a couple guys. Good. Good to go. Ready. All righty. Uh, this meeting is being held in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. Annual notice. This meeting was published in the Union County Local Source in the New York Star Ledger. said notice was posted in the municipal
building and a copy is on file with the office of the burough clerk. Fire exits are located in the directions I'm indicating. If you're alerted for a fire, please move in a calm, orderly manner to the nearest smokefree exit. Proper notice have been given. The burough clerk is direct to include the statement in the minutes of the meeting. Uh please call the role. Councilman Petroski here. Councilman Johnson
present. Councilman Sigurella here. Councilman Robina here. Councilwoman Lions here. Councilman Patel here. Mayor Signarella here. All present. Uh please lead us in the opening prayer and pledge of allegiance. Eternal God, grant us thy help and all our duties and perplexities. We ask for
thy guidance. Give us thy protection in our dangers and sorrows. Grant us thy peace. Amen. Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, liberty, justice for all. Uh okay. Um, so, uh, first off, we're going to start with a couple, uh, events. I'd like to call up George, whoever else you're bringing up. Uh, assuming the coming up. Wife's not
coming up. What is this? All right. Fair enough. Appreciate that. Um, and this is for the inaugural Panthers Promise Scholarship recipients. Um, Oh, yeah. Um, actually, well, I just wanted to, uh, people should know this is too tall for
the mayor. Um, yeah, I just want to say, um, thank you to George for setting this up. Um, you know, uh, he's been an active member of the community. Um, and I think George has done a great job of recognizing some exemplary people tonight. So, very excited to support him. We have a couple
proclamations along with your certificates and scholarships. So, um, thanks and go ahead. Yeah, thank you, mayor and, uh, council for giving the time. Um, we're here today to, uh, celebrate the first recipients of Panthers Promise Scholarship Awards. Uh, this is a brand new 501c3
organization we're starting. The goal here is to honor and recognize Rosel Park graduating seniors and help out with, uh, as we know, the rising cost of things are getting out of hand. So, um, I own a local business, real estate, and I thought this was a good way to give back. So, um, we started this foundation and and we hope to do this every single
year. So, for our inaugural year, we have two recipients. Um, we'd like to call them up. And I'd like to just recognize that um we have both uh Heaven Castillo and Madison Rose Okano. Uh they're two graduating seniors who will be going to uh Heaven will be going to Kane University right over here. And um
we got Rose going to uh North Carolina State University. Um they'll both be studying. So, uh Rose is going to study sports management and um Heaven's going to be studying forensics psychology. So, um I'm sorry, Madison. Uh said her middle name. Uh, so I'd like to just call them up please and the mayor will
read a proclamation and congratulations to on your recipient of the award. Okay. Um, so um whereas the Burough of Rosal Park is proud to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of its young citizens who demonstrate exceptional dedication to academic excellence, community involvement and personal
growth. And Panthers Promise Scholarships uh awards has been established with the purpose of recognizing exceptional youth in Rosal Park and assisting them with college related expenses. And whereas Madison Rose OConnell, are they the same? And Heaven. Okay. I was going to say are they the same? Okay. And Heaven Castillo uh are
both distinguished uh members of the Rosal Park uh high school. They've exemplified these qualities through their remarkable academic achievement, significant contributions to the community, and unwavering commitment to their educational journey. and uh both Madison and Heaven have been selected as
deserving recipients of the $4,000 scholarship award. Wow. Okay. Uh for 2024 to 2025 academic year by Panther Promise, an organization dedicated to supporting the educational pursuits of promising students. And whereas the prestigious scholarship recognizes Madison and Heaven's hard work,
perseverance, and potential to make a lasting relationship as they continue their higher education. And whereas the burrow of Rosal Park extends its heartfelt congratulations to Madison in Heaven on this significant accomplishment and commends Panthers Promise for its invaluable support of the youth. One more round of applause for these ladies.
Well, Um, stay up And we have a Oh, no. I got to do this, right? You can do it from there. Okay. No, it feels weird. I'll come back. Uh, may I have a motion to go out of
order and consider resolution 2020-25? So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I. I. Uh, Mr. Clerk, please read resolution 20-25 by title. Yes, mayor. Resolution 20 uh I'm sorry 22025
is promoting Sergeant Richard Koka to the rank of Lieutenant within the Rosal Park Police Department. May I have a motion to adopt resolution 220-25? So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? Please call the RO. Councilman Petroski? Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes.
Councilman Sigurella? Yes. Councilman Robbina? Yes. Councilwoman Lions? Yes. Councilman Patel? Yes. Six posts in the affirmative. The resolution is adopted. I would like to uh invite up the police chief. Rich, you want to come up and uh who who anybody you want from your
family up? Yeah, perfect. Come hang out here. How are you? Stand in front of the podium. Stand in front of the podium. Stand in front of the podium. Words first or we do it afterwards. Right in front of the podium.
Rich. Rich, just stand in front of the podium. I'm I'm working on it, guys. All right. Okay. I'm not great at this. You guys very good. Good. Okay, repeat after me.
I, Richard Copa, I doly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, and that I will bear true faith true faith and allegiance to the same
the governments established in the United States the government of the United States and in this state and the authority of the people the people. and further solemnly swear that I will faithfully impartially and justly perform all duties of police
department best of my ability to best make it. You want to say a couple words? I would like to thank mayor and council for uh their continued support and and always filling the ranks uh as we have
uh just a retirement. I want to uh congratulate uh Lieutenant David Pittz. Uh he wor did 30 years with our agency. He's retiring August 1st and uh he's got big shoes to fill, but this is his replacement and I think he'll do a fantastic job.
Just a little just a little something about Rich. Uh a little bit of his background, how he got to where where he is today. Uh Lieutenant Rich Koka is a Union County Union I'm sorry, Union High School graduate. After high school, he attended Union County College where he studied fire science. Uh in 1997, he
worked as a police dispatcher for Kane University Police Department. In June of 1999, Koko was hired by Kain University Police Department, where he attended the John H. Stamler Police Academy, graduating from class 80, and following graduation was assigned as a campus
police officer. In November of two 2003, Poker was hired by the Rosal Park Police Department and was assigned to the patrol division. In 2005, he was assigned to the detective bureau as a juvenile detective. He was also designated at that time uh as the Rosalo
Park Office of Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator. Uh in 2016, he was reassigned from his assignment as juvenile detective to the general investigative division within the detective bureau. In March of 2019, Detective Kok was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant where he remained
in the bureau and ran as uh as the bureau commander uh where he currently is today. Lieutenant Koka has received numerous awards and accommodations to include honorable service medal uh in 2010, honorable mention awards 2004 and 2008,
honorable recognition awards 2004 2005, life-saving award in 2004, and the administrative police service award uh which uh by the way has only been awarded to three people in the history of Rosal Park uh in 2014.
Lieutenant Co. Koka has also held numerous certifications such as firefighter, hazmat technician, and emergency medical technician. As a result of these certification, he was also designated as a liaison between the police department and the fire
department during his tenure. Lieutenant Ko is a true asset to our police department. I know he will continue to do an outstanding job for for this department and the community he serves. and it is a true pleasure working with Rich and I look forward to working with you in your new position as lieutenant.
Thank you. I normally don't speak and I let uh the chief do the speaking, but um I uh I just really want to say of the um excuse me, of the promotions I've made, Rich, um when I first got elected,
I had no clue what I was doing. Um, I still barely know what I'm doing. Um, it's a joke. Um, but you really did a great job of every time there was an event, every time there was something going on, you were just like this glue guy who made it always very easy for us, like always looking around the corner.
So, like this one was just super easy. You're very deserving of the role and you're going to do a good job. And then also, you already have like more work to do. Did Did Fino already tell you? Okay, good. All right, cool. So, but one more time, congratulations. You want to say anything? Sure. Yeah. for those kind words. I'd like to take
this opportunity to thank uh Mayor Joseph Singer Jr., members of council, tax and finance administrator Kenneth Plum and B minister Andrew Casayas. Uh I truly appreciate all your support. Thank you. Um I'd also take this opportunity to thank Chief Reno. Chief, you've been a true inspiration, a role model, and a
leader. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to lead on the command staff level. the uh command staff, detective bureau, and fellow co-workers. I can't thank you guys enough for this opportunity in my new position. I promise to lead with honor, compassion, and above all fairness. I'd also like to
take this uh opportunity to uh to thank my wife Wendy. Thank you for always being there, being a true partner, and always pushing me to do my best and believing in myself. Thank you for all your support and always sacrificing yourself for our family. I love you. To my uh daughter Riley, I hope this is a
true inspiration that when you work hard, follow your dreams, you will go places in life. Never give up, and most importantly, always be you. I love you. To my family and friends, thank you for always being there and supporting me through my journey. You guys are truly amazing. I'm very blessed for that.
Thank you. And in closing, I'd like to also thank the residents of Rosal Park. Over the years, I built some amaz truly amazing friendships and partnerships, and I could uh will continue to do that as lieutenant. Thank you. Let me know if you want or not. Thank you so much.
Yeah. Yeah. Congratulations. Congrats. Congratulations. I like it. Great. God bless. You guys want to take pictures now? Yeah. Yeah. Can you take a Do you want to take just a quick recess? Uh, may I have a motion to have a short recess?
