ual meeting schedule posted on the public bulletin board in the municipal building and filed in the office of the burough clerk. For those attending tonight's meeting via Zoom, the agenda and any any other relevant documents can be found on the burough's website attached to the meeting notice posted in the news and announcement section. During the meeting, announce will be
made prior to the two public comment periods. Anyone wishing to make a public comment via computer will be instructed to use the raise your hand icon. And anyone wishing to make a public comment via telephone will be instructed to dial star9 at the appropriate time. For those in attendance in person or remotely, please provide your name and address
when selected. If you're eligible for Daniel's Law, please just announce your name. Mr. Watkins, please call the role. >> Mayor Spango >> present. >> Mr. Bardy >> here. >> Mr. Bront >> here. >> Mrs. Par >> here. >> Mr. Schroeder >> here. >> Mrs. Tolley. >> Mr. Trillo >> here.
uh going to rise for the flag salute. If we could have the uh Girl Scout troop come up in front. They're going to lead us in the flag suit. >> Whenever you're ready, ladies, >> start us up. I aliance 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. >> Thank you, girls. Stay up there, girls. We're going to move the agenda around a
little bit. Uh first we are going to do our presentations. First we have Girl Scout Troop 201131. Excuse me one second. just had to get the list of names. I'm sorry. Um, Girl Scouts are all receiving proclamations today for an initiative
they did to restock our food bank. Uh, the Girl Scouts that are with us are Adriana Vipoto, Amber Shioone, Anastasia Brudiniaak, Anne Mandel, Ari Pascrel, Ella Connor, Emily Schroeder, Estelle Sebastian, Francesca Rela, Harper
Chriso, Lucy Hall, Mariana Gibbons, Mia Connor, Nina Gross, Riley Nigro, and Sophia Bergos. Each girl is going to re receive a certificate. But if you see the picture behind me, that's what I asked them to do in the back before. These girls didn't just go somewhere and
collect food like at a shop, right? They petitioned a community and then with the help of some parents, they went door todo and actually picked up the food. And correct me if I'm wrong, where's Benny? Am I correct? And
>> two awards. See, Sally gets coach of the year today and something else. Um went out and picked up the food from the residents and then dropped it off at Burrow Hall. We took them in. We showed them where the food actually went. We thought it was important to see where our food pantry is and it showed how it was empty and how it was filling back up
and spoke to them how important it is to do things like this. Cuz even in a community like ours, there are people in need that we don't even see. Our food bank delivers food anonymously to residents in need with the help of the helping hand sometimes from Noacer. Um
but it's not just to do something to say they did it. actually has real life impact on people in our communities. So, I wanted to honor them and thank them for everything that they did. I wanted to put the picture up there to show how our Rosland Girl Scouts are a little bit different other towns where they go out
and actively engaged the community and went door to door and picked it up. So, the girls deserve a big round of applause for what they did and they should be honored. Ju just so the girls know, the certificates, they were printed in error. They only have the troop name on it. But when
they have each individual name on it, we'll make sure that we get them to have this if we'll take pictures. Good. Beautiful. Heat. Heat. with their shirts on
tournament this weekend that next up we have another uh soccer championship. We have the fifth and sixth grade girls up and congratulations
helicopter. And Um, thank you. Thank you all. I just wanted to uh congratulate these girls. This is our third year in a row of championships. The fifth graders
did not have an easy season. We went high um losses by six in a row for the championship. Um, and we were told we were going to lose and we did not every single girl on this team it show
up. They worked hard. Our season was extended longer than um I'm so proud of you. Chris, you want to call a demo? Assume the position. Council,
can you shift this way? >> Yes. >> Right there. Thank you. Sorry. >> Only take it. >> This is the This is the part easy mess. >> Can never do it. >> Slow.
>> That thing's held up by like two uh hangers. >> In the back. Nobody else. >> You're a teacher. You should have this done in two seconds. >> I don't use these anymore, but >> you're still the res
and it was a world map. >> Yeah. >> Different sizes. So like >> there we go. >> It's coming down one day. >> Let's just hope the day is not today. >> Jay's like rolling the map. If you want
to call it new, >> gently used like 25 years old. >> No, there's a there's an electron chang. >> He was always good for that. He found good stuff.
