Hey, has there sorry >> the following is the agenda for the regular burough council meeting of Bur Cons mayor and council municipal corporation in the county. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on April 22nd, 2026 in the municipal building 25
Hton Lakes, New Jersey consistent with the open public meetings act. The meeting will be open for public comment and shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the bureau's municipal code and stand for a flag salute. 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 bless this merit council and they deliberate on the best of prompts. Sorry. >> In conformance with the open public
meeting law, public law 1975, chapter 231, adequate notice of this meeting setting forth the time, date, place, and purpose of this regular meeting through notice posted on the bolton board in the municipal building mailed to all requested and paid for the same and published in suburban trends. Roll call, please.
>> Mayor Sarah >> here. >> Council the president >> here. Councilman Day >> here. >> Councilman Cruz >> here. >> Councilman Hinton >> here. >> Councilman Center >> here. >> Councilman Denn >> here. >> With us this evening is our bur attorney
Mike Morero and our very administrator Michael. >> All right. Thank you. Uh for my updates, just two quick updates. If you haven't been to the new Joe Grill Complex, which I'm sure everybody's going to talk about with the parade, it's really nice looking place down there. Came out very well. I've gotten a lot of calls and
compliments on how it's working and moving and the traffic's flowing. Um, and it looks so nice down there. Uh, so that's a new field and that's a big deal. You know, the last time we did some major improvements were were Willow Field, but then that was maybe 10 12 years ago. How long is that? 10. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Um, so this is a big improvement down there. So, >> longer. >> Yeah. So, you know that if you had a chance and you want to take a look at it, looks great. And we just took a tour of the new civic center which will be opening. That's where we were before the meeting. Again, the building came out great. A lot of space. We'll be talking about how we're going to be using that
for our comm our community um in different ways and there might be even a chance for members of the community to take advantage of of using that space besides our local volunteer groups. Again, that was a project that was put together. The whole building was taken care of and paid for by the Meridian
Corporation who built the building next to us. There are no tax dollars that went in to redo that. They did give us a second floor on the building and all new bathrooms and everything inside is brand new. It looks that came out really good and I want to thank Midian for that. It's a big improvement for our town and for people who don't realize our civic
center was used for many many years almost daily for many events and when we had some issues with leaking in there we had to close the civic center down. It's been closed now probably four years I would say Liz four years maybe >> longer maybe even longer. So, this is a big
again a big improvement to the community to have our civic center back. So, I thank you. Okay. Um motion to open the meeting for public comments. >> Motion. >> Councilman Bennett. Councilman Cruz. All in favor? >> Against? Anyone from the public like to address?
>> Good evening. George Papov, 11:04 Kfax Avenue. Obviously, Pontton Lakes again. I'm back here. I've been quiet for the past two months. Nothing has gone on as far as advancing or resolving the issue
as far as the danger that my family's forced to live in. First, it was a letter that supposed to come from the burough engineer. Now, they are talking about a letter I never received a year ago that I should sign off on. I have no idea what they're
talking about. Nobody wants to tell me what's in that letter, but George, sign off on it and maybe we'll move ahead. I mean, these may are dragging out. It's been two years since you approved and paid for the price of Houser Engineering
putting together a plan to solve the issues around my property. But again, it's been stuck there. Nothing's going on. And I now I keep hearing that we may have a meeting next week with the engine with the insurance company, but so far I
haven't heard from the Morris. You know, they're they're our customer. Our tax dollars pays them and keeps them in business. I can't understand why they're not being responsive. Now, I'm not faulting anybody, but somebody has to push them in order for them to wake up and get something done.
That's what I'm asking because my family should not live with the dangerous situation that we have been putting up with. I'd appreciate any assistance that anyone can give me. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else from the public like to address?
>> Seeing no one can have a motion to close the public session. >> Motion. Councilman Hinton. Councilman Santers. All in favor? >> Against. >> Look, we we've talked about this numerous times. We're trying to do our best we can to help you. There's two routes this can go. We can keep pushing the way we're doing. It's going to take
a little time. Or somebody comes back and says above us, above this town, and says, "Look, this is what it is. Prove the damages were done. This is not what we want to do, by the way. We are not going that route. We don't agree with that route." Um, but somebody else could
come back and say they need to prove what what the situation is there. We can't just go by word of mouth. So that's why it's so important that we get all this documentation from the engineer to prove what we're asking for. If we >> that engineering coming >> the problem is and I don't and I I was
going to talk to you offline a little bit but there there was probably some conversations you've had with other administrators about what was done to your property. The problem is that wasn't recorded right now. So we're looking for that data. We're going back through emails to and it's going to take some time to find all these emails. They
could be 10 years old or longer. If we can identify those emails, that would help us greatly. So, that's what we're doing right now. The last time the engineering firm went out there that we have record of from our town is 2013. Now, we know the engineers have been out there since. We don't have any record of
of their transactions that they put on paper for that. So, we're again tracking that down. >> Your current engineering firm's been out there like four or five times now. >> Uh, Mike, is that true or that's not true? Right. >> Yes. So, do we have any record on that? >> Not in his favor. >> Right. That's the problem to be honest.
We're trying to make this work for you. >> You You're paying for the burough engineers and they don't give you a report. They don't document anything. >> This is before Michael was involved. There was another engineer for firm that went in did some work there um but didn't give us a report. They're the
ones we're tracking down. That report is very important to you and to us. Um so, we're trying to do the best thing we can for you. You got to give us a little time. make and we'll make it. We're trying we're trying to work and I know it's been a long time but you got to give us some time to make this out. There is I spoke to the gentleman today personally the insurance person handling
this room and I suggested to him because besides you I'm the only one that's been involved that long who goes back to know it. I said so I should be part of these meetings and see how much information I can add to these other groups who don't. So we are going to have a conference call. He sent me all the emails a
conference call on discussing how we can move forward to make this work in your favor. You just got to give us time. That's all I can tell you. >> How much more time? >> I can't I can't answer that. But you got to to make it work in your favor. You got to give us some time. That's all I can say at that. >> 16 years. It's not enough time. >> I understand.
Okay. Uh motion to approve the following minutes. Regular meeting minutes April 8th, 2026. Close session meeting minutes April 8th, 2026. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Who was that? Uh Councilman Bay. Councilman Bennon. All in favor? I
>> against >> uh bills and claims as listed below. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Dennon, Councilman Cruz. All in favor? >> I against consent agenda. Anybody looking can remove anything? >> No. Okay. Hey, listen.
Whereas the burrow mayor and burough council, the burough council lakes has the consent agenda consisting on various proposed resolutions. Whereas the mayor burough council of the burough council lakes does not desire to remove resolutions for individual action from that agenda. Now therefore be resolved.
The following resolutions on the consent agenda are hereby for approved. Resolution 26-186 through 261 194. >> Motion to approve the resolutions. >> Motion. >> Councilman Hen. >> Second. >> Council President Kent. All in favor?
>> Amen. >> Okay. Ordinances. >> First reading and that the consent code final adoption on May 13, 2026. Ordinance 2614 an ordinance amendment chapter 10 animal control section 12
feeding of animals subsection 12.2 feeding wild animals of the revised general ordinances of the burough comp. >> Motion to approve ordinance 26-14 for introduction. >> Motion. >> Councilman. >> Second. >> Councilman Santers. Roll call, please. >> Can we discuss?
>> Yeah, I'm going to get the roll call. >> Councilman Bay. >> Yes. >> Councilman Cruz. Yes, >> Councilman H. >> Without a doubt. Yes. >> Council President K. >> Yes. >> Councilman Samson.
>> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. All right. Discussion. You have any you want to ask something? >> Yes. Um, so we were going to do an a section on education. Uh, and I don't see it in here. We were going to talk about how we were going to educate the
public on the feeding of wildlife. >> We talked about that. >> You mean you want it part of the ordinance? Yeah. Oh, absolutely. >> Mike or or >> uh I would defer to Mark perhaps if that's appropriate or not. >> We don't usually do it for educational, do we? >> Correct. That would be putting like some
burden on us where ordinances are are regulating the contact of individuals. So, I I think that we certainly can do it and we could do that by way of resolution, council president. Um uh but I don't think that it necessarily would be ne necessary or appropriate.
in the uh uh ordinance unless it was tied to a penalty that they participate in some type of uh educational uh provision. But I I honestly think the probably best way to
handle it would be, you know, by way of resolution to establish some type of protocol and and and system for education, whether it be a a link on the website or or or something like that. >> Okay. Uh only because when we when I spoke about this at the last meeting,
one of the things that we said was before we were going to find or anyone, we were going to be looking at education educational programs and and I just don't see it anymore. Well, what I'm going to do is um I'm going to make you part of a conversation that we'll have about uh education. Okay.
