insurance is it? >> I'm ready whenever Dylan is >> where we're presenting the policies. You ready? Okay. Let's call this meeting to order. This is the village council
special public budget meeting February 2nd, 2026 at 57 p.m. Um, calling this meeting to order. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall by mail to the
Ridgewood News. the record and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting. Roll call. >> Council member Mortimer >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Parin >> here. >> Council member Whites
>> here. >> Council member Winterrad >> here. >> Mayor Bajanos has not yet arrived. Let's all salute our flag to the flag of America to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Do we have public comment? I don't see anyone in the audience here. And you have one. Okay. Hang. >> Um, could you state your name and
whether you're a Ridgewood resident? >> Please unmute. >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can hear you. >> Yes. Uh, good evening. And I'm Chin Juan. I'm a resident uh from the Richwood and I'm um I'm living in uh 328
Libby Avenue. >> You don't have to leave your address, just that you're a resident of Ridgewood. >> Yeah, I'm a resident of Ridgewood. >> Go ahead. You have three minutes.
>> Yeah, I think I uh had an issue with the my uh basement. there's a drainage issue and uh every year in my basement is backflow and there's a backflow from the city sewer system to my basement and I
had a uh inspection inspector I inspected the line and they conclude that there's a a issue with the city sewer system uh so it happens every year because the sewer system uh is not
working uh properly and uh that's the cause of the issue for my house and because my house the unique position uh to the to the sewer line so it happens every year uh of the backflow the to my
basement uh happens to my basement every year and also I work I talk to your engineer engineering team and Peter is my contact and uh he was mentioning I they think it will be in the discussion for the for the budget meeting. So
that's why I'm enjoy I'm enjoying the meeting. >> All right. Um I would suggest I'm going to close public Is there anybody else on public comment? Okay, we're going to close public comment. Did anybody here want to address that?
>> I would. Um Jinu, if you would contact me tomorrow, um I will give you two phone numbers. Um, one is my office phone which is 2011 670-500 extension 223
or my cell phone which is 20118197014. We will speak to our folks um in engineering and at the water pollution control facility and we'll see if we can't revisit this issue and see if there's a solution that's available. Um, so if you'd like to give me a call
tomorrow, I'd be glad to uh set you up with the requisite folks uh to come out and take a look at that situation you described. >> That was Keith Kasmark, the village manager speaking to you. Uh we are now up to our first item for
discussion, building maintenance. I just want to know for the record that Mayor Vaganis has arrived to the meeting >> and my apologies for running behind. So, mayor and deputy mayor, uh, through you tonight just to set expectations. Um, and I thank everyone for their
indulgence. We did shift around the calendar for these budget hearings in light of the snowstorm that we saw last week. Uh, so tonight we have our new village engineer, director of public works, James McGrath, with us, and we are going to talk through each of the
divisions that fall under public works. Um, and we're going to start off tonight with Rich Charlton from our signal division, and he'll be discussing building maintenance and traffic signal. So, if everyone would pull up the
building maintenance budget. Rich, we're going to start with salaries and wages, then move to operating expenses, and then we'll talk about any capital requests you have um in either of your budget areas. >> I can't even find it.
Welcome gentlemen. Always good to see you. >> Need to use the mic. >> It's on the bottom. >> You need someone to help you fix that? >> I got I can get somebody to sing. They're really good. >> I'll call them right now. Okay.
>> So, for the council's edification under salaries and wages, we only have one full-time employee um one employee total actually um who's listed in this section and the salary that's listed here is contractual. Um so, with that, uh Rich,
if you want to walk us through, uh some of the highlights on the other expenses uh and those line items. >> Uh you mean on the facilities themselves? >> Yeah. >> Okay. On the building maintenance side, >> um building maintenance is pretty much cut
and dry every year. Um I did add the somewhere between zero and 2% for per facility. As you can see, the only one that really went up or two areas that went up was the village hall. Um
that's always seems to be a maintenance nightmare, this building as it gets older. Um the HVAC is starting to show its wear for the side of the building that's the one three and five side. Um we need constant repairs over there for
the HVAC unit that's on the roof. It does both the heating and the cooling. Same unit. Um the unit is new to the building 20 plus years ago. So that unit is ready to go. Um it is in my capital request to be replaced. if it doesn't
make it through the capital budget to replaced, I added money into this operating to possibly repair that unit maybe two or three times this year. So, um, but on the other note of that, PSNG has opened
up a rebate program for units of that size. Um, and hopefully we will qualify for the rebate and the unit will get replaced for close to no no money if we qualify. We won't know until probably March or April if we qualify. So, I have
the money in the capital budget for that. But if neither one of those pans out, I raised the village hall maintenance for this building based on HBAC and any upgrades that happen downstairs on the first level of the village hall for the community center
area. Okay. Um the utilities down there are done. We don't have any electric down there. we don't have any more plumbing to add to down there and the heating and air conditioning down there is terrible. So, anything that happens down on that level, um we are going to
need to put money into just the utilities, electric, gas, and heat down there. >> When you say they're done, you mean they're they're they're not Oh, we're done fixing them. You mean they're done like they're toast? >> In other words, there's no room to grow.
We are using all the electricity we are we have available down there. We're using all the electricity. We cannot keep that community center properly temp whether it's cool or heat depending upon the season. Um and there's not a whole lot of plumbing down there. So anything
that happens down there in the future this year or years on, you're going to have to put money into the utilities, upgrade the utilities before you upgrade that area. >> The existing utilities are fine, but you're saying to expand the utilities, we would need more money. Gotcha. Thank you. >> So, and and the capital ask if we fix it
would be 400 rather than burdening the operating. >> Yes, we put in 400 in the capital. >> That's a high estimate. >> Got it. >> Keith, has that been included in the proposed capital budget? >> No. >> I had a feeling you were going to say
that. >> Wait, I I haven't. >> No, I'm talking about the the >> the updated one. The priority ones are the only thing that that made it to the working list, >> right? So I was looking So the operating will be burdened with continual repairs
and the two HVC units combined would be 520 because you have two of them, right? >> I'm sorry. >> You have another one also which is emergency services. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that unit is is showing its wear
as well. It's amazing how quickly 20 years. >> Tell me. >> So, again, as Rich indicated, 772 is is the big jump, you know, relative to what he outlined for this building. Uh there's a few other nominal increases. I
know he felt the need to um just bump up by a few hundred dollars the um solid waste collection for the bus terminal uh for the bus shelter. once that's built out in the spring. Um we also have a um minimal increase um at the central
garage um just based on what we're on the trajectory to have spent last year. Um those are nominal increases. You know, the village hall uh contingency depending on capital uh with regard to HVAC and other improvements here. Uh that's the that's the largest number
you'll see in in this budget. Rich, the $400,000, is that strictly for electrical or is that electrical? HVAC? No, >> that's that's heating and air conditioning only. >> Heating and air conditioning. >> Yes. To replace the unit, correct? >> To replace the unit. Yes.
>> But electrical isn't upgrading. The electrical is included in that. >> Well, the electrical would be for the community center. There's no electric down there. Any upgrades down that corner of the building, we would have to bring more electric there for use >> to do that. Is that included in the
$400,000 or is that >> that's in addition to that? >> Yeah. >> Guesstimate. What are we talking about in terms of upgrading that electric? >> Um you're looking at 75 to 100. It depends upon how it how it happens. So when they did the addition, this part of
the building, the newer part that's police, >> this is where the electric service comes in from the street. >> This is a different building than the 135 side. So to get the electric for because your floors are offset to get the electric from the electrical switch
gear behind the detector barrel all the way down to the front of the building in the basement is going to be a difficult task. So it's more labor intensive than anything else just to get more electricity down there for the available use. So >> So somewhere down the road we've got a
$500,000 bill awaiting us. >> Yes. Got it. Thank you. Any other questions on building maintenance? If not, we'll move on to traffic signal. And on this there are some uh
recommended adjustments on salary and wages. So, if you would take a look at the um by employee breakdown 2026 salary and wage calculations up in the upper leftand
corner and then Rich, you want to just take us through uh not necessarily by name of employee but by some of the um adjustments you want to make as far as titles go in the department. >> Sure. So, um, there are three members of my division that are still considered
laborers by their title with civil service. Um, and I think it's time that after six or seven years that they earn a civil service title to get a up above laborer um to traffic signal tech uh one, which is the entry level of that
position. Um so this year coming those three gentlemen are due a regular step raise from labor whatever step they are on to the next. So what I'm doing is I'm moving them into the next title civil
service title traffic signal type one and the raise that they get in that new title is almost the same maybe a little more in where they would go if they stayed in the labor or civil service group. So, it's not much more of a raise. They're contractual anyway if
they just take their laborer steps. Um, but it does give them the title. Um, these guys have worked above and beyond call of duty. Um, this year we did all the conduit lighting digging for the sports lighting and we helped
tremendously with the pavilion up at Habernickle. We took a lot of labor from the contractors, did that labor in house, and we saved >> a awful lot of money from paying money on contractors. These are the guys that stepped up and did this work.
>> Um, I just think that with just a little bit more money than the next step that they are deserving to have a title and not just be laborers. >> So benefit. >> Yes. And I'd say I mean all the work that they've done was just excellent. It
was fast and it was just done so professionally. So, I think it makes sense. >> Thank you. >> And they're so helpful for the sound system on downtown for the holidays and and the daffodil festival and Earth Day Fair in Venice Square. They're really
helpful to us. >> Thank you. >> I I also want to say and for the public who's watching, when I first took my seat here, anything that didn't fit in a bucket from a department when I was meeting, they say, "Oh, Signal." Signal can do anything. They You guys really make everything happen. You show up.
You're just your crew is so excellent to work with. They're so open-minded to everything. And for me, so many of the initiatives that Evan and I ran on were made possible. And I was just saying before, we went to the high school with a member of Signal and he just represents Bridgewood so well. So, I
think it's great. Um, and I just hope the public understands like how lucky they are that you do not just many things, but you do many things well. So, I just wanted to say that and if you're watching it, you have a new boss. I think it it's just a wonderful catch-all department that does a really good job
and makes a lot of things happen. >> Thank you, >> Rich. If if you didn't notice, this council is very pro- Signal. I mean, we love all our departments equally, but signal saves us a ton of money, and
we know you can fix anything. So, >> and I believe in one of the things you fix is even heat in this room, right? >> Can we turn it down? >> Rich is Rich control Rich controls the temperature. Don't forget that. >> I'm just going to open the window.