>> Some chairs. We loaded up. >> Okay. Just >> it's not. >> No, it's not. >> Is the door closed? >> No, it's not. >> Can you stop saying that?
I'm going to go a little bit in reverse here. Um, I would just like I didn't want to uh bring down the mood of of the kids. I just want to uh have everyone rise for a moment of silence. Um, there's two people that our community
lost in the last week after losing Chairman Lassel, which was irreplaceable to begin with. One's very well known, one is not, but is known to some of us. The uh former president of the um Stonegate Association, Nick Deia, who served for 18 years, died suddenly on
Friday night. Um I'd like to have a moment of silence for him. Thoughts and prayers with his wife and family. >> Thank you. This the second moment of silence is for um our friend, our governor, our resident uh Richard Cody. Um Governor Cody uh sum succumbed to his
illnesses uh very early Sunday morning. Um thank him for everything he's done for everyone. He was a a great regular person and and a great person who got a lot accomplished and always did what he believed was right regardless of any influences whatsoever. So, I'd like to
have a moment of silence and extend our condolences and thoughts and prayers with his family. Thank you. Next on the agenda, we have our first round of public comment. Any member of the public wishing to be heard, come forward, state your name address for the record. If you're with us via Zoom, use the raise your hand icon. If you're with
us telephonically, press star 9. Hi. Uh, Andrew Gibbons. >> Can you use the mic? >> Unfortunately. Sorry. >> First time. >> Hi. Uh, Andrew Gibbons, uh, 16 Conover Avenue, Rosland.
I came with a quick suggestion. Um, about a year or so ago, I went to Boontown to get some useless piece of plastic at a Walmart. And when I drove up, there was a beautiful water tower and it said boomtown USA on the water
tower. And I thought that's cool as hell. And I thought Roseland should have that. So I know that in Harrison we have that big antenna. Not the most attractive looking antenna. We have lots of Roseland things on the fields, but you can't see them when you walk up or
so. I thought it would be really cool if we had on that tower Roseland USA. Not Rosland, New Jersey. Roseland, USA in black or red letters. It would be super cool. Please consider it. Great idea. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Can we do that? >> Why not? >> All right, guys. Uh Kyle Kovat, 10 Plymouth Place. Um just here tonight to express my want, desire, or ability to serve on any sort of committee um or any sort of board that is specifically
geared towards uh improving our center of town and not even just the center of town, but the town in general for all residents and prospective residents. Um to be completely honest, this comes from my frustration, which I think uh a lot of people see, you know, my frustration
with some of these things. Um, I grew up in town. Grew up in town in the 1990s. Um, and we were fortunate enough to just give, well, not me. My wife did it. Uh, gave birth to our first son back in September. And, um, I think about all the things that I enjoyed growing up in
town doing. And unfortunately, we've lost a lot of those things. Um, one of the things I used to always love doing was going to Eminem Delhi. I don't know if anybody was still in Rosland when Eminem deli was here, but >> somebody somebody here actually pretty knows it pretty well. >> Yeah. So I used to see you at the counter there. So FM Delhi was great.
You used to go in on, you know, the mornings. You'd see guys like Mr. Pacio and, you know, your whole crew hanging out, you know, there and whatnot. So that was a great socialization spot. And I just feel like we've lost a lot of socialization spots in general. So, anything we can do to gear businesses
like that in Eminem deli at coffee shop and ice cream shop somewhere where I envision in the future I can bring my children, Anony's children, um, you know, after sport, you know, sporting events, little league games and things like that. Part of this is my frustration with, you know, 192 and 194
Eagle Rock. I thought that would have been a generational opportunity to be purchased for a municipal metered parking lot. Um the biggest issue as you guys all know in our center of town with both attracting businesses and our current businesses is what and it's parking obviously. So I love Picas. I think it's my favorite Italian
restaurant in the state. I might be a little biased there because I live around the corner from it, but um obviously they can't even open for lunch because there's no parking. Um we have other businesses there that people don't even go to the center of town because there's no parking for it as well. But I felt like with that property, there's never going to be an opportunity again
to buy that size property for below a million bucks. That could have again, it would have cost some money of course and it might not have been profitable right off the bat, but with thousands of new residents entering town within walking distance of our center of town, I think there was going to be plenty of people that could patronize businesses that
