The regular schedule public meeting of August 11th, 2025 of the Township of Washington Township Council. Adequate notice of the meeting was given in accordance to the open public meetings act by the township clerk to at least two newspapers in January and this meeting has been posted on the township
Golden Board, electronic message board, WCTV and the township website. Please notify the municipal clerk of any visibility requirements necessary for attendance at the council uh meeting. The fire exits are located to the double doors to your right and to the door on
your left. Please silence all cell uh cell phones. Uh if you are unable to attend the council meeting in person and would like a topic to be addressed at the council meeting, please visit uh www. Township of Washington, US contact
us tab. Click on mayor and council. Send email to all contact member uh all members at once. Uh salute to the flag. Please stand everyone. >> 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. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Casio, >> here. >> Councilman Sears, >> here. >> Councilman Oman >> here.
>> Counciloman Molesz, >> Council President Denna. >> Let the record also reflect in attendance, Mayor Calamari, Township Administrator D. Carlo, Township Attorney Bailey, and Township Clerkowski.
>> You are unlisted. >> You're here. >> Okay. Payment of bills resolution number 25-285 author authorization payment of bills
July 11th to August 7th 2025. We have a motion. >> So move. >> I just had one question. >> We had a second. >> Second. >> Second. >> You discuss. Just one quick question. On page 16 of
the purchase order listing by PO number, there are two awards uh from the spring into wellness um
fund. Uh I was under the impression that three were awarded and I'm just wondering is that on the previous bill list or is there a subsequent one? No, I don't I don't want to steal the uh mayor's thunder, but I think the mayor was reporting this evening on the grant
recipients. >> Yes, there are three. Um, however, one may not have made the list uh due to paperwork. >> No, I think all three are on there. It's on a different sheet. >> Oh, I thought I went through it. My apologies. >> I'm pretty confident there isn't, but if there isn't, there is three recipients.
>> Yeah, I didn't. Maybe one. I thought maybe they get their paperwork in cuz even though they're recipients, they got to do the short. No, >> it's on page 18. third. >> Apologies. I didn't see no problem. Thank you. >> Any other questions, Mike? >> That was it.
>> Tom, >> hold on one second though. >> Somebody speak, please. >> Hello. Hello. Testing Rosu. >> All right. We'll deal. >> It's working.
>> No, not >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Okay. And some are not here. So, we're on to the PSA.
PSA for August 11th, 2025. The Township of Washington is launching its third annual round of our town hero banner program as a living tribute to our community to honor past and present members of the armed forces. Please visit our website for further
information. Bergen County Chore helps seniors and those with disabilities remain safe in their homes by offering repair services and home maintenance. The chore volunteer program uh uh perform a variety of jobs including installing
grab bars and wooden banisters, replacing outlets and switches, weather stripping, installing doorbells and locks, changing light bulb and smoke alarm batteries. To schedule an appointment, please call 2014 489-9456.
Pursuant to NJSA468-28, landlords are required to complete a landlord identification registration form for single unit dwellings that are nonowner occupied. To complete the the complete form is to be fil filed in the office of the
township clerk with a copy to be given to the tenant. As per ordinance number 20-03, all rental unit owners are required to complete a lead inspection application. Both forms are available on our website.
H a dedicated ecycling container is now available year round at the town hall through a partnership with Everval LLC. Is that what it is? >> The Revival. >> The Revival. a certified electronic
company. Drop off is available Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 300 p.m. and on Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the ecology uh by ecology permit only. Please note the yard is closed on Tuesdays during both pickup and leaf
collection weeks. Please visit our website for full listing of acceptable items. The Kowanas Club of Pascak Valley meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center. If anyone would like
more information, please contact uh Paul Ralph Cardulli at 516581 8319 or Pasak Valley Kuanasgmail.com. Also on September 7th, uh the Washington
Township Fire Department is hosting a car show at Westwood High School between 8 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A friendly reminder, please curb your dog and pick up their waste when necessary. The town hall will be closed Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day. Our
next council meeting will be held on Monday, September 8th, 2025 at 700 p.m. And uh at this time, we'd like to have the report of the administrator. >> Thank you uh Vice President Casio. Uh this is my followup from the township
council meeting from July 14th, 2025. There was no residents or concerns uh from the residents to follow up on the following are questions and concerns that the council had. At the July 14th, 20125 council meeting, Mayor Calamari
announced the upgrading of the township's lightning detection system. In response, council asked if we could ask the contractor if the new system will allow the community notifications to cellular phones. I spoke with John Wills of Commercial Recre Recreation Specialists. Mr. Wills is informed that
our new system will be able to provide that service. However, it will require a compatible software at an additional cost estimated between $2,000 and $3,000 and a reoccurring monthly internet fee. The software essentially works with Nixl. There are no funds available for
2025 for this upgrade. However, we can pursue the council uh pursue with council during the 26 budget if council is interested. Council requested I obtain an updated time frame for the next sequence of events for the construction of DPW facility. The bid
was made public on July 28th, 2025 with a bid opening date of September 4th, 2025. Anthony Iavino, our architect, will have a recommended bid award resolution for the council for the September 8th, 2025 council meeting. Anthony Ayino feels
confident that construction can begin in early October. Of course, this time frame is not bar is barring not barring any unforeseen circumstances. At the July 14th, 2025 meeting, the council was presented with resolution 25281, a request to increase the bid
threshold from 44,000 to 53,000. The resolution was not passed and some members inquired what the benefit to the township would be. I reported that the increase in the bid threshold would save township tax dollars that would otherwise be necessary to pay professionals such as engineers and or
architects to prepare the documents and would save staff work hours as well. Council stated they may have additional questions. On July 15, I sent Council Councilman Casio and Council President Denna an email asking for any additional questions they may have so I may respond
to them on the August 11:25 meeting. I've not received any additional questions at this time. I would like to take the opportunity to explain that the request to increase the bid threshold is supported by administration, our CFO, our QPA, and our financial adviserss. I
did make contact with our financial adviserss, Lurch Vincy Bliss, who reiterated the same benefits of saving time and money by increasing the bid threshold. The Division of Local Government Services disseminated local finance notice 2025-08 announcing the increase in the bid
threshold. This notice was provided to council prior to the July 14th, 2025 meeting. Pursuant to state law, the state treasurer exercising her authority to do so, increase the bid threshold. This review is conducting every 5 years by the state treasurer. It is the township council's authority to adopt
the increase in the bid threshold by way of passing the resolution. I respectfully request the township council to reconsider passing the resolution which will be presented to the council on September 8th, 2025. Councilman Sears and Council President
Denna conveyed concerns that heritage trees were cut down at the property of 182 Sussex Road without the proper permitting. I determined that the trees were taken down appropriately with a valid permit issued by the zoning officer and in accordance with the township code chapter 465 trees. I made
this determination by reading township code chapter 465, reviewing aerial images of the property on Google Earth, reviewing the application submitted by the homeowner, talking with zoning officer Joe Sedakiase, visiting property with Joe Sedicase, taking my own pictures of the property, speaking with
the co-owner of All Season Tree Service, meeting the builder on site, and reviewing the supporting letter from All Seasons Tree Service. Which company is registered with the state of New Jersey Board of Tree Experts license number 816331?
If WCTV can please put up slide one. All three of the trees that were cut down were in fact heritage trees by definition in the township code. A heritage tree is a single trunk tree with a circumference of 38 in or more. multi- trunk tree with a circumference
of 60 inches or more or greater than 35 feet in height. The trees removed at 182 Sussex Road fit the definition of a heritage tree due to their height. The applicant properly identified the trees
as heritage trees on the application, provided an aerial photo that identified the trees to be removed. I'll just wait up a second for WCTV to put up slide one, please. I'll move on. And the supporting letter
from All Seasons Tree Service documents the two pine trees next to the house as being a concern for injury and or property damage. Hazardous. The third tree by the pool was considered a hazard and dying. A copy of all the documentation uh has been provided to
council and I don't believe I did send that to you tonight. I will follow up with sending you uh all the application documentation. My on-site inspection and discussion with the builder also proved that the only trees taken down recently on the property were the trees marked in the
application. >> Do you know if there's a problem with the pictures, Sue, or >> I don't know what's going on. >> Okay. I know he has c >> council has the pictures in front of him. It just won't that you know the pe the public won't be able to see it but a u a picture an aerial view which was
taken from Google Earth because if I go on to Google Earth I get the same view and I believe it was from 2021 but the trees marked with an X were in fact the trees that were taken down. >> Question council president. >> Go ahead.
>> Did he submit an arborisk report? >> Yes he did. >> He did. He did. >> Is it Is it here or do you have >> No, I'm sorry. That's what I said. I'll send I'll follow up to you with you guys um later. >> Okay. >> But if you want I do have a copy of it here. I can certainly pass it down.
Otherwise, if you'd like to uh say me to send the documentation via email, I can do that. >> I can send it to everybody, Mr. >> Thank you. >> Okay, you got it. You have more slides or anything? >> I do.
It's because zooming Ah, start. Do I start? Yes. Recording in progress. >> Sorry about the technical difficulties. Okay, wait. Here we go. >> There we go. >> There we go.
>> So, the trees marked with the next were the ones taken down. I'll be able to prove that because I went and I did see where they stump grinded. Sure. >> And there was pine cones around each area. The tree in the back, I think, is a maple tree. And uh I'll send the documentation around to the council, but
the the letter from the arborist um identifies the type of tree, how tall it is. The application identified them as heritage trees um and and puts them as the two the two closer uh to the street were marked as
hazardous because of how close they are to the house. >> Did did the arborist mark them as as hazardous or did the tree company mark it as hazardous? the tree company who's a licensed um with the state is the one that wrote the letter.
>> But he's is he an arborist >> or did they get an outside arborist? >> I'm sorry. I don't know if I understand the question. >> He's he's asking is the arborist associated with the tree um cutting company? >> Is it the same same?
>> It is. It is the it is from all seasons tree. Yeah. >> Yeah. May I ask a question just because we talk about an arborist and then >> you mentioned a company is registered with the state of New Jersey Board of
Tree Experts? >> Mhm. Are they um are they one in the same or is one uh a certification of one set of um
expertise and the second is a >> certification of another expertise. >> I'm not sure. I just I wrote what what is on there. >> Can we chime in a little bit? >> When the tree vendors put their applications in, they have to apply to They are certification with the tree as
tree certified board of tree experts. So those are documents that come in through the state that they are registered with the state at that level. So we do have that. Now does that consider an arburous from what I understand? No. I believe they're two is different. >> Totally different >> right things.
>> Yeah. I want to call it >> like >> some of them do have >> having the fox the chickens are good and he eats them. >> They were good. Yeah. >> So I I guess uh and I know we'll receive it from you, Mr. D. Carlo, but in
addition to the letters from the uh from all seasons, is there an arborous letter? >> I I'm not I have no idea the comparison between a New Jersey licensed tree expert and an arborist. I wouldn't know
the difference between the two. >> Okay. So is that something that uh who who makes that determination? I mean in terms of because don't we need an arborist to provide the sign off? >> Yeah. >> On the damage on the dying trees and
come down >> ability to remove it. >> Yes. >> So who who makes that determination? >> I would probably figure it might be the code official person. >> It's the zoning officer. He's the one that >> the zoning officer official >> which was authorized. Yeah. So, can we ask him the difference?
>> Mr. Set case. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, >> can can we ask Mr. Set a case if >> what are we ultimately trying to do? It just so I understand because I feel like I went through it really in depth to like the nth degree. So, I just want to make sure I understand.
>> You certainly did. But, >> are we ultimately trying to figure out if somebody did something wrong, Mr. Roman? Because that's, you know, like >> No, I don't think he's doing something wrong. It's is following proper procedure. >> Okay. So, can someone explain to me the difference between an arborist and a New Jersey state licensed tree expert?
>> Well, I I I don't think the the process was done incorrectly in this case, but I think um what we might what I'm thinking is you have a tree company that has an arborist. So, they have an um vested interest to say this tree might not be
safe unsafe. Right? So maybe in the future if we go back to the tree ordinance, maybe we could put something announced an independent arborist independent of the tree company to say that you know this tree is >> no no good. >> I think that's a great idea and you have it before you this
>> again that's something you might want to >> right I mean I I don't you know >> I think we can require the administrative side of this government to follow the ordinance as if it's written not as how you would like it someone would like it to read. And tonight the tree is right before you guys,
>> right? And you know the thing is this. It was done in this case correctly by the by the book. Okay. But I think you know we don't >> we don't know that. >> I I have to disagree >> from from what >> Vice President Casio. >> Okay. >> Because we don't know if an arborist
signed off on this >> in this case. We we're unsure of the definition of the arborist and the certified tree. >> Well, so what would you like done? I mean put the tree back together. I know that's silly, but what what would ultimately happen here because I have an application that was filled out
completely correct. I have a letter from a New Jersey licensed state tree expert. I have pictures. >> The terminology of a tree expert is what he knows how to ask you. So I don't know. Maybe Mr. doesn't know. >> When we had to do our tree inventory for
the township, >> we had to get a certified arborist to do all the trees. We we didn't get a tree expert. >> But then what? >> It was defined as a certified arborist. >> Am I putting a tree back? >> Okay. >> No, that's for the future.
