Hi, Bob. >> Good evening. >> We're not ready yet. Um, Council Member Winterrad is handing out candy. So, >> does she make house calls? >> I'm sure she would.
>> We all good? >> Let's begin. Good evening. This is the village council special public budget meeting. The date is January 26th, 2026. The time is 5:07 p.m. Adequate notice of this meeting has
been provided by posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, the record, and by submission to all persons entitled the same as provided by law of a schedule, including the date and time of this meeting. Roll call. >> Council member Mortimer
>> here. >> Deputy Mayor Perin. Council member Whites >> here. >> Council member Winterrad >> here. >> Mayor Vaganos >> here. Will you all please join us in a salute to our flag?
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And before we go to public comment, I
just want to take a moment to thank the staff of the village of Ridgewood. Um, everybody who was able to drive a snowplow was out. It It was an all hands on deck
moment and I am so impressed with the work that they did. Um, every one of these people worked in excess of 24 hours straight, grabbing catnaps and sleeping at village offices in between
so that they could continue to get the job started. We still have a ways to go, but many of us have toured the downtown, the streets. Um, we thought they did a fabulous job. For those of you who were less than
impressed, we apologize. But just know that every single person who worked for us, who was able to drive a snowplow, did so for a period of in
excess of 24 hours. And so while there's lots more work to do and please let us know some places that we may have missed um because we we need to know um I just want everyone to understand that while they are
contractually uh employed to clear the snow in the event of these kinds of events. They're not contractually employed to do it for 24 hours. So these people went above and beyond
the call of duty. Fortunately, we do not get these kinds of snow events uh on a regular basis. Um but they will be working through the night at least until this weekend. So while we
are resting, they will be away from their families. So um let's >> Mayor, I'd like to tag in on that. >> You certainly may. Because what I think is always important to note is that in Ridgewood there's over a 100 miles of road. So while we may be thinking of just our street to consider how large
our village is, it's even more impressive that they've been doing the great job that they did. Yep. Yep. So um again, we're all grateful to them because we will be able to function well. And while many of the stores in the downtown were unable to open, our
people were out there. So again, thanks so much. And now let's go to public comment. We have I know we have one person who is trying to raise their hand and loving who texted me. Can you find her? If not, I will put her through on my cell phone.
>> And no one is >> Hold on. I'll tell you in just a moment. >> Just the last four digits, Paul. >> 8017. Thank you. And please unmute do the cell phone thing. >> Yeah, we'll do it on the cell phone. Hello.
>> Good evening, Ann. We're having some technical difficulties, but I've got you on my speaker phone. Uh I know you were trying to raise your hand. My apologies that it did not work out, but um I've got you on on speaker phone by the microphone. So, um >> Well, thank you very much. But this is
this is Nancy Brennan Hill. >> Whoops. >> Yeah, that's okay. Ann has my phone and she just went two rooms away so that we wouldn't get feedback. Okay, Nancy got it because I Yeah. So So do you both have a comment to make?
>> Yes, we do. Excellent. I wanted about trees >> and I wanted to say thank you for the last few years that we put in more trees than uh we had for decades. I want to say last year we didn't do as many trees
as I would have liked. We only put in 120 and that was because we waited for people to request trees and I suspect people didn't realize that they had to request them. They assumed that if we took one out, we'd put one in. So, I
think it would be a lot smarter if we go to the policy of if we cut one down, we put one in. Not that we're forcing trees on anybody. We can leave a little door hanger that says something like um you know you're due to get a lovely tree. If for any reason you don't want it, call
uh village of Ridgewood blah blah blah. So I think that would take care of that kind of a shortfall happening again. Um I'd also like to request that you seriously think about the 250 trees for
250 anniversary. And I know they can't all go on the street, but they don't have to. We've got parks and all kinds of lovely places where we can put these trees. So, um, that's all I have to say. Is it easier if I hand my phone to Ann so we
don't have to worry about technical difficulties? >> That works terrific. >> Okay. >> Do you want to see if they do want to see? >> Good evening. This is Ann Loving. >> Good evening, Ann. >> Thank you for working this out that we could speak. Um, I want to say that um
when I mentioned this at the budget meeting last week about the 250 trees, Councilwoman Winterrad then replied that there wasn't enough room in the street and this and that. I don't care where the trees go. I don't care if they're in
parks, if they're on the street strip. I don't care where. I just definitely think that there needs to be 250 trees, not saplings, planted in honor of the anniversary of our country. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Ann. Do we know if we have anybody else six to speak? when when you unmute them on the phone. >> Sorry, Paul. I just want to make sure we have it and we can call Nancy back. >> When I choose somebody, it sends them a message to let them know. Hit star six
to unmute. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Maybe we maybe because we're on the phone, we just announce that when it's a phone number, press star six to unmute yourself. >> Say it. >> Okay. Well, >> so just Nancy, if if you call in again
um at final public comment, if you want to stay on for a little test, we could do star six and then do you want me to just respond to some of that? >> Uh let's wait till we close public comment. >> Um Dylan, do we know if we have anybody else?
>> We have nobody else >> here. I'm going to I'm going to do what I always do, which is I'm going to hand I'm going to say what my cell phone number is. If anybody's trying to get through, uh, my apologies for any technical difficulties we're having. If you're trying to raise your hand, my cell number, and you can reach, you can
reach us here and and we will hear your public comment, is 20155 6465. That's 20155 6465. We're going to give it a minute to see
if anybody calls in. >> Should we go out and make snow angels while we're waiting for? >> We can do that. >> Hey Keith, I know where we're waiting. We have at least one of your managers that may have some other pressing matters to attend to. Are we bumping her to the front? Uh,
>> we have to keep public comment open. >> I know we're waiting. So, I'm saying after >> I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm going to shut it down now. Um, seeing no one, I'm going to close public comment. Does anybody like would anybody like to respond to either of the two commenters this evening?
>> Um, I would. Um, so I just want to remind the public that we do have a fully dedicated commission of seven people who are making the decisions for Shade Tree. And over the past couple months, we've had many discussions. I'm going to repeat some of the things I said last week. I think between Frank
and I, parks and streets, we feel depending on how the budget shakes out, we feel good with 250 trees with park development and street trees. I just want to belabor this because it's a little bit complicated. We have moved to a onetoone request from the resident
because that's the most successful for our staff and the tree, right? We order what's there. Everyone seems happy. Um Nancy, we made a door hang. Um there is a proof if anybody on the council wants to see it for when a tree comes down we want to engage with the person right
away. We have a proof in shade tree and that step will be coming probably this spring. Um and lastly so I think between parks and shade tree we'll get to 250. I don't see that as a problem just not 250 street trees. And I think the entire shade tree commission has this
discussion. We're pretty comfortable with that. We all recognize the requests is the most beneficial. And if we want to amp up street trees, we have to amp up requests. And um on top of that, we are hoping because our school has been selected for next year that Ridge proves to be successful. Ridge is our school
for adopt a sapling. So if we do 250 between streets and parks and then have an extra 100 saplings, that would be wonderful for a year for trees. Um, I did also want to just say beautifification's discussing uh, American 250 and I think we're pretty warm on red, white, and blue flowers and
we're beginning to have with throughout the downtown and I know parks is coming up. We're really grateful to people who are making that happen. So, I don't think there'll be a problem. I just want to make sure that the public understands it's not going to be 250 shade trees. It'll be a combination of park and street trees.
>> Anybody have any questions or want to weigh in on the door hanger? I think that you covered that beautifully. Okay. And comprehensively. Anybody else? >> All good. Then let's get to our regular agenda. >> Keith. Thank you, Mayor. Um, forgive me,
but in light of the snowstorm and having most of our bluecollar supervisors scheduled to make budget presentations tonight. We completely rearranged the schedule as I announced it at the last budget meeting so that we could give those folks some rest and we could hear
from some of the directors who were less impacted by the snowstorm. So, at this time, we're going to start tonight's budget hearing with uh our municipal court administrator, Erica Will. Erica, if you'd come forward and >> Erica, if you'd like to bring your two
assistants with you, we would love to have them. So Erica will be addressing the municipal court budget and also the public defender budget. Um and I've asked Erica to just give a quick synopsis for the council um as a
refresher and for the public as to the shared services agreement that we have in place uh with our neighboring communities as it pertains to the municipal court. So Erica, if we could start there and then we'll transition into salaries and wages. >> I'm sorry, just one quick question. Is the the defender budget in here? Are they mixed in somehow or
>> the public defender? Yes, >> it's at the bottom of the municipal court sheet. >> Oh, I see. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um, so as you know, we're shared services between Glenrock and Wyoff, so I cover all three municipalities. >> Um, Erica, if you could speak into the mic. You can just Yeah, adjust it. You
got to get a little close to it. So, >> it's on. You're right. >> Okay. So, as you know, or some of you may not know, I am a shared employee between Glenrock and Wyoff. So, I cover all three municipalities. um village of Ridgewood, Burough of Glenrock and Township of Wyoff. Um we in doing that
we share some other employees. Um all of finances are completely separate. So I I handle six different accounts. So each municipality has their own accounts um and are presented to each municipality accordingly per month. >> Erica, could you just quickly review
which employees are covered as far as compensation by each municipality? >> Uh sure. On Ridgewood payroll, you have two full-time deputies. One deputy, Christina Fdet. She is um in the Rididgewood office full-time. Um my
other deputy, Lisa Salakowski, is full-time in our Glenrock office. She primarily covers Glenrock and Wyoff functions day-to-day. And then um we have John Kumatus. He is full-time employee here in Rididgewood as well. He handles primarily um parking matters.
