Call the meeting to order. Roll call. Councilman Simaluca here. Councilman Ncomando here. Councilwoman Sanchez here. Counciloman Mer here. Council President Garrick here. Please rise to the flag and remain
for a moment of silence in memory of Robert Brandner, retired uh township employee and library board trustee, exfired department chief and former member of the planning and zoning boards Tony Gate and John De Janeiro, husband
of retired township employee Gina Daneiro and father of retired police officer David de Janeiro. to the flag to the nation
with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been sent to all council members and to 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 a meeting of the township council of the township of South Brook may not be privileged or protected and our persons or entities who take issue with such comments or are offended by saying may have in the past
so a legal redress through the courts. Any member of the public who addresses the council speaks for themselves and not to the council. May I have a motion to open the meeting to the public? Motion. Second. All in favor? I I meeting is now
open to the public. Please come up to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. Good evening. Thomas Van Winkle, 128 Lincoln Avenue, Saddleberg. Um just want to let you all know that the mayor's youth group is going to be helping out at and let everybody know watching this
is that the mayor's youth group is going to be at the township picnic this Saturday. Um the weather's looking great. we're going to be helping out with the picnic and we're looking forward to being there. We invited the youth group to come to the mayor's walk that morning as well. Um so we're we're
we're excited to be there. We also I also want to thank them for helping out with the community partnership table at the n at the national night out that was hosted by the s police department and I want to thank everyone involved with that. Again, it was it was a huge help. we were able to communicate with our
residents um letting them know about the mayor's youth group, letting them know about the community partnership and how we collaborate in in our community. So, I want to thank everyone involved at National Night Out. Thank Thank you, Thomas. Andrew Jet Saddlebrook. Uh just on the
9395 Market Street. Uh so is that going to that uh Korean individual who had a presentation here for the four stories 60 units. Uh a couple people are saying you guys are negotiating across three or four. Others saying you're moving forward with with these four stories and
60 units. So just a lot of confusion. Uh also what was the specific number on the affordable housing? Uh, did you get it down under 200, under 100, somewhere in between 100 to 200? Uh, very good point by Councilman Akamando. Uh, why are we
paving a street twice in three years and uh, another street three times in seven years? Uh, it's quite interesting. Um, and regarding the marijuana facilities, um, wasn't the one on most Southwest Grill and the dentist office on Fifth
Street, weren't they supposed to open up relatively soon? Are they are they not opening up or is there some sort of ordinances per time the fans uh that that are going to be put in place? Osha Park Council, as soon as they approved these, they hired an additional
police officer uh just to patrol these areas. Um the parks, uh is there an RFP for Fifth Street Park coming out soon? Um and then the the $1 million grant for the Saddle Brook Park by the pond. Um
has that started? Is that going to be finished? Um it's going to be getting pulled rather soon. I don't know why a million dollar grant wasn't executed on. um still very confused on the uh $700,000
spent on one tax appeal. Uh rather confusing. Um and then the the last thing is I don't know why all of a sudden residents aren't being informed other than their homeowners insurance that the flood zones are expanding. Um from Saddle
River Road westward also in the first district. You're just pushing the flood zone on Midland a eastward. So the first district, I mean the west side of first street is now in a flood zone. There's no communication from the town, from the state, from anywhere. They get a letter. They got to pay $2 to $3,000 more per
year. So is that flood map just going to continue to push eastward in the in the first district where first, second, third, fourth, fifth are going to now be spending two or three grand more a year. Thank you.
