Okay. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, PL1975, chapter 231, the notice requirements have been satisfied. The meeting days for the year are confirmed at the annual meeting are posted on the Bulletin board
in the lobby of the municipal center and published in the record within the first 10 days of the new year. Salute to the flag, please. Omar, could you please call the role? >> Council member Corsair. >> Council member Dayton >> here. >> Council member Jackson >> here. >> Council member Michaels. Council member
Dr. Okconer >> here. >> Council member Roleri. Mayor Senna >> here. Okay. The first item to be considered is commercial trash in the burrow. You want to run through this? >> Yeah. So, this uh the latest was brought up by Councilman Rogaryi um you know
basically about some of the eyes even with uh uh the businesses that are in compliance with our our current standards. So, I think he wants to look at redoing the standards. And then one of the things that I think ought to be revisited is um where we're sort of subsidizing the operations of the Stop
and Shop um plaza by having DPW uh handle those trash cans. >> So, how does that and we and we took that back over because frankly it was was filthy over there. >> Yeah. They were and they were putting trash in the >> It was disgusting, right? >> Correct. Collection box. So what are the
what are the um well let's let's see what the council has to say about it before we ask the attorney for her opinion. What are the council me Go ahead Lauren please. >> So you know we've had these conversations throughout the years and we've like tried to spot check it right >> like I think it is not a strong enough
ordinance and you know one of the major offenders is actually our own lot behind where CVS is and you know the corners of that lot and you know that garbage flows out all the way into River Edge Road. So, I don't know whether there's
anything we could do about the um closing of the top of the dumpsters, like make that regulation harsher, which seems so picky, but I think a lot of the times the dumpsters are just left open and then the garbage spreads or you know
>> but nobody's following it. >> Is it So, >> we're on to enforcement or are we, you know, public messaging? >> Right. So, there should never be garbage or recycling stuff outside of dumpsters.
That's a when there's recycling stuff outside of dumpsters, that's a sign that the business isn't having it picked up often enough. They should be doing it instead of once a week, three times a week, whatever the number is. So, how do we what do we need to do to the Go
ahead, Julie. I want to reach out to her directly, tell me and you know I can send her way. But I know she's she's had some really good compliance with a lot of places that she's checked. Um but you know if there's one that we need to bring to our
attention, we should. But I think that uh David's initial point was the the fact my understanding was near the stop and shop was this kind of no man's land right because the front of the stores where the garbage receptacles are was
not covered by what we have which is it requires every business to have the like a dumpster in back of their business. So so they were they have the back they're we weren't required to do anything with
these garbages in the front where there celebrity bagels or any was like we we're not responsible for that. >> So they weren't uh having anybody pick it up. So that's where the you know DPW jumped in started doing it. But it it's
kind of a a situation where I think it's a big hole in our uh in the ordinance because a lot of garbage is produced a lot coffee cups and everything and and the DPW originally had let it go because
they have so many other things to do on >> it's private property >> and it's it's their private property but I I think it's a hole that we needed to fix in the ordinance and I remember this being an issue, but then I just wanted to contextualize it for everyone else.
>> I mean, the Healthway um like strip, they eliminated garbages. They don't have garbage out there at all. They eliminate outdoor garbage. They'll have indoor garbage. And maybe that's something that we say that you just don't have outdoor garbage cans that are in. We have our public ones in a in a
strip mall or whatever. >> The that particular strip mall, but they they clean whatever happens there. Somebody dropped something, they clean it up. That mall is that low cleaners mall is clean. >> Garbage came. It was making
>> closer to this side. >> They eliminated it. >> They eliminated. >> They were like, "We don't need it. It's okay." Like >> you don't have to throw your garbage out. >> I just want clarity. So we're talking about the garbage cans that are on the like pedestrian walkway, not the garbage dumpsters in the back. Are we talking about both? >> Both. Both.
>> Okay. Two different council's position are the dumpsters in the back. And I think it's that his concern is they're not being um appropriately screened. >> Okay. >> And is this an issue of dumping or is it just from the businesses? >> What do you mean an issue of dump?
>> Dumping is where like it's illegal, you know, private like people put their trash that aren't associated with the business in the back. Like large loads of trash. >> Yeah. I don't >> we have I'm not I don't think we're trying to address like if I sneak over
there and put my household garbage in their dumpster, right? We're just trying to the dumpsters all the garbage and recycling has to be inside the dumpsters and like that whole uh the sidewalk area in front of the supermarket has to be kept clean, which they haven't been
doing. And it's like also the area behind uh uh behind Railroad Avenue by parking lot. Oh, is that ours? Do we own that stuff there? >> Yeah. And that's we've talked the strategy planning. We're going to be putting in a structure there. >> Okay. Good. >> We had we had those plans years ago and
Kyers made like a brick structure with two things that that >> because actually their um paper and cardboard were everywhere, >> right? Um, but what we did require in the main downtown is that each business have a dumpster. And what I want to see is more consolidation of dumpsters, like
business sharing, and then the costs are shared and then they can afford better pickup throughout the week. And I think we should be encouraging that kind of practice. Can we charge the like can we say if you want us to do your pick up we
charge them for for the DPW to pick up their >> So what are our options here in order to keep everything spotlessly clean? How do we deal with is this a health department code enforcement? How do we what do we have to do? >> Yes. >> All right. >> So okay let's do it.
