Good evening everyone. I'm going to start the meeting with a short prayer and a salute to our flag. If any everyone would stand please. Almighty God, grant us the wisdom to make those decisions that are in the best interest of all our residents. May
the heavenly father of us all bless those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and service to our nation. And may he watch over and protect our service men and women now guarding the gates of freedom. Salute to the flag, please.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Statement of publication. Take notice
that this regular agenda meeting of the mayor and burough council being held on this 10th day of November 2025 has been posted and advertised in accordance with the open public meetings act chapter 231 public law 1975. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Bala >> here. >> Kesi >> here. >> Novak
>> here. >> Roberts >> here. >> Sarski >> here. >> Zabowski >> here. >> Council president approval of prior minutes. I move the following minutes of the mayor and council be approved on roll call vote subject to correction if necessary July 21st special meeting and
exec receipt of bids October 16th and regular and agenda session October 27th second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Roberts. >> Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> His >> yes. >> Novak. >> Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski. >> Yes.
>> Okay. At this time, uh, Stch, um, you have a proclamation to present to the Keith Braun, um, proclamation. If the governing body would come up to the rail, Alberto, why don't you come up? [clears throat] Okay,
Linda. I invited Mary Novak to come up with us. She served many years with Keith on the first aid squad. So I want her to meet up with us. Proclamation. Whereas Keith Peron, a valued member of several SE first aid squad January 1982 through
2006. And whereas he served at the dedication in the past as a secretary of the squad. And whereas he was chief deputy, chief driver for four years. And whereas Keat spent five years with the board of trustees. And whereas Keith has
served with honor as assistant captain, captain, and treasurer for the emergency squad and became an honorary life member March 18th, 1996. And whereas Keith received a certificate of appreciation ex captain of the
emergency squad on March 18th, 1996. Whereas Keith received a general assembly citation for saving the life of another on December 18th, 1996. And whereas Keith received a FEMA certification of achievement
introduction to the command system March of 2006. Whereas Keith received the Senate and General Assembly citation for assisting a choking victim with the sevil emergency squad on January 13, 2001.
Whereas Keith, a loving husband of Linda for 50 over 50 years and a proud father of Keith and Michelle and loving and cherish his grandchildren Abigail Tobin and Tobin and family and friends. And now therefore,
on behalf of Mayor Kennedy O'Brien, the Burough Council hereby acknowledge the contribution of Keith Run has made to the Burrow of Savel and cause this proclamation to be issued an official seal on the burrow duty a fixed 10th day of November, 2025.
But but before that, Keith was very important to me. I know Keith and Linda for over 50 years. When I was a young man, say 15, 16 years old, Keith and his neighbor Bruce Bostik, they worked in the garage next door. And I was a young person interested in being a mechanic
and I like playing with cars and things like that. Keith and and uh Perusei, they had patience. Now, it's hard to believe Keith had a lot of patience cuz everybody knew Keith was a little not too patient sometime, but they spent
time with me. They showed me a lot of things. They showed me things that I learned to keep mechanical trade all the way that I use in today's date. And then I had the fortunate to work with Keith in MCUA. Keith was in charge of one of
the biggest pump stations in the state. He was the chief mechanic there, lead mechanic. There's many nights we spent there, many days we spent there because we were always called in for overtime and Keith was an excellent person. He was a big mentor to me and and I really, you know, that's why we're doing this
for you tonight, too. Thank you again. >> Yes. Need a motion to accept that proclamation. >> Make a motion to accept the proclamation. Second. >> Second. >> Council persons Roberts. >> Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> Khesi. >> Yes. >> Novak. Yes. >> Sarski. Yes.
>> Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Old business. >> Public hearing on the following ordinances. Bond ordinance number 2625. Bond ordinance providing for various park improvements by and in the bureau of Savville in the county of Middle Sex State of New Jersey appropriating 1,240,000
therefore and authorizing the issuance of $1,178,000 bonds or notes of the burrow to finance part of the cost thereof. >> This time I'm going to open the public portion for questions or comments on this ordinance. Are there any questions or comments? Being no questions or
comments, I'll entertain a motion. Councilman Bala, move >> the public hearing be closed. The ordinance adopted on second and final reading and advertised according to law. >> Roll call. >> Council person Bala. >> Yes. >> Feli, >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. >> Roberts,
>> Sarski, >> yes. >> Zabowski, >> yes. >> Public hearing on bond ordinance number 27-25. Bond ordinance providing for various roadway improvements by and in the bureau of several in the county of Middle Sex, state of New Jersey. appropriating $6,360,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $6,42,000 bonds or notes at the bureau to finance part of the cost thereof. >> This time I'm going to open the public portion for questions or comments. Other questions or comments? Jim. [clears throat] >> Yes, Mayor. Thank you, Jim Robinson,
Harlin. Um, I'm going to come in on this and and all the others. But f the first thing I want to ask about is the I saw there was a reference to the area near where the uh self storage is for drainage.
Now, that self- storage facility is a new facility. Typically when um facilities are constructed, they get their approval of drainage issues or an issue. Um it's addressed at that time. I know this is a state highway, so it
wouldn't be a highway um drainage issue. So could somebody please explain >> what that is for? >> There is a large diameter storm sewer that runs through the parking lot of the old club and now you have the self-s storage facility. That was a
pre-existing line. They found that there were problems, not related to the work associated with the self-s storage facility, but pre-existing problems. The burrow investigated it. The burrow made some temporary repairs, and I believe this money is going to cover lining the pipe. They're not going to excavate what
was just constructed. They're going to line the pipe to do the repairs. >> Now, the self- storage facility got a pilot, so they're not paying property taxes. Were they required to contribute to this in any way? They to my knowledge >> they were not okay and I didn't get a
chance to look at all these things because you really don't make it easy. I mean if you go on the website you don't see all the project. What about Olner Street? People have come up here and talked about drainage issues on Ner Street. Is that
being addressed in any of these >> not in this cycle of uh budget? uh it's still being studied. We're still looking to get recommendations for a permanent fix uh from the engineering. We've taken those steps that were available to us in
the short term and we're working on the project, but it's going to be a very big project. It'll be in the next capital cycle. >> Okay. This, you might recall this was up a month ago and Donna had asked Councilman Zabrowski to postpone these until after the election and I spoke a
little bit then. Mayor, as you've noted before, I'm an old man, almost almost as old as you. I don't want to keep coming up every single one of these. Can we do this? We're spending just in bonding $17 million. I don't know what we're going to spend in
interest. That would be a good question to know. But I don't know, $30 million maybe we're spending here. Can we There was no discussion, as Councilwoman Novak brought up when these were introduced a month ago. Absolutely no discussion at all. Boom. Boom. Boom. All those in
favor signify by saying I. Can we at least take a minute or two to explain to the taxpayers who will be paying this $17 million what these things are about. Maybe they're great. I mean, road improvements are good. Let us know which
roads park improvements are wonderful. I hope that there are uh uh vehicles in here for the police department. I mean, those folks are out there 24/7. God knows that they ought to have the the best. So, I hope they're vehicles for the police department.