>> That is one of the most ridiculous things. And that's not what this could get worse. >> That's not what this question the these questions are. >> If you like the way the ordinance is written, rewrite it. That's all I can tell you. >> We can certainly rewrite it. >> Okay. Thank you. But
>> can I carry on or >> No, you made a com that is a ridiculous comment to put it back. >> The question I'm asking or I asked is specifically because
we note that there is a state of New Jersey board of treat expert and he has a license. My question is in our ordinance and I believe it's in our existing ordinance not the proposed that an arborist a
certified arborist needs to make a determination on the viability of the tree its health if it's a danger so the question I have and is
at the time based on the uh ordinances that were in place when this was all agreed Was it done properly? And if it wasn't, it's done. But do we need to account for it in the revised tree ordinance? And if
we do, is there a lack of guidance from that Mr. Sedakase can provide to us? >> And that would be my comment on that. Okay, sir. So, um, Mr. Sears, any questions? >> No, we'll, um, do more research.
>> Yeah, I think we have to put a little bit more effort into finding out what these definitions are of an arborist and a registered tree um, expert in the state of New Jersey. If they're one and the same, they're different, if they can work for a work with the company that's actually doing
the cutting. So, we have the tree ordinance in front of us. Let's, you know, take a little time to get it done right if it's not done correctly. We're going to find out the answers to those questions, Mr. Alman, so we can, you know, do it correctly from now on.
Again, we cannot replace trees that have already been removed. Um, so I want to make sure things are done um as as they should. >> Can I comment, sir, if I I just uh sure brought up some information. In New Jersey, a licensed tree expert and a
licensed tree care operator are distinct titles regulated by the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. Both are arborists. So again, I you know, I understand, but when Mr. set a case that's a zoning officer sits down and he reviewed this.
If a letter is written by a licensed tree expert in the state of New Jersey, is it reasonable for Mr. Sedic case to take that into consideration as an arborist? What degree should the zoning officer go to? Like I said, everything
was done. The eyes were dotted, the tees were crossed. We have pictures. I've confirmed everything. I spent an endless amount of time to now prove that they're one and the same. And again, it's not even a mistake. So, I don't want to say he made a reasonable mistake. He made a
reasonable judgment of how the ordinance is written and took it into a consideration that a licensed New Jersey tree expert with a number that I've even read out loud was considered either identical or the same or similar to what an arborist is
just because it didn't say the word arborist. So when we challenged in the beginning that those trees were heritage trees, they we were told they were not >> in the beginning. >> I didn't tell you that. >> No, you didn't tell us. >> And now all of a sudden they're heritage
trees and he's got permission or he's got a license. He's a tree cut down person and now he's a certified arborist. Again, >> we'll have to >> look deeper into that.
>> Again, we have we have an opportunity to tighten up the ordinance if we don't like something. Yes. >> You know, and if we want to try and keep it more independent because I see there could be a conflict of interest there with someone who is a, you know, a tree removal person and someone who has uh
arburist on their team. >> So maybe we can separate that out. Yes. >> So right now unfortunately you know what's what's done is done. So, but thank you Mark for looking that up for us. I appreciate that. >> You're welcome, sir. >> Um, so, uh, your report can continue if
you must. >> Thank you. Uh, Councilman Cass and Council President Desenna brought up a concern regarding stop signs being affixed to the same post as a street sign and stated this has been done all over the township. They expressed a desire to have this practice terminated, believing that this practice is not
appropriate, especially prior to the township installing added stop sign locations based on the anticipated which has been approved uh since last meeting township uh revision to chapter 223. And as you can see, there's a picture of
it. It literally is all over town. They're exactly right. I did some checking into it. I spoke with Lieutenant Clock, our traffic safety expert. Lieutenant Clark provided information from the MUTCD, which is the manual for uniform traffic control devices, section 2A16,
parentheses 05, that specifies street signs should be posted in conjunction with stop or yield signs. The standard reads as follows. Signs requiring separate decisions by the road user shall be spaced sufficiently far apart
for the appropriate decisions to be made. One of the factors considered when determining the appropriate spacing shall be the posted or 85th percentile speed. The guidance signs should be located on the right hand side of the roadway where they are easily recognized
and understood by road users. Signs in other locations should be considered only as supplementary to signs in the normal locations except as otherwise provided in this manual. signs should be individually installed on separate posts or mountings except where
street name signs are posted with a stop or yield sign. It is a recommendation of the administration, police department, and our township engineers to leave the signs the way they are. This will align with the standard according to the MUTCD and will save taxpayer dollars by not having to change all the existing signs
and posts and not having to buy posts for the new stop signs along with saving manh hours. At our last meeting, we had a discussion regarding the forthcoming change order from Four Cleanup, Inc. The company awarded the bid for resurfacing of
Koolage Avenue. On Saturday, June 28th, 2025, I spoke with our township engineer, Glenn Beckmeer Jr., Mr. Beckmeer Jr. explained to me that that a change order would be necessary in order to account for needed upgrades to the storm inlet frames. I requested Mr.
Beckmeer Jr. to produce this request in writing. as I'll need to inform the council of the change order. Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 12:09 p.m. I received the following email from Glenn Beckmire Jr. Mark attaches a proposal to upgrade the eight storm inlet frames, head
pieces, and bicycle safe grates on coolage jab. The storm inlet frames must be upgraded to accommodate the new compliant storm inlet headpieces and bicycle safe grates. The exist existing storm inlet frames are not compatible with the NJD required head prices. The
proposal is for $16,300. This amount is still within the contingency allowance and will not increase the cost of the project. If you have any questions, please let me know. 4 hours later at 4:09 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, I sent the following email to the council. Council, you are
permitted me to make decisions regarding change orders when it involves safety, timing, and or saving money. Cool jab resurfacing scene is starting Monday, not July 6th. Either way, would not have been able to gain council's approval prior to the work being performed. This
change order will result in a $10,000 net increase. However, will still remain within the 20% contingency allotted for in the bid award. When the final pay app is presented before the council, I will officially request council approval for the change order. If you have any
questions, please feel free to call me. This change order will not go over the bid award amount. I then provided my cellular number in the email. I did not receive any communication from council members on this topic till it was discussed at July 14th, 2025 council meeting. this meeting. Council President
Descent and Councilman Casio questioned why our engineers did not account for this work in the original bid award stating that bicycle safeg grades have been required for many years. I explained that the bicycle safe grades in the head curb piece were accounted for. However, the change order was for
the metal inlet frames that the bicycle safe grate sits in. I informed the council that I will respond to the August 11th meeting with a more in-depth investigation to the requested change order. WCTV slide three, please. That's a picture of a storm inlet. The
metal piece that's up along the curb, that's called the head piece or the curb piece. The part with all the slots is called the bicycle safe grate. The metal frame that's outside of it is the metal frame. This slide shows a storm inlet which is made of three components. These
components are identified as the bicycle safe grate, the metal frame, and the metal head curb piece. The change order was to replace the metal frame because the new metal head curb piece will not fit on the existing metal frame. The holes for the bolts to attach to the new
headpiece the frame no longer line up. The only way for the engineers to have accounted for this in the bid would have been to take apart the storm inlet prior to going out to bid. There's several bolts under there that you can't see. I think there's two on each side. This would have cost the township money
during the designing and bid phase. The extra work did not increase the bid award amount and circumstances such as this were accounted for with the contingency built into the bid. >> Updates as a rem. >> May I ask the administrator to hold off on the balance? I have a time
constraint. I'd like to give my report because I'm going to have to I didn't know we'd spend so much time on trees. >> No problem. Um the mayor does have a uh another another engagement tonight. So, if we could let um mayor >> I appreciate the consideration. >> Go right ahead.
>> Um and uh just one quick thing before I get into my report. Maybe future meetings when we have people here. I know you'll consider this very riveting, but maybe we can move them up in the uh so they don't have to hear all this stuff. Uh but thank you. I appreciate it. >> No problem.
>> Thanks. Uh good evening everyone. >> Councilman Tom Sears, Councilwoman Daisy Bles and I attended a ribbon cutting event for the Flex Dance Company. They have opened their new business in the shopping center. I wish wish them much success. I am incredibly I am incredibly
proud to announce this year's winners of our spring into wellness scholarship program. An initiative that grew out of our annual 5K run walk and health fair which was launched in 2023 alongside Councilman Tom Sears and Councilwoman Daisy BZ. What started as a fun,
familyfriendly event to promote health and wellness has become something even more meaningful. A way to support and invest in the future of our young residents who are committed to careers in health related fields. Thanks to the ongoing success of the 5K
and the amazing support of our community, we originally planned to award two $500 SC scholarships this year. But because of the incredible quality of the applicants, I am pleased to share that we're recognizing three exceptional recipients. Gabriella
Martinez, Sophina Marinro, and Victoria Dillia. Each of these outstanding high school seniors, all proud residents of the township of Washington, have shown a deep commitment to their education, their community, and their future in health and wellness.
The new DPW facility project is now out to bid. This is another milestone in the process of getting our valued employees the building they deserve to conduct their operations from. For quite some time, the administrator and I have been researching additional
recycling options that would not violate the terms of our existing agreement. I am now pre pleased to report that we have established a nocost arrangement with our recycling hauler, Gator Recycling, to provide two dumpsters at town hall. These dumpsters are available
for residents only who wish to dispose of their household recycling outside of regular pickup schedule. An ecology permit sticker as well as standard separation rules still apply. Please continue to sort and flatten paper and cardboard from bottles, glass, and cans
accordingly. Drop off hours will be will align with those of the DPW facility for debris disposal which are Tuesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Again, thank you to Gator Recycling for their support
in offering this added service to our community. Recreation news, the 2025 summer camp ended on Friday, August 1st. We have received a lot of positive feedback on the program. Thank you to Chris Pinto, the supervisors, and all the counselors for their hard work in
caring for our children. The 2025 men's over 33 softball season has ended. Congratulations to the team blew steel on winning the championship. The teams were very pleased with the infield rehabilitation and the new benches in the dugouts.
The 2025 introduction to cheer program starts Saturday, August 16th. Thank you to all those who volunteer to help with this program. The 2025 fun with art and fun with cartooning fall season registrations will start on Friday, August 15th, and end on Friday,
September 12th. Teen night at the Westwood Recre Recreation Center will resume in October. Please visit the recreation page on the town website and Facebook pages for more information about these programs and registration.
Fire department news. The fire department responded to multiple calls due to CO fire alarms this month. On July 15th, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the department was dispatched to the intersection of Washington and Clinton for a traffic crash to ex extricate the
driver. The crew swiftly opened the door with the jaws of life, removing the party who was then transported to hospital by wait awaiting medics and EMS. On July 18th at 3:53 a.m., the department was dispatched to Willow
Street for a garage fire. Arriving firefighters stretched a line to the garage containing the fire to just that area. The Paramis Fire Department was called for extra manpower and the Hillsdale ambulance for standby. The house received some smoke damage, but it
was deemed clear to return. The residents were alerted by their smoke detectors and quickly evacuated the home. This is a prime example to make sure your detectors are in working order. At that time of night, it can be too late before someone notices a house fire.
DPW news. The department removed a tree at Memorial Field that had uprooted the walkway. The walkway will be repaired shortly. New toilets have been installed in the ladies room at Memorial Field. They were happy to participate in the library's touch a truck event. They've
been painting and refreshing stop lines and crosswalks, especially in school areas. Public affairs. We are happy to announce that the band Super Trans Am will be performing for this year's big concert. The event will take place next Tuesday,
August 19th, starting at 700 p.m. Both Hold My Knots and Conrads will both be there serving delicious food. Please patronize them. Weather permitting, we are expecting a great turnout for this event. Please check the website and social media for more details. The
department uh bit of a repeat, the department also supported a ribbon cutting event for a new business in the shopping center, Flex Dance Company. We welcome new businesses to town to serve our residents. Please show them your support. Initial planning has begun for our annual town day festival. Vendor
outreach, entertainment booking, and logistics coordination are already in motion to ensure another successful community celebration. zoning office. There were a total of 31 zoning applications reviewed for the month of July. Library. What a month.
Neurodeiverse music classes, family story times, senior social crafting, yoga classes, movies, puzzle groups, bingo, tween dying, tween tie dying, step story times. The list goes on and on. And registration is booming. Summer
reading clubs continue for a few more weeks. and it's never too late to sign up. The shingle roof project was also finished this month with great appreciation to the mayor and council for their support of the replacement. A big thank you to all the fish tank fundraising donors. The tank has arrived
and fish are being added every few weeks as the tank gets established. While the library will be accepting donations for the fish tank on an ongoing basis, sponsoring donations for which your family or business will be recognized on our donor wall will be closing on August
15th. Please stop by the library for a form or see their website for sponsor donation levels and details. municipal court. 126 total traffic tickets were issued in June with 105 from the Township of Washington Police Department
and 21 from the state police. The court collected $4,127.88 in revenue for the township. Last but not least, uh board of health members working with the mayor's wellness campaign members continue to research new and exciting ways they can gather
data for the healthy communities initiative. That ends my report. Thank you so much. >> Peter, can you stick around? I'll I want to suspend the rules for a second if it's okay with the other two and so Pete can um do the new officers and the fire department if you if you have time.