>> Yes. >> We have two different ordinances. You have a property maintenance code. >> Yes. And then you also have um the one where we did the solid waste which uh combines to your storm water because you have to make sure that waste is inside the receptacle so that it's not then
having water run through it and getting into the storm water system. So there's two different sides where you have these requirements and at least off the top of my head I know that the property maintenance code both the code enforcement and the the health officer
we've updated that I believe to make sure that both can go in there and and write summones if >> so is it about writing summones or do we need to update the code? >> Oh I think we have to update our enforcement of what we already have. But but Wendy, how is that? So when if we're
looking at drilling up one that you know we're talking about at the time we're looking at two different things. Okay. >> I'm talking about the dumpsters. >> Dumpsters. >> I'm talking about the waste baskets that are in front of property. For one thing, if property has litter on it, then the property owner still has to pick that
up, >> right? So if there are garbage cans that they're not emptying overflow, the overflow is still going to be on them. Um, what I don't recall if we did or not when this came up previously was to look at their planning board approvals to see
whether they were required to have those. >> We did that. They weren't. >> Were we sure about that? >> And then we we talked about at the time we weren't sure about making an ordinance that requires like few businesses to have because if we don't
have >> No, I'm not talking about an ordinance. I'm talking about whether those were installed based on the approvals when they came into play. >> You looked >> um No, I did not. I don't have >> So, we need to check. We need to check. >> So, there are two different things. So,
the trash cans in the front of stop and shop were not included in the site plan. >> Yeah. >> What Wendy's talking about is the dumpsters and the potential screening of dumpsters would have been in the resolutions of the site plan approvals. >> Actually wasn't, but that is a good point. go this way. But but to that to
that point, let's assume that what you have right now is compliant with the with the site plan approvals, >> it's still from from at least John's perspective, not what he's looking for. He thinks that the site of the dumpsters
burrow wide need to be screened. >> So he wants them all in enclosures. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I think that's reasonable. >> Yeah. But that that's but that's >> and can you and can you legislate that outside of the site plan? >> But these would all be grandfathered in.
>> These would be grandfathered in >> only a new property >> that's coming online that would be new with the dumpster. >> Why would handling the garbage have to be grandfathered in? >> Why to create a new structure retroactively?
That's like the same discussion we had where we can we can't necessarily tell everyone to go change up their sign. >> Are we able to find them if they have garbage and recycling on the outside of the containers? >> I think that's the that's the thing. If we're doing that, >> the question is, are we we're talking about three different things now. We're
talking about how where um dumpsters are located and how they're >> visibly screened from the public. We're talking about whether or not garbage is actually outside of the dumpster rather than inside the dumpster. And then we have a third conversation of pedestrian waste baskets.
>> Yeah. >> First, >> I think I think we've covered it all. >> No, no. That for the dumpsters, we have to do we have to get enforcement out there >> that Yeah. >> Every week giving summones out. >> Yeah. >> Until until they learn that they need to
clean this stuff until the summones become more expensive than ordering more service. >> That's what we need to do. >> Yes, Lauren. Okay. Couple different things. I'm taking notes. I'm going to start with my last one. Wendy, if we ask for something like a temporary fencing
or or shaded screen, would that have to be granted? Can that be retroactive? >> Somebody to make a change on their property that wasn't required at the time that their property approval was right. Yeah. Like imagine post getting
the recycling bins and if now everybody had to create new enclosures for their garbage to put those recycling bins in because they were bigger than the old garbage cans. >> I have a question to Lauren's point for this is directly on your topic. >> So if we're talking about um the backup
of of the supermarket, right? There's dumpsters back there. Yeah. >> Okay. Who owns where does the street end and the private property begin? Do we have any sense of that? >> And so >> we don't own anything onto that property beyond.
>> It's not necessarily the same. >> Okay. But we own the street, >> right? We own the street there. So So let's not theorize. Let's figure it out because we can plant a row of trees there on our property, right? To to >> rather than looking at that whole brick
wall, we put a row of trees there >> on on on We should look at Let's find out. Let's look at the >> There's no sidewalk there. >> It's all asphalt. >> It's all asphalt >> between behind the behind that stop and
shop >> Tofly Road, Grove Street. >> Grove Street. >> Grove Street. >> But I >> that takes up the whole block. >> Grove Street between between River Edge and Chestnut. >> But I will say and this is just a safety thing. Um, first of all, I think we
should do evergreens if we're doing them, but second, lots of kids are there, so we don't want to lose line of sight with like kids crossing street. So, it just, you know, as we understood, think of that. But, um, >> well, you'll want to put them towards the the property side, not the street side for wherever our right of ways
because you also want to protect the roots from uplifting your streets. >> Of course, >> we'll figure it out. >> So, I have two other points if you don't mind. Um, Wendy mentioned things getting into our waterway. I would actually today I was there. I took some pictures cuz I just happened to be back there.
Um, the movie theater construction is over the covert and over the waterway over there and is now completely in the waterway and covert. >> It's not protected at all. >> Um, >> so that that was brought up to our attention last week, I believe it was.
And so we have we have the planning board engineer um investigating it, enforcing it in Bob's office. >> Okay. today it was totally exposed but and then the third thing I'm glad thank you D glad's on and we could talk about that at planning the third thing actually is one of the most unsightly
things besides just garbage in like the stop and shop plaza and actually throughout all over Angelique and everything else we're seeing is the cigarette butts and so again we have a board of health ordinance about non-smoking on our public properties and our sidewalks and our streets but no
one's enforcing that and everyone is leaving cigarette butts out I'm seeing them everywhere. And to me, I that to me is very unsightly. >> So that gets into enforcement also because if you have a commercial store, you have to sweep. You're supposed to be sweeping those streets. Correct.
>> So I asked Stop and Shop. I went to speak to the Stop and Shop manager and I said, you know, do you have a a policy about everyone basically standing in your parking lot smoking and they said no, they could do whatever they want. So that's private property, but it's littered with butts. Like butts be cleaning up their
issue summones. >> So then >> I think we have we so we have to I think what we're talking about here is it has to have a communication has to go to stop and shop telling them the burrow whatever a month from now is not going to continue to pick up the garbage. >> Can I ask can I follow up on the one
question where I feel is a little bit left. So, right now, the DPW picks up the garbage on this private property at our cost. >> Correct. >> Are we going to close that loophole?
>> Yeah, >> we're going to clo We're going to >> Yeah, we've been doing it for 100 years. It's time for it to come to an end. >> Okay, that's all I wanted to know. >> So, that means taking the garbage receptacles away, which then created >> The last time they did that is what's created the issue with the rotary bit.
