meeting Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. This meeting is also being conducted telephonically. The dial dial number is 425436 6365 with access code 213563 and the meeting may also be viewed on
the Ramsey YouTube channel which is accept accessible through the burough website. May we please have roll call. >> Mayor Dylan >> here. >> Councilwoman Cusk >> here. Councilman Gerson >> here. >> Councilman Gutwer >> here. >> Councilman Kilman >> here.
>> Councilman Pablo >> here. >> Councilwoman Poppy >> here. >> Thank you. Flat. >> Council Kilman. Two leaders, please. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of all citizens to have advanced notice of
have advanced notice of and to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, notice of this meeting of the mayor and council was published in the Bergen record in the Bourbon News on
Wednesday, January 15, 2026 and is posted on our legal notices page at www.lams&j.com. Any approval of minutes, please? >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes from the work session that was held on March 11th, 2026. And I second,
madam. >> Thank you. Any comments on the minutes? I'd like to thank for clerkian for doing such a good job. I know that was a very hard meeting to do then for all the jumping around in the agenda. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes.
>> Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilman Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes. >> Thank you. Communications. >> Yes, Madame Mayor. I would like to make a motion to receive and file the
communications as listed on our agenda. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any comments on the communications? >> Not hearing any. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. >> Councilman Rousone, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer,
>> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes. >> Thank you. We'll now move to public comment. Anyone wishing to address the governing body, please keep your names spelling the last name and address. Please speak in an audible tone and
address your comments to the chair. There will be a fivem minute time limit per speaker unless reduced because the volume of business is on the agenda. Please note public comment is your time. Out of respective fairness to all, there will be no interruptions or questions answered during your time. No time shall
be seated for anyone else and no time shall be saved for later use. Any responses may be given during the governing body's comments later in the meeting or is directed by the chair. The burough clerk is the official timekeeper. Is there anyone in chambers that wants
to speak during public comment? Good evening. Uh madame mayor, members of the board, my name is Sarah Medina Alvarez. I'm resident in 486 Island Road. my uh last name spelled M E D I N A- A L V A R E Z. I just have a quick
question. Um one in one one of the last meetings we had uh in regards to the uh Island Road overlay. Um um I think uh um Miss Cusk uh referenced the no list my husband and
I registered. Uh thank you for doing that. But I have a question in regards to what does that affect because we haven't received any letters but we are receiving texts from the alipers. So how do we get protected against that? My husband and I and under a no call list
every time a number comes we block it. But um is there any other way that the boro could assist with kind of um you know preventing developers from soliciting us excuse me uh via text message?
>> I don't think we can stop anything. >> I mean we can >> only letters to residential addresses basically. >> What? >> We can't we can't interrupt the US mail. If somebody sends it to you by US mail, we can't >> No, no, no, no, no. That's not what I meant. like we haven't received any letters unlike all some of our
neighbors. They receive letters and their addresses. Following your recommendation and some of our uh neighbors uh comments, we register both my husband and I because we have different last names under the uh no knock list. So that's seemed to work on
the USPS side, right? But we are getting texts uh from developers saying, "Are you planning on selling your home in the next 12 months?" So, is there a way to do that besides blocking those numbers
and registering under the um uh no call list? >> I I have to defer to the attorney because I'm not sure. >> Okay. Is there >> I don't think we can do that. That's interstate commerce. >> I think that's a municipal. >> Let's see. No, no. I was just wondering if the no knockup list would actually
cover phone numbers as well. >> No. >> Okay. So, they >> question, Miss Alvarez, you said USPS. Our no knock registry is just that. >> Yeah. >> Mail mail. >> It's not mailed. It's a person coming to your door. >> Oh, okay. We haven't had that luckily.
Um letters we have not received. I was just wondering the list cover those letters and phone numbers. So, it's just somebody knocking at your door basically. >> Okay. Thank you. That was my question. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else? Okay.
