Good evening. I called. Is the mic are the mics on? >> Yes. >> Good evening and call to order this regular meeting of the Verona Township Council for the Monday the 5th of January 2026. Madame Clerk, would you please read the
open public meetings at compliance date? The notice requirements 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 the public internet link and telephone call-in information. Said notice and meeting agenda was
posted on the township's legal notices web page on December 31st, 2025. posted in the municipal building and sent to the official newspapers of the township, the Verona Cedar Grove Times in the Star Ledger at least 48 hours preceding the start time of this meeting. The agenda and handouts can be viewed online at
vereronj.org/countsil meetings. A public comment period will be held in the order it's listed on the meeting agenda and instructions on how to comment will be provided at the appropriate time. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> here. Counciloman McGrath, >> here.
>> Councilman Roman, >> here. Deputy Mayor Mackoy >> present. >> Mayor Tambboro >> here. >> Mayor also presents Township attorney Brian Aoyo Township Manager Kevin O Sullivan. Deputy Township Manager Michael Krauss, myself, municipal clerk Jennifer Kieran. >> Everybody ready to stand and remain
standing for the pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> In December, I can remain standing as you're able. Um, in in December, shortly after our last council meeting, uh, Verona lost an active duty firefighter. uh Gavin Martin, a young man who grew up
his entire life in Verona uh and served this town with honor um and dignity and always conducted himself with friendship um and hard work and a real focus on service and what he could do to
make the lives of everybody else very positive. So, at this time, I would ask for a moment of silence to honor firefighter Gavin Martin. Thank you for the mayor's report. I'm going to continue uh on that for a minute. I once
again I I mourn the loss of Gavin and what a great human being he was. Um and my heart goes out to the the Martin and uh Rossy families um McLaclin family um
and everybody that is related um and for the entire community. Um, so there is a uh GoFundMe that is accepting donations for a memorial foundation in Gavin's name. Um, so I encourage residents as you're able uh to please donate to that
fund and uh and please show your support to all the family and members of the community who have been affected by this horrible and untimely uh death. um in uh other areas. Um we had our
Hanukkah celebration which was which was lovely. It was very very very well attended. Um and it was great to uh be able to do that. Um and uh there were what do you think Deputy Mayor? Maybe 100 at least 100 people
there about. Yes. >> Yeah. And I I thank Rabbi Tobin for his involvement as well as the MIAAC and Lisa Northrup and the community services department all who are on hand for a a really fun uh evening and our favorite band was back uh with special uh guest
musician Mr. Howard Fin the principal of Landing Avenue school which is always always great to see. Uh in addition, I had the uh the pleasure and honor of attending the clapout and uh walk out for Detective Lieutenant Tim Bant. Uh
Lieutenant Bant uh has served this town honorably um and has been a phenomenal police officer and leader um under his watch. the detective bureau um closed some major cases um including the um uh
three very quick arrests that we learned about in the in the last meeting related to the uh the shooting that happened in Municipal Lot One. Um as well as several autothefts um the arson at Our Lady Lake Church uh just to name a few that have uh happened in this time. So, I thank
Lieutenant Bant um for his service and congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement. Though, I have a stinking feeling that Lieutenant Bant will not be fully retiring. Um, and we will see um now Citizen Bant around town uh helping
in any way yet. I was not able to attend the swearing in of our four new Rona police officers as I was out of the country. Uh but I do congratulate all of them and wish them uh the best of luck. One of them is one of my former students and um I look forward to seeing him
succeed in the police academy. I've received some uh great feedback already today about the new pool registration process and the uh uh and being able to pay over time in
installments. Um so I thank the the rec committee, the tax administration, department of community services, Lisa Northrup for making that happen. And we already have quite a few registrations, right, Kevin? >> Uh, as of 4:00, there were 128 registrations already.
>> We'll take that. All right. Um, and the registrations for uh individuals who are being uh recommended for membership by uh current members will take place next month. Start next month. Yes. Um so that is great. It's it's just great to see uh
after all the hard work that um the the committee put in and the administration, the council uh to see what a successful first day that was. Uh as we enter the new year, I just want to thank all of our township employees for all they do to keep this town going. Uh I had the
opportunity to speak to the town employees um before the holiday. Um and the the story that I said is at league of municipalities um I was approached by a mayor of another municipality uh who asked you know who pointed out how great
a reputation Verona has and they said how do you do that my answer of course was we don't do it uh our staff uh many of whom have been around for a long time one whom are retiring after 50 years of service this year um it's our staff that do that they are the constants the
councils come and councils Uh but our staff are the the backbone of um of this town. Um and I am so thankful for all of them for that and look forward to another great year. And finally, just a uh friendly reminder
that snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm. I had the uh the opportunity to slip on a sidewalk the other day um and I prefer not to do that again. Um so it is a requirement. It's not a suggestion. Um
and uh and I would hope that uh residents will do that. Um and Mr. Sullivan, if perhaps there's a way that we could warn residents of that on on uh our notification system and even just some uh friendly uh you know, written notices to some towns from zoning
enforcement. Um so I don't think we need to to find everybody right away, but some folks, especially those new to town, may not know that's an ordinance. So, it be helpful uh to get that out uh just for the safety of everybody, especially our our children walking to school. And uh if you would like to
learn about some environmentally friendly ways to clear your sidewalks of ice, please look at the Florida Environmental Commission newsletter, um which has some environmentally friendly ways to do that. Uh my dog Radar was one of the three featured dogs um in that
article. So, I encourage you to uh to see Radar and uh read that article uh in whichever order you want to do that. Mr. Coltree is not here today, so I will turn the mic over to Mr. O Sullivan for the town manager.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh to start my report, um I would actually like to defer directly to uh some professionals we have here tonight. Uh we have Mr. Classic here to provide an update to the council regarding uh an affordable housing settlement. Uh with that, Mr.
Plac, welcome back. I just saw you a minute ago. >> Members of the council, uh we're back here at the final challenge that remains outstanding and not resolved. And that's with JMF Properties LLC, which is the contract purchaser of the 251 and a half
Grove Avenue property. uh we've been able to bring them down from their first proposal of 180 units down to 12 25 units down to 86 and now down to 84 units which was the proposed project for the site of that it would have the 20%
inclusionary set aside and these would be for sale town home units not rental properties. So that 20% gives us 17 affordable units and the remaining 67 units would be market rate. Uh the market rates are divided up as 33bedroom
and 372bedroom. Uh they wanted a 50-50 split. We negotiate that down. And the affordable uh distribution bedroom distribution as we all know is always set by regulation and that calculates out to three onebedroom, three threebedroom and 11 two-bedroom units.