It's almost all in favor. I mean, you don't want the back. Can we leave? Can we get out of here? Yeah. I don't want to be in it. Oh jeez. Thank you. We just
did not charge. Don't want to get in here. Avengers assemble. Okay. Uh may I have a motion to uh wait I guess reconvene. Reconvene. So moved. Second. All in favor? I I Okay. Uh there will be no meeting
minutes for approval this evening. May I have a motion that bills and payrolls be not read and passed for payment? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. Uh public portion. May I have a motion to open the public portion on agenda items only? So move. Second. All in favor? I. You like to come speak on agenda
items only? May do so now. What we got? I'm glad it's casual tonight. Um because I I had to come straight from work. Um I want to uh I noticed that name and address. Mike, pardon me. Oh, uh Michael Ryan, 515
Locust Street. Thank you. I noticed that the uh plan for redevelopment of the board of ed uh property has been moving quickly and uh it concerns me because it seems
like more of the same of what we've been getting in Rosel Park as far as development goes and that is uh uh buildings that take up every square foot of the uh of the properties and there's
no um uh we're we're not providing open space uh and uh community amenities and um uh not only that but uh this property is
located next to the train station. We have other properties that are located next to the train station that are eventually going to be developed and uh we I really think that we should slow down and
uh plan this as you know uh plan this together. Everything that we've been doing in Rosel Park has been done peacemeal. Uh and um you know every I I think we need to this
is an opportunity to uh demand highquality development. I mean I don't think there should be another building another any other development in Roosevelt Park that is not highquality. And you know, developers don't like high quality because it costs them money, but that's
really what we should be that's where we should be heading. this uh Chestnut Street uh this board of ed development is uh shocking in the sense of the density uh that it's you know allowing and uh I
I just think that there I I think eventually you know a developer could come in there and get a lot of density but but if we were to work together with New Jersey Transit I know that you know New Jersey Transit is supposedly far
down the path of uh where they are with the uh renovation of the of the uh train station, but uh I I I don't I I don't know if they're I I it seems like we could be doing a better job in uh coordinating with them and I'd like to
see that happen. And I you know I I have my own personal interest in this but it's you know really for quality development and uh you know I'm I we need to be I think we need to be planning for I don't see the the the
building that we've been doing in Rosal Park as taking into consideration the next hundred years and I you know and I you know the what's going to happen in the next hundred years Gardens isn't going to be there. what's going to be in the place of Webster Garden. There's going to be a building bigger than
anything else that we have right now. And you know, we just have to we need to accept that and take the opportunity now, seize the opportunity to take this train station with the properties that surround it and uh and turn it into, you
know, uh this uh highquality um commu center of our community because it is the center of our community. Um, we missed that opportunity in uh at the other end of Chestnut Street. We uh we
the original the original plan for the bottom of Chester Street was for a a public park. And if we had, you know, if we had considered that when the uh the Sullivan Chevrolet property was being developed,
it's something that, you know, could have been negotiated. And I can only imagine what the difference in public opinion would be about apartment buildings and new residents in the community if we had a beautiful park at
the bottom of Ches Street. That would be uh you know people would that would be a complete 180 from where we are with the with this whole subject right now. Um, and I, as an example, I, you know, the,
um, there was a plan that New Jersey Transit considered at one point or, you know, uh, was interested in. I I'd like to just, if I could, mayor, this I'll get it afterwards. I like the the count.
Well, okay. I mean, I'll give I'll give them to you afterwards, but this is uh a image of what would have been uh constructed if uh Rosel Park had uh or
if New Jersey Transit and Rosell Park had pursued this idea. That's the Rose that's our train station out on Chestnut Street there. And you know, we have the ability to do that. We have the You're out of time. Um, but I I there's
a couple things I got to respond to and and I I got to tell you, I like you a lot, but my Italian is like went from here to here on this. Um, and and I am in support of your project. Let me state that for the record. And I'm happy to move on that. But first off, let me say
if we moved anywhere near the pace that we've moved with your with your development, Rosal Park would still have empty lots, here, there, and everywhere. Now, to your point, there's a lot of people who would like that, right? But there's a lot of could a would a should have for all of the things that you just named. I'll start with the Ramaraskki
which was affordable housing affordable housing lawsuit that started in 2009. Nothing to do with that. No planning. Judge told us we had to do that. Okay. There's a num multitude of projects. You've also mentioned that none of this mayor and council do that. You're waving wagging your finger at I'm not waving my finger. I'm I'm just
pointing out where Rosel Park is. Understood. Right. But I got to tell you, man, and I've gotten flak for supporting your project, right? Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because there's a lot of people that would say, "Well, actually in this area, we're okay with density because there's
already density there, right? Because there's already apartment buildings there. There's a lot of people on on the property that you want to develop that would say, well, look, I understand where it says, but it's a budding single family zoning. Like, why are we going three or four stories here?" So, I I just think you're being very selective
about what's appropriate and what's not. And the last thing I want to say is, and I apologize. I really do like you, Mike, but you hit a couple nerves here because I am very supportive of your project. This is a redevelopment plan that defines the broad parameters of what the project is. As you well know, the
redevelopment plan can look very different from what the redevelopment agreement looks like. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Anybody else want to come speak? Thank you, Mayor. Yeah. Are you gonna pass that test or no?
Okay. I was interested in looking at it. Um, okay. Anybody else want to come up and speak on agenda items? Okay. I'm seeing no one. May I have a motion to close the public portion on agenda items only? So moved. Second. All in favor?
I. Uh, I guess Andrew, Ken, do you guys want to say anything real quick or you guys good? Okay. Just say something shortly. Sorry. Uh, just a friendly reminder. Restore bills are now passed due and tax bills will be mailed out next week and uh on tonight's
agenda we're extending the grace period to August 28th. Thank you. Thank you, Ken. Uh okay. Um may have a motion to accept the reports of departments as submitted. So moved. Second. All in favor? I. Uh Mr. Clerk, please read ordinance number 2825 by title. This mayor,
ordinance 2825 is an ordinance for second reading and public hearing an ordinance amending chapter 7 section 12.1 of the code of the Bur Rosal Park entitled time limited meter parking. Uh may I have a motion to open the public hearing on ordinance number 2825? So moved. Second. All in favor? I would anybody like to come up and
speak on ordinance number 2825? Seeing no one, may I have a motion to close the public hearing on ordinance number 2825? So moved. Second. Uh all in favor? I. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 2825? So move. Second. Um, is there any discussion?
Please call the role. Councilman Petroski? Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes. Councilman Sigello? Yes. Councilman Robbina? Yes. Councilwoman Lions? Yes. Councilman Patel? Yes. Six. The affirmative. Mayor, the ordinance is adopted. Uh, okay. Please read ordinance number 2826 by title.
Yes, mayor. Ordinance 2826. An ordinance for second reading and public hearing. An ordinance amending chapter 2 section 24.3 of the code of the Burough Rosal Park and Title Police Department established. May I have a motion to open the public hearing on ordinance number 2826? So moved. Second. All in favor? I like to come up to speak on ordinance
number 2826. I'm seeing no one. May I have a motion to close the public hearing on ordinance number 2826? So moved. Second. Uh all in favor? I. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 2826? So moved. Second. Uh is there any discussion?
Andrew, please call the role. Councilman Petroski. Yes. Councilman Johnson, yes. Councilman Sigerella, yes. Councilman Rabina, yes. Counciloman Lions, yes. Councilman Patel, yes. Six affirmative. Mayor, the ordinance is adopted. Okay. May I have a motion to move out of order and consider resolutions 232 and
2325 and 23325? So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I. Uh, Mr. Cook, please read ordinance number 2325 by title. Resolution. Oh, resolution. Oops.
Resolution 232. 2325. 232. 232. Oh, 232, man. 232. 23225 is incorporating recommendation one of two of the findings and recommendations of the municipal land use board with respect to the 510 Chestnut Street
redevelopment plan dated June 2025. Uh, may I have a motion to adopt resolution 2023225? So moved. Second. Uh, is there any discussion? I would kick I would ask Fran to talk. Oh, Fran. Yeah. Do you want to just real
quick just We haven't done this in a while. Just uh what goes on here. Good evening everyone. Fran Mcmanaman, McManaman Scotland and Bowman. We serve as redevelopment council to the burrow this evening. Joe Caster of my office is also joining me. So for consideration on
the agenda tonight um there are two resolutions and these resolutions are incorporating comments that the um land use board made to the proposed redevelopment plan for 510 Chestnut Street. Uh back on June 5th, the council
referred this redevelopment plan to the land use board for a consistency review. On June 17th, the land use board conducted the consistency review and found the plan consistent with the ma the burough's master plan with these two recommendations that are incorporated
into the resolutions. One um related to changing the required parking ratio from one space per unit to 1.5 spaces per unit. The second recommendation was a um that the plan reflect an allowance of a singular principal structure within the
designated redevelopment area. So what's before you tonight for consideration are two resolutions, one for each recommendation. Based on how council votes on that, we will amend the ordinance on the record to reflect whether these recommendations were accepted or rejected. And then any
changes to the um proposed redevelopment plan will also be made in accordance with those recommendations. Cool. And which uh sorry 2322 is which one that we're on right now? Just for for clarity sake. This this increases the parking
one to 1.5 spaces per unit. Yeah. So we were on discussion. Greg, I thought you had something. No. Okay. Cool. Cool. All right. Uh, anybody else have any discussion on this resolution specifically? Call the RO. Councilman Petroski? Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes.