Can we know what each of these bond issues are about, including 2625, which I wasn't quick enough to get up for. Is that asking too much, >> Jim? I have a list of the uh the roads if you'd like. So, >> well, I would like not just me, I'd like
everybody to know what's being paved and what isn't being paved. I think people are probably interested in what >> if I do that now, you know, they they will hear it. But just so you know, NA, >> thank you. >> NA is in here for the engineering work, not the actual road repair, but we have
included ner engineering work all the design for that. Okay. Okay. But uh we have full um reconstruction G Street, Felic Terrace, Eugene Boulevard, Nottingham Place, Abbott Court, Mason Avenue, and the just the engineer
to mill and pave John Street, Charles Street, Burrow Hall, lower lot, Adam Place, Harding Avenue, Martins's Lane, storm water repair, uh on Eric Court, and uh what you just discussed with Jay,
and then um uh work to be done from okay the Johnson's Lane Driftwood and Jensen what exactly is because it it's not under >> that's that's rec >> 30 seconds Jim >> okay that is
>> 30 seconds Mary >> that's that was from 2024 finishing up >> can can I do this can I reclaim my time for a second and I appreciate you trying to answer a question can we have an answer on all of these what we're spend spending this money on. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> 9 seconds is Mayor. >> So, go ahead. Uh, Donna, >> may I? Um, first I would like to say I had questions that Mr. Robinson had brought up because I didn't know what
was in these bonds and I did take that council session off, but I did get the answers to all of those because our job here is oversight and we should know what's in these bonds that were being looked at. All of the items have a corresponding budget approval. And let
me go through this for Mr. Robinson if you don't mind since he had asked the questions about all of these. Ordinance 2625, park improvements that you had not asked the question about has Kennedy Park pickle ball windcreens, little
league field lights, major drive playground, ball field upgrades, miscellaneous park improvements, Kennedy Park walkway, and the uh war memorial park and pickle ball parking. There's also each one of these has the
capital improvement fund and section 220 which I will defer to our um CFO for questions on how those exactly work. The road improvements have Eric Court storm water, the Route 35 storm
water that you had referenced, the road improvement program which is our $4.65 65 million and miscellaneous road repairs. The next one, 2825, various improvements, 911
upgrade, NVR replacement, data voice switch update, burrow hall and court AV upgrades, public safety jail upgrades, burrow carpet ADA stair treads, Fort Grumpy garage heaters, engine company exterior door frames, library walkway
lights, finance stairway painting, emergency squad garage doors, technology upgrades, US remediation, 550galon tank, miscellaneous storm water improvements, various drainage improvements, traffic light repairs,
salt dome cover, brine making system, grinder unit replacement, and GIS mapping. The next one, so you don't have to come up for that one again, is 2925 vehicles and equipment. We have a plow,
two construction SUVs, firet truck, which is 1.1 million. It's um and then turnout gear, gas meters, utility, extrication, fire chief SUV, pickup with a plow, trackless multi-hog, nine SUV
vehicles for public safety, recreation SUV, skid steer, another plow, two additional plows, street sweeper, small rear loader, automated garbage cans, dumpsters. All of these again I want to remind
everyone were approved in the budget previously so they correspond to a budget line section uh the next one 3025 that's our water department we have leak detection water mains tandem dump with rolloff guardrail system for duhal
access road service vehicles GIS mapping investigation and replace lead services regulatory compliance including service lines Ernston road culvert water treatment HVAC and another water well redevelopment which is 3125
is well redevelopment again all of these correspond to a previously approved budget line item this is the bond that is funding those approved line items I hope that answers your questions about what's in each bond ordinance today
mayor thank you for humoring me on that >> uh just so everybody knows in the in this uh budget process There are long lengthy meetings between the business administrator, the chief financial officer, and each department
head and and selected members of the staff. It's a very very long thorough process. There's a sometimes there's a confusion about elected officials. By law, we're not so we're not really here to manage.
We're here to set policy and direction. All that being said, I I've been up here since 1997 and in the back behind Frank Tzino is the table. Every ordinance is printed out in detail what it covers, what it's
bang for, what it's supposed to do. It's also posted online. There's no secret here. There's complete and total transparency. This is just a synopsis of what the bond is for. All the detail is readily
available both online and here printed in the back of the room. Um, so let let's let me just cover that. Also, Mary, you're on administration. Um, you're on the the budget committee. You sat through all those all those budget meetings.
>> Had a meeting on the capital, not one. >> Okay. Did you call for it? >> And and the a lot of what >> did you call for Did you call for it? >> It wouldn't have been up to me. It would have been up to Dan. I kept asking if we were going to have one. >> All the years I've been sitting here, we have always had one to two meetings.
>> Mary, then after the meeting, >> I just have to say this. You just said that all of this is in these ordinances. It is not. It does not mention road to be >> uh the roads are the roads usually in the ordinance beforehand. >> There's some roads in the section three.
>> And I would like to say one last thing about Mr. Robinson's comments. I ask for things and maybe ask for a pause, not because an election is coming up, because for the six years I've sat here, I've investigated and asked questions
each and every time. And my questions are getting better and better and we're getting better oversight. So, I think that I would expect an apology for that statement. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, long story short, did you
have something to say, Albero? No. Uh this is a a very transparent project product uh project the budget. Um so I I I just dismissed when people say that there are secrets made. Um okay that
being said next u bond. >> Oh I'm sorry Dan move I move public hearing be closed. The ordinance is adopted on second final reading and advertised according to law. >> Second >> roll call. >> Council persons Bala. Yes. >> Kissesi. >> Yes.
>> Novak. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Zabrowski. >> Public hearing on pod ordinance 28-25. Bond ordinance providing for various 2025 general capital improvements buy in the burough of several in the county of Middle Sex State of New Jersey appropriating $1,420,000
therefore and authorizing the issuance of $1,349,000 bonds and notes of the bureau to finance part of the cost thereof. >> This time I'll open the public portion. Jim. Thank you, mayor. Appreciate that explanation.
It took about four minutes, >> transparency, and People shouldn't have to ask those questions. Now, mayor, you said it's in the ordinance. Those details are not in the ordinance. >> They aren't here. I look
>> Which one? Which one is he talking about? >> They aren't here. So, they aren't what's on the back table. Those streets aren't listed. What's on the back table? The streets that were left. >> Some of the streets are listed. And there's 1970 Route 35. And there's Eric
Court. >> All right. in the budget. >> Let's remember budget vote down at the senior center that was handled the same way. Were there questions? Were there
details? Who remembers that meeting? I remember things didn't come out. I didn't ask these questions just for the benefit. I mean, I've spent a lot of time talking to people, as you might know, who wonder
about these things. I don't think it's too much to tell people what we're spending $17 million on and that we would get attitude from somebody because I've asked that question and then ask for an apology. I'm not going to apologize because you did ask Councilman
Sabrowski to postpone these things until after the election, right? until I got my answers. >> Let it go. >> You asked if they could postpone till after the election. >> I'm sorry if that's not accurate, but it's accurate. Thank you. I appreciate
that. Four minutes and we heard about how $17 million and it's not really 17. That's what bond or end up being. I don't know. I'm not going to ask the the CFO, but 30 million will it be? >> No. >> Time things are done. No.
But spending four or five minutes to tell us he said this is a good thing. This is a good thing. Had there been this transparency and accountability and answering questions oh for the last couple years things might have been different Tuesday.
So asking questions and getting answers is a good thing. Not something that you have to be have a problem with have attitude or ask apologists for. It's a good thing. I appreciate you're answering the question.
Councilwoman Novak and Counciloman Robert. >> Mayor, may I say something? I just say that >> the CFO did send an email um to all the council people on October 16th detailing all of this. So, I was
prepared to answer questions before because the CFO did give us all this information. the council people it >> well >> thank you >> are there any other questions or comments being no other questions or
comments I'll entertain a motion >> I move the public hearing be closed the ordinance is adopted on second final reading and advertised according to law >> second >> roll call >> council persons Bala >> yes >> yes >> novach >> yes >> Roberts >> and once again I was not on
administration and finance we are responsible for oversight here which we do so. Yes. >> Zarski, >> yes. >> Zabrouski, >> yes. >> Public hearing on bond ordinance number 29-25 B ordinance providing for acquisition of various vehicles and equipment buyin in the burrow of several
in the county of Middle Sex State of New Jersey appropriating $3,680,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $3,496,000 bonds or notes to the bureau to finance part of the cost thereof. >> I'll open up the public portion for questions or comments. Being no
questions or comments, I'll entertain a motion. Councilman Bala, >> move public hearing be closed. Ordinance adopted on second final reading and advertised according to law. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Bala. >> Yes. >> His Novak. >> Yes. >> Roberts, >> yes. >> Sarski, >> yes.