>> Okay. My guess is just a guess. It's going to be the standard ways we're doing it now, which is our calendar, social media, you know, those those ways. And and and we should have education and and again, we are not doing this to find people. there's going to be someone knocks on the door, explains the ordinance to them, you know, and says, "By the way," and we've
had this when we had our meeting with the ordinance committee, the um animal control person said, "I'm not going straight up knocking on the door, explaining why there's a new ordinance, why you can't do it." Um you know, give them time to fix it, >> right? >> Keeps doing it, gives them time again, but you know, they just keep ignoring
it. Then there will have to be, you know, a ticket. But I would like to I would like to I'd like to see them in writing some >> Are you looking for what? So >> however it should be. >> Well the educ you're asking about the education. So the education is going to be >> and we'll meet but it'll be social
media. It'll be our calendar. The the way the animal control officer handles it. It's her job to do. We don't tell her how to do that. So what she's told us and I will let the ordinance Bobby if you want to speak what she said at the ordinance committee. Um, I mean it it
aligns basically what you said, mayor, is that obviously they were not going out there to find people, but they did feel like education was was critical, obviously to address a lot of the residents today that still feed wild animals on a daily basis. I think you could walk around town in certain parts and you see that. So, but just to agree with the mayor, I think that it's
something that should be done separately as far as a presentation deck and it should be held hopefully by somebody such as animal control to come in here and kind of guide the residents on, you know, what they should do, what they should not do. I know in the ordinance itself, it does discuss feeding birds and things like that, right? Um, which
they're allowed to do. Um, but I think that would be the best course of action is to work with animal control. Obviously, the mayor's going to invite you to be part of that conversation and to discuss what what key points need to be included. Um, and if it's something we can also keep on the burough website
for future reference after the training is done. Uh, but I think that's the best approach and I think the animal control officer was alluding to that. So Mike, maybe what we should do is talk to the animal control include Maria on that. Um and but maybe bring her into a council meeting in the near future just to explain what we're the goal is and you
know coming out of her mouth because she'll be the ones knocking on the doors explaining where she's coming from on this. It's not like we're knocking on the door going to go after them. But >> you know I I have a tendency to believe that some people might fight this a little bit and and and if they continue to fight it, there has to be an end
result to this. It's just like all the other we're going to work with them and they got to work with us. Um, so that's what >> she's great. Yeah, she's great. She She'll do a great job. >> So, is that you okay with that? >> I I'm okay with that, but I noticed that you changed there was a $100 initial fee
of $100 up to 100. Now it's $500. >> I I think the committee thought at the time that 100 wasn't really going to talk. Okay. >> Yeah, we did increase the dollar amount. >> That's more of a deterrent, we hope. uh so people can follow the uh obviously the ordinance >> but without the education without
explaining where that giving them a chance >> you know that's a pretty big jump from 100 to 500 so I I just want to be very fair to the people and there are a lot of people it's not just one or two it's there's quite a few people who feed the uh the animals in town on their property
see it's if it was we're talking about offsite in a park I got no problem with this but we're talking private property now I question because we're talking about doing something on your property that you pay a lot of tax to. >> But I think the argument from the ordinance committee was you are doing it on your property, but you're bringing
animals that are not on your property from other areas to your property and then the neighbors who border your property are concerned that you're doing you're bringing these animals to my area and I don't want them there. >> Right. Right. Well, that's why and that's why we said at the last meeting education is going to be a big part of
how you're going to enforce the uh the the enforce the um penalty portion of the ordinance. So, uh I feel I feel well that's helpful. >> Well, if I may just uh make one issue to
address the council president's uh concern, it's a range of a penalty from 50 to 500. So I I think that uh the police department or the enforcement have a pattern practice of of not necessarily
imposing the the the uh most it could for the first violation. So I think that you're probably talking about something that's uh that the maximum penalty would probably only be imposed uh for something that's particularly egregious or or some type of repeat occurrence.
>> That's what we really talked about in the ordinance committee. Whereas second, third, fourth offense, >> now you're going to get the maximum. >> Correct. And and obviously the the judge imposes the penalty and there's a recommendation. So if uh our personnel
are instructed that, >> you know, be gentle. The whole idea is to get the result and not the money, I think that we probably could accomplish your goal. >> And and saying that also, don't forget if they get to that level where it's a fourth or fifth, they're going to go to court and they're going to plead their
case also to the judge. we hear or the animal control officer is not going to make that determination. The judges um so but you know they would have that opportunity but I hear you. I mean there are people you know this is a new thing but it's educational which we have to do >> right that and that's missing. So
>> and she aligns with what what you're saying president she um she was very mindful of the residents. She was very you know as far as her approach is concerned. She always just wants to speak to them. she'll discuss what they're doing and therefore there's not the point to go up to the home and obviously even if it's a first offense
to um issue a citation or you know most likely a warning not to do it again and she was great she was great and I have confidence I got with her she's >> she's she was wonderful in the meeting and you know she's very conscious of that she does understand um >> but
>> but I'm voting on the leg you know I'm voting on voting on the words >> I'm voting on the words and that they're missing so that's just make that clear the And another point, the employee in the past I think is retired but from the MUA used to feed the animals the deer at
the MUI. I think that employee is gone. But just so our liaison can bring to the MUA that this includes the MUI. >> Well, this holds for true for everybody. Everybody doesn't matter where you are. Okay. is cricket 2615
ordinance >> in ordinance amending article 2 administration section 42 police department subsection 42.55 awards program of the municipal code of burough compromise >> motion to approve ordinance 2615 for introduction
>> motion >> second council venon councilman Cruz roll call please Yes. >> Councilman Cruz. >> Yes. >> Councilman Hayden. >> Yes. >> Council President Kent. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sant. >> Yes.
>> Councilman. >> Yes. Okay. Any discussion? This is just uh for the award program that the chief is going to run starting now. He wants to put in in an ordinance that how we hand out the awards. It's up to him to decide that. >> I do have a question.
On the last page of um what we were sent um there's a Medal of Honor, a Police Combat Cross, Medal of Valor, Life-Saving award, Purple Heart Award, Merit of Service Award, Distinguished Performance Award, Unit Citation. God
bless the police and all that they do. I definitely support them. But this many awards, is this normal or is this >> It's part of the He He took this off the police uh standards. Doesn't mean every they're going to all get these awards all the time, but it gives them an option to choose from those awards. I
can tell you we're going to have an award ceremony shortly. There will be a couple of those mentioned given out and and you know that could be a life-saving award. That could be a first responder. It could be Yeah, it could be any of those things. >> Just my realization. I didn't realize there was that many awards for the
police department. Well, >> for the military, yes. But I didn't, >> you know, as we know, it's it's a militaryformed organization, so they probably get a lot of their information from the military. Um, uh, but that doesn't mean we're handing out all those awards. It just means that these are the
ones they could choose from. >> Any other questions? >> No gold award, >> gold star. No. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh final adoption ordinances. >> An ordinance repealing ordinance 2605 amending chapter 190 article 4 to
propose the borrow content to address the burrow's affordable housing obligations under the fair housing act uniform housing affordability controls 430 through 460 monthl.
>> Uh yes thank you mayor. Uh as I had explained upon introduction, uh this ordinance is repealing uh reszoning for affordable housing that was initially implemented for 43460. Uh the property was no longer needed to
complete and satisfy our affordable housing obligation. it was utilized as a safeguard because we had to shore up uh other locations which we did rendering this property not necessary on today's date. Uh so as a result uh I uh
have uh drafted this ordinance to rescend that zoning. Uh it was referred to the planning board. >> Last night they did. >> Yes. and uh they acknowledged uh particularly since it wasn't needed to satisfy our obligations uh that it is
consistent uh so we just need a majority vote uh and it will effectively repeal and allow the zoning to remain as it was. >> So basically the zoning goes back to what it was initially. That's basically >> correct. Yeah. >> Um motion to open the meeting for public comments on ordinance 26-11.
>> Motion. >> Councilman Cruz. >> Council President uh Kent. All in favor? Against. Anyone from the public like to address just this ordinance? >> Seeing no one, motion to close the public meeting on on ordinance 26-11. >> Motion second. Councilman Santers,
Councilman Cruz. >> Uh, is this a roll call, please? Is this roll? >> Oh, no. Sorry. All in favor? >> I I was there a motion? I don't think there's a motion. Was there? >> No, I'm going to make a motion. >> Is this to close the public section? >> Yeah, that was close. Any discussion
from the council on? >> Yeah. Okay. Um the only discussion I have is do I have to abstain within 200 ft? >> Correct. >> You abain the first time. >> Motion to approve ordinance 26-11 for final adoption. >> Motion. >> Councilman Santers.
>> Second. >> Councilman Benning. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Bennett. >> Yes. >> Councilman Cruz. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Abstain. >> Council President K. >> Yes. Councilman Sanford.
>> Yes. >> Councilman B. >> Yes. >> Okay. Good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um on under my report uh uh we had a a conference call or Zoom meeting with uh the governor's office and some uh high level uh individuals from DOT um about
getting money for our um DPW garage. There was a representative from the governor's office on the call along with uh Senator Joe Ponachio was on the call. um and a couple other members of of the of the governing body from the state. Um
you know, we explained our situation. I thought we did a good job explaining what we were needing and what we were asking for. They did ask a lot of questions, why we need it, how we're going to get it, how we're going to fund it, you know, certain things on would we use it over one year or three years. You know, it's the first step in trying to get some of the money from the governor
herself to put towards this is a 10 roughly a $10 million project to replace the DPW garage. Uh, so we're looking to uh get as much funding as we can. So it's not on the taxpayers to to replace that building. So I I took it as a good meeting. I'm sure there'll be more to
follow. Uh, Senator Ponacio has been pushing very hard for us, I will tell you that, to make this happen. Um, he's involved in every conversation I have when it comes to uh this discussion with our local reps and and now we're up to the governor's reps. You know, we did uh
mention last council meeting that uh Congresswoman Poe has taken interest in this also and might be getting us some money, which would be a great help also. So, we we thank her office for doing that. Um and we'll wait and see. I think Mike, is it correct? June 30th, we maybe have a decision on that. >> Yes. >> So, we would have a decision from the
state, from the governor's office if we are getting any money uh by June 30th. So, let's keep our fingers crossed on that. Uh, next Friday I have a meeting which came out of the blue for me. But, you know, for years I've been fighting to protect our our flooded uh, communities on the south side and
everywhere else. And I had said for years that I thought if they could lower the reservoirs a little bit before a storm, that would help. Now, the problem with lowering the reservoirs before a storm is uh, they lose money if we don't have a storm because they make money off the water. So, I had suggested to our
state legislation that the state should back the idea of um paying them if we don't make the money back. I guess some other mayors who are newer to this or recently elected brought the same situation to some politicians and now we're going to have a meeting again.
