[Music] Motion to resume the meeting. Motion. All in favor? I roll for Council Mora here. Council Mer here. Council President
Derek here. Uh we had some technical difficulty in regards to the video. So um we are starting the meeting now. Okay. Uh adequate notice of this meeting has been sent to all council members and to all all legal newspapers in accordance with the provisions of the
open public meeting act chapter 231 public law 1975. The public is hereby advised that any statements made during meeting of the township council of the township of Southwork may not be privileged or protected and that persons or entities who take issue with such
comments or are offended by say having a pass or a legal redress to the courts. Any member of the public who addresses the council speaks for themselves and not for the council. Okay. Before we open the meeting to the public, uh we have Ste Wilcox, our auditor here
regarding the uh budget for this coming year. Stephen, [Music] thank you. Good evening. Uh as we talked about last meeting, uh you have the budget for 2025 for
introduction tonight. Um there's a 3 and 12% increase in spending. That spending is in a handful, five categories, health benefits,
workers comp and liability insurance, pensions, the statutory calculation to the library, and contractual salary increases. As I mentioned at the last meeting, all the other expenses within the budget, the
department, wreck, health, fire, EMS, across the board, they're down almost $118,000 versus the 2024 budget. So again, you've
controlled everything you can't control. and these handful of of appropriations which are uh fixed costs that you get a bill you have to pay your contractual obligations to employees in terms of contract that's
what you pay but everything that you can control you've actually reduced versus what was budgeted in 2024. So again, it's not been a very good year. If you read the articles town by
town, um the the the tax increases are more than they've been in previous years. Uh you factor in inflation, you factor in increased interest cost, um there's really your hands are pretty
much taugh. So, you know, move forward. It's decreased about $300 to the average homeowner. Um, that's unfortunately this year it is what it is.
Thank you. Are there any questions? Mayor and council [Music] for the public. We've discussed this. We had our meeting two weeks ago which uh we went over the budget in detail with Mr. more about
you're asking asking questions cuz those questions have already been asked and they've already been answered. Okay, Steve, just for the sake of the the origins and uh those watching the video at home, um can you just be a little
more specific about the increase in as far as what's causing the increase? Sure. is that as I as I mentioned, it's a handful of appropriations. It's the health benefits that you
provide for all your employees. It's the liability workers comp insurance that you're required to have. Uh state pension bills, which we get a bill, we have to pay it. The amount's fixed. the statutory calculation for
contribution to the municipal library which is a third of a mill of the equalized valuation of the township. That's the minimum and that has to be appropriated and it's contractual salaries
uh to to your employees. Again, it's this is the same issue that every single surrounding town is having this year with the with the federal money gone,
with inflation, with interest rates. You know, 2 years ago, we borrowed short-term money at 3/4 of a percent or 1%. Now, it's 4.5%. um you know that's what the money you use for all the capital projects to do
the roads to buy the equipment. So that that cost is exponentially more than it has been in the uh in the past. And again everybody you go to the grocery store
it's everything costs more and for us to buy things that we need to operate township everything cost more. So, it's actually to be able to reduce all the operating costs other than these
five categories by almost $118,000 is I mean that's really doing doing the same or more with less money cuz there's no cuts of services. There's no pullback of anything. Um
but the the situation is such that there's on the revenue side there's no new revenue. There's no no additional state aid like there was for the last 2 years. Um again the federal money's all kind. We I actually we don't know what
the impact's going to be on the federal stuff because as they take money away from the states and states have to figure out how to balance their own budget. So would that impact state aid for the towns and the schools? I mean at
this point we don't know. So again, it's the the tax increase is more than it's been over the last number of years, but again, $300, you know, 20 20
less than $25 a month. um the the municipal portion of your tax bill this year in in Southwood for the average residential assessment
which is now $476,000 and change is still less than $4,000 for the year for police, for fire, for EMS, for wreck, for health, for seniors.
the parks, all that you garbage, sewer, all the services that you you provide. The average taxpayer in this town pays less than $4,000 for the whole year. So that's in my view that's a pretty good
bargain. Yeah, it's a lot less than some of the surrounding towns as well, right? I think where a lot of the residents get confused is when you tell them that it's less than $4,000 a year and they open up their tax bill and it's nine or 10,000.
