Last one on that Tom >> more. Everyone's welcome for what? Uh I was invited um I was actually invited through Shadanium uh to do um >> the turning point. >> I cut the ribbon to I don't know. >> What day is it? >> Uh 8:30 I'm told.
>> What day? >> Uh Saturday. >> Oh be 8:30 p.m. >> No. Uh 8 a.m. >> Oh. It's a breakfast. >> Going for waffles at 8:30. Uh >> I try them. Nice. >> I have. >> Yes, >> I have.
>> Good, Jean. Yep. >> All right. Good evening, everybody. Um, in compliance with the open public meeting law, notification of this meeting has been sent to our official newspapers and other publications circulated in the bureau 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 extra at the main door of the council chambers where you enter this evening and at the rear of the council chambers. Uh roll call please. >> Mayor Gallagher
>> here. Councilman Bagi here. >> Councilman Boyce here. >> Councilwoman Costello here. >> Councilman Blondie here. >> Council here. >> Please stand and join me. >> Salute to 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. >> Okay. Our first order of business tonight is our consent resolution and that is for council president Benagi.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I have the consent resolution here. Be it resolved that the following resolutions placed on the agenda by consent require no discussion and the same having been previously reviewed by each council person be and are hereby adopted on in their entirety by the mayor and council of the burough
of Alapan. Bills and claims temporary emergency resolution bond anticipation notes community development grant agreement senior center exterior rehabilitation. >> Do we have any second on that? >> Second. Uh any uh any comments or
discussion on our consent resolution this evening? >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Vanagi, >> yes. >> Councilman Boyce, >> yes. >> Council, yes. >> Councilman Guan, yes. >> Councilman Marty, >> yes. >> Councilman Y, >> yes. >> Do we have any new business in front of
us tonight? >> Seeing none, um do we have any old business to discuss? Just a update on Oaks if we could. I mean, Anna or Bill. >> Still waiting for the bids back. >> I just want everybody to be honest. I I
know where where it's at, but I want to make sure the council knows where it's at. >> That's it. Just waiting for final bid specs. Tom has already submitted all of uh his notes and they have to go into the bid specs from the architect so that
we have one piece of thing saying where it goes. The rest of it is all done. hoping we get that so we can go out to bid. >> So, so we're waiting on the specs to go to bid from our architect. And who's our point person dealing with them?
>> We've been emailing him after >> it's been Bill and Anna. >> Bill and Anna. Okay. Uh >> can you give him a call or >> I can absolutely I'll call him again >> just to keep us on track and >> believe it or not with all that snow out there, spring will be here soon enough.
And uh cuz we do have good permissions. We we did go we test that. Okay. So as soon as they get that the whole package is ready and hopefully can go out. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thanks. Keep us updated, Bill.
>> You got it. >> All right. >> All right. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Would anyone from the public like to be heard tonight? >> Yes. >> Please. Uh name and address for the
record. >> Yeah. Up here. Come up here so we can >> My name is Bill Nigro. I'm the owner of the Vice Day shipping store in Ulta Pin, the Bate Plaza. And I probably, as you know, uh that uh last week I was
notified that uh the postal service is going to cancel my contract. So there will be no more postal unit in the B-state plaza. That will be like it's been over here for over 30 years it's been there. And uh
it's probably pretty bad for the town because >> it's the first I'm hearing this. Did they tell him why >> they're just probably just cutting back? I I finally got in touch with the my contact um
and he said that they're uh they feel that their local post office can handle our you know our our overflow. I don't think they can do that. >> They're local meaning Westwood. >> Westwood. >> Okay. >> Right. They they can't handle it because it's far away. No parking. No parking
here. They're nothing over there. And we do a lot more than a lot of these other stuff other little postal units do because we have the shipping store more. >> We're able to take packages, do certified mail, do priority mail,
>> UPS, FedEx, get people get faxes. People have have uh >> postal service, everything. >> Yeah. Post office boxes. And it's a very used >> store. You're busy all day. I would I would miss that stuff. >> So what they're looking to cancel, if
you will, is so you have PO boxes up there, >> right? >> So that's part of it. >> No, >> that's that's my stuff. >> That's your stuff. >> Only the postal selling stamps, priority mail, certified mail. And in the way has been the past maybe probably
15 years, you realize that the stamp sales have gone down. It's all online, >> but our package >> intake has been doubled or more tripled because everybody's doing things online getting free returns from companies. I
got 100 packages a day, postal packages. >> Thank you. >> USPS paid for. It's already paid for. >> I'll be honest, I feel guilty bringing them in when >> Yeah, that's okay. It's fine because they pick up twice a day. >> It's It helps them a lot because they don't have to worry about their counters
being rushed all the time with all these packages. So we're like an extra employee for the post office and a cheap employee besides that. >> Yeah. Sure. They give you a reason why they're canceling. >> Just that they're cutting back a little bit. >> What's their what's their cost? It it's
just them stopping by to pick up the packages. >> We have they have pick up No. Plus we sell True, >> right? >> They have to pay they can pick up the monies. You know the >> They have a contract, you know. They have a contract with the postal service.
So they're probably looking to cancel that. You know what they're what they're paying you for that? >> It's already been cancelled because it's already done. >> Wow. >> Just a matter of if 120 days. >> So my last day will be 625 will be my last day. So
when I talked to the individual, >> he said that it's a possibility to get it back, but it's going to take a lot of uh persuasion, you know, uh to not only the postmaster in Westwood, but higher than that.
>> So that's why you're here. >> I'm here. I've talked I've already talked to the postmaster in Westwood. They're trying, but I have very little uh hope that that will help. Has to go higher. Do you have his or her contact information >> with the person?
>> Yeah. The postmaster in Westwood. >> Uh, well, it's Yes. It's Gabriel Alli. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. So what I'm what I'm first of all I I I support leaving a post office if you will and your services up in Bstate especially in
light of how the town has grown and everything you said there about dropping off packages the you know the enclave next you know next door and uh who knows what the future of bystate looks like in regards to our fourth round is no secret you know there's you know there's there's going to be you know additional
housing going on so as old grows was it's silly I think on their part to say hey we don't need a post office anymore. So, I mean, I I will ridiculous. >> I will, you know, >> they simply don't know that, you know, that they don't know what they see probably is >> the sales numbers. Like I said, 10 years
ago, it was more because we're selling more stamps. >> Now, there's less stamps being sold because everything is online, but the other parts of the business has increased, which you don't see a revenue from. I don't see revenue from or they don't. They get it, but it's not
>> directly through the this area here. >> Sure. Is is the contract fixed contract or is it variable? In other words, is like when you sell stamps, they get a certain percentage of that or is it a fixed contract for the year? >> What it is I get the stamps on like consignment. You can say >> it's their money
>> and I I sell what they sell it for and every day we I do a daily report. Whatever I take in, I do a deposit for them and I they pick it up every night. Now if I'm say for example we get an
audit I'm short in stamps I got to pay I got to pay >> to make it we got to reconcile the books. >> So so it is variable. >> Oh yeah. >> Do you get any commission on your sales? >> They pay me. >> They pay you back cost. >> It's a contract. >> That's the cost.
