Good. Okay. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. And uh you'll probably hear it a lot tonight, but happy new year to everybody. In compliance with the open public's meeting law, notification of this meeting has been sent to our official newspapers and other publications circulated in the Burough Hall of 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 within the next day or so. And please note our fire exits are at the rear of the council chambers and the doors where you entered this evening. Um, roll call, please.
>> Mayor Gallagher >> here. Councilman Dagi >> here. Councilman Boyce >> here. >> Councilman Costello. >> Councilman Guan >> here. >> Councilman Marti >> here. >> Councilman Yu >> here. >> Would you please rise and join me to a
salute to the flag? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please uh remain
standing as Councilman Yu leads us in prayer this evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Will you all please bow your heads with me as the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear, our
health, our family, and our friends. May God make our new year a joyful one. Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain, but by strengthening us to bear it as it comes. Not by making our path
easy, but by making us sturdy and travel any path. Not by taking hardships from us, but by taking fear from our heart. Not by granting us unbroken sunshine, but by keeping our face bright even in
the shadows. Not by making our life always pleasant, but by showing us when people and their clauses need us most. And by giving us the willingness to be there to help. May God's love, peace, hope, and joy be
there for us in this year ahead. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you. >> Okay. At this time, I'll 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 tonight on any matter? >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, kind of our first order of business tonight is we have a presentation which I will turn over to Council President Boyce. Thank you, Mr.
Mayor. So, at this time, I'd like to introduce Fred Paglesi to come up to the front of the uh chambers along with our um guest tonight, Peter Lup, Esquire and vice president of public affairs for the New Jersey State Veterans.
>> You can sit at the table if you're more comfortable. >> Well, if you want to present to the Either way. >> Oh, either way. >> Yeah, that's better. >> So, um my name is Colonel Pete Loop. just retired out of the army after 37 years. I'm also, as you heard the mayor say, also attorney state, New Jersey,
New York. Um, but I also volunteer for the New Jersey Veterans Chamber of Commerce. We do a number of things. I was telling the mayor, uh, that I was a trend today. We try to advocate for veterans. We have a a bill that is trying to pass right now. Uh, we make a few different committees, try to protect
our veterans as veteran assets against predatory lenders. Uh, that's one of the things we do. Uh we've got another number of bills that are also pending right now. But what brings me here today uh with great pleasure is to talk about uh Ulta Pan and how they are now becoming a member of the uh elite circle
of talents that um you know recognize veterans. Um and we have a program called the veteran municipality program. A few things we ask of the municipalities is have a sign reserve for veterans and read something like um please leave this parking spot for a
veteran um um veteran. So it got branch where you fart, right? >> Yeah, >> I hope so. Unless it was all taken. >> It was taken here only. >> But um and a number of things to recognize veterans and their service. Um
obviously old cares for everyone here. I have Fred has been a real uh you know spirit for this along you know counselor voice and the mayor. So very very lucky to have uh such a committed group of people. So, I was going to uh invite the mayor and council for a quick photo op,
but to give a little bit description about this uh plaque over here. Uh so, this is um really cool. So, you can also have seen this. Um so, this is a um little um recognition for both Japan. It basically shows a Shinook helicopter and
uh Colossia for over 30 years. He retired about 5 years before I did. But um you see a shook over here and over here at the bottom is a little steel from the Welsh Center. Um he was in a helicopter behind him. He actually took a picture and it was flown during the anniversary of 911.
So little sticking to the Taliban, you know, uh to try to destroy us but a resilient country. So you see it over here and it basically reads uh Ultan is hereby recognized as a veteran from the municipality the state of New Jersey for the commitment to veterans by assigning veteran visits through chemicals,
establishing veterans hiring program providing specialized veteran only parking throughout the municipality. This municipality strives to make the lives of veterans better and is therefore awarded an official veteran friend from the municipality designation of honors for 2026 given this day and be
today actually have five of January 2026 by Colonel Jeff Caner retired. So >> just want to thank you very much. >> Thank you. Take a picture. That' be great. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Councilman Marty definitely got our veteran >> gentleman awards. All right. Please join
us. We'll squeeze in, right? I don't know if you'll get us in. I can get skinny. >> Sure. >> Everybody stuck in. >> Yeah, that's >> my best. >> I'll ask kind of lopsided. We got to get
the >> veterans can come. >> Can I also ask you? >> Certainly. >> What do you want to do? You guys can come in front. >> Look at people in the front. People >> Yeah. Come on.
>> Okay. One over there. >> You guys You guys are good at following orders. >> All right. That That actually works. >> Ready? >> Oh, wait. No, I can't doc. Come on.
>> No. Doc. Yeah. Right there. Just move. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. No. Good. Good. >> Okay. >> That's got to be an awkward. >> Just move back. >> Say cheese. No, I got it. >> Oh, okay. What kind of cheese?
>> Okay. >> Perfect. >> Hey, thank you. Of course. >> Thank you very much. Can I take this? Of >> course. All right. Thank you. Hockey family. >> Yeah, of course. Right. >> Pete, I'll get you that contact, too. I'll put it through.
>> Who has your contact info? Bill. >> Fred. Fred doesn't also as well. I'll get it there so you can uh in the local papers here. >> Good. >> All right. Thank you again. >> Okay. >> Okay.
Um next order of business is a public hearing on ordinance 1287-25. That is for council. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a uh second reading of ordinance 128725. It has to do with amending the retiree
health benefits. Um, should I open it up to the public now? >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> The meeting's open to the public if anyone would like to be heard. >> Second. >> Meeting open to the public if anyone wants to be heard on ordinance uh 1287-25.
>> Would anybody like to be heard on ordinance 1287-25? >> Motion to close. >> Second. All >> in favor? I. >> I. >> No. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh this is ordinance 128725 second reading final adoption retirey
health benefits resolution whereas an ordinance entitled an ordinance to amend sections 60-1 and 60-2 of article 1 of chapter 60 of the code of the borrow pan titled medical benefits for department heads was introduced at a meeting of the
mayor and council held on the 18th day of December 2025. Now therefore be it resolved by the mayor and council of the borrow of altapan county of Bergen state of New Jersey that said ordinance number 1287-25B and the same is hereby adopted on second
and final reading and be it finally resolved that the borrow clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish the notice of adoption as required by law. >> Second. Any discussion on this ordinance? >> Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Councilman Dan, >> yes. >> Councilman Boyce, >> yes.
>> Councilman Guan, >> yes. Counciloman Martee. >> Yes. >> Councilman Yu. >> Yes. >> Okay. Next is our consent resolution. That is for Council President Voice. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is a resolution uh from the Burough Clerk's Office. Be 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 D and R hereby adopted in their entirety by the mayor and council of the Burough Vultan. Bills and claims. Cancel 2025 budget
appropriations. Transfer 2025 budget appropriations. Cancel Rivervale fuel reimbursement. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on our consent resolution? Seeing none, roll call, please.
>> Councilman Bak, >> yes. >> Councilman Boyce, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Martin, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> Okay, moving into our council committee reports. We'll start with Councilman Yu. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Uh, I'd like to thank everybody for coming out today as we close out the Burough's business for 2025. I'd like to share with everybody some of the highlights of the year from the departments that I had the pleasure of working with.
I'll start with the seniors. 2025 marked another banner year for our seniors with them participating in over 300 exercise clo classes throughout the year offered to them and over 30 social
events such as lunch and learns, holiday parties, free health screenings, and two field trips. Our seniors are kept active and engaged. And I'd like to thank all the members of the senior advisory committee chaired by Joan Broaddor as
well as our administrator Anna Havarillaa for all their hard work in making Ultipan a wonderful place for our more mature population to remain in even long after their children have left home.