That includes obviously we have the school on top of our municipal and the counties and the county. Yep. Yeah. So again, it's we're the purveyors of bad news because it mean under the statutes, the
municipality sends out the tax bill, but in in essence, your piece of that tax bill is less than 40% of the total. The biggest piece is everywhere is the school district. Again, you know, not to if people that
have kids in school that pays for their kids education, you know, that makes perfect sense. But I see people that don't have kids in school and they they see that number and they sometimes they get a little turd and then the county piece of it is, you know, county roads
are maintained. County roads there's snow plow and it's just it's all part of the the total equation. Yeah, but again, the average resident here pays less than $4,000 a year in municipal taxes for everything that the municipality provides, including the library,
including uh everything. So, your question uh Steve, you talked about insurance. Now um
some towns have their own insurance and we we do but you have a third party provider. We have a third party provider and a lot of these uh towns have go onto the state uh benefit package. Okay. So
um and you represent a number of towns besides correct. So the people that had the state benefit plan, how did they do? You said ours went up 3 and a half%. How did the state benefit plan towns do with
their unfair as well? As well your your private insurance went up a lot less than the state health benefits plan for 2025 and for 2024 and the projected increase for state health benefits for 2026
is close to 20% again. How much was it this year? do 19. Okay. It was over 15%. Oh yeah. And it was it was over it was 20% the year before because that program they encouraged
governments and school districts to take advantage of the state health members plan under the premise that the bigger they got the more the more people that they covered the cost would be spread
to lessen the burden. except that didn't work out with with the the advent of a lot of a lot of these new drugs, very expensive. Um, and what they didn't tell everybody was that the state was subsidizing. The
state held veterans plan for a couple years during the pandemic and then the state stopped subsidizing, right? Which is now the last two last two years moving forward. So the municipalities that are in the state health Memphis
plan see their premiums rise a lot more than you have. Our school district is in the state plan. Yeah. They were in they were in it a while ago
and then they got out of it for a couple of years. They end up going back. Yeah. At that time, some of the districts are looking to access the state help this way. So, but that now it's much harder
to get private insurance. Again, a lot everything's based on your experience. So, um this is kind of the time where you you really need to stay where you are, wherever you are. It's just
it's more economical right now. Exactly. Thank you, Steve. Appreciate it. The resolution for today's introduction of the budget be resolved that the following statements of revenue and appropriations shall constitute the municipal budget for the year 2025.
The further resolved is that set budget will be published in the hour town in the issue of June 26, 2025 and the governing body attached to the sound group is hereby approved budget for the year 2025.
Motion motion second. Roll call. Council Samuca. Yes. Council me. Yes. Council president. Yes. participation. Thank you. You can take the rest.
Motion to open the meeting to the public. Second. All in favor? I. Anyone wishing to address the council, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record.
Good evening everyone. Good evening everyone. Tom W8. Um, just want to first of all start off by congratulating all police officers who moved up within the ranks of the police department. I wish them all the best of luck in their new roles, whether it be a sergeant or lieutenant and
always wish that they stay safe all of course. Next thing I want to do is talk real quick about the marriage group. There's mother out there. Okay. Anyho, so we we had a we had a rather quiet month
since we had our last team base and last spoke. We were supposed to actually help out with the fishing derby which due to the weather it got rescheduled. It's going to be rescheduled hopefully for I know early fall. So whenever the fishing derby is held the man group will be
there to help out. But um we're also hoping to have a meeting plan meeting in the near future. Um hope the summer. Thank you. Thank you Thomas. Uh good evening. Uh my name is Steve Maraconda 24 Harrison Avenue. I'm also
the chair of the newly developed um South Green team advisory committee. Um just want to promote to those in town not only get involved in some environmental efforts promoting sustainability planting trees, gardens and such um to get involved in our s
green team. meeting. Right now, it's the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the council meeting room. And uh our next meeting is on Wednesday, June 3rd. So, thanks so much.
Oh, July 3rd. Thank you. Thank you. Just the I think it's July 2nd for the green team. Yeah, it's July 2nd. July Wednesday, July 2nd. July 3rd is the fireworks. Thanks for
Good evening, James De 6. My name is James Deine. I lived in town for close to 60 years, and I'm honored to be here tonight. I want to talk to you about the recent dedication of McFarland Circle on Fairmont Parkway and I had came to say
that we have to do better. Growing up here, going to school here, playing ball here, I got to know the coaches who shape this town. Dave Liberty, How Schuman, Mariel and Joe Alia, and Mr. McFarland to name a few.
These men build character in our kids, but tonight I am here about Mr. Inform that is Bruce McForman. Now, I'm not sure everyone on this council knew Mr. Moral, so I brought copies of his obituary for each of you
because once you read this, you'll understand why I'm standing here tonight. Mr. Mayor, if you could please give each of the members a copy. Sure. I do believe that they are aware of this. Okay. Bruce McFarland's accomplishments were
far too many to list here, but I must say that Bruce was awarded three bronze stars for heroic action during direct combat in com in Korea and Vietnam. This man was a true American hero. The valor,
the pure courage of Bruce Mcron is unmatched in the history of this town. Bruce did not serve once. He served his whole life. Back home, he spent decades coaching our kids, teaching them what it means to be part of something bigger
than yourself. In his work with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Bruce knew the kids in town that were struggling or in trouble. Over and over again, Bruce reached out to these young kids to offer support and guidance. He changed many
lives. That's service. That's what we used to call the American way. And you know what? He's still doing it. My nephew Joseph O'Keefe, good kid, smart kid, graduated from a big college,
got himself a great job in New York City. Said for life, right? But he walked away from all of that to join a Navy. When I told him about Bruce McFaren, about what this man stood for, it lit something in the show. He went to
officer carrying school and graduated number one academically and physically. Number one. And he told me that Bruce McFarland's story, the way I talked about him, that's what kept him going. That's what I'm talking about. Even now,
even after he's gone, Bruce McFarland is still building character in our young people. Still showing them what it means to serve, to sacrifice, to lead by example. Let me tell you what I see when I drive through Bergen County. I see grand
monuments, stone statues, towns honoring their heroes with something that says, "This person mattered. This person sacrificed. This person served." So, here's what I'm asking. Here's what
Sadd needs to do. We need to raise $25,000 for a proper dignified monument right where that sign is. Now I see those sorrowful pride buffer stickers around town. Well, this is our chance to show what pride really means. Don't get
me wrong, hearts were in the right place for the dedication of the former circle. But a metal sign with a bolt going through his name for a man like this. Come on, we could do better. We have to do better. Bruce Mfallen deserves more
than his name on sign. This town deserves a memorial that matches the man. Our kids deserve to walk by a statue and ask, "Who was that?" And then they will learn about service. They will learn about sacrifice. They will learn what it means to be part of something
bigger. I'm ready to lead this fundraising campaign. I'm ready to knock on doors, make calls, do whatever it takes because this isn't just about Bruce McFarland. though God knows he earned it. This is about what kind of town we are.
