Thank you. >> Good evening. Welcome to the second meeting of the year. Today is January 19th, 2026. Melissa, can you please read the publication? In compliance with chapter 231 of public law of 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. >> Councilwoman Dilva >> here. >> Councilman Donado >> here. >> Councilman Demian >> here. >> Councilman Janicopolis >> here. Councilman Chensky >> here. >> Council President Dantis, >> you stand for the salutations 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. >> Please stay standing for a moment of silence. You may be seated. We have nothing for proclamations as of
for the agenda session. I had this put on which was the Sic memorial. As you all know, on January 9th, the governor visited uh the memorial at the Volunteers Park to honor Brian Siknic on National uh uh for reinfor uh sorry, law
enforcement day. Uh with that uh and all the planning that the governor did, a lot of people thought that this was open to the public. this was their event and it was their invite. So as far as we were invited,
it was their their rules. Everything was based on them. But with that said, I had the opportunity along with Mr. Donado to speak to the Siknic family and I know that they have shown interest in some type of memorial that would sign show
that we honor Brian Siknic. So, as you all know, and I'm bringing this to the council today, as you all know that we did receive a grant last year for Volunteers Park, uh, redoing all of the playground. And I mean, as far as all
the improvements from a walking path around the playground to security cameras to ADA, curb cuts, and even a handicap parking spot. Even the playground would be uh colored uh maroon and gray. With that said, this goes to
the council. I'm asking for your consent if this is something that you would be interested in. Although Volunteers Park is going to keep its name, what I'm what I'm going to propose to you is that we name the playground the Brian Siknic playground
honoring Brian Siknic. So, you have any uh words, anything you'd like to uh say about it, please let me know. If not, then I'm taking it that we will be going forward with it. >> Anything? >> Yep. >> Okay.
>> So, that memorial that memorial would be done once we broke ground, which we're hoping sometime in April or June once the playground is put together. Uh we would have a monument. Uh everyone will be invited to it and it would be for Brian Siknic and the whole entire family
would be there. I appreciate it. Thank you. Uh we are going to now move into the discussions for the first reading uh 2026-1. If you could uh Joe, talk to me about it.
>> Yes, this one. >> Yes. What this ordinance is, it is first reading of the cap bank ordinance. It's done annually. We do this every single year. This gives the borrow the flexibility during the budget process. Uh and if you don't use it in the current year, you can bank it and then use it in the next two years. This also
protects you from unexpected rising costs or inflation that come maybe next year or the year after. >> All right. >> So this is done every single year we do it. So you need two readings. This is the first reading. >> Okay. Thank you. Mr. Duca, can you read the second one? >> Sure. >> So uh this is ordinance 20262. Uh this
is an ordinance uh updating the fees for recreation programs including sports like baseball, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading as well as activities such as aerobics, arts, and summer programs. Uh it also has additional charges for non-residents and late registrants. Uh
it also introduces fees for athletic field lighting and field usage uh with provision provisions for upfront payments, refunds for cancellations, and exemptions for any burough sponsored groups. These changes aim to ensure sustainability of recreational services
while providing incentives like sibling discounts, free coach registrations, and credits for junior coaches to encourage community participation. >> Thank you, Melissa. Can you please move forward with the first reading 2026 uh-1
>> ordinance 2026-1, ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a CAT bank for calendar year 2026. Mayor, I move that council pass ordinance 2026-1 on its first reading by total only and that the clerk be
authorized to publish the same as is required by law with the second reading and public hearing to be held at a meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 9th, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street, south of New Jersey.
>> Second motion by Council President Danis, seconded by Councilman Kosinsky. Councilwoman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> yes. >> Councilman Demian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janicopalis, >> yes. >> Councilman Gchensky, >> yes. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes.