Councilman Signarella? Yes. Councilman Robbina? Yes. Counciloman Lions? No. Councilman Patel? Yes. Five affirmative, one in the negative. The resolution is adopted. Okay. Uh, Andrew, please read resolution 233-25 by title.
Yes, mayor. Resolution 23325 is a resolution incorporating recommendation two of two from the findings and recommendations of the municipal land use board with respect to the 510 Chestnut Street redevelopment plan dated June 2025. Uh okay. Uh may I have a motion to adopt
resolution 233-25? So moved. Second. Is there any discussion? So just uh mayor for the record this is uh this is the second and final recommendation of the land use board uh with respect to the plan and this is uh that the plan should be amended to reflect the allowance of one singular permitted
structure on the site. Cool. Uh could could he uh elaborate a little bit more on that? Brand do you want to what what that exactly that means? That's just what was the recommendation from the land use board meaning that it would not be multiple buildings that there would be
one building that would be part of the project and garage not a garage and a another building or an accessory structure. I think there was clarification from the board. Yeah. There's no no you can't have two buildings. Okay. Can't have two buildings. You can't have three buildings. Just one.
Okay. Further discussion. Please call the role. Council Petroski. Yes. Councilman Johnson. Yes. Councilman Sigerella. Yes. Councilman Rabina. Yes. Councilman Lions. No. Councilman Patel. Yes. Five votes. The affirmative, one in the negative. The resolution is adopted.
Okay. Please read ordinance number 2827 by title. Yes, Mayor. Ordinance 2827 is an ordinance for introduction. An ordinance adopting the 510 Chestnut Street redevelopment plan pursuant to the local redevelopment housing law NJSA482A-1. SEAC. Uh may I have a motion to approve ordinance number 2827 for introduction
and fix the date for second reading and public hearing as August 21st, 2025. So move. Second. Is there any discussion? Um I just want to um uh kind of announce something. It's I think it's okay. It's related. Lawyers, you can yell at me if it's not. Um I know there's been a lot
of discussion about redevelopment in town. Um specifically when it comes to a natural uh result should this get passed um our pilot programs, right? Um there's been a lot of discussion about making sure that we do our fair share for the school. And I think it's all right discussion. Um, and I'm a man of my
word. And going forward, uh, we talked about putting the, uh, school board as part of these pilots to be a beneficiary of the pilot. And in this particular case, I think it's really important to make sure that the school board is mostly benefiting from this, seeing as
it would theoretically be their building and their lot they're vacating. Um, so one thing that I just want to put on the record tonight, while it's not going to be as part of this ordinance, but it's part of my plan going forward to be part of the redevelopment agreement, is that we put a large share of this pilot money
uh to a directed fund for the board of education. I think there's a couple different ideas that we have. I know Councilman Johnson and I talked about this potentially directing it towards uh infrastructure upgrades and so on and so forth. you know, there's a ton of ways that we can consider how we structure this as the mayor and council because we
are the ones that craft this. Um, but I think it's only right um especially considering that they've been asking um to be a part of it to give them a line share of this and have it go to something that's uh positive um for the board of education. So, if there's any further discussion, you guys can go ahead. I just thought it was good to put
on the record as we go through this process. Yeah, I have two things. Um um I I may be I may be out of uh place. Uh was there any uh CBA agreement on this uh particular project? I know we had
discussions on uh the Ryan C. Uh not yet. Um but I don't know when we when we did the ordinance specify when though, right? I think it's in the plan. It has to happen. Okay. I I I know the pilot for the CB when the pilot gets passed. The pilot the application for the pilot. Okay. I just want to make sure that that
I I I figured I'm out of Y the way it was written has to be part of the application process for the financial agreement. Thank you. And the other thing Thank you for the clarity uh council. Um the other uh clarity I may need uh with this because I'm I'm not totally against it
especially if we're going to be giving the lion share of um the the revenues to the school creating a new revenue stream that is basically unheard of in this day and age. Um, I would like to inquire about
the five stories to the four or is it because of the 1.5? I need a little bit. That's where I'm kind of uh like a little bit. Unfortunately, the planner is not here, but I I agree and Councilman Robbina have talked about this. Um, I do think look, my inclination is five stories is
pretty big, right? Um, what I would say is I do think we are throwing them a curve in sort of the additional parking ratio is going to be a pretty big demand, right? And and the reason why I say that is it actually is higher, I believe, than the Hunter parking ratio,
which I believe is 1.25. I don't know if you remember. I don't remember off the top of my head. Yeah, I think you're right. Yeah. So, what I would say, Councilman, is I I I do hear your concern. Um, what I would suggest is we can be specific in the redevelopment agreement, right? if you're if you're comfortable at four
versus five, we could always pass it as the type. Um, and I and and because I I've learned over over time and especially from a previous council person that's no longer with us that the the zoning and the and the planning is
really the baby. The agreement is like I mean, yeah, we could still do it in that though. You're not wrong. I just I just prefer the zoning. Ah, it's just that's tough. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I I I mean look I I I think there's a lot of um I mean you could see it right now with again with another development right we've pl the
plan now we're talking about what the agree I'm not going to name names right how many units is it what's it going to be but you know vote your conscience right um or if you want to vote to amend the only reason I'd be apprehensive to amend is you know in the spirit of trying to get this done because look I
can't control what the board of ed does nor do I want to but I have been talking to what the board of ed you know sees in this and should they decide to go ahead with this land swap, I think that they're it's in their interest to to get it going sooner rather than later because the sooner it happens, the sooner they get the pilot money, the
sooner we hit our affordable number. Um, if we make any changes tonight, it has to go back to the land use board for recommendations. Come back here for reintroduction. But again, Councilman, Duke, you're within your right to to make any suggestions you like. From a municipal land use board perspective, looking at it, it's a maximum of so it
doesn't necessarily mean it's going to it's not necessarily dictated that it's going to be a fivetory structure. It's a maximum they could go. Plus, it would have to go back to the zoning board once an application is put in. That could be yay or nade and discussed at that time and with this governing body. But what we wanted to make sure was we
put the 1.5 increase the parking ratio because now that's going to limit how many units can go into the building because now you have to make sure you have the parking for that density. I wish I need some time to think. I wish you were at the meeting. I was away with family. I'm sorry.
No problem. We could talk about it later. Um, a couple things while you're thinking about it, right? Just I give you I'm I'm stalling for you to think about this, Greg. Um, you know, the one thing that I think is also worth discussing is, um, to to Mike's point earlier, um, there is the parking lot
right next to it with NJ Transit. Now, NJ Transit isn't super flexible with what's going on. Um, but they have been amendable to the idea of allowing overnight parking there, right? Because people use it during the day, they don't use it at night. And I think if that is, you know, able to happen, then it's probably going to be a smaller project.
But do you remember off the top of the dome? What's is Hunter? Hunter's four four and a half, right? Stories. Yeah, it is uh four, isn't it? It's not. It's with a setback. I don't remember, but it's not four and a half. It would be It might be four and the fourth is a set as a step back.
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Uh Councilman, you What do you want to do here? I'm sorry. to be a pain. I'm So I'm going to go on the record. Oh, excuse me. I'm going to go on the record and say
I'm actually pleased with this whole project with the exception of that. That's like a sticking point for me. That four and five. Yep. Um I would like to make an amendment, but I don't I'm not trying to over complicate it either. Yeah. I mean, do you if you want to propose an amendment, go for it. Um
All right. I'll make an amendment to change it to four like everything else. So, so you'd be making a motion to change the the plan. Where where would that be? Uh, it's on page um uh seven on the handout that uh we'll just we'll just it'll be uh the
the motion, if you don't mind, will be to amend the plan to reflect uh four stories throughout maximum of four stories. I'm sorry guys. Oh, good. I apologize for uh is there a second? Second.
Okay. Okay. Okay. The motion is on the table to um move this from uh five to four stories maximum. Maximum. Uh there's no discussion on this, right? Call. No, there. Okay. Any discussion on this on this discussed already?
Okay. Well, let's call the role. Council Petroski. Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes. Council Sigella? Yes. Council Robina? Yes. Councilwoman Lions? I'm saying yes to the four stories, but the whole thing. Councilman Patel. Yes. All right. That's uh six in the
I'm good. Six in the affirmative. Uh the plan is amended which means it has to go back to the board. Oh, we can't we can't vote on it as the No, unfortunately. That's what I was saying. Is this kind of it it can we do a special meeting? Maybe we could do a special meeting. It's never really a great look to do a
special meeting for de development, but but whatever. We'll we'll take it as it comes. Um when's the next land use board meeting? It's um it is uh Monday, I believe. Okay. So, is it can it get sent back then? Probably not. Okay. I doubt I doubt they'll put it on the
agenda for Monday. Oh, okay. Well, we can get whatever they need. I mean, it's a pretty dimminimous change to the plan. I'm sure the planner can pretty quickly turn it around. Yeah, we can send over. We'll try. I don't know if they'll have put have it on the agenda. Is there what else on the Whatever. It
doesn't matter. It's not relevant. So, we are not voting on this now tonight. Nope. I would just like to note though for the record based on the resolutions that were adopted that there um the ordinance will be amended to reflect that the um land use board recommendation one and two were both accepted. Yeah.