And then Glenrock is employee. Um I am considered full-time of Glenrock and they cover my benefits. Um my pension is done through there. And then we also have a part-time employee, Dawn, um who is 29 hours a week and she's primarily
in the Glenrock office assisting Lisa with Glenrock and Whiteoff matters. So, if you go to the employee count sheet uh that we've been looking at at our prior budget meeting, um we have four full-time employees um and one part-time
employee. Um and that number will not change over last year. Um >> um if I may, Moren Turpra retired as of last she was not here for 2025. >> Yeah, she she's not on the updated sheet. So, >> okay. Not >> I don't I don't think you have the
sheet. >> Oh, okay. >> So, with that, if we just want to transition over to um the salaries and wages uh portion of the budget, um this is all pretty much contractual. Um I can tell you that in line item 01K,
um under regular sessions, uh we reduced that amount um of $6,500. Um however if you go down to the interpreter line item in other expenses which is 114 um we increase that amount. Erica do you just want to talk a little
bit about that adjustment? >> Yes. So interpreting services are done on an as needed basis. So I do not have an interpreter steadily coming every single court session. Um primarily we utilize language line which is a great tool for us and it it is a cost-saver
too especially for those languages that we don't often see um like tagalog or um other very rare languages. Um so language line has been a huge resource. However, there are instances where we have trials or we have more complicated matters where we have a live interpreter
coming and we primarily use Spanish interpreters in Ridgewood. Um but there are others. Um, so I've increased it because we have we have seen some um ASL interpreter needs which ASL interpreters are unique. There's not very many that
are qualified. Um, and that cost is it is costly. Um, so even one a year um is an expense and that is needed to be in person for those services. And then the other line item I'd call your attention to is
um 01J which is under salaries and wages and that's the um increased amount of approximately $1,000 for special sessions. Do you want to just address that real quick? >> Yes. So special sessions we hold primarily for more complicated matters. For example, we have um some probable
cause hearings for civilian complaints that have been filed. Um those matters we save for special sessions if they are going to take or we know that they're going to take a long period of time. Um so trials or other more complicated matters we hold special sessions for. So
as of now I already have two matters that I am going to need to schedule for special sessions which would be a cost. So last year we didn't need too many special sessions but this year starting off this way I incre slightly increased the budget on that line item.
I mean, Keith, if I may, it looks like I mean, the I think it's $17,000 more than last year. The bulk of that appears to be salaries. I saw there a couple other things that are like a little different, but on balance, I saw you kept it largely the same. >> Yeah. Again, even the budget highlights that we just reviewed are are somewhat
minor in the grand scheme of things, but um I just wanted to highlight some of the more significant changes, even albeit they might be minor. Could could I just because we're just here, you said Moren is not moving forward in the budget. >> No, Moren Turp retired u December of 2024.
>> So, just so you know, Olivia, she's okay. She's on I we have a version. >> Anybody else have any questions of Erica? >> Thank you so much for coming tonight. Thank you. >> Really appreciate your input and we know that your support staff really is what
made you look so good. >> Thank you. We we hope you get a um a sleep in with them tomorrow. >> Yes, it's a late opening. >> Have a nice evening. >> Thank you. >> Okay, next up is our parks and recreation director uh who needs no introduction, Nancy Beigos, and our
recreation supervisor, Katie Fry. Uh we did excuse Matt Andrula uh from attending tonight um after he uh cleaned the front walkway uh just a little while ago. He was going to get some sleep. So, uh, Nancy and Katie will
be, uh, subbing in for the parks presentation when it comes to Matt's portion tonight as well. >> One of the challenges of being petite, >> I wouldn't know. >> Yeah, >> but per, we had a comment last time. Can
you both just introduce yourselves? >> Uh, good evening, mayor and council. I am Nancy Bigos, director of parks and recreation, village employee of 33 years. >> And I'm Katie Fry, the recreation supervisor. >> Welcome, Nancy and Katie. Thank you both
for being here tonight. >> Thank you, Mayor and Council, for the resources and the support for the department to excel at our work last this last past year. I am truly grateful for the leadership of my village, our
village manager and for my liaison who spend a great deal of time meeting with us on a monthly basis, attending meetings and mentoring us as to where our goals and objectives should be. We have been challenged this year with
additional projects, grants, programs, new policy, but these challenges have made us work harder. We have achieved more and I am proud of the accomplishments of my department and my staff. When we look at the budgets as
requested, all operating budgets have remained flat. Um, and then we have done some readjusting to line items within those budgets so that we've changed numbers back and forth but staying stayed with the same bottom line with
the exception of salaries which is always a challenge. and we'll address that. First, I'd like to review with you the parks division budget. Currently, we have three open positions, um, three resignations that we had at
the end of last year. We are currently interviewing for those positions, and those would be replacements. Um the um salary in that line item um the
overtime is is higher than had been awarded in the past. Um that is due to the emergency calls that we've had in place, added special events, um tree emergencies, Saturday concerts, Easter
in the park, that type of thing. Um >> Nan, if if I may on that. Sure. Um obviously, you know, we can't predict call outs, especially when you have down trees and what the uh the tree folks need to do uh to address those emergencies, but that overtime budget
has increased um over last year due to the additional events primarily that are happening at Vana Square. Um the cleanup activities that need to occur after certain activities are held there. um in addition to other uh support that they've provided for different
activities throughout the village. Um so we we really do feel that in an effort um especially to keep Vaness clean after these types of large-scale activities down at the park uh that we do need to make an adjustment to be able to provide
uh parks department support um sometimes before but certainly during and after each of those events. So moving on to recreation. Um once again the recreation um
percentages and our OE has remained flat with the exception uh again part-time salaries which would require an explanation and Katie's got those documents and those figures to share with you. So for
>> temporary and seasonal um what I did and what seems to be working especially um with last year's formula is I have taken everybody that is on our summer camp staff which is the bulk of our seasonal and recreation
um what their wage would be this year. Last year nobody did have an increase and minimum wage to go up. So this year there's the minimum wage increase and then a slight increase for our people that are have been there and are moving up into different positions maybe from assistant to head counselors. um took
their hours, multiplied it times 175 hours that summer camp runs, added our pre uh pre-season hours, and then also deducted what it would um what the average absences are for vacations,
sick, and came up with a number that is slightly more than what we spent last year. But the number for those 175 hours, if every single person worked every single day, we had perfect weather, perfect attendance, it is a little bit less than that.
>> So Katie, Katie, let me just stop you right there. Nancy, can Nancy, can we finish the parks budget first? >> Okay. >> And then we'll go into recreation because the line item she's referring to is in the recreation budget and I just want to finish out parks before we move on to wreck. Is that okay? >> I didn't I didn't have anything else to
bring our attention to. >> Okay. just well I just wanted to open it because they have to go to a different sheet. Okay. >> So I just wanted to ask the council members are there any questions on the parks budget piece of this. >> Yeah I I have I have one or two. So I do note that you're I think you're up by le on you know your budget you're less than
4% which is all salary which is great and appreciate you keeping us flat. Um I know that you said we have three workers who um we need to replace that you're interviewing. Are those going to be full-time or part- timerrs? >> Full-time. >> Can we get away with part- timerrs? >> No. No.
>> So, these are positions that have been vacant for some time and we have been challenged in trying to um recruit tree maintenance workers. Um the salaries in the private sector compared to the p public sector when it comes to tree
maintenance workers are apples and oranges. Um and it's been hard to recruit those people. So there is a chance depending on how the application process goes that we try to fill the parks position which is more of a laborer position than a specialty when
it comes to tree maintenance. That we fill that position and if we can't find two qualified candidates for the tree maintenance position, we may move that money into operating um so that we can call on private contractors to
supplement uh that lack of personnel in the parks department. So, this is this is still fluid. Um, I know NY's been monitoring the um the influx of résumés to see if we have qualified candidates, but that one section could definitely
change before the budget is introduced by the council. It may be moved over to operating in order to uh pay for professional tree contractors. >> So, I'd love to see the the numbers on that. I mean, I'm very cognizant of adding to the full-time force just because of the how expensive um health
care and other benefits have have become. Um I'd be amendable to even looking at hiring more than three, but do the part-time as opposed to full-time, so you get more bodies, just less hours per person. Certainly, if there's the ability to outsource some of this at a similar price point, I'd also
I'd also agree to that. But I do think we have to deal with the realities that bringing full-time folks onto the play is getting increasingly more expensive and we've got to come up with ways to to not continue to grow or even not not not just not grow the the size of the village, potentially look through attrition to see if there are ways to
bring down our overall full-time headcare. >> Yeah, I I I agree with that philosophy and as as I shared with you when we looked at the totals for the employee count at the last budget meeting. Um, there's no doubt that we as an administration clearly recognize the cost of health insurance. The problem is
is if we can't recruit tree maintenance workers, offering them full-time salary, a pension, and health care benefits, we're sure as heck not going to be able to recruit tree maintenance workers on a part-time basis. So, I think the the choice here is that we review these
resumes, determine if we had qualified candidates that we want to give a shot here um in our in our parks division, and if we don't, to your suggestion, Councilman, move that money over to uh to operating and be able to supplement it uh through privatizing it because we
can't find the the men to or women to do this work. >> We also I I just want to make the obvious. So, first of all, I fully support the tree maintenance because we have, this council's planted more and more trees, which ultimately need more and more care throughout their life. Um,
so storms like supertorm Sandy, we haven't even begun to replace all those trees. And that the deferred maintenance, Evan, is like a big problem. So, when we take it and we outsource it, let's just say we in-house would be $10. Just in the short term, it'll be like 25. That's less trees that
we can plant. It's a very much a specialty and it's a hazardous job. It's dangerous and if we don't deal with the deferred maintenance, there can be liability issues and I know NY's this this I believe we had one to one and a half of these positions last year and
now we have them open again. They're hard to fill. I couldn't see anyone doing this type of work part-time. And the more maintenance costs, the less planting. We're kind of robbing from planting to pay for maintenance. and we haven't had a big storm with the trees
in a long time. Um, so I just want to say this is great from the tree perspective. I think our trees need a lot of love, attention, care, and knowledge. I'm really grateful to Matt because he's been wonderful and Declan and every Dena, everybody who's supported these initiatives. The reality
is is the more trees we put in, the more maintenance it's going to need. It's a it's a relational thing. So, um, and you know, they can be we have to take care of them. And I just want to say we've aggressively tried to recruit people. Um I think we all have relationships with
folks um in the tree maintenance space and we've gone out to those folks and and tried to help uh recruit new people uh to uh to apply for these positions. And since the day I've walked in this building, we've we've essentially come up empty. Um it's not an easy position
to try to recruit new people um and attract them to come here. And to be clear, I'm not saying don't do the work. I'm just saying let's see if we can do it cheaper. But a lot of what you're saying seems to point towards a solution of if there are private contractors that could do this work for us, >> that's might be a more cost-effective way of getting the work done, especially
considering we're having apparently very little luck finding qualified people to do the job for what we're willing to pay for it. >> And we use private we use private contractors. Now >> it would be um widening their scope to pick up some of the work effort that's not able to be achieved by the in-house
staff >> and that's why in capital we have the large hazardous tree removals in there. >> So what you're saying is essentially just that the budget here might flip into that. So, that's a that's a fluid number, too, Councilman, because depending on how we go with these um