>> Alyssa 2026-2. >> Ordinance 2026-2, 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 155 entitled fees. Mayor, I move that council pass
ordinance 2026-2 on its first reading by total only and that the clerk be authorized to publish the same as required by law with the second reading in public hearing to be held at a meeting on se at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 9th, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of
the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street south of New Jersey. >> Second motion by Council President Dennis, seconded by Councilman Kosinski. Councilwoman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> yes. >> Councilman Demian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janopalis, >> yes. >> Councilman Gchensky,
>> yes. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes. >> We're going to move on to reports. Uh Justin from Seaming. >> Thank you, Mayor. Brief update on all the capital project program uh projects um for the 2023 and 2024 local aid program. Contractor has completed our
office's punch list. We received a minor punch list from the DOT. They will complete that and we can begin project close out. the 2023 local transportation projects grant. The NJ DOT has approved our limit modification form, gave us permission to proceed the bid. It's scheduled to be in the paper uh starting next week with a bid date of February
18th. The 2025 local aid program, the project is design is complete and we submitted to the DOT for review. We received minor comments from them. We will send it back to them and hopefully be able to bid the following month. 2025 electrical
substation maintenance. Um a pre-construction meeting is scheduled for the end of January so we can begin proceed with um maintenance for that. Uh the storm water assistant grant application our survey department has completed their phase of the work. And for the 2026 local a program which includes Mercer Street from Willlet
Avenue to Johnson Place, Lion Street from Sunset Street to Francen Avenue, Mitchell Avenue from Old Bridge Turnpike to Garden Street. The burrow received a $582,75300 grant and our office permitted a submitted a proposal to design. >> Thank you,
>> council. Anything for CMA? >> Um Joe CFO? >> Nothing. Uh DPW. Okay. >> All right. Anything for age? >> Uh, police chief.
>> Uh, fire chief. >> We ended the year with 536 calls for right now. I believe we're on this morning. >> Okay. Thank you. Anything for the chief? No. >> Um Mr. Duca,
>> I just want to say uh I'm it's a pleasure to be here. This is my first meeting uh with the mayor and council and uh I look forward to our hard work and collaboration over the next year, but no report tonight. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Melissa. >> Um starting uh March 1st, um all public
notices will be required to be posted on our burough website rather than it being published in our local paper. So, as of right now, I'm working with Adam to create a hyperlink to be posted on the front page of the burough website. So, that's where all the notices will be going starting March 1st. Great. All
right, >> that's it. >> Anything for Alyssa? >> Yeah, I had a question. So, they're no longer being posted in a local newspaper is what you're saying? >> Starting March 1st. Yeah. >> And is that something going on statewide? >> Yep. Mhm. Yes. Oh, wow. All
municipalities will be doing it. >> Okay. >> That was the same question I have to say it's >> No, it's not something I decided to do. >> Just making sure. >> All right. We're going to start with council uh Councilman Kinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh right now the
office on aging they put out some of their schedule but all I can say is to review the website at the beginning of the month to uh affirm if you want to do any other activities at the time. >> That's it. Mayor Councilwoman.
>> Um well all I have to say is I attended my first human relations meeting last Monday. Um great group of people. We discussed how South River is a multi- multicultural town and they're going to be looking to uh creating events to celebrate those different cultures in
town throughout the year. So, as soon as I look forward to working with them so as soon as I hear back on any events happening, I'll be sure to um let the residents know of the town. And that's it. Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilman Damian. >> Thank you, Mayor. um been working on having the frost and a pumpkin come back
this year in October, have a meeting with different departments to discuss what need they need for this year's coming budget. The board of ed will have its first public meeting of 2026 on Thursday, January 22nd at 700 p.m. at
the high school. Any residents with any concerns, questions about the board of ed, please come to the meeting and address your concerns. Uh that's all I have. Mayor, >> thank you. Uh, Council Councilman Gina. >> Yes, Mayor. So, uh, the Environmental
and Shade Tree Commission had a meeting January 15th, which I attended. Um, everyone on the committee was there that day. Their next meeting is January 29th. Um, residents are encouraged to show up at these meetings
um to discuss environmental and and trees that we can plant in town and those kind of things. It's at uh 48 Washington and it is open to the public and the meeting starts at 6:30
and there is an EDC meeting, economic development committee. It's uh this coming Wednesday, January the 21st at 55 Reed Street. If you have businesses in town or ideas for businesses in town to improve what they're doing or
suggestions, those meetings are also open to the public. Um and everyone is welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Donado. And I was hoping to have something to say tonight, but uh I haven't got my phone numbers yet, but I will have something to say come the next meeting when I make
contact with everyone. I will hold off my comments. I'd like to open this to the public. Oh, Council Council President, please go ahead. >> All right. So, for the recreation
advisory board, uh we had our or reorg meeting was last Monday and they voted in their new positions for 2026. For upcoming events, we have a home wrestling match next Wednesday, January 28th in the high school gym. We had our first home match last week and the place was packed with family, friends, kids
