Good evening. I call to order of this regular meeting of the township council for Monday the 10th of November 2025. The open public meetings act compliance statement. >> The notice departments of the open public meetings act have been satisfied
with respect to this meeting of the township council. The meeting time and date were included in the public meeting notice along with public internet link and telephone calling information. said, "Notice of meeting agenda was posted in the municipal building and sent to the official newspapers of the township, the Vera City Grove Times, and the star
ledger at least 48 hours preceding the start time of this meeting. The agenda and handouts can be viewed online at veronj.org/countsil meetings and a public comment period will be held in the order on the meeting agenda. The instructions on how to comment will be provided at the appropriate time."
>> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman McGrath, here. Councilman Roman >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy >> present. >> Mayor Tambbor >> here. >> Mayor Also, President's Township Attorney Brian Aoya, Township Manager Kevin O Sullivan, Deputy Township
Manager Michael Krauss, myself, Municipal Clerk Jennifer King. >> Thank you. Would everybody please stand for the pledge of allegiance? >> Pledge allegiance to the flag to the stands of engagement under God.
Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. On the mayor's report this evening, just a couple items is I'd like to congratulate Deputy Mayor Mackoy Holland being reelected as council for
another four years. also like to thank the voters of Verona for their continued confidence in in me um and vision that we put forth for Verona. I look forward to continuing to work with all of the uh all council members as we keep doing
good things and keep the momentum going. Um there is a more detailed statement on my social media. Please feel free to take a look at that. I'd also like to congratulate Governor Elect Mikey Cheryl as well as Assemblyman Al Baras and Christa Phillips. all of whom have been friends to Verona over the years and
it's great to see them either moving up in office or continuing in office as well. During election season, we should always thank our township clerk, Miss Kieran, for helping to run the elections here on the local level and for helping to coordinate all of the logistics for
the early voting center, which was a huge success in Verona. Thousands of residents used the early voting center. Um, and uh, more residents voted earlier by mail than did in person on election day, which is uh, very significant. So, it's good to have all of those options
for voting. I had a great time at the Halloween festival. It was probably the best attended one that I've ever seen. Um, and it is uh, starting to rival other very popular events like fair in the square. U, so it's great. So, thank you not only to our township
administration, Alisa North up our public works, buildings and grounds, police department, um our library, but also to all the community groups who um came and and sponsored um tables and made the event all that much more fun
for everybody. And to all of our businesses for um hosting the Bloomfield Avenue trick-or-treating, which was a lot of fun. as I've walked my dog home, I got some trick-or-treating, which was nice. Uh, so that was great. Um, the
planning board uh met last month and found the redevelopment plan for 383 Bloomsfield Avenue not inconsistent with the master plan. Um, and that is obviously on our agenda this evening. Um in addition, the planning board recommended the um uh change in our
zoning ordinance to deal with um requirements related to um what's now unacceptable use and allowing that to be extended or not. In this case, it would not be extended. Um so we'll talk about
that more later. the uh fire department, rescue squad, and police department had several serious accident calls in the past weekend. So, I want to thank them all for uh dealing with those very professionally. Um including a a vehicle into a building,
pedestrian struck on Bloomfoot Avenue, and a vehicle that did not make it into the building, but hit um the public works building of the county. And that's now the second time this year that that building has been struck. So, uh, Jay, you put that building in the wrong place, apparently. Um, kidding. But the
Yeah, that's, uh, so hopefully there wasn't too much damage to that building as well. Um, our Veterans Day ceremony is tomorrow at 11:00. I hope everybody is able to join us there. And, um, if the weather remains,
it starts to raining or something again, we'll be outside. So, it's on or inside, we'll be on rain or shine. and the environmental commission will be meeting on t on Wednesday. So uh that ends my report Mr. Coltray to you mayor and council. Uh congratulations on
getting reelected some don't know. >> Well good to see you J. So >> thank you very much. Um, I did know that the uh public works at uh 900 Bfield did construct, but I was more concerned about the antique store
when I saw the windowing out >> uh just off of Lakeside. >> Uh coming up, uh everyone's concerned about the SNAP program. So, today we have a distribution in Web Break Park.
And on Thursday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m. It'll be at the Essex County Irvington Park while Diesel Community uh center at Lions Avenue in Irvington. Uh you need to bring your EBT card with you
if you're a SNAP person and um we are there until the boxes run out. The next distribution will be on Monday the 17th at the Cherry Blossom Center in Branchburg Park and that's for anyone
who needs food for that day. We usually give out about a thousand uh boxes and that usually starts at 900 a.m. I would say I've been a lot of the distributions. Please get there early if
you're looking for some assistance with food. Uh it's very very well attended. Uh other things coming up moving into the holiday season. Uh and I did give it this information to the clerk so she can post on your site.
Holiday lights start uh on November 21st and 23rd and daily from November 28th to Jan 3rd will be closed uh December 24th, 25th
and January 1st. Uh if you have the ability to bring a toy or you know a brand new coat or slightly used coat uh we collect both of those and give them to the people who do me.
Uh the other thing is that we do have this is new to me, new one on me is Nick Green and it's at the environmental center uh through January 20 uh January
2026 Essex County Environmental Center, 621B Eagle Rock Avenue in Rosland. The phone number is 9732288776. And holiday pop pop popup shop open through
January 26. Open daily November 15, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Shopping, self-guided children's craft, light refreshments, festive music, wreath making shop. I should attend that. So, I
all learned how to make the wreath and there are various other things going on there and I think it's uh well attended. Like I said, uh I have given the information to the town clerk so she can post it on your website. Um I am in
touch, you know, quite often with the town manager here. Uh we discussed a few issues, baseball fields, crossing. So, uh, and I did discuss both those with the town engineer and you can get the
information off of my, uh, town manager that we discussed. Any other questions or comments? Questions for J? >> No. Thank you as always. >> Thank you. Good to see you. This time it's my pleasure to recognize
our Bernie community gardening committee um for their work in providing fresh produce to the Hoba Terrace Senior Housing Complex. So I'd like to invite Carol Thomas and Barbino if you want to give a brief background on the the project up here and then we have a
certificate for you. >> Congratulations everybody. Um tonight we just like to take the opportunity to thank the mayor and council uh for the this honor of the proclamation. The community garden was started about 5 years ago by um b really dedicated uh
community vera community residents. >> Uh the garden would not be possible today without the assistance of the department of public works especially Mr. Moliner and Mrs. Zanzer and Raymond and Jake are a lot winds up on their backs. So we we appreciate that. We all
want to acknowledge the um program coordinators at Hillwood Terrace, uh Delaney and Michelle. The seniors have definitely enjoyed our um fresh produce deliveries, especially tomatoes, you know, good old Jersey tomatoes. In fact, they've requested more green beans for next year. So, we'll be on top of that.
Uh the materials that we bring up to Hillwood are donated by the members um in the garden, what they grow in their beds, and also by a few dedicated beds that the executive committee members uh tend to. This is Barbara Misendino, our
uh donation coordinator, and she'd like to say a couple words. >> Welcome Barbara. >> Thank you. Um just want to thank you on behalf of the Verona Community Garden for the proclamation. Um we've had a lot of enthusiasm from our gardeners um who
participated in the program. They really enjoyed gathering, you know, uh produce for the for the seniors and going up on a weekly basis and dropping off and visiting with them. Um you know, they've built a little bit of relationships with some of them there when they've dropped
things off. And we're hoping to expand the program next year. We're going to be having a greenhouse at um at the garden next year. We're hoping to expand the produce that we're donating next year. Um, just wanted to say thank you.
>> Thank you. This is really exactly what our community should be doing to help one another. And this is such a shiny example of that, especially in the time of food insecurity. We don't get a lot of fresh produce, right, uh, to people. And this is a really great example of
how >> that was one of the ideas of the scene. We want to we want Dexter we're hoping to add a a fresh cooking class like how you know how to cope with some of this produce. So anyway, thank you. >> I think it'd have some takers. So let's
read the uh read the proclamation. Whereas the Verona Community Garden Committee was established in the year 2019 and whereas the community gardens first season was in 2020. Whereas garden beds are provided for a fee to participating Brona residents to cultivate plants, flowers and produce.
And whereas the garden is funded by grants, donations, and sponsors such as the Lansberger Foundation, Sustainable Jersey, the PSAG Foundation, and the Partners for Health Foundation. Whereas harvested produce donated from the garden growers are brought to the free farmers market at the Hillwood Terrace
Senior Housing Complex. Whereas over the past three years, Rona Community Garden has provided over 650 pounds of fresh produce to the Hillwood Farmers Market. Now therefore, we have claimed that I, Dr. Christopher Tambboro, mayor of the township of Ron and the county of Essex, New Jersey, you represent the Verona
Community Garden and chairperson of the garden, Carl Thomas, the certificate of recognition for the continuous support of the residents of Hillwood Senior Citizen Housing Complex. Your generosity and kindness exemplify the inclusivity mutual support of one another that is not just the foundation of humanity but
a core quality of our great township. When it's whereof I here unto set my hand and cause the great seal of the town of Verona in the county of Essex state of New Jersey to be affixed on this 10th day of November in the year 2025. Want to go down and get photograph?
Congratulations [Music] >> amazing participation. >> That's 650. >> There we go. The angle. Yes. Then thank you >> guys for coming.
Do they have their council members have any words for the the garden committee? I >> say the amount of participation in this program and how much the community garden um gets used by this community and the activity lever down there is is
very impressive. So just to everyone who's worked on this community resource and program, thank you for all of your work on it, what it does for our does for our residents. >> Thank you very much. And now we are on to the good Mr. O Sullivan for the mayor's report.