This is probably many meetings we've had on this um involving numerous towns surrounding us. Again, Senator Ponacio seems to be the forefront on this, but there will be uh Assembly and Senate from Bergen County and Morris County and different districts all involved in the
call. So, I'm expecting probably maybe 20 people on this on this discussion. Um, and I'm going to present now the the question has come up about lowering Pompton Dam. And I'm going to tell them, and we've had an expert tell us this, by the way. This isn't just my decision,
that lowering Pmpton Dam really doesn't make a difference because it's such a small lake. It doesn't really make a difference. It's really the the reservoirs that we our concerns are. When they start spilling over, they fill all our creeks, they fill all our rivers, and that's where all the water comes. But to some of the towns south of
us, they see the dam and they think the dam is holding back a huge reservoir of water. So they want to either open the dam all the way and keep it open all the time or empty the reservoir completely before a storm. When I say the reservoir, Pmpton Lake, Pmpton Lake is maybe 10 ft deep at the most. It's not
really that deep except maybe there's a little channel in the middle. Uh so I I want everybody Oh, and by the way, the D commissioner is supposedly going to be on this call also to help us explain where he's coming from. So, I'll give you more information when that comes comes out. I attended a planning board meeting last night. I'm sure Councilman
Sant will talk more about it. Um, like I said, Joe Grill came out great. Really a nice improvement to the town. I I if you haven't been down there and you don't even have kids playing in the sports programs right now, take a walk down there. You'll be pretty impressed by what's going on. I know Michael will talk about in his report, but we finally
got the paving done on Water Belite in Albany, which is a holdover from last year because the weather got bad. I know those residents been holding out a little bit because they had to wait a year, but we finally got that done. And that is my report. Council President Kent. May >> Mayor, could I just ask you when they asked you about Pompton Lakes, what's
going to what is going to be your recommendation >> to not to not adjust to not look at Pompton Lake itself lowering it because it's not going to make a difference. It's such a small length. >> Plus, the fact that Mayor, it's it's technically a river. It's a damned up river. So, anything that we lower is just going to fill fill up. I I think
some of the mayors are suggesting or implying to um uh the D is and this goes back and maybe Maria is really the only one who remembers this uh when we talked about when the dam was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. You know, there was a whole argument should we even have a
dam there and we should just let the water flow naturally the way it's going and now we're back to that argument. Well, it's too late. There's a dam there and they're not going to take the dam down. So, I think what some of the mayors are suggesting is to leave the dam open all the time. I don't think the
D is going to agree to that. They don't have a man in the tower like in the old days. I've been here long enough where there used to be a man standing in the actual tower and watching how the water flowed down the river. Now, it's all computer modeled and the and that's what it's based on is the computer model. Um, and the computer runs the gate. Um, so,
you know, I don't we'll see what the D says to that suggestion, but I think that's what they're asking. >> Okay. Okay. Because I I know some people that live down south and feel that is maybe just an aesthetically emotionally is a good idea to get rid of the water first. It I don't know if it helps or
not. That's I'm not a but that that's come up a lot. >> Yeah. So we've had a we've had Joe Scoopian who was our water person >> said it sounds just what you said. It sounds good but it's such a small and narrow and like Councilman Bennett said it's just really a river running through there. you're not really you're saving a
couple minutes before the reservoirs fill that whole thing up again. it fills up with >> so it's really when you think about and and I'm not even going to say this when I talk about the reservoirs like in Wanuku the Wanaku reservoir that's getting water from the New York reservoirs right so this is a chain that moves all the way up the east coast kind
of so it's not just stopping our reservoir but those reservoirs are so large that if you take 5 in of water off the top of a reservoir it's going to take hours or maybe even a day to catch up to to the spill level before it spills over which buys us some time so that's that's where I'm coming from at
least I you know I know council woman cat myself go back to when there was talk of building a tunnel from Palmston Lake all the way down to Newark under underground you know 15 ft wide and dug and buying all these homes you know they've been this has been thrown around a lot and I understand you know
especially t newer towns right now are flooding that maybe didn't flood before >> so they're blaming us a little bit in the fact that we have the dam they think there's a control we have no control we have nothing >> so thank you okay thank you mayor Um, I also attended the little league parade
and I uh I gave the season address and uh in light that the mayor was unavailable to attend it. It was wonderful to see all the little kids 200 or some maybe 300 uh kids maybe there you know something like that with the coaches and the uh mayor of Riverdale
Mr. Paul Carelli. Um it was nice to to see uh him there because we also include Riverdale in our little league and uh sports programs. So he was very nice to walk with. Um it's a lot of fun to Oh, so yes. Uh so the new ball fields were
are beautiful. We were not allowed to uh stand on them because they're not ready yet. We're hoping that they're going to be done maybe in June. They need at least a month for the sod when the sod goes in sod has to knit. So, we're we're going to we're going to do everything we can to make sure those fields are ready
properly so we don't, you know, lose them because we're trudging around on them too soon. Uh I'm looking forward to the opening day event where we cut that road. I'm glad to make sure I said that. >> Um our open space committee, I was also a tender open space committee. We put together because we are so have been so
successful this past two years in getting some of our projects done. We started a subcommittee uh and it's just by you know just by raise of hands uh on assessing where we're going to go with our prime field and our prime park which
is Hersfield Park. So we went down there last Friday. We looked through pretty much did a just a basically a field tour and we looked at the picnic grove some of the areas of concern. It's it's the park is aging again. Some of the trees
are, you know, 70 years old and they're maturing out. Uh M uh Councilman Hinton came uh with us to represent the shade tree commission because they do a lot of tree pruning and removal. So it was very nice to have you uh a part of that. And
then of course all the different boards were were there pretty much. We had a very good representation there. And what we're we're doing is we're putting together a a list of the inventory of what's there and then kind of what we want to see in the future. It's not something that's going to happen
overnight. It's going to take a little while to do all that, but we're we're we're looking at that now. And we're looking at um next month we're going to be meeting with the uh chairman of the Paya County Open Space
uh commission in Patterson and they're they're going to come up here and we're going to talk a little bit about funding and what is what where we can get maybe more funding, maybe better grant monies because if we don't have the grant monies, it's it's very hard to do these big projects. >> And we pay into that. and we pay into
that and they they know it and and other towns do get more. Wayne gets a lot more. So maybe let's see how we can maximize our grant applications. Um we do a very good job. We've never had a problem just so you know. We've never to my knowledge had a problem with the county, but there's no reason not to
invite them up and you know see how we can maybe do a better job. Nothing wrong with that. So that's going to happen on Thursday, May 14th at 7:30. and the public is always uh welcome to come into our our meetings. Um I personally as far
as a as a council person here I've had no comments on the proposed budget which I assume is good. So um hopefully at next meeting we're going to be voting on the budget and um um I think that's a good idea that people seem to understand where we how we came up with that
>> and a good presentation on online that was put online if you have wanted to see it on study. Mhm. >> And I and people, you know, if if you want to see it, you know, please take a look at it. It's you did a very good job, uh, administrator Carelli, very good job explaining that. Um, so yeah,
take a look at that. I also walking down the middle of the road without any cars around us realized that our downtown is actually looking really good and we and because of the Meridian project is almost done. All of those ugly fences and the black tarp is gone and they're
putting in new sidewalks. So, I think we're really at a turning point or mayor. I think we're at a turning point in our town. So that the downtown is really looking really it looked great to me uh from where I was standing and um you know the garbage there was there was
no garbage uh you know we were talking about it on on the way because we were blocked we were walking so I think we're at a turning point once this project is done and and I do I'm very grateful for the civic center. it that's amazing that that's an amazing uh building that we
now have and it didn't cost our taxpayers anything because previous uh administrations negotiated that as part of the approval project which was very smart and so that that paid off and I also want to just wish everyone a very happy Earth Day because Earth is our
home and that is my report. >> Thank you Councilman Sanders. >> Thank you mayor. Uh, I also attend the Little League parade. What? It was beautiful day. A little warmer than the last couple days. And I didn't realize how long.
>> No, it's a walk. >> It's a walk. >> A lot of >> I got I I got my steps in. >> It was nice seeing all the kids and a lot of smiles on their faces. They They're excited to get their season going. So, and and the ball fields are
looking good. um for uh board of education. I wasn't able to attend a meeting last night, but I was able to uh get a tree donated by site one in the memory of Carl Padulla. The board of ed planted they they picked up the tree and
they planted it on Friday and they're going to have a ceremony before a board meeting in the near future. I'm not sure if it's going to be in before May's meeting or if it's going to be in June. Um but they'll they'll let us know and I'll uh keep everybody aware of when
that that um ceremony's going to be. Uh last night I uh attended the plan board. We did um the ordinance like uh attorney seminary said uh about the uh 2611. We voted on it and it was u brought up to
us tonight. Obviously we voted on it. Uh Krowers complex, they're working on a new plan. That's the crowd was on Hamburg turnpike. They're working on new plans to meet the county specifications and uh there were no new applications.
And then for MUA, just a reminder about the hydrogen flushing started on Monday. Um it will be performed for the next two weeks between the hours at 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. It it takes the two weeks. Um
and it be noted that if you have any discoloration of water or water pressure drop um to turn on your water uh the cold water and let it run until the discoloration uh um is clear. And that
is my report. >> I I learned through years of experience that marching in that parade is not the hard part. It's marching back after you're done. So you got to make sure you have someone give you a ride back home. He needs to park the car. Whoever the car, >> Councilman Bett,
>> thank you, mayor. Absolutely right. Uh Councilman Bay gave us a ride back to get our vehicles. My car dropped off. >> That being said, the Little League parade uh knowing that Mayor Mike wasn't uh unable to attend. Typically, I would fill in for him. And in years past, it's been not a good sight for me to toss out
the opening pitch. So, this year, I actually practiced, had my neighbor down the street, who's a who's an actual baseball coach. Thank you, John Simino, down the street for giving me some tips. And as it turns out, Mayor Carelli showed up, which took the pressure off me immediately. So, I appreciated that. But then it turns out and he was warming
up and it turns out they had the kids toss out the opening. >> There might have been a reason for that. >> That's right. I realized that there's a reason. >> Yeah. So, that being said, thank you to everyone involved. Uh it was a great day and uh good luck this season. Uh library
board met last night. This week is National Library Week. uh April 19th to April 25th. Ways to participate. Visit your library. Um get a library card. Uh thank thank the librarians for their
work. Um library is a a great resource in town. It's um it's a quiet place you can sit and read for a little bit, kind of collect your thoughts. Um great place for um research and whatnot. Uh redevelopment agency was postponed uh
till April 30th. Uh before the meeting, we also tooured the civic center as a couple of the council members mentioned. It's beautiful. Thank you to Mia for putting that together for us. Uh the graffiti issue that we spoke about last meeting.
Um the one on the side of Babcock there by the theater has been removed. I'm very happy to see. >> Uh it looks fresh paint. So it's probably within the last couple days if not today. >> I discussed that. So just so you know at the bid meeting that up. >> Exc. And as it turns out, there is an
ordinance um for just graffiti in general to to be removed and um property maintenance handles that. But there is an additional uh uh ordinance for anything in the bid. They have 48 hours to remove it. So just for everybody's um
knowledge. And if you see graffiti, report it. Don't don't just let it sit. Don't assume that someone else is going to report it because when we leave it, then people think that it's okay. We don't care. Then you see more of it and it just spirals from there. Uh broken window city. Uh lastly tonight, uh
there's a science and technology showcase right right by the high school. It it goes till 8:30. Uh I was there as a robotics coach. Our robotics team is is represented there. Uh as well as um the flood board is also there doing demonstration on um storm water
management. Speaking of flooding, so with additional development and people putting in paving uh their driveways, if there's a way to retain some of that water on your property using um rain gardens, using rain barrels, that will
help reduce the runoff into the street, into the rivers, and you might not flood because you're on a hill, but your neighbors downstream, whether you're in the same town, whether you're in the neighboring town, uh there's there's value to retain the water on your property. And that's my report, mayor.