This is about whether we're going to honor people who built this town, who served this town, who gave everything for this town. The money's out there. The heart is out there. We just need to get organized and get it done. So, I'm asking you, will you support this
effort? Will you help us give Bruce McCron the memorial he deserves and sorrow the monument it needs? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Divine. Mr. Divine, why just stay there for a second? Sure. We always
we're going to put a stone there, but not one like you're talking about. Okay. See, what I don't think you're realizing is that that's not the location to put a big monument because we didn't want to.
And look, I led the charge, you know, with this. And so did Mike May who's in the back there, right? Um Mike's the American Legion, and he was the MC of this the ceremony that we had, but
we had to we had to speak to the BFW. We had to speak to the uh the American Legion. We had to speak to the Tjan chapter of the uh of the Korean War veterans because they were the ones that
put that monument out there. Okay, there's not enough room for a big monument and we didn't and we got a little bit of grief from those organizations because they didn't want it to overshadow the bigger monument which that monument
is the Korean exclusive. Yes. But it's the Korean War. So to put something large, that's why the signs in the back, you know, it's visible. Yes. But with that being said, the sign is visible so
people when they drive by, they can see it. But we always had the intention of putting a smaller stone there to make it permanent. Yes. But but not a big thing. the stone with a plaque on it that had basically the
same information that's on the sign on a bronze right you know plate that's on a a flat stone yeah I understand right this way it's more permanent yes because a sign you can get hit if you get damaged right I mean so can a mon you
know we always had that intention oh see I wasn't aware cuz I spoke but like and I also spoke with Doug the farm and this is the first anybody ever brought this to my attention. I spoke to Mike at length about this and also Doug and this is the first time I've ever heard
anything about that. All I was told was that there was a sign there. Doug was like, "Yeah, there's a sign there, Jim." I'm like, "Okay, you know, I I think I apologize. I know." And I think that Doug was, you know, it
that was not mentioned to Doug, but there was something mentioned about, you know, these veterans matters that we have. Yes. So, I know Mike had had said, you know, Mike handles that. He's the in charge manage that. Yes. A better matter
program, right? And he's going to get a sponsor for uh Mr. McFarland and we're going to put that back because this is the first year we started leading on fair, right? As a matter of fact, that's what led me to contact. I called the uh
I think it's called the vehicle and I am fired because I know where I walk with Mr. Paul and I'm driving down Carl Parkway and I see a number of different signs and I don't see anything about Mr. I was like, so I called it down and then I was Mike and then Mike told me that
there's going to be dedication service on the motor and again I thought that was fantastic but again I wasn't not I was not notified of the fact that it was going to be a permanent monument there of any sort. So if I'm misinformed, I
apologize, but again, I'm glad to hear that there is going to be something permanent. Yeah. But but on there other than that, very good. Well, again, I just wanted to I wasn't aware council knew Mr.
Ibituary and also copy of the uh my nephew who we definitely made a great impression on. He's a great great guy. That's why we That's why we learn everything. Yeah. I mean, he did so much other than just
being a baseball coach. I mean, and I was, you know, I mean, he founded the side of soccer for girls. This is before like time and all that other stuff that made girls inclusive in regular
[Music] video and I did. Yeah, I thought it was good. That was it was a very nice guy. So, but again, he he was, you know, growing up in that neighborhood, right? I mean, he constantly went out and and he knew the kids were trouble cuz he
worked, you know, the prosecutor's office and many times I heard from kids in in town, you know, Mr. Mong came up to me, you know, just well, he knew who I was. He didn't even notice Mr. M. And he went out of his way to reach out to
these kids. you made a big impression on a lot of people like that structure. So again, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Good evening everyone. I am that guy my
day newly resigned at 106 car park. I just recently moved regularly but I recently moved to South. Um I'm a Saudi. I was a
South Brook 358 president 64 years very proud of my uh upbringing. I didn't know if uh cap captain uh I was left at home crown my six
siblings while my parents worked night and day. Anyway, just to round out the loop for those who don't know the full story or at least a side of the story that I know with the mayor is that I was invited to
EMC at this st. And I call it Sn because it is about a town person who gave his uh self to public life and military service for our country. Um I didn't know Captain Mack but I was very much
astounded by his credentials. Of course he bronze stars and things of that nature, Korea as well as Vietnam and his uh voice career as well. Um, I handled the
matters in town. I was involved with that. I'm still involved. And so, when I hear something about Captain Mack, it's very um interesting to know that all the veterans are heroes, everyone of those veterans, whether it's
fathers, parents, all touched us in some way. Obviously, as Jim Devine had expressed, he was touched by Captain Mack's service to the community. I have a personal a couple of personal friends who knew Captain Mack. They played on baseball
teams as well when they were young young men, young boys. And so I got to learn more about him. But getting back to the issue or the current situation um the one needs to remember that the
banner program which tied into this memorial or maybe memorial tied into the banner program. The banner program for the last four years started in uh January, February, concluded in March where the banners and everything had to
be submitted the applications to the vendor and it had to be done by midappril so that it could be made ready for Memorial Day. And it just so happened that the event, the commemoration of Captain Mack was going
to be held just in time for Memorial Day. So, I think what the mayor had in mind was not only to express the town's gratitude to Captain Mack uh by posting a sign. The sign, yes, it's maybe not