with the application process, um the capital, the salaries and wages, and the operating expenses will all be taken under consideration, and between Nancy and myself, we'll we'll make a decision as to to how we recommend the council move forward with introducing that portion of the budget. But we want to
see if we can uh find some qualified candidates before we do that. >> No, it makes sense. And we do I do from the just being more we rely on third party for a lot for planting for watering. We do we utilize a lot of outside labor because we have a village deeply committed to trees trees planting
and of course the maintenance I mean the maintenance is just so important and I'd hate to see it in a deferred maintenance situation particularly on our big trees you know because they're they're in need of >> moving on from trees I do have a question on line 29 other contractual
services that really popped up I'm just curious what that covers >> uh Other contractual services is those types of services where we need to hire fellow professionals. So if we would do
invasive species um and an herbicide within our parks, we would have to subcontract out for that. Um >> is there something planned that made it bump up or is just rates gone? >> So to be honest, I need to be able to go. So, so on on sheet 29, um there was
a um there was a department cut that was made last year >> um in the amount of $22,000 from this line item. >> Uh that was a decision that Mr. Rooney and I made uh prior to introduction of the budget. Uh what the parks department is requesting this year is that those
dollars that were cut during the 25 budget be restored. Um, so as we get through this process and we start to finalize our revenues and our year end for 2025, uh, we'll make a decision as to whether or not there is an adjustment that needs
to be made. But that is a restorative cut which would take the department back to 24 numbers. >> But to answer your question, um, Councilman there, the dumping fees for the logs, chips, etc. are in other contractual. the irrigation for our
maintenance of all of our fields, lawns, and open space is also in that account. Uh the GPS system that we have online is within other contractual um our turf grooming um and our herbicides for professional applications
beyond what we do within our staff is all covered under other contractual services. >> I love the term turf grooming. So those were the numbers that I said to you that th those were the only changes
were in those cases where I'm looking to reinstate or requesting again um the funds that were cut from last year. >> Gotcha. Thank you very much for the explanation. >> This is to make my joke. This is where we put the goat. >> That's how
>> Any other questions on the park side of things? Let's go. >> Let's move over to uh the recreation budget. >> I shared with you that the figures remain flat. So if there unless you and Katie gave the explanation regarding
part-time salaries. I don't know council if you have any questions. >> I have a comment. I think it's more it's important to note of how steady employment has been at Graden the last few years that we haven't had a deficit of lifeguards and things like that. So for that I say congratulations and
commend you both for that. >> I I mean I just want to say awesome on the budget, awesome on everything. Thank you for everything. >> So I just I just want to do a little go back to uh Katie's prior comments. This
is uh line item 013 under salaries and wages on the uh recreation side. Um, do we have any questions about Katie's rationale as to how she got to that uh 221,600 number? Um, just want to make sure we
vet that in case there's any questions before we move on. >> Basically, you did the worst case scenario and that's how you came with that. But then there's >> I thought it was the best case scenario. Best case scenario would be 30 days of sunshine with all 80 people showing up to work.
>> That number is not in here because that is >> we know realistically that somebody's going to go for their driver's license. Somebody's going on vacation. The 4th of July is on a Friday this year. So, you know, we're going to take Thursday. Um so, we know that there will be people
missing >> and there's going to be a couple clouds in the sky. Right. And and I I do want to note that on 013, if you look at the uh amount that was appropriated uh for temporary and seasonal and the amount that was spent
last year, the reason that is is because there was a discussion uh between my office and parks and recreation about limiting the number of summer campers um based on what we had appropriated in last year's budget. and we made a
determination that if there was an interest by families in Ridgewood um to sign their children up that unless we did not have the physical capacity to accommodate those families that we would continue to accept registration. So we knew that we were going to exceed that
168 based on demand at the summer camp program. Um and we made the determination that we would uh reappropriate monies from other parts of the municipal budget uh to make sure that we accommodated every family that wanted to join our summer camp program in the summer of 2025. So that is the
reason that there's a disparity between the 192 and the 168. >> No, that's the right call, Keith. >> Yeah, right decision. >> Good. Everybody good? >> Any other questions on salaries? >> Nope. >> Okay. You want to go down to operating expenses? Yeah, >> for
>> recreation. >> I'm flat, sir. >> You told me to keep it even. >> It's even $900 over last year, so I I can't really I can't really fault you there. Um, any questions about any of those line items from uh 021 down to
29Z? >> I'm good. >> Okay. >> All right. With that, we're going to move to Graden. Um, again, stayed within our 2%. Um, move some figures around. Um, some of our accounts were are a little bit more,
maybe spending more in printing and binding just to be able to get the word out, but then cutting in other areas. um we're up a little bit in legal advertising is that we have found that when we advertise
um for things um for our our summer staff with the League of Municipalities through the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association and legally um you know we get a better turnout for our applicants. Um Katie has slated uh March
12th for 16th for our seasonal summer employment fair again this year. >> Great. I like flat less 2%. Good >> flat. >> Any other questions on Kraton?
>> Let's go. >> Okay, then we'll move on to the Ridgewood beautifification team. Again here I asked exactly for the figures that were given to us last year. Um noting that we did a major
improvement uh within the central business district. We ordered over 32 new planters um for the CBD. They were all planted um re new
soil, new screens, new soil amendments, new plants, lots of compliments from the community. Um, so we're asking for that again because we'd like to be able to do the west side of the village and then
also be able to start and um upgrade some of our other facilities. um utilizing the old planters, maybe to bring some to Grad and Pool, bring some to the outside of Village Hall, um to continue our beautifification efforts,
recycling what we've had in the past and be able to move forward. >> And who actually does this work? I know you have one part-time salary listed here. Is that an existing employee that we patch your money to or you actually bring somebody on? >> It's a watering day. >> So, thank you, Evan. That's a great
question. um probably about 85% of the work that's done in this group is through the volunteers of the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood, the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands, um and
volunteers that come forward and order these plant materials, um design the plants themselves, and then uh in May we do a major planting um for Not just the containers but also the hanging baskets
within Vaness Square. So 85% of this is volunteer. The figure that you see there is for watering and then maintaining the plots the the planters once we get the program up and running. So that's um
June, July, August, September into October. The plants need water. No, certainly if people are willing to give up their own time, $25,000 is a valid investment by the village. So, agreed. Thank you for that. >> I just want to also uh in addition to their time, there's been significant
contributions this year that NY's helped get. We had the corner of Toastique, which was donated, which was wonderful, which was tens of thousands of dollars. We have we are lucky on beautifification that we have three residential landscapers who work with us and they share for free all their talents. We're
hoping to get another corner and our interns um offset $3,500 of the planters and we received four planters for the corner that the bus station's on. So, uh that should make Evan happy. That's like seven free planters and these things are
very expensive. So, I want to thank Nancy and the staff. I do think it looks better and like I said, we're going to commit as long as they're drought resistant and not like going to burn up to red, white, and blue. Um, and I want to thank the Richard Beautifification team, the conservancy, and of course the women gardeners who pretty much run the
whole show. You don't mess with them. >> I'm so happy to hear about all the volunteers. I would like you to tell me the names of the three residents who are professional landscapers. >> So, the ones on the team, uh, Ble and she is a is the first, I don't remember
her last RNS, and she did Toastique. Um, we have Mike Charlton. Um and I think Christopher Monday is the third professional the residential tree expert just on shade tree. We try to make them appointed um is uh Adam Brown. >> So >> So RNS landscaping and what are the
other two? >> Um >> Raundi Ramundi. >> Chris Ramundi. I don't know his company's name. And then I believe Chris Raundi. >> Raundi Ramundi Landscaping. And what's the third one? >> Mike Charlton. >> And what's the name of his company? >> Charlton. >> Charlton. >> I think I think it's T >> TLC. >> TLC.
>> TLC Landscaping. Good. Just want to give a shout out to them because these guys >> are giving away for free what they charge other people. >> Their expertise for sure. >> So we're we're especially grateful to them. >> We are. I am.
>> Okay, let's move on. Anything else on Ridgewood beautifification? >> Community center. So, next I'm really excited to share with you um under the direct leadership of Gwen Hal and her negotiations
um through the community center advis um foundation. The village of Ridgewood soon will be a grant recipient recipient of $251,000. This is just a monumental achievement. I
can tell you many many many many hours of meetings and tweaking and understanding um the need of of our residents and the desire to have a community center for
not just our young our old residents or elderly, our mature, our senior residents, our maturing residents, but also for our youth and also for our employees as a community building facility. So Gwen um will be presenting
this to you on Wednesday evening during our council meeting um along with the grant agreement of the 250 uh $251,000 for facility renovation here at the building. So, as part of that agreement,
uh we consented that we would provide $75,000 worth of staff uh to help run the programs um in the newly improved community center. Uh so those numbers are reflected um in this year's budget.
Uh when the agreement is presented to you on Wednesday night, you'll find that that is a three-year commitment uh that we're making as part of the grant agreement. Uh we did have extensive conversations, Nancy and I, to her credit. She fought her position hard. Um
but we um we moved all of that $75,000 into part-time salaries. Um at least for the startup of this. Uh it's something that we can certainly and I committed to her that we would discuss again going into next year's budget as to whether or
not we should modify any of that $75,000 to reflect any full-time employment. And that's really going to be contingent upon needs. Once the uh community center is upgraded and we're at full programming, we'll make a determination what our staff levels look. Uh but as a
way as a way of meeting our end of the agreement, uh the $75,000 is in full um in this year's budget. >> And that's again the commitment is for three years in order to get to 251. >> $75,000 for each of the three years. >> How many employees does that get us
part-time? >> Probably three. That was the number that we were aiming for. >> In addition to Deanna who's already full-time and is is running our programming um today >> and provides a valuable experience to the 25% of our population that's over
55. Paul, come on. This was yours. You got to give it a little >> I'm coming. I was waiting. And and just to set expectations for Wednesday night, uh we'll have a brief presentation from Nancy and Gwen Hawk who really helped facilitate uh this grant award with the folks over at Ridgerest. And then I
think the last item on Wednesday night's agenda is um discussion about the accepting the donation. Um and then that'll be reflected on the February 11th council meeting uh to formally accept. and then we'll be off to the races working with an architect uh to redesign the space on the lower level of
this building. >> Um Nancy, it was about a year ago in this room >> February 9th >> at these at at these very meetings that I challenged you to begin a premier
senior community >> proposal >> proposal. >> Yes, I remember well, sir. And um and I am so proud and so impressed with you and your team who worked tirelessly
to make this a reality by this year's budget. I I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Um, you know, our seniors, they put they put a lot of money into the budget
>> and they don't get as much back as those who send kids to school. This is a pittance um that we are helping them with that I hope this will be a regular place for them to come on a daily basis. I know that that is the goal and I want
to thank you personally for making this a reality. >> My pleasure. the department and our staff, we all believe in this. You know, this is a long time coming to our community and there are many, many people who have rolled up their sleeves and put in their time and their energy
into making this happen. Um, so it is a community effort for sure and something that we really look forward to bringing to fruition. Um, Gwen's already texted me today. We've got a meeting with the architect set for next week.
