WEBVTT

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

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: jn-_tRjZmXw):
- 00:04:25: Meeting Roll Call, Welcome, and Upcoming Events
- 00:07:33: Proclamation: Teneck Police Chief For A Day Initiative
- 00:08:48: Lifetime Award Presentation to Peter Filamy for Service
- 00:13:55: Public Comments Thanking Peter Filamy for Dedication
- 00:17:08: Introduction to Turf Field Concerns and Presentation
- 00:19:58: Dr. Sarah Evans: Risks to Children's Health on Turf
- 00:30:32: Kyla Bennett: PFAS Testing for Synthetic Turf Fields
- 00:38:12: Susan Chapnick: Environmental Impacts of Turf Fields
- 00:46:10: Questions and Comments on Turf Field Concerns
- 00:48:46: Councilman Bean expresses strong support for Turf
- 00:53:10: Council discusses alternatives and risk mitigation
- 00:55:39: Mayor Schwarz shares support for turf field plan
- 00:56:58: Miscellaneous Business: PP Appointee and Haitian Resolution
- 01:02:29: Committee Reports: Field Liaison and Senior Activities
- 01:03:54: Committee Reports: P.P.B.M.A.T. Argon Park Update
- 01:05:14: Discussion of Argon Park cleanup and historic preservation
- 01:06:20: Council Settings: Street Renaming Subcommittee Form
- 01:08:32: Vot Fields drainage study and turf debate continues
- 01:16:56: Roll Call on Further Studies or Grass Field Motion
- 01:20:45: Debate over Turf vs Grass and Vote for Resolution 179
- 01:25:18: Township Manager's Report: Memorial Day and Project Updates
- 01:32:00: Food Truck Ordinance and Friendship Flag Garden Proposal
- 01:33:41: Land Use Application and Escrow Ordinance Introduction
- 01:34:13: Resolution for Terune Park Playground Repairs
- 01:35:35: Sewer Truck Agreement Resolution and Budget Discussion
- 01:36:23: Motion to Approve Walk-on Resolutions: Park & Sewer
- 01:36:53: Sewer Emergency Response Time Questioned by Goldberg
- 01:38:52: Resolutions 219 and 220 Approved, Budget Vote Next
- 01:39:04: 2026 Municipal Budget Adoption: Motion and Second
- 01:39:38: Budget Hearing Commences: Alan Sick's Resident Concerns
- 01:43:18: Motions to Amend and Adopt the 2026 Budget
- 01:43:53: Budget Resolutions 215 and 188 Approved with One No
- 01:44:51: Authorization to Read Special Improvement District Budget
- 01:45:24: Special Improvement District Budget Hearing and Vote
- 01:46:12: Reading Ordinances for Adoption: Parking, Housing Act
- 01:47:05: Public Testimony on Ordinances 32 and 33 Limited
- 01:47:39: Council Discussion and Clarification on Ordinance 33
- 01:51:20: Ordinances 32 and 33 are Adopted: Good and Welfare
- 01:52:05: Good and Welfare: Daryl Green Discusses Community Building
- 01:54:07: Community Relationships, Transparency, Pedestrian Safety
- 01:56:54: Defining Progress, Turf Fields, and Responsible Leadership
- 01:59:58: Future Turf Fields, Health Issues, Student Concerns
- 02:01:35: Plastic Exposure, Field Maintenance, and Team Building
- 02:04:52: Jamaica Organization Introduction, Support Request
- 02:06:37: Toxic Chemicals, Health Concerns, Micoplastics Danger
- 02:10:16: Expert Information Ignored, Disrespectful Behavior Questioned
- 02:12:52: Baseball Athlete, Dirt and Maintenance Issues on Field
- 02:13:46: Weather Conditions, New Aesthetic Beauty, Opportunity
- 02:15:13: Future is Bright, Community Peace, New Flag Petition
- 02:17:57: Historic Burial Ground on Pomander Walk Protection Issues
- 02:21:36: Walking Vot Park, Pool Decayed, No Drainage Study
- 02:24:34: Artificial Turf Articles, Reality, Carcinogenic Problems
- 02:28:07: Argumenting in Front of Students is Deplorable
- 02:28:50: Good to have Grass or Pesticides and Fertilizers
- 02:29:20: Zoom Speaker, Can you Hear Me
- 02:29:42: Housing Element Fair Share Plan is Messed Up
- 02:32:35: Deplorable Behavior, Chemical Safety, Better Middle Ground
- 02:34:48: Council Responses: Park Contamination, Drainage and Flooding
- 02:38:24: Student Athlete, Future Elections, Important Reminders
- 02:40:07: Risk Tolerance, Definition of Progress, Discounting Opinion
- 02:41:45: Jamaican Organizations, Respect Needed, Integrations Facts
- 02:47:12: Scientific Review, Research on Both Sides
- 02:51:43: Consent Agenda, and Bill List will be Approved
- 02:52:27: All Resolutions, Minutes, Raffles, and Bill List
- 02:53:33: Everything Adopted: Approving the Consent Agenda Items
- 02:55:53: Reading Out Ordinances for Introduction
- 03:00:17: Roll Call for All Ordinance Introductions


Part: 1

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Thank you. God entire Councilwoman Goldberg >> here. >> Councilman Bean >> here. >> Councilwoman G >> here. >> Councilman Katz,

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>> he'll be >> I see him on here. >> He's on. Yeah, he'll be on. Okay. >> Councilman Katz is here digitally this evening. Deputy Mayor Belchure >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Oregon here. >> Mayor Schwarz >> here. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by resolution number 300-2025

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sending a copy to the newspapers confessionally designated for 2026 by way of resolution number 2-2026 filing a copy in the township clerk's office posting it on the municipal building bulletin board and the mayor hereby directed the statement be included in the minutes. >> Thank you very much Mr. Clerk. Welcome

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to the May 19th, 2026 open session meeting of the township of Tina Township administration president at tonight's meeting are Jaclyn Hashmat, our township manager, Doug Reion, our township clerk, Kristen Denoria, our deputy township clerk, Issa Albasi, who will be joining us momentarily, our CFO, Scott Solomon,

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our township attorney, and Ron Goodman, our volunteer cable master. Upcoming events for the public's information, we're currently holding a hybrid format meeting. We have people in person and on Zoom. If our Wi-Fi at the municipal building has an issue where the Zoom meeting drops, we'll aim to retrieve the

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connection and continue the meeting. If you haven't yet signed up for W website updates and township alerts, uh please do do so on our websites. Uh if you do so, you'll know when the splash pans are opening and can answer the question that question 10 times a day. Uh the next

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regular council council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 16th, starting at 6:30 p.m. with public portion beginning at 8:00 p.m. This coming Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day, we'll have our ceremony at 11:00 a.m. outside of the Municipal Green. Thereafter, meet us on Cedar Lane

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for our annual Memorial Day street fair with the Cedar Lane Management Group. Wednesday, May 27th at 5:30 p.m., we'll have our street re we have a street renaming at the corner of Cranford Place in Red Road in honor of Mr. Robert White. Uh this afternoon we actually had

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our splash pad ribbon cutting at uh Phelps Park. And our pole worker meet and greet will be Wednesday, May 27th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in council chambers where you'll meet your fellow pole workers and municipal election staff before the 2026 election primary

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election day. Tuesday, June 2nd will be primary day. The polls will be open in Tene and New Jersey from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The council met in close session to discuss personnel contracts, legal issues or opinions regarding any items on the open session agenda,

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litigation updates, and OPRA. And with that, we'll turn to our agenda copies in the front for anyone who would like. Uh the first item, let me slightly out of order. I'm missing a piece. Will be our chief for the day. our chief for the day is not here but we will still uh give

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him his presentation. Um and by the where is I'll read that over here. Okay. Tenic Township Council proclamation. Whereas on June 12th, 2026, the township the Tene Township Police Department will participate in the Bergen County Chief

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for a Day initiative. And whereas the members of the Tene Township Police Department play an integral role of safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all the citizens of Tene and it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement in their community. And whereas an honor as

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an honorary chief for the day the chief will learn about the inner workings of law enforcement in their community. Now therefore be resolved that we the township council of the township of Tene on behalf of its citizens to hereby proclaim Allan German as the 2026 Tene

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police chief for the day signed by the mayor of council and he's deputized to give out tickets for double parking on Cedar Lane if that's correct. Right. >> Okay. Okay. Um, and with that, um, talking a little bit slowly because I'm waiting for the ambulance, which is

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around the corner, getting off a call. So, they're on their way. We are going to, um, I'm going to call Deputy Mayor down to the podium and we are going to present, um, a lifetime award to a member that's only been on the count, the Tina Gamble Court for a few years,

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43 years. So, we don't usually honor anyone with that little time, but we will we'll make an exception. So, let's uh, come on. Okay, Pete, why don't you come up? Um, everyone, uh, I just want to introduce whoever doesn't know him, Pete. Fill me.

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>> Okay. I don't usually hug everyone that I give a words to. I'm just going to say that. Um, it is my hope that you don't know Pete because if you know Pete that means he was in your house on a medical and emergency call and probably not a good thing. Um, I've I've done about 1100

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calls. I think uh Deputy Morgan's done about 2 and a half thousand calls. Uh, Deputy Mayor Cat's about 3,000 and you I think have done more calls than almost all of us combined. Yeah. 5,829 calls. >> Um, >> just a few. Just uh an example. There's

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11,000 homes in Tene plus obviously the commercial whatnot. So to go on 5,800 of them and also you rode on Saturday morning which which was >> overnight right the shop it was the the shop was yes absolutely Colin Powell. Um

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so with that I'll read this and then deputy mayor um Morgan will talk and and embarrass him. Uh Tene Township Council certificate of recognition to Peter Filamy. Thank you for your 43 years of service to the community and respond to more than 5800 calls with the Tene

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Voluntary Ambulance Corps. Congratulations on your retirement. Signed by myself, Deputy Mayor Organ, Deputy Mayor Belchure, Councilwoman G, Councilman Goldberg, Councilman Katz, who you know, Councilman Pagan, and our manager. Um, we thank you. You're, if

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you want to talk for a second where you're heading. >> Um, well, just first off, I want to thank Ten. I uh 43 years or so ago I lived on Cedar Lane and um there was a recruitment drive and this young lady that's sitting back there by at that

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time well were you still Opelt or were you Reagan? Okay. Was you know with Kevin and Carol and uh interviewed me in the uh the uh TV room of the the squad and I was caught hook line and sinker. So uh uh 43

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years later great people great township. I appreciate all the support and and all that. And and this young lady also rode with me many times. We went on trips together that are just, you know, will always be in my heart and I love her

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dearly and so glad that she's here for me and stuff. So, absolutely. I'm heading uh kind of on the other the other coast uh out to Palm Springs, California. So, I think this week's weather was in my honor. um you know saying all right this is what you're

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going to be getting every day forever and stuff and the the winter that passed that was pretty bad mother nature also saying hey you're leaving us we're going to throw it all at you so there you go but again thank you Tina thank you mayor and counsel and everybody and we love you thank you

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>> absolutely >> so so when you call an ambulance you're not at your best um and when you show up on a call in an ambulance you you see people who are not at their best um nervous and um looking for help and you

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really want someone like Pete to walk into the room when you are um looking for someone that you can turn to to calm you and to give you help. And this is Pete. And not only on calls, um, but really Pete is the heart or has been the

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heart of the ambulance corps. Uh, whether it's at the Fourth of July parade, welcoming everyone, um, welcoming new members and making everybody feel like they have a place there and they're important there. Not just the training and not just the, um,

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medical information and the calls, but really turning the place into a home. That's Pete. You are a wonderful friend. You introduced me to cruising, which is my passion now. And um I loved that you were at my wedding in 1999. I wish you

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and Kevin the best in California. >> And I look forward to visiting you and on behalf of Tene um and the ambulance corps, we thank you so much for everything that you've done for us. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor.

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>> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, >> we're going to take our pictures also. Okay. Um Yes. Um Council Matz, >> I'm sorry that I'm not there in person to really give a thanks to this wonderful individual. Uh Pete has uh been great to me while I was on the

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ambulance corps. Life member taught me a lot. Um but more recently, we travel as well together um as we're in a very similar industry. and he's uh he's always been great to me and he's also my ride home from many of the airports um

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so trips. So I don't know how this is going to work out now that he's going to be in California. Uh but uh Tene has been very fortunate to have such what he say >> the long way around. >> Oh yeah. But Tene has been very fortunate to have

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such a real professional and sincere individual, you know, dedicated to helping the residents every single day for the last 40some years. Uh we're going to miss you and wish you a lot of success and health in the next chapter of your life.

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>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um I just want to echo the sentiment of my peers. Thank you so much for your many years of service to the community. I know you've saved so many lives and I'm so grateful to you and I wish you all the best in your next the next time. >> Six babies,

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>> six babies. Unbelievable. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. >> Okay. >> Uh just a couple of more accolades. That's okay. I just want to thank you for your service. Thank you for your

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commitment to the township. Um it it means a lot to all of us to to see when um you know volunteers serve our community and then go off and retire. It really speaks to the fact that your your heart is here and I just wish you uh much success in your future endeavors.

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As you know, I've always been a big fan of yours and it's and it's not just because of all the lives you saved over the decades and all the people you've helped over the decades, but just because you're a great guy. You're a great human being and the older I get, the harder it is to find good people and

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I'm just being honest with you about that. So, thank you for everything that you've done for Tene. Congratulations on this next chapter in your life and I still owe you lunch for that thing that we got to talk about. So, um next week if you're free, thank you.

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>> I just >> Yeah, next week. Next week. >> I just want to echo what everyone has said. Um I completely agree. Thank you so much. I'm sure you've as the mayor said, has have been a part of my life in many ways, unfortunately.

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But thank you for everything that you do for Tene, for the residents, for really everyone, our emergency services, you know, the employees, every everyone. We really couldn't do without you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Um, can we get an ambulance corp? You know, US 43 years

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with the picture. No, ambulance core if you want to come up. And just uh a reminder, the uh ambulance corps is uh staffed by volunteers. If anyone's interested in joining, uh we have many multigenerational uh members that are here and we'd love for everyone to join.

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I even see my daughter coming up. Daryl, you got that. Okay. Everyone, thank you very much. On to our next presentation is our turf field concerns and presentations. Hildy, I'm sorry I did not properly turn that around. I hope you can still Doug, would you mind turning that around? I know

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it's very heavy. I apologize. I didn't put that back. And Hildy, please run lead. I believe you have three people presenting and and I thank you for sending out the decks earlier so we got a chance to cheat and kind of read it. >> Mayor, I'm going to the lights just

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>> um Okay. So, good evening council and good evening residents. And I just want to make a shout out to all the kids that are here from Tex Sports. Okay. Um, I think it's great that you're here and this is a great lesson in civic

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engagement. Um, I know what it's like to be out as a parent on the teen field. So, and and so I really honor all the parents that work so hard on the fields and the kids that uh play on them. And um just a shout out to all of you for

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coming tonight. Um, so on behalf of the Tenech Environmental Commission tonight, it's our intention to provide information that will enable the Tene Council to make an informed decision based on possible short and long-term risks and benefits regarding further

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installation of synthetic turf surfaces for our children's playing fields. I'm pleased to introduce three scientists uh for this evening's turf concerns presentations. They will collectively speak for about

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15 minutes, about five minutes each, and then they'll take any questions. Uh our first presenter will be Dr. Sarah Evans. She is an associate professor at the children's environmental health center and the department of

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environmental medicine at the icon school of medicine at Mount Sinai here um across the river in New York City. We also have Dr. Kila Bennett. Kyla will present on correct PFAS testing for synthetic turf components, how to

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distinguish between manufacturer claims regarding PFAS free turf and what PFAS free really means and discuss why adding more PFAS into the environment is of concern. Uh, Kyla is the director of

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science policy, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic director for the public employers for environmental responsibility. Um, and she is based in Massachusetts. Susan Chapnik um is a retired environmental impact

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quality assurance consultant. She chaired the town of Arlington, Massachusetts Conservation Commission for six years and she's now its vice chair overseeing wetland resources and conservation areas. Uh Susan will present on the current science

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concerning adverse environmental impacts of synthetic turf surfaces in terms of storm water discharge, water quality, migration of toxic chemicals and microlastics and loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

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Um and Doug, are you ready with to for Sarah? >> Okay, great. All right, welcome >> you're good to go whenever you'd like, miss. Okay, you can see my slides, right? Everything looks good. You can hear me? >> Looks good and you sound great.