the most steadfast object that stands there, but it does serve as a notice to those passers by that can see a sign, maybe inquire what that sign means. Um, in speaking with the mayor, uh, he did
mention that this hopeful to, uh, put down a a monument, uh, something that doesn't obstruct, most importantly, does not instruct obstruct the monument that was there for the Dejon uh, chapter, the Korean War
Vest because it's known as the Korean War monument. Even though Captain Nack did serve as a younger soldier in the Korean War or the conflict, uh he also served in Vietnam, hence you guys bronze stars concluding with that service. So
the whole thing tied in together. It was a glorious day because the weather held up. We got the banners done in time. The event was taking off. We had town people there, the bands, the fire department,
notable police officers and other uh notables that attended. And so it was a glorious event to my thinking. And I think in in defense or if you will to uh help understand the mayor's point of
view was to make a mark for Captain Mack so that perhaps something later on can be done that would be more steadfastly uh adhere to the ground. So uh hope that clarifies any kind of misunderstanding or questions. Um certainly I could be
approached with the banners afterwards if there is a question. Uh, I don't think there's going to be a problem for the banner for Captain Mack. Just like the other town heroes that we have displayed, our market South River Road and now Caroline Parkway, Captain Mack
is one of those that is going to be honored as well. So, uh, having said that, I think, um, I think we touched all bases. uh the mayor and the town council had put this uh event together and I was just a helpful person within
that endeavor and I'm very proud to have been a part of it and um I just think that Captain Matt would be smiling now if you look down. So uh that's all I have to say at this point in time. Thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you Mike and thank you for all that you do for the veterans here. Thank you. Anyone else wish to address the council? Seeing no one else, motion to close. No, sir. Second. All in favor? I um comments,
mayor. Yes. Thank you. Uh regarding the budget, I want to thank Jimmy Holmes, our business as his administrator, Vince Bono, our CFO, and Steve Wilcox, who we was here tonight, our order there, and spoke Um
it's a very difficult budget. Uh so many essential services and fixed cost that that increased. So I think uh Steve explained that very well. Uh we are going to do uh estimated tax bills again like we have the last two years. Um
there is an ordinance on tonight uh establishing a cap bank which we do every year which will be introduced tonight. Um other ordinances that we have on second reading, uh we have the outdoor lighting ordinance, um which uh Steve Marana
worked on, uh along with uh myself, the council, Mr. Simaluca, had a lot of input on this and we straightened out some things that Mr. some of Luca had brought to to light that uh I'm glad he did because uh we we changed a couple of
things to make it better. Uh we also have uh fees for construction code official uh also amending the sewer hookup fees uh from before zoning for resale of new
tenant certifications that was suggested by the sub code official and the building inspector. We have first reading amendment to chapter 51 regarding abandoned property and unsafe buildings a fire prevention uh I'm sorry
flood prevention ordinance which was mandated by the state and then an update to the water rates. We also have uh two resolutions. One for affordable housing mandate um by the by the state. Um we
still can reduce the number even though we adopt that ordinance. that we still could look to reduce the number of affordable housing units that we have to have. And also there's a resolution uh for acceptance of a New Jersey department, a transportation grant for
road improvements on Floral Lane. Had a lot of events uh this uh this past month uh in May and in May and early June. Uh we mention we did a lot of talking about McFarland Circle which was
Saturday May the 23rd. So uh I don't really think we have to go on about that cuz we heard quite a bit about that and it was a glorious day and and a very very nice ceremony. Thank you Mike. Thanks the fire the fire department the police department
American Legion uh our ambulance corps everybody that took took part and town uh the uh the school district was there as well. um Memorial Day parade and ceremonies which is another another great day. I want to thank all the participants. I want to thank the grand
marshal who happens to be happened to be uh one of our Santa police officers, Sergeant Joe Joseph Caleri. Um I also want to thank the fire ambulance DFW and American Legion for they had ceremonies
um during the parade. I want to thank our county clerk, John Hogan, and uh New Jersey assembly members Lisa Swain and Chris Cully who walked that very long parade. So they do that every year. So uh we appreciate them coming out. Um on
Friday, June 6th, we had a nurse concert which was a very big success. I want to thank Director Ryan G and assistant director Diane Bonner. We had close to 500 people in attendance. Uh it was really a very very well attended event
was on a Friday night which I think we in future we got to try to schedule for the Friday Saturday um maybe Sunday during the day I think during the week you know you get less people if it's uh it's a work day the
next day you can't come out as much but this band there have a very good following and did a great job the mayor's fish Thomas said have been cancelled Unfortunately, due to the weather, uh it rained last week and so was the day before Mother's Day. So, we
hope to reschedule that in the fall. Uh senior activities, we held senior prom this past Tuesday, June 17th, here at the municipal complex from 11 to 3. It was a very, very nice event. Had quite a
few seniors attend and uh usually enjoy themselves. Uh we got a couple summer programs this upcoming uh summer camp here. The rec department is running in the month of July. So any questions for the rec department? I don't know if they
have any more openings. They may have a couple more. Uh so if you're interested in that, it's the whole month of July. Um junior police academy will be at the end of August. So if you're interested in that, I think I think the school district works with I'm looking at a
captain back there. Okay, great. So that's all set. Uh we also coming events with the fireworks on Thursday, July the 3rd at the lake at
the uh the uh county park. Um, also municipal municipal employees in town hall uh DPW will be closed on Friday, July 4th for the holiday. Recycling will be picked up
