All right. Good evening everyone. In compliance with the open public's meeting law, notification of this meeting has been sent to official newspapers and other publications circulated in the burough of old Japan and notice posted on the bulletin board at Burough Hall. Please be reminded that
all of our meetings are video recorded and posted to our website. Please also note the fire exits are at the doorway you enter the council chambers this evening. and in the rear of the council chambers. >> Roll call, please. >> Mayor Gallagher >> here. >> Councilman >> here.
>> Councilman Boy. >> Councilwoman Costello >> here. >> Councilman Juan >> here. >> Councilman Marti >> here. >> Councilman Yu >> here. Would you please rise and join me for our 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. >> Would you please remain standing as Councilwoman Castello leads us in prayer tonight. >> Thank you, dear God. We gather today as servants of this community, asking for
your divine guidance over this council meeting. Grant us the wisdom to make fair decisions, the humility to listen to all perspectives, and the courage to lead with integrity for the well-being of all our residents. We lift up a special prayer for our troops serving at
home and overseas. Protect these brave men and women who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom and safety. Bless our community, our leaders, and our nation. Amen. >> Amen. >> Okay. Okay. I will entertain a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> So move.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Would anyone from the public like to be heard on any matter this evening, >> sir? Name and address for the record. >> Jordan Rosen, 14 Susan Court with my wife Kristen Rosen. >> Hi. How are you?
>> Hi. So, good evening council and mayor. We are here today to discuss the burrow's ordinance on uh bamboo and its enforcement. So just to give you a little bit of history, uh purchased our home in fall of 2019,
uh bordering our our property and our neighbors property, let's say a large 50-ft swath of bamboo that we uh we had mitigated in in let's say mid uh mid year 2020. completely had a professional >> 50 foot wide.
>> 50 feet tall. So 50 feet tall. >> 50 foot tall. >> Is that in the ement? >> I'm sorry. >> I'm Is that in I'm sorry. I'm trying to When you go down Susan Court, are you on the right? >> So we're on the end of the culde-sac, >> but towards the easement the gas ement. >> It's bordering Manor Court.
>> The Bamboo. >> Oh, man. Okay. Got it. I visited there. Bamboo is is between two neighbors. >> It's between it's between two two neighboring props. So between us and and and Manor Court. So come come 2020, hire a a bamboo mitigation company to come out, completely remove it. They brought
in excavators, dug down to get out all of the ryomes, get rid of all of the um the root systems. Um and we in in its place planted 30 green giant trees. Uh we planted uh berm berm system and then
uh some irrigation systems. So from 2020 to 2024 things things were were going swimmingly. when uh we had our irrigation uh company come out and realize that the bamboo from our neighbors property is encroaching, coming across onto our property, uh
crushing the the lines for the irrigation system, uh encroaching onto the trees and potentially killing the uh the trees that we we planted in 2020. Um, so we are here today to just get gain some clarity on the burrow's
ordinance on bamboo and also to respectfully request enforcement action um to to have that mitigated um as we go through. I've been continuously trying to cut back all of the bamboo on our property, but unless we have it fully eradicated, it's gonna
>> You can't just cut it back. >> You can't I have a lot of experience with it. I know. >> Yeah. So, I'm sure this is an issue that that's impacting more than just our property in town. So again, trying to gain gain some some clarity and feel like we've gone through the process to to try to get it uh mitigated, but would
love to uh to hear from >> you've spoken with the neighbor. >> We did. >> So I think we have had a couple interactions with the neighbor um going back into 2020. They were very upset when we were removing the bamboo obviously because it was 50 ft tall and
>> provided privacy. >> Provided a lot of privacy >> and that's winter, summer, fall. It's always there. It's always there. >> It's always there. And we did replace with about 32 green giants that are now really tall. They're about 35 ft tall, I would say. >> Um but as you can imagine, they were
really upset. They did not want the bamboo to be um to be mitigated. >> They liked the bamboo. >> They liked it. >> They liked the bamboo. They did. Um >> but the bamboo removed from was from your property. We hired a company that came out with excavators cuz that mean the root systems go down go down very
very deep. So, and since you know it started to come over the property line, right, and we had the drain drainage system in an irrigation system, um it did damage it and we had to replace it again, right? Our whole irrigation system throughout the the tree and drip
lines. Um and as my husband had mentioned, we keep cutting it back. Um but it keeps it's very evasive, so it keeps coming through. And at this point, it's intertwined with our trees and continues to impact our irrigation. Um there's really nothing that we can do um
from our side because again unless it's mitigated from the neighbors property it's going to keep coming back. >> Now our our code says that they came out planned. >> Okay. >> But there's an exception about if it was
planted previously. The exception is um this chapter shall not apply to any landowner or possessor who prior to the effective date of this chapter has planted or caused to grow bamboo on any property within the burrow. That's the problem.
>> Yeah. I think >> what year was that? >> 2017. That was 2017 that audience >> fairly new. >> Yeah. >> I think what the issue the problem um is that and correct me if I'm wrong here. You've been in your home how long? >> Since 2019. >> 2019. Uh, and your neighbor, if you had
to guess, how long they've been in their home? >> Um, >> they purchased it right prior to >> So, 2018 2018, I would say that they >> Well, before you >> before us. >> Okay. I wrote 2018 down. Um, >> I think I'm not a bamboo expert. I wish
our councilman landscape architect was here. It appears though that that 50 ft tall bamboo >> predated both >> you as owners of of your your home on Susan Court >> and the other and your neighbor whose uh I forget what road you said there. Manor Court on Manor Court.
>> So the million-dollar question and I'll >> whose bamboo is it? >> Right. >> Right. So >> So it seems >> I know you know what that came up in the the initial um >> unless you have something to add to that. The code has a carve out. So it it
right after that says unless code enforcement officers determine that any portion of such bamboo has been allowed to grow upon extend roots across or extend branches, stalks or leaves over any public way or any private property not owned by or in possession of such
land loan land owner, tenant or any possessor of said land. So we professionally mitigated on our side. The bamboo that's left on their side, they're not managing it. It's going under the fence line. It's encroaching on our property. Again, it's it's going to kill our trees that we planted.
>> It's already caused damage to the drip. So, it seems like that is a clearcut case of it being uh an exception to the rule. >> Well, I would have I would have to look at the order. I have to tell you, I'm not all >> I understand. I would need to do some
research as well on that. Um, isn't there a way that you can mitigate it from your property by having some kind of barrier that goes deep enough into the ground? >> I think it's a >> If I could, if I can tell you, I I had the situation with my neighbor. >> I remember Tom, I don't know if you
remember this, but uh my neighbor planted bamboo >> and uh got 50 60 ft right on our fence and um >> pre planted it pre 2017. I'm not sure, >> but I think so. I'm Yeah, I'm not sure when
they planted it, but it started coming up on our side and etc., etc. And we invoked the UI. I sat here like you did >> and uh my wife came in and said, "Hey, we need to do something here." And the burrow, our zoning officer went to see
my neighbor and said, "He's got to go." So, what they did was they had a company, they dug it all up. Then they went down 3 ft, put like a membrane I think it was rubberized uh aluminum or something like that. A membrane like 3 feet in the ground and then they
>> Your neighbor did that? >> My neighbor did that. It was on his dime at their >> Yep. Uh it was right on our fence. He did all that. Then they put this barrier in >> and we haven't had a problem since. It's been a few years now. >> And I think we we've already incurred great expense to professionally have it
mitigated. >> Um and we feel like we've gone through the process. We've reached out to code enforcement. debate came out, review said there was initially an issue. We waited time. They sent out notices. Um, but at the end of the day, because
bamboo grew underneath back onto our property, there was a question of where where's the origination? Where's the bamboo originating from? Even though we got it eradicated, it came back on. >> Yeah. Well, those riseomes that just go everywhere. >> It's just going to continue to come back. So, >> and then there's gas lines. >> You don't have bamboo on your property, right?
>> No. Uh, I mean, we've been we've been cutting it back, but as I cut it back, I'm keep pulling on the root systems and just in that one area else. >> It's like a hydra. You cut off one head and it >> So, you said that the zoning officer had been out >> and had issued issued notices.
>> It it came out in in December of of know this is going back to December of 24. >> Um, and then sent out the first notice >> to your neighbor. >> To our neighbor. Yes. >> Was that a violation notice? So it wasn't I I believe it was some some sort
of notific was notific who who sent that. >> He was trying to get down to the the issue and what it was. But the thing is then the owner the neighbor came in and said we didn't plant this. This is not you know this has been here. So that's
where the issue arose. >> They still own it though. >> It's on their property whether they planted it or not. But what our code and >> was on their property whether they >> but they know where it originated from. That's that's the
>> I don't understand why that's relevant >> because our ordinance is really who planted it. We you're not allowed to plant it. That's basically our ordinance >> 2017 >> from that day going forward. You can't >> you can plant it if it's in a pot. That could be
>> I understand that. But the carve out that he just read said except it's a purchase. >> Exactly. I agree with that. That that should be on that. >> Yeah. But if it was planted before we pass that ordinance, doesn't that predate
>> Aren't they excluded from that? >> That's what I need to take a look at. Again, we're we just went through this recently with trees. >> And you know, if trees fall on your neighbor's yard, your neighbor's responsible for it. Even if the tree is in the middle of your yard, if it falls down on their property,
>> there's they can't go after you. So, I have to take a look at Well, we don't have an ordinance for that. >> Well, that's all state law. That's right. >> We don't have specific ordinance for trees falling in. >> We do have ordinance specifically for >> What I'm What I'm thinking is that you think there was a decision made
>> for me. It was >> a decision was made based on the code officer, zoning officer at the time. Did he Was that a Did he originate the um the bamboo on that property? >> Yeah, we we we had a legal dispute, the neighbor and I, right? Uh a legal
property line dispute. It's been going on for 30 years, right? We all met there on site. His lawyer, my lawyer, me, everybody was there, landscapers. Okay. He wants to plant screening. He wanted to plant screening. He wanted me to pay for it. So, we had a
discussion. All right. What are the things you can plant? Well, he wanted to plant Norway's fruit. So that's going to cost too much money. It's going to take 30 years, you know, to go grow. What about this? What about that? And everyone agreed, okay, this is fine. The only thing you can't plant is bamboo. >> A week later,
>> bamboo. And just to, you know, and in the end I said, "No, no, this has got to go." And and Bob Rush went, our zoning officer, also a building inspector, went and spoke to him and said, "No, you got to remove it." And it was there was no fighting. There was no legal after that.
you you had it you got it done. >> It seems to me >> our ordinance worked in that >> that whether who has nothing to do with me being a council person >> or where it originated is irrelevant to the issue. >> Agreed. That's right. Now
>> and if it's the bamboo is coming from their property and infringing on your property, it's their responsibility to do something about that. >> I agree. >> They could keep it on their property, but they can't infringe on their property. >> I agree. That's my legal advice.