>> Zabrowski. Public hearing on bond ordinance number 30-25. bond ordinance providing for various water utility improvements buyin in the bureau of several in the county of Middle Sex State and New Jersey appropriating $2,742,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $2,742,000 in bonds or notes to finance the cost
thereof. >> At this time, I'll open the public portion for questions or comments. Are there any questions or comments? Being none, I'll entertain a motion. >> Move the public hearing be closed. The ordinance adopted on second and final reading and advertised according to law. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Bala.
>> Yes. Khesi, >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. >> Roberts, >> yes. >> Zarski, yes. >> Zabrouski, >> public hearing on bod ordinance number 31-25 B ordinance providing for various water utility improvements by inan the burough of Save in the county of Middle Sex State New Jersey appropriating
$1,900,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance of $1,900,000 in bonds or notes to finance the cost thereof. >> This time I'll open the public portion for questions or comments. Are there any? Being none, I'll entertain a motion. Move the public hearing be closed. The ordinance is adopted on a
second final reading and advertised according to law. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons. Bala. >> Yes. >> Helissi. >> Yes. >> Novak. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sinarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski. >> Yes. >> New business. >> Introduction of the following ordinance.
Ordinance number 33-25 Burrow of Seville County and Middle Sex. Ordinance amending the bureau's regulations and permitting requirements for the holding of special events throughout the burrow of Saveville. >> Council President Roberts. >> I move the ordinance. Sorry. Move the ordinance be approved on first reading
advertised according to law and a public hearing held on November 24th. >> There's a second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Roberts. >> Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> Kesi. >> Yes. >> Novak. >> Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski.
>> Ordinance number 34-25, Burrow of Seville County and Middle Sex. Ordinance amending the bureau's regulations and permitting requirements for the use of the portable stage. C. Uh, Council President Roberts, >> move the ordinance be approved on first reading advertised according to law and a public hearing to be held on November
24th. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Roberts, >> yes. >> Bala, yes. >> Kesi, >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. >> Sarski, >> yes. >> Zowski. >> Ordinance number 35-25, Burough of Seville County and Middle Sex, Ordinance amending the Burrow's regulations and permitting requirements for the renting
of parks and picnic areas within the burough's parks. Council President Roberts, >> I move the ordinance be approved on first reading advertised according to law in a public hearing to be held on November 24th. >> Uh, Council Councilman Bala.
>> Nope. >> Council person Roberts. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> Bala, >> yes. >> Khesi, >> yes. >> Novak, yes. >> Sarski, >> yes. >> Zabrowski. Ordinance number 36-25, Burough of Seville County and Middle Sex, Ordinance amending the Bureau's regulations and permitting requirements for the special
event vendor permit. I >> move the Councilman Bala >> move the ordinance be approved on first reading advertised according to law in a public hearing be held on 112425. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Bala. >> Yes. >> His >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. >> Roberts, >> yes. >> Sarski,
>> yes. Zabrowski ordinance number 37-25 Bur seville county and middle sex ordinance amending chapter 2-64 fees and licenses >> councilman bala >> I move the ordinance be approved on first reading advertised going to law in a public hearing be held on 112425 >> second roll call >> council persons Bala
>> yes >> yes >> novak >> yes >> Roberts >> yes >> sarski >> yes >> zowski ordinance number 38-25 bur of seville county and middle sex ordinance regarding environmental commission >> councilman Sinarski brief. >> I move the ordinance be approved on the
first reading advertised according to law in the public hearing held on 11:24 25. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council person Sinarski, >> yes. >> Bala, >> yes. >> Helissi, >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. >> Roberts, >> yes. >> Zabowski.
>> Okay. A public portion on the resolutions. Are there any questions or comments? Being no questions or comments, I'll entertain a motion. Council President, >> I move the public hearing be closed and the consent agenda resolutions be approved on roll call vote.
>> Second roll call. >> Council person Roberts. >> Yes. >> Bala. >> Yes. >> Khesi. >> Yes. >> Go back. >> I just have a few questions first. Uh are we paying anything to Jersey Central this month? Are we paying part of a bill, none of the bill or what? We've
still we're holding payment per the council's instructions and then I'll have something on that in my report. >> Okay. Uh the um resolution 251 is that what we had to do to uh refund to the balance? >> That's correct. That'll finally settle
the matter of the account and we'll be able to do the reimbursement for the sports people. >> Thank you. Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zowski. I need a motion to accept the correspondence.
>> I move second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes. >> Vala. >> Yes. >> Helici. >> Yes. >> Roberts. >> Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zabrowski. >> Mayor, may I say something? I just one of these things that we uh just accepted
was the uh retirement of uh Rebecca Gowski. um that woman has uh done human duty in this town. Just handling all the civil service requirements was uh a job and a half and I'd like to thank her for all of her years that she's devoted to
this town. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. Uh okay, reports of mayor and council, administration and finance, Councilman Bala. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, just remember tomorrow's tomorrow is Veterans Day, so please pray for our veterans and if possible attend the services out in
front of our hall at 11:00 a.m. in progress. Mayor. >> Okay. Planning and zoning. Councilman Zowski. >> Thank you, Mayor. Also want to tell Mary's son's retirement. I've worked there for a long time. She's a tremendous asset to the
burrow. We're going to miss her. I know it's not February, but all the luck in the world on retirement. Uh, moving on onto planning and zoning. One thing I do want to ask is for the council's >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry about that, Jim. Uh, what I would
like to do is ask the council to um join me in opposing a a ordinance, not an ordinance, I'm sorry, a statute that's been uh or a bill that's currently in the legislature. It's S 4736. Um, it's curious that it came out at the
end of October, but in any case, what it does is it gives religious and nonprofit organizations the ability to convert their properties into largecale projects that include affordable housing units. >> And and you're right to say home, okay? Because it gets worse. It requires local
planning boards to approve these projects automatically if they meet basic zoning standards no matter where they're located or how they might impact the surrounding area. Allows up to 40 housing units per acre and increases in building height beyond
some some local zoning limits. Uh and these projects would also qualify for long-term tax exemptions as well. In the end, this is what we've all been battling about over the last how many months now, and that is we want to be
able to retain the ability on the local level to be able to determine what developments come into our town. I think we all know best. This would in fact have no longer allow our planning board to consider traffic and parking, school
capacity, environmental impacts, and really what it would do for the neighborhood character and infrastructure. So, it it effectively replaces community-based planning and just gives us a statemandated one-sizefits-all approach.
Uh, so I'm asking at this point, uh, and before I say that, no one's against affordable housing. At the end of the day, we want all our folks in our community to be able to have the housing that they that they need, our seniors, our veterans, the young people that are moving. But at the end of the day, we
still want to have that ability to have those decisions made on a local level within our community by our residents who serve on our boards. So, I'm going to ask uh for again for support to uh have a resolution drawn up in opposition
of S 4736. >> Is that a motion? Because I would be happy to second that one. >> Okay. Roll call. >> No, it's I mean Go ahead. Just go ahead and take take a roll call.