>> Thank you, mayor. I will I'll work through my report. I'll try to hit the highlights so we can uh get into the rest of the items in the agenda. But um the uh from our wastewater updates, the first major project in the wastewater
plant, the primary clarifier pump station improvement project is continuing on schedule. Uh we are expecting that project to be complete next month. Uh and we are moving forward with the other uh major capital projects, the UV disinfection system and micro stream projects. Those are working
through design still. Our Fair View Avenue well project is still working through the submittals. We expect construction to pick up sometime uh late winter or more likely in the spring of 2026. Um, regarding the Lynen Avenue project, we'll be scheduling a pre-construction
meeting in mid December. Uh, the construction for that project is likely to take place in uh in the spring as well. Uh, we did get approval from the DOT on our Dodd Terrace afterlowway summit road repaving project. Uh, that
will be out to bid within the next several weeks. Again, we expect construction on that project in the spring. uh with Ever Field, that project has made a lot of progress since our last meeting. Uh the contractor has uh nearly completed the retaining wall.
They've planted 30 to 35 trees so far. They're continuing to receive the trees. They should have the wall and the majority of the trees planted within the next two weeks. Uh utility work is ongoing. Final grading will be uh begin in the next several weeks and the snack
bar construction will also be starting in the next few weeks. On the agenda tonight is uh a bond ordinance for introduction. Uh there are uh there's a requirement uh a need for a supplemental $325,000
for the project. Uh it is to cover the um remaining expenses, remaining professional expenses and some of the change orders that have come up through the construction of the project. Um that includes uh some of the additional tree
work, both removal and tree planting, some of the additional unforeseen rock removal associated with retaining wall. Uh there were some modifications to the lighting as a result of that and there were some on-site uh fence and curb modifications. Uh that bond ordinance is
later on the agenda this evening. Um the council chambers AVA project is still moving forward. We are we do have uh all the materials have been delivered to town hall. Contractors expected to begin
installation this week. Uh we'll have discussion in executive session with updates regarding the affordable housing uh matters. Uh we've had a couple settlement conferences with the court. So we'll be providing an update to the council on executive
session on the Bloomfield Avenue streetscape project. Uh the design engineer is continuing to work through the community outreach uh public outreach portion of the project. uh they'll likely look to start moving into design within the next few months, but
they are still working through the input from all the committees, commissions, uh public and miscellaneous township departments. Uh as far as the facility needs, uh the contractor has mobilized to the
community center. He's going to be in the roof replacement project that was authorized at the prior council meeting. Uh that's replacement of the roof for the community center, the annex, the communication tower, and the PPW garage.
There is a resolution on the agenda for tonight to um to clarify uh a particular element on the cost of the project. Um that resolution's on the agenda, but the contractor has mobilized. They are anticipated to begin within the coming
uh within the coming week. Uh as far as the work on town hall, uh the windows and repointing is substantially complete. Uh we are anticipating uh return from the police department within the next uh the next one to two
weeks. Um there's just a final few cleanup items just um literally doing a deep clean on the police department and uh cleaning up the the HVAC duct work within town hall. Otherwise, the police department is ready to return to town
hall. Uh and then the last element of the facility needs is our facilities audit. We are working with solutions architecture to do a full assessment of all the buildings. Uh they will be scanning the uh community center annex as soon as the police department leaves
that building. Uh and then they'll be moving into wrapping up all their recommendations, the five-year capital recommendations and and maintenance recommendations in a report thereafter. Um I will conclude my report with that unless there's any specific questions
from the council. >> No, thank you. >> Under my report uh this evening is also the audit. We do Mr. Dang here this evening everybody.
Uh so just give you some highlights from the audit. Uh first I always like to you know recognize the town's employees uh you know very professional very cooperative all throughout the order process that's that's always very much appreciated. Uh our order report the finance statements aren't in court are
not in accord with joy principles. Uh the division of government services has their own specific government uh accounting practice that you follow. Uh so we've issued an unmodified opinion on on the financial statements of the township and that just generally means that the township's following uh all
reporting and accounting requirements that have been promagated by the division. Uh some financial statement highlights the current fund fund balance at the end of 24 was $7.5 million which was only a slight increase from the prior year at 7.4.
Uh important to note, you know, each year you utilize fund balance to fund your budgets. Uh 2024 was about $3.7 million. Uh so, you know, the town will be able to build some of that back or all of it back. Uh $1.2 million from the
2023 budget appropriations that laps. Um $2.5 million of taxes and miscellaneous revenues anticipated that exceeded budget estimates at the beginning of the year. The water sewer utility fund balance was $2 million, an increase from $600,000
from the prior year. Again, although, you know, some fund balance was utilized in the budget, $400,000, that the utility was able to build back build back more than that. The swim utility fund balance was 520,000, an increase of 55,000 from the prior year. Important to
note though over the last several years that swim utility was supported by American relief plan funds uh through 2024 ARP funds were no longer uh available and didn't run its course. Uh so obviously in 2025
the budget wasn't going to support those federal dollars and going forward uh 24 tax tax collection rate was 99.32% which is excellent. Uh the township for a number of years has been over 99% which is very positive. Uh net debt of
the township at the end of the year was $49 million uh or 1.5% of equalized valuation. Um so statutoily you're limited to 3.5% of your equalized valuation. So one and
a half% obviously is you know significantly lower than that. uh in reality your your remaining borrowing power is $49 million. Um we also based on the level of expenditures for federal and state awards we were also required in addition
to the financial limit audit to also perform a federal and state single audit. So anytime you have grant expenditures of over $750,000 that triggers an additional audit. Uh in this case we both have a federal and a state. Uh those audits require us to
test internal controls as well as compliance with the grant agreements of the programs that we test. Uh so from the federal side, we looked at the ARP grant uh and on the state side, we looked at the I bank uh financing uh low low interest no interest loans are
considered an award uh for grant expenditures. Uh again, issued unmodified opinion uh compliance, no no exceptions of any sort. Uh and then you know each year we do test controls compliance of the various statutes
within New Jersey. Uh typically we have some items that come up but this year we didn't have any items that rose to the level uh that we were that we thought corrective action was necessary. So it's a very clean audit. Uh with that there's any questions I'd be more than happy to answer them.
>> Any questions for Mr. G? >> Just a just a comment. Thank you to you and your team for the work that goes into this audit. I say this every year, it's a very tall order to go through all of our books and uh learn everything about this township and uh a lot of work goes into it and your audit reports are
a very useful reference tool for us for the year following. Um very clear and easy to read uh once you kind of get into this and understand it. Uh but it's a it's a useful tool to us. So I just wanted to say thank you for all your efforts that go into that. >> And um thank you to our CFO staff and um
everyone within the township. Having a clean audit um to me means that everybody here is very very cautious with taxpayer and rate payroll dollars and um respectful of the process. It means that we have good internal controls um and that we do a good job
watching over Vona's finances which is very very important to all of us up here. So I'm always when we see something that's this clean of an audit I'm just very proud of the work that uh goes on to do that because that's a fullear effort to make that happen. They really have to get it right all the time. So, it's uh great to see this.
>> I would like to uh Mr. Mayor, >> uh I too would like to thank you because this is uh this is a report that stays close to my desk all year long and as uh Councilman Roman said, it's very useful at times when different resolutions and ordinances come up during the year that
we refer back to. So, thank you for your time uh that you put into this. And also I'd like to thank our staff uh for all they do to get this in order and get it to us. But we appreciate it. Thank you. >> Councilwoman McGra. >> Um and I'll just add I I think you know
where this this audit and the work that you and your staff does, it provides us a level of um comfort that you know things are in order here. we're seeing, you know, right in a neighboring town, uh, really bad situation that is, um, as
an elected official what keeps me up at night. Um, and, you know, I really appreciate our long-standing relationship and how thorough you are and the fact that we have an incredible staff that when there are small corrective actions, they've taken them.
Um, audits are really important and uh, we really appreciate you and um, as my colleagues have already said, it's a great reference tool and it is available publicly for the public to inspect and I encourage them to do so. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. And uh, you know, I had the
option of a novel or this um, to read uh, last week and I chose this report and was uh, was very pleased. It's also also serves as a paper weight at a sleeping age. >> I unfortunately kind of knew the end already started but uh but thank you
again and everybody at Conor Davies and uh and obviously our staff are are fantastic as my colleagues pointed out but thank you for that. >> Take care of it. Back to you. >> Thank you. The uh next
>> uh there is a resolution. >> All right. Uh somebody like to move resolute 3. >> Motion is made by Councilman Throwman. Second >> the deputy mayor. >> Uh at this time I'll open for discussion
on uh resolution E1. I'm sorry. Open for public comment. Madam clerk, would you please read the public part? >> Anyone from the public wishing to speak on this matter, please raise your hand by pressing the raise hand button on your monitor. If you're dialing in by phone, press star 9. If you're attending
in person, please approach the lect turn after you're acknowledged. Once are recognized, clearly state only your name and township of residence for the record. You are not required your street address. However, if you do, please note that these names will be YouTube channel and addresses will not be redacted for
any purpose. You'll have four minutes to address the council. There'll be no cross dialogue during this public portion. And after everyone wishing to speak has been heard, council may address their comments and or questions. >> Madam clerk, can anybody have any comments on this item?
>> None. I close public comment. Any discussion from the council on motion? Hearing none. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Makavoy.
>> Yes. >> Mayor, >> yes. >> Mayor E1 will be numbered. Resolution 2020. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Mr. Sullivan. Uh, well, we can note that we have executed the group affidavit. Um, that
is B2. Um, Councilman Holland will need to prompt her return and we need to move on to E3. >> Uh, thank you, mayor. The uh the the E3 item is the the discussion on the pool
financial analysis and a presentation on the same. New Jen is here this evening to provide an update on their financial analysis that they performed earlier in the year. And this is an assessment of the 2025 actual pool of failures and uh
assessing that against the 2026 recommendations. Think you got to bear with me for a moment here of my presentation. All right. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan, and thank you, council. It's a pleasure to
be here again. Again, my name is Eric Collocia with New Gen Strategies and Solutions. I'm here to give you an update on the pool util pool utility that we conducted over the past several weeks. First, a very big thank you to your staff. Um, the pool season doesn't seem like it just recently ended and
they they gave us a lot of information in a very short amount of time to to get this for you. Um, much earlier than we we were um last year. It was only earlier this year we were talking about the rule. Uh, tonight I'm just going to give a very quick background on on the scope of our work and what we looked at
uh an update on the 2025 utility results uh relative to cash flow. our recommended 26 through 28 fees given those results and some changes in a couple policies and then a fund balance forecast based on those recommendations. So just a very very brief background. Um
in 2024 towards the later part of the year and the beginning of of 2025 um we were tasked with developing some forecasts to bring the pool utility to be um self-liquidating fully supported by pool membership fees and other revenues. Um as mentioned during the
audit um presentation uh the pool utility had been supported by ARPA funds and that was no longer available in fiscal year 25. Um we evaluated a potential pilot program for out of town memberships and including some costs that were traditionally not collected in
the utility including water purchases um buildings and ground and recreation um apartment costs. Based on our recommendation, you did adopt a 15% increase in membership fees this year. Um, that was the phase in plan to use
some of the utilities fund balance over a several year period to bring it to sustainable. That did not include any out of town memberships. And as a very brief reminder, this is what our forecast looked like earlier in this year. You can see the 15% increase
um that you adopted in 2024. We've recommended again in 25 with uh further increases of 10% and and 3% thereafter. >> So no problem. >> All this is being replaced next week.