Anyone else wish to address the council? Good evening. Uh I'm JD De Santis uh from Saddlebrook. You may have remembered me from the last working meeting last month where I had the issue with the uh projects that are being built down on Rosell Avenue and uh you
know we like to come and and make statements or maybe complain a lot but we don't often say thank you to folks. And I'd like to thank the mayor, the council, especially Mr. Holmes. I've got a lot of resolution from uh the noise complaints uh and the uh work startage
that has gone on down there. Still one or two bumps in the road. I know Mr. Holsey is working on it, but uh I just want to come and and express my appreciation and thanks for what everyone has done to help help make it a little easier where I live. That's number one. Number two, uh it might be a
little late for this year, but the offer would be open until next year. I'm a retired paramedic captain from the FDNY and for the last six, seven years I've been going into local high schools. I'm in your township's high school. Uh you could talk to Miss Violleti or to
Principal Mish. Uh and I speak to the students. It's a uh rather interactive program that I've been doing. It is 100% free of charge. It is a political. It makes no commentary. It's strictly this is what happened on that day. I've been
lucky enough uh that the FBI has allowed me to have some artifacts. I bring that in. It's uh I engage the students and what I'd like to do is open it up to the town. Uh I will be in a school district during the day of September 11th, but if
the town wanted to open it up, I'd be more than happy uh at some point that the town decides to uh to speak. It's roughly about an hour program and uh I'd like to just offer that out there and uh you know we say never forget and it's
one of the reasons I go into the school systems. I'm in about six of them uh mainly in Bergen County and um it's it's a well-received program. If you have any questions you could reach out to Miss Mileleti or or to Principal Mish and uh they'd be able to substantiate what I'm
here and offering. Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else like to address the council? Seeing no one else, may I have a motion to close the meeting to the public? Motion. Second. All in favor? I I uh we had one of our residents ask
about some of the things that were going on as far as Market Street and uh um I don't know if there's anything that you want to comment on, John. Yeah, sure. I can uh uh provide some information. So uh first of all, no decisions whatsoever have been made as
to the project. There's been uh the first developer who appeared before the governing body has not had any additional contact uh with the governing body other than to say they're working on revised plans. Uh there is another developer interested in the site who
will be making a uh at some point in time will be making a presentation to the public. No action whatsoever with with respect to that site will be taken without full transparency, full notice and full uh public participation. And I think as was previously mentioned
with respect to the development of that site, selecting a developer is only the first step. From there a redevelopment plan has to be adopted, an ordinance adopted, a planning board hearing uh back to the governing body. So there
will be once a developer is selected and a and a and a plan deemed appropriate for the site by the governing body, there will be several opportunities for the public to participate and uh voice their comments with respect to the
project. As to other inquiries that made, other developers have made inquiries with respect to uh very high density projects. The governing body has informed them that they're not interested in a in a project that contains over a 100 units. So, don't
even uh present the plan. So, there are going to be uh yes uh Oh, I don't So with respect so anyway that I believe should uh address the questions you
raised as to that project and uh the present status of it in ter in terms of the market street project as to the affordable housing uh question uh property owners or developers had until August 31st to challenge uh what the
numbers are. So there's still a few days left. So that that number as to what the final number will be will not be finalized uh for some time other than to say uh we have a very good attorney uh representing the township in that matter and she's optimistic that the number
will be reduced and the number will be reduced significant significantly. But again, that has not we're not at that point yet and we may not be able to give a final final number as to the number of units for a few months depending upon
whether any litigation develops as to the number that uh has been established. Is there some what other questions did he have that I could is there other questions that he had that you recall that I may be able to address? Um cannabis opening. Uh well, in terms of the
cannabis, there's there's no uh at at this point in time, uh there's no intention of needing any additional police officers to hire as to why businesses are going or when they're going to open. That's strictly up to the businesses. Uh we have no control over
uh their time, their time frame, what issues they may be having, whether it's to find a site, whether it's to get approval or submit a plan to the planning board or the board of adjustment for approval. Uh, so in terms of whatever locations haven't opened
yet, uh, and I don't know specifically, they're going to I think we're going to have them in in September to give us an update. That's what we were mentioning. So, we're going to need to contact just to get an update on where they are. Do we want that for the September 4th meeting or the following meeting?
It could be either or, whatever is good for everybody. I could be at either meeting, so whichever one is best for everybody. Okay. So, uh, if the cannabis committee, uh, wishes to meet, if it's going to be at the work session, we have to start probably at 4:30 or 5. And if it's going
to be at the regularly scheduled meeting, I guess it would be at 6 or 6:30. Yes. So, whatever is best and then we'll get the notices out to the uh, businesses to get and we do keep track of that. We do periodically send out status requests, but to be quite frankly, it's the same
answers each time, right? Right. No, they're still looking for a location or they're still working on the site uh because they have to retrofit it which is uh there significant regulations with respect to these facilities. So there may be in the process of doing that or
they may be in the process of submitting an application to the board planning board to get some type of approval. But we can report on that at our next meeting. Yes. And it's becoming very competitive. I mean there's a lot of places opening up right on Route 46. So, I don't know if anybody's getting cold feet, but
that's why we'll meet everybody and meet with everybody and just see where they're at. Okay. Was there any any other tax appeal about the large tax app? The large tax appeal. The large tax appeal that was $700. $700,000.