Yeah. Okay. And the uh redevelopment plan will be revised accordingly consistent with those recommendations. So my recommendation if I could and Fran you could be just to have a motion to refer it to the board here.
Yes. just to make it a clean record. Yeah. So just a motion to refer it as amended. Okay. Um and that's all three of the amendments that we made or just the one they recommended the two amendments so they don't need to go back. It So you're referring the amendment that reflects the four maximum four stories.
Okay. Got it. Um question. Uh are are we able to discuss more or uh because I have one more thing. I I I guess I think so. Right. You can propose another amendment if you like. Uh just a question. it in the plan
itself. Is there anything about like making it like soundproof with windows because it's so close to the tracks? Is there anything uh with that language in the I don't recall seeing anything about making the windows soundproof. Again, that could be something that we include
in design standards which we've done for other redevelopment projects and we uh um attach those to the redevelopment agreement. Got it. Okay. So this is, you know, as the mayor mentioned, this is the redevelopment plan. This is the maximum of what can be done. And the redevelopment agreement covers what
actually has been negotiated and what will be built. Okay. Thank you. And that could be something that could be noted in the redevelopment agreement. Okay. Uh any anything else, Con? Okay, cool. Um Okay, so do I have a motion to refer this as amended uh back
to the re land use board? So move second. Uh who who moved it? I I moved it and second conj John second it okay cool rose bow out got it all right fair enough no I was listening that's fair you don't have you don't
have to move it uh okay call the role councilman Petroski yes councilman Johnson yes councilman singerella yes councilman robina yes counciloman lines yes council Patel yes the affirmative the resolution I mean sorry the motion is agreed to okay cool uh I think we oh we'll stick
around because we have one other reszo right yeah okay uh all matters listed with an asteris are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the governing body so requests in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda as part of
general orders. Please read all resolutions by title. Yes, mayor. Resolution 21725 is approving the submission of a grant application and authorizing the mayor and burough clerk to execute a grant contract with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for improvements to Bridge Street and Charlotte Terrace. Resolution 21825 is revising the procurement thresholds of
the Bur Roell Park. Resolution 21925 is supporting Amtrak Northeast Corridor funding. Resolution 22125 is approving the time due calculation in terms of final payment for Donna El Corgan. Resolution 2225 is approving the time due calculation in terms of final payment for David Pitts.
Resolution 22325 is authorizing extension of the grace period for payment of third quarter property taxes for the year 2025 until August 28th, 2025. Resolution 22425 is authorizing the tax collector to issue a
reduction and/or refund on one sewer utility bill in the total amount of $294. Resolution 22525 is authorizing the tax collector to issue a reduction and/or refund on two sewer utility bills for the total amount of $2,75.80.
Resolution 22625 is authorizing the tax collector to issue reductions and/or refunds in the total amount of $6,74548 on two properties as authorized by the Union County Tax Board for a special petition appeal. Resolution 22725
is authorizing change order number one to Portoino Builders LLC for the project improvements to Grand Avenue year 50 CDBG in an amount of a $43,585.76 decrease to reflect a total contract amount of $252,569.74 after all change orders. Resolution
22825 is authorizing closeout of the contract with Porterfino Builders LLC for the project's improvement improvements to Grant Avenue year 50 CDBG. Resolution 22925 is authorizing the bureau clerk to auction unclaimed vehicles. Resolution 23025 is approving the insertion of a
national opioid settlement fund grant as a special item of revenue in the 2025 municipal budget in an amount of $3,826. Resol resolution 23125 is approving the insertion of a Union County capital project grant as a special item of revenue in the 2025 municipal budget in
the amount of $155,000. Resolution 23425 is awarding of professional services contract to the Neglia Group for professional engineering services including surveying design and construction management for the project improvements to Laurel Avenue in an amount not to exceed $54,370.
Resolution 23525 is awarding a professional services contract to the Neglia Group for Pr for professional engineering services including surveying, design, and construction management for the project improvements to Warren Avenue in amount not to exceed $56,950.
Resolution 23625 is authorizing a $60,000 increase to the professional services contract with the Neglia Group for preliminary professional engineering services for the project improvements to Aker Park reflecting a revised contract amount not to exceed $110,000.
Resolution 23725 is accepting the resignation of Jubilee Cruz from the position of high school counselor. Resol Resolution 23525 is accepting the resignation of Daniel Farerry from the position of college counselor. Resolution 23925 is accepting the resignation of Macy Molinro from the
position of high school counselor. Resolution 24025 is accepting the resignation of John James Reeri from the position of high school counselor. Resolution 24125 is accepting the resignation of Alexis Rottman from the position of high school counselor. Resolution 24225 is referring the 129
and 133 West Westfield Avenue redevelopment plan to the municipal land use board and directing its review of the same pursuant to NJSA482A-7E. Resolution 24325 is authorizing the tax collector to issue a pro-rated refund of second quarter 2025 property taxes for
435 Sheridan Avenue block 107 lot 9 in an amount of a $250.32 uh oh amount of $250.32 pursuant to a 100% disabled veteran property tax exemption.
Resolution 24425 is authorizing the tax collector issue a prorated refund of second quarter 2025 property taxes for 513 Chester Avenue block 423 lot 4 in the amount of $1,676.95 pursuant to a 100% disabled veteran
property tax exemption. Resolution 24525 is establishing a community courtesy parking policy. Resolution 24625 is authorizing the mayor and burough clerk to execute an agreement with the county of union for certain community development activities for fiscal year 2025 2026. And resolution 24725 is
accepting the resignation of Richard Templeton III as alternate member number one of the municipal land use board. Okie do. I'm pulling 242-25. Are we pulling anything else? Yes, mayor. Uh 245-25. Is there anything else?
Oh, yes. 419. Um, sorry, I meant to tell you before. Yes. 22 224. 22 Oh, yeah. I'll pull two 224. Okay, got it.
Yep. Okay. Uh, may I have a motion to approve the resolutions remaining on the consent agenda? So moved. Second. All in favor? I I I um may I have a motion to adopt resolution 224-25?
So moved. Second. Uh is there any discussion? Yes, mayor. That is actually uh my property. Got it. Fair enough. Uh yeah. Okay. All good. All right. Uh call the roll. Andrew.
God. It's super quiet in here. Air conditioning. That's what it is. Air conditioning. Council Petroski. Yes. Councilman Johnson. Yes. Councilman Signar. Yes. Councilman Rina. Yes. Councilwoman Alliance is abstaining. Council Patel. Yes. Five in the affirmative, one abstension. The resolution is adopted.
May I have a motion to adopt resolution 242-25? So moved. Second. Uh is there any discussion? Um I just want to say so for transparency sake, um this is another redevelopment project. Um it is one that council has previously
considered. Um this is along Westfield A close to what do they call it now? Westfield restaurant Westfield. So originally it was up for potentially mixed use um potentially some office space. There was some ideas around hotels. Um this is a revised
concept Fran correct whereby uh this would be going forward. It's a step behind the other project. Um just so everybody knows the plan's going to get like we got feedback from the land use board for this one. It's going to go to the land use board. They're going to come with recommendations and we'll have this discussion like we just had. But
the reason why I'm talking about this is because this is focused on 55 plus um housing, which is something that people have been clamoring for in the town. Um so as much as people are sick of development, I think this is one that we should all be looking forward to because it's something that every time I go
knock on doors, people are really looking for. So um anything else to add on this, this friend? Yeah, I just want to note that this redevelopment area includes 10 parcels and this redevelopment plan is just for two of those 10 parcels. Thank you. Just to specify for the record again, what two parcels are we talking about?
Uh block 606, lots 31 and 32. What currently sits on those lots? Excuse me. And what currently sits on those lots? There's nothing on one. I mean, that's a good question. I don't know. land.
It is a vac It is a It is a vacant lot and it is uh the uh old Lefano landscaping property. Yeah. So the viewing audience understands. Okay. Yeah. There's nothing there. Yeah. Got an empty building. Okay. Question.
All right. All right. Guy. Uh any further discussion? Yes. I I actually want to say um what I had told the mayor as well. Um I was I actually was approached from one of the seniors in Rosal Park. Um she was
actually unhappy with some of the development that's happening. But then in the same breath she did ask for senior housing. Um and when I told her I said it's going to be on the agenda. Uh she was so happy. So uh I just wanted to
you know just say that on record too because people are waiting for it in Rosal Park. Cool. Oh man. K John. How do you feel about it, man? You going to get a love fest here? Six votes. Yes. For Well, no. We'll see about that. All right. All right.
Uh maximum stories height. Um I think we should do the same thing overall where just keep it around the same um is it fourtory max? What is it now? Six. Six. Six. Oh, it's five. No, it's five stories. Maximum building
height. That's not true. It's for six. Say six. Ya. Where? 53. I have maximum building height in the bulk standards at five stories, 50 ft. This one. Oh, okay.
We have uh I I'm looking at a copy here that says six. What page? This is page 53 of the agenda. Yeah. 53 of 53 of 68, which is Fran, I don't know if you're looking at the plan. 56.
