testing. One, two, three. Testing. We good? >> Okay. >> Okay. I'll adjust. >> Thank you very much. Okay. With that, we did the roll call. We did We're going to go to presentations. One, recycling and T-C. That'll be adjourned when it's not a storm outside. Number two, film ready
New Jersey participation for scenic ordinance the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Development Commission. I don't know what that is. >> Okay, I can explain. Okay, great. Great. Good evening everyone. Uh today I want to share with my colleagues in the
township um why Tene becoming a certified film ready community through the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission's Film Ready New Jersey program is a transformational opportunity for our town. Um what is the
Film Ready New Jersey? Well, Film Ready New Jersey is a five-step certification and marketing program designed to prepare municipalities to host motion picture and television productions. It trains local officials on permitting
public safety coordination, uh, local ordinances, and how to effectively showcase a community as a filming destination. Certified towns in New Jerseys uh get an elevated platform to market themselves and a designated local
liaison to connect directly with production teams. Why this matters to Tina? New Jerseys film and television industry is booming thanks to competitive state tax incentives including transferable tax credits up to 35 to 40% on qualified
production expenses and generous benefits for studio partners and development. Major industry players are already committed to the Garden State. For an example, ne Netflix has broken ground on a new $900 million film studio
at Fort Mammoth, bringing production space and jobs to our region. Paramount has signed a long-term lease at 1888 Studios in Bayon. Further anchoring New Jersey as a destination for largecale film
production. Lionsgate New York Studios is underway, adding state-of-the-art production facilities right in northern New Jersey. These projects mean more production, choosing New Jersey over other states, and that translates into real economic impact, local hiring,
spending at restaurants, hotels, retail, and service businesses, and visibility for our neighborhoods as a part of the major film and TV projects. By becoming film ready, Tene positions itself to attract these rising tide to production
activity, giving local businesses opportunities to benefit, creating job pathways for residents and showcasing our community's unique character on screen. So, in summary, uh film ready certification makes Tene
film production friendly. New Jersey is rapidly becoming a major film production hub with Netflix, Paramount, and uh Lionsgate investments. This translates into jobs, economic growth, and a broader recognition for our town. So,
I'd like to propose to um to my my colleagues that we consider an ordinance that will make Tene film ready uh and position ourselves to take advantage of many opportunities going forward. I
say a second. >> All in favor? Wait, >> can I just ask a question? >> Sure. >> The ordinance that we got before, was that a sample ordinance or was it the ordinance that will be on and in order to be film ready? >> The dollar amounts that were in there.
Do we have to stick to those or can we adjust those? >> Do you want to speak to that uh attorney? So this my understanding is that the substance of it has to be has to be the same has to be identical to what we were given. The amounts though can can be be changed as long as the the
rest of it is substantively is the same. >> So we can decide what we want to charge. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Okay. Because the numbers seemed very low to me. Like $500 a day to have them in town to me wouldn't be worth the headache. But if we could adjust the numbers then I'm fine with it. >> Yeah. So there's a lot of training. It's
a it's a a toolkit that's on the website. I, you know, invite you all to take a look. Um, and it's it's very comprehensive and they they do a lot in the way of guidance for all municipalities. >> Oh, >> um, sorry, I had a couple questions specific to the language. Um, so I don't
know if if we're if it's a model ordinance that we have to change, but I saw that there were changes to the current code specifically about filming in residential districts. We took out the times where they can film during and I just wanted to make sure that we weren't, you know, creating noise or
anything for the residents there. So, I don't know if that's something that we have to address, but I saw that today. Okay. So the the model ordinance needs to needs to mirror the version that we the the one that's being provided by the state but we can have separate noise
ordinances which we do have obviously in places you know that uh would still govern the the um what noise can be made and when. So just because we have a if we institute a film ordinance that doesn't have noise limits it would still be subject to the constraints set by the
separate noise ordinance. And so we because we can't modify the the um the model version in this case, it would be better just to leave that stuff those noise uh issues out and leave them in the the current noise ordinance. That way they're separate.
>> Oh, sorry. So on that since we love the model ordinances, um the code currently has a 200 foot radius for notification for residents that's out. So how what's the criteria for notifying people? I mean, if that they're in their
neighborhood filming, again, I have no issue with this. I just want to make sure that we're not >> there's there's no requirement. There would be no requirement under the code under this ordinance to notify neighbors. I can tell you from having seen this in other towns because noise is just important as important to filming a movies to TV
shows. Uh, and the noise that they can hear on set is important to them as it is to neighbors. They do in every instance that I'm aware of notify neighbors. Uh, they put up signs and stuff weeks in advance. Again, this is my experience, but they would not be part of the code if that's the specific concern. >> So, we're taking out the 200 foot
notice. That's what I'm asking. >> We would Yeah, we would have to to for to be compliant with the the model given by the state. >> Okay. I just wanted to understand what the rules were for that. Thank you. >> Um, just want to say I'm fully supportive. I think it's a fantastic idea. Anything that draws traffic to Tene, I'm, you know, fully supportive
of. >> Love traffic. Okay. So, do we need a roll call or nodding heads? I think nodding is adequate, right? We're good. Okay. Excellent. Um, okay. Continue on to miscellaneous. Um, I've been asked to speak on behalf of the count. >> Okay.
>> Yes. I've been asked to speak on behalf of the council in the township and the police department um in regards to an issue or in regards to a matter that occurred this past Sunday. This past Sunday, the police department received a phone call of uh a suspicious people
acting on Garden Street. The police did were dispatched over. Upon arrival, they identified certain members of of ICE. They confirmed their identification, confirmed their um who they were, why they were there, and they left. They're not author. They did not interfere, did
not interrupt, and they did not assist. The police department then vacated the area. A while a while later, they received a phone call back to an matter at the corner of Garden Street and Tene Road. Upon arrival, the police department identified a smaller protest that was occurring. The police
department, as they do at any protest we have in town, stood by at the protest for the protection of any and all parties. That ended the matter. The township, the police department under the opices of the attorney general and the township under the 2018
immigration >> trust director. >> Trust directory follows those rules to the tea. Um there'll be additional information if we have it when we have it coming out, but right now that is what we have. that is the only involvement of the police department on
the investigation call and on the assist to a protest call. Um and of course to a repeat will be completely and always confir conforming as a township with a directive the police department with that directive under the opice and the police department will continue to work under the opices of the attorney general
the top policing officer in the state. Um that's what we have in that matter. Um, old business. >> Um, and another miscellaneous. Um, I just wanted to read for the record, um,
for the advisory board nominations of, um, current members whose terms have expired but would like to renew. There are 29 names I'd like to read for the record. And then Kristen, I might just need your help with the term dates. I don't have those. Um but I'll read them
out and then we can I guess make a motion to add them to our um resolution. Okay. So um sorry it's a long list. Uh for the ABCR I'd like to renominate Rakan to serve as a co-chair
um and also to renew her expiring term. Um ABCR I'd like to nominate Dr. Paula Reiner to serve as a co-chair and also renew her expiring term. ABCR Joseph Kaplan renew his term. ABCR Colleen
Diskin renew her term. Uh the Fields Advisory Board, Avi Berliner renew his term. Fields Advisory Board Ryan Lugo renew his term. Uh the Hackinack River Greenway Advisory Board, which I'll refer to as HRGAB. Um Dr. Marian Clary
renew that term. HRGAB Marie Warkey renew her term. HRGAB Josh Rocklin renew his term. HRGAB Shaina Branda Rene Brander renew her term. HRGAB Christina
Pammy renew her term. Also, Fields Advisory Board Christina Pammy renew her term there. Uh, the Patriotic Observance Advisory Board, Emma Horowitz renew her term. PP Aaron Glatt renew his term. PP
Sue Furstein, renew her term. PP Allison Davis, renew her term. PP Libby Klein, renew her term. Senior Citizens Advisory Board or Scab Leavonne Turner, renew her term. Scab Jane Irwin, renew her term.
Scab Mickey Shelon, renew her term. Scab Richard Contrera, renew his term. Scab Edna Dismas, renew her term. Scab Roosevelt Stills, renew his term. Scab Janice Dorman, renew her term. Um, then
Shade Tree Advisory Board or STAB Anna Curts, renew her term. Stab Pete Goldman, renew his term. Stab Deborah Elieu, renew her term. Uh then Tamasa uh Tene Municipal Alliance Against
Substance Abuse renew uh Adrien Williams and then Tamasa also renew Emani Godby and then last but not least the youth advisory board renew the term of Maxine Angel. Thank you. >> Um I have one question. You named a lot
of people that I know are chairs but the only two names you mentioned with the word chair was for the ABCR. Can you clarify that? So, the former chair of the ABCR has stepped down. She's not going to be renewing her term and so they no longer have leadership. The others, if they are chairs, I'm assuming they're renewing their their current
leadership role. >> Okay. So, you're saying these are the new chairs? >> Yes, they have volunteered. Um I was in their meeting yesterday, they volunteered to step up as chairs. It seems like the they're fully supported by their >> And you're looking This is just for nodding heads. This is for nodding heads to be on the next meeting
>> so that we can see it on paper. >> Yes. Oh, we we I guess we that's fine if we want to do it that way. >> Can we get it on paper? It's it's a lot of names. >> Sure. >> It's just renewal, so there are no new names. Got it. These are all >> motion to then put on the next meeting for a vote. Correct. >> I'm fine with that. If everyone's fine with that, >> I'll second that motion.
>> The only two that I would recommend that we vote on if or add to the resolution if possible is the chairs because they don't have leadership right now. And so, they just want to confirm that that they do have leadership for that advisory board. What what if we want to vote for them to renew them, but we don't want to make them chair or those two separate
resolutions? Can we nominate them to the board? >> I believe that's what we did last time, right? >> I I would like as colleagues to respect the will of these advisory boards. They lead their own meetings. Um this is what they have asked for. I I don't think we
should be interfering with what they've asked for and what they volunteered to do. we've done that before and had um outcomes that were not ideal. And so I really think we should think twice before doing that. >> I agree with that. I think that we have to respect these advisory boards who
have made decisions about who they want to lead their their entity. >> Um so I guess this is a question for Scott now that you put a piece of candy in your mouth. Sorry. Um I don't think we nominate the chairs for most of the advisory boards. I think they choose
their own and so if we don't have to choose it, let them choose their own. >> I'm totally fine with that. We want to do that going forward. >> That's correct. >> Yeah. I'd rather put the names on. They chair themselves. >> Sounds great. >> Okay. So, I'll second that. I'll second
that list. >> And therefore, we don't really need to vote tonight. They can do what they want to do. >> Yeah. Okay. >> That works for me. >> It'll be on the next meeting. Correct. Right. We do have nodding heads on that. >> Yep. Excellent. Thank you very much. Okay, that was I guess old business, new
business. Communicate communications. Counciloman Goldberg 189 the plaza. >> Yeah, this is really just uh for the public. Um I had uh requested information by the applicant in December and was told that the attorney agreed to give it to us. I understand that the applicant met with the zoning
subcommittee, but that doesn't change my request, and I think it's fair for the public to know what uh their um elected officials requested when a 30-year pilot was given on this property by this council. So, it's informationational only. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you very much. Um on to committee reports by council
zones. Tank Historical Preservation Commission markers up. >> Yes. I just want to give everyone an update. The um historic preservation commission has been uh busy doing many many things in terms of uh markers throughout the township. Uh I just want
to report on a couple of them uh because there's been a lot of meetings and designs that have been done uh most recently and just want to share. Uh there is for Argon Park a um a marker uh
that pretty much is going to be a QR code that it can be um actually made. DBW has an actual machine that they can uh use to to kind of make uh this this u for the the market that's already there.