on that Friday, July 4th. Uh, recycling company has had some issues the last couple of weeks, the last pickups. Um, they don't pick up, please leave it out and they should pick it up on Saturday. We're hoping that we're not going to have any more problems and they
straighten it out, but we've been um our business administrator, Jim's been in touch with them and hopefully uh that's what that offers. Um some other things want to congratulate three new police officers who graduated from the police academy yesterday afternoon. I want to
welcome them Zachary Burserki, Julian Thomas, and Michael from the police force. I also want to congratulate uh tonight before this meeting five officers were promoted. Um earlier tonight, Lieutenant Bob John, Lieutenant
Christopher Ro, Sergeant Marcos Torres, Sergeant Joseph, and Sergeant Peter Romero. I want to congratulate all the students from PreK College who are graduating. I also want to send a shout out to sixth grade lead class which
graduated their party last week, I think. Um Steve mentioned the green team and the flood committee. Uh unfortunately tonight u uh one of our our council woman uh Sarah Sanchez is not here but
uh she would have spoken a little bit more about it. She's the she's the uh assistant chair. So the date is Wednesday July July 2nd is is our next meeting. So if anybody interested, please uh feel free to call town hall or
just come to the meeting. Um today is Junth. So tomorrow, municipal employees uh are going to be off um all day. So uh Friday, June, tomorrow, June 20th, recycling will be picked up though. Um
that's all I have. Thank you, Mayor Council Major. Thank you, Council President. Um, first and foremost, I'd like to thank our professionals and uh all our department heads for preparing a fis fiscally responsible budget. I know
it's never easy with the tax site, but some things are just inevitable. Um, I also would like to uh congratulate the five officers that were uh uh promoted tonight. Thank you for your dedication and service to our community. May you
always be safe out there. And also a shout out to all the preschool uh all the 2025 graduates from prek to grad school. Uh lots of luck in your future diverse. And that's it for right now. Thank you,
Councilman. You're welcome. Councilman Solugu also like to congratulate um and put my full support behind the promotions tonight uh for all of the uh the five members of our in department.
Welld deserved. Um, I guess we had a this started at 6:00 and a lot of the room was filled with uh supporters of uh now Lieutenant Little John. He's got a a big family and big community uh that was
here supporting him. Um so congratulate him. As the mayor had said, he was the first uh sergeant which I think is the supervising officer or supervising considered a supervising officer. Now he's the first African-American
uh lieutenant which is considered a comm the command a commanding officer. So uh he is an inspiration to all the members of the uh police department and I I think myself especially uh the other African-American officers that are on
our squad and coincidentally or surreptitiously uh serend serendipitously u it happened to be Junth. So, um, that's, uh, just happened to fall on this day. So, I don't know if that's a
coincidence, but seemed to work out. Uh, the Memorial Day parade again, awesome job by everyone involved, BFW, the first responders, American Legion, Mike's here. Um, uh, and congratul special congratulations to Joe Cano. I think
we're on the third C Joe Cano area now. Um, and it makes you feel proud and also feel very very old. Um, when somebody who has been playing ball with your kids since they were five and six years old is now a grand marshal, you know, a
veteran and a grand marshal on the parade. It's like, jeez, I'm old. Um, now in regard to the McFarland circle and then, you know, the celebration basically of uh Mr. my father who I did
not know although I didn't know I do know his son pretty well did not know him uh but uh I came away from that celebration uh feeling proud of such a man being in Saddle Brook and proud of
being a Saddlebrook resident for the last 40ome years but also made me sad because these accomplishments in his obituary my obituary accomplishments are going to be like two lines and reading his obituary, it just made
me feel pretty damn small. This guy did so much for so many people. So, congrats to his family. Welld deserved. The mayor I mentioned uh the concert was well attended. I think the mayor and I are on the same page that that's the kind of
attendance that we want and we expected. uh was probably the biggest supporter of of the concert series. Um but I uh I was disappointed the last couple of years with the attendance. I don't know why. Maybe it was the
difference because it was Friday, but also the nerds. Listen, they got paid a decent amount of money to to come here and they promoted the hell out of this show on their social media. I my wife said she sent something out on social
media saying, "Hey, come to the nurse concert." They liked it within 10 seconds. They liked it and shared it. So, they they were a big social media um force and uh they did a great job. It was a great show. We had uh I think three or four food trucks. Everyone had
a great time. It was just great seeing people enjoying it. And we're hope to be able to do that uh also in the future. a couple of the ordinances as the mayor had said the lighting ordinance uh my main issue was it seemed to me that the
lighting ordinance also applied to single family houses and I didn't think that that was appropriate it has been changed um so that four and less foreign for families and less um is not um
does not have to uh I don't want to say abide by it but it the ordinance does not affect that those small home owners um we thought that it might be u just fiscally um
fiscally impactful on them in a negative way. Uh a couple of the uh ordinances that we're talking about today uh that we will be voting on again the lighting um we're amending the uh the fees we're updating our fees to be in line with
everyone else. There's no reason that Saddle Brook should be much much lower than any of our surrounding towns. We don't want to overcharge, but at the same time um we shouldn't undercharge. As Steve Wilcox have said,
money is tight and um where's the revenue coming from? Well, that could be considered a sort of revenue. So, we don't want to short change ourselves. We don't want to short change the town and by doing so short change the taxpayers. So that's what we had to do. Similarly
with the uh the water rates, we got to do something with the water. They keep raising our water rates and our job as a town is not to is to subsidize uh the users of that water. You use the water, you pay for it. So we've got to figure out a way to do something. And