Uh next I'll go to construction. 20 25 marked somewhat of a transition period for the department as major construction projects around town were completed. The department still remains busy, however, especially in the context of historical standards. I'd like to read read the
report, a year-end report from the construction department. It looks like we finished the year with 378,681 build to date. And if everybody anybody's been keeping track, that is a
little um probably less than last year, but more than uh average based on historical numbers. Um, we currently have 495 permits still open
and who knows what the future holds, especially given all the um new project that may come into town. We don't know yet, but it may. I'd like to also include that
our fire prevention department run by Evan Cudson did over a 100 inspections in town and those are all the life hazard permits that he gives out. Um, a little while back I had the opportunity to work in the office for
about two days when our technical assistant Jennifer Bow was away on vacation. And I had to admit I had a hard time keeping up with the work between answering phone calls, replying to emails,
scheduling um, scheduling inspections, searching for documents and permits. Um, I definitely gave a sigh of relief after the day was done. The level of technical expertise needed for the job
is tremendous and I learned a greater appreciation for the job that that Jennifer and Bob Rush and the rest of the department do for our burrow. Next, moving on to DPW. I mean, there's something to be said
about a department that's so well-run that it's constantly getting compliments, almost seems like on a daily basis. Um, it usually means that the person or people in charge really know what they're doing.
Um, so rather than give my report of the DPW, I'd like to share the superintendent's letter with everybody. The DPW has been so lucky to have had your support as our liaison and the support of the entire mayor and council.
A town like ours is extremely rare. Our employees get along so well and our mayor and council provide such incredible support to the various departments. This makes us able to work together seamlessly towards our common goals. How many other towns are able to
say that? Probably not many. I'm proud that for the 10th year in a row, our department has had no lost time accidents. This is due to the fact that the bureau provides the necessary funding so that the best safety equipment and the correct tools can be
purchased to complete our work in the safest way possible. Credit must also be given to the employees of the department for being so safety conscious. Safety is always our first priority. We hired three full-time employees in
2025. Richard Sporl, Michael Seaffort, and Sal Porceli were hired as new DPW laborers. All three of these men have been have been a great addition to the department as they bring a vast array of construction, electrical, HVAC,
landscaping, and mechanical skills to the DBW. Our mechanical shared services program has brought in over $170,000 worth of work in 2025. We hope to continue to provide this great service to our neighboring communities and school boards. It has
become a valuable valued shared service amongst the participating communities. OTP is growing so quickly and we are proud that we have been able to keep up with the needs of its residents. We look forward to 2026 and continuing to
maintain and improve the roads, the parks, and all the other services that we provide. We look forward to adding the to the safety, the quality, and the beauty of our amazing town. Kind regards, Andrew Brackenberry.
And Mr. Brackenberry is sitting right there right now. Thank you for that kind letter. I'd like to personally thank Andy, Dan, and the entire crew for your dedication to our town. Uh, moving on to recreation. Unfortunately, I didn't have the
opportunity to work with the uh work with Gloria Weezner much this year, uh, nor the commission, but I do know what they do, and I know it well, and I'm sure we all know it well. They run our wreck programs like
soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, and pickle ball, and organize events like the Ragam Muffin Festival, a Easter egg hunt, and town day. I have full faith and confidence in Gloria and the commission
members and their continued success in our rec program for our future. Moving on to fire. First, I'd like to congratulate and welcome the board of fire officers for 2026. Um,
Chief Charles Anders, Chaz Anders, I'm sorry, it's Charles. Um, Deputy Chief Chris Riley, Captain Christelle Mockler, and Lieutenants Nick Crusculo, Steve Nis, Christian Huslane,
and Brady Gallagher. Thank you all for stepping up to fill these challenging roles. 2025 marked another year of faithful service by the members of our volunteer fire department. For the year, the department responded to over 231 calls
for service, the busiest year on record. And that represents over 1,42 hours of val volunteer manpower. Most notably, this doesn't include the countless hours of our members spent on
training on and maintaining equipment and committing their time to town events like Santa Detail, fire prevention week, and town day. To the department, as well as our volunteer EMS, thank you for donating
your time to keep our residents safe and well. Finally, I'd like to a big thank you to all the volunteers who give up their time to make Ultipan such a great place to live and raise a family. You truly are the fabric of the
community. I am grateful to the entire Burough Hall staff for another year of a job well done and I look forward to working with you all in the upcoming year and with along with the rest of the mayor and council to make Altapan the
best town to live and raise a family in New Jersey. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um, as you can see, uh, Councilwoman Castello is not here tonight. Uh she's been assigned for next year historical in our local assistance board.
Unfortunately, Donna is uh whatever is going around hit her kind of hard. So, uh she decided to leave all her germs home. Thank you. Uh so, we'll catch up with her at her next meeting. So, we'll go to Counciloman Bagi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Um thank you, Tom, and thank you for everyone coming out tonight for our annual reorganization meeting. 2025 has come to an end and yet another year is already upon us. To the mayor and council, that means weekly budget meetings and stressing over every dollar
spent for our upcoming budget. This is the most important work that we do every year. And I know from personal experience that it can be a time that we have to make difficult decisions. But I also know that the decisions that we that will be made and it will be made correctly and the town will continue to
provide the best services possible for our residents. This year my main committee responsibility was being police commissioner which I've had for a couple years. I do enjoy that post. I could go on and on here about stats and about low crime and about how many
reports we did, but I'm not going to do that this year because it it's kind of it's important that it can drone on. Ultipan, as you most of you know, is rated in the top tier of being one of the safest towns to live in in New Jersey and especially in Bergen County.
And our police officers are dedicated to keeping it that way by attending never-ending training requirements and mandates that it takes to be a truly modern police agency. This year we hired two new patrolmen and they're starting out and doing
really great. Many important things have happened in the police department this year, but none more important than the retirement of our long-erving police chief Joe Tracy and long-erving Captain Bobby Walked. As many of you know, I grew up here and I enjoy seeing homegrown men and women who followed up
follow a path that lead them back to Ultipan for work or for a position of leadership. Interesting story for Joe and me. Joe's grandfather, Joe Mazo, was our very first police chief back in the day.
And it was back in the time when a chief didn't have a department. He just had some marshals. And coincidentally, my dad was one of those marshals in the late 40s and into the 50s. So when Joe when there was a call, they
responded to all manner of calls. Maybe it was a dog loose. Maybe it was a brush fire. Maybe there was a car accident. We don't know. Joe didn't have a radio that he got a call and he he got a call on his house phone that something happened and if he couldn't handle it or he was busy, he would call my dad and we call
another constable and it it was much different than what we're than what we're doing today. So it when Joe looked for looked for help, he he would help him him and my dad would work together. Just so happens that my dad was always around also. He was always around town
and he and it worked out for both of them. It only took 75 years, but when Joe Joe Tracy, our outgoing chief, took the helm, the grandson of our first chief, and
when he needed assistance, he called my father's son me. So, it all came full circle back to Alapan. And I I really think that's unique. If either either of those two great men could be here right now to see it all work out, it would be especially great. But if somehow I know
that they're watching down on both of us. Chief Tracy was a chief for many years and especially good at scheduling and keeping the budget tight and working with the mayor and council. Not every chief can say that. You know that you have a great police
chief when you're at a gathering outside of town or outside of the county and you speak with other folks in law enforcement. and they always say how lucky you are to have Joe Tracy as your chief. He's well respected in our town, county, and state. And to a police officer,
that's very important. I have been his commissioner for many years, and I have gained that same respect for Joe and his and admiration. I wish him well in his retirement. Joe's been with the town for 40 years.