>> I get I get a certain amount every month to sell stamps. >> I got it. I got it. Yeah. That's >> and it's I would think it's cheaper for postal service to pay bill and have their people employees there and stuff. I would think >> Yeah. Yes. But they're saying it's
cheaper to cancel it and tell >> just close the whole thing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> That's inconvenient for the residents of Japan. >> Well, you can even go to Japan, right, to buy stamps. >> Yeah. It's federal. So, yeah. >> So, is it is it the fact that we have the same zip code? We do have the same
zip code >> and then therefore we're treated as a a one entity with Westwood in terms of the postal service and even though we're like 10 minutes away. >> That's one of the factors why we can't get an annex in >> we've been trying. >> Yeah.
>> Since early 90s >> but it's not something we can get >> unless we change our zip code. >> Well, that's they did we change it. >> What about the Riverale location? Any mention of that? >> What's that? the Riverale. >> Well, that's just a
>> that's an annex there. All the men all the >> But are they doing anything with that? >> All they No, that that that's a post office, but isn't a post office? The the men work out of that place. >> It's not a retail. >> They don't do any retail. >> But there is a retail location like me. >> Yeah. >> Next to them is a pharmacy.
>> Ah, >> she's got hers pulled, too. >> So, they pull both of them. >> So, now there's nothing in the area but the post office. Mhm. What would you like us to do? >> Somehow we can get something drafted and
and put some pressure on the postal. >> Yeah. With the council's permission, I I'd be happy to write a letter um and uh and explain the need for uh your business, your your postal services uh for the residents of Old Japan. So, we'd
be we'd be happy to do that if you just get us some contact information and maybe just a little bit of a brief background on, you know, what you've been doing there. Just so >> and for how long >> the letters kind of >> been said is that remember it was first it started in the
in the bystate pharmacy had the contract first >> right >> way back then when they moved out of this this complex u we took it over and of course we expanded it then sold stamps we expanded to do more >> y
>> and we've been here what over 30 years >> it's a big that's a long time >> yeah sure >> I've been there 26 years and I mean I mean Right. Jeff was there before. Right. >> Can I make a recommendation? >> Can you start a petition and when you have folks come into the store, have
them sign it, tell them what it's about? >> Sure. >> So we can actually attach it to the letter that the mayor's going to write on behalf of Old. >> Yeah. Maybe online if there's the Pams that we could have done for online. >> Tell the moms >> in that letter. Can we emphasize the
number of residents that are within walking distance because we have many, right, and new ones versus think about this. If they had to go to Westwood, >> get in their car and then go find parking, meter parking, whatever. Like, >> yes, it's a convenience, but the population density around that is
actually grown exponentially. Sure. >> Further, we we also have residents that don't drive and don't have we don't have a bus that runs through town. >> Good point. >> So, we really need a u we need >> it's a great service. It's a great service to have.
>> Get me uh if you can or maybe you can get it to uh to Anna Burough Hall and um >> I got my letter here from the post from the from my my termination letter pretty much here. I can give you that. There's a name on here.
>> Yeah, I I don't need a copy. I I I have copies. I have copies. >> All right. We I mean I we'd be happy to support your cause here. uh not only for yourself but for the residents of old Japan. >> I appreciate that. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. So, we'll get some information. We'll get that.
>> Thanks for coming in, Bill. >> Thank you very much. >> In a week or two, we'll get that out the door. >> We should really h >> Oh, that's a good idea. see him Saturday, right?
>> Yeah. Um you're right. If uh maybe I'll see uh our congressman on Saturday and maybe loop him in. Okay. Um All right. Anyone else from the public like to be heard?
Evan, you'll wait a little bit during the during the topic. >> Motion to close. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Uh motion to adjurnn. >> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right, let's move right into our uh executive meeting. Uh, roll call, please. >> Mayor Gallagher,
>> here. >> Councilman Bagi here. >> Councilman Boyce here. Councilman Costello, here. >> Councilman Guang. >> Councilman Martin here. >> Councilman >> here. >> Okay. Engineers report. Tom, you're up. >> Good evening everybody. Thank you.
>> Still not a heck of a lot going on. It's just that time of year. Um, the tax maps have been updated. Uh, that's the only notable thing that I can think of since the last time I was here. Um, and
the tax assessor got, and I could get these terms mixed up, but you went from a reassessment to a re-evaluation. >> No, revaluation to a reassessment. >> You went the other way around. All right. So, a reevaluation to a reassessment. Same process as far as
he's concerned. and the ultimate outcome will be the same. But what it does for the tax reps is we don't have to go through the ridiculous process at the state level where they they start commenting on line weights and dots and dashes instead of straight lines and
like it it gets nuts with the the tax review. So, we updated to the them to the point where they're they're current with our existing >> lots um which is most important to the burrow and we don't have to go through that other process which which is a big
help. Saves time and and money um on that end. Um I did ride by the handicap ramps on Central Avenue on my way in tonight just to see about the snow cover. They are still covered but it doesn't look bad. So, it's supposed
to get up to 50 on Wednesday. I think so. I'm going to come out probably late Wednesday or someday this week and dig out any little bit that needs to be done and I can do those as um this week, get that submit to the county and then that'll be taken care of. Um
that's really all I have. The next thing that we would be doing um projectwise would be figuring out roads for this year. So, I don't know where that stands budgetwise. If you know what your number's going to be for the Burrows Road improvement program,
>> it's less than last year. >> Okay. And once you decide on a number, whatever it is, then we can meet. >> But we I think we uh this year or last year, we kind of did everything we really really had to do. So now we're >> Yeah. >> going back to some of the smaller
things. So we should be okay this year. >> Yeah. The DPW guys are saying, you know, the feedback I'm getting is that we are really getting caught up finally. >> Well, that's good news. That's all I had. >> Um, but I know at least along Charles, so it's kind of funny. We we had a long
discussion after the snow and our new ordinance and removing from the sidewalks, but I know at least along Charles, the sidewalk folks came in in late fall, we'll call it, or even early winter to replace some of the sidewalks, and they left the yellow caution tape up there. And it was funny how people
didn't didn't shovel that portion cuz it's still whose responsibility is to take the pieces of wood down the yellow and throw the yellow caution tape away cuz it's still up there. I know on certain streets. >> So Altapan Road very similar right on towards the west end. Um and I saw someone walking on the street because
that part of the sidewalk was blocked off. So I wasn't and actually that was going to be >> long cured you know. >> The one is probably Angel's Contracting. That's who Andy's used for all the burrow stuff. I'm not sure if Old Span Road was the county project. >> Um,
>> so do we have DLS? >> Do we have Andy take the yellow stuff and throw it in the garbage? >> All right. It's I'm telling you, at least up by uh, you know, Vix Yos's house, it's still >> um, still there. >> I know what it was. >> Noticed that. >> And it's funny how snowblowers just stopped, but it's
>> was done months ago, you know, long before even the first storm. So, all right. So if you can >> uh stamp or Jen just have Andy pick up those >> and DLS did the county job >> and just notified me that they they've
done the ramps. I don't know if you recall, but there were ramps that were supposed to be done that just didn't get done as part of the county project. >> There's ramps right by Exxon. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And they were halfway done and it snowed. >> So I got to take a look at those anyway. So while I'm out there I'll look at >> I don't know if they got that.