who don't wrestle. So, we didn't get home matches up until racy this year in the gym and it's been a huge success so far. So, come out and support uh as I say, the toughest boys and girls in this town because that's the wrestlers. Um, registration is still open for our basketball fundamentals coached by
Councilman Demian. Uh, it is for children kindergarten through 2 grade, but they do start this Saturday. So, if you're going to register, let's get on it. Our free T-ball and baseball clinic registration is open and those sessions are also held on Saturdays in the middle school elementary side gym and those
also start this Saturday, the 24th. That is a free program. So, sign up. If you make one, you make two. Just, you know, get involved, get out there. We're also going to have our spring activities opening soon, which is full T-ball, baseball, softball, and Zumba. You can visit the Burough website for more
details. Um, I know that we just talked about the fees for the WCK programs. So, I work very closely with Terry and Jess to make sure that we're offering good programs at a fair price. Um, a lot of these other towns are charging triple, quadruple what we are. Some of the fees do have to change year-over-year. um
they're really just to keep pace with some of the expenses of referees and and facility usage. So, we really are giving a very good program uh breath of program and activities for a very good price. Um if you tell people in another town what you pay here, uh they're going to start coming over and
paying that extra $10 because they're from out of town. So, it really is truly a great offering and I'm well immersed with all the sports through my own kids and what I coach and I see it uh every every season. Uh the Easter egg hunt will be on March 21st with a rain date
of March 28th and the NEC next recreation advisory board meeting will be on Monday, March 9th at 6 p.m. and we meet at 55 Re Street and the residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Uh my second part here is about the budget committee which
is myself, Councilman Donado, and Councilman Demian. We're going to have our first introductory meeting Monday the 26th of January to start the process. Uh we meet several times before we introduce preliminary and and go through the approval process. But I'm just letting you know that that is starting now. Um you have anything to
add to that, Joe? You're good. Yeah. So we're all set. All right. You got it. And that's all I have today. >> All right. I'm going to go back to uh Councilman Joff. >> I had uh one oversight. The this year the environmental shaitry commission appointed a new chair which happens to
be in our audience right there hiding right back there Emily Graasso and I just wanted to point out that she is in the room. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. I'd like to now open it up to the public. You got five minutes. Please state your name and your address. Jim Hutcherson, 38 Virginia Street. I'll
be quick because everybody wants to go see uh the IU Miami game. Um glad to hear that Frost on a Pumpkin possibly be coming back. Um I participated in that a few years back when I was in better shape. It's >> probably why I'm not in good shape now.
Um, but uh that's always a great event because ends up being like a warm-up for the New York City Marathon. So, we get a lot of people coming over here with the hills and so forth of South River. It's quite the challenge. So, glad to hear that. That's good. Uh, just one quick question. Uh, January 1st, I asked about
the uh bids for the uh burough attorney when they came up and you stated that it was a $10 difference in the hourly rate for the attorneys. uh our current attorney that that was hired that day and our former attorney. I had a chance
because it's now public record that I was able to see that the bid specs came in and it was a $20 differential was uh this uh our uh new attorney was charging $20 more. >> Okay. So before >> you said it was $10. >> I did because we actually had a
negotiation when we interviewed him and he lowered it down to $10. >> Okay. So it probably did not reflect right away, but I know I could Mr. Duca. >> That's accurate. >> Thank you. >> Just part of the process for receiving bids. It's a fair and open process.
>> That's correct. >> So just wondering since there was negotiations prior to the contract being offered to this new burough attorney firm, was that same opportunity given to
the former burough attorney firm? Did you have discussions on them saying would you be willing to lower your bid price? >> No, I did not. >> Okay. So, based upon that, it appears though the selection was made and it was
just then negotiated down. >> You'd like to call it out? Yeah. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> Anyone else from the public? Emily Graasso, 13 Darrow Street. Um, I just have a question about the new
notice um, procedure. So, like on the burough website, all our meetings are listed and our agendas and so is it going to be just where all the activities are listed? >> Is that's what's going to look like? >> I think how it's going to be I think on
the side of I don't off the top of my head, but on the side of the burrow website, there's a bunch of links. That's where it's going to go. >> Oh, I Okay. >> Yeah. >> Because I mean, the information is there. It's just going to be in a different format. >> Yeah. Like you'll be able to click on it and it'll direct you to the page where
all the notices will be. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public? Brell 20 Monosel away. This is about the closure of uh Monosel Drive and Collins Drive. A few things that I want to clear
up that I have some issues with. I know you're a first first responder. Is first responders protector of life and property. Is that a true statement? >> That's true. So by adding more time to the response
time up to two minutes depending on on the worst case scenario would it be better to have it open or not? >> Closed. >> Closed >> for safety. >> Who's safety? >> Listen, we already had this conversation. >> Well, I know I mean the safety that you came out with.