Um we negotiated other uh agreements that are in that uh ultimate agreement other uh compliance issues that they have to solve and that includes a minimum 30 foot uh setback from the rear of each town home structure to the property line. So there there are two
residential uh lines adjacent or there are existing residential properties. So all of that will be covered with this 30-foot buffer which will include board on board fence a landscaping requirement and in that landscaping they'll be required to plant
mature trees as well not simply uh young saplings. So it will come it will start out as a a landscaped area. The have their parking they must satisfy RSIS as I know is very important to this council
to enforce and ensure that there would be sufficient parking on the site so they would not have to utilize outside street parking for any residents um or guests at that property. Um that's you know essentially where we're at. We have a the plan is
proposed. We're still working on finalizing some some documents with it, but it's all as the guidance and requirements by this governing body and the program judge uh was very supportive and was endorsing this proposed project
as a uh amendable resolution to achieve the township's obligation to satisfy it constitutional obligation under the Mount Waral series of cases. and now the amended housing act uh to deal with uh satisfying that obligation for
affordable units and the uh along with the program judge. uh we had the special adjudicator who also ultimately if we did not reach an agreement on this issue would go to the program uh judge for a determination or recommendation rather
the special adjudicator that recommendation would be based on what the special adjudicator says to the program judge by way of summary report as to where they believe because the special adjudicator is a planner and uh I'm confident that this this proposed
project that would be governed by This settlement, if approved by the governing body, uh provides the best opportunity for the township to maintain uh control over this site and provide for a redevelopment that is consistent with uh the township while also understanding
that there is this obligation that it has to be addressed, has to be dealt with and this township and governing body has no choice but to address uh by way of fourth round compliance. >> Questions for Mr. Pchek?
>> Mr. I just ask for the public's benefit summary going forward of you know from where we are here today through um projects actually getting executed. >> Yes. Uh so today if we have a resolution adopted approving this settlement based on this project we will have then have
encompassed resolution of all challenges filed that means fair share housing center and JMF properties uh DMH2 and the 885 Bloomfield site ANR skyline properties. We have to have all formal
action taken by resolution and ordinance by March 15th. Uh so we will unfortunately you'll be seeing a lot of myself and the planners and we'll have busy meetings uh more busier than usual especially on these types of issues because we are bound by deadlines set by
the amended act which sets up the fourth round procedure. So it's not that you want to have all these things going on. It's that we're coming to you telling you we have to have all these things going on because the state's telling us we have to accomplish this by a date certain. So for certain certain
properties we'll be uh designating that there some designation area in need of redevelopment study certain properties there will be they're already in an area in need. So what will have to happen is there will be a redevelopment plan that needs to be crafted and adopted. So there'll be meetings not only before
this governing body but before the planning board as well because the planning board reviews uh that as well and then um you know resolution then designating a certain entity as a redeveloper for that subject property and a resolution approving a
redevelopment agreement for the project as well because that's how you as a governing body in the township is able to maintain control over a project. While any project will go through the planning board with the site plan application as well, it's with the redevelopment process, what the local
redevelopment housing law does, it gives you more control as to sort of what we'll call the you know the details of what something may look like or physical appearance or you know those types of issues as to general bulk standards. So we have to accomplish all those actions for each one of those projects in that
period of time. um we will do our best to accomplish that and if we come up against a deadline issue we we should know by midFebruary um if where we stand with that and that March 15 deadline. So at
that point we would if we see an issue and I don't see a long-term issue when I say March 15 issue I mean just because the way the meetings fall and you know we expect to be back with special meeting dates and special meeting requests as well. So, you know, unfortunately, we'll be requiring you to
to you know, earn your high rate of pay even more. Um, but, you know, we'll we'll do what we can and and so if we carry past March 15, I'm talking, you know, a special meeting or two past the March 15 deadline or maybe a special meeting and the first meeting in April
type of issue or second meeting in April, you know, within that time period. I'm not talking we're going to be dealing with this in June uh you know or extended beyond because uh you know a lot of it is is getting pen to paper and you know because it's not just us and
and you as a governing body and us and the planning board but we also are working with us and property owners and redevelopers. So you know we can only control so much. So they need they understand as well that they need to do what they can do as quickly as possible
and turn things around because the burden is upon the township to take the actions. Okay. >> Yeah. Just again for the benefit of the public if you have an interest in this matter, please be watching our calendar between now and March the 15th because there will be substantial amounts of action taken between now and then to get
through this process by a court imposed deadline. >> Yes. And I think it would be helpful if the township administration could um work with the PIO to really publicize this and um and maybe get a letter out even to the folks in the uh Cypress Sand
Willow uh neighborhood as well as the neighbors on Grove Avenue um just to advise them of what's happening, do a summary. Uh and it might be helpful even to have a a little community um session or something like that like we do when we pave the roads. um just to advise on
what's going on there. >> Right. Um any other questions, Mr. Plchek? >> Okay. Yes, Councilman Holl. >> Um I just want to confirm a couple of things. One, um these would be units for sale, correct? >> Yes.
>> So they're not rental units. >> Not rental units. Every unit would be for sale units. >> So they would be for sale. And when we talk about the development, there's going to be opportunities for the public to to be able to provide input on what these would look like, but there's also
already been some discussion about buffering. Is that correct? >> Yes. There there will be a 30-foot buffer setback from the rear of the structure itself. There are some back patios, but it would be from the rear of the structure to the property line. And
then at that property line, there'll be a 8ft landscape buffer. and that the line there be board on board fence. >> And um one thing that frequently comes up when we talk about adding additional residential units, especially ones with multiple bedrooms um that could impact
the schools is the question about pilots is there's is there a pilot proposed as part of this? >> There's no pilot. This would be a traditionally assessed uh project for each property. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good. Right. Any other questions?
>> Thank you. us where it's located. >> I'm sorry, we don't we don't have public comment right now, but I'll answer your question anyway because you seem very nice. >> Uh it's the property is 251 and a half Grove Avenue. This is the property that lies to the south of Van Vanguard
Medical Group. that complex down there. It had been a a collection of very odd uh non-conforming items including like storage units and like landscaping trailers and they were in violation of
uh the zoning code and uh we worked on an arrangement to get them not in violation zoning code uh and the property will be sold and this developer will be coming to do that. >> Um all right and Mr. Mr. Pchek, you're asking the council at this time to do
what? >> To approve uh the settlement as directed um and authorize my execution of an agreement that will memorialize by way of a memorandum of agreement. Then ultimately what will happen is upon signature of that by both sides. We have this finalized we will submit to the
program. I will upload on the docket. uh and um those doc documents just so the public is aware uh the township manager uploads everything we file onto the uh town's websites uh the settle this the settlement that's in front of us since uh if people are
curious about what we are specifically approving the principal concept of it is it's speaking as to what the project is it has the unit counts um it has the bedroom counts um it talks about the setback uh that Mr. project mentioned um compliance with various rules including
the U-Hack distribution of units um ultimately this is it's about four four pages long there is a concept plan um that's a very rough blocking plan uh but this is a relatively brief agreement uh and that's why we brought up steps following this so this project will be
fleshed out in further detail um through the remainder of this process but this is essentially the township saying that we are willing to go forward with this unit count and this general concept of a project of uh townhouse units for sale in a particular configuration.