Anyone on the line wishing to make a public comment or speak during a public comment? First call. Second call for public comment. Third and final call for public comment. Not hearing anything. I will now close public comment.
We now have the advertised public hearing for final consideration of ordinance 072026. >> Uh final ordinance number 07 2026. an ordinance amending chapter 13 to the code of bureau of Ramsey in Jersey uh Ramsey Burton County, New Jersey
entitled building and housing so as to establish section 13-18 short-term rentals having been brought up for final hearing and all persons interested having been given an opportunity to be heard pass final reading by title and
that said ordinance be adopted as an ordinance of the Burough of Ramsey and be further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is directed to cause a copy of the title and said ordinance to be published in the official newspaper of the burrow in the
manner divided by law together with a notice of the date of introduction and adoption of said ordinance. >> This is councilwoman Cusk. I second. >> Thank you. Is there any comment on this ordinance?
All right, we have roll call, please. >> Did you open it? >> I'm sorry, public hearings. >> Oh, thank you. Sorry. All right, let me open this up for public hearings. Is there anyone here that would like to comment on Orange 072026? >> Anyone on the telephone wishing to
comment on ordinance 07, 2026? Second call and third call. Mr. Bose, would you like to speak? >> Sure. I'll just make a couple quick comments on the ordinance. It establishes the burough code section prohibiting short-term rentals of a dwelling unit in Ramsey for a term of 30
days or less. It does not impact any existing leases or rentals that already exceed 30 days where the parties are looking for a short-term hold over extension of that lease of which the hold over or extension is less than that time frame. >> Thank you. Okay, I will now close the
public hearing. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. >> Councilman Grae, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes. Thank you. I hereby uh appoint
Michael McMahon as planning board alternate one. We look forward to working with him. Do we have a motion to go out of order to present the budget? >> Madame Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to go out of order to present the budget at this time. >> I second.
>> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. >> Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. Councilwoman Poppy. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Bose.
>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, I have a budget presentation which will be posted on the burough website tomorrow which I'll will go over uh quickly and go through the salient points from the budget for 2026.
Uh, the municipal budget continues to face similar economic challenges that the households and businesses were all facing. The bureau consi continues to see escalating expenses across various essential services. The budget is focused on the delicate balance between
minimizing the tax burden investing in the bureau's vital services and aging infrastructure. Um we'll first talk about salary and operating cost summary high level. Our 2026 appropriation levels for salaries
are about 2.8% increase over 2025. Health insurance costs, as with all employer employers, continue to escalate. Ramsey for 2026 has provided active employees with a high deductible health insurance plan option that has mitigated some of the impact of an what
would be an over 35% increase in health insurance rates from the state of New Jerseyy's Horizon Health Insurance benefit program for 2026. Um, burrow debt. Um, the bureau recently went out for renewal of its bond anticipation notes with a one-year term.
This in issuance was rated by Moody's with MIG1 short-term rating, the highest level that they issue. The investors bid to purchase the debt came in with an end interest cost to the bureau of 2.26% down from 2.97 in 2025.
The 2026 budget includes principal payown on the debt of 1.14 million. The burrow's net debt percentage at year end 2025 was less than 10% of what the state allows for a community of Ramsey size. So the bureau is well positioned to access the debt market for future
long-term capital improvements. Um as I discussed at the last meeting, Ramsey's entered into an agreement with Allenale whereby Ramsay will provide public safety dispatch services from Ramsey PD headquarters for both Ramsay and Allenale as part of shared service with Allenale paying Ramsay for these
services. It's becoming increasingly difficult for towns to maintain an independent dispatch service. There's a high cost of maintaining and upgrading communications equipment along with maintaining personnel for a 247 365day a year operation. This was a collaborative
effort from the governing bodies of both towns and police departments and having the foresight to pursue this opportunity which should be a win-win situation for both our communities moving forward. Uh in terms of the municipal tax rate, as indicated earlier, inflation and certain operating expenses, particularly
healthcare, have impacted the budget. The bureau has worked hard to offset these items with budget offsets mitigating the municipal tax increase. The items um for the 2026 budget, we have a collective municipal tax rate increase of 2.8%.
in the rate from 2025 and the budget is compliant with the New Jersey state tax levy cap and is significantly below the cap. Just a breakdown of the property tax bill to remind everyone. Um the of the 100% of property tax dollars paid
about 2/3 66.6% 6% go to the schools, 20 roughly 20% to the municipality, 11% to the county, and the other one and a half% is a mandated uh contribution to public libraries.