I'm going to miss it though. >> You know, just one last time they had to give us some grief. We'll just play marathon. >> That's right. >> That one's on for Miss Thomas. I I don't know what I'm doing at this point because this is never
>> I probably can Does everyone have it in front of them? >> Yeah, I have it for the >> for the public. All right. >> Print copies for >> No, it's on Zoom. It's on Zoom. >> On Zoom. >> I have it on Zoom. >> Okay. >> Okay, good.
>> That's fine. That's fine. You guys can see it. Okay, you're good. >> Okay. Going to unsee it. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> So, over the past several weeks, our scope of work um was brief but very
targeted. We looked at updating the financial model that we built with actual 2025 results, including operating uh costs and revenues, memberships and membership fees, um and our estimated full utility fund balance. you heard during the audit, you began the year at around the low 500s. Our estimated
beginning fund balance for this next year is $400,000. Um, and we're developing a new three-year forecast. We were tasked to include uh consideration of out of town memberships, and we'll talk about what the those um costs and revenues look
like in a moment here. So in 2025, we have a our forecasted versus our actual results based on the information provided by staff. We forecasted cost of about a million, a little over a million dollars. The one thing I'll highlight is
we did include buildings and grounds and recreation costs being supported by the pool utility. In that forecast, you can see in the actual column, we have those as zeros. The utility was not able to support those given the actual results in revenue. The key uh factor we're
looking at here, you can see membership fees were estimated at about $958,000 given the 15% increase and the information we had in 2024. The actual result was significantly less than that. It was about $774,000
in membership fees. There are a couple things I think you should keep in mind. We're talking about the time frame early this year from about February, March, April in which you were selling membership fees. If you recall, um the economy was a little bit rocky at that
point. Ex and in fact the the the market dip sort of bottomed out midappril. So there was that in a factor. And also if you recall the weather, it was actually unseasonably cool throughout those months this beginning of the year. And again, the pool utility is one of those things that's very sensitive to those
types of um impacts. It's a it's it's it's a very discretionary expense. So, it's not surprising that there was some impact of this. And of course, you did increase your fees. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what caused this decrease in membership. It's probably a combination of all those factors.
The good news is your other revenues, and these are revenues not associated with fees. This your concessions, your um many waves and pool rentals and things like that, those revenues were up compared to our forecasts. In the end, the actual result of the utility was using about $114,000
of fund balance. If you recall, our forecast over the three-year period of our recommendation was about $140,000. So, we were significantly sort of ahead of drawing down on funds given the 2025 results.
what that needs for updated recommendations. Some key items as a reminder, we were you are paying off some um debt in the next uh forecast in 2026, not um this year, but in the next fiscal year to
unlock some cash flow. Uh you also are are not having any emergency appropriations or authorizations beginning in 2026. We are still including increasing in debt rel related to the splash pad and the big pool plastic rep plastering and the
basketball court improvements. Some items that are now included in our forecast that we hadn't considered because there were sort of unknowns at the beginning of this year looking at 2025. Again, we are now including 100 out of town family memberships in our revenue
forecast at a cost of $1,000 per. So, we are assuming you are going to sell the entire amount of those. That is a $100,000 increase in revenues for for memberships in the forecast that we're going to see here in a moment. We are bond funding $50,000 for repairs of the
main building. That was not included in our forecast. That was not um considered um in the budget this previous year. However, it is included now. We're also um including a onetime increase in furniture replacement uh for the fund of about $45,000. So you can see there's some decrease in cash flow and increases
in cash flow being forecasted here. Based on our updated forecast, as a reminder, we have the 2025 increase shown on this slide here. We are recommending a 2% increase in inside town fees across the board, including
family memberships. That's about a $14 increase in those family memberships for each of those years. The key driver in revenues here is of course the addition of $1,000 per family for out of town memberships. We are increasing that by
$100 per membership in each of the next two years 27 and 28. So the key driver again of the additional revenues are that out of town family membership. The next slide here shows our cash flow
forecast for the utility. Remind again in 2025 we didn't include any buildings and grounds or recreation funding. In 26 and beyond, we are including $60,000 of buildings and grounds. Again, we are still not including um any recreation um any
support for the recreation department in the pool utility under this forecast. We are increasing our revenues to meet the cash needs of the system in 2026. You can see the increase from 774 to 891. Again, driven primarily by the increase
by the addition of those out of town memberships for the next two years. We also include the additional 2% and $100 on the out of town. Uh and we're forecasting of a slight increase in cash flow positivity positivity to rebalance the pool utility fund and bring it cash
flow positive. And the final slide I hear have here is the fund forecast. So there's a few things on this chart I'd like to mention. The stacked bars, the blue and the yellow, that is your operating capital reserve for the pool utility. You see we're sort of leveling it out
and starting to trying to increase it with those fee increases in those outer years. That red line is our recommended minimum fund balance. We don't want those stacked bars to fall below that red line. We'd like to keep it well above and sustainable at at least um zero to cash flow positive. That top
line there is the total expenditures of the pool utility. It hovers right around a million dollars. It falls off a little bit in that first year. That's your paying off that debt service. Um so in that next year in fiscal year 26 that topline expenses actually decreases a
little bit and and unlocks a little bit more um cash flow. Um, however, this does assume that you increase and adopt rates included in that previous slide, including the out of town memberships. And with that, thank you. And I'm sure
there are certainly questions. >> I mean, just kind of a a comment. I'm obviously kind of looking at the results of revenues. I'm concerned that our, you know, pool numbers are fairly price sensitive. you know, that's an obvious thing is uh you know, we know just from looking at accounts of memberships and
you know, it's not entirely the weather. I think you know, the economy is is another one, but you know, you look at consumer spending right now and you know, Chipotle figured out that their burritos are too expensive u and that people just aren't buying them because they don't have the money. Um, you know,
optional expenses are getting tougher and tougher and tougher for people to justify. So, you know, I I agree with the strategy of trying to keep the membership rate increases down to a minimum. Um, hopefully people start to at least
they're able to plan ahead and they know a little bit earlier on. Um, but yeah, we're going to need those out of town memberships. Uh, we talked a lot about a marketing campaign for the pool, especially with all the um, new families that have moved into town. I think that's really essential for us to, you
know, try and drive memberships for the pool as much as we possibly can. Um, you know, someone buys a house here, they may or may not know what the process is of joining their own pool and everything that goes on there if they're new to town. So, hopefully, you know, hopefully we can do a lot of that over the coming year and try to get those numbers up.
But, uh, you know, this is probably one of our one of our larger financial challenges right now is how to make sure that this is everything that we want it to be in a uh in a very difficult financial environment. I don't have answers right now. I just have questions.
>> Yeah, I'll uh I'll bounce off of that. Um I tend to agree that there just a couple items on here um that we need to be careful of. Uh number one, it's still a little concerning to me that with the numbers projected that
we can't offset some of the recreation costs even even in this. Um so one of the things that I don't see in here there been there had been big discussion among the council director of community services with administration about
increasing sponsorship revenue. So we didn't really forecast that additional in the and the other the miscellaneous revenue. So um I think that's problematic. It doesn't give us a complete picture. So, I I think the
council should agree on a target for what we want that additional miscellaneous revenue to be. Um, and I think we need to have some accountability mechanisms in there to ensure that. Um because what that does is if we're able to do that either we
can offset um you know and start to pay the town back with some of the recreation funds. We're really I think right away we need to build up the the capital reserve because um right now we have needs we have needs of the pool that would be nice to pay out of reserve
and not have to borrow for. Um so you know I think looking at um the pool committee have recommended about $50,000 and additional revenue $45 to $50,000. I think we should set a target, you know,
of $25,000 in um in sponsorship commitments and other revenue by, you know, like March 1st and then another 25 by the beginning of the summer just to have that in there and to establish an expectation. Um so I think
that's that's one piece of this as well. Um but we definitely need to build in at some point the u adding more to the capital reserve. My other concern just looking at this is, you know, we we
got into some trouble last year. Um, and I I brought this up based on the recommendations of council Roman that we were not as um uh as hopeful in the revenue increase as you know with the the pool fees as we up
that we were concerned about price elasticity and um so I I've approached this out of town member thing with caution because um I think we're just kind of assuming that we'll get 100
families, you know, to to sign up. Um, but I think we need to forecast and B if we don't get enough. Um, so that's, you know, kind of item number one um to take a look at that the uh so, you know, just just thinking
about that is what do we do? You know, what happens? But at the same time, it and when we talk about the pool rules, this is something that I I want to recommend that we put in. But if we have a significant increase of memberships this year due to a um the marketing
campaign, we should also consider reducing you know the number of out of town memberships that we accept. Um that was something the public really has asked for and I think it's good but we have to find out a number. I think now
set benchmarks that if we if we have this many memberships by X date that we reduce the out of town memberships by this date. Um and I think as we since we're doing this early and we are able to with the payment plan potentially get
people to sign up earlier we'll actually know some of this. So I think that's something we need to look at. I'd like to hear more at the next meeting about what those forecast numbers would be. Um, so that's one of those things. Another thing that we should take a look at is while our debt service is going
down because we have bonds coming off, it's going to go up in the out years that are not reflected here because we have the debt service from the um additional splash pad debt service is going to be going up to being sold as
bonds. Plus, we have the debt service from the um improvements to the big pool, right? So I think we need to also that was not in the forecast for um this year you know in these years we need to operate under an understanding that we
actually have to get these numbers up higher in order to offset that that debt service and we should have a a phased in plan to do that. um so we're not scrambling to meet those increased debt service requirements when we go out to
the bond sales for and capitalize that debt right so uh something that we absolutely should be considering as well um and uh so I think we careful of our assumptions there's one thing Mr.