This is uh intended to really kind of draw attention to the fact that that this is um an additional um things that will make the the community know about the sacrifice um of u of um many people
that have served u served in World War um too. So, um, this is something you'll be hearing more about because we're collaborating, uh, with the, um, Patriotic Observance, um, committee to determine an actual date that we, uh,
that can be used to, um, to actually unveil this, um, plaque. So, you'll be hearing more about that. The other one that I want to talk about is the origin of TX Library. This is a very uh interesting one in that uh a lot of
people do not know that the origin this of the library began as a result of an enslaved uh cabin that was sold to raise funds to um to fund the very first library in our town. So there is a
marker that is um being made that uh pretty much denotes that. It speaks specifically to um the origin and it's it's uh very rich in history which uh I just wanted to share with with my um colleagues about and um and then also in
terms of where the actual cabin sat. It sat uh sat initially on originally rather on Tene Road um uh right next to the park there on Tene Road. And you will be be seeing and and and hearing more about these, but this this is
really um exciting in terms of uh the historic preservation commission really recognizing the rich history that we have throughout our township. I just wanted to give the council an update and that's that mark on TK road is right next to me um Muel Park and um you uh in
your packet you have the details and the actual verbiage that was worked on by the chair Dr. uh Norris where uh it's in in your package there. Okay. If not um it actually has a a image of it as well.
Um, and >> for comment tonight is I'm sorry. >> Yeah, it's in and I had I originally had given it to Kristen to to distribute. Yeah. >> Yeah, it's in the in the packet. >> I'm sorry. Which >> I don't have
>> version 19.2. Which one was we? Um, >> so it it's on Do you want me to read it to you or if you don't see it? >> Page that it's on. >> Uh, maybe Christian can can explain where that exactly she put it. But yeah, it's it's a the proposal is for a
marker. It's uh entitled Sloan Cabin. And uh this is uh this has been worked on for um really a few months uh by the Historic Preservation Commission. Uh it has by Dr. Norris uh and um copy edited
by Kate Norris, a New York uh the New Yorker copy editor. uh while the old photograph was discovered by uh Chené um Hine uh director of our Tene public library and it was actually um uh looked at and sharpened by Allison Davis a
journalist and document uh documentarian within our township. A mockup of the marker was endorsed by the Historic Preservation Commission at its October 29th meeting and the PPAB approved the mockup and its placement at
the edge of the uh Muel Park um at their June 3rd meeting. So, as you can see, this has been going on for a minute. Uh but this is a an actual uh photo rendering of the Sloan cabin and it's a the cabin. I can read the inscription if
you don't see it. It's not at all in our pack. So if we can >> So I mean it sounds excellent. Can we circulate that and are you looking for a vote? >> Yeah. Well, just to move forward. Yeah. Just just to move forward with with the actual uh work that these committees
have been have been doing. I want to more or less just share it with you guys and to let you know that this is um they want to move forward with it because it is >> Can can we just get before the next meeting copies of the plaques so we can approve them? I mean, council, Deputy Mayor Catch is
um >> the plaque committee, but also I just want to make sure that before we go ahead with any plaques that are going to be displayed that council approves them. >> Sure. Absolutely. So, um Kristen, you have a you have copies of everything that I sent. So, >> you have that sounds like a great
project. >> Mr. Mayor, I have a liazison report real quick. >> Yes, please. >> And it's actually a question really for the council from the most committee. Um so there was a discussion at most uh actually from the historic preservation liaison to most sorry um about to get
the council's input on the use of most funds to support the restor I wanted to make sure I get this right so I know the chair is here so the restoration of privately owned historic property if the owner is providing a public benefit such as public access. So, they're asking for
us to clarify and me to bring back our position if and when something like this would be justified um if there's a tangible value from the the property, you know, if we're using the most funds for that. Um even though it's privately owned. So, I just wanted to relay that ask and you know, if there's any
comments to bring back that was the gist of for most >> I could speak to that. >> Sorry. >> Yeah, I I could just want to add some flavor to that. Uh so essentially we this has been talked about in the historic preservation um commission as well and the whole uh I think intent is
that we do have a number of residents that um own historic properties. Uh and as you can only imagine historic properties are very very expensive to maintain because you have to keep the integrity of the external part of it to be reflective of you know the historic
nature of the property. So, I believe that's kind of like the origin story, kind of like be behind why they're looking to tap most money for some potential um support of historic prop uh property. Would would you say that to be the case? U Councilwoman Goldberg,
>> I think that was the question, but I'm just trying to get a sense. I personally think that it's it's someone's paying for a p it's a private house. I'm personally not in favor of using the public money for it, but I wanted to get the the discussion that was the ask to bring back. I think Deputy Mayor Organetto.
>> Well, I have a question about most in general. It seems like there's a significant amount of money there now, and it might be nice if instead of it seems like we're chipping away at it, and maybe we should look at it um holistically for whatever projects we want to use it for now, I think might be
a good time to start planning for them. So, if we could get um maybe a report from most um about what they think they want to use it for or if we can give suggestions uh might be a good time to start doing that. >> Yes, I um I did ask that for the next
meeting. Yes, >> we'll just at the next meeting. >> Anyone have any other comments just to bring back to the next meeting about this topic? >> I personally if I I don't think we should be using most funds for that. >> Okay. >> Okay. On to council listed items. First,
monuments committee myself. We're pushing that to the next meeting as we continue to have um human talks with community groups. Nothing to report yet. Uh International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Councilman Gober. >> Um yeah, I wanted to read the resolution. Um today is International
Holocaust Remembrance Day. So whereas January 27th, 1945, Awitzburg and now the largest extermination camp was liberated. Whereas on November 1st, 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 60-7 designating
January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the systematic murder of 6 million Jews and millions of other victims of the Holocaust and stands as a permanent warning of the consequence of silence in the face of hatred, anti-semitism,
bigotry, racism, and prejudice. Whereas British historian Ian Kershow stated that the road to Awitz was built by hate but paved with indifference. Whereas anti-semitism is a certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.
Whereas the Holocaust did not begin with the gas chambers, it started with words, words of hate, dehumanization, exclusion that were normalized, tolerated, and weaponized. Whereas the township of Tene honors the remaining Holocaust survivors who reside in Tene and recognize the importance of preserving their
testimony. Whereas the township of Tene remembers Holocaust survivors who were murdered in anti-Semitic attacks in 2025 including 87year-old Alexander Clayman in Bondi Beach and 82-year-old Karen Diamond in Boulder, Colorado. Whereas contemporary examples of anti-semitism
include statements or claims that deny or call into doubt the historical reality, scope, mechanisms or intentionality of the Holocaust as the genocide of the Jewish people by Nazi Germany and supporters and accompllices. Whereas the statements consistent with the Holocaust denial or distortion were
made during the December 9th, 2025 council meeting of the township of TX council demonstrate demonstrating that Holocaust distortion is not an abstract concept but present in a local challenge. Whereas Holocaust survivors emerge from the camps not with calls for vengeance but with an enduring
commitment to remembrance, testimony, education, responsibility. Whereas in 1974, Tene mayor and state senator Matthew Feldman recognized the critical need to educate children about the Holocaust, demonstrating TX's long-standing commitment to Holocaust
education and remembrance. Whereas a 2020 Holocaust knowledge and awareness survey commissioned by the claims commission found that 56% of respondents were unable to identify Awitz Burkanau. 63% of US millennials and Gen Z did not know that 6 million Jews were murdered
in the Holocaust. and the Holocaust denial and distortion are widely encountered on social media, undermining historical truth as the number of living Holocaust survivors continues to decline. Whereas fewer than 200,000 Holocaust survivors remain alive worldwide. Now therefore, it be resolved
by the Township Council of Tene that January 27th, 2026 shall be recognized by the Township of Tene as International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating the anniversary of the liberation of Awitz Burkanau. And be it further resolved that the township council of Tene rejects anti-semitism, holocaust
denial, and distortion in all forms, in whole or in part, and reaffirms that words and misinformation have consequences. Be it further resolved that the township council of Tene reaffirms its commitment to preserving the historical record of the Holocaust, including the role of Awitz and to the
principle of never again by supporting year-round educational and commemorative programming and resources at the Tene Public Library, including opportunities for survivor testimony. And I would like to make a motion to move this to the consent agenda. >> Second, >> right? We have not hands or not hands.
>> Uh it's a motion to move it to the consent agenda. >> Second. Motion to >> Councilwoman Gober. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pagan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman G, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan, >> yes. Mayor Schwarz, >> yes.
>> And it's to the consent agenda. >> Excellent. Before we continue, if anyone here has a Volvo license plates X47, they are. Yeah, they're just trying to clean the lot now. If you can just move, that'd be great. Okay. Thank you very much. We won't be too exciting while
you're gone. Don't worry. Okay. Um, moving on. Solicitation ordinance update residential door-to-door solicitation. Deputy Mayor Belure. >> Okay. So, one of the uh the issues that I had spoken with the our attorney about is u several um residents have reached
out to me about um being uh receiving um visitors that are soliciting the sale of their properties. Um, this has happened, I could say, specifically in the northeast. Uh, and, uh, I believe I I
spoke with, um, uh, the, this is Doug, um, regarding the ordinance. There was an ordinance that spoke to do not mail or having a specific requirement when it cames came to, uh, to mailing as, um, you know, businesses can send a postcard
or whatever the case may be. And the process used to be you would have to bring that postcard or that mailing into the clerk's office, submit it, get a do not mail uh list that was um maintained by the clerk's office. Um the the issue
is that and I spoke with um attorney Scott regarding this is that I would think that we would want to protect our residents from unsolicited visitors knocking on their door inquiring about the sale of their home. So, I don't know, Scott, if you want to speak to that.
>> Sure. So, what we can do is um we can restrict uh or prohibit uh individuals from uh soliciting knocking on doors as long as for a commercial purpose. Uh we can't restrict people uh from doing that if for religious purpose or political
purpose. Um inside apartment buildings in an HOA, that's a different story. That that has to be done by uh the development. Um but as a as a township um we can do it for commercial >> purp as as it relates to commercial by all
means as it relates to someone knocking to buy your house. My father came here as an immigrant and he sold his house four years ago for sale but commercial I probably
one commercial thing. >> I don't know the that I've only seen before where personally I think that's our code already. I thought
the lastwhere in the code I feel like thought we Yeah, I know we have something in here about uh someone, you know, going to get newspapers on the driveway
out of that. I'm not sure. There's something in here. >> I'll double check. >> Yeah. Um, getting comments that Zoom is silent again. I don't know. Anyone else? Okay. Um wondering if you can
um in the inter um perhaps your father had experience um people who are older may not know better who don't understand how to value the homes. We want to make sure maybe there's another way to do to address that with educational programs, but I think we do want to call out if there
are certain um you know neighborhoods being targeted for whatever reason that is concerning. Um and not everybody has the tools that your father may have had to handle that sort of knock at the door about selling him his property. >> I um again I don't I don't really expect
most people to agree with me. My father was senior. He was 71 when we did that. I'm not sure what tools he had, but it worked out well. So I mean those are just my personal opinions. I'm not looking I'm not looking to change anyone's mind. But what your comments are pretty much why don't people
I would just simply ask our attorney to look into it further. I would think that if we had an ordinance that's that required postcard mailings to be run by the clerk's office, then I would think some like in person knocking on doors would
have at least the minimum requirement of the township knowing when people walk into neighborhood knocking on doors. Thank you. So, we'll hand it over to attorney to take a look and see what we can do. Well, and then we'll wait a minute before once we
come back. >> No, I think that's it. >> So, film ready was it? >> No, that's that's >> so once you give us the go ahead, we're going to go over to the township manager report. That is especially something we want on Zoom. Everyone loves security
update. Splash pad update. It's no update. I guess we have to talk a little question for Scott. Scott, do we have to make a motion for film ready because it it is
hearing on a second part of the agenda. Christian put it further down. So, should we make a motion to >> Well, Christian, the latest version still on there at the end. >> Say again.