In looking over the past u 9-year period in terms of tax rates, um as I mentioned, the board of education municipal make up a collectively about 90% of the property tax rate with the board of
Ved receiving just under 70% in the burrow around 20%. The remainder is made up of county and the statutory funding of the library and for the last nine years the average municipal and total property tax increase have both been approximately 2.8%.
Um just to look back in a breakdown of property tax dollars um for last year uh for an average house that last year was $734,893. Uh that house would have paid $15,131
in property taxes. 10,075 of that would have gone to the schools, 3,100 to the municipality, 1,700 to Burden County, and the remaining $235 to the library. So, uh, for every $100,000
of property assessed value in 2025, the board of education received $1371 for every $100,000 of assessment, and the burrow received $423 for municipal services. In looking at the 2026 budget,
um the budget overall, I'll just talk about revenue first. Um we've seen an increase in some of the items. Um we have uh decreased our usage of surplus
this year. U moving forward, we've seen a little up. State aid is projected to be flat. The state has not finalized that. Our local revenue is going up about 9%. Um and as I mentioned t surplus
utilization is going down this year. In terms of appropriations um salary and wages as I mentioned is going up about 2.8% and the other driver as I talked about was health insurance on that side. In
terms of the overall breakdown of the municipal tax rate and the impact of the 2.8% rate change from last year's certified rate for an average home in 2026, which uh would be uh valued at
$753,445. The um monthly increase from last year for that would be $14 a month or $167 a year for the municipal portion of taxes. Uh just comparing Ramsey to some of the
other towns in Bergen County. Um, in 2025, of the 70 towns in Bergen County, Ramsey had the 12th lowest uh municipal tax rate on an equalized basis and it was approximately 29% below the county
average. Uh, of as we are 12th, of the 11 towns with lower municipal rates, eight of them have higher average residential assessments and two other towns, MA and East Rutherford, have significantly larger commercial areas. Um, so we were the 12th lowest in the
municipal portion uh on the overall tax rate in Bergen County. We were 36th lowest, which is actually almost dead in the middle of the county, 70 towns. Um, and the reason for that was due to the fact the municipal portion was
approximately 29% lower. However, the school portion was about 24% above the county average, bringing us down to being a little bit above uh or right in the middle uh on the overall rate. In terms of looking at comparisons in
tax rate to the uh neighboring towns, the 13 Northwest Bergen towns, uh Ramsey's right in the middle of those towns in terms of our equalized municipal tax rate. Um and again we're behind some of the towns like Franklin
Lake, Upper Saddle River, Ho um Saddle River. Um and one of the reasons is that you know since property tax revenue is calculated as the rate times a property's assessed value. A town with a higher assessed value per home can generate the same revenue from a
property but even with a lower rate u of taxes. We in looking uh forward then uh we took a look at across the county and both then also in the Northwest Bergen again um
ranking how how much of the municipal tax dollars um or how much of the total property tax dollars come from the municipal tax component. How does Ramsey compare on that? If you look at that, um, Ramsey's municipal tax component of
total property taxes is the seventh lowest in the county of 70 towns. Uh, the ranking, as I've mentioned pri previously, looked at just a comparison of the rates. This, uh, ranking illustrates how much of a resident's property tax dollars actually go to
municipal services versus the other tax components, school, county, and library. As shown, Ramsey is one of the lowest tax levies for municipal services relative the total pro relative to the total property tax levy of any community in Bergen County with 90% of towns
sending a higher percentage of their tax dollars to municipal services. Uh in terms of percentage of residents tax dollars going to schools, Ramsey's in the highest 10% of the Burton County Municipalities, 64th highest of the 70 with 67% of
property tax dollars going to the board of education. In looking at our debt position over on a historical basis over the last seven years, it's been fairly consistent uh within a million million and a half
