Okay. This meeting is called order into order 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 May 5th, 2025 was published in the Courier News and Star Ledger and
placed on the Burrow's website and Bulen board at Burough Hall. A copy of this notice is available to the public and a copy of this statement shall be included in the minutes of this meeting. Mayor Brian Gallagher here. Council members Terresa Bonner here. Andrew Ki is
excused this evening. Glenn Deny here. Randy Pittz here. Dina Stravik here. Roger Verm here. Please stand for the salute and please remain standing after. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And I just like to ask for a moment of silence. Um, the burrow lost a uh a long time volunteer uh in our scouting traditions. His name was
Christopher Munley. Uh, Mr. Munley was a great advocate for scouting. Um he was actively involved with troop 84 for decades and this man had such a wonderful positive impact on hundreds
literally hundreds of young men in this burrow and uh and and we thank his family for sharing him with all of us. So please Thank you. Okay. Can I have a motion for approval of the minutes of April 21st?
Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glen Deny. Yes. Randy Pittz. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Vroom. Okay. uh departmental reports and notices um primary election date change. So the new date is June 10 uh for those
that uh uh should hopefully actively participate in uh in this year's primary. Again, it's June 10. And there is a polling location change in the burrow. Vanir Elementary School, which traditionally has been a polling location, is no longer a polling
location. And the replacement location is the Somerville Emergency Services Facility on Gaston Avenue. So if you originally went to Vander School, you should go to the uh emergency services facility on Gaston Avenue. Um our
Memorial Day parade is coming up on May 26. Again, it begins at Culver and High Street uh at the memorial at Culver and High uh with a small ceremony there. Uh then uh proceeds down uh East and West
High Street down to North Dowy. Thank you. Passing by the fire museum. Rich will have something very special planned for us this year maybe. Uh and then up Main Street and then uh down South Bridge to the uh to
the cemetery for a very moving uh memorial service. Um, we obviously have also the tour of Somerville on May 26, Monday, which we will hear from uh Mr. Wrightman in a few minutes uh on uh on this year's tour. Uh we also have girls
night out uh May 15th uh from 5 to 9:00 p.m. That's become a Somerville tradition. Um and then we began the Somerville farmers market this past weekend. I'm sure somebody's going to give update on
that. All right. I will. So, so we we began um the Somerville Farmers Market this past Sunday. It will be active uh every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. uh in the middle school
parking lot on West High Street and it goes from now through when, Kevin, it's 30 weeks. 30 weeks. So, through November. Two weeks indoors. Okay. All right. Great. So, if you didn't make it to uh to the opening ceremonies of uh of
our farmers market, please do so and grab yourself some wonderful awesome food. So, um West Main Street Milling and Resurfacing is ahead of schedule and uh they're actually done with uh with Main Street. Uh so, they are working on
uh a lot of the other streets now. Uh for those that uh have asked me consistently over the course of the last year, yes, the course uh the racecourse roads will be paved. Uh they will be ready for uh for the races on on
Memorial Day. Not so much for uh the race folks, but for the public at large. Um and I think that is about it for uh departmental notices. So, proclamations. We are actually pulling emergency medical services week. Not that we're
cancelling it. We are uh the the squad will be coming in at our next uh council meeting and we we will present that uh to them at that time. So, we'll pull that. And then we also have a proclamation for raising awareness regarding period poverty and recognizing
period poverty awareness week May 12 through 18. Um Teresa, you'll get that proclamation to I believe it's Mave. Um and uh because I think they were collecting as you said uh la this past week. Great. All right. Thank you. Um
committee reports. Let's start with Gina. Uh the board of health will meet on um May 21st. So uh two weeks and uh there is an emphasis right now on uh child vaccinations. there's a high rate of uh disease reoccurrence of childhood
illnesses um due to weakening vaccinations and lack of vaccinations and international travel. So uh the emphasis is uh make sure children are vaccinated. Um the um the squad uh although EMS week as the mayor said is upcoming um they'll be here for for that
proclamation uh they did move into their um new home on uh West End Avenue the former firehouse. So, the squad will have their operating quarters at Weston Avenue. Uh, thanks to the burrow and and the uh the volunteers for making it all happen. Great. All right. Thank you,
Glenn. All right. Thank you, Mayor. So, the environmental commission, uh, we had a very successful cleanup and green fair on April the 26th, uh, regardless of the rain and windy weather. Um, we would like to thank the DPW for all of their help and setup and also the DSA for
supporting our, uh, move to Division Street. We were there for the entirety this year for the first time. I think it went pretty well. We had plenty of vendors and lots of people came out even in uh even in that rain. Uh and also thank thank you to all the residents who helped uh participate in also the
cleanup and uh seeing all the different fun activities we had there. Uh hopefully next year we'll have better weather. But uh also a special note, the environmental meeting is changed from its usual Tuesday. It will be next Monday, a week from today, May 12th,
right here at 7 PM. So that is a a a different date than usual, usually Tuesday. So we'll be here Monday. And then uh as far as the fire department goes, they handled 52 different calls in April. Uh four fires, three motor vehicle, four rescue, eight hazmat, five
smoke reports, and 27 different fire and CO alarms, which brings the 2025 total to 216 calls, including 25 fires. So, we thank them for their service and uh continue to enjoy the new building. Great. Awesome. Thank you, Teresa.
