to order and we're going to start. I have a bad uh or problematic disc in my back. So, I've asked John Zabroski to say uh do the prayer and Hervey uh to do uh the salute to the flag. So,
would everyone please stand? >> 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
servicemen and women now guarding the gates of freedom. >> 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.
Uh statement of uh publication. >> Take notice that this regular agenda meeting of the mayor and burough council being held on this 29th day of January 2026 has been posted and advertised in accordance with the open public meetings act chapter 231 public law 1975. >> Roll call.
>> Council persons blame >> here. >> Novak >> here. >> Rios >> here. >> Sarski >> here. >> Zowski >> here. >> Okay. Approval of prior minutes. C. Council President, I >> move the following minutes uh meeting
the December 8th, 2025, January 1st, 2027 26 minutes uh of the mayor and council be approved on roll call vote subject to correction if necessary. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council person Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Lumare.
>> Uh yes. On January 1st, abstaining December 8th. >> Kissi. >> Yes. >> Novak. >> Yes. Rios. >> Yes. January 1. Uh, abstain December 8th. >> Dinarski. >> Yes.
>> Okay. With that, we go to proclamations and presentations. I'm going to begin with the proclamation. It's the Muslim American Heritage Month. Councilman Blammore. >> A proclamation. Whereas Janer,
everybody keeps Thank you. Is this better? A proclamation. Whereas January is deemed New Jersey Muslim American Heritage Month by joint resolution number six of the New Jersey state legislature. And whereas Sarville
residents would like to encourage all to highlight and celebrate the history and contributions of American Muslims. And whereas New Jersey is home to nearly 300,000 American Muslims representing one of the largest Muslim populations of
any state. Seville has approximately 4,000 Muslim residents. And whereas Muslim Heritage Month not only recognizes the rich cultural contributions of Muslims, but it is also an important an opportunity to promote
the rich diversity of New Jersey and especially in Sarville where the Muslim population increases year after year. And whereas Seville encourages a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all.
Whereas Seville residents honor the anniversary of the death of Yaro Mahmud, an African-American Muslim, a former slave who overcame great adversity. He purchased his own freedom and became a Muslim leader by embracing freedom to
pursue the American dream and the freedom of slaves. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Kennedy O'Brien, mayor of the B of Saveville, do hereby proclaim January as Muslim American Heritage Month, and I encourage the
entire community to learn more about our Muslim neighbors and build more connection with our very diverse community. In witness, we're off. I here on to set my hand and cause the B of Saveville seal to be herein affixed this
29th day of January 2026 signed Mayor Kennedy O'Brien. >> Is there a motion? >> Move the proclamation be approved on roll call vote. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes.
>> Blume. >> Yes. >> Pissy. >> Yes. >> Rios. >> Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zowski. Yes. >> Would would you like to come forward and and say say some words in the name of God most gracious, most
merciful, Lord of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, and whom be peace. May the peace and blessings of God be in all of them. Thank you, Mr. Mayor Kennedy and City Council of Saraveville for this incredible honor of proclaiming Muslim
Heritage Month. As a director and imam of Majid Sedar and Community Center, I am incredibly proud to accept this proclamation on behalf of the Muslim community of Saraveville. This recognition highlights the rich
contribution Muslims have made to our community, nation, and world in science, art, literature, and so much more. Muslims have contributed significantly to human development and civilization in
science, math, in algebra, in medicine, astronomy, and architecture and uh and art. Let's celebrate our heritage, strengthen our community bonds, and continue
working towards mutual understanding. Again, I would like to say thank you again uh Saraveville for embracing diversity and fostering a welcoming environment for all. And Mr. Mayor, I wish you uh a great health ahead of you.
>> Thank you, EMA. Thank you. Uh just a note for everyone um who climbed the stairs tonight, we we have a our elevator is about 40 years old and we had problems in it.
When you're in government, there's very strict procurement laws. And we had a contract with an elevator company. And I'm not going to speak ill of anyone, but
it it didn't work out. So, we we have we we have uh the president of Central Jersey Labor Council as a resident, and he made a recommendation to us. Uh just so you know, I too walked up the stairs
tonight uh with the help of my good friend Glenn Scarzinski. But Glenn, if you would uh give a brief report on the elevator because it's been a long time. >> Uh we found a great uh New Jersey based elevator company. They came out
yesterday, did an assessment, and it is their hope that as of close of business tomorrow, the elevator will be repaired. Can't guarantee it, but it looks like that will be the sum and total of that by by tomorrow close of business. >> So, a new year, new blessings. Thank you, my friend. And uh we move
forward. So, for a guy like me, the huffing and puffing was certainly beneficial. Not pleasurable, but beneficial. So, with that, we'll go to the next uh business, which is old business. >> No, no, I'm sorry. Architects presentation. >> Oh, I beg your pardon. I'm sorry you
guys were all set up. A as you as you you may or may not know, uh we had a referendum uh a year ago about uh saving the firehouse next door. It was from 1909. It served as a firehouse, a police say.
There are only about 5,000 people in Saraveville in 1909. >> Uh but it it it served us as a firehouse and a police station and Burough Hall. That was the original Burough Hall. Uh
and at at um at the age it is the big thing we're trying to do. The referendum passed. People wanted it. We wanted it saved. Uh the burrow is indeed chronic need of office space. And I'll I'll leave it to uh two uh American
architects. The burough architects. >> Yeah. Fantastic. Because I was going to start here. Thank you, mayor. Is that on? Very good. All right. Mayor, council, uh, members of the public, my name is Pete Campazano from USA Architects, and
with me tonight, Miss Carrie Zagarski, our project manager, and Miss Shannon Perez, our project architect. Our role tonight is to basically give you a status report of where we are from the referendum to today. As you know, the
referendum passed and I think it's wonderful that you're taking an old building, an historic building, and repurposing it and giving it a new birth. I think it's absolutely wonderful. We're very excited about the project. With that, uh, as it stands
right now, CME performed the initial phase one environmental assessment, report, and construction to remove asbestous and all the other hazards. So the building now is free and clear and
ready for the next step which is namely the development of the design the construction documents i.e. bid specs the bidding and the construction while CME was working on the environmental and
hazardous reports and construction we were working with your building department with Mr. Vic and his people to vet out the existing conditions. As you know, he's down on Dolan Street in the trailers that have served their
purpose, but to put good money after bad did not seem prudent. We then looked at their program, the number of people, the requirements, the adjacencies to verify
with Mr. Mick whether or not it would work and lo and behold it does. So we have floor plans, schematic floor plans just to give you an idea as to where we are. We really don't have renderings yet
or other things. We know what we want to achieve. We want to pay homage to the original conditions we actually met with the historical society. I think they're going to be invaluable in giving us the history of that. And we've got some
ideas, I think, that are really be nice to take the building, maintain its historical quality, but give it a modern use purpose. That's really the issue that we're trying to achieve. So, with that, I'm going to
turn it over to Shannon. Uh Shannon's one of our young architects and like a teaching hospital, you know, we're we're I want my young architects to present to get that experience. Please be kind to her. If you have any rough questions, come to me.
>> Pete, before you go, it's my understanding we're dealing just with the interior, not the exterior tonight. >> Yes, tonight. However, let me >> I understand that, but we'll bring you back. >> Good. Yeah, we can we could come back. We Well, I don't want to steal her
thunder. She'll go into some of it right now. >> Okay, >> you ready? >> All right. Thank you, Shannon. >> Hi, I'm Shannon. Thank you. Um >> Shannon, you got to hold the mic close. >> Real close. You got it. Um so,
if people are not familiar with the building, this is Main Street. And these uh [clears throat] triangles here show the main entrance. Currently, what exists is a garage door. And we are showing a vestibule which
leads you into a waiting area, a publicly accessible toilet, a fire pole to bring back some of the history of the building, and then a transition into the office space. So this area here is your publicly facing
space, and then beyond this store here is your staff area. What's important to note is that the original floor plan extends only here to here and that this gray area is an addition in order
to accommodate the accessibility needs of modernizing the building to add an elevator, a fire stair, and a third toilet. The >> Yes. Okay. Sure.
>> Thank you. >> This better not be on America's Funniest Video. [laughter] >> Say when >> I can't have it on screen. >> It doesn't show up. >> It doesn't show up. >> Doesn't show up. Show up. We tried that already. I'll do it again. >> I don't know if that's going to work.
>> Try it again. It's gonna have to come this way along. >> Pete, >> you can put it right right in front of the podium. >> You sure? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Where you put it? >> You're the boss.
>> Stop right here. >> Okay. >> Not to mention the flimsiest Yes. >> So, while we zoom, one thing I'd like to point out is that this main entrance has also been updated to current
accessibility standards with a ramp. And I know that's showing up really lightly on the screen, but this is a ramp. uh accessible parking plan for this area and uh steps where the current apron for the
garage is. >> All right, go ahead, Shannon. >> I just want to make sure you guys can see. >> There we go. Okay, we'll get back. >> The program of the existing code officials office and the square footage
of that space is about 3,800 and this space that we're working with here, barring the basement, is about 2,800. So, we really had to pair down the program of what they have existing in order to make this work. And I think
that's a testament to the uh people involved doing their best to save this building and modernize this building um in keeping with the referendum that passed. With that said, we have some very small
offices. Um a very dimminitive conference room. It's about half the size of what they have currently. and a stair that leads you up to a second story along with an elevator where you have your health
inspectors, your code enforcement department, and your construction officials department, um fire inspectors, and a very small break room. Uh currently shown in the break room is um the firepole looking down on the
firepole that is um a little homage. So, um, yeah, if anyone has any questions, I know that was a bit choppy. I'd be happy to answer them now. >> We'll do the questions at the end. Sh done with the full presentation.