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>> Okay, perfect. I'm going to jump right in. So, thank you so much for having me. I'm a pediatric environmental health scientist at Mount Si and I'm going to take just a few moments to share information about concerns that our team of scientists and doctors have about risk to children's health from play on

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artificial turf. And I want to highlight where the science is still not settled and precautions should be taken. Um, and I just need to point out that our work is funded by New York State and the federal government and I have no conflicts of interest and I'm not receiving any compensation to be here today. So, the work we do in

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environmental ped pediatrics really centers on the concept that children are not little adults. They're closer to the ground where chemicals settle. They put their hands in their mouths. They're less able to regulate their body temperature, ingest more food and water, and breathe in more air pollutants than adults. So for these reasons, children

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have higher body burdens of many environmental chemicals than adults do, which puts their rapidly developing body systems at risk. But because the brain and the lungs and the reproductive system are undergoing these changes well into the teens and 20s, this vulnerability to interference from

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environmental exposures persists into these periods, which is important to consider when we're talking about youth athletes. So I think you know that artificial turf is a heterogeneous multi-layer product composed predominantly of a variety of different plastics and rubbers and this makes it

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fairly difficult to comprehensively assess environmental and health hazards. But we do know that, I'm sorry, studies have identified hundreds of chemicals in turf, literally uh three to 400 different chemicals, some of which are linked to cancer and can harm the brain,

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the lungs, the reproductive system, and just a few of those are listed here. And while we find many of these in the infills, it's important to note that several that I've listed here are also found in the plastic grass carpet. And we know that exposures to these chemicals may occur through inhalation,

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through contact with the skin, or absorption through open wounds, as well as unintentional um ingestion of turf particles. And a major limitation that's important to understand about these exposures is that there are no studies that have looked at this full range of chemicals in the body after children

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play on turf or that have followed athletes over time to see whether they're greater at greater risk of disease. So this incomplete data is really not confirmation of safety and it should not be taken as such. And so you're going to hear much more about um PAS per poly floral alkal

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substances from the other speakers. Um this is one of the chemicals that I showed on the previous slide that is found in the plastic carpet. studies that were doing at Mount Si and elsewhere find that PAS chemicals affect nearly every organ system and have been associated with this growing list of

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adverse health outcomes even at very low levels. Um, and so for these reasons, the previous EPA administration and several states, notably including New Jersey, have taken strong action to dramatically limit the permissible levels of these chemicals in our drinking water as well as in numerous

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consumer products. An emerging concern that we have that you'll also hear more about related to artificial turf pertains to micro and nanoplastics which are quite literally everywhere. They're in our air, food, and water and every tissue that we've looked at in the body. Like many environmental chemicals, we have studies

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showing that children may be at higher um risk of exposures and like PAS, microplastics have been associated with numerous health outcomes. Um you may have heard about some of these oops in the media. Um, so there are studies that find micro and nanoplastics in arterial

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plaques and show that they're associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death from heart attack. And microanoplastics are also found to get into the brain and both when we look in blood vessels and in the brain. The types of plastics that are present um

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are the same types of plastics that artificial turf is composed of things like polyethylene, polyropylene um and these uh the presence in the brain has been associated with increased risk of dementia as well. So, while we're still um actively doing

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research to identify where these microanoplastics are coming from in the environment, there's a study from the University of Toronto that recently found that micro that um artificial turf fields are actually the largest source of nonlitter microplastic emissions. So, we think a lot about laundering our clothes and

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other sources. Artificial turf are actually much bigger. They um account for hundreds of tons of microplastics released into the environment. Um similarly, studies that were conducted in Spain find that the artificial turf grass blade fibers um leech off of the

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fields and enter waterways surrounding cities um and and can comprise um as many as 20,000 fibers that are released per day. Um and this is just one of my daughter shining after playing on artificial turf showing how easily these fibers leave the fields.

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um in addition to the grass blades and I should say that from the previous slide is really evidence that it's not only the infill that can be a source of microplastics but the grass blades as well. Um but we also know that fields that complain contain rubber or plastic infill are a major source of

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microplastics and a recent review found that up to two tons of microplastics can leave um one field every year. Um, and so for this reason, these types of infill have been banned in the EU as part of their comprehensive ban um on microplastics and nanoplastics. And this

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is a handful of some of those microplastics that um showed up in my daughter's shoe after she played on the field for about an hour. So, while there's uncertainty around health impacts of chemical exposures from artificial turf, there is no question that extreme heat conditions on these

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fields put children at risk. All types of artificial turf fields get much hotter than natural grass, including those that don't contain any infill or that use plant-based infills. And this is a property of the plastic grass because it doesn't produce water vapor um which provides cooling like natural

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grass does. And so on days like we've been experiencing this week, it's typical for these surfaces to reach upwards of 150 degrees. And this is one example from data that we collected in New York City on a crumb rubber turfield and on a port and place playground. um

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which found that those services reached temperatures as high as 140 to 160 degrees on an 80 to 90 degree day. So the grass shown in green remained really close to the ambient temperature which is shown there in orange. And so because of this, some communities are actually

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implementing surface temperature checks and restrictions on play when temperatures reach a certain threshold. And while we understand that this can reduce playtime, it's really an important step to protect students from heat illness on these surfaces. And then lastly, I'll just touch a

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little bit on injuries. So, while there's a good deal of what you might consider anecdotal evidence, which suggests that athletes are more likely to suffer serious injuries on turf, and this has fueled outcry from professional athletes who are advocating for natural grass fields. Many are unaware that

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there's also increased evidence in the scientific literature to support these findings. So one example is a recent study of NFL players which found a higher rate of serious injuries that required surgery on artificial turf. And the author of this study who is an orthopedic surgeon at UCSF hypothesized

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that youth may actually be at greater risk um due to poor maintenance of non-professional fields and lack of physical development that helps them avoid injury. Similarly, a systematic review of 53 studies found an increased risk of knee injuries on artificial turf. And

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notably, the three studies that found injuries to be higher on grass received funding from the turf industry. And similarly, research also demonstrates an increased risk of concussion on artificial turf and emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance, something that we

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frequently find to be lacking in many communities, and also the consideration of temperature. And so, I'm going to sum up quickly. so the other speakers have time. But as an environmental health scientist, also a parent to young soccer players, I fully recognize the importance of outdoor play and team

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sports and physical activity. But I urge you to consider the weight of evidence that demonstrates that natural grass fields can feasibly be maintained and that they are the safest and healthiest option to support the needs of youth athletes. U Thank you very much and I will stop there. These are some additional resources which you can find

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um on our website at this QR code. Um, and I will close out. I can try to share those in the chat as well. E, >> excellent. Let's rotate to the next pivot. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Evans. I believe

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on deck next was Kyla. >> Yep, that's me. Can you hear me? >> Yes, I can hear you. And your presentation looks awesome. >> Great. Thank you so much. I'm here to talk to you today about um how to test uh for PAS in artificial turf and a

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couple of other items about um microplastics and recycling. Um my name is Kyla Bennett. I work for the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. I have a PhD in ecology and a law degree and I was one of the two scientists that discovered PAS and artificial turf in

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2019. and I have spent the next the uh past seven years um talking to towns like you um to try to talk to you about the dangers of artificial turf. Um as Sarah said, uh basically these artificial turf fields are plastic carpets. There are all sorts of

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different plastics. Um in the case that is being proposed for your field, I think it's going to be an infill-free field, but it's basically all different types of plastic with chemicals. And what concerns us the most about um these

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turf fields are two things. Um assuming there's no crumb rubber, which is really awful. Um the two major problems are PAS, the per poly floral alkal substances, and also micro nanoplastics. Now, PAS is not just one chemical. It's over 10,000 chemicals. We don't even

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have names for all of them. We can't even test for all of them. We can test for about 70 of them. But all of these chemicals have one thing in common. They have a carbon florine bond which makes them almost impossible to break. It's one of the strongest bonds known to humans. So they are very very

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persistent. Many of these PAS bioaccumulate in the bodies and biomagnify up the food chain. And all of the ones that we have studied are toxic. Now why you may ask are PAS in artificial turf? They're there for two reasons. They are put in intentionally as a sleep agent

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>> and um they also can be on the machinery to extrude the molten plastic when you're looking at a PAS lab report because most of industry is now saying oh not our turf our turf is pestfree I have yet to see a properly done lab

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report that shows that a turf is pestfree one of the things I see is very high detection limits I see the incorrect tests being done I see illegic ical comparisons being made and I see people relying solely on manufacturer claims. Why do detection limits matter?

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Think about a can of Coke. Um, if you a can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar. If you bring that can of Coke to a laboratory and say, "Can you please test this for sugar? Please set the detection limit at 100 grams, it's going to come back as sugar-free, and it's not." So, you have to make sure that you look at those detection limits on the test to

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make sure that they are testing properly. This is an example of um a a test result on an artificial turf. And you can see the units here um in micrograms per kilogram. That's parts per billion, which is fine. But PAS are toxic in the parts per trillion. In

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fact, there are two PAS PFOA and PFOS that EPA says there is no safe level of these. And the roots of exposure for both PAS and micro and nanoplastics are inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. So you can get it all sorts of ways and some of them there is

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literally no safe level of. So are they doing the correct tests? I highly urge you to go to the website for the nonprofit test.org. I have it there on the left. Um they tell you exactly what tests need to be done. But in summary, one of the most

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important things to do is to do the synthetic precipitation leeching procedure. This test will subject the turf sample to um weathering. So, it's as if the turf has been outside in sunlight, subject to acid rain, and subject to the abrasion from play

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because what will happen is these chemicals will release over time as they are exposed to these things. The SPLP test will show that. Um, also, it's okay to do a TOPA test. Um, it's very helpful. It will show you compounds that will turn into PAS. And a lot of people

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do a total organic florine test, which is also fine. But that synthetic precipitation leeching procedure is critical. Look for statements like this from your consultants. There's no human health risk. As Sarah said, nobody has done a human health risk assessment on synthetic turf carpet. Um, they compare

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things to background soil levels. They compare things to other consumer products. The problem with PAS, because they're so persistent, we don't want to continue to put more PAS into the environment because it just accumulates. These things will last decades, if not hundreds or thousands of years. So, the

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more you put in, the more you're going to have. Watch for verbiage in the manufacturer claims. No intentionally added PAS. It doesn't matter how it gets there, whether it's intentionally added or it was accidentally added. If it's there, it's a problem. There's a new twist on

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PAS testing. ASM just last week developed a new standard for testing for PAS and turf. ASM is an international voluntary consensus consensus standard setting organization but it's driven by industry and indeed the subcommittees that write these standards are made up

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primarily of industry people and users things like landscape consultants who are trying to sell these turf uh systems to you. So be very very careful about this new test out there. Um I prefer the tests on test the turf. The test that ASM came up with will not show you

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whether there's PAS in there or not. Why? The new standard by ASM eliminates thirdparty testing. In other words, they mandate that the samples of turf be taken from the factory floor. I can't get turf from the factory floor. You can't get turf from the factory floor. They say once it leaves, it can be

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contaminated and nobody can test it. That's not true and it's wrong. We shouldn't do that. They also don't require the SPL test. Remember, that's what's going to show you what leeches off that field into your athletes into the soil, into your surrounding water, your groundwater, your streams, your wetlands, your wildlife. Now, the one

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silver lining of this test is that PAS are defined broadly. Um, so don't let manufacturers say, "Oh, we don't have any PAS of concern. All PAS matter." Um, also I saw in your um, materials that Tenkotti provided that the

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microplastics, nanoplastics, they say we've solved that problem and they're saying these are unintentionally generated microplastics. We're not putting them in there in per on purpose. Of course they're not. But you'll notice if you look at the language in here, they're just researching it. They have not solved the problem. They are trying

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to figure out how to solve the problem. It's going to be difficult, if not impossible, to prevent microplastics from coming off the these fields. And as Sarah said, there are um thousands, hundreds of pounds a year. Recycling, it really doesn't happen. Um allegedly,

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there are two recycling facilities, one in Baton Rouge and one in um Alabama. I don't know um much about these recycling uh facilities, but I don't think they actually are being recycled. I think they are probably being burned. Um, and in conclusion, as Sarah said, you can

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have an organic grass field if it's well-built and well-maintained. It will provide you with much better um, playing ability. And this is an example of Springfield, Massachusetts, as a city of 150,000. They have only organic grass fields and they have no problems with

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playtime, with mud, with anything, and they're beautiful. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Clerk. contest number three. >> And now we have Susan.

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>> Hi. Um, just pulling up my presentation. Okay, so I need to share. Um, sorry. Here it is. And are you viewing that? >> Yep.

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>> Okay, great. So, with that, I will start. Um, thank you Sarah and Kyla for setting me up. I'm going to be talking just about the environmental impacts of artificial turf. Um, why is this going?

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This is not H. I may have to reshare because it's not moving. So, let me stop and start again. Hold on. Sorry about that. Okay. Oh, gee. All right.

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Okay. I think I have to do it this way. See if this works. Okay, there we go. Sorry about that. Um, pollute pollution is additive. I'm not going to review some of the things that

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the other um, uh, experts have already told you about, but it's not only additive. Sometimes synergistic effects actually make certain chemicals more toxic to the environment. So for example, metals which we didn't talk much about in the previous two

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discussions can be more toxic to the environment than um to humans uh especially lead and zinc. And I'll talk a little more about that. Um we talked about plastic pollution and excess heat. Those are also harms to the environment.

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And while grass fields um we all understand are not the most robust um wildlife habitat, they are habitat. Plastic fields are no habitat. And losing a grass field will cause a loss

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of habitat for insects and vertebrates, for the whole soil biome, um for foraging birds and small mammals. loss of a wildlife corridor for connectivity for urban wildlife to get from one place to another and biodiversity loss.

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There's recent evidence in the scientific literature uh comparison of artificial turf fields in a park compared to grass fields in parks showing that the artificial turf fields have a reduction in the abundance

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and biodiversity of urban birds. uh the climate resilience and sustainability impacts. I think Kyla spoke about those in terms in terms of recycling. There's also the loss of using carbon sequestration which you have in a grass

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field um as as a uh a key to climate resilience. Um and these fields are not sustainable. They need to be replaced every 10 years or so. What are the storm water considerations? So, um I'm from Massachusetts, but I did

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a little research um for uh New Jersey and synthetic turf fields are not regulated per se under name by New Jersey DP. However, these fields are over an acre and they're considered major development. Therefore, they have

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to meet the storm water regulations for erosion, for groundwater recharge, for storm water runoff quantity and quality, etc. And artificial turf is considered an imperous surface and that is critical

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in terms of meeting storm water standards under the New Jersey DP. Key points to consider are designing for the 100redyear 24hour storm. uh what rainfall data is used. Separation of the

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bottom of the storm water systems that are underneath these fields to the estimated seasonal high groundwater in the area location is critical so they these work properly. Storm water runoff quality treatment is required. And I

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will just point out that filter fabrics and catch basins that are commonly added to these underground systems do not control for dissolved chemicals including dissolved metals and smaller microplastics and all nanoplastics.