>> Okay. >> Can I Can I ask what is >> Appreciate that? I'm not sure the courts agree with you. >> Would you say that about a tree root going from one side to the other? You can't have the tree roots can't come over. >> Sure. >> Or limbs.
>> All right. We can go on. >> So, what I'm what I'm thinking is I'd love to research. >> Sounds like >> what agreement that the bureau may have had with our zoning office in regards to your property. There's got to be a paper. There's got to be a paper trail on that. >> Uh, and you're going to look at
>> I'm going to look at the the oil in New Jersey. I also want to see in their specific instance what if anything happened when it was eradic. Obviously, they've had interaction with the building department. There may be some notes or some, >> you know, we might get some insight into what happened and if there was any
agreement years ago when they when they eradicated it from their property. >> Is there a way to test where it's coming from? keep you track. >> They have professionals that could say, "Nope, it's got to be coming." >> I think it's pretty obvious where it's going. >> No, I know, but we're not professionals. >> So, I reached out to a bandwidth professional and they said that they
will come out and mitigate it, but they're not going to provide any sort of written statement or testimony. They don't they don't want that responsibility. >> Um, but it's it's an issue throughout the state. In fact, I believe this the the state senate um this this year issued a a new um a new rule that bamboo
just cannot be sold anywhere in in the state under except under under invasive species. >> Yeah. Inv it's it's now I believe it was like the invasive species act of 2026. >> Did you get >> So it's obviously that the state is is taking taking this this >> Did you get an estimate on how much it will cost to mitigate?
>> Well, you did it once. >> It was tens of thousands of dollars. >> Was it really >> because they had to bring excavators? Those those ryomes and those those root systems go down extremely so invasive. there. >> So, I mean, every >> irrigation system got all chewed up and
>> would you you can do it afterwards if you don't want to put on the record. I just want your address. >> 14 Susan Court. >> Okay. >> Right. I had Mayor Gallagher out maybe about a month ago to uh to to take a look at it. >> And I do have the full correspondence with um the the code enforcement officer
that was was out who agreed throughout I want to say a six-month period that it was indeed a violation. He was I even got a phone call from him uh that he was going to send an an official summon. >> He kind of backpedal >> and then he backpedal a little bit. He went to the neighbor and the neighbor said we don't know where it's coming
from. >> All right. Well, that's >> so just trying to >> finally get some sort of >> a practical sense. I mean, if the neighbor had if this if his water service pipe was leaking all over your property, he'd have to fix it, right? I mean, it's it's I don't know. That seems
to be just a real practical matter to me. didn't see him. >> All right, we're going to >> All right, let's uh two things. Okay, your decision. I'd love to see the paper trail regarding your >> I'm looking for it now. >> And uh >> I don't know if there's any paper trail, but I'll I will research
>> uh and our attorney will dive into the the short ordinance. >> I'll talk to Bob about it, too. >> I don't know if Bob corresponded. >> I'm not sure. >> Okay, I think it was. >> So, we'll be in touch. One way or another, we'll we'll be in touch.
>> Awesome. Mayor, council, thank you. >> Sure. Thanks for coming. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> Anybody else from the public like to be heard on any motion? Who goes first? Okay. >> Hi everyone. >> Know the drill. You know the drill. >> Very well. I haven't seen you long time.
My name is Sher Bono, 256 old. Um, two things. I guess the most important thing is about revisiting the speed limit on the county roadable to pan road and I understand it's a county road
since I came to probably two years ago. >> I asked about if there's anything we can do to lower the speed limit to at least 30. Um, specifically what caused it again is I hear a gun gunshot on Saturday afternoon
2 2:00 in the afternoon when I'm gardening and um I'm like, "Oh no, not again." And of course, Whoops. Um, a young deer got hit by a car um kind of by Burrow Hall crossing off over and was
in on 244 Oldtown Road. happened to be by the barn and the police officers, there was three officers there that >> had to kill it. >> Put it down. >> Um, put it down. So, um, and the person that lives in the house, Zach, who couldn't be here tonight, who lives next to us, he's told me it's been three
already that have been shot, had where the cops, officers had to come in, put them down. Um, so there's a twofold situation. one is I wanted to I'm I like to come with solutions if I if there is a problem going on. So
obviously deer has been a big discussion all over the county especially here. I've attended the meetings on how to deal with it. Do you kill them or do you um circumcise them? Yeah. And I thought there's a lot of information actually that that works because when you kill them,
>> they're still going to come back and then you're going to kill them again the next year and you're going to kill, you know, it's not really the most humane or let's say favorable solution to a lot of people. Um, so besides the danger of deer crossing
and the humanity of what we do about it, I was going to ask an inexpensive solution would be if we could put a deer crossing sign between Central A by by state and Washington by the school.
>> So Ron's got the answer. >> The deer would just have to line up there and wait and cross. >> Well, >> what if they what if they can't read the sign? What happens? What's Well, actually that was a joke, Sher. >> For one reason, a deer got hit in front of CDW with the children scene all. >> I was kidding, Sharon.
>> And it was there there were a lot of kids crying and pretty traumatized, but because of the proximity for some reason, um, and I'm sure you probably know better and the police know better, the stretchable to pan road between by state and between Washington is very
busy. One reason is because St. highest church which has done a wonderful job. The new pastor it's never been better attended I think um which back with the Korean church at one point they had to get crossing guards because they were parking in the burough hall you know I'm
sure you all remember that but um so there's a lot of traffic in and out for St. highest especially pickup drop off for school. So it involves children and parents that's where they go and they have to cross the street and the crossing guard will attest to it and a lot of kids are on their phone they're
not paying attention and he's always like come on guys let's get you across but um between even before state starts with more building um it was just to me a simple solution to have deer crossing
signs facing each direction one if you're coming from Rivervale one if you're coming from Rockland just in that stretch of road. And one reason they cross a lot there is because we still have trees. We still have some greenery. It's one of the only open spaces left
where they live. Uh so the their migrating pattern actually is from your you know people told me this a long time ago. I've been here 30 years almost. They say they come from Stokes in that area because there's green. They come back >> they do. They go around the reservoir and they end up on Little Mountain Road.
>> Yeah. They have they have their set path. And what's interesting is young deer do what the older deer what their parents do. So generations of deer are just this is their migration path to get to water and to get to to eat something and also to sleep and just be have some
protected space. I personally haven't noticed more deer this year compared to last year and the year before. >> I think there's less. >> Um I think there is less personally. I think um you know again the officers police um I spoke to the New Jersey
Burken County DOT so they gave me some direction on this it's not even just the deer crossing and getting hit and the danger it is and that could be a child because the kids what's going on with ebikes and a lot of kids walk bikes I
mean I almost got run over on my >> sidewalk >> they I don't know if they're allowed to ride ebike bikes on the sidewalk The law just changed like two days ago. >> Yeah, I saw you sent the letter, but even that letter wasn't clear to me. They have to follow the same laws as
motorcycles. >> You have to be 15. You have to have a helmet. You have to have license registry. >> They're not allowed on the sidewalk. And these kids >> don't know or don't listen or don't care. Whatever the kids option, but the fact is they do. >> Um, and there's a lot more people
walking and a lot more kids crossing the road. I love the idea of lowering the um the speed limit in that section. >> I know. But but how what do we do? How do we >> We lowered it. We lowered it years ago. This count was >> I was on Yeah. Well, we petitioned the county.
>> Yeah. >> I mean 25 years ago >> to lower it to 35. It was 40, right? All of our in Washington, Westwood, we made them all 35. Yeah. >> And it was a story to get the county to even >> I mean you go you go through from here to like Garden State Parkway. How many
towns are 25 now? I find it annoying as a driver, but it's very safe. There's a lot of towns. >> I go from here to the parkway all the time. There's no 25. You were very >> So, back in 1998, so when I when I moved here in 1998, I actually wrote a letter. >> Oh, you did? >> Letters to the county and to our
assemblymen because and I live two houses off of Altapan Road. Now, remember, so so back then there were there was less houses, right? This was at the time when everyone was building housing and so you know 40 m hour at the time was probably appropriate but then you housing and we
had no sidewalks either so you had people walking on all the pan road so that was lowered to 35 as appropriate >> church there have church >> so now right so now things are different 25 years later >> is it time to revisit and the answer is probably yes but I think it's county I
have no problem going to 30 but >> shut anybody down >> because I spoke to the dot to you today and they told me to go over to the police department um and talk to the traffic person. First off, the first step she was
terrific. She just said completely understand because it's happening in so many towns. We're >> we were a little town. We're growing so fast. Um, if we even look at Enclave has brought in 200 200 town homes plus
apartments plus park and arbor plus the retail space and I'm sure all of you I haven't been to Turning Point yet. I hear >> we have a lot of pedestrian traffic in that area right now. 99 busy and this is before we even get started with my state like even just having
>> a supermarket which is everybody's been been their big thing you know which I have my reason when I learned the supermarket >> there's a deer out the window you make some Jerry you make some really valid points and I agree with I have a question have you ever been to the
Bergen County Board of Commissioners meetings and brought this up to them >> no I haven't this is the first time it's basically hearing that gunshot triggering again and it's and again a lot of times things start with me with animals and just the change I moved to Ultan when you did Ultan was voted number one s
town to live in in by New Jersey magazine there were farms I hear all these wonderful stories I've learned so much history about our area that I think is fantastic especially for the 250 year anniversary because the Jared Harring
House was built before then um but that's that's a whole other conversation But as far as dealing with the DOT, we have to make a case. So making a case, part of it is more tickets cuz the other thing too besides the increase in
cars, um I had a weird circumstance. I was doing my mulch. I do all my own gardening and uh I'm doing multi and some guy that a car that that somebody that did not seem to be a resident in town was like staring at me parked across the street and I got weirded out
and I waved and he split. 10 minutes later he's back on my side of the street parking and watching. So I called the police cuz I was like I took down his license plate number. I'm like this guy doesn't belong here. Something something's not right. And they they were wonderful. And one of them did tell
me there was so many more. You know, I said I always felt safe because I lived between two churches and the police station was across the street from me. And I mean you and I knew all the police in town. They all hung out at super cycles. You know, it was a different type of community. And they said those
days their own. and he he said we get so much traffic from people that it's it's becoming a drive through town besides to go to from Rockland to go to the Garden State to go to the PIP from the Garden State but he said we're getting such an influx of people from Rockland County
people we don't know people that don't know our area >> there's also a ton of delivery drivers like Door Dash tons of >> yeah Ubers and tunnel >> you know what's interesting too which everybody knows again I'm thoroughly We
thought some of this out in the past couple of days is so many people speed because they think of things, you know, if there's a lot of traffic like in the morning or something, they can't speed. >> So here's here's the side effect of
lowering the speed limit. The algorithms of GPS take into account speed limits. And so on the margin, it might reroute someone a different way if if it's if it's faster. So, you know, these days for for us
there'll be less in theory if if there are alternate routes that are that are uh faster. It would lead to less traffic in town. >> Well, there really to my knowledge road is one of the only thorough affairs in between Rockland and the gardens
between the PIP and the Garden State. And the increase we have with Enclave alone, we have a minimum of 400 cars. You figure there's 200 town homes. Two cars 99 town homes. >> Excuse me.
