Welcome to the fourth meeting of the year. Today is March 2nd, 2026. Alyssa, can you please read the 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. >> Councilwoman Dilva >> here. >> Councilman Donado >> here.
>> Councilman Demian >> here. >> Councilman Janicopolis >> here. >> Councilman Gchensky >> here. >> Council President Dantis >> here. >> Please stand up for the salute to the flag. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Please stay standing for a moment of silence. You may be seated. We are going to go into proclamations. Uh I do have a uh proclamation for
recycling coordinator of the year. I also like to recognize a very good friend of mine, the executive director of Middle Sex County, the improvement authority, Jim Polus. If you like, you come to the front with me. Donna, I don't know how to thank you for what you have done. You continue to do
this. Mayor and council, especially the council, recognizes everything you're doing. Whereas the Burough South River recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship, sustainability, and reasonable waste management in preserving the health, safety, and quality of life in our
residents. And whereas Donna Stoddard has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment and her role as recycling coordinator of the of Burough South River. And whereas Donna's professionalism, work ethics, and dedication to public service reflect
great credit upon herself and the Burough South River in the community she proudly serves. And whereas the recognition of her outstanding service and measurable contributions to environmental sustainability, Donna's daughter has been honored by the
prestigious recycling coordinator of the year award. Now therefore be proclaimed that the mayor and council for the burough south river do hereby commend and congratulate Donna Stoddard for being named the cycling coordinator of the year and extend sincere appreciation
for ex continued dedication leadership and commitment to improving our community and protecting our environment for future generations. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yeah, absolutely. Want to say a few
words? >> Sure. >> Thank I I really appreciate the invitation tonight. It's not often that I get invited to municipalities for such great occasions as this. So, it's uh very nice of you to do that. and a compliment to the council for recognizing the
coordinator this evening. Uh Donna and I have some roots. We go back to what year did we did we first meet? It's got to be a So, uh Donna worked for uh when I was mayor of Highland Park, she worked in Highland Park and then uh it was stolen to move to uh South River at some point.
So, um, I had the opportunity to work with her in her capacity in our construction office then and I certainly recognized her great talent and capabilities and, uh, we recognize that at the county level now at the improvement authority and her role as recycling coordinator. Uh, being a
recycling coordinator is not an easy position in the community. You're dealing with a lot of complaints and issues and problems. You have to interact with us as a third party uh, and sometimes the vendor. uh this transition to the new ASL service has certainly been a complicated process. I think it's a good thing at the end of
the day, but there were a lot of issues involved with that and Donna was a type of coordinator that we could go to to ask questions, get feedback. She's always been very honest with us. Um but you know, there are those people who try to create problems and those people who try to fix them and Donna fixes
problems. So, we've always had the comfort to go to her and say, "What do you think?" and she's always given us an honest opinion which has been very helpful getting that kind of local feedback on what we should be doing better and how we can do it uh in a more efficient way. So she's a great asset to your town, been a great asset to us. I
thank you for recognizing her and again thank you very much for the opportunity you tonight. Certainly appreciate it. >> Thank you sir. >> We're going to move on to agenda session. Uh I'm going to jump to the main street trees first before we go into discussion of ordinances. I had the
uh opportunity to sit down with the uh shade tree and environmental. Uh we went through quite a few interesting uh topics. One of them was uh the ordinance that we're looking to uh move on which we're going to have to uh revisit the next council meeting. But I also talked
about how I really want to get rid of the pots, the planters on Main Street. They look hideous. I do not care too much for them. So, with that said, I did a lot of research um on bringing trees back onto Main Street. Uh approximately
about 11 or so trees. I know the council has pictures of most of them. Uh and the reason I'm bringing this to your attention is because of this. As of right now, Main Street has about 48 trees that could be plant that will be planted. Uh not including the five trees
that two two different developers are going to be responsible for. The small trees will measure up to about 15 to 20 feet in length. And the medium trees will measure up to which are going to be wirefree areas 25 to 35 ft in length.
All trees the roots will grow downwards not spread out as well as the trees itself will not bloom out to extend into the main street. The expenses will be obviously paid by our tree and shade trust fund which we have quite a few dollars in there. All trees will be
planted by a professional and full guarantees for up to a year. Planting of all trees will need to be done within the m month of March into the early April. And this is why I'm bringing it to you now because I'm not interested in losing out on the um the time frame
where we could actually plant it into the ground. BPW, I already spoken to them. They will be uh daily watering it and um you know making sure that they're growing properly. Uh all existing marital trees would be re relocated to Blueacre properties with throughout the
town. Now to the council, do you have any consensus? What's your thoughts? What do you what do you see on Main Street? >> Well, Mayor, um I uh walked Main Street on a Saturday with a couple of people
and uh there was a lot of grates that do need to be replaced and um there your count is accurate. It's 48 trees that we are going to plant there. And the crepe myrtles miraculously are still they're not dead despite
having to Oh, are they? Cuz some of them have buds on them still. We were noticing that they're So, they are going to get transplanted into our Blue Acre property. So, they're not going to be wasted. And um the
the the downtown is going to look so much prettier with trees up and down Main Street. That's all council. >> Well, I remember back when the day when you walked down Main Street, it was like walking down a green tunnel and it was
phenomenal. It really was. >> I miss those days. >> Um the only concern that I think we might have downtown is I believe in a verge. Is there any conduits? >> Yes, there is. >> That's what I thought. >> Yeah, they're they're moved to the side. >> They are on our side. Okay. So, it's not going to impede. Okay.
>> Oh. Uh, age went out just to confirm all that. >> Okay. Very good. >> Which, if I may, we're also going to just to let the citizens know, we're going to be able to light those trees up for holidays. >> Yeah. >> And it's just going to look really pretty. It's really something to look
forward to. a comment. >> I was going to say that I asked uh Joe Zena if there was trees that money grew on, but he said money doesn't grow on trees, but I don't know if bad time for a joke or not. But yeah, so May, Mayor Gindee.
