D, are you ready? There you go. >> Good evening. Welcome to the sixth meeting of the year. Today is April 13th, 2026. Uh if you Alyssa, can you please read the uh publication? >> In compliance with chapter 231 of public law 1975, notice of this meeting to be
held at the criminal justice building, 61 Main Street, South River, has been published in the Home News Tribune on January 7th, 2026. posted on the municipal building bulletin board, the burough website in the front door of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street, South River. >> Roll call. >> Mayor Gindy
>> here. >> Councilman Dilva >> here. >> Councilman Donado >> here. >> Councilman Demian >> here. >> Councilman Janicopolis >> here. >> Councilman Gchensky >> here. >> Council President Dantis >> here. Please stand for the salute to the flag and a moment of silence. I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. We have two presentations today. One is going to be sorry we have one
presentation today. One is going to be on a water meter replacement project and the proclamation is going to be on national public safety telecommunicators week proclamation. I like to do that first before we get into the water meter replacement. Danielle wanted to say a few words after
this. All right. Whereas emergencies can occur at any time and require police, fire or emergency medical services. And whereas when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical
technicians is a critical to the protection of life preservation of the property. And whereas the safety of our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of the information obtained from citizens who telephone the South River
Police Department's emergency communication center. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services. And whereas public safety telecommunicators
are the single vital link for our police officers and firefighters by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety. Whereas public safety telecommunicators and of the South River Police Department have contributed
substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients. And whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding the professionalism during the performance of their job in past
year. Now therefore, I Peter S. Gindi along with the members of the council of the burough south river do hereby proclaim April 12th through 18 2026 to be national public safety telecommunicators week in south river in honor of the men and women whose
delegates and professionalism keep our community and the citizens safe given under the hand of the seal the burough south river 13th day of April 2026 I can't thank you enough for what you do every day you are the heart and soul Soul of the first
responders are what drives this town to sink. >> All right. Next is going to be the presentation to the water meter replacement which is going to be Phipe to explain to us all the procedures. uh the timeline what we have done where are
we are where are we at today >> council president um again Philipe contrez thank you for having me early in the meeting so um update on the project we are we have received the third phase of
surveying first two uh survey sections are complete we're working on the third one last section missing if you look at the map of South River northeast is section one northwest is section two, southwest is section three and um
section four is the southeast. All the town has been surveyed. Right now we're just checking inverts for manholds and storm to avoid any conflicts of uh during the construction of the water man. As you know the test speed plan has been completed. Uh it
took about three months where we tested uh the location of the pipes and materials and diameter and all that all that have been incorporated in the plans and specifications. We have also prepared environmental assessment report and has submitted to
the um NJ infrastructure uh bank for review and approval municipal element and um we have um looked into additional avenues for funding. So we have a better uh
opportunity to have a little bit more money, free money from the state if we add the service line replacements in the project. where we're looking for a way to include those include those in the project so we get uh better
principal forgiveness and reduction in the interest rate about 5% reduction from 15 from 20 to 25 and u the principal forgiveness also go back a little bit at the same time the mayor
Don and uh Joe um and I have been working with uh mainly Don she's she's is coordinating all of us uh to request funding uh to the office of um uh Cy Booker. It's been a challenge.
They are very tough and they have a a lot of people to satisfy but we are pushing hard on trying to get some uh interest uh not interest free money for the project. Um so we keep pursuing that. We had a couple meetings. We have one meeting two
weeks ago where they offer just a little bit. We're going to push for more. Mayor is leading that that opportunity there. In terms of the design, um as I said, the three phases are pretty much complete.
Um we are also coordinated with the um Middle Sex County for Oldbridge Turnpike. It's a difficult situation for with them because as you know that that is the boundary of the town and if we go and do the work there the county is
requesting to repave the whole street across curb to curb which is significant amount of money considering that we are in our side of town. So we're looking into uh details with them in what we need to do.
Um, front end specifications will be ready in about three weeks. We're going to start a review with the Office of State Controlling, New Jersey Office of State Controller. For any project larger than $15 million, we're required to follow that procedure.
Um, it takes a while. um they're looking at contractual obligations for us than the contractor in terms of the front end the specifications of the bid documents. With this in mind um we are aiming to
have a complete uh design by September, middle of September. At that point in time, we're going to send it to municipal finance and construction element from BP to get their authorization to advertise. Um, in terms of how long they've been
taking, we're looking for authorization to advertise sometime in u December, middle of January, depending on on what they have in the in the queue. With that said, we're looking at u financial um
ability for uh 2027 fiscal year and uh notice to proceed for the contract in about April of 2027. There is an important thing here because we need to be aggressive but we need to also be conscientious of the size of the
project and what it means to all of us to go for the whole project. So 160,000 linear feet of pipe. So we might face the project into two or three uh timelines. So we can stagger the work of one is completed then we go to the
other one and then to the other one. But we want to do the full design and the full review of the entire document. So we don't have to go uh further review and approval every time we have a project out for bid. That also give us the opportunity to go and ask for interim financials. Uh
so it might not close on the for fiscal year 27. We might be able to ask for uh interim financing on 26 to alleviate some of the costs that we might been incurred so far. cost estimate of the project. It was included in the financial in the
environmental assessment report. We forwarded um a few weeks ago um well more than a few weeks ago and we reforwarded again a few weeks ago for your review of the status of that. In terms of permitting,
uh the water main extension permitting was approved. Uh that doesn't mean that the design of the waterman was complete. which is given parameters that we're going to follow to guarantee a successful in installation of the water man in the in
the borrow. We're currently working in uh soil erosion and sediment control plants uh New York City DOT traffic control plans and um Middle Sex County roads conversations that we need to have
once we have a clear understanding of the design in those roads. Um, we're also going to be back very soon with the water department and with uh public works to look at the areas that have been paved recently and what does this
mean for us in terms of the project or roads that are going to be plan ahead so we can maybe prioritize those streets in order to make the project more efficient. That's all I have for you. Open for any questions if you have any.