>> Go ahead. >> Is uh you told that the there was two bad drivers there that needed the uh you were concerned with. Number one, you didn't give them a ticket. You didn't recommend uh you didn't stop
them. You didn't talk to them. You nothing do. And they're still out there. Wrecking havoc with the uh public here and maybe take someone out. So, that was the new issue here with the safety on that. I think someone's life is a little bit more safety than a bad driver
who is I got concerns. I mean, since the cat's out of the bag that someone could die from this, the insurance your insurance know that uh I know the uh town is covered by a lot of uh
safety nets. So, you can't sue too much, but you know, if it's negligence, would the insurance company be sued? I mean, be sued for years for something dying. It's >> got to be on a case by case basis. >> I understand. So, but it's a possibility. So, I mean, and uh
about it. I mean, since you don't want to do nothing about it, I mean, then I'll wait till someone die. I mean, is someone's uh death worth it? >> Yes or no? >> No, but I will definitely see you at the February 9th meeting. >> Well, I know that. >> I'm looking forward to it. Thank you, sir.
Anyone else from the public? Going once. Going twice. Motion to close public. >> Motion by Councilman Kosinsky. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Kina Kobas. >> All in favor? I >> I
>> All right. We are going to go to Marial appointments. Um Environmental Shade and Tree Commission. The chair is Emily Graasso, Anarie Price, and Sher White. As of for mayor's advisory committee on housing and committee block grant
programs, David Kpiki, Raymond Basak, James Jones, and Daniel Andre. For the redevelopment advisory committee, you have our liaison Nick Johnopoulos, Ruie Baptist, Joseph Highland, John Frost,
myself, and my secretary, Caitlyn Vargo. And for human relations commission, it's Anita Chada. And then for OEM, our director did resign. So the new director is going to be Peter Sokanssky. And I will be moving Adam De. Hannes to deputy
director. Thank you. Uh Lisa, consent resolutions 2026-10 to 2026-75. Before you start, we will be pulling 65, 66, 73, and 74.
>> One more time. 65 >> 65 66 73 and 74. >> Okay. Whereas resolution 20261 authorizes the burial 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 indiv individually acted upon. Has the council had the opportunity to review all the resolutions?
>> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So, excluding resolutions 6566,73 and 74. >> Make a motion. >> Do I have a motion? >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Motion by council president Danis. Seconded by Councilman Ganopoulos.
>> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado >> here. >> Yes. >> Councilman Dazian. >> Yes. Councilman Janopoulos. >> Yes. >> Council member Gchensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes.
>> First one was 65, correct? >> Yes. 65. First >> resolution 202665 resolution authorizing the appointment of the public power association of New Jersey representative I. Peter Eskindee, mayor of the bureau of South River with the advice and consent of the council of South River to
hereby appoint the following as the public power association of New Jersey representative for the term of 20 of January 19, 2026 to December 31st, 2026 of Joseph Sanga. >> All right. The second person would be uh Mark Tenin.
Do I have a motion? >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Motion by Council President Dennis. Second by uh Councilman Geneopoulos. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janopoulos. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Gchensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. Resolution 202666, resolution authorizing the appointment of mid Jersey Municipal Joint Insurance Fund representative. I, Peter Eskindi, mayor of the Burough of South River with
the advice and consent of the council of South River, do hereby appoint the following as the Mid Jersey Municipal Joint Insurance Fund representative for the term of January 19, 2026 to December 31st, Jan of uh 2026 as Joseph Zanga. Uh
my uh second person I'll be putting on will be uh Mark Tenigan. >> Do I have a motion? >> Motion to adopt. >> Second. >> Seconded by Councilman Council President Danis. Seconded by Councilman Dimmia. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gchensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. Resolution 20 202673
determining that block 143 lots 3.03 and 3.04 on the tax map of the Burough South River Alborne Woods is a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law NJSA4A12A-1.
Please don't make me read the whole thing. >> Motion to wave. No, >> please don't make me read the whole thing. >> Motion to wave the full green. >> Read the whole thing. So, this is this is a resolution as well as uh the next one designating uh certain properties within the bureau as areas in need of
redevelopment. So under the local housing and redevelopment law, a municipality is empowered to uh study particular areas and determine whether or not under certain statutory criteria they meet the definition of what's called a blighted area. So uh the
planning board undertook that study. Um they found that uh the blocks designated as block 143 lots 3.03 and 3.04 4 uh do meet that definition. And in this
particular case, um they meet what's referred to as criterion C under uh New Jersey statute 4A col 12A-5. Uh because it is unimproved vacant land, it's remained vacant for more than 10 years and due to its location,
remoteness, topography, and other factors, it's not likely to be developed through private capital. So what this resolution will do is it will now direct the planning board to prepare a redevelopment plan to come up with special zoning rules to encourage
development of these lots. So uh this is not an adoption of any plan. Uh it's not any proposal for development. It's merely a special designation of these lots uh that will entitle them to a re a special resoning in the future. Right.