>> Uh yeah, I have time. >> Yes, of course. >> Okay. Is that okay with you? Um >> absolutely. >> And Mike sound good. >> Okay. So, uh so am I reading the ozi? Okay. Well, you have the appointment papers um in the yellow if you want to do it that way. >> Yep. Thank you.
>> Whichever way, you know, is best for you. >> Yep. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Of course. >> Okay. >> To the council president, uh in this case, council vice president and council of the township of Washington, please be advised that having received the recommendation and endorsement for
appointment of the following person people from the director of public safety, I am hereby approving the following people to the offices listed below. Special Law Enforcement Officer, otherwise known as SEO1, Andrew Echart,
with an effective date of August 31st. Uh, Special Law Enforce Enforcement Officer 3, Justin Bosch, effective date August 31st, 2025. SEO 3, Vincent Monttobano III, effective date August 31st.
>> Mr. Mayor, you say three or two? >> These are two. >> It's three here. Okay, >> they're twos. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um >> Justin and Vincent are twos and the rest
Brian, John, and Nicholas are threes. >> Okay, thank you for that. >> Nicholas, Copa, I'm hoping. Uh so I'm assuming that's Cleo two instead of three. Leo three. >> No, he's a three. >> Okay, good. John D. Geronimo that I know
is a three. Uh Brian Meltzer. Three. Yeah. >> Okay. I think hopefully I got them all. I apologize for the confusion. >> Um do I do the school crossing guards also? >> Please. >> Okay. School crossing guards regulars. Uh
these are all for the school year 2025 to 2026. Angela Bochia, Joseph Bochia, James Mahalish, John Jack Walsh, Anus Anous Yanokeian, Scott Zwain, Danielle
Fischer, and then two substitutes, Ron Camperal, and Jennifer Hess. And uh Sue will be doing all those also at a later time. Correct. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And Pete, you can do the fire uh fire department appointment. Well, you you
what you need to do is we got to do second to approve it. Right file. Okay. Uh appointments to the fire department membership application for Baldi M. Shalom of the Township of Washington Volunteer Fire Department. Uh I need a motion to approve. >> So move.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I am doing it. Do you want to do it? >> What if you want to do your >> If you have time, Mr. I I of course I have time to swear in our new >> moment. Thank you.
There's two. So there's the girl. >> The Bible, right hand in the air, right? I I >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> do solemnly swear affirm >> that I will support >> I will support >> the Constitution of the United States
>> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States
>> and in this state >> and in this under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I do solemnly swear >> and that I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties as a volunteer member of
>> all the duties as a volunteer member of >> township of Washington Fire Department >> township of Washington Fire Department >> in the township of Washington >> in the township of Washington >> in the county of Bergen >> in the county of Bergen >> in the state of New Jersey >> in the state of New Jersey >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability >> so help me God
>> so help me God help Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Thanks so much. We got together. Thank you all for coming. >> Congratulations. >> I keep hearing that. >> No. >> Thank you, Pete, for doing that. I
appreciate it. >> And uh Mark, you still have some more to do. Okay, that's okay. Thank you. Uh just some updates. There's plenty of them. We haven't seen each other in a while. So, as a reminder to the public, the building department and planning and zoning, both offices have consolidated
for better efficiency and service to the public. Their new office is located in the lower level of town hall. This evening, the council will have a resolution before them requesting the authorization to purchase an additional garbage truck. As discussed at the July 14, 2025 council meeting, according to
the vendors, the garbage truck should be delivered in approximately 8 months. This evening, council and administration will discuss our request to establish township ordinance to prohibit stopping and standing on Pascac Road. WCTV slide four, please. specifically in the
shoulder cutout on the southbound lane of Pascak Road just north of Northgate Road. Administration has received complaints from residents within the Northgate townhouse community. The stopping and standing of vehicles in
that area are causing view obstructions for the motorists turning on to Pascac Road from Northgate Road. We have discussed this with the police department and Beck Meyer Engineering who both support the prohibition of stopping or standing in this area. Assistant County Engineer Nancy Daris
advised that parking on county roads is under the jurisdiction of the township and we can establish an ordinance to address the concern. The resurfacing of Koolage Avenue is complete. A majority of the cost for the resurfacing was funded with a New Jersey
DOT grant in the amount of $190,50. We have already received 75% of the full reimbursement and expect the remainder to come once NJ DOT performs their final inspection. The library roof project has been completed. Library director Laura
Riiffken sends her appreciation to the council for funding the project. The council, the township will be receiving our grant reimbursement of $88,668 from the Bergen County Community Development Block Grant for the construction of the ADA improvements to
the township public library earlier in the year. 450 Pascac Road. All of the required documentation has been completed and submitted in order for the township to be reimbursed for a portion of the purchase price of 450 Pasc Road. As a
reminder, the township received a grant award from Bergen County Open Space Land Acquisition. The award was for reimbursement of 63% of the anticipated purchase price of 880,000, not to exceed 550,000 in grant
reimbursement. Township successfully negotiated a lower purchase price of 750,000. Therefore, the grant reimbursement >> No, not you. The grant reimbursement will be for $472,500.
The township benefited from negotiating the lower purchase price rather than receiving the full $550,000 grant reimbursement, which is $52,500 better. Currently, county council is reviewing all the closing documents for reimbursement. The property will be deed for
recreational or passive recreational purposes as required when receiving the BC receiving the grant from BCOP land acquisition. The recreational use will be ultimately decided by the mayor and council. However, for the grant application, the Bergen County Open Space Board was presented with a passive
recreational use consisting of a walking path, small parking area, and exercise stations along the path. The bid announcement for the 2025 road program will be advertised on Friday, August 15th. The roads to be resurfaced again are Bergen, Salem, Carriage, and
Fern. During the analysis of the storm drains on these roads, it was discovered that some of the water drainage pipes on the east end of Bergen Avenue are undized and also need repair in some spots. We are hoping that this improvement to the storm drain pipes will assist in reducing some of the
flooding. Council Vice President, if I requ may request you to pull resolution 25291 for individual discussion prior to voting on the purchase of the ALPRS. >> Uh 25291, the license plate.
>> Yes. And then my last update is on June 23rd, 2025, council approved resolution 25261 for the fencing project at Memorial Clark and Cherry Field. The resolution approved the cost of $63,330. Recreation Superintendent Dance Gutieri
has requested to spend an additional $950 for two 3x8 ft grades at each dugout on the softball field at Memorial at Memorial Field. Sorry for the type. The addition of the gates will assist with preventing the balls from striking
a player located in the dugout. This would technically be considered a change order. I'm looking for council approval in order to have the contractor move forward. This request from Mr. Scooy Ary came in today. Therefore, I was unable to ask prior to this evening for the topic to be a discussion on the
conference agenda. The estimate is attached to this report for the council's review. The capital project was was approved for 85,000 and there are plenty of funds available in the count line. And thank you, Vice President Casio. That's the conclusion
of my uh report. Again, I'm trying to sneak that in there. I don't know if that counts as a discussion or you know, >> how about we can discuss it during um current business. I'll just add it um under miscellaneous. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> See if that's okay with my fellow councilman.
>> Is that okay? >> Yes. >> Okay. What was it's gates? >> Yeah, I guess there's gates for the D. So, right now it's just open. Okay. and you know whether it's foul balls or whatever kind of being hit in there while we have the opportunity um the addition is 28 would be 950 bucks.
>> Okay. >> Thank you for your consideration. >> May I ask a follow-up question? >> Sure can. >> Um for uh item number one the uh lightning detection system. >> Uh the additional fee would be the
additional cost would be 2 to 3,000. Um when the monies were identified to move forward with this, how much was the initial cost uh excluding that? >> Oh man. Um
again, let just my disclaimers always don't hold me to it, but I want to say it was around $20,000. >> Okay. And uh I'll follow up, but uh is it possible to find out which line that is coming out of?
>> Yeah, it came out of a couple. >> Okay. >> I I split it between, you know, uh a couple lines, but yes. >> Okay. >> I I can get send you a copy of the furthest order. >> Okay. The second is uh the bid that went out. I I haven't gone on the website to
pull it down, but did that include all the site work as well? Was it a all-inclusive bid? DPW. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Everything. >> And lastly, um you would uh on item number three, uh the 44 to 53.
>> Yes. Um, do you have any idea how many uh bids or how many uh expenses we've incurred in the past year or two years
uh that would have been captured had we gone to 53? most like well most of the time if it's large if it's a large purchase it's going to involve an engineer architect anyway these are more for those like middle ground purchases that are you
know just at the bid award or not so um it's going to be staff time that I probably couldn't put a um price on >> okay but in some circumstances it might be in that range that we might need an engineer to do it if our QPA is unable
to do Okay. Thank you. >> Report of the council. Uh Mr. Sears. >> Yes. I will keep keep this brief. I have two items. Uh again, I want to reinforce the fire department's car show uh
September the 7th at the high school. Um, also, um, the, uh, members of the fire department are allowing the VFW to sell puppies at the car show since we were denied access at the shopping center. So, um, this will help bring up
our support for the Veterans Home in Pamis. Going on to our Washington Township Energy Efficiency Partnership Program. We already received the first grant of $2,500.
Uh we we put that money into a separate trust fund so we know exactly what we're going to be pulling to have this uh program going forward. Basically, the program will allow any resident,
no matter what your uh salary rate or or your your cost is to get a free home estimate, energy efficiency. Uh the company will come in and they will look at the following items. Your heat, your
your weather stripping, your lights, your electric, your power consumption. At the end of this, you can receive uh a smart thermostats, LED light bulbs, a for a faucet uh reduce efficiency low
shower heads, uh advanced power strips, water heater, pipe insulation. This is under the energy efficiency program. They will come in, evaluate that, and then you you can receive all of these items. I have already did it and I have
already received all of these items that they came in. That's zero cost to us. There is a se another section one is called winterize where they come in and they will check your windows and doors if you are within a um a financial
uh range. You can get all that installed for free also. So, we are going we already started putting postcards in the libraries. We have them in town hall here. Uh there'll be a letter out everybody. Uh matter of fact, the cards
up there now on the you will call the number and they will send out a crew that will well person that will evaluate your house and give you all the updates. Now, this is also
beneficial beneficial the town because it falls under our state sustainable New Jersey uh Jersey quote uh point. So, that's going to bring us up to a bronze. Um and also, um I have actually seen a
reduction in my electric bill since I I brought this company in to do my evaluation. Also, public service is also giving a extra $30 reduction uh for the next several months off your
electric bill. Now, the horror is that it's 17% increase. And are there nightmares out there? Yes. But I highly recommend that you go out and you use this partnership program uh with New
Jersey sustainable and it does work. You will save money and there'll be more coming out. There'll be a letter coming out to assist the uh the town Thank you, town residents. Thank you, council president. >> Thank you, Tom. Appreciate it. Mr.
Alman, >> yeah, just one uh thing. Um yesterday, uh Sunday, August 10th, there was a uh a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Vanburg and Washington. Uh I think
there were at least uh three and possibly four cars involved. uh a number of them had to be uh taken away on a record. So it was pretty significant. And I guess I have a question uh
as part of that. Uh, well, first I'd like to recognize that, you know, the police before I could get from my house on Clark to the corner, there was a police vehicle coming up uh Washington uh to
uh excuse me, to respond to the uh crash. So, it was minutes if that. Uh there was also a response from uh the fire department uh Westwood ambulance as well as the
Bergen County ambulance. Uh and I guess my question uh that I had to ask of the administration is one um do we know if the Washington Township ambulance was on
duty yesterday uh at that time? uh and can can we find that out and uh if they uh did respond I mean it was a little chaotic at the site so uh it may have missed their response
and the second and I'll email uh you Mr. the Carlo because I have a question on uh the response from the police department and I think it goes to their uh procedures and staffing. So I'd like
to address it uh offline uh to you if I could get a response uh to a question when it's asked. Uh and that's it for my update. >> What time is he? >> Uh a little after noon. It was like 1:00
maybe. >> It was a pretty big response. >> Thank you, Mr. Alman. Uh, my report is real brief. I'm glad everyone survived the great earthquake of Washington Township in 2025. I know there's a lot of calls probably
went to the police department and I know that they responded uh appropriately and I do appreciate that and hopefully we don't have any more. It seems like we're getting some aftershocks everywhere in Bergen County these days. And I understand a lot of people are a little upset because they call it the great
Hillsdale earthquake. But I think that's because of the confusion of the seven Washington townships in the state of New Jersey. So that being said, let's move on to the approval of minutes. We're going to approve uh a bunch of these all at once. So, uh, the approval of the
budget meeting for March 25, uh, 2024. Budget meeting March 26, 2024. The regular meeting October 7th, 2024. Conference meeting October 7th, 2024. Regular meeting October 21st, 2024.
Conference meeting October 21st 24. Um, regular meeting November 12th, 2024. And conference meeting November 12th, 2024. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Casio, >> yes.
>> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman Alman, >> yes. Okay. Then we have uh two uh other meetings that uh I think I have to abstain from and Mr. Alman does. So we'll do the first one. uh uh regular
meeting of December 20 uh December 2nd, 2024 and conference meeting of December 2nd, 2024. Roll call, please. >> Motion motion. >> Motion. >> I motion. >> Second. >> Councilman Sears.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> I abstain. >> Right. >> Okay. and um approval for the uh regular meeting of December 16th, 2024 and conference meeting of December 16th,
2024. >> Motion motion second. >> Councilman Cassia, >> yes. >> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Uh Councilman Omen >> abstain. >> Okay. All right. At this time, we have the public comment. Um it's limited to
five minutes. I need a motion to open up the public comment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> Okay. Anyone in the audience? Seeing no hands, I would make a motion to close the public comment. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> I. Okay. Uh ordinances tonight. Adoption of second reading. None. Introduction of first reading. Uh we have one ordinance uh number 25-17
an ordinance amending chapter 360 article 7 entitled abandoned properties of the ordinance of the township of Washington. Motion to introduce and pass ordinance number 25-17 at first reading by title. I need a
motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. You want to discuss? >> Sure. >> It's okay. I know it's, you know, very excited
tonight. >> Um, can what's the genesis of this discussion or change? Do we have a problem with abandon or >> Councilman Omen? Uh I believe this was
on the agenda for the conference um at the last meeting and you might not have been there. So uh at the yeah at the time I briefly explained that there are a few changes here as we went through this ordinance. Um one of them was to
formally designate um the code enforcement official as the public officer. Uh it aligns it with the statute. Sorry. >> Okay. No. So um Oh go ahead. >> Okay. And the second change is to bring
the town clerk into more of the administrative functions to better assist with compliance with some of the statutory notices and feed collection. >> Okay. >> So, those are the really the only changes. >> It's mostly the the notifications, right, with the clerk. >> Yeah. Because if you if you want to
carry through enforcement as a town, you really have to make sure your eyes are dotted, their tees are crossed, and uh the clerk is in the best position uh to make sure that happens. And who's doing this now? >> The public officer, which is the code enforcement official, is the designated.
He is still uh to keep it consistent again with the statute, but it's it's really having the public officer work in concert, but still be the designated responsible party, so to speak, work in concert with the town clerk and to authorize that by ordinance.
>> It's really notifications, right? Is that what the >> fee collections? Yes. Yeah. Yes. Provide the certified mailings. Uh notify do the the newspaper publications or the the ongoing newspaper publications case. >> Uh Miss Wowski.
>> Yes. >> May I ask um have you reviewed this ordinance? >> Yes. In fact, u the administration, the attorney, and myself, and the code enforcement officer have been really working on this since early spring, and we kind of went through it and pulled it apart to see what best that what was in
need or evidence and what needed to be clarified. >> And are you comfortable that uh the staffing level of the clerk's office can perform this function? >> Yes.
in court. You don't do you have any um concerns the way this is written? >> I don't think so. We've gone over it, you know, a number of times just to make sure and it needs to be done and we'll get it done. Thank you. >> Okay.
>> You're you're comfortable with it, uh Mike? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we motion, we second. I guess we have to do a roll call before we authorize. >> Councilman Cassia. Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Baldman. >> Yes.
>> Resolution number 25-286. Authorization to p authorizing publication of ordinance number 25-17 and schedule public hearing. I need a motion. >> Motion. >> I'll second that. >> Council Casio.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Okay. Moving on to resolutions and consent agenda. The following items have been determined to have the unanimous consent of the council and will be uh enacted in one motion. Should any item require
independent consideration, any council member may have such item removed from the consent agenda. Um does anyone have any resolutions that you'd like removed? >> Uh yes. 25-287. >> 25-287. Anything else?
had a 291 >> 291 we took off as the request of Mark and >> 288 and 290 >> 288 and 290. Okay, so that leaves us with resolution um 25-289
authorized p purchase of new garbage truck from Sanitation Equipment Corp. and Hudson County Motors in the uh amount not to exceed $334,4114. >> And then you have 292. >> Is there is there another one I miss? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that on the
next page. And um resolution number 25-292 authorize disposal of surplus property by auction on gov deals. I need a motion to approve. >> So move to approve. I
>> second that. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Cassia, >> yes. >> Council Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman Coleman, >> yes. >> Okay. Um, so, um, I can do one resolution for all the ones that we didn't one at a time. Okay. So, I need a
motion to, uh, discuss resolution number 25-287, authorize uh, Washington estate Holdings LLC-RE place performance guarantee reduction. Do I have a motion? >> So, move. I will second that discussion.
>> Yes. Uh council vice president. Um uh Mr. Alman, you may know a little bit more about this. This is the development that's on the side of the mountain Ga Place. >> Correct. >> Correct. Uh there's a couple of issues
with this is why are we reducing his bond when there's actually no houses been constructed on that property yet? Number two is why are we only allowing a 2-year maintenance guarantee?
Um, shouldn't it be a lot longer considering there's nothing going on on this side of this uh construction? And who negotiated uh the agreements with I believe unless
it was Mr. Angelina that negotiated these es escaro escrow reductions. >> I just find it's kind of uh premature to reduce all these when nothing has been constructed up there on that hill except
maybe some pipelineing work. >> Mark, can you shed some light on this issue? >> Oh, sir, I don't I didn't have anything. I would defer >> Mr. So I I could maybe hopefully shed some light on it. Anytime a project is approved, um performance and maintenance
guarantees are prepared and approved by the the project or the the board engineer and those are placed in certain um improve once certain improvements are made, the applicant is in is permitted to and is entitled by statute to make an
application for for redemption in we'll first start with the performance bond is what we're talking about here. Our board engineer has inspected all of the improvements for which application for reduction has been made, has certified that all of those improvements that
relate to um those reduc that reduction have in fact been satisfactorily completed and what remains the work that remains relates to the the balance of the performance bond. In terms of the maintenance bond, again, that's governed
by statute. That's a 2-year maximum. >> Okay. >> So, that's the answer to that. >> All right. >> So, Mr. Aelina has certified that all of the work that relates to the requested reduction, the the applicant is entitled to that reduction based upon his inspection and
sign off. >> So, then I'm assuming that Mr. Angelina went out and tested all this pipeing or whatever the construction involved with this this project. He he performed whatever inspections he deemed in his
professional judgment he needed to to make to to make this recommendation and pass on them. >> Uh also there's an addition that they had to cut down some trees alongside of this
uh where was that? along the road. They did some road work and now they have to were these trees added to the amount of trees that here it is the uh maintenance township summit 350 equal
224. Will he be putting that money into a tree trust fund? I assume >> yes that's one of the conditions number three after the the resolved paragraph on page two >> I believe. Um,
payment number paragraph three, item two, payment by developer to the township in the amount of 2,450 for deposit into the tree replacement fund. >> I believe we increased that trade from 350 to 400. >> That ordinance has not been passed.
We're talking about it tonight still. >> Try. >> All right. >> Nice try. You want you want to hold off? >> Mr. Aelina, um, >> if I'm not mistaken, presented this at a recent planning board. >> He did. >> He did.
>> All right. Right. Thank you, man. >> So, um, I'm going to ask for a motion for resolution 25-287. >> Oh, want to take a roll call? >> Councilman Casio? >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears? >> Yes. Councilman Hman.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Moving on. Moving on to resolution 25-288 authorizing entry into the mutual general release and stipulation of settlement with Lance Construction
Services LLC. Need a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> Yeah. So, I know you had I know you went into close session last week and I'm assuming this is the result of those
discussions. >> Yes, I I was directed to uh enter into this agreement uh which results in the dismissal of the complaint by the construction company against the township for contribution of an unpaid
construction bill. Um once this is approved is it or can it be discussed now in public >> or do you want to you want >> if you if you would like to discuss it I would suggest we do that in closed.
>> Okay. So um would you mind suspending the rules uh gentlemen to bring that back in the closed? If you don't want to discuss it Michael we'll discuss it in closed if you want to do so. Well, I get So,
are you comfortable with the decision? >> I am comfortable with it. Yes, >> Mr. Sears. >> Yes. >> Okay. I'll follow up, but no need. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Casio, >> yes. >> Councilman Sears, >> yes.
>> Councilman Elman, >> yes. >> Okay. Moving on to resolution number 25- 290. Authorize tax collector to cancel current tax liability and all future tax
property tax bills. Motion. >> So second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> This is 290. >> 290. Yep. >> So I guess my question is
do they have any current tax liabilities? >> Yes. This is this is the uh relating to the purchase of 450 passc. Um and when we closed on it, it's obviously we closed before tonight. So uh the tax
liability keeps running until >> So but this is for current period. Are are there past are there prior period? >> No, we we collected we collected everything current as to closing and credited the township for anything. We
made those adjustments as of closing date and anything that continue to run before tonight when the township owns the property is being cancelled because it Yeah. >> Understood. Thank you. >> Got it. >> Roll please. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Alman. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um Mark 291. You want pulled for future discussion sometime else? You want to just discuss it? >> Oh, it'll be quick. Just before you vote on it, I want to make sure the council's fully informed as to what they're voting on. >> Let me let me just open it up for
discussion. So, resolution number 25-291 authorize purchase of automatic license plate readers and video cameras from GTBM, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $98,52710. >> So, move.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um, before I go into that, I just wanted to let the council know Mr. Olman's question. I was able to communicate with the captain of the first aid squad and they were not on duty Sunday at that time. County Burton County was covering that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. So, if you
remember back during um the capital approval process, this project was approved for $100,000. It is coming in slightly under. Um, what I wanted council to be fully aware of before we do this project, cuz it
wasn't really discussed during the capital, is that it was able to determine that there's going to be an approximate um reoccurring yearly fee to have this project. So, what's not what will have to be
reoccurring is the monthly SIM cards, right? So, every location where one of these ALPRs is going to need a SIM card. Um, we haven't gotten the price yet, but it could range anywhere from $20 to maybe up to $50 times three. So, the worst case scenario is it could be up to
$150 a month for the SIM cards, which would be 1,800 bucks. And then the software, the Vigilante software that is at each location for each camera totals up to just under $7,000.
So the the software is included in the first year package of this project. So we wouldn't, you know, we wouldn't, let's say this gets installed by November 1st and the worst case scenario is it's 150 bucks per month. I have in the budget this year where I can sneak
in and find $300 for the SIM cards starting in January. Again, worst case scenario be $150 a month for the internet at those locations. And then about the same time next year, November, we're going to get a bill to renew that
that software, both those programs, which is just under $7,000. So, I just wanted the council to know that as doing this, we're going to have to request um an addition to next year's budget to account for this reoccurring bills.
>> Okay. So, was that um relayed to you when you first looked at the system? It wasn't. It definitely wasn't talked about with council. Um, >> it was relate to you and the police. >> I'm sorry. >> It was relate to you and the police. >> It wasn't because when I when I was
going through the proposals and because I wanted to make sure, okay, is there electrical work? Who's going to pay for that? You know, we made, you know, we found out the county does there's no expense. Um, again, just being a little bit familiar with this, um, I wanted we wanted to make sure there wasn't. So
that's when I got a hold of the vendor the other day and discussing it with the chief and the captain. They were unaware that there was going to be a yearly uh software renewal. We were kind of certain there was going to be the internet, but it was not identified um
until I clarified it with the uh with the contractor the other day. So again, I don't want you to blindly vote yes. I mean, we hope that you still do because it's very valuable device. Um, but we want you to know it's going to come with, you know,
>> so it's about a $10,000 yearly. >> About 8,800. Sounds better than 10,000. >> Okay. So, I round up, you round it down. So, cool. Nine. >> Okay. >> Um, so, >> um, no other no other recurring expenses
that we know of, right? These are for >> it would just be the SIM cards and it would be for the Vigilant um software slashprogram that this system uses to operate >> um >> and it's it's for the year like I said. So that 98,000 and change is going to cover this first year.
>> All right. >> And then again come next October, November, we're going to get a bill. Is there, and I don't know if you know this, Mark, is there a let's say the camera breaks or there's a there's an issue with repair. Is that part of the
>> There is a warranty. >> There is a warranty. And how long is that warranty for? >> It's three years. >> Three years. >> So >> I was based on the discussions that we had at the budget meetings. I was under
the assumption that there was a one-time fee and that this tied into a larger county network and that we were leveraging the county network.