went there. Um, so yeah, just in in general, some of you may know this, some of you may not. I'm a real estate broker. Um, some people always say, "You're just saying this because you want prices to go up." That's a load of crap. That's not the truth. So, are prices going up a good thing? Probably, right? And why is that probably a good
thing? Because if people are willing to pay more for something, what does that tell you? That tells you they probably think it's a good thing, right? So, just to give you a quick stat, Verona verse Rosand. Verona has gone like this. And Rosland prices have gone up as well. But from 2015 to 2025, Verona has outpaced
us in price growth by 18%. on the neighborhoods that border the main strip. Neighborhood being my neighborhood where Plymouth Place is, neighborhood over there being forest a neighborhood where the Forest AB school is. And the number one reason why if you look at every survey of every single home buyer in the country right now, there's one thing, the number one thing
they're looking for is what? >> Walkability. They want to be able to walk to stuff. So, um, >> Rosland's a good town. I think we can make it a great town, though. And I think part of that is really really putting together a plan and having some kind of vision and you know having some kind of tangible plan that we can
execute on. So I just want to express my want, my desire, my ability to serve on any committee um or you know again whether it be the planning board, a committee geared towards you know improving business in town and doing something just to gear towards young
families in town number one and number two attract young families. My sister, it's driving me nuts. were trying to beg her to move to Rosland. Her husband from Long Island saying there's nothing to do in this town. I'm saying there is some stuff to do in this town and I hope I'm very hopeful there's going to be more to do in this town. So, I'm very hopeful
that we will be able to get something done. And again, just want to express my want, desire, whatever you want to call it, ability to serve on any committee that can help this town. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Don't trust those folks. >> We have we have we have we we attracted a few allstars from Long Island though. I can say that.
>> Any other member of the public wish to be heard? Please come forward. State your name and address for the record. hearing and seeing none. Next on the agenda is ordinance 1-2026. Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance by title. >> Excuse me.
>> An ordinance of the burrow of Roseland in the county of Essex, state of New Jersey, amending and supplementing the burrow code to amend chapter 2 administration section 2-24.2 composition of police department. Is there a motion to introduce ordinance 1-2026?
>> So moved. >> Second. Parati Barty. All in favor? >> I opposed hearing and seeing none. >> Mayor, can I just make a comment? >> Absolutely. I'm sorry. You threw me off there for a second.
>> I'm I'm sorry. The copy that was distributed to the uh the public is has a couple of typos. One is that it says seven patrol sergeants. It's going to be reduced to six. >> No, it isn't. >> No, it's seven. >> No, it is seven. >> It's going to stay seven. >> Correct. >> Okay. Then how about the patrol
officers? >> It should be staying 16. >> The patrol officers by table of organization are going to be increased by two pending budget approval. >> Okay. >> We can change the ordinance, but we don't have to fill it if the if the governing body doesn't Okay. Uh, >> right.
>> Good enough. So the there is accurate. >> That is correct. Thank you. Uh, seeing none, Mr. >> ordinance number one-226 will be posted on the burrow's website. Notice of public hearing will pub will be published in the progress. Public
hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. >> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the agenda is introduction of ordinance 2-2026. Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance by title only. An ordinance to amend chapter 30 land development article 4 zoning by amending various
sections of the same to reszone block 32 lot 9.01 from the R six residential zone to a new R15/H9 affordable housing zone. >> Is there a motion to introduce ordinance 2-2026? >> So moved.
>> Second. Trillo Barant. All in favor? I opposed hearing. Seeing none, >> ordinance number two-2026 will be referred to the planning board to asssure that the amendments proposed herein are not inconsistent with the master plan. Ordinance will be posted on
the bureau's website. Notice of public hearing will be published in the progress and a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. >> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance 3-2026. Mr. Watkins, please
read the ordinance by title only. >> An ordinance to amend chapter 30 land development article 4 zoning by amending various sections of the same to reszone block 30 lot 4 from the OB2 office building district to a new R14
AH8 affordable housing zone. >> We have a motion to introduce ordinance 3-2026. So move >> second. Sherlocky. All in favor? I >> opposed hearing and seeing none. >> Ordinance number 3-2026
will be referred to the planning board to ensure that the amendments proposed herein are not inconsistent with the master plan. The ordinance will be posted on the burough's website. Notice of public hearing will be published in the progress. Public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026.
>> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the agenda is resolution 30-2026. Motion to approve the January 7th bill list. If everyone received the bill list and there's no questions, concerns, comments, or recusals, take a motion to approve the bill list, please.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Bar Trillo. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Hearing seeing none. Next we have resolutions 31-2026 through 52-2026 by resolution number by
agenda items 1 through 22. Questions, concerns, comments, or recusals on any of these resolutions? If there are none, can we have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Party Trillo. All in favor? I I
>> opposed hearing none. Next we have our consent agenda. A bingo application for the HSA, raffle application for the HSA, and a merchandise raffle application for the HSA. Do we have a motion to approve these items? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Parate Trill. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. Hearing none. Um mayor's report. Um, I said my what I could about Chairman Lassal,
Governor Cody, and Nick D'Amelia. It's it's a sad time for our burrow. We've lost a lot of great people. Um, just once again, thoughts and prayers with their family. Um, I did want to mention one thing. I don't know if everyone's aware of it. I spoke to uh Ryan, our public information
officer. There was a great article that was posted by um New Jersey 101.5. And it's the article is can you really retire cheaply in New Jersey? These nine towns may surprise you. And why am I reading this? Cuz yes, Roseland is one of the towns. Actually, probably I think
that the only town in Essex, that's for sure. But one of the few towns in the northern part of the state. And it's a little blurb and I'm just going to read it into the record. It says, "So, how can anything in Essex County be affordable?" But that's where you'll find Roseland. and they say it is a
small burrow with a small town feel where if you're willing to live in a condo or smaller home, the housing is said to be very affordable. Plus, you'll get big city amenities like snow removal, etc., for example, but all in a small town atmosphere. It's a testament to what this governing body and people who served before us have done. So, I
just wanted to read that in the record. We're proud of it. I don't have anything else for my committee reports. Finance administration, Councilman Barney. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh we're now in budget season and uh we're going to be starting to have have our hold our budget hearings. So we're going to have our first meeting January 31. So this is the
proposal of the governing the governing body and if these dates work. So our our schedule tentative schedule January 31st which is a Saturday at 9:00 a.m. to review DPW code enforcement and recreation. February 10th, which is a Tuesday at
6:30 reviewed budget. And then our third meeting February 17th, which is also Tuesday, technology administration insurance
the February 10th is Yeah, I'm sure. Thank you. Really great. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Country
Girl Scout and order guidance. I did update a couple weeks ago will host their leaders effort in January for
so we have couple uh Oh yeah. And um drive down. Um
uh on that note um I say the uh committee will meeting first meeting of the year next week last year for a fill out and then also a
later season with their first game this weekend. That's pretty cool. Um, >> thank you, Mayor. my thoughts as well. Thoughts and prayers to Governor Hobe's family as well as Nick's family. It's a
sad day when we lose anybody for sure. Um, I just want to take a moment uh to acknowledge the outstanding work being done by our our detective Sergeant Haidider and his team, Detective Gibbons and Detective Oi. Over
the past month, our department has investigated several robberies. Thanks to their diligent efforts, two of those cases have already been brought to closure, resulting in arrests. In one case in particular, our detectives coordinated closely with the US Postal
Inspection Service, working alongside the Federal Investigators to identify the individuals responsible for the theft. They also you utilized the ALPR technology which played a critical role in advancing the investigation. On
January 7th, Detective Gibbons and Detective Oi assisted the US Postal Inspection Service along with the United States Secret Service in executing arrest warrants for three individuals connected to that specific incident. On
behalf of myself and the council, I want to commend and thank each of them for their hard work, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe. I just wanted to shout out to all of them and thank them. >> They did a good job. >> They did a great job. >> Uh, Councilman Tolley is here.
Councilman Bar, Counciloman, anything to add? >> Um, no, not that I know of. >> Thank you. Next on the agenda is our second round of public comment. Any member of the public wish to be heard, come forward, state your name, address for the record. If you're with us via Zoom, use the raise your hand icon. If you're with us telephonically, press
star 9. >> Thank you. If no one no member of the governing body has anything further, we'll take a motion for adjournment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Sorry. >> Parate, I think. All in favor? >> I opposed. Hearing none.
>> What is this something? >> Mayor, really quick. >> Forget something. No, no, no, no. >> I feel okay. So >> you miss a lot at work.