>> Yes, sir. >> Um I think it's a great idea personally. I think I see two of the trees of the uh at least at the very end of that. They're so pretty. I think they should be put in our parks really. Uh the other ones are are fine. The only thing I caution and I don't think my own
personal opinion is I don't think be a problem is that the county road and as such I think the county is going to be interested in who's going to maintain those trees. They're going to be safe for uh for the uh for the road. You don't want you don't want to have trucks run into them. And I think the spread on
these is taking that into consideration. >> I should have put this in my I spoke to Jim uh sorry I was about to say Jim Polus Ron Rios. I had the opportunity to speak to him. He thought it was a great idea. He just told me whatever you guys decide to pick on, just let us know ahead of time.
>> Okay. So then you agreed it. Okay. >> And I also with me he also asked me how long would it take. We're predicting about a week maybe a week and a half to plant. I mean you have 48 trees that we have to go after. >> Yeah. Time constraints are that's why I say I don't think there would have been
a problem anyhow as long as we're going to be taking responsibility of maintaining them and whatever we have to do and it's not going to be damaged. showing life to Main Street. >> It's going to be beautiful. I I agree. >> All right. So, we will be moving forward on it.
>> Good. >> All right. Thank you. >> For discussion ordinances, uh, you will be able to comment on your public comments. Thank you. >> Uh, for discussion uh on ordinances, there are going to be two for second
reading. Uh, Joe, can you uh please talk about the 2026-3? This is second reading and public hearing of a road ordinance. This is improvements to Merc Street, Lion Street, Mitchell Avenue. Project has funding by DOT of $582,763.
We also follow the supplemental death statement as required by law with the state version. >> All right. Thank you. Uh John Duca, if you could talk about 2026-4. >> Sure. >> But you could also touch on our first reading for 2026-6. >> I will. I'll I'll try not to be
redundant. So um if anybody was paying attention last meeting uh 2026-4 is an ordinance to uh divide what is an existing environmental commission green team and trade shade tree advisory board
into two separate bodies. One focusing on uh just the environmental commission and green team responsibilities and the other focusing on the shade tree advisory board. The reason you see what appears to be duplicates of this ordinance on the agenda is because upon
further review by uh members of the existing body, it was noted that um when these when this group was first instituted, it wasn't in accordance with New Jersey statutes and as this 2026-4 was drafted, it's still not in
accordance with the uh makeup of the bodies in those statutes. So, uh the ordinance has been revised. that will be 2026-6 uh to do so in accordance with New Jersey statutes. So the environmental commission and the what will be the
shade tree commission will perfectly mirror uh New Jersey statutes and have all the immunities, obligations and responsibilities under those statutes. Uh but that's why you see uh that ordinance listed twice. So for procedural reasons uh we are holding that second hearing tonight on uh
2026-4. But obviously it's my recommendation that we uh favorably act on 2026-6. >> All right. Thank you. >> And then for uh first reading 2026-5 want to touch on that uh more? Yeah, basically it's just uh the first reading
for uh amending the ordinance to allow to not allow people to throw snow and ice onto the roadway during a snowstorm. Um it was removed some time ago. We we tried to trace it down when it was we couldn't find it. It was put up again back in 2015, but it never made it to
the council. So, we're just uh putting it up this time. >> Okay. And then last one will be 2026-7. Joe, >> the fees and other rentals use the same
or plus you also have to put up a reserve too that's going to go to a trust fund at the end of the public works will look and damage up to we'll take part of the deposit and pay for that and get the back they owe us
>> right thank you Lissa can we start off with uh 2026-3 for second reading. >> Ordinance 2026-3 bond ordinance providing for improvements to various roads appropriating $950,000 therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $253,500 bonds and notes to finance a portion of the cost thereof authorized in and by the burough of South River in the county of Middle Sex, New Jersey. >> Motion to the full read. >> Second. >> Motion by council president Danis, second by Councilman Damian. All in
favor? >> I >> like to open this up to the public. Five minutes. Please state your name. >> No, no, no. Alyssa. I mean, Melissa, Emily, not this one. >> First call. Second call. Third call.
>> Motion to close. >> Motion by council president Desennis. >> Second. >> Second by council manager. >> All in favor? >> Council discussion. >> Do I have a motion? Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Kosinsky. Seconded
by Council President Damian. Uh Dantis. >> Councilman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. >> Yes. >> Councilman Janikopolis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gchensky. >> Yes. >> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. >> Alissa. 2026-4.
>> Ordinance 2026-4. An ordinance of the burough of South River, county of Middle Sex, state of New Jersey, repealing and replacing chapter 22, article 4, sections 22-18 through 22-18.12 of the Burough Code to establish separate environmental commission/green
Team and Shade Tree Advisory Board. >> Motion to wave the full reading. >> Motion by Council President Danis. >> Second. >> Second by Councilwoman Dilva. >> All in favor? I now I will be opening this up to the
public. They have the right to uh um express their opinion. >> You can Emily Graasso 13 Darrow Street. Um also chair of the environmental shritory advisory board and green team current.
Um, can I comment on the street trees on Main Street? >> No, it's just on this ordinance. >> Okay, just um so after our meeting, my understanding was that um the environmental commission was going to
commission and the green team was going to be a separate entity. So the environmental commission and shade and green team together >> correct >> as one entity. >> Correct. Shade tree is what's worth taking away from. >> So if you're on
the environmental commission were also on the green team. Is that true? >> That's possible. Yes. >> Let's see. That's not the understanding I had was that the environmental commission and Shakespeare together would be separate because of all
involved things that you have to do >> which is on which is on the environmental correct >> right >> thank you >> mayor if you don't mind I could a little bit please so there are two very uh
distinct and specific statutes one uh that addresses environmental commissions statewide and one that uh addresses shade tree commission statewide and they define them as those exact titles, environmental commission and shade tree commission. The green team um it's it
there's not a specific statute that provides for the creation of a green team. It's more uh the um the program that that you can get involved with and and and making these efforts. So, uh the way that the statute's been amended is yeah, the green team will roll under
that environmental commission, but um the environmental commission and shade tree commission really need to be separate boards. uh subject to either statute that that's why they're separated that way. >> Yeah, I understand that but I didn't think we'd have three separate entities.