>> I am so excited. I want to thank I want to thank Gwen um who just you know I I sit on this board and I think I might be able to get us a grant. Um I want to thank um the Ridgerest Foundation
>> because they're the they're the providers of the grant. Um I want to thank um the the community center uh board. Um, I I will tell a brief funny moment of when I remember when the when
the Rididgerest Foundation board came in and there was this presentation that was prepared in earnest and in detail and the look on um their faces was, I don't know why you're doing all this because, you know, we're like, we're
good. We're we're fine. We're ready to give you the money. Um, so, um, everybody was rowing in the same direction on this one. So, um, like I said, I'm very, very excited. Thank you so much. >> And anything else for parks and recreation?
>> I think we're good. >> Thank you so much. >> Capital. >> Oh, yes. >> Do you want to start, N? >> Sure. >> Okay. So um in looking at our priorities for um our capital budget request, what
I do want to share with you is that most of these items that I am proposing and requesting from you are or have to do with an aging infrastructure. So if we start off um and I I don't know what sheet what you
want to start with Graden, >> you want to start with Graden with the discharge pump. Do they have the sha same sheets that we do, Keith? >> Um they have a similar sheet with a priority order on it. >> Okay. Thank you. So what I'd like to if we start with Graden, um the first
project that I would like to share with you is a request for $120,000. Um, this request would be to replace the discharge pump um
that runs from the pump house over the Hocus Brook and into the sanitary sewer. uh several years ago, probably about 10 years ago, under the guidance of our village engineer, we were able to take
the discharge water from grade and pool and put that into our sanitary sewer. Um the the system is operational. Uh last summer we discovered a couple of leaks in the pipe. They've been repaired, but
in doing so, I wanted to be able to bring to your attention that they are aging and we should replace those. So, that would be for the replacement pumping and the pipes over the Hokusbrook and the railway
timbers have started to decay. Those were put in in 1999. And I thoughts were in talking to the staff, if we're going to be moving pipes from the the side of of the bridge, we might as well remove the timbers, do the
project all at once. So that's my first request for Graden and probably really seriously honestly the most important for Graden. >> It's a mustave, not a >> Yeah. Yeah. It's a need for sure. >> So can I ask I I know that you're saying
that um you know there's leaking. Do we have like an engineer? Someone has told us the expected life is >> finished last year. >> Okay. >> Sorry. Sorry. Yeah, that's why. So, we kind of bandated. >> We're already past the expected life cycle. Okay.
>> Yep. It's like putting, you know, the bucket under the leak. We're there. >> Um, so that's that's really it. Um, Keith for Graden, unless you want me to go into I have one more question. That one's on
the list. So, >> thank you. >> So, on the sun shades, did we add more since last year? And this is for additional I think I know it's on your wish list and you you're now sort of sidelining it, but did we did add more sun shades past you had last year? >> So, what we did with the sun shades was
we put in for additional sun shades. And then the one that is replacing the large tree on the north side of the beach, um that one is we put in it's a fourpost sun shade. So that has been that's um
you guys just passed the resolution for that the other day. It's already paid for. >> So that one is it'll be different than the others where the posts in the middle has attachments for four sun shades. So it'll make it a 40x40 instead of a 20 by 20. So, this is for the additional
>> three shade sales. >> So, if we do not approve anything else for the budget for next year, >> what more will we have this summer that we did not have last summer? >> We would have shade sales in there this summer. They'll be installed. >> It's just that there will be one 20 by
20 on that north side. If you don't approve this, if you were to approve this, there'd be three more sales going in that it would then be a 40x40 space. >> Gotcha. Okay. I I have to say that there were a few issues that I had more people reach out on me out to me than it was shade at Graden. So I understand and
listen, nobody is more, you know, hawkish on the budget than I am, but to the extent that there's anything that can be done there, Keith. >> Um I don't want to keep getting those calls. >> This capital budget's going to be the death of me, but okay.
>> Um Nan, why don't we move to uh to parks? So, within the parks budget, um our number one priority, um and in listening to some of our residents would be tree planting within our municipal park
properties. I am requesting $100,000 um for this. And I would like to be able to be planting um within all of our larger municipal park properties. Um over the last at least 25 years, we
haven't put any trees within our park properties and I've lost um some due to the emerald ashbor um some just from aging. Graden really has suffered um you know some of the the old sycamore we lost off the island. you know, there's
that aging tree canopy also affects our parks. Um, and then also, um, habern um, I don't know if you know, we've got a beaver up at King's Pond that has >> That's awesome. >> No,
no, it's not because he loves those new saplings that we put in about eight years ago >> at King's Pond. at King's Pond along the walking path. Um, so I'm going to have to replace those and also some trees for
the Shedler Park property. >> We need to get some photos of the beaver. >> Yeah. Can we move to residential? >> Sure. I do think this is great. I do want to say that we have put just memoriam trees have gone in and anytime shade tree had an overage like we did we're putting them in parks but I fully
support more trees in more parks particularly because when we see an absence of shade particularly around grad and our recreation we hear many complaints about that. So the request from the shade tree commission um once again would be for the 160,000
um and that would be for that 120 residential fall tree planting program that we have done religiously for at least the last six years. And then you'll see a line item for hazardous tree removal. The request is
for 210. um that number is fluid uh contingent upon the earlier discussion about the tree maintenance workers and being able to recruit those bodies. So that number will be refined as we get closer to budget introduction. >> With respect, I would like to explain to
the council that um the the we have reached a place where we have some really large hazardous dangerous trees within our village. um those that I we have to bring in an outside com company
to take care of um those all required crane work. They required um extended um balancing or stabilizers on their tree removals on their cranes. Uh larger
equipment and more staff um with the three full-time guys that we have now. This is out of our realm. So, for safety and liability purposes, um I'm definitely requesting some assistance in this hazardous and large tree removals.
>> Maybe we could get the beaver to be an employee. >> Uh Nan, so there were >> I'm sorry. No, go ahead, man. There were there were a couple of uh uh residents who were asking for trees for um and I'm curious the 160 in the shade tree and
100 in the uh in the parks uh budget, how many trees that going to get us? So, in looking at my numbers real quick, if we have um 120 in the um residential tree planting,
>> if we have 150 within our um municipal park properties, that brings us to 250. And then we always have the sapling program. That's another 100 saplings. So, >> putting putting aside that because I see 160 and 120. Is it 160? 100 and 160. 160
on street trees, Paul. >> 100 and 160. >> So 160 yields us 120 street trees, remember? Because not all trees are the same. And then 100 would get us that would be the differential to get us to 250 trees because it's more economical to >> So that'll get us to the 250.
>> Correct. >> Right. >> Excellent. Good. Okay. Thank you very much. >> And then just additive because somehow saplings are getting a bad rap here. saplings. The saplings will hopefully give us a hundred more incremental and that's, you
know, that's wonderful. And then we have additional, which we don't bank on, memoriam trees, too, which, you know, we get several of those a year, >> right? >> So, we're going to we're going to be over the 250 without a problem. >> Yes. >> Excellent. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And then uh Nan, do you want to
just discuss the um the pickup truck which came out of the the internal budget meeting that we had? >> Yes. Um a a priority for my parks and shade tree supervisor would be the replacement of pickup truck PK122.
Uh that he um Matt is requesting a F350 with a plow and a liftgate. Uh sad to say that truck was already taken out of commission. Uh it's no longer usable. So this would be a replacement and a dire need on our behalf.
>> I think the key word there is plow. >> Plow. Yes, for sure. >> Okay. And then >> recreation. >> Yep. Please. Priority number one within the recreation capital budget would be
the um renovation of citizens. That would be the field and park improvements. We have applied for a Bergen County open space grant for that. Um and that the amount of that was 200.
Um the grant itself is 121,775. But because this is a match, we need to put up both both sides of that match and then the contingency. So I'm asking $268,000 for Citizens Park renovation. that
includes all of the fencing, um the the dugouts, the dugout areas, resurfacing the field, um and which was original to the park in 1965. >> Wow. >> Yeah, we haven't touched that.
>> We got our money's worth out of that. >> Certainly did. >> But it's time. >> But it's time. >> Yep. >> Good. Thank you, Nan. >> And then do you want to just speak about the tennis courts? >> Um I'm actually okay. I think I've talked to staff. We can wait another year on the tennis courts. Um,
>> great. >> If we sort of kind of have a pinky promise that this can be something that's considered seriously, >> it it'll be my first entry when I go back upstairs into the 2027 capital budget. >> Okay. >> So, we're taking the 11800
out. The one I have 130 as a round number in my draft budget, >> but that would be for the tennis courts at Bel Air and North Monroe. We'll take that out and we'll enter that in as an entry for next year. >> Very good. >> Goodwill. >> And you are all witnesses to Keith's
Pinky Promise. And and keep in mind uh my draft also continues the maple syncing fund which we can have more conversation about. But that is uh an annual contribution so that uh when the time comes to replace maple whether it's a decision to replace
the artificial turf or to go back to grass uh there will be ample funds to make a decision either way. >> Good. >> That concludes our presentation for this evening. Thank you for the honor to serve you. Katie and Nancy, we are so
fortunate to have you. Thank you so much for being here tonight. We really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Have a nice evening. >> Go parks. >> With the council's permission, um I'd like to rearrange the order once again. Um we have our supervisor of sanitation
and recycling here, Sean Hamlin. Um along with Rich Calby, uh who super who oversees uh those divisions. Um, and then following uh sanitation and recycling, I'd like to go to Ridgewood Water. Um, and then we'll go back uh to some of the smaller items that are on
the agenda to conclude the meeting. Rich filed a grievance over the time assigned to tonight's meeting, so we're trying to make up for it. >> Sean and Rich, welcome. Thank you for being here tonight. >> Good evening. Thanks for having us. >> Prayer request from last budget meeting.