Oh, 700,000. I I I may add be able to add a little bit. It was It wasn't exactly that amount. was less, but it expanded over it was at a a apartment complex that spanded over several years is the short story of of why that and and just so the public's aware when
when those when we enter into a tax settlement, first of all, when there's multiple years involved, uh there's incentives for the municipality to try to enter into a settlement because uh the property owner, if he's successful, will get interest going back
to the first year and and on a significant reduction. The interest alone could be tens of thousands of dollars. As well as the fact that if it winds up being a judgment versus a settlement, all the money has to be paid
out back in in a very relatively short period of time uh and in the same calendar year. Uh these settlements are entered into at the recommendation of not only our tax assessor but also the appraisal company. to the professionals.
The professionals recommend the settlement to the governing body based upon what they believe the possible outcome could be. So, they're well researched, they're well considered, they're based upon sound professional
advice and more than likely it resulted in a uh reduction because it was overassessed. That's what happens when properties are over assessed and they're successful. It means that they were assessed at a higher value than what they should have been.
Any any other questions? I I just want to mention one thing. Uh Andrew mentioned about Rochelle Park hiring more police. I don't believe that's true. They did hire at the pl the place that's open up in that's uh open
now in Rochelle Park is on Route 17. It's called Ascend. When they first opened up a couple of years ago, they were hiring offduty police officers on overtime. And that was mainly because of the traffic because there was lines. But now that there's more competition,
there's not there's not lines getting in, you know, trying to traffic trying to get into the place. And uh I believe they no longer uh are hiring those police officers off duty. Bob, truth be told, Staples had more
brought more traffic in than the dispensary, right? Truthfully, so I I do not believe that. I'm I'm just about positive that they didn't and and I said this the last meeting, we are at we currently now after the last three
officers that were hired, we're up to our full full staffing. Uh our table organization is full. So we have 34 we calls for 34 officers. We have 34 police officers currently serving the department and I believe that's more
than sufficient. Um the mayor if I could also address the flood maps question. So so the local municipalities have no control whatsoever as to the areas that are designated as a flood area. That's designated by a federal agency. Uh and so in terms of how it happens or whether
it's going to be expanded, again, that's not the municipality's uh decision. We uh they don't seek the approval from the governing body. They don't uh request whether they can or shouldn't designate the area. And it's not uncommon that the first notice they get is from the
insurance carrier because if you are if you weren't in a flood zone and now you're in a flood zone, it's the insurance carrier's obligation to notify you to advise you because you may now want to uh purchase flood insurance. But unfortunately for residents who are
impacted from going to a non- flood zone to a flood zone, uh there's very little if anything that can be done. Certainly there's nothing the municipality can be done to change the designation and some people are taken out of the flood zone too when they change the
maps. I've seen that where people Yeah. You know they Yeah. Um also we have the parks, right? We have four parks that we're going to be doing next year. Yes. We'll be addressing that. And we got grants for those four parks. I know you asked about the parks.
Um and then the um pond. Yeah, I I do have a little update on that. They I know that this the county did hire an engineer to to do a plan and do a study. Uh and then they're going to whatever I guess recommendations that
the engineer makes still they'll do with the money that they have. I'm sure they're going to have to put more money into it than the than the million dollars. Yeah. So, okay. I think we covered most of the only other thing is Bob maybe Bob on the paving about the paving. Yeah. and the
coordination and you know sometimes the lack thereof and so whenever whenever we pick roads for a road program first thing we do is reach out to PSEG gas any other utility companies and we let them know uh which
roads we're paving and that's their opportunity to let us know if they're planning on any work. Um what often happens is a year or two later and three years later sometime later that's when they
decide to replace gas manes you know on roads that were just paved. Um the good part is is that they've at this point uh the gas company has replaced probably most of the gas mains in town. Um, but
when they do go and replace a gas man on a road recently paved, they are obligated to then repave the road curb to curb. And they pay for it, not the town. The town has only paid for repaving roads once.
Uh, and I'm not aware of any road that's been paved three times in the last seven years. Okay. Thank you very much, Bob. All right. Um, we're going to move on to council comments. Mayor, comments.
Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Dave. Um, just want to talk briefly about the budget. Um, we will be mailing out the final reconciled tax bills in September. Um, the tax rate was lower than anticipated, which really helped uh to
lower the increase of uh your property tax bills. Uh, that was a really saved us this year from uh having it even higher than uh than we wanted it. So, um that's a good thing. Uh ordinances, we
have several bond ordinances tonight. Uh park improvements we have on there uh for May Street, Kern Street Park, uh Fifth Street Park, Veterans Field, Splash Park. Um, all four of those, uh,
we we're bonding money to do that. Uh, each one of those projects we've received grant money, grant funds from either Bergen County Open Space or New Jersey uh, um, District 38 legislature uh, funds that we received. So, May Hill
Street, as a matter of fact, May Street will be awarding a bid tonight uh for phase two of that project, which is we're going to be uh uh resurfacing the uh tennis courts. There's four
tennis courts there now. Uh we're going to keep three and make one of them two pickle ball courts. Um we believe we probably put the pickle ball court uh furthest from Mayill Street. Um, we're not sure of that yet, but you know, our
engineer will will work on that. Uh, we did check with the school district to make sure because the high school tent boys and girls tennis teams play there and we didn't want to take away one of the courts if it was going to be a problem and uh, Mr. Ianello, the uh,
athletic supervisor said it wouldn't be a problem as long as there's three tennis courts. So, um, we've gotten a lot of uh, requests for pickle ball. So that that should work out very nicely. Um, also the there's uh in the the the bond
ordinances, there's uh money for DBW machinery and equipment, two new police cars, uh repairs to fire vehicles, and purchase of uh new equipment, radios and communications equipment for the ambulance corps, uh storm water system
maps, uh extension of water main uh by the tree streets, uh maple, spruce, large, and pine. um that's been needed for a long time and we're going to be paving those streets as well. And then employee employee salary and wages.
Uh we had some past events this this month. Um we had u national night out was at the municipal complex here was Tuesday, September 5th from 6:00 to 9:00. I want to thank everyone who attended,
everybody that participated and sponsored the event. The police department did a great job uh planning and organizing uh was well attended by the community and I appreciate the DBW for setting up and cleaning everything afterwards. It was it was a very very
good event. I was we were all pleased. Um had a great turnout. The Junior Police Academy uh was from Thursday, August the 7th to Friday, August the 15th. Uh we added two more days, the police department did uh to this class
number three. Uh the kids really enjoyed the program and seemed to really benefit from it. Uh I'm this I'm very passionate about this program. I I think it builds character, uh teamwork, discipline, and confidence in the kids. Uh it includes
field trips to law enforcement agencies. Uh they also went to um the Statue of Liberty and fosters community trust connects connecting the kids with the police officers in a positive environment. So overall I I I think uh
this was a really good group of kids and they got a lot out of it. So and uh it's something that we we're going to continue to do every year. It's going to be an annual thing. Um a big shout out to Thomas Van Winkl. I think he left uh
but for taking photos of both those events. Also, Raphael Gonzalez for doing the video and uh the public make sure you check out the photos on the town Facebook page and the videos uh can be seen on YouTube or uh our uh our town TV
station channel 38 Verizon Fios 77 cable vision. We got up a lot of upcoming events. Uh tonight, uh is the 66th annual St. Phillips Church Festival. Supposed to start last night, but they got rained
out. But it's uh starting tonight until uh Sunday, August the 24th, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The town picnic is this Saturday, August 23rd, from 12:00 noon to 4. Saddle River at the Saddle River County Park. the auto pale section. Rain
date is the next day, Sunday, August the 24th. Um, tickets are available at the rec center right here, 55 Mayo Street. Uh, the mayor's walk is in the morning uh 9:00 before the picnic. So, uh it's a
nice time. We we uh free free t-shirts for as many as uh we can hand out. We got about a hundred shirts. So, uh we walk around the park as many times as you can. It's it's a we have Ferrarero uh rehab comes and they warm us up and
it's just a good uh way to exercise and and meet the public and have a good time. Um Our Lady of Mount Virgin car show is Sunday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's taking place here in the parking lot of uh 55 Mail Street.