>> That's not the case. >> Not right now. No. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public? First call. Second call. >> Motion to close public. >> Motion by council president Desandis. >> Second.
Second by councilwoman Dilva. >> All in favor? I. >> Council discussion. >> What is your motion? >> What is your motion? Melissa, the ordinance dies. All right, we're going to move to first reading 2026-5.
Ordinance 2026-5, an ordinance amending the code of the burrow of South River. Chapter 289, article 2, section 289-5, title, removal of snow and ice to prohibit the placement, deposit, or dumping of any material, objects, snow,
ice, debris, or other substance in the public right of way. I motion that council pass ordinance 2026-5 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. Oops. on Monday, March 23rd at 7 p.m. by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street in southern New Jersey.
>> Motion by Council President Desanis, >> second by Councilman Diane. >> Councilman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> yes. >> Councilman Demian, >> yes. >> Councilman Ganopus, >> yes. >> Councilman Kensky, >> yes. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes.
>> Lissa, 2026-6. Ordinance 2026-6, an ordinance of the burrow of South River, county of Middle Sex, State of New Jersey, repealing and replacing chapter 22, article 4, sections 22-18 through 22-18.12
of the Burough Code to establish separate environmental commission/green Team and Shade Tree Advisory Board. I move that the council pass ordinance 2026-6 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 and public hearing to be held at a meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street in southern New Jersey. >> Motion by council president. >> Second it.
>> Second by council. >> Motion by council president Danis. Seconded by Councilman Gunopolis. >> Councilwoman Dilva, >> yes. >> Councilman Donado, >> yes. >> Councilman Damian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janopoulos, >> yes. >> Councilman Gchensky, >> yes. >> Council President Dantis, >> yes.
>> Melissa, 2026-7. Ordinance 2026-7, an ordinance amending the code of the burrow of South River, chapter 155, title fees at section 155-9.1, subsections to require a security deposit for reservations to use Graovski
Park Baseball Field. I move that council pass ordinance 2026-7 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 of public hearing to be held at a meeting at 7 p.m. on
Monday, March 23rd, 2026 by video conference via Zoom or in the council chambers of the criminal justice building at 61 Main Street in South River, New Jersey. >> Motion by council president Dannis. >> Second. >> Second by councilman Dim. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. Councilman Donado,
>> yes. >> Councilman Dazinian, >> yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis, >> yes. >> Councilman Gchensky, >> Council President Dantis, >> yes. >> We're going to move to reports. Uh, CME Justin. >> Thank you, Mayor. Brief update on the capital projects taking place in the
burrow for the 2023 and 2024 local a program. The contractor only has a minor punch list remaining and once the weather clears up, he will complete that work and we we will begin the closeout process with the DOT. for the 2023 local transportation projects grant. We had a bid opening on February 18th, 2026 at 10
a.m. Crossroads paving was submitted the lowest apparent bid and we've worked with them in the past with positive results. For the 2025 local aid program, the design is complete and has been submitted to the DOT for approval. For the 2025 electrical substation maintenance project, a pre-construction
meeting took place at the end of January and work is expected to begin this spring. And for the 2026 local aid program, our office submitted a proposal to begin the design work. That's all I have. >> Thank you. Uh council discussion.
>> All right. Joe CFO nothing. >> Uh DPW. >> I'm sure there is. Hopefully it doesn't snow anymore. >> Discussion. Nothing.
Uh, fire chief. >> Currently, we've had 75 alarms. We're up to 75 alarms. 35 for the month of February. Two guys are in fire school in Sville.
scheduling that with us. Um, also keep a look out. Um, so many companies doing sales question. Um, John, >> nothing. >> No for tonight. Melissa,
>> nothing tonight. Uh Mark, >> uh yeah, just a couple things. As I report on, uh February 18th, our police dispatchers moved back uh downstairs into the communications room. Uh thank you to uh Peter Shansky and officing for
allowing us to be there for for a couple weeks. We moved back from the EOC. Uh the upgrade was two years in the making. Uh we upgraded the furniture, the radio console, uh flooring, lighting, and also the phone console. our phone console went from uh analog to digital, which a
lot of people may not know this, but uh when you dial a 2381000 number, we didn't have caller ID. When you dial 911, we did, but when you do 231000, we didn't. And I think that was a uh misconception that people, a lot of people thought that we had. Uh on a note, uh we are still looking for one
officers. Uh the application process is open until March 14th and you can obtain those applications through policeapp.com. All right. And on a final note, just want to congratulate Donna for um you know for being second quarter of the year. I think that's something we should
do all the time is recognize the people in South River, especially the ones that work here. And with that being said, I just want to know let you guys know that Safe Wise, which is a um security company, research company in New Jersey, ranked South River as the third safest
city in New Jersey. So, I want to thank the Burough Council for supporting the police department. I want to thank all my police officers and everyone that works in the police department and also the community for the partnership that we created to be get that high on that list. Something to be proud of by everyone.
All right, we'll start off with council uh Councilman Kushinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh unfortunately, I don't have anything to report right now to for the office on aging. They haven't set up their schedule yet. I know that they had it available before to to do
the income tax by appointment only. Um that would be in East Brunswick and I think it was bridge if I remember right. uh you call, you have to set up an appointment to uh get um a counselor and uh they'll go over your forms. Other
than that, that's all I have. Mayor, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Dilva. >> Okay. Just um wanted to remind everybody that our rabies clinic will be Saturday, March 28th. Uh 12 to 2 is only, 2 to 2:30 is cats. It'll be held at the
public works department, which is on 9 Ivan Way. Uh it's open to all residents of New Jersey, but South River residents, um we are waving the uh licensing of your pets. Uh the late fees being waved until April 1st. So it's good to even if your dogs are updated by
the veterinarian, still go down there to register your pets. Also want to remind everybody that the food bank, 98 Jackson Street, is open uh two times a week through March and check the burough website for information, but patrons may visit the food bank two times monthly.