Sullivan in here as well about um the one-time increase in furniture replacement. Is that Could you just explain more? Is this $45,000 this year and then a certain amount in the outear? >> Sure.
>> That that was this past year, right? >> Uh no, the 45,000 is projected for the upcoming year. It's actually a full anticipated 50,000 investment based upon a recent audit of the total furniture count and the um the
need to replace the majority of it within the next several years. There's a projection for replacement over three years, $50,000 each year. Um what isn't necessarily included in this presentation but what was part of the consideration with new genen was an
assessment of actually the next 10 years of of what the pool financials look like and to try to model out that bar is a little bit ambitious but uh within the first five years we we um were able to look at what the upcoming debt service
would be with both the splash pad the new the main pool being replastered In addition to the forecasts that were presented for the purposes of of the presentation, three years of forecasting was shown. Um, but we have looked at
what that debt service is moving forward into the five and 10 year range. So, we have looked at that we can actually provide that to the council. >> How many tables are we talking about? >> Um, it's 110 >> 110 tables.
>> How many I think spreadsheets and tables. >> No, no. actual tables it's about 100 >> and they cost how much a piece >> for approximately $1,200 to $1,400 per table. >> Okay.
>> So that even this $45,000 per year could or could not cover that depending on >> it would cover about a third of that. >> And so what is the plan for the out years? the plan would be and the plan that was projected in those financial models is an additional $50,000 each
year for three full years. >> Um make a brief you you mentioned about debt service the um page here said they did incorporate um splashpad debt service and big pool
replastering debt service starting in 27. So is the $90,000 in emergency authorizations is that show up as debt service? That's what's falling off the >> Yeah, in our in our model extensor. >> Those are those are minimum payments on
on anticipation notes and we capitalize the debt. >> But it says in 2027 is that the full >> So we've modeled the the elimination of those those interest payments on the notes and the capitalization of the splash pad to the these estimated amounts in fiscal 27. So there's a there's a bit of a delay there, but we
have included it in the long-term forecast. >> Okay. So that $200,000 increase in debt service is the funded full payments of all of that >> and you know forecasted right at this time >> and it's a fall off of the uh the 2013 debt and the emergency that levels that out a little bit.
>> Right. Right. >> Council members have questions study. >> I I had actually two questions written down here that you touched on, mayor. Uh and the one I think the most important is the town memberships. uh we project
100 but you know we got a lot of push back raising the family fee in Verona to $696 you know are we going to get 100 out of town people coming in at $1,000. Uh so that's the big question and and my question was what's our plan uh if that
doesn't happen if we only get 50. Uh, and I know we've talked I like the idea that if we don't need that, if we do happen to start getting members in Verona and and and getting the word out there and more people joining, maybe we can cut that to 50 members. Uh, which will, you know, balance out, make people
happy. Uh, my question is also, how are we getting the word out to all these other towns that we are open? are we sending a a letter to all these other towns and all the people in like that's how are how are we going to advertise
that to other towns to get to try to draw those people. >> So part of uh what was discussed in some of the prior meetings was also the u the effectuation of new the new uh salaries
for pool staff. One of those salaries is is establishing a main pool manager salary at a higher rate with the expectation that that pool manager will be joining the pool staff earlier in the year to help effectuate a uh a marketing
campaign uh to help try to promote and establish some sponsorships and to step into that sponsorship uh role as um as early in the year as we can actually bring somebody So we're we're the expectation is to go forward with both
marketing onships and the sponsorships. Just to touch on the sponsorships briefly, um the forecast I believe it pres it it anticipates approximately is it $10,000 worth of uh
sponsorship revenue for the coming year because that's actually what we received in sponsorships for the current pool season. So we can anticipate that for next year. Um the the budget itself cannot rely on uh sponsorships of that amount greater than what we received in
the current year. Um that said the the um the target establishing a target would certain something that we will be working on with both recreation staff and with the pool managers when we bring them in. Um the idea of trying to target a $50,000
um target would would um think that would require a good deal of effort, but again that would allow us to also be less reliant on the out of town memberships. But again, you're you're looking at a pool utility that is
currently struggling and the the idea of trying to get the pool financials right and and make it cash flow positive and regenerate reserve is is priority number one at this point. >> Well, that you touched on my second
question and it was sponsorships. Uh and I know we just, you know, changed over rec director so we are I think we're behind on getting going on that already. I think you know November, December, people are looking at what they can do for next year as far as a business goes and allocating money towards what they
want to do in the coming year. So I really think if we can if we I I don't know if we have time to wait for a pool manager to start that. I think it's something we should just put something together and get it out there now and how we're going to advertise up there
and try to get sponsorships. I I think that could at least get us an idea January, February where we might stand on additional sponsorships going past that. >> So we have begun discussing both uh with administration and the recreation new
community services director the general framework of a sponsorship program. Uh we can certainly implement that. One of the ordinances that's under new business tonight is the uh adoption of the upcoming pool season uh fees. In those
fees includes different sponsorship levels so that we can uh with certainty go out and ships and define what those sponsorship packages are once received from businesses. We have begun working on that internally with the expectation
that we will need to start the process before we realistically do have a full manager started for the 2026 flu season. Got it. >> And and lastly, since we were discussing furniture and tables, obviously I think we've all walked through there, been there. Some of those tables are really
the rust on some of them. I think that is if we do like a a a pre-sale and walk people through, I think we should work on getting that furniture replaced as soon as we can or before we start bringing people in there to see some of
that furniture that's in there. Some of it is really bad. But replace it or even just remove it for now so they're not looking at that type and we'll have it replaced before the pool. That's all. Okay, thank you Eric. Thank you. We'll continue discussion and we talk about
the full rules and fees. Okay. >> Anything else? Mr. S includes my report. Sure. on town hall improvements. We're looking to bring the Verona Police Department back within the next two weeks. Their
move should happen during Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. The remaining cleaning items are happening this week and next week. There was a bike lane piped at the
Verona Community Center. The neighborhood traffic safety committee has said that there may be an error in the width or the um symbol which Boswell is examining. Uh the township's building sub code
official resigned about two weeks ago. We are advertising for that position. Um our first goound did not yield a successful candidate. On the insurance front, Friday was the
close of open enrollment and Fair View Insurance Agency had a representative here to meet with employees about their options. The BMED has finalized the 2026 rate increases. Um, our rate increases are
substantially less than what the state health benefits plan to see, which is a good thing. And for retro payments, the OPEIU contract has been implemented.
Um, and department heads will receive their retro payments this Friday. I believe it's the 14th. Uh, ski trip, the registration was opening either today or tomorrow. We have increased the registration fee to
$135. Uh for anyone interested in volunteering with recreation, um the director of community services has arranged to have the Rucker safety course hosted in Verona. Um it will be
on November 24th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $40 per person. It is required to volunteer. Um, for the New Jersey lead law, 283 properties still have not um been
inspected by Lou or provided inspection documents or um provided documentation that they are exempt from it. Uh there will be one more mailing uh with a deadline of December 31st.
And then with construction expected in town over the next several years, the health department and zoning officer have recommended a pest control ordinance that would require any demolition to
have bathing done beforehand for rodents. All right, just question on the uh the health benefit cost. What was our forecast for these costs um in the budget? How much do we forecast them going up? Are we going to see some clip
from this or >> um >> Oh, this is for next year. This is next year. Sorry. Um, I I appreciate your context in that these these rates are are lower um than the state rates, but the state health
benefits plan went up 36.5%. >> Correct. >> Um, and we're at 23% for medical. Um, so I and 20 does that include >> the prescription? >> No, the prescription was done in July. I
forgot the percentage increase, but the I believe the from what I saw on the AON report, the local government medical only was a 32.7%. >> I mean, it's good that we're that we're beating the uh the state increases for
sure, but I% still 3%. >> Yeah. I mean, you're still talking about a quarter increase over what we're paying now. So we are going to have some budget pain this year with respect to this. I was wondering if you could get us as soon as possible the results of open enrollment um to because we also
have to consider the if we're adding people into the plan if people are removing from the plan um if people have changed their coverage type be helpful to have an idea of that now before the budget season starts. So number one, you can develop your budget, but I would
like to see that um in in our hand as well as far as understanding what open enrollment turned out to be. Um and I think we need to potentially talk also um about incentives for opting out of
plans um and potentially increasing those. Why are we bringing this as we move forward? Um and even among the the classified staff um we have to we have to find ways of having fewer people on on the roles.
>> We did have an incentive we did pass an incentive. >> No, there there there is I'm thinking it might be time to increase that incentive. >> Yeah. Make you make a good point about you know open enrollment the classes plans. We in a lot of our departments we have a relatively young staff and you know people maybe moving from individual
you know plans to family plans and things like that. would be we kind of need to forecast this. This is going to be a big chunk of money. You know, one of one of the questions that that uh has come up uh recently from some potential employees is talking about um their
chapter 78 contributions and how we lower that. And one of the only ways really to uh to lower healthare costs for everybody is to offer some creative plans that lower the premium cost for both the employee and for the township.
Um, so, um, I Kevin, I I mean, I'll schedule a meeting with you and Mike to talk about the plan options and costs and, uh, because we may have to go to VMED and take a leadership role in providing some non-traditional plans
that can save us money and uh, and also save the employees money because, you know, I mean, even a 23% increase in 33% on chapter 78. You're talking this these increases are going to cost the
employees of the uh $2500 a year if they had family, you know, and they're they're at our highest level. So, we have to think of our employees as well uh in this process and see if we can if we can offer and advertise some alternatives. But these are these are concerning numbers. They're better than
the state plan. Uh and I'm glad that we're in BMED. It's treated us well over the years. Um, but I think it's time to start getting creative on this well before the budget season. Um, so I will uh be happy to talk to you about that.