>> Yes. Yes. No, I didn't know we because I we can't take it away there. >> We we can't micromanage the rotary box, how Stop and Shop cleans up and all that. What we can manage though is if we take away these burrow paid for dumpster, you know, containers,
they have to put their own there. And if there's garbage everywhere, they're going to get summones. >> But they don't put their own there because they don't have to put their >> then then they're just going to get summones. If there's garb because I've walked over there when the containers were gone and the corner by the bagel store, you know, that little corner,
it's disgusting with gar and they don't clean it up and we should be issuing them summones. >> But they Well, well, David, do you want to I mean, I don't want to speak at >> Well, I think it brings to the point that we need to really examine whether or not the uh agreement we have with
Ruby's organization provides enough uh enough resources to meet our needs. And again, we have two part-time code enforcement officers and probably 90% of the ordinances we we've done over the last year or two add more
responsibility to code. >> So maybe one of them needs to be full-time, but that's a whole bunch. But I but I wanted to just say though that if we were removing the garbage cans in a place that in that place you have bagel store and a chicken on a stick place and okay
>> people have garbage cans inside their establishments. >> Well what they I I don't know that but uh but what they all ended up doing was just throwing it in the rotary box or throwing it on the ground. And it took
us a long time to get the garbage pales back. And I think it's just a hole in our ordinance to say we're not requiring a food establishment to to not have a garbage in front of their building. >> That's what I'm trying to get. >> You want to add it?
>> Well, it we don't have that in our ordinance. >> We don't. >> No. But let me just play devil's advocate. Do you want Mel's Butcher to then block the sidewalk with a garbage can? You want all of these other things on Washington and Railroad where it's a little bit more contained, >> but that's public.
>> Yeah. >> But I mean, again, you're if you're saying that you want an ordinance that requires every food establishment to have a garbage can outside of their door, >> should have them. >> We'll have 50 of them on Washington Street, >> but could we have them on private property? >> So, so Jamie, so
>> is that >> Julia? The teeth is >> perhaps >> Julie, the teeth is the enforcement. >> No, it's But it's not. It's not the >> I understand what you're saying. >> So So whether they have a garbage pail or a guy who works there 24 hours a day
picking up garbage, we don't care. What we want it to be is clean, but we want it to be clean. >> Just a thought here, right? But every time a tenant turns over, they need to get a zoning permit. So, Anuzo, if you did change the code to require plazas that have
um food establishments within, you know, however you want to describe it, then next time a tenant come into the food establishment into one of these businesses, that would trigger the requirement. >> I like that. >> Have to I don't think we should require that. I don't think we need it. I think if you have a great buy, you eat inside,
throw yourself out inside, and you know that >> Yeah. The goal is to get them to clean. How they clean is their business. I said the goal is to get them to clean. How they do it, we don't care about. We just want the end result, right? And that's through enforcement.
So, I guess talk to Ruby's people. Let's see. And you'll have to talk to the stop and shop people to let them know they're going to have to deal with this on their own. >> I mean, this also could be something that we encourage the chamber to discuss amongst themselves. Maybe the stores have a solution for themselves. And I
actually would love to encourage, like I said, the consolidation of services. Like if we say, here's a couple companies that other people are using, consider these for, you know, especially like parking lot, which has 12 different dumpsters. You know, maybe we could get
it down to three and everyone shares and everyone pays the shared price. >> Yeah. We'd have to figure out how that would work because small business owners are notorious because I was one for not having any interest in what some other business wanted to do. >> Yes. But garbage collection is incredibly expensive for them. So
>> I'm looking in your land use code and there is the and I have not looked where I am in the section. So keep in mind but there is the requirement in some section of having >> okay so we've got to figure out these
details that's okay. All right. Can I say one last thing to Lauren's point to the chamber isn't really going to be the place where you're going to get communication to all of the restaurants >> because not every everyone is a private
business and they don't they can join at their will but I think that this streamlines a communication discussion that if we can have some communication also ongoing then you can keep it going and then obviously this needs serious addressing but >> for future matters you know to have that
conversation open >> we do have for the food establishments we have a clear line of communication with >> the business license. >> Correct. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you. >> We also we were supposed to have a liaison from the council to the chamber. Do we still have that? >> That's me. >> Good. So then so like
>> Okay. >> This is >> the next item on the agenda is the tree ordinance update. >> Um at the last meeting we um sent around the model tree ordinance from D. Uh, so I didn't know if anybody had any comments or concerns about that so we
can get it ready for introduction. >> Julie, wait. Julie, >> by the way, >> Julie, then Lauren, go ahead. >> To me, yeah, is the last one. To me, I and I was reading through I I would prefer we use the And I don't know what
the plan was for you, Wendy, and David, but my preference would be that we start with uh the version that we have that's been worked on through a lot of itinerations and red have it redlined so
that we can integrate the model language as well. I know the model language for the I think that was the state, right? Uh is good, but there's a lot of stuff that we did that actually made our our town a little bit stronger of a tree code than other communities. And so I I
don't want to have anything introduced where we're not like, okay, this is what we had. Here's the change. I that's really important for the transparency. Again, our current ordinance is um unworkable from an enforcement perspective.
>> You were saying about the the fund, right? >> So that's why I we could look at it both ways, but I I'm thinking that starting with the state's model ordinance and adding to it may be the better option. >> So David and I have discussed just to give context is taking the model and
then putting our fees and mitigation into the model >> into the model. Oh, okay. and then Lauren they'll take it away but like >> if that's the case then can you before you say it's introduced can we do it as another maybe to be considered absolutely
>> and then and then with a red line for you know when you say I want to see what we're we're adding to the states one >> so just so that I'm clear I'm taking the state and then redlining the additions >> correct if if you think that's the
easier way than the other way then I have no problem I want to see the red line. Yeah. >> And then also with that, I I'm well aware is what David has pointed out just for the public is we want to make sure that it goes into a fund that in fact can be accessed like a tree fund. So no
argument on that. I just didn't want to do anything to make it weaker. And then of course Lauren, I know she gave feedback last time about landmark trees or something with a certain diameter if that could also be but those are the ideas of the additions I'd like to see
on the state one. So so I could see >> so one thing that we were also contemplating was um allowing an exemption of mitigation for a homeowner for a certain number whether it's one or two trees over a fiveyear period. So
that if somebody just want to remove a tree that it wouldn't be so ownorous. Would that >> I'm not in agreement with that. I want mitigation, but um I mean there's so many houses around me that are flooding because everyone took out a tree. >> Yeah.