>> It's off. >> It's off. If it's off, then then we don't need. >> We do not do. >> We do. Okay. >> Okay. little desk here. Okay, >> that's better. Okay, so with that said
and it's better, we're going to go we're going to go to the township manager report. Mr. Manager, please go ahead. Thank you, mayor, and good evening, council and township residents. Please be advised the snow emergency was lifted as of 8:00 p.m. last evening. Any vehicles parked
in any municipal lot as of 8:00 p.m. tonight is subject to ticket and towing. Winter storm update. Please be advised that our DPW is still working around the clock swinging our roadways, clearing bus stops, municipal lots, sidewalk areas, and dead ends, and addressing
problem areas that have been brought to our attention. With a storm this size, we ask for your patience and we will get to your street as quickly as possible. Over 400 tons of salt have been utilized so far and all township roads will be revisited over the next several hours.
700 snow tickets were issued this storm. We are monitoring another winter storm for this upcoming weekend. We are hopeful that residents will comply with the snow ordinance regulations. M >> manager, hold on one second. Um Mr. Where do
with >> the lack of legal obligation. >> Is it is it get fixed? >> Okay. >> Mr. Mayor, >> the agenda technically says that we
pause the meeting. >> I would more like the technical meeting. Okay. >> If there's if that's technical, great. If you have to stop, then >> resets. in the film. I think it was a previous version.
I remember. Yeah, it definitely goes to Doug tested. No. Okay, Mr. Attorney, what was your recommendation? Was there legal requirements? No. >> Can't get back on.
>> Um, do you have a copy of the uh notice that someone was reading the actual notice? Oh, here. Come over here. >> Hold it up. >> Well, you have to come.
>> Come on this side. >> Audio is back. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Mrs. manager, please proceed your report. >> Any start over? >> You don't want me to cover that bad? >> Okay.
>> Okay. I'm going to um start with our wintertorm update again. Uh please be advised that our DPW is still working around the clock salting our roadways, clearing bus stops, municipal lots, sidewalk areas, and deadends, and addressing problem areas that have been brought to our attention. With a storm
this size, we ask for your patience and we will get to your street as quickly as possible. Over 400 tons of salt have been utilized so far and all township roads will be revisited over the next several hours. 700 snow tickets were issued this storm. We are monitoring
another winter storm for this upcoming weekend and we are hopeful that residents will comply with the snow ordinance regulations. Please stay up to date with our township alerts. Most importantly, thank you to our DPW, Police Department, Fire Department, OEM,
and TVAC for your endless efforts during these winter storms. With over 100 miles of roadway and additional areas to address, we recognize and commend your efforts. Snow shoveling assistance for seniors is currently at capacity through the Tene High School Forum. The Tene
Health Department is partnering with Holy Name Medical Center for a walk to wellness program. This will be a 12-week couch to 5K wellness challenge. The program kickoff will be March 1st at Vote Park and details are now posted on our website.
The senior citizen prom event is seeking sponsorship from local businesses. The event is currently scheduled for May 14th and a sponsorship letter is available at our recreation department if you're interested. Please be reminded that we have our social worker that now is scheduled at
the Rotus Center on Wednesdays for seniors and resident assistants. The TINA community pool is gearing up for our 2026 season. We are preparing for registration as early as March 2nd. We are finalizing some details and we we
will keep you informed. A new ebike law has been passed, so you will soon see postings and reminders from the Tene Police Department to keep everyone aware and safe. Some grant updates. We are in the
process of applying for an NJDCA local recreation grant to replace the playground for our preschool at the Roa Center. The max award is $75,000 and the application deadline is February 13th. Some project updates. our Bell Avenue
Biosphalls uh drawings were approved and we are waiting for construction to begin March of 2026. Brooks Park exercise station we poured concrete on January 22nd. We are hoping to receive the equipment by next week. The Brooks Park restroom is out to bid
and the bid opening is scheduled for February 10th. Sagamore Park Improvements, the design is in the final review phase. The Maple Avenue improvements punch list is scheduled for the spring. Phelps Park splash pad. The contractor
is finished working on the water line and passing inspections and we are waiting for equipment to arrive and the meter connection will be on hold due to the weather. Livingston Place and Clinton Place main sewer line replacement. The pre-construction meeting was held on January 13th.
Construction will start February 2026. Griggs, Van Beern, and Heric Avenue improvements design is completed and we are preparing to go out to bid. That's all I have for you tonight. Thank you. >> Nothing for me tonight, Mr. Mayor. >> Okay,
>> that we are going to go to the public hearing and adoption of ordinances. With that being said, um we're going to be pulling two of them tonight. The first one is going to be ordinance number one, the fire ordinance. after comments and input by many people. It's going to be it was reddrafted and sent out tonight,
but it will not be introduced tonight. So, people have more time to read it before introduction at the next meeting. So, that'll be published and put aside. That'll be Please review it for introduction at the next meeting. I'm going to ask for a motion on that in a second. Number two, amending the town code to revise parking outside the
municipal lot. We're going to pull that as well. Maybe tweak it, maybe not put it back on EBD. So, with that, I'm looking for a motion to pull ordinance number one and number two of 2026. >> So, moved >> and moved. Um, >> I have a question. So, we're pulling we're >> pulling it and doing what with it?
>> Nothing. Right now, we're pulling one and we're pulling two. There's no action being taken right now. >> I think it has to be voted down. >> Vote down >> or how does it work? >> No, we you can just pull it. You can move table it. >> Yeah. >> Okay, we'll move to table it then. Excellent. >> I would just The way I would do it is I
would move to table it without giving a date. That way it's indefinite but it has the effect. >> Excellent. >> Council Pagan you second. >> Motion to Yeah. >> Thank you very much. >> Motion to table. >> Motion to table by Pagan. Second Schwarz will call. >> Councilman Goldberg. >> No on one. Yes. On two. >> Councilman Pagan.
>> Yes. >> Councilman G. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Orton. Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. At this time, ordinance number three is open for a hearing and adoption. amending the enforcement
duties of the fire department. This and this is about a language in the enforcement to comply I believe. Mr. Attorney, can you just give a quick uh um comment on what this is? I believe this is some technicality. >> This is number three. >> Number three is the only thing we're entertaining. >> Number three is clarifying that we the
township does not cannot enforce the fire code uh against state, federal, or intergovernmental uh buildings. So there's a federal building on on ink. We don't we can't enforce the the fire code against them. >> Understood. Okay. With that being said,
the only thing to be discussed tonight is number three. Is there anyone that wants to discuss number three? Anybody on Zoom, if we have Zoom, that wants to discuss number three, Mr. Cable Master? >> Um, I don't see any hands. >> Okay. With that being said, I'll let
>> Hang on. Hang on. A hand just came up. >> He's on uh Heath Kaplan. >> Yeah. This is Ron. This is about ordinance number three. Correct. It's not about number three. It's off. Mr. Kaplan on >> Just a very quick question for the
attorney. If we do not pass this ordinance, obviously we still can't uh go against the federal rules that are out there. Is this something that's necessary in our code or is this something that merely complies with a
federal ordinance that's already out there? >> Well, we'll address questions at the end. Thank you. Anyone else on Zoom? >> Uh, I don't see any hands. >> That being said, this hearing is now over, Mr. Attorney.
>> So, that's correct. If the question is, is is there anything new with this uh ordinance? The answer is no. It's true whether we adopt it or not, but for clarity sake, for you know, anyone looking through the code that doesn't necessarily know what the the state of the federal law is. Uh it's for that to
clarify frame with. >> Thank you very much. Um I'll intro I'll make a motion to approve ordinance number three of 2026. Anybody want a second? >> Second. >> Seconded Goldberg. Roll call. Mr. Clerk. >> Councilwoman Goldberg.
>> Yes. Council man. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman G. Yes. Deputy Mayor Belter. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. >> With that, uh, we now go to the public, uh, portion of the good and welfare. I did receive a few messages from people asking if there's going to be a comment on ICE. Everyone in this room heard the
comment that we made, but I'll just make it again. Just this will be the time of people can talk about it. So, I'll make it again, and I apologize. Um, I've been asked to speak on behalf of the township as it relates to an incident that occurred this past Sunday. uh police department received a phone call about a suspicious activity on Garden Street.
Police upon receiving the call, went down there, confirmed that the identities of the people acting were indeed ICE officials. Um they proceeded to um confirm their ID and then went on their way not interfering, not abathing, not assisting. Um later on that day,
there was a second calls made to the police department about an incident at the corner of Tene Road in Garden Street. The police upon response identified a protest that was taking that was taking place. The police department stayed on scene to protect all parties including the protest
protesters as they do at any and all protest events and they monitor the event and the matter ended with with nothing occurring. um this township and the police department will continue to um abide by the 2018 immigration
trust directive as well that will be guys. Excuse me. You want to step outside? We're literally in the middle of something that people have been asking about and we had to interrupt this. >> This township will abide by the 2018 immigrant directive. the police
department will always act under the guidance and the rules of the attorney general. Uh we'll have more information putting out with those specific directives and rules um short shortly coming. So with that said, we'll now go to good and welfare. Anybody in the room first and we'll go to Zoom thereafter.
Sir, >> hi everybody. My name is Brian Harland Brooks. I live on 36 Garden Street. I was there when ICE came down the block. I just want to speak on behalf of how appropriate that is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Um, this gave the feel of Nazi Germany as well as slave
catchers on the block. They came on the block, they parked for a long time, they idled in their cars with tinted windows, with old model cars. It's quite terrifying giving what's going on in the in the country. And as we know, we are one incident away from anything of that nature. Everybody loves to talk about the diversity in Tenic, but if the
diversity is not protected under the constitution, we have no diversity at all. And I am of no confidence that the ICE agents or the ICE organization will uh honor my badge, honor my ID, listen to what I say. I am in terror of that on
a daily basis. And that terror continues in my black skin, in my queer skin. It continues. And I think I would like to have a more fullthroated understanding because I went up to a police officer who I have had have lovely relationships with in Tene as we have great police
policing in Tene through all the history we've had here. We won't go into that. We've had a lot of history here, but we've worked really hard to have that relationship. But the police officer said to me, there's nothing we can do. They're and I know and you know they will come to that side of Teneck every time and that's going to continue. And I
want to know if the police will make sure that the constitution is being upheld. That nobody will be able to walk up to me outside of the Domin Dominican market, the multiple Caribbean restaurants, the multiple places in my side of town where black and brown
people speak their languages, have accents, and are able to move. With the current administration in the White House, we need real assurance that if somebody says to me, "Can I see your papers?" that that will not be tolerated in Tene. >> Thank you, sir. Anybody Anybody else?