The rain date is Sunday, October 5th. We also have a sensory friendly car show which is uh Sunday, September 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. It's again taking place here in the municipal uh lot 55 Mayo Street. Uh the event is sponsored
by the community partnership committee access for all and the Saddleberg Angels. Uh we're having a 911 911 remembrance ceremony. Uh it's going to be Thursday, September 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM uh
here at the municipal complex and we're going to uh have the mayor's fishing derby was rescheduled. We it got rained out um in May. So we're having it Saturday, September 27th uh 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Otto Paley Pond, Saddle River
County Park. Um some other things, uh Bergen County started on the artificial turf, uh field project. Uh that's the baseball field behind Coolage School. Um this was this apparently was
a was something they had in the works for quite a long time. They had approval to do it. Um D approval uh and all the permits they needed. Uh, and it's going to be it's going to be a good thing for the town because our high school baseball team plays there. Um, also too,
the field could be used for used by softball as well. So maybe the girls softball high school team may may want to play there as well. Um, so that that's a good up upgrade. Um, above the field behind Koolage School, uh, which
is owned by the county. Uh Bergen County, I mentioned this uh before uh has awarded a contract to an engineering firm uh for the auto paley pond restoration project. Uh Bergen County also received grant funds. They had
applied for the grant to build an all-inclusive playground for the children for children of all abilities in front of the county park main entrance on Saddle River Road. Um, I will I believe they will eventually proceed uh with that project, but it
seems to be they seem to be prioritizing the pond and this baseball field uh at first before uh they do that project. Um the municipal complex in DPW will be closed on Monday, September 1st in
observance of Labor Day. Uh section one grass in the north end uh and yard waste will be picked up on Friday instead. uh reminder for all seniors to apply for the senior tax freeze uh and also the anchor tax relief programs by October
31st. Uh my deepest condolences uh to the Gatau family, the Brand family and the D Janeiro family. I just want to say a little something about Tony Gatau. Um Tony was a member of the Saddleberg Volunteer Fire Department for 56 years.
He was uh he was chief in 198 from 1982 to 1983. Uh I I I joined the side of police department in 1982 and uh Tony was uh he was a a true leader. He was a great guy. Um and a a great teacher. You
know, he would take the time. I remember going on calls and he would, you know, talk to me and explain to me, you know, why they're doing what they're doing and what we need. uh just a a real gentleman, very outspoken, but uh I never I never saw him get into a you know an argument or
berate anybody for their opinions. Just a real real standup guy. So um he'll be missed. He was 90. God bless him. That's all I have. Thank you, Mayor Councilman Okcomando. Um
tough act to follow, I tell you. I just want to uh wish all the parents out there, all the uh I guess I guess uh braveness uh heart dropping your kids off at college this last weekend. This weekend,
I know it's tough. We're going to do it Sunday. Um but enjoy the rest of your summer with your kids. Come out Saturday, last harra at the the township picnic. have a good time before you send them away for a couple weeks and they come back home.
Um, I do want to uh send my condolences to the Gatau, Brander, and DJ General as well. Um, I did get to meet all three of those gentlemen. Uh, all stand up like the mayor said, and I just like to wish everybody a uh rest of beautiful rest of
the summer. Enjoy it before we get back to the the grind. That's it. Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman Maer. Thank you, Council President. I too would like to express my condolences and heartfelt sympathy to um the Bratner
Gatau and DJ Janeiro family. They were all all three families were so dedicated to our community and certainly be miss be missed. Um I'd also like to uh you know remind people that the school be school will be
opening within short two weeks. I know the children probably don't want to hear that, but um asking people to be please be mindful of the speed limits within the uh the school zones. Uh and uh please keep you know be mindful of that
to keep our children and our crossing guards also safe. That's it for now. Thank you very much, Council Councilwoman Sanchez. Um my condolences to the Gatau family, the DJ Janeiro family, and the Bratner family as well.
um for the town picnic. Uh the green team will have a table at the town picnic um on Saturday. So, please make sure that you stop by the table to get more information on that. Thanks. Thank you. Uh Councilman Simaluca,
yes, we have some fun events coming up. Happening right now is the St. Phillips uh summer festival of fun as they used to call it. So, uh, I think we're going to have, uh, good weather for the rest of the week or weekend. So, um, hopefully you can come out. I was told I
was advised on social media that Saturday night is the, uh, like a Saddlebrook High School reunion for all all classes and it's, uh, at the beer tent at the St. Phillips Festival. So,
although I did not graduate from Saddle Brook High School, I do like beer. So, um I uh hope to see people there on Saturday evening. Um I can't read my own writing, so I apologize. Um one thing we didn't uh
talk about and I was not here. I was on vacation during the work session, but for those out there that had asked me and asked the council about the concealed carry reimbursement program and especially the I I got this information from the fire chief. we will
be uh speaking about it at the next uh work session. So, we didn't forget about it. Um but uh a couple of us were were not here to discuss it at the work session and uh unable to to get that together. Um,
I want to thank the county finally for uh helping my one remaining kidney from being destroyed on Midland Avenue by paving it from the uh from Erie all the way to the Peely Avenue uh turnaround.