Um, and I've had some success in some public sectors doing this. So hopefully we can take some of those lessons learned to go forward. Um, any other questions for Mike? Thank you, Mr. Krauss. >> Thank you.
All right, we are moving on to uh council member reports. >> Deputy Mayor M. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh I would also like to congratulate uh Councilwoman Holland and Mayor Tambbor for their reelection. uh and also uh the other
candidates Liz Hines and Paul Petrangeli for uh stepping up and running and having interest uh in running for council and getting involved. Uh the following was very impressive this
year and had a lot of good feedback from people walking around talking with them. Uh so all of our events in town center seem to go very well when we have very nice weather. It was very very nice to see. Uh the just so the rest of the
public knows the West Orange planning board hearing for uh the Highlands is still going on. They actually had a meeting tonight and they will have another public meeting where people can get up and voice their opinion on it.
This project greatly affects Verona uh as far as storm water runoff and could affect Verona in the future as far as traffic goes. So, I urge residents in Verona to look out for the next meeting. It's not set yet, but it will be the
final meeting when anybody from the public can get up and uh speak their mind. They'll have three minutes to say whatever they want about the project. And that is all I have for this evening. Mr. May, >> thank you, Councilman Roman. Thank you. Just a similar set of congratulations except I didn't mention all three of my
fellow council members, Mayor Tamber, Deputy Mayor Makavoy, Councilwoman Hall, and congratulations all on your reelection. Uh it's a pleasure to continue to work with you and very much appreciate your dedication to service for the community. Um also congratulations to other candidates including to them for participating in
the election and participating in township governance. Um it's a big commitment to run for office and willing to put yourself forward for it and uh I hope that they continue to participate. Also congratulations to our assembly Al Barles and Chris Phillips both as governor electrol. Um all three of them
have been active participant participants in the Verona community and have been here when we've needed them. Um our two assembly members for all the time I've lived in Verona um until we got this group in. I've never seen our state legislative representatives in town this, you know, to anything like
the extent that they they do it and it's just wonderful. They really do listen and anything that's going on in town, they make sure somebody is here. So, having that active level of representation is really uh appreciated. And Mrs. Kieran, thank you. This was a very high turnout election over the
stretched over a very long time period. So, congratulations as always for making it go smoothly and thank you for all of your efforts as well as all our poll workers. And uh some more comments on following. Um everybody just kept saying, "Wow, it's amazing how many people are there." Uh we really our
events in the town square have been just incredibly successful. Um again, some of it's the nice weather, but some of it's just people want this out of us and uh it's really great when we're able to put on something that gives people something to do on a weekend that they enjoy. So that was very well executed and very well attended and was really happy to
see that. Thank you, Councilwoman McGra. >> Uh, thank you. Well, congratulations to my colleagues, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councilwoman Holland on your reelection. Uh, thank you also to uh, Mr. Petrangeli and Miss Hines for running. It's really
hard to put yourself out there, but competitive elections are so important to our democracy and to good local government. Um, congratulations to Assemblywoman uh De Phillips and Barless on their re-election. And of course, a big congratulations to our former uh
congresswoman uh Mikey Cheryl uh for her big election on um governor. I was thrilled that we had our local elections in November. I know the residents were too. Uh, I was thrilled to see such high voter turnout here in Verona and such a
smooth election process. Thank you again to Miss Kieran. Um, and it's so amazing that we have an early voting site. I do want to recognize that takes a lot of resources and time away um with our community center being utilized for
early voting. But boy, does it really make a difference uh with engagement. And when you compare Verona's voting numbers compared to other municipalities, it's very clear that the early voting site is a huge convenience for our voters. So, congratulations to
everyone. Um, I was able to attend the county's Veterans Day event on Friday. I was proud to represent Verona there. It's really a wonderful event that the county executive puts on every year in Veterans Park. Um, if you ever are um
doing jury duty or going to see the county clerk who also won his uh re-election, we didn't thank uh or congratulate Chris Durkin on his uh reelection. He's probably the best county clerk in the state. Um but if you're ever at the county complex in
Newark, you should take a walk over to the veterans um park. It's really beautiful and very poignant. Um, and the county does a great Veterans Day ceremony where they honor uh employees who are veterans and we heard all of
their stories and then they play um a a a mix of all of the songs for the arms forces um on the bag pipes. It's really wonderful. Um I had two uh committee meetings since our last meeting. the multicultural inclusion and
accessibility advisory committee met um and they talked about event planning uh through early 2026. Just as a reminder, when we do have our Hanukkah celebration, it will be in a new location um by the community center, not in front of town hall. Um and they are
working on planning that um and they're also participating in several crossf functional um grant um projects that um Mr. Sullivan's team is organizing and today the Sha Tree committee uh met before this meeting and Mr. O' Sullivan
was in attendance um and the Sha Tree Commission is doing tremendous work and a lot of projects including advising on every field on the Lynen Avenue uh street um and advising on several other projects uh including the streetscape.
Um and that's my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. At this time, we'll look for public comment on any item any member of the public wishes to bring before the council. State say public comment rules apply.
Mr. Shore, >> Cory Shore, Verona, New Jersey. Thank you very much, town council. Congratulations to uh mayor, deputy mayor, and councilwoman Holland on their reelection. Um thank you much very much
for serving. Just a couple uh things about the pool um based on some of the comments tonight. Um this is the third circle, third cycle now that I've been part of in conversations of next year and moving on with the pool and uh the
committee and getting involved. Um, I'm not really sure. Um, I'm not really sure about some of the um I I think we need I think we really need revenue from everywhere. And some
residents have said, "Okay, they don't want non-residents, but you know, we need it all." Okay, we need from non-residents at 100. We need sponsorships to be over 50,000. We need memberships to go up. memberships. If you took that, that if you looked at the non-resident, you started to bring it
down, right? Based on memberships going up, we have to realize we're at 751 family memberships. We have to get over 900. That's over 20%. That's going to be very, very difficult considering the recreational infrastructure that they
currently have now. And even if you build an army to do so, even a new membership, I mean, we're a town of 13,000, right? It's not a big town. So, making that happen is going to be very difficult. And where I do understand some residents and maybe the fear of
having some residents from out of town come in this. We have to bring in those three things to the maximum of our ability because we talked about we have pool furniture that's going to cost $250,000 over four or four years. We have splashback payments. We have to
bring in as much revenue as possible to pay for the utility. And I understand I understand some of the concerns, but this is about driving revenue and not even just paying and not that is just to get to the cost of breaking even. We
need to be at like 1.2 $1.3 million of revenue every single year for the pool. So, I know residents have some concessions, but we have to just say, you know what, we have to make this pool fiscally responsible this year, which
means that we need to break even and then or lose maybe $50,000 and then the year after we have to start making money. So, that's what we have to do. I And the reason why I say number one and number three that we need to do between non residents and memberships increase
because sponsorships, I have no idea. This is the third year. I don't know if the administration can raise $50,000. I haven't seen it. So, we have to and I'm sorry and I'm not being it's not personal, but we have to really be realistic about that. And number one and
number three have to be and then we have to really push and have benchmarks and set those benchmarks. And I look to the town council to look at administration and say you got to reach them. You got to hit them because if you don't, you're going to run further into the hole and at some point you're going to run out of
time. Next public comment or none close public comment. Mr. Shore as always thank you for your insight on the pool. U talk more. Um
on to ordinances for adoption. The first um item on that part is ordinance number 2025-17 on second reading. Madam clerk, please read the title of this ordinance into the record.
>> An ordinance adopting the red for 383 Bloomfield Avenue redevelopment area. >> Will somebody move the ordinance, please? >> So motion's made by Councilman Roman. Is there a second? I'll second it. Second made by Deputy Mayor Mroy. Now it's time
for public hearing on ordinance 2025-17. Same public comment rules apply. However, comment is limited to this uh ordinance. Okay, carrying on. I close public comment. I'll just note that the as I
said mayor's report, the planning board did review um the redevelopment plan um and found it to be not inconsistent with the master plan, which is one of these funny little legal things. Um the um
planning board did provide some recommendations as part of its um part of it motion to include as well which were reasonable recommendations and those were adopted uh unanimously by the uh by the planning board. um sort of put out there as I I've said
before um I think this revolvable plan is is well done. I thank our planner San Shiobam for her work on that. Um and uh and I also thank the the property owner um for looking at inclusive um
affordable housing which um helps our affordable housing um meet our affordable housing need and also for proposing an attractive structure um that really will serve to be an example for other smart development that happens
in Verona. Um an attractive development and I really think that this development plan should start to be our basis on anything that comes in the future because um it is uh it's well thought
out um and deals with specific need but also includes design standards and all of those things that make um development uh manageable and more attractive um and fit into the town. Um
so as we as we try to fight over development, it's important that we celebrate the developments that don't do that um and the developments that provide um that model for the rest of the future projects. So uh just uh just
a few thoughts on that. Any other thoughts here? >> No. second your comments that the developer coming to us with a project that is visually attractive. U we really appreciate unusual. >> Yeah, there's so many of these buildings we just flat out looked at them and just
gone that just doesn't you know fit the town. Um you know we've hated facades on a lot of things and yeah it's expensive to build a nice exterior on a building but you know this is going to be in a very prominent position in our community and it's important and you know they came to us from the beginning with a
building that um I think is going to fit very nicely. appreciate that mayor. >> Sure. Thank you, man. Uh yes, I would agree with everything that was said and also like to thank Sam Siobhan and uh
our manager also for their work uh working with the developer on this. Uh and I agree uh that these this is an appropriate development and when I say appropriate, I mean density. We don't need properties overdeveloped. the
density is comfortable for this size lot and greatly appreciate uh the work that this uh developer is doing and how they're going to develop this property. That's all. Thank you. Thank you. Great on that. Madam clerk, could you call the role please?