>> That I I just feel like >> you'll have more council will have the the burrow will actually have more control if you do that. Well, need to see the language >> because you might want to you might want to think about it because because our ordinance is so strict, people are
finding ways around it and doing it anyway rather than going through a process. >> I would I want to see >> I'm saying no, I'm telling you that it's going people are removing trees without permits sometimes because everything is so tight. So, if you loosened up what
what the Wendy is saying about once every five years or something, it becomes easier to manage what's going on. And if someone's cutting one tree down without a permit, they could easily be cutting two trees down instead of just you, you know, then we have no control over it.
>> The contractor is clearcutting what I So, I want to see a couple things. I I read the state model. I find it weak for our town. We are a town of historical 200 300 year old trees that and we are on hills and valleys. So the roots and the trees to me are essential
to the infrastructure of these properties and for flood mitigation. So um I think the state model was rather weak on that. um the point about you know giving exceptions. Okay. And maybe we um have a better um process in which
a resident has to come to us like this whole thing where the resident has to come to two meetings and and present their case. I think that is the ownorous part mayor. I think that I'd like to relieve them of and find a different process, you know, and maybe sit down with the DPW or have a tree person and
David or somebody. But to have to come to two hearings, right, through the borrow >> administrator attorney's office, then a hearing administrator's office >> and then if that can't be decided through that process, then maybe one meeting. >> No, I think the mayor and council still has to give the waiverss. I think what
Lauren's talking about is that the presentation it it should take two meetings. They just have to it's one meeting suggesting the council do it. >> I'm suggesting I'm suggesting notices because cut a tree
notice to your neighbor anyway before you can get a permit. >> So that was part of the process was to >> ensure that the neighbors were being notified of it. But as far if I can just go back to the exemption for like one or two trees. This would take away that
that ownerous um necessity from somebody like the woman who wanted to get solar panels and couldn't because she had to remove it to trees in order to have >> but she did had to come to the council numerous times. >> Well, we said yes. >> But that process worked through. I'm
just saying. >> But that was a bizarre situation because we were arbitrarily picking winners and losers. >> Yes. >> Because it was one environment of >> one environmental issue over another. In other words, we were making we we decided that having a tree was more valuable than using solar power.
>> No. No. >> We eventually relented, but that's how it started. >> It just wasn't covered. It the wasn't covered. It didn't exist. Julie's correct that the issue was that somewhere in our tree ordinance should be about solar panels. You may cut branches back for solar panels. You may
cut branches back for this purpose. >> I can tell you I couldn't get solar panels because of one tree. >> But I'm saying that's something then that our tree ordinance needs to address. >> You know, we could put that in the new >> So what what do we talk? Well, just let's summarize what we want to do that
>> state week. I really I think Julie had shored up so much of the language. So, we have to make the fund work. Obviously, we have to make a tree fund work legitimately if if that's the issue. David enforcement because you're going to need additional significant additional staff in order to adequately
enforce your current tree. >> We don't have >> it has to be more administrative and less on this council, but >> that's not talking about enforcement. >> But, don't we have two or three people who are designated trees in the DPW? How many do we have? No, >> we have one.
>> We used to have more. capacity was >> even with that that wasn't working wasn't working >> wasn't working. >> It was >> and actually David did we I don't know if this was allowable but I remember us having a discussion about the service that we're using currently
that is planting our trees this outsourced service are are we able to >> we did the RFP twice and we had no responses. Um, no one wants it. >> I I think, you know, maybe the other part is is that you allow professionals
>> or people that people hire to uh attest to various things before a lot of your boards >> let let the property owners do that with trees. If >> they disagree with >> they they get an arborist and they their licenses on the line, >> right? >> The arborist always say I've yet to see
an arborist say no is allowed. >> Then then we're going to need a separate department and all kinds of staff. that the needs to be more specific. I think it needs to give more guidelines about when a tree can be taken down without aggravation from all of this
administrative process. I think there has to be a lot more exceptions like putting on solar panels or you know uh building a generator. >> Make some suggestions before you start editing it. Maybe make some suggestions what you want to look like
a narrative of what you suggest. Okay. and we'll bring it back to another council meeting >> to reduce the amount of the staff. >> Well, yeah, >> but do you think it's worth possibly putting out the RFP again or you don't you don't? >> No, I don't think so. I mean, you know,
>> we just can't find people to do it. >> Yeah. >> And and you also what we had also found out in the interating time, but if we change the ordinance with the fee structure may answer it that that we can't use the tree trust to pay for that service, >> right? So we can't in this new version.
>> That's a shame. >> Oh, we haven't written the new version. >> This is actually an easy one. We just need to organize the documents and the words, whatever means necessary so that we could use the money to plant trees. We don't care whether it's an ordinance, a resolution, a tree fund, the tree trust, none of that matters. Right.
>> So I would like Wendy, if you don't mind, you know, the historical or the landmark tree issue, can you find out how other communities do it? Because right now, if the property owner selling their house to someone who's clear-cutting their property, doesn't care about the 300 year old tree, which
we just saw um on the corner of Angle, you know, nobody else can designate that. So, even though the HBC said keep this tree, and people, you know, came in the audience and said keep this tree and the community said, you know, this is one of the oldest trees in town, it is
now gone because no, you know, the owner didn't want it to be. So, I don't know how to balance that, but I'd like >> owner risk paying the real estate taxes. >> I'd like to see how >> how other communities deal with that issue. >> All right. Okay.