So you get to go down to the food bank twice a month um if you're in need or and they have their shelves are stocked. So definitely eggs, all that. It's definitely take advantage of that. Um and for tonight, that is all. Mayor, >> Councilman Demian.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, at the board of ed meeting this past week, several teachers from the pre-ele, middle, and high schools were recognized as teachers of the year. Congratulations to all of those outstanding teachers on a job well done. Also at the meeting, the board
thanked the mayor and DPW for their fine work in removing all the snow, which was a lot to get the um school grounds ready for uh classes on Wednesday. So, they've they were very thankful at the
meeting for all the hard work you did. Um the budget committee, we've had more meetings. Soon it'll be finalized and presented to the uh to the residents to view. Um as I had stated at a previous meeting about the frost and the pumpkin,
we haven't had in a few past few years, but this year we are working on that and we're going to have it. And that's all I have to hear. >> Thank you, Councilman Gina Copas. >> Yes, mayor. Um, I just wanted to say the uh environmental shade tree committee is
having a meeting on Thursday, March 12th down at 48 Washington. As you can see, there's exciting things going on. It's open to the public. It's a very friendly group of, you know, group of people there if you want to discuss anything to do with the environment, get
to know about what's going on in town as far as like uh Arbor Day coming up and just getting yourself involved. any students out there that might have an interest in tree planting and finding out about what's going on environmentally in South River, they're
all welcome to come to those events. Um, also the EDC has their meeting on Wednesday, March 18th. that is at the uh senior center upstairs and that meeting is at 7:00
and um that's also open to the public if you're interested in helping out and volunteering on trying to get something going on in town. We're planning to do a farmers market in town and that's the event we're working on right now. But if anyone has any other ideas, that's also
open to the public. I invite anyone that wants to come to come to that and just say thank you to our DPW for a great job that they did with this snowstorm. And I was in a meeting today with OEM uh about after the storm and uh we had a lot of
good feedback and um a lot of people got their cars off the streets which is a good thing and um I just like to say thank you to them and everyone that works in this town that does a wonderful job and makes us proud to be South River people. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you Councilman Donado. I'll just like to thank uh again congratulations uh Donna. Um people don't understand that uh being a civil service worker I understand how many hours civil service employees put in. We did we don't get
paid for the amount of hours we put in especially if we're really um dedicated to what we do. Uh just what happens uh on the council here. I can I can personally vouch for the fact that we put so many hours in every week.
You'd be amazed. It's not just up here. There's other meetings we've gone to uh today. As an example, we had we had a meeting at the our fire department. Great building. It's got problems. We down there try to help solve some of the problems we have down there. We spend a
lot of money on that fire department. We want to make sure we preserve it and keep it in the operating condition it should be in for the safety of our firemen and the safety of the people of this town. We put ours in. We put a lot of thought in things. Uh I'm still my
head is still spinning of all the stuff that goes on here. Uh we're going to be in a really tight financial situation with the budget this year and it's going to get worse because of all the winter stuff that we have. I've seen more potholes in our roads.
Almost took out the front end of my car a couple places where I thought it was just a shadow. It was a hole and it goes all the way down to the bottom. So uh the way that everybody tweaks here and tweaks there to keep things uh within manageable uh means to keep every the
expenses to the people at a minimum is just amazing. So please if you're thinking that anybody who's a civil service worker or a government official does this thing because we make a a whole lot of money wrong. It never
happens. Uh but uh I congratulate everybody who was a civil service worker and the people right up here for all that they do. Um it's an honest that's really for me it's fun and uh because I I feel that I'm I'm dedicating
some direction to the town and I'll always try to do that and so you'll hear me say things at times that you may not like but it's to get people to start thinking. Uh with that I'll shut up. You're fine, Council President.
>> Uh, I too would also like to recognize, Donna, um, I think the automatic sideload, there's 17 different municipalities that started with that over the last s call it year. So for you to get recognized in the year that that happened, I think that just shows what Mr. Polo said about how you went above
and beyond and probably the hardest time for your job, uh, changes are always rocky at first and, uh, I understand that. So, thank you so much for that. Um, from the recreation advisory board, uh, registration is open for Zumba. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays from
600 pm to 7 p.m. Tonight is actually the first class, but you can still register and they will go through April 1st. Registration is also open for spring yoga. Classes are Tuesdays starting March 31st through May 19th from 6:30 to 7:30. Registration is also open for all spring
activities for sports, which includes T-ball, baseball, softball, and flag football. But the hard deadline is this Friday, March 6th. The programs have to be finalized for uniforms and plans for scheduling. So, please register this week. Uh we're also going to be adding a
chess program where the children can learn how to play chess. They're just finalizing the schedule with the instructor. Um that could be played obviously indoors and it's not as uh finite of a schedule. So, once they get an instructor in place, we'll let everybody know. Uh and you can visit the Burough website for more details and to
register www.svranchj.org. or click departments, then parks and recreation, and you'll see a link to enroll. And if any issues online, you can call the office at 732254412. For upcoming events, the Easter egg hunt will be held on March 21st at St. Marks,
the back parking lot behind the old Corpus Christi in the field. Uh right now, the plan is to start around 4 pm. They're doing it later in the day. They had a lot better um attendance last year by doing that. and the rain date is set for the following Saturday, March 28th. You can check the website and Facebook for the flyer when it gets released to
have the exact start times for your age group. The next recreation advisory board meeting will be Monday, March 9th at 6 p.m. at 55 Re Street. Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Uh I know Councilman Donado and Councilman Deean also mentioned the budget
committee which I'm also on. I think we have to put some things into perspective. When you get a storm like we got this past week or a couple weeks ago from a round numbers perspective, a storm like that could cost the burrow $100,000 when you talk about manpower, salt,