Uh I guess for lack of a better term from from my understanding to run this uh run these cameras. So now
in addition to the 98 and the 98 will get us to having three up and running >> locations. There's more cameras than that. It's just location. >> Locations. >> Yeah. So it's it that cost is per camera. Again, I I don't have it in
front of me proposal, but >> yeah, three locations and and there's a car there's a car device as well, >> but that doesn't need a SIM card because it already has one because of the police incar computer system. >> So, you mentioned SIM card. So, these
are these go work on a wireless network. >> Yeah. >> So, would they be impacted by a power outage or the battery backups on? I didn't know that actually. >> Where do the SIM cards go into? To the
cameras >> or is there a base station that you put the SIM cards into? >> Um, I don't >> Does that require a bucket truck to pull the SIM cards in? >> Well, it's going to, you know, they'll they'll install it. speaking with the contractor, everybody works very well
together, both the county because of the lights, the prosecutor's office because of the program and the vendor. And again, you know, we have we haven't solicited Verizon yet for these SIM cards. You know, we're hoping for, you know, the fact that we do business with
them, we can get a, you know, a reduced price. We we haven't tried those negotiations yet, but telling council, I want to go in thinking it could be the worst price. So that's what you know, you know, the worst case scenario. >> I got to agree with Mike because I was
under the impression that this would be a joint venture with the county. >> Well, it is. They host >> they host the program, >> but we you know, we would have to um you know, I think they they host the information might be a better way of uh
explaining that they host the information. Um, but it, you know, it's our responsibility as the ones purchasing it to keep up, you know, the the v the vigilant program. And how long is our contract for the vigilant
program? Um well with the with the purchase we get one year of the software >> and then the 7,000 that the estimate of 7,000 >> is that guaranteed for a year or is that
guarant is 20 years? I mean because we know that 7,000 in year 1 might be 7500 in year two and 8,000 in year three. >> Yeah. I have to admit I didn't specifically ask that. I just, you know, he told me this is what the price would
be next year, but I didn't specifically ask, you know, can you guarantee? It's a good question. I just I didn't ask that. Well, it um you want to pull it and get more answers or
I mean I I thought this was, you know, one time buying the cameras and and the software so we can tie into the county. I didn't realize there was more expense. There's always more expense. Um, so
I mean apparently we need it. So what what do you say, Tom? What do you want to do? Hold off for more answers? >> I agree with you. We need it because I'm just thinking about the amount of growth that's going to be coming through this
town with the building all around us. Um, we are got exit to 17. We got exit to the Parkway and we are, I hate to say a prime target, but we do need it. Um, I
did not know about the yearly cost fees, but um, I will venture to say I would go with it, >> Mr. Roman. >> I'd go with it. Okay. So, you know, it's it's it's
unfortunately it's the cost of doing business. Um I was under the impression that, you know, we buy the cameras and the county would do pretty much everything else. I think that was the impression from everyone, but apparently um that is not. Mark, if you can get a
uh maybe a locked in price for the next two or three years on these software updates and the SIM cards, I think the council would greatly appreciate that. Because as Mr. Alman says, things tend to go up incrementally. You know, one
day the price is a dollar, then it's $150, then $3 and $10. So, I'd appreciate it. So, um, roll call, please. >> Councilman Casio, >> yes. >> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman,
>> yes. Okay. If I can just express thank you for behalf of the administration and the police department and I wish I could have had that information back then. Um, >> lucky at least I was able to get it to you. >> Okay. It's it's okay, Mark. I I understand how you know sometimes you just you don't think of those things
until after the fact and uh I get it. >> All right. So, uh, motion to, uh, go to the conference agenda. >> So, move. >> I'll second it. All in favor? >> I. >> I. Okay. Next meeting of the township council will be on Monday, September
8th, 2025, beginning at 7 p.m. Sign up for NIXL. Uh text 07676 to 888777. Key code is TWWP Bergen at WW Bergen
Tajel us. >> Hello. >> Hello. Good morning. >> Okay. Anyone want to take a break? >> Yes. >> Okay. We're going to take a fivem minute break and we'll return and go on to the next part of the fun time. Uh we have
four items for ordinance and legislation. The first one is an amendment to chapter 465 trees. And this is a followup and Miss Bailey if you can tell us about our updates. >> Of course. Um the council may recall at
the last meeting or maybe Mr. Elman does not recall at the last meeting um that we we went through some suggested changes to the tree ordinance born in part from uh suggestions uh made by our
municipal prosecutor in connection with the case that he had recently and having having some clarity issues. uh together with the stated desire of the council to increase uh some fees relating to tree
replacement and also finally uh to clean up some um blanks for lack of a better term that were in the ordinance. Um and lastly, I made some suggestions myself. So out of those four categories, I
presented a proposed you some proposed changes at the last meeting. Um I was directed to make some changes based on that and that's what the council has in its packet tonight. Um so um maybe I can
go through those changes. Um or since Mr. Man wasn't there, if he'd like to raise anything that is not reflected in the red line uh section of the ordinance that is in your packet, I can do that as well. Whatever's best.
>> Did you go through it, Mike? I uh went through it and I did listen to the uh meeting last week. So I heard you know the extensive discussion on this. >> Okay, great. So on the first page there's let's start right there. There's
a typo. There's a deletion of the word street. That I'm not sure how that happened. That was probably a faulty error on my part. So that should not be taken out. Section one, article one is a new section of the statute that deals
with street trees that are in the public right of way um or on public property. Now, there was a concern raised by the council um that they did not want this ordinance that re that prohibited certain actions of trees that exist in
the public right of way to um any way water down the the duty of the residents to maintain trees that are, you know, adjacent to the public right ofway or the the the paved public rightway. So I would draw uh your attention to section
462 C uh C and right there it says nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit um the above acts by the township wait no
that's not it sorry oh B excuse me the foregoing in section B the foregoing regulatory provisions notwithstanding the maintenance of a street tree shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property adjacent to any public right ofway or easement.
So while having added uh regulation um specific to street trees in the public right of way including permits to do anything with it um you can't climb on
them to some added protections um if if the council is interested in those added sections. So that's that's that. I just have a question. Sure. So I understood the whole discussion on the
uh trees that are planted between the curb line and the property line for lack of a better term and that you know it has been the township's historical uh opinion that they are the
responsibility of the property owner. I guess my question when you talk about an easement to me that is a much broader um I guess definition
um you know what would constitute an easement? >> Well, it it depends upon I would it It it depends because when you have the
adjacent property owner, their property line um may or may not go up to the curb line. Um it may be short of the curb line. Sure. >> And may it and may, you know, come in. Um but the town still has an easement
over that private property um for right-of-way purposes, for sidewalk, for this or that. Um, so when I think of easement, I think of like uh possibly like a power line or power easement or >> yeah,
>> utility easement, >> right? >> Maybe if that's the the right term. And if it's a utility easement, are we telling the property owner that if that easement is on your property, you're responsible? And is is that
one, is that what we're saying? And two, is that what we mean? I don't believe that's what we're saying. And in fact, if you if you read the whole sentence together, I don't know that that would be a reasonable construction um of of
this provision. Um so if we go back to the beginning, the foregoing regulatory provisions notwithstanding the maintenance of the street tree shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property adjacent to any public right of way or easement. So any public
right of way or easement, however you want to characterize that public right of way, whether it's by easement or fee, it's the public right of way. It's not a utility. There are many different types of easements, utility, all of that. But I think that
this type of easement is limited by that language, public rightway or easement. The way it's, you know, the way it's drafted. I mean certainly everything can be clearer. If one person has a question about it, maybe that's cause enough. I
don't see that construction that you you are attributing, but that doesn't mean anything. You know, that could mean somebody else >> uh you know, a zoning officer may agree with you. You know, it's I I could certainly clarify that.
>> And do these definition the way we're defining it here. >> Yeah. If the tree were to fall over and cause damage,
does do these definitions carry over to that and put the responsibility on the homeowner? >> The this definition is solely for the purpose of prohibiting certain conduct as to trees in the township. Okay.
>> It is not meant to alter, abdicate responsibility or do anything else in any other setting. >> Okay. >> And and that's >> Yeah. Okay. >> That's the caveat that that's meant to address. >> Thank you.
>> Where's the next one? >> All right. So, the next one um >> 4653. >> 4653. That looks like a typo. Um okay. The definition of person w included um again
a clarity uh point. Uh I believe there was a comment raised that they wanted to be clear that any contractor um including the property owner could be uh summoned for violation of this. So we we
define a person um although it already says any individual resident corporation, you know, we want to make clear that we're not talking about a person or corporation that owns a piece of property, it also includes uh any person or entities who contract with or
engage by the property can be some uh cited for a violation of this ordinance. So that I believe covers that. Um, anyone has any questions? >> The judges expand the expansion of the definition of persons, right?
>> Well, yeah, it not. Yes, that's exactly right. For for the purpose of bringing those clearly bringing in those contractors who are who engage in the contact as well. Um >> 4565 >> 4655
that that again that was an error of mine that doesn't belong there. Sorry about that. >> Which one is that? >> Uh E, I believe. >> 465E. That's right. Yeah.
>> All right. >> Then we're on to um Now that violation permit 44 4656 see >> um that can be that can that's a relocation.
Um, Miss Bailey, can I just ask a question about uh 465 5.1 >> who the registration and who reg and how they register >> 460? >> Sure. >> I don't think I made any changes to the
to your >> So, you mentioned the clerk. Um, I guess my my only question is is the clerk is this, uh, for lack of a better term, a strictly administrative
checking the box, or are they validating that the insurance is in uh, in effect, that the driver's license are not suspended, that um, whatever else we're doing. the license plates are affixed to
the proper vehicle. So, are they checking are they checking the box for these eight or nine items or are they validating that they are in effect and uh and I don't know enforceable is the
right word but you know that they're valid >> if you look at section B and and again Mr. Roman, this is in your existing ordinance. I I don't believe I made any changes to 5.1, but I if you look at subsection B, uh it says all applications shall be received by the clerk's office and reviewed for
completeness. Once complete, the clerk's office shall issue to the applicant a decal for each vehicle and trailer covered. >> Sure. But for instance number five above, >> registrance insurance declaration, >> certificate of insurance, >> right?
anyone can make a copy of their declaration page. That doesn't necessarily mean that it's force >> in effect. You know, they may have missed they may not have made a payment. May uh you know, they may have canceled
it once they received it. I mean, I had friends in college who would get insurance, get the card, and then cancel, you know, just so they had an insurance card in with them. So, >> they were your friends? >> Yes. Columbia House. >> So, you know, so I just I just want to
make sure I understand what the clerk is doing and are they ticking a box that they receive the insurance or are they calling like the division of insurance in the state? >> Miss,
>> I I don't I don't know the answer to that. Um >> Wowsky, >> on our application, all those boxes have to be checked and they all have to meet standards. So like for the insurance, we request a current certificate of insurance with us named as additional insured. When it comes to current licenses, driver's licenses, we have
caught people saying, "Oh yeah, my guys are good." And we look at their thing and say, "Um, this guy's exper." Yeah. Well, what? So, you know, we we do we >> Okay. >> We're very vigilant in what we're doing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Some of them do confirm the
license plates, not what the insurance is. We we make sure we tell them if they don't have the decals fixed, if the police officer comes by and they see it, they can stop the job immediately. >> They also get a copy of the ordinance. >> Yes. And they get a copy of the ordinance as well.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Where are we? We're at the 56. I'm going to I'm going to jump to 4657 because C is really taken out of has been just moved up to
the above section in my view belongs there. It's not really changed. Um Oh, well it is actually. Let me just just let me orient myself. I'm sorry. >> We just crossed that out. Moved it up. Right. >> Yep. Yep.
All right. So then we're if you look at 4657 except as otherwise provided in this chapter the following um are the tree replacement requirements. Okay. So, so work through what has been changed.
>> The fees I think were basically changed and the word >> tree was just by more tree trees in two any person removes one or more trees. >> Well, the capital I I
>> I put a capital T because it's a defined term and we want to always have that definition apply. And then perns means, you know, you have to one or more trees is just grammatically correct. >> Um,
>> all right. And I think I saw a small T there at the bottom there going against my recommendation. All right. So, we talked about um what um the these application fees. I think I
made a comment here that there's a tree removal permit um already in 4656 which uh is consistent with your your fee ordinance chapter 212. >> I'm not really sure what the purpose of
the the replacement application fee is. Um but I feel I made it consistent with um 100 because in my view the there'd be there'd be an applica a permanent application fee made a determination made on various things whether you know
you have to replant you have to replace and if replace it has to be this that and the other. I'm not really sure what this application fee is for uh for replacement. I don't know. I don't see anywhere in this ordinance requiring a separate application to be
filed that would generate this fee. And it's it was in the old ordinance and it wasn't filled in. And I'm not sure what >> Well, unless it means, you know, you're cutting down a tree and you're putting a different tree in its place. That could be uh you're still
adding a tree. You're taking down a tree, but you're replacing it with another tree. that might be uh uh why that um placement thing is in there. That's the only thing I could think of. >> Well, the fee would be the same. It doesn't matter how big it is. Right. >> Right. >> But it's the
>> I mean there there's no >> it's not a new >> there's no fees to plant trees. We want you to plant as many trees. >> Yeah. There's no it's it's part of the original application to remove >> the determination of have the replant uh the replacement obligation is part of the original tree application. So, I
don't know what this what this application >> could that be the the two for one. Uh uh Mike, >> well, I thought that was more the um treat the criteria, the one and a half, >> right?
>> I mean, um the two to the 2:1 or 3:1. But to your point, uh Miss Mey, I don't know where the fee or the application occurs. It would be part of the larger planning application or zoning application, I
would think. >> Yeah, those are there are other applications that would generate the tree replacement requirement, but there's no separate application for tree replacement. So, what what would this be? I I don't and perhaps that's why it's never been filled in because
>> nobody knows what what this means. >> I mean, it it could be struck from my perspective. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. >> Yeah, I kind of agree with you. >> What do you >> Well, I'm just This would go in front of the planning board anyway, right? When
they do the trees, is that where it goes? >> Yeah. Planning or zoning? >> Zoning. Okay. So, and they already paid fees to be on those on those boards in front of those boards, right? So, this would be an additional fee. Again, I
don't think it serves a purpose. Um, I would just I would strike it. >> Yeah. May I >> don't think it doesn't make any sense. >> There's no tree replacement application. >> Are you okay with that? Uh, Mr. Alman and Mr. Sears, strike that section. >> Yeah. Great. >> Yes.