Could you please both state your name? >> Yes. Sean Hamlin, recycling coordinator, supervisor of sanitation. >> Rich Calby, director of operations for the water department, sanitation and recycling. >> Could you say that again? I Your mic wasn't working at the beginning of that. It's good now.
>> Uh Richard Calby, director of operations for the water department, sanitation and recycling. >> Thanks, gentlemen. Thanks, Richard. Sean, are you okay to start with recycling? >> Sure. Um, operating, >> uh, we'll start with salaries and wages just to go in order of the spreadsheet.
>> Gotcha. >> Sanitation or recre? >> Recycling. >> Okay. Salary and wages. Um, I think we only have one uh one thing that came up, but and I'm not sure it's in my copy of the budget. Um, my
assistant, uh, recycling supervisor is going to be retiring, Moses Barona, and um, we'll be needing to replace him. Um, I don't know what kind of salary change that's going to be. >> So, if you look at the, uh, the recycling 2026 tab, uh, which is behind
the summary sheet, uh, you'll see that, um, Moses is listed first. Um, we're looking at, as Sean mentioned, a retirement there. Um, and then we've added to the bottom of that, um, a recycling laborer position. That would
be his replacement. Um, that's all. So, that's uh that's the adjustment there. >> I'm not following. So, you have your your deputy retiring and you're replacing it with a laborer. >> No. Well, we would replace the the the um employee count with a laborer.
>> Okay. But then there's $6,500 built in there um who for whoever is elevated uh to the promotion from within. So essentially sorry if that wasn't clear. >> Gotcha. >> Yeah. So if you look at the bottom right hand corner of that spreadsheet the replacement supervisor has that money
allocated uh but then the last person the last um line in the employee listing is uh reflecting uh a starting date of 31 for a uh for a new onboarded laborer. Then then why are the overall numbers so much higher looking at the first sheet
for salaries and wages? >> Take that one. >> It's it's in um line item 30 and 48. So it's looks like materials and supplies went up as did disposal piece.
>> Oh no, I was looking just salaries and wages. I'm sorry, Frank. >> Salaries and wages were showing like modified budget last year was 628 and now we're up to 821. Am I reading that right? It's like $200,000 difference. >> I am. Yeah.
>> So, um much of that is overtime. If you see, there's a a significant adjustment in overtime um over last year. Um and then you also have um the line item to restore the 16,289 in uncompensated time. So, Sean, I don't know if you want
to expand a little bit on that from an operation standpoint. So, we did have to add um some holidays in for overtime um that we that wasn't included in last year's budget. Um the uh there's a
couple of uh a holidays in there that supervisors um in the blue collar contract for working. There's a couple of holidays where the blue collar employees get personal days to compensate them for for working that day and uh the supervisors
do not. So when they come in, they get overtime for that. >> But your actual that you actually spent was 569. And again, I'm I'm not being passive aggressive. I'm actually asking questions I don't know the answer to. Um, so if you only spent 569, >> why are we looking for 821?
>> But there there's budget credits there. Yeah. >> Of 171,000. >> Ah, so if they had those numbers, the answers, explain that to me. >> Yeah. So that's I believe that's money that they paid out of the um the tonnage grants that we got. some of it was um if if I'm right
>> I see. So would you really spend is really 171,000 plus the 569? >> Yes. Okay. >> The Yeah. >> So so the issue there as Olivia just shared with me. So you'll see on the on the breakdown uh with the employee list >> in the bottom right hand corner just
below that $6,500 for the replacement supervisor. There's two empty fields for comm community clean communities grants. We don't have those numbers finalized yet as to what the balances will be for 2026, but we use those as a budget offset to offset the salaries and wages
in this division. So, what you're looking at is with the 821239 on the summary page that reflects the actual salaries and wages without any grant money applied to defay those costs. >> And are we expecting the grant money this year? >> Um, I will defer to Sean and Bob on
that. >> Yes. >> Okay, great. Um, and can somebody do the math for me? If we add in the 171, are we, you know, up 2 or 3% like, you know, the steps or is there additional money that I'm missing? >> Bob, do you have a projection on the uh
how much of the grant money we can apply for this year? >> No, I do not. Sean, I know we had a conversation. I'm not sure if we finalized that. Um, so I I think the uh on the recycling tonnage grant we're going to get about
65,000 and uh on the clean communities grant we normally get around 50,000. Okay. So assuming we get that we're at 740. There's still about an $80,000 gap. And
again, I know that it goes up contractually, but any idea why it's going up so much? Even with even with that money, there's still $80,000 more. >> So, >> right. So, so the the total salaries and wages for last year before the grants
were applied to defay the costs would would have be approximately $867,000. So, the bottom line total for salaries and wages in 26 as proposed is less than what would have been budgeted for last year if the grant money was not applied. So now based on those those fund
balances in the grants, we'll have to make a determination as to how much of that we can utilize to defay the salaries for 26. That that work effort is not complete yet. >> Okay. So with the 171, we're actually showing less in salary. Is that what you're saying? >> Yes. Yes. Correct. >> That's great.
>> Let's get that grant money. >> Sorry about that. Any other question on SNW >> on so on on item 30 which is the materials and supplies just are we getting grants there as well because that that's a big jump.
>> So you're going to see a lot of big jumps >> as long as if it's a grant then I'll see >> that's okay. It's a So, you're going to see a lot of big jumps in a lot of our budget lines. And um part of that is because um what we got, if you look at what we
requested in 2025, it's not actually what we got. It's uh because some of our stuff um was paid for out of the recycle trust this year. So, that line item was a lot lower last year, but we still have to request that amount this year. I don't know if >> they get another grant.
>> No, it's not another grant. It's just that um we have a recycle trust. >> Will the recycled trust go in this year and it's just not calculated yet? >> That's uh not up to me. That's where the I mean we just so we just put the numbers in that we're going to need. If you look at what we asked for last year
and we only asked for 2% more this year, but what we got last year and the line item didn't reflect what was in the what we asked for. >> So just to give some context here. So last year's budget, um there were some
discretionary cuts that Mr. Rooney and I made. Um I think I referred to one of them when we were talking about the parks budget. Um and that was to um to get us where we needed to be below cap and to meet the expectations as to where we wanted to be on an overall increase.
That being said, some of these uh numbers that are being presented to you tonight are restorative. that doesn't mean that they survive uh the final cut. Uh but they are restorative. Uh the other thing that I I I want to point out um and I I think it's important um is
that some of these line items, excuse me, some of these line items um are defrayed by variety of different grants as we said with the salaries and wages. So, depending on how Bob uh rounds out the year-end numbers for
2025, uh both on the grant side and on the revenue side will determine how much of those dollars we can defay when it comes to the um the construct of the 2026 budget. So, we don't know those numbers yet. Our year-end numbers are not
complete and our revenue numbers are not complete. So, we won't be able to apply them and share those with you until our last budget meeting. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. Because I I look, Frank makes a great point. I mean, on its face, it's like a $200,000 increase. So, I get it that there's some grant
money there, but obviously that's going to kind of factor how we look at this, >> right? I Sean, I I would I do want you to talk through though the the the realities of the disposal fee issues that you're dealing with. Um I think it's important for the council and the public to be aware of that. That was my
next question. >> Before we get to that, Bob, how much is left in the trust and what was the draw down last year? >> I do not have the the amount that's available yet because we're still posting transactions to it. >> Okay.
Okay. So, so on the disposal fees, um, last year we did make some cuts because in the beginning they asked where could we make cuts that you know that uh that they thought were viable cuts. One of the things we we cut back
on last year on our uh on our budget was the disposal fees because we were going by the first three months of uh of 2025 which were very good for us. We didn't end up good. The price of coingled went
uh went up significantly and u what we normally get paid for cardboard and paper it wasn't offsetting the price of the coingle at all. But the first three months we actually made money which would have been nice if we fig if if we
finished the year out like that but we did not. Um and the cost of coming is projected to uh to exceed $50,000 based on the current market and disposal fees for us this year. Um, so we are asking for more and again what we're what we're
paying for what we're being paid for cardboard and and paper is not good and I think we have to be we have to be prepared for the fact that everything might be paid for moving
forward in 2026 until the market gets a little bit better. Um, so if everything is a fee and we're not getting any money back for anything, then that number has to jump up a lot. >> Got it. The market has changed and yet it's still significantly less than it
would cost to throw it in the landfill >> for paper and cardboard, but not so much bottles and cans, >> but we're required to. >> Yes, we are required by law to to do it. So, >> got it. >> Thanks, Sean. You're welcome.
>> Anybody else? >> We're good. >> Okay, we'll move to sanitation. >> I just want to say as we're transitioning, um, your employee count in both divisions is staying stagnant to 2025, correct? >> Yes. Thank you.
It's like you're reading my mind. It's it's an it's an ode to Council Member Whites. Only took me three years, but I can predict where where we're going. >> Um, all right, Sean. Do you want to take us through uh your SNW and then uh through your operating expenses, and then we'll open this up for questions.
And again, we obviously want to talk about disposal and dumping fees at the end. >> Sure. So salary and wages um we're just going to be probably be going up uh you know what the the contractual raises are. >> Um
>> also there's I don't um we talked about replacing the uh the assistant recycling supervisor. If that happens from within um there are a couple of real possibilities. one of the employees could come from the solid waste
division. So that would move him over to recycling and we would hire somebody at that and that's why we put that $60,000 wage in in the other one. But if if it doesn't if it's someone that is not promoted from recycling and it's promoted from sanitation, then that will
decrease this budget by a little bit uh because we'd be bringing in somebody to replace a senior uh truck driver. But other than that, there's no significant changes. >> Questions? >> It's great. I >> think we're good. >> Yep.
>> And your staff is just phenomenally professional in every interaction that I've ever had. >> Thank you. They better be. >> Yeah. No, they're they're great. And I think that that's why we're able to keep them. So, thanks to you and your leadership and the great team. >> Thank you.