food, drink, all the different things that have to be done. $100,000. What does that mean? It that's about 1% of your municipal tax rate. So a storm like that could raise your taxes 1% on the municipal side. We actually have a fortunate scenario where these storms
happen before we do this year's budget, but in other years, you don't always have that ability to make these moves. So, things are going to be difficult. Um, we've already talked about health benefits. That at this point is a half a million dollar increase every year burrowwide. That's not South River uh only. That's everywhere. Um, Mr. Zang
has done a great job getting us into the best positions there with the programs that they've picked, but these are all challenges. Um, again, I can tell you that I've done some research on the property tax side. I'm a big numbers guy, especially when you're dealing with budget. Uh, we have the third lowest tax
base on dollars in the whole county. And we're the fifth lowest based on effective tax rate, which takes your taxes over the value of your home. So, it puts us in number three and number five. There's basically 25,000 people in half the towns in Middle Sex and more
than 25,000 in the other half. For the towns that have less than 25,000, which we are one of, there's only two towns that are in the top third in any metric and we're in both. So again, that's kudos to most of my predecessors as a lot of what was put in place with the battery storage and the good decisions
and being run well. We're going to continue to do that. So Councilman Donado, Councilman Deian, and I pledge to continue to be frugal, but also give value to our residents with their tax dollars. And with that, that's all I have. >> Thank you. I'll hold my comments. I'd like to open this to the public. You get
five minutes. Uh state your name and your address. Come on. pretty nice about the closing of drive as you know listen to the fellow that talked from
Terry Avenue. Most of the Reddit was not in my backyard. while they uh moved into a gated community or a private street. Everything's basic with life to find out change. There's always change going on
taxes and back so long to turn the clock back to 1970s or something like that. when they built Collins Drive through the streets development there. Fourth Avenue was
dead ended at the border of Bronswick which east Bronswick when they built this house decided not to continue that street further and Collins Drive was built to probably connect with Whitehead
change it complain about speeding in the neighborhood. Hey, I think all of us had some speeders in the neighborhood for expectations. I mean, there's always change. So, I mean, told me that you basically
closed the street for the bad drivers that were going the wrong way, dangerous, Johnny and Susie. Is that correct? It >> was never supposed to be open, sir, but keep going. >> It was open. It was they voted you're
>> before we before we finish this conversation I just want to remind you that March 23rd is gonna be our next meeting. I'm looking forward to you. >> I mean this five minutes. I mean you know >> I just point behind this conversation is going to keep on going as many meetings as possible. You don't really want to tell me
>> at the last at the last council meeting you said something that really stuck in my head and I recall it being said to me multiple to multiple times and your exact words was I lose $150 on gas. So the more and more you talk to me, the more and more I realize it's all about
what you want. My issue is that road was never supposed to be left open at all. I don't want to get into it. It was never supposed to be left open. Now, I showed you multiple videos up to 364 videos to be exact of people doing the wrong way after I gave full warning for almost 3
to four months. So, I understand what you're saying. So, I could actually make it easier for you by me putting up a fence just for public safety. And are you still going to come up here and complain about it? Most likely. The reason being is because it's only going to apply to public safety.
>> Public safety. >> Just listen to what I said. So, if I put up a fence eventually when we get funds for public safety, are you still going to come up here and complain about it? >> Well, I mean, I'm still looking for the real reason for why you >> You're not. You're going around in
circles, sir. I'm enjoying this because that's why in I invite you to I invite you to every one of my meetings because this is how I start my conversations with the public. So, continue your conversation, sir. Please continue it. >> Let me uh talk about public safety. You
endanger a thousand people are in danger if the police car is on Collins Drive and they have to get to Bonosello uh Veterans Place Red Mark Samuel those streets there.
Hey, that adds time to their uh time. So you endangered a thousand people for what? That's a thousand people that one way. It's I don't know. There's probably a thousand people going to the west way on the same thing with the conditions here.
Talk about safety and you know don't talk about safety. That's why I'm confused here. I keep looking at what are you trying to prove here and you're not going there. It's not a safety issue.
Happens if you lose a charter in the Whitehead. How do you get to uh get to uh Monaceel or Samuel or anything like that without going through >> your time is almost coming up. >> Okay. March 23rd, sir. I'll see you
soon. Thank you. Anyone else from the public, please? >> Can I comment on the Main Street, please? >> Absolutely. Yeah. Okay. So, I just um there's a few concerns I have um just from experience because I've planted trees or you know I've had landscapers
plant trees seven times in the last 10 years. So, we usually plant them at the end of the year only because the survi a time that we planted them in August um probably a third of them die.
They're looking in April. Correct. >> Yeah, we spoke to three different professionals. >> Okay. >> And they all told me the same thing. Not only did we uh go after this, but considering between now and beginning of April when we're going to plant it, I will be coming that back to your
committee. >> Okay. >> With the samples and everything. >> My other concern is so r I haven't looked at one lately, but when they plant the trees, are the recalls going to fit in like Absolutely.
>> Yes, the root balls are going to fit. We went out and looked the grates would get removed. The the tree would get planted with the root ball. Then the great would return, but the root ball would be, you know, under the great. >> How would they get the root ball? I
mean, how would they get the back? >> It's two sections. Two section. >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. It's Yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay. I got you. That's what you're saying. >> Okay. So yeah, it's just if age can enough
>> um >> Joe, can you put two watering cans in the budget? >> Um what else? So um and as far as picking spec sheet, um who's going to be doing that? I'll be visiting you.
>> Oh, okay. That's a big responsibility. >> And we have three we have 11 different types that we already picked out. >> And do you have a um do you have a vendor or you're going to have to put it out for big >> correct? Yes. >> So, and you have people you're gonna send out to?
>> Yeah. Five different companies. >> We're going to decide what species, right? >> Yeah. Well, we're going to pick a couple >> from those nine. >> Well, you don't want to pick the same species. So, you're going to have three different types of trees on Main Street. >> Different colors. >> Okay.