>> All right. Whatever Angel did I think is und done. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, so we can >> have that >> just sticks thrown away and the yellow caution tape thrown away and we'll wait for the snow to melt. But >> anybody else have anything for Tom?
>> One quick question. Tom, now that you've updated the um the tax map, is that in a format that the DPW can put in their GIS system, like a file format? >> I'm sure we can get it in a format. I
don't know what exactly they're using. I mean, what I what I circulate are PDFs, which that's not going to help them, >> but I know I can export stuff from the CAD program >> to get them, I think, the files they need. Yeah, that' be pretty important to update there.
>> Who should I reach out to? >> Andy, just be Andy. >> Andy, but it's also Sean. >> I think Sean does that. Yeah, >> he does the GI >> and I think they've got it to some extent because we just submitted the
storm water infrastructure plan to D to the state that Sean did using the GIS program that they have. So, I think they're pretty far along, but I'll reach out and see what they need if any. >> That'd be great to see that on there. >> Okay.
Anything else? Thank you, Tom. Thank you. Okay. >> All right. Moving along to um uh on the agenda items, repurposed retired ambulance. And that was about a month ago um with us tonight. Uh Evan, you
want to maybe just you can come on up. Uh sent uh sent me a letter. I think that letter was shared with the um with the council. >> Yes. >> Um I can read the letter or you can kind of summarize. You're you're the you're our fire official, of course, fire marshal.
Uh but you also serve in some capacity with Ramapo College. Um and you're part of the uh uh first responders club there and I put it in your letter, but you're
looking for um a used ambulance to supplement uh transport and other things that you that you'd find on campus. And with that, if you would have obtained one of our old ones as we have a new one on order, there are certain things that you uh uh that Ramapo College pledged to
old Japan. And so you want to say it more. You want me to read it or you have it there? >> I mean, I have I expanded on it a little bit just for >> Yeah, if you could. Yeah. >> Council. Um, so I appreciate the uh, you know, ability to speak to everyone tonight. Um, so obviously my name is
Evan Cut. I'm the fire marshal here in Old Pan. As the mayor said, I'm also the fire marshal and EMS coordinator at Ramco College. The Ramco College EMS program is a studentrun emergency response agency that provides immediate medical care across campus. Our team is
made up of trained student responders who gain real world clinical experience while protecting health and safety of our campus community. The program directly supports the college's strategic goals of advancing academic excellence through hands-on learning. We're very big in experiential
learning, uh fostering an inclusive culture of service and leadership, and strengthening institutional resilience through preparedness and emergency response. Currently, the Rambo College EMS program operates as a non-transport first responder agency. Basically what that
means is uh they cover major events on campus whether it's graduation. Uh we have Bergen County guidance fair coming up uh next week. We have a big career fair this Wednesday and the students staff all those events on campus and uh they cover you know a host of other uh
different events. They actually just spent the last two weeks covering our health services uh office because our nurse retired. So we had a two week lapse with no nurse on campus and the EMTs staffed that the office for that time. One of the big issues being a
non-transport agency is that New Jersey now does not afford uh those types of agencies with access to the New Jersey EMT training fund. So that means we can't send students to EMT school and currently certified EMTs cannot go for
CUS funded by the training fund. Um that was a change in the last few years as the training fund I guess was underfunded. Um and so now they require that you have an ambulance and transport. So I'm here tonight to respectfully ask the Burbolt pan to consider donating a retired ambulance to
the EMS program. Uh with the ambulance as I mentioned we now have access to the training fund. Uh this would allow us to send more students to EMT school and it would create a a pipeline of trained emergency responders for Ultipan which I'll get to in a second with the scholarship. So in return we'd look to
establish an Altan public safety scholarship through our colleg's foundation that would be something that the students would fund through their fundraising activities CPR training um you know the dine and donate those types of things. Uh the scholarship will be available to round students who reside
in Altapan with a preference given to current Ultipan first aid members or firefighters um if you guys so choose. Um it would then extend to Ultiman students pursuing nursing or premed careers or EMT or firefighting training. So, if we had no students that were EMTs
going around for, let's say, nursing school, um, but somebody just in town that's not associated with our public safety departments wanted to go for biology, premed, it would it would go to them next in the, uh, process. And we would, of course, look to the mayor and
council for guidance and and whatnot. And that would be something that the college foundation would have to be, um, you know, brought in as well. They probably have guidelines for their scholarships. So something that we were thinking about like not getting too far into like what's the ambulance worth and
things like that. Um we would come up with some kind of fair number um and then we would just make it contingent on the ambulance staying in service for that period of time. So if if we say all right we we agree that it's worth X and then the ambulance dies after two years and we have to scrap it well we're not
going to do 10 more years of a scholarship and it's it's now residing in a scrapyard or something. Um so really we think this partnership would strengthen both of our communities. So obviously it's going to expand the emergency response capabilities up to the college. Um it would allow for the
students to have access to better training, but it's also going to support Bolt Pan residents. So either ones that are already uh pursuing a career in public safety or perhaps somebody pursuing a career in in medicine or or one of those uh associated fields. Um,
and then just wanted to share that the other schools in New Jersey with collegiate EMS programs um that transport students are Montlair, Ruckers, and Rowan. And NJIT and TCJ are the other two schools that have non-transport programs. Uh, NGIT
um they're in close proximity to a hospital. I think they drive students there in their golf cart. Um, and then TCJ is covered by Career Ambulance Service um, right in their municipality. So, um, that's pretty much all I had and I just again I appreciate you guys even
considering this as an option. >> I was curious, do you know how many students would fit that criteria like now or in the recent past from old Japan residents that attend Ramipo in one of those fields?