>> 99 >> 99 cars. >> 99 town homes. >> Oh, I thought there was 200. >> Well, then there's the park and arbor. >> Okay. So, >> so there's probably not 100 cars there. I >> 229 new residences in that correct living spaces. I just think I'm just
giving some information to build >> the >> So, how did So, what do we have to do to build a case? >> But I have a question. Did you said something that before that was interesting? >> I just asked the question, Councilman. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> What What would we have to do to build a case then? You had spoken to the traffic
coordinator. >> She said the first thing you have to do is go to the police department to our traffic commissioner and get the data. >> I'll do that. >> On that's my job. >> Increase in speeding tickets, traffic violations. Um what's interesting when
we went through the fight to stop 244 to pan road being developed one of my big points was when they presented the traffic study which this is something new. The traffic study was different 3 years ago than it is now that the re new
retail space alone you can see that parking lot now is pretty full certainly on the weekends but I mean it's like close to doc road. I have friends that live on close to dark road. I have friends that live on like the main roads like I do and we compare the noise. We compare the cars.
>> You literally can hear almost it's so common you can hear when they're speeding. >> So like I have I have a question like this. >> I have a question for you cuz what you just said it again. >> Yes. >> Do we have a a speed limit problem or do we have a people not following the speed
limit problem where enforcement has to be cuz that we can pro probably control. We have both because I think if you say you have more cars coming through town, I think it >> I would assume and I think I can speak
for where my location is. More people are speeding just because >> and that's goes back to my point >> and I I asked I spoke to another neighbor. I guess he wasn't able to. He lives on the corner of Charles at an Altapan Road. I mean he said he was just talking to his wife about this last
night because they have a a like a 2-year-old And he's like, I he go I grew up in this house. I played in the front yard. Goes there's no way. He thinks I'm thinking of putting one of the rocks on the corner like they did by Orangeird that house cuz cars have gone through my rocks
>> because Charles is becoming a dangerous intersection in the sense. Look, it took 20 years to have a to to close up Charles during school time. 20 years. I was here literally back then. Um I was
here back then. I talked to police. I said, "You can park in my driveway to pull people over." Like whatever you got to do because it gets crazy because when Charles wasn't closed and you live on Charles like this one's going around this one,
this one's going this way. Everybody's in a rush. We didn't have the problem with the internet. That's another thing texting. I think you would be hardressed to find anybody here that would disagree with you lowering the speed limit to 30. I'm not convinced that that that is the
most heavily patrolled strip of Ultan Road that popular road too. >> Yeah, >> I asked about that too. >> And it's a school zone. It's it's 25 miles an hour >> during school. During during >> during school that's not even the whole day during school. So that's only >> when children present,
>> right? So I I would say our our police department will look into it and we'll we'll go with their >> represale cuz the cops are bad and I remember >> I would not have that on record. But you know I'd like old Japan cops to
have that. >> I think you should avoid driving through rural after this >> the public comment like that. My understanding is we do have >> a police presence. >> Also, like this neighbor said, he said, "Yeah, they park here because he's more he's more aware of it,
>> but he said it's not consistent." I know Riverville by Edward Country Club is almost always a concern there. It is a great deterrent. >> They also have 26. They also have 26 police officers. >> We have 12. Yeah. >> These are just suggestions I have. Like I said, I like to come when there's a
problem. I am a problem solver so I try to think of solutions that make sense. I think with the deer maybe it'll slow some people down those sciences an inexpensive way and just even that stretch of roadway because we've got both schools there. Um I know somebody
on Charles who lives across the street from you responded to something I wrote and they said there's so many people speeding and Chris who's who was on the other end of it. He told me this today. He said, "I can't believe like people just they don't care. They're not paying attention. They don't care. They just
want to get where you're going." And while we were talking, we're sitting on the corner. The quarters were zipping this way. I spoke to Peter Lake at Super. And he said, "You know, there's so many times the way the lights are taught, you can't get out of the driveway. You sit there for like 10 minutes."
>> There is there has been a change. I would I would agree. I find now because I traveled to Wolf to Ultan. I've I'd have cars riding up my rear end under Wolf to and pass me under Wolf and I don't I'm not doing 20. I'm doing the
speed limit and they go around. There has been a change I would say over the last year. >> Yeah, that that's my point. >> There's also a big increase in distracted driving >> and there's county roads. >> Yes, absolutely. Yeah, >> there's county roads that have like in
North Boss is on Livingston where her house is, it's 25 miles an hour, they have 35, 30, and 25. It depends what stretch of the road you're on. In Westwood going by the schools there as you're going to the to you know, it's 25
miles an hour all the time. So I don't know whe they're asking for 25 and being happy to settle on 30, but I think it's a problem and >> it starts with our traffic division. >> It's something that maybe we can address because it takes a while to get that fix.
>> Right. So uh Councilman Bagi who oversees our our police department on he'll speak to our chief and to our traffic >> chief is away right now. When she gets back to >> immediately for some reasons I'm not a traffic. >> You're welcome to do that too. >> But I'm happy to work with you on it.
you know, whatever I can do to help because I think it'll just be safer for everyone. >> Do we have you in the middle of the road with big signs saying things slow down? >> That I won't do. >> No. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks, Sher. Uh, anyone else from the public like to
be heard? Yes. No. >> Yes. >> You're out. Don't be shy. >> Hi. >> Um, >> maybe an address. It's a seven Wilbur Road. >> Seven Wilbur. >> Yes. >> Okay. Your name?
>> My name is Jason. >> Jason. >> Yes. >> So, I recently purchased the property. And >> seven Wilbur. You mean seven Wilbur that faces Chestnut? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I know. I know the house. >> And this is what we're talking about
with uh >> we have on Okay. So, we have to we have to table it's on the agenda. It's an agenda discussion. Okay. >> So, we don't speak about it in public cur. Yeah. So, so hang back >> and Okay. All right. Anybody else from the
public? Nope. >> Motion to close to the public. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Let's move along to we have a staff appointment and that'll be for Councilman Guan. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to
recommend uh Jonathan Blandon to the accounts payable clerk uh position. Uh, Anna, do you want to speak on any detail on that? >> Well, we had someone in a castle. Uh, Jonathan has been uh working with the
DBW doing their stuff and instead of um going out and looking, we knew he did a good job. So, we we together. So, he's doing the accounts and the >> So, we expanded his responsibility. So, >> you didn't just poach him from Andy.
>> He was more than happy to be poached from Andy. That was my question. He So he's doing both jobs. >> He's doing both, which which works out because that person had to work with AP anyway. So this way it all goes. >> And how is he getting paid? >> He's very poor.
>> Very well. >> How is he getting paid? He's getting paid for both roles. >> No, he's volunteer. >> Yeah, he job so much. He says I'm see. >> Can we get serious here?
Is it a dip or did it salary? >> His salary. Um, it comes from finance and it comes from DBW. >> So, he's getting paid for both roles. Okay. >> Right. He'll be he's well he's compensated for what he's doing. >> You okay with that?
>> Wait till we vote on it. Well, maybe All right. >> I know he's working. He was a DPW um secretary for a while. So, I wonder why he was moving over. So Jonathan Glandon um you're making that recommendation court. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Do I have a second on that? >> Second. >> Any further discussion on this? Saying none. Roll call, please. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Councilwoman Castello, >> yes. >> Councilman Bron, >> yes. >> Counciloman Marcy, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu,
>> yes. >> Okay, moving along. We have a board appointment tonight and that is for Councilwoman Castello. I would like to recommend Cynthia Nalis as a um addition to the arts and entertainment committee. Second
>> as a three-year term ending December 31st, 2027. >> Okay, we have a nomination and a second. Any discussion on Cindy Ellis, which will be a welcome addition to uh uh arts and entertainment is one that
runs the concerts in the park. So, we'll have uh this person kind of taking a look at Uh, no concerts going forward. So, that's great. Okay. Um, we have a motion in a second. Uh, roll call, please. >> Council, >> yes. Counciloman, >> yes. >> Council, yes.
>> Counciloman Martinez, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> All right, moving on. We have two resolutions on the agenda tonight. Uh, first one for Councilman Guan to retain property appraisal expert. >> Yeah, just briefly, right, there was a a tax appeal and so we as a burrow need to
hire a property appraisal expert. Uh so this is a resolution uh to do that >> authorizing that expenditure. >> Okay. Uh second on that >> second council. Thank you. >> Any further discussion? >> Is that always the case? Whenever there's an appeal, we hire a
>> No, normally we're able to work them out between myself and the tax assessor, but in this case, um, or in this complaint, we don't believe that they have grounds for an appeal and we haven't offered them a reduction and they're still pursuing it. We're not going to hire the
expert unless it it's uh we we have a trial date now. Unless we get closer to it and it looks like they're not going to withdraw it, we won't hire somebody. But >> all right, cuz this is already going to cost us looks like >> it won't,000 unless we actually I will tell them when to do it. They told me
they only need 30 days and the trial isn't until October and November. So, we're going to wait and see if the plaintiff decides to voluntarily withdraw the case because they're going to have to hire their own expert as well. Right. Right. >> So, um it's a little bit of a game of chicken right now. >> All right.
>> Okay. Thank you for that explanation. Uh roll call, please. >> Do you want me to read it? Do you want me to read the resolution? >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Okay. So, >> you explained it so nicely. >> Sorry. So, whereas it is necessary for the bar of Alipan to hire a property
appraisal expert in connection with the tax appeal filed by OFK, Ron, and Anat versus Altapan. Whereas, the mayor and council desire to retain McCannernney and associates to perform an exposure analysis for that tax appeal. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor
and council of the bar of Volultipan, Bergen County, New Jersey, that McCannernney and Associates is hereby retained as the property appraiser in connection with the tax appeal at a rate of $150 per hour and a total cost not to exceed $5,000.
>> Second. Okay, I think we had our discussions unless anyone else has anything more on this. >> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Castello. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Our next resolution tonight is for Councilman Banagi temporary traffic pattern amendment. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh just the back background on this ordinance change is that our our police chief seems to has
come up with another way of rerouting traffic around the schools. Um, I've been police commissioner for about four police chiefs and every single one of them has a different idea of how to reroute traffic. Whether come around the
back, come around the front, closing Charles, opening Charles, closing K, opening K. I'm not sure. So Katie has this idea of how to do it, but in order for us to trial it, we need to suspend the other ordinance. So that's what I'm going to read. Whereas the police
department of the burough pan has requested that ordinance number 42417A and ordinance 24217C be suspended temporarily in order to determine if the traffic conditions will be safer by permitting turns to be made from school street onto Charles Street
as well as from Altapan Road onto Charles Place during school hours. And whereas mayor and counsel of the Burough Banan desired to determine if a permanent change to the ordinance is necessary ordinances, excuse me, is necessary. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and council of burult pan
at the request of the police department and the and the burrow of pan that ordinance 424-17a and ordinance 2427c be suspended pending a determination by the police department whether to make the change permanent. Be it further resolved that a copy of this
resolution be filed with the clerk of the burough of old. >> Second. >> Second on that. Any discussion? Any discussion on this? >> Yes. Just just a trial. This isn't cut and dry. It's a trial. Can see how it works.