>> Mayor, that's my report. Thank you. >> Do we need a vote on that? >> We don't, but the mayor wants one. Um, who's second? >> I did. >> Council person Zabowski? >> Yes. >> Bala? >> Yes. >> Kesi? >> Yes. >> Novak?
>> Yes. >> Roberts? >> Yes. >> Dinarski? >> Yes. >> Anything else? Councilman. >> No, that's my report. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Public safety Councilman Ky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. I'm pleased to present this
evening's public safety report covering updates from our Office of Emergency Management, our police department, and our fire department. First off is Office of Emergency Management because Director Barsley gave
it to me first. The director reports continued progress as his team works collaboratively with the police and fire departments to strengthen readiness and coordination across the burrow. OEM continues to
advance the modernization of our town's digital mapping systems, an important tool that supports emergency response and infrastructure planning. >> [clears throat] >> The department is also working closely with the administration on coordinating
street light reporting and communication with JCPNL ensuring improved safety and efficiency throughout the burough neighborhoods. Next report is from uh Chief Dan Plumacher. He reports that uh
Saraveville Police Department's community services unit remains deeply engaged in both public safety and community outreach initiatives. So the first out of the four initiatives are traffic safety enforcement. So thanks to
a newly awarded grant of $28,000, it's dedicated to aggressive and impaired driving enforcement. Additional manpower will be deployed at key times and locations to enhance roadway safety.
This program runs through September of 2026 and will supplement routine patrols to address local traffic concerns. So, if you get pulled over, just blame yourself. Next is the holiday food drives coming
up on November 16th to 23rd uh from 10 to 2 at Shopright. Officers together with members of our juvenile academy. They'll host uh food drives to replenish local pantries and support families impacted by the ongoing
government shutdown. Then we have a toy drive partnership. So in early December, uh officers will partner with the recreation department and hold a toy drive at Walmart on Route 9 in Old Bridge to ensure that the
children in need receive holiday gifts. And the last initiative is a parade of lights. So December 7th, department the department will once again play a major role in the town's annual parade of lights, handling traffic management and
public safety operations. Additionally, they will proudly join the Bombers Beyond Cafe in presenting a collaborative parade float celebrating the district's inclusive vocational program and the strong partnership
between our schools and law enforcement. and our Saraveville um just want to say our Saraveville PBA local 98 they just shared a post through their social media just hours ago and it's really some
amazing news. So, Officer Devon Sanders, he's officially cancer-free. So, our officers were on hand to support him. He rang the bell. So, throughout the fight, uh, Devon showed incredible
strength, positivity, and determination. He never stopped inspiring those around him, reminding us what it truly means to have courage both on and off the job. So today we celebrate his victory, his
resilience and support of all those who stood beside his side uh through through the whole time. So congratulations. What a victory. What great news. Bravo. Last, I have the report from the fire
department, Chief George Gavvern. He reports ongoing progress within the department as they continue training, equipment maintenance, and readiness initiatives. The department remains focused on ensuring full preparedness for the upcoming winter season and
supporting community events safely and efficiently. Coordination with OEM and the police department remains strong uh reflecting the cooperative spirit that defines Sarville's emergency services. In closing, I want to thank all our
first responders, the men and women of our fire, police, and OEM teams for their professionalism, teamwork, and continued dedication on keeping Sarahville safe. On behalf of our dedicated first responders and
Sarahville's favorite councilman, thank you and stay safe. That concludes my public safety report this evening. Mayor, >> thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilwoman Novak, public works. >> Yes, Mayor. Um,
I'm hoping for no snow, but the public works is constantly in preparation for it so that should God decide to hit us with some snow, they're going to be well prepared for it. I do have a a question really here. uh an acquaintance of mine
called me and told me that they saw on the civil service website that we are I don't know whether it's saying we're going to hire somebody or calling for a test for an assistant superintendent and I told them that
I'm the chairperson of public works and I I don't know anything about it. Um I called George Gavvern who is the superintendent of public works and he says he knows something about it. So is this correct or is this a mistake? >> We have not requested a test or a
screening for any super >> what? Oh, what that is is that's civil service getting caught up from COVID. That's from the last round of DPW supervisors that we promoted two years ago. >> That one's I think. Um
>> yeah, there it's no new positions. It's civil service catching up with things we did two years ago. as I say an assistant superintendent and I that would be a new position. Okay. Thank you. Uh other than that, mayor um >> progress. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Water, sewer,
environmental, Councilman Sinarski. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh as everybody knows, the community garden is wrapped up for this year. Um our water and sewer, we're down to 177 million MGD last month. That's quite a
difference from this summer when we were over 200 million. So the water usage is down. The wells are still low. Uh we have some issues at number one and number 12 wells at Dural. I checked on on that today. Uh that's why it's going
to be 28,000 or 26,680 max to check these out. They're the ones that directly supply the water filtration plant. Uh those wells have to work. So, they're going to do a maintenance on them, try to repair them, try to get them back up to they're
putting out the correct amount of water. If not, we'll we'll proceed to the next step, which I'll let you keep you informed about. Uh earlier in the summer, I talked about people painting fire hydrants, and I was involved in that when I was in CEDA and long, long time ago, and it's nice to see that
they're all done. They painted over 950 fire hydrants this summer. That's quite a bit, and I'm very proud of the water and sewer department to to have that done. Doesn't sound like much, but it is pretty nice to ride around and see clean fire hydrants. Uh, that's the conclusion of my report. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Recreation. Council President Roberts. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, for recreation, I'll start with the report. And we have winter programming including STEM robotics, youth cooking, dance
movement, mad science, Red Cross babysitting, country line dancing, and a murder mystery show. Information and registration will be available on the recreation website by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. The holiday parade of lights again is
December 7th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Join us for community organiz organization parade floats, visit with Santa and Mrs. claws, hot chocolate and cookies, carols and entertainment and ride the mechanical reindeer and skate. This is new this year. Skate on our
iceless skating rink. So bring your ice skates. There will be ice skates to rent there. Also, we also have our toy drive. We're accepting donations of new unwrapped toys for our annual toy drive through December 1st. Donations can be made to the recreation department during
business hours. Also, I do want to say that we had a great great recreation year. Um, I want to reiterate that our recreation director, Brian Van Dogen, has been selected, had been selected by the New
Jersey Parks and Recreation Association as professional of the year. And we are very lucky to have someone like that in serville to run all of these very successful events. He's worked diligently being new in our town, bringing new innovative ideas to our rec
department and is a key part of our team as we move further to enhance the role of the recreation department. Key stakeholders um with many largecale park improvements and a critical role moving leveraging our new improved parks, facilities, and
outdoor opportunities for all our residents. We did a lot in wreck this year. We put up pickle ball courts. We did um the paths behind here um by St. Stands, the the farmers market. There's so much going on in town. I have not
been out of town for months and have always had something to go to. Um also with our cultural arts team, they have put out a lot of really high quality events, especially the scare in the air at the park. That was amazing. Um, but I
did go to the um high school's legislators back to school day and did pull the classes to see if they knew about this. And even though it was sent to the schools, most of the kids didn't realize that we had some of this going on. So, I think we need some better
communication to the schools. So, I have introduced our director, Brian, to um a contact, one of the teachers at the schools who said she would be willing to be a bridge to that so that we can have um more of those student activities come together. So, I'm proud of having done
all of that. And for tomorrow, we do have Veterans Day. I don't know if I'll have a chance to say anything. I will be there. I'm sorry I missed the um flags for heroes event. My car needed some work, so I was unable to attend that.