Thank you. Um, so the library board of trustees had their uh quarterly meeting on uh Thursday, April 24th at the library. Um and as usual the director's report was very positive with um the uh
events being well attended and um you know circulation doing well with the books and other um resources um and that the it's uh well on the way of moving
um excuse me uh the um the material that was in the New Jersey room will be up in the loft uh and will be accessible or is accessible now um if you go and ask to have things brought down to you and very
soon you will be able to go up yourself to access those materials. Um also there's some uh good uh you know great events that are going to be coming up um at the library on May 10th at 2 PM the
New Jersey Academy of Music will present a violin performance for all ages. Um the pieces performed will be by students age four through 16. So that's going to be uh really nice. Um May 12th at 6:30
p.m. the Pride Social Hour for LGBTQ adults uh will be happening. That's a a monthly uh event um that provides uh an opportunity for connection with others in a supportive environment. and May 17th at 11 am um Unraveled Somerville's
knitting and crochet group uh will be happening for experts and noviceses. That that happens twice a month, the first and third Saturdays of every month. So that's it. Great. Thank you, Randy. Thank you. As the mayor mentioned, tickets are on sale for
downtown Somerville's Girls Night Out. Uh, this event is Thursday, May 15th, 5 to 900 pm. This year's theme is Nashville Country Night. It's going to be a great night for line dancing, exclusive deals and specials, surprise
giveaways, and a mechanical bull. Mayor and council invited to take it for a ride. Sounds like a challenge to me. twostep the night away with live music by one of New Jerseys best country music tributes band Big Hicks and that's
BI hi uh live on division street for more information go to downtown somerville.org That is all I have. Awesome. Thank you, Roger. All right. From the uh recreation committee, the 34th annual Memorial Day
family fund ride will be happening obviously on the morning of Memorial Day before the race and before the parade. You could take your family on a tour of the Tour of Somerville course. It's 800 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before the parade.
Check-in times at 7:30 in front of Starbucks. Uh there's a $5 per household fee uh and financial assistance is available. All participants must wear a helmet uh regardless of age. Riders without helmets will be escorted off the
course by race officials and obviously non residents are certainly allowed to participate. Registrations can be completed by mail, online, or in person on the day of the event. It's an awesome experience uh to get the family out and get everyone together before the races and the parade starts. So, if you have
the opportunity, uh we certainly hope everyone can take advantage. Awesome. Great. Thank you. Um I have two items. Uh the first is I did receive a letter from uh from the DOT uh and it outlines
a whole bunch of uh grant programs that are uh have just become available. And Kevin, I'm going to get this to you and I' I'd like to have you share it with council to see if if there are any programs within your areas that uh that may warrant a grant application. So, we
have a municipal aid program. Uh this one is specifically to consider projects that support walking and biking safety. Um there's a transit village uh grant. Uh we obviously are a transit village, so that one um is available. We have a bikeways grant. Um and uh and obviously
if we can dovetail one and the other one that one and the municipal aid one now we may have the ability to uh to start to leverage and then a safe streets to transit program. So the details are in here. So Kevin I'll I'll give this to you if you can share that with with all of council. I just ask you to bring it
back to your respective areas and see what uh what can be done. All right. Um and then second um over the weekend um I started to receive a significant number of emails and letters
um and and they all related to um a tragedy that struck our community uh and struck a a family who's here tonight. Um, and and that was the uh uh the tragedy of Mary Rose and uh and I think
it struck a chord with everybody in this burrow. Um, our police department did a wonderful job in identifying the suspect. Um, I'm I'm speaking very carefully just so the family understands. I have to speak very
carefully. Um, I can speak off the cuff with you personally after this and I can tell you exactly how I feel. Um, but I have to speak very carefully uh during uh the public session. So, um, the police did an absolutely
phenomenal job in in apprehending uh the suspect and uh the courts then took over. this person, and I'm not going to use his name because I don't think it warrants, uh, using his name.
Uh, that's a good that's a good term for it, um, began the court process. Um, unfortunately, the court at this point, uh, determined that, uh, this
uh, was not able was not capable of, uh, hang on. Wait, wait. We have to please. So, um I think most logical people would look at this and say,
"Why?" And I give the family a lot of credit and and Mary Rose's friends a lot of credit for staying active and involved in this. Um, mom Janet is here, Jim, Dad, brother Ian, uh, are all here and
friends. And this is not an easy thing for this family to go through over and over again. And they are searching for justice. Um, they're searching for a little bit of
peace. Um, part of our job as a community is to help give them that. I reached out to the prosecutor today. Um, and I know you've had some discussions with the prosecutor. Um, and
the prosecutor and I had a very good solid conversation. And what I can tell you is that the prosecutor committed that, and this is his quote, no stone will be left unturned um in the pursuit of this justice.