>> Obviously September is when it's start. >> So it'll be leaving school and you'll be able to make a left >> in addition to you can make a right now. >> Leaving TBD. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So school street onto Charles. Right now you can only make a right. >> Correct. >> So what we're saying is you now you can make a left. >> That's what she's saying. Yes.
>> Um my only concern because I'm on there often but >> you know what she she's going to make that we'll figure it out is when you're making a you know what even doesn't matter where you're if you're coming on from Altapan Road cars park along there cuz they're dropping off their kids. >> It might be a little tight. So we have
to just keep that >> right. Yeah. I I actually had that discussion with her. I said the county came and did a study. The county did a car count and and they sat there for a couple days and they >> Oh, for this particular Oh, >> yes. For this and they seem to give it a blessing, but >> that's fine. I didn't know.
>> No matter what any chief does there, there always ends up being something that has to be adjusted. >> Okay. >> Because just the sheer volume of cars is it's only getting more. You know, school traffic, it's only getting more every year, >> increasing. >> Worth a try. >> I think um is this is a left turn off of
Ultipan Road, not off of School Street. >> No. Well, she said school street, too. >> I from what I read, wasn't it a left off the school? >> I think she was permitting, if that's the right word, that you could make a left off of Old Pan Road to Pan, >> right? >> Onto Charles,
>> right? And also, yes, correct. >> And school onto Charles as well. Correct. >> That's what she's proposing. So, how long do you think this trial period will go? And what will determine whether we >> I would say a month. I'm just speaking off the top of my head.
>> The determination of keeping it or not? >> Well, if it becomes a if it becomes a zoo or chaos, we'll have to re go back to way it was or adjust it in some other fashion. and leaving K Street alone for that. >> Yeah.
>> K Street. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's unfortunate. Um, you know, you have they call them accidents for a reason. You have things that come up and >> um sometimes you have knee-jerk reactions to certain things. Um, so I'd like to
take a fresh fresh look at it. We'll see. Um, we'll leave it to our traffic division. They know better than we do. Okay. Anything else on this? >> No, we need to vote. Um, >> we need to vote. Do we vote?
>> Yeah. Yeah. Roll call, please. We have a motion in a second. Discussion and now roll call, please. >> Counciloman, >> yes. >> Council, Councilwoman Castello, >> yes. >> Councilman, yes. >> Counciloman Marti, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> All right, moving on to our consent
resolution for Council President Bagi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We resolve that the following resolutions placed on the agenda by consent require no discussion and the same been previously reviewed by each council person be and are hereby adopted in their entirety by the mayor and council of the borrow pan. Bills and
claims, release cash, bonds and escrow, tax lane redemption, interlocal shared service agreement, mechanic services, NVRs, shared services agreement, special law enforcement enforcement officer officers 3, NVRs,
shared services agreement, special law enforcement officer 3, OT board of education, BOE bid award 2026 road paving program bid advertisement curbing and Sidewalks bid advertisement recycling contract award Bergen Fence
Senior Center ADA ramp replacement. Authorize NJ DOT grant application submission and execute grant Old Pan Road, Central Avenue and Westwood Avenue pedestrian safety project. Confirm accounts payable. Clerk appointment.
>> There a second. Second. Do we have any discussion on any of our uh items on our consent resolution? >> Yes. Yes. And maybe Anna, you could help me with this one. Uh the SEO officers. >> Yeah, that the those are the ones we
already have. It would be one SLO officer for the high school and two for the education. >> Is this new requests? >> No. These are what they have. So this is just continuing what they have.
>> Or we'll talk about the SLO. Correct. >> Question about the tax land exemption. >> I think it had the dogwood court listed as the property. >> We don't have a dogwood court.
>> We don't have a dogwood court. Yeah. >> Dogwood court. >> No. >> Didn't we put that in the archive? >> No, it's it's harvest and sage. And >> I thought that sounds familiar. >> If I read it correctly, you might have read it incorrectly. Please talk about one on the dog.
>> I don't Yeah, the tax >> dogwood part is right. >> So, what do you uh >> didn't have a lot of bark to it? >> It's coming up on Google. >> Yeah, it is coming up. Park and Arbor. >> Yeah, it's in the It's in the >> It's Dogwood. Dogwood. >> Dogwood. >> All right. >> They did they renamed it?
>> They named it. >> Me and Anna and and Matt Elandandy named >> I was on committee, too. You named it, too. >> I don't remember saying dogwood. Do you, Anna? >> It's a small portion. I think it park, isn't it? >> Harington Park. No, it's >> No, it's park and ares farm.
>> It's right behind the retail strip, >> right? >> Must be a little spot there. >> Fire truck. >> So, we officially do have a dog wood court in town. >> You guys You guys really picked the name Google maps. >> We did. >> Did you really? >> Yeah. >> That might not have been named. It's
such a small >> Yeah, we didn't name that. >> It was part of another one of the streets, I think, on the site. >> We named Lenappi. >> Lenappy Indians. >> Oh, yeah. and and sage. >> You got that because >> I got that because Yeah, because it's an herb and it it's right next to the field
of sage that we grow. And uh I forgot that >> harvest harvest harvest. >> There you go. >> There's obviously a home there though on dogwood court, right? >> Doesn't matter. >> There's a tax. >> There's a few for sale, too. >> So, what's your Did you get your
question answered? >> We do have a dogwood court. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That is my answer. >> That's your whole question. There'll be a quiz >> sick dogwood for 500. >> All right. Anything else on the uh incent? >> So the other I'm sorry the other topic
on the SRO. We'll do that. Is that my police report? >> Closed. Oh, in your police report. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Okay. Council. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Castello. >> Yes. Councilman >> W. Yes. Counciloman Marti. Yes. Councilman Yu. >> Yes.
>> All right. Moving on to our engineers report. Tom, please. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everybody. >> I've got a couple things to go over tonight. Actually, I was going to go easy to difficult, but I think we'll go
difficult to easy since the homeowner's here. >> Okay. >> Um, I'll do a little bit of background and then we can hopefully have a discussion. So, 7 Wilbur, you're all familiar with it. It's a unique lot configuration. Uh, Wilbur Road is a
paper street. Uh, meaning it's a 50-ft barrel ride ofway, but there are no improvements there. The only improvements are the existing gravel driveway >> on that part of Wilbur. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Wilbur goes from from Wilbur Wilbur itself all the way to Chestnut on paper. >> Yes. >> Correct.
>> So, at the Chestnut end, there's just a gravel driveway that services this hole, the hole that we're speaking about. Um it actually goes past um another lot um lot I don't have the lot number but there's a lot that
extends all the way from this gravel driveway to Central Avenue. The house is actually on Central uh where there is the posted rail fence where we just put the handicap ramps in. >> Right. They have a garden back there next to the stream. >> Yes. So this particular lot 7 court is
essentially a land lot. um what the applicant is proposing and they submitted a soil movement application to add an addition in the back. The addition includes a two-car garage. So, what they would like to do is extend the gravel driveway with a PA driveway, some
of that going through the burrow rightway to this this new garage in the rear. Um I wasn't comfortable approving that as a soil movement application. I don't even know that I have the authority to approve it, honestly. So that's why
we're here. It's it's a unique situation. Um my my biggest concern was by allowing additional driveway to be constructed obviously which is not up to burrow specifications for a roadway. Um
all of it being within the burrow rightway is there liability associated with that that the burrow should be concerned about. Um >> so of course this is the burough rightway. This coming here, not the planning board initially. >> Yes. Yeah. It's not a subdivision. It's not a site plan.
>> No variances would be required if it >> No. >> I mean, if this lot were being created today, >> Mhm. >> there would be a variance because it doesn't run on a a fully approved street. >> Sure. >> The applicant would have to build something that met the plan board
standards. Um, it's already a single family home. It's already a a lot that exists. They're just adding to it and changing the garage configuration which requires more driveway. Some of that within the burrow right away. >> What is currently there where you want
more driveway? Is it a gravel road? >> It's a gravel drive. >> It's probably 10 15 ft wide. >> This is how it looks now. It's It's just a gravel road that I mean it's a gravel driveway that takes to my house. Um,
what I'm proposing is this is the this is the gravel road. What I'm proposing is to enter this is where the gravel ends to enter. This is where the new garage is going to be. So I can gravel this area. It
doesn't have to be asphalt or paved. If it can be paved or like to be asphalt, I can pave them better. But it's gravel right now up to here. Not current >> up to chestnut, right? Chestnut's over here on the bottom. >> Yes, chestnut here. And he wants to go
this wants to go back. >> This is the way. This is the >> Sure. >> Okay. Taking over more. >> And so >> right now I'm entering this way. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But this is road never improve. Right. >> So I would like to park
right here, which is where we are proposing to build in the back of our house. We proposing to build an addition with a twocar garage in the bottom. So I was thinking this is mine. So I was thinking to add a driveway here. This is
Wilbur Road which was never improved. In order for me to drive into my driveway which is this line is mine. I'll have to drive through Wilbur road on grass. Instead of being grass, I can do if it's okay, I can do gravel or asphalt or as
you guys allow because the only way for me to enter that is to do this. >> But the addition would be on your property. It is right and the driveway is going to be my property as well. What I'm entering, >> okay, >> my property is and it was never developed.