>> Uh, thank you. And, uh, just for the public's, uh, uh, uh, understanding, uh, there is was supposed to be a, um, redevelopment meeting next Thursday. It's been moved to the 30th, and there is a project being presented, which is what we call the Smith project, which is the ice cream station and everything over there. So, that will be presented
at that uh, meeting on the 30th. >> Councilman Beg, you have a whole book here to read, so go ahead, why don't you read that? >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh, thanks, Mayor. And, uh, I want to wish everybody a happy Earth as well. Um here we go. All right. A motion to approve request for the veter veterans of wars of US John Han
Tri County Post number 2906 to conduct the annual Memorial Day parade sponsored by the John Han Tri County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2906 and the Burough PMP Lakes on Sunday, May 24th, 2026. Um parade to assemble at 10:45.
um at the intersection of Lakeside and Jefferson Avenues and the VFW Memorial Services will be held at 11:30 at the Veterans Memorial Park, Jefferson and Lakeside Avenues. Parade will then commence to its roots following the services and ending at the VFW post 2906
located at 261Qu where refreshments will be served. The police department will temporarily close the route. Portions of this route include county roads notifying the police, fire, and first aid. Um, >> have a second. >> Second. >> Councilman Bennett. All in favor?
>> I. >> Against. >> All right. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to approve the PP prevention coalition walk for hope in conjunction with the stigmafree campaign and mental health awareness month to be held on May 16th, 2026. Rain or shine. Registration is at
9:00 at the Pmpton Lakes High School. Opening ceremonies to begin at 9:30. Walk to begin immediately after the ceremony from Pmpton Lakes High School to Rampo A and ending at Herszville Park and returning to the Pontton Lakes High School using the same uh reverse route. Walk route approved by the police.
County permits not required. Police, fire, and first aid notified. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Oh, that was everybody. Council President uh all in favor? >> Against. >> Okay. All right. Next motion to approve
the request of the Pontto Recreation to close Lakeside A from Roma to Elks in uh Roma to Elks and Parent Avenue on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Marine date is Monday, September 7th from 11 uh from 7:00 in the morning to 11 at night for Pmpton Day. County police, fire, and
first aid to be notified. >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Councilman Santers, all in favor? >> I against. And the last one is a motion uh to wave permit fees for those vendors who hold borrow food license and wish to participate in pop the day. >> Can I have a second?
>> Council discussion. >> Oh, sure. >> Can you explain what this is about? >> To wave the permit fees for the local vendors. >> For the local just Yeah. So any any vendors that are from Pont Lakes that hold food licensings already for the burrow.
>> Okay. But the other vendors that are coming vendors have to pay. >> They all have to pay. >> Oh, they all have to pass. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> against. Okay. >> Did I miss it? No. No. >> Um I attended the EPC meeting. Uh we are
completing the last pieces of preparation for the river cleanup on Sunday, May 3rd. Registration takes place at 9:00 in the morning, or you can scan the QR code on the flyer to register early. The opening ceremonies will start at 10:00. At 1:00, we'll have refreshments and lunch for the participants back at Hersville Park. Um,
we'll hand out prizes for the most unique items, biggest items, things like that. Um, we'll have backyard games set up this year, basketball, you know, we put out basketballs, um, cornhole, stuff like that. And we actually, we even have a DJ coming this year to help celebrate the event. So, >> we don't have a sound system down there
yet, so we figured why not just get a DJ. >> It's coming. It's coming. >> The DJ will be good. >> Um, and then after the APC meeting, I attended the open space meeting. Um, the Hersville Park garage is very close to being completed. Um, there are only a couple small items that need to be taken care of. Um, the building is ADA
compliant and the flooring is done. I know Councilwoman uh Kent and Councilman Hint and went down there and viewed it, too. Um, also the new bridge at Hurstfield has been set and you should be able to cross it, I think, pretty soon. >> I'm hoping we're hoping concrete tomorrow. >> Yeah, tomorrow's concrete.
>> Yeah, I mean the bridge looks awesome. It does change the way the park looks when you walk in. >> Um, and then the Willfield project was discussed. There were over 100 trees that were planted and the fields have really come a long way and look great. Also this Saturday well I'll talk about the little league parade in a minute. Um
and then we also discussed the mer property at Lakeside Park. The DOT will take down the fence and put up uh the guardrail simultaneously with the paving of Lakeside A and this project should be completed this year. Um I am here in August. I don't know if that's right. Administrator Carelli. >> Uh date to be determined.
>> Date to be determined. Okay. And then I attended the Chamber of Commerce dinner uh meeting last Wednesday night at Axton's. Um they had a a very nice turnout. The food was excellent. Um they also announced that the shredding day is May 9th in the high school parking lot from 8 to 11. Paint and plant for
Mother's Day will be May 9th on the library lawn. Um and then there will be another bid buck sale on May 16th at the high school parking lot from 10:30 to 1:00 or until it sells out. And then last Thursday I attended the bid meeting. Um the spring and summer strolls are are pretty set. The first
one will be Thursday, May 21st. Um they have approximately 40 vendors that will be coming in conjunction with our business owners. Um there will also be music and outdoor seating for eating. The stroll will be from 4 to 8 with a portion of BQ uh being shut down. And then on Tuesday uh which was yesterday,
the New Jersey Business Action Center performed a district assessment. Um based off of that assessment, the NJBAC, they'll be providing the um the bid with a report. Um and so the bunch of people walked yesterday around the town and then uh the bid teamed up with uh AVID.
Um it was actually a friend of mine, so I'm really happy he was able to come in and work with the bid. Um he does it's the AVID is community services of New Jersey through William O'Brien um who's their transitioning coordinator and it's a a program for adults with special
needs to get placed in different um businesses to kind of either work as volunteer or get paid. Um so Abel Gomez and William they went out to several businesses to see if they would employ any of the individuals with disabilities whether it be paid or volunteered. and a couple of the businesses, one of them's
hug and mug. He was actually going to take some of the dessert. >> So, it's starting to work out. Yeah. >> And then last Thursday we had um our first Pontton Day meeting of the year. Uh we already have almost 40 vendors and mayor will be happy a lot of them are
food vendors. >> All right. So, >> can't have enough food vendors and different food vendors from the past. So, it's already coming a long way this early. And then, uh I also attended the little league parade on Saturday. Um, Councilwoman, uh, Kent's speech was awesome. The turnout was great. Um, and
the Willfield complex also looks great. And that's my report. >> I'm going to go back to what you started. Just for the new residents, we do do a Memorial Day parade that is well attended. Uh we walk from the statue of the monuments at uh the bridge at Lakeside uh down through town and then
we end up at the VFW in the back of the buildings where there's free uh refreshments, hot dogs and soda and beer uh to all the local residents. So please come out and support our our veterans on the walk and then come back to the VFW afterwards for some for refreshments.
It's always a nice day. Uh Councilman Cruz, >> thank you. Mayor, um I attended the board of education regular meeting last night. Um but before the meeting started, there was a curriculum report uh being given by Dr. Caitlyn Thomas, Dr. Scott Wneski, and an overview of the
high school science department by Dr. John Manning and the students of the biotechnology research course. Um there was a lot of information that went on for the presentation. So I'm just going to highlight some of the key takeaways from this amazing program. So the district is focused on dual engine approach to scientific literacy. Um,
this includes expanding health sciences, university caliber biotechnology, and state aligned excellence. 15 credit foundational sequences rooted in hands-on experimental laboratory learning for the 25 26 core sequences of classes for this year. Biotechnology is
required for 9th grade. Chemistry is required for 10th grade. All courses incorporate a mandatory laboratory component to ensure hands-on experimental learning. They're also expanding the healthcare initiative current offering a dynamics of healthcare which is a semester long for
grades 9 through 12. The healthcare rollout also includes CPR basic first aid which is a dual enrollment through PT County Community College. Another course that they're offering as well is going to be medical terminology for grades 11 through 12. This is a comprehensive study of medical language,
anatomy, diseases, diagnostics, pharmarmacology. This is dual credited through Ruckers University. Uh we do have the biotechnology research honor started in 2526 by Dr. Manning. This is a rigorous university level elective providing students with the opportunity
to engage with authentic scientific research prior to graduating high school. It's it's just amazing. There's there's more I have here to read on that because it's it blows my mind where we are today. Um the uh let's see where students go from
technique to theory in molecular genetics. I don't even know it. Enzyology, biioinformatics and emerging biotechnologies which include DNA rec recombination therapies. Um and I do
just want to point out from the slide that they had offered here. So I just want to highlight that all of this is achievable through partnerships with Ruckers University, Sen Hall University, Felician College and Pake County Community College. And lastly through
the research they get their work published. Okay, they get their work published in national database which is called NCBI nucleotide database. And this goes from mastering the techniques during the initial investigative process, peer review and data analysis.
I mean I cannot tell you there's a lot more to this but I'm going to end it on two things. The first thing we have one high school senior that's graduating with 24 credits already which is amazing if you guys know where we come from. That wasn't even feasible when we were in school at that time. And the last item that I have, I would like to
congratulate Eric Gardona. >> Arganona. >> How do you say it? >> Arganona. >> Arganona. You know, I thought I heard it wrong. He's the valadictorian and he'll be attending Princeton where he'll be studying political science. And I know I'm going to get the second one wrong, too. Dylan Tanosa
Tanza Tanosa. Okay. He's a celot salutarian. Did I say that right? Did I spell this right? solitarian attending Ruckers where he will be studying nursing >> and that'll do it for the report. So you bring up, you know, the the gentleman who's the valictorian who's going to
Princeton, which amazing to me was also the mayor. He he took over as the mayor. And I know when my kids went through the school system, we have an outstanding school system for a small town. They went in with 15 college credits, you know, before they even graduated high school. That's impressive for a small little town to be doing. >> And it's growing.