Bobby Walked, our captain who just left. He started his employment here in 1995 working at the DPW and in 1998 became patrolman. He worked his way up over in the ranks and over his 30 years he was promoted to captain in 2022.
Bobby known for his quiet determination was such a great asset not only to the chief but also to our patrol officers because he was the middle guy. Patrol officers had a problem. They went to Bobby, Bobby went to the chief. chief had a problem. He went to Bobby. He went to patrol officers and he was very good at it. Replacing him will be difficult,
but I know we can. So, he was he was a good asset and and solving problems and doing our accreditation. He was instrumental in becoming getting our town accredited. And if you don't know credited is, it's a long story. But now that we are an
accredited police agency, we have a lot more discipline, a lot more standing in courts when we go and it's it's a better thing to do be but it's way more paperwork and it's a lot more online stuff to do. So Bob handled all that
and we've become a better department. So thank you Bobby. You've only been gone for a week and you are already missed. Good luck on your retirement. Our police department recently interviewed for the position of chief. For the first time ever, we engaged with an outside group
to interview and select a candidate. Police departments have become way more complicated since the days of one chief and a few constables. Modern departments can be quite complicated and we need to be on top of the everchanging enforcement environment not only here in town but also in the
county and the state of New Jersey. The job of chief has become different from way back. Actually, it is a different job from even 10 years ago, which is the reason we brought in a professional group to select and interview our chief. The group is headed by a current chief
who is widely respected in in his field. The two-day testing and interview process culminated in a recommendation of Sergeant Katie Weaver to the position of chief of department. This just happened a week ago, and due to contractual items, Sergeant Weaver has
been appointed to officer in charge for now. I am looking forward to a formal swearing in very soon. Congratulations, Sergeant Weaver. And she's sitting right over here. So, um, as far as the council is concerned,
this year we saw Christine Mazaro leave us. Christine was always very prepared on this day as probably the most prepared council person I've ever worked with, and I miss her hometown attitude and her fierce work ethic. Recently, we we have welcomed Donna Castello to our council. I'm looking forward to working
with Donna in 2026. She's only been here for a few months, but it looks like she's going to work out great. All things are in place to make these make things work in Altapan. Our department heads, our salaried employees, and everyone else who's on the payroll are have things in place. But the thing that
really makes Altapan work and great are our volunteers. And I'm not just talking about the fire department or the first aid. I'm talking about everybody. the all the committees, all the boards, all the the things that do, all the town day people, the things that everyone comes together to make work really make Alipan
work and and I'm really happy with that. I'm proud of that. Now, the thing I see going forward as the major issue going forward, this issue hasn't changed in the 26 years I've been sitting on this day. It is the affordable housing mandate forced on us
by Trenton. I sound the alarm every year and the same group seems to be elected in the state legislature as well as the office of governor. So much of the overdevelopment here and in every town in New Jersey is due to this awful legislation. So when you vote for your state representatives, please remember
that continuing with the same group we have now means that you agree with all the housing and that you want more. To my colleagues on the day, thank you all for being here month after month and really caring. I appreciate you all and look forward to working with you all in 2026. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Rob. Thank you, >> Councilman Martine. >> Thank you, Mayor. Thank you everybody for coming. Uh really appreciate you taking the time to be here with us today. Um first, uh I'd like to talk uh about the schools. I just do uh want to say a big thank you to our
superintendent of the local schools, Dr. Danielle Deao and our board secretary there, Doug Barrett, who they do a fantastic job. Also at the high school, Mr. Santana is our superintendent. Again, they're doing a great job with the schools. Uh they make sure that the
all our children are receiving an outstanding education and also for providing a safe uh school grounds where all the students can thrive. Um, real quick on the lower schools, I do want to give a report on the um, uh, the TBD
classroom edition that they're working on. Uh, they are still waiting for the Department of Education's uh, final approval once it's approved. Uh, they will be presenting that to the planning board. Um, so we'll wait for that. I think the timeline they're saying is hopefully they can get a break ground
before June. So, we'll see. Uh, month of December was very busy at the lower schools. They had a lot of concerts, performances, and celebrations for the holiday season. Uh, and everybody had a great time. Uh, this is going into 2026, but it caught my attention. So, NVOT is
going to be uh doing a production of Mean Girls, the high school version. Um, so tickets are on sale at nvot uh.booktick.com. Get your tickets while they're available. And that show will be in February uh 27th, the 28th, and on March
1st. All right, that's it for the schools. Moving on to first aid, I want to uh give a big thank you to um every member of the first aid corps, our president Sue Gallagher who's here, uh Chief Kim, and the entire line officers, and of course uh the members uh because
without the members, there is no first a core. uh for their countless volunteer hours and answering the call 247, 365 days a week, which is pretty remarkable. Uh speaking about calls, uh for 2025,
um first aid core answered 346 calls. You know, when you think about 346 calls, you're like, "Oh, that doesn't sound like a lot, but it's actually a lot of manh hours that are involved with that. It's getting paid. It's responding to the building. It's getting on the
ambulance, responding to the uh to wherever the call may be, spending time on scene. You might have to wait for paramedics. From there, you go to the hospital, you have to do the patient transfer, you have to get back. You're looking at average, I would say, probably two hours per call. Um you get that at 3:00 in the morning when you
have to work the next day. It is um it's a tough one and we thank you guys for doing that. Uh for December they had a uh 27 calls for service. Six of those being mutual aid and as I mentioned for 2025 346 total calls for service. They
had 94 that were mutual aid calls uh which accounts to about 27% of the calls for that. Um regarding the uh ambulance purchase, I spoke with Greg at VCI on uh last Friday. Uh he is the vendor um like I stated for the ambulance. He's expecting
the final drawings. Um they should be completed hopefully by the end of this week. Once completed, um first aid court can review them and if they're happy, they can go ahead and um start the order uh for processing uh of the ambulance. Um and Greg assured me that whatever
needs to be done to be under budget will be done. So that's that's a good thing. Um moving on to the board of health. I just want to say again thank you uh to the board of health, all the volunteers there. It's chaired by uh Dr. Rubina Batia who's been doing it for a few
years. She does a fantastic job in 2025. I mean, they spearheaded a few blood drives, the health fair. You know, they're always at town day and just I want to thank them for doing their part in keeping the residents healthy and safe. Um they are continuing their mental health book club. Uh on Tuesday,
January 13th, um 7 to 8, there will be the next book club meeting at the uh public library. And the title of the book is never enough. Uh when achievement culture becomes toxic and what to do about it. So that should be an interesting one. And also there is a
scheduled health uh fair that will be in March of this year. Uh we just don't have a date in um time yet, but once that gets released, I'm sure Anna will do a great job getting it out and I'll be happy to report on it. That's all I got. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you.
>> Uh Councilman Bl. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. uh a few thank yous uh to my departments as well. Uh let's start with the library. I've had the honor of being the council leazison to the Ultipan Library for the past three years and has been an important
three years as the library went through some large transitions. The largest being the retirement of longtime head librarian Susan Neski. Her leadership through the years, building a program that was more than just books, brought together the community through adult and children's programs, coupled with
top-notch customer service. She navigated the library through the challenging COVID period and set up the library to succeed through a new period of residential and circulation growth, earning a long overdue and well-deserved retirement.