>> Sure. Unless people want to see the basement. >> Okay. Hey, Kirk, did you want to speak since this is going to be your office? >> Just give me a second. Let me just get [clears throat] >> Okay. What? >> Yeah. Yeah. I have a walker. You have a
can? >> Yeah. I was supposed to have surgery today and it got cancelled. But that's neither here or there. Uh let me just go to the basement real quick. Is that uh I guess I'll explain a little bit more about uh that we tried to save or consider the historical part of the
building. Um I just really want to just reiterate that we really tried to make this there's things that we tried to save historically with the older building. We did get a list from the historical society of things they wanted us to save. And we went through it with
the professionals. I know the historical society wanted things. They had their heart in it, but like stairways and the old ceilings and that, but we went through with the design professionals and with the building officials. Um, I have a fire guy license, so my building inspectors went out there and it was
things that we just couldn't save. And then when we had the um hazardous material people come in, the those professionals came in and they they took they they there was nothing that we could save, you know, they wanted to save the stairways and things like that. I think the exterior of the building, the things that the historical society
wanted us to save, bricks and things like that that we can actually use, but the interior was unsalvageable. the basement mold. Uh the ceilings they like they they did have beautiful um I don't know if it was aluminum or copper ceilings, but it it was from it wasn't
like the 1800s where it was like half inch or quarterinch ceilings. They were thin aluminum ced ceilings that were really destroyed and you couldn't save it. We really look Sean and I went through and another architect, I forget his name, we went through it and the building guys went through the stairways
that they wanted to save. You had to go one person at a time. The size of me, I was I was scared to death to go up and down those stairs. There was no way of saving the stair. So, we really tried. And there's things in here like the that you had to save. You you had to do I'm sorry, save, but you had to do because
there's new ADA rules, accessibility rules, there's new energy code rules that you had to do. So, with that being said, like the basement here, we we're going to try to we're going to save the existing jail cells and um and we're more or less saving them because it's so expensive to try to take them out. You
know, the they're they're iron and they're they're cement. So, we're going to save them and try to refurbish them as best we can to save them. Uh these ceilings are too low to have people there, but we're going to use them for your boilers or storage. We're not sure how we're going to heat them or not, but we're going to use them for storage. it
closets and the elevator room and things like that. So, we're going to use for storage. Like we said, it doesn't work perfectly for our office, but we cut down the size of the conference rooms. We cut down the size of some offices to make them work. And also, I just want to reiterate that our the trailers we have
now over 40 years old. They leak. Um the side facasia boards are all leaking and we've been pouring money into them. And we just had not with the storm, but we had a prior rainstorm we had and our conference room had 3 in of rain of water. And uh you know, we're going to throw 20 grand into into fixing the
ceiling and fixing the boards like it. They're 40 years old. They were 20 years old when we got them 20 years ago. So um you know, it's not working. If you and if you go back behind my building, look at the parking lot there with the potholes and things like that. It's just it's not feasible. Like we have to do
something. And um if it's not this building, it's going to have to be something else. So again, so we're going to go here and just real quick like this tower here that they're going to install. It's because we need ADA bathrooms. We need to have an elevator. And so that's going to be like on the side where the parking lot is. This ramp
here and where the front uh we have to build a ramp here because of ADA, because of accessibility. This vestibule we're going to put in, but also we're going to put in because we think that and we talked with Frank about it is putting maybe in some glass exhibition here where maybe we could put some stuff in there that from the historical
society, some things where maybe people could come in and look at it or when when people come in for permits or the waiting area, they can look at something historical. We're going to try to figure out like this is a work in progress. Like mayor and council, this is the first time they're seeing it. I we did send this to Mary, but they haven't seen
this. No, no one has has seen this. This is the f like this is really in its infancy. It's and and we're just and even now like even though that we have this I think what we're asking for council tonight is to for Jay to go move further for a structural study to see if this even works because even though we
have this here like there might be structural issues where we can't have an office here or we can't have we don't even know if this works yet. So we what we're looking for probably tonight and Peter probably know more about it is to see if we could go further now. So again, we'll just go real quick. Is that the waiting area here, we're going to
try to put some sort of glass fire pole to show that it was a firehouse. Uh the again a toilet, a public toilet here because it has to have handicap accessible toilets. We can't have the public come in and say, "Hey, we don't have a bathroom for you. You we're on Main Street, you know, so we have to be able to do that where, you know, we have
to have access and it has to be accessibility. We can't have someone come with a disability and say, "Hey, we don't have a toilet for you." Right? So we that's why this front area is going to change. And and then it's again everything's a little bit smaller. You know, offices are smaller, the conference room, she said, is like half the size. Uh we need area, but it it
kind of fits and it kind of works. And that's that's that's what we're doing. Is it perfect? It's absolutely not perfect. And uh we also on the exterior, we have to consider handicap parking. So like, you know, why didn't we we had questions at the historic why do we put the tower in the back? Why? Well,
handicap parking. We have the DPW in the back. We got to worry about them. We have cars. They have pickup trucks, garbage trucks. So the trail so the tower only where it fits is in the front or on the side I should say. And the same thing upstairs that we have we have health inspectors from the county that
they work out of our office. We had to provide for them. We also have we have a a we had a break room that was really a counter with a couple of chairs on it. Right. That's it. >> And a and a coffee machine. Um and same thing we have the fire we have fire inspectors. We have code enforcement. Our construction office is a little bit
smaller, but you're going to see all the construction that we have in town with River with No, it's not Riverton anymore. Jamestown, right? We have Jamestown now. Uh we have inspectors. It's working out, but in the future, I don't know if I'll be here, but I might be. But we'll probably need more inspectors than that. So, we we added a couple extra tables for inspectors. Um
but it it kind of works, but it's still in its infancy. Um there's no uh we tried to help out with the structural part like I said with the historical siding but with the design professionals it wasn't able to keep the the interior stuff we weren't able to keep uh to keep
but the exterior stuff with bricks and things like that we're going to try to do our best to make it look that way with that being said that's basically all I got. All right guys >> thanks >> thank you Kirk if I could just uh maybe wrap a bow around this. So, u you've had
your first chance at that. Moving forward, as Kirk mentioned, the next step we'd like to go to is for CME um our engineers, your engineers to do the structural analysis based on this
design. Uh we in turn uh will do the full code analysis to make sure we are in compliance. Um and then we'll move to planning board courtesy review as a public building would with an addition.
Um then to construction documents bidding sometime likely right now projected to the fall and perhaps on an 11-month project. So I think September of 27 uh if things go on schedule as they are
today uh we should be complete. Mayor, >> thank you. >> Thank you sir. All right. This time, uh, are there any questions or comments from the public? I'd ask that that you limit the the the time. Are there any any
questions or comments? Jim. >> Yeah. >> I'd like [clears throat] him to have three. >> Thank you, Mayor. Jim Robinson Parl, I have a question for the architect, and it is this. Um,
it really has to do with your charge with your assignment. Were you told only to make this into offices for the construction department or were you asked to give your idea, input,
creativity into how this historic building, which was not the burrow hall but the township hall, we were a township back in 1909. Um but could it be a center for lectures, for
museums, for gathering, for concerts in the evening, for things like that? Um similar to what a lot of other progress South Amboy for instance has a place where they have lectures where the c they work very closely with their cultural arts commission in South Amboy
and they have exhibits. Um, not too long ago they had a wonderful lighthouse exhibit of all the exhib. Were you were you asked about that or were you told only to design offices for the construction office?
>> Do you want to start? Do you want me to just No, >> quite frankly, no. Was offices was their direction given to them? Yes. >> So no consideration was given to the other things that >> consideration about consideration was given in our early discussions not with
the architect but we had such a der of of available space and the shabby conditions that >> with with who were those discussions. You said discussions took place. >> I I don't recall internally in the building >> but not public discussions. No
>> not discussions involving the council the policy maker. Oh, this is the first the council seeing this. >> This is the first. Okay. So, so it wasn't the council that decided these should be offices rather than something that might serve the greater public. >> Well, they're going to decide that
tonight. >> Okay. And was the architect asked to look into the basement of this building to see I think there's some unused space there to see if that would be appropriate. >> We're looking at that for this year's
capital. You're looking at that. >> I'm sorry. >> We're looking at that for this year's capital. Moving in >> this year's capital. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, this architect wasn't asked to take a look to see if this space could go in the basement then.
>> Well, no, cuz it can't. >> Can't. No, there's not there's not adequate room down there based on its current condition. No. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Well, of course, if they did go there, they wouldn't need a conference room because we have conference rooms in this
building. >> Might not need a break room because we have break rooms in this building, right? >> Jim, you need to you need to wrap it up. >> I'm sorry. >> You need to wrap it up. >> Who said >> I said >> I got to wrap it? I can't I thought you said we could ask questions.
>> You can, but >> it's only rare that we get to ask questions. >> No, Jim. It's only Mayor. >> It's only rare that you're coherent. Let's wrap this up. This is the referendum that you opposed. You got your ass beat. This was this was adopted
by a public care about this. >> Thank you, Jim. I'll sit down. >> Thank you. And make sure you have enough creative juices for many many posting on social media. >> I will certainly do that. >> We're waiting. We're waiting for for your opinion.
>> You know, I have my iPad. I might do something. >> There you go. Go right ahead, Jim. And I'm glad you're Thank you. seem to be feeling better. >> Is there anyone else? Frank. Oh, there you go, Val.
Uh, for the record, uh, Valar, uh, I'm uh, well, I'm a member of the Open Space Committee. Now, uh, am I under the understanding that the open space funds that we have is going to be, uh, uh, funding, uh, this here project?
>> Yes. It is coming out of the open space farmland preservation and historical preservation fund. That fund is for all of those uses. >> What percentage are we we taking from >> we don't have any numbers on this yet,
but there is more than ample funding in that >> because I believe I believe we're at 900,000 I think it is. >> No, we're at like I think in excess of seven or eight million in there. >> Oh well. Okay. Yeah. So uh that's going to be taken out of uh our uh
>> uh three things open open space. >> Well, open space is only one element of that fund >> of that fund. >> So there will be millions of dollars left in the open space fund. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Is there any Frank?
Yeah, Frank, there's no canal street terrible. Uh, at this point in time, we just got to move forward. I mean, we've been going back and for a couple years where, uh, we like that [clears throat] the building is being saved. It it we appreciate it, the money going into it and the time and effort. Uh, we would
like to see something down in the base uh, sec first floor for the concerts and things, but unfortunately this has to come forward. Um, maybe in the future we get more funds together. Maybe we could knock out the bottom stairs and the
bottom offices and move somewhere else. And maybe then we can do something for the community community center or something. But right now, uh, we're we're satisfied. If we're not overly happy, but we're satisfied, uh, all the things Pete was suggesting
with the fire pole and that's pretty cool. We have some cool stuff. Uh but we appreciate that the work going forward. Uh as far as the uh things that we reckon that the ceilings and things, yeah, we seen they were rusting and we
we accept it. Uh we we don't have really much of a choice, but we're happy that they it's going forward and we put this behind us and move forward. And uh like I said, maybe in the future the downstairs could be modified to a different use, but uh we're okay with
this. Uh >> thank you, Frank. >> Thanks for being part of the process. >> Yeah, you're welcome. >> Is is are there any other questions or comments? >> Okay, being no other questions or comments, I want to thank our architects. Thank Mr. Mick. >> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Uh Kirk, one question for Kirk Mick. Kirk, is is is the timeline gonna coincide with with the expiration on your current buildings? Is it >> Yeah, it'll it'll work. But I think we
can discuss maybe doing some kind of patch work with >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> thanks Kurt. >> I think you do have allowing Jay to do I think >> No. >> Okay. I
>> think there's something another step we need to move forward. >> I think we're looking for concurrence from the mayor and council to move to that next phase where we do our structural analysis. >> You needed that's your decision, mayor. >> Okay. So, we'll we'll talk if there All right. So, any questions from the
governing body? >> Um, not really a question. Uh, the one thing that I I was unhappy about was the elevator on the side. I felt >> Is your mic on? Yes. Uh, you can hear me, right? I can hear myself on things.
Um, I, you know, I I thought it changed the historical look of the front of the building, putting the elevator on the side, but I do realize that we have to have an elevator. And Kirk kind of explained, you know, why it has to be by the handicap parking. And
>> so, uh, I I have heard from Kirk Mick. I have heard from the historical society and they feel that this is uh you know the way to go. I really wish there could be some way not to put that on the side of the building. It really does change the whole outlook. But I'm hoping that
we can instead of trying to make it look like something that it wasn't, you know, uh it was a, you know, a building from the 1900s. And I hope that instead of trying to I don't know the clock tower on it I thought was a little bit stupid. It
reminds me of a Hallmark card as opposed to the way the building the building used to look. So, you know, but if they're happy, I'm happy. >> Thank you, M. >> Let me just if I could just add real quickly. Uh uh let's see if you can get
uh we do on the screen so everybody can >> It's okay. >> It's all right. >> The rear of the property >> Yeah. >> was unbuildable. We have an oil tank. The side closest to Burrow Hall is unbuildable because of the alley. We're
not gonna put I I'd be shocked if I would put an elevator on the front of this building. So, we put it in the only spot we did and we pushed it as far back five six feet from the front and it the height of it is registered by the height of the elevator requirements. You need a
certain height above that elevator. I will look at and I hear your comments and we'll revisit that when we design the exterior. We'll play it down and play up the front more. That's that's a great comment. >> I mean, because when this is an historic building and we got our elevator on
here, but it's so innocuous, nobody really even knows it's an addition out there. Front is left perfect. If I can add, if we added the elevator and the stair tower and the handicap toilet room inside the building, we wouldn't have
had the room to add what we needed to to add. >> What ex I'm sorry, I I really couldn't see that. Of the vestibule? >> Yes. >> Uh, how big is that exactly going to be? I can't tell. >> 10 by 12, something like that.