>> So, um, I have access to uh, students living on campus like that roster. Yeah. Um, obviously there's not that many because of the close proximity. I would have to talk to our like enrollment department or admissions to find out how many students actually come from Altapan
and go there, but I would say probably 10 to 15 per year that that attend Ramipo. Maybe two or three that live on campus. >> Okay. >> That's quite a few. >> Would you guys be a licensed service or not? >> We would not. >> Okay. But you still have access to the EMT fund.
>> Correct. Yep. >> Let me Can we go back to the the structure and I heard a couple of words I'm slightly confused that this was a student it is a student club but then I heard you say agency. Can you talk about kind of that structure and is it a if
it's a student club is it fully supported by the university etc. >> So it's kind of >> two paths I I guess I should say. So um we used to have a first responder club. Um and I guess I'll give a little bit of history. So, we had an ambulance on
campus um from the early 2000s, I want to say, through 2013 uh when we had a fully functioning transport agency before my time at the college. Um the ambulance they had at that time was donated to them from a ambulance core I
think down the shore. Um they used it till the wheels fell off. Um at that point in 2013, uh the college was not going to go out. they just didn't have the funds to go out just like they don't today u and spend whatever you know
$200,000 on an ambulance. Um and essentially the program paused at that point back in 2013. Um around 2016 2017 uh Richard Premian who was the captain of Ultan EMS uh was a student at Ramipo
and he uh attempted to revamp the program. Um and he's the one who first proposed that they uh create a program that doesn't require an ambulance. And so he went through that process for maybe 2 years. He graduated a year or
two before I started there. Um and around uh I think it was around COVID time um we had been using an outside ambulance to cover major events on campus. So graduation and things like that, they were charging us over $300 an hour. So the uh administration at the
college approached me and said you know times are tough can you do this any cheaper? I said I'm just one person like it's not me. I we need students to do that and our nursing program is the biggest program on campus right now. Uh I think we enroll 40 plus students for
for each class. So um it's you know 5 or 10% of the student population are nursing students maybe even more than that. Um, so a lot of them are already EMTs and uh we put out a feeler and we had like 40 people that were EMTs already that said we're interested and
uh kind of the rest is history. So we the program started back up um right after CO and uh it's been running for three or four years at this point. Um and uh you know there's challenges with a lot of yeah basically every four years you get a whole new group of students.
So there's a lot of turnover. Leadership in the group is always changing. Um so those are challenges that we always have to deal with. Um but as far as your question about um you know it started off as a first responder club they changed when they revamped it they changed it to Ramo College EMS as a club
and then it's also Ramapo EMS as a first responder agency with the same leadership. So the president of the club the chief of the EMS program >> so through the agency you can talk to the state etc. >> Correct. So we do electronic patient care reporting and we follow we have a a
Valley hospital. Dr. Dryer is the medical director. You know we carry all the same equipment that would be on an ambulance the medication etc. Um >> who funds that? The college. >> So the college funds a little bit with the money they saved on outsourcing ambulance coverage. Um, some of that
money was transitioned, very little I should say, but uh, you know, we appreciate the college funding anything obviously, but it's, you know, a couple thousand dollars and that front-loaded some of the equipment. Um, and and my department as their coordinator and staff adviser, um, we funded some of the
equipment and, um, they really like we have, uh, outside renters that fund some of it. So like if they're covering, you know, Bergen County guidance fair, they pay, you know, a little bit towards equipment and things like that, but um
there's very little funding for the >> equipment as a whole. >> So the college doesn't have an obligation is to >> So there is >> to supply I mean I'm I'm thinking if you have a sporting event or something, they would have to >> So we there's there are some times. So last year our men's basketball was in
the NCA tournament and you're required to have a transport ambulance. >> Okay. um for NCAA. >> So what happened then? Just so what happened during that time? >> You have to go out and pay for an ambulance. >> You pay for a private ambulance. Sorry. >> And they're telling you it's too expensive. >> Yeah. Um so we and and we're located in
Mawa. Um Mawa is a volunteer agency and just like um I think Sunrise maybe some other places in town, they're they're calling private ambulances first. So that's what happens with us. So MA defers. So, we call for an ambulance.
Mama police calls MCCOM. Uh MCOM tries to find a paid ambulance. Sometimes we get a Hackinack volunteer ambulance coming from Hackinack or Bergen County ambulance coming from Garfield or Loi. And my students are there as kind of an
intermediary and they're just, you know, taking vitals and holding somebody's hand until somebody, right? Like EMS is designed for transport to definitive care. And it's kind of hard for me to take a a relatively new EMT and just say you need to babysit somebody for 45
minutes until an ambulance shows up. and it kind of puts them in an awkward spot because a lot of times what you need is rapid transport and we just have to sit there and wait. So I've had to do a lot of training with my students on how to interact with other students in those
type of scenarios. Um faculty staff like inter you're like potentially my students might be treating their faculty member or you know a fellow student's grandparent at graduation and so that is a difficult situation to put them in where as opposed to just getting on stretcher and transporting them to
Valley Hospital or Good Sam you know within five or 10 minutes. How do you Sorry. Go ahead. >> When I first spoke to Evan about this, I wanted to find out how much the ambulance might be worth. I don't know, Juan. Maybe you have an idea, but the number I was getting was about maybe
$5,000 stripped. If we could offer >> Do we know what we sold? I know we have an ambulance now that's fourish years old. 66 is four years old or so. Do we know, not tonight, but do
we know what uh what that ambulance? How did how did Ultan the right word dispose of it? Where where did it go? Where did 66 go? >> Maybe Guy had something to do with that. >> Yeah, but there's still got to be some sort of record. >> Yeah. >> You know, if we could find that money
for it. Can um I think the other question is can the town arbitrarily choose some places to donate or open to be open to whoever else? >> That was going to be my question. Um you
know we're giving away giving away with something of value >> that taxpayers paid for. >> Um I don't I don't know if we can do that and >> let that process >> not that I'm against it. I just want to make sure we're right we're not getting into trouble. somewhere. >> Yeah. It could be another urban
community to come and say, "Hey, you know, >> Uhhuh. >> why don't you let us do that? >> Taxpayers money." So, has to be fair and equal. >> Sure. We just have a question for >> Can we get it? We need a definitive answer on that. >> That's a legal.
>> We'll talk to our >> Yeah. >> Auditor. >> That's okay. >> Brian will get to it, too. How do you guys run the uh department as far as dispatching? Is it 24/7? You guys have somebody
>> uh not 24/7 because the students aren't there all the time. Um so sometimes it's just for major events, but they'd like to with an ambulance expand that program to covering more time during the semester. It's it's hard to do that. They don't without a vehicle.