Thank you. Do we have a question? >> Yes. Um, for those of you who don't know, um, now, of course, I'm new on the council. I'm also a licensed land surveyor and a licensed planner. I have an educational background in engineering. I took a look
at the uh, report that was done. To say that I don't agree with their conclusions is um, like saying it lightly. The property is located at the westerly terminus of Virginia Street and easterly right away of Albourne Street. Property is undisturbed wooded area
containing a wetland portion and having an upward slope. Lowest point being on Virginia Street and it goes increases in elevation to the highest point on uh Alborne Street. Uh various sales of portions of the property have been made over the years until the entire area
came under the ownership of Alborne Woods Apartments LLC. The report uh that we have stated uh that two prior residential applications were submitted to the burrow and approved. In both cases, the property
improvements were never constructed by the owners. I can only guess why. Uh according to the report, Alborne Woodwards Apartments LLC has is the requesting individual to reclassify the
property for redevelopment. Um because of the see that says based on previous difficulty in developing this site for single family dwellings, the site will be considered an area in that the site should be considered an area in need of development. Well, it's been approved
twice. Yes, it's going to be expensive. Just the nature of the property is this is going to be expensive to develop it. There's no question about it. Um, everyone knew when they bought the property what the conditions were. They
tried private uh previous owners tried and um they were decided uh after they got approval not to do it. Uh it is uh vacant property. It's been vacant, geez, longer than I've been around cuz I lived
in that area. We used to go play up in all those woods wooded areas. However, there's nothing else wrong with the property other than you got wetlands. Wetlands is not going to go away. The changes in elevations not going to go away. Um, I don't see the
reasoning uh behind this. There's nothing wrong with the soils. It's not an erosion problem. The only thing that they say is it's vacant. vacant in itself does not make it subject to reddevelopment.
Um, and it even states in the uh the the the criteria they use is uh what they call criteria C. And if you bear with me, I'm going to read this and it comes in two
parts. uh states the land is owned by the municipality, the county, a local housing authority, redevelopment agency or re redevelopment entity or unimproved vacant land that has remained so remained so for a period of 10 years
prior to the adoption of the resolution and as I said it's been older than me so yeah it's been more than 10 years but in addition to that it says and that by reason of its location remoteness lack of means of access to developed
sections or portions of the municipality or topography. Uh top yeah topography or uh or the nature of soil is not likely to be developed through in uh instrumentally oh in I'm not even going
to pronounce try to pronounce that word of private capital. Um they were already approved and it could have been developed. So there the contention that it's really the only thing that applies here is that yes it's been vacant
but it's also been approved for development. Um and the developer is the one who's asking for this. Now we in the burrow and I work for the county so I
understand this quite well have a responsibility to the general public. in my case at the county level to the residents of the county of Middle Sex. Uh however, I have to be fair to the
other side as well. Now, we have to do the same thing here. And this is not what I consider a redevelopment um prop a property that should be redesated because we don't know for sure what's going to happen to
it. the people should have been notified surrounding owners. I have indications that that did not happen and therefore I encourage uh no vote on this uh because I I like I say it's as far as
my professional opinion is it wasn't I don't agree with it. Let's put it that way and I of course I have that right to disagree. Now, what the council has to take into consideration is what I said, put a little bit of thought behind it and then make the determination.
Whatever they decide, they decide and I will go with it, but I don't have to agree with it. That's about all. Anything else? >> Yes, Mayor. I have So,
to follow up on what Mr. Donado said it has been vacant for over 10 years. And then the other part it has been approved and he said the reason
that it hasn't been done is that it's going to cost a lot of money. That's why in that paragraph it says private it's too much for private capital to undertake.