dollar variance each year. Um in in February of this year, Moody's reviewed the bureau's upcoming issuance of a one-year bond anticipation note. As I mentioned earlier, gave a short-term credit rating at its highest level. Um,
we also maintain a long-term credit rating with Moody's of AA a1. In addition, the burough's debt position at the end of 2025 was 0.332% of the town's equalized valuation of
total property values. Um, this is less than 10% of what the state allows for a community of our size. the state allows a community to have 3.5% of debt um up to that amount for theirs
and we're at 0.332 or less than 10% of what the state would allow us to have. So this credit strength and solid financial structure has well positioned us to access the long-term debt markets and going forward. I com we have charts comparing the debt
um to the other uh to the other 12 towns in northwest Bergen. Ramsey's kind of right in line with all that kind of in the middle of the 13 towns. We have the fifth lowest in total amount of municipal debt as a percentage of the equalized valuation basis which I just
talked about and the fact that we are less than a tenth of what the state's limit is net valuation. Um, in reviewing the burough's surplus that's generated each year, surplus utilized in the municipal budget is an
additional revenue line item, adding to other local revenue items in reducing the amount needed to be raised from property taxes. This usage then reduces the burough surplus balance. The regeneration or replenishment of surplus during the year occurs through
the actual financial results during the year with any revenue that exceeds that budgeted going into surplus. In addition, under spending a budgeted amount replenish surplus, there is a one-year reserve on under spending uh just to make sure no bills come in or
whatever else. But that would go back into surplus. And each year we utilize surplus in the budget and then regenerate it through our fiscal performance during the year. And again our uh there's a chart of our surplus over the last 10 years and again it's
very consistent within a um a tight band and um actually in our discussions with Moody's regarding ratings they were um they talked about the extreme cons extremely consistent um surplus balance that we have been able to produce and
they cited that as part of the reason for our high credit rating is the consistency from year to here in particularly in that. So, just to wrap up a couple things and again I will post the uh presentation, we'll post the budget and all for review and there will
be a public hearing um not the next meeting but the following meeting. So, we do rank in the lowest tier municipal tax rates in Bergen County with the 12th lowest of 70 municipalities and the seventh lowest share of tax dollars of the 70 towns going to municipal
services. Both of these are more than 25% below the county's average. We maintain our favorable ranking with municipal tax rate debt and surplus levels with other Northwest Bergen municipalities. The budget reflects implementation of a shared service for
emergency service dispatch with Allenale and also implementation of a high deductible health insurance plan. These help to mitigate the economic challenges that all employers and individuals are facing with health care costs and the municipal challenge the municipal
challenges with dispatch service. The 2026 budget continues to pay down municipal debt while addressing necessary capital infrastructure investments. Moody continues to provide the highest credit rating it has to Ramsay's bond anticipation nodes and the
strong credit rating positions Ramsey well for future use of long-term debt markets for large infrastructure projects. The 2026 budget complies with both the New Jersey state appropriations cap as well as the New Jersey state tax levy cap and is significantly under both
caps and it meets the object objective of adopting a responsible budget in today's inflationary economy while continuing to pro provide a high level of service to taxpayers and incorporating capital investment and debt payown for necessary projects with long-term community benefits.
And that would conclude my comments and as I said I will post this presentation. >> Thank you Mr. Jose. That was quite detailed and very thorough. >> We have a motion to go back into regular order. >> Uh madame mayor make a motion to go back
to regular order. >> Second madam mayor do the resolution. >> Oh should we add it on? I think Mike can either do it in consent or you can do it second. >> Yeah. Do it in consent. >> Okay.
