Hammer. Take the hammer out. Midnight hammer. >> Good evening everyone. >> 7:00. >> Welcome to the regular public meeting of March 9th, 2026 of the township council of the township of Washington. Adequate notice of the meeting was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the township clerk on January
8th, 2026 to at least two newspapers. And this meeting has been posted on the township bulletin board, electronic message board, WCTV, and on the township website. Please notify the municipal clerk for any disability requirements necessary for attendance at township council meetings. The fire exits are
located through the double doors to your right and through the door on your left. Please silence all cell phones. If you are unable to attend the council meeting in person and would like a topic to be addressed at a council meeting, please visit www.twpof.
US contact us tab. Click on mayor and counsel. Send email to contact all council members at once. Could everyone please stand for a salute to the flag? >> 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. Councilman Casio >> here. >> Councilman Sears >> here. >> Councilman Omen >> here. >> Council woman
>> here. >> Council President Denna >> here. Let the record reflect also in attendance Mayor Peter Calamari. Township administrator Mark D. Carlo, Township Attorney Siobhan Bailey. >> Mr. Corkrin is not on yet via Zoom and Township Clerk Susan Wakowski. Tonight
we will recognize the 2025 2026 VFW program awardees for township residents. Um, in the 2025 Voice of Democracy High School audio essay contest winners are first place, Mave Dorler is an 11th
grader from IHA and second place was Maline Schleer, 11th grader from IHA. The 2025 Patriots Pen Middle School essay contest winner was Johny Doberia from seventh grade at WRMS Westwood
Regional Middle School. Third place was Agna Patel, seventh grader from Westwood Regional Middle School. And our 2025 teachers of the year winners for high school, we have Caitlyn Banano from IHA and Marie Castellini from Westwood Regional Middle School
Elementary School, Barnett Goldman from Westwood Elementary. >> They're not here tonight. >> They're not all here tonight. So sorry, >> if I called out your name, if you could come up. >> Those are the name you need. >> We have Meline. We have the BFW members. >> Come up.
>> Agna and Amarie, come up, please. So, we have a we have a um we have a little uh certificate presented to all our winners. They did a marvelous job. Uh the essays I got to hear them at the actual award dinner. Thank you for the
invite by the BFW and Mr. Sears. Um they were fantastic. Great job everyone. Mr. Sears. >> Yes. I I just want to say that we are our VFW post is going above and beyond our normal town. We've been reaching out
to other communities to get the patriotism, the voice of democracy, the patrius pen. We have lost so many BFW post in Pasak Valley that the members here have agreed that we will reach out to other towns and other high schools to
to uh bring the voice of democracy. And some of these essays were unbelievable. We have actually had a state winner, a district two winner. Um, and I can't congratulate all the years against and the teachers, you know, I mean, if it
wasn't for them motivating the kids to do this, the awards go from 500 and if you continue getting the award, it could go up to $30,000 if you get to the state. So, congratulations to all the winners and thank you so much.
Yes, I'll just echo what Councilman Sears had to say. Uh, congratulations. Great job by everyone. Um, and thank you all for whoever's here for them to show your appreciation of them. So, thank you. Did you get a picture?
>> We have one. >> I'll take it. Thank you everybody. Oh, >> Tom, you want to you want to get these meetings? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> At at present time, we will make appointments to the fire department. We have a membership application for Jiel Gaso for the Township of Washington Volunteer Fire Department. Motion to approve his uh nomination. So move. >> I'll second it. All in favor? Hi.
>> Hi. >> You're going to administer the oath of office. >> Mayor, you ready? >> If you can come up, we'll administer the oath of office. >> Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. >> I got you.
Westford. >> Repeat after me. I I >> do solemnly swear or affirm >> doly swear or affirm >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New
Jersey >> the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> that I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state
>> 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 >> all the duties >> as a volunteer member of >> as a volunteer member of
>> 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 Congratulations. >> Thank you.
Thank you. >> Payment of bills. Resolution number 26-171. Authorized payment of bills January 29, 2026 through March 5th, 2026. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Motion to second.
>> Uh Mr. Casio and Mr. Sears. >> Roll call. Councilman Casio, >> yes. >> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman Omen, >> yes. >> Counciloman Delesz, >> yes. >> Council President Dennis, >> yes. >> Public service announcement for March
9th, 2026. Construction has begun on the new DBW building at town hall. With this construction, the DBWR will now remain closed on Tuesdays for household debris and recycling drop off. Residents may still drop off items on Saturdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please note during the hours of
construction, there will be limited parking to the east side of Hudson Avenue. The 2026 animal license renewals are now due. The late fee is now $25. As part of their efforts to identify lead service lines in our community, Violia Water New Jersey has contracted with MET
Meter Tech to assist with an inhome inspection of water meters to determine if your home is served by a lead service line. Please be advised, inspectors will be knocking on doors in an effort to schedule an appointment as a follow-up to letters that were sent to your home. The police department is aware of this.