So because it's too much for private capital to undertake twice it's been approved and tr twice the people that went through the process realized to meet the criteria that it requires to develop
just the upper portion not the wetlands. But I don't want anyone to think we're trying to develop anything in wetlands. It would it was just too cost intent too too much money to develop it. That's why this person is asking for redevelopment. Now what's going to be redeveloped
that's up for discussion. That is nothing we're deciding on. We just it's up for red, you know, for discussion as to what we're going to put there. But we do make it need to make it
feasible for somebody to do something with property that they own. You know that that's all. And and that clause in there that it private capital can't do it. That's the reality of it. It's been tried twice. Private capital can't do
it. Can we meet somewhere in the middle? I don't know. It's up to debate and the citizens are going to be made aware of it and we're going to have a public discussion about it. And I I I really appreciate your thoughts in that. You It was very I appreciate what Mr. Donado
said, but yeah, there's I think there's that other part, too. Thank you. >> Any other discussions? Do I have a motion? >> Can we do a motion for both of them for
73 and do one at a time? One. Okay. Yep. Got >> a motion. anticipating. >> I would make a motion to approve it. >> I have a second. >> This is a just so I'm not there's no mistakes. I'm making a motion to just
approve discussion about what would be there and look into it further. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Is that >> that's accurate? You are not approving any reasonzoning or development plan whatsoever. just to look into the >> just the designation >> just the designation >> and
>> because it does meet the criteria and I don't know if everyone in the audience is aware >> as it was presented to us at the land use board there's 10 criteria out there and as far as the state of New Jersey is concerned
if it meets one of them that is justification to do it. So it does meet the one and it needs one. That's what it needs. So I would make a motion to just discuss
it and move forward with it. >> Mr. Duca, just to be clear, if if we were to push this through the Yes. the plans would then have to come before again to be approved at that level. >> So the the plan there would be a two-phase process for the plans. They would be uh designed and reviewed by the
planning board. Then they the uh that review would require a finding by the planning board that they are not inconsistent with the master plan and then the this governing body would need to adopt them by ordinance. So there would be a public hearing on those plans
>> and that is because it's would be deemed redevelopment. That's why it comes to us in that fashion. >> Yes. >> As opposed to other projects which don't come to us because they're not in redevelopment zones. >> That is accurate. >> Understood. Okay. All right. Do I have a second? >> Second.
All right. So, um, motion by, uh, Councilman Janeopoulos, second by Councilwoman Dilva. >> Councilwoman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> no. >> Councilman Demian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janopoulos, >> yes. >> Councilman Gensky,
>> no. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes. >> 4 to2. Resolution 202674 determining that block 356 lot 1.06 on the tax map the burrow of South River
Woji Wayi is a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment pursuant to the local redevelopment and housing law NJSA4A12A-1 at SEC. >> So uh similar here again this is a resolution designating a particular
property as an area of need and redevelopment. The big difference between uh this property and resolution and the prior one is that this is municipally owned land. Uh this is block 356 lot 0.01 and uh that is owned by the
burrow. So this would this similarly would be a finding that uh the property meets criteria C uh and therefore should be designated as an area of need and redevelopment. >> Council discussion. >> Yes. Again,
>> Donado, >> um, with the location of the property, of course, is between what I call well, Charter Drive, which is a an easement. It's not an official recognized rideway. Um, it was developed, I don't want to go
into it, uh, some years ago. Uh it goes from there all the way back to what I consider um would be uh Capitol Court development uh area between there and Charter Drive on the east and of course
Woji Way on the uh mostly on the south and the uh development uh to the north of it. Um it's undisturbed wood uh woodland having a gentle slope running generally from the west side of the s uh the west side of the site called the
capital court development towards charter drive on the east site contains natural wildlife deer fox and other species indicative of the area over the history of this area. The report that was submitted uh concluded that the site
met the requirements of C, which I spoke about before of section five of the local housing redevelopment law. Uh let's take another look at that. And I don't know if you really want me to read that again, but I will. Uh again, the land is owned by a municipality, county,
local housing authority, redevelopment agency, or a redevelopment entity or is unimproved vacant land that has remained so for a period of 10 years prior to the adoption of the resolution. Plus, and we know it's owned by the it's owned
by the Uber the burrow. Plus that uh by reason of its location, remoteness, lack of means of access to developed sections or portions of the municipality or topography or natural or nature of the soil is not likely to be developed
through the instrumentality of of private capital. Um first part is true. It's vacant land. It's owned by the town. It's been vacant like that for >> babies older than >> uh every for ever and ever before before
I was born. Um but that's the only thing that's true about it. >> It's not isolated. It's not any of the things that uh has to be part of that u being vacant land.
And it's also designated as uh public property and according to administrative code administrative rules and I will find that it's called uh class
um 15 where' you go you find ah class 15C public property which means real property owned by the federal state county or local governments or their agencies and devoted to public uses.