Anybody else? Anybody else want to speak? >> Ma'am, sure you go next. I I call people, don't you? >> Good evening. Terresa Beitz, Tene resident, Rutland Avenue. Um this is a
little more lighthearted. Um we had an exciting event this week in Tene. Um, and so I know we have a poet laurate, but anyone can write poetry. So I'd like to read to you, oh the snow that fell on T-neck, community edition.
Mayor, council, neighbors, gather near for a snowy tale from a memorable year. For the sky did a thing it had not done in years. It snowed and it snowed through our laughter and fears. It snowed through the daytime. It snowed through the night. 18 whole inches.
That's not very light. Vote Park vanished. Just poof, out of sight. The green turned all white. A surprising new sight. The library closed. The roads all slowed down. Tene Road tiptoed through snow covered town. Route 4 took a breath then inched along too. As winter
declared, "I'm not done with you." While many stayed warm with a blanket and brew, the real work began for a dedicated few because storms don't wait and streets must be clear. And that's when Tex Best shifted into high gear. The township manager planned,
coordinated, led, keeping wheels turning and salt fully spread. Town staff jumped in whenever they could, doing what needed to be done because that's what they should. And DPW, oh my, what a sight to behold. Plows roared and rumbled through bitter cold. They
circled, they cleared, they came back again, turning white back to black on street after street now and then. The police were out too, steady and strong, keeping lanes open all night long, guiding traffic, clearing ways, making sure help could get through without delay. And yes, one quick line because
it is fair. Our mayor stayed responsive, reminding us all, "Please move your cars so plows could get there." Now, of course, we did what Tene does best. We took to Facebook with passionate zest. We debated the plows, the cars, the snow, which is really just love in a
very loud show. If complaining were cardio, let's all agree this town would be fitter than it's ever been, maybe. But truth be told, beneath every post is care for our neighbors that matters the most. For safety, for access, for streets that allow everyone home then
and now. So, thank you, Tene, your workers, your crew, your staff, your police, your DPW, too. Through snow piled high and cold biting deep, you showed what it means to show up and to keep. Oh, the snow may have covered each street and each block, but this town
stood tall, dependable as a rock. Snowed in, yes, but working as one. That's Tak at its best when the storm is said and done. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, sir. >> Hi, C. I'm Norman Leven. Uh, until
recently, I was not a regular attendee at council meetings. I first came to request a left turn signal on Windsor Road, but over the last few years, I became concerned about the crossroads development project, which I oppose. The
increased traffic on Cedar on Cedar Lane and Tene Road, the drainage issue of Beverly Road, the use of our parking lot to include a multi-story parking garage is inappropriate and wrong for Tene. I am challenging each member of the
council to answer clearly and definitively at the end of this evening's meeting once you are allowed to respond to declare whether you have any financial investment in any of the proposed areas of of for development.
While this is an important concern tonight I also want to address the issue that I spoke about at last month's council meeting. The tepid response to the anti-semitic outburst in December was not adequately addressed. I heard one council member respond with the
equivalent of, "Our thoughts and prayers go to all the victims of prejudice when I and others addressed a number of anti-semitic incidents that have been happening around the country and in this town." Just four days later, Beth Israel synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi was
firebombed. Add that to the many instances of violent attacks on Jews. As I said last month, hateful deeds indulged and normalized by racist and prejudice bigotry leads to appalling violence.
Globalized invada results in Bandai Beach, the firebombing of a march in support of hostages in Boulder, Colorado, and the murder of Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC. Meanwhile, the federal government's Equal Opportunity Commission has
demanded from the University of Pennsylvania that it submit a list of black employees, Latino employees, Asian employees. Do you find this outrageous? Well, in fact, the federal agency has only demanded a list of Jewish employees.
Think about your reaction. If you are not as appalled and outraged by this as you were when hearing it was aimed at other minorities, then you are a bigot. You are an anti-semite. Today, as noted, was Holocaust Remembrance Day. This does not replace
all the other massacres that have befallen so many other nations. Just as the Historic Preservation Commission is commemorating the origins of our library, as Council Councilwoman Belchure so rightly noted, this the Holocaust deserves to be
honored and commemorated. So if you see this happening now, as you see what's happening in Minneapolis, speak up or let your silence define you. Thank you. M >> Leven, Dr. Yuck. I couldn't agree more. Phil Bell Avenue.
Um, I want to thank you for commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day. Uh, on this day in 1945, my mother was liberated from Awitz. Um, uh, I I want to say I'm very happy to
hear about the plan to to make Tene a a uh a pl a place to make movies. There was a movie made on my block recently starring Scarlett Johansson called Paper Tiger. We had a lot of fun. I made $750 that I didn't expect because they sat on
my front lawn. And my neighbor got $3,000 for letting them use the bathroom. It was a good deal. So, so please make that happen. Uh I think there the Family Guy was also filmed in Tene. Uh my kids enjoyed that. They went
over there to meet Nicholas Cage. Uh he was not very nice. he didn't want to meet them. And so, so, but it's it's it's a lot of fun. I have to tell you, it's interesting to see how they make these movies, how many people come out. Um, uh, the the staffing on my block,
there were about 60 people uh, working for the film company. They have lots of money, by the way. $500 is nothing. They paid me 750 to sit on my lawn. So, they have tons of money. And I didn't even ask them. They said, "Okay, we'll give you 750." I could have bargained and asked for a thousand, but I didn't do
it. I said, "Fine, 750 is nice." So anyway, um I want to also talk to you about uh about the um Beverly Road development, Beverly Road, American Legion Drive. Um I'm concerned that the redevelopment plan uh does not um have a
strong enough uh position on remediating the flooding. I think it's a mistake to wait until the redevelopment agreement and start negotiating at that point. I think you you always negotiate from a position of strength. There are a number
of community uh benefits that are being asked of the developer and that one is essential. That's not a negotiable thing to to say, well, we can't do it really or we can only do this. And then and
then uh the the need for they're going to they're going to use the need for affordable housing to try to not do some of the things that we want them to do. But this is not a want. This is a requirement because if they build and they don't remediate uh the flooding
sufficiently, there's going to be a wall at the end of Bell Avenue. And that wall is going to hold water and that water is going to go into their building and into our homes. So, uh, I implore you to to keep that in mind as you work on this. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Stop. Anybody else audience like to speak? Dwayne, Mr. Boler, Nick, >> good evening. Dwayne Harley, um, Tene Boger Street. Um I'm just I am curious on what this council's position is on um
ICE activities in case it gets out of hand because we have seen throughout the country that they are attacking citizens right due processes out the door. Um but we kind of need to know or at least I need to know what is this council's full
responsibility or stance when they begin doing that here in this township that we love so much. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Berner. >> Ai Berliner TK resident. Very quickly, uh thank you again for your consideration uh for uh renewal of the
advisory board. Just like to remind everyone that we serve to advise council uh not as a body unto ourselves. Um most has always been very uncomfortable with using public most funds for repair and rehabilitation of private homes. We've
also suggested that if for some reason council does decide to go down that route, leaving aside any of the uh legal questions that we've had, uh perhaps there should be public access to the waterways or other access to those um properties that we currently have zero
access to. Uh today, uh we have no most recommendations with regards to the funds as we've put forth in our very recently reported 2025 report. We also have nothing currently on our docket for consideration from council to advise them on. With regards to the snow,
Sagamore Avenue is still snow covered white. Um there also roads that have been so narrow because we're not plowing curb to curb that when cars park on opposite sides, they're almost unpassable. If there's any way to either limit that or put out a PSA to make sure that folks know they should not be
parking directly uh opposite each other, more than happy to discuss any of these items. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Schwarz. Anything else? >> Thank you, Mayor Schwarz. I speak tonight on behalf of One Town, One Vote. Uh Javon Rice, former council person,
will be speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, and we will be speaking together on the same subject. Uh we have been informed that the Crossroads amended redevelopment plan will be presented to this council for approval on February 10th. Uh, one town, one vote is
demanding that there be a public forum on this amended redevelopment plan with all public protection surveys done and available to the public before any consideration or approval by the council of this redevelopment plan. These
include a flooding remediation plan survey, a recent traffic study, a noise study, environmental impact study, a utility study, and the impact on local school study. The obligation, the first obligation of this council, in my view,
is to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens of this town. I do not see how this council can do that without getting these public protection surveys done first before any redevelopment plan is approved. Separately, one town, one vote also
demands that all public benefits promised by the developer at the December 9th uh council meeting be mandated to be done by the developer at its sole expense as part of any redevelopment plan to be considered by the council. These include flood
remediation promises, 15,000 square feet for the farmers market, 1,000 square feet for public events, and 450 parking spaces for ten residents. These have been promised by the developer. You should hold his feet to the fire. You should mandate these to be
done at the time of the redevelopment plan. Do not wait for the redevelopment agreement. We are afraid that if you don't include these mandated uh uh public benefits in the redevelopment plan, you won't be able to get it into the redevelopment agreement. Thank you very much for your cons.
>> Thank you very much, M. Schwarz, Miss Rogan. Anybody else next? >> Paula Regovern. speaking also on behalf of one tone, one vote about the crossroads project. Um, and I am going to re reiterate what Ron just said that
we want the public benefits that were promised at an earlier meeting to be mandated in the redevelopment plan, not the agreement, the redevelopment plan. We don't want it to be optional. This is
the flood remediation, the 15,000 square feet for the farmers market, the 1,000 square feet for the public event space, and the 450 uh parking spaces in the parking garage. And I'll just say very quickly about about this. I have for
distribution here pictures of the parking lot yesterday, the municipal parking lot on American Legion Drive. It's filled to the brim because our wonderful manager sent a notice to us that we should people should park in the
municipal lots during the storm if they do not have parking at at their homes. The parking lot was filled to the brim. So this is a very serious problem because many of the people who park there live in apartments on Elm, on
Lynden, on Larch on Elma Terrace and they will have no place to park. They're not going to be going all the way across to the the parking garage on the other side of Cedar Lane. So this is a very serious problem. Also, CSX is strongly
opposed to water being dumped into the tracks over um near Kip Street. Um on the on a personal note, not speaking on behalf of One Town, One Vote, it is urgent that Teneck
pass a resolution as soon as possible at the next meeting to support the recent immigrant trust act passed by the state legislature. The one bill that was passed, it is there's a a model resolution which I sent to you from
Maplewood. It's a really excellent resolution. Um it uh you all have a copy of it. Um it we do not want the T-neck police to have in any way any kind of
cooperation with ICE. It would end forever any kind of trust in the police. It would put the police who oppose the vicious actions of ICE. It would it would put them in a position that they would have to betray their oath to the
constitution to democracy and to the people of Tene. So it is really really urgent. It's not something we can rely on an old resolution that was passed in in whatever year 2018. It's very important during this time of crisis
that a new resolution be passed um that there be absolutely no cooperation with ICE. >> Thank you very much Paula. Okay ma'am >> and this is the the >> hi Russell Cel resident Elm Avenue. Um I
just want to echo what some other people were saying about the situation with ICE. I appreciate the statement that was made this evening. Um that being said, it is not enough and it is already too late. Um the minor incidents I would say
minor that happen in TAC happened days ago. So there are already people in our community that are impacted directly and people that were not directly impacted that are fearful. The town needed to have spoken up much sooner after that
and been transparent on the role of Tene police. And I agree that we need to pass a resolution stating that our police department will not cooperate or assist ICE and that instead we will operate within the confines of the law since ICE
is not doing that. Um, I think that the council um needs to press the town to make it clear to the citizens where we stand as a town. So, I think the resolution that was passed in Maplewood
is a good starting point and I would suggest that we do the same. >> Seeing no other hands in here, Mr. Cablemaster, can you please take over? Okay, we got Romney Rice coming. Thank you, Ron, and thank you, councel.