>> Probably all glass. I'm hoping that it's going to disappear in front of the facade itself. It's going to be dimminionative. It's going to be transparent as much as we have to with glass. But as you walk in, as Kirk
mentioned, it is that airlock for >> efficiency. >> Energy efficiency. See, man knows his stuff. U energy efficiency. And then but then we also in talking with Frank and and Art uh when we had a great meeting with them, you know, they talked about
some memorable they have. So we were thinking about like the glass cases on both sides as you walk in, you know, you know, we thought of the fire pole or something that pays homage to something to that effect to give it that kind of look. We're looking at ceilings and
historic restoration and sites like that. So, we're not going to have a 9 by9 tray ceiling. Could we have something that mimics that copper ceiling, but with a modern material and pay homage to that as best we can, but
it is going to be a functioning office in the 2000s, in the two 2020s. Um, but the exterior is where we're going to try and focus our our our work. >> Yeah. And you know, uh, I'm sure you'll be talking with the historical society,
maybe, you know, pictures of the original firehouse. >> Then there's someone, >> you know, the whole vestibule. >> It's phenomenal. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yes, sir. >> Sit sit there. No, but even even talking with Frank, even the outside we >> [snorts]
>> uh even the windows around the window frames like adding the brick work that was in the old firehouse like we have the old pictures and even doing the color of the old firehouse. But even we we discussed closing the street in between that wasn't working. Trying to do a walkway. I mean we tried everything. We were doing everything in
the back. Then we found a tank that was in the back that we couldn't move. I mean we looked at everything besides putting it in the front area and then the clock we could take out. But we did look at everything. But we did even talk about even the when we do the windows in the front that doing I think there's
brick work or or concrete work whatever and matching what the what it looked like and changing the color to match like we're going to try to match burrow hall but also try to match what it looked like. Yeah. back then like we we did try to consider every that's why we didn't do the outdoor we didn't bring it
out what you have as the outside rendering because it's not close to what we discussed with the historical society at this time so it' be foolish to bring it here then show you a totally different thing but I think what Pete said when you look at the vestibule from from the street is it is going to kind of disappear that's the goal
>> you know but there is a lot of code things but we looked at closing the street I mean >> we got we looked at making a walkway from here like we tried every we looked at that it just wasn't feasible. >> There is a deed restriction because of the tanks that were there and the gas pumps. There's a deed restriction that
does not allow a development where that area was. That's another problem with the back of the building. >> Yeah, we we looked at a lot of different things. >> I just want to quickly add that we went through those historical photos through every record that we were able to come up with and the footprint of that vestibule, which I we have feedback on,
is in the exact footprint of the carriage house doors of the original building. And if you had swung those doors open, that's about the size that it would be. So it's not an arbitrary detail. We went through this building. We restored windows where they had been
bricked. We tried to maintain as many of the original window placements as possible and we studied that in the addition. And we understand your feedback on the elevator edition. But just know that that was a long study of
the existing buildings, not just this building, but the Seville historic town. And every building has its stages in life and this is its next stage. So, we could do an addition that fades into the background and you don't notice it and
we paint it white and we hide it and or we could do an addition that makes this for the next hundred years a building that the people of Saveville are very very proud of. >> You love her passion. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Okay. Are there any other from the
governing body? Harvey, >> one quick. How many floors is it? >> Okay. It is two floors [clears throat] >> and a basement. The basement is a utilitarian basement, about a 7ft ceiling. We're going to put mechanicals down there. We got the three jail cells.
We're going to talk about repurposing the jail cells. We're going to use it for long-term storage, other stoages, but we're not going to put anybody bodies down in the basement. Nobody's going to want to work 9 to5 in a basement. >> So, we're going to satisfy the first and second floors. Council, >> any other any other questions or
comments from the governing body? Hey AJ, what uh for us to move forward on you doing the next phase, I need a not to exceed number. >> We have an active >> I can't hear you, Jay.
>> We have an active authorization for the remediation work and there's some funds available in there. So we thought we would just do this structural study which is going to be minimal just you know a few hours time for our structural engineers to go in now that the seal >> they still needed not to exceed. >> We we can provide that to Glenn. We'll
take care. I want to vote on it tonight. >> Let's Let's say a number of not to exceed $5,000. >> Oh jeez. Okay. Okay. You're working cheap, Jake. >> Basically, we're not doing anything detailed. It's more of a let's look at
it. Can it support what's proposed? And we'll get to the next phase. >> Okay. Mike, you had something. But yeah, thank you for that explanation about how we couldn't put the elevator and stuff in the back of the building cuz you know, I'm sure everybody had that
question in their heads. Well, we're moving the construction office out, park the trucks over there, but uh >> I lost that vote in the back and I was overruled by Jay and my two ladies. >> But is there anything that's going to be built for safety for the front glass
part? You know, you're on Main Street. Is there any ballasts or or trees or something? >> Yeah, stairs. >> You can't cut everything, but if someone drives up six stairs, >> we did reduce the speed limit hopefully.
>> Mike, once they get to the exterior, we've had a discussion about the old driveway. Now, you know, there's no vehicle going in. So, we discussed bringing that up and making like a plaza with a couple of uh benches and whatnot so people can g a natural gathering space outdoors. Maybe we could program
some small recreation things in there and the nice weather once. >> Very good. Thank you. >> Okay. So, with that with u I'll I'll uh bring forth a motion where CME will continue. Is it structural Jay? label it
structural whether or not to exceed of $5,000 is would somebody bring that motion forward. >> Council President, >> I'll make the motion or I'll second the motion. >> Okay, roll call. >> Council persons
>> Novak. >> Yes. >> Blair, >> yes. >> Kesi, >> yes. >> Rios, >> yes. >> Sarski, >> yes. >> Zabrski, >> yes. Okay, there you are. Thank you, USA
Architects. Thank you, Kirk Mick, and thank you, Jay Cornell. All right, so with that, appointments. Yeah, >> 20 footballs. >> Okay,
I'm going to make the following appointments. Yeah. >> Did I Did I do these appointments? >> Yeah. Just got to do >> I got to do >> and and VFW and Okay. Library is
>> You want to do it in one motion? >> Wait a minute. >> I'm going to do the Veterans Alliance. It's a one-year term. Uh, the following people will be appointed. >> Okay. >> Hey, Frank, can you bring it to the
hall? I I just Okay. With that, uh, the following three six people are the VFW Memorial Post 7508, Andy Mazour, Cammy Vitali, Ed Marinski,
Ken Kelly, Stanley Draw, Danny Vartales. For the the next three are for the American Legion, Post 211, Joel Bloom, Larry Bishop, Michael O'Hara. This is the the Veterans Alliance. uh they
supply the names um and we just have always followed through and made the appointments. Uh is there a motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes. >> Lumare. >> Yes.
>> Kesi. >> Yes. >> Rios. >> Yes. >> Sarski. >> Yes. >> Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, library board of trustees. Uh, Florence
Shepard. >> Is there is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Roll call. >> Council person Zabowski? >> Yes. >> Lumare? >> Yes. >> Kesi? >> Yes. >> Novak?
>> Yes. >> Rios? >> Yes. Sarski. >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Next order of business. >> Did you anything else? >> Introduction of the following ordinances. Ordinance number 1-26, an
ordinance supplementing and amending ordinance number 3-24 fixing the salaries of certain burough officials, officers, and employees for the years 2023 to 2027. >> Councilwoman Novak. Uh, mayor, I'd just like to be uh before we vote on this, of course, of the new members, you know,
we're not privy. If Glenn could give a brief explanation of what this is, just, you know, a brief thing because it's >> Go ahead. >> We're looking to make our uh stipended OEM director's position a full-time position. Uh the amount of work that's
being done by the OEM on a routine basis uh merits some some full-time work in there. uh as far as we're concerned. So, we're going to be coming to you uh with an appointment for that providing that this ordinance passes. >> Is uh Councilwoman Novak?
>> Yes. I make a motion that the ordinance approved on first reading with a public hearing to be held on February 9th. >> Second. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Council person Novak. >> Yes. >> Lumare. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. >> Rios. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Zowski,
>> yes. Introduction of ordinance number 2-26, an ordinance supplementing and amending ordinance number 2-24 fixing the salaries of certain burough officials, officers, and employees for the year 2025 to 2027. >> And mayor, if uh Glenn could just, you know, explain this just so the new people, if you would.
>> Yeah, this is we're we're establishing a new title, which would be a supervisory dispatcher for public safety. And again, uh, the town's grown so much, the volume's gone up so much on calls, the training, the backfilling of positions,
uh, just to keep pace with everything. Uh, it's more preferable to put a civilian in there that's got the communications experience rather than pulling an officer from the street or other law enforcement related duties. So, we're looking to create that FTE in that department. >> Okay. >> Mayor, uh, Councilman Zabroski. Oh, I'm
sorry. >> Go ahead, Mary. I move that the uh resolution the ordinance be approved on first reading for a public hearing to be held on February 9th. Prevailing. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes. >> Lair, >> yes.
>> Yes. >> Rios, >> yes. >> Narski, >> yes. >> Zowski, >> yes. Introduction of ordinance number 3-26, an ordinance adopting an amending and amended Hercules redevelopment plan 2 for the former Sunshine Biscuit site. Specifically, the properties identified as block 53.02
lot 8, block 54.01, lots 1.01, 1.02, and 7 and block 14 lot one as shown on the tax map of the Bureau of Save in accordance with NJSA4A12A-7. >> J, you want to extrapolate on this, >> mayor? this uh previously the mayor and
council reviewed this and determined that it met the criteria as a redevelopment area. The next phase was to develop a redevelopment plan. That plan was prepared by the planner for the redevelopment agency and it's now before you for consideration.
>> Is there a motion? Councilman Zabrski, Council President. >> I just uh Joe, was this the one you plan? It was supposed to be here, >> but I'm sorry. I didn't turn it on. >> This is also introduction. Mary,
>> I know I just have just bring it the planner was supposed to be here. Isn't that correct, Joe? And but because the meeting was Shane, she's not here. I'd like just a brief explanation. I mean, Alberto was, you know, getting a lot of information from Sarah, but you know,
Ervey is not. And just because the these people are new and this is the first meeting of the new year. >> Okay. Yeah, mayor. I I can address it if it's okay. Yes, I spoke to uh Sarah's planner. She was going to attend the meeting when it was scheduled supposed to be on Monday, but unfortunately when we had to change it, she couldn't
attend. She had a conflict this weaving uh this evening. But I did speak to her uh about what really is going on with this plan. And I can give a very brief uh summary so that you understand where it's coming from. Uh this is um uh dealing with the existing multiple tenant uh warehouse building that's been
at the site. that's uh uh it's really uh old, outdated, uh has leaking at not adequate certific circulation, lo no loading um excuse me, no not adequate loading areas. And so uh the handover group came to the burrow and asked to
see if they would uh be entertain the process of redeveloping this portion of the site to make it more modern. So they came and they've been working through Sarah. This governing body had already declared extended that uh prior redevelopment area to include some additional properties and now looking to
adopt the redevelopment plan that would adopt the or provide for the development as proposed by the handover group. Uh this essentially does reduce the uh overall building uh coverage than what's existing uh by about one they see it's
143 approximately 143,000 square ft from what is existing and is also approximately 390,000 square foot reduction for what was previously approved for this portion of the of the site with regard to warehousing. uh they are looking to um
uh provide for uh very uh high-end development with lead certification meaning high energy efficiency in their construction work and for use. Uh they are currently also working with the conra to potentially and hopefully utilize the trains for deliveries uh
rather than add additional truck traffic on the roadway. Uh so it should actually be a significant reduction if that works out in the end. Uh these are all things that will work uh the borrow will work with the developer through Sarah through the council when it adopt after adoption of the plan when it goes through the
planning board approval as well as uh negotiating any redevelopment agreement. Um they're making substantial uh improvements on the local roadways and it's providing a basically a more state-of-the-art facilities uh for um the site versus what is currently there
including what was being previously proposed and approved uh for for that development. So um at this point what we're looking to do in the process is it we would introduce this uh plan was prepared by uh the planner for Sarah. Uh this would introduce that ordinance.
Then after a deduction, it goes to the planning board for consistency review. Then it comes back for the before the governing body for public hearing and final adoption. At that public hearing, I believe the intention is to also have um Miss Sant who is the um Sarah Planner
who prepared this plan has been working directly with the developer uh come to that meeting to answer any additional questions to really get more into depth as to what what any uh uh what is included in the plan and any questions you might have that come up since then. But I wanted to provide some background even though we're only only on for
introduction to you know where this came from and where it's going. >> Yeah. But when um when when um kind of speak in the mic I'm sorry when the presentation has been made um if I if I could see it then at least I can have a better understanding of what's going on.