He was he was he's waiting to see if this gets approved before he fixes the heat because otherwise we're going to be sweating like you know >> and then just just just uh moving towards operating expenses. Um there's a reduction in line item 026
um of about $7,200 uh for inspection services for fire alarms extinguishers and sprinkler systems. That's a reduction going into this year. Um there is a slight bump um in signs and sign supplies. Uh there's a high demand sometimes coming at the
request of village council members uh to to replace street signs and Rich's division is is working all the time to try to keep uh replacing fading street signs, damaged street signs, ones that are fall victim to accidents and things
of that nature. Um, so in an effort to try to keep the uh the changeover in signage up to par, uh there's a slight adjustment to that line item. Uh but other than that, it's uh it's a minimal ch minimal changes if that to the operating expenses. I'm sorry.
>> So that's 41. >> Sorry. >> 41. >> Yeah. And I saw you cut it from like it looks like they asked for a lot more and we cut them down >> and now we're trying to reput it in. So I get that. But still if we got by with
4,000 this year, do we really need almost five times that for for >> Councilman? Are you are you looking at the detail? >> 41. >> I'm looking 41. >> 41. Okay. But are you looking at the detail list of that? >> I wasn't. I was looking at the overall amount. So, I'll let Rich speak more to
this and and to what happened this year, but the traffic signal certification update class is a mandatory class. Um, last year and this year we're budgeting 14,000. Um, there's also CPM uh CPWM training. Uh, that's for Rich
specifically, which we're maintaining 5,000. Um, Rich, do you just want to explain the uh the 14,000 and who was enrolled this year and who will need or who was enrolled last year and who would need to be enrolled this year? Sure. So the traffic light certifications they come up every three years. So if we do a
certain amount of CEUs um during the three years you don't have to go for research. So that's why it goes up every third year it will go up uh quite a bit more than that year. If I want the guy to go and take a next class by the end of those three years he gets the next
level of training um and that will come up this year. So I'll probably send four guys this year um for their next level of training. So I have eight guys. So I send four one year and uh skip a year and then four the next. So >> So is it is it safe to say that 2025 was a light year?
>> Yes. >> Okay. And and that this year you'll need the full 14,000 to do the certification. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Well, it's money well spent. The smarter they are, the more well trained. It's great. I think and I did also want to just tell the anecdote story about signs because we have a new director here. Um,
as many of you know, when we took our seats, there was a massive sign theft and you know, there were like hundreds of signs missing all over town and Signal partnered with me and the HSAs to create a fundraiser so seniors don't steal them and it's been a great service. It's been widely popular. I
always joke with Heather, it's stopped a little bit of crime and uh, it's been wonderful. So, I think this is great. The more that um, and the more that we train people, the better it is. And I know that you also have a lot of interv promotions that happen from your department which is great. So, and I
think the $14,000 there's no way around it. It's mandatory. >> Our senior citizens are stealing signs. >> Jeez, it's terrible. >> It is hard to distinguish when you say the seniors with PG. It's hard. >> Any other questions on salaries and wage
or other expenses for Sigma? >> Okay, just moving to capital. Um, so Rich, top priorities and and you can certainly talk through with the council some of the other items on your uh on your list, >> but I have a traffic signal
>> um sign truck replacement with a plow >> um in there and then I also have the pedestrian crossing signals uh to try to continue that program as well. So those those are the two that I have on the top priority list, but if there's anything else you want to share with the council from your list so they have some
background on it, I think that'd be great. Um, pedestrian safety is always top priority. Um, whether it's a speed radar feedback sign or the flashing pedestrian signs. So, those are becoming very popular with the residents.
>> So, so how many will that get us? >> So, one intersection is almost one half of one intersection is almost $10,000. So, one crosswalk, one crosswalk with one flasher on each side is almost $10,000. If you do a full intersection,
which would be two crosswalks, you're looking at almost 20. So, last year I think we had 35,000 that would have maybe done two intersections. >> And we have we done any cost with just going to operating? Remember we were talking about the glitter crosswalks in front of how the post office used to
shine? Mhm. >> Will that be any additional expense if we try to highlight the ones in the CBDU through a different paint? >> Did we talk about that? >> Do you remember? I'm gonna I'm gonna make fun of when Pam when we were talking about how some of the crosswalks in the central business district have
the brick which leads to charm and it's a visual interruption. Then we got into the the sparkly um kind of reflection of the sidewalk >> and we wanted I think we wanted to see more of that. At least I did, you know, because crosswalks are just crosswalks
and when it's dark. So, >> you mean the style of the thermoplastic that you're talking about the the reflective thermoplastic paint? >> Back in the day, we we spoke with Torino. >> It's the first time I've heard it referred to as sparkly. >> It does at night. It's it's like glitters at night. And uh look, I see everybody now. They know.
>> Well, there was also some lights, I believe, that were put. >> Yes. The reflection. >> No, I don't think it was a reflection. I think that wasn't there lights that was in the pavement that was on all the time at some point. >> I think so. No, I don't I don't >> I believe it was a coating. >> Yeah, it's it's um there are reflective
beads that go down on the plastic as the plastic hardens. Those are all put in by the contractor, the paving contractor does all our crosswalks after they pave. >> Okay, >> we repaint. We don't do much thermal plastic. >> We can do a little little bits and pieces here, but we can't do it on the
same level the contractors do. >> So, that's all comes from engineering department. When they do repaving and restriping, a contractor comes in and does that. So, talk to me about the signed truck. 160 grand is a lot of money for it. Um, how bad's the old one? Because I'd much
rather spend that money on on pedestrian safety as opposed to buying a new truck if we can. >> Right. The truck's falling apart. Um, it as you ride down the road, it's just pieces are falling off of it. Um, and >> but are they important pieces? >> Important pieces. Yes. Um, and the
problem is that, you know, we have a lot of money in a sign budget and we have a lot of sign equipment. We put out a lot of signs. That truck is specifically for putting in putting up signs and >> it is pedestrian >> and pavement markings. >> It has the thing, right? The >> tailgate. >> It has a power tailgate to get the paint
machine on and off the back thing. >> Yeah. >> And there's no way to do it for cheaper than 160 grand. >> That That's pretty cheap as far as way vehicles, custom vehicles go. >> What's the life of it expectancy we think of a new one? >> 15 to 20 years. >> And what's the current one at? I think
it's about 15. So, we we did without it for about three months this year and we had to to get the paint machine from the shop to the locations we needed to paint. We had to use an older truck with a too small of a tailgate and it made a couple of safety issues for us carrying
a machine like that around with gasoline in it loaded with paint. If you have paint spillage, you have a mess all over town. So, um that's a very important truck. I would put the sign truck right up there with our bucket trucks as far as importance. >> Rich, in what way is that pickup truck
customized? >> So, we put a utility body on it. Um, and then we build other things onto that utility body that carry the 12oot signposts and the 12oot sign poles that have to go down into the ground to keep them straight. We have a a specific
signpost bounder that puts the breakaway piece in Yep. three three and a half feet into the ground and then the top piece gets bolted to that. That's a lot of weight. It's also very long. So, the truck is longer than most others. The tailgate that lifts the paint machine on and off the ground into the back of the truck. So, they drive down, they take
the machine off, they quickly paint, stop bar, half of a crosswalk, put it back on the tailgate, drive one block down the road, get out, do the same, and they do this two to three hours a day during the summer. Um, it's a moving process. the truck moves kind of like you would see a garbage a garbage man on
the back of a garbage truck. It's a moving process and that's why the truck is um invaluable to us that way. If we don't have that truck, we can't. So then crosswalks are faded, stop bars are faded. It's >> I think we got it. >> It's important.
>> Council keeps changing ordinances, new signs. >> Any other questions for Rich? >> Nope. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. We'll swap in for uh Jim Fels and Bill Rickley from the water pollution control facility. >> You guys will come up.
>> Pollution control. >> It's about this for >> Okay. >> Dylan hot. Dylan. Dylan. >> All right. So, we'll start with salaries and wages. Um, if you look at the uh
detail sheet of the different employees, there's no additional employees, nor by the way, were there with signals either. Um, this is all contractual. Um there's a modest increase uh relative to the contractual obligations. Any
questions on salaries and wages? >> Um I do have a question um because of detail 14 uh which is overtime and the overtime was 95 or is proposed
to be $95,000. And I see that some of the employees um their salaries are less than that. And I'm wondering if we hired another would would we have less overtime? >> So the one thing I'll say is that the
water pollution control facility is a 24hour operation, 365 days a year. Um I'll let Jim and Bill uh talk more specifically uh to the overtime calculation. Um, but I can tell you that I think the reason that the overtime um
are the numbers that are reflected in here, and it's it's a similar number to what we um budgeted for last year, it um it really has to do with the 24-hour operation. But Jim, you want to take it from there? >> Nope. >> Try again.
>> Oh, there it is. Sorry. >> The overtime varies from year to year. you know, we don't we run um 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some some years we don't have a lot of sick time. Some years we do. I don't know if we by hiring another employee if that would
offset that overtime. Um you know, with the salary and everything else that goes along with it. Um I can't that's an estimation of of what you know might happen. I mean it could be less, it could be more. >> And guys, if you could just identify yourselves for the people watching. Oh,
Jim Fellows, supervisor water pollution. Thank you. >> Bill Rickley, chief operator, water pollution. >> And thank you all for being here tonight. Really appreciate it. >> So, it's a moving target basically. Yes, sir. >> And you think it's better addressed
>> with overtime as necessary than with hiring another person? >> I would think so. Um, but again, it varies from year to year. you know, I can't I can't say if things are going to break or it's going to snow a lot like
you know, like we've had. And >> um >> another person would not have helped with this last snow. Water pollution had >> guys out constantly and they have to have somebody on site 247 as you guys know. So, another employee probably would not have helped reduce the overtime that we just experienced this
past storm. >> Um but as Jim said, you know, all depends on sick, vacation, all that sort of stuff. It's variable. So keeping that overtime number at or close is probably our best bet to be as on target as we can be.