>> Woman Holland, I'm sorry. Councilman McGrath, >> yes. Sorry. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambbor. Yes. >> Uh, ordinance 2025-17
passes 4 to Z will be published according to law. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. >> Next item on the agenda is ordinance 2025-18. Madam clerk, could you please read this into the recorder for a second reading? amending the code of the cashon to
repeal chapter 150-8.11 massage parlors, msurs and massuses the zoning code in its entirety and create a new chapter 330 entitled massage parlors, barber shops, hair styling, cosmetology and nail salons code. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Would somebody
move this ordinance? >> So move. >> Motion is made by council one of McGrath. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second is made by council Roman. Now is the time for public hearing on ordinance 2025-18. Save public comment rules fly
comment. I hereby close public comment. Any council discussion? Madam clerk, call the roll. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Boy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambora, >> yes. Mayor Ordinance 2025-18
S4 to0 will be published according to law. >> Thank you madam clerk. The next item on the agenda is ordinance number 2025-9 on second reading. >> An ordinance to amend chapter 8565-4
health department. >> Thank you madam clerk. Would somebody move this ordinance? >> Motion's made by Roman. The second is by councilwoman McGrath. Now it's time for public hearing overance 2025-19. Uh same public comment statement
applies. Hearing none I close public comment. Any council discussion hearing? None. I will I just want to point out that uh we didn't reduce that fee for the massage uh facilities. Um
and I just want to thank the members of the public for providing the feedback on that. Uh, it does matter and it's something I think that that we all saw, but it was good that that was validated by us. Madam clerk, call the >> council McGrath. >> Yes. >> Council Roman,
>> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Campbell, >> yes. >> Mayor 202519 passes 4 to zero and will be published according to law. >> Thank you. Next item on the agenda is labor as ordinance I1 on introduction. Madam cler, please read
the title of this ordinance into the record. >> A bond ordinance providing a supplemental appropriation of $325,000 for preliminary planning expenses and improvements at Everfield in and by the township of Verona and the county of Essex, New Jersey, and authorizing the issuance of $325,000 bonds or notes to
the township to finance part of the cost thereof. >> Thank you. Uh before we take any action on this, Mr. O Sullivan, would you care to go through the additional appropriation? Sure. The uh previous authorizations for this
project totaled uh $4,273,000. Uh that >> uh that has uh the expenses to date include the construction contract which was 3,874,5.50 50 cents. Uh there were varying
engineering contracts or concept drawings, uh environmental assessment during the Green Acres grant application, design costs, and then the anticipated construction administration costs which are not fully expended at this point yet, but those total costs
are $496,900. There have been a series of change orders for this contract. Uh there were additional tree removals and additional tree plantings. There were unforeseen rock removal uh that was uh encountered
during the construction of the retaining wall. There were some modifications to the retaining wall uh and the one of the adjacent light pole structures. Uh and then there were some modifications to on-site fencing and curb modifications. Uh that subtotal is an additional
$11,541. Uh there as we are ongoing with construction, we do anticipate that there will probably be some other unforeseen or contingency type related uh elements. So we are expecting we are estimating approximately $100,000 in
remaining contingencies for the balance of the project. uh that is uh a total current funding deficit on the project of approximately $300,000. Uh with the supplemental bond, there will be some financing costs associated with that. So that brings us
to the proposed bond ordinance of 325,000 >> and there was a contingency built into the project originally. >> There was uh there was some anticipated contingency.
Um the anticipated um anticipated contingency while it was um some of that was utilized uh in the as we worked through the final design elements uh and some of that was
just based upon the final bid costs when we did receive the actual um the actual proposals from the contractors. Uh I will say that we did have a very competitive bid process. I know that the prices were um were very reflective of a
competitive bid market um but the actual costs were reflective of when we did receive and open. So a lot of that contingency was used up with the actual uh bid numbers rather than the estimated costs initially. >> Thank you. Does somebody move the
ordinance? >> So move motions made by council roman. Is there a second? Well, I guess I'll I'll second the motion. Um, any council discussion? >> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Question. You You're saying it's extra hundred thou? There's another extra $100,000 in here as ginger moving forward. So if there's any other changes that should cover it >> that will cover it. There are um anticipated credits that we do expect
back from the contractor as well. So the expectation is that um we should not have to rely even on the full 100,000 but it is there uh if there are any case >> any unexpected. We are out of excavation
at this point. We are building the site up rather than digging into the ground and finding unknowns. So, we should be out of the unknowns at this point, but u the 100,000 should should cover us fully for the rest of the project. >> Okay, Councilwoman McGrath.
>> Uh thank you. Just a technical question. So, we received a lot of grants for this project, but we just remind me, we have to bond for the full amount and then like we don't get a credit for the grants. We have to bond for the full thing and then we get the grants after
construction is completed. How's that work? Those are both reimbursement grants. So, we will receive those at the completion of the project and when we certify the project is completed. Uh but that is a $100,000 grant from CDBG for the ADA accessible sidewalks and then
there was a $750,000 grant from um from NJP Green Acres for the >> the accessible playground, >> right? >> So, those those will offset the long-term financing costs, >> right? because then we'll never go to long-term debt on that because we're
going to get reimbured for those. Okay. I just wanted to clarify. Thank you, >> Council Robin. >> Uh, prior to the next meeting, will you provide us by email a current update on any additional CO positive or negative on the project? >> I will pursue I'll I'll try to track down what those credits are. Um, but
>> kind of a project reforcast before we go into passage on this would be appreciated. >> We'll do. I think just as a as a piece moving forward, I think we need to increase our contingency estimates on projects. We've been coming back for a
lot of additional expenditure. Um, and I think we need to take that into consideration in the original part of this and because once again, if we're just selling anticipation notes for this, it's a little different. It's not as costly as capitalizing in debt on some of these
items. But if we don't need it, I would rather be more transparent with the public at the beginning of the project by saying this is what it could be, right? But then we we believe we'll spend less, but at the same point, I I just don't like this concept of coming
back. I I know it's one of these things, but construction has changed and stuff in it, but um we've had a lot of projects that have come back. we've needed to increase the expenditure in just the last couple years. >> I mean, I think the counterargument to that is I assume that contractors before
bidding on a municipal project go and look at what you've passed in your engineer everything that's out in public, you know, the more that we the more that we budget for these things, I'm certain the more that people will be pleased to charge us. I mean, there's a competitive market for it, but that's, you know, that's the other downside of that. You know, people are going to use
that as guidance as to what we're willing to spend. Um, you know, we've been fortunate in pursuing negative change orders. That's the one one, you know, you know, yes, we have positive change orders. We also do try and, you know, get actual quantities down. But, yeah, I mean, I'm we could say we could
go to, you know, 20% contingency on these things, but, you know, I worry that that just means that we're just going to consume that, too. >> Yeah, I think that's a fair point. Um, we get our heads together and come up with this something. I will >> well and see if they have constructive
management device that might >> I will agree that you try to forecast as closely as you can without overestimating but you certainly don't want to underestimate it's yes >> not it's it's easier said than done to hit that sweet spot and hitting it hitting nail on the head but what I do
anticipate doing uh for the end of the year is just putting together an end of year project summary of uh the major capital projects that have been undertaken what the um initial what that issuance has been and with the change order increases decreases have been across all of our capital projects we've
undertak because there have been a line there have been some that have come in uh better than anticipated but there have been some that have required increase as such I do understand what you're saying a nice year end report look forward to that all right madam
cler call please McGrath Yes, >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes, >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes, >> Mayor Tamuro. >> Yes, >> Mayor. Ordinance I1 will be 2025-20. Will be published according to law.
Public hearing will be held on December 1st. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next ordinance for introduction is two. Please read the title of this appointment. >> Chapter 140 of the township code
entitled vehicles in traffic to create a new article titled traffic control center lots including parking lots of liberty and freedom field parking lots. >> Thank you. Will somebody move this ordinance please? So move questions made by the deputy mayor. Is there a second?
Second made by the council member. Um, any council discussion on this? Councilwoman McGrath. >> Thank you. Um, uh, Miss Rose Sullivan. So, the bike lane, does that need to be mentioned in this ordinance? Is it mentioned in this ordinance, the bike
lane? >> It's not mentioned in the ordinance. Um, I don't I don't believe the ordinance needs to be um I don't think it needs to name it specifically. Um it doesn't mean that I think as we
get the recommendation back from Boswell uh we can review with uh Mr. Loyer and see if when we make corrections to the bike lane if it needs to be codified through the ordinance and we can do so at a future meeting if it does need it. >> It is our first
I say that it's our first pseudo bike lane in the township. So we may have to think about that. >> Thank you. May I follow up on? I guess the question is, is there a general prohibition on driving and parking in bike lanes across the township even if none exist? That's you know maybe more
where we want to regulate that just you know or whether the saber vehicle code already prohibits that. I'm sorry. >> If there is a general prohibition on parking, driving, any other, you know, in in bike lanes in general, whether we have to be so specific to say this, you
know, this is declared a bike lane here, or just simply if we mark a bike lane, you gen, you know, across the township, you're not allowed to park or drive in them. >> Well, as long as it's marked appropriately, the road is the road. So, you can't go on certain sides. So, you'll have the white on one side and like the double yellow on the other. So,
you can't drive the lawn or the bus or the sidewalk or whatever. So yes, you you would have a fully detaine both. >> Okay. But we don't actually have to we may not may or may not have to declare whether or not we you know >> and I would set up you you it's always safer and easier to declare it a bike
lane and say what's allowed in there and not allowed in there. So you can enforce it as far as other things going in the bike lane. Um but with regard to motor vehicles, it should be quite obvious that they're not allowed to drive on the bike lane just the same way as the sidewalk you says that they have to be in the marked areas of the street. their
cars. Okay. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbora, >> yes. >> Mayor, I two will be numbered 2025-21. It will be called, it will be published according to law. Public hearing will be held on December 1st.
>> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next item on the agenda is ordinance I3 on introduction. Cler, please read the pedal >> 222 article one entitled display of flags of the code of the sash vera. >> I'll move this ordinance. Is there a
second? >> So move. >> Second. >> The deputy mayor seconds the ordinance. Any council discussion? Hearing none. Madam clerk, could you call the vote, please? >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. Deputy Mayor Mackaborn,
>> yes. Mayor Tambbora, yes. Mayor Iru, 25-22 calling on public hearing will be 7. >> Thank you. May to move the consent agenda. >> Yes.