With Susan's retirement brought new and uncertain leadership, a new board led by Rachel Ring and Brett Kuner, and a new head librarian, Kimberly Benjamin. Under Kimberly's fresh leadership, and with the guidance of the new board, the library has become an undisputed center
of the community, a welcoming town hub for all residents, from the generational long-term families in town to the new residents establishing their new their new roots in one of our newer housing options. Kimberly had some pretty large shoes to fill, but she did not have to fill those
shoes as she brought her own shoes, her own style, which fit the new era of our library's growth. Under Kimberly's watch, the library has embraced the growth, investing in more programs, book selection, and available hours,
attracting 35% more patrons across the past 2 years despite being closed for a couple of weeks there due to the parking lot repavement and recarping of the library and increasing circulation by
17% in 2024 and another 20% in 2025. The driveway was repaved. The uh the sorry, the parking lot was repaved. Maintenance projects such as new carpeting and new toilets were completed. New programs such as wine
tasting, bird watching, Irish cheese, and AI were some of the favorites launched in 2025. And even a new fundraiser, a craft fair, was successfully successfully launched this year. I know we're all excited to see what new
programs are added this upcoming year. We all look forward to a successful 2026. I want to thank Kimberly, Rachel, and Brett for a great 2025 and inviting me into their board meetings once a month. I will miss those monthly Wednesday meetings.
Now to OEM. Uh, and on to OEM, otherwise known as the Office of Emergency Management. Not many of the hard work, not many know of the hard work that goes into planning for potential emergencies in town. In fact, if you never heard of
the town OEM program, be thankful as we have not had a major emergency in town. But there is a lot of preparation and coordination among the different groups, police, fire, DPW to have utmost preparedness, communication, and leadership to be able to deal with a
potential emergency in the best way possible. This is not an option, but rather a requirement as the current time we are in is filled with stories of mass casualties from school attacks to domestic terrorism to hazardous spills.
I want to give special thanks to Andy Brackenbury, who we all know leads the DPW, but also leads the OEM town ef uh effort in town. Before each town event, he does tabletop exercises with the first responders to make sure everyone knows their roles and how to react to
different scenarios that could happen at these events. He also contacts the major facilities in town such as the schools and Sunrise Living to coordinate the town effort with their emergency plans. These plans need to be updated annually due to the emergency environment.
Also remember the World Cup is coming to this country and state this year and we will have new visitors from different countries. Our state, county, and town need to be prepared as we have not hosted a World Cup since 1994.
So thank you Andy. Finance. And finally, I want to acknowledge Jesse Coward, our town CFO. Every year we approve and submit a budget to all departments, but she coordinates the accounts and works with each department to make sure there are no surprises to the town's finances.
This results in our continued AAA bond rating, which makes our borrowing costs the least of any town in the state. This past year has been particularly smooth despite the turnover in the department. Jesse hired three new people, including a new accounts payable clerk and a new
tax collector, and trained them seamlessly to make sure tax payments and town costs are accounted for. And again, this year's budget will be very tight, and I'm sure we will be leaning on her again to help with our short-term and long-term health of the town finances.
Thank you, Jesse. In conclusion, finally, I want to acknowledge a couple of more people for their good work this year. First, I want to congratulate my running mate, Councilman Bill Boyce. I'm very happy to be working with you for another three years. Your experience in town and
sensible contributions in meetings has helped me develop a better understanding onto uh bringing parties together to come up with wellthoughtout solutions. And a shout out to Councilwoman Christine Misaro. Unfortunately, she left this year after putting in two
years of service in this town through the council. Her experience across many functions in town helped us further develop some of the key functions in town such as recreation and fire. She also oversaw a new group in town called the youth council. Well respected by the
younger community. Her guidance in this group was invaluable in making this group sustainable and a daily contributor to our town. And finally, I'm excited to have a new council woman aboard on board, Donna Costello. I look forward to having another council person
with financial experience on board as well as tapping into her experience with the regional school board. I look forward to working closely with her on committees this year. And so I want to wish a happy new year to the mayor, the council, all of our municipal employees,
and all of our residents. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, >> Council President Voice. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's been my honor to serve as your council president for this past year. Um, I hope I lived up to your standards perfectly. Thank you. Um,
I enjoyed working with the entire council and running with Court Guan. I have the utmost confidence in everything he brings to the council and appreciate his insight in meetings, especially the tough negotiating type. Um,
thank you again for assigning me to um lead the charge on things that fall within my personal interest, professional aptitude and also that I'm inherently passionate about. Uh, I'll start with the different committees. Our veteran advisory committee, we meet
every Thursday of the month. um the second Thursday of every month at 4:30 4:00 p.m. Um we have very consistent attendance of between 8 and nine veterans per month. And I'd like to thank Fred Plesi for his consistency,
always pushing forward and guiding the committee. He's been our initial chairman and was unanimously voted into the same position by his peers. Again, a favorite part of each meeting is his veterans history lesson, which he's been
doing consistently at my request. Uh Doc Mark Johnson, uh the vice chair, has been a master of ceremonies for Memorial Day parade for I believe 40 years. Can anybody fact check that in the audience? >> Yeah. >> Yes, 40 years. Yeah.
>> He said he's done it for five mayors. >> That's a accomplishment. Um, and our faithful contributors contributors on the monthly attendance are Frank Vendidi and Phil Bogus. I don't think they've missed a meeting. This year, Old Tapan has secured the
distinction of a veterans friendly town by fulfilling a list of requirements by and passed by ordinance by the mayor and council as you saw in the presentation earlier. and our uh veterans are proud to attend the Veterans Day ceremony at the Northern
Valley High School alongside of the local American Legion posts from neighboring towns. In the past, we didn't have any representation directly from Ultan. So, that's a change that we're very proud of and they're very happy to attend. They also provide them lunch afterwards, which is very nice.
Uh also this year we completed design and procured some of the materials we need for the veterans uh memorial expansion at Oaks Park. These materials include concrete pers, block walls, and oak beams. The expansion is intended to
expand and include wars and conflicts since the Korean War which are not currently represented. Uh we'll have some help with the by the historic committee on that who is also represented in the audience here. The overlap between scouting and veterans
committee has increased over the years uh to include two Eagle Scout projects. Jackson Weaver, he created a flag retirement box at the police station, but that was uh sponsored by the veterans. And also, we have an upcoming
uh veteran sponsored Eagle Scout project for Tim Muller. Uh he has a really cool project. It's a Purple Heart memorial within the new Veterans Memorial. It's actually going to be really nice and it's an important focal point within that larger memorial.