>> You may not like the answer. >> Yeah, >> but the answer will be the answer. Yeah. All right. Let's move on to leaf disposal. >> Yeah. So, I I put some of this in my report, but basically um uh the state with its MS4 regulations basically
nailed the the casket shut on uh leave composting facilities for the most part and being able to to to feasibly run them in a in a fiscally reasonable manner. Um, when we looked at this, if you recall, Andy Hippolid had
indicated that a capital project was going to be in excess of a million, maybe a million and a half dollars. And then the operating variables could be anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 a year depending on the order results and so forth. Um, the alternative was to truck
it out. Uh, Mike Cassidy and, uh, Andy had done some calculations. The first year was fine. it was, you know, under the 225 that we had budgeted this year. Um, that is more than doubled. So, we're really at almost $400,000 in 2025, the
amount of leaves that have been taken out. So, um, it really >> less trees. >> Got a lot of trees. You got a lot of leaves. >> Less I don't believe that the calculations were done correctly by uh Mike uh originally. So, the the contractor apparently didn't have
anybody watching the loads. first year. So, we were able to get them to accept whatever we were to pay and that was it. >> Um, but the 16,000 cubic yards of leaves collected is collected in a compacted form for the most part,
non-compacted, sort of like potato chips. Um, so that's what's really given the the the significant increase. But if you if the real number is now going to be 400,000 a year, it's prudent to go back and revisit whether or not we can
get a permit. And that's there's a big big big if with that. Um, part of the issue is is that our facility um at at the recycling center is only is is three and a half acres, which really can only handle under the guidelines
9,000 cubic yards of leaves, which would have you having to truck out a bunch of leaves anyway. >> Yeah. >> Uh or looking at an alternative site elsewhere in the burrow for a leaf composting facility. So, uh I outlined my in my report a few things that we
ought to do. One is to have uh the burrow engineer communicate with DP to see whether any sites in the burrow can be permitted. Uh start with that level. Uh and then look at the cost factor. What would be the capital cost? What would be the operating variables? Um
look at um uh you know having DPW get equipment and staff to do the trucking ourselves and would that have a different price point. So there's a number of things that uh we have a lot of work ahead of us over the next uh few weeks, couple months prior to the to the
uh setting of the 2026 budget. But as these results just came upon us because the billings just you know it's it's at the end of December I you know I felt it it's compelled to bring this to your attention that there's this major issue that we have turning yet again that
we're going to need to um reflect upon policy-wise and make some determinations. >> Yes. Um, is there uh any sort of appetite to share this service with Creskill? >> Well, that we yes and no. One is first we have to see if we can if there's any
place in the burrow that would be large enough and adequate to host a facility that can get permitted. >> I don't think there is. >> If there if the answer to that is yes, then we could look at a sheriff services and and process others leaves.
But that's I think that needs to be answered first. How big is the facility and how much environmental impact would it have on the residents? >> Um, well, if if three and a half acres would handle about 9,000, you probably would have to double that. So, you probably need something that, you know,
was about seven acres uh all all total. And the the issue that you have is that you need to construct this retrainage facility because every drop of rainwater, storm water, leade >> shade >> must be
It's the leech that's really the >> and then testing and the operating variable is is that if if once that leech is tested you get quote unquote a hot mix you then have to truck it out as being hot and dispose of it as if it were hazardous or contaminated and
that's really >> so I have a sarcastic question yes >> we looked at this we looked at building a retaining wall when we were hydro breaking fisters pond and the issue is also that our where our three and a half acres sits is also the brook
>> and so we were not allowed to build anything that close to the brook too if to fire impacted >> so I don't even think that's an option >> yeah well at at that at our current site it may not be but you know there may be other burough land we'd have to look to see if that would be feasible
>> seems like it makes more sense to still truck it out if we're still need to truck it out >> we're not going to be able to build the >> brisk facility we're not going it's not the current size is not going to be able to You know, you're right. That's why we're looking at do we buy our own equipment and truck it out ourselves.
>> The other part is that >> too much staffing. >> The other part is is that to really look at the bid specifications and require the automated contractor to truck it out as compacted here now that we've had this experience and see if that makes a difference costwise. >> Well, there's another question to be
asked is why do we pick up the leaves at all? >> Yes. So, Mark is you're dead on. I was going exactly there. or sewers. >> I have another followup question. >> Know what he's talking >> but it's naturally into the motorways. >> So, but how did the earth handle the
falling leaves prior to humans inventing lawnmowers and rakes >> had more time before the invention of rakes and lawnmowers, water got into streams and leaves. >> Do you know what our town would look like? Do you know what our streets would look like? >> No, but we only rake at my house. We only the land I shouldn't say we. I said
the landscaper only picks up half the leaves and the rest they take the lawn mower and they mulch it and it stays on our lawn and the sun rises every day. >> So our staffing at the DPW was always the issue with this leaf composting. So we have mulched it, we have composted
it, we've left it to decompose in various years. We did not want to have talk about staffing, you know, we don't want to add up staffing on trees. We definitely weren't going to hire 10 more guys on leaf composting because the time it takes to truck it and come back and forth in these trips for the volume that
we have. We need a full-time all day staff for >> do like a if you could do like a tax incentive of if you you get a tax discount if you do your own leaves and then absolutely >> now my landscaper take my leaves away and I get absolutely >> paying I'm thinking out loud here but I
thought alpine doesn't pick and alpine saddle river don't pick up leaves. >> Yeah. Can I are responsible for brown bagging and leaving. But I will say like my property is surrounded by a bunch and everyone else's leaves just blow into mine. >> No, but can I just I just want to say I'm on >> raising the question.
>> Yeah, I'm on the environmental commission. I I've heard like so much about like should because we had some people very passionate about our compost facility not even going away in the first place, but we were under the impression that it could not uh stay
where it was and that there were all these new requirements. So, I'm not sure it can go back there. But I just want to talk to Mark's point. The only reason this is an issue is because we have people putting leaves in the the street
for us to pick up. So if people bagged their leaves or you had your landscaper bag the leaves that is more money per like house what they pay for if they choose to do that or they can mulch but just to Jamie's point it's everybody's
paying for this service of putting the leaves in the street and then us taking them from the street. It's just something that >> I mean landscape >> and I and I just want everyone to be transparent because it's not because everyone's gonna have to know like whoa
our our taxes are going to this project that's impacting not every house in the block in the town just the ones who put the leaves to the street. Am I correct in that assessment? You know, maybe it's a question we put
to the community in the next uh newsletter. >> Very important to let people know people strongly about >> what survey monkeys. >> No, just in terms of this opening up the conversation about it cost it cost us let's say a million dollars a year leaves you guys. Does everybody still
want their tax money to go to that? >> It it just want I hear from residents my tax money is only going towards picking up leaves and stuff. They don't understand whatever it is. Well, we have schools and roads and >> but I'm saying like municipal side. They're like that's your job. Pick up the leaves in the snow.