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And also there are flood hazard area rules and freshwater wetland protection rules that come into play if you're need for example near brook. Um artificial turf fields release toxic metals. Kyla talked about the SPL the

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synthetic precipitation leeching procedure. I know this is a little confusing this table but this is in the um public domain. It's a report by a third party submitted to Martha's Vineyard uh high school to look at what

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came off components of an artificial turf field they were planning in that area. This artificial turf field was Greenfield turf. It had a shock pad. It did have an infill, which I understand is not planned here. And this bond is

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the glue that sticks the turf carpet fibers to the backing. And what you can see here and I've highlighted is the the numbers the concentration of lead and zinc that is coming off of these fields

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as leech in testing that exceeds the EPA national water quality criteria. What that means is that these components for lead and zinc are expected to to pose a

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significant risk to aquatic environments. I won't um go over this slide because I understand you're not using tire crumb rubber infill, but I put it in here for your information in the future because I understand that the existing fields you

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have likely will have um tire crumb rubber, which means that you already have environmental contamination for 6 PPD quino. We did talk about um artificial turf fields as source for microplastics. Uh

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there's new evidence recently just back in 2025 papers in the journal of ornithology t discussing microplastic inject direct injection for urban birds and the harm it can cause. This is just some more

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information on that and then I want to close with a slide um these this is a cost competitive slide. I've often heard from industry that artificial turf is less costly to

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maintain on an annual basis, which is true. Um, however, if you expect your artificial turf field to last, for example, 20 years, which is reasonable, you might either want it to last 30, 40, 50 years, how cost competitive is it on

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that life cycle? And if you look at these numbers, and these numbers are probably low because they were presented in 2024 to the town of Arlington artificial turf study committee, but I would expect that

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even if they're low, the ratios would be comparable. You can see that an artificial turf field on a 20-year life cycle is twice as much as a natural grass field, even maintained organically. Thank you.

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>> Thank you very much. Um with that, we'll start with questions from the council. I think that's what uh where we left off. Um um Council McGberg. >> Um I just want to first thank Chair Dylan um and and the three um experts

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that came tonight. So, um, my first question she sort of answered, but it's about, um, verifying the PS, PSAS free claims. Would that require an LSRP? >> Um, so, usually what's going to happen

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is the manufacturers will want to provide their own tests and they will not want to do the SPL. It's something that any municipality could require um in the bid documents. You can say we want a turf field that has less than a certain amount of PAS or whatever in it

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or we require these tests to be done and then the manufacturer will do those tests. I don't think you need an LSP to um to actually do them. Obviously, you'd have to send if you were doing the test yourself, you would have to send it out to a commercial lab and there are certain commercial labs in this country.

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Um, we usually use Euroins, which is there's one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that has very good detection limits. Um, Pace Labs can do it. ALS can do it. There are a number of labs in the country. You can't just go to any lab. You have to go to a lab that has the proper equipment, but um, it's all done

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commercially at a one of these few commercial labs around the country. >> Um, just a couple quick other quick questions. Um so um the you had me we you were talking about the the high temperatures. So is there a

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risk that with the heat surface that if there's any toxins beneath the surface that they could vaporize into the air? >> Yeah, that is a concern that you're going to get um more offging of chemicals. If you've been on these fields when they are very hot, you know

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that they do give off an odor. um often they smell like burning rubber or burning plastic. Um so yes, there is a risk that more chemicals will be off gas um when they're hot and also as the fields um weather due to UV radiation um

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just general breakdown um there are changes in the chemicals that are emitted or that are produced or that are shed from the fields over time. >> Okay. Sorry. >> I do. Sorry.

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>> Just give me 30 seconds. Somebody ask. I just need I need a minute. Sorry. >> So, I I don't have any questions. I have a couple of comments. And what I'm about to say is not meant to antagonize anyone because I do appreciate the presenters

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who spoke and I appreciate Hildy for organizing this, but I think we're the only town going through all this drama for a turf field, which I support by the way. Bagota just put in a new turf field. Hackinack just put in a new turf

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field and so many other neighboring towns have turf fields. But also, I know these fields well. I played for TK Southern Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball, Tene High School Baseball, and even the Tene Red Devils football team back when they used to be called that.

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And that field is as bad as it is today as it was in the 1980s and the 1990s when I played on them. But also, I always tell these kids that they have my vote, and they do. You're going to always have my vote because I used to wear the same uniforms as you guys. But

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um I voted for this at our last meeting and when it comes up again I'm going to vote for it again and I do appreciate what everybody is saying. I understand the concerns but I don't really think we need to go through all this drama for a turf field. The appra field took too long and we got it done and we're losing

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a lot of our best athletes to Don Bosow Morgan Catholic Ramis Catholic. Why? Because they don't want to play on our fields cuz whenever it rains they're flooded sometimes for weeks. So, I appreciate what everybody is saying about the science, but so many other

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towns do it and I think we need to do it as well. Thank you, Mr. Weir. >> Councilwoman, >> I think you want to go. No, >> no, go on. >> Um, really quickly, I just wanted to thank all the speakers for sharing. Um, and I appreciate Hildy for all the work

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that you've done. I think um having listened to all of the reports um and having spoken to some of the the students I for me I think the best path forward is to educate on how to u minimize the the impact of the plastics

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um you know teach kids not to you know put things in their mouths and so forth um just because I think the kids really do need these fields um it's not the best path forward um but I just think given where we are um given uh our budgetary constraints um given the the

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needs of our students and residents. I think we have to take some calculated risks here um and proceed with the turf. It's not my favorite path forward, but I think it's the best path forward with the information that we know. >> Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor. >> Okay. I I thank you um Hilty for your um

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coordinating this and bringing the scientists before us and thank the scientists for for um their presentation tonight. Um I'm I'm always a proponent of options and and exploring what are our options. Um I I think um safety is always number one for me and and

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although you know I know we have such you know bright and talented athletes um within our township number one priority for me is safety um because of the fact that uh if there is a an option a safe option uh perhaps the organic um grass

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fields uh I I do would like to explore that and I I would like to also see uh the cost comparison in terms of what was uh the the the actual slide that spoke to the maintenance of a turf field seems

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like it's three times the maintenance of a organic brass field. So why don't we look at those options as as a possibility? Um I I I've I've seen environmental things like for an example uh lead was in a paint and many building

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materials for many many years and it wasn't until a certain point in time that we we you know the government said no this is not good for us it's causing cancer. Um and so retrospectively we're we're we're addressing that even now. So

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what I what I'm saying is that let's explore all the possibilities all the options. So, because I certainly want to see um feels for our good feels, but safe feels for our young people within the township. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

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>> Um so, I was actually going to say uh what Councilwoman G said and it was part of the slide um presented by Dr. Evans. Um there are certain steps that we can take even with turf fields to to make

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sure that we protect. Um so one was steps to reduce chemical exposure and we're doing that by using the new turf. We're using I think a bunch of the slides discussed infill and we're not going to have any infill. You're not going to see that those little dots on

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your shoes when you come home now. So it's a new turf. This one is approved in Europe. It's also approved in California and yes I it claims to be PAS free. Um I think all coaches um should be able to

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monitor heat and restrict play as needed. I think we should train the coaches in that. Um we have had the turf fields at the sportslex and we've had them at TX Southern and I don't believe we've had one incidence of a burn. I I am hoping that the coaches uh know

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enough to not have the the children play in in that temperature, but I think it's always worth repeating and retraining and then to ensure proper maintenance, which I believe we do that. And I think with the new turf, we will do that. uh the discussions about turf, the cost of

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turf versus um the grass fields. I think we need to understand that no cost will be worth anything if this the athletes can't play and turf fields will ensure that they will be able to play to the maximum ability, the maximum number of

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days and games and I think that's really important. I understand um a lot of studies were mentioned tonight and um a the word inconclusive was used a lot. I also read the D study. I read the

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California study and these studies actually prefer turf uh to grass and this is a new turf and there are not um studies adequate studies done on this to rule out using it. I think if anything

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it's a step in the right direction. Um so on that note, I think I would like um unless you're going to speak. >> No, I'd like to say something. >> Mr. Mayor, I also fully support this. I

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understand the concerns that were brought up. Um but I do feel that uh the physical harm to our kids of them twisting ankles uh or breaking legs or other other other damage um far

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outweighs the cons some of the whatifs. Um and uh I do believe that taking a lot of the words from some of my council colleagues whether it's the education, protecting our kids, etc. um will will lead to a better environment for our our

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kids and for the sports organizations. So, I 100% uh support this. >> Thank you very much. Council, did you want to say something? >> I do, but I have it as council listed. So, I don't know if we want >> Well, wait. So, we'll wait for your council list. We'll talk. We'll do it any voting afterwards. >> It's going to be I Yeah. >> Okay. We'll wait for that before we do

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any voting. I'll end off before we go into the rest of our work session. First of all, I want to thank Hildy. whether or not we agree, disagree, the thoroughess and put into it, we respect that and appreciate it and um whichever way it goes, we we thank you and the speakers for bringing everything everything forward. We'll hear more

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about this a little bit later on in the meeting um when under Councilwoman Goldberg's uh drainage comments. So, with that, we'll put this on hold and we'll head over to miscellaneous. Does anyone have any miscellaneous? >> Yeah, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um there's there

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was a resignation on PP and I would like to nominate Ya Al Geller. >> Second. >> Okay. Is there any interviews? Do you want to comment on the interview process? >> I I was not aware that that there was a resignation. I would like to recommend

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that we open it for others to interview before we move forward with the nomination and vote. But if if there's a nomination on the floor, we can just vote on it. >> I I I'd agree with you. Could anyone else before we make a motion? You want to vote on that or you want to go with >> There's the nomination second. Has the committee have have you looked at it as a committee? Okay.

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>> Okay. Well, if there is a request for a vote, do you want to you want to pull that or you want to wait for the committee or you want to go with the vote? >> No, I think that we've interviewed her. Um I would like I made a motion and I think Councilman Pagan seconded. >> Okay. I'm not sure if it's going to pass if the committee is asking, but if you

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want to proceed Well, go ahead with the roll call then. Roll call, please. and and just this is a roll call to for a nomination that was made. We're just hearing about this now and the committee has not yet um spoken to discussed it. So >> So would the committee like to hear

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this? >> There is a motion on the floor. >> If I can please note that the committee has interviewed her before. She was nominated before but she lost want to apologize ahead if she fails. It was not about her. It's about the committee's request. >> Okay. But the committee, the committee

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is a body of the council acts as a body of the whole. All seven of us. There's no committee that overrides us. >> All I'm doing is saying if she if she doesn't win, it's not about her. It's about there's a request for some protocols that the committee is asking for, but you're insisting we vote anyway. So with that, that is your

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right. We'll have the vote anyways. Please proceed with the roll call. >> First from Councilwoman Goldberg and a second from Councilman Bang. Counciloman Goldberg. Yes. >> Councilman Pagan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman G.

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>> No. >> Councilman Catz. >> Yes. >> Debbie Mayor Belure. >> No. >> Dep Oregon. >> No. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> No. And with that, um, committee, if you could please report back at the next meeting on this vacancy. And of course,

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obviously, if Miss Geller was interviewed, we'll work with her next meeting as well. That was not a vote. It was not my vote against her but against the protocol of the policy. Okay. O miscellaneous. Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I'd like to um

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walk on for the consent agenda. I guess I'm going to move this resolution to recognize Haitian-American Heritage Month and Haitian Flag Day. Um and I'd like to read the resolution for the record. >> Second. >> All right. Whereas the township of Tene

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proudly recognizes the rich cultural heritage, enduring resilience, and significant contributions of Haitian-Americans to our community, state, and nation. And whereas May is nationally recognized as Haitian-American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history, achievements,

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and cultural influence of Haitian-Americans throughout the United States. And whereas Haitian Flag Day is commemorated annually on May 18th in honor of the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803, a powerful symbol of unity, freedom, independence, and the

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successful fight against colonial oppression. And whereas Haiti became the first independent black republic in the world and the first independent nation in the Caribbean, serving as a beacon of hope and liberation for oppressed peoples globally. And whereas

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Haitian-Americans have enriched communities across the United States throughout their leadership and contributions in education, healthcare, business, government, arts, public service, faith communities, and civic engagement. And whereas the township of

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Tene values diversity, inclusion, and multicultural understanding and is proud to recognize and celebrate the vibrant Haitian-American community within Tene and beyond. And whereas it is fitting and proper to honor the legacy, culture, traditions, and achievements of Haitian-Americans and to recognize the

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importance of Haitian Flag Day as a celebration of heritage and unity. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Tene does hereby proclaim the month of May as Haitian-American Heritage Month and recognize May 18th as Haitian Flag Day in the Township of Tene. And be it

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further resolved that the council encourages all residents to join in celebrating the history, culture, and ongoing contributions of Haitian-Americans and to foster greater appreciation, understanding, and unity within our community. And to all my Haitians, thank you.

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>> No, you got to say the whole the whole resolution like that. Not that not the part you practiced. Okay. Is that Do we need a roll call on that? Would you would you like a roll call or would you like nodding heads? >> Uh, Trevor Mayor. >> Roll call is good. Roll call, Mr. Clerk, on that resolution, please. >> That was a first from Councilwoman G,

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seconded by Council. >> That's a walk on to add to the consent agenda. Sorry. Yes. >> Indeed. Counciloman Goldberg, >> yes. >> Council Pan, >> yes. >> Counciloman G, >> yes. >> Councilman Katz, >> yes. >> Debbie Mayor Belchure, >> yes. >> Debbie Mayor, >> yes. >> Mayor Schwarz,

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>> yes. Added to consent agenda is resolution 217. >> Thank you very much. Old business new business communications. Uh do you want to report on the field you'll talk about field leison under

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committee? Well, that was a communication. We'll shift that to reports committee reports by council leaison. Deputy mayor. Um, so just mentioning an email that council received last night, a um petition signed by

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um almost 500 people within the town requesting the turf field um thank you to the sports teams and coaches and parents um from all corners of the town um for taking the time to let us know how you feel about that.

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>> Thank you very much. Council listed items. Deputy Mayor Oregon street renaming subcommittee criteria form. >> Sorry, one committee. Sorry. >> Um, so not quite a committee report, but I just wanted to acknowledge the senior citizens advisory board in partnership

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with the rec department held a very successful senior prom this week and it was fabulous. Shout out to the rec department and Zanna did a fantastic job. Um, yes, please round of applause. Um, I would love if we could do this

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every year. I know it was a heavy lift, but I mean they were the happiness in that room, the joy in that room. Um, I got several emails saying, "Why didn't I know about this? I want to know about this for next year." And so, I mean, it was just so perfection. Um, so, so thank you, Jackie, and to your team for for

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helping to organize that. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. So, uh, sorry, is this about committee reports? >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh, PP BMAT. So, I'm going to, um, uh, half of it is sort of tied into a

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few other things in a few minutes, so I don't want to, um, waste time. So, um, high level, uh, we discussed, um, there was discussion about Argon Park. Um, there was discussion about that was a huge amount of, and I'm going to just

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mention that I know that the manager is going to discuss, I don't know if it's this meeting or next meeting. There's been a lot of discussions about cleanup at Argon Park, which I fully do support. Um, I'm not clear about where things stand. I did do some research though, and there

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is a good amount of grant money available for us to apply to to to start that cleanup. Um, so I will forward that over to you. Um, it's through the federal government, so it's it's a good amount, but there was a very large amount of discussion about that that we

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do need to get that cleaned up. people are concerned about the health and both physical health and the mental health in the the neighborhood. So, >> thank you very much. Okay. Yes. >> Okay. I just want to chime in. Uh historic preservation is doing um uh

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some awesome work as they continue to uh represent markers on historic um sites. Argon Park being one. We do have uh one that is uh to be installed. We're just trying to find a um an actual date that would be representative of it um uh in

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terms of a good date and it also has come to our attention about the dumping in Argon Park and um whatever can can be done to really address that. I I did reach out to u the chief of police to see what measures in which um we could

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address it because uh it is a park that um needs attention. Um I know we all love and um uh Votee Park and a lot of uh energy and efforts and resources have been devoted to um our wonderful vot.

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But um as we begin to look at um the the schedule of uh rotation uh certainly uh we'd love to be able to see Argon Park uh receive the attention that it so deserves, especially if we're placing historic markers there. Thank you very

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much. Thank you. Okay, now we'll go on to council settings. Deputy Morgan. >> So last year the subcommittee um for street renaming, honorary street renamings met and we came up with a list

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of criteria um for people applying to name a street. There really hasn't been um a process for it up until now. So, what we had hoped to do was at the beginning of each year open up requests

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for street namings and put a form out um leave it open for a month, have people respond and we were hoping um for no more than two per year. And um I realized this year we got a request for

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a street naming. We never did this and we're in the middle of the year now. So Doug had had written up a form which is in our packets and um I wanted to know how everybody felt about the form if there's anything that's missing from it

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and if we could then if if we are in favor of it to release it to the public now and ask if anybody has a street naming someone they'd like to name a street after. >> Sorry. Who's the committee? >> Um I think the three of us.