>> Got it. >> I mean, plus you're going to have to pay benefits on any employee that you would hire, which would likely bring us pretty close to that 90,000. Plus, if our guys have the opportunity to make a little extra money, I'm not going to get in the way of that today. >> And you have to be competitive because these plants, these guys, nobody does
this anymore. You know, coming from where I came from before and talking to Jim, it's very hard to get these operators and keep them. Uh, so the wages have to be competitive. Uh, which may you may lose any advantage you have by hiring somebody. >> Sure.
>> I just thought I'd ask. I'm not sure. >> I'm not pitching for it. >> And then, uh, if we want to just move to other expenses, I will tell you that 026 um, that's a restorative cut. We cut a significant amount from that
line item last year in order to get ourselves under cap. Um so that number is back in the budget as restorative from the prior year. Um again, that's one area that we'll have to look at as
we make modifications between now and the time the council's presented with a budget for introduction. Um, >> yeah, >> chemical chemicals is a high not I'm sorry. >> So, and Keith, I know you're not prepared, nor am I asking you to provide
it today, but certainly if it has to stay at 100,000, I mean, the sheets a little a little thin in terms of detail of what that actually that's a lot of money to spend just on generic maintenance. So, I'll defer to you, but certainly would like a little more detail if it does stay at that higher dollar amount. Yeah, I mean the only
thing I'll add to that is cutting this line item is always a gamble because the water pollution control facility I think was last upgraded, Jim, in 2005, >> right? >> We have made some upgrades since then, but again, it's one of those things
where I can't tell you if something's going to break, >> right? >> You know, and I think the way it works is if you don't if that much doesn't break, you don't spend it and we still have the money. >> Correct. Right. And and we cut we did cut. So it's restorative that we cut it
by 80,000 last year during the budget process. >> So I mean I'm fine with it given that last year was a cut. >> So that wasn't beneficial. So if we don't carry it forward, we're cutting. It's a double cut because you should have So I'd like the restoration of it.
>> And and I and I'll be honest about this and I'm sure Bob will opine on this as well. This is an area that we would look to cut, but when you make this cut, you're crossing your fingers that you don't have a major problem down there. And then if we did, we'd be coming to the council for capital money to to try
to bridge that gap. So, not the ideal situation. It's always better to have a little money put away, especially in a system that runs 247. >> Um, but if it needs to be cut back upon in order to get us to where we need to be with the uh with the appropriations cap, then that's what we'll do. Bob
If um we don't let them maintain it this year, we're just going to wind up putting something in the capital and it's not cheap down there. Um cost a lot of money for those bar screens and everything else that we've been putting in lately. So big nut. >> Unfortunately, when things do break, it's not $1,000.
>> Yeah. I >> I mean, listen, obviously we got to keep people safe and I want to be conservative, but ultimately this affects what we ask our residents to pay, right? So it's I think incumbent upon us to ask the hard questions and get details on it and if it's prudent to spend the money, spend the money, but we
obviously have to ask the questions. >> Sure. >> Absolutely. >> I mean you can you like you said you can cut it and cross your fingers and maybe nothing will happen, >> you know, but if something does then we have to come back to you and say remember that money that you said I need it now because something broke.
>> Yeah. I I don't think Evan's suggesting that we cut it. He just wanted to ask the question. Hey Jim, why don't you talk about how it's also your department is a revenue generator with some of the work that you do. >> Um yeah, we generated um over $184,000
from um Zuda and other septic uh companies, you know, this past year. Um, I know we don't I don't really know where that money goes, but um there's a lot of money, $184,000, and it would have been more if we hadn't hadn't had the construction during the summer, you
know, with the PIA building going up um because it was just so congested. They went to Waldwick or Wanuk or somewhere else. So, it would have been more. >> Got it. And just for everyone's clarification, talk about that construction that's been a problem. >> It wasn't really a problem. I mean, it's
a a building that has to go up. And >> I'm sorry. I thought it was on the driveway was the >> Well, that was another one too. Yeah. Um that was PSEG and that lasted longer than they had told us, >> but again, it's it's it has to happen. So, >> yeah. >> Um >> now, is there a chance to increase the
amount? I mean, obviously you said that you didn't get as much because of the construction, but is there like is there other >> If if we didn't have the construction last year, we would have been close I would have think close to 200,000. >> Yeah, that's awesome. >> You know, around there, give or take.
But with the construction, the bigger trucks, they pull in one day, they see the construction, they're like, "Oh, they go, they dump, but then they won't come back for two or three days because they don't want to deal with the, you know, with the mess." >> So, >> so Bob, does that go into the general fund? >> That That's awesome. By the way, we love
revenue generating. It's awesome. >> We can also have further internal conversations about increasing our customer base and increasing our volume from Zuda. That's a long-term brainstorming session. >> That's a great conversation to have. >> Yeah, we love that. >> Yeah, I like that conversation.
>> Anybody else? >> No, I just want to say thank you while you're here. >> You're welcome. >> It's much appreciated and you know the restorative cuts for me I if we can we should try as much as we can. >> And then the um capital requests. Jim,
if you want to just speak to this a little bit. Um, we have a hydro sewer truck in the amount of 370,000, which was priority 1, and also priority 1B, let's say, uh, root control in the amount of $20,000. Do you want to just talk both of those through with the
council? >> Sure. The hydro sewer truck is uh, it's 2015, right? Two 2015 with over 6,000 hours on it. And in the last two years, we have jetted roughly 1.5 million feet in the village of
Rididgewood as preventative maintenance. And to this point, I don't think we have had a claim that's been filed against us that's been our problem. That's been our fault. Um, but the truck is tired. It's it's done. It's, you know, on its last
legs, definitely. And the root control, that's been a big help for us. And that's a necessity because if they do a certain part of town, they guarantee it for 3 years. So if there is a backup in that part of town, they're responsible for it, not us. And after those three
years, we have to do it again, otherwise the warranty goes out. So those are the two really the two big things that I that we would like this year. Um the sewer truck definitely definitely has to be replaced. >> Do we sell the old one? Do we get any
money out of these uh out? We're going to check and we should be able to get something for it, I would think. But it is old and it is, you know, it is tired, but it's uh it's still it still works, but um we've had to like our hose needs to be replaced. It's $25,000 to replace
the hose. So, we're basically working with a patched up hose, which is not really smart. You know, we should we really shouldn't be doing that. But, um >> I don't want to spend $25,000 on a truck that, you know, we might be replacing >> for one more year. Yeah. >> Exactly. How much? I mean, how much do you think it would take to keep it
running for another year or two? >> I'm not sure. >> That's the only question because it's >> I'm not sure. I'm not a mechanic. >> A lot of money, you know. >> I'm not a mechanic. I I know we have to fill it with uh antifreeze every uh transmission fluid, antifreeze every two or three days, you know. I mean, there's
a lot of a lot of stuff that has to get done to it. That would be something I can bring up to the mechanics. >> Fluid every two or three days. That's not Look, I'm not a mechanic either, but that's not a good sign. I mean, we could take it up to the mechanics and say, "How much to fix this and get it, you know, to the top?" But then you have to
go with the with the hose again. >> Um, >> yeah, cuz it gets used a lot. There's no other town around here that does what we do. They have sewer trucks, but they only go out in emergencies. They don't go out, you know. Um, I know Hocus takes theirs out twice a year to do their town
uptown. They jet it twice a year. We do We do ours once a month. >> Huh? >> Can we borrow theirs? Yeah, they usually borrow ours, you know. Um, but it it is it is important. But again, uh, 15 years ago, we used to get sewer calls two,
three times a week with sewer backups, and you can check that. That's all in the records, >> and we haven't had any in a long time. >> So, I mean, it would be interesting to see um I know you're new. um like a shared service type agreement if Pocus is getting so little use out of their
truck. You know, maybe uh we cross the border and charge them a couple of bucks to do theirs twice a year and offset the 368,000 this new truck is going to cost us. >> I think I think maybe one of the better approaches to this is I actually have a
administrator's meeting on Thursday. Maybe we reach out to some of the smaller towns because we would be the one that would be using it more. As Jim says, our schedule is much more intensive than some of our neighboring municipalities where those who use it
less frequently who might be in need of something, maybe they could join us in this endeavor rather than us. >> I have spoken to >> honestly I don't want based on our use, I don't want to lose control of of as the primary. I have spoken to um Matt Talbert in Middleland Park because when
they have certain sections of their town done once a year u and they only have certain sections done they do they use Northwest Bergen. All right. And when they have a sewer backup they use Northwest Bergen which is where Middleland Park goes to anyway. But if they have a backup in their street during the day, night, whatever, and
they have to call Northwest Bergen to get charged. And I said, you know, we could do your maintenance for you the once, twice, three times a year, however it is, but if you have a sewer back up during the day, we are right next door. >> Yeah. >> Like, we can drive over, clear the problem for you. We're not going to charge you.
>> No, knowing that, I'm more than happy to open up dialogue on Thursday with Wendy Martin, who's the administrator and the municipal clerk there, and see if there's some interest on behalf of uh, you know, the governing body in Midland Park. >> That'd be great. And given also that we're talking only about 10 year lifespan, maybe give some thought to a
scing fund on this one. Understood. All right. >> So, I just want to ask, is this where the beneficiary of the community block grant went in or is that just general engineering? Because that's a >> that's general. That's general engineering. Yeah. I mean, it'll benefit them if if the the lines if the sewer lines are uh
>> lined >> are updated. But >> I was really excited about the sewer lining grant because it's the first community block grant we have. And I thought that was really cool. And you picked the oldest section of town, which is also really cool. Um, so I was going to congratulate you on a grant, but it's
more to you. So, good luck with it. >> No, Evan, I think that you touched on something. I mean, we've talked about shared services. We're a bigger town surrounded by smaller towns and and this is certainly it sounds like, uh, it's an area that we can pursue and get some
revenue. So, um, we appreciate your efforts on that. >> It is something because they use Northwest Bergen and they usually do it in the summertime and they start I don't know. They give them a section of town and they'll start at like 5:00 in the morning and work till like 7. They'll work for two hours to do certain and they'll do that for like a week
straight. So the guys that are doing it are getting overtime which they like and but they're also paying Northwest Burger to do it. >> So the same thing here. A couple of our guys could get overtime but then Rididgewood would charge them for for the service. >> Sounds like a win-win. >> Yeah. And being that they're they help us with
stuff, we'd help them with stuff. If they do have something during the day, you know, and we're here 7 to 3 and it's 12:00 and they have a clock, it takes nothing for us to go over there and, you know, and take care of it in, you know, no time and just let it be, you know. Well, it sounds like if we can it sounds
like you're going to get your truck um and it and if we can get some revenue out of it going forward, >> it's a win-win for everybody. >> I agree. >> So, thanks, Jim. Any other questions for water pollution control? >> Just thanks for all you do, >> gentlemen.