>> I want to say the same thing. It's obviously a very hard job this week. It's going to be really hard and I don't think people are as grateful as they should be to you and the department and every interaction that my family, you know, my mom to my kids has has been so
wonderful. It's such a rough thing to do and you do it so well and we're so grateful. >> I'm I'm grateful that they're very respectful and uh and decent to the to the residents. >> They are. And while we're on it, I'm going to take this moment to say that for anyone listening, remember this week
and until future notice, please bring all your recycling and trash to the curb. Um, that's what we're doing to reduce the hazard to our staff. So, uh, we will resume our valet service once
the conditions are better, but for now, it helps tremendously if you can bring it to the curb. Thank you so much. and Sean, thank you so much. >> And because Pam's not here, we have to channel her and say we love the styrofoam recycling and the progressiveness of that.
>> It's such a cool thing to be able to brag that we're doing something new. >> Absolutely. >> Well, speaking of new, talk about the >> food and it's and it's one of the few things that's bringing in revenue. Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> I said speaking of new, the food scraps and that you budgeted for two new
disposal places. >> Yes. >> Which is great. >> Why don't we trans before we move on? Why don't we transition to capital for Sean? >> Sure. >> So Sean, under recycling, uh, we have a replacement of an F350 truck. >> Yes.
>> Okay. You want to talk a little bit about the need there and that's for 75,500. >> So the need there again is uh we have a truck right now that needs to be replaced. Um, we were hoping that it would last and till the end of the year, but we did have it looked at by our
mechanics. um and they don't want it on the road anymore. So, it's going to need to be sold. And uh it's one of the the trucks that we do depend depend on for plows. Um so, you know, >> I'm sorry. So, this is the uh F350
replace RC252. >> Yes. >> So, I got to ask Keith Sean's saying he can replace an F350 for 75,000. Nan wanted 100 grand for an F350. Just out of curiosity, are we how do do we how do we fix something? >> The the one for parks needs a lift gate
in order to accommodate uh the operations a lift gate >> and that's 25,000. I >> I don't have the quote in front of me, but that's the that's the number he provided to us uh to prepare the budget. >> Yeah, but this one's going to have a plow. >> Yeah. >> So, this one's getting this one's
getting a plow mount, but it's not getting a plow. We already have the plow from 252. >> But even then, I can't imagine 25 grand. I know. Maybe we have Sean bid out all our Ford. >> I will uh truck. >> They also to to be fair, I got these quotes from Mike last year, so Nancy may
have updated quotes. >> I have uh I have every faith and confidence in Matt Andrula, but I will uh I will pull the quote and uh we will do a comparison. So, >> anything else? >> That's it. >> And then um on the sanitation, we have a
Ford Maverick request. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, that's for uh clean communities. Um, right now he's driving a 2013. Actually, I don't think it's a 2013. One second. I think it's even older than that. >> This is the Maverick we're talking
about. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um, >> Pam will be happy. It's a hybrid. >> Yes. >> So, will that be paid for out of the grant? Is there is that grant that big when you say clean communities or is it just because we have to reduce the emissions? >> I don't think it's going to cover the truck. I don't think it's going to cover
the >> It cover It primarily covers the salaries, >> just the operating. >> Yeah, >> I would. >> Or just uh Yeah, it just covers the the salary and wages. >> So, it's a 2006 Ford Ranger that we're
driving around right now and it spends more time on Anony's lift than it does on the road. >> These these requests are insignificant compared to your solid waist trucks which >> Yes. Um, and then do you just want to talk a little bit about where we are? And Rich, maybe you can help us along on this with the locker room project
because I know that's a uh a cross department uh work effort with the parks folks. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that that project's on me. Um, actually proposals are due this week uh from an architect. Um we found that in
order to make any improvements at the recycling center um it's going to be much more than we anticipated because we need to provide fire separation between the existing garage and the spaces that are occupied by the uh the current workers in that space. Uh so the
architect that came out and looked at the site is sending me a proposal this week uh to do a preliminary concept of what will be needed to uh move forward with the improvements that um Sean got funded in the last previous two budgets.
>> So once we have that proposal, we'll have a better idea of what our needs are with regard to the project. >> Yes. >> And Hake, I know you've done a really nice job with syncing funds. Is there any thought to a scing fund for some of those larger garbage trucks that we know will cost gazillions of dollars to replace?
>> I mean, it's certainly something that we can we can talk about. I I I don't know that that's going to fit into this particular capital budget, but we can certainly talk about it as we go into 2027. >> I just had a locker room question because there when when is it all going
to be done so it's nicer for you guys? Like is there a timeline? Hopefully um once we see the proposal from the architect um we'll have to meet with uh with the signal department, find out what they're capable of um and what
we're going to have to contract out and uh and then we'll we'll have to move from there. But I'm hoping at some point this year >> I anticipate there's going to need to be some additional funding to make this uh project move forward >> additional beyond the fee of the architect. >> I I think so. I Well, I know. I know.
So, >> so, but we'll have a better idea once uh once they receive the proposal. >> Well, good luck. >> Thank you. >> Anything else for Sean? >> Thank you, Sean. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Good luck tomorrow.
>> Always my pleasure. >> All right. And uh mayor, with your permission, we'll uh transition over to Ridgewood Water and then maybe we'll take a short recess after Rich is complete. I appreciate that because Sean drove me
here. So, >> I like that. Sharing vehicles. >> Good. >> Even better. >> And joining me is Bill Berwas, our new deputy director. >> Good evening.
>> Welcome, Bill. >> Smuck in the back. >> Okay, so water department operating budget. Um in terms of salary and wage um you'll see increases from the previous year full and part-time. Uh our
headcount uh currently is 50 employees with two vacancies. Um we have a labor position that's open due to separation within an employee. And then our part-time public works inspector um is also still open again due to separation
with a previous employee. Uh we're proposing one new headcount for 2026. Um this is to fill a void created by the new IT structure with the promotion Neil Gogne to director of IT and subsequently
promoting somebody internally to take over the GIS division. Uh we now have the need for another GIS trainee um/administrative person in that that group to fill that that void to bring us to total of 51 in this year. Um these
increases you're seeing are the result of of some of that restructuring uh the one new headcount. Um we also have two existing employees that are in their trainee positions um that will be promoted into their permanent positions in 26. Those are pretty significant
increases for them moving from the training position to the permanent title and then several other structured promotions within the department. Um additionally overtime is up. Uh we're dealing with an aging aging system. Um
water main breaks increase, the amount of repairs increase. Um good news is salary and wage allocation is down slightly also again due to the restructuring with IT. Um the water department's carrying the salary for the
director of IT but allocating that back to the village. So there's an internal calculation that that makes that adjustment. So, so you're adding one full-time employee? >> Yes. Asking for one additional full-time employee. >> Okay. And that's because the IT employee
was moved over to the villages >> because that the the supervisor of the GIS division, the water department became the director of IT >> and we had to backfill his position internally with somebody became the new supervisor and now that person's space is vacant.
>> Okay. I thought he was going to continue his work with the water department. >> So I I don't want to get too far into the personnel range here because we are in public and we no one's been rice noticed, but um he is overseeing both
divisions, the IT division and the GIS division. But due to the additional responsibilities, some of the responsibilities that are specific to the GIS department needed to be backfilled by one of the existing employees. >> Okay.
And I just want to give GIS a big shout out because it's a wonderful program and for the public, uh GIS is an amazing program that has allowed us to actually do many things. But with respect to trees, it does our tree inventory. It it helps us um locate public utilities and
it's really amazing and we are from my committees that use it from parks to trees. We we just love it and we're so grateful and we're still so grateful that Neil honors our appointments because we still haven't figured out how to use it completely. >> No. And using that example, it's it's
part of the reason, you know, Keith moved forward with the restructuring because now going to expand that great success to other things in the village >> and it really helps with public safety. If anybody wants to come, any any of you guys down here want to come and see how
it it's it's amazing and it's got unlimited potential for public safety, for storms, for everything. And it's just it's wonderful. I I think our major initiative there, not to get too far off topic, is with our our new village engineer to start to be able to plot out
our sanitary collection system and our um storm water collection system in the same manner that the Ridgewood water infrastructure is mapped out through GIS. Even even because Matt's here like when you the right of way I just it's excellent and I don't think we say
enough positive things about programs you guys are running and what a resource it is for me as a council member soon to be them they don't realize it information so good >> I move on beyond salary and wage >> sure
>> we move into uh pumping expense uh a big story here is the increase in utilities namely electric power and uh fuel heating. A significant jump u that we had a budget for in 26 as a result of some of the actual expenses that we saw
in 25. We then go on to treatment expense. Uh the biggest increase there is the last line purification. This is for the increase in the PAS media. Now that we have more of the PAS facilities online, uh we need to increase the amount of
media that we're going to purchase for replacement that's planned for for this year in 26. We then move on to transmission and distribution. Uh the increase here as a result of the increase in repairs and replacements. Uh similar what I said
regard to overtime. This is providing the actual materials um and all the restoration contracts that are necessary to complete that work and the traffic control measures. You know, when we pay the police to to provide that service, that's all covered here. So, that's the increase in this this department here.