>> But don't you want them to know this explosion of cost like but there's going to be like three people in this room who are going to know that. >> I think that's really important because it's a decision. And I'll give a perfect example for anyone who's listening. >> I would agree. A couple of well I guess
a year ago we had this discussion of do we want curbside pickup for garbage cans or sideyard and people came out and said keep the sideyard keep the sideyard I don't care that it costs more money and that won the day because people like we
like our sideyard pickup >> and then you people that came out and said we have sideyard. >> Yeah. Yeah. But it overwhelmingly people really said this is what we want to do. I think it's worth a revisit because frankly like if if you're a property
with landscaper then that could be incorporated into the cost for your property. I'm gonna find out on my land how much it cost them to take my leave away because it's a very it's a big difference if it's a couple hundred if it's a couple thousand
different I'm going to ask my landscaper I have a lot I have a an acre so I would be like postish >> yeah that would be good for you to know and then vision >> I will say though if we stop picking up leaves and our streets are dangerous
agreed that is >> you don't get a lot of compliments answering compliments on that. >> We're not talking about that. >> The streets get dangerous because people put their leaves. >> You're missing that part. >> They're not putting them in the streets, guys. You're assuming that people still do that.
>> Put the piles, >> but even in December when we say stop putting leaves everywhere, >> right? We're getting too speculative. So, David's going to draw up some options for the leaves, including all the concepts everyone's brought up here. Okay? And then we'll be able to sit and discuss. a good newsletter article if
change mayors we got one coming out in February the engineer coming on the 27th right >> to discuss this um unless you don't think that it's ripe enough for >> No, let's let's do it now because it's going to be October before we know it.
>> So Andy will be here on the 27th. >> I think it's really important for the people to know any of these type of things because they are so costly and no one sees it. Yep. >> Details from Mayor Le. Okay.
>> Right. >> Well, I still think they have to blow up and collect them, >> but then they just they >> bit. >> And by the way, you know the snow we had? >> Yeah. >> All the leaves that were on that we left on our property, they're gone. >> Nature took care of it. >> They're on your neighbors and they're
cursing. >> Well, >> no. They're all over the lawn. They're gone. Leave >> mulch. >> I'm talking about on our lawn. I'm not talking about the street. Okay, we're in the public comment section. Audience members wishing to speak will have a threeminut time limit to address the governing body on any items on or off
the agenda. Uh, large groups are requested to have a spokesperson represent them. Would anyone from the ordinance like to make a public comment? Please, sir, come up. Andrew, give us your name but not your address. First, I'll put my uh Rotary hat on.
>> So, the discussion about garbage >> public spots that is of interest to us, >> as you guys probably all know, we had a food collection box. >> Yeah. And if you take away the food colle the waste collection receptacle
then guess what the people will use whatever receptacle is around to because if >> they get fined for having garbage around that's the easiest way get the garbage into whatever is there
the other question I had is when you if you do hire depend on people to enforce them. Um, is it the individual store? Is it the property owner? Is it the people who drop it? Just make sure that whatever
the ordinance is specifies who needs to be found. >> Okay. So, thank you. Uh the other thing as far as the tree and the leaves um now putting my other actually as a resident
then um just a couple of thoughts on that. One is if you're considering pushing back these handling the property owners and at the same time strengthening your tree ordinance laws.
There may be a conflict of interest in people's mind. Maybe dichotomy is the right word. Yeah, >> dichotomy. >> No one's >> making as a dichotomy because if I have a lot of trees that I now have to get rid of the leaves for, the easiest thing for me
to do is cut the trees so I don't have so many leaves. >> We're also not talking about strengthening the code. We're talking about not weakening the code. We have >> whatever it is. I think if you are increasing the tree the leaves handling back onto the residents
people going to start thinking about reducing that over overhead on themselves and there's a there is a solution I happen to believe that what the mayor thought we do the same thing we have Pakistandra and we underneath a
huge oak tree in 100 plus year copper beach and we tell our landscaper to leave believes alone and may mother nature takes care of >> so I'm fully in agreement with that but
that's a huge environmental education >> for a community >> so you may want to consider if there is other experts out there who may be able to help you with an educational campaign
um commission maybe nature whatever. >> We put a newsletter article out a couple times ago about this trying to get people to think like that. >> Yeah. And lastly on the same topic with the leaves,
um I'm going to highly recommend that the council more often than it has been, but actively consider looking outside to see what other towns may have done in the same area instead of just coming up
with the ideas. Okay? And you may have done it in which case I apologize. But there rule does create a lot of very small similar municipalities around us and somebody may have some ideas that we can let them join us.
>> So I just want to speak to that for a second. Um but because during this time of the leaf composting facility being like under fire and saying we had to remove it. We went to all the towns around and everybody was shipping their
leaves. Nobody was allowed to keep right a lead composting facility. Y and we were one of the only ones left. So I just want everyone to know that. >> Yeah, I remember that. But there could be a completely different solution >> more you know plan native or whatever it
is and if sounds like the difference between 9 and 13,000 it's not all or nothing. If your gap is 4,000, which is a third of the total that the town produces, then creative solutions may have bridged that gap as well.
>> So when I was uh my father and I when I was a kid in the late 1960s, we lived on Maple Avenue in Tene. You know how he got rid of the leaves? He had a 45gallon drum that he took out of the garage, put the leaves in there, threw a match in right from his cigarette.