Oh, that's a parking. Yeah, that's what I was looking at. Yeah, I didn't realize six. That's a That's a biggie. Oh, 53 are the original current bulk standards. I believe it's the existing zoning. Oh, okay. Cuz I was looking at Oh, B3 zone bulk standards. Okay.
Yeah. So, if you go to 50 I can't read 56 of that includes the proposed bulk requirements for this Yeah. project. So, so look, I I would just say Kanjan and this is not I don't want to dance around this. I mean, I agree with you. I
mean, look, I think the first Meridia project I would have had shorter. Actually, when I when I got elected, I fought to get the second Meridia project shorter. The only thing I would say on this is it is kind of off on its own a little bit, right? And the other thing is I know people are sick of density,
but in all honesty, I'd like to fit as many senior units as we could in in this area. So, I I I kind of I'm kind of okay with five even though it's big. But again, if council wants to chop it down a story, like I'm not going to cry over it. Yeah, I I guess I'll make the motion to
change it from maximum height of five stories to four stories height. Okay. Is there a second? Yeah, I'll second. Conjure. Okay. Is there any discussion on that motion? I excuse me. I think it's too early stages for me to either way. So, I'm
going to if we're sticking I'm going to stick with five tonight, whatever until if we could uh if someone could tell me we have no more I have no I have no more we have no more power to knock it down down the road. I understand what the Dis
is saying here tonight. Can we p, you know, pull back and think about it before I I react tonight? Yes, we like like we did tonight, Councilman. There's there'll be we'll get feedback from I mean you could do it in two places, right? So just like
tonight, we'll get feedback from the land use board. You could amend it then, right? It's not the optimal time to do it, but you could. Um and then once again, we could also develop a plan and then have a redevelopment agreement that is shorter, right? So there are other bites of the apple. So I I I respect uh correct all the
feedback. That's correct. Okay. Uh, and just saying with the mayor, we don't know. This is something our neighbor our neighbors are looking for over 55. I don't want to squash it tonight. I don't want to I don't want to be a killjoy say tonight. Okay. So, six
I would have agree with you tonight. I would have said f six to five tonight, but I don't want to go from five to four tonight till I hear more. Okay. And we're not talking about it was not there's never really not a lot of room there. So, I want to hear more. I'm going to vote no to tonight, but down the road is
another day. Okay. So, any further discussion? I agree with that. Sound fair. I want to see how many if we knock down the one story, how many units will we be losing senior housing potentially be? Yeah. Fran, it might be good to to to have that math for the land use board or
something. Yes. And right now, the maximum number of units are 46 required to be 55 and older, requiring 25% affordable as well. Is this 25% or 20? I'm sorry. Is it 25? 20%. Oh, you was about to have me to do back
flips on chill. I'd like this project to actually happen. You can keep the five for 25. Yes. Uh, I have more question, but do we go through the motion first? We need to vote on the We need to vote on the motion. So, there's motions on the table. Any for call the role on the motion?
It's a motion to amend the lower to four stories. Councilman Petroski. No. Councilman Johnson. Uh, he made a compelling argument. We could do it later. No. Councilman Cigarella, no. Councilman Rabbina, no. Councilman Alliance, no. Councilman Patel,
yes. Five votes in the negative, one in the affirm of the amendment is not agreed to. Who's so bipartisan and beautiful just a second ago? What else you got, Conjan? Uh, question about the 20% affordable housing. So, I know this is going to be senior living, but affordable housing as
far as uh are they going to be 55 plus? Cuz like for example, right, like 20% of the whatever the unit's going to be, that's going to come out of affordable housing, but are they required to be that age? Yes, they are. And that um you know,
your affordable housing attorney will speak to this, but there is a certain there's a cap on how many senior units you can use to count towards your affordable housing obligations. So that's not necessarily answering the question you asked, but I just want you to be aware that those units, you know,
there is a cap on how many senior affordable units you can have. We could also have a stipulation on veteran preference as well. Correct. With the Okay, you could do that. Yes. Yeah. I'm not sure how I'm not familiar with how that would impact your affordable obligation. Okay.
Yeah. I I I'm all for veteran preference and I know I have a veteran on the day, so please don't lunge at me, Greg. But I I I do think there's a lot of people just broadly clamoring for this. I'd feel weird about making it more narrow here, but yeah, my my two cents. Uh okay. So, I think Did you have
anything else, Councilman? No, no, just a comment. I guess um my vote's going to be no just to get the feeling of the Hey, hey, hey, just the residents because it's going to be right there. So, keep it got to keep it honest, right? Yeah. No. Well, the only other thing is
the parking also. How many uh requirement parking it's going to be? 1.7 spaces. 1.17 spaces per unit. It's a number right there. Um I think the logic on that one is Yeah, they're seniors. Hopefully
1.17. So oddly specific. Yeah. Are we able to make it that 1.5? 1.5 is that you're already squeezing so much in there. But if you want to make a motion, go for it. I I you like I mean like would that make sense to go
from 1.1 like the problem is there's only I'm really not trying to be a smart but um but like there's only so much space right so you you start capping it at a certain size you start requiring more park parking the unit count goes down right
so I mean again parking is a problem um I do think one thing that we should do in the redevelopment agreement which we did later on the projects was we should mandate that there is at least one parking spot per apartment unit. I was just about to say that. I was about to say I would be open to to lead
the parking as long as we do that mandate. Yeah. Can we do that in the plan or that have to be in the agreement? Um you could do that in the plan. I mean we could do it we could certainly do it in the agreement we have but we can certainly you could do that in the plan that one space uh is to be assigned per unit.
Yeah. But but just to go back to it, right? Like there's only so much space, right? So you make more parking, you're going to get less units. And normally, I know that's a good thing for people, but when we're trying to make affordable senior housing, it you get what I'm going with? Yeah. Know the Is there going to be I know the first floor I think it's going
to be parking. Is there going to be underground parking or No, I can't speak to that definitive. There's no developer named yet. Got it. But this is just this is what like a plan. But do we have to plan it beforehand? Like saying that include
it's not the plan. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. So the first step we're not the plan is next after then the the agreement. The agreement. This is the plan. Yeah. The agreement is next. The maximum of whatever it could be. So So long story short, Kan John, right? This is setting up the framework of what
it could be. Right now at some point we're going to name a conditional redeveloper and that conditional redeveloper will in all likelihood give us some concepts of what it could look like and then it's up to them whether or not they want to do partially underground parking. But this they could or they could not, right?
They could. But it that's expensive with a density of 46. Yeah. So it's unlikely. Yeah. That's something to also note like when you as the mayor mentioned, if you increase parking, you're reducing density and it impacts the feasibility of the project as far as getting a 55 plus building built.
Got it. Yeah. All I have any other pole holes you want to poke in this man? Do you want to upset the seniors some more? We'll find out. I'll ask my resident. Don't worry about that. You could come with me. We'll ask together.
Um. Uh. Okay. So, are we good as is or did did you want to make that motion now or you want to do it in the later with the mandating? Oh, the mandate. I mean, we could do we could do it later. I'm all right with sending to municipal lane. Let them do uh see what fits their
uh Junior made a very compelling argument. We probably should let them and then we could get time to walk around and ask residents and things of that nature. Cool. So, are you making a motion to change the parking ratio? Uh, I already did. Oh, you did already. I got Was there a second? That was about That was about the
height. That was about the height. Uh, yeah. I'll make motion. Okay. Was the motion? All right. Hold on. Are you making a motion to re to to increase the parking ratio from 1.17 to 1.5? Yes or no? Yes.
Okay. Is there a second for that motion? Going to second that. I'm not never going to say no to more parking. Okay. I'm let Okay. Um, any discussion on that motion and I'll just I would like to wait to
hear more. This is still conceptual in my head and in the condent said let's hear what the maybe maybe the folks in me and Joe P could qualify for these things. So let's think for yourself, right? So we don't know maybe this thing
maybe be one of the best developments we do right so let's I'm not ready if we have that if someone just please someone has to tell me we and Kanjan I agree with you that we have the flexibility you have the flexibility down the road I'm saying let's just move to the next
step tonight and and uh whatever so I I uh so I'm going to vote no unless someone tells me I have that authority we have the authority to change the parking in in the scheme of things, you'll see what the recommendations are. If any recommendations come back from
the land use board, just like we did tonight with the other plan, you'll vote on those and if you have additional recommendations, we can do it at that time and then it goes back to land use board. Thank you. Yes. Okay. Call the roll. There's a motion on an amendment to increase the parking ratio from 1.17 to
1.5. Councilman Petroski, no. Councilman Johnson, yes. Councilman Cigarella, no. Councilman Rebina, no. Councilwoman Lions, no. Councilman Patel, yes. Four votes in the affirmative two in the negative. The amendment is not agreed to. Cool. Uh, okay. I'm just going to call motion to
to get over the hump with this resolution. Is there's no further discussion, right? No. Okay. Call the RO. This is on adoption of the resolution un amended. Not amended. Correct. Councilman Petroski? Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes.
Councilman Sigello? Yes. Councilman Rebina? Yes. Counciloman Lions? Yes. Councilman Patel. No. Five votes. The affirmative, one in the negative. The resolution is adopted. May I have a motion to adopt resolution 24? Thanks, guys. Uh 245-25. So moved.