>> So >> what's the volume? How many students do you have there? uh living on campus about 2,000 >> and then four to 5,000 commuter students. >> Really? That's a lot. >> Small town. >> I didn't know that was a lot. I didn't know there was that many. >> Did you say that we uh Ultipan would
have to approve the awardee for these scholarship every year? >> I mean it like >> we just provide guidelines. there's something I mean I've only spoken high level um with even the college foundation about can we accept donations and things like this and they told me
that it's it's not an issue to do that. Obviously they don't want to inherit somebody else's problems kind of thing. Um but obviously we know where the ambulance is coming from and the history and and all that. Um >> we didn't get into the nitty-gritty of establishing a scholarship and >> who decides who it goes to and things
like that, but >> So it's still early. We can we can figure that out and >> yeah I mean I I think the initial thing is to gauge the the interest one what is the value of it that that our taxpayers paid for can we can we do it uh we tend
to we tend to have bigger aspirations I think with old equipment that it's worth so much money and then at the end of the day it's not >> we did donate a a fire truck a couple years ago to >> we did it's in Las I think Vegas or something.
>> Yeah. >> Would Would it be possible to do some sort of lease? We still own the ambulance, but lease it to them for a dollar, for example. >> I don't think we want to own it. The exact same. >> I don't I don't think the college >> I think the liability >> go to the foundation like the
foundation's in the business of donations. Like I don't even know if they have the capability of doing that. >> I think we're assuming some liability. >> Yeah. The liability would be >> I'd rather get it off our property. >> Yeah. Yeah. Off the property. See you later. >> Tag here. You're right. All right. What
else do we have to um >> if there's nothing, you know, uh illegal or anything like that? I have no problem with it. I think it's actually >> especially with the the scholarship portion of it. I think it's great. >> It's good. That's good. >> Yeah, we could get some sort
of what we think and then round out. Good way to sell a whole project. >> If there's an EMT at the ambulance corp and they're like, I maybe I'll go to William Patterson. Oh, but I can get $500 or whatever the scholarship. I do Rambo and I could be an EMT on campus. Like, >> I think it's good PR for for uh Ultan to
to partner with with a local state school >> and promote first responders and EMS. And we do send a lot of students over there. >> Well, I in in theory I I like it in theory. Let's >> And Juan, do you know about when our new
um ambulance might be delivered? >> It's part of my report. Stay tuned. >> Maybe you can let him know. Just Just do >> stay tuned for the meeting. You'll hear. >> Uh do we have a flavor at least to pursue? >> I do. I would say yes. >> But I don't know if we need any motion.
It's just we heard a presentation. We'll do our homework here. We'll do our homework. But at his point, we did somehow. I don't know how the the paperwork worked on the old fire engine that went out to Las Vegas to serve as that. I can never say that word anymore. Cass the funeral truck.
>> I think that was we tried to sell it and it was not. We could not sell it. >> Someone wouldn't buy it for a dollar. >> No. And then what happened is they got in touch from when it was advertised and
said we'll take it for this reason. >> All right. >> So it was advertised. >> Advertised. Yeah. >> So selling does it have to go to auction or can we set a price for the sale? >> Auction. >> Okay. >> Do we start who starts the minimum bid on that? >> Who decides that? Really high reserve.
>> Put a reserve. But >> I'm saying we we set that right. >> Oh yeah. Okay. All right. >> I mean, we might be able to. I don't know. I just we have to meet. >> All right. Let's look into uh let's let's do the homework that we need to do
>> and if it and if it's doable and the college still has an interest. I think you said you just had some initial conversations. Let's see if we can make it work cuz I I love the the PR part of it. I love uh you know kind of giving back in a way. And again we always think
something it's a 1998 >> just just to be sure this this would be the college taking >> um taking this or is it who is actually >> so the as a state agency they don't
accept donations directly so they have the round college foundation that's would be going to foundation and the foundation allocates allocates it to the college >> I think at some point if you if we I'll answer these questions and we're on a path of getting this done. We do need
the commitment from the college on the scholarships because that's going to be like an annual funding, right? >> And how long does that last for? But the college has to has to >> that that would be through the foundation also >> has to sign up for that. So we're not >> Yeah. >> scrambling on an annual basis.
>> Yeah. You wouldn't be funding that. That would be something we would fund internally. >> The students would fund that. >> Yeah. Is it the college or the tech? >> The college foundation would it would be a scholarship through the foundation. >> So if they raise the money and how would they would they >> it would have to be guaranteed like it's
guaranteed. >> Exactly. Right. That's what you're looking for. >> Yeah. So either the money gets frontloaded or is some kind of guarantee that it gets >> That's fair. >> But I know there's other scholarships that nobody applies for and no money gets paid out and I believe the the people or state that funds the
scholarship, they don't fund it that year. >> Got it. So >> there are times though, you know, some of these colleges, they they re allocate the funds if they need it someplace else and then all of a sudden there's no money left. >> Oh, really? >> You know, >> oh, we'd have to have some sort of guarantees. Yeah. >> You know, whether it's as long as the
ambulance is in service or we pick a three to five year time frame. What we, >> you know, we we need that kind of buttoned up. >> Yeah. We would make sure it's guaranteed whether we frontload it. You know, if it's $5,000, we frontload it with they do a fundraiser and frontload it with $5,000 and it pays out $500 or $1,000 a
year for >> sure >> five years or whatever. >> That's what we'd be looking for. >> Revolutionize your whole ambulance over there. >> Yeah. I mean, it's really for the students. They want to get back to where they were and they just didn't have a path to do that. So,
>> we thought this might be a good direction to go. >> Timing might be right. >> Yeah. We'll see what Councilman Marty has to say in a few minutes. >> Timy's a little far down. >> All right. All right. Then you might have to wait a little bit. >> We're getting there. >> All right. Anything else? >> No. Thank Thank you. Thank you.
>> All right. Let's go into our council committee reports. Uh where do I want to start tonight? Councilwoman Costella. >> Thank you, Mayor. On recreation, we have some exciting things to discuss. So, we have the Easter egg hunt that's scheduled for
March 28th at Oaks Park. Starts at 2 p.m. This is for the littles in town. I think it goes up to age nine. Um, Camp Serendipity for the first time. Um, they've added field trips to the to the summer program. So, for grades 5 through
7, and seven is a is new for this year. the camp is expanded to accept the additional grade to sort of bridge between ending camp and then starting as a counselor camp counselor and training in 8th grade. So anyway, there's four
field trips scheduled. There's bowling and tennifly nature center. It's once a week. So that's pretty exciting addition to the camp. Um movies in the park are scheduled. They're the dates are June 5th, July 10th, and August 28th. The
baseball and softball um opening day has not been determined as of yet. As you may be aware, the leadership in that area is in state of transition. So, it's being run by the overall subcommittee of the commission right now without a
leader. And so, um it's probably how it's going to be run this year until they have that um leadership put in place again. Um, town day. I was asked to confirm that we're going to source costumes for
some council members to wear during town day. Um, if that >> Sure. I I'm all in favor of that. >> If that's the way to go, we um the the quotes we received for actors to attend were astronomical.