That's how we got rid of the leaves. But thank you so much. Sure. Thank you. >> This together we were looking at the hydro raking and we went to smell the lime whatever that is it called the lime thing. What did that smell? Andrew and I
could not breathe. >> It it does create composting does create a chemical reaction smell. Yes. >> Yeah. And they put an like an agent on it to increase the amount of competition that you know how fast it goes and it's
you couldn't you couldn't live next to that. >> We could walk the >> but honestly when you had the lead post anytime the wind blew you all the way down to the middle school and the K school. >> Of course. >> Always in order. >> Yeah. Well, this when you add this agent on it, it is incredibly
>> uh vi. >> All right. Thanks, Andrew. >> Thanks, Andrew. >> Anyone else from the chambers like to make any public comments? No. Omar, is there anyone online that would like to make public comments? >> See no hands, mayor. >> All right, we're going to close public comment. Administrator report. U David, would you like to report on anything in
particular? >> Just uh I'll hit briefly on Fister's Pond. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. Well, we're going to talk about >> that in close tonight. post session, but um >> yeah, >> the the uh nature center had one of the
professionals do some uh baseline reporting and made some recommendations and I'm recommending that we appropriate $15,000 out of the open space trust fund to be able to implement their uh suggested uh solution um
>> pellets. you know, this would be for an activated carbon sock >> socks to that grabs that grabs uh bad material. >> So, we'll see how this, you know, and those socks are are are thought to be needed to be changed about four times a
year, possibly six times a year. So, the $15,000 would um give somewhat of a cushion between what is uh the projected cost and what it may be if the stocks needed to be changed. So typically we wouldn't put a first reading. You have
an ordinance on on the same night we discuss it. Okay. So because it's an ordinance instead of a resolution. We're going to discuss a lot of the reasons why in the close session and if the council then doesn't agree with those reasons, you just the second reading doesn't happen. But we're just trying to
get this on the books. >> So I'm sorry to do this, but we have our nature center here in the house. >> They're going to be in a close session. >> Oh, you guys are coming. >> Yeah, that's what they have part. >> There you go. that is being like discussed as an annual fee. >> Um, it all depends. I mean, this there's
going to be there's going to be some key measurements. >> It's just a close session conversation. >> So, you we're just talking about it now. >> We're but we're asking you to do the first reading tonight. >> Yes. But and if if the council doesn't agree with it, we don't do the second
reading. Nothing happens. >> Okay. Council agrees with it. We've got we're two Right. If you vote it down, you vote it down. That's all. All right. Um, correspondence. Uh, Nicabbaka, what are they asking for storage? Does anybody have any issues
with this? Okay. All right. That's great. You'll let them know, Omar. >> Yes, it's for a year. >> Okay. Uh, new business. Okay. Introduction of ordinance. Ordinance 2601,
affordable housing overlay zone district. Um, Jenny, would you like Pardon me? Yes. Uh, Jenny, would you like to make a motion, please? >> Thank you. I move to introduce on first reading
ordinance 2601 and set the hearing for January 27th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. or soon thereafter. >> I have a second, please. >> Uh Omar, could you please read the title of the ordinance and conduct a roll call? Ordinance number 2601, an
ordinance of the burrow of Tfly County of Bergen State, New Jersey to amend chapter 35 entitled land development regulations, article 8, entitled zone regulations to create a new AHO-9 affordable housing overlay zone district.
>> Council member Corsair, >> yes. >> Council member Dayton, >> yes. >> Council member Jackson, >> yes. >> Council member Michael, excuse. Council member Okconor, Dr. Roa. >> Yes. >> Council member Rol here. Okay.
>> Okay. Ordinance 26-02, Special Emergency Appropriation Tax Map. Um, Councilwoman Dayton, would you like to make a motion, please? >> Could I have a second, please? Omar, could you please read the title of
the ordinance and conduct a roll call? >> Ordinance number 26-2, an ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation NJSA 40 4A col4-53 for the preparation of a tax map. Council member Corsair.
>> Yes. >> Council member Dayton. >> Council member Jackson. >> Yes. >> Council member Dr. Okconor. >> Yes. >> Okay. Ordinance 2603, the open space appropriation. This is the uh $15,000
uh first reading of this ordinance that we discussed a few moments ago. Uh Councilwoman Corsair, would you like to make a motion, please? Could I have a second, please? Uh Omar, could you please read the title of the ordinance and conduct a roll call?
>> Ordinance number 2603, an ordinance of the burough of Tennifly in the county of Bergen, New Jersey, appropriated $15,000 for remedial actions to combat environmental harm within Visters Pond. Council member Corsair. >> Yeah. >> Council member Dayton.
>> Council member Jackson. >> Yes. >> Council member Okconor. >> Yes. >> Okay. the consent agenda. Um, I'm going to request the council uh that we pull ordinance R26-60
and read it separately as it relates to uh Deborah Davidson. Everyone okay with that? Of course. Um, okay. Could I get a motion to approve on the consent agenda resolutions R26-55
through R26-59? Could I have a second, please? Omar, could you please call the role? >> Council member Cer. >> Yes. >> Council member Dayton. >> Council member Jackson. >> Yes. >> Council member Dr. Okarter. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um uh the next uh item is resolution R26-60. Uh Councilwoman Dayton, would you like to read that in the record, please? >> Deborah Davidson because she was honored with the Harold Fineberg Conservation
Award for her work as executive director of the Tennifly Nature Center. And I will say that is a welldeserved honor. The foundational mission of her work is connecting people with nature through education, conservation, community engagement, and we're so thankful to
have you running our nature center. It is a very long ordinance. Um, but I just want to recognize and had it read separately. >> Okay. Could I get a motion, please? Thank you, Councilwoman. >> So moved. >> I have a second. >> Okay. Omar, could you please call the
role? >> Council member Corair. >> Yes. >> Council member Dayton. Yes. >> Council member Jackson. >> Yes. >> Council member Dr. Okconor. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you everyone. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes of January 6, 2026, the recess meeting and January
6, 2026, the reorganization meeting? Could I have a second, please? All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Someone else time out. Time out. Time out.
>> You can what you're agreeing to is that the minutes are appropriately reflecting what happened. So again, you don't and Councilman Jackson was actually here during recess anyway. >> Perfectly fine. Okay.
>> All right. You have to do that again. >> You sure? Yes. >> Okay. Um, committee reports. Councilwoman Dr. >> Okconor meets this Thursday. So, I have nothing for the new year.
>> Councilwoman Corsair, >> but I just want to mention that pool memberships open. It'll open January 12th. So, anybody who wants to join the pool for this year, you go online and you could join. We already started with a nice um initial membership push. So everyone up.
>> Oh uh just >> I had a question about >> Yes. >> Very good question about the pool. Some resident brought it up but I think it was mentioned here during one of the one of the nights this year. We had extended it by a couple weeks beyond what other
like local pools had been open for. >> Are we they thought that was a very good idea. Are we going to do that again this year? So we real we did that because we lost two weeks because we decided to paint. >> Right. >> Right. Because I made a decision that
ultimately we needed to repaint. Right. >> So whether we extend it for two weeks, we can talk through that issue and what that means, but I don't think that's part of the regular signup process right now. Correct. >> Yeah. >> We'll consider let's we'll talk about it. We'll talk about it. It's absolutely
reasonable question. >> Okay. >> Okay. We'll discuss it. >> Have money. >> Of course. Understood. Understood. Was that it? Council >> Councilwoman Dayton. >> Can I just ask Jamie as record? So, was the basketball time basketball courts
and availability of the gym time, was that discussed at all in the record? >> The meeting was cancelled. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's okay. I I just know that there's still some push back on trying to get some earlier court time in there and so I just was kind of hoping the rec court boards talked about it.