>> And it's growing. >> And it's growing. We're competing. Not even PCTI offers what we're offering right now. Not at that college level where kids are already mastering a lot of the um >> sciences >> at the sciences here today and then graduating. Again, I cannot stress that 24 credits. You can just imagine what
the course load must have been like to even achieve that and then to graduate with that knowing that you're probably going to forgo most of your first year classes to begin with and focus on your studies and what you're >> Yeah. you know, people forget because we're kind of separated, but we work very well with the school system and I've always said from day one, we have
an outstanding school system. They put a lot of time and energy and the teachers do a great job in in educating our kids. So, I got to thank them for that. Um, Councilman Hinton, >> thank you, Mayor. Um I attended a Sha tree uh meeting and um the fifth graders
submitted their Arbor Day essays. So we're going to be uh reviewing those and at a next council meeting or the council meeting after whichever was arranged arranged with Liz um the winners will read their essays. So we're looking
forward to that. Um Shade Tree is getting ready to plant six 16 to 18 trees this spring already. Um, we're looking to plant trees along Albany A. Albany A was just paved and uh looking to put a line of trees right on down
here. It's perfect. Um, attended the senior's meeting. The meeting was kind of cancelled. We had a spring lunchon instead at Il Palazo, so it was well intended. Um, we had a nice time. Um,
met with open space down at Hersfield. Um, for all the years that I was with Sha Tree and removing, pruning and planting trees, um, I was always looking for a long-term plan for our parks. And
I want to thank the council president and thank Mrs. Venon, um, who was organizing this and putting it together. It's something we really needed to be done in our park system for a long-term plan. A lot of the trees, like council
president said, are mature or on their way out and we need to go year after year planting new trees so that the park stays shaded like this. We're always used to that, you >> um so I was glad to be invited. Thank
you. And um they uh I was checking out a couple of oak trees there that might have some rot in it. Um, ex Councilman Kent had his chance when I was bending over to give me a kick, but he he passed it up. He he didn't. So, uh, I thank him
for that. >> I'll speak to him, but he was, but he was glad the mayor. I'm glad the mayor was not there. There's a lot of video recording. That's probably why I also marched in the Little League parade. Um, it was a great event. Um,
kids were great. Um, I walked the whole route talking to Riverdale Mayor Carelli >> and uh, that man can talk. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. So, we had a lot of we had we had a lot of nice conversations. So, uh,
but, um, we were looking forward to, um, Councilman Bennett throwing a ball out and seeing his curveball, but, uh, but the kids threw instead, and we wanted to see council president throw the softball out if she could have reached home plate.
>> Well, the the little 15-month-old girl did a better job than I did in the past. >> But it was a great day like uh, Councilman Sanders said. And u, yes, it is a long walk. I remember last year we had to pull the golf cart up on Ramapo to pick the mayor up.
>> Sure, I'm jumping right in there. He jumped right in. Oh, the rest of the way down. But but it was a great day. It was a great event. Um also met with the administrator and others for the final inspection of the Hersfield Park Recreation Building and it looks real
good. Um there was a couple little things that I spotted that the administrator is going to work on and uh hopefully we can straighten them out. But um the building looks great and I hope it works out for the rec center. And uh that's my report. >> Great. Thank you. Uh attorney's report.
Any resp. >> Just briefly uh mayor, I just wanted to bring uh to the council's attention that uh we completed the final stage necessary uh for the fourth round affordable housing plan. Uh the final stage was uh preparing and filing a
consent order that was signed by Fair Share Housing Center. They signed off on it. We filed it with the court. It had to be filed by the 15th. I think we got it in 2 or 3 days ahead of time. Uh and uh we're just waiting for the judge to sign off on it and then we will have our
judgment of repos that will grant us immunity to 2035. >> Uh and the only intervening thing that we have to worry about is a midpoint review in 2030. Um you know that we had maintained our immunity all the way through the process. Uh and this is the
this will be uh extending it to 2035 when the fifth round of affordable housing uh will begin. Uh and uh I do have a couple uh more ordinances that I think that we got to Mike's office that'll be coming in the next one or two
council meetings. And that's my report. >> Thank you. And just for the public's understanding, you know, this is important because if we don't have this done, like the attorney is mentioning, it puts us in jeopardy to be sued by these developers for remedy lawsuits. And and you you you start to see them popping up all over towns right now
that, you know, maybe it's something the town didn't want, but now it's being forced kind of down their throat and they can't really say no to it. And and believe me, these developers know when you didn't file and they're right knocking on your door ready to go and say, "It's too late. You can't stop me." and and these could be big units. These
could be five, six, 700 unit things. So, it's very important that we do this. You know, this affordable housing in general, and I think the attorney will agree with me, is is out of control. And you can see a lot of towns are very upset about how it's going and and it's changing the patterns of of our
communities. It has to be addressed at some point. And this is comes from Trenton. It doesn't come from local places here, but it has to be addressed. I mean, I understand the idea of of of fair share and getting people into homes, but it also can't change the dynamic of a community. It has to be
both sides has to be looked at. So, I'm glad we got that done. So, thank you. Uh, administrator questions for the attorney. Uh, last uh meeting I asked you about Scholar Avenue drainage crossing. We've been paying that for years and years and you said
they haven't gotten to it yet. Have you? >> I apologize. I don't have an answer for you yet. Um, I will jump on that. Uh, that escaped me and I do apologize. >> Right. All right. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Mike,
>> thank you, mayor. Uh, as you know, the Willowfield improvements project continues to progress. The contractor has installed the sod within the fields today and the hydro seeding will be completed later this week on Thursday or Friday. Uh, as the council president
indicated, all of the all of the trees and shrubs have been installed. The contractor has agreed to donate flowering trees to replace those trees that were for memorial purposes, honoring those who passed and previously served with both the little league and
the soccer association. Uh, I have asked Councilman Hinton a few days ago to work with Shade Tree to select a species for the contractor's donation as soon as possible. So, I'll follow up with Councilman Hinton about that. Thank you. >> Um, and again, we remain in contact with Little League on the project and are
looking forward to it uh being completed. The burrow recently met with the contractor for the Hersfield Park phase 1 improvements project for the renovations of the recreation storage shed. There are a few final recommendations from the rec director and others, including baby changing
stations in the bathrooms, modified timer locks, a light in the attic, and gravel in the rear of the building for weed prevention. Uh change order will be uh on for consideration for the next council meeting, and we're hoping that the CO is issued soon.
>> Just go back before you jump to your next thing. Uh Mike and I spoke also because we've gotten I know I have gotten numerous complaints about the walk path there even though it's not it's towards the end of when we're going to do this. We are going to try to address it up front right now even if it's temporary to make it safe to walk
with a carriage or walking with your feet and then it is the one of the last things that's going to get done in that project. But we are aware I've gotten numerous calls about some larger holes in that walk path. >> I'm sorry. >> Thank you. Uh please note that uh the burrow met with our affordable housing
administrative agent Triad Associates today uh to review new and existing developments in compliance with their affordable housing obligations. Uh we are following up with uh Mark's office uh for further information and documentation on a few of the properties
in terms of marketing the units. So these units are required to to be marketed whenever they're uh new or sold. So we're just making sure that these developers are in compliance with those requirements. Uh so we are on top of that. Uh as mentioned before, Meridia
Capadagi has been performing the streetscape installations as part of their project. The burough engineer has been on site for site inspections and compliance. Uh Meridia does plan and has agreed to pave uh I'm sorry, Meridia plans on paving the Lennox A private
parking lot and the Babcock parking lot by the end of April or the first week of May. We have been successful in having Meridia agree to pave the area where the old police department trailer was as well as in front of the Burough Civic Center where there is a new retaining
wall being installed by the DPW. Uh so we thank Meridia for their ongoing assistance and support with that. Uh, for those of you that don't know, the burrow does have federal funding in the amount of $500,000 for the renovations to the Pompton Lakes Public
Library, which has been subject to an environmental review period uh through the federal government processes at which uh the state's Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office has signed off on our project officially and we are now
working with our historical architect on the final design and bid. specs uh as as a future proposal will be presented for consideration to the governing body in the near future. And I did want to highlight uh our chief financial
officer, Peter George, uh as you know, has accepted a position with the township of Montlair to be their CFO. Uh so I wanted to thank Mr. George for his service to the burrow and wish him well in his future endeavors. And as a reminder to the public, uh the municipal
budget uh public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13th at 7 o'clock. All are invited to attend and provide comment. Thank you. >> And I just want to go back to what you mentioned about Meridian. You know, when these projects are put together, they're done through a an agreement and you
know, they we follow the letter of the law on the agreement, but numerous times myself and the administrator have reached out to Meridian and said, "Can you do this for us also?" on top of this and you know they have the right to say no because it's not part of the agreement but to date they haven't said
no to any of any of the things we've asked and and it's saving the taxpayers money at the end of the day you know that paving alone is 20 to $30,000 to have it done. So you know we do have to identify that besides the the um civic center which they built they are trying to help us as best they can. So they are
it's good to see at least we have a good partner in a new development that's coming in. So I'm I'm happy about that. Any questions for the administrator? only uh where did they move the uh Jack maple that Jack maple that was uh in front of C? We
>> we didn't sell it. Uh we moved it to Hersfield Park. >> Okay. >> But I was told it's a $600 tree. >> So there was a lot of discussion a lot more than that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So >> it has been tree. Well, we're we were at
the planning board meeting last night and we saw it gone and we're like, uh-uh. >> I said, I hope they didn't cut it down. >> It was moved. Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> No. Okay. Um, civic going back to the civic center rental agreement.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh, yes. So, as as maybe the public's not aware, uh, the civic center has been completed by Meridia Capidagley as part of the redevelopment agreement. our our DPW uh has been finishing uh all of the furnishings on the inside and the
building uh in all likelihood will be given its CO this week. So it'll be open to the public and to the burrow. Uh so as part of that, our offices have kind of uh took a look at what the policy has been for the civic center and we'd like
to propose something for your consideration tonight. Um but before we get into that, the current policy was uh that the burrow gets first dibs for any burrow commission, committee or board to use the the facility during the week and
uh we did open it up to our nonprofit civic groups in Pompton Lakes. So we are recommending to keep that policy in place. So first dibs during the week would be for any burrow group that wants to go back there such as the flood board, the historic commission or
perhaps the business improvement district to move their meetings there. Those would all take first priority during the week and then we the recommendation is to open it up during the week to our nonprofit civic groups if they want to have meetings or events.