>> Correct. Council >> and the the text of this is available um on the township website under the addendum. >> It is currently posted that both the resolution and the agreement are on the township website. >> Okay. Um
right now that item is under the addendum. So, I'll hear a motion to change the agenda to uh move what is currently on the addendum as N1. We'll make that E2. Uh this is not to approve the resolution, just to move it to this
point in the agenda. >> So, move. >> Motion is made by Councilwoman McGrath. Is there a second? I'll second that. >> Second is made by Councilman Roman. It's not a discussible item. It's just an agenda movement. So, uh Madame Clerk, I'll just do it. All those in favor? I
>> I >> I Anybody opposed? >> Hearing none. The motion carries. I'll hear a motion to um to adopt resolution E2. I'll make that motion. Motion's made by
Councilman Roman. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second's made by the deputy mayor. This time I'll open for public comment on resolution E2 only. Madame Clerk, would you please read the open public uh the public participation statement?
>> 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. And if you're attending in person, please raise your hand before approaching the lect turn. Once you are recognized, clearly state only your name and township of residence
for the record. You're not required to provide your street address. However, if you do, please note that these meetings will be posted on the township's YouTube channel and addresses will not be redacted for any purpose. You'll have four minutes to address the council and there'll be no cross dialogue during this public portion. After everyone
wishing to speak has been heard, the council may address your comments and their questions. >> Thank you, madam clerk. Anybody in the gallery? Anybody on Zoom? Hearing none, I will close public
comment. Any council comments? >> Councilman, >> just a general opinion on this. This has been historically a challenging parcel to deal with. Um, we've been, you know, from the zoning violations and the uh the non-conforming uses. Um, we've been working for several years. Basically,
Councilwoman McGrath and I had extensive discussions just to debate the zoning violations and our council has been working on this for many, many years. Um, we've had a couple of different uh possibilities for redevelopment of this parcel. It's uh basically some older industrial buildings at this point in
time and it's been undergoing some cleanup and rehabilitation. Um, you know, this is a less intensive use than some of the other things that were proposed to go on this parcel, I would say. That being said, it is still 84 new units in h of housing. So, um, it is
obviously going to be a change for the neighborhood. Um there are I'm glad to see the efforts that went into this to establish a good buffer zone, particularly to have mature trees planted to try and mitigate the early impacts. Um there are still quite a bit
of process to go before this turns into a full set of plans for final approval and construction. Um but what's in front of us right now seems to be a reasonable uh use for the project. So thank you to our professionals for their work on this. Any other council discussion?
Deputy mayor. >> Uh he Councilman Roman ended with what I was going to say. Thank the professionals here uh for a wonderful job on this getting that number down. Uh this property is very close to where I grew up. I actually played on this property when I was little. Offour
stuff. But uh uh this uh I think the neighbors in this area are going to be happy with this plan also. I really do. uh seeing, you know, over the years it's had problems with uh environmental issues and noise.
Uh and I'm going back years and years ago. They used to land a helicopter on the property. So, I I think this is a good plan for this property. Uh and I think an appropriate density for this property also. So, thank you. >> Any other comments? I'll just close out
um by saying that uh I Mr. Um, Makavoy beat me to the comment about the neighbors. Uh, one of the things that we heard a lot over the years, and we've had several of the folks who live in this area participate in these meetings, is that they understood the need for development there, that it would be
developed, and they were really looking for something that was an improvement to what was there. Um, so I I thank them for their participation over the years. Um, you know, the al one of the the potential things to put here was a an
assisted living uh facility and um which is something that's needed in Verona. Unfortunately, it doesn't help to fulfill the obligations that we have under the uh affordable housing regulations. And um once again it this does demonstrate that um while the site
would have been developed by somebody at some point and needed you would have to think about resoning anyway. Um it does go to show once again the the breadth of the impact of affordable housing requirements that are being thrust upon
municipalities by the state. And um just one of those things to always consider and we have to contextualize any decision in this uh in what the the courts and the state legislature uh force us to do and the tough decision that we have to make in order to be compliant um and in order to avoid those
builder ceremony lawsuits that could occur if our plan was not found to meet the constitutional requirements for the affordable housing plan. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please? Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath,
>> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. >> Mayor, um E2 will be number 2026-002. It passes 5 to zero.
>> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Mr. O Sullivan, back to you on any managers highlights you'd like to >> Sure. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I will start by saying a lot of the projects that we have underway have been paused
both due to holiday season and weather. Uh, that includes um the delays at the Fairview Avenue. Well, there we're still waiting for material deliveries. Uh, we have our PCman River Bank stabilization. and we are expecting materials to be delivered
within the next several weeks. But again, uh we need particular weather conditions before we can move forward with that. Our Lynen Avenue construction project is uh ready to proceed. Uh but we need to wait until we get closer to the spring weather. Our Dod Terrace
after uh Terrace afterway and Summit Road project is ready for bidding and we'll be out to bid this month. Um, Ever Field is unfortunately paused at this point. Uh, we do need the snow to melt and the top course of ground to
thaw so we can complete the final grading and move forward with the next steps of the construction, but our fieldhouse uh element that's being donated from BBSL remains uh ongoing. Um, and
I will, um, those are the highlights from my, uh, from my report. I'm happy to answer any questions from the council. Otherwise, >> any questions for Mr. Oman? >> Councilwoman McGrath. >> Um, are you or Mr. Krauss going to
highlight the grant we received? >> I was going to let Mr. Krauss provide that. Mr. Cross. >> Um, can't hear you. Better. Think. So,
the township received a $1.5 million grant for the Bloomfield Avenue streetscape uh through the transportation set aside program. Uh, additionally, Strands Engineering is
moving forward with their design. They will meet with small subgroups of the council prior to any um formal designs being presented to the public. We have determined that the firm conducting
professional cleaning in the police station will continue their services in 2026. The bike lane striping error will be fixed once the weather becomes better.