So, the prosecutor's office is not done. Um, there are avenues that they are going to continue to pursue uh to bring this to justice. Um, outside of that, you know, you may
have gotten more information from the prosecutor than I have. Uh, but know that I'm involved with the prosecutor. I understand what needs to be done and
what should be done uh both from a criminal side, from a legal side and from a society's side. Uh so in those letters there were three things and I thought those letters were done extremely
well. Um there were three asks in that letter and every good letter has an ask. This had three very specific asks, and I'm just going to I'm going to edit it down. Um, one, first and foremost, was supporting an
appeal. Uh, that's to get this um to get this back to a trial, to allow justice to happen. You have my personal support and you have my public support in doing that, without a doubt. Um, and I would
venture to say everybody up at this council table would offer that support as well. Um, second, uh, it requested ongoing communication, uh, with the prosecutor's office. Not that you're not getting communication. Uh, the letter was very specific to
that. It's that the family and and the friends want to ensure that that communication continues uh, and that there is open dialogue. So, so the family can understand what exactly is happening. Um, and the
prosecutor has committed that to happen as well. Um, and then third is uh legislative and judicial judicial oversight reform. Um, and I couldn't agree with you more. These are those instances
where I think most people look and just shake their head and say, "Why?" And I don't have an answer for you. Um, and I don't know if we're going to have an answer very soon, but I will also reach out to our
legislators on behalf of all of the letters that I received, and I'm going to share those letters with all of our legislators because it's very easy to craft legislation sitting in Trenton when you're removed from
um very horrible things and you've lived this. Our community has lived this and we need to ensure that our legislators understand the impact this has had on your family and our
community and and I will work to make that happen. So, um again, I can't go into any specifics. It's just it's not appropriate at this point from this venue. Um, I appreciate
you coming out. We ran into each other in in Shopright yesterday. Um, and it was good to see you, Jim. It's good to see you. And Ian, it's good to see you.
Um, I know the Kelly's they they did a great job. Um, this is I I don't know that we can make it better, but we can help to write some things um make things
right. Uh, and and that's what our charge is. Now, I hear you loud and clear. This council hears you loud and clear. Our community hears you loud and clear. Um, the nice
thing, the roses are starting to come out. And that's a beautiful, beautiful thing. It's it's a it's a lovely testament. Um, I'm going to stop here. Um if you
have anything you'd like to say or if you just want to know that Yeah. Go ahead. It's a It's a good community. Thank you. And if you need something, you know where to find me. Shop right, too.
Thank you. Thank you for coming. All right. Um and and you don't have to stay. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. It's uh it's very difficult to kind of change gears now to go from that which just has such a profound
effect. Um but you know let's take a minute. Let's just take a minute. All right. Minute recess. All right, let's continue on. Um, discussion points. So, up first we have the tour of Somerville. Uh, Rich Wrightman is here.
Uh, he is, I believe, the chair this year of the tour. Co-chair. And, uh, he's going to chat with us a little bit about the tour. Um, obviously it's a uh the iconic event for Somerville for
decades. Uh, Glenn, you want to add anything? Intro? I mean, I still remember going as a kid and how vitally important it was to see, you know, we just talked about a lot about how our community comes together and helps people. And Memorial Day, you
know, is an amazing day where we are honoring our country as well as our town. And then uh and after the parade, then you know, we always moved on to also sort of just celebrate the community as a community and seeing, you know, some of the athleticism and the
bike racing and the just the the people in enjoying each other. And it it was I remember as a kid just how uplifting it was and it was the day you never wanted to not be in Somerville. Yep. Excellent.
Rich, you're on. Thank you. Um, now that we've dealt with the important stuff, we can deal with the tour of Somerville. Um, we have a great committee that's been working for probably eight months on a regular basis. Uh we also have a
leadership group which is myself, Ellen Nardoni who is the other co-chair and Eric Alvarez and Sheldon Hodes is the leadership group. And as long as we don't annoy them totally, they will take
over for uh future tours of Somerville as Ellen and I are hold. Um she might take issue with that. Yeah, hopefully she won't watch this. Um, as in the past couple of years, we
have a contract with Longtail Creative, which runs the race. Um, and the local group runs everything else around the race. Um, the 80th running is this year, not
the 80th anniversary, but the 80th running of the race. We have uh tribute to Bernie Nevada, which obviously I still have a problem with. Um, good group of sponsors, Unity Bank, RWJ, Barnabas Health, Verizon and
Wolf Gang, Somerset Patriots, Clinton Honda, Lind Rover of Princeton, Downtown Somerville Alliance, New Jersey Manufacturers, Titos, and those are the big numbers that have supported this race. Um, growing and, uh, financially
we look like we may be in really good shape for a change. um planned activities just to promote the race. On the next two Sundays, we will have a presence at the farmers market. Great. Uh we are not allowed to
sell our merchandise, but we can take orders for merchandise. And you will see around town and I will give you as many of these as you want. These little cards have a QR code on them. Takes you right to the website where you can make any
contribution. In addition to finding out anything you want to find out about the race, uh we are very involved in Girls Night Out. We've been working very cooperatively with with the DSA. They've been great um and offered us a lot.