and that's basically what we're doing. We're going to try and make uh our water uh black in the black and not not be in the red. Um, and with that being said, thanks to everyone uh here for all the jobs that they do, especially in terms of the
budget. It was tough, but as Mr. Wilcox had said, um, I got to give credit to the council. I'm patting myself on the back kind of uh along with everyone else. Um, that we did have the foresight to go with this u insurance plan as
opposed to just going with the state plan that the state was trying to shut down our throat. Um, and like he said, the state plan has gone up 15 plus% last year, 15 plus% this year, and it's supposed to go up 15 to 20% next year.
Um, so I think we did a good job on that. You know, we're not perfect, but uh, you know, when we do something when we get something right, I I like to tell people that that we did it. And lastly, I forgot we have the special council for
our uh fair share housing uh also known as Mount Boral, the thing of every town's existence these days. Um and for those people that were thinking that because some numbers were thrown out of all close to 300 units that South Park is going to somehow have to provide 300
units of housing. That is false. Uh we have developed we have gotten back to where we're going to get back to the state uh with our understanding of what our um requirements are or what our
obligations are and believe it's not anywhere close to what they think are obligations are. That's it. Thank you. Thank you, Council. Uh I just have a few things. Sorry, I'm going to be a little redundant. uh Jimmy and Steve and
the mayor. I just want to thank you as well as the rest of the council. Uh it's a very responsible budget. Uh I say here um it seems to get harder and harder and this is no different. But I know you go through it line by line and we all look at where we can cut where we can save
money. We don't want to spend one more dime and we need to. Um but I really feel like this is a fiscally responsible lunch that we presented here today. Um in regards to the green team, we did have meetings. Steve did mention that. Um we also have a resolution tonight to
join sustainable New Jersey sustainable New Jersey program. What that'll do is that'll help us get grants for a greener and more uh um friendly uh satellite. Um I'd like to also
congratulate all of our officers that were promoted um this evening. Um as well as our three new officers that were sworn in yesterday. Um, I too would like to mention the nerves concert like thank
that was an incredible event. Um, the other night I was asking why do you think it's here 700 800 900,000 people it was really well attended and again uh council was a big initiative of his and
uh I think that's the way to go. get a nice um band and make it on a Friday night where everybody can come out and really enjoy themselves and have a great community event. Um also congratulations to all all of our graduates from rec from graduate school. Uh
congratulations. Um I hope to see everyone at the town fireworks on July 3rd. Uh I too want to mention the act um about 10 11 years ago when I was running for school board. I was walking down Pine Avenue and I
knocked on his door and he answered um and he was this googly gentleman. We had about 20 30 minute conversation uh was a graduate of prayers Catholic he knew people there he knew people all over the place and he was just an incredible person and reading this I
mean like counc it's it's daunting everything that this man was able to accomplish and he's a crew a true hero to s I don't think we can do enough for him you know it's not
a big enough find for him So, uh, thank you for coming. Um, hope to see everybody the fireworks. Thank you. Uh, we have ordinances tonight. We have following ordinances for second
reading. Uh, ordinance number 1777-25. An ordinance land chapter 206 of the code of attra entitled zoning which is pertaining to outdoor lighting. Ordinance 1778-25,
second reading, an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 82 of the code of the township of Saddlebrook entitled construction code uniform as a fee update ordinance 1779-25 an ordinance embedding and supplementing
chapter 161 of the code of the township of Santa Brook entitled sewers and ordinance 1780-25 an ordinance amending and supplement menting chapter 206 of the code of the township of the sound entitled zoning
all for second reading motion just point of order is is the motion to read each of them separately or we're going to vote on each of them separately right the motion now is open to the public for a hearing on four actually so now voting open for a public hearing and
then you're going to vote on them separately to Okay. Uh, Roco. Councilman Samuka. Yes. Councilwoman Maser. Yes. Council President. Yes. [Applause]
So, is it now if anyone has any comments or questions regarding the adoption of any of these four ordinances? Now's the time to raise motion to open the meeting to the public on these uh ordinances. Motion
thought we just did a second reading. That was to present them for the second reading, I thought. Okay. All in favor? I. The meeting's now open to the public on these ordinances for second reading. Anyone wish to ask a
question? Any comments regarding these ordinances? See no one motion to close? Motion second. All in favor? I. Okay. And now we will adopt each ordinance separately be resolved by the township council of
the township of Sbrook that the ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 206 of the code of the township of Sworkbrook entitled zoning. This now pass on second and final reading and that the township clerk be directed to advertise set ordinance or title in the press together
with the notice of the date of passage of say ordinance according to law. Motion on this ordinance. Motion to approve. Second roll call. Councilman sucas council meer. Council
president. Yes. Next ordinance for adoption is be resolved township council. of the township of Saddle Brook that the ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 82 of the code of the township of Saddle Brook entitled construction codes uniform does now pass
on second final reading and that the township clerk be directed to advertise set ordinance or title there in the press together with the notice of the date of passage of set ordinance according to the motion second roll call
Councilman Sucas council Yes. Council president. Yes. Next ordinance for adoption. We resolve at the township council of the township of Santa Brook that the ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 161 of the
code of the township of Santa Brook entitled sewers is now passed on second and final reading that the township clerk be directed to set ordinance or title thereof in the press together with the notice of the date of passage of set ordinance according to law.