For the roof project, the additional asbestous siding that was found at the DPW garage is scheduled to be removed tomorrow. Um that will allow the roof contractor to proceed once the again the weather gets better.
under staffing. Um the individual who has extended the offer for assistant construction official form uh he accepted the offer today. So we are beginning the pre-employment process with him. As was mentioned earlier, the pool
membership registration is open and over 120 have signed up. And the last item I would like to highlight is there were some concerning interactions between members of the public and staff
at the community center where they used foul language, displayed aggressive postures. Um that behavior is unacceptable. Uh to increase employee safety, uh we have installed security cameras and monitoring is going to be
taking place um at all times in the community center at the windows for both community services and construction in Zucker. And that concludes my report. M >> thank you. Um, I just wanted to thank
the administration for all of their work um in securing and strands as well for securing that $ 1.5 million grant. It's huge. A press release is going out later this week um to inform the public and uh I'm super excited about that and just
goes to show the progress we're making here in town. Any other questions, Mr. Krauss? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Krauss. Um, at this time I'll open for public comment on any item. I'm sorry. We're uh council
members reports. Deputy Mayor. >> Oh, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, very brief this evening. I thank you for the moment of silence for Gavin Martin and my condolences to the Martin and Rossy family. Uh,
they've given a lot to this town and uh, they keep giving more and more. So, thank them for that and my condolences again. And that's all I have for this evening. >> Thank you, Deputy Mayor, Councilman. >> Thank you. I would just also like to express my condolences to the Martin and
Rossy families uh of Yavin Martin. Um just we're incredibly appreciative of his service throughout his life to Verona. Uh he'll be deeply missed. Um like to thank everyone in the township that has been involved in putting together all of the holiday celebrations. Um this time of year was a very special time here in Verona. Um I
was able to attend midnight mass at OL Christmas Day. That was a very moving service. I really enjoyed. Um I did have the opportunity to attend the swearing in of our four new VPD recruits. Um had a chance to meet all of them and speak with them. Um it was a very extensive hiring process. We had over 300
applications to join the Verona Police Department and uh to bring it down to four uh very exceptional individuals was uh was a large effort by the police department. Um this department is very good at hiring uh top quality candidates. So, I just want to wish them
the best as they go through the academy and uh begin their service with the township of Rona and I'm glad to see the department up full strength and that's very important this evening. >> Thank you, Councilwoman McGrath. >> Um thank you. I too want to extend my condolences to the Martin family. Um
such a tragedy um and I um it's really hard to wrap our heads around. So um they've definitely been in my thoughts since I heard the news. Um I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Um, I actually uh do have something prepared because tonight is normally the end of
what would be our two-year cycle of the five of us serving together. Um, this time around, we got an extra six months together because we did move our elections. So, I was reflective today on um what we've accomplished over the last
two years and sort of the opportunities for improvement. I want to thank all of my colleagues for their dedication and all the time that they spend serving our community. In particular, I'm really excited to serve with Councilwoman Holland. Together, we've made history.
Um, we are the first two women to serve together for four years on the council and we are going to extend that record by serving two more. Um, so I'm really excited to make history with her. So, thank you, Councilwoman Holland. Um, I'm really proud that as a group we've
decided to invest and address our long-standing issues we have with our aging recreation infrastructure assets. Uh, we renovated the community center playground, the pickleball/tennis courts, uh, the upcoming renovation at Everett Field. These are all huge
accomplishments. And I'm also really excited that we're finally addressing our aging streetscape and that tonight we announced that we received a $ 1.5 million grant to offset the costs. Um, which is really a great achievement. Um, and next year over the next year, I'm
also excited for the foundational work that we're going to be doing to make our community more age friendly and more inclusive with those living with disabilities. We've also made great strides addressing our water and sewer infrastructure and have maximized capturing federal dollars to offset the
costs of those projects. I want to thank our staff for all of their hard work on that and the leadership of Councilwoman Holland. Um, and I want to thank all of the chairpeople and all of the volunteers for the committees for which I'm on um I
am the liaison council member. They're all doing exceptional work. I want to applaud the Sha Tree Commission who really they have really transformed their operations and focus during the time for which I serve with them. Uh the
MYAK committee has spent hours supporting the township by planning fun and meaningful events to build connection in our community. and the neighborhood traffic and safety committee um has a set of enthusiastic members who are looking for Verona to
take a step forward um with our uh draft of a complete streets policy that we hope to adopt next year. Um however, we do have two projects that for me keep me up at night um as they are such a challenge. The new police and fire
building has been one of those projects. I remain committed to finding a solution forward, but I am deeply frustrated with the project and how it's been led and organized. Um, we've spent over a quarter of a million dollars and at this
point we still don't have a workable design for the building to address our needs. Um, our zoning redevelopment efforts and compliance with affordable housing requirements. It's also an area of focus. Um, I really believe that the town council and planning board um can
be collaborating more on a vision and strategy for our community and then executing that strategy and courting investment for our community. Instead, we seem to be in perpetual reaction mode to requests made by developers and property owners. Um, on as I look
forward on these two projects, we do need the right leader of this council to bring us together and strategically move us forward. And we do need to focus on a new approach that will help us reach consensus earlier in the process so that
we can be more efficient on how we spend taxpayer money and time. We need a leader that will extend outreaches to involve all members of the council and decisions to touch base and bridge divides. Instead of focusing just on what's happening in our meetings, the
right leader uh should be working in between meetings to help us prepare and communicate between the township manager and the rest of the council. And that's what the leadership of this council entails. As always, I am enthusiastic to serve this great community and I will
continue to work hard over the next two years on behalf of all Verona residents. Thank you, >> Councilwoman Holland. Thank you. Um I want to wish everybody a happy new year. Um this is our first
meeting of 2026. Um and I was not able to attend um all of our holiday uh festivities in town just due to various work and family commitments. But I do share my fellow council members sentiments regarding those holiday
events um and the good work of our various boards and committees um for and administration for putting them together. So, thank you for that. I do also want to thank everyone at DPW for their hard work um clearing the roads during um some of our recent snow
events. And as we face the peak of winter in January 2026, um I just want to remind residents uh you know in Verona, but it's really across the state as well of the protections available under the winter termination program.
With temperatures currently plunging to lows in the mid teens and low 20s and wind chills making it feel even colder, the stability of home heating is really a matter of public safety. So, I think it's very important for residents to have awareness of those programs to make
sure that um if you are struggling, you can avail yourself of that program and not be shut off at this time. Um so, thank you for that. That concludes my report. >> Thank you. At this time, I will open for public comment on any item any member of
the public wishes to discuss. Madam clerk, I did see somebody new come on um since our last one. Can we read the statement, please? >> Um, anyone from the public wishing to speak on any matter, please raise your hand by raising by pressing the raise
hand button on your monitor. If you're dialing in by phone, press or not. And if you're attending in person, please raise your hand before approaching the lecture. Once you're recognized, clearly state only your name and counc not required to provide your street address. If you do, please note that these meetings will be posted on the
township's YouTube channel and addresses will not be redacted for any purpose. You have four minutes to address the council. There can be no cross dialogue during this public portion and after everyone wishing to speak has been heard. Council may address your comments and your questions.
>> Thank you. >> I'll take ma'am first since you're closest. Just come on up here. >> We do have >> Yep. Yeah. You got >> and then she wants me to go over there. >> Sure. Sure. You can we'll we'll give you each four minutes. You're all good.