>> I've seen this spring. >> Yes, >> gentlemen. Thank you. Um, at the time, at this time, I'd like to bring up Mike Ja, who is the supervisor for the fleet and streets division. He'll also discuss yard waste. So, there'll be three sections and we're going to start with fleet. >> Start with what?
sir. >> So, I'm not the chair, but I'm going to remind the chair we This is the first time we've seen you since the storm. So, so impressive. >> He was on He was in Disney. >> It was such It was such a good job. And
it was we're so thankful and we hope you've recovered and you're rested and we did talk about you a lot when you were probably taking a nap but um it's our first time and I think Paul's now going to chime in. It was just so impressive and so well done and we're so grateful. >> Guys did a great job. Your staff did a
really good job. >> No, it wasn't a great job. It was an amazing job. It really really was. Um and um I you know several of us took a ride around town and um we're very impressed. Um you know there was there
was black top most everywhere on Monday morning which was really amazing. So >> did a great job. >> Great. >> And and I think I saw you driving. Mike and I were walking and I think we were raving to >> Mike if you could hold the mic
>> Yeah. >> closer. Thank you. Good to go. Good enough. >> And more importantly, am I reading this right that you're going down in budget? >> $47.76. >> I think it's even more than that. I'm still don't really, but if you look at
the top, we budgeted 430,000 for salaries last year. They're asking for 418 this year. So other expenses they're they're asking. Last year we budgeted 532. This year they're asking for 512. Am I getting that right? Because if so, I already think very highly of you and
you're doing a wonderful job. But you just hit it out of the park if that's true. Thank you. >> We've been lucky. Fuel prices have come down a lot. Um tire prices came down a lot because of the fuel. >> Um >> we do have Sorry. We do have a few >> Oh, you don't apologize for anything.
You're good. a few newer vehicles. So, the maintenance on them has gone down significantly um with the new garbage trucks and the new trucks and uh streets. Yeah. So, >> yep. >> So, did I get that right, Bob? We're
going down. >> Yes. Just point out in salaries and wages, >> right? >> The budget as adopted was 406. We had to transfer money in to get it to 430. Right. Three columns.
>> Mhm. >> So overall the salaries and wages are um contractually up 2.74%. >> Right. We can't control that anyway. >> Right. >> Right. >> But other expenses actually were going down. >> Yes. >> We should just give you a gold star,
Mike. That's awesome. >> You had Evan at bracket, right? >> You're making Evan really happy. I don't know if you notic. I want to put his face on the side of one of the trucks now. >> And >> that's awesome. >> One really tiny point in detail 32.
>> Oh boy. >> Um, it's the same, right? Last year was $2,000 for clothing and uniforms and this year's it's $2,000. But on the left hand side it says add 10% for yearly increases. And we're not doing that.
I just happen to notice it. We can do whatever you want. 10% of $2,000 is not a lot, >> but it's just not on the first page updated. if you want to have >> Livia. whatever.
>> Yeah. The only the only change in operating that's significant is the is 026 which again is restorative >> and then 29Z is our budget credits that are coming in to offset uh revenue coming in from water
as fleet services the uh the water fleet in addition to the village fleet. Any questions on that part? >> No worry. We are good. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> I think if good, we're all good. >> We're gonna we're going to go to streets and we'll see if you have the same
opinion. So, are we adding people? I thought we weren't because it looks like it's a pretty high jump in in salary and wages. >> So the salaries and wages breakdown is on the next page. Um we are not adding any
bodies but we have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight employees on steps. >> Okay. So this is all contractual then just luck as a drop. There's a there's a every once in a while you have a year where you have a an array of employees
who hit steps all at one time and >> we're looking that at that in 2020 in 2026. Uh the other notable item is seasonal employees. Mhm. >> Um the budget offset that we apply to
seasonal employees from the snow trust is not applied to this line item as of yet as it was last year. So that's why you saw the adjustment downward for 2025 to 65,000. Uh temporary and seasonal right now are at 90. Bob and I had a meeting today at
three o'clock where we discussed how we want to allocate the the snow trust in light of the significant amount of snow that we've gotten and the lack of melting which has required us to work overnights this entire week uh past. So we will figure out what the allocation
would be to that line item, but right now it's that's why you see the increase from 65 to 90. >> Bob, how much is left in the trust? Like if we get another blizzard, we get to the end here, you'll see all the trusts and we'll do it then if that's okay.
>> Well, I'm just going to say again, you're everybody who works for you is always just represents you so well and I know that people can get very intense during these storms and um and with leaf collection, ditto that. So, thank you. It's it's really awesome. Um, you know,
sometimes I just think when the general public doesn't understand how much physical work is, it's our job to say thank you. >> So, I just want to talk a little bit about the the leaf collection and the overtime reflected in uh line 014. So, this year in the budget, we have a request for $200,000. Last year we
budgeted $110,000. Uh we modified it to 126, but if you look at the actual, the actual is almost 184. And this is a direct result of um some snow removal but primarily leaf
collection. Um and you know I get many phone calls from residents from village council members you know asking about the uh frequency of leaf collection and the sections that we need to get to. Mike and his team are working beyond
regular work hours. I think we start about 5:00 a.m. with the gear up during leaf collection. We're working essentially until it gets dark. Um, so those folks are all working beyond their regular workday, uh, which which requires the overtime compensation. And then we're also adding Saturdays in
there, uh, to try to stay ahead of it. So, just understand that, you know, to get that level of service and to try to get folks out there from daybreak to sunset and also work Saturdays. These are the numbers that we're looking at in order to provide that service and
continue to pick up leaves throughout the fall season. I don't know if you have anything you want to add to that, Mike. >> Everybody good? >> Well, I on salaries. Yes. >> Mike, I have a question with the the the leaf and this is more for the public watching. Occasionally, as Keith
mentioned, there's a lot of calls and people are like, we should put the leaves in the bags. If we did that, would that increase the cost or >> Probably Yeah, because the amount of Can you speak? >> Sorry. probably yes because of the amount of time for pickup processing and just the storage. I know we talked many
years ago about bagging everything um pallets and pallets of bags. We just don't have the capacity at the compost facility to handle all that as well. >> So it significantly increase the cost if we went to bagging. >> Uh I don't know about significantly but yeah I mean right now we just scoop them
up with the machine and we go and just keep going. put the bags for the guys >> here on and off the trucks and you know we we also don't have the amount of trucks to be able to do that garbage trucks anyway. >> Yeah, sorry. Garbage truck. >> I will also wanted to make that noted
for the public in case it when it comes up I should say this fall. So, thank you. >> It it's also an added expense to the homeowner and just to represent Rididgewood the public most people would see that as a decline in services. They take, you know, the the leaf, you know,
it's a very nice service. And so if you had to bag it, that burden would be transferred to the homeowner. And Richard doesn't love that. >> Two things that people are very sensitive about. Snow and leaves >> and trees. >> And trees. >> And trees. >> Three things. >> You might, if we stay here long enough,
you might get one or two things added to that list. >> So for other expenses, uh, other contractual services went up pretty high. >> Well, that's So 029, uh, this is another example of where the snow trust, uh, may be applied
depending on what the balance is in the trust fund. Um, in 2025, Bob, correct me if I'm wrong here. We budgeted two $200,000 for this. This is 29. >> Uh, and we applied 150,000 from the snow
trust. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So, >> so we balanced at 50. Yeah. So, that this is this is this is one that would get this one would uh >> see a reduction if we applied the uh the money from the trust. >> Okay. Where's the rest of I'm having
trouble. I mean, it's it's uh about a $250,000 jump and I see $100,000 there. Is the rest just I'm I'm having trouble seeing where the difference is between last year and this year other than that 100 grand. Which one is that, Evan? >> So, I'm just looking at other expenses
on this page. >> Uh materials and supplies >> seeing an increase. Last year, we budgeted 26. This year, they're requesting 40. And that's because we spent almost uh 43 over $43,000 last year. So, that's that's an adjustment
based on the cost of of those supplies and materials. >> We also had a $24,000 reduction in that line item last year. So there there's a restorative element to 030 as well. >> Okay, I think I see it now.
>> Can I ask about municipal services act? So, the Municipal Services Act is what is required for the municipality to reimburse a condo association uh for certain costs pertaining to snow
removal, street lighting. Um, is that all we do here? >> And garbage and garbage collection. Um although here we provide the garbage collection, so that wouldn't be a reimburseable expense. But for street lighting and snow removal, um depending on the agreement that's in place with
the uh with the townhouse association, uh we're responsible for reimbursing some of the expenses and that's state law. >> Was this one particular condo association or were there several? I just don't know of a lot of condos inwood.