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You're on the Okay. So, subzoning representing. Perfect. >> No, we didn't. >> It was last year. >> Yeah, we have an image. >> I think it was you. >> Yeah, it used to be Denise and now it's you. >> Okay. So, if anyone can look at the

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packet, you may not have seen it yet. Take a look at it. Please be in touch with Deputy Mayor Organ for us to move it forward over the next few weeks. Um I I actually like to send it out if we have four night heads because we're already in May and we wanted to do this in January but we got busy with affordable. So >> it looks good. I read it.

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>> I read it. I It's fine by me if we have a fourth to send it out. >> Fourth. It's fine. Okay. We have four nodding heads on that. So we'll send that out and see what we get back. >> Thank you. >> Um vot fields training study. Councilman Goldberg. I believe this is the second part of your stuff. What do you got?

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>> Um thank you. So, first off, I I didn't want to move around the meeting, so I just wanted to say I actually agree with both deputy mayors on various points of what they said. Um, so I think that the the one thing that everyone here, I think, cares about

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is that all of our kids, no matter if they play on turf or if they play on grass, where wherever they play, they should be safe and they should be able to play on fields that are not unsafe, muddy, swampy. I mean, just take the list of adjectives that have been

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kind of described, unfortunately. Um that being said, um in February of 2025, I did raise this and I requested right after the um the presentation for a drainage study. Since then, the state

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storm water rules have changed even more. Um I looked even more carefully at the contract that was from last meeting. Um, and it explicitly excluded um, and I'll just get the list really

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quickly. It literally excluded um, soil erosion sediment control uh, NJD protection permits, LSRP, geotechnical investigation. We have been under since 2015 and according to the

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state right now until 2041 required to uh have an LSRP whenever we're lifting the cap, so to speak. And I'm going to explain that really poorly, so I apologize. Um,

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we we can't do a contract without these things. Um, in 2025, May 30th, 2025, we voted on a resolution approving a contract to continue our LSRP from 2025 until 2027. We have to do this until

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2041. I have no real I'm not an expert on on turf. I do feel very strongly that no matter what before we do anything we do need a drainage study because no matter what whether they're playing on brass

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whether they're playing on turf these kids need the vote park needs to to be addressed there is the and I have a copy for everyone want to just pass it along 2010 uh Mayor Kath if you want to chime

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in here um there was the drainage study in 2010 and this is only the last pages that I'm sorry not giving you has 400 pages, I promise. Um, that said that any that the pipes are backwards. They're sloped backwards. We just All I'm asking

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for is a proper drainage study that meets the the storm water requirements from January of this year. And I'll sorry, I'll pass this along in two seconds. It's literally four pages. That's all I'm asking for. A proper drainer study. We need to have the geotechnical investigation because it's

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required under law. We signed a contract in 2025. We need the LSRP. We need the NJD. Um, we need the soil erosion. They're required under storm water and our own LSRP that we signed a contract with last year will report us otherwise.

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So, I would just like to make a motion that next meeting we have and I think I could be wrong. This is probably specialized that we do go out to bid on this to get the right contractor. We have done this in the past. I don't know if we want to use verdantis again like

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something but I think this is very specialized and we already have >> the background on here and then I'm going to give this out to everybody. >> That's it. But thank you. >> Okay. >> I'm going to make a Is there a second on that? >> Second. Yeah. >> Okay. So, I'm going to make a motion to

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table that cuz you just dumped a whole lot of information that we don't haven't heard from from you before, including handouts that you didn't send us. Okay. So, I'd like to make a motion to table. >> Second the motion.

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>> Next minute. >> All right. >> We can table that. But we have we have we I I want to make the motion. I guess maybe it has to be afterwards. >> Yes. >> To after this. And I'm going to make the motion to approve this field. What we need is a field. What we need is a field. What we need is a field. No more

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talking. >> So, let's So, you want to table? So, there's a motion to table it. >> Okay. I I I'd like to make a motion. Uh >> there's a motion to table, so there should be no discussion. >> I'll second it table for next meeting. Is that the time? >> Sure.

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>> Okay. Thank you. I'll second that. >> Well, if you're Are we voting on this motion first and then I >> voting to the motion to table >> and if we table one second. I'm sorry. And if we vote to table this, we can't introduce the field tonight. >> No, we can. >> No, no. Let's just confir my understanding this is that council woman

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Goldberg had made a motion. I'm sorry that that noise >> can't do anything without an LSRP. >> My phone, you got to mute it. >> You got to mute it or just bounce. We're very sorry. It's a serious matter. Take

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the call outside, please. >> My understanding is Councilwoman Goldberg made a motion. This is the motion is to table Councilwoman Goldberg's motion. >> And if it's just want to follow this through if you don't mind. If it's tabled, we can proceed with the meeting and any other motions. Correct. >> Correct. >> Does that work? Yeah, that

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>> Thank you very much. Roll call on that table, please. The motion to table. The motion. First is from Deputy Mayor Oregon, second from Mayor Schwarz. Councilwoman Goldberg. >> Yes. The table to next meeting. >> Councilman Pagan.

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>> Yes. Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Councilman Catz. >> Yes. >> Debbie Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Debbie Mayor Oregon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. The table. >> I'd like to make a motion. I I think I

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was I think I was next up. I'd like to make a motion that we investigate an organic grass field as an option to the artificial turf field.

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I'll second that. But can we discuss I'm okay with both. It's not the point. We need the drainage. That's my point. Grass, organic grass, turf, either one. Our our kids are going to keep flooding out no matter what. So, I'm fine with

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both right this minute. I'm just asking for the proper drainage so no matter where they play that they can >> Okay. And so, I'm okay with that. I'll second that. >> Okay. Thank you for that. And if just in the interest of discussion, uh we are um the recommendation is based upon the

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fact that we want the best the healthiest fields for our our our children, our students, our families. So therefore, if the if the recommendation from scientists is that the healthier fields is an organic grass field, why

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wouldn't we want to explore that as a as an option to the artificial turf? >> I'm I'm with the mayor on this. I just want a new turf field for the kids. They deserve a field. It's been over 30 plus years. So, I'm going to vote yes on both. There was a second, I believe, by

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council McGover, but we're having motion discussion on this right now. We need a field. We don't need more discussion. We don't need more meetings. We don't need to see these guys every night. I see two sets of heads being shaken. I see the players shaking for the field and everyone else who doesn't play on the

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field saying, "No, let's do studies." Enough with the studies. Enough with the talking. Enough with letting perfect get in the way of good enough. Every town in this county has turf fields. We have turf fields. We have no issues. Let's get the turf fields. We have millions

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sitting in account doing nothing for these players. The time to talk has to stop. The time to act has to be now. Let's call a roll call on that motion. Okay. So, >> um we're going to call a roll call on

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this motion for further studies. If it passes, there'll be further studies. I will then call for a motion to put forth the turf field and hopefully someone seconds that and we vote to play ball. >> No, we're we have we're doing roll call now. >> Roll call on the motion for further

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studies. >> That was not my motion. >> No, not my motion. Please repeat. motion was uh is that we would uh look at an

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organic grass field in lie of a turf field. We have had testimony today that a a organic grass field from a maintenance perspective is less money than a than a turf field. So why

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wouldn't I mean if we have the certainly if we have the resources to produce a product that's safer for our children why wouldn't we want to do >> understood my motion cuts a check tomorrow to get this field going >> and this could cut a check tomorrow for

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for an organic >> no it doesn't >> no I don't need to study anything I don't need any kind of study what we're saying is that the experts have said that an organic grass field would be safer Why wouldn't we?

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>> So your motion is to move forward with a grass field. So that's grass field and then if that passes, we'll have a grass field. If it fails, I'll make the motion for the turf field. Did I phrase that right? >> Yeah, that's fine. No studies. There's no studies. >> Motion for the grass field. Mr. Clerk, please call the motion. Please call the

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roll call for a No, >> can I say one thing? >> We're not. We're going to vote and we're going to we're going to vote and we're going to move on with our meeting. >> Please please call the roll call, please. Please call the role. >> Call in the role on the motion from

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Deputy Mayor Belure which was seconded by Councilman Goldberg >> to the grass field. >> Council Goldberg, >> we're still allowed to discuss. So, I'm going to say one thing that I'm allowed to say. Regardless of any upgrades made to the drainage system in the park, if the soils in and around the park do not

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drain, the field will remain wet for long periods after a storm. >> Thank you. Okay. Is that a yes or a no to the clerk? Motion for the grass field. Yes or no? >> Mr. Mayor, I'm allowed to discuss. >> Okay. Do we have the motion? We're taking a vote. Yes or no? >> Mr. Mayor.

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>> Mr. Attorney, we need to move on this meeting. We have a motion. We have We're going to discuss this. We're going to govern. We're here to govern. >> We are. >> Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a a motion to uh deputy mayor's motion that we make

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the grass fields turf fields. an amendment to the motion. >> Um, Councilman Can organic, I'm okay with it. >> No, my amendment was that we make your grass fields that we approve the gr make

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the amendment that your grass fields are turned into turf fields and uh, >> Mr. Attorney, we're in the middle. >> What are we doing here? The vote the vote has been called. So >> the motion to >> I think the first the first motion was to uh >> for the grass field. >> The grass field. Yes.

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>> Let's roll. Roll call, please. On the grass field. >> I'll say yes. >> Councilman Pagan, >> no to grass. >> Councilwoman G. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Cabs,

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>> no to grass. >> Deputy Mayor Belure, >> yes. Grass. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan, >> no. Mayor Schwarz. >> No grass. Now the motion for Mayor Schwarz for the turf field. Do we have a second? Second. >> Second by Councilman Pagan. Do you want

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to clarify my motion? >> Yes. >> The motion is to reintroduce um resolution 179 from the last meeting and vote on that. Now that motion includes a drainage study and the engineering work

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to start allocating funds to move this turf field forward so that we can have it soon. Thank you very much. Roll call, please. >> To make a motion to table that because it does not include the required drainage study. It does not include I'm reading it does not include soil erosion

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and sediment control plan certification permit feeds NJD environmental. >> There is a motion by a second and I'm asking for a second. >> Mr. Mayor, second there's a motion and a second to table the turf field. Please call the roll call. >> There's a motion and a second to table

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the contract as is. That motion >> by Councilman Goldberg and second by Bel. This is to table the the turf field. >> So table the contract without the required environmental pieces. >> The contract's not being considered.

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Right. >> That's what Deputy Mayor Oregon just tried to reintroduce. >> Yeah. To reintroduce 179 to start working on engineering. >> Second on the motion. >> Yes. There was a second on that motion. Then she made a motion to the table. This this motion. Hold that roll call, please.

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This is a motion to table my motion to move forward with the turf fields right now. Exactly. Yes. >> Mhm. >> Motion to table. Deputy mayor's motion.

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Counciloman Goldberg. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pagan. >> No. To table. >> Councilman G. >> No. >> Councilman Catz. >> No. Debbie Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Debbie Mayor Oregon. >> No. >> Mayor Schwarz,

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>> no. Roll call on the motion to introduce or >> 179 >> 9 >> 9 2026. >> Mr. Attorney, >> could we please call the roll call? There's a motion on the table. >> Question. >> Mr. Attorney, what are the implications

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if we violate an LSRP? >> I'm sorry. There's a motion. Sorry. There's a motion on the table. Do we only vote when we don't like it or when we do like it? There's a motion. There's a second. It was tabled. There was a motion in the table. That failed. Will we please vote on our motion now? >> But she has a right to ask our attorney

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for advice. She does. She has every right to ask our attorney for advice. >> What happens if we violate the New Jersey Storm Water Act and an LSRP till 2041? >> I'm actually going to refer to Jackie on this one because I know she's looked at this LSRP more than I have.

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Um yes, I can confirm that through this proposal these um excluded items are normal to see in the proposal. I can also confirm that Verdantas would be our LSRP that would oversee this this work um and our engineer would would work

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with them. So there will be an RS an LSRP um consulted with for the project. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. This is a roll call on >> 179 2026. Thank you. >> I'll need to give it a new resolution

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number, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Councilwoman Goldberg, >> no, because I can't vote to knowingly violate NJ regulations. >> Council, >> yes to a turf field. >> Councilwoman G, >> yes. >> Councilman Katz,

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>> yes to the turf field. >> Deputy Mayor Belchure, >> no for safety reasons. >> Deputy Mayor, >> yes to the turf field. >> Mayor Schwar, >> yes to a turf field. play ball. >> This that's going to be um

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>> resolution 218-20. 2026. >> Excellent. Township managers report. >> Good evening, council and township residents. Our Memorial Day ceremony will take place on May 25th at 11:00 a.m. on the green. Please join us as we

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pause to honor, remember, and thank the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. >> Mayor, did you want to let the students? >> You want to head out? go home school night homework.

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>> They want to say okay >> I didn't know this on consent agenda if they want to stay to the end. So there's going to be one more vote on this. So they maybe want to say there's going to be another vote on this. >> You're more than welcome to say I didn't know that. >> Okay. Go ahead.

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>> Sorry. Okay. The Cedar Lane Memorial Day street festival will also take place on May 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The third annual family funfest in support of Tene Public Schools will take place on June 7th from 2 PM to 6 pm at Vot Park. All

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families are welcome to come and enjoy student performances, games, food trucks, and outreach materials. Save the date for our Junth silent walk, flag raising, and jubilee celebration event, which will take place on June 19th. A flyer with additional details

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will be posted soon. We are also gearing up for Pride Month as the township of Tene remains committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive community where everyone reflects on the importance of inclusion, respect, and equality for all. Details for a flag raising ceremony

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will also be posted soon. The Tina Community Pool is opening for its second season this Saturday, May 23rd, and will remain open for weekends only until our full schedule starts on June 19th when we are open 7 days a

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week. We are also offering two Saturday mornings for pool registration at the ROA Center on May 23rd and May 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please remember that pool registration is not available at TCP, but rather only at the ROA

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center. Sprinkler and splash pad schedules for each park will be posted on our website for your reference as well. Don't forget that the Tene Farmers Market has returned on Thursdays from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Garrison and Beverly. Our Walk to Wellness program

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finale took place this past Sunday. Congrats to all that participated and to our health department for bringing our community together to focus on wellness tips and exercise for our community. Our next poetry reading and open mic event

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is scheduled for May 31st from 2 to 4 pm in the children's reading garden right outside our Tene Library. All are welcome. Please be advised that the new ebike laws go into effect July 1. Please be alert for social media postings and also a letter that was sent home to families

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from Tene Public Schools. Our Fourth of July parade and celebration of the 250th anniversary of America is scheduled for Friday, July 3rd. We look forward to the celebration. Some grant updates I have for you this

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evening. We have applied for two grants. New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety Click It or Ticket Mobilization for $7,000 for police overtime for seat belt enforcement. Also, the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety, state and

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community highway safety grant for $30,000 for pedestrian safety enforcement. For some project updates this evening, our 2025 road resurfacing project will go out to bid mid early June. Turhune

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Park Safety Service, it um the contractor is slightly delayed, so you will see those repairs in June. Brooks Park exercise station, the project is now complete. Brooks Park restroom. The shop drawings have been approved and now we are awaiting delivery of the

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building. Sagamore Park improvements. We continue our review process and advertising for the um children's playground and new restroom as well. Um Phelps Park splash pad. The project is complete and we had our

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ribbon cutting ceremony today. Builtin Street, Livingston Place, and Clinton Place improvements as well as our Griggs, Van Beern, and Heric A improvements um have construction that will begin in June. As well, as an update from last meeting, I was

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asked by Councilwoman G to confirm that our police department and board of education communications are in place so families are aware of the new ebike laws going to into effect this July. The PD has drafted a letter to share with our families which has been distributed to

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TX schools and will also be supplied to our private schools. This letter contains information regarding the new law including compliance requirements and deadlines. This will ensure parents are aware and can educate their children. In addition, social media will

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be used to educate our residents and the use of electronic sign boards will be placed throughout TAC. Educational sessions have also taken place at our schools and there will be a grace period associated where warnings will be issued before ticketing and empower and

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empowerment depending on circumstances. The police department is committed to a balanced approach approach focused on education outreach and enforcement to maintain the safety of our residents and our students. Um, some of you have asked about e

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scooters, which are exempt from license, registration, and insurance requirements, provided they operate 19 miles per hour or less. I would also like to speak um to to um the council this evening regarding our

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food trucks within township limits. Um, I would like to amend an ordinance that we have to to apply some parameters to the food trucks that we have. um in in terms of safety protocol and also to protect our existing food

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establishments. I met with our police department, our health department and zoning department to discuss the issues and areas that need to be addressed. I circulated some details with concerns um of the concerns and some feedback and I will plan to list the food truck

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ordinance for introduction on June 16th. Some some details that will be included will be daily operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. mandatory permits from our health department, setup restrictions. For example, we will not allow food

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trucks to operate within 200 ft of any food establishment, no parking in municipal parking lots, and prohibited conduct such as cooking oil that may be dumped in our storm drains. So, I'd like to know if you had any other concerns or feedback um that you would like added to

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the food truck ordinance at this time. >> You can also forward me anything that and I will consider it to add. I just wanted to let you know I would introduce. Um lastly, I would like to propose um the support of council for a flag garden on the municipal green. ABCR

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and the garden club would like to collaborate to create a friendship flag garden near the marquee on the municipal green. Doug's going to place a photo on um the screen so you could see what it would look like. It would be 4 feet by six feet and we would collaborate with

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our DPW for supplies and volunteered watering days um between other township advisory boards and volunteers. The youth advisory board and senior citizens advisory board will also be invited to participate. The dedication event date

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is still pending and it would be around July 4th. I love it. No, >> thanks. >> Thank you. >> Excellent idea. Thank you. Wonderful. So, I will work with them to move forward with that and um keep everyone posted on the event date for the dedication. >> Perfect. >> Mayor, that's all I have for you this evening.