Motion to approve second roll. Councilman Samuka. Yes, council me. Council President Gerrick. Yes. Is there a fourth ordinance? Yes. We have the ordinance
be resolved by the township council of the township of Sbrook that the ordinance entitled an ordinance submitting and supplementing chapter 206 of the code of the township of Sbrook entitled zoning does now pass on second and final reading and at the township clerk the director to have test
ordinance or title thereof in the press together with the notice of the date of passage of set ordinance according to motion to approve. Second roll call. Councilman Suka. Yes. Council me.
Council President Garrett. Yes. Following ordinances in order for first reading. And this would be a motion to that be passed and adopted on first reading. The ordinances are ordinance 1781-25,
an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 51 of the code of the township of Saddle Brook entitled property abandoned. Ordinance 1782-25, an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 75 of the code of the township
of Saddbrook entitled buildings unsafe. Ordinance 1783-25, an ordinance amending the township code of the township of Sbrook to repeal chapter 95 flood prevention ordinance to adopt a new chapter 195 flood plane
management regulations to adopt flood hazard maps to designate a flood plane administrator and providing for the separability and an effective date and ordinance 1784-25 an ordinance to amend and supplemented
ordinance entit titled an ordinance to fix the water rates and service charges and penalties for the municipal water system of the township of saddle river now known as saddle birth in the county of Bergen revision 1931 is amended and
supplemented and ordinance 1785-25 is a calendar year 2025 ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank motion to approve on the first reading.
Motion second roll call. Councilman Simuka. Yes. Council me. Yes. Council President Garrick. Yes. Now therefore be resolved by the council of council that the abovementioned ordinances due to for pass on first read
be further considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on July 17th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. where soon thereafter is the matter will be reached at the municipal complex 55 Mahel Street and at such time and place all persons
interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning set ordinance according to law with the notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when said ordinance be further considered for final passage second
roll Councilman St. Luca, yes. Council me, Council President Garrick, yes. All items listed with an asterk are considered routine and non-controversial by the township council and will be
approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items, unless a council member or member so requests it, in which case the item or items will be removed from the consent agenda and considered its normal sequence on the agenda. One motion
signifies adoption of all resolutions, receive and file letters, correspondence reports, and approval of minutes and applications. Motion to approve motion roll. Council, yes. Council measure,
yes. Council President Eric, yes. Thank you. Uh any old businesses your business marathon? Yes. Yeah. I have uh I want to mention about
this water um water quality um letter that went out. I don't know if everyone received it. Unfortunately, uh some people received it last week on Friday and uh some people still haven't
gotten it. So that's our US Post Office work, but we had it we had it printed in our printer. Uh had it sent out to um had dropped off the post office, but uh it's seems like there's no reason in
different different areas of town. Um you know, got it the same day Friday and then others, you know, that in that same area didn't get it. Uh I want to just discuss it a little bit for those that don't know. Um
we we have a a water quality control uh issue. Um the township hires a uh employs a water quality company that conducts regularly conducts uh tests on our water uh on drinking water. So in
the last quarter of 2024 um some water quality samples uh they did not meet what they call optimum value as values established by the EP envir department of environmental
protection. Um and in this case it was particularly in terms of corrosion control measures. Um the deviations were very minor uh and and we believe it may have been an error uh because subsequent tests all showed
that the values were back to the normal proper range. So, um, at the time when it when it occurred, uh, we were not given any notice by our, uh, water quality control expert, um, that we
needed to notify anyone that we didn't know because it was we looked at that it was a, you know, it wasn't our minor deviation. Um, so apparently our, you know, our water quality control expert felt that way
too. And what I found out as a D, they're constantly changing their rules and regulations and they they knew that there was a, you know, that it was a deation because all that information gets sent to that um
all all the the readings get sent to the D. So uh but anyway we were not aware that we were we were be responsible to notify all the users that we had this this issue. So we did and that's the big
question that I'm getting in my office again. I think Jimmy our PA as well is that you know why you didn't tell us we couldn't tell you because we didn't know we were required to do it. But with that
being said, uh the notice is it's is very New Jersey EP basically said this is what you got to say. You know, you couldn't you couldn't write it in your own way. This is the wording. This is what you got to say.