Uh are you planning on doing a certain section of town first? Is it the worst t parts get done first? I'm assuming because that's a lot of the questions that we're getting. >> Correct. >> So is that part of the phase system like so phase one would I would hope >> norththeast?
>> Northeast. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> That's the area that hydraulic model uh color in the water. All the complaints have been in that area. We did a fire um testing. We didn't clear the pipes for days if
not weeks just trying to get the uh color out of the water. So yes, we're going to start there. >> So that's being prioritized. I just want to make that clear. Yep. Okay. Thank you. >> I I sent a copy of the plans uh recently of what has been completed in design and
that section is already complete. >> I do have a question. you had mentioned Main Street and then some of the other county roads leazing with u any of the situations where the roads recently paved are going to be paved and you said we're going to try or we're going to look into that. >> Obviously the county money, our money,
the money that goes into these projects is better spent once not twice, right? >> So when you say we're going to try to look into that, is there a protocol where they have like a cut off of like if your project's going to start in a certain amount of months, you would pause any paving? Do they have like a timeline or do they just guess? So
that's a difficult conversation that we always have with the county because when they say we want to do it, they just go and do it. They've told about Main Street for years that they were going to do it. We never had a date. Now it's understanding that it's going to be done very soon.
Very soon in a capital improvement project of this nature could be a year. But keep in mind that this project is at least five years of construction. when I say that but for one contractor if one contractor follows the whole thing we're going to try to
prioritize it in terms of maybe two crews but that timeliness on a specific roads we just need to know when that is going to happen that is conversation we're having with the county right now because once we know then we can say
maybe we go just with this main roads right now and we just don't maybe not do the whole length we just do enough from the main to get out of the rightway into the side streets >> and then we prioritize that section like that. >> Right. Cuz I can understand like timing.
Um main street for example, the money is one thing but it's a main road. The inconvenience again. Uh we just ripped up where they pulled out the railroad ties and they're going to go back and repave it. Even just having a conversation on that specific one. I understand prioritizing the area town that's in worse shape, but maybe it's
that's the second step after the roads that are in timelines. I just want to make sure that all of us appear involved in that conversation. Uh too many times it's like oh if we would have said something or we have thought of that. Um it's been a verbal conversation between all of us here and there about that and
we all seven of us have discussed that we have to do the most logical efficient and least disruptive to the bureau um inconvenience-wise and of course financially for the county and the bureau to not spend you know good money after bad. So that that's all. Thank
you. I've got a question. By the way, uh thank you for all the information you sent me. It was uh pretty complex and complete. Uh we talked about difficulties that you're having with uh I guess it's a D with the the
connections to the residential homes. >> Yes. >> Uh what did they you ever get that resolved with them? So when we sent the water main extension permit, part of the permit that we need to do to reconstruct
the the water manes in town, uh they had four comments. Uh utilities crossings more than 10 ft. U end of roads, end of mains, they need to have a hydrant. Um separation needs to be X or Y. and
they don't like partial replacements. Partial replacements of laterals. If I may elaborate a little bit on that, we have the water man. We have a lateral all the way to the curb stop and from the curb stop into the house into the meter. The project was foreseen to replace from
the water man to the curb stop. that is not what they want to see under the lead service line replacement to the state. In order to do it that way, there are mechanisms because they not to do it
because they understand that not everybody's on board considering that the property that that the water man is owned by the property owners, not the borrower. So, it's not an easy conversation of that. There is an avenue to include in the bid
a series of advertisement telling the owners, hey, we're going to be here. You can replace your water mane, your your lateral right now with the contract. That's one. The second option would be um you can um we'll do it for
you and then you pay us with the water bill, whatever it is, or we just go ahead and do it and get the money from the state and then finance with the whole town for the service laterals that need to be replaced. Only the lead lines need to be replaced. Keep in mind, we
don't have a clear inventory on lead right now. We're talking about 3,350 laterals with this project, 60% of the users. So, we cannot put that as a request because
we don't know the materials. Uh, but switching the project from a water main replacement project to a lead service line replacement plus a water main project will allow for some funding on that end. So, that's what we're trying
to navigate right now. >> Um, another question I had, um, oh, you said, we've talked about this before at different meetings. Um, there's not going to be, uh, you're not going to be repaving each road. You're
just going to be doing the trenches from what I understand. So you got the main trench for the uh the the water man itself and then you got the service trenches that go on either side for each one of the homes or or building or the uh businesses. Now when you do all that
some of our roads are in pretty bad shape. What happens when the road starts to fall apart? So that is a funding question for you. Do you want to repair the whole road or no? The mechanism with the state for water
man replacement will not reimburse for full curb to curb repayment. You do water and sewer you do. If you do just water, you don't get that. So you would do the project pay for the trench
that goes into the loan and the remaining is with your own funds and cannot be included in the in the loan application. So those are the alternatives to mitigate that. We're leaving two things open. The trench is the trench and we can't do anything about it, right? For the water man, for
the laterals, we are listing it as an open trench, but there is a possibility that they can maul it. So we don't have the cross in every household. There are places where we can do it, but where we have utility conflicts, when
you have to cross the sanitary, I'm not going to recommend that. But if it's open, we should allow the contract to minimize the amount of asphalt and trench restoration that would have to do. >> Okay. The um the other question I have that assuming we that can be done that
way. Every trench you uh you excavate in any project you have settlement problems. I put the material back in. What what what uh provisions we have to make sure that minimum is minimal. So you have the trench, you back fill, you
compact. Then we're going to put 8 in of DGA of uh asphalt on top of the DGA. And we let it sit for three months, waiting for settlement. Usually the trench doesn't settle. It's what's next to it that settles.