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>> Thank you very much. >> Township attorney, any report from you, sir? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. So, there are two things I want to mention tonight. The first is there's an ordinance that is being uh proposed for introduction related to the land use application uh and escort

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process. I'm just flagging that it's going to be introduced tonight. There's a lot of details in that. I will have more uh for the council for the for the public at the at the meeting for adoption if it is uh if it is introduced. And second, there's a uh resolution that we're going to be asked

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to be walked on tonight. Uh it is a resolution uh approving a an agreement with Bondex. Uh as uh many people in Tene know, uh there have been issues with the surface of the playground at Terune Park. Uh the playground has been closed for some time as we've been

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dealing with these uh with these issues. Uh it was essentially just installed incorrectly and it created bubbling which created tripping hazards and so for that reason the surface has been the playground has been closed. Um we've not been able to get the contractor who did the installation to come back and fix

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it. Uh we've not been able to get uh someone to come out and just repair and repair it. uh all the contractors that we've spoken to uh would not take on the the liability of just repairing it. They were they all insisted on that they would have to fully rip it out and

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replace it. Uh the uh initial contractor was insured and bonded which is required by state law. And so we went to the um bonding company uh which is Bondex uh and asked them to release the bond uh to allow us to pay for a new contractor to come in and uh and and do the replacement of the the surface lot. this

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agreement. Again, we're asking to be uh walked on and I'll say the reason we're asking for it to be walked on is we just finished negotiating this about 4 hours ago. Uh so that's why it wasn't on the agenda before this. Um this will allow us to get the money so that we can move forward with those uh repairs and reopen

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Turkey and uh the the playground at Turkey Park. >> Thank you very much, >> Mr. Clerk. You'll add that. >> You'll add that resolution. Okay. And with that, uh we'll turn over to you, Mr. clerk, do you read the 2026 mutual budget by title?

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>> And yes, wait, while we're here, I know he was mentioning that one resolution, but I think while we're here, I'll just walk in the other resolution that we had to walk in to the consent agenda for the sewer truck that we were discussing with the manager if that's all right with everyone before we go to the budget. Uh,

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so yes, we had a resolution come up. Let me pull up some language here that I could read into the record. And actually, yes, Scott, we should do a quick roll call to add that resolution that you were talking. You want me to read that resolution to the record, the

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mutual release with bondex? >> That can either be uh add done through a vote to add to the consent agenda or the council can just do a vote just to pass it right here and now, whatever the council. >> So, you're saying we can make the motion to approve these three right now? The

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two right now. I'll make the motion to approve the two walk-on resolutions. one to reopen the bondex for Terune Parks repair and two for the sewer uh sewer agreement with Leona >> sewer truck agreement.

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>> We do uh can we also do 179 at the same time so these kids can go home? >> I have that on the consent agenda. So that would need to be both from the consent agenda and you need to vote on it. >> So let's leave on that. Okay, >> we'll just do these two. >> Is there a second on the second on the two walk-ons? >> Second.

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>> Roll call, please. Mr. Clerk. Councilwoman Goldberg. >> Um, can I ask the manager a question really quickly? Madam manager, at the last meeting for Leonia, there was a whole conversation about the sewer their sewer emergency repairs. And I'm just cons I just want to make sure that we're

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on the same page for this. Um, May 9th is their meeting. They were concerned about our response time with the sewer emergencies. Is that related to this or is that separate? >> They said they had to end up calling Fort Lee. >> Um, we have two things in place. We do have a protocol in place to help out

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Leonia if they do have any kind of sewer emergency calls. So, we have communicated with them and we have a protocol in place. We've exchanged phone numbers with both parties um so that everyone is on the same page so we can respond more quickly and um in in my

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opinion that has been resolved on from both parties. This agreement is a separate agreement that will assist Leonia with um their MS or sewer maintenance requirements. Um so it's a six-month agreement where we will loan them our spare sewer truck which will uh

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they will be able to use on a case- by case basis to um meet their requirements over the six month months and we can revisit if um there's an additional need. So, we will be continuing to um you know be good neighbors with Leonia since we will be hopefully moving on um

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forward with um our DPW on their land in Leonia. >> I'm only asking just because I said 10 days ago they had a whole open conversation complaining about our response time regarding to sewer emergencies. So, I just wanted to make sure that we had that handled before we give them this. >> Yes, I have exchanged information that

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is is now resolved. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Um please >> I'll be a yes on both of those. >> Yes. Councilman Pagan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman G, >> yes. >> Councilman Catz, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belchure,

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>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Oregon, >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. >> Those two resolutions which will be known as 219 219 and 220-2026. >> Thank you very much. >> Adopted. Okay. Budget meeting, Mr. Clerk.

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>> Yes. This evening, shall we forget, we are hopefully adopting our 2026 municipal budget. And we need a motion and second on resolution 187-2026

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that will authorize the township clerk to read the budget by title. >> Motion Schwarz. >> Second. >> Second. Belure. >> Councilman Goldberg. >> No. >> Councilman Gan, >> yes to reading. Councilman G. >> Yes.

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>> Councilman Catz, >> yes. >> Demar Belure, >> yes. >> Mayor Oregon, >> yes. >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. >> 2026 municipal budget.

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It's been read by title and the public hearing can commence. >> Excellent. Anybody like to speak on this hearing regarding the 2026 municipal budget? Councilman Zone Alan Sick resident who's going to be hit with what's called the 7% tax increase.

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Um budgets and reality are two very very very different things. Um if you earn $50,000 a year and you spend $60,000 a year, you have a problem. Uh you have a $10,000 hole. You can't fill that hole

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by increasing your income budget by $10,000. You can only fill it by earning $10,000 more in real money. If you cut your spending budget by $10,000, it doesn't fill anything. You can only fill that

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budgetary hole by spending $10,000 less. The budget that's being presented tonight is filled with budget games. The CFO was asked to find $1.8 million to cut this budget to only 7%, the

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biggest increase in township history uh in dollar value. $900,000 of that came from adding into revenue found money for police outside services. The money that's paid for road repairs

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uh when police are watching and at houses of worship. That's not found money. That's money that we have been receiving year after year for the past several years that has gone into surplus and is now basically being taken out.

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One of the funds that's going to be used to to balance the budget is 2 years worth of sewer billing. This township was three years late on sewer bills. Taxpayers for the past three years were forced to foot the bill for these sewer

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bills that were not build out. Sending out two years worth of bills three years late is not a success. It's a failure. We're counting on those two years of income to be one of the things to cover

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that only 7% increase. I don't blame the township manager, the CFO, or the auditor. They just put the numbers down. As I was told by one of the staff members, these are not financial decisions. These are ultimately

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political decisions. The decisions to hit the taxpayers with the seven 7% tax increase were not made by going through the budget in detail. They were not made by looking through those numbers in detail. They were not made by looking at

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the impact of this these increases and kicking the can down the road to future years. I have seen not a single number that demonstrates what the impact will be for next year or future years. I have seen no analysis of a $100 million

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capital budget over the next six years. T-neck residents not only deserve a turf field, they deserve an explanation of how this council came up with this budget. Thank you very >> Thank you very much, Mr. S. Anyone on Zoom? Anybody else? See no other hands.

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This hearing is over. Mr. Clerk, please proceed. >> So, we actually have uh two resolutions here that need to be moved, seconded, and voted upon. Resolution 215-2026 which is amending the 2026 municipal

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budget. And then we have resolution 188-2026 which adopts the 2026 municipal budget. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to you. Looking for a motion now for 215 and 188 of 2026. >> Yes.

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>> I'll make a motion to approve 215 and 188 of 2026 for the MOT municipal budget. There >> a second. Second. >> Roll call, please. Second in Oregon. Roll call, please.

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>> Counciloman Goldberg. >> Down above. >> Councilman Pagan. >> Yes to 215. No to 188. >> Yes to 215. No to 188. >> Correct.

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>> Sorry, Councilman G. Yes. >> Councilman Catz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Mayor Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. So that budget passes. I'd like a

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motion make a motion of 189 to 2026 to authorize the clerk to read the 2026 >> second. >> Peter Lane Special Improvement District by title by title. Seconded by Pagan. >> Councilman Goldberg. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pagan. >> Yes, sir.

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>> Councilman G. >> Yes. >> Councilman Catz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Boucher. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Oregon. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. Okay. The hearing is now open for the 2026 special improvement budget as

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introduced. Is anyone like to speak on that? Anyone on Zoom? See no hands. The hearing is now closed. I'd like to make a motion to approve the 2026 serene special improvement budget.

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Seconded by Councilman Pagan. >> Sorry. Second >> 190 of 2026. Sorry. 190 of 2026. >> Very correct, sir. With a motion from Mayor Schwarz. Second from Councilman Bean. Councilman Goldberg. >> Yes. >> Councilman began. >> Yes.

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>> Councilman G. Yes. >> Councilman Catz. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Wargan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. >> All budgets adopt. >> Excellent. Um, township clerk, please read in the ordinances before we have

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our hearing on the adoption of same. >> We are considering council here at May 19th. Two ordinances for adoption. We have ordinance number 32-2026 amending section 36-11.2 two of chapter 36 township code the township act adding

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restricted on street parking spaces for handicap parking at 886 Lincoln place and then we also have ordinance number 33-2026 amending and supplementing chapter 33 development regulations of the land use ordinance of the township act to address the requirements of the fair housing act

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regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the inclusionary housing three overlay district and modifying the zoning map in regards to 1387 Hill Street. Mayor, those were our two ordinances.

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>> Thank you. Is anyone here like to testify against about those two and those two uh ordinances only? Seeing no other hands. Do you have anyone on Zoom? Mr. Clerk, no other hands. This hearing is now over. I'd like to make a motion to approve ordinances 30 20 32 of 2026

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and ordinance number 33 of 2026. Let's read them. Uh let's do the voting individually. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. So, roll call on 32 of 2026. >> Yes, I'm 32, but I would like to ask a

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question on the second one. So, yes, I'm 32. >> Councilman Pagan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Councilman Katz, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan, >> yes.

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>> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. Now to 33. I think there was a question first on 33. >> Yeah. Mr. Attorney, can you just explain first to the public um what's changing here and then also with regard to anything with site plan review board what the impact is for that?

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>> Sure. So I was going to save the full the full explanation for the next meeting but I can give it the short version of this is. So um about a year and a half ago the uh council adopted a change in the land use ordinances. Uh,

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>> so we're on Hill Street right now. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We'll call on Hill Street. >> I haven't said Hold on one second. Let me open that up. Which what was the number? >> 33-2026. >> You have the page number. >> Six. Page six. >> Six. >> Look at I'm looking at totally wrong

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section. It's fine. >> 127. >> Um, my second question was for introduction. Sorry, I apologize about that. I don't know if Scott if you wanted to say anything on 33. I apologize. Okay, I apologize for the confusion on

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that. That's my fault. Um, so the changes here were a I believe it was the the main primary change here was to change the uh minimum setback requirement. Uh, I guess there were two changes. The first was to change the minimum setback requirement. uh to to

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five feet in the rear uh of the of the property, the uh the the side furthest away from uh uh from Hill Street. Uh there is because of the council's change to require that they lower the overall height of the building uh from five

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stories down to four. the way that the developer has proposed to accommodate that and still provide us with the number same number of affordable housing uh units that we're asking them and they're required to provide. They are uh essentially making the building just a little bit a little bit larger. Uh

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they're not making it getting any closer to the street in the front or the sides of the property. It's just in the back and it's just in the uh if you're looking at looking at a map of it in the top right corner. the property is going to go at an angle and they have to get uh get to within five feet of the corner

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of the property on that top right part which is not near any single family homes or anything like that. Um so it's just going to be expand in the back the property a little bit. The second change is under uh subsection D2.

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Yeah, D2, which is on page 130 of the packet, uh, which is to change the, um, the building coverage, uh, from, uh, I believe it was 65% before and now changing to 70%. And that's just to recognize that the the building is going

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to get a little bit larger again in the in the back of the property. So, it's just those two changes. Those are the only changes that are being made from what the council has previously adopted, which as I understand, the planning board has deemed it consistent with the master plan. >> Thank you very much. I have a question. I just want to confirm that that set

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back of 5T um is it adjoins not a single family property but the back of a um garden apartment. >> Yep. That's complex. >> It's it's in one one corner of the property. It's not for anywhere else on the property. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Clerk, roll call,

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please. Um and I believe Councilman Katz is um recused on this >> or has recused himself on this if I'm correct. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Was there a second? There was a second but second by council gone. >> Thank you sir. Counciloman Goldberg

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>> abstain. >> Council Pan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Councilman Catz recused. Apologies. Deb >> abstained. >> Deb.

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>> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. >> Adopted. >> Excellent. Okay. With that we'll head to good and welfare. for your three minutes to talk about anything you'd like to speak about. We'll go with everyone in the room first and then we'll go on to Zoom. With that, Mr. Green, please start

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us off. >> All right. Good morning, members of council, T-neck residents. My name is Daryl Green and I am a Tene resident since 1976. It's been a while. I wanted to talk about something that's been

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going around and it's a little disturbing. Paradise Loss. I don't feel that that's really what's going on in Tene. I don't believe that's what's going on in Tene. And I want to talk about the opportunity to have two communities come together

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and build on our T-neck municipal grounds, both the AfricanAmerican and the Caribbean community. I have a relationship with the Smith Group. Ladies and gentlemen, the Smith Group has built the African-American Museum in

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Washington DC and they have expressed a strong interest in building a structure here in Tene. I also have a relationship with the children of our deceased Alcion Wilson who was the council general for Jamaica. Her children have a business

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here in Tene and they're very interested in partnering and possibly working together and also reaching out to the prime minister who's also a family friend of Jamaica to see whether or not we could put together

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a deal team, a deal team that can help fund this, raise money, and execute this thing properly. I know we've had some people try in the past. So, I'd like to see if we can revisit this and do this on a basis that if you come up with X,

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the town will support it and do Y. So, that's all I have to say for now, but hopefully we can work together and something like this can be done. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Sam. Dr. Yuck. Next. >> Hello, Sam Pasner TK resident. I just

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wanted to echo the thoughts on expanding community relationships in our town. Um, in fact, I along with Mr. G and Miss Levy have recently founded a group called Tene Neighboring. It's completely apolitical, but just to uh mention it because to try and bring people together

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across this town. It's just people uh who know each other to get coffee and things like that because we really do need to break down all the barriers in this town. Um when I got here I was you the council was in the midst of the discussion about the field and though I

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admit my ignorance on the issue I will say that what I witnessed here was disorganized and chaotic and while I was completely clueless coming in I was completely lost as to what the council was doing most of the time what people

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were proposing what people were voting on and I would just encourage encourage for the council, for the future, just for the sake of transparency to be a little more clear, slow, and careful, not necessarily in what they do and how they govern, but just in making sure

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it's clear to the members of the public what everybody is trying to do. Um, because I was just very confused on that issue. Um, I'm also worried about there was discussion by uh Mr. person about the budget and trying to find temporary

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solutions to long-term problems. As somebody who wants to, you know, build a life in the future in Tene, you know, for a long time, um I am worried about these short-term fixes that are going to have long-term costs to either our services in our town or are going to

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raise taxes when I'm starting in my prime working age years in uh probably a decade or so. Um, so yeah, that's what I was worried about. Uh, but the main thing, the main reason I came to the town council meeting today, um, so I often walk to Leonia and I have noticed

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that the Fort Le road between Leonia and Tene is very pedestrian unfriendly. It's very hard to cross many of those streets. And I know Fortley Road is a county road. So I don't know exactly where the council can step in, where the

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town can do stuff about it or where even the Leona Tene border is exactly in that area. So, if there's any way to add crosswalks, add something to make the pedestrian experience when crossing into Leonia just a little bit easier, just a little bit safer, I and hopefully others

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who want to build more community in this area will be able to better cross and better walk between our towns. Yeah, that's that's all I'm here to speak about. Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much, Dr. Y.