>> Have we pull out um L2 for separate discussion? Oops. Thank you. >> All right. I would like to move K1 and L1 through and L3 through L11.
>> I'll make that motion. Council Roman moves the consent agenda. Is there a second? >> Second. >> The second by Councilwoman McGrath. At this time, I'll call for public comment on consent agenda. Same public comment. Same applies. comments are limited to
we're going to do comments on all of the consent agenda items even L2 even though we're not discussing it right now so we don't have to make the statement again any comments on K or L here to
thank you council um just want to refer to L4 four uh just some more. This is one particular project that I think is a very good example of why capital savings is required. There are other things down
the line in the next couple years. Bathrooms, pool furniture, basketball courts, the main building, splash pad maybe needs fixing at some point to do some savings on cost. These are just five projects that I can think of off the top of my head. It's a good example
of why all revenue is needed and that's probably one of the themes I'm going to say the whole night that all revenue is required to the maximum to make this utility solvent going forward. Thank you very much. >> Thank you Mr. Any other comments?
Close public comment council discussion hearing none. Madam clerk could call the roll please. Councilwoman Holland. >> Yes. >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor M. >> Yes. >> Mayor Chamber. >> Yes.
>> Mayor Solutions L3 24. >> Thank you. Would somebody like to move ordinance L2? >> Yes. So move. >> Okay. We'll discuss that.
>> Councilman Roman moved it. Would you like to second? >> Second. >> All right. The deputy mayor has second it. We had our public comment on this. >> Council discussion. >> We discussed this. I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Deputy mayor. We discussed this before the meeting in here to the first whereas
it calls this development willows at Verona and I don't think anybody in Verona refers to it as that. So I think it shouldn't change. >> Yes. >> Flax. My worry is obviously if a police officer hears a call from Willows at
Morona and they don't go there on time or rescue squad or fire department. Let's so for recommendation that the council with that comment approve the resolution and it will be amended with the uh name that the owner provides us.
As you can see there's an attachment to the resolution from the current owner and they refer to the property as the Willows with a blocking lot. I'm unsure why they did that. That is why the resolution also refers to the willows because both the resolution and the name
being utilized by the owner whether that's a a mistake they have willows on their mind and uh because I haven't heard the names either when conifer took it over they might have started calling it something else whereas when the previous >> developer called it bron flats but my own
>> could we just put both in the ordinance just put you know the little set brona also known as brona flat so covered all we can certainly do that but I would actually recommend that you be pass the ordinance subject to the appropriate name that's administrative thing it doesn't have to come back to
you then we'll certainly provide you with that and the public know what the name is so we can talk about that next council meeting or whatever um but it's it's more of an administrative thing but they themselves and if it is the Willows we'll make sure that the police department knows from now on it's the Willows and their signs will be changed
and what I mean >> the block and lot number are correct Yes. If Hey, so your recommendation is is that we um at the next meeting we introduce after we find out what the I'm sorry
we're introducing now. Um no we're not resolution. Sorry. >> I'm I got one too many cough drops here just so it's just a resolution. Um but >> I don't know. I just think the resolution but everything depends on
>> there's nothing urgent about this. You can certainly put it off when you do the same. Yeah, that's fine. Council McGrath. >> Yeah. I mean, I just want to say like it's called Verona Flats. All of our affordable housing stuff says that our website I mean if they wanted our you
know I I don't understand where this is coming from at all. So I think we should go back to them and say what are you talking about? I I everything is in you know it's if they're changing the name of the building they really have to let us know like we have it referenced six million places.
>> So >> So should we table this? >> Okay we'll get clarification. We'll have them correct if that if necessary and then we'll we'll bring it to the next meeting. >> Was somebody just a question? >> Yeah. >> Uh doesn't title 39 apply to all
developments? >> No. doesn't automatically buy the property. >> They have they have to grant you title 39 authority and then you have to accept it basically. >> Just I seem to think remember and sand just actually walked out. In fact, under the statute which is in the resolution
they can uh withdraw it at a later date if they wanted to. >> Okay. >> I thought it was discussed planning for it but I guess I'm >> I will move this resolution then. >> Is there a second onion? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I can opposed.
Motion carries. All right. Uh we do not have an addendum this evening. We have several items on discussion. Um I would like to skip a and just do all the full ones at
the start. Um just because we have the chair of the rec committee here and would also be might want to leave at some point. Um, you're first welcome to stay away. >> All right. So, we're looking at O >> number. So, we're looking at 01 B
through G. Um, I just got a couple thoughts on this. Um, there are a lot of different things here. One of the things that popped out that we need to reconcile before we do any kind of introduction is what an out of town membership is because at different
points in different parts of different ordinances at one in one ordinance it describes out of town member as an individual then in another one right now our out of town membership $1,000 I was under the impression this is for a family membership right so I think we need to
define that in the home rules in the and in all the other ordinances that this is a family membership. We haven't really had a discussion on non family memberships is something we might have to adjust like if we get a lot of phone calls and we don't get enough family
memberships and we got a bunch of phone calls saying we want to like a a you know coup's membership or something like that, we could talk down the road if that's something you want to do. But in one of these um it's uh
Um, and of course working. So, all right. Um, anyway, if we scroll down to one. So
we had okay non-resident memberships are available to residents of doesn't define that this is in the full rules in O1B doesn't define that that's a family
membership only um we also if we look at 01 um 01 C it says
um or 01D it says non-resident and it just says $1,000 doesn't say what that is. Um, and then when you look in the definitions
in 01E, it says non-resident individual residing in an Essex County municipality. So, I just think we need to clarify what is a, you know, that this is a family membership and maybe change like a non to non-resident family. Uh, the other
thing I would like to bring up is one of the comments that we did hear from quite a few members was that they would like a an exception. I would be in favor of adding this to the rules as well where somebody would be accepted from this
list of municipalities um if they are a relative of a pool member. So um like one resident I spoke to her daughter's family is in Montville and they don't have the kind of facility
that we have. Um, and right now she's spending a lot of money on on passes and stuff. Um, so that would be a good thing. So I'd like to if the rest of the council doesn't have an objection, um, add, you know, another, you know,
insert in here. We don't need to change except in the two places when we talk about the definition, we can just add an or um, a family member of a a Rona resident pool member from from any municipality, right? Um and I think that
would not only please our current pool members but also help to um you know recruit additional members. Um and then I would like a um I think would also be fair to provide
like a one time um priority to those individuals um to relatives of existing family members. So we can write that into the rules if there's no objection where um so let's say the first month that
first even two weeks or whatever that we accept out of town members that if a somebody who's a relative sponsored by a current pool member wants to join that they would get priority in registration.
Um, but I think that would be also help to um ease some of the concerns of our our pool residents. So, if we want to add that into uh the rules and a you know an A1 but a
an addition in there. So, we need to change to include those other towns if they're um A3, but then also add that you know there would be a one time um you know be a one time priority registration or something like that. Um
so that's one of the things that we heard for sure. Um other you know I I other things in here. Um one of the big issues with full memberships is that we
kind of lose that middle school that older middle school age population. You kind of age out. Um I know I spoken to you Mr. Sullivan and um about having like a junior lifeguard program. I didn't see that in here. Um, and I
know it might be kind of too much to include in the rules right now. Um, but I think we can always amend the rules if we have to. But that's something I would like to see developed. Um, because I think that would potentially keep some resident memberships in and you know,
Mr. Go to Mr. Shor's point, we need every bit of revenue that we do. Um, so maybe add that later, but let's conceive what that would look like. Um, and I know that we we've discussed this and
our director services is working. Um, but it would be nice to but something um just as a matter of policy maybe not necessarily in the pool rules, but that specifically mentions that we have a pool marketing committee and who is who
can be on it and what they do. I think that can be a manager's policy rather than a rule. Um, but we need to have something because people are asking like, well, who could be on this marketing committee? Well, really anybody can who's willing to help out. I think we should have a policy on what
they can can do, you know, events to attend, um, what their job is, how, you know, your vision for that. Um, and that you can promulgate. In my opinion, I don't think we need to do that as council. Um, but at the same point, I would like to see
>> a draft of that. um as because that's going to be really important to ensuring that we're getting as many members in as possible. Um so just some couple thoughts on that as well. Um
and I I'll stop there for the time being. Other council members want comments. Council member Graph. >> Uh thank you. Um Mr. O Sullivan and Mr. Krauss. Um, I think I would have appreciated a little bit of an executive summary. So maybe I'll give you the
chance to do that now. Like from our last conversation to now, like were certain things that were discussed at our last meeting kind of scale back like like big picture like what are you presenting to us before I dive into some more detailed questions? And I'm a
little um I I expected to see our director of of community services here. Is there a reason she's not doing this presentation? >> She did indicate uh several weeks ago that this was a pre-planned uh out of
office scheduled event so she wouldn't have been able to attend. Okay. >> Uh she had a couple dates through mid November that she had identified as conflict. So she did identify those early. um moving forward going into December uh those conflicts do start
they they do away. >> So just big picture like what what is all of this and how have things changed since our last meeting? Um, the disc Excuse me if I may. Just so did you change any
of the hours from last year? Did you expand the hours or change them in? >> Uh the on the recommendation >> and the adult swim was removed. So that is no longer in here. >> That is not it.
>> Um if I may, I'm going to just ask a couple of direct questions. So um I notice in um the fees in this um O-1c, there's an increase to the adult the adult guest passes and I'm assuming the
adult resident day pass. That was not in our original presentation. They increased by a dollar. So they move them off of $20.15 to 21 and 16. That's intent. Is that intentional? And why was that now added in? That was
>> okay. I agree with >> um on O-1E. Um we received feedback about making sure that disabled adults would be included uh that definition so that they would be included um in the family
membership. Is that what's reflected here? I believe Mr. Blitz emailed us feedback and Mr. O'Sullivan, you assured him that that would be included. Did we capture that language from that exchange? Did we capture that as rules?