Um May 15th, which is a week from Thursday, we have a night at the Somerset Patriots at which we will be part of their 5050 sale. Um, we are selling tickets and if you
buy tickets through us through the website, we get money, patriots get money. Um, it's all a function of trying to finally make the tour of Somerville profitable. We've been breaking even for a number of years and and we're working
hard to come out of this year's race with a nice amount of money in a checking account to be able to make next year better and then continue on. Um uh at the Patriots game, we'll have a
concourse table. We'll get plenty of exposure. We get Pa announcements. Um, and the 50/50 proceeds come to us. Uh, we also, thanks to the Patriots, if you notice the electronic billboard right on
Main Street, we have a presence already on that billboard and that'll be there until race day. Um, where am I? We are planning uh we'll we'll be on Division Street with a table on Thursday, Friday,
and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend for more exposure. Uh we are planning a community dinner at Alonso's hopefully on Sunday at which point we will have uh alumni race
alumni available uh lowcost community pasta dinner just to kind of bring everybody everybody together. We'll promote that in the next week or so as soon as we finish that agreement. Um, we are selling an $80 merchandise bag
thanks to Sheldon's work. Um, about $150 worth of merchandise for 80 bucks. Buy that through our website or order it when we're at the farm market. Um, it inclus, two t-shirts, two beer mugs, two
pair of sunglasses, a poster, and a voucher for Patriots tickets. We have a VIP tent at Wolf Gangs on race day. Uh, Village is cooperating with us. They are producing a tour of Somerville PSN. We
are going to have a beer tent on Maple Street selling that beer. Um, and we have income from that also in addition to their sponsorship. uh kids zone on uh courthouse green like
we have every year and other smaller items an antique bike display on division street uh a race week volunteer reception at Pops Bicycles who is also a wonderful supporter of what we're doing
and uh hopefully a display of uh re refurbished bicycles antique bic obstacles pretty much our whole weekend. I have posters, I have small posters, big posters. I will leave anything here
that you think you might find useful. Um, and if you have questions, I will make sure to defer the answers to the boys over here. Well, you know, a couple of things. one, I think it's incredible that all of you
stepped up um to to uh handle the races. The amount of work I'm familiar with the amount of work that goes into managing this race. It is it's a full-time job. And uh it's it's done by
volunteers. And again, I I I want people to understand that it's it's all of the volunteers that help make this community uh thrive. and uh your ability uh and wherewithal to stand up and say, "Yeah, I'll help out is uh incredible. So,
thank you." And thank thank you and all the entire team that you have assembled. Um it's just it's iconic Somerville. Uh Memorial Day weekend is is it's capped off by the bike races and you know, you've got all these events planned and
if people just want to come and watch the races too, they can do that. bring bring your lawn chair. Um, you know, walk around the course. It's uh it's it's an event like you really haven't seen until you have uh you know 75 bike
riders whizzing by you about three feet from you. Um it's pretty cool. It is. It's it's neat. So apparently we have a record number of riders already registered really for this year. Is is O'Neal in it? Yeah.
Yeah. Anybody council? I did have a question. What night is the Patriots game? 15th, I believe, is next th a week from Thursday. Perfect. Yeah. So, when the girls are out in downtown Somerville, all the guys can take their kids to the Patriots. We plan that. Well, that's the plan. I don't know. I might do it the
other way around, but uh but I It sounds wonderful. I hope we get the crowds back in town. Um, you know, it's been low for some for some time and and like L said, I remember when I first moved to Somerville, it was like unbelievable. Um, 12 people deep and and just just the place to be. So, sounds
like it's going to be that place. So, good luck, guys, and let us know how we can help. Anybody else? And the best part is at 35 West High Street, my office. Yes, it is. Um, actually, if you can
just give those to Kevin, the uh the cards and posters. Sort this all out for you. Perfect. Yeah. Either tonight or tomorrow. Whichever. Yeah. Thank you. All Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. All right. Um, next up is affordable
housing plan and the developer ordinance. So, um obviously the state of New Jersey uh crafted a uh a new law which requires every municipality to um to to file a new affordable housing
plan. Uh we've spent the better part of the last eight months uh walking through uh and figuring out how that plan will shape Somerville uh for the future. So, I've asked Colin to come up and kind of give us an overview
of where we're at. Um, and and what's led up to this point uh and then in the next seven, eight weeks, uh what will be happening so that uh that not only council will understand, planning board
will understand and more importantly the public will understand as well. Just make sure your mics are on or mic. How about that on stereo? There you go. Do I have to do something here? Are you going right to the uh
screen column? Yeah. Well, is it a touch screen? Oh, hold on. Are you going right to the camera or are you speaking first? I'm going to talk. while I'm showing this. Okay, I got you. Okay, how do I get rid of that?