Transmission and distribution. Uh following that is customer accounts. Um that's pretty much status status quo. No big change there. Uh we then move on to administrative in general which probably has the largest change. Um and
this is the result of uh health insurance. >> I see a pretty significant jump there. Um this is to carry the health insurance for the direct employees that are in the water department and additionally for the indirect cost for the services that are provided to the war utility by the
village ridgewood um employees such as the finance department village manager's office and and other departments that assist uh the utility in um servicing the public each and every day. Uh we then move on to taxes. U slight
increase there as taxes going up each year. we just we only pay on the property um the land itself. We don't pay an assessed value on our improvements at each each property. And this also includes a penny tax that we pay to the state on every thousand
gallons that are built to the customers system. Uh source of supply, that's our cost to purchase water. That's also status quo. No big change there as the result of our negotiations with the new Horththornne contract. And that's kept that line
pretty steady. Uh statutory expense um increases just going along with the you know increases for pension social security resulted headcount uh payo capital expense uh down payment
for debt. Um this is the budget. In case the um Bob finds that the calculations this year prove that the utility is not liquid, um there's then requirement to put down a down payment on our debt where in prior years we didn't have to
provide that. Um this is all the result of the large capital expense uh for PIOS that has brought us to this this point. Uh then PGO capital. This is capital expense that we fund through the operating budget rather than bond and
borrow for. And this is namely smaller capital items that all have a life over 5 years. Um such things like a hydrant um valve, all our meters uh that we replace in the homes. um other administrative um IT equipment, lab
equipment, construction equipment, anything that's small enough that would make sense to to bond and borrow for. We move on to debt service. Um debt service this year is is pretty much holding the line. We are not seeing the
large part of the I bank principal and interest interest as we have not closed on any of those loans to the point where they're in permanent financing. Um we are budgeting $400,000 in case one or two projects do move into
permanent financing by the end of this year. um anticipate the majority of this will be in 27 uh because the I bank um floats um short-term money to us and we don't pay any of the interest until we finish the actual
project and close out the contractor. Um so that's this is going to balloon as I some of you may remember from last year. Um it's it's coming and next year is probably the year. Uh the final sheet just sums everything up. uh looking at
$26.7 million water budget. Um this is about a 9% increase over the prior year and we're looking to pay for that. Um again utilizing surplus about $3.8 8 million of surplus surplus. I'm
anticipating water rents uh based on our current rates of about uh 20 million another 182,000 in hydrant service. That's the fees that all the towns pay us for the hydrants um for their use. miscellaneous revenues
which include our cell tower rents, revenues we collect for shutting off water, turning water back on, new connections, and about $1.7 million. And then the result of the increase in rents, um, which I'll summarize after
this, um, the volume rate, we're expecting additional $516,000 this year. the fixed charge or facilities charge 142,000 and increase in the POS treatment uh
charge of 183,000. Um what that means in real terms u the facilities charge and the volume rate we're proposing an 8% increase uh the volume rate will go from $6.39 to $6.90 per thousand gallons. uh
the facilities charge, which is the flat uh fee or fixed charge for our smallest meter size, which is the majority in our system, 5/8 inch meter, um goes from $35.95 a quarter to $38.95
a quarter. And the POS treatment charge goes from $37 to $40.78 per quarter. That concludes operating budget. So, this is an 8% rate increase.
>> When you you bring in the the P5 treatment charge, the average rateayer uses 7,000 gallons per month. Um, we'll see you have an overall annual increase of $87.52. >> Okay. That's on your typical sort of
single family home. >> Yes. You know, with about four occupants, no no irrigation. >> Okay. and the PAS uh surplus the PA pax fee when does that go away? >> So, under the advice of our attorney, I
probably shouldn't answer that question. Not the village attorney uh but the attorney in our our PAS case. >> Fair enough. >> Um because uh we are still waiting to get answers on, you know, the the future of our legal suit against the the manufactur. You had me at at council's
uh council's advice, so we're good. >> Yeah. But news to come soon. >> Good. Other questions? >> I did want to just say a little story and a thank you. Um, so I have family member who lives out of district but
uses Richard Water and I would say two to three years ago the communication was and now it's so good and I get the newsletter and I read it and there's really engagement and again um with the elderly community and moving them online away from the landline numbers it's um
the partnership with white golf and the other communities has been so great and even as a general reader or like a family member of somebody who's reading it people are saying really great things. So, I think in addition to the water, you're taking um a lot of information and engaging a lot of people and making them feel really good about
what you're doing. Um so, I just wanted to say thank you for that because I know it doesn't have to do with water, but there's always the presentation and it's nice to hear nice things, especially from neighboring towns. >> Thank you. We appreciate that. And it's it's the support that we get from the
manager's office and and all of you. In addition to that, it's the 50 people that work in the water department. You know, they're the face of the utility. >> Anybody else? Rich, Bill, thank you so much for being here tonight. >> We're not done. >> Capital. >> That's right.
>> Yeah. I you know, I try and avoid your capital budget because it it >> Bill Bill's going to drive this one. Um >> I don't know if you've gotten the revised version. >> No, Olivia. >> All right. So, Some of what Bill's going
to say might seem a little foreign, but just if you could follow the total amounts pretty much the same, but there's a couple extra projects we had to add in the revision. >> We don't have it at all. >> Oh,
which is why I was moving on. >> This fantasy world that perhaps water didn't have a capital budget this year. >> I promise I'll go quick, Paul. But if there's any questions, feel free to reach out. Right ahead. >> This is going to be the most expensive part of the night, so take your time.
>> So, there's a total of five projects. Um, little over $5.5 million. You can kind of see the direction we're going. This is the world post PAS. So, it's kind of exciting for me to be able to present this to you. Um, the first project is replacement vehicle 168. This
is a distribution vehicle. It's replacing a single axle truck. Spends more time in the garage than it does on the road. It's a 2014 International and we're looking at about $234,000 for that. >> How much? I'm sorry. >> $234,000.
>> And what type of truck is this? >> This is a single axle. >> Oh, this is like a work. Okay. >> Yeah. So, it's in between a mason dump and a triacle. It's kind of the in between of those. >> Um, second is distribution system repair and replacements. Uh, we're looking for
for,316,000. And this is all the distribution main replacements at various locations identified in our hydraulic model and also through the water accountability act and internal analysis. So we look at things like break rate per thousand ft
those type of things. Next is facility improvements. Um these are all identified in our asset management plan. Um, these are things such as fence, signs, lighting, doors, locks, tree removal, driveways, and
we're looking for 249,600. Next is storage tank improvements or replacements. And these are ongoing improvements based on upcoming tank inspections through a service contract. We're looking for $468,000.
That's for all 11 tanks. That's things like exterior coatings, valve replacements, anything pertaining to those tanks. >> And the last is a exciting one. This is a corrosion control pilot. So the
corrosion control is what goes uh into the water system, protects the leeching of lead pipes. Um we're looking for a new product. We want to make sure that we're doing our due diligence uh in the world postco. the phosphate world has
changed. So we want to pilot a new product and see how it does in our water system. >> How how will that pilot work with an existing one in the water? >> So what we'll do is we'll do a pipe loop. So we'll use our water and run it through a pipe loop which kind of mimics
the interior plumbing of a home and we're able to test that and see how the results are independent of the water system. So not putting it to a home but mimic mimicking a home with our well >> in in a lab >> kind of a lab setting. Yeah. But in the field at our well.
>> Gotcha. Now I remember when we approved the budget for the existing phosphate stuff that it was like it was proprietary and we've always used it etc. If we do make a move to this new one is there any issues with that? >> That's what this study would uh
identify. So phosphate's changing, products are changing. Postcoid the phosphate industry exploded, prices exploded, delivery methods changed. We now get this product in totes instead of bulk delivery, which is costing a lot more money.
>> When will this test take place? >> It's over the course of a period of time. It'll begin next year, likely end could be early 2027 before we make a decision. if possible. I would be nice to have just the regular updates on that. Um just because it's nerdy and
it's interesting. So >> yeah, absolutely. >> And that's the end of capital. >> What was your total? >> Just over 5.5 million. 5,527,600. >> Does that keep us largely flat in terms of what's rolling off this year?
>> So I think it was maybe four years ago. Um we when we knew PAS investment was going to cost $150 million um Mr. Rooney and I sat down and projected future debt and decided that
the ceiling for for debt until we got past PA should stay around 5 million a year. So that's why we're always hovering around that that number until such time we close on all those loans and get a better idea of where we sit in terms of future debt. you know because
we know there's a lot of distribution that's going to be need to re be replaced in the future. Oh, I know that we are once we finish with PAS, >> we finish the we go to the next round. >> So, >> phase two, >> we'll start that.
>> But our overall capital is staying about the same >> about the same. Y >> So, my only question is when you have tree removal, do you have tree replanting built into capital even outside of our district? I mean, because I know you guys own a lot of land. >> Yeah, that's included in our project. So, with that contract, there's also
tree replacement. >> And is it one to one? Like you take one down, you put one in. >> It depends on the project to be honest with you. >> Got it. >> Yeah. If it is like a tank project, then it will be one to one. >> Anybody else?
>> Now, thank you both so much. Bill, Rich, >> and Sean, thank you for waiting so that we don't have to pay for an Uber for Calby. >> Have a good evening, fellas. >> Thank you. You too. And we taking a break. >> Fine with me.
>> Let's go. We start with zoning board. Yep. >> Zoning. >> Zoning board of adjustment. What's the T? >> You ready, Jennifer? >> Here. >> Here. >> Here. Let's pick it up, Keith. Okay, so
Mayor, we're going to move to the board of adjustment, uh, which I'm going to present tonight. Um, if you look at the board of adjustment, um, we do not have any, uh, salaries and wages except for, uh, the other payline item, um, which we're not requesting this year. We
requested in prior years. Um, all of the staffing for this, uh, which is a singular employee, is on the building depart on the planning board budget. Um so there's no salaries and wages. Um on the legal advertising that's going to
remain the same. Um other professional services um if you want to click on that tab. Um there are some increases uh relative to that and that is primarily for the professional services of our municipal planner who as you know we've
been working with uh quite closely especially on our affordable housing obligation. Um so there is um an adjustment due to that. We are looking at the possibility of moving some of this appropriation or this requested
appropriation over to the affordable housing trust fund and Bob and Olivia are are working on determining uh what that adjustment should look like based on what's on the affordable side and what she's handled uh required of other matters. >> So just like Christie, why didn't we budget that $96,000 last year if it was
for the planner? I mean, we obviously knew we were going to have to deal with the affordable housing stuff this past year. >> So, I think this has more to do with planning out where we're going to go from here forward with affordable housing. Um, I think at this point last year, we knew that we had an obligation
to adopt a plan within the prescribed time frame. Um, but I think this year we realize that, you know, there are concerns in the community about this and that we are going to continue to need services probably more so than we anticipated last year for site planning and things like that.
>> Correct. Gotcha. Okay. >> All right. >> So, that's the big increase. And again, that $60,000 request um is likely uh to be reduced as we move through this process based on what we can charge back to the affordable housing trust fund. >> Right. Any other questions on this?