>> No, we have a lot. >> Can I say their names? >> Well, I I because I don't know who it applies to, but if you if you'd like a list of who we reimburse, we can get that to you. Yeah. Well, >> okay. >> All right. >> Yep. Yep. >> I think that's actually processed
through the engineering division. So, >> from what I understand, it's processed through through engineering. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, if you could ask uh your office, James, to send a copy of that upstairs tomorrow. We'll we'll send it out to the council so they know exactly what the payables were for the last few
years. >> Right. So Olivia is pointing out that we don't do the calculation for the snow removal until the end of snow season. So that'll be reflective in that. >> So June this year, >> don't don't say that. Councilman,
any other questions on streets? >> Okay. And Mike, we'll do yard waste and then we'll do all your capital together. How's that? Okay. So, in yard waste recycling, um you'll see salaries and wages section. Um
that number has been dramatically reduced um because now we're down to one employee. Mike, >> correct? >> You want to just talk a little bit about that? Yeah, we have one one employee in uh recite or in Lake View. Um we used to have two in there. To have two there
every day was just a waste. So we removed one out of Lake View. Um so we're just down to one down there. If something needs to be filled in, we will bring a part-time employee in to help. >> And that's why you see the increase on 013 on the part-time salaries because we
we broke that down uh to be able to get more bodies down there. and you'll see the reduction um in the full-time salaries. Um and then overtime remains stagnant and um the delta is a few
thousand relative to the adjustment from full-time to part-time other expenses >> 29 is probably the most notable. >> So I I have a question about that. I'm looking at the
2025 modified. Oh, no. Sorry. 2025 actual was >> No. >> So, mayor, my question so mayor, I'll walk you through it. >> No, no, no, no. I got it. I got it. I
got it. I'm good. No, not necessary. I got it. It's good. >> Yeah. So, we didn't we didn't pay out in the full-time. We paid out in the part-time. >> Yep. Yep. You paid out. It was it was it was it was budgeted for two employees, >> right? >> We ended up at some point in the year with one employee and the balance was
was built to the part-time salary which was by view of this underfunded but it was actually funded in the full-time lineup. >> All right. So, let me look at this again. So, so our 2025 actual was 82 full-time, 61 part-time. So,
that's 143. And now we've taken away a full-time and our full-time and part-time together is 160. So how does that work?
How did we save money on that? Well, one, a healthcare package. Okay. And the way we did the calculation for the part-time um was based on the
number of bodies that Michael projects that he needs down there. Um and again, this is this it says part-time, but it's really more seasonal help, right, for that time of year when we're when we're doing the uh the yard waste. Um, so that 61 based on what we would need
to pay for a full complement of part-time employees this year to supplement the yard waist pickup. That's how we achieve that number of the of the 74. Okay. Any other questions on other expenses for yard waste?
Nope, it's actually a reduction. So, all right. And then Mike, on your capital, a couple requests here. Um, just find you. So, on the fleet side, you're looking for a crane service truck
in the amount of $38,000. And streets, you are looking to replace the street sweeper uh in the amount of 336,000. Do you want to talk about both of those? And then when it comes to the street sweeper, if you could focus on the uh D
requirements relative to that, that'd be great. >> Yes, we did switch the fleet from the service crane to the lift. >> That's inoperable. Um, so we do have to change that. >> So I have Wait, there's 38 for the service of the truck and 27 for the
gate. >> So let's just go back to the lift. So, we're swapping the crane for the lift. And the total for the lift is what, Mike? >> It was 42. >> 427 >> 47 >> 478. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. So, the the crane service truck would get bumped for the lift at the garage. >> Correct. >> And the lift cost would be 47,800. >> Correct. >> And then you want to talk a little bit about the sweeper? >> Yes. Um, so the current street sweeper
that we have is a 2014. Um, we found this year just before leaf season, the whole interior insides of it is rotted out. Um, I actually had a mechanic run it this year for leaf season just to make sure we made it
through the season. Uh, it's not going to make another season. We're looking about $90,000 in repairs and that's on a hope that we continue to keep going with it. Um, we did look at a gas or sorry, a diesel one
and an electric one. Um, demoed both of them. Our staff really like the electric one, but the cost uh of the electric one is 721749 compared to 335 >> for the diesel. And with the gas or sorry, with the electric, we're limited
to 10 hours. Um, with the 10 hours, that's no HBAC running, no lights running. It's 10 hours and that's it. And Michael, could you just run us through the D requirements relative to this machine? >> Yeah, so we have to sweep every street
at least a minimum of three years. I'm sorry, three times per year um in order to keep our tier rating with the D permits for the storm water collection. Um so we have that and also obviously leaf season they're used every day from 5:00 in the morning till 5:00 at night.
Sometimes you know 600 7 o'clock at night. Uh, but then it'll also go out for emergencies. When we're done with leave season, if there's an accident or somewhere in town, we have to clean up. We have to go take care of that, too. So, >> and Michael, how how do we exceed that three times per year? Generally
speaking, >> we do. Yeah, definitely. I would say probably at least every street gets swept leaf season three times. We probably hit every street six or seven times throughout the year. >> Throughout the year. Wow.
Any questions about either of those two requests? And just Mike, real quick, just so the council's aware, just update us on the the switch to the lift and how that came about and what that would get us if they were to fund that project. >> Yeah. So, shortly after we went through
the process at Capitol, um, one of the lifts stopped working. It's an underground frame lift that picks the police cars up, trucks up to 14,000 lbs. Uh when a mechanic was under it, it started dropping. >> Oh gosh. >> Till the safeties grabbed it. And we had
the service company come out and they said it's beyond repair. It's I think from the 19 early 1980s was when it was installed. And unfortunately, it's one of those ones that everything is underground. So, it's almost impossible to pick up on problems until they present themselves.
Uh and definitely need another lift because right now we're just down to one in our lower garage. that services most of the police vehicles >> and nobody's getting under that one. >> No, that's out of service. >> Yeah. >> Nope. I think it's time. >> Yeah.
>> Any other questions for uh Mr. Jonte? >> Thank you, Michael. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Great job with the snowtorm. >> Appreciate it. >> You and all of uh all the divisions under public works and parks. You guys did a great job. >> Okay, Mr. McGrath,
pivot to engineering. And then Bob's going to take us through the utilities budget, but we'll start with engineering. >> Uh I will say that I spent so much time with these gentlemen that I didn't even look at my own budget. So uh I'm going to ask for some assistance tonight.
>> So the one thing I'll say on salaries and wages and Olivia, feel free to jump in here. Um but with the retirement of Mr. Rutoushauser. Um, his total in the salary detail for each employee has been prrated.
Um, and Mr. McGrath has been added to that roster. So, I want to point that out. Um, I'll also just note to the council, um, when you look at line item 01Z,
which is the last line item in salaries and wages, there is a credit there. Um, that credit is due to the capital outlay that engineering puts into all of our capital projects. uh we do offset some of the salary number um with monies from
the capital bond ordinances because they support the engineering projects that our engineering our in-house engineering division are working on. So that's a a brief summary of the SNW budget moving. Any questions on that?
>> Yeah, I mean it's I'm focused on the overtime and the uncompensated time. That seems to be where we're getting killed here. What what is that? So Bob, do you want to speak to that? >> So the the um uncompensated time would be termination pay. >> Okay.
>> When someone leaves and someone that's been here for quite some time. >> Oh, when we since we had a senior employee leave, that's what borrowing them on the way out. >> Correct. >> Is that like sick leave or is that >> Yes, sir. Sick leave and vacation time. >> And is that not capped anymore? Is that was that grandfather? >> Depends on how long you've been here. Right.
>> So now it's capped at 15,000 if you were hired 20 years ago. >> Gotcha. So we're having the payout. >> So So as people retire, we reduce our uh our number of employees who are entitled to full payouts or or partial payouts rather than the 15,000 cap which is
state law. >> Right. But going forward, we have to honor what people were hired at, but going forward, we're not have to pay out six figures when people decide to retire. >> Correct. Correct. >> So most of that 105,000 was from the time when that employee was here before the $15,000 cap was instituted.
>> That's correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. And then um on the overtime line item, we did cut that last year by 20,000. That was one of the uh adjustments made before budget introduction in 2025. Um so that is a restorative cut. Um some
of those items in that line item are FE FEMA reimburseable. >> Um and we're still working on some of those. A matter of fact, we met with uh Yoan and James the other day to to talk that through. Um, but keep in mind that our engineering division does do oversight
of all our construction projects very often. The contractors out there beyond their regular workday. Um, and we have to, uh, we have to make provisions to make sure that we have the proper supervision during these projects. James, I don't know if you have anything else you want to add to that. >> No, I mean, uh, you know, we're here for
eight hours a day. Contractors in the summer are here for 10, 12 hours a day. And if we want proper oversight, one of our guys has to be out there. Unless we want that to change, but I don't think we want that to change. >> Nope. >> And I do have So, sorry, Keith. I do have some ideas that I would like to
discuss. >> Please, >> uh, at a meeting some other time. >> Just kicking around some some ideas. >> Sure. And >> new eyes, seeing new things. >> And by all means, if anyone has anything they want to talk about under other
expenses, um, it looks pretty flat. Glad to have that discussion, but as the councilman points out, it's it's relatively fat flat on the O and E side. >> Anybody else? >> Nope. >> Any questions? >> Nope. >> All right. And James, if you'll just
stay while we talk about utilities. Um, and Bob's going to walk us through that section. So on the utilities overall, uh it's uh slightly down, but there is some movement this year that uh we might be
able to reduce the petrol. Um our final bills have not come in from 2025. So that's going to go up a little bit. Um and I think when I worked with Chris on doing this, uh he's always cautious about the increase in gasoline and how that's moving. So, um, right now it's
stable, but I think for the most part, um, we have some latitude there to to work with. Um, all the other ones are pretty consistent with what we budgeted. >> U, so if there's any questions, I'd be happy to take one. >> Yeah, this whole budget for the first time since I've been with the village is
is relatively flat. We've seen some significant spikes on this spreadsheet in the first two years that I've been here and and even before that. Um, so this is one area that this is one bright side of of our budget picture this year is preparing for utility costs. >> No, see this is about as bad as it gets.