Lastly, I'd like to thank Anna Havilla who attends most of the meetings after hour and serves as our recording secretary. Thank you for that, Anna. And remember, our meetings are the second Tuesday of every month. So, please come any veteran in the audience or if you know veterans in town, we're looking to
increase uh attendance. So, this planning board and uh zoning board this past year, we meet the second Wednesday of every month at 7 o'clock. I'd like to thank Charles Majjo, the chairman of the planning board. He's certainly not a pushover, but he always
maintains a perfect level of equinimity uh during each of the application reviews. Uh he definitely controls the board. I'd also like to thank our land use attorney, Bob Arian, who started here, I asked him today, in 2001 and has
been serving our community for 25 years. He is an incredible top of- mind knowledge of the land use laws in northern New Jersey as he serves on other uh boards adjacent to old Japan. Um he attests that our board success is
due to our ability to handle different types of applications and listen to the advice of the experts uh that we have which include our engineer Tom Scrabble. We wish uh John Zabbo, our outgoing urban planner, a happy retirement and
welcome Ed Snkis who is filled in uh in hisstead. Uh he's also and still uh comes from Burgess Associates in Westwood. Lastly, I'd like to thank uh all the planning and zoning board members. Our former mayor Kramer is one
of those who attend the meetings uh monthly and we've always produced a quorum to take on the roles very seriously. Uh let's just say we have a deep bench of intelligent and qualified experts sitting on our planning board. This year we installed Jennifer Bowen as
our land use secretary for the planning board which is perfect as she's also the technical assistant for the construction office as mentioned earlier in another council person's report and this creates a seamless connection between the two um
two agencies. So in 2025, the planning board presided over 11 resolutions. Two other applications included in town are 48 Ultipan Road and 93 Ultipan Road and pending applications include 93 Ultipan Road subdivision and 40
Bush. In 2026, the affordable housing mandates will be woven into our master plan. We anticipate the master plan special committee will have to reconvene to develop a design standards for um potential developers to follow
in order to prioritize old to pans open space aesthetics, traffic and pedestrian circulation and green space initiatives. How you like that? >> I love it. Thank you. So um the environmental commission meets the third
Tuesday of each month and I keep telling you these times at 7:30 so that you may attend or tell your friends who attend who have interest in these different uh committees and commissions. I've served as liaison for a few years now and I'd like to thank our inspired and
knowledgeable leader Dave Keel who served as chairperson and records the meeting notes himself because we don't have a recording secretary i.e. any vacant role could be filled by somebody in the audience. I'd also like to thank
Ryan Weaver for his knowledge, Norah man and Peter Ido who's just started his first year and he's been terrific and Wendy King who's always a fountain of knowledge. Um the meetings are pretty well attended but we need new members.
Additional insights would be great. A quick quick list of things that we've done this year and will continue to do in 2026. We've maintained our fully filled community garden with no vacancies. Sadly, we have a groundhog who also lives there. Uh we've provided a
sounding board to eager high school students interested in improving the recycling program within Old Japan and I think now includes batteries possibly. I'm hoping styrofoam will be on the list soon. Um as everybody's probably has it stacked up in their garages at this time
like we do. Uh, we've reviewed and provided suggestions for students interested and I already read that. Oh, microplastics, that's different. And, uh, keeping that out of our drinking water. And we wrote a resolution denouncing the
Orangeberg data center, which mayor Gallagher read into the record. And we stayed focused on the tree report for 244 Old Tapan Road, which is very difficult to uh get our hands around, but we are steadfast in that commitment. the golf course. I will make it easy. I
will just read the overview from Sam, who is our golf course manager. The 2025 golf season was a good year overall. However, the weather played a significant role in a decrease in rounds and revenue throughout the year. Old Japan Golf Course finished the year with
264 members. That sidebar, that's down about 20 in 20 members in the last few years. Um, but that's not any different from industry what's happening in the broader industry. We've played over 25,000
rounds played. That's an decrease by 8% in 20 since 2024. And we it resulted in $137,410 in revenue. We finished the year at $977,268,000 in revenue as compared to the budget of
$854,398,000 in revenue. We were really going for a million. We didn't make it. It was bad weather. We'll catch a million next year. We're actually going for one next year in the budget. Expenses were higher than anticipated with $889,89
in expenses versus $884,398,000 projected. This is due to inflation, minimum wage increase, insurance increase, higher staff benefit elections, repair and maintenance, and irrigation maintenance. We had several irrigation issues in 2025
and spent significantly more parts and labor than anticipated to resolve those issues. We also discovered that the irrigation water mains do not have shut off valves. So when you have to repair a portion of the course, you have to turn off the whole course, which leaves the
whole course susceptible to problems. So, we're hoping this year we can secure a bid, I'm paraphrasing again, to um revamp most of the irrigation system on the course. Um,
this was problematic to say the least during the humid summer. One other thing about golf is that some non-revenue highlights. The introduction of the public player has increased the course's exposure and has
led to new member signups. People love the course for its hometown feel. Uh 14 new members signed on between October 1st, 2025 and December 31st, 2025 and 158 members have already renewed for the
26th season. Awesome. Thank you. Uh the new pump and panel have been installed for the irrigation system. That was a huge accomplishment. The last one was held together with spit and bubble gum. Was really bad. And um the bunker project is almost complete. They've
included the polymer in the bottom of all the bunkers and they're waiting to put the nice new sand in until the snow melts and possibly top dressing it again in the spring so it looks perfect come March. >> Is that the pile of sugar in the parking lot? >> That is the sugar in the parking lot
that I hope doesn't flow into the storm sewers. Jesus. Um, that concludes my golf report. I may have a little bit more, please. >> Thank you. Sorry. Uh,
oh, we are doing a golf resiliency plan this year because the industry as a whole is kind of shrinking, but we don't want to lose more members or play or revenue from our golf course. So, uh, we're going to think of some ways to save that.
Um, we're meeting with Sam next week and our goal for next year is 1.1 million in annual revenue so that we can provide surplus back to the town. That's the goal. So, as 2026 starts, we have a few projects on the books. Um, few of the
department heads in house will probably recognize these as things that are on the agenda. uh the Oaks Park House bidding, value engineering and implementation, the handicap ramp between the parking lot and the upstairs of the firehouse, the police contract negotiations, which I won't go into
detail because I'm not allowed. Uh constructing a new veterans memorial, police chief contract development, developing design standards for integration into the master plan, screening the DPW building from Chestnut and Central. I know it's a sticking point for a few people. Determining what
to do with the land below the Orange and Rockland towers that are being removed. Fighting the data center in Orangetown. That's a big one. Don't like that. Um then capturing the tree removal fee for the 200 244 Old Pan Road development. Um
because that's a lot of potential revenue that could then be used to plant more trees in our town. Okay. Finally, I would like to thank everybody on the council uh for listening to that incredibly long.