>> So, we will be the actors, I think, if we're if we're okay with that. I know. I know. Uh from the library. So, so keeping in this spirit and I think this is a great idea. So, the library is having a fundraiser on June 13th, Mayor
and it's a murder mystery and they need a victim >> and we were thinking to attract >> about our budget >> to attract um attendees that maybe the mayor would be the victim. second a big >> too many people might be rooting for
that >> president second >> if not then the president of the council maybe >> he's he's sick >> but it's June 13th is the date >> I'm sure >> how about the police >> what day of the week is it >> a Saturday >> I can't be there >> at the library >> I'm working on Saturdays
>> it's in either late afternoon or early evening >> so does someone actually >> it's a mystery >> so it the victim has a very small role because they're victimized right right way. >> Um, >> I'm in. Okay. >> 13th. Yeah. You're in. >> I'm in.
>> Oh my god. They're going to be so excited. Thank you. >> Just some am I shot? Am I stabbed? What? >> Yeah. I I don't know. I think I think there's flexibility in the story line. >> Whatever you prefer. >> Yeah. It's like a clue game.
>> The mayor with a lead pipe in the conservatory. >> Don't tell Sue though. Too obvious. >> She'll hire someone. >> Okay. Um, we have some exciting adult programs coming up and I I really think these have been enhanced in such a great way. We have um for to celebrate Women's
History Month, there's a seminar on women's involvement in the American Revolution. It all plays a part of the 250th anniversary. That's on March 24th. So, that's coming up. We have um the world of St. Patrick. That's on March
10th. And then a paint and plant class where you paint plant pots and you get some seedlings and that's on March 12th. Um, and that's all I have. Thank you. >> Awesome. Can I add something? Sorry. >> Yeah.
>> Can I add something to recreation? So, >> of course, >> there the indoor soccer season I think it's like nine weeks long and it only takes place on Sundays and unfortunately we've had snow on Sundays only. Um, so they've had to cancel three out of those nine weeks.
>> That's right. Uh just a note that we extended the season one more week. It might conflict with outdoor soccer, but it's got it got extended one more week to get makeup games in there, but like more than 30% of the season's been cancelled due to the snow on Sundays. >> Thank you.
>> And OT I can I can vouch for OT56 is undefeated. >> There you go. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Uh Councilman Voice. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So, I'm going to be brief tonight. I
know it's a shocker. So, golf. No golf. >> No golf. >> Okay. Um, >> didn't they put the expensive sand in the holes? >> We're waiting. It's going to be >> just put it in the holes. They charge us a lot of money. >> Yes. >> Okay, good. >> The veterans will occur in March. We'll
have another committee meeting. >> Uh, boy scouts and girl scouts, runwood derby is the 13th. Mark your calendars. And the crossing over is the 15th. >> Yes. >> I hear our mayor will be attending before any undue harm comes to him as
per your fundraiser. >> March 13th. Pinewood Derby was this weekend. >> It's March 13th. >> Oh, she gave me the wrong date. >> March 13th at TBD at 5 in the afternoon. >> Washington Township is this Friday. I'll be that that one. >> And then the crossing over is the 15th.
>> I think it's the 15th. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, those are big dates. uh planning board. We're um we're waiting for our March 11th meeting where we will read into the record and open up to the public the master plan. And then
the environmental commission, our environmental commission chair would once again like to request that he be steward or that the environmental commission is the steward for the funds that are raised by the tree ordinance. When somebody's looking for a relief to cut down a tree and they have to pay in
a certain amount, he feels as though the environmental commission or they environmental commission feels that they're the most suited to do beneficial projects for the town. Maybe not the DPW or a Shade Tree
Commission where it's going now and we don't see it. So, I just like to open that up to discussion at some point or have people think about that. I I guess uh just from my point, I'd like to see kind of a business case on what so let's say I I don't know what have we been
raising from the tree. Somebody give me a rough number. >> It was really to me that it was $13,000 or so last year. >> We don't we don't get a heck of a lot. Um >> well 13,000 is a >> some of the money that comes in is to pay whoever has to go out
>> and do all of that. >> Sure. This would be an addition to that. >> Listen, but >> I would think it would be probably a better thing because right now you have a shade tree committee. >> Mhm. >> You only have one working person on that
which is Andy, which is because >> isn't it a commission commission? >> It is. No, it's the shade tree committee. No, >> but you should have >> environmental committee committee. So maybe someone from the environmental
commission would be part of that and that way you work along. >> So we have one member of the shade tree committee right now. >> Andy >> Andy Brackenberry >> and then he is >> they are the ones that actually put up the shade trees but maybe they should
work. So I think what environmental commission is saying, hey, listen, if we have this extra funding now after we pay, you know, the arborist and everything else and there's something left in the kitty, if you will, is um, you know, the environmental committee
might want to do something with that. I just I guess I'd kind of just like to know what would they look to do. >> Well, if you give them the permission to do that, they can do whatever they want because they are a commission. So, >> and I'll ask this question. Maybe I
should know the answer, but um >> should we change it from a commission to a committee? >> We cannot. >> We cannot. Why? That's that's correct. >> Yeah. >> So, that's why I'm thinking let the money go where it is, but com not combine it because you have to have both.
>> Okay. So, let me think out loud. So, I don't know what's left. I mean, I heard a number of 13,000. I heard that's >> I don't think it was much. >> Okay. Uh Dave did some research. He emailed me that figure. >> The way the fees were designed was to pretty much make or break even.
>> Even Yes. Correct. >> That was for the fees to go and do the inspections. This was for the money. It was my understanding that this money was collected for relief from residents that didn't want to plant new trees. They would prefer to pay into >> to pay in. >> Okay. So that the tree preservation fund
>> that's a I mean that goes into tree preservation. the big hoods. >> Well, are we just preserving the money in the bank or we're planting more trees with >> No, we're planting more >> Oh, Andy's been Andy's plant trees. >> Yeah, that that's being used for trees. >> Okay. Yeah, we don't I don't think we
have enough money to plant all the trees we'd want to. >> We do not. >> I could use more trees. >> I guess I'd love to know again going back whether there's money or there's not money. What What is the environmental commission? What are they looking to do? the environment
>> walk to school day that doesn't cost anything. Uh I mean what are they looking to do? >> Uh they're looking they have all sorts of environmentally motivated projects like dredging out the you know the space between the different holes on the golf
course that's filled with invasive plants and making it native plants. That's one example. Doing, you know, bioailes, you know, that lead over to Doritaki's run so we're not putting polluted, you know, runoff from the road. Maybe it goes through a filtering
an organic natural filtering system before it gets dumped into Toritaki's run. Think watershed considerations very important environmental initiatives, >> right? But this is tree. >> This is trees. >> I understand it's all connected. It's
nature, man. It's all connected. It's all part of the same big giant organism that's all the pin. >> So I think that to your point, Mr. Mayor, the environmental commission should be connected to the shade tree
committee and have a little bit of oversight on how that money is spent and maybe formulate some projects, but work handin glove with them. >> So, if you'd like, I'll try to make that happen. >> Yeah, please. >> You got it. >> Okay, good.