We are recommending no fee for that. So any Pmpton Lakesbased club or group can use it for free if it's not already being used by a burrow purpose. And then on top of that, you know, we have this beautiful new building that um you know,
we're always looking at ways of increasing revenue and opportunities for the burrow. Uh so we do think it's the perfect facility uh to to rent it to the public for parties. So, we've come up with a rental application and agreement for your consideration uh for the
building. It would only be for Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh, you must be a current resident of Pompton Lakes over the age of 25. The renter must be present during the entirety of the event. Uh, you need proof of residency. Uh there there's
specific details about what the resident can and cannot do on the inside of the property, including setup, cleanup, a damage policy. Uh decorating information. You can't have glitter, confetti, or tax on
our walls or doors. Uh no dogs or cats or pets are allowed. There's no smoking on on the premises and grounds. Um, >> so the no smoking is important because you know unfortunately the only place if someone you have an event there that they they can smoke is at in the street. So it's not like they can even go into
the parking lot cuz our parking lot is no smoking walls, >> right? >> And the school has no parking. So it's really the street is where they're going. >> We also have uh insurance considerations. We had our risk our risk manager take a look at this agreement and the GIF has signed off on this. Uh
so there is provisions there on insurance requirements. Um we talk about parking what the violations are. The maximum capacity issued by the construction official is 60 people. So no more than 60 people can be in that
building at once. Um so that's something that uh the agreement right now actually says 120 person. We are going to change that at 60. I just heard that recently. >> Is that number from the building department or is that just a guess? No, that is an official number. >> Official number. >> Yeah.
>> Fire department number or >> uh construction official as part of their certificate of occupancy. >> Um so 60. Uh we talk about uh technology. There's a TV monitor in the room available for use for both civic groups and parties. Uh garbage and
recycling must be placed and sealed in the appropriate trash containers. There's a sink and microwave available for use. Tables and chairs will be provided. Uh there's public ADA restrooms and we go on and on. So the recommendation again is for parties in
the evening. There's a few considerations to be had tonight. If the governing body wishes to move forward in that capacity, you could decide to just keep it for burrow and civic groups and not charge anything. Uh but again, we have this beautiful building. That's what we're recommending. Um, but we do
have to talk about price and we do have to talk about whether or not alcoholic beverages would be included in the rental on the weekends. And in my research, I have found that most burrow uh facilities that have this type of
arrangement, including Riverdale, Cedar Grove, and many others, do allow beer and wine on the premises, and that is on burrow property. So, it is allowed. We did confirm with the ABC there are no special requirements. It's just insurance related. You have to make sure
that uh we have proper insurance for that. >> But and they can't be selling it over there. >> They can't be selling it >> and it can't be brought in by >> and it can't be catered. It has to be bob. >> You have to bring your own album. >> Right. >> You didn't me the one thing you didn't mention which I'm sure is going to be asked is about uh who's responsible to
watch all this. >> Right. So, as part of the agreement, we were kicking back and forth the idea of having the DPW there during the entirety of the event, having them there before and after the event. We kind of settled on having uh perhaps a burrow employee
present at times. Maybe they're there in the beginning of the meeting and at the end of the meeting, but we do want to make sure that the event is properly managed. >> You're talking about the parties now, not the >> about the parties. Uh so, we were talking about that. I think that's still to be determined. Um, our thought
process is if you had a party on a Saturday and a Sunday, the DPW would probably have to come in on Saturday because the Sunday people wouldn't want garbage everywhere and the room would have to be cleaned and the bathrooms would have to be cleaned. So, there are overtime costs to that with the DPW. But
if there is only one party on the weekend, um perhaps a burrow employee could suffice because the DPW would be able to clean the facility on Monday morning for the week. Um and that wouldn't cost extra overtime for that. So all of those items are built into the
proposed fee that we are charging. Uh we've gone back and forth. I've looked at Riverdale. I've looked at Cedar Grove. I' I've looked at Todawa. Riverdale charges for the community center, the Riverdale Community Center, which is larger and fits about $120
people. Uh they only charge $350. Um and that's a much larger facility. However, we do have a newer facility. We have many other considerations to be made. And in all honesty, we think people will rent it uh regardless of
whether it's $300 or $400. Uh, so we did arrive at the $350 proposed rate again for a Pmpton resident and we are requiring a $500 refundable security deposit which is due
2 weeks prior to the scheduled event. In my experience um, with the Riverdale Community Center, people will damage the building and we need to have some teeth to to recoup that because we don't have funds to keep pouring into maintenance
and costs. Uh so there is a refundable security deposit requirement as part of the agreement. Um >> you didn't mention there will be cameras, >> right? We'll have cameras on the inside and the outside of the building as all these other facilities do. Um so those
are kind of the recommendations tonight and we're here to talk about it. So just before he jumps into the discussion, I don't know if you explained it well enough that the the employee that we're going to use could be a burough employee would be at the event kind of overseeing it to make sure there's not hard alcohol being served or smoking inside or too
many people in the building. So we will have eyes on that part of it to keep track of it because you have to because it's a small number. 60 turns into 80 very quickly and and that can't happen, right? So we that's part of the responsibility of the person that will be there. The only real issue that when we were talking as he mentioned already
is if we had a party Saturday and Sunday, somebody would have to come in on overtime to clean it on Saturday. If we only have one party on Saturday or Sunday, when the DPW comes in on Monday, they could take care of it and clean it on a normal day. So, I'll throw it out there if you guys have any suggestions,
ideas, >> uh, on that aspect to have a burrow employee on a Saturday at overtime. What is their cost? >> Well, it's not at overtime. There would be an hour. We were thinking about establishing a new hourly rate called a civic center monitor. That would be the
position, right? >> And it would be, you know, $16 to $18 an hour and that per whoever that whoever those people are, you know, would sign up to maybe be the monitor that day. And the thought maybe maybe they're there in the building or maybe they kind of hang
out in here, check on the building >> or they're on call. They come a few times a day just to check on what's going on. But that's kind of to be determined. But that's the thought. >> And the other aspect in the front of the building is for the police, for the women, >> right?
>> And in the back of the building is for the police. So we have police on both sides. On both sides, >> right next to a police station. >> Right next to a police station. Um the other question I had is on cancellations. You have here um if the cast cancellation is made at least 30
days prior in a scheduled event, the rental fee less 50% The rental fee is 350. So if they cancel, we're keeping 50% of that 350. That seems a little high to me. >> And that's up for debate. Uh that's what
I found. Yeah, that's what I found in other agreements. But you know, >> I think the the idea is especially in the in the summer months like in May and you know those are hot weekends, we we can't rent it now and then they cancel out. Now we're going to try to recoup something back because we might not rent it. But I that's debatable. I don't care
what we >> I mean there could be other circumstances of the family >> tragic maybe I agree >> and uh for them to lose 50% $175 >> that's up to you guys whatever you guys want >> need to cancel 30 days before there will be some administrative inconvenience on
processing the application and calendaring it and stuff um so I mean obviously that's a business decision for for for the governing body to uh uh to contemplate uh but it's not without inconvenience or expense
uh for the burrow to even uh make a reservation for a canceled appointment just for consideration. >> Right. And and I you know we've all had events you know there is always a concern that if you cancel the event you're paying something. Now what that number is is it 20% 50% I don't care you can you guys can
>> and I understand that completely but I just thought 50% was a little high. >> And how's everybody else feel about it? Because if we get closer to it, if it's very close, I guess we got to figure out a timeline. As we get close to the day of the event and they cancel, let's say, >> last minute, not even a week, two weeks,
I think. >> All right. So, why don't why don't we say 40% at 30 days and 50% at two weeks. How's that? >> That works. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Can we do something like that? I think that'll be >> And if it's less than 24 hours, they don't get anything back. >> Yeah. What's that? >> I'm being serious.
>> No, no, I'm asking. You got a good book. If someone cancels the day out, >> that's a that's a good question. I mean, that is an inconvenience to us. You know, we're calling in people and there's >> administ. Let's do this. 40% 50% 75% in
the last week. >> All right. >> Yeah, I think that's right. >> Is that fair? >> Okay. >> I think I did just have a question. You know, >> and it's more on the parties. Given the location of where that is, that's an active police station and parking lot.
And also, parking is always a concern here. You know, St. Mary's doesn't want to take the overflow. They're going to call us about it. Where? So, if I have 60 people, right? You know, that's a lot of cars. >> Yeah. Sure. >> Where are they supposed to put and you know, you know, to monitor the overflow?
People come out of there to smoke or they're going to walk around. That is an active police station. Um, and there's really no different walking path for party goers versus the police station. You're walking out right into the >> I think. And it's a good point because it is an issue. My guess is if there's
not an event going at St. Mary's unofficially people might park there, but we always have the panto that is ours that they could park in officially. Um, but if you know the school even if there's nothing going on, but we are never going to tell them to park in the school or St. Mary's. So our answer to
you would be the pawn hole. That's where they would be parked. >> Okay. But we got this new parking lot right here. >> That's not ours. That's >> I understand that's not ours, but a lot of times you said today >> I don't think on a weekend use it during the day. >> Yeah. I think on a weekend though, uh, they're going to use that full time. I don't think we'll have use of that out. >> Well, you know, people are going to
probably try to sneak in. >> Yeah. I can't tell them where to park, but Bobby's asking an official question. I think our official answer is the bon. Right. >> Right. And we've spoken to the police chief before, and I don't think we're looking for a blanket approval tonight. I think we're going to have to go back on a few things. So, okay. We'll have
the police chief and I uh report back on the parking. >> Yeah, I I I have a a couple of thoughts I'd like to share. Um for banquet facilities, generally speaking, and zoning goes, and I'm not sure what Pontton Lakes does, usually it's one car for like three seats. So maybe it's more
like 20 parking spaces would be used on average than 60. Um and uh perhaps we charge a different rate for Sunday in order to recoup whatever the expenses would be. uh for a double party scenario.
>> Well, is that worked into the numbers? >> Yeah. And you know, Liz and I were talking about, you know, the hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but what if someone only wants to rent it from 10 to 2, and then someone else calls and wants to rent it from 2:00 to 8:00. So, we were talking about maybe, you know,
maybe we break up the fee in in like two increments as part of the day. If you want like a half day or if you want the full day and you might run into that. I think we could >> that's a good point. >> So we also have to consider that as well. But >> that will definitely happen hour.
