WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=F0kIEOhDyVM

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: F0kIEOhDyVM):
- 00:00:47: Meeting Call to Order, Roll Call, Flag Salute
- 00:03:45: Proclamation Declaring Girl Scout Week in Somerville
- 00:07:15: Moment of Silence for Allan Bell, Approval of Minutes
- 00:08:47: Departmental Reports, Notices, and Committee Updates
- 00:14:13: Solar Project Presentation: Landfill Remediation and Community Benefits
- 00:27:08: Solar Project Presentation: Application Process and Project Details
- 00:32:50: Resolution Approving Solar Project, Site Clean Up
- 00:34:43: 2026 Budget Presentation: Overview of Revenues and Expenses
- 00:41:42: Tax Rate, Capital Budget, and Parking Budget Discussion
- 00:48:36: Motion to Introduce Municipal Budget and Snow Removal
- 00:59:58: Public Comments: Solar Support, Business Issues, Road Conditions


Part: 1

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This meeting is called to order in accordance. with the open public meetings law in accordance with chapter 231 of the public laws of 1975. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. This meeting of March 16th, 2026 was published in the Courier News

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and Star Ledger placed on the burrow's website and bulletin board at Burough Hall. A copy of this notice is available to the public and a copy of the statement shall be included in the minutes of this meeting. Mayor Brian Gallagher >> here. >> Council members Terresa Bonner >> here. >> Andrew Ki

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>> here. Glenn Deny here. Randy Pittz >> here. >> Gina Stravik >> here. >> Roger Verm >> here. All right. Um I'm going to ask everybody to stand because we are honored tonight to have with us the Girl Scout Cadet Troop 60726

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who will be presenting the colors. Attention. Girl Scout attention. I aliance 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

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justice for all. >> Good. You're in charge. So, it's always a pleasure to have uh to have Girl Scouts, fine young ladies here uh who joined an organization that uh will prepare you for the for your

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future. And we think that's wonderful. And we also thank uh your troop leaders and and parents who showed up tonight. We just think this is a wonderful thing. Um I have joining with me uh Councilwoman Terresa Bonner and Councilwoman Gina Stravik. Gina is a

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life member lifetime member of the uh of the Girl Scouts. Um and uh she is uh very particular when the Girl Scouts come and and so she's going to help. Actually, you know what, Gina? If you would read this, I think that's very appropriate. Thank you.

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>> Proclamation recognizing Girl Scout Week of March 8th to 14th, 2026. Whereas in 2026, Girl Scouts across the nation celebrate the theme making today better, reaffirming their commitment in positive action, environmental stewardship, community care, and the

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belief that girls have the power to change the world. And whereas in 1911 while following living in the United Kingdom, Juliet Gordon Loe met with the founder of scouting, Robert Baiton Pal. From this meeting, Low developed the idea to create the girls only

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organization that brings girls out of their homes to the great outdoors to serve their communities and provide a platform for them to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. Upon arriving in the United States, Lo began planning to start Girl Scouting. And

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whereas on March 12th, 1912, Lo gathered 18 girls and organized the first girl guide troop meeting in Savannah, Georgia. That officially led to the founding of the organization. Later that year, Lo tried to merge girl guides with girl campfire girls and the organization

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rejected her proposal because the campfire was the larger group. She made the same attempt with the Girl Scouts of America, but the founder, Claraara Leester Lane, believed Lo copied her organization and threatened her lawsuit. Girl Scouts of America eventually shut

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down as it lacked financial resources. And whereas, Girl Scouts continued to empower girls by fostering leadership, confidence, character, and community service while preparing them to make the world a better place. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Brian Gallagher,

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mayor of the Burough of Somerville, I, Gina, you want to read the last part? >> Along with the Burough Council, >> along with the Burough Council, uh, Somerset County, State of New Jersey, uh, together with the girl Burough Council, do hereby proclaim March 8th to 14th, 2026 is Girl Scout Week in the

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Burrow of Somerville and encourage all residents to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Girl Scouts and their leaders to our community. Um, as a longtime Girl Scout and volunteer, uh, I can testify on the the value of the program. Um, girls, this is only the beginning for you. Uh, as cadetses, I

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always say stick it out to the end, go right through to to high school. Um, and I challenge you to earn one of your government badges as well. Um, she you want to give that to the young lady there. I I also not sure about the AI in that proclamation. um because um we we

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do have a a justified uh legal entity is in Girl Scout County. But um but at any rate, um thank you for being here. Um and where girls grow strong, right? So and to all the leaders in in in the in the room. Uh the this work can't be done

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without you. So um so thank you. Um I spent 35 years as a leader. Uh so I know what goes into it. So um continue the good work. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Great job. If I could have every everybody stand

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for just one moment, I'd like to have a moment of silence. Um, we had a uh a longtime burough member pass recently. His name was Allan Bell. Um, longtime fire department member, longtime citizen of Somerville.

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Um, he was a high school state champion wrestler. He was a Navy veteran. Uh, he was a member of the West End Hose Company. Uh, he was 92, so he was a member for a long time. Um, he was a two-time Olympian cyclist uh, champion

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1956 and 1960. And he was also a gold medalist in track cycling at the Panama Games in 1959. uh and he was inducted into the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1994.

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So please, a moment of silence for one of Somerville. Thank you. And I'm sure Rich, you have some stories. >> Yeah. [laughter] Okay. Okay. Motion for approval of the minutes of March 2, 2026. >> So moved.

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>> Second. >> Discussion. >> Roll call. >> Council members. Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Kiy. >> Yes. >> Glen, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Vroom, >> yes. >> All right. Departmental reports and notices are as listed. I will run

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through them. uh effective on or around April 1, garbage bags of solid waste are no longer allowed to be placed on the curb for pickup without being placed in an appropriate garbage receptacle. Um number two is election district number three has been moved from Somerville

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High School on Davenport Street to West End Hose on 135 West High Street. Well, it's really no longer West End Hose. It's actually the Somerville Rescue Squad now. So, uh we'll make that change. Uh, election district number eight is moved from Lincoln Hose on

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Warren Street to the Somerville Civic Center right here, 24 Roberson Street. And, uh, believe it or not, the Memorial Day parade is coming around on May 25th. Um, and, uh, obviously we will have the parade, we'll have the bike races, uh, and all the ensuing fun that happens on

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on Memorial Day. Glenn, I'm sure we'll have more to share with that over the course of the next few weeks. Uh, committee reports. Andrew >> uh historic advisory committee meets next week here in this building. Uh I invite everybody who's interested to

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come. There are obviously a few historic buildings uh on up for discussion in town potentially for development. Uh it's worthy coming in to learn the history and joining your voice to the historic advisory committee if you have time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Gina. >> Uh tomorrow the board of health meets

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I'm sorry, Wednesday the board of health meets at uh Warren Street uh county office building. So all are welcome for 6 pm meeting. Um the rescue squad uh has responded to 76 calls uh to date for the month of March. Also I uh was able to join them yesterday for a nice breakfast

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um prior to the parade that they had at their building. Um so again we always uh thank them for their good work and um and responsiveness to our community. >> Great. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you Brian. Uh as you were saying to Somerville, we'll have the 81st running of that uh bicycle race uh

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after the parade on Memorial Day. There'll be a lot more details to come, but I know the committee is busy working on uh improving uh especially the community zone uh there in front of the courthouse and so lots of fun things. Keep an eye out on social media and we'll definitely more details uh soon.