And from what I understand you said that um there's a reduction in terms of the size of what was going to be put there. Uh my question is um would that be big enough for something like the bus depot or when they reduce it? What's going to happen to that space? Is it going to sit
there? It's going to be put to best use or anything like that. That's why that's why I would have loved for that person to have been here. I can ask them those questions and to be able to see what's going on because right now I have no idea what because I know that I know that spot is big and um and I know there
are people there with a businesses that bought some stuff from there from eBay as well. So that's why I would prefer to have the person come back for to be able to explain it better to us. Mayor if I could just for a second John I think sometimes uh we don't always
realize what the procedural >> it is on uh we don't understand what the procedures are for all this but when the when the second reading um the Sarah planner will be here I also believe that the developer will be here as well with a fuller presentation of what that's
about. Unfortunately this is the the mechan mechanations and how this process works. It doesn't always seem to be seems a little clunky. I agree with you, but um I do know that at the second uh public meeting that uh they'll have a more firm presentation of what this is.
>> Yeah. So, but am I >> am I going to ask vote on this right now? for yeah for introduction purposes only. The the while while while we were planning on having the planner here to to explain it uh and some of the background uh it is more typical to have
the planner and developer and whoever else come during the public hearing because that's when it's open to the public. Public can ask their questions. That is at a following meeting. That's actually going to be what is it the 23rd? The meeting of the 23rd. So it will be advertised for that and it will be on at that time. when for
procedurally when you're voting on for introduction that doesn't mean you're adopting the ordinance that's just the required procedure to start for ordinance uh introduction and ordinance adoption >> two meetings >> yes it requires the New Jersey law requires for any ordinance requires two meetings it requires introduction to start the process it has to then get
after introduction that's not adoption even if you vote for introduction you could still vote against adoption in the end all that does is start the ordinance adoption process at after introduction even if it wasn't a zoning ordinance or redevelopment ordinance, you would still have to introduce it because at that
point, it triggers the um clerk's office to provide public notice of the public hearing because all ordinances have to have public hearings. So, at that point, what we're going to have on the 23rd is the public hearing. You'll have all representatives of the redeveloper as well as the plan Sarah Planner will be able to answer any questions of the the
board was of the council, any questions of the public. And if at that time you're still not comfortable in adopting it, it can be carried. It can be amended. It it doesn't mean that that's the end of the process. But if you are satisfied at that point, you can at that you've satisfied all the procedural requirements. So you can then adopt it.
>> No, the reason I'm asking is because if we cannot adopt it yet, why all of a sudden we're saying there's a reduction in size of in scope or whatever was going to >> well that's what's currently proposed in the plan. That's the plan that's part of being attached to the ordinance for introduction. So you have to have you
have to have the plan prepared when it's being introduced. It can be amended later on as part of the process, but you have to have a final plan that is being that was prepared as and attached to the ordinance for the introduction. That's what's going to go to the planning board for consistency review. That's what we're going to get back from the
planning board. And then at the public hearing is when you can ask the questions of whether or not you wanted a changes to it, amendments to it, or how it's going to be used in the future, if they have when the developers here, if they have any proposed tenants uh for that use or not. And then at that point,
if you feel comfortable, the council can then make a motion and adopt it. If they're not comfortable, it can be the public hearing can be carried. It can be amended. The ordinance can be amended if you want if there's other parts. But that's just the process of adopting ordinances in the redevelopment process in general for adopting redevelopment plans.
>> Thank you. We just just to make it clear particularly to well you're getting the Sarah part of it but this person will be here at the next public meeting and they will be
explaining and be able to answer all of the questions before we vote on it. I just want to >> you and I have sat up here a long time. This is the process. I know, but we got two new people and I just make sure that they feel >> I get that, >> you know,
>> that they being said, u Council President Zrowski. >> Thank you, Mayor. I move the ordinance be approved on first reading advertised according to law and a public hearing to be held on February 9th, 2020. I'm sorry, February 23rd. >> 23rd.
>> 23rd. Uh 26. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Roll call. >> Zabrowski. >> Yes. >> Lumare. >> Abstaining. >> Kisses. >> Yes. >> Novak.
I'm I'm going to vote yes to get it to the to the next step. But if I'm not happy with the plan, I will be voting no finally. Thank you. Rios. >> Before I vote, um I had a question. Um,
was this something that could have been discussed if we had schedule an agenda meeting? >> Well, you could go to the Sarah. You are on Sarah. >> Yeah. >> Do you ask these questions there? >> Sure. I had I had one meeting. >> Okay. There. >> Your job, whatever committees you get,
Alberto. >> You're the liaison, >> right? >> So, your job is to take the information and to come back to answer the questions. Now in fairness to you, this is your your your >> second meeting of the year.
>> Um Rutgers, there are courses given for newly elected officials and it covers a wide range. I don't know whether you have whether when they're coming out, but they're very good. I when I was a young new guy, I I went to them when I was a
mayor. I went [clears throat] they're very helpful because most of what we do in government is following process and procedure which is the legal requirement. Um so the whole purpose of redevelopment is taking property and
bringing it to a higher and better use by the standards of the day. So when they built this this was originally asbestous tile. >> Yeah. Insulation, wasn't it? And then it became a bakery. And then uh in 2000 uh
uh it was a million square foot warehouse if I remember right. In 2000 a group out of Philadelphia contacted me. In those days they were called data centers and they wanted to do a data center there and they bought it. U and I
don't know data centers went out of style. I can't remember exactly what happened. Um, Governor Whitman came. She gave us 50,000 of seed money. Um, but what what the market changed. The market
changed. Their finances changed. I don't know. But then they just used it as a warehouse. And my understanding is they they're one of the two places in town that has permission for truck parking. Is that true, Jay? I never confirmed it.
They can rent out space to truckers to park their trucks there. >> Police doing Yeah. And those are the designated uses. Now, what what the new uses are for the current market, I couldn't tell you.
So, >> and uh also is can easier language be used instead of instead of identifying the lots the way they're identified. Can we is there an easier way to identify? I mean, I had
to look all these up. Um >> J will send you a a map with the lot. >> They all have to be read by their title, >> right? >> Yeah. That's the way it >> Well, may I I can just technically we do have to identify it by its official lot
and block on its on the tax of the burrow. Uh we try to when I can I tried to put some more localized language. That's why even why we say the former Sunset Biscuit uh Sunshine Biscuit site, but sometimes it's a little harder to do so or not to add that additional uh in the plan itself. It does have a lot of
the mapping so you can see where it is. So, I mean, I was able to locate them, but as far as for the public, uh, >> yeah, I mean, ultimately, we do have to identify it by the lot and block legally as part of the plan. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm not saying to remove the the the lot IDs. I'm just saying to also
add, you know, maybe like a crossual street. Yeah. >> The visual. >> Yeah. Just for >> when I was a young councilman, I asked the same question. >> No, I I I abs absolutely can. I try to when I can. This one [clears throat] was a little bit more harder, you know, so that's why I just looked it generally. But I tr I will take your comment and I
will try to do it even more so moving forward. >> Thank you. >> And are you voting? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> Sinars. >> Yes. >> Introduction of ordinance number 4-26. Ordinance establishing the Burough Cultural Arts Council in collaboration
with the Recreation Advisory Board and amending the terms of the Recreation Advisory Board. >> Councilman Kesi. >> Uh Mayor, may I >> go ahead >> again? I came in here tonight and I I was ready to vote no on this because I really did not understand it.
I was explained to it by Nicole and and Joe and I asked could Joe please explain exactly what this is >> and how how this all came about. >> Absolutely. I'm happy to. Um, since I I've been uh, you know, the past year as as burough attorney, I've been working
with the clerk's office trying to clean up a lot of our ordinances and and or reorganize and trying to make things a little bit more consistent. Uh, one of the things that we realized is that the cultural arts committee um actually didn't have establishing ordinance or resolution that set forth its terms and
it just started operating. So, what we need to do legally is have it established by ordinance. So that's what we um you know initially started to do with this. The intention is all the terms. It operates the same. Nothing changes with the with its powers and authorities. It's just now we're
codifying it in an ordinance which what was the um what we need to do by law. Uh what we're also doing um uh and by doing so it's it you know we relocated trying to figure out where to put it in the code. We put it under the chapter or the section for recreation because they
currently operate under the recreation umbrella. So it just make more sense you know just logically when we go looking for it you know when you start looking where's this board where's that you know committee as we're doing it through the entire code is eventually there'll be other ordinances as well as we're trying
to work through uh we're trying to make it more more sense. So since it's operates under the recreation umbrella, we put it under the recreation section, but it's its own ordinance, its own section in there where it establishes its own uh powers or duties, meetings. It has its own governments in there.
It's just located under the umbrella of the recreation uh advisory board. So it's under section 262.7, but that's its own ordinance. That's its own section that will now govern the establishment and and memorialize what has already been operating as the
cultural advisory council. >> I said council >> cultural arts is autonomous. They are not other than paperwork and administrative. You're not the cultural arts will not be answerable, you know,
to the rec. You don't have to attend recreation meetings. If you'd like to, you can. You are an autonomous board though. And there was one thing in here. Uh it it I couldn't find it. They had to show me how to that website confuses me.
But then again, most websites do. Uh section 265. Uh I remember discussing this because we they have the members that are currently sitting on there have met with all of the council people. I'm sorry I moved away from the mic. All of the council people to discuss their
concerns. Um, and this is I I was concerned when when I came in here tonight and I was going to be No, matter of fact, Nicole asked me was met all of my requirements and I said, "No, it is autonomous. It is included in this because your mission statement is to
work with the public for recreation, whether it's cultural things or arts or bringing the young people, I wish I was, but I'm not anymore. the young adults and the uh slightly older teens in to to
things. But you are autonomous and I I just wanted the this group of people has worked harder than you know than anybody I've known and they're very much into it. But now you will have you're underneath here strictly because your
activities are recreational. But you are autonomous. You still have to like anybody else. Oh, I I started talking about two-65. You I remember talking to you about um having bylaws and setting your own
quorum numbers, which you can do unless the town or the state has certain requirements. 2.65 is part of our revised general ordinances. been in effect since before I got involved and I've been involved since the late 80s
that says that you must have a quorum of I believe it's 50% plus one. So, and you know you sometimes you know what happens and you don't have a quorum whether it's illness or whatever but you know you're you to have
a meeting where you take any votes you must it's not illegal for you to meet and have minutes but it is not it won't be legal if you take any votes in that meeting that you don't have the quorum. So, I wanted to know exactly what was said in that. Joe found it for me and I
read it and I am happy that this is going to be your baby and you're going to work with it and there's just some paperwork and stuff as far as when you want to plan something, you know, there's paperwork as far as if if you
want to sign a contract with somebody that has to go through legal review like every contract in the town because we're not attorneys, you know, so they get paid a lot of money to do that. But I just wanted you to know I I I really checked into this and I asked Joe to
explain it because after he explained it to me, I felt comfortable with going saying yes on this. >> Mike, any comments? >> Yep. So now that this ordinance is structured in order for this commission
to run legally and efficiently, you know, I'm proud to push this ordinance now and introduce it. So, mayor >> make a motion. >> I move the ordinance to be approved on
first reading advertised according to law and a public hearing to be held on February 9th of this year. >> February 9th. >> Yes. >> This one. >> Okay. Is there a second?
>> Second. Second. >> Roll call. >> Council persons Kesi. >> Yes. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> Novak, >> yes. Rios. >> So before I vote, I just want to say that I I I did do some research uh with
our neighboring towns and burrows and almost all of them have a uh cultural arts as a standalone committee. Um and I think that's the the right direction to uh go with cultural arts.
Um but I'm open. And I'm happy that we're talking about cultural arts because I'm very uh happy with the job that Sharon and Greg and Chris are doing. Um so I'm happy that we're talking about it, but I I I think the
right direction will be a standalone committee. So my vote is no. >> Yes. Zowski >> comment uh and not to belabor the point but I do want to thank uh the members of the cultural arts committee that are here this evening uh two of which but all nine uh perspective members were all
participating in this discussion and it did uh take u over several times and iterations to get it. Um and I'm um quite happy that it's got to this point because at the end of the day we just want to see you get to work at the wonderful events that you've been doing.
So, yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. At this time, I'm going to open the public portion for questions and comments on the consent agenda. Other questions or comments? Jim >> Robinson Carlin I have some questions and
>> as a courtesy and do not take my time [clears throat] put the questions on paper so that the administrator will have noticed in the past he's a little selective when when he answers questions
Um, first one is this. Please explain the two resolutions concerning Bailey Park and Green Acres. I think it's 37 and 38, including the grant amount and the match. And I'm very supportive of this inclusive playground, but my
question is, will it cost a million or $750,000? It wasn't clear to me from reading. So, I'd appreciate if you would um explain those two resolutions for my benefit and the benefit of the public. I think it's good thing that we're doing. I just think I'd like to know more about
it. >> We're transferring money to the animal control account. >> Wait, wait a minute. We're going to answer your questions. >> No, I'm When I'm done going to answer your questions. >> No, I don't want him to take my time out of this. >> We're not secret we're not secretary money to the animal control account.
>> Has our animal control. >> All right. Go ahead, Glenn, and answer the questions. >> We're answering your questions. >> We're answering your We're not secretaries to you. >> Stop the clock. >> Go ahead. >> While we're answering, >> go ahead. >> The resolutions for Bailey Park and
Green Acres are specifically to accept the grant that we were awarded back in the fall. There's a match on I believe it's the playground one for $250,000, which is in the budget. >> Okay. All right. I'm going to
ask later, what happened to our um animal control contract? Why don't we have it? But my next question is the emergency resolution on the elevator. I'm glad we're doing this. The mayor gave sort of a his version of of of why we couldn't do it earlier, but it's been
out for 10 months. During that 10 10 months, some of us had to help people up and down the steps for council meetings. Mayor, I'm very sorry what happened to you on the first where you had to be carried up. Two people I know stopped attending meetings because the elevator was out. You didn't allow Zoom participation from home while the
elevator was out. My question is this, and I'm glad we're doing this emergency resolution. I know it it's something that that the council people call asked for to be on the agenda if they had a meeting on the on the 12th, which you didn't allow. Whose responsibility was
it to get this elevator fixed? And why wasn't the emergency resolution that we're passing tonight requested 9 months ago or 10 months ago? It's been broken since March. And >> all right, go ahead, Glenn. >> We had a contracted elevator repair
company. We went into contract with them for a repair. Uh they became over time non-communicative. uh we did our best to re-engage with them and finally we were at our wits end with no progress. So we sought out and obtained another elevator
company that is able and willing to do the work and they'll be back here tomorrow to do the repair. >> And that took 10 months to do. >> Yeah, it did. >> That took 10 months. >> It did. >> And it's just coincidence that it happened to be the meeting after the mayor had his issue that we're finally
finally complying with the ADA law. But we're complying with the ADA law because we have a remote we we're complying with ADA because we made an accommodation to get that fixed. >> Gwen is answering your question. >> We're complying with the ADA law because we have the secondary site at the rec center where people that have mobility
issues can go and simal cast and have their questions. >> How about people that want to come into the burough hall? They can call and we'll come down and meet them. >> There's no phone down there. What if you show up and you don't know the elevator's not working? You get to the front door.
Well, >> Jim, I don't know what magic you expect us to do. We did we, as it was explained earlier, >> what they're doing tonight should have been done nine months ago. >> Couldn't be done nine months ago. We had a contracted service >> and we did issue an emergency resolution back in July. >> If they weren't performing, if they
weren't performing, you could go around that and you could do the emergency contract. >> Okay, Glenn. You know, I checked into this stuff. You know, I've called DCA. You know, I know what I'm talking. You could have done this nine months ago. Public purpose is served. >> 48 seconds, Jim.
>> By having things accessible, >> and that overrides the contract you had with somebody that's not performing. Now, why don't we have an animal control contract right now? When did it expire? And when did we know it was expiring?
And when did we start to negotiate with them? it ex it's expired at the end of 2025. We engaged with them. I believe it was as early as October at which point they informed us that it was going to be a 25% increase in our annual expense
which was not something we felt could be budgetarily absorbed. So an RFP was issued which is due back on February 11th at which time the the mayor and council will select the next provider. >> So you knew that in October. When was the RFP issued? >> Okay. >> Three weeks ago.
three weeks ago, >> I believe. Yeah, in that area. >> October. >> Well, no, because we were No, because we were engaged in negotiations back and forth. >> Thank you, Jim. >> Now, >> is there anyone else? Hey, Chris. Mon,
>> good evening. Chris Kunio, Cultural Arts. Um, very happy about the ordinance that we've gotten this far and we're going forward. Um, that being said, uh, both Sharon and myself, uh, would like to ask the question, will we have our own budget for the cultural arts? Will
we have a separate budget? >> Ask the budget question. Cultural arts have >> Glenn, will we have a separate budget with >> just like you did last year, there'll be a separate line item for cultural arts. >> Okay. Is that good?
>> Thank you. Thank you very much for your work, >> Mayor. Mayor B. Well, >> thank you. Uh, any other questions or comments, >> Val? >> What? >> We have to stick to the resolution record again. Uh, >> yeah. Val, are are these the resolutions
that you're dealing with? >> Oh, no. These are I thought it's on the end. >> Wait for the open public. >> Oh, that's okay. Yeah. >> Are there any other questions or comments on the consent agenda? There being no other questions or comments, I'll entertain a motion. Council
President >> uh move that public hearing close on the consent agenda resolution to approve call. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council person Zabowski. >> Yes. >> Mayor.
>> Uh yes, except for 2642. Again, it's the same issue I'm having that I had with U 326. I don't I I have no idea what what this is. >> Are you abstaining or or no?
>> Abstaining. >> Okay, >> Lacy. >> Yes. >> No. Um um yes, except for 42 only because I I I don't know whether I'm for it or against it, but I I couldn't read
this on my phone and uh I only got the hard copy tonight, so I'm abstaining on Do I need the Huh? >> Okay. Well, I don't know enough about this to to vote on it right now. Thank you. Just as a reminder though, this was
something um that was already uh authorized by this council for the planning board to do the study. The planning board did the study and now came back with its recommendation to declare these properties as needed. This is not something new to the council. The council has already um authorized the planning board to do the study that it
would be ruling upon in this resolution 42. >> This council? >> Yes. Well, >> yeah, >> this council. I mean, yeah, there's no not you as a new council member, but this council as a body. >> Okay. Gotcha. Thank you. >> Yes, >> Rios.
>> Yes, >> me too. >> You went first. >> So long. [laughter] >> I'm like, wait. >> Uh motion to accept the correspondence. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Roll call. Oh, good. >> Council persons Novak. >> Yes. Blair, >> yes. >> Kesi, >> yes. >> Rios, >> yes. >> Dinarski, >> yes. >> Zowski, >> yes.
>> Go ahead. >> Council reports. >> Okay. >> Councilwoman Novak. >> Right. I'm sorry. Administration and finance. Councilwoman Novak. >> Well, this is the first meeting that I'm back in charge of finance. Um we haven't
really done a lot on the budget yet. Um uh hopefully we're going to move fast. I would like to have uh more public meetings particularly uh on the capital. Um hopefully uh state law says that we have to
introduce to the closest meeting to March 24th and I'm really going to push that we get that done then and it'll be progress. Mayor Anything else, Mary? >> No, I said progress. >> Okay, thank you. Uh, public safety
Councilman Blmore. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, January 2026 has been a particularly particularly active month for public safety within the Bor of Saveville. Uh, the month
began with an unfortunate homicide incident which has since resulted in an arrest. Approximately one week later, officers responded to an armed robbery at the Delta gas station on Main Street. Two suspects have been currently are
currently being sought in connection with that incident and SPD still asking for requesting for the public assistance with any video or additional information related to this in investigation.
More recently, a concerned citizen question our police captain regarding autothefts in the bar. Uh he was told that we have a total of three auto autothefts year to date. Uh um autotheft
activity in around tends to fluctuate throughout the year and residents are urged to take simple important pre uh preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft. For instance, you know, I know it's simple, but locking your doors and moving
removing the key fobs from your car. Also, we know it's cold this time of year. Residents should refrain from leaving their motor vehicles running and as we have experienced an uptick in theft occurring in this manner in the
past. During this period, a residential burglary also rep was also reported which ultimately led to the theft of two high-end motor vehicles. This would bring our year to date of autothefts up to five. Looking ahead,
SPD is actively working on their 2026 operating budget requests as well as capital improvement submissions. I'm pleased to report that Vincent O'Donnell, Parker McCall, and Camille
Katchuk graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy on January 11, 2026. They are currently um actively participating in a field training officer program for the next 12
weeks. Additionally, Brendan Alicia and Blake Bushaw began the police academy on January 26, 2020 2026 and are anticipated to return to the department upon graduation in June. Unfortunately,
Joseph Smith suffered an injury and will have to attend the police academy in August of this year. So, as of this report, we have two officers currently enrolled in the police academy. The year began with a moderate amount of
snow and the fire department is committed to ensuring the safety of the residents along with the safety of our firemen. These past few these past few uh snowstorms all firehouses had been mained uh men during uh weather events
with crews for any emergency and assistance to the b working hand inand with PD OM and first aid. The Morgan firehouse had a water issue which has been handled by installing an automatic
sump pump on one side of the firehouse. the other side. For the other side, we are still waiting on the bore engineer to work on a solution and uh they did have a street water shut off replaced last week in front of the firehouse.
The fire department has only one request for the residents. with the amount of snow that has fallen, we are asking that if your if your property has a fire hydrant on it to clear to clear that area in order uh um so that this will
save time, vital time for the fire crews to suppress a fire. Our first aid squads have been invaluable to the residents of this town and are looking to work towards improved communication and coordination moving forward. This will
include regular check in check-ins, shared updates, and increased collaborations to ensure resources, staffing, and information are aligned when responding to community needs, as well as addressing the ongoing challenge
of volunteer equipment and retention and coordinations and coordinating solutions to improve facilities, especially moving forward with plans to resolve the HVAC issues. at the Saveville facility
during snow emergency. The off the office of emergency management OEM plays a critical role in accordance in coordinating this the overall response to ensure the safety of our community. OEM works closely with police, fire,
first aid squads and other first responders to manage operations before, during, and after severe winter weather events. This coordination includes planning, communication, resource deployment, and real-time updates to ensure all public safety agencies are
aligned and able to respond quickly to emergency. This collaborative effort, which include the road department and public and public works, have been essential to keeping our road safe, responding to emergencies, and protecting the
well-being of our community throughout winter storms. Thank you public safety for all you do. >> Thank you, Councilman. Uh, Councilman Rios, please. Public works. >> Good evening, Council President, mayor,
and members members of the council. Um, Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining 643 streets throughout the burrow along with 27 municipal buildings and parking lots as well as approximately 15 parks and their
associated parking areas. All of these locations must be clear and made safe following every storm. During the most recent snow event, which brought approximately 12 inches of snow, we had a total of 66 public work employees
report for duty with ample equipment and vehicles available. Our crews worked tirelessly to ensure our streets, facilities, and public areas were safely clear in a timely manner. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the men and women of the
Department of Public Works. They spend long hours away from their families working through difficult conditions to make sure our residents could travel safely. Their dedication and professionalism do not go unnoticed. And I am extremely proud of the work
they do. I would also like to thank the Seville Fire Department for their assistance during this storm. They provided four plow trucks which help keep critical areas open and ensure access in the event of an emergency. Additionally, our office of emergency
management remained open throughout the storm, monitoring conditions and keeping us informed as the storm progressed. OEM also coordinated with one of our local businesses to provide hot meals to our crews. A special thank you to Buch
and Amanda from Rosonis as well as their employees for the generosity and support of our workers. I would also like to thank our residents for their cooperation. We are grateful to those who parked their vehicles away from our from main
roadways, remove items such as basketball hoops and other obstructions from the streets, and help keep our roadways clear. We also appreciate residents who kept their pets safely indoors and checked in on neighbors during the storm.