Uh it is nice to drive on that road once again. It was a nightmare for a number of years and uh we all all of us uh poked and prodded and it finally got done. Uh I've advised before that uh I'm not
going to rerunning again for uh reelection. And one of my goals and expectations is that by the time I'm done uh the Saddle Brook Parks uh system uh will be uh something that the town
will be proud of. So we're working on Fifth Street. We're working on um May Hill. We're working on Kerna. Uh we're again poking and proddding the county to try and get Otto Cely Park and the pond uh up and running and also the splash
park which was something that we all decided was something that would be beneficial to the town. So we are working on that and for people about uh as we get up in age it seems it goes from tennis to pickle ball and I just
spoke to our engineer and the the original plans because some people have asked me about it is like the mayor said there's currently four tennis courts we're going to have three resurfacing and the other area because pickle ball courts are smaller have two pickle ball
courts and the intention is to put them closer to Mayo street to uh eliminate or try and reduce as much noise um uh issues as possible for the residents on the residential area behind the the
courts. Uh I was uh honored to be uh invited to the Junior P Academy graduation ceremony. uh all the kids. It's amazing when you see them all disciplined and uh following instructions and it's tough, but you can
tell that they they all enjoyed it. I was a big proponent of that. I saw that in other towns. I know we had it some years ago and we brought it back. It's a great thing. the mayor and the rest of the council who uh provided the support and especially the uh uh the parents who allowed their kids to go through it
because it is tough and the officers that dedicated their time. Doug Haberman is one of them. Uh Becky Rivera, uh Tim Paresi, a bunch a bunch of guys and and gals who were involved in putting this
thing together. It's no easy task. It was what was it nine a total of nine days I think. um calendar days and they were out five days and they did some amazing things. Uh they went to a canine demonstration. They got taken on a boat
through the uh Palisades Interstate Park Police took them on a on a boat ride to show how they do rescues on the Hudson River. Uh it's really cool. And uh as everyone said, condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.
Tony Gatau. Uh Tony was I was proud to serve with him uh for years on the zoning board and Tonyy's one of those guys that you knew where you stood with them. There's some people like did he like me? I couldn't really thought you knew if Tony liked you or Tony didn't like you. He was tough as nails, but he
was always truthful. He was always honest and he was got right to the point. So he will be missed. Uh condolences to his wife and family. Uh Mr. D Janeiro. Uh, I knew his wife better than I knew him. And I know his son Dave, who was
a lieutenant, I think. Was he a captain? Lieutenant, was it? Lieutenant Dave. Lieutenant in our police department, uh, for a long time. Dave's one of the nicest guys you'll ever want to meet. Always got a smile on his face. So, uh, condolences to Regina, uh, and to Dave
and their family. And, uh, Bob Briner, again, served on board with him. Uh, and he was a treasurer for a couple of campaigns that I that I ran in. And, uh, he was he was meticulous. Uh, he was always fun to talk to. Uh, he's a great
guy. So, uh, but condolences to Pat and the two gals and, uh, the rest of his family. And finally, uh, football season's coming up. I'll be, uh, I'm looking forward to seeing the new field in action with our high school team on the newly turfed field.
Uh, and uh, for all you fantasy football people, this is the big weekend. So, good luck, except to those people that are in my leagues. And, uh, I hope you crash and burn. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. So, I get to go
last and repeat everybody. So, uh, Junior Police Academy was great. It's a great program. I'm glad we can offer it every year. Um, third third annual. There'll be many more to come. Uh, also, I'm very excited about the work that's getting done to our parks. It's going to
be a great addition uh to the township to have those parks redone. Um, a lot of grant money coming in, which is awesome. So, uh, a lot of people are working hard here to make the township a lot better. Um, I just want to wish all the students a good good luck during the school year,
prosperous year for them, uh, learning and, uh, growing. Um, I just hope to see everybody at the mayor's walk and the township picnic this Saturday. It's always a great event. Um, I also want to give my condolences to
the GTO family, uh, Brander family, the DJ Janeiro family, and also the Donovan family. Um, I worked with Barbara and Rich. Rich passed away. They're over on Cordwell. Uh, great family here in Saddlebrook. Um, but the Rich passed away. He was a chemistry teacher at
Garfield High School for many years and a good friend. So, um my condolences to all four of those families. Uh and then finally, have an enjoyable summer. It's coming to an end rapidly. Uh hopefully everybody had a great summer and it'll
be a nice fall. So, thank you very much. All right. Um we have a resolution to amend the capital budget. May I have a motion to amend that? Second. Uh, roll call.