>> Recoers the whole from each other. Just just tell us your name and the town you live in. >> Okay. I'm Sandra Alvarez. >> Yeah. Try and center up on the podium. >> Uh Sandra Alvarez. Uh Hillwood 100 Hillwood Terrace Verona and apartment
522. >> Yeah. Yeah. You don't have to tell us all of that. >> Okay. Because my neighbors across the hill. Our issue. Um I'm Sandy Batazzi, 100 Hillwood 521. Okay. >> Okay. um
for five years I have and I've been in this complex for eight years. Um I was told that um my neighbor next door neighbor who is an elderly man with issues that h has his granddaughter
living with him. He's got full custody and she's on the lease that um she causes so many problems. She's already stabbed him. Uh they took her away to jail. We've had so many issues. I've called the police. Police come,
which is not really right that in a senior complex that we have to um at least our floor that we have to deal with this. And there are policemen on the floor. There are people walking by, policemen talking to women who are cursing to them. And it's very
disruptive. And I feel because I've spoken to the management several times today in particular. So has we're both Sandies. Uh that um this has been going on too long and we have rights
as as an as being in a senior place. Um and they told me that well he has rights too. Well, I haven't caused any problems and they are the ones that are really and it I'm telling you it is so
upsetting and frightening for me for for Sandy. She's got a whole other story about her granddaughter and it it it's very disturbing. I my question is do we have any rights with this because we're in a HUD building.
They keep saying we're working on it. This is five years. I've been there eight years and this has been going on. It's now five years I've been calling police and they always say, "Oh yeah, we know who you're talking about." And they came
up Friday with three police cars. It took forever to get Now the mother of this girl moved in and they move her out every week and move her back in as he he just picked her up and brought her back in.
So, I just wonder if we have any rights in this situation because I know I can't go on forever. >> What we can do? How do we proceed since our building seems to just say we're working on it? >> Yeah. >> I've been there three years and they've been working on it.
>> My granddaughter was with me when the police arrived on Friday night and you know, we were walking down the hall. We heard them yelling and screaming cuz he's like caddy corner to me. Sandy's across from me and he's next to her. So I'm right there.
>> Yeah. >> So my granddaughter and I went into the apartment, took our coats off and everything. The granddaughter goes over to look out the window. She's 12. Okay. She goes, "Grandma, all these police cars are coming. What's happening?" Yeah. Okay.
Few minutes later, I hear them outside. Now they spoke, I guess, to the mother and daughter. The grandfather stayed in the apartment and they talked in the hallway for 45 minutes aloud. >> Well, okay. >> Pick up a lot talking about domestic
violence, talking and then the mother is saying, "I have PTSD. I can't get a job." It just went on and on and on and on. And then my granddaughter's like, So, my granddaughter gets home and she tells, of course, my daughter, oh, we were I was a grandma. The police were there. Blah blah blah blah. Now, my
daughter's like, "Wow, you didn't tell me." It was like this and I have mentioned to her but I try to downplay it you know >> just give me one second. I'm sorry. >> If you could put another four minutes on the clock because we Yeah, we have a different Sandy. So, we'll just add make sure you get all your time. Ed. Yeah.
>> So, now my daughter's like, is it safe for her to come there? You know, I mean, I just want to be in my building and with my cat and be happy, you know, like I feel bad for the grandfather. Truly, I do. >> Um >> I do too. And and from what from what
the office has told us, >> he claims he wants her out, >> but then when push comes to shove, he will go downstairs and then not go through the proper f like he said, can we do it quietly and get her off the
lease? No, you can't do that. There are certain procedures you have to do. And then he backs off >> when he got assaulted by her. the police took her away, he wouldn't press charges. So, it
it's very frustrating. It really is. Um, and we're just I mean, you guys helped us with the heat and all that. I know this is a totally different situation. We're just kind of appealing to you that maybe you can put us in the right direction. Do we go to police? I don't
know anything. So, we're asking for your help. >> That's really all. Thank you. >> Thank you. I we just can't respond to you until everybody's >> fine. Okay. Okay. >> Anybody else? I see none. I close public comment. Um
Sandy and Sandy, I my heart goes out to you. This is a very difficult kind of a possible situation that you're going through. Um just know that we don't get briefings on police related matters. Um because it's not how our system of government works. the uh the police
chief reports that the township manager and the police chief actually has a bill of rights that they are entitled to to do certain things. Um I am going to ask Mr. Sullivan to meet with you and Chief Kieran. Uh Chief Kieran is very
receptive. Um he actually, you know, he gives his cell phone number out to residents. Like he's that receptive. Um so I would strongly recommend that you meet with them. We can't give you legal advice because it's not really what our role is. um at that's not technically a HUD building anymore, right? Is it?
>> Yeah, I have conflicting reports. >> Yeah, it's >> because Yeah, it it changed after the original. >> Um Jack, you would know better than I >> I believe it's section 8 now. >> Yes. Yeah. >> But I'm not going to but um it that shouldn't matter. I mean, it really your
living conditions are one thing. So, I'm going to ask um tension manager to get your information and to set up a meeting uh with the police chief and um and they can provide you some some resources uh as well there. And it also may be possible that the township would provide
resources to the the other family as well uh through our our health department and um anything that we could do. So, I'm I'm sorry you're going through that. Um but I Mr. Sullivan and Chief Kieran are very receptive and I hope that you'll keep us updated on what
is going on for sure. Councilwoman Holland. >> Yes. Um I just want to share the mayor's sentiment. My heart does go out to you. I mean this is a very difficult situation. Um, and again, notwithstanding the fact that I'm an attorney, I can't give you any kind of
legal advice, but when you when you know, the residents of Hillwood came to us previously, you were represented by council through the Rucker Law Clinic. um even if they're no longer representing you or they're un willing or unable to represent in this capacity,
there may be opportunities for other um uh legal aid services that you could avail yourself of that could help you um at least in terms of your legal rights, right? So, you should get that advice from an attorney that's representing you
um in this process. Uh certainly going to the building or going to others aren't necessarily going to advise you the way an attorney that's representing your needs would. Um so if you would need access to those, you can get that from the state bar association or if you're having meetings with the uh
administration, perhaps they can connect you with some resources as well. >> We were told that Anita, a lawyer that was with us the last time, she can't do anything on domestic, so it wouldn't be she she would not be able to help. I'm going to go to their meeting and and see
if she can uh give me a name. >> So, uh Sandy's I I appreciate we're unfortunately not allowed to have like a cross dialogue in meeting. Um but but um I I didn't want to I didn't want to cut you off there, but yeah. >> Um >> again, there are lots of legal aid
societies and and the State Bar Association has resources as well as, you know, I'm I'm sure Chief Kieran also can connect you with, you know, lowincome legal assistance, even if the Ruters Law School clinic doesn't and and
that is because clinics are narrowly tailored to specific topics. Um, but there are other attorney resources that could be made available to you if you needed legal advice. >> Thank you. >> Sandy and Sandy, thank you for coming and sharing your story. And uh, could
you um, Mr. Krauss will get your information if you step outside and um, we'll get that all set up for you. Thank you, Mr. O' Sullivan, Mr. Krauss, and Chief Kieran in advance. >> All right. Um, we're going to move on to the consent agenda, which is relatively
short. We do need to remove L uh one because there was a question about council meeting dates. Um but we can hear a motion to move K1 and two and L1 and L3 please. >> L2 and L3. >> L2 and L3. Yes.