So yeah. >> Yeah. >> Any questions on that? >> Good. >> Nope. >> Okay. No. >> Um, Mayor Jeremy's scheduled next. He's not here yet. So we can move to 10 and below. We could take a break and pick up
when Jeremy arrives and then t take you through uh 10 through 17 which will be a relatively quick overview. >> Good. >> Take take a break or keep going? >> Take a break. >> I think it's a good time. >> Okay. >> Okay. Good. Cheetos
shedding like my sweater. >> Y >> and we're back. >> Okay, let me just do a roll call. Council member Mortimer, Deputy Mayor Perin here. Council member Weeds >> here. >> Um, Council Member Witherrad >> here and Mayor Vanas
>> here. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mayor, we're going to move on to emergency management. So, Director Kimman is with us tonight. >> Welcome, Jeremy. >> So, if you'll take a look at the salaries and wages section of the OEM
budget, um, essentially it's flat from last year to this year. Jumping into the other expenses category. Um Jeremy, you want to take us through the highlights on that one there? >> Yeah, that's
he's he's he's going to throw this ball right back across the room right now. So, I I'll speak to 023. So 023 since I arrived here and was absolutely incredibly impressed with the OEM
handbook that Jeremy created a number of years ago and has subsequently updated. Uh that is a resource for residents. Each year that we've put the budget together, we've had a conversation about printing those books and mailing them to
each residential household in the village. Um this is a want, not a need. Um, but I asked Jeremy and Bob to include this in here until we have a full assessment of where we are relative to the appropriations cap, understanding
that if this doesn't make the cut, it will be it will be drawn out and we'll take a look at it for next year. >> What's in that document? >> Oh, it's a it's the most comprehensive residential um office of emergency management plan I've ever seen. So, Jeremy, you want to speak to that a little bit?
>> Yeah, sure. It's basically a um uh you know, emergency preparedness 101 handbook for residents, right? And so it's got all kinds of information in it. Um uh what you need to do if you um if you should shelter in place, um if you
need to uh put together a grab-and-go kit because you need to evacuate in the case of a disaster, what should be in it? uh all kinds of information on weather emergencies. Uh if there's a power outage, what to do, you know, don't uh you know, put a put a generator, you know, indoors in your
garage, you know, all this kind of stuff, as well as um uh resources um you know, links and phone numbers for for FEMA, the Red Cross, PSNG, all this kind of stuff. So, it's a it's a nice sort of color glossy handbook um for residents.
It's it's 28 pages long. Um it is it is published on the website. We've had Carol include it in the weekly update from time to time throughout the year. Um I'll send the council members an email with a link to it so you can take a look at it. And again, it it's
something that I I have always hoped to do um since coming to Ridgewood. I'm not sure that depending on budget we'll be able to do it, but I wanted to include it in here. >> We we we did print uh hard copies of it several years ago. we may still have some uh and we had
financial support from uh I think the access group at at that time if I remember correctly um or some external group um and we made them available you know in the lobby of village hall or people requested them this kind of thing but we never did like a mass mailing to
to every resident I I like the idea of giving it to residents my concern is if we just mail it out how many people might not realize what they throw it away so I'd I'd like to keep maybe that we work with Carol to figure out a way to to launch it so people expect it and
understand its worth before we would mail it out. >> Yeah. As I said, we we we've sent this out a number of times um in the in the weekly update. Um you know, we can certainly continue to do that. >> No, no. I'm just saying like we print the print copies. >> Oh, you're saying warn them that it's
coming, >> right? like and just so they understand the importance of it because what you're saying is great like especially to have numbers and if you're going to shelter in place what to do. Um and I I it's it's kind of like the old thing that if you give something away for free it's not as valuable as if you charge a
couple dollars for it then people see the value and I'm not suggesting we charge for it but if we could do something that kind of >> a campaign to to build up you know people aware that it's going to be coming. What what is the plan f first of all, how many copies are we looking at and what's the plan for distribution?
>> So, I don't have the exact number of residential households in front of me, but Carol >> got the quote for Jeremy for the budget. So, it would go to every residential household. >> So, for 11 >> and it would be and it would be mailed. >> That seems light. >> So, for $11,000, this is going to go to
8,000 households. >> She she did the math. Yeah. And based on the based on the calendar, it's probably it's probably comparable to to the size of the size. Yeah. >> And you're gonna I mean, the plan is to mail them. >> I'm just I'm just curious because I didn't think you could do that for $11,000.
>> Yes. >> So, without making it like too much of a work session, I I think the idea of it's great. I I think we could amp it up and the awareness in different ways. I think we should focus, Keith, on getting it out to the residential flood advisory committee. That'd be like a good target
audience. I also had a discussion with Carol about communications that I think we need to do not in a critical way a better job with new like a new resident would find this very interesting. So we were talking about you know some partnership with the real estate broker. So, I love the concept. To Frank's
point, I think a lot of longevity people wouldn't be as interested unless you're in the flood zone. But I think if we could start by circulating it with some of the people like residential flood should definitely have a copy of this probably Green Ridgewood as well, Pam, because flooding is probably a big emergency that at least I
>> worry about part of the campaign. Like that's what I'm saying. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Have a plan as opposed to just >> I just I just shared the link with the full council by email. So, if you want to share it with your respective committees, I think that's that's a great start to this. >> I I think Carol can spend a few newsletters um amping this thing up so
that when so that when it arrives, people are looking for it. >> And the other thing is, >> and again, this is all contingent upon where we are with the appropriations cap, whether this even makes the >> makes the budget or makes the cutting room floor. So, >> well, again, just even if it even if we had all the money, I think the print
it's a great idea. It's a lot and it does seem kind of light. you know, like political mailers are a big bulk of everyone's campaign. That's like a great price for sending a lot of mail out. Um, but I think there's other ways to do it. I'd love to be helpful in helping. And I think the environmental groups are good
places to start. Particularly, we do now, this year is the first year we've had a residential flood advisory committee. So those people on those committees have access to the people in their neighborhoods that are most likely to be affected, which is like great direct access. Let's hope it makes the
cut and let's hope that this number is right >> and and even if it makes the cut, we can still amplify it online. >> Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. >> And then moving down the list, 029 and 030 are both restorative cuts. Um we
made some moderate cuts there last year and um looking to try to restore those to prior year funding levels. Um and again we'll we'll see as we uh as we refine this thing. >> Jeremy, you have anything you want to
add on those two? >> Yeah, so um >> yeah, they are both restorative. Um 030 in particular that was completely zeroed out uh after the budget was passed last year. Um so that was um that that was
problematic for us because materials and supplies is sort of like the main you know category. We need to buy equipment, we need to buy supplies, etc. Um so yeah, those are restorative. So they look like they're huge jumps, but they're really not. That kind of puts us back to where we were in last year's
request. And I was very judicious this year. Um very very conscious of um you know, keeping everything flat. So um where I needed to increase um uh an account for one reason or another I cut somewhere else. So um
uh you know you'll see for example you know 036 not a big point office supplies but you know cut that a little bit. Um training is uh restorative as well. Um and I'm requesting actually slightly
less than last year. Um, and the other the other items are are essentially flat. The one thing I will comment on is 098 miscellaneous. That's a plug item we usually have for um things like if we have, you know, a a declared state of
emergency and we have and we have to, you know, either buy supplies or food provisions, whatever for village employees. Um, and over the years, you know, you can see two years ago it was 1,500. Last year was a,000. This year
2,000. I can tell you that as of yesterday, because I just received the last invoice from last week's storm, we've already blown through that um and spent $2,132.75 to feed um people from streets and safe
and so on. So that's, you know, that's already spent. Um but uh so that looks like it's a little bit of a jump from last year. >> Um but it's you know we >> we're already in the red on it. >> We're already in the red. I mean look, you can't you can't predict, you know, hopefully we we never need to use that.
But you know what? If we have one more snowstorm, we have, you know, a hurricane in the fall and we have a flooding event in the summer and extended operational periods and people are, you know, need to be fed. >> That's I'm going to be coming back to you asking for an e If we're already
over in February, maybe we should add something to that. And again, I I nobody wants to, but it looks like there's a decent chance we'll be further over than $132.
So, I leave that to administration. >> Understood. Any other questions for Jeremy on the operating budget? Um the other issue or the other item is the capital budget. Um we had slated in here
120,000 for the EOC. I know Jeremy you were waiting for a proposal. >> Um yes. Yeah, we have the proposal uh from the architect. So um >> that see >> that appropriation would would round
out. So, so based on the proposal that you received from the architect, because that was last, that's where we left it off with the council discussions last time. This plus last year's capital appropriation would get you to where you need to be. >> Correct. Okay. >> What is EFC? >> Emergency operations. >> The emergency operations center on Douglas Place.
>> Thank you. >> Remind me what are we doing? I know we're taking walls down and stuff. >> Jerry, you want to give a description of what the architect proposed? >> Yeah. Yeah. Nothing really structural. We're taking taking walls down. So, in the front of that building, um there's an operations room. There a few offices.
There's there's a a cart or Yeah. We're going to take rip all that out. Uh wall that off and basically have one big secure room that will do double duty as emergency operations center. Um it could also be used for, you know, for a
training uh room, really a multi-purpose room similar to the conference room in the police department. >> Um but it'll be bigger and it'll be uh it'll be secure. Um and then um the other piece of it is since we're losing
um the offices, the office space, we're going to move that to another section in the back of the building um and and build out some some offices. It's really just framing out some walls. So no major structural um uh changes. Um but this um
will include uh the the preliminary pricing we have will include all the technology that's going to be required. So, it's going to be, you know, computers, you know, moving radio equipment, uh, you know, flat screens, um, so we can run an event from inside
the home. >> Good. Other questions? Questions for Jeremy? All right. Thanks, Joe. >> Thank you, Jeremy. >> Thanks, Jeremy. >> Thank you all. um in the middle of um of
uh um binging on Yellowstone. So quickly so I can get get back to it. >> Make sure you go to the prequils after you're done with Yellowstone. Okay. >> 1883 >> 1923. >> Yep.