After those three months of natural settlement, reshaping of the trench and the boundary areas, going to mill and pave, not just the trench, it's going to be the trench plus a foot in each side and then probably a six foot wide
vinyl top coat for restoration, final restoration for the project. And then we do striping. And so >> what type of um excavation for those trenches in the in the pavement? Are you going to jackhammer them? Were you going to cut? We are going to saw cut the two sides and then we take as clean
as possible. Keep in mind that we have asphalt. Uh keep in mind that we have concrete in some roads. Keep in mind that we have asphalt and concrete in some roads. So that cut has to be >> and as far as compaction goes, how you what percentage of compaction are you
going to be able to achieve? because there's a certain method you use to compact where you're going to wind up with I think it's maybe 96% compaction. But how do you how do you gauge that? >> 95. Well, the main thing is that you compact every six inches of material. You don't just dump the whole thing the
whole DGA in the hole. We put six inches, we compact, another six inches, we compact, another six inches, we compact, we get to the eight inches and then we put the asphel on top. But one important thing is the proximity of the other utilities gas
and sewer storm have required for us to encase a significant amount of length of pipes of water pipe new pipes. So in those pipes that are going to be encased the cellment is going to be minimum. Why?
Because we're encasing them with kret it's a light bit too tuminous that can be demolished and whatever but it prevents from any bagging in after the installation. So it's it's a combination of two of the two.
>> Yeah. Because I've I've seen trenches where they the trench themselves will sink about 3 4 in >> at least. Yeah. >> And um people going to go driving down the road and they're going to have that wash washboard effect like they have on they had on Main Street and they want to
avoid that. That does shake homes. >> Yeah. >> Um, so whatever you you're going to have to have good inspection out there watching these guys do a 6 in lift or 8 in lift. I'd be surprised if you get it. So we have to keep a really sharp eye on it on these contractors, whoever they
are. How do I know that? I've been there. Um, so that is my concern. Everything works out fine and we get minimal amount of settlement. Yeah, you're gonna have to wait like you say the six to eight months to see if whatever settlement is
and then come back and top it off. >> Correct. >> If it's done properly should be a minimal amount of uh problems and that's we want to maintain that keep it that way. Weather is also a factor. So we don't
>> of course compact back trench when it's raining experiencing during the test pit options that we had a very wet times and you compact and you're pushing water and then it doesn't do anything. >> It's muck. >> Yes. So we had to come a couple times to
fix it. So we understand the situation. >> A good inspection is gonna is going to help an awful lot. Okay. All right. Well, I appreciate it. Look forward to working with you. >> We are going to go into the introduction
of the 2026 municipal budget. Melissa 2026-118. >> Resolution 2026118 resolution accepting the Burough South River municipal budget for the fiscal year of 2026. >> Motion to adopt as introduced.
>> Second. Motion by Council President Danzis, seconded by Councilman Kushinsky. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> yes. >> Councilman Damian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janopus, >> yes. >> Councilman Gchensky, >> yes. >> Council President Dantis,
>> yes. >> We are going to go into agenda session. We have one for first sorry second reading. We have two for first reading. Uh all three of them are going to be uh explained by uh our uh BA Mark. So for
second reading 2026-8 basically is the amending the loading zone on Mark's Place. Basically it adds the hours from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. uh and actually expands the loading zone. So the furthest point on Mark's Place from Jackson Street is 130 ft which is
originally in the ordinance and it's shortening the distance the closest distance from 110 ft to 85 ft. So that's that's the change. Um, first reading 2026-9.
It's amending uh chapter 193-31.1, which is the handicap parking. It's adding a handicap parking uh spot on Philip Street near the corner of Burton Avenue. Uh the resident of Burton Avenue does not have a driveway. Uh she's
looking to in install a uh handicap ramp uh from the side of her house. um she has the proper uh documentation, the proper placards from DMV uh to pass to get a handicap parking space. And then the last one, first reading is 2026-10
is to amend chapter 193 entitled vehicles and traffic is to uh implement a no parking zone on William Street from Henry to Leroy. And that's on the westbound side, western side of William Street. It's directly in front of St. Steven's Church. There are already signs
there for no parking and the majority of the curbs are already painted yellow. So, it's just not in the ordinance and we're looking to add it into the ordinance. Okay. >> All right. Thank you, Alyssa. Second reading 2026-8. >> Ordinance 20268, an ordinance of the
burrow of South River, county of Middle Sex, State of New Jersey, amending the burough code of the burrow of South River, so as to amend chapter 193 entitled vehicles and traffic. >> Motion to have the full read. Second. >> Motion by council president Dennis. Second by councilman Dazamian. >> All in favor?