>> I want some life on Main Street. >> No, no, I agree. You all said Main Street. >> Well, but like I said, I just want to make sure. >> Thank you. >> Could I address Emily? >> Sure. So, just to let you know, um I'm
going to bring the documentation to the meeting and you guys are definitely we're all going to have input on it, you know, and pick the proper tree cuz we're everyone has been made aware of your tree knowledge and uh we value it and we
want to take advantage of it. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else from the public? Hi, Sherry Garrettson, 153 CAM Avenue. Uh, just wanted to make a comment about the artificial turf. Is did I hear correctly that they're putting artificial turf in the baseball field at
Graky Park? >> It's already complete. Yeah, >> it's already completed. Okay. So, just for future, um, artificial turf, the NFL, last time I did research on this, the NFL is rejecting that. They don't want it
anymore. There's problems with artificial turf. Um even just in our in New Jersey um Westfield, Scotch Plains, Maplewood and Homedale have recently rejected proposals or fought against the installation of artificial turf prior
prioritizing natural grass due to environmental health and cost concerns. It takes upkeep. I mean, you don't just put it down and go great, you know, we're we're done. Um, and then when you decide like per, you know, you may decide like these other municipalities
that it wasn't a good idea after all, you're going to have to rip it up and then you've got this huge piece of plastic that's going to live forever in a landfill somewhere. So please, when you have a decision like this, please come to the environmental commission or invite us to come and just do a little
presentation about it so that we can make wise decisions with our municipal money and for the health and safety of our residents. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks. Good evening, Jim Hutcherson, 38 Virginia Street. Uh, first off,
congratulations again, Donna, uh, for your recognition. Very welld deserved. Great job. And, uh, to the DPW, great job with healing the snow. Um, just tremendous, super job. Um, in addressing
2026-5 ordinance, I know it was just for first reading tonight, but, um, if we're looking at that, how's who is going to enforce that? Who's going to be in charge of enforcing the snow situation, dumping in the street, etc., >> please?
>> And is there any kind of fines that are going to be established associated with that? Because that will I didn't see that in any of the documentation. >> There there will be. >> Okay. Um kind of jumping ahead here. Um the water replacement pro the Yeah, the
water replacement uh project as far as the meters are concerned. Do you we know how many meters we have to go yet before we have a 100% change out? >> Joe, >> that's what we're down to now. Okay. >> 43. That's still a lot. That's That's
almost 10%. Um I think we really have to push that issue hard because I think that's holding us up for the opportunity of many new projects that we can have. Um, I think everybody saw their new electric bill. Uh, we have the new
billing company now and I believe we probably got a lot of comments coming back to the uh, to Burrow because there was probably a delay in the data transmission with the new company versus the old. And I'm sure many of the
residents received a past due balance on their electric bill even though they had already paid it, which again creates a concern. you know, hey, I paid that. Why am I not getting credit for that? I think it's just again from the the timing aspect of going from the old company to the new company. So,
obviously, everybody will be credit for that. But I'm looking forward thinking ahead forward and if we can get all of these water meters changed out and everybody can then be be read automatically like we do with the
electric meters, we have the opportunity of doing a lot of things with our utility. I think the first thing is we can combine the electric and the water bills onto one bill and then have the accounting
spread uh split that out and update the electric side and the water side. So that now we send out one bill. we then there's a cost savings and if customer just has to send one check back I think then again it's it's an easier process
and hopefully everybody stays more up to date on their bill so it opens the opportunity to do some things that we don't have today other situations such as maybe budget billing where you can basically spread everybody's bill out over a year and you pay pretty much the
same each month um can do things like that and also um maybe offer some different type of electric rates which can save the customer some money. So having the availability of one bill or
again monthly bill on the water side opens the door to some very good possibilities that we can work into our rate structure and also save money at the same time for both the resident and obviously uh for the bureau
itself. So hopefully we can push that issue um and get that going. Um just a couple comments. Um first off from the Cultural Arts and Heritage Commission side of things, the Memorial Day parade planning is in progress. Um that will be
on Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day. And uh from the chair, uh she is asking if anybody knows of any bagpipe bands that would like to join our Memorial Day parade. They are always welcome. We'd like to see some bag pipes out there on Memorial Day. And finally, uh, South
River Day is also set for Saturday, October the 17th. Um, that'll be out there hopefully again on uh, uh, next to the school and hopefully we'll have some good weather this year. Um, and one last comment, this I've I've talked to some
people and when we have our reports from people such as age, fire, etc. where they're sitting out in the audience, people I know we had the microphone that we were walking around with last time. Maybe we can't do that. Move the microphone around. Maybe they can come
up here >> and give a report so that >> our public can hear that in the future rather than just a muffling in the background. Just a recommendation. Okay. Thank you folks. Anyone else from the public?
First, >> Emily Brasso, 13 D Street Chief. So, I was thinking about the pots and you were saying that you're going to take the pots with the live crepe myrtles and put them on Blueacres properties. >> Yep. >> We can plant trees on Blueacre properties, too. That's right.
>> But why not um why not put them along Whitehead in front of some businesses? because when you put them on blue acres, then age has to water them because nobody's going to take care of those empty properties besides them. Um, but
if you maybe get the um economic development commission to put like a pot of in front of their business, it'll make it look nicer. I mean, Whitehead, it's not possible to plant trees along there. >> It's most of it. >> I think it's a great idea, but here's
where my problem with those pots were. And I noticed it on Sunday when I decided to do the little walk through. And the problem was unfortunately these res residents think it's a garbage can. >> Oh. >> So when I tell you I can't find imagine how much garbage was inside these pots.