I know. Hey, got it. Got it. Okay, you're on. Thank you, mayor. Um, this slide essentially This this is going to be a very brief introduction to what we've been working on. As the mayor said, for the last 8 to nine months,
mandated by the state um in March last year, we've had to work through a whole series of mandates and and plans and things. Um Colin, could you move that microphone closer to you? Thank you. Anything else? That' be it.
Okay. Um, in March, in May of last year, the mayor appointed affordable housing committee. Uh, beginning in November of last year, we uh began to draft a plan called the fair share housing plan um in a format acceptable by the state and by
the DCA. Uh the team continues to meet every Thursday to review the data and to update it and prepare the plan. Um the state set some standards that we were supposed
to meet. Every community in the state was allocated a number and it was broken into two parts. You got the present need which essentially and I'll pardon me I'll I'll cover it in a little more detail in a minute is what we should
have done and what we need to meet. the prospective need is what we're looking um to provide over the next 10 years. Um some of the numbers that we're working with is and all this all these numbers come from the American Community Survey
which is part of the census data. Um we've got 500 5,76 occupied units. Uh the median household income um for Somerville is 103,869.
Um that's according to the federal government. The I've included the um explanation of what present need is in the old COA system. It used to be called the rehabilitation need which was um
houses that already existed but needed fixing up. So what happened was we looked at a number of variables and the vacant land adjustment is the tool used to adjust
the numbers. The present need um as was said before need was 103 units required. When the state studied the burrow and every other community in the state, they looked at
all open land. They didn't look at it whether it was developed, whether it was built on, whether it was underwater or anything else. It was just vacant land. And so they came up with this formula that we could do a what's called a vacant land adjustment to develop the
RDP realistic development potential. So that 103 number in the plan that we will be submitting is reduced to 74 units. um the prospective need using the same type of formulation. They said we needed to do
74 units, but we brought it down to 22. So instead of having um 177 units we had to account for, we're down to 96 units that we have to
account for over the next 10 years. So it was pretty good. Um what we've done already, the burrow has introduced um an affordable an ordinance for an affordable housing trust fund. And this is a fund that is dedicated to providing
either funding or other tools to help rehabilitate um existing housing or possibly even constructed housing um for the use of affordable housing. Um, one of the things in the plan, um,
asked for what type of housing, and we're we're encouraging, and the mayor can talk to this for many minutes on end, um, a whole choice of affordable housing alternatives, looking at veterans, handicapped, single heads of
households, and and maybe even looking at um what they call small houses. um whether we build them, whether we encourage others to build them, whether someone else builds them and dedicates them, they're all included in the plan.
And um tonight, we're going to introduce a developers fee ordinance. And um this will come into effect when the plan is submitted. Um, what it essentially means is anyone who builds anything that has
four residential units or above will pay a fee to the burrow. And there's a calculation, and I'm not going to go into it tonight. I believe I probably will when it gets adopted, but it's a percentage of the equalized assessed value. So, it's not a formula that you
will give me $100 for every 100 square feet. It's whatever the new unit is assessed for by the assessor. It's a a percentage of that and it varies whether it's commercial, non-commercial or pure
residential. So, um that that fee funds the trust fund which funds affordable housing that is not being built by a commercial enterprise or something like that. The data we used um was our own
Somerville housing authority data, senior citizens housing documents trying to um formulate as much as we could the board of social services at the county um and the the DCA fire safety hazard
list um which allowed us to look at all um homes that are either noted as affordable on some role or some other document within in the state. Um, it should be noted because I'm not going to go into a lot of this verbiage,
um, that for COA rounds one through three, the burrow complied to the requirements of COA with market rate housing. Um, that has moved away from us with the current housing market being as
it is. So we we've had to comply to this. Um I want to talk briefly about the definitions that both the federal and state governments and we uh have to use. Um you've got very low income
housing which um had determines to be 30 household income equal to 30% or less of the median income for the region. Now I haven't made a big note of it here
but the median income in region three which is 10 middle sex and somerset for a threeperson household is $131,580. So to be considered very low income you've got to be making 30% of
that. Low income housing is equal to 50% or less of that median income and moderate is um 80% or down to 50%. So the the the whole thing is based
on the median income as determined by the most recent census. There's not a thing that we can do to control that number. So, where are we? It seems to me that uh 57 is in two
days from now. Uh we hope to have the draft plan finally edited enough to distribute to both the planning board and to the council for review. It won't become public at that point. It will be a
review exercise. on the 14th which is a week from Wednesday. Um planning board will review it um formally. Um we then have to notice that the um planning board is reviewing
and and I'm going to make recommendations to council and that'll happen on the 28th that meeting. So that that is a critical meeting. In between times on the 19th um the council will have a a
review and comment on on the uh plan. Um we've got here that in June we do the first introduction of the developer fee ordinance. We've pulled that forward to tonight and the next council meeting
hopefully it will be adopted. And the reason it's pulled forward is there's other documents being prepared and we didn't want to flood council with too much all on one evening. Um I think that with the critical dates you've got the 16th
um or actually the 28th of this month being the uh planning board and then the 16th of June because that is when hopefully the council will get the plan and recommendations from the planning board and endorse the
plan. Um, and once it's endorsed, uh, we've got 48 hours to get the plan and supporting documents submitted to the courts and to the DCA. And that finishes the first part of the process. Um, following the
submission to um, the courts and the DCA, there will be challenge periods. Um, they have the right to challenge us. independent organizations have the right to challenge us and we won't get accepted
until January of 2026. The acceptance stops all challenges. Um we may have we have the opportunity then to go back and make amendments. Um the plan will become active on July 1st,
2026. That's I believe all I've got for you. Yeah. So, so we wanted to give council uh just kind of like a broad overview of where we're at. Uh once you get the draft plan, uh that will start to give you more detail uh or will give you
detail, not more detail. Um and and you'll be able to see uh where the committee went uh where the planning board went uh with our responsibility in fulfilling our role in affordable providing for affordable housing.