Um, as uh Ron Schwarz mentioned, I'm speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Neighborhoods Association, CNA, and we wanted to address the development discussion that was mentioned at the last council meeting. We want to ensure that this council schedules a public forum to present the crossroads plan to
the entire public and a forum location large enough for the public where questions can indeed be asked and answered unlike the presentation that was at the council chambers where the public could not ask questions. Additionally, we want to uh require that the public benefit as was mentioned and
the remediation plan including all the studies related to traffic, noise, flooding, farmers market, etc. will all be presented to the Tina community and the public really needs to be shown an alternative plan that comports with the vision that is articulated by the Tene
residents presented in our master plan and we have not seen whether this redevelopment plan meets with those conditions of our master plan um and all those mandated items should be included. That concludes my statement from the CNA. Just on a personal note, I'd like
to also uh thank the mayor for reiterating the fact that we do comply with the attorney general's immigration guidance, the immigration trust directive, but I want to know what protections in terms of our residents now that this is already made aware that
it's in our neighborhood. What um safety provisions will be to sensitive locations? For instance, limiting the immigration enforcement activities at school, hospitals, places of worship. I know now that we have families who are not sending their children to school
because they're fearful of just getting them to and from school. So, what measures can we put in place? Will there be any other type of education to the community about their rights? um education to the community residents who wish to videotape as is their right for
their protections from being slaughtered on the streets or will we have to stand by and wait for a day of commemoration to the atrocities that are happening to the residents in Minnesota? Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Uh Shauna Horovitz. Oh, hi. >> Hi. >> Um, I wanted to talk about two specific issues that um, I've encountered as a dog owner in Tene. I know there are a lot of people here who have dogs and
these two things uh, would definitely benefit many T-neck residents. The first issue that I discovered uh when I was trying to renew my own dog's uh rabies license was that um the the license
renewal is required to be returned to the township by March 1st. Um, and in order to renew, you have to certify and provide proof that your dog has a rabies vaccine that is valid until November 1st, which puts people in a difficult position because, you know, as an
example, my dogs are not due for their rabies vaccines until August and September. But in order to comply with this, I would have needed to vaccinate my dogs in March despite the fact that they were not due for those vaccines for several months. One of my dogs being severely immuno compromised. I spoke to
her veterinary team who stated that there is no medical need for this and that this is purely a department you know of health or whatever department handles this um and it's purely administrative and should not be done. Um and when I spoke to the uh people at
the municipal building they said well you know we can just do it without it for now but you'll probably need to submit records from your vet. Um, but there's no interest for any dog to be vaccinated sooner than they're actually obligated to be vaccinated under, you
know, state law. And so I think it would be beneficial if dogs were just required under, you know, the obligation to renew the lensure if they were just required to um instead show proof that they were up to date until now or show submit proof
once they're revaccinated. um have a certain amount of time to submit that vaccine record to the township so that dogs are not required to be vaccinated earlier than they are medically necessary to do so. Um and I would appreciate it if you could consider that. The other thing that I wanted to
bring up um specifically is how is relates to dog parks um and the lack of dog parks in Tene. Uh to my knowledge, we only have the one in Phelps Park, which is not safe. Um both due to its proximity to a major uh traffic, major
road, um and due to the lack of lighting. The last time that I was there, there the light in the dog park didn't work. Um and additionally, um in order to access that dog park, I would need to walk on River Road in the dark. The roads are, you know, pretty busy.
the sidewalks are very narrow and it's not safe to do so. So, if there's any way that we could try to make another dog park or expand, you know, access in some way, create additional lighting, um that would be appreciated. Thank you for your consideration.
>> Thank you very much. U Mr. Cable Minister, if you can put the next person, I'm going to turn the meeting over to Deputy Mayor. >> Uh Sam Passner. May you hear me? Hello, my name is Sam Pasner, resident of Teneac of Broad Street. Um, I would
like to thank the council for tableabling the motion ordinance one establishing certain recovery of fire department related cost expenses. However, I am deeply worried by the fact that such an ordinance was even able to get onto the agenda in the first place.
This requiring members of our town whose house burns down to pay for those services is not only a
greatly sad statement on the character of our town that we would even consider such a thing. New Jersey is the home of the Sopranos, but I think it is not a good idea for us to start asking people for protection money after their houses burn down specifically and come up with
installment plants. And I don't think that says anything good on our community. And I'm glad we struck that down. It also when worrying about the potential of future ordinances passed in this town doesn't make much sense. Um, why would somebody want I mean I would
be concerned that somebody might hesitate to stop their fire from spreading and if my house is next door I don't want their fire to persist as that might spread to my house and that's why we have taxf funded services of fire departments. When it comes to legislation like this when it comes to
ordinances like this I think there needs to be a serious review of what these sorts of things say about the character of our town. Again, I'm highly grateful for the town for striking this down and for tableabling it. But I would really think that in the future, I would hope that such ordinances uh take more
thorough review both for what they mean morally and just to make sure they mean they make sense for our town. Additionally, I wanted to reiterate the support that so many others have stated that on a resolution to condemn ICE and
to uh stop them from acting in the township of Tene. I would like it if we could have a ordinance which would comply with New Jersey assembly bill 6308 uh the safer communities act. Again, as other people mentioned, we need to develop plans and we need to
pass resolutions to protect certain sensitive religious, public, and educational areas uh from ICE. And again, given the fact that two people were recently murdered in Minneapolis, we need as a town not just to take uh stances to say that ICE can't operate
here or to say we comply with directives, but we need to take a strong moral stance against these horrific injustices and atrocities that are committed in Tene and around this country. And so I think it is time for the township to
take a strong stance that ICE cannot be allowed and cannot be tolerated in TAC and that we should do whatever we can legally and within the bounds of the constitution, federal, state, and local law to protect the residents of this town
from f federal civil li uh immigration enforcement. Thank you so much. Rebecca Fineberg. >> Good evening, Rebecca Fineberg, a resident of Bell Avenue. Um, I was hoping we could have some more information and follow up on the bio
swells that you say are going to start in March because the Sagamore Park retention tanks really did not do very much. And this storm was snow, but the prior storm was rain and basement, my basement and uh, a number of others on my block still flooded despite the
detention tanks. So, we're now pinning our hopes on the bio swelles and hoping for more information on how the town is going to help us rectify this situation uh in order to regain the value of our homes and not live with wet moldy basements at every single rainstorm.
Thank you. Uh we have someone named Galaxy S20 FE. Please state your name. Hi, my name is Susan Schultz and I'd like to speak about a couple things. The first thing is the uh presence of ICE
and T-neck. Um it it was very disturbing to hear that they were here. Uh we always think, oh well, it won't happen here. It won't happen here. And I'm sure that in
Minnesota that was the same thing they were thinking out there. Um it's time and especially when I was listening to um the I remembering the Holocaust.
Um it it brings all of that back. We have to take a strong stand now and T-neck has to take a strong stand now. Um they've haven't been following the constitution.
Uh they've been uh really uh well when you murder people you know you're not following it. So it once again I hate to see myself and my neighbors being afraid to leave the
house because you don't know what's going to happen or kids being afraid to go to school. So I encourage you to pass the resolution. The second thing is that
I would like to hear more and an updated information about the construction um in downtown T-neck. And um I would like that opportunity
to hear all of the new um uh uh research that's being done, all the new proposals. So I um also am asking you along with
Paula and and Javon and others that I need more information. Thank you. Uh Helen Emund. Hi. I'm Helen Eond. I live on Falmouth A. We've been residents of Tene for 15
years. Um and we moved here because of the diverse community here and I think it's really important right now to protect that diversity. Um, we have two kids at the high school and a lot of the kids for lunch will leave the school and
go get food on Tene Road. So, Popeye's, you know, hot bagel down there. Um, they'll hang out with their friends after school and get, you know, dumb stuff at the Dollar Tree, go to the Walgreens, the Duncan over there. And I agree with
the previous resident who said um that ICE is going to have a heavier presence on that side of town. And how are we protecting the kids on their lunch breaks in that area? Um you know, I
think families are already scared and I echo the sentiment about um the Maplewood ordinance. I think that's a bare minimum. Um, we need to do more. And yeah, that's all. Thank you.
Uh, we have iPad 2. Please state your name. iPad 2, you're muted. Maybe we go to iPad. >> Am I Can you hear me now? >> Yeah, we can. Please state your name. >> Oneita Brown. I live on the southwest
part of T-neck Elm Avenue to be specific. And I brought up this issue at a December council meeting. And my concern is for those where there's a snowstorm to the capacity that the one we just had and the people who don't
have a driveway or somewhere to put their car and they're supposed to go to the municipal parking lot on American Legion Drive. If there's a building there, where do these people go? Because to suggest that they have to
walk across Cedar Lane to get to a garage as a senior citizen, no way. And risk breaking bones, that just doesn't make sense. And it has nothing. It offers nothing for me as a resident of Tina. The other thing I'm concerned
about is ICE being in one side of town. When are they coming to my side of town? Being an African-American, I've we have always been on the list or somebody's list and who's to say where
they're going to strike next. So, please pass an ordinance whatever that they cannot operate here as recklessly as they do. They need not be here. and I appreciate anything that the
town can do to protect me and mine and those of others who look like me. Thank you very much. Ariel Camilo, you're muted. Hello. Okay. Good evening, the members of the council and the neighbors. Thank
you for the opportunity to speak. Uh I'm here to encourage the council to consider adopting a formal safe zone school policy for Tina public schools or some sort of directive that would lean towards that. Um, it wouldn't be to
change the federal or New Jersey law. Uh, instead to clarify how our district already complies with it. Federal law, including the Supreme Court's decision in Plyer versus DO, guarantees every child the right to public education
regardless of immigration status. And the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, FURPA, already protect students privacy and school boards in New Jersey have a clear authority to adopt policies that safeguard student welfare and guide
staff conduct. And other peer town uh towns and districts including Trenton, they've adopted safe school policies that provide clear procedures like you know staff don't ask about immigration status. students records remain
protected and any request from immigration enforcement requires a valid judicial warrant and review by district leadership. So by adopting a similar policy, Tene would support our educators, reduce confusion in high
pressure situation and reassure families that our schools remain focused on education safety and the law. So I respectfully urge the council members to please consider this policy as a proactive lawful and student center step
forward to protect our communities especially at school on the buses and for example like at the Roa center where there is no security there as far as I'm concerned. Um thank you very much for your time. Uh, we're going to bring in Sheruk.