It bothered me >> something over the >> And you think you think they're Do you think for a second they're going to listen to us? No. >> I'm trying to get up some idea so we just don't throw these pots away. So,
>> okay. >> Right. We'll talk about it. >> Okay. >> Anyone else from the public? >> First. My second. Do I have a motion to close? >> Motion to close public. >> Motion by Council President Desis. Seconded by Councilman Kushinsky. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Uh there's no mer appointments. Uh we are going to go in consent resolutions. Uh there is one consent resolution that was added which is that we're going to be going into close session which is going to be consent resolution 106
uh which will be set read separately uh after the uh council comments. Alyssa, can you please read the consent resolutions 2026-95 to 105? 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. That therefore be it is hereby resolved that the below listed resolutions are hereby adopted by the bureau council in whole as if the same were individually acted upon. Consent resolutions 202695
to 2026 105. 95 authorizing appointments to the office on aging. 96, submission of the 2026 HCD block grant proposal. 97, awarding a contract to CME Associates for professional services. 98
authorizing the submission for the middle Middle Sex County enhanced recycling grant. 99 2026 Spring Recreation Employees. 100 Appointment of HCD designates. 101 authorizing award to Crossroads Paving Company. 102
appointment of a fire subcode construction and zoning official. 103 authorize a bills and claims list. 104 authorizing an emergency contract award to Joe's Heating LLC. 105 appoint members.
>> What is your motion? >> Motion. Motion by Council President Deanis. Second by Councilman Dian. >> Councilwoman Dilva. >> Yes. >> Councilman Donado. >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian. Yes. >> Councilman Janicopolis. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gchensky. >> Yes.
>> Council President Dantis. >> Yes. With an extension on number 103 or 26-00542. >> All right. We are going to go into council comments. Councilman Donado. >> No comments. >> Councilman Janeoplus.
Again, I'd like to thank uh DPW. And I also forgot to thank Peter, the OEM coordinator, for doing a great job and just keeping everybody together and organizing everything and organizing the uh after storm meetings, which is
helpful and just gets everybody on the right track and on on the same page. Thank you, Peter. >> Hey, Councilman Deian. >> Um yes, thank you, Peter. Um, I didn't mention it before, but when I got uh to
get a chance to go down and see the temporary um facility during the uh month that uh operations was down there and all the work you had to do to get that up and running. Um, thank you for all that. Um,
I wanted to mention a friend of mine, a lot of people in town, um, who recently passed away. He went to high school with me. His name is Howie King. a lot of people knew him and being on council I graduated high school with him. So he was a graduate of my class. He was one that in town a lot of people knew him.
He would always attend all the sports and I just wanted to mention his name here at this meeting um of all his support over the years that he did for South River sports. And that's all I have. Mayor, thank you
Councilwoman Silva. Um, I just wanted to um thank DPW for all your help, but also fire department and our police station for keeping everybody safe during the storm. This second storm actually went really smoothly. The streets were amazing. Um, curb to curb, especially on
Ferry Street where I have my business. It was amazing. Um, people could actually park and walk and it was outstanding. So, I want to uh thank DPW, but also our safety, also police department and fire department for all the work you do for our residents in this town. And that's all. Mayor,
>> thank you, Councilman Gina. Uh, sorry, Councilman Koshinsky. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first off, I'd like to thank Robert Wood, our police department, our fire department, and especially DPW for the outstanding job that they did. I don't think most people realize that there are 60 miles of
streets in this town. And stop and think about that. Those guys were out there what 24 at least 24 hours constantly going back and forth on the streets and they're negotiating turns and driveways plus the vehicles on the side. Believe
me, they did a tremendous job and it's really outstanding. I also want to give my congratulations to Donna and it is pothole season. Give the guys a break. They had a rough last month. They're going to get out there and they'll be patching as soon as they possibly can. Okay, with that, I thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Council President Sus. I I'll echo the same age with the DPW. Um, not every storm is the same. Last storm was half the snow, but it was 20° for 10 days after that. It's hard to get things to move. This time, we got 80 18 in. Um,
I did go on Facebook. There was a few negative comments. As much as Peter doesn't like Facebook, there was a lot of positive responses to those negative comments where one person had something negative to say and there's probably 50 positives that came after that. As much
as I don't want to get contentious on there, I do like to see people backing the burrow employees. I think it goes a long way to understand not only do they go work for 24 hours straight, these are the same employees who pick the garbage that week, right? So they go to work and
we had to push garbage from one day to the end of the week. If one comment was, why can't they just continue to plow days and days after the storm? We don't have a dedicated plow crew. These people have other roles and responsibilities. So age is allocating resources and time.
And when you say manpower, they're human. They get tired. They need to go to bed. My next door neighbor works for the DPW. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I shovel his his sidewalk for him so when he comes home, he doesn't have to. So, we all have to pitch in a little bit. So, I think people need to
just put it into perspective. These employees, if there was not any snow, they'd be working 40 40 hours a week. With the snow, they have to work those extra hours. Okay? And if we call outside companies to come in and do snow removal, which becomes very necessary in
certain instances with the with the loaders, that costs a lot of money because you're paying high rate high wage rates, machinery, etc. So, it's a balancing act. be patient. Get your cars off the street and if you have an issue, reach out and and and let us let us
know. Going on Facebook and saying, "When are they going to pave a certain or plow a certain street?" is not really effective. And then you'll see, "Oh, I have to go to work tomorrow. When is my street going to get plowed?" Tomorrow is 12 or 15 hours away. They can get a lot of work done overnight. So, be patient.