>> I like to open this up to the public. >> First call. Second call. >> Motion to close public. >> Motion by council president. Second by councilman Christian. Uh sorry uh Gene Acopoulos. >> All in favor? I. >> Council discussion.
>> Do I have a motion? Motion. Motion by Councilman Kushinsky. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Gina Copoulos. >> Counciloman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis.
>> Yes. >> Listening 2026-9. >> Ordinance 20269. An ordinance to amend the code of the bureau of South River, chapter 193, entitled vehicles and traffic by amending section 193-31.1
schedule 2A handicap parking thereof. May I move that council pass ordinance 2026-9 on its first reading by title only and that the clerk be authorized to publish the same as required by law with the second reading and public hearing to be held at a meeting at 7 p.m. on
Monday, May 11th, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street in South New Jersey. >> Do I have a second? >> I'll make a second. >> Motion by Councilman Council President Sennis. Second. Seconded by Councilman
Geneopoulos. >> Counciloman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janopalis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gchensky. Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. >> 2026-10. >> Ordinance 202610. An ordinance of the burrow of South River County Middle Sex
to New Jersey amending the burough code of the burrow of South River so as to amend chapter 193 and titled vehicles and traffic. I move that council pass ordinance 2026-10 on its first reading by title only and that the clerk be authorized to publish the same as is required by law
with the second reading of public hearing to be held at a meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 11th, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street in South New Jersey. >> Motion by council president Danis. >> Second.
>> Second by councilman Kosinsky. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. >> We're going to go into reports. Uh CME Justin. >> Thank you, Mayor. Brief update on the
active capital projects taking place in the bureau for the 2023 and 2024 local a program. Our office is actively working with the contractor to complete the remaining purchase items and close the project. for the 2023 local transportation projects grant. The NJ DOT has agreed with the bid
recommendation to award the project to Crossroads Paving and a pre-construction meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks. 2025 local aid program, the project has been advertised and the bid opening is scheduled for April April 30th at 10 a.m. 2025 electrical substation maintenance. Uh work has
begun on the improvements. And then for the 2026 local a program, uh our office has been authoriz authorized and design work has begun. That's all I have. Thank you. question. Nope. Thank you, Justin. Uh CFO Joe.
>> All right. A couple things on the agenda. Number one, you have a resolution for the shared service agreement with the Miltown Court. Uh we share a court administrator for a day and a half. She goes over there for a day and a half and they pay us for that service. You also have a resolution to approve the LOAP list for the volunteer fire department that we do annually. Uh
you have a bid award for unidirectional flushing for phase two and three and valve exercising in the town. We did phase one in 2024. This is phase two and three. This will comply with the NJ and the water quality accountability act and also help with fleet bay with the project with the water main replacement
project by um mapping all the valves and everything in town. Um and then last thing for the budget, I'll just highlight a couple things if you want for the budget. Yeah. All right. So, our budget is an estimate. It's a planning document. Uh, we have to comply with the state New Jersey cap laws, which is the
appropriation cap law and the tax levy cap law. The introduction of the budget complies with both. There's no cuts in services in the budget. Uh, within the next day or two, the budget will be online for the public to see. Uh, also with all the other financial documents, which is the 2025 annual financial statement and the 2025 annual debt
statement. So, all the documents will be on the website for the public to see. uh the budget committee which is council president Dantis, councilman Dimeian and Councilman Donado and Mark and I met about five times to go over the budget. We also met with departments, the police, fire, DPW, OEM and discussed
their budget requests also. So the budget is broken down into four funds. It is the current fund where your taxes go in and pay most of your your expenses which are police, fire, finances, debt service and all that stuff. We also have an electric fund, a water fund and a parking fund. Uh the
toughest thing in the budget really wasn't a revenue issue because most of our revenues from last year hit their marks. It was on the expenditure side. Uh health insurance increased 25.25%. Which is about 506,000. So when you look at our total budget and a 2% increase is
239,000 and one line goes up 56,000. You know it's going to be a tough budget year. But this is everywhere. This just isn't in South River. I mean I'm getting a million emails from CFOs. I'm reading in the paper. Almost every town's having financial problems with their health insurance. Uh our other insuranceances which are workers comp, liability
insurance, insurance for buildings went up 10% which is about 63,000. So those two line items alone went up 56 $69,000 which is very significant in a town this size and a budget this size. Two other lines that went up significant were recycling, the cost that we do for
recycling and also road repairs. All those snowtorms we had this year came at a terrible time. Um, we probably the budget went up over $200,000 just for removing the snow, buying salt and overtime, which the year before we hardly had any snowstorms. Overtime was
very low and we didn't have to buy that much salt. So, the one budget line, which is road repairs, we had to increase $90,000 at the last minute when the budget committee met after the couple major snowstorms. So, like I said before, it's not really a revenue problem. It's more of an expenditure problem, but it's more expenditures that
get passed on to us. Um, some good news is, you know, we have a parking fund that has no change in rates, very small fund. We have a water fund that has no change in rates, still the same rates as last year. Um, we also tried to save some money in water by uh renegotiating a contract with East Brunswick on the
amount of water we buy. So, we're buying 200,000 gallons a day of less water from East Brunswick, which is saving us a decent amount of money. Um, and also the electric fund. Our electric fund is in great shape right now even though the rates are skyrocketing around the country and especially on the east coast. We have in the last 10 years the
only thing we've done is decrease rates 5% in the last 10 years. I think council president Santz has mentioned this numerous times. Our rates are lower than PSC and GCP now and a lot of the other towns that that handle electric utility. Um now I'm not going to say in the future this is not going to stay like this but because right now rates are
still going up significantly but the battery projects we did phase two went on board January of this year. So once that's operational, which it is now, we should be saving next year in 27 as long as it hits its peaks in 26. Um so we've done everything we can to try to keep the rates as low as we can in town and
so far it's been successful. So with that, um the average increase for a home assessed at 29 $293,268.34 will see a $1341 a month increase. Um we also plan on doing some projects this
year, uh which is park improvements. Um, we're buying a DPW vehicle. We always buy police vehicles each year in the budget, some sewer improvements, computer upgrades, and what else? We have TV35 upgrades, um, and some cameras and security
systems in town. So, again, it'll be on the website starting probably tomorrow, the next day, it'll be on the website for people to see. Every financial document will be on there. And then we have the adoption on May 11th. Okay. >> So, that's it. >> Council discussion.