>> Okay. All right. >> Yep. >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Consent resolutions. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam May. Uh, be it resolved that resolutions 074 2026
through and including 084 2026 having been concerning by the governing body of the burough of Ramsey B and are hereby passed and approved. Uh, we have a special permit request. The Ramsey BFW Post 12148 is requesting permission to hold their annual
fundraiser from May 1st to June 30th in front of various Ramsey businesses with permission from all store owners as well as the Ramsey Farmers Market. There's no block party requests for >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. So, we'll do two cons two
things of consent resolutions. We have a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. >> Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Popp, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes. >> Thank you. And Mr. Gutler, introduce
your consent resolution for the budget. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, be resolved that the following statements of revenue and appropriations shall constitute the approved municipal budget for the year 2026.
All amounts are in dollars under the current fund under general appropriations. Appropriations within caps for municipal purposes $25,22,245. Appropriations excluding excluded from caps for misal purposes 5,986,554.96.
Reserve for uncollected taxes $1,ion50,000. Total general appropriations $32,58,799.96. Less anticipated revenues 7,968,4358 amount to be raised by taxes for support of municipal budget. Local tax municipal
purposes 22,371,75188 minimum library tax 1,718,613. Total to be raised by taxes 24,90,364.88 under the water sewer utility fund appropriations equivalent to utility revenues will be 9,481,000. The swimming pool utility fund
appropriations equivalent to utility revenues will be $992,000. That's it. No other numbers. Okay. Can I just make a second on that? >> You have a second, please. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Okay. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes.
>> Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes. >> Thank you. We're going to move on now to committee and leaison requests for finance administration. Councilman Tutler.
>> Okay. Last time, take a sip of water. Okay. Uh, thank you. Um, just want to start off by congratulating the Ramsay High School boys basketball team >> for winning the group two state championship. Um, somehow, Robert, that's the first championship in 75
years or 50 years. >> Yeah. >> 50 years or 75. >> Are they sure about that? Yeah. >> First one ever. >> First one ever. >> First state, you know, championship. >> It's crazy, right? >> Okay. >> For basketball. >> But congratulations. Uh, welld deserved,
boys. Great season. Uh for the library board, the lunar new year new new year event was another successful event with over 30 individual performers and 275 people attended. Uh the library has been continuing a project to create an assistance resource section in the quiet
study room as well as on their website. Uh the library administration and members of the library board are working on several projects that are not public facing but are important to a well functioning organization. And this includes the creation of a new 5-year capital improvement plan, creating a
fully updated staff manual, and continuing on steps to obtain a procurement card for the library. The residents can check the library website for spring programming for the recre commission. Uh registration for spring sports are available on the Ramsey Recreation website where there are links
for the various sports. Uh the spring gate egg hunt was this past March 21st, Saturday at the Ramsey High School front lawn, followed by a Ramsey Fire Department breakfast with Easter Bunny. And he finally had a nice day. In years past, it's always been rainy or snowy or miserable. So, it was a nice successful
event. Uh summer day camp at Park Registration is open April 1st for campers as well as for employment opportunities. Uh Ramsey Farmers Market open 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through April and May. The hours will change from 9 to 2:00 p.m. Uh, Touch the Truck
was rescheduled to April 26th, sponsored by the Ramsey Juniors. April 19th has an EV car show sponsored by the Ramsey Environmental Commission green team and second chance toy collection sponsored also sponsored by the Ramsey Environmental Commission. My report to
the city. >> Thank you. Public safety council. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. First congratulations to Michael McMahon on his board. That was number one. Um, regarding the seniors, I was at their
trustees meeting and just to note that their newsletter and calendar posted on our website, some upcoming events. Um, tomorrow Smith School will be doing a new school performance at the Senior Center. March 31st, they have a healthy eating workshop. April 7th, poetry