>> Don't think I think them too. >> Thank you as well. >> We hear it every every other week. >> Every other week. Okay. And um that concludes my report, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman. So, what I took out of tonight is that it doesn't seem like uh the crew up here, including
Donna, are very bored throughout the year. they have a lot of initiatives, a lot of things that they get involved in. So, uh kudos to uh to to my team of six uh along with our professionals for everything that you do throughout the year on all of those things that everyone uh read tonight. Uh before I
get to some of my prepared comments, um throughout the year, I get I get asked uh hey, where's our tax money go? You know, who you know, we're we're making so much money now. We have the enclave and we're just we're just kind of rolling in tax dollars. So, this past September,
uh, I published a, uh, a memo to all of our residents. Unfortunately, all of our residents don't sign up for our email. So, I'm going to say it again that please sign up for the email so that you that you get these notifications. Um, I did print 12 of them, 12 memos, only 12
for the environment. Thank you. Things like that. when the 12 go. Uh they they're available on our available on our No, I'm gonna say go to our website, sign up for our newsletters, and uh and you'll and you'll get them. So, please, it's a I didn't write it. It's a very thorough explanation from our CFO and
from our auditor to uh thoroughly explain um where your tax dollars are are are going. So, with that said, so good evening friends, neighbors, and members of our community. Once again,
happy new year to everybody. As we come to close of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect, to say thank you, and and to look ahead with hope and promise for old Japan in this coming year. This past year has not been without its
challenges. Like many communities, we faced moments that tested our patience and our resilience. Unrealistic affordable housing mandates, challenges to our open space, rising operating costs, noisy air
traffic, zoning issues, and an outofc control deer problem throughout town are just a few of the challenges that we faced. But again, the people of Old Tapan show what makes this place so special. compassion, determination, a
deep commitment to one another, and a resolve to tackle any issue head on. I am proud of what we what we are able to accomplish together. I am so honored to be part of an part of our opening day wreck baseball and softball seasons,
host our third graders. It's probably one of the best things that I get to do when we have 85ish or so third graders come in and ask the wildest questions. Um, but it's great. Um, honor our veterans as as evident tonight. Honor our veterans at our Memorial Day parade
and our service and countless other events that that take place throughout the year. None of these events happen by accident. They happen because residents show up, burough staff work tirelessly, volunteers give their time and expertise,
and local organizations and businesses partner with us to make progress possible. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of our council members, our burough staff, our first responders, our
coaches, our board members, and all the countless volunteers. Also, a special shout out to my wife Sue, who's here tonight, our recent six-year past president of Okapan EMS, for your support and your guidance
throughout the year. Thank you. Everyone's dedication keeps our community moving forward every single day. I also thank the residents who share ideas. They raised concerns. They attend our meetings and participated in
many of our community events from town day to our concerts and movies in the park and our Christmas tree and our manura lightings just this past month. As we look to year end, we do so with optimism and with purpose. In the coming
year, our focus will continue to be on delivering a fiscally responsible municipal budget, one of the lowest in New Jersey, which we are all proud of up here, and one that addresses the needs of our growing community, providing the necessary support for our first
responders, keeping our parks and grounds in pristine shape for all to enjoy, and providing important services geared towards our seniors and our young families. While we may not always agree on every issue, trust me, we don't. I am
confident that by listening to one another and working together, we can continue to build a community that is welcoming, safe, and filled with opportunity. Let's utilize social media in a positive manner and not in a way
that creates division in our community. Finally, as we prepare for the new year, I encourage everyone to look out for one another, especially those who may be struggling or feeling alone. Small acts of kindness can make a real big difference.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your trust you place in me as your mayor. It is an honor to serve this community. On behalf of my family and the entire community, I wish you a safe, healthy, and joyful beginning of the new year. Happy new year and may the year ahead bring peace, progress and promise
to old Japan. Thank you, Mr. Okay, moving on. Do we have any old business before us today? >> Yes, sir. Oaks Park. >> Oaks Park. >> What are we doing, Bill?
>> That was my number one on my list of things to happen this coming year. Hey. Well, it's already 5 days in. Nothing's happened. >> That's not true. >> I spoke I actually >> I want to keep it on the burner. That's why I'm bringing it up. It's nothing. >> It was an actual email today.
>> All right. >> There was an actual email today to Tom Scrabble. >> Okay. >> Saying thank you for the he produced a plan the original plan of Oaks Park which shows the uh location of the Oaks Park house. uh my firm will be providing
him with elevations which we'll take the time to put on a plan so that he can do a grading plan and a site plan which we need to put it out to bid. >> Correct. >> So that is the goal. Uh I what time when did I commit to doing that Anna? This week. >> This week. >> This week. There you go.
>> Sounds good. >> So an email has happened. >> Excellent. All right. >> Progress. No. No. No criticism. I just You can help. >> I told you I would. >> I know. So All right. Thank you. That's all I got. >> All right. Well, thank you. Anything else? Old business.
Do we have any new business before us this evening? >> Seeing none, uh, I'll entertain a motion once again to open the meeting to the public. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Would anyone from the public like to be heard on any manner this evening? >> Motion to close.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, motion to adjurnn. I don't know what this word sign >> sign. All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. We're adjourned for 20 minutes. >> 20 minutes.
>> All right. We're going to our second half. >> That's a long break. >> Is that better? >> That's too long. >> That's too long. >> 15 11 >> 11 minutes. >> Audience doesn't want to wait that long. >> I have 801. >> Oh, now we're down to 14.
>> Disaster. I have to make >> Good evening. Hold your riveting first half of the meeting. >> I am honored my first bill and >> Bill if you would join me up here. >> Yes, of course. >> Your family
Who's got the no raise your right hand? >> All right. Uh, please repeat after me. Okay. I will invoice I will do solemnly swear I do solemnly swear that I will that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of
the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United States to the governments established in the United States >> and in this state this under the
authority of the people under the authority of the people. I further solemnly swear I further solemnly swear that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly >> and justly perform all the duties of counseling perform all the duties of counseling according to the best of my
ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Congratulations. Get me out of >> Go team. Go team. Okay, thanks. >> Please be in the picture. >> I was wondering,
>> right? And you want me here, right, Adam? >> You could stand on that side. It's just I need them >> a little bit closer here. >> Yeah. Perfect. Okay. Right. Raise your right hand. Nothing invited. Okay. >> I court one >> I court one
>> do solemnly swear >> solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that will support the Constitution of the United States >> in the state of New Jersey >> in the state of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> that bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the governments established in
the United States >> the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. I further solemnly swear >> I further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially >> partially >> and justly
>> perform all the duties of the office of councilmen >> perform all the duties of the office of council >> according to the best of my ability >> before the best of my ability >> to help me God help me God >> congratulations Thank you. Okay. 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 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. And please
note the fire exits located in the rear of the council chambers where all the firefighters are uh and in the uh doors of where you enter this evening. Uh roll call please. >> Mayor Gallagher >> here. >> Councilman Maki >> here. >> Councilman Boyce >> here.
>> Councilwoman Castello. Councilman Guan >> here. >> Councilman Marti >> here. >> Councilman Yu >> here. At this time I would call up Pastor Holiday. I saw him back there. if you could lead us in the invocation.
Thank you, Mayor Gallagher. Mayor Gallagher, members of council, residents, and friends of all Japan. I want to wish you all a very blessed, happy, healthy 2026. To our Catholic Christians here tonight, merry Christmas. It is still Christmas, the 12th day of Christmas. And to our
Orthodox Christian friends, merry Christmas coming up on Wednesday. Thank you very much. Would you join me in prayer? For God of time and eternity, we thank you for the life that you have entrusted to us. As we pause to review the year
past, we thank you for the ways that you have provided for us. As we anticipate the year ahead, we ask for the continued assurance of your abiding presence and your steadfast love. We ask especially for your abundant
blessings of a wisdom rooted in love, divine protection, and hopefilled energy for our mayor and council, all of our elected officials, all those who have been appointed in this beautiful burrow of old Japan to positions of trust and
public service. Thank you for their dedication, their sacrifice, and their commitment to this community. Keep them and us all laboring for what is good and right in this new calendar year and in all the years of our lives here on
earth. All these things we ask in your blessed and holy name, Lord God. Amen. >> Amen. >> Peace be with all of you. >> Thank you, pastor. You're welcome. >> Okay. Hey, at this time it is uh my honor to um administer the oath of
office to our emergency service officers. We'll start with the fire department this evening. Fire Chief Charles Anders the 9th, if you would please step forward. left hand on the Bible right there. I, Charles Anders, the ninth >> I, Charles Anders the Ninth,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> and to the governments established in the United States. >> Governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. I further solemnly swear >> I further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly
>> and justly perform all the duties of the office of fire chief >> perform all the duties of the office of fire chief >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Deputy Chief Chris Riley. You got a big job. Can you hold that?
>> All right. Got it. >> All right. She's got it. >> It's very serious. >> All right. Good there. Raise your right hand, please. >> I, Christopher Riley, Christopher Riley, >> do solemnly swearly swear
>> that we support the Constitution of the United States. support the Constitution >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And there will be a true faith and allegiance to the same true faith and allegiance to the same government established in the United States.
>> Governments established the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. I further solemnly swear >> I further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> and impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties of deputy fire
chief >> for all the duties of deputy fire chief >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability to help me God All right. >> Got it. >> Yep. >> All right. Awesome. All right.