Please visit our website for further information. New law. New law regarding public notices. Governor Murphy signed into law on June 30th, 2025 a new law which reflects the transition from traditional print newspaper to online platforms as of March 1st, 2026. You
will find on our township website a tab on the homepage named public notices where all official public notices are required to be posted and may be obtained or viewed. These documents in addition will have a hyperlink to the secretary of state's public notice web page.
The spring into wellness 5K run walk and health fair is taking place on Sunday May 17th. Registration is open and sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit the township website for more details or contact councilwoman. Our next council meeting will be held on
Monday, March 23rd, 2026. Okay. Approval of minutes. Regular meeting conference meeting May 5th, 2025. Regular meeting and conference meeting June 2nd, 2025. Regular meeting June 23rd, 2025. Regular meeting and
conference meeting of August 11, 2025. regular meeting and conference meeting of September 8, 2025. The regular meeting and conference meeting of September 22nd, 2025. The regular meeting and conference meeting of October 6, 2025. The regular meeting of
October 20th and conference meeting of October 20th, 2025. Do I have a motion to accept the minutes? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio, >> yes. Councilman Sears, yes. Councilman Alman, yes. >> Council BZ, yes. Council President Denn,
>> yes. regular meeting and conference meeting of May 19th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Elmanus. >> I abstain if you're
would be better. >> Counciloman Belz. >> Yes. >> Council President Denno. >> Yes. >> Regular meeting and conference meeting of July 14th, 2025. Do I have a motion? So moved. >> Second. >> Well, Paul. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Elman. >> Councilman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Regular meeting and conference meeting of November 10th, 2025. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> I'll second it. Roll call.
>> Councilman Casio. >> Abstain. >> Councilman Sears, >> abstain. Councilman, >> yes. >> Council Velesz, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. The regular meeting of November 17, 2025 with no conference meeting that night. Do I have a motion?
>> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio, >> abstain. >> Councilman Sears, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Veles, >> yes. >> Councilman, Council President,
>> yes. report of the administrator. >> Thank you, council president. Good evening, everyone. This is my followup from township meeting of February 2nd. Um, there were no resident or council follow-ups. A couple of updates. The township has received our New Jersey
Economic Development Authority HDSRF grant reimbursement of $83,951 for our costs associated with the preliminary investigation of the swim club swim club soil contamination. The township has received our final
reimbursement of $47,512.50 for the New Jersey DOT grant associated with the reservicing of Koolage Avenue. The township is currently out to bid for the MSquap Sync Brookstabilization Project. Bid opening is scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. That concludes my
update. >> Thank you, Mr. Paul. Report of the mayor. Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. Good evening. Thank you, Mike. Good evening, everyone. Um, the administrator and I were invited to and attended Representative Josh Scottheimimer's fifth district mayor's meeting this morning. Much of the conversation was
about grants, which our grant writer is aware of and applies for where applicable. It was both an honor and a pleasure to read to the fourth graders at George School last week for ReadAcross America week. We continue to work on online pet registrations. I want to commend our DPW, fire, ambulance, and
police departments on jobs well done during the several snowstorm events that took place last month. For those of you who may not be aware, our ambulance and fire departments had members on standby during those events. Standby includes members who took even more time away
from their families and slept in their respective facilities to respond if needed on a moment's notice, something they could have could not have done at their previous buildings. We owe them debts of gratitude for their service. It was a pleasure to host another Ramadan
service in town. Unfortunately, our summer wreck program will no longer be hosted by the Bethany Community Center. However, the program director is working on another program to serve the children of our community. We have researched and are entering into another shared service
with Bergen County to utilize their fiber internet service. I was happy to meet with two scouts to review their Eagle Scout projects. I gave permission to one of them to do more work in Lincoln Park to make it a more inviting place to visit. He will be working with Councilman Sears and the green team on
the project. The other one will be doing a series of presentations to our seniors on basic ideas of technology while also teaching awareness to help overall knowledge. The project will have a curriculum that will cover four different topics. They are cell phone
usage, spam and scams, email and social media. At the request of the council, the administration and I along with the police department did a comparison study of outsourcing our dispatch operations. I'm happy to report that our in-house dispatch operation compares quite
favorably on a cost basis and our current one outperforms on every other metric. The largest two are a having a location that is staffed 24 by 365 should our residents need to come to the police department for an emergency or non-emergency issue outside of business
hours Monday to Friday. And B, our civilian dispatch officers are specifically trained in our active shooter protocols. Recreation news, the 2025 2026 basketball program playoffs will be starting soon. I want to wish good luck
to all the teams. If you are interested in volunteering for the lacrosse program for the upcoming season, please contact the superintendent of recreation, Dan Scudiieri. A background check for all volunteers 18 years of age and older is required. The fun with art and fun with
cartooning program registrations opened on Monday, January 26th, and will end on Friday, March 13th. The men's over 33 softball program registration opened on Monday, February 16th, and ends on Friday, April 3rd.