>> Do you have any comment, Tom, on what kind of material that driveway should be? Well, just so I'm clear, are you saying >> right now the the plan shows the new driveway within the burrow rightway? >> Are you going to slide that over? So the new driveway,
>> this is the driveway, right? This is the driveway. >> I'm talking about this piece right here. That's in the burrow rightway. That's an extension of something that probably shouldn't exist in the Burough Rightway. >> We added because it was requested. The initial site plan was this. So this is
River Road, correct? I was never. And this is the driveway to the new garage, right? >> So, because it was requested, I added it like that. >> Yeah. I said you had to connect them, >> right? So, that's why I added So, in other in order in other words, cuz this is grass. >> If I leave it on grass when it's snow,
>> I don't think so. >> It's muddy. Yeah. >> Yeah. I understand the practical reasons why you want to do it. I don't have any problem with that at all. My concern is the the liability of the burrow. So, what if you were to slide this new driveway over outside the rightway line
and connect >> because there's the well right there. Right here is the well of the house, >> a water well >> or a drainage. >> That tap could be set in the pavement and then you get rid of this whole issue of extending something that technically
shouldn't exist within the rightway. >> The house already has this driveway. I mean, this is with the rope. This is Wilbur right here >> which is bringing me if I drive inside >> this is right here which is that one. >> So if I'm going in here
>> correct >> got it >> I will have to turn on paper. >> Okay >> into the old house which is what we have now. But instead of turning left here I will continue to go straight >> go up Wilbur >> go up Wilbur road
>> like make a left into your into your garage >> and then >> liability is could extend the gravel. >> I'm not It could be I could just, you know, spread some gravel or I mean if I have to drive in the grass, it wouldn't be ideal when it's snow. But
>> sure, >> I'm I'm not concerned as much with the liability. We can have an agreement where he could release the burrow from any liability. I am concerned though also about putting pavers or or putting asphalt because if
it ever has to be taken up for any reason if the burough has to put utilities through there or anything like that you have to know that that would be your responsibility. So >> there there's a storm water. >> So then then we would not want it to be I don't think the council would want it to be paved or pavers put in because if
they ever had to come up it's going to be an expense and you're not going to be happy doing that. So >> but gravel would be okay, right? >> Yeah. I think that would be the only appropriate >> if if the applicant is willing to release the borrow of any liability and
also take the responsibility of if we had to improve our drainage pipe for some reason >> or repair or >> we're not we don't have to put those back >> as an eman that is our >> that's I think that resolves everything I
>> think I'd rather gra a question I have an aerial you. >> There's a lot of trees. >> Are you going to be removing any trees? >> We have people in the front street just for that cuz they're all bougie like
>> it's open. Okay. Okay. Just want to confirm. Yeah. But from the aerial look like the whole thing is all trees. >> If that road is paved, >> we would have to have >> Oh, it's over. The trees are open. >> We work on our on our street. >> Why? It's a road. It's a It's a bur. It's not an approved street.
>> Oh, okay. >> It's just that if you give the road, you have to get it to motion of the property. >> Yeah. If you vacate, you could We talked about this cuz I spoke to Anna about it. If the burrow wanted to vacate the roadway or the paper street, the burough
could do that. However, it has to go to both property owners and that would not solve this this person's issue because part of it would would be given to his neighbor. So then he'd have to get his permission. A guy could put a toll up on the elevator. >> I would be in favor of just letting it
be gravel. And with the understanding that if we got to dig it up one day, >> we got to dig it up one day. Sorry. I mean, chances are it's not going to happen, but I can't say it won't. >> I understand. >> Tom knows that. You know, >> driveway that I'm going to try to build is going to be pavers. And
that's good enough because I'm most likely just going to park there. It's not going to be a big pile. You want to put pavers >> on my property? I will. And then I will just drive in gravel >> until I get to my driveway, which is what it is right now.
>> Perfect. >> I'm okay with it. >> You're okay with gravel, right? >> Yeah, you can pave it if you want. The problem is that you would have to pay for it or something. >> I was proposing I would pay for the asphalt all the way to the area. It's going to make it better when I, you
know, do clean the snow and all. >> But Tom, does that include drainage issues if he puts asphalt Does he have to put pits? >> There's going to be a stormware management requirement for these anyway. >> Okay. >> Not specifically for the drive. >> He'd have to probably follow all the
road. >> Yeah. >> And all that. >> This is a much simpler solution. >> Okay. >> Barrel's covered. This is a very easy way to do it. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, gravel. >> I was getting it. Okay. >> Cool. >> So, gra So, gravel it is. >> Gravel.
>> Gravel it is. We signed the papers that were released a liability >> and he'll as long as Brian's happy >> make everything there. >> And papers on your property. >> Papers on my property. Is there an option down the line? I don't know when or how
>> in the future we can come to an agreement to build it with asphalt just in case we can clean it easier and keep it at your neighbor's house. Either it's got to be fully improved or not because somebody then is going to make that turn thinking it's a public street and it's not.
>> Right. Right. Right. >> And I've seen crazy lawsuits like that. It's just it's it's not something that the borrow stand >> cuz GPS probably send them that way too. They're going >> you'd have to do a 24 foot load curve
>> all improved all the stuff. >> It's either all or not. I would say >> right now we're kind of doing the >> sounds that way. >> Would say the not. >> Okay. >> Good luck. >> Okay. >> And then obviously everything with the
garages go to the building department and permits and things like that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> We're good. I'm good to go. >> I'll do a I'll do a report on So I'll move it. >> Okay. >> Um I'll include some of this language in it just so everybody's on the same page
and should be good. Thank you. Yeah. >> All right, sir. >> Okay. Good luck with the project. >> She coming in. >> Okay. That was seven Wilbur. Um >> more. Yeah. >> 2832 Leon. Um
similar situation in that there is a sewer easement on one of the properties. They're trying to build a big retaining wall in the back. These two homeowners got together. They indiv individually filed for self-disturbance permits, but basically for one project, and it's to
build a wall behind the homes that straddles the property line so that they can fill in and level out their rear yards. Um, there was a paper street there as well, but that was vacated, I don't know, 20, 30 years ago. There
remains a sanitary sewer easement because at one time the sewers were going to come from Leosin through this easement to a pump station that was at the end of Greenway. Uh you're all familiar with Greenway is in a hollow. It's the lowest point >> way down. >> But we didn't end up doing it that way.
Since there were only four homes there, I believe that would actually need the pump station. We did it with individual ejector pumps for those four homes rather than have a a big pump station that the burn would have to maintain. So the pump station easement still exists,
but it's unnecessary. The sanitary sewer easement from Lenison Parkway to the pump station at at the back of Greenway or the bottom of Greenway is also unnecessary. Um, but again, I don't have the authority to allow them to build a
wall across it. So, the mayor or council, I think, would have to take some sort of action to um vacate the easement or advise the homeowner that you would be willing to do so. They should file a new deed, however that process would
work. >> What What would the houses on the end of Green see then? They see >> the big that's the second part of this discussion. >> Yeah. There's there's no ordinance in town for a hydro retaining or proximity to property lines. I would say most
towns, this is definitely in northern Burton County, have an an ordinance like that where the wall has to be set back a foot for every foot of height where you can only go up four or five feet and then you've got to put a tier right >> and set back a wall a height of the
lower wall and go up again. >> Um, >> so what prompted this whole discussion again? I mean, I'm familiar with the neighborhood. You know, >> they want to they just want to level out the yards. >> These are all houses. If you're going down le on the right, right? Yes. >> Okay. Just before you get to the end. >> Yep. Yep. I know. >> Two is right opposite Roseway. Okay.
>> The one right opposite Roseway. And if you're looking at it, the ones >> and if you keep keep going, you're in the water company property. Okay. >> So, the two neighbors got together and said, "Our our backyards are sloped. We want it nice and level and we want to put up a ginormous wall." So, we can do that. >> Yes. It's a big drop off to the houses
on Green. I walk by there all the time. >> Yeah. No, I that you're you're in Houston. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> So, I can't imagine >> from a zoning perspective, it's approved. >> There's no ordinance that prohibits. >> What's the What's the cons? What's the pros and cons of it? What's what's the downfall downside? >> So,
>> it's really aesthetics. >> I mean, it's it's a fall hazard. Also, I wouldn't want my kids playing on top of a wall. >> How high would the wall be? >> 12 foot. >> 12 ft. >> Made out of what? Um >> engineered wall >> stones. Yeah, that's what I meant. >> Yeah, >> that's a that's big. That's a much
bigger drop than 12 feet though. >> Yeah, they're not green. >> They're getting rid of most of it. Yeah, I think they probably would have had to go near 20 ft. Yeah. Get rid of all. >> Isn't there a UCCC requirement about a a protective barrier when you get over 30 in
>> only if it's like attached to the house? So if if it's not in a in or near a the habitable portion of the the home, a deck, the house, a stairwell, something like that, you don't have to have a rail. >> So the one side would be 12t top to the
ground. What about >> Yeah. So the green the greenway homes will be looking at the face of the wall, >> right? But on the other side, >> the fill wall on the le side, >> it's basically you just walk right off the wall. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So there's no nothing there to Okay. >> Yeah. So that's a separate issue, but I
think it's important. I think it's something we should look at. Um, >> so we we could require them to put railing, but >> that's their that's their private property, right? That's their property. >> Private property. >> It is. >> Yeah, I think so. >> We suggest >> it's a lot of space. >> Yeah. I don't think we can require
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> I don't I don't see why. >> Put a rail. >> We're not in the wall. You know what? If if it's so if I >> it's going up the greenway and you >> say it's going to be flat backyard >> with a little bit of a wall decorative I'm guessing but then you look over that wall >> down on the greenway
>> down 12 ft. >> Yes. >> So it's >> that's what I'm saying. Railing >> on the homeowner side that built it. So >> that's what I'm trying to imagine too. So you can literally just walk right and just walk. You don't have to climb >> roll off it. Walk off it. Jump off it. >> All right. Ball can fly off it.
>> Seems like a hazard to me. Can the mayor or council require them to step it down? >> No, we don't have an ordinance. >> I would require them to put a handrail. That's what I would think. Some kind of >> fencing on the other side. Someone
looking at it from green from green. I'm looking at this. >> What are they looking at now? >> The only thing I can think of is it Jean Jean has a huge wall around. >> Yeah. Do they >> Tom? There's nothing preventing these people from doing >> lane. Well, there actually is. We have
an easement and we don't have to let them build over our easement. >> That we Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> So, that's what we use. >> Why don't you say that 20 minutes ago? >> Well, I'm waiting for everybody to have their turn. >> Sorry. There's two parts of the of the situation and
>> I guess they are related. >> But this the hard >> mayor and council said you can build on easement, but it would have to be stepped down. Even though we don't have an ordinance, but they do that. >> I think you can make that. The juries may you can just say no.
>> We could just say no. >> However, it's condition. We're approving it conditioned upon either you put up a fence or it's tiered or whatever. Whatever the council decides. >> I think that's reasonable. >> I'm more concerned on what it looks like from Greenway.
>> Yeah. >> A 12T wall. Yeah. >> Looking at a one. They they can put a video record. They can have movies on it. It's not like right behind their houses. I mean, this is pretty >> those lots on Greenway are pretty big, >> right? >> The Green Monster,
>> not in the back towards Leo. I mean, you could you could noticeably see the houses on Leos at the bottom from the bottom of Green. >> I have to go look at it. >> And it doesn't run the full length of any one of the properties on Greenway. So, >> I think that would be worse, but
obviously there there is a visual. >> Yeah. I mean, just my take, not that it's worth much, but I don't have a problem people doing what they want in there as long as it's safe. >> You know, >> except it's on our reason, >> right? Well, that's what I'm saying.