And uh Mike, you were you were part of the sponsorship of that with the Rotary. How was that? >> We had a great turnout and uh it was just a beautiful ceremony, but we have a lot to work on for next year. It's only going to get better. >> Wonderful. I I'm so sorry I missed it.
>> Five flags this year, so 25 more than [snorts] last year. >> That's wonderful. Congratulations. >> And our goal is 100. >> Okay. always set higher goals than you can actually attain. And then just for our veterans, I just wanted to um say a little something for
tomorrow, November 11th, is a tribute to the brave men and women who have fought and fallen for us and our freedom. In most of the English-speaking world, particularly in America, in those portions of the Commonwealth where the burden of war and waste has so disproportionately fallen,
an evocative poem is offered in remembrance of those who served. It was written by Canadian officer who lost a friend in battle and who noticed after battle how quickly poppies grew between the wooden crosses marking the graves of those who gave their last full measure
devotion. In Flanders fields, in Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row that mark our place. And in the sky, the larks still bravely sing and fly. Scarce heard amid
the guns below. Who are the dead? Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields. May all of us in remembrance of those who have served our
country find strength and solace in their sacrifice. God bless our veterans and God bless the United States of America. Thank you, mayor. >> Okay. Thank you. Um just to reiterate, tomorrow we do celebrate Veterans Day,
which is the celebration of all veterans who have served this country guarding our gates of freedom. Uh it is at 11:00 and it's actually the the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Um so
it'll be out in front of Burough Hall and I encourage everyone to come because if you forget your history, you're doomed to repeat it. That being said, I do want to me want to welcome the two new council elects, Alberto Rios.
Congratulations. Welcome aboard. I look forward to working with you, Hervey Blmore. Uh, Hervey, I I know I know you got caught at work tonight. Um, I look forward to working with you and a congratulations to the campaign manager,
Jim Robinson. You won, Jim, and that's that's what counts. So, congratulations. That being said, uh, next is general discussion. Go ahead. Application for social affair permit received from OOLB Church to serve wine at the Valentine's
Wine and Cheese Party on February 7th from 6:30 to 9:30. >> Any objection? Next item. [clears throat] >> Authorization to renew All Reliance Insurance Group as our insurance broker for health services for the year 2026. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to execute a contract
renewal with North American Insurance Management Corp. to serve as risk management consultants for the year 2026. >> Any objection? Next item. Authorization to cancel tax sale certificate and refund the lean holder Tristone capital assets due to the homeowner filing for
bankruptcy. >> Any any objection? Okay. Next item. >> Authorization to execute the renewal of an interlocal services contract with county and Middle Sex for the provision of public health services in the amount of $23,3956.
>> Any objection? Next item. Requests to travel received from Melrose and Morgan Hose to deliver Santa gifts to families in need through the rain foundation in Mammoth and Middle Sex counties on December 17th and 18th. >> Any objection? Next item. >> An authorization to issue an emergency
contract to AC Schulty's Inc. for well redevelopment at well 1 and 12 in an amount not to exceed $26,680. >> Okay. BA business administrators report. >> Glenn. >> Yeah. Uh Glenn, before you start, um one item number two on your uh I believe uh
is a relative of uh Councilman Sabrowski. So I would recommend that he would recuse himself from that item. >> Okay. Go ahead, Glenn. >> Authorization to promote Andrew Ozga from keyboarding clerk one to keyboarding clerk 2 in the administration department effective December 1st, 2025.
>> Any objection? Next item. Authorization to appoint Jessica Zabrowski to management specialist in personnel administration effective November 12th, 2025. Any objection for clarification, this is just a replacement. It's not a new hire. >> That's correct. And the
>> it's not a new position. >> Yeah, it's not a new position. >> I do recuse myself from this. [laughter] >> Right. And next item, >> authorization to promote Meadow Magnani from management specialist to personnel director in the personnel administration
department effective February 1st, 2026. >> Any objection. Now it's time for you to applaud your daughter. >> And lastly, mayor, if if uh you'd permit me, uh on the followup of the Jersey Central and Mrs. Novak to your question. Uh when we started this odyssey, uh uh
we were at 245 lights that the burrowhead had reported. Those are repaired. Jersey Central in the course of working with the mayor's office found and fixed another 6 uh 66 lights, bringing the total lights fixed and back
into order at 311. We're satisfied that they've met their obligation and we're looking for permission to release those checks that have been sitting in the safe and finance held in advance until the repairs were need. So, I'll need council permission for that. >> And Glenn, that very problematic um road
that we had with the um all the lights we were going to put the extra lights on. That one has been corrected. >> Yes. Yes. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Any objection? >> We know how many lights we have out right now >> there now. Let's find them as they happen. We're we're caught up with the
bulk of them. Uh we've got somebody going out about once a week to double check on anything that may be out. >> We're we're caught up. Basically, we're caught up. >> The original uh motion and and that was made was that anything that was out over 30 days we not pay for. But um we're
we're going to pay them everything the back. We're not charging them anything for all of that time that we were paying for lights that weren't out. Well, I I would have to defer to council here, but to my understanding of the contract, we we're still obligated to pay. Uh I I don't I don't know that
>> that is my reading of the current contract. Unless we renegotiate and have new terms, it is we can withhold payment, but it doesn't say that we are uh no longer obligated to make the payment when the the lights are fixed. That's how the terms of the current contract is. >> You know, I I asked this question once a
long time ago. if they're charging us for a service that they're not providing, can we not pay them? And I was told, yes, a motion was made and seconded that any lights that were out for over 30 days, we stopped paying for them. So, what you're saying is that they finally got caught up. So, now
we're going to pay them everything that for all of that time that they weren't the lights weren't lit. That's what you're saying. They will be paid for everything. >> That's just the terms of the contract. you know, that's what's it's been in place for for decades. Uh we can negoti
renegotiate, but that's that's just what the terms of the contract say. >> Counselor, why don't why don't take the beginning steps of renegotiation. >> Okay. >> Also, it wouldn't hurt to ask. >> I I'm fishing this. It just seems like
we're basically going to reward them for all of that time. the the town was paying for that. They can never go back and give us that time that we didn't have lights, but we were paying for it. And I I just don't think we should be doing that. So, I'm against this.
>> All right. Is there any objection to going forward and paying our electric bill? >> Okay. That being said, that's it. CFO's report. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I have authorization to release escrow for
quick check 117 at 3101 Bordontown Avenue in the amount of $39,21762. >> Next item, >> authorization to amend the 2025 budget for two grants. One is the federal highway safety grant in the amount of
$28,000 and the 2025 national opioid settlement in the amount of $64,269.3. Next item, >> uh, transfer resolution. >> Okay. Burough engineers report. >> Thank you, mayor. Two items. The Burough Hall walkway improvement project and the Kennedy Park bathroom project have both
been completed. Recommending you adopt resolutions closing out both contracts and also resolutions approving closeout change orders that'll both have net reductions. That's all I have. Thank you. >> All right. Um, anything on the Kennedy Park improvements? Jay, >> he did that. He said that. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear it. Uh,
burough attorney. >> Uh, nothing this evening that you think. >> Okay. At this time, I'm going to >> go to the public portion. I just wanted to say one thing. It was I was hoping that somebody else would mention it because I forgot it today. John Bonjovi showed up at the Bombers Beyond Cafe and we I mean I I can't thank him enough for
you can go home. He's done so much in his in the town of Redbank and several other towns and helping people get fed that you know might be on hard times. And the Bombers Beyond Cafe has just been such a success in this town. And
for him to come today, spend quite a You got a picture of it? [laughter] >> He came today. He took pictures with people and um I really like to thank him for that. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. With that, I'll open the public portion for questions or
comments. Uh Bill, >> thank you. >> Also, Bill, congratulations to you as chairman. >> Uh thank you. >> Good win. >> Thank you. Um Bill Henry, Orchard Street. Uh I just want to make comment for um our server
headquarters. Um I see a lot of um uh donation projects going on um for toys, food and things like that. Uh we would like to offer um several headquarters in the shopping center by Shopright as a location if anybody wants to use it to
um bring those clothing or whatever be it the scouts or a church or a nonprofit or somebody like that. Um you know this is our way of saying thank you and giving back to the community. If anybody wants to use um uh Democratic
headquarters in the shop rights um center, you know, just have them get in contact me and we'll let them use it. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bill. Anyone else? >> No [clears throat] one. Bob, is it Oh, Ken. Oh, Alberto.