Okay. At this time, I'd like to pull up Captain Crystal Lockler. Lieutenant Nicholas Priscolas, Lieutenant Steve Dalis, Lieutenant Bri Gallagher, Lieutenant Christian Huselane Jacobson.
There you go. Move a little up for me. Come in line with like there. Perfect. >> Everything's corrected, right? >> Beautiful. >> Hand of the Bible. Raise your right hand if you can all reach in there. All right. Are we good? >> We're good.
>> I state your name. >> I, Gallagher, >> do solemnly swear >> Do solemnly swear >> I will support the Constitution of the State of New I'm sorry, the Constitution of the United States. >> I will support the Constitution of the United States. >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.
>> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And to the governments established in the United States. >> To the governments established in the United States. and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> I further solemnly swear
>> I further solemnly swear >> they will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties of fire officers >> perform all the duties of lieutenants >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability to
help me God so help me God the whole meeting. >> Is that going to be on the agenda? >> That's cute. >> Smile. Mhm. J, why don't you congratulations everyone?
At this time, I'd like to call up our first aid core officers. Chief Joyce Kim, Deputy Chief Emily Pilla, Captain Justin, Lieutenant Todd. Perfect. >> What do you want? >> There. And I want them to shift over a
little and move up. Yeah. Perfect. Equal with Emily. >> Good. Left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand. >> Keep turning. >> The other night. >> All right. Say that again. >> Anybody?
>> I state your name. >> I do solemnly swear >> swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States Constitution and the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> Constitution of the State of New Jersey.
And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governance established in the United States. government status of the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people.
>> I further solemnly swear >> I further swear >> that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties of first aid core officers >> all the duties officers.
>> Okay. according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me. All right. Yeah. Oh, >> great job. We'll take that two-minute pause if anyone needs to kind of uh make a move,
but if not, you're everyone's welcome to stay. >> It's really good now. >> Yeah, this is a good one. I miss it. >> Congratulations. >> You're gonna miss it. >> See you. >> Congratulations. See you later.
>> Why do I You could just >> That was it. >> All right. Um Kramer left. >> At this time, I will uh entertain a nomination for council president. I'd like to enthusiastically nominate Ronald Bagi for the position of council
president. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion on >> nomination? Okay. >> Negotiation. >> All right. I see no discussion. Uh roll call, please.
>> Roll call. That's you. That's you. Councilman Bagi. >> Abstain. Council. >> Enthusiastically. Yes. >> Councilman Juan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Marti. >> Yes. >> Councilman Yu. >> Yes. >> Thank you, gentlemen.
>> Thank you, Ron. Uh, okay. It says nomination, but I believe this is my appointment, the council representative to the planning board, and I I will be nominating uh Councilman Marte to continue his uh tenure on the planning board. Um, so thank you what you've done
over the past year and um looking for you to continue that great work. Okay. Uh I have some mayor's appointments. They're all out in front of me somewhere. Um the board of health, these are 2026
appointments. Uh a full member Rebina Patia. Uh and alternate number two Rachel Park. Again, these are my nominees. Um, environmental commission, uh, full member expiration of, uh,
123128, Ryan Weaver. Um, I have our planning board. Okay. Um, again, as I mentioned, mayor's representative, class one, I'm Juan Marty. Uh, expiration 123126. Class 2 member Thomas Jung.
End of 26 as well. Council leaison of Councilman Boyce 123126. Class 4 member Michael Allesie 123129 expiration. Class 4 member Dave Keel 123129. Uh alternate number two Michael Lazarian
123127. Alternate number three John Kramer 123127. And alternate number four number four Sam Petraelli uh 123127. Recreation Commission. Um I hope I don't kill this name. Assaf
Kavanagh. >> Okay. 123129 and Karen Re uh has two full members there. Uh 123129 to the rec commission. Uh I want to discuss our 2026 council
standing committees. Um I'll start with um Councilman Council President um Bagi will oversee our police, our municipal court, our administrator,
clerk, historical and grants. Uh, Councilman William Boyce will oversee golf, veterans, planning board, scouts, and environmental.
Councilman Guan, finance, fire department, OEM, safety, safety committee, and our youth council, Councilman Marty. uh our first aid corps open space our
community development board of health and our schools councilwoman Castello oversee the library recreation technology our welcome to old depan committee and arts and entertainment
and our um councilman U will oversee DPW recycling utilities engineering construction construction, our seniors and our local assistance board, staff
here, staff. Okay. Um, quite a lengthy list here, but bear with me. Uh, accounting clerk, uh, Rodriguez, administrative assistant, Danti, Marty Danti, administrator, Anna Havarilla,
alternate municipal prosecutor, Carter Carsten, alternate public defender William Fenwick, assistant DPW Superintendent Daniel Hartman, uh, board of health secretary Marta Danti, clean communities coordinator
Thomas Jung, code enforcement officer Ronald Senakola, Code Enforcement Officer Sha Smith, Construction Technical Assistant Jennifer Bone, DPW foreman Sha Papacil,
DPW lead mechanic Steven Castellano, Fire Department Engineer Thomas Jung, Fire Department Engineer Daniel Hartman, Fire Department Secretary Marta Danti, Land Use Board Secretary Jennifer Bung,
Municipal Prosecutor Jeffrey Mueller, Payroll Accounting Clerk, Laura Banano, Police Secretary Karen Turner, Public Defender John Cozy, Recreation Commission Secretary Satie Murphy, Recreation Director Gloria
Weezner, Recycling Coordinator Thomas Jung, School Marshall Lenel Navaro, School Marshall Gary Garin, School Marshall Ronald Camperelli,
uh, school marshal Rosanne Dola, school marshal Adra Evans, school marshal Robert Vanpelt, school marshal Robin Hartman, school marshall substitute Mike Lethbridge, school marshall substitute
Karen Turner, uh, school marshall substitute, Adra Mayer, social services director, uh, Diane and Besser, tax search officer Kelly Lombardi, zoning officer Robert
Rush. Uh, I do believe I need council approval on this. >> So, if I can have a second on all >> second. >> Okay. Any discussion on any of the positions I read? >> Seeing none. A roll call, please. >> Councilman Baki, >> yes. >> Council Boyce,
>> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Councilman Martine, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. Okay, moving on to our boards and committees. Um, we'll start with arts and entertainment.
Norah man, and we have three vacancies. Uh, golf course committee, Thomas Corkran, Daniel Marorrow, um, alternate number one is vacant, number two and number three are vacant. So, we need some golf course committee
folks, Bill. Okay, I'll work on that. >> Okay, historical committee. She was here. Karen Goddard, uh, historical committee, John Kramer, historical Sam Petraelli, historical, Katherine Jernande, uh, historical committee, Anna
Havarilla, historical committee, Matthew Morren, um, historical committee, I'm just going to say Zazu Siosi because that's how I know her. historical committee, Brian Davidson, and we have one, two, three, four vacancies on our historical
committee. Um, our local assistance board, uh, Nicole Scott and under the Old Tapan Municipal Alliance, Anna Havarilla, Michael Murphy, Katie Weaver, Jamie Fernino,
Henry Fardo, and we have one, two, three, four, five vacancies on our pan municipal alliance senior citizens advisory committee, uh, Gilda Tenbrook, Carolyn Marorrow, Ursula Callahan,
Marie Adamelli and we have one, two, three vacancies on our senior citizens advisory committee. Uh we have a vacancy appears on our shade tree committee uh technology committee. Thomas Lung
Longhard, Douglas Dita Meyer, uh Karen uh Wilding, Brett Kler, Jean Kosmark, Anna Havarilla. Those are our technology committee folks. Telecommunications committee
Christians uh telecommunications Anna Havarillo the following are are our veterans committee Plesi Mark Johnson Bill Pri Putney sorry um and uh I think we need to change this.