>> I'd have to get a better >> You got to revisit this. >> So, this would be behind Garrick's old house. >> Yep. >> And what? And then the house, right? >> If you're in the culdeac to the right, >> he was up to the left. Yep. >> Coming to the culde-sac to the left >> and then straight down green. The house
right at the bottom of green. >> The house at the end of green and the house to the left. >> Should the neighbors be asked what they think? >> That's common courtesy in that's why I said this this doesn't need any planning board stuff either. >> And for soil for soil movement
>> they have to notice anybody that touches them. So those owners on Greenway will get noticed. Certified mail notice. >> I don't know that they've gotten it yet. 200 feet or anyone who touches >> 200 feet. It's immediately abunding. >> Okay. >> But they do touch. So if they they will
get noticed. Okay. I can check on that. >> It looks like there's two houses on Greenway that >> Yeah. >> 15 and 20. >> Right. I think I'll advise the applicant that the mayor council is reviewing it
>> whether or not they're going to >> be willing to get rid of the easement or not. >> Should I suggest to them that they look at a a plan that's not such a a sharp vertical change, such an immediate
vertical change or just wait. Do you know if they're So, I don't know how deep their their property is. Are they looking to build this wall kind of right up to their property? >> They're not. It's It's funny you should ask. >> So, they have four to go. >> You would think if they were going to do this, they would push it right on the
property line. It's about 4T 5T from the property line. Why? I don't know. >> Well, because if it went to the property line, it would probably be a bigger wall. And when you've got a a slope at the toe of an engineered block wall, you've got to bury more courses so that
the toe doesn't kick out. Um, so I think they they want to make sure they have a certain amount of land that they can protect that on their own. They're not relying on their neighbor to do it. Cuz if I build right on the property line, I protect the towing wall, but then my neighbor digs on his side. >> And and you know, he's not cutting his
grass below the wall. >> I was going to say, let's see. >> You can go around it. You can go around. >> Yeah. is maintaining that lower portion. >> Yeah, you can go around >> cuz it's going to it starts at zero on either end and then goes to down to 12. >> So, you can walk around and down the
slope for one slope. Will he do it? I don't know. But it it'll it's doable. It's the same thing. Will they do it? >> So, he's doing this 5 foot in on his property and that's still on our on burrow property. >> No, it's an ement. It actually crosses
the ement perpendicular. >> Gotcha. >> Okay. >> The ement runs along one of the side project. >> Okay. >> So, a choice. I don't I don't think I don't know what the we I don't think we want to abandon our ement, right?
>> We could just give them permission to to build to construct over it. Same thing though. We need to use it for some reason. That wall's coming down. >> That's not storm water easement, right? >> It's sanitary. >> Sanitary. >> Yeah. >> But all the sewers are built. All the homes are serviced without it. So the likelihood of it being used, I think
it's very small. >> Yeah. >> But not zero. >> Not zero. >> Of course not. Okay. >> Yeah. I'd like to get a look at it though. >> Me, too. I'd like to see it. >> Yeah. I'll take a field trip one day. >> Bring my daughter when you come. >> That is a Sunshine Law. >> Could you walk us over there? I
>> I will escort you guys down that road. >> All right. So, this one's pending. >> Sunshine Law. Problems. I'll reach out to them just so they know. Yeah. Pending without anything real. >> Is it is it okay to >> share our concerns >> and maybe they come with their neighbors
and their neighbors say I got no issue with this and the neighbor could move out tomorrow, you know, and then the new >> and we're also thinking about future neighbors. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think that's fine to share. Absolutely share the concerns. I initially I was thinking we should have them come back
to us with a different concept but to have them spend that time and money I don't think is necessary. I think just sharing the concerns is probably better. >> Okay. >> I can do that. >> Okay. Okay.
>> Anything else? Do you have anything else? >> I've got a couple other quick ones. Um we met with the county today. They are milling and paving Westwood Avenue from Rivervale to South Washington. Um concrete work will start they said 727
for the concrete. There's only two ramps at Westwood and Washington that are being redone. So the concrete work is minimal. That'll be done 727 728 and then they're looking at like the middle of August 4 million.
Do >> you have any update? Are they still talking about replacing that bridge? >> Yes. And the representative of the county this morning had no clue. As far as he knows, it's moving forward. Um Andy actually had gone to a pre-construction meeting where they were
talking about this fall. >> Mhm. >> Um but there was no new information today. >> He's going to check. He's not going to do anything until he knows for sure. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Because he wants to obviously meet whatever limits they have with their work. >> Okay. And they're also going to check
the two storm drains that come down on forest. >> They can see in the forest there's two county storm drains that are completely full. So there might be some other pipe work that needs to be done because the county now has a procedure where if there's corrugated
metal pipe anywhere, they're going to replace it before they milliped. They're trying to phase all that out, >> right? But they can't even tell because the basement is so they got to clean them, inspect them, and there's a chance that there'll be more work as part of the project for replacing those.
>> Mhm. >> But we don't know yet. >> Do any activities at Stone Point need to be changed? >> No, I've already spoken to Gloria. Everything August is perfect. >> Uh everything's coming down to right now. So >> concrete work is not going to be a
problem because they don't close the roads. milling up for milling. >> Milling and paving got to close. >> Yeah, just one. Okay. One minute. >> Such a small stretch. >> Yeah. >> And then the last thing I was going to mention is the burrow's paving program. You have a resolution on tonight to
award that to DNL. It came in under budget, even adding in 500 ft of curb, which Andy will give me a list what his priorities are. So, we're going I recommended that you award the whole thing because we were under budget. Um,
and Brian, I'll send you an email in the morning to see if you need anything. Love to get those contracts. >> Is it is it a some certain I with the oil prices fluctuating or they they just >> there we have to include uh asphalt
price adjustment and a fuel price adjustment item in in any public bid contract nowadays. >> Okay. >> So those numbers cover. Okay. >> And I mean we bid it >> at a high number, >> right? So, if anything, we should we don't have to pay all of those items.
>> Talk tomorrow. >> We should be okay. >> So, what do you need? I'll just send you over the >> ju just the the bid response that is being approved. >> Okay. >> Every all of the the scope of work. >> Okay.
>> That's all I have there. >> Okay. Anybody else have anything else for Tom? Uh I just have one comment. I was going to leave it on for under my report, but you mentioned the county. I guess we got some notification from the county about the uh the blinking light at Old Tapan
Road and uh Orangeburg Road and they just said they've done their due diligence, they've done their studies, they've done everything that we've asked them for over the years and uh other people have asked them for over the years and it doesn't warrant a full >> traffic light
>> traffic lightning. There's a particular >> made some recommendations on trimming trees on southeast corner I think or >> and the owner now uh that's bicken >> he he maintains it now >> but just I mean that's been that that's that football's been thrown around so
much and this and that. So uh they've done their study and they say it >> it's been going on since the mid90s. >> So we're going to put that on our website. We're going to have that as when someone says asks about it next week they can push the button and they'll have everything they need to know. There's a specific warrant as far
as traffic counts that we've just never Yeah. >> met and then they >> but for the first time ever I saw something a detailed report in writing >> saying no. So we're going to again put that on our website and uh >> we got that answer from them
>> in the mid '90s. Yeah. I mean, I wasn't on the council at the time, but my dad was. And there was a group of people that were so obsessed with this thing that they drove their cars back and forth on a Sunday non-stop back and went over the just to make the car count higher.
>> But it was four or five of them. Steu Abrams, I can't think of the rest of them. And >> but they still couldn't get it as high as it needed to be. >> All right. Anyway, >> effort. It was a good time to report on that. >> So, okay. Thanks, Huh. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Tom.
All right, we'll move on to our council committee reports. We'll start with council gu. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll make this as quick as possible. Uh from fire, uh July month to date, there have been 35 calls for service, and that's equivalent to
157 man hours. Year-to date, 183 calls for service. That's 1,247 man hours. Uh this has been the busiest year yet. uh a 45% increase in call volume versus last year this year to
date. So that leads me into second part of this report that the the fire uh company and department uh is looking for ways to increase membership. Remember it's it's volunteer um fire department looking for ways to increase membership
and looking for ways to increase uh volunteerism uh on these calls. Uh so the first uh in order to one of the ideas uh to increase awareness and membership was to do uh possibly an event on town day uh in conjunction with
town day uh at the firehouse. Uh I'm not sure exactly a specific event but uh to make uh you know the fire department sort of everyone has more awareness and that there are opportunities to volunteer etc. I don't know if you have any more.
>> Yeah, that would be uh years ago. Some might remember the tent dance or so, but the fire company uh is looking to kind of roll out of town day. It's an important year for our country, 250th. Um town day is more featured towards, you know, the young kids and the young
families and things like that. We and uh the leadership of of the company at fire company level felt that um uh you know there's a lot of 30 40 uh year old families in town and the kids would be exhausted from uh um from town day and
kind of having a social event to promote what they do and hey maybe they'll get a couple of uh you know 30 or 40 year olds who say hey this is pretty cool and I could you know sign up to be a firefighter and go to school and things like Okay. So, it's more of a social event just to, you know, put the onus on
the fire department and uh kind of a give back to um kind of a give back to the community. You know, it'll be a pay pay event. You know, people will pay as they go like the recent fundraiser. So, they're looking to uh different ways to um bring that back which which has been
lacking for 10 plus years. So, >> and there is a little bit of urgency here, right? Because of the number of calls, new population, etc. to really accelerate these kinds of programs and awareness in town. So uh and then you know from a looking to increase the
volunteerism to calls you know the company's looking to you know ways to to do that some incentives to do that and I think we'll be discussing this at a later point in time uh for uh safety uh the safety um
department all the they just did some quarter end stuff uh you know June 30's quarter end uh from the department heads they collected uh facility checklist. Uh JSOs were due uh and then minimum training through the MEL website. Um uh
they passed along there from OEM. Uh you remember been saying for the past year about preparation for the World Cup uh that was uh just completed on Sunday uh yesterday. Uh happy to report uh that
there was no uh major incident at the World Cup. Uh so the preparation and and again it was over a year of preparation um that the World Cup was completed successfully without major incident uh doesn't count the aggressive play on the
field but uh happy to report that the the coverage at the World Cup uh was the state police also 20 members of our SWAT team uh Bergen County SWAT team which I think may have included one or two from
the old Japan uh police department. Uh the overtime itself was paid by FIFA. Uh ourselves from the fire department. We had a vehicle and we had personnel on call in case anything happened. Um and then as Councilwoman knows, the parking
lot there was pretty empty. So if there was any incident, you know, there was uh sort of less traffic to that our vehicle or any vehicles could get to the facility. But uh again, happy to report that there was no incident. um over the past what was that four weeks, five
weeks of World Cup play. >> That's the end of my report. >> Thank you, >> Councilman. You Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Really not much today. Um seeing your group during the summer, things are pretty quiet amongst them.
So, not much to report there. Construction, I have nothing new to report on construction. DPW for the month of June. The crew was busy with maintenance at our parks mostly, and we all know we had some pretty nasty storms
come through town. I want to thank the crew for cleaning up, especially during some of the really hot days in the month. Um, I was really concerned about the crew, but they all did fine. That concludes my report, Mr. Mayor.