>> Okay, let's strike that and then that's something we don't have to worry about because it doesn't exist anymore. >> All right. The next is a question by me uh under sub subsection B of the same >> right sectioned plan.
That's our our tree bank, right, Tom? >> Yes. >> And that's per tree for we raised. It used to be a lower a much lower amount, right? >> Yeah. We increased to 400. >> I think it was like two something. So that >> Yeah. >> But but should it be tree removed or per tree to be replanted?
>> Well, here's the thing. If you're building a house >> and it's a two for one and you're saying, "Listen, >> I can only get five trees. I was supposed to plant 10.
You have to pay for the other five >> to go into the tree. >> That's to be replanted then. >> That will be replanted. >> So So you can't So your obligation removal and planting two two fees? >> No. No. One fee, right?
>> No. No. That's not my question. My question is, let's say on a two for one, you you're removing five trees, you've got to replace with 10, but you don't have the room to put 10. >> Right. So, you're putting five back and you're paying for fun. Okay. So, that
would mean the the language should read >> pay a fee in the amount of 400 per tree to be replanted. >> Okay. >> Right. >> No, that's because you're not replanting it because you don't have room. Well,
no. You're >> required to Yeah. >> You're paying the 400 per >> each tree that's been removed. >> So, I I think that >> that's right. Okay. >> Yeah. All right. >> And then this fee goes into the tree
farm, >> right? >> And the green team I think you >> we use to plant trees in the parks and everything. So you don't think for example if the caliper is you know 33 in or greater and you're
you're replanting four trees per one right you think you should still only pay 400 >> per tree >> removed okay and you don't have room to do the four one >> two to one
>> no >> no four to one >> no you're down to category four I think. >> So you got to replant four, >> right, >> for each one of these. >> Yeah. But you don't have room, you know, you're now have an obligation to do four to one, right?
>> Yes. >> Okay. >> So it's only still >> and but only let's say only two are being removed of this size, right? So your obligation is to either put eight in, find room for eight
or pay for 2 * 400 when your obligation is eight. >> It doesn't make sense. >> That's what that I just think it if you're if you're getting rid of some big trees there and you have a larger obligation, your your financial obligation >> should be more
>> should be more. That's why I think the language should be per tree to be replanted. >> Okay. Does that make sense, Mr.? >> Yeah. >> So, just put put remove removed and put replaced >> to be replaced
>> per tree to be replaced >> per the per the schedule, right? >> Per the tree replacement schedule. >> Per the above. Yes. >> Okay. because Yeah, that wouldn't make sense if you did that because you'd be losing >> right.
Okay. All right. So, that's that one. >> Okay. Next, >> 465 8.1 is just a little bit of a cleanup I stated above for clarity. >> Exemptions. >> That looks like it's
>> I think that's it. Okay. I I have one. >> Sure. >> Um on page nine, uh so it's part of 4659 exemptions part B.
>> So >> B like boy. So my question is uh there is a property in town that is in classified as agriculture
because >> they have a goat in the front yard or something. >> No, they they harvest trees. >> Oh. Oh, I thought he said agriculture. >> Well, that's I have a tax exemption. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So my question is
if they're classified in that manner for tax roles, if they're exempt, could they come in with, you know, 10 bucket lo uh, you know, 10 bucket trucks and cut every tree down without penalty? Because I
think that's I don't think we want that. >> It says tree farms in active operation. Um >> well they are because they get a >> they got tax exemption. >> Well like I said >> well every every year they got to report a WD4
to the tax office and they have to tell them how many trees they have removed on a continuous basis. Now I think it's between $500 and $1,000 that they they could sell. So, it would be I would I
would check with Sarah to see if they submitted that form. Uh if they did not, then they lose their tax status. >> No, understood. But because they're exempt from this statute. >> Yeah, I know what you >> can go in and cut every tree down
without penalty. >> You know what? just take bee out and then >> well a tree farm you're going to make them get a permit for every tree they remove if they're an active operation isn't that what their business is
>> I mean you would think it'd be their business >> the property in question is the Vivian property >> okay >> so they have a >> farm a farm exception >> but do they are they an active operation >> they have to be
That's how they get their exemption. So they pay, you know, pennies, >> but for for tree farming, then they have >> I I don't know what they're But it Yeah, I I guess I'm cynical and and
>> have seen those tax exemptions very liberally. >> You're cynical. I mean, it's costing us tens of thousands of dollars. >> Yeah. >> That big piece of property up there is a lot of money. So can >> like to me that's
I I would like to understand the implication of that. >> So I would say Sarah the tax office would be first I would check to see if they submitted their WD40 um tax exempt
>> relating to their tree farming and probably you can find out who they sell it to. Well, they need they they would need receipts. >> Exactly. >> They would need receipts. >> But, you know, you could just take that.
You take that out. >> Wow. >> They would lose every $20 they sold. That's 400 bucks. That would take them out of business, >> but then they'd have to pay the tax. >> Yeah. >> So, just move that. I would imagine this
is a model ordinance. I'll have to see. >> So, I I'll make a motion to just remove B. >> Just remove B. >> There. Is there anybody else in town that might? >> No. >> That this might impact garden centers or
No. >> Well, they don't. >> No, they don't. They're not taking down. >> Just remove B. >> Siobhan. We did follow the NJ model ordinance. I don't know if that specific Yeah. >> verbiage was, but we did we've revised
this work. It's like a lot. >> I know. I'm aware of that. >> Um, >> are you are you okay with removing B? Uh, Mr. >> Well, I I think would I and I don't want to delay this more than
it already has been, but >> I don't think another two weeks is going to make a difference. >> I I think it's I think it would be important based on their tax uh classification
that they're a, you know, a uh a farm or an agricultural business to know if they're exempt because, you know, they could go in and remove every tree and there's no penalty, you know, and
and and >> and you're right because here here's another question that you you raised. If the owner sells off the property to a builder, does that builder maintain that tax
status if he >> I just say >> sells to another developer to build >> unless he's unless he's selling it. Unless he's unless he's an active operation >> and selling stuff. I mean,
>> that's a good question, Mr. Holman. Well, theoretically, they can go in and clear cut it and then when the new person buys the property, there's no trees, nothing they have to they don't have to replant anything. >> Even if the Even if the trees are there
and they sell off the property, does that new owner still maintain that tax >> if he maintains the operation? >> No. If I buy a farm and I maint I go back and re >> Yeah, but it's only not only under that
one ownership. >> Isn't it the property? >> Change of use. >> Isn't there a look back once it loses its exemption? Isn't doesn't it look back a year and don't we collect
>> Right. If there's a change of use, there's an a a an added assessment. Right. Okay. >> That that relates to that, >> right? >> So, the seller has to >> Yes. >> pay that. Yeah. >> You know what? I I think for now, if you just remove it, it protects you. Then we
can move forward later on and amend it. >> Mr. Remove it and then I mean amend amendments are easy. >> Um I'm I'm comfortable removing it. You know, I would just be sensitive to Mr. D. Carlo's comment that a lot of this is
based on a um >> a model. >> I Yep. >> So, if we change the model, do we do something? >> Yeah. Yeah. We're not going We're not I don't think um we'd be ready to I would like to have the rest of the council
here if we're going to, >> you know, pass it because I don't think two weeks is going to make a difference. So everyone has a small and um Daisy have a little bit more input on it. Um but that's a good point that Mr. Alman brings out. Again, you know, as you go through these things, you see things that you know we haven't noticed before.
>> Um so um >> just take a break though. >> Is there any anything else on here that we have? >> If if uh if you don't mind if I chime in real quick. Um, one, waiting two weeks definitely isn't going to hurt because
what prompted the whole revision was getting consistency with the with the numbers we're going to charge like 300 400 per tray and then also making it easier for our municipal court to adjudicate this and there's no current um violations out there. So, I think you're fine with
>> if we put it off. >> Yeah. And letting us maybe, you know, me and Siobhan look into that. >> Look into it. I would make a recommendation for now just to be you know to error on the side of you know caution just remove B >> you know let's look at what what what
would be effectively remove B and what are the alternatives for B >> you okay with that Mr. Roman Mr. Yes. >> Okay. >> Council Vice President, if you don't mind if I just bring you guys to page five real quick. >> Where? I'm sorry. >> Page five under 465-6.
And I do apologize for being sarcastic and recommending to glue the tree back together. I guess that was my way of trying to say that we do want you to feel that we really looked into this and we feel that um the appropriate decision was made to let these trees go. And
Councilman Sears, I know trees as a whole are important, but if heritage specifically, perhaps we could put another step in the process like we talked about during my report for heritage trees. And if and if you look
at paragraph B, it's second sentence. If removal of a tree is being requested under 465-5D, which talks about the diseased trees, the tree removal permit application shall be accompanied by a letter from a licensed arist verifying that any tree to be removed qualifies under the same
section. And this is where you know I would lead into what my defense was. If the zoning officer is satisfied with the information of the tree removal permit application and with the letter from the licensed arborist the same is required here. The zoning officer shall direct the building department to issue the
tree removal permit upon payment blah blah blah. But then it just goes on to say if he doesn't we can solicit um the assistance from another entity at the applicant's expense expense whether it's a township engineer department of
works licensed arborist or other professionals and again I mean just so we wouldn't bog down the entire system because you know there's a lot of trees people want to take down if definitely heritage trees being taken down because of that disease cause perhaps maybe we
do ask for a separate better a separate arborist that's other than the company that wants to take it down. I don't know. I'm just trying to >> think for you for another step. >> I mean, I that would, you know, it's it's like having having an auditor. Like we talk about an auditor and someone
who's doing the books having that second eye that's a little bit more independent because if it's you know, you know, you're you're you're creating business that might not otherwise be there. again you want to look you want to look
into that you should put put a section in there independent >> because Tom if you read or Mr. use if you read C too. I mean it's it's set up for you to just like add a sentence not to simplify it but >> right and and in the event of a her like
something like that. Yeah. >> That there should be an independent. >> Yeah. If it's identified as >> this is already the authorization in section C to do >> let's say that. >> Okay. That would be wonderful if we can do that. >> And I think we you know that that would put
um another eye set of eyes on it and it'll be more independent >> for just heritage tree, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Just heritage tree finding heritage tree. >> Mr. Sears, what do you think?
>> I would I would go along with that like that. >> Yeah. >> What? There's no Is there a definition? Others heritage tree. Okay. >> Any of the following. Single trunk tree with a circumference of 38 or more measure 4T. >> Multi- trunk tree. Okay.
I can add that. >> Mr. Alman, you good? >> I'm good. >> Okay. Mr. Sears, >> I'm I'll follow. >> Okay. So, let's see if we can get that for the next meeting and maybe we can wrap this up and vote on it. >> One quick thing. Go ahead. I don't want to delay. 465-5-1.
Item number eight, the registration fee is $50. I was approached by one of the code officials saying that that fee is real low for the amount of administrative work that's being done and they're
getting $2,000 a tree. Um he said we should at least increase that to $100 to cover the cost of the administration and the labels. So, I would I would like to increase that uh registration fee to $100.
And this would cover all of the administration costs at this time. >> Which one is that, >> Tom? What? >> It is uh 465-5-1. Item number eight, payment of annual
registration fee >> 5.1. They felt uh the code of felt that that was way too low. >> This one where you're talking about registration for free removal and the application move it up to 100 for the
reasons. Mr. >> Mr. Alman, what do you think? >> Move the fee from 50 to 100. >> Sure, that I'm okay with that. >> Okay, I'm okay with it, too. Let's put that in there. And >> Excuse me.
>> Hi. Question. Tommy, are you referring Councilman? Is you referring to the building department trans doing the application the tree application? >> No, no. I'm just our registration fee of the vendors. >> Okay. Yeah, that's what I wanted to say. Way too low. What's covering the course
of administration? >> Thank you. >> 465-5.1 is what he's talking about, >> right? Letter eight, right? >> Yes. >> And you want to increase that to 100. >> A8, right?
So, it' be $100 for a block of five decals. If they want 10, >> correct? >> They'll pay $200. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It's a deal. 20 bucks. 20 bucks a decent. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um let's move on to uh B under ordinances legislation amendment of chapter 223 schedules uh no stopping standing for Mr. Dargo and the mayor.
>> Yes. Thank you. I've seen this uh quite a few times driving around town, but the complaint actually came in from a couple different residents trying to make turns out of Northgate um especially trying to go northbound. And what's happening is motorists are coming into town
southbound on Pasak and they're pulling into that little section that um was >> I'm sorry >> the carveout you're talking the car the carve out of the street the wide carve out and they're stopping there and they're you know conducting their business whether it's on the phone
or not and it's you know just >> it's it's causing a hazard for people trying to turn. So our idea was to come up with no stopping or standing. Um, we went to the county, the countyy's like, "Hey, the the enforcement and the uh ordinances is all within your business to do." And then speaking with Siobhan,
I I didn't realize realize this, but Pasc Road, I guess, is the complete uh the entire length both directions, right, Siobhan, is no no parking, >> right? even though it's not posted in some areas. >> But I guess whether it's semantics and
you know parking versus stopping and standing, you know, again, I can't believe people would get away with that. We would have to add a section of stopping and standing. So Siobhan said, "Hey, do you want to do the entire length?" >> I wasn't thinking that at first, but it's not a bad idea because where else on Pasak Road is safe to stop and stand.