All right. Thank you, Joe. Age DPW. >> All right, Mayor. Um, hydrant flushings are going to start next Monday, April 20th, all the way to May 8th. We'll be starting in area 3, which is down by
veterans and working our way down. The uh information is in the calendar. It'll be nixel sent out social media and we urge don't do laundry during this time. It could hit the other end of
town. So be vigilant. So and uh also next Saturday, April 25th is our our shred event down at 9 Ivan Way from 9 to 12. It's open to the public, all
county residents, businesses, bring as much as you want. That's all I have there. Thank you. >> Discussion. Uh, fire chief. >> Right now, we're up to 132 calls here.
out of service at this time. Auxiliary is doing a food drive, spring food drive on Saturday, May 1. When did you say the question? Thank you. Session,
John. >> I have nothing to share during public session, but we do have a few items for executive. >> Okay. Melissa DNH, I don't have anything for uh the agenda, but I do have some public service announcements. On uh April 25th,
Sat next Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., we are participating in a DEA's National Prescription Takeback Day. So, if you have any unused or unwanted pills, capsules, or patches, if you want to bring them here, we'll have officers in our front lobby collecting that. The only thing we do ask uh you
don't bring any liquids or any needles or sharps. Uh on May 4th, which is a Monday, uh we are going to be accepting applications. Applications will be available for our South River Police Department's Junior Police Academy. So there's only 20
spaces available. Uh and it's open to children entering sixth, 7th, and eighth grades. And the dates for the for the Junior Police Academy are August 24th through the 28th. And I just want to thank the fire department for allowing us to use their facility on Jackson
Street uh for the academy. Uh, also on May 16th, it's a Saturday from 9:00 am to 11 a.m., we are participating in a child passenger safety checkpoint. So any parents that have uh any car seats that they want properly installed, we
have certified technicians in our police department um ready to install them, inspect them, and uh provide you with in information on on how they should be properly secured to the cars. And that'll be at the at the firehouse. And other than that, we're still still accepting applications for crossing
guard. So, if anybody is looking for a job, please come down to 48 Washington Street and pick up an application. Thank you. Now, we're going to go council reports. Council Kushinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, of course, I can't
tell you what they're going to be doing in uh the May month in the office on aging. Right now, a lot of the uh programs and everything are closed because usually they have registration at the be very beginning of the month. So, if you're ever interested in any of the programs that they're having or
anything, check the burrow website and make sure that you register early. Um, and if you cannot make it, please notify them and let them know beforehand because they do reserve a certain amount and they cannot uh get credit for it or
get um unless they know for sure what they're what the attendance is going to be. Um, also the only other thing too would be the shred event. It's basically documents. It's not books or x-rays or anything that's basically hard. what
they want is bills, personal records or something like that too that's manageable. Okay, that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Dilva. >> Um, I want to tell everybody the reuse clinic was a great success. There was a thank everybody, all the residents that
brought out donations. Um, and um, other than that, the cultural arts and heritage commission is still planning on continuing the flag raising at Dy's Pond. Um, all residents are welcome to get involved. The flag raising request forms can be found on the Burough
website or by contacting the Cultural Arts and Heritage Commission directly. And for tonight, that's all I have. >> Thank you, Councilman Deian. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, a detailed description of the recent renovation to the dispatchers room at police headquarters was added to the project
blog on the Burl's website. More updates with current ongoing projects will be updated on the project blog soon. Um, with the help of the recck department, I plan to supervise the youth again this summer in a youth fundamental basketball
program at Leonardine Park just like I did last year. It was a success. The kids ages 4 through seven had a wonderful time. Want to keep this going and build it up as much as possible. And that's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. Councilman Gina Cobless.
>> Uh, yes, Mayor. The uh the environmental uh commission has a had a meeting scheduled for April 23rd. That's being moved to April 30th. It's being moved to April 30th. They start at 6:30 down at 48 Washington. Everyone in
town is welcome to come to that. If you're interested in uh environmental issues and keeping the town green and clean, it's the place to go. You can help out and they're always looking for volunteers. Also, the EDC is having a
meeting April 15th at uh 55 Reed Street. It's upstairs in the meeting room. They start at 7. And um we deal with issues on trying to bring business downtown and working on things like the uh farmers market and uh oh, and with the shade
tree, we are working on uh getting trees planted in the business district downtown on Main Street. that's happening within the next few weeks. And we're also uh currently working with someone to try to uh see if we can bring power to those trees so we could light
them up for various holidays throughout the year. And uh that's coming really soon and it's going to beautify Main Street. Something we've been long waiting for. That's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. Councilman Donado, >> I have nothing to report at this time.