Which one is this? 245-25. It's the last establishing community. Uh so moved to Do I have a second? I said. Okay. You said second. Yes. Any discussion? Yes, mayor. Thank you. Um I want to table this. Um, I want to move this to
um the public safety committee. Uh, get more input. This was done a little bit more hasty and I I didn't have time to really uh uh really break down a lot of things and um I also need help from the
committee. I also want to hear from the rest of the governing body. So I want to have discussions with Jay. I want to have discussions with Roro. I want to make sure that I extend communications with everyone before I put uh before this
comes back. But what I will say is uh this will come back. This is not going to disappear. And uh so I I want people to really put their thinking hats on on how we can uh protect uh quality of life while we're rebuilding Rosel Park. Um,
it's one thing that we're doing these uh these road works and we're doing a lot of displacement in the community and cancelling and weather permitting, etc., etc., etc. And then for something that's so minor, uh, and I feel like we shouldn't even have to legislate or tell
police to use the discretion to to to to run place to make sure that you could just simply knock on the door and say, "Hey, I I want to give you a warning, etc., etc." So, this is a good thing. think this would be something new and this is something legally lawfully that
we can do. Um so I would like also the the council's I mean um the attorney's input as well to this. So uh please can we table this and then we could um try to get more information and try to do you know make it a better policy. Great.
Do you uh uh do you want to table to a specific date Greg or uh No, because I I want to have full discussions but it it will resurface. Okay, cool. So, can we can we just table it? Can it's a motion motion date. Do we need a date? I don't think so. You just have to take it from the table.
You just have to let me know and then we'll pull it from the table. Yeah, you have to just let me know when to list it on the agenda. Okay. So, you're Greg's motion to table it. Is there a second? Second. Um, call the RO. No debate on a motion to table. Councilman Petroski? Yes. Councilman Johnson? Yes. Councilman Singerrell? Yes. Councilman Rebina? Yes.
Councilman Lions? Yes. Councilman Patel? Yes. Exposing affirmative. Motion to table is agreed to. Okay. Um, that's it. Uh, reports of burrow council committees. Uh, Jay, you start tonight.
That's interesting. Thank you, Mayor. Oh, shoot. No, KJ John, you got to go, right? It's fine. Sorry. Go. Go. Go. You're going to be quicker than mine. Yeah, it's going to be super quick. Uh, no official report. Just two questions. Um, when do we think the warrant a will be
paved? Uh, when do we think the warrant app will be paved? Uh, it has to go out to bid first. Yeah. Like estimate time. Like we think I really I can't even give you an I I would love to. Got it. Someone asked John. Just so you know, I've been aggravating Andrew with that same question.
I It's I mean, and it's it's not out to bid, so I can't even July 22nd we're going to discuss. We're gonna have a meeting. All right. And then is there any update on the train station? Yes. Uh yeah. Um it's not great. Um, it's slow as always. Um, so I'm going to
get a concept, a revised concept hopefully soon. Um, I I spoke with NJ Transit last week. They have it at 100% completion. The problem is is that some of the pieces of work, the costs have
blown up, right? That uh does not mean that it's not going to happen. That just means that I think in particular the elevator that they're doing it's like a $9 million project and actually the CEO of NJ Transit's like why is this so expensive? Um it could be a good thing because if they make that cheaper maybe
we get other amenities from it, right? Um very long story short, it's at 100% completion. Um we do the design uh it's probably not going to go out to bid till next year. So um he's like it will it will break ground next year but it's
it's not happening this year. Got it. Thank you. That's all I had. Yep. Okay. Cool. All right. Mayor. Yep. Go for it, J. Thank All right. Ka, have a go. All right. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Roso Park. Over the past few
weeks, communities across the country have faced devastating weather. In Texas and New Mexico, historic flooding and wildfires have claimed lives and destroyed neighborhoods. Closer to home, towns like Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Lynon, Clark, New Providence, Planefield, and Berkeley Heights experience severe flooding, property
damage, emergency rescues, and loss of life. These events are a sobering reminder of how quickly our climate is changing and how vulnerable even well-prepared communities can be. In Rosel Park, we're a little more fortunate. There was no loss of life, no
major structural damage, and no emergency rescues. Five vehicles were driven into flood waters, but all occupants self evacuated as per our police department. Our DPW, police, fire, and OEM were prepared and effective, and they deserve our thanks.
That said, the impact at home was real. Businesses downtown flooded, basements were damaged, and residents are understandably concerned. We all need to pitch in. I spent part of that night clearing storm debris off block catch basins in my ward. In the months prior,
National Water and our DPW had been out inspecting and clearing infrastructure townwide. As we know, much of our storm water and sewer system is over 100 years old. Upgrades are urgently needed. Earlier this year, FEMA quietly terminated its building resilient infrastructure and communities brick
grant program, a key funding source for storm water and flood protections projects across the country. This setback paired with limited federal and state programs puts more pressure on communities like ours to do it on our own or complete or compete harder for
every available dollar. Now, while the Army Corps of Engineers continues its yearslong studies like the Rawway River Basin Flood Plan, flood control plan, Union County continues to wait. The time for studies has passed. The time for funding and construction is
now. This isn't a political issue. It's a public safety issue. It's about protecting lives, homes, and peace of mind. Rosel Park deserves its share of attention and investment. In the meantime, there are steps residents can take to better protect themselves and their property. Install
backwater valves or sump pumps to reduce the risk of sewage backup and basement flooding. Elevate critical utilities like water heaters and panels above flood uh potential flood levels. Seal basement cracks and walls with waterproofing materials. Keep gutters and drains clear and avoid dumping
debris into storm basins. and please make sure that they're cleared off. Enroll in flood insurance even outside of FEMA zones. Most of Roso Park is eligible for lowcost coverage and sign up for emergency alerts through Union County First Alert. And we can support green infrastructure, including rain
gardens and storage solutions as part of local planning. Together, we can improve local resilience even as we fight for the large-scale infrastructure improvements Roso Park truly needs. Now, on to upcoming events or events in general. I recently did a walkthrough
with BASIS and the engineer on Lur Avenue regarding upcoming improvements, sidewalk improvements, and repaving. I attended the community cool down and open mic night. The next community cool down is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. across from the high school on West Webster Avenue. Uh note, family swim night will be held
Wednesday, August 6th from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Clark Community Pool for Roosevelt Park residents only. Please register through the Burrow's Facebook page or by calling the Casano Center at 908-245666. So far, we've got over 340 people registered for family swim night. So,
really looking forward to it. It's going to be our biggest turnout yet. Uh, if you have any questions, concerns, or want to be part of the solution, reach out anytime. Jabina rosark.net 862-22360019. Mayor, uh, colleagues on the days and Roso Park, thank you very much and good
evening. Thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilwoman Lines. Good evening, Mayor, Council, residents of Rosal Park. Um, I just wanted to talk about a little bit of the things that were happening in Rosal Park. definitely um on a on a hard note. Uh definitely
with the storms that have been happening, it's just uh living in New Jersey all my life, it's uh definitely eyeopening and um but at the same time, I'm so grateful for Rosal Park and the things that um people work together and I'm grateful for uh the Rosal Park
Police Department, uh fire department, um the DPW that came out, um everybody that put their hands really um to come and help. Um, I just wanted to just mention the businesses in uh on Chestnut
Street and Castas Dallings. Uh, the gym that's there. Uh, they did suffer uh just water there and by I have to say by 10:00 that night they were in the drying process. So, um, I say that to say come out and support the local businesses. I
would love to do something maybe on a weekend to help them. Um, and and that's in the works. Um hopefully we can do that. But um I also want to mention that we are looking to meet um uh with
officials and to really say, you know, what could we do better because that's always something that we can look at. Um so that's going to be coming up. Um on a brighter note, I just want to uh say thank you to everybody that came out for the fireworks. That was an amazing
event. Um Rupen Shaw, uh everybody that that helped with that. You guys did so great and just having community come out and be together was just awesome. I also wanted to mention summer nights, the open mics. We are doing it Wednesday
nights at the gazebo and if it does rain, we've been lucky so far. Um, we will go over to the youth center across the street. Um, I just want to thank Councilman Jay, Councilman Joe Patski, Councilman Joe uh, Signarella to come
out and support um, Land's Music. I just want to shout out uh Land's Music is really a hometown treasure. I really call them that. They are teaching kids instruments and how to sing and they are doing amazing. Um all the the people
that came out last night really and even the other night just awesome. We had somebody passing by and they heard someone singing and they pulled into the driveway into the parking lot because they said they had to come and see. So it was awesome. So please come out. It's uh the 23rd and the 30th at 7 PM at the
gazebo. Um and uh that's actually my report. I just want to say please reach out to us. We had someone reach out um via email and call because there are rumors of things that are happening. Um don't go by rumors, come to the source.
You know, we were able to ease his mind because he got the truth. So, I will say that clearly there are people out there that uh just want to stir up a lot of trouble. Um, and you know, I understand how people's
guards are up. I understand that you may not want to trust. I I understand the emotions. I understand really uh you want answers and that's 100% why we're here. Um so we give out our telephone numbers and our emails uh so you can
reach us and then we will get you answers. Um and and we want that we want that connection. So we invite that. My number is 908-7268773 our lions at rosalpark.net. Thank you. Thank you Councilwoman uh Councilman Trrosky.