>> Yeah, it would make sense. Okay, report. No, that's it. >> Okay, Councilman. >> Thank you. Uh uh board of health uh flu season, excuse me, flu season is still here. Emergency department visits,
outpatient provider visits, and test positivity of influenza have all increased compared to previous weeks. Uh the same goes for RSV cases. Um so just everybody be mindful of people that are sick and uh washing your
hands. Uh, also I just want to remind everybody uh to join us for our community health fair this upcoming Saturday, March 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the firehouse. Come learn more about wellness, healthy living, local health resources, and participate in some screenings. Uh, also,
>> what's the times again? I'm sorry. >> 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the firehouse. >> This Saturday. >> This Saturday, March 7th. Yeah. >> Uh, another reminder that we have a couple of scheduled community blood drives this year. First one will be
April uh excuse me, April 20th from 400 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. also at the firehouse and we have uh our second scheduled a little later in the year on July 30th. Uh again also at the firehouse from 400 p.m. to 700 p.m. Uh first aid core uh
responded to a total of 22 calls for service in the month of February. Um of which six were mutual aid calls. So that is kudos to them. Uh first aid corps ambulance committee met with the ambulance vendor on February 19th where
they reviewed and discussed the specs of the new ambulance. I spoke with the vendor this morning. He stated that revisions requested from the first aid corps have been submitted to Wharton for approval. Once that is uh complete uh the order can be placed. Once the order is placed, we're probably looking about
18 months or so for delivery back in. Yeah. Uh, first aid corps has also increased the ranks by two new members. I would like to welcome I might mess these names up. So, I apologize. Matthew Lee and Marie uh tenant Brusso. So,
thank you for volunteering. That is my report. Thank you, >> Councilman Y. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. uh report from the seniors. It's still pretty quiet with them until the some weather warmer some warmer weather
arrives. Nonetheless, I'll be going on a field trip on March 12th to the Culinary Institute in upstate New York. I'm also happy to announce that Ultapan Girl Scout Leila Dyer has
decided to work with our seniors to um for Gold Star Project. Beginning on Saturday, March 21st, she'll be visiting our seniors along with some other volunteers from the Girl Scouts or from
the her high school class to help them out with their technology questions. It's going to be sustainable >> uh construction. I've heard that Turning Point Diner has received their certificate of occupancy and will be looking to open for business
next week. Really not much from the DPW. Most of the work that they performed the last month involved cleaning up after our last monster snowstorm at the end of January. And in preparation for our historic snowstorm last week, I want to
recognize all the hard work put in by Andy and the crew. Due to the nature of the storm, the entire crew worked long shifts and on very little rest to ensure the roads were safe and open to our residents as quickly as possible. So, on
behalf of the bureau, a heartfelt thank you to DPW for their commitment to serving our community. That concludes my report, Mr. Mayor. Sure. >> Thank you. >> Choppers job.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, very briefly, I only have an update from OEM. Uh, obviously very busy last month uh with all the storms. Uh, the beginning of the month started as uh Andy contacted all the houses of worship uh to talk about
their emergency plans. I met with Pastor Holiday and daycare director and we'll meet with the remainder uh of the houses of worship this month. Uh obviously uh the last storm uh he titled the blizzard of 2026. They were in full activation
mode. Uh monitored the weather uh the snow and then obviously what makes a blizzard are the high winds. Those winds were had gusts up to 45 miles an hour. They were prepared for uh the emergency. Uh the town as you may know uh had sent
out notices uh through social media uh on the burrow sign, the burrow website um about the storm and the firehouse uh was to be used as a warming center if anyone needed that. Uh and then uh they were in contact with the or would be in
contact with the Red Cross in case a relocation was needed. Um I have no update on fire or well finance. Uh we're awaiting the final budget meeting for approval >> and that's the end of my report. >> Okay. Thank you, Council President Bang.
>> Uh yeah, just a short report. I I'll give my longer report on the third Monday for police. We are um in the midst of, as you know, hiring two new patrol people. They are in the
middle of right now psyche val and background checks. As long as that goes well, we should be able to appoint uh swear in and meetings in April. Uh at the same time now, we are going to
advertise internally for a sergeant spot and we're going to advertise internally for two lieutenant spots. Uh that hasn't been done yet, but that's eminent. Uh one thing at a time. >> Get to the two lieutenants until you
change your order. I know that Brian is working on that. >> Can we work on that? >> I think the last time I said >> so don't advertise until we or >> No, no, go ahead. >> Well, the last time we mentioned the
ordinance, it wasn't a done deal. So, if you're a go-ahad on that, we'll change the ordinance. >> What does that ordinance say now? >> It only says one >> one lieutenant, >> right? So we have to change it to be two >> or up to two. >> Well, it's you don't have to have them,
but it has to >> you have to provide for it. >> So while we're doing that, >> if you're okay with that, we'll introduce. >> Okay. So going with our we have had this discussion already. >> Uh and also going with the recommendation of our of our the professional interviewer that we brought
in. It was his recommendation to do this. Uh and we did we have had this discussion on this day. Uh, I would recommend that we go forth with that. Um, I already spoke to Brian about that and as long as the council's okay. I don't know if >> committee committee was good. >> Sorry.
>> The police committee was good with that. >> The police committee was a in agreement. >> Okay. We could introduce >> Yeah, >> we'll introduce it and then the council will vote on it. >> I know it's been discussed so I don't think >> so. No other changes. Up to two
lieutenants and up to four sergeants. >> Yeah. The sergeants aren't going to change. Yeah. Like does it say we can have an infinite number of sergeants? Like did it always say we could have four sergeants? >> It was changed to four. >> It was changed to four. >> Okay. >> Up to four. >> You don't have it if you don't have to have everything.