actually cowboys last week. >> Was that under the miscellaneous? >> Have a good night, Jeremy. >> So, mayor, as I I think I've mentioned to all the council members at one point or another individually, uh this capital
budget um is a work in progress to say the least. Uh just to give you a few milestone dates, uh tomorrow morning at 10:00, the second round of bids will come in and be opened by the engineering
department for the Shedler project uh for the soil remediation. Uh so more to come on the result of that bid. And then on Wednesday morning, uh we will be meeting with all of the department heads uh to sift through all the many requests
that they made during this uh string of budget hearings where they made individual requests for capital appropriations for each of their respective departments or divisions. Um, so I'm hoping that through the next day or two, uh, we'll be able to refine the
priorities of each of the department directors and the division supervisors. Um, and we'll be able to recommend a full capital budget uh to you a week from tonight at the budget meeting on February 9th. That is our intention. So, we'll go through we'll have a
recommendation for you. will go through each item uh talk through the merits of it, talk through what the discussion was on Wednesday morning in addition to how it's affected um by anything that we need to do at Shedler and then we will move forward from there as it pertains to the capital funding. Bob, you have
anything you want to add on that? >> Our attempt to keep keep this at 7.5 million dollars where possible. Um but we still have some carryovers from last year that are going to impact what we have for this year. Um, all the departments know where we're we're we're going with this, so they're
all on board. >> Thank you. I know I know it's a tough capital year. >> Absolutely. So, the next item on the agenda is debt service. Um and while Bob and his team in finance are finalizing uh the debt service calculations for the
2026 budget, um he can give you a brief synopsis as to where we are relative to bonds and interest and short-term um preliminary information about bonds and bond interest and short-term notes and where we stand on that. Bob,
>> sure. So, debt service is up a little over 10% this year. That's a result of two sales that we had um in 2025. One was for bonds um and the debt service on the bonds did not kick in until this year and the other was for
notes and the um we have about $25 million in notes that uh we're paying interest on for this year. So uh that's the reason for the increase in the interest number um on the bond anticipation notes. and what's our
process for the rest of the week uh to get us where we need to be to make a final presentation on that for Monday. >> So, so we're going to I'll fine-tune um exactly the comparison over the last three years for example uh just to see
where we are and what our projections going forward. >> Any questions on that? >> Sounds like more to come. Next is next item is deferred charges, statutory expenditures and shared service agreements. And I believe there was a spreadsheet that was provided to
you uh which outlines the shared services agreements that we have. So I'll let Bob handle that as well. >> Right. So, >> which are we doing first? >> So, we um shared services.
>> Okay. >> So, under the shared services, I broke it down between uh what we're receiving under these agreements and what we're paying out. Uh so a total for the year for 2025 we received $336,000 under shared services and that would be
uh health the um um police the board of education water utilities special assessment that's it's a an animal of its own and uh tax assessor and public works is what's what we're estimating for this
year and the payout that we had last year was approximately million The big chunk of that was the consolidated dispatch of over 800,000. >> The other the next column on the right is uh what we've paid relative to shared services to other communities or
government agencies. >> So on m Municipal Court we pay Glenrock 57,000. The North Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority is 28,06 and the SE Valley Sewer Commission is
89,000. >> Just out of curiosity, I thought that it was our municipal court and they paid us. No, >> no. >> Dave fund is the judge. >> Judge is different. This is for the
staff. >> So the the pay is Glen Rock. and we contribute as does Wyoff, >> right? >> Um it is somewhat convoluted because who compensates what employee um doesn't
necessarily align with where that employee sits for a full workday. Um but um you know, we re revisited this last year. It still makes financial sense than each of the three municipalities having their own uh municipal court. um
it it makes financial sense to do this and the 57292 is is primarily to cover uh salaries of employees who work for the other agencies. >> So there are three judges for the three towns. >> There are the same judge and prosecutor
sit in Glenrock. A different judge and a different prosecutor sit in the the judge and the and the prosecutor don't pertain to the agreement. This is strictly the administrative office of the courts. >> No, I'm just curious. >> And and the public defender
>> is fun the judge in any other municipalities. >> And Mark Pharaoh's in Glenrock as well as the prosecutor. >> Got it. Now, now I I'm beginning to understand. >> Uh Whiteoff has a different judge and a different prosecutor. >> Got it. >> All right.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Any questions on shared services? Any other things? No. Okay. Um revenues in the current fund. Um we are in the the final stretch
of finalizing um our revenues from 2025 and determining how they are going to apply to 2026. Uh but one area I do want to focus on tonight um are insurance costs. So, if you would move to the insurance section
of the budget and obviously this is significantly impactful heading into this year's budget um in light of the introduction of the difference card and how this pertains to our health insurance and our group insurance rates.
What I can tell you just in synopsis and then I'll I'll have Bob take you a little further through. Um, but if you go down to the section entitled group insurance, >> uh, it is page four. >> Oh, on the PDF.
>> Wait, I'm lost. >> Oh, >> yep. Okay. >> Okay. >> Was this Was this in the doc in the docu in the section of documents you supplemented us with? >> Intend assurance. >> You got it tonight. Yeah, it was on the desk tonight.
>> Okay. >> Do you want >> Okay. So, just a few highlights here. Um, first, it should be noted that if the village did nothing as it pertains to group health insurance and we stayed with the majority of our employees on
direct 10, uh, which is essentially the premium plan with state health benefits. um balance of them on on the um on the ETNA plan. Um we would have seen an increase of $3 million between last year's state health
benefits costs to this year's state health benefits plan costs. So, introducing the difference card, which we ran a sprint back in October, uh, trying to introduce the concept to our employees and having them make
essentially a snap decision in probably a two-eek period before Halloween. um 178 of our employees moved over uh to the high deductible plan uh tied to the
difference card which covers all of their out-ofpocket catees and deductibles. Um and by doing that we were able to bring that increase down from 3 million to 1.1 million. And I think when we were
having discussions about this and we spoke to the council about it, um Brown and Brown, our risk manager, estimated about a $900,000 increase. Uh the reason it's 1.1 is there's a $162,000
administration fee that we pay to the difference card to administer their services and also uh be a support system for our employees. So, between 8:00 in the morning and 11:00 at night, Monday through Friday, if an employee has an issue that they need support on in
paying a doctor's bill or checking with Horizon or checking with Etna with regard to um what their coverage amounts are and how the difference card can be utilized, they have that embedded support and that's what constitutes the administrative fee in addition to
processing all the payments that go uh through the difference card for either out-ofpocket expenses, co-pays, or deductibles. So that's how we got to that number. What I think is very important and if you look at item uh line item 154, which is the retiree premiums, the difference
card does not pertain to retirees. Um we've opened up some discussion. Um it it is not common place in municipal government for the difference card to cover retirees um because they're scattered all over
the place. Um and it's hard to manage people who are not reporting to work every day and who you have a level of accountability with. Um so you will notice that for our retiree premiums there was a 32.1% increase between last year and this year
and that's not something that we could affectuate during the open enrollment period last year. So, I just wanted to highlight a few of those things and Bob, if you have anything to add on the insurance costs, uh, feel free >> just to go through the other uh, two
items here on this on the summary sheet. >> Actually, can I ask about this, but before we're going to move on? Sure. So, Keith, I'm I'm just not quite following. So, uh, modified 2025 budget was 7.5. This year it's 10. So, that's an increase of two and a half million.
So again the the libraries um libraries broken out separately. Um this keep in mind it does not include uh dental does not include vision. >> Um >> and then retire
>> and then the retiree premiums are the big spike. You're going from three million up to four million. Million dollar increase just in the retirees. >> Just retirees. >> Yeah. So, we're going up $2 and half million dollars overall on insurance. >> And it could have been worse. >> Yeah, that's my question. How much? >> It would have it would have been worse.
>> Another $2 million. >> Another two millions on top of the two and a half we're already paying. >> Correct. >> Could we get the retirees to sign up for the distance difference card? >> It's it's it's going to it right now the answer is no. Now, what we what we are looking to do is keep in mind some
retirees uh depending on terms of service are not eligible for lifetime health benefits. So that number does over time dwindle. Um but the issue is is your current retirees or those who are close to retirement who will be afforded after 20 three years of service
to the village 25 years of service in the system. You know they they would be eligible. U but right now the difference card really can't be extended to the retirey program. >> And is there any any talk of assistance from Trenton coming on fixing this this disaster? >> Listen I'm hearing all kinds of rumors
coming from Trenton. I heard that, you know, the they're only going to hold the rate until June 30th. I have no idea what that means for the second half of the year and none of us have a crystal ball to predict that. Um the other thing that I've heard is is that the um the if the rates change in June or in July, I
should say, they may offer a spring open enrollment, which is completely unique. Um so really at this point, we don't have any new direction from where the state's going to go. I think the new administration's taking hold down there and hopefully by the spring we'll have some better idea if there is any type of
course correction when it comes to state health benefits going into next year. >> Yeah. Listen, I mean regardless if you're a Democrat or Republican or whatever, this is just a colossal mismanagement. I mean, the fact that we're celebrating only $2 and a half more million dollars for the same insurance that we're giving to our people now and and I give you all the
credit in the world for mitigating that with the difference card. This is unconscionable. Um, you know, so much is talked about the rising cost of energy. nobody's paying attention to stuff like this because it it you know it goes into the back door for what we're going to have to charge our assistance on taxes. Um it's really abhorentt.
>> Yeah. The the trouble with this is is I I think they realize down at the state that the bubble's going to burst if they don't make some significant changes to this. So while it might might not be in the headlines, um I I think there's certainly an urgency to this. I think I
circulated an article out of the League of Municipalities magazine last week uh to the members of the council uh just so you could see what one of our my fellow administrators in Oakland uh wrote about this topic. >> Um but they're going to have to do something. I mean the the issue is that
during the last increase which you all experienced back in 2023 before I I arrived here I think there was a 23% increase >> that year. And what happened was a lot of the um municipalities and other government agencies who were in state
health benefits at that time and had decent claims history. >> They got out then. >> Yeah. They fled. They got a better deal and they went they went they went to you know health insurance funds. Some of them became self-funded. They had the they had the capital to be able to do
that. And what it left were municipalities with you know mediocre which is where we are. We have, you know, decent but not terrible um claims data to poor claims data from other government agencies and you have this
pool of um of an unhealthy fund high of high-risisk uh enroles and that's and that's where we are and where now where we are is health insurance funds group health insurance funds in North Jersey aren't even looking at taking in new
folks because of the of the uh claims data. Um, and it it's a very tough situation, but I I I think Trenton does realize that the b the bubble is going to burst and they're going to have to make some decisions in the next few months about how this is going to move on. >> Well, I'd certainly encourage you to
redouble any efforts we can in that regard. The fact that we're fighting with some of our people over a $200,000, $300,000 truck and we've got a $2.5 million again could have been $4.5 million increase that we basically just have to take because we've got to give healthcare to our people. Again, this
should this should fire people up. This should get if people are watching this, they should be angry at this and it gets very little attention and really just again I'll get off my high horse in a second. It just bothers me to no end. Any other questions on health?