Um, you know, the the committee has been working on this for for months and uh we we believe it's in fairly good shape that uh it's uh it's something that works for Somerville and uh so our
planning board's going to have a crack at it, then the council has a crack at it, then the planning board has another crack at it, then the burough council has another crack at it. Um and in all of those meetings, the public has a crack at it. They do. and oh sorry and so so it's a uh it's a very open public
process um as well it should be and uh our professionals will be uh doing a deep dive presentation uh for both the planning board and for the council and uh uh once you get the plan if you do have questions I would I would suggest
that you email them in um so that they have time to understand the nature of the question and provide backup data uh if necessary as well. So that cover it. No, I think you got it. I just want to if I can. Yeah. Um
one of the directions that the committee was given was to produce a document that wasn't voluminous in in number of pages, but was accurate and concise and stated the case very well. Um we're going to
get a document. It's about 70 pages long. Um It's concise. It it supports itself. And um I believe that uh our attorney has told us that we are one of the first communities to reach this
milestone at this particular point in time. And we've got five to six weeks until everyone's got to flood the state with their affordable housing plan. So the mayor is correct. We're in a very good situation and as long as we can
address the concerns given by both this board and by the planning board and the public and get them vetted and either included into or responded to u in due course, we're in a good place. Well, one of the other things we're developing is
a uh a short sheep a short sheet bullet synopsis of the 70 pages. Um and and it's It's volu. There's a lot of information in a very small package. And what we're trying to do is to kind of condense all of the information, all of
the items that most people will say, well, did you think of this or why aren't we doing this into one document that that people who don't want to take the time to read 70 pages, which is most of us, um uh they can actually
understand the whole theory uh and and and push forward for affordable housing in Somerville. And we're we're taking great pains. Um we took some of our cues whether you agreed with the the uh uh school board
referendum or not. They put out a a one sheeter that was very concise. Um you may not have agreed with it. Um but it was a very concise document uh listing a lot of information, pertinent information. Um, so we're what we're trying to do is to uh is to model after
that and put something out that is easily understandable by all. So that's about it. So much more to follow over the next seven weeks. Yeah. Thank you. Thank
you. Um, and then the last item up for discussion is the Skip the Stuff campaign. And apparently there's nobody here to talk about Skip the Stuff, so we're going to skip that stuff. Uh, we'll pull that from the agenda as well. Um, I'll ask for a motion to open the
meeting to the public. So moved. Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glenda, yes. Randy Pitts, yes. Tina Traverick, 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. Uh, my name is Matt Roashan. I'm at 22 North Richards. Um, I have a neighbor behind me who has been putting out um, peanuts for squirrels. And this has been going on for well over a year. Um, I complained to code enforcement. I've
complained to the board of health about it. U, we've now got a rodent infestation. The entire neighborhood's being affected by it. Our whole block. Um, someone is putting out rat poison to try to mitigate this problem. And, um, it now we're worried about dogs getting
into the rat poison, everything. Um when I talked to code enforcement, they talked to the attorney and they said there's no there's no specific um burough rules against feeding animals. Um which I understand we don't want to, you know, if someone wants to put out a
bird feeder, that's fine, but um we're talking like I have thousands of peanut shells across my property. Um I've got so much rodent damage from chewing. Um they're in the cars. They're building nests inside of the engine bay. Um they're just they're chewing up the the
gutters. I have to keep replacing the gutters. This is a house adjacent to you or behind you? Yeah, it's directly behind me. It's in the same block. All right. Um if I don't want to put the address on on the record, so maybe after the meeting, we're we're uh if you can hang around for a little bit, you can give the address to uh to Mr. Sluka.