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Uh fire department has had a busy start to 2026. We had 63 calls in January and 48 calls in February. Uh we thank them for their participation in the St. Patrick's Day parade and also we did change our clocks a week ago. So I didn't get a chance to remind you before, but we'll remind you now. That's

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always a good chance to check your smoke detectors and other carbon monoxide and everything else. Make sure they're working and change those batteries. So, fire department urges you to do that. And then for our environmental commission, uh we had a busy meeting last Tuesday. We discussed the community solar, which we'll see a little bit uh

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later on, I think, here too. um downtown street trees, uh Wallace Houses, lots of different events, including uh uh a 250 event honoring also the Salem Oak seedling that was planted on May 24th at 3 p.m. Uh there's the Ferry Trail is in

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the works. And then uh some other upcoming dates, we have a volunteer opportunity on March the 28th to help out with the Petersburg Habitat Restoration. That's at 9:30 in the morning. You can sign up online and find all those details on the socials. Also,

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the lottery for the J Scott uh community garden will be coming up soon in April. And then, of course, the townwide cleanup on uh not quite Earth Day, but we'll celebrating Earth Day on April the 25th, followed by the green fair uh at 11 to 2. The cleanup will be at 9. Uh

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we'll meet on Division Street. So, we'd love to see all your faces there. And uh we will also then of course meet on um the second Tuesday of April and talk more details. So, >> awesome. Great. Thank you. Teresa, >> thank you. Uh, so the next public safety

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committee meeting is this Thursday at 6 PM right here at the Civic Center and, uh, they encourage anyone in Somerville who has a safety issue they'd like to bring up to please come to the meeting and let us know what you've noticed is unsafe in Somerville.

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Uh, and for the DSA, the Liberty Lives Here Somerville 250 um has begun with a 4-day history on t on tap series hosted at three participating downtown restaurants starting March 29th. And that's all.

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>> Thank you, Randy. I have nothing to report at this time. >> Okay, Roger. Some updates from the uh recreation commission. Uh hopefully with uh the weather starting to turn, the courts for the pickle ball and for the tennis should be finished soon.

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Registration is open for youth tennis lessons and adult pickle ball lessons. Tennis lessons will be held on Monday or Wednesday afternoons that they'll be split up into grades K to 2, 3 to 5, and 6 to 8. Pickle ball will be held on Sundays or Tuesdays for beginners and

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advanced beginners and on Thursday nights for immediate, excuse me, intermediate and advanced players. A new senioronly pickle ball class will be held on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for residents 55 and over. Uh, and classes are exclusively for

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Somerville residents and students attending school in Somerville. As always, you can register at register.comunpass.netsomerville. Okay, awesome. Thank you. All right, uh we have a couple of presentations up for uh for tonight. Uh first up is the solar project on our what we affectionately

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call the landfill. Um this is a a long time in coming. Uh we're fortunate to uh to have the BPU, the Board of Public Utilities, uh finally give us approval uh on this project and uh we're hoping that we can kind of fast track it. So

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Colin, if you can kind of give us an overview and uh and then we can go right into the presentation. >> Thank you. >> Um we've got a number of people here tonight to uh make you more acquainted with what we what we've been through and

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what we're planning on doing on the landfill with solar. However, the background is that as the mayor said, we've been working on this for probably five or six years. The BPU in their wisdom, Board of Public Utilities,

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um, which controls all the utilities in the state and the rates they can charge and all the programs decided that the community solar program had full or the pilot program had fulfilled its purpose and the allocated wattage had been

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reached and so the program just died while we were in midstride. Um fortunately the program was restored this year. um the um the cap on energy available has significantly increased

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and the gentleman behind me in the vest there um sub resubmitted our application at midnight a week ago Thursday and that was the first application in and I'm pleased to report as Brian said

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it's been approved waiting for the D to confirm that This array is going to be actually placed on a landfill. And you can't even make this stuff up. The gentleman that was here at the last meeting saying how good we were at remediating landfills has to say yes,

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you're going to put a solar project on our landfill. And that'll take place this week. So that's really all I'm going to talk about. um Eric Millard who is the chief commercial officer for CS Energy

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which has been acquired by a local by a Californian company um will be transferring the project to a New Jersey company called C which are based I believe in Redbank and um we've got a number of representatives from

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both CS and from C um and their attorney who can cover um all the aspects that you may have as far as questions. But one point that I'd point out to you all now that in the um agreement we have with CS Energy, uh there is a clause in

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it that says the project can be transferred and the burrow cannot reasonably withhold it as long as it passed the test of financial ability and um project um capability. um CP has

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provided both to us. Our financial consultants have affirmed that they appear to have um the financial wherewithal to move forward with the project. And so having said that, I'll vacate this seat, turn the other microphone on, and let the gentleman

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come up. And um Kevin, we need your password. I will. >> Where is the presentation? >> You want it to run as a slideshow? >> Uh, sure. If I can find the cursor.

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What have you done? >> I can do it that way. >> It should show up. You all can see the uh >> they all they're going to switch over now. >> Okay, great. >> Perfect. >> So, so gentlemen, before we even start, let's just if you would just introduce

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yourselves, uh both to the governing body as well as the public. Um who you are, where you're from. Yep. >> Yeah, I'm happy to start. My name is Eric Mard. I'm chief commercial officer with CS Energy. Uh, as Colin mentioned, we were just acquired by Solve Energy. Um, and as part of that, uh,

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acquisition, we are shutting down parts of our business, including the development work that we're doing here in New Jersey. So, I think we mentioned that the last time we met. Um, but I've been uh very close to this project since the beginning in 2020 and have been part of the entire redevelopment process,

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including the last couple years of uh delay with the BPU. It's been a little painful, but we're happy uh to get to get it where where we are today. I'll pass it over to Steve. >> Sure. Uh Steve Goen from Geodon Howerin and Cisla. I represent C renewables. Um I'm actually [clears throat] general

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counsel for C. have represented them for um about 10 years and have been involved in all the projects that they've done in New Jersey and now elsewhere, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, other places. So, uh and have done a lot of work with uh with Eric and CS Energy over the years. So, happy to be stepping in and have the opportunity. And uh to

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my right, uh Tom and down there, Mark also with C. You guys can introduce yourselves. >> Yeah, Thomas Watt, vice president of construction estimating at C renewables. Uh, I've been with CP about two years, but prior to that, I actually worked with Ian and Eric. Um, I was at CS

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Energy um, for about 13 years developing, building projects with them. >> Great. >> And hi, Mark. I'm senior project manager for CP Google. I've been with the company for two years now. In solar for about 18 years, uh, doing commercial and

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residential solar for a long time and just really enjoying this very interesting for landfill sol is quite the best of doing and happy to be here tonight. >> Thank you.

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>> I'm Ian McCoy. I've been with CS Energy for about five years now. Working on this project with you guys. Uh happy to see it's been approved in the second phase and uh almost ready for construction. >> Full full disclosure when Colin said that I was up at midnight submitting the

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application that was actually >> [laughter] >> That's called delegation. >> That's right. [laughter] >> All right, you guys are on. Go ahead. Tell us. >> Let's let's do it. So, I've got we've got a a short presentation here just to try to provide some uh history for those

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who haven't been as as involved in the project as we have over the years. Um but, um you know, basically the crux of this project is we are redeveloping this uh landfill site uh into a a solar project. The project's going to involve reme fully remediating and capping the

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landfill and topping that with uh actually two five megawatt community solar projects that will sell discountable electricity to uh local residents. Um and um we're going to be providing roughly a 29% uh average

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discount to subscribers. Um going to save people almost 600 bucks a year per household. Um and it will give enough power to about 1,500 homes. Um in the local area. Um, and I think one of the important pieces of this project is that

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the landfill capping and the whole remediation of the site is going to come out come at no capital cost to the burrow. So, we are funding that uh out of our own pocket and we've gotten a large grant um from the New Jersey EDA through the HDSRF program to fund uh 75%

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of that capping those capping costs. So, it should be a you know great project, win-win. Um the last piece of the puzzle that we needed was this BPU approval which came through last week. Uh obviously pending the D needs to confirm that the site actually is a landfill

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which is again laughable but uh that will be coming this week. Um and uh now that we have that done uh because of what's happening at the corporate level at CS Energy, we obviously uh wanted to bring in a partner who we trust uh at C.