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Dr. Yoko first and you'll go next. You're on deck. >> Good evening, council and residents. Phil Yuck, Tene resident for 47 years. So, what I want to talk about this evening is the word progress.

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Uh I was disturbed back on March 16th. there was a a room full of residents uh who were vehemently opposed to the crossroads project that was being voted on that night and we were called people

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against progress. So I began I've been thinking for the last couple months about the word progress and what exactly does it mean and I've looked it up and I've read many definitions and basically what the definition of progress is a

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movement in a certain direction towards a goal. And typically the goal would be for the betterment of society, betterment of whatever it is that the goal is. but who owns that goal and who determines whether that goal is

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progress. And what I witnessed tonight was a perfect example of what it is that I've been thinking about. So, um, is it progress to have a turf field or is it progress to have a grass field?

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It's certainly progress to have something that won't flood. I think everybody would agree with that. But neither neither opinion uh is is less valid than the other potentially. Uh some some people might think

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something is progress and it could turn out to be quite the opposite. So I was thinking one of the things you know I was thinking of what are different ways of thinking about that. So for those people who were in the room on the 16th who were called people

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against progress, they were for a goal and the goal was what they felt was for the betterment of the community. Now people who vote voted in favor of of um of the crossroads project or who started that thing thought that was

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better for the community. But neither is neither group of people owns the the the definition of progress only. Both groups own it. And then I was thinking so you know you could say let's say somebody

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has cancer. My cancer treatment is progressing. That's progress. My cancer is progressing. It's the same word. That's not a good thing. So, um, I just wanted to just share those thoughts

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because I think we have to be careful what we say to the public when when, you know, our elected officials need to be very responsible and respectful of the public. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Dr. Young, sir. He'll do next.

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>> Excellent. >> Um, I'm um say your name. >> My name my name is Dian Wala. I'm also son of Christina Pammy, which you guys probably know. Um, I'm a student athlete at Tina High School. Um, I play baseball

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and football and I respect every single one of you guys sitting up there right now. Um, but by 2041, everybody in the United States will have a turf field. Um, but by 2041, if you don't, obviously, we got it. I appreciate you guys for giving us the per uh the turf

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field. I thank you very much. Um, I'm a hardworking boy just like every single one of them behind me. Um, I understand the health issues and stuff like with the turf and stuff, but everybody has a turf field and we have turf fields in

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Tene already and they're not a problem. They're if anything a a help to us because that's what we want in life, especially me. Um, it'll also bring people together. Like I was just at Aiman before this. I didn't even know

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there was a meeting today because I've came here three times already. I'm hungry, tired, I want to go home and stuff, but I also have things I have stuff to say. Um, you also got to think about the future like 2041, everybody will have a turf field

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and we'll be the only ones not having a turf field. But I thank you guys for what you've done. I appreciate it. That's all I got. >> Thank you very much. Hil next. >> Thank you. I love to hear our young

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people at council. Um, first of all, I would thank you again for the opportunity for enabling these scientists to talk to you today. I just want to say, Councilman Pagan, there are many neighboring towns that have had similar discussions, similar

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heated discussions about turf versus uh green grass fields, Anglewood Clips. I've been speaking to our assembly women that represent district 37 in our state house and they are aware of many towns

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having these conversations. So, you can explore that a little bit further. Um when I sat in on the um the uh the fields advisory board meeting, the members were complaining that the

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contractor for the grass field maintenance was not doing a good job. This is discussions that I was having with my family when my husband was coaching in the 1980s through the 1990s when my kid played baseball, soccer in

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T-neck. um many times in the rain, many times coming home covered with mud, and he had to take his clothes off on the deck before he came into the house. Um, so what I would like you to consider is

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that if you were really listening and if you took the time to read the slides or take the time following this meeting, they highlighted known exposure to plastics, including PFAS, in both infill

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and not infill fields. We have two infield fields in T-neck. How often have they been inspected? How often has the water been inspected that the the uh shedding from the fields might be draining into that water? So I what we

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need to think about are not these beautiful children today that are telling us that they love these fields. They want another one. We all grow up with with what we call, you know, um uh

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hardships of comparing ourselves to other towns. I can assure you that my 33year-old son is a successful professional. He's got a beautiful heart. And when he gets together with his teen pals, which is frequently, what

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do they do? They go to the batting cage. Their bond that they got on those fields didn't matter how many times they won or lost. it was the character that they built as a team and that's what our good coaches do in T-neck. Um, grass fields

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can be maintained well. There are many examples we can bring to this council if you have the patience to hear them. I'm not saying that we should um never consider turf as the as it advances in

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the future, but it's not there yet. >> Thank you very much. Ma'am in front you call you next. >> Good evening. >> Sorry. Good evening Mr. Mayor, deputy mayor and all the council members and

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everyone here. >> Good evening Mr. Mayor, deputy mayor, council members and everyone here. My name is Navlet Hammond. I am a resident of Tene and I am also here to introduce the Jamaica

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Organization of New Jersey chapter. The Jamaica Organization of New Jersey is a 501c nonprofit organization with a dual purpose of building and strengthening ties among people of

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Jamaican heritage in communities across New Jersey and to serve as a resource to give back to our homeland. We're a combined of seven chapters across various counties including Bergen, Pake, Essex, Mercer,

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um, Summer Somerset, Middle Sex, and Union County. Although our membership primarily consists of Jamaican nationals, our events and initiatives are open to all. Our mission is to

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empower the Jamaican community in New Jersey through the development and maintenance of our cultural identity, business development, civic awareness, education, religious and international partnership and the furtherance of a

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brighter tomorrow. Uh we are seeking the council's support in our upcoming initiative as we continue to serve. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Paula Unes.

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>> Good evening, Paula Reggoven. Um, my three sons played soccer and baseball here in Tene years ago. Uh, I taught uh children in New York City for 44 years. I'm concerned about children. I'm concerned about young people and their

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health. Um the World Cup is being played here in New Jersey. And what did they do? They put tur uh grass. They put grass because the soccer teams will not play on turf anywhere on this earth

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because of the health and safety concerns. That's pretty important. Um, and you know, I know it's not easy to be have an unpopular position in this room, but it's important that we do speak out.

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Um, there are toxic chemicals in the plastic turf. They're dangerous. There are mic they break down into microlastics and nanoplastics.

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They get into every organ of our body. Every organ of our body for girls into the placenta. For boys and girls into every organ of our body. This is the science.

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I was arrested in 2024 in August with people from Texas who live near Formosa Plastics uh a company that makes plastics that are even produced in turned into

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products here in New Jersey. Um, we were arrested in Livingston, New Jersey at the headquarters of Formosa Plastics because we wanted to draw attention to this company which dumps the plastic nerdles, they're called the

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small pieces, into the waterways. We were arrested and we were convicted. And then the superior court of New Jersey upon appeal sent our case back to the lower court in Livingston where the

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state gave up and remove the charges against us using the necessity justification defense which means that they believe that our concern about public health and the environment were more important than us blocking the

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entrances to that very very wealthy corporation. ation. It is really important. It is urgent that we listen to the science. I'd like to compliment uh uh Council Member

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Belchure for listening to the science and proposing that we do what is scientifically better for our youth. Now, my partner was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

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He didn't have any symptoms. He did. Please, this is about a Vietnam veteran. He didn't have any symptoms until just before the pandemic where he's got all sorts of symptoms including stroke and peripheral neuropathy. These the effects

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of these chemicals may not be while you're in high school. They may be when you next meeting. Please keep the three minutes. We do this every meeting. Mr. Rose and back here. You'll go next

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after Mr. Rose. >> Thank you. Howard Rose, Tene resident, uh, former planning board member, board of education trustee, etc. Whole bunch of stuff. I guess I'm very surprised. Well, maybe I'm not very surprised. I'm c certainly

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disappointed that we had environmental committee and three experts, scientific experts present a tremendous amount of information about the detrimental effects of all this plastic yet it was basically ignored by most of you. You're

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in a sense saying it's okay if we put our children at risk later on. Regarding mitigation of the water, my recollection is about 20 years ago a lot of money was spent. It was very unsuccessful. It may be spent again and be unsuccessful. If it is successful, where does all that

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water laden with plastic particles go? Into the creek next to the railroad? Are we sending it past stop and shop down to BOD? Where does it go? Is it cleaned? I don't know. Maybe you have some answers to that. Another topic, personal one. We're told,

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and I won't mention names, but we're told by our mayor that you can't mention people's names when you're speaking at Good and Welfare. Yet, when the mayor responds to some of my concerns and disagrees with them, I have no problem with him disagreeing with them, I have a problem when he mentions my name, and I

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asked him about this. And his response was, "Oh, no, no, that only pertains to mentioning council members names, not the general public. You don't want your name mentioned, run for council and get on council." Why is it we treat people disrespectfully if they're not on counsel? Whatever happened to who, what,

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where, when, and why? We get rid of the who? When someone does something, they should be held accountable if it's positive. They should be held accountable if it's negative. We shouldn't be told that you can't mention names. It's important. It's knowledge. It's information. It's transparency. And

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I think that should be rethought by this council so that everyone has an equal basis when they're talking to talk about what they want about who they want. As long as they're not being detrimental, foulmouthed, that's understandable. That's a problem.

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But otherwise, why not? Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Ro. I think there's a gentleman back there first and you'll go next. Want him to go next? Okay. Excellent. Um, hello. My name is Sebastian and I'm also an athlete of Tene High School. I

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just wanted to let y'all know my experiences playing on our field. I I want to say I respect all y'all for what y'all been doing for us, but it's just like playing on our field, the maintain you guys are trying to push this grass field, but it's also comes with people

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maintaining it. A lot of times when people like prepare for the games, we still have to make sure some of the sides of the corners have enough dirt because it's hard. And when we slide, it hurts us. It scratches us. It gets in our mouth. It gets in our eyes when we slide. In certain popular tournaments

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are holding turf because turf is just, you know, it's easier to play on the fields. It just it's just more better. And yeah. Yeah, that's all I had to say. >> Thank you very much. Anybody outside to speak, sir? >> You will go next.

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>> Hello, council members. My name is Joseph Hardyman. I'm a junior at Tene High School and I've been on the high school varsity baseball team for three years in TX Southern before that. For the past three years, Hawthorne has served as a good field and the team and team's home away from home. However, it comes with a lot of field management and

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it it comes with taking 30 minutes out of practice from the players and coaches to prepare the field, taking off the tarps. Also, we have not been able to play important games due to like guil conditions and we also haven't been able to practice when we need to due to field

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conditions. Many of in on my time at Hawthorne, there have been many puddles at second base and shorts stop making the field unplayable for these games and practices. With the new turf field, we would be able to play through the weather and be able to get practices in when we need to. The turf would allow for a new field

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in town that would add to the aesthetic beauty of Tene and would allow not just for the baseball team to have a wonderful field to play on, but all the other sports in town as well. Also, I was part of the class that missed the turf field out of Prada and my 12U team. We all missed that by one year and we

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would all love the opportunity to play on this new turf field. So, thank you for this opportunity. Thank you very much. >> Obby Berliner TK resident. Uh Dr. Yuck. Thank you for your very very thoughtful comments on that. Uh couple of pieces to the baseball team. Your future is

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looking very bright. Tuck Southern actually had a perfect game pitched last week. So can't wait to have them uh move up. to the experts that were brought. I hope that at some point they either can go through some of the seminal research in this area if they have not already or

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at least incorporate it. Um what has been called the the multi volume study over 1500 pages in 2024 by the EPA CDC actually did what one of the experts said did not exist. They actually took blood samples before practice on turf fields, after practice on curve fields,

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did it on grass and studied it over many, many years and noticed no measurable difference. I hope that they can be made available of some of these studies out there. And by the way, this was brought to the attention of the environmental commission uh last year as well. We've been working on this for

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almost two years. Students and players back here, high school is not a long time. We have players, we have residents, we have stakeholders who have spent half of their high school career and they've learned a very important lesson. Democracy is messy. But

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hopefully hopefully hopefully we have now turned that corner and they have helped to make a difference and make a change for the folks that come after them for everyone. What I also like to do is I don't know if it made it into the final version of the agenda packet for this evening. I know it wasn't there earlier today, but as was mentioned,

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there was a petition that players, coaches, volunteers across every single uh sports organization as well as the high school football, high school baseball went across the entire town and collected almost 400 signatures. I don't

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even know what the current uh what the current count is. I know we don't usually bring props, but this is a map that I made. It was on the petition and if folks haven't seen it, hopefully it's attached to the minutes that go out. This should be the new flag of Tene in a township where going out for coffee with

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your neighbor to talk about peace and about nonsense brings hateful comments online. In a township where battle lines are drawn over streets that have no meaning, at least in 2026, and they shouldn't. There is support from every

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resident, every background, every neighborhood. And I hope that these students can be commended for that and that this is put up there as something that we can use for many many years in the future of how we should act. The other thing I'd like to say regarding Argon Park, it does need to be cleaned

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up, but as I'm sure many of you are aware, the border with Anglewood actually cuts through the quote unquote wetland area. Hopefully we can reach out to the Anglewood leadership and hope that they can support uh some of that moving forward. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Is there anybody

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else here that'd like to speak? Deian and the noun. That was your hand. What do you got? >> I'm here to talk about the Tene historic burial ground on Pomander Walk where I live. I live on Pomander walk for 65

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years. I am the person who discovered the burial ground and it is for my efforts and the people who followed me back in 2005. Coalition for the preservation of TX slave and Indian cemetery. That's what

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it was called that we got Teneck to buy that land. I brought in the Medalland Conservation Trust with $100,000 from the trust to contribute to the purchase. Conservation Trust puts important

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protections on the land. And these protections are from the best experts in land conservation that you would have in the state of New Jersey. They allowed into the easement the burial ground advisory

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board which met for six months back in 2005. We spent six months making sure that every paragraph, every regulation, every prohibition of use was perfect in the conservation

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easement. So recently, and I don't think I can tell this in three minutes. I think I'll have to follow up with one of my long letters to go through every detail, but the property is protected by the deed of conservation easement,

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protected by the T-neck historic preservation code. It's also designated a T-neck municipal historic site, so the code protects it. If you look at the property, which I've been taking care of personally, and

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that's another discussion for the last 17 years. Ten started taking care of it one year ago. This is the most gorgeous, breathtaking landscape you will see anywhere on the entire Hackinac River. And the credit for that I hate to give

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credit to myself but that beautiful aesthetic corro painting I can take the you know thank you people and it is under my care 100% in compliance with the guidelines

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from the secretary of the interior for the United States for the treatment of cultural and ethnographic landscapes. So, I'm providing you uh each council member with the file with the specific copies