>> All right. Council President >> for the Recreation Advisory Board. Uh spring activities started this week and next week which include t-ball, baseball, softball, and flag football. Uh we just started practicing on the new turf at Kosski Park which is great
because it's our first burrow turf field that we can utilize for the for the the children and the adults of the burrow. Um they played a high school baseball game on it today. There was a men's league played on it on Sunday. Our softball team's been practicing on it for a couple weeks as well as a few others. Uh it'll be nice when it rains.
We don't have to worry too much if uh the games are going to be cancelled and the the girls that I coach really appreciate it. They talk about how nice it feels and to run on it. So um but it's uh it's it's a step in the right direction. Um can't always be the first town to have this kind of stuff, but we
don't want to be last. So we're we're getting there and we're we're doing all these things as you know Joe alluded to with with improving and investing back into the town, especially the youth. Um they're also going to add a chess program. Uh registration will open this week and the classes will be on Friday
starting in May. And summer recreation registration is also open until May. For all programs, you can visit the Burough website for more details and to register www.sournj.org. You can click on departments then parks and recreation and you'll see a link to enroll. And if you have any issues
online, you can call the office at 73254412. And the next recreation advisory board meeting will be Monday, May 19th at 6 PM at 55 Reed Street and all residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
>> Thank you. I will hold mine. Um I am going to open up to the public for consent resolutions only. If there's anything that you like to bring up, you have five minutes. State your name and your address. First call. Second call.
Motion to close. >> Motion by councilinski. Second by council member uh accomplice. >> All in favor? >> I >> I will go into um the mayor appointments for the shade tree.
The appointees are John Frost, Marie Frost, Emily Graasso, John Risco, William Sinski, Jess O'Hara, and our liaison to that board will be Nick John Acopoulos. And then for the environmental sha commission and green
team the appointees are Emily Graassa which is going to be the chair Richard Burn William Sinsky and Marie Price Sher White Maline Riera Lisa Burn Dorene Greyel and our council lison on to that will be
Joe Donado. Alyssa, can you please read off consent resolutions 2026 to 119 to 131, please? >> Whereas resolution 20261 authorizes the Burough Council to utilize a consent agenda to adopt various resolutions of a
routine and non-controversial nature at one time. Now therefore, be it is hereby resolved that the below listed resolutions are hereby adopted by the Burough Council in whole as if the same were individually acted upon. Consent resolutions 2026119 to 2026131.
119 authorizing the requisition of funds for payments to the custodian of the school monies. 120 authorizing the execution of a shared service agreement with the bureau of Miltown. 121 authorizing building sub code salary. 122 approved 2025 LOAP listing
contributions. 123 appointment of a labor a for the sanitation department. 124 Appointment of Summer help to the Department of Public Works. 125 125 2026 spring recreation employees. 126
Authorize certain utility refunds. 127 Accept March 23rd, 2026 meeting minutes. 128 Authorize a bills and claims list. 129 awarding a contract for unidirectional flushing program. 130 authorizing ILM services to provide
water engineering services. 131 award contract to CME Associates for professional services for NJD storm water discharge permit. >> Do I have a motion? >> Motion to second. >> Motion by Councilman Daze and seconded by Councilman Council President
Desennis. >> Councilman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Uh yes, with the exception of 131. There was a error in the amount of in the uh in the resolution. was accidentally put in as uh $367 when it should have been
300 3,667. >> Councilman Demian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis, >> yes. >> Councilman Kensky, >> yes. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes. >> Like to open this to the public. Uh you get five minutes. Please state your name
and your address. Good evening, mayor and council. My name is Dorian Kerber. I am on the environmental commission and uh sh uh green team. I've been on it for quite a while. And what I intend to do uh particularly this year is really do
outreach within the community. Um particularly the way we have the signage uh already on the some of the streets. We work with uh keep middle sex moving. Those are their um lawn signs and they develop data for us as well as work with
the police department uh to build this up for information so that we could use it for improving our streets. Not just you know it can't do all streets but we just they focus on a couple of streets and then they do the data and work with the police department to build that up.