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We've done about 100 megawatts of projects with C I've been working directly with Steve and um and his colleagues for about 10 years here in New Jersey. We have a lot of respect for these guys and we think that they are they are the guys who can get it across the finish line. Um we anticipate and

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they'll they can talk about this in a little bit, but we expect that the project will break ground in 2026 once the weather if the weather eventually improves and dries out. We need the site to be a little drier to be able to effectively uh move some dirt around. Um, and we expect it will be operating in 2027, actually, uh, selling power to

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to residents in 2027. [snorts] Um, you know, this just gives you a a brief idea of the work that we've done. It's kind of amazing. Like, we first started working on this project in 2020. Uh, we were appointed the redeveloper. We've done a lot. We've gotten, you

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know, over a half a dozen permits on the project. Um, we've had to go through a variety of different, um, complexities with the New Jersey BPU. We worked very closely with Colin on getting the grants that we need for the project. Uh we've worked with PSENG uh to secure the interconnection rights.

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We've worked with, you know, we just got a easement from New Jersey American Water so we can cross the site. So there's been a lot of work that's gone into the project from a real estate, from a permitting, from an interconnection, from a regulatory standpoint. And we finally are at at at a point where we actually are, you know,

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quote unquote shovel ready here now that we have the BPU uh approval. Um and um you know I think you know the the you know this is a um an important transition um for us us to step out and

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for C to step in. Uh like I said we feel very confident in these guys ability. Tom Watt actually mentioned this a minute ago. He worked for for my team for a number of years and he was actually in 2020 was the person who put together the first estimate for what it was actually going to cost to build this project. And so we have a lot of

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institutional knowledge actually built into C and and their team as a result of that. So again, we have a lot of confidence um in these guys uh being able to step up to the plate and get the project done. Um and so with that, I pass it over to uh to Steve and his

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colleagues. we can give a little bit of an overview of who CP is and um you know and their plans for the project and we're happy to answer any questions that you all have um after that. >> Sure. Um so thanks Eric. Yeah, I think uh I think Eric and I met about 10 years

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ago um that New Jersey resources office when we were working on the first project that C did in New Jersey which was a brownfield and old bridge about 18 megawatts. Um so we worked together on that project. Uh the project you just saw on the screen I think was Mount Olive. Um which is uh that's that's one

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of C's most important projects probably that we've done over the last 10 years um that's a 26 1.5 megawatt uh landfill project. It's the largest I think still largest um landfill solar redevelopment uh in the country. And um that property

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actually was a former EPA super fund site. C actually owns um two EPA super fund sites or former super fund sites. Uh, one of them is still an active super fund site with ongoing remediation. Um, CP owns uh, two other landfill properties. So, in addition to, um, you

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know, doing the landfill redevelopment and the construction and installing the solar, CP actually owns and operates the landfills after uh, the solar is installed. So, has has a uh, company has a good degree of experience with that. Um this project fits right into what C

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basically does, which is redevelop brownfield and landfill sites with solar. Um done this type of project uh across the state, transacted a couple hundred megawatts in New Jersey. Um currently working on a project in um Ohio that actually when it's done is

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going to be um just slightly bigger than Mount Olive. So that will it'll actually eclipse Mount Olive as a as the largest landfill solar in the country. Um and we have uh some other projects going on in um Florida and Virginia and Pennsylvania and other states. So um but this is

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really, you know, this project in Somerville is is really what C was built on, which is brownfield and landfill redevelopment. Um and you know, we have quite a bit of knowledge uh both um internally with C and then the consultants that we use and obviously working with partners like CS Energy. So

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just excited to uh excited to get started on this one. >> Great. happy to answer any questions anybody has. >> So, I'm gonna go off to Well, I was going to say Andrew first. >> Okay. All right. That's fine. Gina, >> I did have one question. I know the

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residents would love to be able to save money. So, what is the application and qualification process? >> Sure. Yeah. So, so we'll get into that. That that happens towards the very end of construction. So it's you don't want to get you don't want to do that too early because if you sign people up too early they'll you know it takes a year

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to build this project and they're going to be like where the hell's my power kind of thing. Um but we will that will start to happen in 2027. Uh there is an application process. Um the um a really important part of the New Jersey uh

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community solar program is that 51% of the power has to go to low and moderate income households. So, uh, that's part of the application process to make sure that we're verifying, you know, uh, verifying those those types of people and making sure that we are filling that allocation for those folks first. Um,

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but generally speaking, um, what we've done in the past is partnered with the municipalities that um that we're locating these projects in, and they'll help us with marketing and getting the word out at events like this and things like that. And often times the we will

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advertise at you know local 5ks and and different things like that um you know you know town fairs and things like that to get the word out but it's a generally a pretty simple process. Um the BPU is actually working on streamlining it even further um so that we can you know it's

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a it's very simple and seamless process to get people signed up. Yeah, we just from C's perspective, we would likely um likely partner with a subscriber organization that would do some of the things that Eric is talking about. Um I think the first thing that we probably do is go to the governing body and say,

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"Hey, what's the best way for us to get the word out to the residents of Somerville." Um and we've done that in other um in other towns where we've done these types of projects and partnering with the municipality to make sure that you know the residents are being notified of when the opportunities are available. Um so that that is definitely

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something that we would do, but like Eric when it comes sort of towards the end of the construction process when we're about to hit commercial operation. >> Thank you. C >> can you speak briefly about the benefits of either opt- in or opt out for that? I know that's way ahead, but >> Yeah. Well, I mean that that would be

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our preference, I think, if we could do it that way. It just makes things a lot easier um to just do an opt-in. Um rather than have to go doortodoor and sign up individual customers, we would prefer to go that route if the municipality was open to it. But again, that's something that we would work with you on.

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>> Okay. Thank you. >> It's my turn. Okay. Um, well, thanks guys. This is a great project. I'm happy that it's moving forward and we're, uh, going to get it done despite all the things that are happening on a macro level with solar and whatnot. So, uh, and for our landfill to be closed. I think that's a tremendous work by all of

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us involved and especially you guys. Thanks for your commitment to it. Um just uh not many questions. Just want to be clear. The thing that we're voting on tonight is about the assignment only. There aren't any other contractual changes or anything included in there at this time. >> That's right. The assignment of the redevelopment agreement.

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>> Great. And you have the um all the approvals in hand which and you guys want to make an investment which I have to thank you for. Thanks for making investment in the burrow. But it sounds like there's a lot of value to the project still. So I look forward to discussing uh the benefits that could as we go forward. How do we do this? um

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that's best between C and the burrow is after the transition. So just looking forward to seeing this project come to fruition. Really want to see the landfill close properly for everybody's sake and solar benefit getting to the um to the you know residents of Somerville to the best best of our ability to pass

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on that savings to them. So uh and I was I think there are even some businesses or others that might be interested in in joining up if they ever have the possibility or chance to to do so. Um, I know it's not thought of in the initial programming here, but if anything changes, I'm sure there are those in town who would be of interest. So, >> good.

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>> That's all I got. >> Thank you, Ryan. >> Um, so a couple of things. And I think I heard you say about a year construction time. >> Is that So, so from shovel in the ground, as long as the weather cooperates, >> it's it's about a year. >> Yeah. Roughly about a little probably a year and a half for this project.