C. Councilman Simaluca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes. Councilwoman Maser. Yes. Council President Garrick. Yes. Going to move on to the ordinances. We We have final reading. Ordinance
1786-25. A bond ordinance to amend sections 4 and 10 of the bond ordinance. Ordinance number 1741-23 entitled bond ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements
and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery, new communication and signal system equipment, new information technology equipment and new automotive vehicles including original apparatus and equipment in by and for the township of
Saddlebrook and the county of Bergen, the state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $2,890,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond
anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds that was adopted on August 28th, 2023. We have a motion motion. Uh all in favor? I I
want to read it again. Okay. I'm sorry. I need a motion to open open to the public. I'm sorry. Motion. No, usually I would. Okay. Second. All in favor? Anyone wishing to speak about this ordinance. Seeing no one, motion to close.
Motion to close. All in favor? I I motion to adopt be resolved by the township council of the township of Saddlebrook that the ordinance entitled bond ordinance to amend sections 4 and 10 of the bond
ordinance ordinance number 1741-23 entitled bond ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery new communication and signaling systems equipment new information technology
equipment and new automotive vehicles including original apparatus and equipment in for the township of Saddlebrook in the county of Bergen State of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of 2,890,000 paid the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of
bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds adopted on August 28th, 2023 does now pass on second and final reading and that the township clerk be directed to advertise
set ordinance or title derived in the press together with the notice of the date of passage of set ordinance according to law. Motion to adopt. Motion. Uh roll call. Councilman Simuka. Yes. Councilman Akamando. Yes.
Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes. Councilwoman Mer. Yes. Council President Gary. Yes. on the bond ordinances. We do have to do those separately, but you don't have to read it twice. Thank you. Okay, we have uh we have two ordinances that are not bond
ordinances, so we could do them in one motion. uh an ordinance of the township of Saddle Brook County of Bergen, state of New Jersey to fix the salary and wages of employees, servants or professional staff for the year 202526
for the white collar for first reading as well as ordinance number 1788-25 an ordinance of the township of Saddle Brook County of Bergen, New Jersey, authorizing a special emergency appropriation in the amount of $30,000
for the preparation of the storm water system map. May I have a motion? Motion. Second. Uh, roll call. Council Mr. Maluca, yes. Councilman Okamando, yes. Councilwoman Sanchez, yes. Councilwoman Mer,
yes. Council President Garrick, yes. Now therefore it be resolved by the township council that the above stated ordinances hereto for passed on first reading be further considered for a final passage at a meeting to be held on September 18th 2025
at 7:00 p.m. where sooner after as the matter can be reached at the municipal complex 55 Mayill Street and at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance according to law with the notice of its introduction
and passage on first reading of the time and place when where said ordinance be further considered for final passage. Have a motion. Motion second. A roll call. Councilman Simuca. Yes. Councilman Akamando,
yes. Councilwoman Sanchez, yes. Councilwoman Maser, yes. Council President Garrett, yes. We have first reading. Ordinance 1789-25, a bond ordinance to authorize the undertaking of the extension of water
manes and related improvements at Maple Spruce Larch and Pine Avenues and by for the water utility of the township of Saddlebrook in the county of Bergen, state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $360,000 to pay the cost thereof to authorize the
issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for The issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds for first reading. Motion. Motion. Second.
Uh roll call. Council Samuca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes. Counciloman Mer. Council President Garrick. Yes. Now therefore be resolved by the township council of the township of
Saddlebrook that the above stated ordinance here to for pass on first reading be further considered for a final passage at a meeting to be held on September 18th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or sooner after as the matter can be reached at the municipal complex 55
Mayill Street and at such time and place all persons interested be giving an opportunity to be heard concerning set ordinance according to law with the notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of a time and place when set ordinance will be further considered for final passage.
Motion. Motion. Second. A roll call. Councilman Simaluca. Yes. Councilman Akamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez, yes. Counciloman Mer, yes. Council President Garrick, yes.
Ordinance 1790-25, a bond ordinance to authorize the undertaking of various park and recreation improvements and by and for the township of Saddlebrook County of Bergen, state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $915,000
pay the cost thereof to appropriate a state grant to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds for first reading. Motion.