But if you read the if you read the uh the notice, it's it'll scare anybody. Uh you know that if if you just look at it and say, "Oh, you know, oh jeez, our water's bad." But um when you read it, it says it's not it wasn't an emergency.
You don't need to boil your water or anything like that. Um and what the deviation what it implies is the presence um of it. It does does not I should say say that there's a presence of lead or
copper or any hard metal in the water. It's not saying that. um if there were, you know, that that would be a problem. Uh and at the same time that we got these these tests back that were out of the range,
they they also tested for copper and lead and heavy metals and it all came back. They came back fine. So really what what this what this corrosive control is is it's a matter of the the water company
the old they put in a certain amount of pH and that pH in the water they add it to the water because it's supposed to reduce corrosion in the pipes. So, if you have corrosion in the pipes, what
happens is lead and copper can get into the water because it'll break down the pipes. Um, and again, this was only a very minor deviation and it was for a very short period of time and the readings
for lead and copper and other hard metals was fine. So, it's more of a preventative thing. this pH that raises when you raise the pH, it helps with corrosion in the pipes. So, I that's the best I can understand it. I've thought
about it a long time. I've read it. I'm not an expert, but and and if you need more information, you can always call. There's a number on there uh on on the the notice. It's also on the if you didn't get the notice, it's also on the town website. Uh, so you can look at it
there, but then you can call our DBW superintendent or there's a number also there for the D and they'll explain if you have any questions, but that's kind of the short version of it. Um, I'm mad, but that's the way I understand it. And
I I I know I'm right when it comes to it wasn't an emergency. You know, no one's health was in jeopardy, but you know, on on the form they list, you know, it scares the heck out of people, too. Well, if there's lead and there's copper and there's hard metals in the water, it
could cause all these health concerns and you know, I guess they have to put that down, but that wasn't the case. We didn't have that. So, but I understand that's what that's what we were required to do when we did it. Um, so that that's
the one thing. I hope I cleared up some, you know, something with that. Uh, but I want to also talk about um there's a business in town. Um, I'm gonna I'm gonna say the name. Um, if it's all right. We've been getting I've
been noticing we've been getting some complaints on social media about this business and it's it's it's about their alarm going off. And their alarm doesn't go off that frequently. But this person is that's
complaining and maybe I'll wait to say the name until you tell me it's okay. But they're complaining. There's one or two people that are there's two that have been complaining. They live on a street where there's a business at the
end that does it's it's essentially it's a factory that that produces um something, you know, a food product. And uh but they they complain because every so often their fire alarm goes off and it's at a dead end and it's a small
side street but this business is at the end of the railroad track and they get a lot of deliveries on the railroad. So anyway, but they're making they keep on I'm telling the council because
apparently I I don't know this person. cuz I'm not friends with him. But on Facebook, he keeps saying, "Mayor and council, you know, do something. I'm about to close this business down." And and and it's a fire alarm. You know what I mean? I mean, and it's not happening every night. There are there's an
ordinance in town where if an alarm keeps going off and disturbing and they don't fix it, you know, they could be issued summones by the police department, you know, for for cause a nuisance and if they don't repair it.
But I mean this from as far as I could tell I checked with the police department. I mean it's gone off twice in the last three months. And the one time it was late it was late in the evening. You know it was it was around 11:00. But this last time it was
in the morning. It was around 9:00. So I don't know. I just think it's absurd that somebody would say, you know, for that reason to say, you know, they they live there. The business has been there for a while. to say that they shouldn't that we should shut them down because
they've had a couple of fire alarms. I mean that both hotels constantly, you know, I shouldn't say constant, but they and as you said, you can't shut business down is buying false, but that's the extent of it.
Well, yeah. And it's been twice two times in in 3 months. I mean, that's not that's not excessive. I mean, there's other there's other the hotels, and I shouldn't say I don't want to say that they're excessive, but but you know, they go off more frequently,
you know, it's the kind of business it is. So, the chair, Mr. Mayor, is that the same business that we had the issue where the with the parking on that street? Yes. Yes. Um, but it's not the individual you think it is. Okay. He he has he's not
the I I would have gotten audio files. Yeah. emails, texts. So, I I know that stuff, but he, like I said, from what I understand, he he this this person, he he takes photographs and he basically
shows and he's very he loves the police and the fire and oh, they do such a great job, but this business shouldn't be there. And, you know, the governing body shouldn't shut them down. I mean, it's I I I don't you know, besides the
ordinances for alarms, there's really nothing we can do with that and it's got to be excessive and and from what I can see, it's not. We'll keep an eye on it to make sure it's not through the chair again through the mayor. Um you had
indicated that the the test came back with some not perfect uh basically. Um and then you did indicate that there was uh other testing that was done. Right. Do do you recall if you know the difference in
time between the the bad test and the test that said everything was it was a couple of weeks. It was like a couple weeks ago because they Yeah. And also too I I I failed to mention that because of this now the town has had to put in we had to implement
different uh different type of uh treatment we have to make sure that like with along with the company that our quality water quality control our DPW water department goes out and they do they do tests as well and even additional tests in between to make sure
and and all of it's been fine. So that's why they think it was It it might have just been an error. It was only one particular area too of town. So, thank you. Okay. Thank you, mayor. You're welcome. Any
other older do business? Okay. Motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only. Second. All in favor?