writing workshop. April 16th fraud and scam presentation and on April 18th clean up just few of the events that uh my public safety comments regarding the new emergency services complex in
February that architects of the Ramsey Emergency Services Building Committee presented an overview of the project's design. At this time the design details near completion. Once completed, reviewed and approved by the mayor and council, we now expect that it will go
out to bid public bid sometime in the second quarter of 2026. And that's my report. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Building planning and zoning council member. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, first I would like to congratulate the boys varsity basketball team on their state
championship and great season. Um at the March design review board meeting, there was one signed application which was approved and one ongoing violation which was agreed to be fulfilled. Um at the March zoning board
meeting, there's one hardship variance application which was approved for a deck on a single family house. And that's all I have to report. >> Thank you. Util utilities, buildings, and grounds council woman Cusk. Thank you, Madam Mayor. And I want to thank
Michael Pickman for his upcoming service as he's appointed to our planning board and congratulations to our Ramsey uh boys high school cagers. Uh the planning board, the next meeting is April 7th, 2026. The no knock registry, the Bur of Ramsey maintains the no knock registry
that allows residents to opt out of door-to-door commercial solicitation. Addresses on this list may not be approached by licensed commercial solicitors. This covers commercial and door-to-door solicitation by licensed businesses. It does not cover not
for-profit groups, charities, religious organizations, or political organizations. Enroll by visiting the Burough website and complete the online application. You can search the um the looking glass for the no knock list. The Shade Tree Commission last met on the
19th of March. However, there was no quorum, so the meeting was postponed. The next meeting is likely the 23rd of April, which is a date change. Please look for information on the burough website as the decision is not final. Ramsey has been a tree city for 30 years
and spring plantings preparation is ongoing. For the board of public works, they last met on 16th of March 2026. The next meeting is 20th of April. At the March meeting, the BPW reviewed the proposed 2026 budget. Also at this meeting on
March 16, the board supported an extension to the lead service line replacement incentive timing for property owners who have been notified um that they have a lead service or a galvanized line. So the um the timing now has been extended to December 31st,
2026. This is ordinance 08-2026 and it's intended to encourage proactive replacements. The BPW continues planning and imple implementation to comply with the lead service line replacement mandate. Uh
perr and poly florinated substances PEOS are a large group of humanmade chemicals and their persistence in the environment is a concern. We are working on treating our water systems and I'm going to take a pause for a few meetings regarding the POS um information that I share. Thank
you, Madam Mayor. >> Thank you. Public and Governmental Relations Councilwoman Poppy. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Do you want me to take the phone down here? >> You want I haven't been chairing it, so you know what's going to happen.
>> He's gonna talk. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, first, congratulations to Michael McMahon and thank you for your upcoming service to the planning board. The Ramsey Municipal Pool met last Wednesday. They voted in their budget
for the season. Um, early registration will be opening soon. Watch the municipal pool website for further information on that. They do meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Burough Hall until the weather
um warms up and then they will meet at the pool over the summer. the Ramsy Journal. We just approved the final proof for printing this morning. So that will be coming out in the next um
week, week and a half. We estimate the week of April uh April 6th on that. Um thank you again to everyone who assisted Amber and Bur Hall with the journal. Um specifically Kelly Sylvester and Meredith Bendigan. Thank you for your
assistance on that. Um, America's 250th birthday is this year. Uh, we had a preliminary discussion with some of our local organizations and volunteers in
the community to talk about planning for the week of the weekend of July 3rd to the 6th. So, um, keep watch. We have some exciting things in mind and as those plans continue to form, we will
have that information available. The next new resident mixer will be held on Friday, June 5th at the Ramsey Municipal Pool from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Um, notifications
will be sent out to organizations on how to sign up to have a presence at that event. And then a letter to those residents will follow shortly thereafter.