>> Yeah that just brought that out. Okay. So, those are our So, we have two vacancies. Um, we have two vacancies there. >> Uh, can I have council um an uh recommendation to a motion to accept those boards board appointment? >> Motion to accept.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I roll call please, I guess, on that, please. >> Councilman Vagi, >> yes. >> Councilman Boyce, >> yes. >> Councilman Guan, >> yes. >> Counciloman Marti, >> yes. >> Councilman Yu, >> yes. >> All right. Uh, our consent resolution.
Ron, do you have that in front of you? >> You do. >> Okay, good. For our council president tonight, >> consent resolution, professional services agreement for the following. Auditor, bond council, burrow attorney, burrow engineer, burrow planner, property risk, property appraisal
expert, and risk manager. Grant consultant agreement, interlocal shared services agreements, mechanic services, approval of bylaws, establishing 2020 26 temporary budget appropriations, cash management plan, official bank
deposiitories, official bank accounts, official signatures, entrance, interest on delinquent taxes, sewer utility and special assessment installments, cancel property tax and sewer small business, sewer small balances, tax Sale
authorization, tax appeals, authorizing service charges for returned checks, official meeting dates, official newspapers, insurance commissioners, recycling funds, appoint emergency management council, appoint a public
agency compliance officer. Appoint qualified purchasing agent. Appoint designated employer representatives. Establish bid and quote thresholds. vendor certification policy and procedures.
Authorize certain statutory payments of claims and other claims regular in nature. Authorize use of New Jersey state contract vendors. Authorize purchases from certain approved state contract vendors and participation in contracts with vendors. Authorize
renewal to participate in various cooperative purchasing programs. Mutual aid plan and rapid deployment force. Mutual aid agreements for the following. Orangeburg Fire District, Spark Hill Palace AIDS Fire District, Tapan Fire District.
Volunteer tuition credit program filing notice of tort claims form 1033 LESO program and enrollment confirm tenure chief financial officer shared services agreement municipal court administrator.
Second. Any discussion on our lengthy consent resolution this evening? >> Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman,
>> yes. >> Council Martine, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> All right, moving on to uh council committee reports. I expect them to be a little bit more brief uh the second half tonight, but Councilman Yu. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll be very brief.
Looking forward to working with the continue to work with the departments that um you have me on the fire department. I'm going to have to have a meeting with court and the officers just to go over a few things carried over
from last year. And likewise, I'll go over with Donna um recreation items that will be carried forward. And that is it, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, we'll go to Councilman Marty. >> Uh, don't have much to add. Just want to
thank everybody again in the first aid corps, board of health, and the schools. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, Councilman Guan. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, OEM, no update. Uh, youth council. I'll be reaching out to the head of the youth
council to set up some meetings. Uh terms of fire, I reached out to fire chief Chaz Anders and I look forward to working with him and the fire department uh in the future. Uh terms of finance, budget season is upon us. Uh we got a
preview already, so the budget is even tighter than last year, so I'm sure we'll all be prepared for a good budget season uh in the next couple of months. And then in terms of library, I'll meet with Councilwoman Costello to get her up to speed on some of the things that are
going on in the library. >> That's uh my report, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Boyce. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again, not much to add. Like everybody else, thank you to my committee chairs and everybody participating. Hope we can get more volunteers on the incremental
commission, veterans, golf committee, everybody. Um, I will be meeting Ron tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. over at the Oaks Park House with a cup of coffee and a transit to take some elevations. >> I'm babysitting tomorrow. Get out of here and we could have a fill in for you
if you'd like. Um, thank you. That concludes my report. >> Okay, Council President Bernay. >> Yes. Uh, police this year we have quite a task and Sergeant Weaver knows very well uh we have an officer in charge. I don't think we've ever had that, at least since I've been on the council. Uh
so >> this is even our chief was ever in charge. >> Well, fair point. Um so this is all new territory for us and uh right now we we we sent someone from sergeant to chief and we're although that's not all put to bed
yet. Uh we do have to think about promotions and some reshuffleling which we're going to go like we've done in the past one thing at a time get it done hopefully by beginning of the second quarter beginning of the third no promises but
uh as soon as we can we'll start getting these things off our checklist and getting people in place so we can move along and obviously we're going to have to hire new hires uh that's already in the works and uh yet to be. I'm excited about it. Uh so let's see what happens.
>> Okay. >> I'm on board. >> And Rod, you said that's going to go through a committee. >> What is >> all the shuffling? Uh >> police committee will meet. >> Um and we'll like like always like we've always done uh and we will uh discuss all those things and as best we can try
to get things in place, you know, before >> before spring. We'll no problem. and bring your >> findings into your whatever right back to the full council. >> Of course, >> make make recommendations. >> We will. >> Yep. >> Thank you. Thanks for your help on that. >> And and my police committee,
>> you guys have been great. Thank you. >> Uh >> thank you. >> The three of us seem to work well together. We complent each other in different ways. >> So that's all I got. >> Okay. Thanks, Ron. Uh brief report from me tonight. I'm happy to see our officer in charge of our police department in in attendance today. And I wish you uh I
wish you well. Uh, as you >> best of luck as you grow, right? Much success. Uh, as always, I love seeing our our DPW superintendent, Dandy and Dan, in the building. Everything you're doing. We'll get our clock fixed. I'm happy to hear that. Always like an hour late. Damn
>> clock. >> Jesse, again, thank you for all you do. Uh, you know, buckle up. We're getting into tax uh uh tax into budget season here. So, you and Jeff, Jeff, thanks for coming tonight. I wrote a beautiful memo. You might want to take a copy with you tonight. It's on the table there.
>> Nobody else took a copy. >> No one else took one because they only want >> There's 12 left. >> There's 12 left. Started with 11. But it's a beautiful memo about where all our tax dollars go. And I just, you know, um but thank you for writing that for the most part. You and Jess.
>> Right. Right. >> Say, where do you get these numbers from? >> It wasn't chat. It was >> Anyway, >> wasn't chat didn't write it. Chat GPD. >> Chat GPD did not write that. >> I'm just wondering. >> No. No. Um uh so thanks there. Uh on a more important note so uh I want to make
sure I say this right. We we reached a tenative settlement with fair share housing. Correct. We have to do some ordinance changes and things like that but uh in in um we we have our agreement with fair share regardless of the fourth round. Uh and where this will go I don't
know. I know I I shared this with the rest of the council, but Wednesday down in Trenton, uh the local leaders for responsible planning, which Alteran is is one is a member of out of I think 29 towns out of 564 in New Jersey, uh
spearheading an effort to slow the process down, uh spread out some of the uh uh uh obligations if if you will, to the 60s something other communities that um are exempt from it. So, we do have a day in court uh on Wednesday and it's
being heard by a federal judge. Am I saying that right? >> Yeah. So, uh we'll see what uh shakes out of that. I know I sent everything. Uh Councilman, you you said you might take a run down. You >> I have confirmed I will be there. >> Okay. So, >> representing our town. >> Nice. Thank you. Okay. So, um that's
that's what we'll see how uh we'll see where that goes. Um that's all I have to say now. Uh old. Do we have any old business? Talk about uh house again. This house. House. >> Uh do we have any other new business in
front of us this evening? >> Seeing none, I'll open the meeting or I'll entertain a motion to open the meeting. Public >> second. >> Anyone from the public like to be heard on? >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> And motion to adjurnn? >> Yep. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Thank you. >> Happy new year everyone. here. Thanks for