>> Um we need to remove the set of minutes because they are >> okay. Can you then change? >> There wasn't an email for >> Okay. >> That would be great because I haven't >> Which set of meeting minutes?
>> The December 15th. >> The December 15th. K2. >> K1 or two. Sorry. >> Yeah. K1 is fine. K2. There were issues. >> All right. So, um, can I hear a motion to approve K1 and L1 and L2? >> It was L2 and L3, wasn't it?
>> Sorry. L2 and L3. That's what literally I was looking at when I read that. I'll make that motion. So move. >> Okay. Councilman Roman made the motion. Deputy Mayor Made, would you like to second that? >> Okay. >> At this time, I will open for public comment on any of the um consent agenda items, even the ones that were pulled,
the council meeting dates. Same public comment statement applies. We're just limited to these items in particular. All right. All right, hearing none, I close public comment. Any council discussion on any of the moved items? There's not really much to discuss.
All right, hearing none. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. >> Mayor, um, L2 and L3 will be numbered
2026- 003 and 0004. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Going to L1. Um, Deputy Mayo, I think you had found an issue with L.
>> Yeah, I already discussed it with the clerk. She changed uh just the one Monday, October 14. Uh, it was supposed to be October 19. That's the Monday that fall. The third Monday. >> Okay. >> Doesn't tell you about. >> All right. So, uh, Council McGrath. >> Yes. So, there's, um, Monday, September
21st is Yan Kapor. So, um I think it would not be appropriate to have a meeting that evening. >> So, I I don't see any reason why we couldn't have the meeting the week before on the 14th because it's the only
meeting in September anyway. So, hold on one second. Monday. Uh, madame clerk, was there a particular reason for the 21st? Was there like a conflict for the Monday the 14th? Another board committee?
>> Well, Shri is scheduled to meet them, but that's >> they meet earlier. They meet >> check with the clerk. >> I don't think that the school has that's what I was I'm trying to find the school calendar. I don't know why we couldn't have this.
>> We could 14th. I think I don't have any. >> I'll pull it up. >> District calendar. Uh 26 is they haven't posted 26 yet. So let's just go with that if we have to change the meeting date, change the
meeting date. >> All right. So So I hear a motion to approve um L1 with a change to read Monday, October 19th and then uh instead of Monday, September
21st, Monday, September 14th. >> So moved. Motion is made by Councilwoman McGrath. Is there a second? I'll second it. Why not? Any council discussion? All those in favor? I'm sorry. No, I'm sorry. We have to adopt this. It's a
resolution. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Makavore, yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. >> Mayor L1 would be number 2026-005. And it wasn't the 14th only because I
was trying to do the first and third every month. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um at this time we had previously made a motion to uh or pass resolution to go in executive session. Uh we will be doing so at this time to discuss
foreign committee appointments. Uh and then we will come out of executive session take official action following that. So uh we will be dark for a minute or for a few minutes and then we will be coming back. So stay tuned. Uh we are
back in session at 8:22 p.m. and we're going to be doing our uh appointments to various boards and committees. Um for the just the ease of doing this, um I will be moving what the um discussion ensued as far as how a
majority of the council uh or the entire council depending on on the committee um voted going going forward. Um so for the board of adjustment terms expiring 12312029 it's two terms. We'll move um
Mr. Kevin Ryan and uh Jesus Bill Cuas. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second is made by Councilman Roman. Uh at this time I'll call for public comment on the board of adjustment appointments. Hearing none, I close public comment.
Any council discussion? Hearing none. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambora, >> yes.
>> Mayor, uh, motion passes 5-0. >> Thank you. Uh, moving next to the, uh, we the Environmental Commission. Um there are which is not listed on the agenda but um
it's what we're doing. Uh so we have that it's um this is a mayor's appointment for public members. So I hereby appoint um expiring 1231 of 2028 Shawn Darollo
and Gan Deo. Um, and that appointment is now official by appointing Gene Deo to the public member position. There's an opening for alternate number two, which expires 12:31 of 2027.
And I move Anthony Triolo for that position. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> The second is made by the deputy mayor. This time I'll open for public comment on environmental commission appointments. Same public comment. See applies.
Okay. Hearing none, I'll close public comment. Any council discussion? Hearing none. Madam clerk, could you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes.
>> Mayor Tambourro, >> yes. >> Mayor, motion passes 5-0. >> Okay. Uh, the next is the green team. Uh this is for seven positions all expiring 12:31 of 2026.
Um and the um manager will be making staff appointments at a in a memorandum at a future time. Um I move Rebecca Delgado, Jamie Bournestead Ball, Carrie Bass, Christine Lealkis, Casey Cisco,
Daniel Murray, and Steve Pope. Is there a second? I'll second that. >> Second is made by the deputy mayor. At this time, I'll open for public comment on environmental commission appointments. >> Green team, >> I'm sorry, green team appointments. Thank you.
Hearing none, I close public comment. Any council discussion? >> Uh, quick comment on this group that's worked very very hard over the last year or two that I've been the liazison to them and I'm happy to see every one of them come back and continue. Do you have
to name the chair or is that done with >> um >> they normally name their own chair? >> According to your code, the township of council designates one of the members to serve as chair. >> I believe there was a multi-year appointment >> for for that. Well, no, they all have only one year plans. They're they're all
one year expiring appointments. >> If that's the case, I think they should continue Carrie Carrie Bass. >> I'll move Carrie Bass as the the chair. If they want to change that, they can of course come to us and change that just so they have a chairperson for the next meeting. Is there a second? >> I'll second that.
>> Second is made by the deputy mayor. All open for public comment on the chairperson for the green team. Hearing none, I close public comment. Any council discussion hearing? None. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please?
>> Councilwoman Holland. Yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath. >> Yes. >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambbero. >> Yes. >> Mayor. Motion passes 5-0. Okay. >> All right. Next is the Historical Preservation Commission. This is not on
the agenda, but this is a mayor's appointment. Um, I uh hereby appoint former mayor Tina Schwarz for the public member expiring 1231 of 2028 and Alina Streit uh Stitcha
for the other public member expiring 1231 of 2028. Uh this would be moving Alina from an alternate position. I would like to note for the public edification that there are now two alternates um open on this committee and we are accepting very gladly applications for
this committee. So um that is my motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> I'm sorry it's not a motion because I just made it. >> Okay. Fantastic. Um moving on to the the library board of trustees.