Um and that uh concludes my report for this evening. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Health education social services council. >> Thank you Ben Mayor. Again congratulations to Michael McMahon and thank you for his service. Um short
brief tonight. Uh rife and environmental. No change from our last meeting and no update. Next meeting will be next month for Ramsey Municipal Alliance. Uh just on 51, we have the Ramfest from 5:30 to 8:30. There's also
uh going to be a DEA drug takeback um which will also be at the farmers market on 6:14, but this one will be on 4:25. So uh we'll have that at both locations. um for that. Uh for the board of ed, I too want to congratulate uh Ramsey
basketball on their state championship. I did contact athletic director Harry and we will have the team in here on the 22nd of April um to celebrate their great season. Uh in the 317 session, uh
the board of ed uh we did uh congratulate and celebrate teachers winning the governor's uh education of the year award. So 10 teachers were awarded that from all our five schools and as well as Dr. Mattio uh did a detailed presentation on the budget gap
which is about $6 million that uh he went through in detail analysis about healthc care uh adjustment efficiencies that they're doing and actually some reduction in staff through attrition and and uh resignations um to cover that
that that balance. So it was a nice job. That's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. And for my remarks is congratulations to the Ramsey High School boys basketball team on their state championship win. Quite um accomplishment. And thank you to Mr.
Vose for the budget presentation. Very detailed and thorough. I I was able to attend the Boy Scouts Hour of Light um just a week and a half ago and that was really fabulous. That's one of my favorite Boy Scout events. And I had the
honor and pleasure of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Francesca Vuya. And this was the first Eagle Scout Court of Honor for a female that I attended. And it was a lot of fun, very interactive, very energetic, um, and
quite moving. So, I'd like to recognize, um, those who helped us with the EOC grant for the emergency operations center of the proposed new emergency building. Um, special thanks to John Creel, Jake Englishman, Miss Bendy, and everyone who helped us get it over the
line and submitted by the deadline on Thursday morning. That was quite an accomplishment, and I hope we get that grant. I truly do. Um, thank you to Michael McMahon for joining the Plon board. I look forward to working with you. And that's all I have this evening,
administrator. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I too will uh congratulate the high school basketball team for their great success. Um as a former alumni and actually a high school basketball player Ramsey on some very unsuccessful teams at that point in time
I can certainly congratulate them. I did spend a number of years after playing volunteering and coaching for about 10 years but why teams had more success but not to this level. I think this is unprecedented for Ramsey basketball. Congratulations to them. Couple
resolutions on the agenda tonight. I'll comment on resolution 78 is requesting a time extension for a grant project. The burough had applied for and received a grant from the state for improvements around Tisdale, mainly sidewalk and curb replacements and some pedestrian
crossing signals. Uh this resolution um from the engineer is looking to apply for a time extension to complete the grant work and the bid should go out shortly. Uh resolution 79 uh is an amendment to the temporary budget. Each
year the temporary budget is set at the reorganization meeting at state specified amounts based on a percentage of the prior year's budget. These amounts stay in place until the final budget is adopted in that year. However, municipality may amend its temporary budget. This resolution does amend the
temporary budget for payments that will be due before the final budget is scheduled to be adopted in April. The amendment uh and those payments are already incorporated into the regular 2026 budget. We're just that's being introduced tonight, but it will be
before it's adopted. So therefore, uh we're amending the temporary budget uh to allow those payments to be made. Resolution 81 uh allows the bureau to perform a a self-examination of its 2026 budget.