So that's what we're petitioning the uh if that's the right word. We're asking the council to consider no stopping and standing for the entire length both north and south of uh of Pas the the four county roads that we have. >> Mhm.
>> The other three have that. >> That's a good question >> because because you got because I have in you know in front of my office I have a small car out and people do stop there um >> so on Rididgewood Richard Road. So you got Ridgard Road, Washington, Vanburgg,
right? and Pasc. So, I don't know what those um those streets are like, but they should all be the same if we're doing it for one county or we should do it for all the counties. >> But I can tell you across the street from the firehouse that's becoming uh >> Oh, where the where the
>> a parking spot, >> you know, where the three roads and then >> that's been really getting bad because there's now a truck parked there or a car parked there and you see them parked in there. that's getting even worse. You know, >> a good point. I was narrowsighted with
with just Pasc, but if you're willing to >> let's do all the county roads because they're well they're all well traveled, you know, and it does cause uh you know uh issues. >> So, how would that affect landscapers? Now, you you go down Pasc Road now and you see them parked on Pasc Road. No
cones are out or whatever. You know, >> it would also affect um delivery trucks like your Amazon and your >> will they >> Yes. >> Well, the delivery trucks probably in and out, but these landscapers are there for 45 minutes there. >> You can't say stop and standing for 5
minutes. You can't you can't do that yet. It's either got to be all or nothing, >> right? >> So, I mean, I don't know. I don't think we can do that, can we? Five minutes. >> I'm sorry. I was looking up. No one's going to no one's going to time them that they're there for we were talking about UPS trucks and Amazon trucks cuz
they stop and make their deliveries. >> So >> I mean you you'll even see cars parked half on the sidewalk and half on the road in Pascat trucks. >> Well, if they're on the sidewalk there that there is an ordinance there for for summones.
>> Uh oh yeah, right. Well, >> what if we concentrated just on the cutout areas then and don't do the entire length? >> Cuz if if a landscape truck parks and no one's in it and they're mowing the lawn for a half hour, is that considered
parked? >> Yeah. >> Well, because well then Siobhan, please correct me. Passk Road is already prohibited from parking on Pasc Road, right? >> Parking. Yes. And stopping and standing.
You've got prohibitions on Finity Place on the south side at tire length Lafayette Avenue on the south side from Muswap Sync Brook Colulbert at the Westwood Burrow boundary line to Brook and finally on School Street both sides
from W from Wayne Place to its westerly terminus. That's your current prohibition on stopping and standing. So if you wanted to for now right now the issue was really
in that one section no stopping or right now there's no parking on either side that's a different ordinance different schedule. So already that landscaping truck shouldn't be doing that. We have to prohibit I mean >> parking prohibited at all times. East Glenn
>> um Finery from this to that. Let's see. I think it's >> what about um Washington >> Washington both entire length >> Rididgewood Road >> from Rididgewood Boulevard to town >> Venber. So that that this is an enforcement
>> pass road both entire length. >> So it's already no parking on all county roads. >> Looks that way. >> I mean that's not how it's defined. It's it it's specified out some in some spots it's just one side in some spots it's
it's in certain sections of it on a side or both. So it's not necessarily all county roads period. That's not how the schedule reads. >> I think we may be >> biting too much >> trying to fix a problem that doesn't
exist and creating a bigger one. >> Yeah. >> Although if we wanted to limit trucks on Van Ember, I fully support it. >> Just just throwing it out there. Why don't we do um why just limit I'm
not I can't vote on it anyway, but if I want to limit it limit it to cutouts. >> How do you carve out? >> How do you define that? >> Well, I what I would do consistent with the rest of this no stopping or standing >> is define it >> first. The street well you already have
it the street passc road if we're trying to limit it to the problem. the cross street from the entrance to van uh north gate to whatever Eli road or whatever it is on that stretch. >> You want to limit it to this one section. >> That one section shelf. So from road to
road. >> Who would I get with to clearly define? >> I mean me or 10:00. >> We can figure that out and then bring it back here. >> Yeah. Vice you want to do like all the cutouts that we think are an issue. >> Right. Right now that seems to be the issue just a complaint. So do that and
if we get more complaints then I think we should bring it back. >> Okay. So we'll do just that cutout section and we'll say without the >> on the southbound side of this. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you for your consideration. >> Okay. No problem. Okay. Um we have C uh zoning board has
concerns about uh demolition oversightes for uh what's that? Section 53 through 85B. code clarification. So, there are I guess um when they go to do demolition,
they are supposed to take down less than 50% of a dwelling uh before they get board approval. Apparently, that's not being the case lately. They're doing more than that. So they asked us to maybe tighten up the uh language in the
code uh to um deal with that and maybe uh enforce it more. Is that that's how I'm reading? Anyone reading that differently? >> So go ahead. You can go. I was going to say we there's a lot of information I could I could present to you. >> Sure. That would be great. >> Before that if Mr. Alman wants to
>> No. So I think this is like a carry-on of issue at the planning board where residents are, you know, applying to zoning, >> right? >> They're applying to do a
uh less than 50% body of work, >> right? and they start and once they start >> escalates >> they find that there's existing damage, there's this, there's that and they wind up taking down the whole house or in
excess of >> No, you're right. It actually happened multiple times. >> Yes. So, we've had this year on the planning board, I think at least four instances. So we had a meeting earlier
or late spring uh April 9th and you know there was discussion about how to address it. Uh one was coming up with a standard definition of demolition and what it means to take uh
to require a demolition permit. >> Okay. And the second was uh making contractors, engineers, homeowners aware that if you get to a point
uh and you need to go further, you need to stop and you need to come back. Um, and I think I asked at the last zoning board or planning board, excuse me, uh,
of Mayor Kalamari and he indicated that, uh, the zoning office and the building office are sort of doing enhanced notification or enhanced advisement of uh, this issue.
Um, and that's as far as I know at that's what I know of of the issue. >> So, it it was kind of brought to our detent attention like in early spring, I guess. And, uh, we all know the houses. It was Ridgewood, the extension, you
know, Cyprus, I think there was one more. And again, not putting the blame on anybody, but you know, was it was it the applicant saying it was under 50% and then all of a sudden it's greater? Like Mr. Alman said, what is the
definition of demolition? Right. Um, so it led us to look into these things. So right now currently as it sits the the demolition ordinance that's in 540 for land use the only reason it's talked about de demolition is to protect the
township's canopy. It's 1,000% about trees. >> So if someone's going to uh go greater than 50% it triggers going to the planning board so they can discuss the canopy. So like Mr. Alman says there's nothing about demolition or what to do
next. So we also we knew it had to be addressed via ordinance route but we also need to address it versus uh with internal policy and procedure. So um we had several meetings with the building department and then Grace as the
planning and zoning assistant and the recommendations. And you know again whether it sounds silly or not one of the biggest things we did was consolidate them and get them in the same room so they hear the discussions. They're dealing with the residents at the same time. We're not sending them up to a different level. you know, all that
knowledge is in one room and they have consistent efforts um when dealing with these different issues. The other thing was resolution compliance, assuring that the building department is adhering to what's in the resolutions that come from the planning board and the zoning board.
The other thing was specifically writing on the demolition permit how much is permitted and what. So instead of it just being demolition permit, it says, you know, Again, you I'm just guessing because I haven't seen one specifically, but you know, demo 40%, you know, wall
and what, you know, making that up. The other thing was to actually put on the zoning permit that's issued how much demolition is done. The other thing was if if if there is and the the UCCC, the uniform construction official, which is Darius,
um is very good at his job. He's very knowledgeable. So, so is everybody. But in this specific reason, he's responsible for all this cuz you know sometimes it might not have to go to a board, right? So we made sure there's communication between the township
engineer, the UCCC and the zoning and planning office with specific notes being put in the file folder, specific trail within emails of how much is supposed to be done. So we're trying to catch this with all these hands um in
the pot. So we took care of it internally. So then on April 9th we had I mean Mr. Alman I think everybody and their brother was there. Um you know April 9th we had Paul Aelene as the as the planning board engineer. You know Beck Meers both son and father as our
engineers. John Yakimick as the as the zoning board. Mr. Guest was there as the chairman of the zoning board. Um Mr. uh Sabina was there as the chairman of the planning board. Mr. man was there as you know pretty much all of that right planning and council liaison the mayor
myself and then numerous building departments with Darius Mr. Sedakase Grace um and we got everybody in the room and we discussed this um at no fault Mr. Gats he had to leave at the end so he may not have heard what the plan was um with the ordinance um but
they they definitely heard the internal process we put in place but towards the end Mr. Sabino volunteered to lead the charge with getting the demolition ordinance revision how we wanted it to present it to
council. Um and it it was going to be you know him, myself, Mr. Aelina and uh Mr. Burgess. But as you know, every great plan gets punched in the face. And we had the housing element and the fair share plan that was taking Mr. Burgess's time. Um and then we got to that point.
So most recently, I'd say within the last two weeks, uh, Mr. Sabino, Darius as the UCCC official, myself and, uh, Miss Bailey, um, we brought it into our hands and Miss Bailey got us a very nice draft just the other day. So now we're
hoping to have a follow-up meeting to review it, uh, see if it satisfies the planning board because right right now the zoning board doesn't, you know, respectfully doesn't have anything to do with demolition. It's the planning board. Um, so I think >> so you're working on it.
>> So we're working on it. Yeah. >> So a long-winded way, but I think everyone should know, you know, >> well, you have everyone has a hand in it, so everyone knows what's going on and that that needs to happen because a lot of times it doesn't happen that way and there's a surprise. We don't like surprises. So um, we have
>> a question for Mr. Dol. >> Oh, sure. Go ahead. >> Mark, what is the engineer's responsibility when he gets a job? Shouldn't he go out and look at the project that's going on? He he's getting paid to look at a
building. So, if he goes out and sees a building that's more than 50% or he sees that they're tearing down more, shouldn't he be the first one to realize what's going on? >> Yeah, absolutely.
So why don't we have anything holding them responsibility as part of this demolition? >> Well, I don't I I truly don't think in any of the specific examples that we reviewed, whether it was Ridgewood or Cypress or the other one, that anyone
failed to do their job. I think it was a matter of like internal procedure and whether the applicant was conveying something inaccurate. Yes, but he gets paid to look at the job. He gets withdrawn. >> Yes. If it if it goes to one of those
boards, but not everything that involves demolition will go to a board, >> but he gets he gets to look at the job that's going on. And I mean, I I can throw out five examples right from the top that if he showed up, he would have
saw more than 50% of the house was down. So I think like there was one I don't know if it's Cypress or the at the end of beach >> Cypress >> Cypress >> that that started I don't even think that went in I don't believe that went
before any board he started the work and he was going to um do internal uh work you know taking down to the studs etc. uh it involved the
removal or the replacement of some of the exterior and the way I understood the explanation is they opened everything up and they wanted to do like a 10-ft ceiling versus an 8ft ceiling
and to start to marry to lift it up and to start to marry all of the framing became too much. So the contractor took the house down basically, never approved. They put a stop work
order on it when it became apparent what was going on. But you know, I like to put accountability, Tom. I completely agree with you. But in the three or four examples that came before the planning board,
>> I don't think um you know, I think it uh was an evolution as opposed to someone saying, "I'm going to knock my house down and no one catching it." >> Right. >> But that's just my opinion on the ones that have been before the board this year.
>> Okay. >> Understood. Okay. Well, you know, we're we're going to have an ordinance and we're going to work on it and hopefully, you know, these things don't happen again because it it did start out with that house. You know, just everything was knocked down except one wall. >> Yes, >> that was it. So, I figured, you know, hey, this is great. Put an addition on
one wall and it's I don't even know if that wall's still there. >> It's not. >> Yeah. I I didn't think so. I didn't think so. All right. So, we're going to go on to uh D, zoning board recommendations for zoning board uh application fees and escrow requirements. So I assume that you know
they're looking at some of these uh requirements that the fees might be too low and I think there are also ones that um should be different from residential and commercial the fees should be different and exactly the scope of the
projects. So, I don't know. Is the administration working on that as well or >> No, I I don't have any, you know, the first time I actually saw that memo was when I was reviewing this packet. I fully support them and and most likely
raising those fees. I do know, >> you know, the struggles with Grace trying to get escrow replenished and not being able to pay bills and, you know, of course, the engineers aren't going to continue doing work. you know, it's not crazy often, but it's often enough to where I think it I definitely would
support and and recommend to the council to do that. But, you know, I'm not prepared to sit here and say, "Hey, make it $75 or >> and I think, you know, I think the the point might not be the um the amount, but the replenishment because that's that's an issue. You know, the I think
we raised those fees uh a few times already since I've been on council. Um, but if there's an issue collecting and um replenishing those as work goes on, I think that can be a problem. And I didn't I was not aware that there was a
problem collecting those fees. Um, I'm going to ask Sue. Do you see anything with that with collecting fees in that area? >> That's I don't think it was you. >> It's all Troy and Grace. >> Grace, can I ask you a question? Is it the practice of the board not to schedule a hearing unless those
replenishments are made or is most things usually one hearing or two? H. >> So in other words, if you I if if you show a depletion a deficiency in the escro account for engineering professional fees, legal and
professional and the applications before the board, is that generally where you see it and will you not schedule a hearing if those >> No, this is in grace. >> Okay. Siobhan Courtney was >> Have you ever seen me come in and say,
"Hey, Grace, how and think I'm crazy." Okay, you're not Grace. >> So, next time we'll know. >> All right. So, what's the question though, Siobhan? >> Yes. >> What's the question? Question is, >> I don't even remember. The question is when when when when when it becomes depleted the fund, do they continue
doing the planning board and and zoning board meetings or they don't issue or they don't continue on with that? >> Do they issue a stop work order when there's no money in the thing? >> Well, not stop work order, but sometimes the process doesn't go forward. >> Just don't schedule the hearing. Don't don't schedule the second hearing. You
know, >> I during that phase that we see the problem. It's during afternoon inspection. So an engineering invoice will come in and you know there's $13 left and the bill's $270. >> Yeah. >> You know, again that that's where I see it. >> Okay.