>> Hi. Uh good evening, mayor, council members, and fellow residents. Uh first I want to thank the people of Serville for your trust and confidence in Hervey and I during this past election. It's humbling uh to have earned the opportunity to serve and although we won't be sworn in until January 1st, I
want to begin tonight by reaffirming our commitment to every resident who voted and those even those who didn't that we will work hard to represent all over uh all of Serville with honesty, transparency, and common sense. Uh this evening I'm not here as an elected
official but as a resident and as a council member elect, someone preparing to step into a position of public trust. I wanted to share a few priorities uh requests that I believe are important as we plans the months ahead. One of the most pressing concerns I've
heard from residents and one that waited heavily throughout the campaign is to propose development of hundreds of apartments behind Kennedy Park. Now, I understand that as a municipality, we have obligations under our affordable housing requirements, the
so-called CAO or Mount Lure obligations to ensure a certain number of affordable units or credits. I respect that obligation and I support respons responsible fair housing opportunities. But responsible housing does not mean
placing high density development right behind our most valued park. It doesn't mean adding hundreds of cars to our already strained local roads, and it doesn't mean disrupting the quality of life that residents have built around that area. So, tonight, I'm formally
requesting that we direct our burrow planner to identify an alternative plan, one that finds the 22 required affordable housing credits somewhere else. If we can find those credits through rehabilitation, through existing
units, through partnerships with nonprofit housing organization, or through redevelopment elsewhere in town, that we can eliminate the need for those hundreds of apartments behind Kennedy Park altogether. Councilwoman Novak made similar suggestions and the planner said they
were valid, but those were ignored. Let's be proactive. Let's find creative, responsible solutions that allow Serville to meet its legal housing obligations without compromising our parks, our neighborhoods, or our community values. The residents have
spoken clearly. They want thoughtful development, not overdevelopment. They want balance, not burdens, and it's our job to make sure we listen. Second matter I want to raise is one of governance and ethics, specifically
concerning matters that involve Mr. Macco and any potential overlap with the burrow's attorney's firm's prior representations of him or his entities. This is not a personal criticism of anyone. Our professionals work hard and
I respect their experience and dedication. However, as public officials, we have a duty to uphold the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and impartiality. and sometimes that means taking extra step to ensure the appearance and
reality of independence. Therefore, I'm requesting that we schedule another sitting or review session to discuss the bureau's attorney's role in all macco related matters. If there is even the potential for a
perceived conflict of interest due to prior legal representation, then it would be prudent to designate a separate attorney or special counsel to handle those matters. This is not about politics. It's about preventing any question of impropriy
before it arises. Our residents deserve to have full confidence that every legal opinion, every recommendation, and every a every action taken on behalf of this burrow is done free from any divided loyalty or prior obligation. We talk often about restoring trust in
government. And this is exactly how we do it. By setting clear boundaries, by insisting on accountability, and by acting before issues become problems. In closing, I want to say again how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve. I believe in Seville, in our
people, our parks, our neighborhoods, and our shared future. We have so much potential here. We have the opportunity to plan smartly to grow responsibly and to make sure our decisions today leave Saraveville better for next generations.
I inter I intend to work and collaborate with everyone even when we disagree because at the end of the day we all want the same thing a safe thriving and transparent Sarville that puts residents first. So let's get to work and thank
you. >> Thank you Alberto. Mayor May I just comment on that? Sure. Um I just wanted to respond to the the issue with or about the conflict of interest. I did want to note that when once I learned about the prior comm community uh prior relationship between my firm and Mr.
Makco, I did announce at a public meeting that even though looking into it, I didn't think it was a technical uh conflict of interest that I would be recusing myself to anything dealing with Mr. Makco's development because of that appearance and for that exact reasons why you stated, but I I do agree with you and I had announced that I would be
recusing myself from any dealings with Mr. MCO moving forward on that on that site. Um and then with regard just to the affordable housing um right now we are in negotiations and settlement negotiations part of the process the affordable housing process uh that we're required to comply with uh under the
program and and our dealings with fair share uh housing uh center is the only objector to our plan and what we're doing is working on trying to resolve a settlement and part of that we are actually in working with the planner looking at alternatives uh and other not
knowing if we're going to have it in time because has to be resolved and finalized by the end of December uh because that's the deadline with the court order. But we are looking at other alternatives including as brought up by other council uh members uh extending controls uh different sites possibly
purchasing controls on existing sites. Uh but we had to the why that was included is because uh at least that site and the sites that were chosen was because it met all checked all the box of the requirements for affordable housing development at the time and we had a deadline that we had to adopt a
plan by June 30th that set forth something that would accomplish our number. So we looked at the ones that would be most defensible against any challenges. But it was by all means not a final list. It was something that we had to be able to put forth to meet the requirements of the statute. We're
always looking at for for alternate sites and what's the best for the municipality moving forward. >> Any other questions, Ken? >> Thank you, Mayor Ken. Sheski serville. After I spoke at the last meeting, there was quite a discussion on the uh the old firehouse next door and and the usage
for it. And I'd like to ask who decided on the use of the firehouse, the old firehouse next door. >> Anybody gonna say anything? I Let me Let me start off by saying I talked to Dan Bala. He said he had nothing to do with you know anything about it. I don't believe Mary had anything to do with it.
Who decided on this? >> Well, do you want an answer? You want to keep talking? Yes, please. >> Sure. Okay. >> Suck up all my time. >> Well, Ken, don't talk so much. Uh that being said, >> uh that has always been office space. We're not creating a new use. We're
merely bringing the the use that is always served to current building standards. It's not current. There's asbestous. There's lead. There's there's $3 million worth of of adjustments just to bring it to current building
standards. That was always office uh meeting. and in the basement it was the original uh jail until they built this building in around 1940 and the jail went in the basement here. So there's no new use. It's just bringing the current
use the use that's been going on since 1909 to meet current building standards. >> I know the history of a mayor. What I'm asking what see I know when it was built I know all the history. What I'm asking after the referendum, who made the decision there, well, this is now going
to be offices. >> It it was just the people said they want it they want it they didn't want it knocked down. So, we just we just bringing it to uh current standards. >> And and what money is being used for this? Is this open space money? >> I believe it's open space money.
>> Oh, I'm sure that people that support open space, they want their they want that money used for office space, right? Go ahead. >> Is that what we're saying? Wow. Just for a moment, you're truncating that the the name of that. It's the open space
farmland preservation and historical preservation trust fund. >> Okay. Uh so it's it's open space money. Is that right? Where is it coming from? Did we bond for this now? Can we bond? What kind of bonds? >> Coming from the open space farmland
preservation historical preservation fund. >> I got it. Yes. Yeah. And we talked about this $3 million. Three million. how much money this is, but nobody said anything about easily giving away $100 million
uh to uh the Tremble Crow and the warehouses. Nobody Everybody voted I I I up here, this group now $3 million is so much money. You know what it sounds like? It sounds like we're going to we're going to fix the people that voted for this referendum. You didn't want it.