Okay. Um I did you call the board of health? I did. Yes. The Yeah. The Somerset board of health. So, so there's a couple of I think I think what we will do um rather than working individually I am a little familiar with this. You are okay. All right. So, I think a conversation afterwards um I don't have
the updates from from the health agency that but I am a little familiar with this came up but in a conversation about two weeks ago with code enforcement and health. Okay. All right. So, let's let's chat afterwards. I just don't want to put somebody's address on the on the record. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other public comment? Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close. So moved. Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glen, yes. Randy Pitts, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Verm, yes. Public is
now closed. Uh, ordinance for introduction, uh, ordinance number 0, uh, sorry, 2764 is amending the land use and development fee ordinance of the bureau of Somerville, establishing an affordable housing development fee. Colin, you want to give us just a very
brief overview on this, please? I'm not going to show anything here, but it the what you what you have attached to your agenda is very comprehensive. You've got a copy of um the draft as I call it because I've already seen some
one section that needs to be clarified a little bit. So that'll be done between now and next meeting. But it it defines what housing developments are, what CO was compliance, the developers fee. It
lists the percentiles um that each builder or developer has to submit um based on the size of their development and whether it's a commercial development, it's a residential development or a private
development. Um I won't go into the fees right now because they may in fact alter slightly between now and introduction. Yeah. And one of the reasons we're trying to get this uh on the table now is so that um
developments developments that are five units and above will fall under our affordable housing plan. Correct. Development units that are four units and less do not fall under that. But we want to be able to capture that portion
still uh as a part of our overall uh affordable housing plan. So that's that's the reason for uh for doing this. Yeah. And and that's one of the reasons why we've pulled it forward a little bit even though there's got to be some word changing because there is an
inclusionary ordinance that will be introduced in the near future as well which in is is a companion to this and essentially says the these know the whole burrow will be included in the
developers fee. Yeah. And and some other things. Yeah. There will be some language changes in here. We we know that uh between now and uh and adoption, we'll have some some modifications and whatever modifications we make, let's make sure we redline them so council can understand absolutely what has changed
from one version to the next. Absolutely. And I think the the the important thing, and I believe I mentioned it at some point tonight, the the fees, regardless of the percentage being levied against the developer, is
based on what the burrow's um tax assessor assesses the property at. It becomes a percentage of the equalized assessed value. So that's important to bear in mind when you're reading through this that it's not just a madeup number.
It's a number that has been calculated based on the value of that unit. Okay? Or units. Um again, while it's not required that we hold a public uh hearing at introduction, um I always allow for
public comment at introduction. So I'll open up for public comment on 2764. Hearing none, I'll close public comment at 2764 and I'll ask for a motion for introduction. So moved. Second discussion.
I I just wonder I understand the reason for rushing this through, but we're going to make multiple changes. It's very dense. I'm not sure that we should be bringing it forth until it's ready. Um and there's numerous questions that I
have. As I said, it's very dense and I know we've talked about it, but we haven't gone through it uh line by line. Uh I'm not prepared to vote on this. So, it is a chapter 102 ordinance which would require it it also go to the planning board. So, um that's where
they'll also uh vet it and have a public hearing as well. Yeah. So, so it will leave here. It will go to the planning board. the planning board will have an opportunity to weigh in um and make some comments and revisions and then their revisions will also come to the burough
council for final review and adoption. At that point, you can ask any final questions. Again, um as I stated before, if you have questions on these items, it's incumbent upon us to ask them prior to the meeting starting so that our professionals can be prepared to answer
them uh while they're here. So um uh that's what we got. So c can I ask two yeah two quick questions though just about the exemptions just out of curiosity that when listing the exemptions is the
transit hub and then also projects determined by the New Jersey Transit Corporation to be part of a transit village. Do we have things that are still that that would apply to at this point? I'm not sure I understand the question, but well, the the exemption for the for
the fee lists uh things that are uh described as a transit hub or then there's another bullet that says for uh that's part of a transit village plan. I'm just curious as to if if we have any other projects that I know we're sitting in one right now, but that's that's already been built. That's I'm just
asking them if there was anything else that's other than property owned by New Jersey Transit. No, thanks. This followed just just to add a little footnote, it followed some statutory guidance.
Um, exjudge Miller issued something called a 1240 document which laid out a number of steps that we need to take. Um, that is part of this and I agree it's a dense document. I go crosseyed
reading it, but it becomes part of the submission we make with our plan. So, we're up against a mandatory state deadline to get all this supporting paperwork done and and this is this is an introduction, Gina. So, we have the ability to look at it over the course of
multiple meetings. Um, I understand that. Yeah. So, um, any other comments? Uh, I'll ask for a motion for introduction. So, moved. Second. Did I do it already? Yeah, we did. We have to vote. It's up to a vote now. All right. Sorry. It's okay. I get lost sometimes.