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>> Um, a big defining for this project is the liner system. If we get in the winter months, it has to be above 50 degrees. >> It's got to be pliable when you put it down. >> So, >> um well, I you know, I I look at this this is uh a capstone project because

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this landfill has been through a whole lot over a long time. this the the the landfill ceased operations I think in the 80s and it wound its way into litigation probably for about 20 25 years and it was just a a minefield and

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we got it out in probably 2004 2005 um and then we began this the whole redevelopment process and through a number of iterations we finally come to tonight and as Andrew said um we're capping a landfill and we're capping a landfill

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not at the individual taxpayer of Somerville cost. Um, and that was one of the goals we set out to do uh back in 2004 2005. That was one of the caveats. We had a list of a number of things that we wanted to accomplish and that was one of them. So, this is this is pretty

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significant for us. Um, I know we had a two-year delay, delay a game, uh, but I'm happy that uh that that that has been resolved and that we're moving forward. Um, at the end of the day, we're capping a landfill. We're going to

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power about 1500 homes. We're going to save money for those homes. And, uh, it's clean electric. So, it's And it's clean electric coming from a dirty landfill. >> Yeah. That's kind of cool. Uh, and and

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and I think it's good. So, uh, thank you. Uh, we have that on for tonight. You know what? Why don't we pull that right up front and let's act on that resolution now. Hang on one second. >> 120. >> 120. >> So, >> yes.

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All right. Um, resolution number 120 is approving the sale and conveyance of block 124, portions of lots, 17.01, 01 202 21 and 22 located in the station and landfill redevelopment area by CS Energy

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Hathaway Solar LLC to C renewables LLC and authorizing the assignment and assumption of the redevelopment agreement for the project. Do we have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second >> discussion. Roll call, please. >> Council members Theresa Bonner, >> yes. >> Andrew Ky, >> yes.

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>> Glen, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Verm, >> yes. Gentlemen, start digging. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. Appreciate it. >> That really is turning a huge negative into a big positive. you know, it's it's

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the savings alone is meaningful, especially now with where electricity prices are and going to go. So, >> well, you know, I I think >> huge project. >> I think it's probably a a good presentation to have to show over the last 20 years how many contaminated

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sites in the burrow that we've taken and that we've uh we've cleaned up. Um they're significant. Uh, and one of the gentlemen who's sitting in the audience has cleaned up one of our contaminated sites as well, although he's not paying attention. Trying to giving him a shout out, but

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um, all right. So, next up, we have uh the budget presentation. Uh, now the budget obviously uh starts uh last year and uh we're at that point where we're ready to begin to introduce the budget. Uh, there's a whole lot of work that

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goes in behind it. Um the budget committee which comprises Roger and Gina uh works with uh uh Paige Ster and Kevin and uh and and they they're here tonight to propose a uh a very thrifty uh

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taxpayer conscious budget, >> right? Is that that's a good way to put it? >> No, I I you know it's it's budgets are never fun. um because everybody has their wants and their needs and and it's balancing that with what we owe the

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taxpayer. So, it's making sure that we always that the bureau, you know, gets the the best amount for uh for what we're asking and Paige and Kevin always do a great job doing that and keeping everybody in line and it's uh it's an awesome process. So, Paige,

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>> thank you. Good evening, Burough Council, Mayor, um everybody. Um so this is just an overview of the 2026 budget. Um the current fund budget and the parking utility budget um and the capital budget. Um

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uh this slide represents um some of our revenues. Um the revenues can be located on sheets 4 through nine in your legal document which will be posted on the website tomorrow um along with the presentation so you'll be able to go

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back and forth. Um some of the um our total revenues are 29,743,000. Um and we are using um $5.2 million of surplus um which we are regenerating each year. Um, and we have been stable

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in doing that. Um, we're using about five million each year. Um, and we have, um, met or exceeded most of our local revenues. Um, our bank interest earnings

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are exceptionally strong. Um, so we have a good relationship with our bank, although we are going out for RFP for banking because we're required to do so. Um, and that's all part of the budget process. Um, our state aid is flat so

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far. Uh, we do have a new governor. So, this year it's flat. We'll see what happens next year. Um, we have our pilot revenue and our other contributions. This is all part of our big revenue picture. Um, our pilot

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revenues are um $4.9 million. Uh, we have two new pilots um that are in this included in this um and it's the Kirby Village and the Edge phase phase three

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um which is the new building on Main Street. Um and then we have so so the total new pilots that we're anticipating are $443,000 added to the 4.9 million.

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Um the other thing that we have been very successful in doing is sharing costs with the county and other neighboring municipalities. Um we've uh done a big big push with Rarit and Burough to um share CFO

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services um director of um DPW fire inspection services um and you know there's an offsetting revenue and um appropriation. So, we really are sharing a lot. And then there's also the county um um ones that

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aren't listed in here um that are, you know, the board of health we're doing with them, the engineering um print shop. So, we are really looking to keep the costs down for the taxpayers of Somerville and for neighboring

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municipalities. We also share our court with Bridgewater. Um so all of those things um add to our our very strong financial picture that we have. Um the 2026 appropriations

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um are broken up between salary and wages for 8.5 million and the other expenses for 9.5 million. Um and that's typical that that's where the budgets usually lay.

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These are just some statutory costs. Um, and insurance and utilities. Insurance, utilities, um, health insurance, all of that has gone up. You know, in your own budgets that that you know, utilities are, as you just heard, um, are going up

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and and there's nothing we can do about it except weather the storm. Um, fortunately in Somerville we can do that um because we've managed our money um and invested it in things that we are allowed to and um we are able to keep

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the um the debt down um which is our next slide. Um our current debt in this in this budget we're we'll be paying $1.5 million in principal and $2.2 $2

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million in interest. But overall, our debt has decreased over the past three years. And this is important because in our capital, we have been funding our capital projects rather than um

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borrowing money for them. So our debt um our net debt ratio has gone from 1.5 to 1.2 in three years. I think that's I think that's very important to note because that that's an accomplishment especially in today's economic environment for for government. Um

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typically it's going the other way. It's it's going up and and I attribute that specifically to you to to Paige and to Kevin in managing this these funds very very wisely. Um the pilots have given us an ability to have a little flexibility

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in how we utilize revenue coming in and this is exactly a result of it. So that's that's that's smart money. Thank you. So, our budget formula is appropriation minus revenues equals taxation. And um there have been other

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municipalities that that do not that state, you know, do not raise their taxes and over many years and then they get this big tax increase. We don't do that in Somerville. We have small increments of tax increase to keep it

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stable so people don't feel it and and you know it's only going up a little bit each time. So this year um on our average household um it's going which is $276,000 right now. Um

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it it's going up $27. So that's and that's the municipal tax increase. >> That's per year. >> Per year. >> That's so people understand it's it's $27 per year >> for for the whole year. Yes. >> And it does not include board of education.

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>> It does not that is just the municipal tax increase. And I put on this slide that in the last decade um those are your tax rates. Um, with the exception of 2017 when we did have a big increase,

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we've kept this the tax rate stable. Um, and that's very important because it shows um financial growth and and and um strength and it's what something that the bond rating agencies look at when they come in to do a bond rating. And um

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I'm hoping that at our next bond rating, which I think will be soon, um that we will increase our our bond rating. Right now we have a double A. I'm hoping to get a double A plus. >> Awesome. Great. >> Um

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so last year, um our budget was 28 million 3000,000. This year it's 29,743,000. And the reason for that increase is mostly because of insurance and um and

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uh utilities and things like that, things that really really we can't control because we really haven't been spending um you know great amounts of money. Um the the total increase um to the taxpayer was $77,000

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and it's it makes tax rate go up a half a percent. Um, as I said before, the capital budget um is fully funded uh $2.3 million. Um, it includes um police equipment for bodywn camera program um and technology

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equipment. It includes um new grass cutting equipment because we're bringing our grass cutting back inhouse. um and uh building grounds funding for new library roof replacement and burrow hall HVAC project.