Um that property uh open space as far as I'm concerned uh is designated for the public use. There's no reason to um include that property as for redevelopment. It's we own the
property. We want to do something for it. We can do that. We have that uh the ability. Why not? If we're going to do anything with it, put something that's going to be useful to the town. A rec center, you can use that for a rec center and still have plenty of the
property left over to keep in its natural state to bring your great great grandchildren down to see some deer and wildlife in the back. Um, we can make it a facility that takes care of everything from the youngest child to the oldest
senior citizen. It's sort of like me. uh but to designate it for redevelopment and again we don't know what's going to be put there. Nobody knows what's going to be put there and to do that without proper notice of changing the nature of that property uh without providing
notice to the surrounding uh property owners I think is a disservice to the residents of this town. Again if it were a developer and this is not a developer this is our property. Um, do we really want to go
there? Has it been done before? Yeah. And everybody has agreed to do it. Again, it's public property. I never got any question on uh to vote for whether we wanted to use it or not for for uh private development. And that's what's
going to happen more than likely because I can't rule it out. I got to assume that that's what's going to happen. And I think we all need to be that be mindful of that. uh there's nothing wrong with the soils, there's nothing wrong with anything on the property other than it's vacant because if there
was, it would have been in the report, which it was not. So again, um I don't think it's a wise decision to uh to do the uh to accept that uh um that report only because accepting it means we're
going to do something else with it. And do we really want to uh go that way? I know people down there are upset about it now. And I don't think we really want to get them too upset because it's a it's a
very uh influential part of town I believe. And yeah, it's not my part of town. You develop it. So what? Not going to hurt me, but is it the right thing to do? And I do not believe it is. So I
disagree with the conclusions of that report. And um as a resident and a licensed professional, it's my job to say what I feel is the correct thing and that's is what I'm saying now. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else
from the council? >> Um I would just like to echo what Councilman said about these are case-byase basis. So the idea that we're going to redevelop one property or the other or both or neither, it does come before the council. Uh you made a comment about something that would be
communal for the greater good of many which I'm in 100% agreement with. Um as these proposals come across they'll be evaluated as such. I don't know of anything specific that's been put out there. So to give it the opportunity to have those plans
presented I think could be viewed as the right way to assess. Um I know that while I'm up here I would make the best decision for what I think is the the good of all. Uh, I won't be up here forever. I don't know how long it'll be. Uh, and then the next administration, whenever that comes, they would have to
make a decision as well. Um, but I will tell you that some of the things that I'd like to see happen in this town, I would like to see happen while I'm still up here. And if this property or any property goes that direction, I think that we would be working together on something along the lines of what you said, uh, and not something that would
be looked at as developer, etc. So, I do the the the facts you presented were very impressive. Uh, and I know that letter C seems to be the the easy uh the easy groove for this, but at the same time, I kind of want to see what may be out there um to come across that could
be beneficial for many residents. And I think we would the jury would still be out on that. So, that's what I have. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Do I have a motion? >> A motion to adopt. >> A second. Motion by Council President
Danzis. Council uh seconded by Councilman Dazian. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> No. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis. >> Yeah. I vote yes. And uh agree with what Matt said as long as it's something that's beneficial. It's worth looking
into for the whole bureau. >> Councilman Grchensky. >> No. Council President Dantis. >> Yes. >> 4 to two. All right, we will now be going to council comments. Uh, starting with Councilman Donado.
Oh, I wish I had comments other than that. >> You're all tired out. >> Read I'm tired. >> Read letter Read letter C again. >> Good. Read C again. >> I was told I was told tonight since I'm a council member, I can spend as much time as I want talking. And that was a bad thing to say.
>> Um, I'll keep it to a minimum every time I possibly can. But as I I said to I've said to everybody, I say it as I see it and um the good and the bad and the combination of it which does happen and
I appreciate and respect everyone's opinion. So I'm not going away mad >> and we all get along. >> Um which you know that's that that's not why we're up here. We're up here to do the best thing and I've voiced my opinion and what I my observations and
hopefully that um we'll I'll find a home in everyone's uh everyone's head. >> So that's it. >> Thank you, Councilman Gina Copas. Um, I'd just like to thank everyone that showed up for the meeting and just to
put it out there that if the residents have opinions and things to say, please come to these council meetings and say what's on your mind. Tell us what you think because we we're not mind readers. You know, we're out up here, as
my friend Hank, Councilman Hank Tazmian says, we're assuming that everyone in the burrow knows things and I know when I used to be just somebody out there in the burrow, there's a lot going on up here I didn't know and I should have came up here and asked more questions.