>> Thank you, uh, Councilman Mo. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh for schools, really not much to um to report. They're on summer recess, but uh keep September 2nd on your calendars. That's when they'll be returning to school. Then we'll have a new traffic pattern we just learned
about. So, um EMS first a core members update. I want to congratulate um Isabella Marcato for becoming the newest crew chief on the uh first a core. Uh I'd also like to welcome and congratulate Jay Kim for joining the first aore. Beautiful thing uh about um
Mr. Kim is that he actually comes EMT certified already. So >> nice. >> That's going to be great. Uh moving on, the new Lucas, the newest Lucas device um has been um received and deployed and it is on ambulance 68 or 68. So now we
have one on each ambulance ambulance which is wonderful. Um and total calls for the month month of June were actually 15 with all calls for service being in Ultaman. And then uh just a community event with the board of health. I do want to remind everybody uh
that uh they teamed up with Mayor Gallagher for walk in the park. Bring your sneakers. Uh next walk is actually this Wednesday, weather permitting. Uh July 22nd, obviously at Oaks Park. And um if we have our concert, the concert
will be following. That's all. >> Thank you. >> We also have a blood drive. >> When is that? Oh, >> July 30th. >> Oh, the 30th. >> Okay. Uh, Councilwoman Castello, >> thank you. So, on the recreation
committee, we have um Camp Serendipity. This is the final week of the camp. It went fast. They had um last week a first responder day which was uh the kids loved and I think the first responders enjoyed playing um competitively amongst
themselves but also with the kids. Um so that's great. They this year was the first time we introduced field trips to the camp and that's been going really well. We have a field trip this week to the Tennifly Nature Center. Uh, soccer registration has been open
since July 1st. It closes July 31st, which is just up and coming pretty quickly. And then for town day, um, we've met a couple of times and planning the day and really working on getting sponsorships to fund it. So, if you know
of any local businesses that may be um a new business or somebody who hasn't made the list in the past, let us know and we'll be happy to connect with them. See if they want to put their name on a banner or or something. Um
library uh circulation is about 32,000 year to date and about 38,000 patrons year to date. So, um, keeping pace with what we've seen in prior years. Very, very busy. They're in in into their
summer reading program, which is dinosaur themed this year. Um, kids can come and adults can can participate and bring your reading bingo sheets to the library every week. You get a raffle ticket that you can enter for prizes.
There is a um some of the repairs that they budgeted for this year are in the process of receiving bids. So if the HVAC system is going to undergo some repair the roof, they're looking for bids for um replacing the outdoor sign, which you know is those like sliding
leather letters right now. Uh turning that into an electric sign. And then um finally, just two two things that are coming up. There is a puzzle competition and that's scheduled for September 26th and then their winter craft and fair has
been changed. It's now scheduled for December 12th. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. Donna, do you know when the next um town meeting is? >> Uh we don't have one scheduled. Would you like to attend? >> Yes. Okay. >> Be at your house.
>> I'll let you know. >> Fantastic. We'll have it on Greenway. >> We'll put our >> two ones on the wall. >> All right. Thank you, Donna. Uh, council president tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, police report
for the month of June. Calls for service calls. Vehicle stops 215. Vehicle summons is 112, which is just about what it always is. Uh, radar details 117. Traffic details outside contractor's
municipality total is 14,569 permit and report fees collected 370 bucks. Uh otherwise there's um non-events uh the officers besides these few uh
community initiative programs officers participated in the 43rd annual torch run for Special Olympics. They hosted a fourth the fourth annual touch aer truck. They had LEA a lead graduation where the fifth grade students walked to Stone
Point and had the day to celebrate their accomplishments of learning about decision-m responsibility and positive relationships. Northern Valley Regional High School work-based learning seniors created a beautiful mural for our communication room.
Uh that's really it for the dayto-day. uh police work. But I do have a couple of other items. There's um when someone when we hire someone, they have a certain amount of time uh it's a year till they get off probation and once they do, we have to acknowledge that and
and take them off probation. So there's there are two officers um Drillin Fazloo and >> Drillin >> Drillin. I think we call him Dylan
>> and Tyler Martinez. So, it's the same letter for both. I'm just going to read one letter. Probationary patrol officer July Fazaloo and Tyler Martinez have completed more than 12 months of service to the Ultan Police Department since his since their February 2025 appointment.
They have qualified under the police ordinance of the Buroughan for permanent appointment to the Ultipan Police Department. The officers have been certified and licensed by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. uh both have demonstrated their ability to perform duties as exemplary manner in
an exemplary manner and has proven to be a credit to the department and the community serve that they serve. I therefore recommend that these officers be appointed as permanent member of the Old Tapan Police Department. Respectfully, Chief Weaver. So, I guess we would need a uh a motion
and a second to take them off probation. I'll make >> a motion second. >> Yeah, we we'll have no resolution. Yeah, >> we have to prepare a resolution. >> Okay. >> So that we would >> we could vote on it orally and then I'll we'll prepare a resolution that can just
be memorialized at the next meeting. >> Okay. So we have a >> motion we approve Dylan Fazlu and Tyler Martinez as regular police officers. >> Permanent. Yeah. Right. And we had a second down here. Uh
>> any further discussion? >> All right. Roll call, please. Counciloman Bagi, >> yes. >> Counciloman Costello, >> yes. >> Councilman Gron, >> yes. >> Counciloman Marty, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> Anything else?
>> Yes. Uh, my second one is um we are we are advertising and and um interviewing for Sergeant. We're going to hire a sergeant. Now, the the um criteria, one of them is you have to be uh um a patrol
person for at least 3 years. So, we do have two patrol people who have been just short of that. And there is a uh I want to say a a sidebar on our ordinance that says a sworn member is
eligible to to participate in a promotional process provided he has completed three years of service with the police department excluding probationary time. However, when the burough council shall by a majority vote determine that the interest of the burough security require a waiver of the 3 years, the same may be waved by
resolution. Now, that being said, um I've been told this was that that particular uh paragraph was put in in I want to say in the 70s when they really needed someone and they had to do this in a
hurry and they did. Uh, not that it's not valid. Uh, our current chief thinks we don't need to do this. We're going to have applicants and I I agree. I think if we if we do this, we're we're just setting a precedent. And
>> we do have four applicants that fall into, >> right? We have four applicants that that >> satisfy >> that satisfy the criteria and I'd rather stick with that unless someone else has a comment. I'd rather stick with what we have instead of expanding it.
I'm I'm confused. You You brought it up. Wh Why? >> Because these two There's two officers, patrol officer Plesi, patrol officer Fazu wrote letters requesting >> Oh. >> um >> a waiver. >> Requesting a waiver >> from the ordinance. I see.
>> Which we provide. We do require we we do provide that >> they are able to request it. >> I see. >> Um >> and how short are they? >> Not much. >> Well, no. The the one is quite short. One is quite short. >> We just approve who has >> quite a knot.
>> He's fairly new. >> Yeah. I don't know where Martinez came from. >> Yeah. >> You take it off probation. Both of them. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The other one is >> Gley. >> Yeah. >> He's short by a little bit, but he's still short. I mean, there's there's no
gray. Either you're shorty or not. >> Like by by like >> if it's a couple days. >> Yeah. But why not let him just go through the process and it'll be >> Yeah. >> You know, what I'm saying is No, no. Oh, you have a question. >> Jesse had >> I just wanted to make sure that you said from not including the probation period,
>> correct? >> So that means they would have to be here how many years? >> Three. >> Three. Four. >> Four. >> Four. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Oh, so the probation here doesn't count. >> Thank you. >> All right. I'm just What I was going to say is why not let them go through the process? It'll, >> you know, no one's saying uh you know,
you're guaranteed a job, which you know, but at least it'll be experience for I would say yeah if we only had one applicant but we have four. >> So how does that how does that look for one? >> Yeah sergeant right now. >> Who decided to that we need a sergeant right now?
>> We all did collectively. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So it was us. >> Yeah you did. >> Yeah. >> It wasn't the police chief. >> Well with with our involvement. Yes. >> Well that's not I don't recall that we said hey let's do a sergeant first. Did we? >> We did back in uh budgetary times and then we just then we talked about
lieutenants afterwards. I think I put the succession kind of back on track if >> right and we also decide and we even change the change the ordinance >> right um and we're we're doing this to hire in the last quarter and we also
discussed that during um budgetary time for budgetary reasons so because the I I forgot what the increase in pay is maybe 10 grand or more I'm not sure um >> the the four applicants are within old Japan or no they're outside. >> No.
>> Oh, no. It's it's only open to us. >> It's only internal motion, >> right? >> I >> And those other four are satisfy >> correct fully. >> Three plus one. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I I tend to agree, but I'll let you guys. >> So, for me, I'd rather leave it the way
it is that there'll be opportunities for these gentlemen coming up >> because there is other succession moves that are >> there's more movement coming up. Yep. And that might actually open up sergeant ranks. >> Mhm. >> So >> it might >> it will
>> I don't know that I mean once it only thing is like I said for career development I think it's nice to be exposed to the experience. Um you know if a VP role opens up in my job like all you know apply let me just go through it. I know I'm probably not going to get it because I know who's you know what I'm saying but at least it it it opens
you up for hey experience this is what the process is like. >> You know you can learn from it. So that that's my only my only take. But >> and you know what are we really talking about here? Interviewing one extra person >> uh and a test. >> Okay. >> So they would be taking a test that be private to a test that they could
possibly take later on. >> We we were using the same test. >> I I don't know if they change it, >> but that's that was one of the concerns that the chief >> Okay. >> What is it? So that's the other >> chief's recommendation is not to do this. >> Okay. And that's that's it.
>> That weighs heavy for me. >> That's it. Yeah, I didn't know that. >> I talked to her this afternoon, >> actually. I said, I'm only going to bring up your recommendation if I have to. >> No, if the chief says that's not how she wants to do it, then that's >> her recommendation is please don't do that. >> I respect that >> because it's just going to make problems for her.
>> Okay. So, it sounds like unless court unless you want to weigh in. I don't know if you have anything. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that's okay. So, that's the other thing down. the the the last one is and Anna, I'm going to need you again on this one, is hiring an SRO for the high
school. Now, if you recall, our committee meant went to the high school. Uh we met with the high school administration there about hiring a police officer that's a permanent police officer in the high school. And that police officer would be on our salary.
We'd be paying them. And the good part is well yeah the good part is that they're picking up if they agree they're picking up their the salary for 10 months. The other good part is if we have this person for two months in the summer when
high school is closed a lot of vacations happen. This person can jump in and maybe solve a little overtime issue that we may or may not have. I don't know. You know just saying putting that out there. Uh, so we met with them and we they had a really low number and I know
Jesse and Anna came up with a real number that it's really going to cost. Uh, and Anna sent that over to them and they're voting on that tonight as far as I know. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. >> Did you guys factor in raises in that like you know as they step? >> Yes.
>> They didn't like that but yes >> everything benefits everything is factored in. >> Oh benefits are >> Oh yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, they >> so it's 10 months out of the year they are paying full cost. >> Does it is it match like it aligns with
what they're paying Demerest? >> No, >> this year the first year we would have a little bit of a loss because we are matching what they have in Deest. >> Okay. >> Um as for the second year the contract states exactly what it would cost us. >> So
>> so we're not subsidizing anything. >> That's a question. So the the whoever's going there will get paid whatever Demorris pays. >> No. >> No. >> I want to make sure cuz then you're going to create some strikes >> here. Uh what the chief did was um ask
who would be interested in something and she she knows who should really be going there. We're not putting a very very new person. But we do have one officer who is very very interested in doing it. So, we took his
um his tier or whatever and and that's what we based it off of what it would cost for us to put him in. >> And he's in year two. So, um yeah, he would he would be the one >> and it's not and how long would be the contract?