>> Right. >> But it's up to that. >> Up to that. >> Right. Yep. >> And up to one captain. >> One captain. It's uh one chief, one chief or something like that, >> I think. So,
>> captain, lieuten one lieutenant, four sergeants, and up to 15 patrol >> patrol officers. >> Okay. >> So, we just have to change >> stay in touch with Brian on that then and then we'll introduce the next
meeting >> and then >> So, Anna, who's going to uh >> I'll have it. >> You'll you'll take care of talking to Brian about it and make it make sure it happens. >> Y. >> Okay. So, we should have by Do we need to have two meetings and fine? >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's fine. That's when it's not like that's happen tomorrow.
>> We're not increasing um the amount of people in the building or we're just we're just changing titles. So, we'll be fine. Um in the meantime, Sergeant's going to be happening soon interviews for them. >> And our current ordinance is fine with that. >> Yes.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Um no, that's all I have. Did I hear you attended a historical meeting? >> Oh, I'm sorry. A historical um historical committee. Anna was there. I was there. Karen Goddard is our chair and we talked about town day having a
town crier like a legit this is what he does for a living. Town crier uh with the hat and the shoes and the big scroll and uh he'll walk around and Yes, >> we discussed that. >> Who's we? >> I mentioned that at the last five unit. >> Well, I'm reporting about his
historical. I know. >> Oh, okay. So, this is where it came up that historical and so he he'll walk around and talk about whatever the news of the day was or the news of the day is whichever is decided. Uh, so Karen, the committee seemed pretty excited about
it. So, >> it's during town day. >> During town day. >> He's going to come in as a speaker for us. >> Yes. >> And he's going to come in and speak to us at a date we don't have set yet. Correct. >> Not on the website. >> No. So they've s Karen has sourced the
person. >> Yes. Actually it was >> prior and Gloria I think is going to be at the next meeting to talk about this. >> Yeah. She the only thing she mentioned to me today was that about the the prices of bringing anybody in
were too high. She didn't mention the town crier. >> Well he's it's not a lot. >> Okay. >> It's not >> okay. >> I mean he doesn't stay the whole time. He'll be there. >> No it's a great idea. I love it. >> Yeah. >> But she would she also mentioned that
there were people who would come in, >> you know, every on the hour or something, stay for an hour dressed as uh um Benjamin Franklin or you know, someone and walk around like that and um I told
her I would try to get her the money from that. Yeah, I think the prices she got, but I did give her contact at Dwint that we use for through Girl Scouts and so she's going to contact them and see if they have anybody too. >> But it'd be great if she can work with Karen.
>> She's coming. She's coming to the next meeting. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Karen Karen's a go-getter. She doesn't let she doesn't let the ball drop on anything. >> Good. >> We have to move the next meeting the 17th. So, >> St. Patrick's Day. >> I'm sorry. >> We're all going to wear green. >> Okay.
>> And drink beer. and change beer. >> That's reasonable >> again >> in the bar hole. Okay, >> that's horrible. >> Good. >> That's good. Thanks for that reminding me of that. >> Okay, I have a question. >> Uh at our last meeting, we came up with um some decisions regarding the chief's contract work. What's the status on
them? Because I haven't heard anything. >> Uh well, it we without getting into too much of it at an open public meeting. Uh it was supposed to be during our close meeting today, but we're waiting for the other attorney to return call to our attorney. >> Okay.
>> That was the that was as of today. As of this morning. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. A couple comments um for myself. Um I too want to thank our DPW, our police, fire, EMS, and everyone else
in town. um you know for uh keeping a watchful eye on Old Japan during the blizzard of 2026. There was a lot of folks that worked hard. I have not heard which is great. Anything past our snow ordinance thing and I and I think I trust that our residents did what they
could uh to adhere to our new our new ordinance there. And um I'm happy to see uh 50 60 and maybe 70° temperatures early next week. >> Yes. and we put this winter of 2026 uh kind of behind us. I mean, Punk Satani
Phil did say six more weeks, so if he's on spot, we have two more to go. So, um that's good news for me. Um I heard uh I will be attending the Pinewood Derby. I I enjoy that. >> Uh the crossing over ceremony as well.
And I was invited to attend the Turning Point uh soft opening they called it on Saturday morning. and all all is welcome to come if you're want to come for breakfast or coffee or something to come on by a Saturday morning. Um I did attend the uh Pasc Valley Mayor's
Association meeting um several weeks ago and our very own Jeff Bliss was the speaker and he uh talked to all the mayor the 10 mayors of the Pasc Valley towns about the the the woes and the hardships of the 2026 municipal budget
and the things that were uh faced with. So, uh, um, the rest of the, uh, valley towns around here, uh, commiserate with along with us there. And and my final point and I was going to mention something in my newsletter uh which
hopefully I'll get to you tomorrow is that um looks like it's the end of the line for the local leaders for responsible planning. The coalition that ultipan the coalition of about 29 towns >> throughout uh the state of New Jersey out of 564ish
municipalities in in uh in New Jersey there were 29 towns that said, "Hey, we're really going to take this as far as we can." Uh once again to the public listening at home, we're not against affordable housing. We're we're for responsible planning and and responsible
housing. Um but after numerous uh uh New Jersey uh denials in the court, superior court, we took it all the way up to uh to the US Supreme Court and uh Justice uh >> um from New Jersey
>> looked at it and said they're not going to listen to it. So um um that um that initiative has come to a uh has come to a halt. Uh but with that said, I do think I I I commend uh our our planners,
our attorney, uh the council, everyone involved in putting our fourth round plan together. Uh I can tell you I'm personally uh pleased with uh with what we did. I wish we didn't have to do it, you know, with a gun to our head. Uh but I think that the plan that we put forth
that'll cover us for the next 10 years or so, we can we can uh responsibly work within those parameters to uh um you know add additional housing and uh um maybe bring life into our into our shopping plaza and things like that. So
with that said, uh that's where we are right now with uh with our affordable housing legislation. And unless anyone has questions for me, that's that's all I have. >> Just a comment. Did anybody see the editorial the mayor of Glenrock wrote online about the
>> I did not >> affordable housing um I don't know she or he I'm not sure uh wrote about how they did not get involved in it and all the reasons why the 2020 is such good hindsight right now. These are the reasons we didn't
because it was this and this and this and >> took some shots on it online too people commenting. Uh, but I thought, come on, that's even to respond. That's okay if you didn't want to get involved, but to say kind of threw rocks at the at the ones who did, you know, and I thought we
did the right thing. >> Well, you know, many many towns, the local towns just said, "Hey, you know what? We we don't need to get involved because if you win, we win." >> Yeah. Exactly. >> You know, so >> Okay. >> Anyway, just a thought. Listen, I think we uh we did what we did and uh
>> glad we did what we did >> from we'll move on from it >> and kudos to Mike Cassali. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> no regrets. >> Well, no. >> So, anyway. All right. Um motion to adjurnn. So, >> move second. >> All in favor? >> All right.