The elaborate board of trustees is a uh mayor's appointment but with advice and consent of the council. So I I'm going to make my appointment and then call for advice and consent of the council. Um,
so I hereby appoint uh Chris Barrows for a term expiring 1231 of 2030 and Carol Monroe for a term expiring I believe it's also 1231 of 2030,
right? Um, >> fiveyear term >> four years. They're all four-year terms. I have it as 29 in my notes, but I don't >> Yeah, it' be 29. >> Is it 29? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, for uh Miss Monroe, it would
be 12:31 of 2029. Um at this time, I will uh need a council member to make a motion to consent to the mayor's appointment. >> I will make that motion. >> The motion is made by uh Councilman
Roman. Is there >> I'll second that. Second is made by the deputy mayor. Uh at this time I'll call for public comment on the library board of trustees appointments.
Hearing none I close public comment. I see Mr. Barrows on Zoom. So thank you Chris for your willingness to serve another term and uh we certainly appreciate everything you've done for the for the library board. Um and um
I'm sorry. We'll have a vote at this point. Madam clerk, call the roll, please. Council >> womanise consent. >> Yes. Sorry. Counciloman Holland. >> Yes. >> Council McGrath. >> Yes. >> Councilman Roman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambor.
>> Yes. I consent to my own appointment. Well, >> mayor, motion passes 5-0. >> Okay. Um moving on. We had previously um done the multicultural inclusion accessility advisory committee uh at the
last meeting, but we're just going to move that uh for the sake to make sure that it's on this set of minutes. Um so uh I hereby make a motion to appoint expiring 1231 of 2028 Peter Pimpanelli,
John Vada and Rita Shioalier as well as high school student representatives expiring 1231 2026 Alyssa Pena and Sineline Akoff. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second's made by Councilwoman McGrath.
At this time for public comment on MIAC appointments. The same public comment statement applies. Hearing none, um I close public comment. Any council discussion? Hearing none. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambboro, >> yes. >> Mayor, motion passes 5. >> Thank you. Uh, next on the uh list is the neighborhood traffic and
safety committee. Um, I move for terms expiring 1231 2027. Paul Mikawitz, Brian Cantrell, and John Verzella. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Second's made by the deputy mayor. This time I will open for any public comment
on the uh neighbor traffic and safety committee. Hearing none, I close public comment. Any council discussion? >> Hearing none. Madame clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman McGrath, >> abstain. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Tambbor, >> yes. Mayor motion passes 40 with one
abstension. >> Thank you. Um for the for the open space advisory committee in the previous meeting we appointed Mr. Raph but for the sake of memorializing that I hereby move uh Mr. Raph for a
term expiring 1231 2028. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Second made by the Councilman Roman. At this time, I'll call for public comment on Mr. Raph's appointment. Hearing none, I close public comment
and any council discussion. I'll just note as well that there are some openings on this committee. Um, and uh I think that these could be filled by individuals who might not be appointed to some other committees. So, I will reach out to um other individuals and
see if they'd be willing to serve on this one as well. Um, Madam Clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. >> Mayor Chambro, >> yes.
>> Mayor, motion passes. 5-0. >> Okay. Uh, the next up is the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Um so I will move for the positions um for a position expiring 1231 2028 Mr.
Pacero Michael Pacero for a term expiring 1231 2028 Christopher Randian for a uh to look back at my notes here sorry uh for a term expiring
um 12 uh 31 2028 um uh Miss Jan Zales and for a term expiring 12312026
Miss Michelle Nunees. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> Seconded by Councilwoman McGrath. At this time, open for public comment on the parks and recreation advisor um advisory committee appointments.
Miss Als, >> thank you. >> Thank you. All right. And Miss Als lives in Verona. We'll just clarify that. >> That's public comment. >> Any council discussion. All right. Hearing none. Madame clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Counciloman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, >> yes. Yes, Mayor Tambbora. >> Yes, >> Mayor. Motion passes 5-0. >> And at this time, there is a uh the manager designign appointment to the committee as well, Mr. O. Sullivan.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh at this point, I'd like to name Nicole Tolbe as the manager's designate for the parks and recreation advisory committee. >> So named, Mr. O Sullivan. No council action is required. Okay. All right. Um moving on to the uh
the planning board. Um, I move for a term expiring 12312029. Tim Community for a public member term expiring 12312029, Julie Parker.
For alternate number one expiring 1231 2027, Jim Day. And for alternate number two, which uh would be created by uh Miss Parker moving to a public member uh
for a term expiring 1231 2026, Dylan Magarell. Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Second is made by the deputy mayor. This time I'll open for public comment on the planning board appointments. Same public comment statement applies.
Mr. Katz, >> sorry. Thank you. So, uh, I was issued a rice notice. I asked that. >> Sorry. Hold on. We can't We can't hear you. >> Hold on. Try now. >> Could you speak again now, please? >> Yes. Hello. >> Yep, we can hear you. >> Thanks. So, good evening. So, I was
issued a rice notice. I had asked that my candidacy be discussed in public >> be appointed and elevated to my position. Thank you. >> Thank you. As we have not had council discussion yet, uh we have to wait on that. >> Any other council
I'm sorry, any other public comments? Hearing none, I close public comment. And now is the time for council discussion and council discussion. Miss Al, >> I just want to acknowledge uh that Mr.
