to is it street? I then you're having a birth. This was already looked at by a police department and
department of OEM and they decided this is the best way to move forward. >> I believe they they did look into that also. >> This is the first time this is the first year. >> Yeah. >> Let this play out and see what >> Okay. I just wanted to say it's also
very busy. >> Sir, country. >> Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're talking about birchwood between basically old crown >> and countrywire. Yes. You're talking about 100 yards. >> Yeah. >> You're not blocking Birchwood Road and
anybody on the Washington Avenue side can get out with no issue and anybody on Twan roadside can get out with no issue. So all you're doing is closing the loop. >> Yeah. Once you close Country Yeah. Once you close Country Squire and um Yeah. I'm just really talking about that kind of stretch.
>> Three houses. >> Well, what both sides of the road you got? One, two, three. Three houses. >> Maybe four. >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you. That's all I have to say. Thank you for reopening. >> So, between Birwood, Country Squire on Birwood, Country Squire, and
what is that road going down from there? >> It's Birchwood, but it's an extension of old. >> It's confusing because Birchwood, >> yes, I know. >> Turns and stays Birchwood and then turns into Old Crown. It's that >> So, we'll we'll consider that, ma'am.
I'll I'll talk to the police and we'll consider that. Again, it's a consideration because of the safety for the children and I I've seen it for years. >> I will bring it up to the police and I'll ask them for comment. >> Anybody else from the public? >> Can I get a motion to close to the public? >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Any more discussion here? No. We go to motion or something else. Can I make a suggestion we take an option? >> Yeah. Tell us one council person has to
make a motion to be seconded. And then if you wanted to based upon that last comment, if you wanted to leave it to the chief's discretion as to whether or not they could cover that additional area, then leave it to the chief's discretion. >> What we think we're going to do is not one of those options.
>> No, it is it is it is a version of an option, >> right? That's what I'm saying. So we have to enhance it. >> Yeah. So so uh we heard from all the residents today. We had very good discussion. I think um option one closes
soft closes traffic from Ultipan Road on Country Squire all the way to Birwood probably that loop going up to Old Crown also uh we'll discuss that with our police chief Windsor and Westminster
also to add on that that road be closed starting probably for traffic around 4 p.m. off close, >> but I will suggest that we we put up no parking signs starting 2 2:00 p.m. that
day on all those roads. So, that is our option in front of us. I don't know uh how the rest of the council thinks, but I would suggest that we move forward with that. >> Yeah. I mean, I think 2:00 might be a little too early. School gets out at 3, so you said no parking signs parking.
Yeah, I got you. >> Just the signs. Yeah. >> Okay. That's for the flow of traffic. I think he's referring. >> Yeah, just no parking just so nobody ends up uh parking there before anything gets started. >> All right. So, I'll make a mo should I make a motion on that? Yeah. So, I'll
make a motion that we accept option one with no parking signs uh being in effect at 2 p.m. Is that what you're saying? >> Yep. >> And then uh closing soft closing the streets starting at 3:30 and ending at 6 p.m. Correct. All All residents will have access to their homes in and out.
>> That's my motion. >> I I want to confirm though. No parking between 4 and 6, right? We said no signs at 2:00. >> No parking. No, I think it's no parking from 2 to 6. 2 to 6. >> No parking from 2 to 6, right? Okay. >> Put up emergency. No parking. Want to confirm that 2 to 6.
>> Okay. I would second that. >> All right. Uh roll call, please. Councilwoman Costello, >> yes. >> Councilman Juan, >> yes. >> Councilman Martin, >> yes. Councilman, >> yes. So, it is decided. >> Thank you.
>> I will um recommend that you tell as many residents as possible. We'll we'll put out a notice to our residents also, but let them know what's coming. Let them know they'll have access to their cars, their homes, going in and out. But that's that's what to expect for 2 hours
during Halloween. Thank you. >> Okay. All right, moving on. Do we have any new business to come to come before us today? Seeing none, um, one last opportunity for the, uh, public
public to speak. >> Can I get a motion to open it to public? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Seeing none. >> Seeing none. >> Make a motion to close. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi.
>> Uh I'll accept a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> We are journed. bank. First