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We are also um restructuring the um Carol Pager ball fields um and moving them, relocating them, turning them around. Um and then uh there's an outdoor fitness equipment funding. It's

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those concrete um uh fitness stations and just have to find a spot for it. Um and I know there's some some uh you know opinions. Um and then some uh turnout gear for the fire department and the

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ongoing street camera. And then our our parking budget. Our parking budget is $4,000 more than it was last year. Um, and uh we are putting money into capital improvement um

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parking capital improvement um to revamp the uh parking collection system. And that's it. And paper copies of the budget um will be available at throw hall. It'll be put on the website tomorrow. Um, if anybody has any

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questions, they can reach out to me. Um, and uh the the uh website is uh Somervillej.orgfinance is where you where these documents can be found. >> Excellent. Excellent. Um, questions,

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discussion, comments from councils. I >> I just want to say thank you to Paige. Uh, I know we spent a Saturday together going over the numbers. I'm confident in them. I I think we've done a fine job as she indicated controlling our expenses um and um and uh trying to maximize our

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our revenue re sources. Um they're we're in a good spot when you look at some of the other communities um they're they're not as as well planned as we are and and we we all need to be grateful for that. So thank you Paige and Kevin as well. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments?

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>> No, just thank you. >> Y tremendous work. >> You do a great job every year. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> I I will tell you uh Paige and her team do a great job. The uh it it all is on the basis of strong policy to be honest with you. I said, you know, having having good policy from the governing

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body allows Paige's office certainly to understand what what your goals are as well as as what as where you really want to spend money because the reality is budget the budget is a is a location where policy is really adopted, right? where where you put where you decide

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that the money is more important than other areas because of obviously um the burrow has done a great job. Obviously the policies of of pilots, the policies of shared services, those are all huge values that that just um I wouldn't say

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I wouldn't say make her job easier, but it certainly makes my job easier. [laughter] Um but yeah, so thank you very much for that. >> No, well done. I think you've taken a uh very conservative fiscal approach uh to the burrow uh and its needs. You fund

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those things that this governing body decides are important as Kevin talked about. I think it also points out the value of the pilot programs uh and and this is where you know the rubber hits the road and and it's allowing the bureau to have some financial

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flexibility to pay down some debt uh to add uh personnel where we see necessary uh to enhance our police officers equipment uh to put in uh cameras where we think it's necessary in order to reduce the uh uh the event of some

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vandalism. um it just creates a safer, better uh community and and it starts with the finances. So, thank you very much. You did a great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh at this point,

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>> we'll need a motion and uh to uh introduce the budget as as well as the userfriendly budget. >> All right. So, uh, item number 10 is the introduction of the 2026 municipal budget and the userfriendly budget. Do we have a motion? >> So, moved. >> Second.

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>> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Ki? >> Yes. >> Len, >> yes. >> Randy Pittz, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Ver, >> yes. >> All right. Uh, snow removal recap discussion. >> Sure, I'll jump off.

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>> All right. Uh so I I you know obviously snow removal is something that everybody in the burrow feels very passionately about whether uh it's it's good or it's bad. It gets a lot of feedback. Uh I will say that we have a lot of contractors that we have been partnering with as well as the state comes through

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and the DPW uh does their part as well. Um and with the storms that we had the the council has we've we've talked and that we feel as though they that everyone did a great job. the the storm that hung around for uh what felt like

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six winters was a different animal altogether. Um I don't think anyone anticipated that it was going to turn into ice um and stick around for as long as it did. The storms that we're used to around here, we get snow and in a couple days it's gone and then we get snow and

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a couple days it's gone. So, I think dealing with that, we've learned a lot of important lessons and one of those things is being addressed tonight in uh one of our introductions to an ordinance that we are changing um which talks about emergency no parking during a

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snowstorm. Um I have to say kudos to the office of emergency management uh Jason Kra and uh his team as well as Kevin Saluca. They actually went out ahead of the storm and put door hangers out in key areas where we know that folks are

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not always moving their vehicles when it snows, which creates problems for other residents. So, also in tonight's resolutions, um we've got one coming up that could address part of that, which is uh 117 for an emergency contact

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system, which for those of you who who may not know is kind of like a Nixl some other towns have. uh that's just a brand name, but it's a reverse 911 system that will allow the bureau to maintain uh numbers of people who subscribe just like our our mailer, our econ that's on

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the website. Uh and so we can send out notifications ahead and not maybe have to knock on so many doors and and put all those manh hours in. Those are the things that that the uh that the the OEM did and that our burrow employees did

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prior to the storm. So all the things you see, they didn't go curb to curb or people's cars didn't move. I know that there were also a lot of tickets handed out. Do we ever get a final total on that? >> The second storm, I think there were about 80. Don't quote me on that number.

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The first storm, I believe there were closer to 70 uh if I recall correctly from what the chief had told me >> and and also to understand some of this is driven by neighbors. So if you know that there are cars on your street that

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aren't moving, people do contact the uh non-emergency number. Please do not dial 911. No one's moved their car. Um but the non-emergency police line and make notifications. Uh and all of that certainly helped. And I noticing even my

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street um I live on Eastern Avenue and for the first time I think in the entire time that I've lived there. There were no cars on the street before that big snowstorm that the last one that came through uh the blizzard conditions. So there's a lot of things that happened

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behind the scenes and we can always learn and we can always improve. Uh but those are important. The last thing that that we had talked about um fire hydrants is an important thing. So just like uh curbs or the uh intersections.

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So if you live on a on a on a corner and you have a a crosswalk, clearing out that corner is part of your responsibility with your sidewalk that's there. Uh it helps out your property, but it also helps out your neighbors. The same thing is true of fire hydrants.

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It's helpful if you can go out and clear out. It's a three-foot radius all around that fire hydrant. Uh because the last thing, especially with that storm that turned into ice for emergency crews to go out there, there's a fire in your neighborhood. We that the fire department needs to hook up to that uh

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to that hydrant. That could be a lot of time spent trying to break through that ice to get to that hydrant in order to, you know, enact emergency services. And we we want to make sure that everyone understands if you have diff difficulties or you can't you know I

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know for uh the two corners that are on I'm I am on Eastern but right next to High Street. I go out there with my snowblower and I help out whoever I can. Uh so if you have to rely on neighbors that's great. We want to you know certainly reach out before a storm comes. Hey I know I can't lift this or I can't do this and and ask your

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neighbors. Everyone is happy to do so. Um, I see plenty of people up and down the street with snow shovels and sharing snowblowers and everything along those lines. That's the great part about our community. Um, so these things will certainly help uh as we move forward. I know that uh in the past the fire

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department um after the snowstorm will have folks stick around and and uh used they were digging out uh fire hydrants. So if they continue that program that's great. But it's also understanding that as the homeowner if you have a fire hydrant you know in the right way on

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your property, that little strip between the sidewalk and the street, that is your responsibility as well. Again, if you have trouble or you need help, certainly ask your neighbors and if it comes to be a real issue, obviously you can let the town know and then we can make sure that that's one of the areas

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that we pay attention to. Same thing with the corners, those are important. The one thing that we we hold very near and dear in this town, especially with Vandervir School, is we are a walking school district. They have the walking school bus on Wednesdays and having those sidewalks clear. It's 12 hours, 12

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hours after a storm. Sidewalks are to be clear because we are again a walking school district and it's important for the students to have a safe, you know, way to walk to school if they choose to do so. >> That was a lot. It was

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>> Yes. Um, so and just just for edification, the uh the the ordinance that is we're looking to change and we'll go into it later. Currently, the uh the the fine for not moving your car during a snow emergency is $40. That is going to $100. Um the the goal is

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compliance. It's not revenue, it's compliance. um somebody leaving their car parked uh during a snowstorm not only affects their property in front of their home, it affects um you know laterally as well and it becomes a problem. So if you have

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multiple cars on a street, that street can turn into a very difficult place to get through uh in a situation where everything turns to ice. So people understand we so in in the event of a large storm coming, we have an emergency management meeting. We all get together.