>> No, cuz we want a minimum of of time. I don't want >> two. >> Yeah. Yeah. But even I would hope we do a longer. >> It becomes burdensome for the DPW to continually clean after like a 2hour increment. >> And by the way on Sunday if we had an early party, just throwing this out
there unofficially again St. Mary's would be packed, right? there would be no parking going on over there at all. And they even overflow sometimes into our lots, right? Um so that would be an issue also on Sunday. But we we the parking we can make it work. But I think you're right. I think on a Saturday, especially in May with birthday parties
and first birthdays and Christmas things, we could do two parties on a Saturday. I I don't see why we could. >> Yeah, absolutely. Especially if it's a young >> young child. >> I don't think you mentioned my no music. >> Three hours for you mentioned the the DJ. Uh yeah, there's there's no uh live
band that's allowed or no DJ. So, you know, we're not letting music blasting. You could have radio and whatnot, but this isn't the type of facility for a DJ. So, >> Mike, I I knew that he had the security deposit. Um and uh he he did a
remarkable job with this, by the way. He almost put me out of business. I mean, there wasn't much to do. Um but it just dawned on me. Uh, I know that we have the security deposit, but if we have to clean it up, do we have a
schedule of fees? If we don't, maybe what we end up doing is in the security deposit, indicate that set an a price per person per hour >> necessary to clean it up so that they understand that's going to come out of
the security deposit at this rate. They realize the expense associated with it. Um I think that that's real important particularly if you have the double party on a day because you're gonna have to get people in quickly. >> Yeah. >> And and you know and then
it's public I you know lawyers ruin everything. It's public property. >> I didn't say that. The attorney >> it's public property. You have union tasks. I mean do do we have to have DPW folks clean it? I don't know. We'd have to maybe talk to Dean about it.
>> Yeah. that one I don't know contractual we use a private company for here so I would assume that >> we wouldn't get a problem on that but uh for instance the Burough of Riverdale has a separate uh fee of $25 an hour for cleaning that they charge on top of the
on top of the $300 um but we tried to bake it into the whole fee we didn't want to get confused with all these fees floating out there but we you know the security deposit it's a good idea so >> the other thing I would mention is I guess in that contract somewhere where it should say the party cannot be
outside either, right? Correct. In the parking lot, like if it's a warm day and you got 25 people hanging out in the going back to Councilman Hinton's concern, we don't want 25 people hanging out in our police department a lot, >> right? >> The overflow is going to happen. >> And that's why we need >> it's going to happen because especially
on a warm gets hot, a lot of people in it. >> Are we going to limit I mean, say the party goes outside somehow. >> Well, I think it's going to be up to whoever's the monitor for that to >> tell them to kind of go back. you you're going to have to go back inside. It's an active building. It's an active police station. You can't
>> you can't be out here. >> Yeah, we don't have anything about outside, so we can add that. >> Okay. Any concerns down here? >> Did you say how many hour? So, you're going to limit 354 hours max or 2 hours max.
>> Yeah. As written, it's 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but now that we're thinking about it, maybe we do, you know, split that in half. So, you can either rent it for a half day or a full day. >> Okay. to try to maximize maybe the revenue a little bit. >> That's a good idea. >> Yeah. >> And we have I guess we should put in in
that contract that they're going to be signing. There is no place to store food that's cold. I mean know there's a refrigerator in there that's not for their use really. I mean are we letting them say you bring a cake that has >> Yeah. No, the fridge is meant for that purpose. >> Oh, just for that. Okay. Okay. But like
catered food can go in there and >> Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. >> The the timeline uh should account for a cleanup hour or something in between >> if we're right. Exactly. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I think the only other thing So, we got to talk about the beer and
the wine. I I'm okay with the beer and the wine if you if you bring it yourself. >> Um we can't So, this was a whole debate back and forth. You know, you have a caterer who comes and says, "Oh, I can supply the beer." But that becomes a legal issue. Is that right? I don't know. Well, yeah, I think that that does
become because that becomes an ABC issue, >> right? Um, >> you have to get permitted >> if if the caterer brings it, right? So, if you bring it yourself >> and you can only have so many per year in in a facility. >> So, the only issue I I foresee, not that I've been to a lot of these parties, but
there's there's going to be people bringing in bottles of liquor, right? We know that. So, what is the penalty or what happens at that? our our insurer said it was okay and that was that was the big concern. Right. As long as our insurer is going to stand between us and
any possible liability, I don't think that there's an issue. I I I've been I've had family parties at the one in Cedar Grove and they had alcohol there and I mean it was it really made it a usable venue. I mean, everyone commented on what a nice option this is.
Well, I think the issue though is if we go just beer and wine and we say that in the contract and then bottles come in, then what are we doing? Because I know Riverdale ran into that issue, right? >> They keep your security deposit. >> Okay. >> If if you know, if it's a
you know, circumstance that warrants that. I I don't know. So if that was the case, so that we don't have a dispute, we ought to indicate what circumstances result in a surrender of the security deposit. And that should be one of them. I guess I guess it should just be a
violation of the rules. If you're if you're outside, if you're smoking, if you're drinking. >> Mhm. >> The security deposit. >> Well, let me go back a step further. Um, how does everybody feel about bringing hard alcohol in? >> Hard alcohol? Well, I mean he if he's saying there's no there's if they bring
it right if they bring it themselves then there's no liquor light control concerns >> if they bring alcohol themselves. I did the did did the GIF indicate that they would that there was a limit on their identification hard versus soft? >> No.
>> So then I don't know that there's much of a >> of an issue. I if I was a a wild person and going to have a party, I'm not going to have it on top of a police station. >> I made some bad decisions in life. That wasn't one of them.
>> So, how does everybody feel about that? That's another part of this. Now, >> I'm going to say this though. When Riverdale first opened, they had an unlimited uh you can bring whatever you want. And they did run into some issues over there with the hard alcohol causing
some problems where police got involved. Uh, and that's why I think they switched to this new thing with beer and wine. Um, but if we want to try it and see how it goes, and if we have issues, then we stop it. Y, >> that might be the way to go. I'll leave it up to you guys. >> Yeah. >> See how it goes.
>> All right, Mike. So, let's let's list it as this. We'll try internally here. We're going to try and if we have issues in any shape or form, it goes to be one. >> Okay. >> Is that okay? >> I got a question on certificate of insurance. Is that for residents or just
for commercial? >> How does that work? >> How's that? >> No, this is for re So, this is for residents. So, what what what the resident should do is you'd have to call your homeowners policy and add a certificate of insurance with the borrow of Compton Lakes as an additional insured, right?
>> Uh that's what Riverdale does. Um so, that that is a a little bit of a burdensome step for the renter, but uh you know, we just want to make sure >> that protects us, right? >> Plus the price. You're not renting them place. So, I just had a couple. >> Yeah, the price the phone cost more of the inconvenience and tang. >> Exactly. It's not It's not craziness.
>> I had one other question real quick, too. Is um I know there's no smoking on there. Just want to make sure. Should we add in like there's no vaping either? >> That's a good point. Is vaping I don't know that. Is it vaping illegal on premise? >> Well, if you say it is, then it >> I don't know what our answer. Does it
reaping? >> I don't think so. But we we could add signage, right, Mark? You you certainly can have signage, but if if we have no smoking, I just put the word include vaping, including vaping vaping, and you're fine. >> Yeah, cuz I I got a feeling people vape
inside >> because of the way the product is. >> Don't disagree. >> And look, again, this is a moving experiment, right? So, you know, it's a good idea. I think the residents will use it. If it somehow it gets abused or the liquor doesn't work or the vaping is a problem, you know, then we're going to fine-tune it, right? So, we'll start
with this. I you know I think it will be uh you know somebody's look there's people always looking for a little room to rent and it's not that cheap anymore to do so >> especially with these apartments coming in. >> Yeah. >> If they're not a homeowner >> you're going to put if they're not a homeowner. >> So if they're not a homeowner
>> does renters's insurance >> how do you get it if you're not home >> the person? >> No the Oh well if you're not a homeowner apartment yeah because if you're a rental >> I don't have an answer for that. >> So we need to find that answer. That's a good point. I mean there are people who are renting any apartments that are not
owning. So uh >> is it a home? Is that what it says? >> I would think that capital project requires them that way. >> I think it's a residence. >> I know a lot of big a lot of these luxury apartment uh landlords are requiring renters's insurance >> but we have lots of other apartments.
>> Um all right. So that's something we should kind of check on see how how they would go about it. Now, is there a way is there cuz I when I used to do this for the sports organizations, we had a blanket policy that covered any event that went in there. Is that something we could do or we can't do?
>> Uh, yeah, that does cover it. >> That's part of our whole stuff, >> right? So, is there a way that we we could take that step out for the residents and we're covering it? >> I don't know. I could find out. >> All right. Because I know, you know, we've had other events. Soccer, for example, soccer is covering the gyms
now. So we just list all the gyms that we're cop covering and it same with basketball, right? We listed all the cover even the shed, >> right? So if maybe under our insurance we can just list that as a party area for for this event and maybe it will be covering which would take I I would if we could do that I would rather do that
if possible. >> Okay, >> that's a good point. Um all right, so anything else anybody concerns? I mean we'll see how it goes. When so when unfortunately the season is right now, right? May the season are we going to make that? I'm thinking at at the next council meeting, we'll have a second
workshop with the final draft with the police chief here just, you know, to answer all of these questions. Uh and then we do need to have Mark write us an ordinance on this uh initiative talking, you know. Yeah. So, >> two readings for the ordinance and
reading for this. So, we're into June already. >> June 1st. Yeah. You know, by the time we advertise it, it's going to be late summer. >> Okay. >> But any other questions on it? No. Uh but for if I may for the record uh once the CO is issued, we are going to work uh on uh announcing to our burrow groups
that it's reopened and also as the clubs start to come in and the civic groups, you know, start to book those and get those straightened out. >> Well, can I just add something to that? I I forgot to mention before our burrow established liaison groups, they get first run at at any of that, right?