>> No. >> Nope. No. Okay. All right. We can move to the planning board. And on the planning board, um again, we have one employee uh that's a contractually obligated uh cost of living adjustment. Uh we also have a
nominal amount of money uh budgeted for overtime if there's a need for any type of special meeting or after hours work. Um legal advertising, we were actually able to reduce that as Heather spoke about at her budget presentation. Um some of the changes that are being made
to be able to do our legal notices online on our website rather than through uh paid media. Um that reflects that number. Um we have line item 28 which I would like to call your attention to. >> Um
this is also um an adjustment from last year uh with regard to professional planning consultant services. Again this one has the potential to to be reduced as well. um legal services for the board um have actually been reduced because
there has been uh less meetings when it comes to the planning board in 2025. >> Is is the on this line is the professional planning consultant the same as for the zoning? >> Yes. Yes. So there's there's two
professional planners that we use. One is uh Beth McManis. She is dealing primarily with our affordable housing, but she does do some conflict work. Um, and then at the last council meeting, uh, the village council, >> John Barry, >> onboarded John Barry.
>> Um, so he'll be handling, he handles primarily all of the applications that come before the planning board relative to that as well. >> I mean, thank you. >> And, you know, I know that, you know, we brought back on Jan Barry, but somebody's been doing this work for the last year or two. We didn't allocate
money here as well last year. Now we're allocating a bunch more money this year. I'm just wondering why it's changing so much from year to year. It's like a $200,000 swing between the two. >> I do know that the planning board wasn't meeting as frequently. Zoning was meeting much more. So without Pam here, I'm
>> Yeah, there's there's also um two pieces of litigation. One was decided this week uh regarding a uh a contested zoning board application. And this goes back to the prior um the prior budget that we discussed. Um that ruling was came down
from the superior court judge um siding with the plaintiff. Uh so we did at one point anticipate that we might need additional planning services if that was uh if that case was decided in favor of the village and there was an appeal. So again, that $60,000 that's appropriated
in the planning in the zoning board budget is going to be adjusted accordingly in light of that. uh turn of events as well. >> So I hear I'm just wondering why we didn't budget for any of the stuff last year, but we're budgeting it for it this year. >> Go ahead.
>> Yeah. Oh, >> hello. >> There you go. >> Okay. So, we um did unfortunately make a lot of cuts last year based on where we needed to be. So, this is just really restorative. Um, and if you look um, for the mod for what was actually adopted
and what was modified, we did have to make a lot of transfers um, to keep up with everything that was happening unfortunately. Um, so they only had $8,200 and we had to transfer a lot of money to pay bills that came in. Um so
at this point in time and then where you see the 028 where the um professional planner John Barry we you guys did um approve a contract for I think it was $150,000 and that is split between zoning and planning. >> I see. So it's like this $32,000 other
contractual services that we're now trying to make up for it looks like. >> Yes. >> Gotcha. >> Right. and and and and what I think Olivia is trying to say is that you've taken with all of our professional services because I had a discussion with some of the council members earlier today about another professional service provider. You took the allocated amount
that was approved in the council resolution from the December 10th meeting and you applied those resolution numbers to the budget. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Um Okay. So that's planning and zoning board and again th those numbers will be
modified before you receive your budget for introduction based on uh the trust fund and also based on the outcome of some of the litigation that we discussed earlier. Uh we're going to move now to the village manager pay uh tab.
>> Would that be under Keith? >> Actually it's under Casmark on my in my folder. There it is. Go. Okay. So, um if you look at the summary page, um full-time salaries, um nominal
increase of about $16,000. Uh that's relative to any cost of living adjustments uh for the employees, the three employees in the man in the manager's office. Um with regard to um
other expenses, um basically we're increasing um by reducing that budget by um approximately $10,000. Um we made some modifications to uh some various line items um in order to um
achieve that. Any questions? >> Nope. Anybody else? >> All good. Let's go. >> All right. We're actually reducing the overall budget by three by over $3,000 for this year.
>> I'll go to village council >> prior to before that. >> Oh, thank you. >> Um here we're actually making a uh there's a actually a um reduction between the 2% increase to the
actual of $26,000. So we have the salaries and wages which remain the same. Um we have reduced professional services which is line item 048 because we are removing the SID consultant. Uh now that the SID is active um and stood
up uh that allocation which was $24,500 previously has been removed from the budget. Uh so the only professional services um provider that is in that line item is our grant writer. Um, and they've kept their rate the same as
2025, $39,600. Other than that, status quo. >> So, our our budget became in less than what we did last year. You got like a gold star. >> Great. Great job, guys. >> Yeah. >> Headcount was the same. >> Head count's the same.
>> Yep. Um I will tell you that I am going to ask uh to address the village attorney's budget um on Monday night at our next meeting. Uh there have been some expenses that were budgeted for uh
specifically when it ca comes to the labor attorney um and when it comes to um some of our outside council matters uh that I need to get some more clarity on. Uh, so I'm going to ask Olivia to add the village attorney's budget back to the agenda uh in coordination with
Heather's office for Monday. >> Good. >> All right. Next. >> And with that, that wraps up my section. So the last section tonight is Mr. Rooney. So Bob, if you want to address the finance department, the tax collector, and the parking utility. And
I just want to make mention that with regard to the parking utility, as mentioned earlier, we do not have all of the revenues uh finalized yet. So, we'll just be talking about the appropriation side when it comes to that utility. Bob, >> thank you. Um finance department, the
salaries and wages are primarily flat. Um increase for full-time is contractual. um slight increase in overtime anticipated uh trying to meet uh our financial statement deadlines. Uh other other expense
is u less than what we anticipated a 2% goal. Uh there isn't much in there. We've eliminated the penetration testing this year. I've kept some u some items in there for possible testing in 2026.
Um and also the professional services uh related to our time and attendance um fluctuates depending on headcount. So this is anticipating um slight headcount charge by the by pride point. So other than that there isn't uh anything
exciting here. Any questions? >> I I just had one question Bob um on 01212 the intern. Do you guys have a finance intern? So, we have a um person that comes in
who actually is the uh relative of one of my employees and he's a senior in high school who's also uh participating as a math major in Bernie Community College getting credit. So, um this is ideal for him. He's outstanding. Does a great job in working with us. Uh but I
do not have other uh an intern just haven't had anybody show an interest in the past couple of years. I love it. You know, I love an intern. So, that's just great. I didn't I was unaware. >> So, in summary, on on the finance
administration budget, um we're actually just over $1,300 less than a 2% increase for 2026. >> Great. This is good. Next, >> tax collector. >> Just open it.
tax collector. The um contract the salaries are all contractual. Um slight increase from last year. Um the other expenses are uh $200 over what we anticipated. Uh there's slight increase
in postage and express charges which uh continue every year. Other than that, I think that's about it. And again, I'll point out uh 200 200 just over $200 less uh or under the uh the 2% adjustment. So
consistent theme coming from the finance department. >> Let's hope. I mean, it is the finance department, so nice job. >> I got to play by my own rules, right? >> Yep. >> Parking. So, as Keith indicated, the revenues
aren't completed for parking. So, some of this uh may be reduced or increased depending on where we land up. Um my anticipation is to hire another either full-time or part-time um parking enforcement officer. Again, that'll
depend on how my revenue stream has played out this year as to what I can anticipate for next year. >> I won't say it, but I prefer part-time. Yes, sir. So do I. Um it's I haven't had many. Um
>> we we put out interviews for full-timers. We don't get many coming on board. Um but part-timers we do have a lot of interest in. >> There is a significant increase, at least as I see it, from the 2025 actual to the uh 26 budget request on the
total. Can you walk us through that? for salar and wages or I'm sorry >> no total total budget 2.5 to 2.9 >> okay so that would have to be down at the other expense line um the just bear with me one second
PDFs move around >> the the big increase the big increase is the debt service >> right so debt service is um you know the bonds as they get older in maturities they the the principal starts going up and the interest is pretty much static.
So that's the um it that that's the cause of that fluctuation. Um >> well that's that's 100. >> So you got statutory expenditures. You got uh 10,000 in there, right?
>> I'm sorry. 10,000 what? >> Statuto >> statutory expenditures. >> Yeah. Yeah, I'm just trying to find the $400,000 and you've you found a hundred so far. >> And the other expenses as far as the um
actual is all the expenditures are not yet filtered through here for parking. Uh we still do allocations. We have other charges that come through here. So that's part of the difference in the actual >> is that is that primarily in 029030? >> Yes sir.
>> Okay. So that 190777 is not uh with all the bills paid essentially for 2025. >> Got it. >> That's correct. >> Got it. Good. Because that makes up for almost 200 right there. >> Okay. I see the rest. I'm good.
>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anybody else? >> No, I I just wanted to take a brief minute to say thank you. Um, this the budget is so much better than the first year for a lot of reasons. But thank you for all the work that goes into
presenting this to all of us and Olivia and everybody who makes it easy for us and I just I'm very grateful that you're here and you help us with this. So, thank you to you and your department. So, so Mayor, I just want to first thank the council uh for your indulgence in
allowing us to modify the schedule tonight and allow our bluecollar workers uh who were scheduled to be with us tonight to come in on Monday. Uh once they're rested up um after the storm. Uh which brings me to our next meeting, which is Monday, February 2nd. Again, a
5:00 start. We will start off with uh our signal division, water pollution control facility, fleet, streets and yard waste, engineering division. We'll talk about the utilities um which falls under
public works and then we'll close with emergency management and that will conclude our director budget presentations. However, that night we're also going to address capital funds, debt service, deferred charges, shared service agreements, revenues in the
current fund, uh salary and accumulated leave, staff levels, which we've addressed actually during each budget hearing, uh surplus and current fund, and our trust fund balances. Uh so we're going to allocate some time at the conclusion of that meeting after meeting with the blueco collar folks and
emergency management to address those issues. And then our final budget meeting will be on Monday, February 9th, where we will discuss our final capital budget and the overall tax rate and the impact that this year's budget uh will have on our residents.
>> Good. Anybody have any questions? We will entertain a motion to adjourn. >> You got to open public comment. >> Oh, thank you very much. My mistake. Let's go back to public comment. >> There's no one in the audience. No one on Zoom.
>> No one on Zoom. I gave my cell number out before. I will give it out again just in the event that anybody has a question. It is if you and I apologize for any technical difficulties you may be having. If you are having them, you can reach us at 2011 7556465
if you have a question or a comment. Council member Mortimer has reached out on my cell phone. Seeing no one other than council member Mortimer, I'm going to close public comment and entertain a motion to adjourn. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I keep it. >> Sure. >> It's a village. >> It's a village. >> Serious. >> Where's Pam? Where's Pam? We need a rag. >> That was That was really funny.
>> Well, it's funny if you look There we are.