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Glenn is the liaison to emergency management and we all get together with police, fire, rescue, uh, OEM, CERT, uh, DPW, finance, administration. Um, it's it's a contingent of probably close to

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20 people and and our job is to kind of uh, plan on what's going to happen. We we try to have to figure out what's going to happen and and set in place some parameters of how we're going to respond. What I can tell you is those last two big storms, we had about 28

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pieces of of snow removal equipment in our two and a half square miles. That's a lot of equipment. Uh the the burrows broken in half. Half is done by DPW, half is done by a contractor, but we we had a lot of equipment out there. And I said this before, patience. Somebody's

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first and somebody's last. And it always happens. And and you know, it's a challenge. And what's interesting is as soon as the snow stops, if you look on social media, um, why isn't my street plowed? The second the snow stops and

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then my phone starts ringing and then their phones start ringing. And give give our folks a little bit of time. A lot of times, especially in these types of storms, they've already been plowing for six or eight hours. Uh, in a large storm, it's not that you can just wait and then just go. You have to

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continually plow because you can't get through this stuff. Once once it comes down and you've got 8, 10, 12 inches, 14 inches, it it needs multiple passes. So, patience. Um they did a great job of

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communicating uh in those areas where we saw a significant amount of cars and I think the amount of tickets decreasing from the first storm to the second storm is indicative of that. So, um, you know, we'll continue to evolve in terms of our

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communication and, uh, again, we'll ask the public to continue to evolve in their level of patience. >> I, I do want to, um, be self-reflective a little bit in this and to say that we did a great the contractors did a great job. We improved with each storm. It's

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it's very important that we show a track record of that. But at the same time, you know, uh, getting from curb to curb, which was a common complaint, especially early on in the winter, was really influenced by the amount of cars that were on the street and not so much the contractor's inability to plow snow.

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But, uh, also on Main Street where we created that wall, well, the state created this wall of ice on our on our parking uh, meters and all that. I just think maybe for our next storm, uh, we think about what the the following week looks like, right? uh we didn't everybody didn't expect it to drop down

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to so cold that it would stay for a month and a half but at the same time uh when that happens it's we still got to kind of get the snow out of there right um and so I know we can't just dump it where it would be easiestly dumped but at the same time we got to find a solution there were parts of town where we did follow through on removal um and

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I think that we could have we could next time consider how much more of that might be necessary post post storm um certainly the emergency cleanup of all the streets most important but at the after all that's finished. Let's also just let's make sure we we do the rest of the job. Um, and I think that that

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might be uh what might make it a little bit easier for everybody to navigate our town after snow is making sure that we don't stop just because it's 12 hours after the snow either, you know. >> Okay, good. Any other discussion? >> Mayor, I'd be remissed if I didn't uh mention that Jason saved a lot of people

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a lot of money. He singly handed out and did the flyers and the door hangers that told people not to park on the street. And I think you've probably went through about 600 of them. >> Um, good job. >> So, a lot of people owe him a thank you for not getting a $40 ticket soon to be

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$100. >> All right. Thank you. Um, at this point, I'll ask for a motion to open the meeting to the public. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. I said I. [laughter] >> Yes.

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>> Andrew Ki. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Verm. >> Yes. >> All right. Public portion is now open. Please state your name and address for the record and please address your comments to me. >> That's okay. Hi, my name is David

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D'vorne. I live at 71 Davenport Street. Uh first off, I am more than pleased to hear about the two solar uh installations that are taking place. Uh it really is a win for everybody. Uh and moving forward, the town does have some

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significant decisions that it needs to make. Uh auto enrollment is is one of them and I am very much looking forward to seeing how that decision is made. um even raising my hand to see if I can contribute in any way possible to help

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those that are making those decisions, what would be best for the town. So, I just wanted to say thank you for for getting this done. And again, I'm raising my hand to see if there's anything I can do to help. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other public comment?

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>> Can I lower this? Hi, I'm Maria Veronic. Um, I own two businesses on Main Street, 90 uh 96 West Main and 196 West Main. I'm coming to you guys today. Good evening, first of all. Um, with a bit of a concern and I sit within my eight

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walls on Main Street. And I'm pretty quiet usually. Um, but I have a bit of a concern with the relationship between the businesses and the downtown Somerville Alliance. Um, I feel like when I came into town, it was more that I was told that the Downtown Somerville

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Alliance was working with us. Um, I feel over the past several months, it's been more that we are working for the Downtown Somerville Alliance. Um, there have been many opportunities where, um, and we could talk further about my

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examples because I have some written down. Um, but just I just feel like there's a we and them aspect happening right now. It's disheartening um because I came into Somerville with the joy and the camaraderie of the town and all the businesses and I just feel like right

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now um it's lacking a lot of that and I feel like we answer more to the downtown Somerville Alliance rather than them partnering with us and to hear what the actual businesses want. It's more or less what our leadership at the DSA is doing and not Kevin. Um, it's our

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leadership at the DSA, what they're doing, and are we okay with what they're doing? And I just feel like it should be a little bit of the opposite. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other public comments? >> Hi. Um, I'm Maddie Pandar. I'm also a

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small business owner here in Somerville. I'm actually two months old here in Somerville. I started as a popup and I asked DSA for a lot of help in finding a space because as Mayor Gallagher, you know, you came to my grand opening. I

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was very stubborn and I didn't want to go to any other town and I wanted to stay in Somerville. >> Thank you. >> They did not help me at all. Um, and I found that very disheartening when I was trying to find a space here. When I did finally find a space, they never reached

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out to me to see if I can they can help me with a grand opening or to to public make my space known to Somerville. I feel very alone in this right now in Somerville because I'm marketing all on my own. DSA has not stepped up. I've

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been open two months. DSA has not even walked through my doors yet to welcome me to the community. So, I really would like the council to just listen to the small business owners. There's only three of us in the room today. Mondays are our days off. A lot of us can't make

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it, but we did try to come here. We are representing a lot of the businesses here tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other public comment? >> John Sesi 126 North Dowy. Uh, I've been a resident of Somerville for 80 years. I mention that because if I weren't happy

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with Summerbal, I would have left a long time ago. But, uh, on North Dowy, people uh, keep their houses up and uh, I don't feel that the burrow is doing their part to keep the street up because the street is hideous. I would guess that the uh,

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council members and the mayor have not been on North Dy between West Summit and Mountain in quite a while because >> you're on the on the curve. just hideous. I mean, they come and patch it once in a while. The latest effort is they just throw stones into the holes.

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It's it's a people, women come around the corner with their uh you know, baby carriages, kids come from maculada that street. Uh it's just it's it's very dangerous. So, I'm wondering if anything can be done. Uh it's been a while since

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the last century since that road has been paved. >> Okay, that's it. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Thank you. Any other public comment? >> Good evening. Lorenzo Duca from Cafe Picasso, 81 West Main Street. Um, I know you guys were talking about snow and no snow removal,

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right? Um, I I understand your concerns regarding like um the town and town areas, but um I felt like I know that we didn't have storms like this in the past years, one after the other, but I felt the main street was a little bit abandoned in that aspect. And me being a

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person that is always out on the main street, uh, stepping on my door and seeing like five foot of snow standing in front of me, it's not something that I want to see or any other guest that comes to the town wants to see, right? So my question is like, yes, we do clean our front of our buildings as much as we

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can, but like why isn't the other snow removed as I'm not trying to like cause drama on the planet, but it's like I drive to a different town local to us and removing it and some of the district didn't um we talk about how Main Street

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it's a area where people walk. I stood in front of Main Street for weeks and I seen ice all around. Now I do my part on getting bags of ice and throw I mean bags of salt and throwing everywhere but it's like even the walkway the jar geta on the other side it was just one line.