Correct. if a but after the fact even say they need to do a a registration for basketball and they need three days to do that that's once a year or once every six months whatever it is but there's a group I'll say the girl scouts in there on Tuesday how does that work
>> uh our thought was first come first serve as booked so if the girl scouts book it for tomorrow >> they book every Tuesday for >> I don't think we're going to book out a year so >> we don't want to get involved in that yeah >> all right so That's how in the previous years that's how it used to be. For
example, baseball had it booked every Thursday at 8:00. >> No. >> Um, okay. So then, >> but like aa they >> I think we're going to go monthtomonth. If like if there literally comes in and say we want to book it for the whole year on Thursday nights, we're going to say maybe we'll take it on a
month-to-month basis. >> So they're going to have to call every month. >> Yeah, we're going to work it out. >> All right. So you are going to have >> you want some flexibility for other folks, you know? >> Right. But that all doesn't work for the boards, right? So, so if the bid wants to say every Tuesday at 4:00, they're
okay to do that or not. >> Okay. So, any of our boards that we're working with within town can do a yearly setup, >> right? >> Okay. Then the the the next stage down would have to do a monthtomonth, right? >> Because we're nervous that the little league comes in or whoever it is and says, "We want it every Thursday for the
whole year." But then midyear historic commission comes in and says, "Hey, we want to do this great event." Well, we already booked it for this group for the full year. And really the burrow should take precedent. That's what I'm saying. >> No, that that makes sense. >> Okay. And then the just so we know as a
council here, if we wanted to have a meeting spur of the meeting meeting like we use the map room and somebody's in the map room, well, say this court, we theoretically have the front room in in there to to use as the new map room. Correct. Are we we're not renting the front room out?
>> Uh that's going to be part You're renting the building. Well, the building I mean meaning the big room and the little room. No, I'm saying for the groups. So when we say >> you could rent separate rooms. Yes. >> Oh, you can. >> Or you could give it to historic on the little room and the little league in the big room. You could do it that way.
>> Oh, we're going to do that. Okay. >> Cuz it has separate doors. >> So So we are if someone asked to require small group once a month, we can give them the front room. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Yeah, we did that in the past. >> Yeah, we have. But it wasn't it was much more unorganized. back here >> as long as they're not using their
>> well you know the issue >> they know who was in >> I I ran a lot of those groups you know before I was involved and people would say I wanted every Tuesday but they didn't show up every Tuesday that was the problem >> but but when we booked what we did was
if an outside group booked it and a board or something wanted to use it we called the outside group and told them >> that's what I'm saying they couldn't use it that night and that was the They realized that from the beginning, >> right? >> And I agree with that, by the way. So if
if football said, "I want to do our registration and I need four." So summer camp's doing interviews right now. They would use that to do that and they're going to say, "I need Tuesday through Friday to do that." There might be another group in there, but they would be get bumped is what I'm saying. >> Yeah. Okay. I agree with that. As long
as the group using the large facility is not using the kitchen also when you have two groups in there because then they would be walking through the smaller group. >> Yeah, I would hope to >> I would hope they're not using the kitchens for those kind of meetings but >> right >> that you have to look into. >> Right. Okay. So
>> I tell Liz, you'd be the one scheduling or who who in the office >> my office? Yes, >> your office. Okay. >> It's always been under the cler office. >> Okay. >> That calendar's going to get very filled up very quickly. Thank you. >> Um, any other questions about that? >> Okay, the next one should be easy. Go ahead, Mike.
>> Uh, thank you. Uh, we did receive an email from the chairman of the environmental protection committee. Uh, they are looking to amend the burough ordinance to add one alternate member to the roster of the committee uh for purposes of absenteeism considerations.
So, we did have Mark look at that. There's no statutory or local uh regulations uh preventing us from making that change. So, we are recommending uh an ordinance to add an alternate member to the Environmental Protection Committee. And if anyone has any questions or concerns,
>> anybody have problem with that? >> No. >> And Mike, you have that one now, right? Or >> uh No, I need that. Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. Um motion to open the meeting for public comments. >> Motion. Second, Bennon. Councilman Cruz. All in favor? against. Anyone from the
public like to address this? >> No. >> Yes. Is that a hand up? >> Yeah. >> Come on up. >> David Paris 107 Federal Hill Road. Uh I know you'll answer the questions at the end. Uh, you said something about
the DW garage costing like $10 million or something for the repairs or something or other. Oh, it is. And also uh
and and what st did Steven say is coming up and also uh and how's the bridge that's down in Hersville coming along and and speak to
me. Okay, he left. Yeah, I did see Mike play football at the high school games. So So he left. Uh yeah. And um
uh see uh uh um what else do I put? Um uh um
and and uh I still can't beat Stephen and then work with friends. I'm still trying. and and Scott and Mets reallyy's game this summer at
City Field and that's it for me. And are you mentioning Yankees? >> Yankees. All right, Dave, sit down. Stop asking questions like that. Anyone else from the public like to seeing no one can have a motion to close the public? >> Motion.
>> Councilman Hinton. Councilman Santers. All in favor? against DPW garage. No, we're going to replace the whole building. We're building a new DPW garage over there and that's why it's expensive and we're moving it. Um the bid the bid is going to be putting on a outdoor dining where they close the
street kind of like a stroll on certain Thursdays at 4:00 starting with the first one on the 21st. So part of Wanuku Avenue will be closed. They'll be putting tables in the streets and there'll be vendors there. >> May 21st. >> I think that's the date, right? >> Uh I believe that was the date. Yeah,
May 21st. first. >> Um, and the bridge is in. Um, we're hoping it's going to get cement on it tomorrow or this or soon. And then once it does that, it's kind of almost open, ready to use. So, we'll be getting used ready to use that bridge pretty soon.
Soon. Okay. Uh, approval of motion to close the public session. Oh, I did that. Approves of the floor. Anybody? Go ahead. You >> I just have a question. Oh, I'm sorry. I think it's for Mike or for uh Councilman H. the flags, the veteran flags.
>> Oh, good question. >> Because we're going to have that parade and there's supposed to be I hope. >> Yeah. So, what what's happening with that is if everyone remembers last year all the flags were getting tangled. >> Uh so Dan and I thought about it and we realized that a smaller flag would not
get tangled because the flags were larger. It was wrapping around the pole. So, we are ordering all new small flags and every other pull, we've decided to have a 250th anniversary of the United States flag. So, you're going to have an American flag, a 250 flag, an American
flag, and so on. Uh, so we think it'll be a nice touch to the parade, and we are working on that. >> Okay. And what about the veterans that they bought those uh the flags with the veterans? >> Uh, yeah, those were only, >> right? Those were only meant to be up
for one year. So, I don't know what the plan is. >> I will talk to Bob to see. I would like hopefully he puts them up or we he wants some up for the parade. I would think that would be >> I think they do. >> I don't know the answer to that. So, >> but for the memorial banners for like
the public to purchase uh that that project was with then councilwoman Polydori. So, I don't know if that's something the governing body wants to do. Um, we're certainly more than happy to facilitate that, but that would be for next year at this point. Uh, because it's too late, >> right? So, we didn't So, I think what
you're asking, we haven't gotten any new water plants. No. So, we have what we had last year or the new 250s that we're going to put up. >> Okay. >> Smaller so they don't wrap. >> Uh, maybe you can reach out to Bob or I can reach out to Bob to see does he want those up for the parade on Monu Avenue,
the veterans ones? >> Right. The ones that were up last year, >> right? Okay. >> Yeah. I think actually I went to their meeting and uh they they seem to indicate that they >> I would think they would but I don't know I can't send this to them. >> That's fine. Okay. >> Okay. >> Obvious. >> Yeah. I don't I don't know if anybody's had a chance to drive Lakeside by the
school. >> Yeah. We're dealing with that right now. >> Oh, you're good because I didn't see it and my Jeep was not too happy about it. >> The new speed bump. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. The new speed. >> Yeah. I'm driving, you know, 23 miles.
Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom. I'm like this. So what what happened there and Jack too? >> The chief the chief isn't here but the contractor who was doing the work there never contacted anyone to do a road opening permit and he did one illegally and did a horrible job in filling it and
there's certain clims that he was supposed to do. Y >> um lots of complaints. We actually had a uh um travel trailer like a landscape trailer lose our axle going over there. So, they're in some trouble on that and the police is dealing with ticketing and
that whole situation, but they are all I think tomorrow, wasn't it? Tomorrow, they were supposed to get police they didn't get police response. >> Yeah. If I may, when you take out a road opening permit, you're supposed to coordinate with the burrow engineers office to make sure that the resurfacing
is done properly in accordance with burrow standards. And this specific uh road opening permit applicant did not contact the burough engineer and did the restoration without our knowledge resulting in this condition. So they are apparently doing it tomorrow. I believe it's tomorrow.
>> Uh and the burough engineer is aware. >> Right. >> But yes, we're well aware that was a problem. >> I've been asking for speed bumps for a year. >> Well, you got one over there. That's not the one you >> I just want to remind anybody who's interested this Friday there is a
fireman beef steak in Bloomingdale. If anybody's interested, they might still have some tickets. It It's supporting our fire department. >> Uh any other >> Yeah, I just got a couple quick um just announcements to me. Uh I was talking to the Pedro. So the Misello family of Fontton Lakes, they own Brother Bruno's.
They're having a 50th anniversary is this weekend. And uh it is on Sunday for anybody that wants to come out from one to four. They're having live music, artist, vendors. Um so if you have the opportunity to stop over and then Thursday, tomorrow night is the pump and reform community dinner again. So I encourage anybody to come out. Starts at
5:30. Who's that? Uh Rotary again. So I'll be serving, you know. Okay. Um Pastor John's Chile will be there. The whole deal >> for the public. Uh that is offered uh for free of charge at the Reformed Church. 5 to what's the time? >> Uh 5:30 to 7. >> 5:30 to 7:00. Anyone's welcome to show
up and get a free nice dinner. That's usually sponsored by one of the local restaurants. Uh they do a great job and it's you know I've been there many times serving. It's it's a nice event. So >> fried chicken and hot dogs tomorrow. >> There you go. Fried chicken and hot dogs. and chili and salad and that stuff. >> And then one last thing is I know a little conflict with uh the Elks is also
hosting a pasta dinner this Friday from 5 to 8. >> Yeah. The proceeds are going to benefit special children's charities. >> Okay. >> Not really know. >> Okay. Any other floor? >> No. >> Motion to adjourn and close session. >> Motion. Councilman Bennett. Councilman uh Cruz. All in favor? Thank you
everyone for coming. >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh, in close session, we discussed uh, negotiation and personnel and we're going to read an ordinance. If you want to read the door resolution, I'm sorry. Do we have to open the door?
>> Yeah, there's nobody out there. Yes. >> Resolution 26195 resolution resolution authorizing interlocal shared service agreement between the township of Whitealk and the Burough Compton Lake certified municipal
finance officer services for a period of May 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2029. >> All right. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Councilman B. Councilman Cruz. Roll call, please. Uh, Councilman Bay, >> yes.
>> Councilman Cruz, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Councilman Sant, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Hey, thank you. Motion to adjourn. >> Motion. >> Council Bennett. Councilman Sant. All in
favor? >> I miss The gun.