I know Stash didn't want it. We're going to fix these people. we're going to scroll them and we're going to put open and we're going to put offices in there. That doesn't sound very right to me at all. Uh and I don't think it sounds right to too many other people. Uh and now I want to go into something I talked
about last time. Um the deal of council meetings that you do not answer questions. Uh I spoke about that. I spoke about numerous times. I told you last meeting I I asked people from all I asked people specifically
from Albany. I said to Renolier, New York, I have friends Jackson, New Jersey, Old Forge, Pennsylvania, Taylor, PA. Everybody said the same thing. They asked me to repeat the question because they thought they didn't hear me right, that you don't answer questions up
there. So, I talked to a friend of mine by coincidence from the West Coast uh over the weekend talking about elections and I asked him uh he asked me what what I thought in New York City. Of course, everybody's talking about it. And I said to him something that I've been too
embarrassed to say to anybody else. I said that our mayor called people who attend meetings, don't be people with no lives and a-holes. And he said to me, he said to me, quote, uh, you have a mayor who
is ignorant of democracy. He has no, he has no idea of the core of democracy is about people and people involved in government. And you're trying to ignore that. And his he said to me, it sounds very much like your mayor. It's similar
to the guy they just elected in New York. And the last thing he said to me, >> 30 seconds, Ken, >> it's about Yeah. Thank you very much, mayor. He said the last thing he said to me, it might be time to look at a recall of this mayor because he's ignorant of democracy. Thank you very much.
>> Okay, Jim. >> Thank you, Mayor Jim Robinson Parlin. First, I want to wish Council Bala happy birthday. I'm sorry you have to spend your birthday with us, but I I think it was great that John Bonjovi came up to sing happy birthday to you. back in August um in this council
chamber after the vote not to allow a referendum, Alberto said to me, "We need to save that property. What do we do now?" And I said, "Don't worry, there'll be a referendum." And they're letting us frame the questions. And we did. And
last Tuesday, there was a hell of a referendum. In fact, a 1300 vote victory isn't just a referendum, it's a mandate. It was a referendum on preserving 40 acres. It was a referendum on open space, on keeping the Shade Tree
Commission that you wanted to abolish, on overdevelopment. It was a referendum on substance and sleazy campaigns. It was a referendum on the rubber stamp council. It was a referendum on bipartisanship. And most of all, it was a referendum on Kennedy F. O'Brien.
Interestingly, the low vote getter, Donna Roberts, still got 1,300 votes more than the mayor got when he ran. A record 50% of the voters came out last Tuesday. They really wanted their voices heard. Alberto and Hervey got 2,200 more
votes than the mayor did. 2,200. The people spoke loudly and clearly, and they gave you a mandate. They're tired of corruption. They're tired of law firms paying for their jobs and secret dark money political accounts. They're tired of your reckless pilots and
overdevelopment and your makebelieve care about open space. Already save 700 acres. Where? Crab island at high tide, low tide. That's ridiculous. They're tired of your never saying no to whatever the developers and contributors
want. I told Alberte, Alberto and Hervey to focus on issues because I know that the O'Brien Roberts team wouldn't. I knew that because last year a councilman who didn't like a campaign mailer that I had
nothing to do with about an employee suit I that I don't know cost us a million dollars, threequarters, I'm not sure. But anyway, that councilman didn't like the mailer and he said to me, "We'll see how you like it when your family gets mailers about [snorts] you."
And John, congratulations on the new hire. I hope that uh I hope that she's being hired at more than $48,000, which is what our cops start at. $48,000. Our cops have to start at more money than that. Other messages were sent to
me to be quiet. I knew that was going to happen. I expected it. I put my love for my town over what scum would do to me personally. But the people spoke. They want change. Tuesday wasn't only a referendum. It was a mandate. And well,
Alberto just suggested here was a good idea. What Mary suggested was a good idea. I met no one no one who thinks 250 apartments for a measly 22 credits is a good idea. The state didn't say you had to put 250 apartments there.
And if you had bought it when McCormack and Kilpatrick suggested it, it wouldn't even be under consideration. So it wouldn't have checked all the boxes if it was open space, Joe. But Kennedy, you stopped that from happening.
And with less developable land, our affordable quota would be lower. Okay, Mayor, you know, I'm moving. I bought a house out of state last year to be near my son and grandchildren. So, I really shouldn't care, but I do. I was born
here. My mother was born here. I love this town. And it breaks my heart what's happening. The people deserve better. What you have been doing isn't working. The election is over. Please listen to these new guys and Mary. They're no yes
men and she's not one of the boys. Listen to them. Give them a shot. Consider what they are saying about open space and preserving the 40 acres. Council, stop listening to the mayor. Look where he's led you. You govern, not
the mayor. You have your own voices. You have your own brains. And mayor, please pay attention to what the people want and stop doing stupid stuff. They want you to do good things that work for the town. Please work together and consider
what these two new guys and Mary want to do to preserve open space, cut down overdevelopment, and stop unnecessary reckless pilots. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Being no one else, I'll close.
>> I'm sorry. Oh, Frank, come on up. >> Frank Tino, Canal Street. Uh, Mary, you had a great thing with the with Bon Joy today, but I just want to show off what we got today. We got Bon Joy in our museum today. And he said he's coming back. So, we're very proud, you know,
that he's coming back. And it's just a good thing for for the town. It's it's putting us out there and that's a great thing. So, thanks for bringing that up. And I wasn't going to bring this until you said something. So, now I got to I got to Oh, yeah. I'm still crazy. So, and
thanks to Art for for texting me, and I thought he text me that we have a BonJovi artifact, not the real Bon Joy, so I didn't go. So, I missed him. But I'll catch him next time. But I just want to He's in our museum. And if you notice at the top of the picture,
there's one of his uh what do you call posters that my wife donated. So, we showed him a couple of things we have and uh I think we could do better, he said. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Frank. Is there anyone else? Being no one else, I'll entertain.
>> I make a motion to close the public. >> All in favor of closing the public portion. >> Mayor and before we Yeah. close the public first, then we'll talk. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay, go ahead, Joe. Oh. Uh, mayor, actually to to I I've looked into
correct I want to correct something I said before about the JCPNL. I'm looking at the language of the uh the contract again and it's you know it was written quite some time ago so it's not current language but I >> think in the 80s >> yeah it was yeah early 80s maybe so they used a lot of legal ease but I'm reading
through it again and it may be a basis for us to withhold the payment where we we keep it we don't make it it's not withholding it so I I'm I'll work with the administrator confirm that make sure that we're on strong legal >> that's what I thought you told me when I asked it the first time I think we were at the building in the senior center
part of the act center. >> But I I will I you know I'm rereading it. I read it a couple more times you know since that language and I think there is a basis we might be able to make the claim to say that we don't have to pay it at all. So I will work with the administration and confirm it. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Absolutely. >> And mayor before we close can I um just
have a few minutes. >> Yes. But first Mary as >> I just had a question. Uh after Alberto talked um the attorney said something. We are cut because I was I was going to make a motion, you know, uh about look
the when the planner was here, I asked a question about possibly subsidizing some of the uh apartments in town. There's we have several groups several groups of apartments and they said it could be done, but it was going to take a long time. And I was going to make uh and you said something about it being more
expensive. You you remember that? Well, yeah, it's it's under the under the new regulations that the U-Hack regulations. It used to be, just to clarify, historically, but municipalities were able to extend those controls just by resolution. There was it was under the
the the municipality's total control. Under the more recent U under the current U-HAG regulations, we have to pay a minimum of 1700 $17,500 per unit we want to extend. That is under the temporary U-Hacks. the U-Hack regulations, that's the uniform housing
affordability control regulations. The new regulations that are expected to go into place next month, I believe it is, has exponentially increased that. It's now based off a percentage of what the market rate of the unit would be as to what the municipality has to pay to correct them. So each of these re
reiterations of the regulations are making it harder and harder for municipalities to keep existing units rather than having to construct new ones. It can be done. It just I don't like I couldn't tell you what it going to be because it's a whole mathematical formula. You have to look at what the market rate is and then it's going to be a percentage of that is what we have to
pay for each unit to extend it. But it is absolutely a possibility. >> And I think we're on the same page because I had asked about using winding woods and accumulating some of their apartment complex to go to affordable housing. And I had gotten the same response about not being able to because
of the Well, if you would explain. >> Yes. No, we what the we're looking into that now. And I just speaking to the planner about that as of Friday. Um, but one of the things is you have to have a willing seller because on those we don't have existing control. So it's it's the
whole negotiation willing seller because what we'd be doing is not buying the unit but buying a uh affordable housing restriction on an existing unit. And if they're willing to do that, depending on negotiation because there's no set price for that, we'd have to negotiate a price and how many units and and if they're willing to do that. But it's definitely
an option that we are pursuing. I know I've spoken to the planner about looking into it on his on their end as of Friday. >> I just want I mean I was going to make a motion to do that but I just wanted to clarify what I heard in my mind. That is something they are currently going to look into. Yes. See the possibility? Yes.