What happens is is we get the information. We can expand that to the complete streets which I have done in the burrow of Miltown. I forgot to say my address. 24 Rebbit Avenue in Miltown. Uh being that I'm a green infrastructure champion, I can be on anyone's green
team and an advisory to the environmental commission. Uh and with the complete streets, what it allows you to do is it creates a partnership between the elected officials, staff, police department, public works
to really focus on two main streets that are need um help and maintaining improvements for pedestrian traffic as well as all traffic, whether it's vehicles and such, scooters, bikes, and
walkers. Um what happens is and I applied for this I did the keep middle sex moving we got a bronze level um certification for that uh and then what I did was I applied for the complete streets with this information you do a demonstration project and see how it
works and what they do is they give you a whole packet of information of ideas how to enhance streets how to improve them whether it's the painting ballards whatever it may be uh so that's my goal is to build it up at the uh
community events, the national night out as well, uh and work with everybody to really do that expansion. Um the other projects I'm talking about is the daily ponds park. I do want to do a rain garden. I think it'll be very beneficial
in that area and I am since I am a DI champion, I can work with Rucker's water resources program and it'll be no cost for us to design the rain garden. uh in addition it's really a feature of storm order management so it's a plus and this
you know public works or this the engineer will record this and it enhances our ability to get more funding from New Jersey clean communities in addition for applying for stormwater management grants in addition for roadway grants because you're enhancing
and improving the the town uh we already did the rain garden at uh South River High School I led that project uh with Ruckers and it's been installed and Mr. Cumberbatch has really been maintaining that with the students and they're so
accountable for it. So, I'm very happy that that they uh worked in that. Now, I know there's another person at the middle school that writes grants that looking to do some more uh rain gardens at the school, but right now my focus is Dy's Pond Park. Uh, so I'm hoping to be
able to get a resolution or a letter of support from the mayor and council for us to move forward with the design work so that in the fall, which would be the best time to plant the rain garden, we'll have volunteers. Uh, I have a network of volunteers. I can get them from anywhere throughout the town here,
plus outside of town if we need some, you know, older folks to help with the digging. We'll just out to find a location for the old soil because not all of it will be used. um and work on that in terms of grant funding uh possibly from Ruckers. We'll see. So,
that's my goal is to really work on that. Um there's also a peace sign that's in Bailey's Pond Park. Uh and I want to make sure that we do, you know, like spring flowers, maybe fall flowers, and summer flowers so that there's something there all the time. I've been
noticing it for years and it's just a little bit there, but then it dies off and it's just all green. So, that's another area. and uh a couple other areas in the park. I'd like to do um it'd be great to add some more reflectors too on the parking poles, maybe paint them. I spoke to Home Depot.
I can probably get a grant. Basically what happens is the management applies for the grant or gives us gift uh cards for whatever you know cost we need for some of those items based upon you know what we do with uh and work with brokers
and and see where we can get the some of the funding to reduce the cost but the volunteers is the biggest cost the labor for the rain garden uh and also the county will provide us free plant native plants the whole idea for a rain garden is to it's a depression that provides uh
all um anything kind of runoff from the top of the street down. It takes all pollutants, runs through the rain garden and infiltrates the water slowly so that you're not having a lot of puddles on the walkway like you do now. It'll minimize that uh past the gazebo area.
Uh one and I'll have photos for the next meeting the area that we want to do and work on getting the volunteer list going. I have some ideas but I just want to call people to confirm um to get that going. So, that's my goal. And anything else that you want to do?
>> Thank you. Thank you. I'll work on that letter for you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public? >> First call. >> Second call. Motion opposed. Public. >> Second. >> Motion by Council President Desennis.
Seconded by Councilman Kushinsky. >> All in favor? >> I I council comments. Uh, Councilman Donado. >> Yes. Um, just want to thank all our local uh, civil service workers and especially
the uh, police, fire department for all they do. And I ask that uh, I have a granddaughter who is in the Air Force and over in the Iraq area. And I ask that everybody keep everyone who all the uh men and women in our military that
are active in any part of the world, especially in the real active areas, keep them in your uh your mind and your prayers and uh be appreciated. They they need as much as they can get. Um other than that, have a great uh couple of
weeks and I'll see you at the next meeting. >> Councilman Gun. >> Yeah. The only thing I have may I wanted to say that uh summertime's around the corner and I I see more and more kids out on these electric bikes and if
you're a parent just tell your children that yeah it's fun to ride. I mean I would love to ride one when I was a little kid but they can be dangerous and you you got to be responsible when you're riding them. You can't just ride down the center of
the street and expect cars to know that you're there and see you. And you know, just I'm telling the parents out there to just tell their kids to be extra cautious with these bikes because they move quick and it only takes a second of somebody turning away and now you have a
tragedy and we just want to avoid a tragedy because I see them all over the place when I'm riding around. And just want to just make parents aware and just drill it into your kids' head that these things are fun, but they could be dangerous and they come with
responsibility. That's all. >> Councilman Dazia. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, thank you again to the dispatchers for the hard work you do and being recognized today. You're well deserved. Um, there will be a concert at
the Imperial Music Center this Sunday, April 19th at 3:00. It's not the Imperial Music Center group that's playing. It's two groups, so it's a special performance. It's the Central Jersey Wind Ensemble and the Handover
Wind Symphony. U, there is a $10 suggested donation. The proceeds to benefit the Imperial Music Center itself. So come out and support them and it will be really good music. Um I know a bunch of people that are in the uh
performance. They are past band directors from South High School and um other local uh towns. So it's a very good group. There's two of them. And that's April 19th at 3:00 Imperial Music Center. And that's all I have here.