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from the secretary, the interior guidelines that apply and with the one page from the conservation easement that specifically prohibits fences and benches and signs. Why do I say that? Because recently a newly formed 501c3

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organiz committee in tene with good intentions I'm sure visited the burial ground they were at I'll follow up with a letter complete my complete letters >> thank you we look forward to the letter

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council zone anybody else afterward thank you we'll go to zoom afterwards >> I I'll nail my three minutes um Alan 17 resident A little more than a week ago, my wife and I had an opportunity to take a walk around Vote Park and it was

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really fascinating to take a look at some of the locations, facilities, and places in there. Uh we started off, we parked right next to the old Vot Park swimming pool, which had been neglected for more than a decade and basically left to rott in place uh to a situation

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where it was irreparable. It would cost millions of dollars to replace. Uh and again, we have a wonderful new pool, but we don't have a budget for that new pool. Uh we walked down Palisade Avenue and we passed by the pedestrian foot bridge. Uh we had had an opportunity to

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get a sizable grant to repair that bridge. Um that bridge has been known about for well more than a decade. Nothing's been done about it. I passed by the sports plex um and my daughter had played at that dirt field. We have

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cubic yards uh of some of the mud and dirt uh from Vokei Park when it was grass. Uh but in addition to building that wonderful, wonderful pair of fields was a $583,000 set of additions that included a press

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box that to the best of my knowledge was never used. It included extra cost for lighting towers that did not go across the field. There are no lighting towers in the center of the field. so that that sports plex could be used for softball. To the best of my knowledge, it has

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never been used for that purpose. It's not used for that purpose. Uh I had an opportunity uh to go past the uh the fieldhouse or potty plex uh which was built at a multi-million dollar expense and again I keep on looking at those kitchens and I don't know if and how

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they've ever been used. We do need to have a addition of a of a turf field. I I think it's a wise choice. Uh but where's the work? Where's the analysis? As we've heard this evening in being

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told that we have to approve this, this council has been working on it for 2 years without doing a drainage study. The biggest cost of the sports plex was not putting in the turf, it was putting in the drainage. As everyone knows and

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is detailed in the Gianforo study at Vote Park, the reason Voti Park is a park is because it is a swamp. Drainage is incredibly poor. And before we commit to a uh a field, we should

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have a complete budget. We should have a complete understanding of every single penny that will be spent. No surprises, no games. No, we started building this. We failed with the budget. You didn't do

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the work. You didn't look ahead. You didn't look for the for the capital budget for the upcoming years. We deserve for the field for the new field to have a detailed budget. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. S. Seeing all their hands. Um, do you have

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anyone on Zoom? I'm sorry. Is there a hand? I'm sorry. Camera's blocked. Ma'am, I'm sorry. Yeah. Hi, I'm Judy Green, uh, Phoenix resident for almost 50 years and, uh, I I and a scientist myself, uh, who has

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published a an article, a fact checked, uh, article on artificial turf and other articles on plastics and microlastics in the Jersey Sier. So I'm not coming as a neoight

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uh into into this area. Uh I have a PhD also. Um I understand the desire to please your constituents. There's nothing like getting applause. Uh but to do it without regard to some of the more

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unpleasant aspects of reality doesn't make sense to me. One thing that's quite illogical that I heard many times tonight is that um other towns are doing it and we already have a field or two that are artificial turf. By the way,

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the pedagogy person and me turf was originally grass. All turf, all playing fields are turf. There's artificial turf, i.e. plastic turf, and then there's brass turf, the original turf. Anyway, um the the fact that other towns

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have artificial tariff doesn't mean that it's right for a t- neck or right for anybody actually because of the massive microlastic problem. the the fact that it has permeated

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everything including our soil, not just our bodies and plants and everything living, but but it's in our water and in our soil as well. And there are, you know, and and a lot of effects of

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carcinogens, for example, don't show up right away. They don't show up. Uh, you know, that's why we have an EPA because cancers take years to develop. There is right now an epidemic of colon cancer in

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young people. My husband had colon cancer, but he was in his 60s. Now people are getting it. That was many years ago. Now people are getting it in their 20s and 30s. And I I read medical journals, so I see the articles on it. It's an enigma. But

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it could very well have to do with all of the PFAS which are carcinogenic also and are everywhere and don't break down and and the microlastics which get everywhere in our body. We eat them. We get them into our bodies through breathing. They circulate through the

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gut. We take it in with all our food and beverages. We don't know. Just because people haven't gotten sick at T-neck yet or in Leone or wherever wherever else doesn't mean that there isn't a storm brewing. So think about that.

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>> Thank you very much. Do I see any other hands in this chambers? Ma'am is hearing come right up and say 5 seconds or three minutes, whatever you want. >> All right. My name is Crystal. Um I just want to just speak on um decorum. Somebody kind of just said it. Um there

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was a lot of kids in the room, a lot of athletes, students, and this was an opportunity to really just kind of set the bar. It was a lot of just like arguing and um not being able to come together, a lot of stuff. So um I think you do a good job, a great job. It's

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hard to do what you all do. A lot of time, a lot of effort um but just a little more community um in the council. Thank you very much. What was your name again? I'm sorry. >> Crystal Presley. >> Thank you very much. >> Very short. Um, my name is Susan

512
02:28:50.240 --> 02:29:05.920
Schills. I'm a resident of Tene. My son Joyman spoke earlier and I have one question for everybody questioning the science of all this. So, the pesticides and fertilizer that you plan on maintaining these grass fields with,

513
02:29:05.920 --> 02:29:20.880
they're good. They're fine for my child to play on. And we have grass fields. They're horrible. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Does anyone else like this? You spoke already, ma'am. I'm sorry. Anybody else like to speak? Okay.

514
02:29:20.880 --> 02:29:42.880
See no other hands on Zoom. Mr. Clerk. >> Yes, sir. Mayor, we got a >> Yes, sir. Mayor, we got a couple hands. I am bringing in Chuck Powers. >> Can you hear me? >> Loud and clear, sir. Three minutes.

515
02:29:42.880 --> 02:30:00.240
>> Okay. On 11 months ago, we this council following a day when the planning board had passed a 212page document called the housing element and fair share plan. You folks passed that and then we have spent

516
02:30:00.240 --> 02:30:17.840
the last 11 months spending hundreds of thousands of dollars actually defending it with various challenges and it was then turned by as a result of a requirement by Judge Coreston in March. We have to by the end of this

517
02:30:17.840 --> 02:30:31.920
month tell him that everything about our housing element fair share plan is all set. We have no more challenges to it except it's now become a 493

518
02:30:31.920 --> 02:30:48.960
page document which you folks I guess I don't believe that any one of you has read that 493 pages but it is probably the closest thing we have to a definition of what it is that this town

519
02:30:48.960 --> 02:31:05.399
is going to be doing for the next 10 years. I am very confused because so far as I understand it, you are passing, you just did pass an ordinance tonight 332026

520
02:31:06.000 --> 02:31:23.120
which replaces 210, but I can't find any reference to that in the document. And I do know that the town is being at the moment sued by the developer of the Hill Street property

521
02:31:23.120 --> 02:31:39.920
for having changed it in a way that they don't like. And indeed, the developer of 54 West Anglewood also is suing the town. So, I have no idea what it is you're going to tell Judge Coreston. And I think that if before you pass it

522
02:31:39.920 --> 02:31:55.920
tonight, you at least ought to find out from your attorney just what in the world is the situation, if you do, you will not have met the requirement judge that judge Corson has because people are still very upset about the way in which

523
02:31:55.920 --> 02:32:10.720
you have redefined those things. And I think it's time that we cut we that you folks before you vote on a 493 page document, which I bet none of you have read, what actually is sitting in it,

524
02:32:10.720 --> 02:32:35.920
you your your attorney deserves the opportunity to tell you what that is. Thank you very much. I have another hand. I'm bringing in Sheranne. >> Uh, good evening everyone. I'm going to try to keep this as short as possible.

525
02:32:35.920 --> 02:32:52.000
Um, in hearing all the back and forth between the council members. I agree with other community members that it was hard to watch you all be disagreeable with each other in front of the students. I think you all need to set a better example. Um, I would also say

526
02:32:52.000 --> 02:33:09.040
that a reason for something is not because everyone else is doing it. If scientists are telling you that there are dangerous chemicals that are harmful for our children as they grow, maybe there's a middle ground. I've seen my child play on a praa. It's beautiful.

527
02:33:09.040 --> 02:33:26.000
I've also seen my child pray play on the broken down boutique field. It was horrible. So, I see both sides. But if we could come to a middle ground, which I think unfortunately you guys have already decided, you're going with the tur with the artificial turf. Fine. I

528
02:33:26.000 --> 02:33:41.680
just hope there are no long-lasting effects for our children's health and safety. Lastly, and this is just going to touch again on on decorum. Um we have some council members um that utilize their social media in a way to disparage

529
02:33:41.680 --> 02:33:57.680
certain communities. And I just want to say that we have seen in San Diego attacks on a mosque. So I I beg all of you elected officials to just watch your tone. Be careful how you speak about

530
02:33:57.680 --> 02:34:14.160
communities, especially communities that are um of color and communities that are already targets to different attacks attacks. Um I would love for our community to come together. I would love for us to not have a battle about every

531
02:34:14.160 --> 02:34:29.680
single thing. It's great that almost 500 people agree that we need artificial turf fields and perhaps it should have been better thought out and we need maybe and we needed a better middle ground. And I'm sorry I'm all over the place. It's late. But I guess the point

532
02:34:29.680 --> 02:34:48.319
is we need a better middle ground. It shouldn't just be far right, far left. Something needs to bring us to the middle. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. See other hands. This good and welfare is now over. Uh

533
02:34:48.319 --> 02:35:04.479
council responses. Councilman Goldberg, if you have anything. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I want to thank Dr. Yuck. Also want to thank Chairwoman Dylan and Chair Berliner. Their work is not mutually exclusive. Neither is caring about a field or

534
02:35:04.479 --> 02:35:20.640
asking whether we build it correctly. I'm not against her. I'm not against grass. I'm against flooding. Flooding that I've watched in this town my entire life. In fact, at Boutique, I used to live there right around the corner. I have heard residents complain in this

535
02:35:20.640 --> 02:35:36.080
room about it for decades. They have, if you go back to the 2010 minutes, which uh is available online, um you will see these same arguments uh discussing the same fields in the same part and the conditions of them.

536
02:35:36.080 --> 02:35:53.560
And the council back then said that They're not against doing turf, but the first step is a proper drainage study. Uh the comments that we hear um about the fields today,

537
02:35:53.600 --> 02:36:09.200
why why is it that we have to wait for an emergency? The real question I have is the budget just passed tonight. It's not about turf versus grass. Why haven't we maintained those fields in over 20 years? Budgets are about priorities.

538
02:36:09.200 --> 02:36:23.520
Drainage and maintenance aren't exciting, but they aren't optional and they aren't zero. The township's own records show that Vote Park is built on a historic fill contaminated that contaminated and is held in place

539
02:36:23.520 --> 02:36:39.520
by protective soil cap. That is why we are legally required to keep a licensed site remediation professional and why any disturbance of that soil requires their oversight. The ground is unstable. the pipes have sunk. Thank you, Dr. Powers, for providing me with some of

540
02:36:39.520 --> 02:36:55.600
the the reports from 2010. Um, engineering reports describe the park as bellies with negative slopes and pipes physically angled uphill with no water capacity. Councilman Sone reminded me of one of

541
02:36:55.600 --> 02:37:12.720
the water table problems. As Tina Voices reported in October of 2020, the Vote Park pool was leaking into the ground. That is already a swamp. That pool sits very close to said field. I don't think there's been a drainage study since 2020. Engineering studies

542
02:37:12.720 --> 02:37:28.960
that are on the township website right now have found that the whole park drains towards the bottleneck at CSX tracks. The exit pipes are too small. So vote already acts as a detention basin. It fills in storm and drains slowly. You can't just put out a new turf and expect

543
02:37:28.960 --> 02:37:44.160
it to drain when the pipes are broken. This matters. Hville Park runs along the east eastern edge of the park and flows right into our neighboring town of Bergenfield. In fact, their storm water report for 2022 talks heavily about TE

544
02:37:44.160 --> 02:37:59.840
and Boutique Park. It's already severely severely impaired and state records listed for nickel and phosphorus with the highest impervious coverage in TEC. Because of that, any major development more than one acre of discharge into its

545
02:37:59.840 --> 02:38:15.760
300 ft repairarian zone needs NJD authorization and must treat runoff to a 90% pollutant runoff standard. State rules are specific. They're not fun. And following does not mean that you're against something. It just means

546
02:38:15.760 --> 02:38:32.080
that you want it done right so that way there's not another budget emergency in the future. Vote Park is not a normal state. Applying a standard turf solution without the proper studies is a guaranteed path to massive disappointment and unexpected costs that

547
02:38:32.080 --> 02:38:48.080
we can't afford. Thank you again for pointing that out. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Council. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thank our student athletes and their families for coming out tonight and for fighting for this and for advocating for this because um it's tough and I know that you've been coming to a lot of meetings

548
02:38:48.080 --> 02:39:03.600
and you're going to have to keep coming to meetings. You shouldn't have to, but in politics, you're going to have to because some people will get queue at you. They're going to say they're going to support you and then they'll find a reason to not vote with you. And sometimes there are good reasons, sometimes there are valid reasons, sometimes there's political reasons. But it's important that you keep coming to

549
02:39:03.600 --> 02:39:19.680
these meetings to hold us accountable. I'm going to keep doing what I got to do to help you guys and so will some of the others on council, but you got to hold people accountable because our kids deserve feels. But another thing to note and not for nothing, there is an election coming up in Tene in 5 months

550
02:39:19.680 --> 02:39:35.200
and four council seats are up. I've heard one or two council members say they might not run for re-election. So there might be some new faces here, but as the forums and the debates start in the next few months, ask the candidates, do you support Fields for our kids? Now, the last time I ran for council, I

551
02:39:35.200 --> 02:39:50.160
needed over 400 signatures just to get onto the ballot. And a lot of these parents helped me get those signatures, and I appreciate it, and I'm grateful. But you only need 75 signatures to run for council now. So please keep that in mind because election season is starting very soon. And for some people it

552
02:39:50.160 --> 02:40:07.280
already has. But in five seats you got control of this council up. You got control of this town up. So please remember who was with you, who was against you, and who always supports you. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. Bean. Council Council G. >> Um uh so I already said my piece

553
02:40:07.280 --> 02:40:23.760
regarding the fields. Again, for me, it's about um your risk tolerance because I think, you know, I heard from the experts and I agree with what they've said and I think there are some real serious risks that we need to be thoughtful about. But then when you look at, you know, up there with the with the

554
02:40:23.760 --> 02:40:40.240
the turf was the paint on our homes, like are we going to stop painting the exterior of our homes as well? Like I think we have to take some calculated risks. Um we've seen, you know, guidance um from experts change over time. So this may be the guidance now. Maybe there will be new ways to address this

555
02:40:40.240 --> 02:40:56.800
in the future. So for me it was really about measuring the risk the costbenefit analysis um with what our students need. It was is a hard decision because you know someone said it earlier. I loved what uh Dr. Yuck said about how do you define progress right and how do we each as individuals define progress and what

556
02:40:56.800 --> 02:41:12.319
does that look like and we all have valid points of views and to discount that um I you know I don't think is fair. So, um, thank you everyone who came out and advocated for their beliefs and and we love to hear from residents. I love to see the young people here. It broke my heart that they were here so

557
02:41:12.319 --> 02:41:28.080
late on a school night. Um, and so hopefully they got their homework done before they came, but um really loved hearing from everyone and and you know and I and I also want to acknowledge the the points that were made about decorum. we should be modeling that behavior for our students and and for residents and

558
02:41:28.080 --> 02:41:45.840
it's definitely something I want to work on with my my peers on this day as um to you know be that model of leadership for the community. Thank you. >> Thank you very much Councilwoman. >> Uh yes, just a couple points I just want to make. I want to say um first off to

559
02:41:45.840 --> 02:42:01.120
uh and I don't remember your name but the the presentation about the Jamaican organization. Please by all means um provide that information to the council because we always like to know about you know new organizations um in uh our township. Um, I also want to just