>> I don't >> the intended. >> Okay, thank you. In addition, staying on that section, um so we have the child uh guest policy, uh number nine, a child 17
years or younger um is defined as a guest. But then for our membership under the italics, we say that children under 18 years of age are free. I think we should reconcile those two definitions. So why are we if we're saying children
are 18 uh months and under are free then that should apply to the child guest p policy on number nine. Um in addition when you so that's another feedback. Um 11 and 12 the day passes when you look at the day passes
are really unpopular due to the high cost. When we originally put them in, we had them limited to Monday and Fridays, Monday to Fridays, because again, we were concerned about um like that they would be so popular they would like make the pool extra crowded,
but like barely anyone buys them. In Mr. shores, you know, spirit of leaving no rock unturned. Maybe we should consider taking off the limitation that day, adult day passes and child day passes can only be bought midweek. Maybe we
should be experimenting with allowing them on the weekends. That may get more revenue in the door. And again, you know, with our current membership levels, it really isn't that crowded. So, I would put that out there um to consider like removing the Monday to
Friday limitation. Uh that could be another revenue source. Um because they are really expensive and there may be a few people who are willing to spend that on the weekends. Um and I think I'm still conflicted out so
I'm not sure I can vote on 01 0-1G. I just want to say that. Um I would have I think those are all my questions from now for now but um you know I I definitely share I kept you know I was
listening through the first part of the presentation you know the economy is softening and I'm concerned even about our ability to get sponsorships to help you know with revenue so I think it's all about the marketing um and I do look forward to you know seeing how this
season plays out. Um but for now um you know there's a lot to consider and for any residents who are listening you know we appreciate all of your feedback. Oh that was the last thing I wanted to say. What a part of the resident feedback that we got. Um what changed? Did you
have a chance to read through all the verbatims and what has changed like now as you're thinking through the season? Was that where you would abandon the adult swim idea? >> We were.
>> So, did anyone from the staff read all the verb agents? >> I did not read some. >> It was extensive. >> Okay. Because there's still concerns about the pool hours, the res they would like to see them to be longer, the
cleanliness of the facility in particular. >> Yes. >> And the locker rooms. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. And uh the rep committee have the opportunity to review these polls since the last
recommendation. We didn't ask them. >> Yeah, they are. They're they're changed and we finally uh um put them in categories. I think >> I think
last year I remember we did change that one year because it was just this very long list. It was like a Martin Luther um poster. Um it would be a good idea maybe just to forward those to the rec committee um before we have we have
nearly a month before introduction. So perhaps we can get some feedback on those as well. >> When is the next committee meeting? make this >> we can send it to the right advisory committee and we can work with one of
their subcommittees uh December 16. >> I mean if it's if there isn't much substantive change in the in the rules if you can you know work with a small group that would be probably fine. Um,
okay. The the other items on L1B through J. >> Just to touch on what you were talking about. Uh, I had the same question here and I wrote it. Uh, red line. Uh, the
non-resident they I had the thing same question. I knew it was a family fee, but my other thought was if someone who was single individual or a couple, if they want to pay the thousand, then I figured, >> yeah, why not let them? >> But we we we went under the assumption
that was a family fee. Uh I did hear from a a several residents that have kids that are in college. They just thought that the fee for a couple was a little bit too high. uh and they would they're a group I think that has stepped
away from the pool because their kids their even high school kids don't go there but they thought that was a little too high to join. So, that's the only question I had on or comment I had on the fee schedule. They uh they would they're talking about people who would
have limited use of the pool and lowering that may add uh a good bit of additional members to that. But just thought because I heard it from some residents, I'm passing it along uh when we talk about the fee schedule. But
other than that, I like the way we cleaned up the rules and categorized them. uh better than you know several years ago. I do know in the past I will say years ago they used to have a board of like the top 10 rules or the top 15
rules uh listed at the pool so people are familiar with them such as you know where to change babies and things like that because a lot of people don't consider it. So it's a thought that was was placed on life stands and by the
snack bar. The feedbacks from the managers and we have a screen up there. I believe we do like if we had another TV screen with rules that go through every so often. Reminder of the rules
and these are just the major rules. You don't have to go into detail with every single one. Just a thought. That's all I have. All right. Um this is the next meeting. Going to 01A.
Um this is the amending chapter 150 the zoning setbacks background on this Mr. Hoya Mr. Sultan. So in this particular instance, what happened was the uh current ordinance
for zoning when you're going to do an addition on a for instance a home allows you to um enlarge the house and enlarge the violation. So, for instance, if your
house um is 20 feet long and it's too close to the neighbor's property line, it allows you to continue to extend the house. So now it's 40t long while continuing um being too close to the
neighbor's property line as of a right where what this ordinance would do is require you if you were going to build as of right to actually bump in the addition um so you're no longer the new addition would no longer be too close to the
property line um and you'll maintain our current zoning. So, it's it's uh allowing you currently you're allowed to I'll call it increase the size of a um nonconforming
structure. This would require you to go to the board. It doesn't absolutely prohibit it, but it requires you to go to the board before doing so. If you wanted to do a building as of right, you'd have to do what I'll call the bump in using that as an example because that is actually the example. This happened
in in Verona and created an issue um where a neighbor said, "Hey, now look, this now I have a very large building too close to my property line instead of a smaller building." And after reviewing the ordinance, we said, "You're right." We spoke to Greg and Sarah. Um they
helped draft this ordinance. Uh but notwithstanding the fact that the board has already looked at this, the council has to look at it. If you're happy with it, approve it, and then it will still go back to the board to make sure it's consistent. They'll review it and bring back to us. Not saying the fact they've already had
one shot at it, I'll call. Um just as a a point this there are several circumstances in town in which residents would have benefited from having an ordinance like this.
>> Um but um as with we're seeing a lot of additions onto properties in town. People are spending a lot of money on property and spending a lot of money expanding property. Um, so I think for for peace um and uh and uh and public
safety um and all of those things, this is a very worthwhile zoning change ordinance change to make. Uh and it's just it's important to note that the zoning changes were made out of um the changes setbacks out of those
same those same ideals. Um and this just really ensures that the new construction is to ours rather than extending a uh nonpermitted um stepout. >> Uh I would just like to comment on this.
Uh I agree with this. Uh I think it's a very wise change to our zoning ordinance. Uh, I also think it would help uh a lot of neighborhoods and eliminate fights between neighbors. Uh, and if a neighbor so chooses to extend
that 40 through 40 ft and go for the variance, then it's up to them. Uh, but they're basically making the decision themselves. Uh, but I I think it it it calms uh a quarrel between neighbors and I I think it's a very sensible uh change to our zoning ordinance. So, and those
that found it and uh I believe it was our was it our zoning official that brought it forth? Was it >> technically it was actually a >> res wise change to our and there would have to be notice provisions now. So if there's an intent to construct and an
intent to ask for a variance, you would have noticed requirements and allow the neighbors to have some say in that process and be duly noticed, which would be which would be helpful. >> Just pulling a building permit and uh >> and just doing it. Yeah. That's one thing. >> And that's the reality of what's been
happening in some of these neighborhoods with residents that I've been speaking to is they just didn't know. And by the time they're able to see, it's it's too late because construction's in progress. Architectural plans been done, engineering plans been done, and uh it's
been allowed. So, any objection to introducing at the next meeting. Um going to 01G, the ordinance amending the joint flood advisory board. First off, I think it's great that adding Woodland Park and
Little Falls into this one change to this that I recommend. I know this is a multi-party ordinance, but um where it's under the membership appointment terms. It says township or burough OEM coordinator. I would just put an OEM
coordinator or deputy coordinator because some of the OEM coordinators not always available to do shift work or something like that. may not be, you know, they may not be conducive to their schedules. So, or I or I just b
coordinator or deputy coordinator. Everything else is fine. Maybe to update the council, I believe Cedar Grove has has introduced their ordinance. Um and Little Falls anticipates
introducing at their council meeting on November 24th and uh Woodland Park has confirmed they will be introducing. I don't have the dates of their meetings but they have um continued to authority as they indicated
that they intend to objection to introducing our next >> okay hearing. None. That's it this time. Any other new business or unfinished business? Okay. All open for public comment on any
item any member of public is to address. Same public comment statement applies. Mr. Shel. >> All right. I just wanted to address some of the comments from the pool discussion. Um, Councilwoman McGrath, we did have discussions uh at our last meeting about the adult swim program.
Um, the volleyball uh and grass. I don't know if that was in the presentation. >> Yeah. >> Um, that was one thing that we had a concern about because in the survey it said 60% said that they wanted the volleyball court, but the survey didn't say if there was going to be sand or not. On those two particular issues, we
asked the administration, can we allow to get surveys to get public feedback? The administration did not want to do another survey. So without that that data we could not make any comments on what we wanted to do or make a recommendation because administration
did not want to do that. So I just wanted to clarify and say that's what happened on the pool furniture. We also discussed as well because we also discussed in October that the plan would be maybe for 50,000 a year at a 4-year thing. So I was glad to see it got into
the presentation because that was something that we recommended in our last uh recommendation. So um you know it just would be helpful going forward if administration would have a timeline or the budget for poor rules for example
maybe at the end of the summer September I know that you don't need all the numbers to come in to make a logical projection about what's going on. Um I would thank you very much for the July numbers. They came in and was able to uh
extrapolate and do a projection for August uh and to finish it off and it was pretty much pretty pretty similar to what you got here in the final numbers but a little bit off but I'm not going to get into that. So if we can do a timeline so this way there can be
protocol of get those numbers send it to the committee that committee provides administration comes in the town council it would just make things a lot easier rather than rather than rules come out go right to the town council oh wait a minute could you send it to the committee it just would be easier if we
set up a protocol for the committees I'm not just saying for the direct committee in anything that we're doing protocols of timelines just to make things easier and smooth because we only meet once once a month and council only meets twice uh twice a month. So I think just think that would be a lot easier. So
thank you very much and have a good night. >> Thanks. >> Any other public comments? None. I was public comment. Um we have passed a resolution to go
into executive session and we will be doing that. See all.