And I encourage anyone that's watching on YouTube or I think it's YouTube, right? Where you watch this? Yep. To just come up here and tell us what you think. We're doing good. we're doing bad, whatever it is, just let us know. And you know, we're a community and
we're all trying to do whatever is good for South River and that's all. You know, I'm not I fumble up here a little bit, but I'm just a guy from South River trying to help out. That's all. >> Thank you, Councilman Demia. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, thank you,
Chip, Mr. Hutcherson, on the words of the frost and the pumpkin. um trying to do the best we can to get that going again. That was started back in 1980 by someone I went to high school with
and it continued which was great. Um and try to get that back going again. Could take some effort but going to try. Um thank you for your comments on that and use your help helping out too. Um like uh Council President Matt had
said um before uh last year I helped with coaching the youth in basketball. I play basketball at South River. Um I know the sport well to teach and it was my honor last year to help with the recck department working with Terry and
I loved it and I've had some of the uh parents come up to me just recently and say, "Are you going to be doing it again?" And I already was going to plan on doing it again. and I talked to Terry about it and um it was happy to hear them and say that they're I was working with the very young ones, the
four-year-olds. So, it was a challenge in more way, you know, teach them basketball. I'm just teaching them to enjoy the game and uh they had a lot of fun and I look forward to it doing again this this this coming Saturday. So, any of the kids out there,
uh I took it to another level. I had a last uh year after it ended in the winter, like in March. um can I do this again in the summer? So I was up at Leonardine Park. We had about five and their parents are there
and they just loved it. Me working with them at the the new courts which are in great shape utilizing them and just watching them just being four year olds. It was funny and uh working with them. I look forward to continuing that again um
this winter. That's all I have. Mayor. >> All right. Thank you, Councilwoman Dilva. >> Well, I've said it before, I'm going to say it again. It's an honor to be up here and especially to work with this group of guys up here. They're amazing. They're teaching me a lot. A little bit too much. It's a little overwhelming,
but I'm going to try my best. Um, but like Councilman Nick said before, um, I invite everybody in South River, all the residents, to come out and voice your concerns, whether they're positive, negative. Um, we can't help if we don't know what's going on. Um, we're not mind
readers. We're just moms, dads, and we love the town. And I think together we're going to be able to work. No matter what side we're on, we're going to be able to work really well together. Um, we've showed it so far that we listen to each other and we respect each other's thoughts and opinions. Um, and
yeah, I look forward to a great year and working with everybody. And that's it. >> All right. Thank you, Councilman Kosinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, in regards to what we had discussed before too about naming a park after uh, Officer Siknic and everything too, which is fine, but one
thing that kind of concerns me too is well, my dad was one of the greatest generations and this town lost 56 of their residents. I'd like to see a little bit more dedication to some of them, possibly
some of the streets named after, not named directly after them, but dedicated to them rather than just a big stone that's in front of number 70 uh Main Street and having their names inscribed on it. >> We could work on that. That's a good idea. >> Okay.
>> I know Sarah does it. I know some of the other towns have done it and I know we can't do it just, you know, on a whim, but uh I'd like to see that happen. I really >> I'll work on that. Bring me that list if you don't mind. >> Okay. >> Uh in the meantime, we're expecting more
bad weather coming this weekend. Please, if you can move your vehicles off the street to let our DPW and everything take care of it. Um, we'd be really grateful as far as that goes because sometimes and and whenever you clean your cars off, please don't throw it
back in the street. It'll melt. It'll go into the ground. It'll make the grass grow. With that, that's all I have to say right now. Uh, I'd like to thank our DPW for the work that they've done throughout our police department for checking after all the streets and
taking care of our wellness and all. And Robert Wood Johnson for everything else and our fire department. With that, I thank you, mayor. Thank you, council president. >> No, I I had planned on speaking a bit about the redevelopment, but it was brought up in that section. So, I said what I said and we're good to go. So,
that's it. >> All right. First of all, I'd like to thank the police department and Department of Public Works for a great job in the snow removal, keeping our uh cars off the road. I know a lot of people were hiding behind social media complaining about how they didn't get curb to curb. for them to get curb to
curb unless you are a uh no park zone. Take your car off the street. That's my only suggestion to you. Get your car off the street. You cannot sit there and complain about it. If your car is one of those things that are sitting in the street, even though that's your only means of park, but unfortunately that's
the only way they could do their job. Um ebikes and scooters. I know I'm getting a lot of uh slack on this. I know we're working on it right now with the attorney on uh getting an ordinance put together. Believe me when I tell you we are on it. This is very tedious. I
know the whole entire state is also working on something. So uh once they have accomplished something, we will be passing it down to South River. Uh you know, last year I have to give it up to uh our grant writer Dawn as well as Joe Zangga.
Um, we had a lot of grants that were put out and this year we started off on a good note. So, I want to thank the uh county commissioners for a 1 approximately $1.1 million grant that is
going to go to Veterans Drive Park, the athletic field. South River is getting its first turf field. So, thank you very much for that $1.1 million. the weather is getting uh worse. Uh please check on your elderly.
Please, you don't know what's going on, knock at their door, make sure everything's okay. If you're not sure, call the police. They'll send a well wellness and they'll check up on them. Other than that, I've said it before, happy new year. And uh do I have a motion to adjurnn?
>> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion by council president, seconded by councelor Damian. >> All in favor? Hi.