This resolution allows the bureau to assume the responsibility to perform self-exams 2026 municipal budget which is normally granted to the state director of the division of local government services. The responsibility can be granted by the state to permit municipalities to
perform a self-exam provided that the state determines a municipality is in sound financial condition which they have done and have allowed us to do. Um every year third year though regardless of a municipality's financial condition the state will perform the examination rather than the municipality that
occurred last year. This year we're under self-exam and been approved for that. We do have three ordinances on the agenda for introduction. and I'll make a couple brief comments on them now. Ordinance 8, um, Councilwoman, Council President Cusk talked about a little
bit, but it amends ordinance 182025 regarding lead service replacements. This ordinance is to extend the deadline for property owners to apply for the $750 rebate from the Board of Public Works for replacing the customerowned portion, which is curve box, to the
house of the lead water service line. Previously, the deadline to apply was the later of 180 days from property owner receiving notice or 270 days of from the ordinance's adoption, which was September 10th of 2025. So, it would be
expiring the rebate opportunity in June of 2026. This amendment extends that deadline for the rebate to the later of December 31st, 2026 or 180 days from when the property owners first notified of the LE service line if they haven't
been already. And all other sections of the original ordinance remain as is. Ordinance 9 2026 uh amends the section for 732 for midblock crosswalk on Main Street. We had the governing body had
passed ordinance 232025 which created a new midblock crosswalk on Main Street across from the high school by Veterans Park. Main Streets a county road and the county review of its or of the ordinance. They asked that the bureau slightly modify the distances in the ordinance of where the crosswalk
would be located. That's the only change in this amended ordinance and required to comply with the county um on their road. Ordinance 10 to be introduced also amends section 714 of the burough code regarding parking and prohibited hours
on streets. The ordinance clarifies the current code that there is no overnight parking on all streets in the burrow seven days a week other than on federal holidays. The previous language in the code created some confusion in its interpretation and this amendment will clear that up and make it easier for
residents to understand and ensure compliance and then police enforcement if it's needed. And that would conclude my comment. I would just say we did introduce and introduce the budget tonight and the public hearing and vote on adoption will
be on scheduled for April 22nd. Thank you for >> clerk. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, then we'll move on to the introduction of ordinances. Ordinance 08 2026. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Councilwoman Cusk, be it resolved
that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending the code of the Burough of Ramsey, Burton County, New Jersey, and more specifically chapter 17 thereof so as to establish section 17-6 entitled lead water service line replacement.
pass the first reading by title and that set ordinance be further considered for final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council to be held on the 8th day of April 2026 700 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the
municipal building in said burrow. And be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the burrow in the manner provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with notice of the introduction thereof and notice when the same will be considered
for final passage and adoption. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Any comments in addition to Mr. Bose's? >> No. and Mr. Cusk. Thank you, Councilwoman Cus. Voices were perfect. It just gives people a little bit more time to to do this in the better weather seasons.
Madam Mayor, and this was again from the BPW, which you're a member of. Thank you for this. Thank you. >> Okay, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cus. Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy,
>> yes. >> Thank you. Ordinance 09, 2026. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh, intro of ordinance 09 2026 be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending chapter 7 of the code of the burrow of Ramsey Burton County, New Jersey and more
particularly section 7-32 thereof entitled midblock crosswalks pass the first reading by title and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council to be
held on June 8th day of April 26th. 2026 7 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the municipal building in said burrow. And be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is
instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the burrow in the manner provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with the notice of introduction thereof notice with the same will be considered for final passage and adoption. >> I'll second. Thank you. Any comments in
addition to Mr. Bose's comments? >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. >> Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy, >> yes.
>> Wonderful. Ordinance, 2026. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending chapter 7 of the revised general ordinances of the bureau of Ramsey Bur counties New Jersey and more specifically section 7-14 thereof
entitled parking prohibited during certain hours on certain streets pass the first reading by title and that set ordinance be further considered for final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council be held on the April 2026 at 7 p.m. or
prevailing time or as soon after as a matter of be reached a municipal building instead burough. And being further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the bureau in the manner provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with a
notice of introduction thereof and notice when the same will be considered for final passage and adoption. >> I second. >> Thank you. Any comments in addition to Mr. Bose? No, it it's a it's a big change. It's means no overnight parking
on all streets in Burough seven days a week other than federal holidays. >> Okay, thank you. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusk, >> yes. Councilman Gerson, >> yes. >> Councilman Gutwer, >> yes. >> Councilman Kilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Papo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy,
>> yes. >> Okay. There being no unfinished business or new business, do we have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make that motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> I'll second. Thank you.