>> So, she interviewed >> the contra the contract would be threeyear contract. >> Okay. Because then we could talk about it again in three years. Yes. Threeear contract between the bureau and the school. >> Right. >> Right. And we'll see at the end of three years. Hey, maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe it was a good idea.
>> Does that three-year contract uh coincide with um the contract with the police department as far as just to make sure that the salaries it's whatever is in the contract close? >> No, he's talking about the timing of the contract contract that comes up with the PBA. >> At the end of three years, is there
going to be a new PBA contract? I think there is. >> Probably three years. >> Probably close. >> 29. And then 29 is when this one would be over. >> Yeah. So pretty close. >> But is are they going by school year or they going by calendar year? >> Yeah. So ours goes by calendar year. So there might be a slight overlap slight
difference but basically the same time, >> right? But this officer has got to you got to remember this officer's she's going to be in a school all the time. >> Then the only time I I mean they'd leave the school. I guess if we had some major event uh you know a huge you know fire or a traffic problem or whatever they
would have maybe leave the school. I don't know what the rules are. I will leave that up to the chief. >> So, we um voted earlier on the leos. I thought they were going to reduce one and replace the >> only one in the high school in that in that agreement.
>> So, they would have the SRO and a SEO. >> Yeah, correct. >> There's two there now, but there's CLEO right now. >> And there's things that the officer can do that the SLEO can't. Even talking to the kids, like legally talking to the kids. I I'll use the example of a HIPPA rule. you know that legally talking to kids. There's things that the officer
can do that the sle can't >> and it's it's a higher quant uh conduit from the school to the police department. So that's that's why they want it. >> Yes. But if they say no to this because they want to stay with the CLEO, we are going to have a hard time finding
another SLEO because those are >> they are um I know when we first discussed this there were some logistical issues 8 hours versus 12 hour shift and has that stuff been kind of tweaked
>> during the the only time it hits you is during the summer when they would have to come back but she could leave them in the office and they would do hate to they would do 8 hours in the office. >> They could patrol. They could they just patrol 8 hours. >> Yeah. So, she can work it out. She wasn't worried about
>> Yeah, she said she could work it out. >> Okay. >> Like if you work 8 hours at the school and then you you know there's three hours at a football game or I I don't know how to >> So, will they be working 12-hour shifts then or? >> No, they will still be working they'll be working the eight hour shift, >> but they'll be make work working the
same amount of hours in the by the end of the year as everyone else. >> Oh, okay. Is it five? >> It has to be 5 days a week. >> 5 days a week, >> right? >> School vacations. >> I was about to literally ask the same thing. >> Good point. Um, >> not vacations, but holidays. Is it the same as
>> available to us? >> Yeah. Anna, how'd you work that with the >> school vacations and holidays? >> They have to take it. They're going to take their vacations during the school year. Like there's Christmas time. They will be off during when Christmas is is off. Um
>> they'll follow the school schedule. >> They'll follow the school schedule except for the summer which the summer then they will work here >> unless they have days off or something. >> So they're forced to take their vacation when the school is closed. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Seems like a win but
>> Well, you can always bring them in. >> There's a lot of >> It's kind of new territory for us. >> Okay. >> The board the school board approved it. >> It did. >> So it brings we're on to the next item. which is >> we need to hire someone.
>> Oh, well, yeah. Well, now that I was just gonna Now, Brian, um I think we had this conversation, but correct me if I'm wrong. We interviewed when we interviewed last time for patrol. There's this one guy that we really liked and uh we didn't hire him. >> Can we just hire him now
>> without >> Yes. >> interviewing? So if he's available, I can't say names, but if that person's available, >> we might >> We have an SRO, >> but you're taking someone away from us. So we got to back. >> Did you just say we didn't like him?
>> No, we did. >> Oh, >> we did. It was actually the the committee the committee at the end, we had a little we had a little slight disagreement. Not a disagreement, we all said, "Well, I really liked him." You know, we weren't all but we were we were true to what we thought who should have got the job. But we thought that this
other candidate was >> It's just a numbers game at that. Yes. Can she just go out and cuz she said the academy just >> the academy just got out. So there's those people available >> or do you have to come back here and do a
>> I like you should do your normal routine which is if you advertise or however you do it. I mean, there's nothing legally requiring that, but that's probably the best practice. >> Well, why don't you pick one? >> Okay. Katie's in Italy right now. >> Interview. You just That wasn't too long
ago, right? >> Yeah. >> A few months ago, >> four months ago. >> Wasn't that long ago? It was cold, if I recall. But >> so, all these things are in the works and and I know Jesse and I know Anna, you guys have put in a lot of time. I appreciate it. >> And the police committee as well. But
but >> no, but you guys really when it comes down to the end, you guys put it together and I appreciate it. Thank you. That is all I have, Mr. Mayor. >> All right. Thank you. Um my comments, I got a couple of just a
few comments I'll just throw out there. Things uh you know, they say the summer is not busy, but it's it's been pretty busy. Uh I mentioned or we discussed earlier the library had their fundraiser. It was a lot of fun. And I hope they uh I hope they make some money to do what they want to do. But it was u
it was a very entertaining uh uh evening there. Uh I continue to stay involved as best I can with the Orangeberg Planning Board. They had another big meeting. Uh I didn't even get in didn't even get into the building. They had someone with a phone and a megaphone outside.
>> Uh they did Jen, correct me if I'm wrong. I know that you kind of wandered there too and were outside. You finally got in. they they the planning board requested a much deeper environmental study. So that just puts this thing more and more out there. So no decision being
made on the uh uh on the the data center that's proposed for just over the state line that we're concerned about. Talked about the blinking light already. Uh, I attended a dinner uh myself and several mayors from the Pasc Valley attended a
meeting with the um um the Democratic leadership of Bergen County to kind of discuss with him to hopefully he could take a message to the rest of his friends, if you will, on um some of these uh proposed zoning legislation
that's that's floating around out there and how awful it's it's an idea. and and he promised that he would he would take our message from, you know, northern Bergen County back to uh the sponsors of this legislation saying it's it it
stings. So, um we uh had a dinner to uh hopefully get that message across. The concerts in the park are ongoing hopefully. Uh I know our committee chair I know that Janet would like to see more of us there. So, if your schedules
permit on uh the next >> two Wednesdays, >> two Wednesdays, this Wednesday and one more, um uh it's really great, you know, if the weather's good. It's really great small town entertainment. Bring a, you know, bring a chair. Um you know, sit
there and listen to some music. It's it's really cool. And Oaks Park is just so beautiful. Uh bring your bug spray, though. >> All right. um week and a half ago uh probably my seventh or eighth but I had the honor that's why the board is still there not municipal court but uh we had
another wedding I I performed in town uh couple uh getting married and that was that's always a that's always a fun uh uh always a fun thing to do the movies in the park I think uh we had one on the 10th I don't know when the next one is >> it's in August um there there's been a
low turnout um Yeah, >> mostly because um you know families are away on the weekends and so there she's Gloria is thinking about pulling those into midweek. Maybe more kids are >> okay >> in town and not at the shore or whatever. >> Summer gets a lot of people vacate old
Japan in the summer. >> Yeah. So, uh the date might move, but we'll see. >> All right. Uh, one other thing I have just ongoing, uh, I guess Senator Shapezy hired a couple of new young, very bright kids, college students to intern. And, uh, I had, uh, the
opportunity, they wanted to visit a, uh, a town hall and talk about what local government is all about. Uh, Jesse, thank you for telling them all about taxes and where all their parents' money's going. Uh, Anna, thank you. And and Jean from a from a clerk standpoint.
So I think they left here with a with a good understanding and a good understanding on when we as a burrow um you know need to elevate something you know to uh to a state senator position you know what's you know what what kind of gets above our pay grade there and
whether it's blinking lights or other things like that or data centers we you know we've reached out and said hey we need your help with you know better support fighting this thing. So, it was good for these uh two uh uh two young adults to uh I think they left here with a better understanding of how municipal
government uh works. And that is the end of my few comments. Um next action on the minutes and that'll be for council president Ben. >> Action on the minutes. Minutes to be approved. Close session June 15, 2026.
Regular meeting June 15, 2026. >> A second on them. Second. Any discussion on the minutes? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Council Maki, >> yes. >> Counciloman Castello, >> yes. >> Councilman Juan, >> yes. >> Counciloman Martine,
>> abstain. I wasn't here >> and Councilman >> abstain. Anybody here? I wasn't here either. >> All right. So, that obviously it was a short meeting. >> All right.
Uh, do we have any old business in front of us this evening? >> Uh, I just have a question, Anna. Do we know um, uh, Chestnut and Central where the new crosswalk is, are we going to put or are we going to be, uh, getting some
blinking lights there for the kids to cross? That's a really dangerous intersection. >> Do you notice uh, it was on the consent? We're going out. >> I saw that, but I wasn't sure if that was it. >> All of those. Yes. >> Perfect. Do we know when they should go up? Hopefully before school starts. >> Hopefully.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? Uh, old business. >> No, that's it. Thanks. >> All right. Let's move on to new business. Uh, Councilman Guan for ordinance 1305-26. >> I just wanted to introduce um the ordinance that we've been discussing
over the past couple of meetings. Remember we had a veteran come here and talk to us about that exemption. Um and so we we discussed repealing it uh and replacing it with uh an exemption
that uh retros back to the last quarter tax quarter and not doing anything retroactive uh before that. So, I'd like to uh introduce the first reading uh resolution whereas an ordinance entitled an ordinance repealing and replacing
220-4 of the code of the baran was introduced at a meeting of the mayor and council held on the 20th day of July 2026. Now therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and council of the Barvalapan County of Bergensson, New Jersey, that ordinance number 1305-26B,
and the same is hereby adopted on first reading, and be it further resolved that said ordinance number 1305-26 will be further considered for final passage at a meeting of the said mayor and council to be held on the 17th day of August, 2026, at 7:30 in the evening, or as soon
thereafter as the matter can be reached in the council chambers at Burrow All 227 Altapen Road, Altapen, New Jersey. At which time and place all persons who may be interested will be given an opportunity to be heard regarding ordinance number 1305-26. >> You have a second on that.
>> Second. >> Any discussion? See? None. Roll call, please. Councilomani. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Castella. >> Yes. >> Councilman Juan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marcy. >> Yes. >> Councilman Yo,
>> yes. Okay. Uh, I'll entertain a motion once again to open the meeting to the public. >> So move. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> I. Anyone from the public like to be heard on any matter this evening? >> Motion to close. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second.
>> I favor. >> We are adjourned. >> Thank you. >> That's what I thought it would be. or you