>> I will emphasize Evan's point that that the administration did a an incredible job when things were looking very dire to come up with this wonderfully creative solution that by
the way does not diminish the coverage or out-of- pocket expenses of our staff. So I think that's terrific and I am hopeful and look this is a this is a national issue. I mean it's you know the federal government has had major issues
with this. So this isn't Ridgewood or New Jersey centric. It's everywhere. >> Meanwhile I am hopeful that look I thought I think you guys did a great job getting 178 employees signed up in two weeks. And >> I am really hopeful I'm sorry. I'm
really hopeful that by next year if nothing else changes >> that that number increases dramatically and and and I I will tell you this. I mean it was a three-week runway. It was not an easy task. But it wasn't just us.
the buyin that we received from the union leadership. Um because you know municipalities have tried this before this 36 and a half% increase and the unions you know put their hand up and said thank you but no thank you. But,
you know, when the 36 12% increase was hitting the employee contributions just as hard as it was going to hit the municipal budget, um it caught attention and and to the union leadership, you know, throughout the village. We have seven collective bargaining units. Um
all of them were on board. Um and I have to say the FMA was on board. Even before this became a thing, they were advocating. >> Well, that's because this saves them money, too. >> Absolutely. It saves them saves them money. >> Saves their chapter 78 costs 100%. So again, credit to the staff and and and
Bob and his team who really helped facilitate this, but uh we we owe some thanks to to the union officials in the seven bargaining units here in Ridgewood because they were on board and and willing to uh to make this happen with us. >> I just want to echo the obvious and say that within our control, we could still
onboard more like as an inspiration. We could we also have the library which is an opportunity for us. And I just also want to say to Paul and everybody in the wellness challenge. Those are great things, too. The healthier and happier our staff is, the better it is for these health care costs. So, thank you to Dawn
and everybody. And, you know, outside of what occurs at the state level, I I still think there's more room here and more opportunity. And that also comes with lots of gratitude for the what you saved us this year. But um those programs are really beneficial and most especially to our staff because you know
things that you guys have done in terms of wellness really matter when people come to work and clearly you're all working here so hopefully they're meaningful to you. But Dawn did a really good job with it. >> Look at and and that that is Dawn and her team and I was grateful that they in just included me in their effort. But
look at the end of the day wellness saves a lot more than money. So we're good. Let's go. So, I think Bob wants to take you through the other summary sheets um on the other insurance and on the workman's comp. >> So, the other insurance is about a 5%
increase over the prior year. The big >> I'm sorry. >> Uh this is the this is the uh insurance summary and it's other insurance. >> The second page behind that is other insurance. You good? >> So the other insurance is up about 5%
over last year. That's primarily from uh increase in the joint insurance fund 7% overall. So uh that gets you to the million230. And then the last one is the uh workers comp insurance. Um, that's slightly down
from last year. Good thing. So, that's down about 7% from last year. Questions? Anybody? Good. >> Okay. Um, the next is the uh salary accumulated leave.
>> Yes. So, that's part of the trust. >> Okay. So, actually uh we'll skip that until we get down to 17. um staffing levels. Um as we talked about throughout these budget hearings, um the there is only a net increase of three part-time
positions uh between last year and this year, and those are accounted for uh with the discussion we had at the last council meeting uh where we're adding three employees uh to the community center um as part of the agreement that we have with Rich Crest uh to provide the upgrades to the uh to the lower
level of this building. Um, and again, I just want to stress to the council, um, that I've had conversations with every director with regard to onboarding new employees. Um, they are going to need to justify that the new employee, as we talked about with the parks department,
um, is going to need to be full-time. Um, and if there is an opportunity to go to full-time to part-time in light of the fact that we will not have to provide health benefits to those individuals, um, we are certainly going to have those conversations as we scrutinize each and every hire. um from here forward. Thank you for that and I
do again continue to support the three new heads for three new people um for the senior setting given the grant money we're get that's a good investment but I I want to just echo what you said given the conversation we just had over healthcare that certainly as we have people that leave and again I'm not saying push people as we have people
leave there be some very serious discussions about whether we need to backfill that person or if we can find creative ways to cover that person's responsibility and if we do need to cover them can we do with a part-timer to avoid some of these really really awful costs that we're having to incur. Well, I would just remind everyone watching, the population of the village
has stayed fairly stable over the last few years. So, it's hard for me to understand why we'd have to add people. So, I'm happy to hear that we're staying static because that to me sounds right. >> So, when the community center agreement first came to the table, there was ample discussion about the need for one of
those three employees to be full-time. and we held the line and we talked to Nancy and we we talked to Gwen and when they went back and they had further conversation with Rididgerest, you know, we explained the challenges that we're having here and we're able to to move
that to three part-time positions rather than one full-time position and two part-time positions. So, that's that's the direction that we're heading in when it comes to this. >> Glad to hear me. >> Um surplus and current fun. Also, I just want to say like clearly we don't want Head Kent to get out of control, but some of the positions as we've seen
really do warrant full-time employees like specialties. When I first came on here, we were low on police, which the public did not like. Um, so I'm feeling good about the levels, but I also feel that um in parks, we still have some
specialty positions empty. And I do want to say with the three part- timerrs, that was from the rally cry from our commitment to aging in place. and I'm happy they're part-time, but you know, we really as we begin to do more, we need people and often what we want to do
to complete our initiatives are special special positions. Um, so I hope we get our headcount filled, particularly in parks. I know trees is suffering right now. I'd love to see that and I don't think it's the worst thing to on board. You know, when someone leaves quite
often they need to be replaced, police, fire, and we saw that. You know, we were down police when we first got here. So, I I just want to say that I'm fully supportive of the plan. I appreciate the flatness, but I think we need to be realistic with the public that we can't take a specialty position and make it
part-time, especially when it's set vacant for like two years. >> And then the last uh item is trust fund balances. So, Bob's going to run us through uh each of those. So we put together the activity for the
trust funds between 123124 and 123125. Uh there are some funds in here uh trust funds that are uh critical to how we budget. So for example the recycling trust, storm recovery and terminal leave
all may impact how we budget this year. Um we've for in the um storm recovery we have a balance of 1231 but obviously we're eating into that with the way we've proceeded so far through January. So that's going to impact the amount of
trust that may be available to help us support the budget. The same goes for recycling and for um terminal leave. Any questions on the activity or or what the trust represents? So, as I mentioned earlier in the meeting when we were talking about the
snow trust and this also goes back to the prior budget meeting we were talking about um expenses for affordable housing. Um that last line item there um we have a pretty healthy surplus when it comes to affordable housing. Some of our professional services will be build to
that rather than to the current fund. Um so that is an adjustment that we will need to make in the budget as we put the final document together. Um, again, as we talk to public works and we start to make some decisions about how we're going to apply uh the storm recovery,
aka the snow trust, uh, to this year's budget, just in light of what we've dealt with this year. And I think there's a lot of uncertainty based on the temperatures of, you know, what we're going to be dealing with between now and April 1st when it comes to snow. We're going to have to make some thoughtful decisions about that. And then with regard to the recycling trust,
as you can see, that number is down by about $30,000 um from the end of 2024. And we're going to have to be um somewhat prudent about how we uh allocate those funds moving forward u and we apply them to this year's uh
budget plan to be introduced on February 11th. >> So I have just some general lowlying questions if if it's I don't know how we would move it from the wellness festival. we haven't had in a while. Um, and we have like just adding it all up,
you have what 16 is it across $16,000 there. And is there any way we could move some of that more into action? Um, Ditto, Project Pride, um, Cashaw is carrying $40,000. You know, we can can we offset operating with any of that?
>> Yes, we can. >> Okay. So, is there a reason why like cash would carry 47 thou $40,000 in a trust? Is it earmarked for something? >> It's it's not earmarked, but specifically the reason it goes into the trust is because there's been a
limitation put on it and it's reserved for a specific purpose. >> Okay. >> So, as money went into it for whatever reason, it was used to pay bills that are associated with it. >> Right. Like a donation for to paint. >> Correct. Correct. >> Do we know how many earmarks there are
for that? Um if there if there were ear marks, we single them out. So >> the cash show is is pretty general. >> Yeah, cash show is pretty high. And then Paul from wellness, there's money. I I'm just saying we could use some of that to offset some operating because those are
still two general operating. I mean, Project Pride, I'll write you about. We could probably move that to um I get it if it's restricted. I'm going to I'm going to email you about some of these. I don't know. You guys should look at some of these and see what committees you have. But I'm assuming,
Paul, that wellness festival is a carryover from when we used to do the thing in the park. >> Yeah. >> And maybe you could use it to offset some of the operating expenses you had. And ditto Evan, you you can look into your donations, but that's high.
I think that um the wellness festival, the wellness um initiative was expanded significantly this year and some of the things that we wanted to do didn't catch up to where we were.
Whereas next year seeing the growth um we'll be able to better plan for an expanded wellness program. And I think that's a very good point. So we we'll be able to use it next year or at least some portion of it.
>> And then with the trust, my last question is am I correct in next year the open space trust will double effectively if we don't allocate any of it >> more than so it'll go up >> to close to nine next year, right? Because we'll bring in six effectively.
>> Correct. >> That's Well, that's exciting you guys. >> Yes. >> Yes. Thank you, Frank. That's very exciting. What are FTA fines? >> Which one? >> What are FTA fines? >> They're from the bottom.
>> Municipal court fines. >> They're they're dedicated from DWI. >> Look, maybe we'll get some garland throughout town. It's like found. >> Any other questions on the trust fund? No. >> Everybody good? >> So, mayor, our our next meeting again on
the budget is a week from tonight, Monday, February 9th, 5:00 pm start. Um Heather, if you would uh on that agenda in addition to um final capital and the overall tax rate. Um if we could have a line item on the agenda for revenues and
current fund. Um and you can actually combine that with sur revenue surplus and current fund. um in addition to sifting through the final capital budget recommendations which again we'll have a better handle on by weekend um and then discussing the overall tax rate as we
get to introduce the 2026 budget hopefully on February 11th questions anybody I think we're good let's go back to public comment Dylan do we have anybody
We have none. >> Seeing no public comment, we'll close public comment and entertain entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Let's go.