>> Hi, good evening TK resident. Thank you, mayor, for the clarification this evening. I want to acknowledge the fear and concern that many residents felt when reports of ICE being spotted in TF began circulating. We are a we are at a critical moment in our country's history
and we can't allow fear, misinformation or silence to lead us down a path where another group is targeted or harmed. Our strength as a community has always been standing alongside our neighbors and protecting one another. With that in mind, I believe we need stronger, clearer language and guidance regarding
ICE activity in our neighborhoods so that the residents understand their rights and can feel safe in the town that they call home. Thank you. Right. Dr. Chuck Powers. >> Chuck Powers. I have those several things. In the first place, what was
what's been said about what we need to do to make sure that we are both aware of and protected as much as we can be in respect of what ICE might be doing. We really need the strongest possible thing. and it's it's too bad that the
former governor turned down measures that would strengthen that. We should be following what it is that the legislature did on those in protecting people here in Tina. Second, everything we've heard about the uh crossroads redevelopment
uh plan that apparently we are going to see in the next council meeting is as worrisome as but five at least five of our of our fellow residents have talked about tonight. the parking issue in the in situations like we we're facing right
now with the snow is that's a huge issue and obviously we have not yet solved the the the whole problem of the flooding and therefore we definitely deserve to have a a public discussion of
the current version that crossroads apparently controlled in which it sort of bowed out of some of the major of some of the major issues it had earlier indicated it was going to be protecting us about. I want to say two
other quick things. There's a resolution on here tonight u that would extend the 189 the plaza resolution 46 and its justification is amazing. It says that the reason that the we should have a
90-day extension on this again for this long delayed project is so that the the time shift township can review the information provided by the redeveloper. But as you have heard tonight from uh
Councilwoman Goldberg, we have not gotten anything like the kind of information that you could possibly review it. That's not the problem here. The problem is that the redeveloper can't figure out how to put it together. So, let's make sure that we actually get a resolution that is
accurate in terms of what it is that we need. Um, and so therefore, that needs to either be uh defeated tonight or uh or tabled. And um and one uh one final matter, I assume that the town has made
sure that its uh um recreation open space inventory is in fact fully consistent with what the state has on that because we've got millions of dollars that we're expecting
to have Greenacres give to us and they're not allowed by statute and by res regulation to give it to us until we have reconciled our rosi with with theirs. And uh I think that is something that is probably imminent and there's no
reason in the world why we can't get that because okay uh someone Khan, please state your full name. You're muted. >> Good evening, council. Thank you, Ron.
This is Rishma Khan. I'm also speaking on behalf of the residents of Tene who we are all um have shared our sentiments regarding the fear that many communities are living under. Having heard that ICE was
in our town, the town that we love so much, uh we are all clearly urging you to immediately put together a resolution to make sure that our local police department is not in any way forced to comply into a role that conflicts with
their mission. This would send a clear message that uh Tene really wants to uphold constitutional rights, public safety for everyone who lives here. No one should have to live under a constant state of fear. And as you have heard so many residents come out and speak
tonight to do something about this. The Maplewood resolution has been mentioned several times. That is a at a bare minimum. That is a starting point. Tene is a town that was the first to voluntarily self quarantine in the COVID uh when pandemic when COVID hit us and
the pandemic had officially started in March 2020. Why don't we be one of the towns where we actually pass something that's progressive that says that the local police will not cooperate with ICE if they are um not do not following due process and we are never we are not ones
to shy away from resolutions for anything so why not do it now it's already uh very timely to do this um secondly a question for every council member you have heard so much opposition to the crossroads project more
opposition than any support and there are glaring uh gaps where residents really want to know what's going to happen if the parking lot goes away or the flooding problem is not addressed. When will we have some form of a public workshop where we can directly ask
questions where we can actually make sure that our interests have been taken care of. I um I'm really appalled at the level of uh um you know you have not really answered all our questions and
this is very appalling. Thank you and good night. >> Steve Fox 3 minutes. I am Steve Fox, TAC president, also the chairman of the Northern New Jersey Holocaust Memorial and Education Center. I want to compliment
Councilwoman Goldberg on the beautifully worded resolution regarding Holocaust Remembrance Day. The purpose of the Holocaust Remembrance Day is to bring worldwide attention to the history and lessons to be learned
when fascism and dictatorial mo movements take over society. The Holocaust was the most horrific genocide in modern history. One where the Nazis characterized Jews as an inferior race that needed to be
annihilated. They succeeded in exterminating over 6 million Jews. a large segment of the Jew world Jewish population. Nothing can compare to the systematic attempted destruction of an entire people strictly because of their
ethnic origin. Our future Northern New Jersey Holocaust Memorial and Education Center will offer visitors an immersive educational experience to learn the history and lessons of the Holocaust, including firsthand testimonials so that
the these atrocities will never happen again. Again, thank you again to Councilwoman Goldberg and for the entire Tene and we hope to be part of that educational process that she enumerated
in her plans. Thank you and again Shenaz. >> Hi, can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. Three minutes. >> Okay. Hi, this is Shenaz. I'd like to speak about two topics. The crossroads developments and ice. But before I do, I want to thank my neighbors for their
help during the storm and Tene Fire Department for clearing the side door as the snow had trapped me inside my my home. I have the best neighbors and a neighborhood that I've cherished since I was a child. So, I'd like to address your plans for my neighborhood. I posted a video today of North Avenue and
American Legion from this afternoon on Facebook. Municipal parking lots overflowed and cars were parked on the street. Residents were told to move their cars today from municipal parking lot, but the streets had now no parking space due to snow. The street cleaning
pushed in snow and blocked driveways, including mine. It required me to request Carata to remove that snow pile. The proposed development will add an estimated 477 additional cars per day to our residential streets. This is a significant change that will affect not
just this neighborhood, but the entire town, especially family shopping at Stop and Shop and parents transporting children to schools. This area is already heavily trafficked throughout the day, and this level of development raises real concerns about safety, congestion, air quality, and quality of
life. We respectfully request updated independent studies on traffic, noise, environmental and utility impacts, emergency response times, flooding and drainage, and impacts on local schools. We ask you to engage neighbors and make a decision that protects our children and our community for future generations
to come. The second topic I'd like to address is ICE. The council's comments tonight about ICE agents operating in Tenic are mild, late, seem technical, and do not de demonstrate a sense of urgency. The residents posted several
video videos on social media. One ICE agent on camera mentioned that he was born in Tene. Sightings were reported on Degra Avenue, Triion Avenue, and other locations throughout Tene. residents had not received any public clarification from the township council or the Tina
Police Department. That silence has created fear and uncertainty not only for immigrant families but also for US citizens at a time when social media is filled with ICE terrorism. This month, Maplewood Township issued a clear public statement signed by the mayor and
council members stating, "We do not welcome ICE in Maplewood." Maple board reaffirmed that local police cannot and will not ask immigration status, enforce unsigned warrants, or participate in ISIS civil immigration enforcement.
Maplewood's resolution states that the Trump administration's militarized immigration raids are destabilizing and spreading fear in communities across the country and have already killed several innocent people. Sending mask agents into our streets is not making us safer.
No one in America should live under siege. We do not condone actions that intimidate or harm our community. You can read the full statement on their website. Additionally, they unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the New Jersey Immigration Trust Act. I urged to
>> Your time was up. >> And the last hand I see is Rachel Sinsky. SKI. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Hi, this is Rachel Suski. I've been a TK resident for the last 21 years. Um, I'm
calling in today to remind everybody that it is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and I'm the grandchild of Holocaust survivors. My grandmother's entire family was butchered by the Nazis for being Jewish, not for committing crimes. For residents to be calling into
this meeting and continue to compare ICE detaining people who are here in this country illegally to the atrocities of the Holocaust is deplorable. Stop exploiting the trauma of the Holocaust to make your political statements about ICE. My grandparents were tortured,
their families murdered for being Jewish. They waited years in a DP camp to come to this country. legally. ICE is not the dis Gestapo. The detention centers are not the gas chambers and concentration camps of World War II.
Wake up and stop using the trauma of our beloved parents and grandparents to get the attention you so desperately need. Thank you. >> Hey, Marty, did you want to speak? Was your hand up? I guess not.
>> Okay, that's it. Mayor. >> All right, seeing no other hands. G welfare is now over. Councilman Goldberg. >> Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Uh, so first, uh, Mr. Leven, I just want to say I do not have any financial ties to any development project in Tene, including Crossroads.
Um, Mr. Yuck. Miss Samsky, I want to thank you both for sharing uh deeply personal stories about your mother and grandmother and for reminding us the meaning of this day. The Holocaust was a unique and specific historical event, and it is deeply hurtful and offensive to compare the Holocaust to any other
event. I would never make any such comparison, especially today. The Holocaust cannot be distorted, diluted, or used as an analogy. And that's precisely why the United States Holocaust Museum has publicly stated that such equivalences are offensive and unacceptable. They made that statement
today. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the United States of New Jersey. And I will always uphold that oath, even when it slander is directed at me for doing so. I began carrying a pocket constitution in 2000 inspired by
a teacher at Tina High School. Actually, I think her name was Miss Erdang. Um, and I've never stopped. and I will always protect all of my residents. I never want any of them to live in fear. Um, Mr. Schwarz, Mr. Reggoen, with regard to Bell Avenue, the flooding impacting those residents is a health
and safety issue in my opinion and should not be treated as a public benefit. The flood remediation is not optional and the cost should not be a barrier protecting those residents health and safety. As for the other public benefits, I fully support their inclusion directly in the redevelopment plan. They were not in the settlement
agreement. Um, and I tried very hard to put them in there. Um, in the redevelopment plan, they are enforceable by the planning board. Uh, whereas in the redevelopment agreement, it's after the zoning approval takes place. Tene holds all of the cards, something they appear not to understand or appreciate,
and I hope we don't give them away. >> Thank you. >> Good. >> Um, I just wanted >> Yeah, I wanted to I'm sorry. >> No, no, no. Sorry. >> No, thank you, mayor. So ICE was in Tene
again recently, this time by Tene Road. And yes, this is the same ICE agency that killed two American citizens within the span of 2 weeks in cold blood. And there are a lot of residents in Tene who are outraged, who are scared, and who
are concerned with what ICE is doing in Tene and with what ICE is doing across our country, especially when American citizens are dying at the hands of ICE agents. Now, I'm just a local official and have no authority over any federal agencies,
but I am an elected official who was elected by the people of this community to always do the right thing. And I agree with their concerns. Now, this is just my personal opinion, but I feel that ICE should be defunded. And I also feel
I also feel that ICE should be disbanded and abolished because they are killing people on the streets of America and terrorizing our communities and jeopardizing our public safety. Also, I support the New Jersey immigrant trust directive and I'm happy
to hear that our friends in local law enforcement are adhering to that directive whenever ICE comes to Tene. Now, for those who do not know, the New Jersey immigrant trust directive was implemented in 2018 in New Jersey and restricts state, county, and local law
enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities like ICE in civil enforcement actions. It prevents police from stopping, questioning, or detaining individuals based solely on immigration status and enables residents
to report crimes without fear of deportation. In addition, I'm a member of an organization called Latino Action Network. I'm a member of their steering committee, which is their leadership committee, and we do work every single day to help protect immigrant
communities across New Jersey, including right here in Tene, which also has a very strong immigrant community. And sometimes people forget this, but we have more than 80 different ethnicities living right here in Tene because we truly are the melting pot of Bergen
County. I will always support our immigrant community and I will always support the New Jersey immigrant trust directive and I will continue to support any local plan, any local program, any local initiative, any resolution and any
ordinance that will help keep ICE out of Tene because I don't want ICE in Tene and neither should you. So, if legislation is introduced by this council concerning any of this, I want residents and my colleagues on this council to know that I will support it
and I will even help draft it so that it is done the right way for the public safety of our community and our residents. And Mr. Mayor, I thank you for the time. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Um, so I just a lot of what I was going
to say I'm happy to hear um, uh, Councilman Ban already shared. Um, I fully wholeheartedly agree with him as it relates to ICE. I do not want them in T-neck. Um, I was so happy to hear from Chief today that they have reiterated that they are fully compliant with the
immigrant trust directive. They have sent out recently memos to the entire police force to ensure that they are fully aware of all of the um aspects of the ITD. Um and so we're so happy that's already happening. I will fully support
any legislation, any resolution that we decide to draft um addressing ICE and Tene. I'm happy to work with you on that offline. Um Councilman Pagan, I also want to see what else we could be doing. Um, I think there are opportunities to partner with the board of education on
educating our families. Know your rights. We passed that resolution a few months ago. Um, reinforcing the safe zone policies as one caller mentioned. Um, really trying to educate people about what they can do if they're caught in those situations. Um, many of you may
not know I'm the daughter of a Haitian immigrant. My mother uh still speaks English with a thick uh Haitian accent and she's worried about walking on the street whether people will believe that she's a US citizen. And so this hits really close to home for me. I know it hits really close to home to many of you and those who have called in. Um so this
is something that we cannot ignore. Um so I just wanted to reiterate that uh to answer the questions. Um so I think I answer Dwayne your question. Um but I also want to answer the other question that came up. I do not have any uh financial gain from with any developers
in team. Thank you. Please call please. Okay. So, um I I want to uh just start by saying that I strongly condemn the activity that happened on this Sunday. I received um uh many text messages um
asking what was happening, why were why was I here? Um I I pray first and foremost too for the families that have been murdered um both you know uh protesters uh in in support of their neighbors uh not only them but people
that have been murdered that we haven't we don't know their name and we don't know their circumstance nor do we know uh that they maybe have been murdered in detention centers. Um this unfortunately is reminiscence of uh slave patrols. Yeah. Those of us that know the history
of our nation, we know that um uh there was a a period of time where um uh police were rogue. They just did not represent um what their the intent of their representation today. It is reminiscent of a parttheid South Africa.