>> And um maybe at the next meeting um CFO could you let me know how much is in the affordable trust fund. >> So I I know I mean I I have no idea. I know we established that uh Kennedy. Do you remember what year that was? It was about five or six years ago that we
established the affordable housing trust fund. So you remember okay just if we can know how much that is we have some idea of how much money that we we have put in there specifically for something like this to you know offset the cost of
affordable housing. So I don't have to make a motion. We are going to look at this because if there's any other way you know to to do these numbers because state gives us the numbers. We still get to decide exactly where we put these things. So, as long as without my motion, we're still doing this.
>> I I wouldn't make that that statement that we get to decide. They they have they have guidelines that we need to follow. >> So, um it occurs to me we've been talking about the 40 acres which we had
when Vicki was mayor. I made the motion, Mary seconded that we get an appraisal for that property so that we can make an offer. I think it would be um prudent we have um property on Ernston Road that we would like to protect. Might be a good
idea to get a estimate on that property and make an offer to collect that into open space because >> where exactly you're referring to Donna >> on Ernston Road. >> Okay. Okay. Pretty big road >> between between Bordon Town and Route 9. >> Okay.
>> By Park Avenue. >> There was a proposed um plan by a group already that was denied. >> And I think we should make um an offer for that property. Can't hurt. So, I make a motion that we
get an estimate for that property and then follow through with making an offer to put that into open space. Is there a second from anyone? >> Let's review it a little. It could be >> Which side is it? It was um the mosque
site. >> I I would retract this. >> Yeah. Mayor only um because of the fact that this is a matter involving the uh >> approvals that Okay, so it's still pending, but it is
something. >> Okay, that being said, uh >> let me reiterate what we do here, live here. >> There are 600 streets. We own the We own
the the raw material on the water. We we own the distribution, the filtration. Uh we own the pipes for the sewer. Uh we we we run a service company. We provide 24hour, 7 day a week police, fire, and
first aid. Um and what a lot of people miss out on, they they think that this is uh Washington DC and they're going to, you know, it's just it's just providing services. uh and and uh sometimes I think people
really get misled. We we have to operate within the law and what we would like you know if you go back and look at some of the maps around 1990 1980 1990 serville was really a strip mines.
It was just full of strip mines. uh they were clay, they were sand, earth, uh sand uh and and over the course uh they were developed once particularly once the exit for the parkway
um was brought into Seville, there was easy access uh and a great many people uh came here, they liked it. They came from North Jersey. They came from Staten Island, Brooklyn. Uh and they just liked it.
They liked the lifestyle. Uh and here they are. And in the course of that time, you know, about 4500 or more, uh housing units were built and we went from uh a small uh group of t group a
small town populationwise uh to a larger town. It's the way it goes. the rights of the property owners, what the United States is based on. So, it's always good to say, I'm going to confiscate there. There's no magic wand here. You know, they they did
confiscation down in Long Branch um along, you know, not not in my lifetime they did it. And they went into neighborhoods where people had lived there multi-generations and they said, "Well, we're kicking you out and this is the price we're going to pay you because we're going to build the
resort." always think something like like um eminent domain uh might start out with a good intention, but if you got a bad person in charge and he doesn't like you, he can come into your neighborhood and take your house, kick you out. That that's
the the downside to start going in and taking property is is it may start out with a noble intention, but you you get you get a a really bad person uh who's full of dislike and hatred for people and they'll come in and they'll make
life miserable for a lot of people. That's one of the big reasons I'm adamantly opposed to to this. as far as whether apartments go there or they don't go there, that was all part of the original uh Crossman Sand Company. And
and around 1990, the late 80s, the burrow ran a a budget surplus every year. My understanding was around a million dollars. That property ran for a million dollars. Of course, the burrow didn't buy it then. They waited till till it it became extraordinarily
expensive. Uh I've talked to Mr. MCO over the years about selling not only that property but but the property the Amber site which is the 100 I think it's 140 acres on the main street side Jay 130
>> 150 and the price he wanted was far beyond our reach you know at what point do we say we can't afford it and for what purpose is it for us 140 acres he would probably want about $75 million
half a million an acre That that would be my guess. Uh and it's like we want to spend $75 million going into debt for what reason? Um and and that's where that's where it gets difficult. So there there were
plenty of of people that sat up here in the in the 80s and the 90s that chose to do other things with with this the surplus each year and buying open space wasn't one of the things that was on the priority list. So now that it's on the
priority list, it's beyond our reach financially. >> Mayor, may I just add to that that I think what I put what I proposed perfectly illustrates the challenges that we have in our town to maintain open space, to purchase anything new.
And as you've been saying, the owners don't want to sell to us. So we've got a great challenge here. It's not as easy as saying, "Let's just buy it. Let's just take it. Okay. >> So, thank you for for the additional clarity, but that's one of the reasons
we can't do what people propose to do. We are trying our hardest >> to get this done. >> Saraveville doesn't have a good history of going to court on land property. Uh we don't we don't have a good batting average. Uh it's easy to take somebody
into court. Well, currently um we're the the board of education would would uh like to build the bus depot on the Dupont property. So, it has to go through um it has to go through a process and a
procedure has to go through public hearings. Uh and um you know, it's just anyway it's a process. Everything here is a process. But at the end of the day, we're we're running a service company.
It it had, you know, some people think it's a lot more. Uh the other thing is when when I was running to come back for my sixth term, uh practically everybody I talked to said, "Mayor, when you get back in, you got to make people talk
less." Because it was a fairly common thing in the last administration that people would go on and on and on. It was the same people basically and and they would talk without without pause. Uh and um the majority of the
people that I spoke to when I was uh campaigning for myself uh they wanted they wanted it ended. That's how we came up with the time limits. We looked at some other towns and basically the thing is if you can't say what you need to say in five minutes, you're not going to get
it done in 20 minutes or 30 minutes. So that's why we said five minutes, shorten it up, get to the point. It's a service business. It's not complicated. People make it complicated. Uh and and uh and it isn't. Service business is a very
simple business. So that being said, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Oh, by the way, Dan, happy birthday. >> Should we sing? Is there a motion? All
in favor?