I'm not saying be quiet, but be patient and be mindful of what's going on and just put into some perspective. So with that, mayor, that's all. >> Thank you. All right. First things first, Mr. Hutcherson, I agree. I agree with your I agree with
your reports. Uh next council meeting, we already talking about them coming up to the mic to uh post the report as well as the meter tech. But you don't know that our staff at the uh office sorry at the 48 Washington for the last past few weeks have making has been making phone
calls even on Saturdays to the residents that have not gotten a meter into their house. Now the reason we're doing that is because we're trying to avoid them getting from them getting an actual violation and the violation is a little heavy. So we're trying to be nice by making that call. But thank you for
bringing that up. Now, as of for the electric bills, um I wanted to actually speak to you about it where I wanted Joe to kind of let explain to us what is really going on with those electric bills and why is it coming in twice was trying to get all the information
from the old company and they were helping but it's coming not timely. Uh some information wasn't accurate. We had to go back and get some of the information February 1st when they cut over. Had to put it on hold for a little bit. So money was coming in. They were keeping track of everything, but they
weren't recording against people's accounts yet until they actually went live. When they first went live, there's five cycles of electric. The first cycle was going out. There 1500 accounts or so. Looked like some of them didn't look accurate. So people at town hall were going through all 1500, which they did for a couple weeks. Corrected a bunch of
them. Ended up setting all the bills up for cycle one. that takes weeks, you know. So now cycle two is starting to happen right now, too. So the good thing is once all five cycles are done, we're going to be confident that almost every single bill is going to be accurate going forward. The problem is getting the cycles to make sure they're all accurate. So cycle one has been done,
cycle two is being worked on now. Cycle five is the shortest one. So we're not as worried as cycle five, but once we get through all five cycles, then we'll start sending out bills accurate. Okay. >> So we're on cycle two. I mean I mean they went through 1500. That's a very difficult amount to go through. Correct. and they caught another I shouldn't say
decent probably maybe like 20 or 30 of them that they make corrections on the old company transition to the new company has not gone flawlessly like we hoped >> right >> you would expect them to be easy but it's not >> but once we get through this whole hump I think we're going to be in good shape
because I think they will really be doing a thorough 100% check on all the accounts so I have you know once this whole thing gets done I think we're going to be good going getting to that point has been a very big process >> right Okay, >> I really appreciate the uh report. Uh
second thing is, and I know I've asked you this at the last council meeting, how bad is our health increase? >> I'm hoping it was going to go down. >> Said also very very >> adequate. >> So 25.25% which is about a half million dollars
for a town this size. Good thing is we're not in the state of New Jersey which increase. saving a lot of money compared to the state of Jersey, but it's very significant this year as well. >> Okay. >> Everywhere too. It's not just South. Almost every town I've heard is
hopefully it changes. >> Uh I know I have had quite a few reports uh a lot of residents calling us in regards of scooters out of control going up and down the streets. I know the police department are working on getting this resolved. I know that we're going to probably find a way to put something
on our um agenda where it would enforce it in a bigger way. So, we are we are addressing it. Congratulations to Donna for her accomplishment. Uh congratulations to the police department for being the third safest town in the state. Um
you know what? This snowstorm's Hernando. Um, I got to tell you the amount of um, criticism that I got from residents and um, I hate to say this, but it falls under the category of the word
hypocrite. The reason I say that is what you don't know is when you have 20 or so employees from the Department of Public Works working around the clock simply pushing
snow to the side to make a path for you to get out if you need to drive. Is not easy. You have well over 60 miles of road. So for them to come back to your Pacific road, they will be back in time. But the other problem is when you're
parking out in the street, it's not as easy as it is pushing a plow. And take it from me when I tell you I plowed and it was not easy going through some of these streets that were very, very congested. You're taking you're talking about an 8 foot blade that is about the
length of two cars parked on either side of those roads. But you have to be patient when the Department of Public Works is doing their best. They did their best in clearing out those roads and they did come back and they did accomplish what
they had to do. But I also wanted to recognize not only the fire department for having standby through that storm. I also wanted to recognize the OEM for arranging and making sure that all public uh public safety was on their
best uh I should say um notifications of exactly what was going on. We had m multiple meetings and we deployed what we had to deploy when it came down to making sure this town was kept safe. So for the people that's on social
media, I know that you hide behind the the keyboard and I understand where you're coming from. Why don't you go outside and shovel your sidewalk? We have now sleos going out there and enforcing it. Of course, the snow
melted, but they were just doing that just to make sure that the path is actually safe for you to walk on. And what you don't understand is when you're taking that snow and throwing it back into the street and then you're going to be a hypocrite and call and complain that there's still snow in the street.
The reason the snow is in the street is because you threw it back in the street. Now we have that law that's being implemented. So to Department of Public Works, OEM, South River Police Department, the fire department, and everyone that was contributed to
this, I thank you for doing what you did for the Burough, South River. Potholes, you know, t the season. If you have a pothole and you're not sure if we already came out to it just to uh note it that we're going to be coming out to uh fill it in, you could call call the
Department of Public Works and just let them know what road it is. Right now, the police is going out and just noting what potholes they're are finding. And I know that they're putting up a list and they're giving it to a age Department of Public Works. Um,
so they say that cheerleaders could fly. I had the opportunity to watch the cheerleading parks and wreck uh kickoff or I should say showcase on February 20th and to my
surprise I watched a particular councilman >> fly and he did such a remarkable job that I have to not mention his name. Mr. Danzis was great. So with that said, happy St. Patrick's Day and uh Alyssa,
we are going to go into um close session. We are not going to be acting on it, which is going to be resolution uh 226 102. >> I'm sorry. 106 >> 106 106, sorry, 106. Can you please read it?
>> 2026-106. 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 burough south of the opinion such
circumstances presently exist that therefore be it is hereby resolved by the mayor and council of the burrow of south the full read. >> Can I do that? >> No. >> No. Can I >> How much more do you have to read? >> I mean what it's fine. Yeah,
>> totally. >> Go ahead. Keep going. Keep going. >> No, no, no. You I already did it. >> Who's going to second it? >> Who's going to second it? >> Second. >> Motion by Council President Dennis. Seconded by Councilwoman Dilva. >> Councilwoman Dilva? >> Yes.
>> Councilman Donado? >> Yes. >> Councilman Demian? >> Yes. >> Councilman Janopalis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Gchensky. Council President Dantis. >> Yes. >> Oh my god. >> Is it my voice?
It was so angelic. >> Oh my god. >> No, I I just so sweet. Thank you so much. >> That's all we need. >> He flew right in there and took care of it. >> Whereas once I hear that, I'm like
an issue. The OEM meeting found out that um She had a chance. >> Yeah, that one second.