Thank you mayor. Uh, first of all, I want to send my condolences out to uh Joseph McDermott. Uh, I went to school with Joe uh back in the 70s. Um, I also worked with him in the county of Union
uh for many, many years. And also Joe was on my softball team. A great guy. Um, always willing to help you. Um, he comes from a great family who I know for many, many years. So, uh, my condolences
goes out to Joe McDermott's family. Um, also Sean Mate. Um, he, uh, his family, I I knew the families, uh, they gra, uh, from the 1980s, so my hearts go out to
the family. On June 20th, I attended the recreation beginning of summer event at the Gazebo parking lot. It was a great showing. I want to thank uh Tina and the crew. Uh great job. And I also want a
special thank you for John Reeri who helped me set up tables and chairs that night. Uh thank you John. Uh the 21st I attended the Junth event. um you know um
not a great showing but but uh well I I think a lot had to do with uh it got cancelled from the week before and also um I believe Roselle and Rawway both had events that time. So, but uh I give the
uh committee a you know effort. Uh they did try um the 23rd I attend the historical site uh meeting um and they will not be meeting in July and August. Um and the next meeting will be um in
September. Uh the 26 I attended the joint sewer meeting um which was cancelled from the 19th due to the June uh uh uh the committee uh voted to move it back a week on uh
I went to the ribbon cutting ceremony at Pentock Coffee on Ches Street. Um on June 5th I attended fireworks. Rosanna, great job. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Um at the event, um I thought it was a
great showing. Um and I thought the fireworks were excellent. I did get many uh compliments. Uh July 9th, I attended the PBA fundraiser at Sun Tavern. Um I also went
to the open mic uh that night. Uh last night I went to the open mic also. Um, uh, American Legion, um, they're, uh, finally getting the bathrooms fixed. Hopefully this weekend
the, uh, men's room will be fixed and then the following week, uh, hopefully, and I, you know, I know he's going to get mad at me, but a special thank you to Adafo Dasmo. Um, he got so many contacts and he was able to get, uh, all
this stuff. And again, it it hasn't cost the Legion any money. Everything's been donated, material, the labor. Um, so eventually when they get done, I'd like to bring them in. U again, Joe, again, it's a different
It's not the same guys. Okay. Hey, listen. We appreciate the work here. We're not like they're uh you know, Greg and every time I talk to these guys, they all say they will they'll do anything for the veterans. So um um uh to talk about the
flood unfortunately uh I mean we got hit Rosal Park but I've seen other towns got real actually got hit worse. I do feel sorry for the people on Chesn Street who uh got flooded and everything. Um, but
you know, you look at uh Planefield, uh, uh, Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains, uh, Cranford, um, Clark, uh, to name a few. And, um, you know, that rain just came down quick, um, and everything. And I I
I actually rode by and it wasn't flooded. I was talking to a resident about it and he was, you know, thankful that it didn't flood on Lincoln Avenue and in a matter of five minutes it started flooding and uh he said, "Joe, I
need you to call the police because the barricade should go up, which I did call the uh dispatcher and he did send them out." But uh I know I talked to Andrew who also did the same thing and it seven minutes later, right? Seven minutes. seven minutes. And when
he got the call that Justin Street was flooding, he said I was just there and it it flood that quick. So, um like I said, uh uh it it just was a bad night um like that. Um to get a hold of me,
you you get me at jetroski at rosarpark.net 908 908667821. And that's my report, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Mowski. Councilman Johnson. Thank you, Mayor Councel of Residents.
Uh I just wanted to say I'm not going to belabor because my two colleagues basically elaborated very well spoken. Uh just thank God for our residents that uh we didn't have anything major uh casualties. Um as for property damages
that uh that's gone otherwise. Um also just to reiterate Junth was a very low showing. Um, I hope next year we can um put on a a better um um community engagement. Um especially
because uh this showing was actually lower than the first initial one that we actually did and because of some of the said reasons that uh my colleague said uh we rescheduled. There was a lot of things going on. Um, I would like to uh take this moment to continue and
recognize that July is minority mental health awareness month, a time to speak up, break the silence, and remind uh one another that it's okay to ask for help. Mental health matters in every community, and everyone deserves support
that understands and respects who they are. Let's continue to show up for one another with passion, uh, patience, kindness, and, uh, compassion. I just want, uh, the residents to know that you're not alone and your well-being
matters. Uh, looking ahead, I would like to uh, just uh, elaborate a little bit about neighborhood improvements. I'm super excited to share progress about Charlotte Terrace. Charlotte Terrace was
one of the half streets that uh got neglected in the past and um these half streets really hurt us when we file grants because it looks like it's half done and it looks and when you file for a grant uh they look at the overall
damage of that street and so it really doesn't help us. But I just want to uh say this project will include um was uh submitted to NJDLT. Uh this project includes the norm, the paving uh
sidewalk, curb work, uh ADA compliance, drainage enhancement. These upgrades will deliver meaningful improvements to our neighborhoods uh next year, and more information will follow as this uh unfolds. In addition, I'm also pleased to report
that Persian is set for a full rehabilitation thanks to the 374 868,000K in uh New Jersey NJDOT grant funding that we successfully secured. The
project includes again resurfacing, sidewalk replacements, Belgium block ADA upgrades, improvement to drainage, which is very important, and uh signage. Uh a pre-construction meeting is scheduled July 22nd. And I'm will share more
details after that uh meeting unfolds. But uh I just want to take a moment to say I want to recognize and and and give a big kudos or a big shout out to our BA Andrew Casayas for your ongoing support
with these much needed uh neighborhood improvements. I know sometimes uh us elected officials uh we could we could be a pain and um Andrew is really the uh really the backbone in uh ensuring that
all these projects and grants are getting submitted throughout the town as a whole, not just only the first ward. So I think I just wanted to single him out and just say thank you. Thank you, big red. Um uh
uh let me see. At this time, I I'd like to wish all Rosal Park residents a safe, healthy, and joyful summer. Uh if you need to get in contact with me, uh please feel free to reach me gson.net or you can call me at 9083031519.
Um I'm here to serve the community. So remember, let's continue to build a better quality of life for Roso Park while more importantly protecting quality of life. And that's what my resolution that we table is about. We
cannot forget that while we're building quality of life, we need to protect quality of life. And and so I'm looking forward to having discussions with every elected official before this comes back. No one will not be left out. You will get we will have a sit down. Uh, unless
you don't sit down with me, I can't stop that. Uh, mayor, that concludes my report. Thank you. Cool. Councilman Signarella. Um, so I just want to remind everyone the farmers market's up and running and
uh to go along with Rose uh mic up. I know a lot of the people come for the mic up, they uh buy some vegetables and goodies. Mic up. Open mic. Open mic. Mic up. Thank you. I like a mic. Excuse me.
Um that they're buying the stuff from the because the farmer is staying a little late in the the food vendor. Uh I didn't intend the fireworks because uh the the rain day had family in and uh couldn't
make it July 5th, but I did hear from numerous. It was probably one of the the nicest shows and and it went well. Um um I'd like to uh before I forget, I'd like to congratulate um Andrew who's going to uh
be uh uh get married soon and I wish him many years of marital bliss and God bless and uh and try to enjoy your like council said tonight uh you you are an important
uh uh coging the wheel here and Ken to my right here and we lean on you to get stuff done. But uh enjoy really whatever and just real brief about the storm. You know uh I got the fire department, RPPD, the OEM and the DPW did a nice job
and you know we got to remember this was a afternoon July storm that changed the flash floods. I I've seen a lot in 40 years. I'm going to go and some of my criticizers say I'm saying top three before worst rain events forget not the
Floyd not Irene whatever just say oh afternoon showers it was bad and bad and and me and Joe P were talking about the other day back in the days we had rain events where Charlie's liquor store I used to run there to go swimming roads have always been flooding in this town so we're going to try to
make the best I could say public safety and Andrew and the people up here we're going to try to kick it up a little notch and try to see if we could do a little better for this six to seven inch rainfall or a 2 inch rainfall. Myself and the police chief have a couple ideas. Andrew has a couple ideas, but
don't really say much tonight, but we we're going to run with a couple things. Rosanne, you have a couple ideas. We're going to just take a loss and turn it into a gain and we'll we'll hope to be a little better the next event. So, end of my report, uh 908721
6488 if you have any questions. Have a good night. Thank you, Osman. Uh, I will keep mine short as well. Um, I just want to say, um, thank you to, um, the Rosal Park Police Department, um, Rosal Park Fire Department, and our new DBW for really
doing an excellent job during the, uh, storm. I mean, it it tested us at a time where honestly we just done the shared service, and they're not even fully staffed yet. Um, which will be, you know, happening in the next couple weeks. But they were Johnny on the spot. And you know, one of the things that I'd like to highlight is, you know, part of
the benefit is this is sharing equipment and sharing resources. Um, our street sweeper was down and we were able to pull in the Kennorth Street sweeper because we didn't have one and we needed one for right after the storm. So, that's the benefit of these things. Um,
I agree with what all the council people said. I think I've tasked the PD um and OEM to come up with some ideas um to help mitigate some of these problems, especially in Chestnut Street. got to close down the street earlier and I think there's some things in terms of flood mitigation that you know we can do
a little bit extra for when we know it's going to be bad. Um but I do want to iterate like we spent a ton of money like over 250k last year cleaning out and doing spot work for these sewage line or the storm water lines, right?