Uh, all right. Uh, roll call. Council members. Theresa Bonner, yes. Glen Den, yes. Randy Pittz, yes. Gina Stravik, no. Roger Verm, yes. Okay. Ordinances for public hearing and adoption. Thank you, Colin. Thank you. Uh, ordinance number
2760 is amending chapter 166-42 schedule one entitled no parking to allow for parking on Central Avenue on the south side. Uh, fairly self-explanatory. Uh, I will ask for a motion for public hearing. So moved.
Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glendon. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Fern. Yes. Public hearing on 2760 is now open. Hearing none. I'll ask for a motion to close public hearing. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call.
Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glen, yes. Randy Pitts, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Ver, yes. And motion for adoption, please. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Glendon, yes. Randy
Pittz, yes. Gina Straick, yes. Roger Verm, yes. All right. 2761 is amending article 2 chapter 102 section 4 subsection P entitled definitions and word usage definitions P adding the term portable ondemand storage pod or temporary storage units to the land use
code. Uh this is an e effort to capture uh and and to control uh to some degree the use of pods uh in the neighborhoods and uh and have them begin to be registered uh and uh so that they're not
popping sprouting up and then remaining there so that there's time frames on them. Um I will ask for a motion for to open the public hearing. So moved. Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Glen, yes. Yes. Randy Pittz, yes. Gina Stravik,
yes. Roger Ver, yes. Public hearing on 2761 is now open. Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Clinton E. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Genus
Traic. Yes. Roger Ver. Yes. Motion for adoption, please. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members. Theresa Bonner. Yes. London. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Tina Straick. Yes. Roger firm. Yes. All right. 2762 is amending chapter 74B entitled dumpsters to
include portable on demand storage units uh pods to the burough code. Similar to 2761. I'll ask for a motion for the public hearing. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glen. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Tina Stravik. Yes. Roger
Verm. Yes. Public hearing on 2762 is now open. Hearing none. I'll ask for a motion to close. So move. Second discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Lensen E. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Roger Ver. Yes. I'll ask
for a motion for adoption. So moved. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Glenda. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Tina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. Okay. Uh consent resolutions. We are pulling consent
resolution number 122. Uh that will be deferred until next meeting or the meeting there. Uh the following meeting. Following meeting. Okay. Uh we are also adding resolution 134 uh which is a resolution recognizing May 4 through 10, 2025 as
small business week in Somerville Burrow. Actually, walk-ons have to be uh voted on separately. Correct, Kevin? Uh that's been our practice. Good. Okay. All right. Any to be pulled off for further discussion? Okay. So we have 123 is
approving escrow refund on application 21-00009Z known as 64 Mercer block 109 lot 6 to Jose Fenco and Jerusa Fenco from the board of adjustment escrow account 124 is appointing Katherine Houses's municipal court judge retroactive from March 18 for three
years. 125 is rescending resolution 241104320 awarding a contract to Island Tech Services under New Jersey state contract as noted uh in the amount of $15,366 for G-Tech video solution for
interview room system 126 is authorizing a contract for the purchase of interview room 2 camera standard from Axon enterprise under state contract noted for law enforcement equipment inst and installation 127 is authorizing the sale of surplus plus property being a 2014
Chevrolet Caprice through municipid. Uh 128 is approving the hiring of lifeguards for the 25 pool season. 129 authorizing payment for the $500 application fee for a supplemental grant from the hazardous discharge site remediation fund to the NJA for the
remediation of certain sections of the Somerville Landfill BDA. Uh 130 is approving the hiring of Janet Gaton as seasonal hourly pool director. 131 accepting a grant of $5,000 and approving chapter 159 for state of New
Jersey sustainable Jersey grant for PSENG energy efficiency partnership program outreach campaign funded by PSENG. 132 is establishing a seasonal farmers market fee of $300 for fire safety type one inspections for the full season and amending the existing fee
schedule. 133 is approving Somerville Fire Department application for Dylan Rice. Do we have a motion? So moved. Second. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner, yes. Glen Deny, yes. Randy Pittz, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Verm, yes. All right. 134 is a walk-on resolution. Again, this is
recognizing May 4th through 10 as small business week in Somerville Burrow. I like to think that every week is small business week in Somerville Burrow, not just May 4th through 10. So, I agree. We would encourage everybody to shop local, shop downtown, shop Somerville. Uh, do
we have a motion? So, move. Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Terresa Bonner. Yes. Glen, yes. Randy Pitts, yes. Gina Stravik, yes. Roger Ver, yes. All right. Roger. Bills and vouchers. I make a motion to pay bills and vouchers in the amount of
3,57,719.13. Do we have a second? Second. Discussion. Roll call. Council members Theresa Bonner. Yes. Glen Deny. Yes. Randy Pitts. Yes. Gina Stravik. Yes. Roger Verm. Yes. All right. Mr. Pittz, may I ask for a motion for adjournment, please? Like to make a motion to
adjourn. Second. Discussion.