Looking ahead, we are monitoring another weather system expected this coming weekend. Early reports indicate the potential uh the potential for a noraster that may bring a few inches of snow. At this time, I would like to remind residents to remain calm and
allow our crews to do their jobs safely and efficiently. We ask the residents once again remove any unnecessary items from the streets, park vehicles away from main roads when possible, assist neighbors who may need
help, keep pets indoors and warm, and limit travel during the storm. Most importantly, stay inside when you can, stay safe, and take the opportunity to enjoy some family time. The Department of Public Works is prepared and ready to respond as
conditions require and we will continue to work closely with OEM and other departments to keep Serville safe. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Recreation. Councilman Klesy, >> Mayor, may I just I just I I talking
about public works and the storms. I just go to any of our neighboring towns and you'll see just how great Seville is. And it was next to impossible to get salt this year. You had to constantly
uh badger the people and we were very fortunate enough and they were very uh they divvied it up so that we we our roads are great. I I really can't say enough about uh the public works people
get and and again it's all hands on on deck as water department was out there plowing. Everybody was out there plowing. So I mean it really was a and I just hope we don't get any more snow. My rosaries obviously didn't work with this one.
>> That's it. Mary, thank you. Uh water and sewer envir environmental. [clears throat] Oh I'm sorry Mike. Go ahead. Mary gave you a report. >> So I just want to start my report with the uh office of the aging at our active
adult senior center. We had a variety of events this month. Um they hosted a wills and estate planning seminar. It was provided by Ken Vam and Esquire. They discussed where the dangers of not
having a will or invalid documents getting your estate planning documents done when you can't get into a law office. What goes into a will, the power of attorney recommendations, a living will, and advanced directive for medical
care. They also had a trivia and hot cocoa um day that was hosted by home care watchgivers. They had uh a blood pressure and blood sugar screening provided by St. Peters University
Hospital. >> [sighs] >> Um they also provided um a fall prevention repairs in the home for seniors through a grant offered by Middle Sex County. This grant um is
usually granted to the burrow uh every year and even though it's not concluded yet this year, they do have a waiting list in the event that they do receive the grant in the future. So, this grant
actually um gives you the steps and the handrails for your shower and all to keep you safe going in and out of your bathrooms. So, um then uh the office has compiled a list of local residents
willing to provide snow removal services for a negotiated fee. This is for our seniors. If anyone needs names for snow removal, they can contact the office of the aging and receive that list.
Um, and I don't have their info printed, but um, it is on the website >> 732390758. >> There you go. Thank you. Thanks for the help.
So, um on February 5th, um they will have a lifeline screening hosting affordable non-invasive health screening from 9 to 4 and appointments can be made directly with
lifeline screening by calling 1 800 64-6307. Now, on to recreation. >> [clears throat] >> Recreation is looking forward to another great year of full events, activities, and programs as we gather as a
community. So, while we'll have our regular community favorite events, we're also excited to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with new and expanded events.
These include burying a time capsule in the spring. All the different American flags that were flown throughout our country's history is going to be lining Main Street in the spring and summer.
And a reading of the Declaration of Independence and of course our Independence Day celebration fireworks. It's going to be bigger and better than ever. So that event will be on June 27th at Kennedy Park.
Uh so be sure to stay tuned for more details on our 250th anniversary details. So uh they do so at Wreck
um what is their website? Sarahville.com um they have all their events listed. Uh the upcoming events right now, February 20th, is the LED indoor mini golf. That's going to be at the active adult
center. 5:30 to 7:30. Pre-registration is required. Like I said, sarville.com you can register. They're also having a murder mystery night, which seems interesting. That's going to be February
17th. The price for that is $30. It includes pizza and drinks. Um then, okay, uh what do we have? We have February 3rd to 6, they're going to host volleyball.
All the information is on the site. There's volleyball, bad mitten, February 17th through the 20th. field hockey. That's going to be February 23rd to 26. They're going to have basketball part
two, March 2nd to the 5th. They also have pinball. That sounds interesting. That's going to be March 23rd to the 26. In addition to their murder mystery nights, too, they they lined up a
country line dancing February 14th. That's free for everyone. So yeah, Valentine's Day, it's a good night out, good date night. So, um, all the details will be on the site. Canvas printing, they're going to
have, uh, painting, canvas painting February 24th. That's a $30 fee. And then there's Lego robotics. I mean really youth cooking classes,
a babysitter's first aid training. They just had that. So that's that was on the 25th. So here's to a full year of events and activities. And in case you can't get on
the rec site and figure out what's going on, what day, just ask me. My phone number is listed on the burrow website. call me up and I'll give you all the details about everything. That's my report. Back to you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman Water, Sewer,
Environmental. Councilman Sinarski. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just like to add a couple things to public works. Uh the Burough Savel has an excellent program for plowing streets and everything else, but there's a procedure that has to be followed for them to do that. First they make passes through every road in town
just to make the roads acceptable for fire ambulances and things like that. Then they come by and make secondary passes to widen the roads out. They cannot widen the roads out in the burrow of cereal because there are too many cars parked on the side. When I was
growing up in this town, the burrow put orange signs up on telephone poles throughout the town. No parking when road is slope covered. We ticketed back then. I want the tickets put out again. The warnings don't seem to work. If you ride down even the street that I live at
now, there's school buses and cars coming down the street at the same time because the cars were not moved. Cars can't go by. This we have to address this. This is a significant snow. This is not a ma major major storm, but it was a very significant snow. A minor
snow. It's not a problem. But today's snow, there's still p snow piled up where the buses and the cars are coming down. The kids can't walk. It's a It's an accident waiting to happen. I want to move forward and we do something about this next for the next time. >> Okay. >> Hey Sash, I I just checked that's on the
books already. We It's just a question of enforcement. >> We We got to We got to We have to do something else. South River towed cars this snow. There was no cars on Main Street in South River because they were all towed away. >> I've talked to some other mayors and and they did the same. It >> It's It's definitely a problem, but I'd
like to work with it a little tighter. One of the things we what what Mary I I can remember 15 20 years ago we used to tell people and I was one of the people uh my kids had reached teenage years and I had uh too many cars for a one one car
driveway and we parked it in the high school parking lot if I remember right uh and we left it there for the duration of the storm. Um so uh Hervey if you would uh work talk to
the chief about it about re we don't need to pass anything here. It's an enforcement issue. We're not looking to hurt people but what we look for is compliance and consideration. >> Our street the first few cars we parked all our cars whether it was up on the
grass. We doubled up on the driveways. We did whatever we had to do to make the corner accessible for the buses to come around and everything else. >> We also when the kids were home, Sash, I used to park up on the on the sideyard. >> Yes. Yes. And there's another thing beside all the snow plows and everything else, we forgot. We got to commend all
the mechanics and welders in the burrow that repair all of these trucks and keep them running for when an incident like this happens. The guys when an accident happens on the road and the plow get plow gets knocked off broken off they have to go with a backhoe and another truck and they put the plow in the back of the truck bring it to the garage do
the repairs 24 hours a day there that's the other group that we can't forget about in the town on public works the mechanics that work in the garage to keep all these vehicles running all go back to my water and sewer cereal had an average 152 million gallons of water was
used out of duhal water system that was used in the burrow we are definitely still in a drought situation. Please try to conserve water. There's no rain. There's a lot of snow, but it's not going to melt for a long time to filter back into the ground. So, try to conceive conserve water. There's nothing
new in the community garden. It's covered with snow. But, I'm looking forward to a good year now. We have a lot more plots. We're going to try to keep that running well as possible. The environmental, there's a meeting coming up next month, which I'll go I'll know more about environmental next month. But that's all I have for the mayor. Thank
you. Thank Thank you, Sash. Uh, planning and zoning Council President Zabrowski. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, just a few things I do. Oh, first of all, thank you everybody that came out tonight. It's much frigid weather. We really appreciate you being here uh and taking
uh taking the opportunity to to spend this evening with us and learn a little bit more about what's going on. So, thank you and get home safe. Uh, I do want to thank also the burrow workers and uh and staff uh for really a yman's job. Uh, I guess this was the 10-year
snowstorm last time 2016 before that 96. Um, just a really nice job by everybody, particularly uh those that are away from their house, right? Because if the burough workers are cleaning the roads, that means they're not doing their own stuff at their own house. They're
they're out cleaning the roads for the rest of the residents. We appreciate that. our first aid, our fire, and our police officers. They're out there do as well during the storms and and their families as a result have to do uh do the hard work. So, we appreciate that.
And I I do want to say one thing is and um and and that is I appreciate the patience that I've I've encountered with a lot of our residents over this snowstorm. You know, I I know we talk about roads that maybe you need to move cars and all this other stuff, but by
and large, what I saw was a great cooperative effort by our residents, many who just volunteered to go next door and shovel for a neighbor who could else couldn't else do it or move a car that um some or get it unstuck from another neighbor. So, um we have some
really good people in this town and I just I just I want to thank them for that patience during this time. Uh over the last month in January uh we all attended a very a number of events which were wonderful our town. One of which was the 80th uh anniversary of our VFW.
Uh if you were there uh you will have seen a VFW that was transformed into um a venue that I've never seen before. You know 38 years ago I was married in a VFW. It looked great. But I'm going to tell you uh for the 80th anniversary it
was spectacular. Um and it what a nice tribute for all the members of our service members uh in in the town for that. So thank you very much. Another award uh another award ceremony that we always attend uh and to me one of my favorite is the troop 97 Eagle Scouts
award. There were five uh the these young men had wonderful programs that they provided for the town. Uh excellent job and uh my kudos. Uh they're going to be future leaders in our town. Um, I feel bad. I was not able to attend the
50th anniversary of Ronnie Connors uh for being a member of a volunteer member of Seville Engine Company. 50 years. Uh, we have a few of those members already. Um, if you know the Connor's family, if you recall back in the first meeting of the year when I was talking about the
gaverns, well, the Connors I think are equally like that in that they the entire family is probably uh the most community oriented group that I that I can that I know. Uh, and I know them very well because they're my neighbors and Ronnie's been my neighbor for my
entire life. So, um, uh, Ron, congratulations. And I also feel bad my condolences as he as his mom had passed away uh this past week as well. So my condolences to the family. Um on a lighter note uh many of
us attended last night uh the post Christmas party from the cereble south Amboy Rotary and u mayor um uh they presented to us uh the 2025 service above service above service award. uh
and everyone everyone's name is on this and I'll present it to you. So this should go in our display case. But that was a wonderful event and we certainly appreciate that. >> Um on the planning side uh all three uh all three boards Sarah planning board
and board of adjustment have met. Uh they did their reorganizations. Planning board actually met a second time. Uh and during that meeting uh there was an application for a um quick lube and car wash which will which was approved and
will be going in intersection of Route 35 South and Carney Road. Uh I bring that up for two reasons. Number one, that's a vacant piece of property and it's good to see that the area is being developed. And the second is, and maybe this is a question for Jay, um, Carney
Road, there were residents that were there that were complaining, and I did see the photos of drainage and flooding issues, uh, during actually looks like mild rain, not just rainstorms. It appears that there's a sewer rate that
is too high. It's not road level anymore. And I I think water can't drain. I don't know if you're aware of that or if that's something needs to be addressed. >> Take a look, >> but if you could because the residents were there uh and the photos are compelling. >> Um and I apologize. This is my last uh
my last uh issue or question. Um and again, this may be to Jay. Um we had a pretty bad accident at Winding Woods Drive, Bordontown Avenue, Winding Woods Drive over the last month. It's not the first time. Um there there's
5,000 residents that live in Winding Woods without a traffic light. I'm sure we've looked into it. Uh but maybe this is the time to re-examine whether a traffic uh traffic light could be erected in that uh at that intersection.