Cassiff did put forward um put himself forward uh for renomination and that I would be willing to support that renomination. Um we did also get a number of resident emails in support of
Mr. Cassiff speaking about his expertise and his service um on the planning board thus far. Um and I I share many of the sentiments that were articulated in those including um having
you know just keeping his expertise on the planning board. Um, I think he brings uh thoughtful consideration to the different topics and at times there is not necessarily consensus, but I do
think that that kind of rigor and holding people accountable and actually expressing diverging opinions is really worthwhile. Um, and so I would put him forward. I will also note that there was at least one other candidate that I
thought had very valuable skills. um um but was not ultimately supported by a majority of the council so was not part of the nomination. >> You councilwoman McGrath. >> Um thank you. Yeah, I'm really confused on why we're not reappointing Mr. Katz
off. So I look forward to hearing um from my peers. I agree with the fact that we received so many um letters of support but um mostly from um two members of the planning board and you
know considering what we covered at the beginning of this meeting with all of the extensive things that we need to do in the next three months I don't know why we would remove um a member in good standing who's been attending meetings
that is not what the Verona Town Council has done. We don't remove members uh volunteers from boards and committees um just because you know for like no reason. So and no reason's been provided
to me. I have not had a conversation with the chair uh woman of the planning board. No one has come to me with any complaints um including any of my peers. So I don't really know what's happening. Um and I would like an explanation.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilwoman McGrath. Um, so I will just share my thoughts on the the planning board process. So, we have uh these positions to fill. Um, our process is to pick the best candidates. No
individual has a lifetime appointment or a guaranteed reappointment to any position. Um, and I unfortunately can't discuss the qualifications or the virtues of the other candidates um because they were discussed in close session um and I did articulate um their
strengths at that time. Um as I'm unable to discuss the other candidates in public, uh it would be impossible to do to really contextualize uh my thoughts on uh Mr. Catsip's candidacy for reappointment without discussing the strengths of the other
candidates which I'm unable to do. Um so I can however um share what my thought process is for an appointment to the planning board. I look for um candidates who always treat um are and have the
capacity to treat any applicants, objectors, professionals and other board members with respect at all times. uh and without any kind of aggression. I look at individuals who are motivated purely by a sense of service um and
wanting to do what is best for the township. Um I look at individuals who can um look at the big picture and focus on the good of Verona and make tough decisions and have the capacity to do that um rather than looking at one
particular neighborhood or any kind of special interests. Um and I look at somebody who brings a unique perspective based on their qualifications, experience, their time in town, um their past service. That is what um informs my decision-m. So um I will offer that
because I can't possibly contextualize um the Mr. Katziff, who uh the other council members brought up um without talking about the the strengths of the other candidates and why I um would support them uh over uh any other
candidate. Um and that's it. I thank Mr. Katz for his service to the the township and I uh would note that I was the the tiebreaking person to uh appoint Mr. Katz the first time he was appointed. Um and uh I will just leave that for the
record as well. And I do appreciate uh public comment. Um one item I just will suggest that actually came in as concern from some of the letters that people submitted is that there were some references to uh whispering woods things that happened in whispering woods
hearings in these emails. Uh whispering woods hearings happen only in confidential session um by judicial decision. So I was very concerned in receiving uh some of those emails that discussed whispering wood sessions uh which are held purely and strictly
confidential. Um I am not incorrect in that Mr. Aloy correct that Whispering Woods is done during confidential session. >> That is done during confidential. That's correct. >> Thank you. Any other council comments? >> M and I'm in a similar position. This is a comparative weighing of strength
amongst all of the candidates. Um, all of the candidates um for these positions were sent Rice notices. And when you receive a Rice notice, um, you have the right to request that, uh, any matters regarding your candidacy or employment,
if you're an employee, uh, be discussed in public session. Um, otherwise, by default, we typically discuss them in private, and we can't discuss them in public. So, we had a set of candidates that were riceed um who did not want to be did not express a desire to be discussed in public and a candidate who
did express a desire to be um heard in public. So, we can talk about some people and we can't talk about other people in close session. We can talk about some people and we can't talk about other people in public session. Um so that being sort of a weighing between all of these factors makes it
unfortunately very difficult to articulate with regards to specific candidates the reasons uh for candidate A or D. Um I wish it was not the case. Um I think that uh I would rather be able to go through everything in detail but
unfortunately we're not able to. Um we looked at the backgrounds of all of everyone there um and picked out some characteristics and past service and other um elements that we felt led to a balance on the board. Um and that's
really what I think this you know this group of people is going to bring. I do appreciate uh Mr. Katz's service. Um but uh this we have to look at sort of what's in front of us and some of the challenges and needs that the community will have going forward and uh try and select a slate of members for these
boards um that we feel will u be reflective of public in of public opinion as expressed to us and I did read all of the email comments and I do appreciate everyone uh interest in this position but uh that's where I stand at the moment. Deputy member. >> Thank you. Uh I I will echo a lot of
these comments. Uh this process though uh seems to change every two years when we do this. Uh I wish we could discuss all these candidates at the same time. They're all uniquely qualified. Anytime someone does
step up and volunteer uh on any board, on any commission, even on council, I thank them for their time and their service. And Mr. hats off. I thank you for your time. Uh however, I just feel that looking at the rest of the group
here of applicants, uh I think this is a a more diverse when it comes to uh a more diverse group when it comes to uh involvement and activity within the town. And I just that's my opinion on
this and uh that's how I feel and that's why I make my decision uh to put these other candidates up ahead of Mr. KZ. Thank you. >> Madam Clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland,
>> abstain. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> abstain. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. Deputy Mayor Mackoy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambboro. >> Yes. >> Mayor, motion passes 30 with two abstensions.
>> Okay. Thank you very much. Um, and Mr. O Sullivan, you have a appointment to the Sh2 commission. >> Yes, Mayor. I would like to uh rename Kathy Rutherford to the position of
alternate 2 and also name Carol Thomas as the chair for the sher commission for the calendar year. >> So be written so be done. At this time uh we are we have concluded the appointments. I thank every uh
individual who put in their application uh for being considered and I know we have some openings on uh some other committees and uh and I'm certainly um we're looking for some individuals for those um rent control. >> What's that?
>> Rent control. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh for the rent control board, um we have Marie, this is another one that we did previously. Yeah. Uh just I'll make the motion to affirm the appointment of Maria Baron for a term expiring 1231 2026.
>> I'll second that. >> Seconds by the deputy mayor. I'll open for public comment on the rent control board. >> Hearing none. Any council comments on rent control. Hearing none. Madam clerk, would you call the role, please?
>> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Counciloman Roman, yes. Deputy Mayor Makavoy. >> Yes. >> Mayor Tambbero. >> Yes. >> Mayor, motion passes 5 to zero. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. And at this time, I will make a motion to affirm the
past appointments for the Verona Municipal Alliance Committee for Mr. Colin Bole, Miss Carolyn Moy, and Miss Marina McKel. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Second is made by Councilwoman Holland. I'll open for public comment at
this time. Same public comment statement applies. hearing. None. Close public comment and any council discussion. I just have one item. I was a representative to VMAC like 15 years ago uh when I advised a a
club at uh Verona High School, the Star Club, and Mr. Bole was serving then. Uh so I thank him for his uh continued service. And uh and I also have known Miss Moy and Miss McCuel for a long time and they are uh outstanding uh
individuals and candidates for this committee and they've done some great work already. >> Uh Madam Clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Councilwoman Holland, >> yes. >> Councilwoman McGrath, >> yes. >> Councilman Roman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Mackoy, yes. Mayor Tambbor, >> yes.
>> Mayor, motion passes 5. >> Thank you. Uh, and at this time I will open for public comment on any item any member of the public wishes to bring forth to the council. Same public comment statement applies. Seeing no public comment, I hereby close
public comment and I will hear a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Motion is made by Councilman Roman. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Second's made by Deputy Mayor Makavoy. This is a non-debatable motion. All those in favor? I
>> All those opposed. >> Hearing none. The motion's carried. See you all for the reorganizational meeting on January 19th.