It is reminiscent of a racist uh civil rights um period of time in our nation. Um, I understand um the fear that families fear feel and and uh what's really upsetting to me is children that
are being kept home from school because people are afraid to to allow their kids to go to school. I I think that's shameful. I think it's truly shameful that we're we're we're in this position. Um I I agree um that we must do
something and the first thing that we did was that we asked in fact my colleagues can tell you the one of the very first questions I asked in the text on Sunday was where is our chief of police? What is his position? And he
came in and spoke to us today and we were very thankful for that. and he was very explicit in saying that they have given orders to every officer that they are to uphold with our
attorney general's uh directive is which is the uh immigrant uh trust directive and I think the the operative word is trust that we we have to have a certain amount of trust that our police chief is
is instructing and is leading the the men and women that serve us in this community. So, just know that we are watching this. We whatever it takes, we're going to be there. Um, and I asked him one other question today and I said,
"Is it a crime for residents to film other residents being arrested and detained? Is it a" And and of course, he said, "No, it's not a crime. Is it a crime to blow a whistle?" No, it's not. So you think about people have lost
their lives in this nation for filming and for blowing whistles. So I I just want you to know that, you know, I think we all feel the pain and the concern and the fear that's in in our community and
and whatever we can do to turn that around, we're going to do that. And lastly, I just want to say regarding crossroads, I I do agree that we need a community forum. I do agree that we this is a unique development and this is the
type of development that may warrant having impact studies before we can delve into redevelopment plans. So I do believe that there's a certain amount of collaboration that this developer has to
come to the table with and understanding that we have to see it before we can buy into it. So I just want to end by saying that thank you. um regarding ordinance one, the fire department ordinance that was tabled. A lot was going on on social media about
it and I think people had the wrong idea. So I just um it's been rewritten. I hope it will be introduced at the next meeting. Um I want everyone to understand so that it's not chatter. Nobody um was going to charge residents
for calling the fire department when they have um had a fire. We have a paid fire department and um they're here to serve us and they serve us all the time wonderfully and um they were very concerned that people had this idea because um that's not what they do. Um
we found out that there are many townships now where auto insurance covers the cost of the fire department at an auto accident. So there could be hazardous material um costs. They could be out on route Tene has three highways.
We have route 4 9580. We have tens of thousands of people who drive through town every single day. Um, and there is um, prior legislation now where the fire department can actually charge people for that through their auto insurance and not collect from them if their auto
insurance doesn't pay it out. And that was the impetus for this ordinance. Um, any funding would go directly to the fire department. So it would go towards equipment, staffing, um what whatever uh materials they need. Um but when things
spiral on social media, they spiral. And this is what became of this. And in discussions with the union, we came up with wording um with the attorney that um we uh think everybody will be comfortable with and also will allow us to support the fire department
monetarily. Not everybody has home insurance, but everyone who has a car is required to have auto insurance. And so this would be one way to support the fire department. And Scott, is there anything that I said did that I forgot? >> I I think that's that's correct. I think
it's uh yeah, that the ordinance was very I guess to be clear about it was never meant and did not ever cover housing uh a house fire or anything like that. It was really limited for said car fires or hazardous
hazardous materials, anything like that that would require the fire department >> vacations, standbys if a group decides they want to do fireworks, um something that that they could charge them for. Also, >> exact that's exactly right. >> Okay. Um so that's that. Um to Miss
Harowitz, if you're still watching, if you could send an email about that. I know that we allow three-year um dog licenses now because it was very cumbersome um to get them every year and it doesn't make sense to me that we would require you to to immunize a dog
earlier than you have to. Uh Miss Beowitz, your poem was amazing and made me smile. Um, and just a shout out without um rhyme um to the manager who has been on since before the snow
started um round the clock to the DPW and to Trayvon um also working round the clock shifts and also to the people who um were good neighbors and helped each other out. Uh so many people you see they don't have big enough driveways,
but other people um they'll have a neighbor who will allow them to park in their driveway. We haven't had a snow like this in a while, but growing up we did. And the whole block would be out shoveling together and helping each other. And the younger kids would be cleaning the cars while uh the older people would be um doing the shoveling
and one person with a snowblower. My husband does the block. And um many people really um went through the storm and did it. um it was an opportunity for them to shine and um that's really what Tene is about. Um
you know other people were on social media complaining but that's social media. I do hope that um one good thing that will come from this development and I know some people don't don't like to walk across Cedar Lane but all the cars that are out there now Mr. Leven had to
go move his car. It's really hard for the DPW to plow the municipal lots once there are cars in them and people come and clean them out and then people have to move the cars. There will be covered parking for people to put their cars in. And so, um, I know that the lot by Stop
and Shop across the road from Stop and Shop is probably a mess right now. And tonight, everyone had to move their cars at 8:00 and now they're coming in to clean that up. And um, I hope that this will take some of that away. I hope this will be um one good thing. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. I'll make some brief comments, but M Deputy Mayor Organ, as you're saying this, and I'm realizing that yes, the parking garage that we're building will be open for residents to move their cars. I may move my car there, then I don't have to clean it after. So, that may be a great a
great idea. Um Mr. Leven, very good comments on the financial your financial concern. New Jersey has a great form that a great uh requirement that everyone here must fill out as well as our planning board and a board of adjustment and a few other employees. The NJ um elect um what's the word? It's
the financial our financial forms that we all have to fill out. You can go online, you can look at our financial forms, see where any investments or any conflict of interest we may have. Personally, um I I make sure I do not own anything whatsoever in the state of New Jersey outside my house uh for many
reasons, but specifically for that one as well. I do not have any conflict of interest though your concerns are noted and I appreciate your comments. Um lastly um there were some concerns about this council wanted to making sure we that remediation of the water is the
first and foremost on our minds. It absolutely is. There is no one in this council that wants to see any project being built that will not guarantee the remedi remediation of water. Otherwise we've just wasted years of our life and decades of other people of home ownership. So that is something that no
one here uh wants to um take for granted and make ink gloss over. So that you have my word on that as we continue to work on these projects. Um with that said um we're ready for the rest of the meeting and Mr. Clerk, I'm going to turn it over to you as it relates to the
consent agenda and the bill list. So we have two sets of raffles, two sets of minutes, resolution 51-2026 to 71-2026 and a bill listed in the amount of 11 million85,328.36.
>> Thank you very much. Does anybody like to pull any resolutions? Yeah, I would like to pull 53, 55, >> slow, >> 53, 55, >> 55, >> 56, >> and 64, >> and 64. Is there anybody else that wants to pull in
what numbers? >> I'm sorry, Counciloman Gber, you said 53, >> 53, 55, 56, >> 56, and 64. and Deputy Mayor Oregon is pulling 67. With that said, anybody else on the
poll, I'd like to make a motion to pass the resolutions listed, the remaining as well as the bill list as in the amounts given. We have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. When you're ready, Mr. Clerk,
please take the roll call. >> Councilwoman Goldberg. >> All right. This is going to be I just want to go through it. So these are my I'm going to go through the yeses first. Okay. >> I know slowly. So these are the yeses only. Yes. On 54,
57, 59, sorry, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69,
70, 71, and a yes on the bills list except the invoice to Pasc Valley Water Commission for $19,24429. 9 cents. That's a no. >> Then I'm abstaining on 51 and 52 because the township code
says it's either mayor appointments and I'm not quite sure why we are voting on it. So I'm abstaining and then I would like to read a formal statement. Uh I'm recusing on 67. Wait, sorry, she pulled it. Sorry. Okay.
>> So that's that's it then. Thanks. Okay. Council Pagan. >> Kristen, I'm a no on 58, but a yes on everything else. >> Councilwoman Jade, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belture,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ, >> yes. >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes on all. And with that, we'll go to our polls. The first one, I believe, being 53. >> I didn't have my mic on. I apologize. So, this one um I had sent an email to
the attorney and um the contract and the resolution don't match and he had said that the amount in the contract is right um and that we needed to change it is a $3,000 difference. Scott, can you just confirm and then I'll make the motion to amend the change? >> That's correct. Type up.
>> All right. So, I'm making a motion. So, it goes second Schwarz on 53. >> Do we have to read the amount for Kristen? Uh, do we have the amount? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, it's the amount in the contract. So, that's roll call, please. >> Counciloman Goldberg.
>> Yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman J. >> Yes. >> Stephanie Ray Belture. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. 55. Counciloman Goldberg. >> Uh, can you just clarify? Uh there's an
invoice on here for the for most. Um so ratify payments, the payments have already been made. Um but I'm not quite sure how specifically given the language of the referendum for most that is allowed. We technically have the percentages. You can't be more than 50%
development and we have to have an allocation of that which is why it usually goes on the bills list. Can you clarify why this was allowed or if it's allowed? Are you >> the exact language from the referendum says by affirmative vote of at least five members of council after conducting
at least one public hearing if we're spending more than 50% on development but we didn't have the allocation. So this was already paid for. So I'm just trying to understand if this you know if this was allowed under the referendum. >> Yeah. So the that that the vote that takes five people the tension considers that that vote to be when we do the vote
on the budget. And so that that's the vote. >> That's the vote that that satisfies that the bills list is just a internal controls process. So EC could pay out the uh the actual money. But the actual payments were approved >> the budget.