I know that there's probably a lot of encroachments and encumberments and you're dealing with the county as well as uh probably needing a traffic report from our police department, but it's probably due time. >> You're actually it's also private roadway. So, it's private roadways for
Winding Woods and a county roadway. Uh you may want to petition the county to request that a study be done. I think that's initially how because it's really their jurisdiction. So to do that, I don't know if anybody else is feels the same, but I' I'd like to move forward with that.
>> Yeah. >> You know, 10% of our school children come from Winding Woods, and for their sake, uh we we should we should address this issue. >> Thank you, Mayor. And thank you, council. And um that's my report.
>> Thank you, Council President. uh for myself um I've been sitting up here for decades and our employ our staff uh is exemplary uh whether it's in the clerk's office uh
it's George Gavvern and his guys in DPW chief plumacher with the police the and and all of our employees they they live here they work here they have great pride in their work and they take an
honest interest in it. And as the council president was talking about, he was viewing um neighbor helping neighbor. We have a really great group of employees working for the burrow. As I've said before, we're in the service
business. That is the business we're in. Uh it's not a complicated business. You just do your best to give good service. So that being said, everyone in the burrow with a special emphasis on DPW and and the first responders, job well
done. Well done. You make us proud. Whether it's it's a heavy snowstorm, a blizzard, a hurricane, you're truly truly remarkable people. And as the mayor uh of some tenure, I I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
That being said, we will go to the BA. >> Excuse me, mayor. I got one more question for Jay. If we can get if I can ask Jay a question. Go ahead. >> I've had some resident concerns on Cross Avenue. They want to know when the completion of the road is. Camda is, you know, saying that his business is really
going down because people can't even have access to this road. And the same thing with Cross Verie if we can meet with them or something or or engineering can meet with them to tell them what we're going to do with the road because nobody knows anything now at this point. because of the weather. That's why it hasn't been completed. The developer was
set to come in and try to do a temporary opening, but that hasn't happened because of recent. >> If you could just have somebody stop over there from your side just to tell them what what the progress is and when things are going to be happening. All right. Thank you. I'm sorry to interrupt. >> Just so you know, on the next agenda, there'll be a resolution uh regarding
Cross Avenue in terms of us uh how it's going to align with the state highway, and it's going to require the approval of the council. So, we could forward that to do. Okay, Glenn, if you would. >> Number 10, general discuss. Uh, >> I'm sorry. General discussion. >> Authorization for the tax collector to
refund taxes and cancel all subsequently bill taxes due to 100% disabled veteran tax exemption for 41 Kia Road in the amount of $1,733.7. 34 Willow Street in the amount of $2,747.13.
48 Meridav in the amount of $5,7851 to Nottingham Drive in the amount of $2,829.70 and 65 Laurel Street in the amount of $4,3434. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to award a non-fair and
open contract for communication services to Jaffy Communications of Cranford um in the amount not to exceed 40,000. >> Any objections? Next item. Go ahead. >> IT person. >> I want to know what it is that we're
paying $40,000 for social media consulting services to do. >> They produce and manage all of our outgoing social media. That's uh not so much Facebook, but uh Instagram and things that we do on the website. They
also handle the weekly mayor's message that goes out. They compile all of that. They're also responsible for uh handling press inquiries and dealings with the press. >> Okay. So, they they're the ones will handle our website, too. >> No, no, the website is a different vendor that we're getting ready to
switch and that'll be coming up shortly and we'll be having a discussion about that. >> Yeah, cuz that was Okay. >> Okay. Um, next item. >> I just I'm not in this favor.
Mrs. know that >> I this is excessive like 40 40,000 for the social media consultant. This is more than the culture arts uh budget >> more than what >> more than what culture arts is budgeted
>> for for for Facebook posts. I everybody agrees with this >> 40 grand. >> Well, culturalized people are usually very creative. So maybe >> why not give it to them? >> That's a good idea.
>> I'm just saying based on based on what I see in terms of our site of uh it there's nothing um impressive about that will cost 40 grand. But >> okay, you should talk to them. Um they do the city of New Brunswick, they do
Woodbridge, they do a fair amount of work throughout the state. It's a it's a large company as as far as this kind of company goes. Um, so that being said, I would recommend that you call him up and say, you know,
explain to me what, you know, what is it you do for the burrow? Um, >> I mean, I follow we had nothing. >> Mhm. >> So now we're a a town of the size we are, 45,000 people, and it's all about
this is a service business. The last thing you want is a vacuum, and they try to fill the vacuum. >> No. No, Mr. Mayor, I understand that. I just said we I'm just saying that they could do better then we could get better service than what we're getting now based on what I'm saying. >> Okay.
>> I'm not saying not to offer >> I would recommend you you call Mayor Cahill of New Brunswick, Mayor McCormick of Edis of Woodbridge. Ask them ask them how they feel about it. >> Okay? >> Ask them if they're satisfied. >> My my [clears throat] problem I said it
last year, I'll say it again. A lot of their postings are generic in nature and they're charging every one of these towns to do it. They're producing it once and every town's getting a lot of the generic messaging. >> Okay. Uh next
>> I just don't see any value on it. Um I think that we're overpaying. That's that's a lot of money. >> Okay. >> $40,000. >> Yep. the last the last administration had a person here on staff for I think I think it was 40,000 and she was like the
communication officer >> um 2000 >> well then then explains a lot more than that >> was more than that >> month and then there was other things thrown in there like the website and stuff >> okay >> she helped design the website yeah well
terrible I can't >> okay we we take take a look ask around like I said call New Brunswick. >> But is this something be open to have somebody from internally like maybe take care of and cut that cost? >> You can do a lot of things,
>> right? I'm just suggesting that >> let's see let's see how the vote goes tonight. It's always you got >> a lot more meetings, Alberto, to to work on this. >> Okay. That that's just it just jumped at me, you know. >> Yep.
Okay. Next item. Authorization to accept and adopt the Central Jersey Joint Insurance Funds 2026 safety incentive program. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to affirm the bureau's civil rights policy as required by CGIF for the safety incentive program.
>> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to purchase office furniture for the finance office from Paramount Facility Management Solutions through NJ State Contract um in the amount not to exceed $32,8627. Any objection? Next item.
>> I'm sorry. I just want to go back just one to the civil rights policy. I mean, I was around when that was developed, so I know it, but maybe you could make sure that the Dun council people get a copy of it before we have to vote on it at the next. >> I'll make a note to have Meadow. She they uh she's in charge of GIF. So,
>> I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Not a problem. >> Next item. Authorization to purchase carpet for the fine office from finance office from LBJ Interior Solutions through ESCJ contract in an amount not to exceed uh $30,436.35.
>> Any objections? Next item. >> Authorization to award a contract for a grant writing consultant to BRS, Inc. of Medford Lakes in an amount not to exceed 50,000. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Discussion on amendment to record towing fees. >> Glenn, >> I'm sorry, mayor. I was
>> the record. the recorder phase. >> I'm sorry. So, we some time ago we got correspondence from the Seville towing association, record association. They did an analysis of our current uh rate structure that they're allowed to charge for doing towing as a licensed entity in
the municipality. Uh they've proposed that we uh increase those fees on their behalf. It would require amending the current ordinance and we're looking for permission to cobble something together so we could have that in front of you and introduced at the next meeting. Any questions?
>> I read I read and looked into that and I had my own towing back in the day. Now it's million-dollar insurance. The trucks cost $150,000. I don't see any problem with raising the rates of several towing to be competitive with the other towns local to us. >> John, >> no. The only comment I was going to make
is we did request a comparison of local towns that were contiguous to us to see what their fees were and in fact the some of the fees that they're suggesting are actually lower in some cases. So they're much in line with what what the other towns are doing right now. >> Definitely.
>> Okay. Alberto >> Mike Mary. >> Okay. >> Authorization for the tax collector to cancel subsequently bill taxes due to 100% tax exemption for the exemption of land for several housing for seniors
corp. >> Uh any objection? Next item. Authorization for the burough cler clerk to advertise for the receipt of seal sealed bids for abandoned and unclaimed motor vehicles. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Request to travel received from Morgan
Hosen Chemical Company to attend New Jersey Volunteer Chief's meeting on February 8th in Homeell, June 4th in Manawan, October 11th in Caucus, and December 13th in Piscatoaway. >> Any objection? Next item. Authorization Authorization to purchase one Pierce
model saber pumper fire truck from fire and safety services in an amount not to exceed $1,9,00034.92. >> Any objection? >> Authorization to purchase extrication equipment from the for the fire department through a non-fair and open process from task fire of brick in
amount not to exceed $32,116. >> Any objection? Next item. authorization to purchase two 2025 Ford utility interceptor vehicles for the police department from Winter Ford through NJ State contract in an amount not to exceed $86,486.
>> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to purchase one 2026 Ford F250 pickup truck for the police department from Winter Ford through NJ State contract in amount not to exceed $62,584. >> Any objection? Next item. Authorization to purchase equipment for new police
vehicles from Elite Vehicle Solutions. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Coin toss receive for Washington and Ernston Roads from Seville Junior Bombers football and uh the cheer.
>> Any objection public works? >> Uh request received to have the skate park dedicated to and named for Troy Jenowski. Any objection? Next item. >> I just want to push this out a little
bit to try to recognize to see if we have anybody else to recognize for the skate park, which has been pretty uh uh for our community. It's it's u it's a big place. It's it's been uh welcoming
and everything else. There's a lot of people that worked on this, so I'd like to do it right. um if it's okay with the rest of the council um with your permission. >> Any comments? Any comments?
>> Just for clarifying, I think because I you didn't hear it, Jim. Uh Mike had asked that the um recipients of that um uh dedication be expanded to all those that were involved with the um creation
of the skate park to include uh Troy. >> Thank you. >> Any anybody else? >> I'm confused. So this is to name the park, correct? >> The skate park, >> right? To name the skate park. So it's
just one name, not a right. >> Troy Janowski. Yeah. >> Just passed away. >> I I I understand. So we we're This is to name the skate park after him, >> correct? >> Okay. >> Uh
>> confused. I don't really Why did you want to just have a list of all the people since the beginning. >> Can't hear you, Mike. So, I know Troy was instrumental in uh in the skate community helping the
children and all. This was a very successful um project. So, do we want to name it after one person or do we like to put a couple of people in the dedication of the skate park? So, that's that's all. I
just want to ask the council if they agree, they don't agree, but Troy was very nice. get back to the rec department and and uh ask their opinion and their input. >> That's all right. >> Yeah. Without offending anybody else, you know.
>> Okay. >> How many people are we talking about? >> I'm just asking cuz >> I don't know yet. I'm still doing >> I recall there were three people that really pushed for and managed that process. >> Okay.
>> Troy is the only one that has departed. the other two were still >> and I think I think this this is really to because he is departed uh we're just honoring him uh and I was
there I raised the money um for the for the skate park um and then we we let the it was Troy Janowski, Rich Robotti and there was a teacher from the middle school who coached Um, the kids play h
play uh roller skate hockey and and they they just did a magnificent job. At the time that it was built, it was voted uh in that in the skate skate park world as the best skate park. It was a 10,000
square foot skate park. >> It was a concrete >> and it was voted the best, but they all all took a very great public interest in it. So I think this is being done uh postumously
because Troy was one hell of a man. Um and they all were that were involved in it. But it was like when when we when you did the US recreation field there there were a lot of people in it. The Buchanan waterfront park there there
were a lot of people in a lot of years that had a lot to do with that. Sometimes you just can't fit it all on a plaque. >> That's why I was asking how many people and also that park is the most popular event in the park. >> Beg your pardon?