>> You know, everybody's paying their bill to get themselves through the the boards. Okay. >> Yeah. >> You know what I mean? It's >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And again, most I'm going to say 90% of the time people are like, "Oh, you need more money." Um sometimes we have disputes on how much it was versus what
the person thinks it was. But then, you know, a lot of it is them tracking down and getting escro. A lot of times it's not a problem. Um, but sometimes it is like we are working on the uh, you know, the Azelina AR. Remember, if you remember, we were we had bills back in
2006. We're we're really good now. There's only like 10, but when I get the report from Grace, you know, some of them are disputes, some of them won't pay a replenishment, you know, and the the jobs are well done, you know, and >> the so um you know, that that's where
the issue is. Again, I you know, I don't know if the fee is not high enough, but I do know because when we had that issue speaking with Ken, Mr. Per he said we certainly can stop doing work on this but what would happen is people would have you know Mark Dar would have
project A and I stop replenishing it but then two years down the line they want Mark D car wants to start project B and can we not punish them I can't think of a better word like can we not approve project B and he would say no you know it's a it's a new project
you know project A you're fine on holding back on but project B we have a Can sheriff can it be a checklist item kind of like proof of payment of taxes, proof of all payment of town outstanding? >> Well, I mean like I said sheriff's in
town, new attorney, so however you know the guidance, but um >> I would agree with Mr. Paul are probably not under the current >> and then Councilman Casio just you know again not that you want to talk about tonight but there was a second component to that demolition oversight and that was the code clarification the code
ambiguous and interpretation it was on the demolition one again not that you want to discuss tonight but it might you know they were I think looking for counsel to help on that I don't know but >> all right >> we're also going to have another meeting with Mr. Burgess and Lenny and I suggest
if if I'm if I'm capable of getting the chairman in a room together which we probably can um we might be able to hammer out some of these things that there might just be missing you know missing information that people don't again you know a lot of stuff comes down
to research what other people are doing and so I'm going to ask can you um look at surrounding towns for us what their differences and rates with commercial and residential potential escro fees and um the types that are
needed. >> I think it's in there soon. >> There's a couple quite a few. >> Grace had done that. She put on Oakland >> Oakland Cliffside Park New Milford. >> Yeah, but I think >> I don't know why those but that's what's in there. So the
>> she did the book. >> Let me ask the current council. You're are you in the mood so to speak for raising those fees? I mean if the fees I I don't want the fees to become prohibitive for someone
doing work in the town cuz sometimes that does happen. What really concerns me is non-payment of escrow fees when they run out. That's that's more my concern >> more than anything else. And I don't know how that's enforcable, Siobhan. How how we can do something with that. I
mean, you look at their feet to the fire with that. >> If you look at paramis section F, unpaid fees, established leans. I mean, >> lean it. >> Do we want to, you know, there's an expense to that though? >> There is an expense. Is it worth Is it
worth the expense? I mean, when you look at our fees compared to surrounding towns, we're clearly on the low end. I mean, really low. >> Yes.
>> So, even if we, you know, came up to the low end, it would still be low. >> Yeah. >> It would offer more protection. >> I I think you're right. I think we we should bring them up.
>> So, you want to propose some numbers uh Mr. Sears and Mr. Olman next time that you want to put in there? >> You know, you want to take an average of the five surrounding towns of Washington Township. >> I would have no problem with that. Do a
median. >> I think that would be fair. >> I'm okay. I'm okay with it. I mean, things everything else goes up. >> Electric's going up. Got to pay for it. >> Got to pay for it. Well, then you'll get escrow. You want a heat or you want escrow account? You tell me, you know.
So, let's definitely think about um a fee that we want to um fees that we want to bring up since we're on the low end because again, this should be a uh self-funding lines, right? when they do
when we send people out to the to the buildings, right, to look our inspectors. >> Yes. >> So, and if it's not selfund I mean, we were Mark, if you can recall last year, we were we pretty much self-funded the building department, right? >> Oh, yeah.
>> Yeah. We were we were okay. >> Absolutely. >> Profit center. >> The pro a profit center. >> Okay. >> All right. So, let's see if we can come up with some fees and some enforcement with those fees. Um, and I'll be in touch with you about maybe, you know, putting something
together with that enforcement. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we'll look through the the ordinance that you sent to us and see what their enforcement procedure is. >> All right. I hadn't I think the uh the board had suggested these. So, does the
council want to tell me? >> What was their suggestion? >> There are different town >> different towns. Cliffside Park fees have been provided. Um >> Pamas
>> there are there are various examples. So it's really >> I think I would like I don't want to do Oakland. I don't want to do Cliffside Park. I want to do something that's contiguous to the township of Washington. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um Mike and I would agree. Cliffside Park is not a good
>> No, I think let's let's look at Pamis >> right >> closely since it's our, you know, neighboring uh town and see what they come up with. Even though it's a little bit different mix, you know, um but at least no one can say you're comparing us to Cliffside Park. We're at least next
door um in that respect. >> Okay. So you you want me to prepare an ordinance modeled after the param >> model it after paramis where we where we can and I'll leave that up to you where you see fit and you can always give me a call if there's a question. >> Okay.
>> Um and then we can go from there. So at least we have an idea and you know we can you know like I said the big thing that bothers me is that it's not being replenished on a timely in a timely manner and that's not the right idea. There's a bill due. There's a bill.
Okay. Anything else, Mr. Alman, for that one? >> No. >> Tom? No. >> You good? Okay. Uh, I'm going to No financials. I'm going to go down to miscellaneous. This one's uh mine. I've had three or four residents called me um with complaints about trash pickup and
um it was regarding uh white goods. uh one resident uh put out on debris day a microwave oven and she was told that is not a white good that is electronics.
And then I had another um uh constituent put out a two draw metal filing cabinet. They didn't take that. They told me that's a white good. So, um, I think we need to define what
white goods are and are not. So, being the clever person I am, I went on my phone on the 360, put in Washington Township, and I saw definitions of white goods, but it wasn't our Washington Township. It was Glouster counties. We don't have any definitions of white goods. >> I don't think that's right.
>> I hope this doesn't either. >> I looked if I missed it. >> If I missed it, I missed number five. >> But it's kind of So, were you done or I was just trying to guess what the topic might have been, so I jot down some notes. So, it's when
you're done. >> So, anyway, um they were a little upset that the stuff was not taken and I can understand that. Uh so, if we don't have a definition of what white goods are, I think we should
have them. Maybe I missed them some I missed them somewhere in 360 cuz >> Yeah, I promise we do. >> Okay. And it even lists specific items. >> Okay. So, I think we need to put down specific items cuz >> No, it does. It does. >> It does. Okay. Well, if you have those, I'd like to if someone could send that
to my email, I would appreciate it. The right section. Um, >> and it wasn't so much the microwave cuz I can understand how that could be electronic in nature because it mostly is. But I think picking up, you know, small finger I could pick up with one
hand. It wasn't didn't didn't beat the requirements of weight. It was empty. You know, that should have been picked up with bulk pickup. I mean, to be honest with you, I threw out a shed. >> That's heavy. >> Okay. They picked it up. No problem. So,
>> so we definitely have it on there. Um, we'll send it to you. I think it's under DPW. It's recycling. And >> so, White Goods is obviously a metal is metals and appliances that are majority metal. It's upright, right? Yeah, they do. They have it. So, it's
refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, alliances. >> I don't know about the microwave. I mean, I probably wouldn't think that's an electronic, but >> but um if they're putting if someone's putting out metals during debris week, it won't be picked up because the metals
go to the recycling center. So, debris goes to a different place. So, they wouldn't pick it up. >> So, >> so the filing the the file cabinet would be >> that is metal. So, be a white good >> that would be a white good. It's it's metals. Okay. So that is by pickup by
scheduling. >> That I understand that's just >> they call they speak to Ranada >> and they get a date or they can fill out the online form for the pickup. >> And the pickup is every the Thursday after the household debris. And there's
so much of it we had to add a second date. But the second date isn't always a >> a definitive like you know the the next Thursday that's usually decided by Mr. Waller. Gotcha. um to have an an overflow. >> So, they probably either put it out at the wrong time. It can be confusing.
>> Yeah. So, you know, just maybe we can just, you know, hone that up a little bit and be a little bit more specific with the white goods themselves. And that's that's all. Um and uh let's see what do we got. Next one is zoning board
uh non-participation of a member in this. If I could summarize what this is about. >> You may if you like. >> Oh, I didn't mean to cut you off. >> You can cut me off anytime you want. I think it's probably best. >> All right. So, um there there is a
zoning board member who has a quite an attendance problem. So, the zoning board attorney contacted me um after he spoke to Chairman Gats and they wanted to understand the procedure to initiate removal. and what our ordinance says. I
consulted with them and provided um the procedure they that needs to be followed in order to initiate because only the council has the ability to remove a board member. Right? >> And the procedure is exactly this step. It be placed on the the matter be placed on the conference agenda for
consideration by council based upon specific charges that the zoning board makes the council aware of. And that is what this memo is. If the council instructs, I will prepare a resolution
um for next meeting um that would set in motion the formal removal that includes various notice provisions to the board member, the right to a public hearing, etc., etc. And the public hearing would be a mayor, a council meeting, right?
>> Um and and that is that is how that would work. >> And uh I'm assuming that Mr. Alman and Mr. Sears read the proposal and should I ask our attorney to proceed with that?
>> I think based on the statistics provided, yes. >> Yes. >> But my only concern is that um his term expires at the end of the year.
you know, by the time we get this all sketch scheduled, we're going to be in September or October. Um, I don't know if they're if their schedule has a uh if they have a lot before them and they need the full compliment, but I think it's more we
know what we have to do and maybe we address it at the >> sooner rather than later because I mean really it's it's the it's the last four months of a four-year term. So, I mean, we certainly could do it.
>> Does it behoove us to waste the time? >> If any rice notices fall into play with this? >> No, not with the board member. >> Thank you. >> Oh, good. >> Well, and to Mr. Alman's point, is it worth the time or effort? You know, we don't have to reappoint said member um
because it is a council appointment. I mean, is it worth it's worthwhile doing? I mean or maybe do it so we know what the process is >> an exercise someone I think was it last year someone else had to do
>> res resigned because of uh issues uh personal issues >> we >> no there was some that didn't do their training remember >> was it planning board maybe >> I'm I'm unfamiliar with that >> I do a lot I do all my training >> I too I really appreciate it
>> I Let's let's write it up and then we'll we'll make a determination at the next um meeting. I think >> can pass a resolution. >> Yeah, let's let's make it if that's okay with Mr. Mr. Sears a resolution and then we can decide what we want to do with it to Mike's point. You know, there's only
a few months left and we'll go from there. Sir, before we run off, just um >> sir just and fence before we head out. >> Yeah. Yeah, we Yeah. >> And how much was that change?
>> Uh it's $950 and we're incredibly below what we anticipating spending. >> It's Look, it's it's a safety issue. You know, I think it for for that amount of money to protect someone's dentures, teeth, facial facial bones, I think it's
a well worthwhile investment. I'm okay with it. >> Thank you. >> You know, >> if it's for the kids, yes. >> If it's If it's for lie, it's men's softball. It's the softball field. >> I mean,
>> we'll take it down for the men's softball and leave it up for the kids. >> Yeah. Just open the gate. >> Just open the gate. Memorial >> things vote on that. >> Yes, definitely. We're good. >> Stress. >> So, we'll approve the $900
950 for the gate. >> Excellent. >> All right. Any other resolution? >> Is there a close for the >> No, we're good. >> It'll be a change order. make a change of resolution. >> I'll do that. >> Yes.
>> I'll do that. I'll do a change to make >> anything on closed. >> Nothing on >> nothing on closed. >> No. >> Okay. Anyone else that want to discuss anything else before we close up the meeting? >> We're good. >> Good. >> Okay. So, I will see you uh September 8.
I make a move. I will see you September 8th, everyone. Enjoy the rest of the summer. >> And uh motion to close. >> So moved. moved. >> All I >> I >> All right. Thank you very much.