Second. Roll call. Councilman Suca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes. Councilwoman Maser. Yes. Council President Garrick. Yes. Now therefore be resolved by the
township council of the township of Satderbrook that the above stated bond ordinance here to f hereto four passed on first reading be further considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on September 18th 2025
at 7:00 p.m. where soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the municipal complex 55 Mayill 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 aware set ordinance will be further considered for final passage. I have a motion. Motion second. A roll call. Councilman Sluca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez, yes. Councilwoman Maer,
yes. Council President Garrick, yes. Ordinance 1791-25, a bond ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and major repairs to a fire engine and the acquisition of new additional or
replacement equipment and machinery, new communication and signal systems equipment, new information technology equipment, new automotive vehicles including original apparatus and equipment in Florida for the township of Saddbrook and the county of Bergen, state of New Jersey appropriate sum of
$995,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes anticipation of the issuance of such bonds for first reading. Have a motion. Motion.
Second. Roll call. Councilman Samuca. Yes. Councilman Akamando. Uh absolutely. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes. Counciloman Maer. Yes. Council President Garrick. Yes.
May therefore be resolved by the Township Council of the Township of Sandbrook that the above mentioned bond ordinance here to for pass on first reading be further considered for a final passage at a meeting to be held on September 18th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or
soon thereafter as the matter can be reached at the municipal complex 55 Mayill Street. At such time and place, all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance. according to law with the notice of its introduction and passage on first reading of a time and place
when aware set ordinance who will be further considered for final passage. Have a motion. Motion. Second. Roll call. Councilman Simaluca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Yes. Councilwoman Sanchez. Yes.
Counciloman Mer. Council President Gary. Yes. Believe that covers all the ordinances. adapts to the ordinances. Move on. All items listed with an asterk are considered routine, 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 members so requested in which case the item or items will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in 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. The minutes of June 19th and July 27th are not part of the consent agenda. Have a motion. Motion.
Second. Uh, roll call. Councilman Simuca, yes. Council Amando, yes. Counciloman Sanchez, yes. Council Meer, yes. Council President Gary. Yes. We have the minutes of the June 19th,
2025 public meeting. Motion. Have a second. Second. Roll call. Councilman Simaluca. Yes. Councilman Okamando. Abstain.
Councilman Sanchez. Abstain. Counciloman Ma. Yes. Council President Garrett. Yes. We have the minutes of the July 17th, 2025 public meeting. Motion second. Roll call. Councilman Simaluca,
yes. Councilman Okamando, yes. Councilwoman Sanchez, abstain. Councilwoman Maser, yes. Council President Garrick, yes. Thank you. All right. Uh, old business.
Just wanted to mention uh I forgot to mention in my comments. I want to thank uh Superintendent Tony Violeti and business administrator Ray Karate from the school district and the custodial staff for Smith School. Uh we had to uh
the police department had to request uh one of the schools for the junior police academy because there was a conflict last year. We used the municipal complex, but with everything going on with the senior center moved over here, and now it's moving back to Caldwell, um
you know, we couldn't keep the seniors out of here. So, we needed to we needed to um find another place for the junior academy. And uh they were doing a lot of work at the schools, all the schools, but they were able to accommodate us and they did uh they really went out of
their way to help us out. So, I approve appreciate that. Um, and with that being said, you know, they're getting the school ready and uh I want to wish all the kids good luck, including the college students that are going going to going back to school and uh and hope
that they have a a really good year. So, that's it. Thank Thank you, Mayor. Uh, anyone else old or new business? Okay. Uh, I forgot to to mention uh I can't mention everyone who was uh the officers that were at the Junior Police
Academy, but one in particular um was Sergeant Little John who was the lieutenant. What's it lieutenant? Lieutenant I'm getting all the Well, I'm getting everyone's ranks wrong. I'm demoting people. Sorry about that, John. Rob. Um
he uh he was the drill sergeant and uh that's that's a very hard position because you got to instill discipline while at the same time getting respect. Uh so the little tough love never hurt anyone. He did a great job. So uh thanks
Rob for that. Thank you councilman. Uh motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items only. Motion. Second. All in favor? I. Anyone wishing to address the council on
agenda items? Seeing no one, uh, motion to close the meeting. Motion. Second for agenda items. Um, all in favor? I I Any final comments? No final comments. Motion to adjurnn. Motion.
All in favor? I I Thank you. Have a good evening everyone. Thank you. Take care.