>> The most popular event that because it's always full there. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. When when we first uh when that was first built, I had mothers stop me in Shopright and say, you know, that's that this is the greatest thing. Their kids played on there till they
collapsed. you know, their legs turned to rubber. It It's really been a very popular um very popular in the bar. >> Pickle ball, too. >> That's probably more >> Well, that's more for older people. >> Yeah. No, but the kids the kids after after a while they play that, too. Cuz
I've been there. I've been watching. >> Well, you got five kids, so >> Yeah. Well, >> you got in in the League of Municipalities. They did a big What's that? >> We were in the League of Municipalities. They did a big story when we did our kids skate park. Yeah. Yeah. Uh but
again, the three big the three uh people that really were the point people were Troy, uh Robelotti, and I'm sorry, I can't remember the middle school teachers name, but uh they they
did a fabulous job. A fabulous job. So, Mike, if you would bring it bring it back to recreation because it does fall under recreation and get their input. We'll do >> maybe just have a plaque kind of instead of naming the park after him, dedicating
the park the way we did to Matt Winston for the Miller's Corner Park because he just he loved that park and always took care of it. So, we put a plaque update. So, you know what I'm saying? >> Let's see what recreation and see what they say.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Authorization to award a contract to GBC, Inc. of Milbourne, New Jersey to patch and paint the stairwells, handrails, and door frames at Burl Hall through Mit Ocean County Co-op in the amount not exceed $17,49345.
>> Any objection? >> Authorization to purchase rolloff containers through a non-fair and open process from Ka Hoken Steel Products, an amount not to exceed $17,910. >> Any objection? Authorization to purchase
one legacy series brine maker from Cliffside Body Corp of Fair View through Sourcewell contract in an amount not to exceed $30,285. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to purchase playground equipment for the major drive playground from MRC Game Time through ESCN
ESCJ contract in amount not to exceed $61,976.70. >> Any objection? Next item. Authorization to award a contract to the BMW construction for the milling, paving, and striping of the MacArthur Avenue lot across from St. Stands, Pickle Ball, Court Lot, and Connector Road behind
Burough Hall in amount not exceed $158,5. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to purchase one 2026 F600 Chasy 4x4 truck for the road department from Route 23 Auto Mall in an amount not
to exceed $88,755. >> Any objection? Next item, >> authorization to purchase brine tanks with valves and fittings from Reed Systems through the Bergen County Co-op and the amount not to exceed $38,93.95. >> Any objection? Next item.
>> Authorization for the QPA to advertise for the receipt of bids for HVAC and boiler equipment maintenance, repair, and replacement. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to scrap vehicles which are no longer needed for public use and are no longer of value to the burrow. >> Any objection? Next item.
uh discussion on human relation commission ordinance. >> What what is that? >> Uh we have a commission called human relations commission and um it's kind of it's kind of doing nothing because
there's been a lack of people volunteering to serve on it. I'm going to put you in charge of reviving it >> of nothing. >> Put Hervey's name by that. Hervey is going to bring it back. So we need to make the amendment to make it an odd number of members.
>> Yeah. >> For you know so there's no tie or anything. So that was the only change but but it really it really needs uh members and and they depending on who who the leader is. Um
they really do a great service for the burrow. >> Like I think next month they host black history month at the library. Yeah. >> At the library. Well, no. >> Not to low job pervey, but >> if you ask a question, >> I do the same thing with people that
come to the podium. If they have a passion, I put them in charge. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Authorization toward a contract to build a pole barn at the active adult center to Dutchman Contracting in amount
not to exceed $143,378. >> Any objection? Next item. system. >> What the back corner of the parking lot behind this museum, it's a pole barn to accommodate the seniors buses and keep them out of the way. And it's being funded through federal money through CD.
>> Next item, >> authorization to award a contract for lighting at the Serbo Little League field to Musco Sports Lighting uh through ESCJ contract in amount not to exceed $279,885. >> Any objection? Next item. Authorization to purchase one Peterbuilt dump truck
for the water department from Mid-Atlantic Waste Systems through Source Weld Contract in amount not to exceed $286,30. >> Any objection? >> Okay. Business administrators report. >> Authorization to promote Joe Cabara from laborer one to laborer 2 in public works
retroactive to July 1st. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to promote John Smith from laborer one to labor two in the public works department retroactive to November 1st. >> Any objection? Next item. >> Authorization to hire Andrew Foster as a full-time dispatcher in a police
department effective February 1st, 2026. >> Any objection. Would you do Danielle's report? >> I will, but first I I have one add-on, mayor, that uh isn't listed. Uh listening tonight with the microphone issues again and Mrs. Novak's comments a
couple meetings ago about how hard it is for all of you to carry on a conversation here on the Deis. I'd like permission to at least start exploring how we can reconfigure up here and get some updated audio equipment to make the meetings go a little bit more smoothly and we could present that as part of the
capital budget as we move into. >> Any objection? >> Okay. Would you do Daniel's? >> I will. Uh, we need a resolution for a budget transfer. >> Yes. >> Any objection? Next item. and authorization to release escrow for CNW
Infiniti LLC in the amount of $1,23. >> Any objection? Okay. Borrow >> I'm sorry. What is that? You have >> I think it has to do with leftover escros. That's left. >> It's a liquor store on Route 9 that went before the board and this is leftover escro fee. >> Borrow engineers report. Jay,
>> thank you, mayor. One item. The environmental remediation work at the Burough Hall annex is complete. Just looking for a resolution closing out that contract. >> Any objection? Burough attorney's report. >> Uh nothing is this in the evening. Thank you, mayor. >> Okay. Public portion. Uh any any
comments or questions, Jim? >> Yes. Thank you for inviting me to make comments or questions. Jim Robinson Parl. First, I want to congratulate everyone involved in managing the storm. Um as always, the employees and the volunteers did a great job. Um, you
know, people forget that the first aid squad folks, fire folks, they have to be there. Um, in case they're called out. Stash, uh, you are completely on point with what you said about parking. I know I got a call from somebody in my district about Jackson Avenue couldn't
be couldn't be plowed properly. Um, and especially if we get more snow over the weekend, which I hope we don't go get, that'll really be a problem. um because we haven't been able to uh to plow as well as the folks would like to because
of the cars that were there. Uh how many rolloff containers are we buying for $18,000 and what size are they? >> I don't I don't know. >> You don't know? >> But I don't
>> Okay. But I because I saw that on the agenda and I just thought well it ought to really be more clear. Um there not a lot of qu we went through this and the mayor says any objection there aren't a lot of questions raised about things and that that's not a big
one but but the the question that Alberto raised about can we describe things better. You know I happen to know the block and lot for Crossman Avenue that was on the agenda. I'm going to bet I'm the only one in this room who did know that. So, somebody looking wouldn't
know that. Um, so we really can do a better job in describing things. Um, Councilman Kawuchcci talked about the 250th anniversary. It's also the burrow's cesqua
centennial. And I haven't heard a lot about that. And when we had we talked about this at open space and um Nicole was what wasn't born then when we had our bicesentennial or the the town had its centennial but
we had a committee. It wasn't done by the recreation department although John McCormack headed it. We had a committee from the board of education from the historical society from a lot of groups. They had a book. They had a costume ball. They had a parade. They had a
fireworks display that was amazing. And I would very strongly suggest you want to get people involved. It's important to celebrate the country's birthday. It's important to celebrate the burrow's birthday. So I would suggest that we have a committee of folks um to focus on
on the burrow and its anniversary. Councilman Blumare, I want to thank you for your comments about the Sunshine Biscuit redevelopment and can a bus depot go there? I raised that a couple years ago uh before I knew you when handover came
in and I said to them, "What about a bus depot?" And they told me they didn't have enough space. Well, Joe, you indicated they're scaling back. They're down 140, 190, 150,000 ft.
These folks, I assume, are going to get a pilot. They're going to ask for a pilot, which is basically a favor. We're in litigation with the burrow over a bus depot. This wouldn't require I mean, part of the issue with the bus depot is $500,000 to take down trees.
This wouldn't require any trees to be taken down. And the mayor mentioned, I don't know if if legally all those tractor trailers are parked there. I'm not so sure about that part, but there are between 70 and 100 tractor trailers
that are certainly we could fit the buses there. So before this comes in comes back I would very strongly suggest especially if we're going to give them a pilot which is a favor which is a tax break and which means the school board which is now getting money from Sunshine
Biscuit or whatever that's called now New Jersey technology or whatever they're now getting money when there's a pilot they won't be getting money although there might be a a hold harmless there I'm not sure um but this would be a way to benefit the board of
education and save first of all end this ridiculous litigation and save a lot of money. So I would really suggest that you do that. Um I did want to ask about the $280,000
the lights at the at the ball field. Did that go before the planning board and did the burrow did the the neighbors have any opportunity to comment on that? Did traffic safety talk about it? because I know last time when they install lights at the park traffic safety had some concerns. Did is there
any public input into that? Um and did it go I it's required to go before the planning board under what is it Joe? Section 31 >> Jim. Thank you. >> Is it section 31 of the law the capital
>> go before the planning >> under certain circumstances 31? Right. >> Under certain circumstances. Yes. >> That should go before the planning board. so that there is a public hearing so the neighbors can come and comment so that they can see if this like I'm all
in favor for connectivity but we want to make sure that this is done in a way that accommodates both the players and the neighbors >> I know the folks at the mayor's neighbor side had some thank you Jim >> last time you're welcome mayor and one other >> Jim now your time is up thank you Jim
>> hey Jim turn it off >> on trucks >> oh it's off and things like that. >> Okay. >> Where is that? >> I'm going to ask you to sit down. You're you're being you're being rude to everybody else.
>> Jim, you you can talk incessantly as you proved with the last administration. >> Thank you, Jim. >> Does anybody know? >> Thank you, Jim. >> I will find out and let you know. >> Nobody know. Morgan. >> Very good. I'm very happy for the folks in Morgan. I'm very happy you're doing
that. Thank you for answering that question. That's that's what a public official should do. Mary, you should learn something. Go >> ahead. Is there anyone else? >> Bel, I got to tell you, when I was running when I was running for
reelection, people people came to me and they said, "Make them stop talking." Anyway, how can I help you, Val? Okay, just for the record, uh, Valentine Tart 20 27 York Shire Place Parland of course and for the record I I am a member of
the board of health the uh rent leveling and open space also. So I I'm very active in in town. I got a couple questions for uh uh what the one main question I got. I I I've been snowplowing for a private contractor and
I'm out there and I notice our burrow uh trucks uh I believe Washington and and Main Street are county roads. Am I correct with that? Why is our burrow uh vehicles salulting and plowing uh uh
county county roads when the county is doing same time? >> And who's paying for that? >> Right. Well, do you have a specific place where it was happening? >> All of Main Street and all of uh Washington Road because I I back and
forth doing doing different accounts that I had to do. I >> I can ask I I don't know. But our big Washington our big container units with salt. They're salting it and plowing uh those two roads and not much later three
county trucks are following up with their orange trucks and they're doing a plowing. >> We're going to have to look into that and get I have no idea, but we'll ask the >> DPW. I'm sure that's a lot of money and salt and stuff that we're we're we're spending there. All right. Uh one one other thing I I I want to compliment uh
Stash over there on uh exactly one of the problems we got with uh uh on street parking and uh and uh when the snow removal I I got a problem on uh Yorkshshire Place uh where uh I have a
resident that uh is a commercial um um yeah he's a contractor commercial contractor ctor and his daughter is is a got a commercial and they're running the commercial business on a residential
street and their vehicles are still parked there. Their trucks, there's five vehicles that are parked there, still covered with snow and have not been ticketed. Now, they were supposed to be ticketed for this this fe I got four
vehicles in my house, right? and my my my and I'm on the corner of Yorkshire and you can see the flag flying 247 there. But my my vehicle are on my lawn and my driveway and I got everything cleared, right? And my neighbors across
the street, I got them they they park and they park on the grass across and my other one they double up. So I got them orientated. But this one down the street from us, he's unbelievable. Uh it's that that you know and they're contractor's
vehicles. They're van big vans. And not only not only does have them on the street, he has uh three of them in his driveway. The same thing. And the the >> we'll have code >> it's cake [clears throat] instruction for the for the record. So that's it
there. Um all that uh I want to compliment the uh the uh road department and everything. They did a fantastic job with our streets. Uh I I plow I plow for a couple of ordinances in South Amway and Perth Amboy and we are are hands
down uh better than any of those towns. So thank you very much mayor. >> Thank you Val. >> Have a good night. >> Is there anyone else? Anyone else with a question or comment? If if No, I'll take a motion to close the public portion. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Take a motion for adjournment. >> So moved. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Thank you everyone.