>> But you're talking about for TYB >> TB TY because it's a separate board the wreck department really doesn't get involved in that. It's a very it's that's a wreck that's a TYP. It they're so on top of it and I've had
convers I've had conversations with them. um they are very much on it and they're in it. Um but Jamie doesn't have any getting her involved would kind of be it wouldn't make sense. >> I mean that's basically our our basketball program though for the town.
I just >> of course everyone's taking it very seriously and everyone is actively >> um involved finding solutions. >> And then the other question and I guess this would be for David while we're on sports is the opening of Little League Field or the construction of Little
League Field. But I'm sorry before but I want to say I think joint use >> that should be a joint use conversation because that is the problem between the school and the town. So I that's why I asked about that earlier. Correct. >> You guys should be having that conversation. >> We've already discussed having that meeting.
>> We should be scheduling one another sooner than later. >> Yes. >> Okay. Councilwoman >> and then just the um little league construction on the field this >> Yeah. I put it in my report. Um, the contractor is supposed to be out there on Monday. >> Okay. We think this is I think this is a
go. >> I know it's uh Well, I' I've expressed our displeasure with KERS because this is a little bit of a drift, but the the contract is clear. They need to be done uh by mid-March. Um, so, you know, the longer they wait, the more effort
they're going have to put in between now and March. >> Okay. As long as we're on it, we can have opening day and that good stuff. >> I could throw out the first pitch again. >> Yes. Yeah. No, good. >> Any anything reports? >> Planning board will have its reorganization meeting tomorrow evening
if anyone wants to come. Um, we have a postponement for those in the public interested of Starbucks till February 28th, I believe. Mayor, is that >> it's in February. >> Um, it's >> they had because they made edits to their site plan because the because the
planning board made comments. They're responding to those comments and they it took time to get it done. >> Okay. and it took time to schedule because all the things were scheduled. >> Um so anyone who's interested in hearing that >> um we are looking on um senior services. We're looking for some new membership if
anyone has uh neighbors with lots of free time. Uh we're looking for they don't have to be seniors. We have young people volunteer for this committee. >> Talking about seats. Yeah, we have open seats. >> We have open seats on the senior services and it's a great committee and we do like a couple small projects a year. they make a very big impact for
our seniors. Um, we already talked about we need a joint use meeting and then also we have Tennifly Pride starting up and I do need to schedule an official meeting this month at some point. Um, and we are looking for if any families or residents want to join Tennifly
Pride. So, just putting it out there. We have open seats on both boards. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Nope. That's it. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Jackson. >> Yes. I have a couple of things to report on for downtown. We have um a new business opening up uh where the Miss
Meline was. It was really only it was closed for like a second before the new restaurant owner signed the lease there. So that's really exciting. It's called Masa Pasta and it's going to be fresh pasta restaurant and I met with the owners last week. >> Where is this? >> Where Miss Meline was at the corner of
>> which my kids love that place. >> I know. It was a great place. they have to do any construction or it's already been >> No, they they have one thing that they need to do to get approved uh is they have to put in a hood. >> So that is they've been already at the uh >> and what's the name of it?
>> Building department. Masa Pasta. >> Masa Pasta. >> Masa Pasta. And the the chef, he was at Google. Um he also was at Jack's Fish and Chips for a period of time. Oh, >> he has local experience. They're they're lovely. >> So it's very exciting. >> Oh, good.
it. They will have seats inside the restaurant. They will also have you can also purchase their freshlymade pasta to take out and they will also do catering. So, um there is a an article in Boozy BBs that hit today. So, you can check it out. >> Very exciting. Um
>> and uh oh yes, we have a new event for spring. Uh, the Chamber of Commerce has signed a a contract for intent with a new new event producer called for the Tennifly um
Tennifly Night Market on Thursday, May 14th, >> Mother's Day. >> It's a nighttime party in the street. >> And do you have the hours roughly? Remember, we're talking about possibly getting a blood drive. >> I don't have the hours on me. Um, but we
can talk about it. And I think there might be a question about how late that event can go as far as like noise ordinance goes. >> Yeah. Well, how late do they want it to go? >> 11. Not later than 11 on a week night. >> Thursday. >> On a Thursday night. Um, well, we have
to finalize that. Yeah, probably the same footprint as the the fall >> fall festival. What else? >> Um, that's all I have for now. >> Excellent. >> Can I ask a downtown question? >> Go ahead. >> I don't know if anyone has the stomach. I would love to see movies like you know
summer movies. >> Oh yeah. >> Down around town. I really think that that's something our council you know love these TVs they can stuff. It doesn't just have to be a movie. It could be sporting events. US Open. >> I think I think I a lot of people have discussed that also with me and we als I
think we have the opportunity to maybe bring that into the summer programming. I would be great. >> I'd love to see like rental options. Maybe not buy something buy a piece of equipment but maybe rent. You can rent at the at the League of Municipalities. There was a small company there and they
rent those and they bring in the big TVs. >> Yeah. So, I think maybe we should think about that as we enter into budget and find some information costs and stuff. >> Okay. All right. Um, you need to read the uh close session
language, please. Resolution R26-61 at a meeting of the mayor and council of the burough of Tennifly County of Bergen, state of New Jersey held on January 13, 2026. Be it resolved in compliance with NJSA 104-12. The mayor and council of the Bureau of
Tennifly are going into closed executive session to discuss following matters. Uh pending litigation minutes will be taken of the meeting and released. I'm sorry, I should really say uh potential litigation. It's not pending. So, let me just clarify that minutes will be taken
of the meeting and released to the public at the time that the matter is resolved. >> Could I have a motion to go into close, please? I have a second. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay, let's go into close and then we'll come back here to close the meeting out when we're done.
Let's put it