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I'm not saying like you said give us time. I get it. We give everybody time but I don't know who runs the downtown area because It looked like crap. I got to be honest because now there was snow there, but there's also garbage thrown on top of the snow. And I don't know if you guys see this and I'm sure you do, mayor, you run. I'm not sure of anything

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like that, but that is not a look that you want to have in Main Street when you're trying to bring buildings in. You're trying to bring electrical in and power surgeon in or whatever you might want to do. But the main street is the heart of the town, I believe, where people come and then explore. Correct.

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So, I just don't understand why there was so much snow left out there. And then not only did the snow melt, but there was no place on the strickling the sidewalk. I had to come out with my blower and do it. It's not about just me. I'm I'm assuming the whole main street was like that, right? But I think there should be more action, quicker

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action on that. And the the most disgusting thing I got to say, you just see garbage on top of the snow, like bags of garbage. I'm talking about metros, too. I'm not talking about a bag of garbage. Open garbage, open containers, stuff like that. So, um, that's my concern for the look of the town and for the direction that the town

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wants to go. And I think that's sometimes overlooked. I think they should be more lenient with um with building owners who don't maintain their policies. If they have garbage in the back, it should be in the back. The tenants should bring in the back. It shouldn't be in the front of the main

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street for days. And uh that's a major concern. This always keep on happening. And I feel that it's been neglected more than anything. And this year looking at 4footers now with garbage on top and seeing people try to walk the street because I see it every day. I'm not sure. I see it every day. It's not

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something that you might want to have and I totally don't want that. So, thank you for your time. I'm sorry. I just want to do my >> Thank you. Thank you. This is this is why we have this. >> Yeah. Because honestly, I've seen people walk and the side I mean even on on the sidewalks there was a lot of ice. They

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didn't walk. You know, it was dangerous. All right. So, that's my concern, too. >> Thank you. >> All right. My pleasure. Thank you. >> Any other public comments? >> Hearing none. I'll ask for a motion to close. >> So moved. >> Second. Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Ki. >> Yes. >> Glenn Deny. >> Yes.

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>> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger F. >> Yes. >> All right. So, cover a bunch of bunch of different things. Number one, uh, gentleman in the back from Davenport Street. If you would give your name and contact information to Colin as we get closer and you want to be a a part of

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that roll out of the the elector, you're in it. And we'll never turn down a volunteer. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, all right. Uh, DSA, what I would first suggest, and I hear

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you. Um, but what I would first suggest is going to a DSA meeting and voicing this. That really is the forum for this. We have some oversight, but the DSA is a separate autonomous organization. It it

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used to not be um but around 2018 2019 1819 it split off from the confines of the burrow where we maintained a semblance of authority over it dayto

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day. Um we don't have that. It is run by a separate uh board of directors. It's a separate nonprofit entity. We do have some financial oversight over it. Um, but these types of challenges really belong at the DSA board and I would

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encourage you to go because the only way to fix things, whether real or perceived, is to address them. And I agree and I think this is step one coming out to us. Um, you know, I've had conversations with both of you. Um, you both have wonderful businesses. Uh,

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they're they're I was at both ribbon cutings and grand openings and they're awesome. So, thank you. go to the DSA and talk about some of the challenges that you see. You might be surprised at what comes back, but the

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DSA is very similar to to us. We can't fix what we don't know is broken. So, and if it is broken, so but it gives the board an ability to take a step back and and take a look at how they're operating and understand whether it's the right way or the wrong way. But go to [snorts]

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please go to the board Have you gone to the board? >> Times No, hang on. Time time's up. Time's >> So, >> no, it it's So, >> I mean, >> hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on.

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So, we can have a a separate sideline conversation. Um, but it really belongs before the DSA board. It it if there are grievances with the performance of anybody

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in the DSA. That's not something we handle daytoday. That really belongs before the board. All right. Thank you. Um 126 North Dowy. Where'd he go? >> Ah. All right. Uh Kevin, can we get DPW

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out there? I know we can't plow right now. I mean, we can't uh really look at the roads. Let's find out where it's at. I I think that road is pretty harsh. Yeah, I'm not overly familiar of the condition, but I'll we'll take a look at it tomorrow.

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>> Yeah. All right. Um and then Lorenzo, um I I don't disagree with you. Uh and what I'm going to take away from this is I think from a snow removal standpoint, we meaning collective, the council and the DSA, because this is a sh typically snow

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has always been a shared removal operation. Um but maybe the uh OEM takes a look at it from an emergency perspective and and at a certain level of snow andor ice that's when it kicks in and we remove it so that we have some

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kind of benchmark. If it's two or three inches and you know we I don't think we need to be out there. I think I think nature will take care of that fairly quickly. But if we have 10, 12, 16, 24, 30 inches, that's that's when things need to uh to to be removed. I I I agree

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with you. I also agree with you on the garbage. It's an awful look. Um what I can tell you is exactly what you said. There are some landlords that don't pay attention to their property. And I've had this discussion at Burough Hall in that when

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there's trash that's put out that shouldn't be out front, issue the landlord. Don't go looking for the tenant who put it out, but issue the landlord a uh a a fine for illegal dumping. That's why they have uh um

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what do you call it? The deposits, c client deposits. That will get their attention. And if there's consistently fines going to that landlord, we see it and at some point they're going to get tired of being fined and they're going to go after

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their tenants. So, I agree with you. Um, all right. So, uh, ordinances for introduction. >> Before we move on, I just really want to jump on the fact that we've had a lot of comments about downtown tonight and the DSA. And I would have to imagine that if

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business owners are showing up here, then they have attempted to go through the original avenues that they should go through and have come here out of frustration for not getting traction through those avenues. So, uh while it's not an organization that we govern, um it is an organization that we appointed

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to be in charge of the special district. um if they are failing to meet their minimum requirements, whether that be the performance from the business owner's perspective, lack of confidence in their capabilities, or it just be that they don't have enough members, then we should consider what the future

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of that organization is and whether the DSA as an organization is the right one for our designated special improvement district corporation. There there could be other options if we wanted to investigate them. the current state of it is concerning to me and I think to

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multiple members of the council. Um, and I would like them to at least come in and answer some questions. That that's a little bit of a bold statement to make. Um, I understand that there may be some perceived challenges from the DSA. We have somebody who represents the burough council on the

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DSA uh board and what I would suggest is that this is a discussion not for the public session at this point because we're dealing it really is a discussion for executive session and if you want to have that discussion we can schedule it for the next executive session but having that discussion at this uh uh

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public session I don't think is appropriate at all. So if we want to schedule that for executive session we can put that on there. All right. Um, ordinances for introduction. Number 2789 is an ordinance providing funding for

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various capital purposes for the Burrow of Somerville and appropriate appropriating $2,367,500 for such purpose. Uh, this is our capital expenditures which were outlined uh by Paige. And I will open up for

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public comment on uh 2789. Hearing none, I'll close 2789 and I'll ask for a motion for introduction, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Kiy, >> yes. >> Glen Deny, >> yes. >> Randy Pittz,

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>> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Verm, >> yes. >> All right. 2790 is amending chapter 166 section 10.2 of the burough code entitled emergency no parking. Kevin, just a brief overview on that. >> Uh, what changes there is during the the predominantly change is it changes

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really two things. One is it changes the fine amount amount from $40 to 100 and it changes the um who receives that direction that and that would be from the office of emergency management to make it a a street that that won't allow

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cars that day. >> Okay. All right. Uh public uh comment on 2790 is now open. >> Sir, >> again David De'vorne, 71 Davenport Street. Um, it says that there's a strikeout that um, no ad with no advice

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coming from other people. Um, I'm assuming that you would be getting advice if you had questions and I'm therefore wondering why you need to strike that out. Am I misreading the document? >> I've got to see where you're

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>> so that that's in H >> section and age. Yes. So, the management the emergency management coord coordinator by statute actually has that authority. Um, trust me, he does he sends out plenty of emails and conversation before that occurs, but

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under the law, it's his it's his uh authority to uh order that >> in an emergency situation. >> In an emergency, >> I would imagine if someone has a question, they're going to seek advice from somebody that would know >> either in a declared state of emergency.