>> Thank you. Councilwoman Desilva. Um, want to congratulate our two dispatchers. Also, thank you for your great work. Keep it up. But also wanted to touch base on what Councilman Jano said about the ebikes and scooters. I touched it on the last meeting. I'm not going to go on a
rant again. I think my point got across. Uh, but also new drivers out there, our construction workers, anybody driving in this town. Um, this afternoon I was going down cam and children now are playing in the front lawn. They're playing soccer. They're playing ball. Just be aware. There's so many cars
parked now on both sides of the street that if the ball comes out in the middle of the street. We were kids. Our first initiative is to run after the ball and get the ball. Just be aware that there are kids out there playing after school, especially our new drivers, our 17 year olds, 18 year olds. Speak to your
children. Tell them like an extra 5 10 seconds can save a life. Um I watched a young kid come speeding by a corner and I didn't see the kids were on the lawn. They didn't come in the street, but I was just thinking ahead. As a parent, you think ahead of the worst thing. And
if your kids are in the front lawn, make sure somebody's out there watching them. Adults, don't leave them out there. Kids will be kids. We've all been kids. Um, I just don't want to see another devastation in this town. Um, and that's it. >> Thank you, Councilman Kashinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'd like to again
extend my uh thanks to our public service workers, our police, fire, especially our DPW, Robert Wood Johnson, for all that they do. Uh, they do an extraordinary amount for the town. Um, especially the DPW, you see them picking
up every morning up and down Main Street and everything. The parks and everything are kept pristine. Uh, it's getting warmer. Our parks are getting a lot more used by the kids and everything else too like everybody else on the council has iriterated
that brought forth uh that the kids are out there and they're playing and it's going to be a little bit darker and everything too and also take into consideration there's a lot of construction going on on Route 18 and there's a lot of traffic being diverted through our town. So, just the same like
all the other council persons have said, please keep an eye on your children. Be aware that they're out there. Go slow in a residential areas. I know there's some that like to speed it up a little bit, but you got to be more cautious back there because like I said, the kids
could come from anywhere with that. That's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Yes. First, I'd like to correct myself. I had the recck meeting on Monday the 19th of May. That's not a real day. That's actually the 18th. So, I apologize for that. Um, I also wanted to
thank our first responders and the men and women who get them there because the first call goes to our dispatch and they're the ones that are going to get a frantic phone call and an emergency and they get our great first responders there. Um, I was able to stop down there
today to congratulate them. Um, one of the things you hear a lot is like, "Where are the cops in this town? They're not here. They're not there." Well, they want them at every park. They want them at every four-way stop. They want them at every school. They want them at everywhere. It's a little difficult when you have a limited amount of people. So, while we're standing
there just saying congratulations to them, a 911 call comes in and there's a map and there's three cop cars like a little video game on the map. And within minutes, all the cars are where they needed to be. I watched them all move. The one first one that gets there, it
turns red. That's how they know they got there. Then the next car gets there. And then you can only over here a little bit because we're not in the midst of the chaos, but something about a park and the one cop spins around to the other side of the park. I watch then they go back. So I don't know where the cops are all the time, but I know you within it
would have been 3 minutes of that call, they were all in the house that had an issue. I don't even know what the issue was, but all I'm saying is that they're out there and they're doing their job and thanks to the dispatchers who got them there. So it's very easy to sit at home or anywhere else and question
what's happening when you're not there. But I was in the room today and maybe I shouldn't have shared that story because it was a secret. Chief, is that allowed? But the truth is I was right there just to say thank you and things happen and I watched it. So that's the real time and
in a crazy emergency those seconds matter. So thank you guys, all of you for who do respond and who get them there because without you guys a lot of bad things will be a lot worse and we appreciate you. So that's all. >> Thank you. I know quite a few people have been asking what happened to the planters on
Main Street and what happened was we removed them because we're getting ready to uh bring in beautiful trees with the beautiful colors and finally bring some type of life to Main Street. So that is exactly why the planters were removed as you heard the ebikes July 1st the state
is coming down with a law that goes into effect and it's a very strict law. So, I recommend you, especially all your parents, to look into it because a lot of these ebikes are going to be taken away. So, you might want to really look into this law that was put up put upon
us. Frost on a Pumpkin is finally here. It is out to advertise. Get your sneakers ready. South River's finally getting it back. You're not You're not running. Uh, as you all heard, the fire hydrants are going to be flushed on starting from
April 20th, which means there's a very good chance you might have discoloration in your water. Please understand that whatever stirs up those lines is going to bring discoloration. Open up the uh highest point in your
house, cold water, let it flow, it will clear itself out. Believe me when I tell you, it happens twice a year. Correct, age? So, please bear with us. Dispatchers, I can't thank you enough uh for what you do.
What you don't realize is dispatchers also prevent a lot of issues when it comes down to even putting out the call because they're capable of seeing issues that police officers they don't see. So, they are the lifeline to this town. I can't thank you for what you do. Please
pass it off to the rest of the dispatchers, please. Uh the weather is getting uh uh good outside. Please watch out for kids on bicycles, skateboards, running. They're coming in and out of uh cars. And um you know, I have to tell you, I
don't usually do this, but within a 30day span from April to May, I have three council members that all have birthdays. Councilwoman Dilva, Council President DeSantis, and Councilman Damian. Happy
birthday. With that said, uh we are going to go into close session. Uh we are not going to be acting on anything. So, if you'd like to stay, you can. If you'd like to leave, you're more than welcome to. Thank you for being at the council
meeting. Uh Lisa 2026-132, please. 2026132. Whereas section 8 of chapter 231, public law 1975 permits the exclusion of the general public from a meeting of the governing body under certain circumstances. And whereas the mayor and
council of the burrow of South River are of the opinion such circumstances presently exist. Now therefore be it is hereby resolved by the by the mayor and council of the burough south river in the county of middle sex state of New Jersey that the public be excluded upon the here and after specific subject matter and that such subject matter to
be so discussed is as follows. Litigation property acquisition be further resolved that such record of the above discussion will be made public when confidentiality is no longer required. The burough council the burough south river may or may not take formal action at the conclusion of the executive session. We
>> have a motion motion. Motion by council president Danis. >> Second by councilman Demian. >> Councilwoman Deanis. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Janikopolis. >> Council Gchensky. Yes. >> Council President Justanis. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> He said it once that confused me. >> All right. Thank you.