Like it was seven inches of rain in a short period of time. Hurricane Ida was 10, right? Like it was a lot of rain. Um, and just in general, like people got to chill out. Like I know people are big mad and Facebook is not reality, but like people if you're watching this for
anybody who who actually is a keyboard warrior, like you guys got to find something else to do, right? Like when when you've got issues with us fixing sprinkler systems, you got to look at yourself in the mirror and be like, "What am I doing wrong? And what else can I be doing?" Ask not what Rosal Park can do for you.
Ask what you can do for Rosal Park next time you see something like that. So, thanks Mike. Appreciate it. Glad glad we're still friends after that. Um, if you have any questions for me, Mayor Sig at rosalpark.net. Um, that concludes my report. Uh, there are no matters for close session this
evening. Oh, no. May I have a motion to open public portion? Any subject matter? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. You want to come up and speak on any subject matter? Michael Ryan, 515 Locust Street. Uh, Mayor, I didn't mean to rub you the wrong way. Uh, I'm my intent I I wasn't
advocating for myself. I was um and I will continue to advocate for quality development in Rosal Park. And that and that's where my heart is at. And I I see such an opportunity that, you know, with the developments that we have at hand
that I, you know, I I just I can't speak up enough about, you know, injecting quality, open space, landscaping, things that bring something to the community and make the community feel good. And, uh, you know, that, like I said, it wasn't something I was trying
to get for myself there. I uh I you know I really want to see the best thing possible happen around the train station because it's going to be there for over a hundred years and you know I just like to see as much thought go into it as possible. No understood Mike and you
know I uh for anybody who's up here my father and council people included um that's a that's a normal level of Mayor Signarelloo so I do that with my best friends and family so I didn't take it personally. All right. Good. Why I keep asking myself, well, how do I get myself in a situation where I always
have to come and apologize to the council? I don't know, man. Just stop coming. We're working on your project. It's all right. We got it. I'm I'm You're supposed to have it on tonight. What's But I know, but Hey, Mike, I'm I'm I'm ready. What did What? We missed a deadline. What were we supposed to The attorneys are working on
the attorneys are working on it. I know. We were ready to vote on it tonight. Attorney Mechan uh spoke to me on the way out, told me. Okay. Keep the faith. Cool. All right. Anything else? No. council. Thank you very much and u I'm I'm with you 100%. No need to apologize at least on that
one. Okay. Anybody else? What do you want? Easy there. I haven't done anything. Apologize. Yeah. Tim Kley, 213 Charlotte Terrace. I didn't give Councilman Patel an update this week, but the only update this time of year for Environmental Commission is the garden's open. It's flourishing.
things it always does. Please come by sometime. We're there almost every Saturday morning. We're harvesting vegetables for the community. It's really great watching new people come in year after year making friends. They're getting, frankly, getting better at the gardening part, which can sometimes be a
mess if you don't if you don't take care of it. Uh we had a large limb fall off uh the last shade tree we had in the garden, unfortunately, a few weeks back during another storm. Uh, kudos to Andrew, to Greg, the DPW superintendent for acting quickly to get the limb
removed, then the tree itself when we determined the tree wasn't going to be able to make it. I'm not going to wait on the whole DPW thing going on. But I'll just say I I've had a really, really good experience with Greg as DPW superintendent. So hopefully everything else follows the same quality that I've,
you know, partnership we've seen from him so far, which has been great. Uh, just two quick things. Uh I know the phase one of the tree planting for this year or the deadline was uh what Monday, Tuesday. Has that officially been pushed
to the fall or I I think practically it's going to have to be. Yeah. I just I think it's I know it's too it's too hot now. I don't think it I would have loved to have done it earlier. No comment. I love a lot of things, but I'll just ask you know let's let's
try and get phase two done at the same time. I was so I agree. I mean I think do we have a list of ones that are requested for phase 2 cuz we have money still. No, actually we don't. I have a question. Yeah, go ahead. I actually have a question for you. I have a list. There was a resident that went around and I had sent it to uh
Linda McGrady. Can I send it to you? You sent it to for request request for trees for trees. Oh, okay. Good. We'll add it to the list. Send it to send it to both Tim and and I because we have a track. Yeah, I think we've got like a 40 something list. I'm on the list personally. I would like Can I make it really easy, Tim? Because
I know you guys are struggling with picking locations, right? Like it's it's We're good. Okay. You good? But I mean, go ahead. No, go ahead though. Yeah. Filbert. Filbert. Filbert. Um what's Warren and what's Warren? What's the other one by Warren? Butler. Butler. Warren and Butler. We've talked about those.
Yeah. And um I have Warren on Grant. Yeah. Those are the hot. I don't think I I think the only concern we're going to have is once you get up to like a 100, then it's going to require some street by street review. But 60 we can put down. I think no problem. Cool. Yeah. I mean, that's what Did we
get bids back on the first one? We did. We did. We have 60. It's all set. And then how much did we get? Sorry, we should end this meeting, but I I love trees. Um and then how much was that for 60 trees? I don't remember offhand. 50k 40k. Uh I think it was a south of four. I
think it was south of 40,000. How much tree money do we have left? You know, a lot. A lot. Yeah, a lot. I mean, it's like 400 a tree, I think. Conservatively, what? So, it's like 20 Yeah. 25 30,000. Yeah. Okay. So, you got probably another 60 to
spend. Yeah. Don't forget about Okay. Oh, honestly, I that breaks my that breaks my heart between Avon and Councilman Petroski. I got she just the last one. I know Andrew and I
exchanged an email on this. We were talking about uh funds available for comm for energy planning, green planning. I know you guys just got all the money for the master plan, which is fantastic. It sounds like we're all on the same page in terms of let's do our best to incorporate sustainability.
You know, climate resilience, I think, is going to be pretty critical in this master plan. We were just talking about it. I mean, um CBS 2 had me and I was really geeking out on the permeable pavers and the cameraman was like, "Why are you talking about this so much?" And I was like,
it's like a this is a source of pride. The permeable pavement that was a big deal. Yeah. No, but just a reminder, I mean, we we have the uh the environmental resource inventory is hope I assume that'll be an input. It shows us where all the uh you know, the floodprone areas are. I would just encourage let's let's get even more
creative on those residential streets, East Lincoln. Yeah. Sherman, you know, you know, whether it's curb cutouts, you know, it might look a little weird street to street, but every every 10 minutes, you know, I try to argue with people to I'm fighting the good fight, Tim. I got to be honest with you, though, like
trees are like it is the third rail. People love them or hate them and then, god forbid you suggest a bump out and people lose one parking spot. It's like, no, it's that's by all means though. You know, there's other there's other hardcaping we can do. Let's let's work together. That being said, um, having a
formal review of the trees has been very helpful. So, you know, as long as you guys keep the process, I think we're in a better shape this way. So, that's good. Uh, this last thing, and me and Andrew have talked about it. You you you know where they grow good in the center aisle in the Westfield A. They grow nice.
I'd like to see a couple more, but they they're growing some like I have input here. You said you No, you suggested. No, I I I I am just on the on the record. On the record, it is surprising how they survive on on the median and they look nice. Oh, those Okay.
I mean, because nothing survives on the median. Not Not flag poles, not the grass, nothing survives on the median. But the trees that have been planted, there's been a couple that die, but they've been pretty resilient given. But that's also it's also a non-controversial one to put it because it's not in front of anybody's house.
So, I think come up with a list for phase two. I know you got some. Um, definitely hit those hot spots and I think we'll just the balance we could just put on the medians. NJ dot can come yell at me. Go for it, Tim. If it means anything, we do plan on doing bumpouts um on Route 28. Uh um
that has been discussed and we're still in discussions with NJT. Just just for FYI, 2020, hindsight, that Meridia courtyard that isn't built yet, a sunk a sunken courtyard would have been ideal. Didn't even think of it. We amphitheater all kinds of stuff like that.
Yeah, it's actually so it's really funny you mentioned that they you're way over time but so just you I can talk. It's trees. Yeah. Um we uh I it's we're not too late on that because actually I literally texted
tonight. I said you guys owe me a they have an outstanding uh request. Not request they need to do this. They need to submit a plan for the center. My words are gone. What is the thing called in the middle? The court uh the courtyard. Yeah. Um so I'm just
going to say like this should be part of it, you know, and I'd rather wait and have that done, right? So cool. This went longer than it needed to. Um I have two appointments. Thank you. Uh please mute my appointments into the record before we go. Yes, mayor. Well, can you close public
portion? Oh, can I close public portion? Uh motion to close public portion. So moved. Second. All in favor? I. All right. There are two appointments. Mayor's appointing Adalfa D. Cosmo, currently alternate member number two of
the municipal land use board as alternate member one of the municipal landport effective immediately to fill the unexpired term of Rachel G. Templeton III to set to expire December 31st, 2026. and is appointing Steven Barendika, currently alternate member number four of the municipal land use board as alternate member number two of
the board effective immediately to fill the unexpired term of Adalfa to Cosmo set to expire December 31st, 2026. Uh, okay. Now we can adjourn. Uh, may I have a motion to adjurnn? Some moved. Second. All in favor? I meeting everybody. One second. Y