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uh that same team I shouldn't say that same team there's a team that's pulled together the uh emergency management team and again it's comprised of police fire squad it's yeah it's comprehensive >> okay thank you any other public comment hearing none

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post public comment motion for introduction please >> so moved >> second >> discussion call >> I had one thing I wanted to say on it uh we say that we're going to have them towed it obviously seems to be by a private company and imagined in the language here. Um, my only two points on

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this. I think we should add language that limits the amount they're able to charge so that people don't go broke because I know we want to make it so that everybody complies, but I'd rather not be the reason someone can't make rent. Uh, I also, um, think that if

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that's not a reasonable solution for all of us, then maybe we direct them to tow it to a public lot in town. Rather than take people's cars to a private storage space for the towing company where no one can get access to it and you have to get a ride to that facility, we just tow it to a public parking space in town

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where we want cars parked during the snow to avoid the problem of, hey, where's my car? we could at least let people know that if your car has been towed, it'll be in lot blind, you know. >> So, >> do we have already the bur already has a towing ordinance that's in place that

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that actually it's it's difficult because the rates are actually very low. So, it's very hard to get a tower to actually tow the vehicles. Um, and that's the struggle is so if there if if you had an accident on the street right now, you know, and the police department had to call tower, they have we have a

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towing list that we utilize at a fee that's already determined by the governing body that we kind of visit every couple years, but the numbers actually low. So, it's it is actually very difficult during a snowstorm to get anybody towed. Um, so it might be something we revisit because I don't

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particularly think the towers um want to come out for public work at the that we provide them. But that is taken care of in the towing ordinance. >> Yes. So if if we want to address it, we should address it through the towing. >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh roll call.

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>> Council members. Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Ki. >> Yes. >> Glenn Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pittz. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Verm. >> Yes. >> All right. Ordinances for public hearing and adoption. Number 2784 is amending the redevelopment plan for

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the West Main Street redevelopment area, specifically blocked 124.01, lots 2.01, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14, and block 130, lots 4, and 5

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pursuant to NJSA as noted. Um, this is the West Main Street uh redevelopment area. It's being extended uh to include the Granite building uh and the uh the area behind it uh surrounding Veterans Memorial Drive and

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then coming up Somerset Street. It is for most of these blocks it and lots it is optin. If they would like to be included as a part of the redevelopment area, they can. Um they they do not have to be they are not scheduled for uh any redevelopment other than uh those

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identified. So if they would like to opt in, they can. Is that about right, Colin? >> Yep. >> Okay. So, uh, public hearing on 27. Hang on. >> 87. >> 8 what? >> 84. >> 84. Thank you. I turned my page. Is uh

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actually motion to open uh the public hearing on moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members. Theresa Bonner. Yes. >> Andrew Ki. Yes. Glen Deny. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger F. >> Yes. All right. Public hearing on 2784 is now open. break

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storms DGM management. Can you just clarify that, mayor, when you said you can opt in? >> Yeah, if if you own a parcel of property in that um you can opt into being a part of the take advantage of the redevelopment uh benefits. >> Okay.

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>> You do not have to be. >> And how do you know if you're in I I don't know the Latin block that we're in. So yeah, you're noted in here, but you you are not a part of it unless you would like to be. >> And how would we become part of it the

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in this ordinance or a future ordinance? >> Send a letter to us and and you'll be a part of it. >> Got it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Any other public uh comment in the hearing? >> Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close.

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Yes. I just want to raise for public note that um I believe that section E numbers three and four um need to be addressed with the um the hiring of a uh

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independent or or private um licensed tree expert to oversee and verify that the trees are planted aspect here. Um I I I say that that's been a problem in the past 20 years on the environmental commission and uh I've seen it happen. So, um, uh, I know we, uh, we talked

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about this about the planning board taking care of it, but I wanted to make a public note of that. So, the planning board does take care of it. >> Perfect. Thank you. Uh, >> so so that that was the motion to close the public hearing, correct? Yeah. >> Yes.

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>> So, um, council, this is the this is to close the public hearing, >> correct? Council members, Theresa Bonner, >> yes. >> Andrew Kiy, >> yes. >> Glende, yes. Randy Pittz, Venus Stravik, Roger V. >> Yes. >> All right. Motion for adoption, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Roll call.

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>> Council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Kiy. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger F. >> Yes. >> Okay. 27.88 uh is amending chapter 102-118 entitled off- streetet parking and loading requirements section F.

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Entitled driveways. Uh this is an ordinance that will tighten up uh driveway entrances and exits and curb cuts uh so that the the curb cut into the burrow right of way will exit into a

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same zone as uh as what is adjacent to that curb cut. All right. Is that about right, Colin? >> Yes. >> Thank you. All right. Uh motion to open the public hearing on 2788. >> So moved. >> Second. Discussion. Roll call.

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>> Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. >> Andrew Kiy. Yes. Glen. Yes. Randy Pitts. Gina Stravik. Roger Vern. >> Yes. >> All right. Public hearing on 2788 is now open. >> Hearing none. I'll ask for a motion to close. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members. Theresa Bonner. Yes.

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>> Andrew Kiy. Yes. Lendy. Randy Pitts. Gina Stravik. Roger Fern. >> Yes. >> All right. Motion for adoption, please. So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Ky. >> Yes. >> Glen, >> yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Firm,

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>> yes. >> All right. Consent resolutions. Any to be pulled off for further discussion? >> All right. Hearing none. 109. Award of a contract to Axon Enterprise, uh, doing business as evidence.com for conducted energy devices, which are tasers, certifications, add-on certifications,

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and Safari Land holsters under state contract. is noted. 110 approving Somerville Fire Department application for Daniel Jubac. I think that's awesome. Uh 111 authorizing the burrow's billing rate charge for offduty police officer services and directing notification to jobs for blue effective

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May 1, 2026. 112 is approving the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride 2026, a worldwide charity motorcycle ride benefiting prostate cancer research and men's mental health programs to utilize parking spaces in front of the historic courthouse on Main Street and between

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East High and Grove on May 17. 113 is authorizing free parking on May 14 for girls night out starting at 4 p.m. in all municipal lots. 114 is memorializing the submission of an application for community project funding for the downtown capital improvements project.

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115 is authorizing free parking on June 25th for Pride Festival starting at 4 p.m. in all municipal lots. 116 is authorizing an agreement between the Burrow of Somerville and County of Somerset for recycling pickup for the year of 2026. 117 is authorizing the application to

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the statewide insurance fund for grant funding for a burrowwide emergency communication system. 118 is accepting a donation of historical items from Barbara, Nevada to become the property of the burrow of Somerville. 119 is approving the hiring of Joseph Julia as public works operations supervisor. 120

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is approving the sale and conveyance of block 124. >> Did that, >> did we? Oh, yeah, we did. Y Thank you. >> Uh motion, please. So moved. Second. >> Discussion. >> All in favor? >> I. >> No, actually we got to Sorry. We got to do a roll call. Sorry.

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>> Uh, council members Theresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Kiy. >> Yes. >> Glen Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts. >> Yes. >> Gina Stravik. >> Yes. >> Roger Firm. >> Yes. >> All right. Bills and vouchers. Roger. >> I make a motion to approve bills and vouchers in the amount of $759,24861. >> Second.

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>> Discussion. Roll call. >> Council members Terresa Bonner. >> Yes. >> Andrew Kiy. >> Yes. Glenn Deny. >> Yes. >> Randy Pitts, >> yes. >> Gina Stravik, >> yes. >> Roger Verm, >> yes. >> All right, Mr. Deni, I will ask for a motion for adjournment. >> I move we adjourn. Second discussion. All in favor? I opposed. This meeting is

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a journ.