560
02:42:01.120 --> 02:42:18.319
mention uh briefly that my prayers go out to those that are impacted by the San Diego uh mosque um shooting and pray that the um the that community um recovers from that um tragic event. Um Dr. Yuck, I I agree with you. We uh

561
02:42:18.319 --> 02:42:33.600
decorum is so important. We have to learn how to respect each other. We have to uh realize Mr. Rose that um respect is required. It is not just something that's earned but we are we are required as leaders to respect what we say and

562
02:42:33.600 --> 02:42:50.800
how we act and what we post and what we publish etc. Um I want to say to um um Judy Green um thank you for your your um your your statement um while I was listening to you. One of the things that came to mind because I know a lot of our

563
02:42:50.800 --> 02:43:07.359
young people came out and I'm so proud of our young people and the families here. I I'm I'm a parent that raised my two daughters, came through the public school uh system. They played on these fields and everything. So, I I I hear your passion uh and I but I hear their

564
02:43:07.359 --> 02:43:23.200
advocacy and I applaud every young person that came out uh in terms of exercising their agency and encourage them to continue to come out and become a part of the uh the the democratic process within our township. But one thing that um Judy you said that was

565
02:43:23.200 --> 02:43:40.160
very important I think is in uh is that um you know other towns have turf fields you know why is TAC being singled out you know why are we the ones that are saying you know look look at all the towns around us that have turf fields why not us um and and and I hear that

566
02:43:40.160 --> 02:43:55.279
but you know I think about TEX stood by them uh ourselves when we integrated our school district you know when we looked around us in fact there was a market that was put out in Anglewood just about a month ago um identifying the fact that

567
02:43:55.279 --> 02:44:11.520
Anglewood had to struggle to integrate their school district that was not TAC. So at the time when we when we when we're in a a situation like this, we can look around, we can say, you know, well, other towns are doing it. Well, you know, other towns were were were not

568
02:44:11.520 --> 02:44:27.760
integrating, but TX stood on on their own and they stood on the right of their families and children then and I believe that we can stand on the rights and the interests of our children today. Um, I think that also in the presentation there was a it was very poignant to me

569
02:44:27.760 --> 02:44:44.080
because in the presentation one of the scientists says that the recycling facilities were located I believe in Alabama and in Mississippi and I would I would only wonder what does the statistic look like for the amount of of

570
02:44:44.080 --> 02:44:59.840
of cancer cancer within those communities because in the south what's very notable is that they burn when they when it comes to recycling. So, I I would just be curious to know what does what do those numbers look like. So, I

571
02:44:59.840 --> 02:45:16.960
think it's important that that we we um address the fact that none of us here sitting up here are against our children. We want our children to thrive, but we also don't want our children 10, 15, 20, 30 years from now

572
02:45:16.960 --> 02:45:32.800
to have spikes in cancer or uh issues um with their health. And that that is the side that I I stand on. I'm all for uh the the progress of our fields if it means that we can uh progression means

573
02:45:32.800 --> 02:45:49.920
that we can perhaps have a grass field as opposed to something that that scientists are telling us is a problem. Um lastly, I just want to say in terms of the budget, passing the budget that that was a tough time. Uh I think there was a lot of lessons learned. One of

574
02:45:49.920 --> 02:46:07.040
which is historically that for about 10 years there was a 0% tax increase and we we are we have we're seeing chickens come home to roost when it comes to that. So now that's why we're balancing things like uh deficits and our and capital equipment and so forth. Looking

575
02:46:07.040 --> 02:46:23.439
at sewer bills not having been um sent out in a timely ma manner and which I'm I'm confident that our town manager uh will will address and take care of. And lastly, uh I just want to say that, you know, we can't ra just simply look at

576
02:46:23.439 --> 02:46:38.640
raising taxes on the backs of our residents. We have to be proactive. We have to look at alternative ways in which we can find uh income producing opportunities within our township. One of which I'm very proud of and that is

577
02:46:38.640 --> 02:46:55.439
um us being film ready. Uh we are making great progress. I want to end on a positive note because we've had a lot of uh uh interesting discussion tonight. But on a positive note, we are making great progress when it comes to being film ready uh which it's going to mean

578
02:46:55.439 --> 02:47:12.240
revenue for our township and also for our businesses as well as our residents. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Mayor, >> uh to Mr. soon. The next time you and your wife take a walk, I hope you'll consider Saturday uh during football

579
02:47:12.240 --> 02:47:27.520
season, stopping by and seeing the hundreds, if not thousands of of students playing, using the press box, but also using the kitchens um to feed everybody there and to raise money for themselves. Um I want to read a letter from our

580
02:47:27.520 --> 02:47:44.080
health officer. We did do research uh regarding the turf and he was one of the people I have a lot of respect for him. He was one of the people that that we reached out to for an opinion. Dear Mayor and council, I am writing to provide my opinion regarding synthetic turf fields and some of the public

581
02:47:44.080 --> 02:47:58.960
health concerns that are frequently raised regarding their use. As a public health professional, I believe it is important to acknowledge legitimate concerns while also relying on the current body of scientific evidence and data to inform decision making. Based on

582
02:47:58.960 --> 02:48:15.680
my review of the current research, I support the installation of a synthetic turf field at Bote Park. One of the most significant and wellocumented concerns associated with sign synthetic turf fields is heat retention. Research has demonstrated that synthetic turf

583
02:48:15.680 --> 02:48:32.240
surfaces can reach substantially higher temperatures than natural grass when exposed to direct sunlight and warm weather conditions. A systematic review from Sing atall found that synthetic turf fields may create hotter playing environments and increased thermal

584
02:48:32.240 --> 02:48:49.680
burdens on athletes compared to natural grass services surfaces. Elevated surface and near surface temperatures may contribute to increased heat stress, dehydration, discomfort, skin burns, and other heat related health concerns among

585
02:48:49.680 --> 02:49:05.279
athletes, particularly during periods of high ambient temperature and solar radiation. As a result, heat mitigation measures such as hydration protocols, field temperature monitoring, cooling breaks, scheduled modifications, and temporary activity restrictions during

586
02:49:05.279 --> 02:49:21.520
extreme heat conditions are important considerations with the use of synthetic turf fields. At the same time, concerns about volatile organic compounds, VOCC's, heavy metals, and other chemical exposures from modern synthetic turf fields should also be viewed within the

587
02:49:21.520 --> 02:49:37.359
context of the most recent scientific evidence. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, conducted one of the largest studies on recycled rubber and synthetic

588
02:49:37.359 --> 02:49:52.560
turf exposures in the United States. Findings of the study noted that while a variety of chemicals including VOCC's and semi volatile organic compounds can be detected on synthetic turf fields measured exposure levels were generally

589
02:49:52.560 --> 02:50:07.680
low and not associated with elevated adverse health risks. Additionally, a comprehensive peerreview risk assessment by Peterson at all concluded that both cancer and non-cancer risks associated with recycled rubber infill were below

590
02:50:07.680 --> 02:50:23.040
United States EPA guideline thresholds. The study further noted that in several scenarios, risk associated with natural soil exposure were actually higher than those associated with synthetic turf rubber infill. While continued research

591
02:50:23.040 --> 02:50:38.640
and monitoring are appropriate to better understand the long-term environmental and public health impacts of synthetic turf fields, including microlastics and evolving turf material, current available evidence does not support the conclusion that properly installed and

592
02:50:38.640 --> 02:50:55.760
maintained synthetic turf fields pose a substantial chemical exposure risk to users. Synthetic turf fields provide durability, reduced weather related cancellations, and substantially greater playable hours compared to natural grass

593
02:50:55.760 --> 02:51:11.680
fields. For these reasons, I support the installation of a synthetic turf field at OT Park, but encourage the implementation of heat mitigation practices, proper maintenance standards, and the ongoing review of emerging emerging scientific research, which is in line with some of the points made in

594
02:51:11.680 --> 02:51:27.520
the scientific presentation before. Um, I did read the DP study. I read the Milbour Township study and I read the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. There is science on both sides. There is not

595
02:51:27.520 --> 02:51:43.520
conclusive evidence of some of the points that were made tonight. Um, so I am in favor of the turf fields. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor. With

596
02:51:43.520 --> 02:52:12.319
that, we will end our council remarks and we'll turn over to the clerk with the consent agenda and the bill list in the amount of >> 16,120,8823. >> Thank you very much. Is anybody like to pull anything from the resolutions before I make a motion?

597
02:52:12.319 --> 02:52:27.680
Anybody seeing no hands? I'd like to make a motion uh for the resolutions, the minutes, the raffles, and the bill list as said. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry. Point of information. Can you

598
02:52:27.680 --> 02:52:43.600
just say which um resolutions are are we doing the ones that were walked on separately or as part of the consent agenda? >> So, we're going from to down to which number? >> Good question, Councilwoman G. We handled

599
02:52:43.600 --> 02:53:00.960
bondex at Tur Park and the Leonia sewer truck. So we're going to be looking at what's not on your agenda in front of you council and likely the public is resolution 216-2026 which is a liquor license renewal for uh

600
02:53:00.960 --> 02:53:16.399
GMV Liquor Inc. Then there's resolution 217 which was our HaitianAmerican Heritage Month. And then we had resolution 218 which was the bringing back the

601
02:53:16.399 --> 02:53:33.760
resolution from last meeting to Fasttech for their middle field at vote proposal. >> Thank you very much. And it was seconded by Oregon if I'm correct. And roll call on that please. Roll call on everything please sir. Second Oregon

602
02:53:33.760 --> 02:53:52.319
Council Goldberg. >> All right. I apologize. I have some recusal so I have to be specific. So I'm going to do my guesses first and then I'll go to my recusal. So yes on 192 193 195 196 198 199 200.

603
02:53:52.319 --> 02:54:07.760
Yes on 216. Yes on 217. Um I'm a no on 2011. abstain on 202, no on 218. Now for 191, I'm a yes on

604
02:54:07.760 --> 02:54:24.479
everything, but I'm refusing on PO the two POS. Uh that's the way to right 26 26-1479 and 2601707 due to a temporary conflict with my

605
02:54:24.479 --> 02:54:44.000
family uh that's related to those. and I'm abstaining on 2601489. And then on the bills list, I'm a yes, but I'm recused on 26 018260183 and an abstension on I apologize. I

606
02:54:44.000 --> 02:55:02.640
don't know way to do this. a extension on 25504047. >> Yes. >> 2601224 and 2601 969. And if you need that written down again, I will do that. I apologize for the confusion. No other way to do that.

607
02:55:02.640 --> 02:55:15.920
>> Thank you very much. >> Pan. >> Yes. >> Councilman G. >> Yes. Councilman Cadz, >> I I'm uh recused on recusing on the bill

608
02:55:15.920 --> 02:55:34.880
list and uh yes to 191 to 200 and then uh yes to the two last ones that are walked in and abstain from all the rest. >> He's abstaining on liquid. Davy Mayor Belure,

609
02:55:34.880 --> 02:55:53.840
>> I'm abstaining on 218 and yes to all >> the others. >> David Mayor Morgan, >> yes to all. >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes to all. >> Everything adopted. >> Everything adopted. Mr. Clerk, can you please read the ordinances that we'll be introducing tonight?

610
02:55:53.840 --> 02:56:12.720
>> Yes, sir. Mayor, council, neighbors, we have a few ordinances this evening. Saving the best for last. Ordinance number 34-2026 amending the township code for the township of teen act to modernize and

611
02:56:12.720 --> 02:56:27.760
clarify procedures for land use applications as discussed by our attorney Mr. Sammon. Ordinance number 35-2026 man the township code is to designated school zones and of course we have

612
02:56:27.760 --> 02:56:45.439
ordinance number 36-2026 man township code in regards to fire prevention in regards to NJCA inspection requirements three ordinances sir >> thank you sir I'll make you >> 352026 can you can you uh read that uh can you

613
02:56:45.439 --> 02:57:02.240
explain that um Mr. Attorney >> school zones. I >> I can do that. >> 35 2026, not the school zones. >> 35 is the school zones. >> Residents requested from Tryion to State Street. >> Are you asking about the school zones?

614
02:57:02.240 --> 02:57:17.520
>> No, the one before that. >> Which one's that? >> Are you asking about the land use applications >> or about the NCBCA? >> The uh land use applications? >> Sure. So this um I'll have a full

615
02:57:17.520 --> 02:57:34.720
explanation uh at the next meeting if this is introduced. But the the short version of this is that the um a year and a half ago the council adopted a number of changes to the land use application process and escrow process for the land use boards uh to try and

616
02:57:34.720 --> 02:57:50.080
make sure that there were a number of concerns that we were trying to address. most importantly making sure that applications were truly complete before they went for consideration before the boards uh and making sure that all those application documents were being provided to the board members and members of the public. Uh one of the

617
02:57:50.080 --> 02:58:06.800
things that we did was we created what was called the application review committee which consisted of members of the uh consider consisted of the um the board professionals as well as certain members of the boards to review the applications uh in advance and make sure

618
02:58:06.800 --> 02:58:22.960
that they were complete. Uh the over the past year and a half we've gotten a lot of feedback from the boards. They thought those committees were unwieldy. Uh they were finding too many people's involvement and it was slowing down applications. So we adjusted and one of the one of the main things uh that this

619
02:58:22.960 --> 02:58:39.040
does uh this proposal does is it uh allows each board to designate an individual who will have the responsibility of determining whether or not applications are um are complete or not or to a recommend way I shouldn't

620
02:58:39.040 --> 02:58:56.160
say complete or not. They'll be recommend they'll be viewing whether or not the applicants have all the necessary documents to provide their recommendations to the boards or not whether or not to deem them complete or to uh give waiverss. Um so we'll simplify it. My understanding is that the planning board will most likely uh

621
02:58:56.160 --> 02:59:12.000
appoint their planner whereas the zoning board most likely appoint their engineer. Um that's that's probably the biggest thing uh change in here. Um other things that we were doing is you know looking over the uh development regulations we realized that there is no

622
02:59:12.000 --> 02:59:28.160
definition of of a major or minor site plan and so that that has caused some confusion among applicants of whether you know what what whether their applications are minor or major. Um those definitions are common in other municipalities. So we add that definition here. Um, another thing that

623
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we did is we are one one of the one of the issues that the uh the boards have had is as the council is aware we have a site plan review advisory board. Um, that board has not had enough members to have a quorum uh and provide feedback

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for the for the for the planning board. Um, so one of the things that we're doing is uh reducing the number of members that are required uh for that board. That way we can ensure that a quorum is met as well as providing them with specific uh direction of of what their responsibility is uh as part of

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the advising board. Those are kind of the the three biggest things that this this ordinance does. It does a lot of smaller things and I'll have a full report for that on the when the council considers it for adoption. >> Thank you. With that, we'll do a roll call, please.

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>> All three. >> All three, please. Yes, is there >> I did have a question. Another question. Can Can you just review 35? I I know that's the school one. That is the school. If you can just explain that, Mr. Attorney, >> I worked on that.

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>> How about it? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, uh we had received some requests for some traffic calming measures on the side of West Triion going towards Palisade A. Um, and with

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some of the calming measures that we wanted to put in there, just designating a school zone would make it easier, reaffirming crosswalks, reaffirming 25 miles per hour and just appropriate and updated signage in the area. And what this is

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doing is that it's extending from that West Triion area down to the East Trion area as well, encompassing all those schools that we have in the area down there. So, what are we talking about? Um, slowing traffic down. What are we

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talking when you say signage? What What are we looking >> Make it better for pedestrians and kids getting picked up. >> Okay. Just pedestrian pickup for the most part. >> Typical drop off and pickup from schools. >> Good. Thank you.

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>> No problem. >> Roll call. Sir, >> was there a motion? by it was motioned by words for second by >> I thought second by order >> council second by G

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>> sure second >> councilwoman Goldberg >> uh no on 34 yes on 35 and 36 >> council gone Yes. >> Councilman G. >> Yes. >> Councilman Catz.

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>> No. On 34. Yes. On 35 and 36. >> Demir Beloucher. Demir. Miss Schwarz. >> Yes. >> Everything's introduced. We'll see it June 16th. Make a motion to adjourn.