>> Yeah. When we when we do the when we do the budget, that's when we uh the amount that's allocated. Then >> that doesn't make any sense. >> If it's more than 50% development based on the referendum, we have to have a vote of five. There used to be public hearings on it. We were told that the
public hearings are now the bills list. So it's good and welfare technically. There's no budget per se for most ever. >> No, I mean I mean the uh uh budget when it was approved. I pull over my notes here.
>> Yeah. The public the public hearing on the current year's budget which contains the most budget. That's that's the hearing uh that for which the five votes are uh contained. That doesn't make any sense to me. Um, I'm going to move this, but I'm going to be a no.
>> Second Schwarz. Roll call on 55. >> One second. >> Councilwoman Goldberg. >> No, because it's not in line with the referendum push. >> Councilman Pagan, >> no. Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure.
Yes. >> Deputy Mayorggan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. >> 56. Council. >> Yes. So, these are the budget transfers. These are large dollar amounts going from fire wages and crossing guards,
which is a contract um into electricity, which um the CFO did send me the backup for. We are over spent on electricity by 131% and street lights by 115%. When was the last time that we even
looked at this part of the budget that we're moving at a fire and a crossing guard contracts? >> Um I'm not sure if you're aware what's going on in the state of New Jersey, but electricity costs are through the absolute roof. And we thank the governor for declaring an emergency in day one of her administration as every single
resident in this town and state is suffering including our poor lights. >> So as to where as to the why, that's to the why. As to the where and how, I defer to the CFO in that regard. >> So M manager, if that's something you
want to address or if there's no other questions, we'd move it. Is that something that we're going to address in the budget this year to to we >> absolutely the CFO is always looking for ways to save money? Unfortunately, I'm fortunately we hope our governor can help us in that regard because it really
is the supply the supply portion is what we can control not the delivery portion and the supply per kilowatt hours up as well as a result. >> And why was there so much surplus from the fire department wages for this year? Question for the manager. I'm hiring and people we
>> Wait, it's a question for the manager. >> I I understand. I'm running the meeting. I'll address the manager. Thank you very much. >> Lisa has his hand raised if you want me to bring him in. >> Sure. >> Is that true? >> Uh good evening. I'm on. Can you hear
me? >> Yes. >> So, to answer Councilwoman Goldberg's questions, I'll go in order. Um, in checking the system back to 2020,
2020, actually, even going back to 20 17, we've actually never overexpended on electricity. Um, this is actually the first year is over spent, but as the mayor said, rates
are up. Um, I'm sure anyone who can attest to this, who rents or owns, who has a PSEG bill they're responsible for, has seen roughly a 20% increase. You know, something I like to tell people is all politics are local, like Tip O'Neal reminded us, when you have these AI
centers and fields and bots, that's driving everyone's electricity up. You have more electric cars on the street. So that's one, you know, one if not several reasons in my opinion, similar as the mayor said with the new governor's, you know, first order of business regarding fire salary and
wages. I believe I sent this explanation earlier tonight to Councilwoman Goldberg. Uh budgeting is an art form. It's not exact science. We had several retirements in the fire department that left salary breakage this year and we were able to move that out. With regard
to crossing guards, although it's a contract, it is a split contract because the school year runs from September to June. So, we actually have to I actually have to guesstimate with the purchasing agent every year in March when we put
together the budget what the bid is going to be for the new school year. So, it's actually a blended rate. And I was very surprised and happy as usual when I have a breakage that actually had some excess in there. So, those were the reasons for those increases. The same
thing with natural gas, the same thing with street lights. Um, it's either going to be a usage factor or the cost to deliver the service. >> Thank you, Mr. Goldber. Would you like to entertain a motion? >> Um, I'll move it, but I'm I'm going to be
voting. >> Second Schwarz roll call. >> Councilwoman Go. No. Due to process, >> council pagan, >> no. >> Uh, council mean, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belter,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ, >> yes. >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. Brings us to 64. Councilman Goldberg. >> Um, so my question for the attorneys, I'm just going to ask. I independently
asked for financial documentation because the November letter from the attorney from the applicant specifically states that their request for the extension was quote due to constraints and fluctuations in financing in uh construction markets and it will be impossible to comply with timing
requirements under the project schedule and it relies on article 10 of the redevelopment agreement section 10.3 um citing building material and labor issues which means construction plans So based on that, I asked for specific
financial documents for to be able to evaluate this request and I was not I was told then that it was a reasonable request and that the applicant's attorney had said yes. So I would like to know why I was not given those documents before this vote and when I will be receiving those documents.
>> Mr. Attorney, do you want to make a comment that being that it is legal or do you rather not? Is it on now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um the request for that information was reasonable at the time. Um the developer reported to the zoning
subcommittee that their circumstances had changed and there may be a redesign of the project and that may require additional approvals. So, um, your
request is still pending. I expect they will respond and there are more questions that we have about this project at this time than when they submitted that letter, excuse me, last year.
>> Okay. So, I'm just going to say one thing. Uh, Deputy Mayor Belchure and I spent months working on that pilot agreement in 2023. We were clear with the public that despite pressure not to do so that the developer could build this project as the project that was presented. And I won't speak for anyone else, but I will say that I was wrong
and I am sorry to the public. Um, I will move the uh motion the uh resolution unless somebody has a another question, but I'm going to be a no. >> I will second that. Before I second it, Deputy Mayor Bilchure, >> I just want to query the attorney when
it comes to building material and labor in the 90 days extension. Assuming that we vote in favor of the 90-day extension, you will meaning you you the lawyers
will work with the planner and the developer to ascertain that type of analysis. Is that right? The developer has come to the town and they said notwithstanding the site plan approval
that was received and the redevelopment agreement that was entered into and the financial agreement that was entered into, the developer is having trouble getting financing and advancing the project. And they've asked, would we consider
revisions to that project? and and the 90 days that this resolution would provide is for the township professionals to review the new concept and understand the developer's position as to whether they can go forward or
not, whether approvals need to be amended or not and ultimately it will be this governing body's decision as to all those things. So after that analysis, you will come back to the governing body and you will tell us uh what your
findings are and we then will be able to make a determination how we should proceed. >> Correct. And at this point we are still unclear as to what decisions you as a governing body need
to make in order for this project to advance. So I I make no decisions, you make all the decisions. I'll give you advice, recommendations, and all the decisions are left to you. >> So just to be clear,
this 90-day extension is just for the purpose of an analysis of the financial capability of this developer moving forward. and what land use approvals are required if
the developer wants to move forward with a different version of the project. Mr. Mayor, >> if I can, I I I told my colleagues this and I told the developer this and I just wanted to be on record. Um,
this is a tough vote for me because I do like this developer. I told you this earlier. Um, but I have an issue philosophically with approving extensions for pilots. This would already be the second extension for this pilot. There's going to be a request for
a third extension and this project is not fully capitalized and this project was approved 2 years ago. So, I'm going to be on no on this just because philosophically I do not like extending deadlines to pilots if they haven't put any shovels in the ground and
started building by the deadline we gave them. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Pagan. Council Pagan, just as as I had mentioned to you earlier, I'm going to be a yes on this because the yes is free. The no shuts down this project. We get stuck with the vacant land. The owner gets stuck with the vacant land.
The town gets stuck with a lot that's not developed. A yes, free. He could build it. He can't build it. If he doesn't build our yes, he gets stuck as well. I appreciate Lastly, and as I mentioned, this land because of the zoning that may expire, this lot is now taxed higher as a result of the prior
approvals. Should these approvals no longer be attached to the property, the tax basis for the land will drop and the township will lose ratables. Um, was anyone else before we had this second pending? I'm sorry. >> Sorry, one quick comment. So, I will likely be a yes because I'm interested
in what revisions this developer is going to propose and maybe we can ask for more benefits for the community. It's an opportunity for us to to, you know, find additional things for us. But I do want to caution um I know Mr. Mayor, you're a big uh proponent of
build build. I I caution, you know, we look at some of our next door neighbors who have had a lot of development recently and yet they're in the news with the board of education that's um you know, significantly significantly behind in their budget. And so I just worry as we think through these these um
negotiations and and partnerships with developers going forward that we really be thoughtful about the impact on the community. >> Absolutely. Thank you very much. With that said, I believe there was a motion on the floor. I'll second that and roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Gard, >> no. Councilman Pagan, >> no.
>> Councilwoman Jake, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ, >> yes. >> Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. Would that Sorry, one more poll. Count 67. Deputy Mayor Work. >> Mr. Mayor, I'm recused. I'm going to
step out. >> Um, Scott, can we just get the new language for that before we vote? >> Yes. Hold on one second. Okay. The language is to So at the end of the now therefore be
resolved there would be $100 to four members of the TX swim club who were members at the time of the TX swim club uh the time the TX swim closed operations to incentivize uh their continued memberships until their bonds are paid off.
>> Kristen, you have that plan? Yeah, >> I'll move it. >> Okay, second. Schwarz, roll call, please. >> Councilman Pan, >> no. >> Uh, Councilwoman J.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Belter. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Indeed. Yes. Okay. And with that we will move from consent agenda under to
introduction. Did I get this right? Introduction I believe Mr. Clerk. Right. And please go ahead. >> We have four ordinances up tonight for introduction. Ordinance 4-2026 is amending the township code for the
township of TNC to create a department of management information systems and information technology. Ordinance 5-2026 is amending and supplementing chapter 33 of the land use ordinance of the township of ten to address requirements of the fair housing
act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the inclusionary housing overlay district and modifying the zoning map.
Ordinance 6-2026 is amending and supplementing chapter 33 of the land use ordinance of the township of Tina to address the requirements of the fair housing act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an
affordable housing overlay designated as the conclusionary housing 2 IH2 overlay district and modifying the zoning map. And then ordinance 7-2026 is amending and supplementing chapter 33 of the land
use ordinance of the township of TAK. >> Okay. With that said, I'll make a motion to introduce all four, five, six, and seven. Bre. >> Yep. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> Let's do roll calls. Would you like roll calls individually or we'll do roll
calls? Okay. Okay. And ordinance number four. >> Councilwoman Goldberg. >> Yes. On four. >> Councilman Pagan. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belter. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Orian.
>> Yes. Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. Ordinance five, please. >> Councilman Goldberg. >> No. I have master uh plan consistency concerns. >> Councilman Pagan. >> No. >> Councilman G.
Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belure. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan. >> Yes. >> Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. And six. >> Councilman Goldberg. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Van. >> Yes.
>> Councilwoman G. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belair. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Organ. >> Yes. Mayor Schwarz. >> Yes. And on seven, >> Councilwoman Goldberg, >> yes. Councilman Pagan, >> yes. >> Councilwoman G,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Belter, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Morgan, >> yes. Mayor Schwarz, >> yes. Those are on for introduction. Before I make a motion to adjourn, just one quick clarification. My comments tonight about the ICE happening on Sunday. The event was actually Saturday. I read about it on Sunday and I
apologize for that correction. Um, with that said, is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> So moved. Have a good night, people. Stay safe, stay warm, stay dry. Meeting J 10:37 p.m. >> 8:30. >> Yeah, I'm ready. >> My car is going to start.
I know that Okay. >> All right. Just let me know. >> No worries. Yeah. Well, I know you did cuz I know we went back and forth. >> Okay, perfect. Perfect. Okay, thank you.
I know, right? Sitting home. >> Oh, really? Okay, >> that's good. That's okay.