Police Department news. Chief Pakora and Captain Glock attended a meeting with Westwood Regional High School regarding a new camera system. The department navigated two major snowstorms and their 2025 Tahoe is officially in service.
Fire department news for the month of February. The department responded to multiple reports of odors of natural gas, fire and CO alarms, one runaway boiler, a water leak. They reported wire on fire and smoke in a garage. On
February 21st, they responded to a vehicle fire parked close to a house. The fire was quickly extinguished with no damage to the home. The department was called for mutual aid to Oriel for coverage during a working house fire. They also held a few standbys this
winter. Some of the volunteers spent their nights in the firehouse during the snowstorms we experienced. They do this to ensure a swift response should a call come in. The department will hold their annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 29th, starting at 8:00 a.m. They
hope to see a lot of their friends and neighbors come out for this event. DPW news. February saw multiple winter events. The crews were primary primarily occupied with cleanup and snow removal. They assisted with the celebration for
Ramadan. The employees are or have completed their annual safety training and the crews have also spread over a ton of black top repairing potholes. Public affairs public affairs is pleased to report that the we love our residents
weekend held in February was a tremendous success. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the vendors and residents who joined us and took advantage of various giveaways and community offerings throughout the weekend. The strong participation and positive feedback reflect the continued
enthusiasm and engagement of our community and we are grateful to everyone who helped make the event so wellreceived. Looking ahead, public affairs is currently focused on planning two major upcoming community events. Preparations are underway for the township's Memorial
Day parade, which will honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active duty military members. In addition, significant efforts are being dedicated to organizing the township's July celebration
commemorating the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. This milestone event will be a large-scale community celebration and public affairs is actively coordinating programming, partnerships, and logistics to ensure a memorable and meaning experience for our
residents. The department will continue to provide updates as planning progresses and looks forward to bringing these important community events to fruition. Zoning Office, there were a total of 24 zoning applications reviewed for the month of February.
Library February, the library featured some exciting new programs like their backyard bird count, a grant-f funded program helping new and experienced birders to the remarkable species native to our area. Their new ma class has filled up very quickly and they are
adding more at a variety of times to keep up with the demand. A variety of craft programs like their adult watercolor class and teen Lego build night were also featured in February. March brings back some classics. They will be hosting the Ridgewood Irish Step
Dancers on Saturday, March 14th at noon and the annual Makers Day event on Saturday, March 21st. So, please stop by and check their website for a full list of programs and events. Municipal Alliance, they have been in touch with the high school guidance team to plan
this spring's drunk driving and prom safety events. Footprints for Life, which is an anti-bullying program, will be returning to third graders in the next few weeks. One of the programs that teachers look forward to every year. They are finalizing plans for Junior
Police Academy and Safety Town. They will be meeting with the police chief soon to review some possible social outreach and education. Lastly, municipal court. 247 total traffic tickets were issued in January with 212 from the Township of Washington
Police Department and 35 from the state police. The court collected $4,575.33 in revenue to the township. Thank you, Mike. That completes my report. >> Thank you. Report of the council, Miss Wes. >> Yes. Thank you. Um so I'm also going to start with the we love our residents
event. that was always a um it's a nice thing that we brought back um after co so I want to thank Sasha Lopez, director of public affairs for everything she did and her team to coordinate the row house uh originals and David's bagel. I know I saw a bunch of kids at the pizzeria as
well as David's Bagel and join um that weekend. Um in terms of budget meeting, I think we did a great job at the last budget meeting, you know, really uh progressing. I do want to emphasize my desire to have the department heads attend our meetings. I think it's
important for transparency that our residents as well as council to understand what their needs are, where the funding is going, and why they need increases or decreases um in certain line items. So, I would like to see them attend um the budget meetings when it is
their time. Um, as mentioned in the PSA, the Spring into Wellness 5K run, walk and health fair is taking place on May 17th. Um, it is going to be hosted out of the library parking lot. So, thank you to the library uh for partnering
with us this year. It is going to be a modified route, same as last year, but just um the start finish will be a little different. Uh, we are once again partnering with the Denovo Harriers running club. They are bringing back the beginner program which helps residents
or anybody interested in joining their program learn to run a 5K. The program starts on March 21st. It's a great opportunity to you know to um become a runner slowly, easily, and safely. Registration is open. There are early
early bird prices right now. Sponsorship opportunities are available and we're still looking for health vendors. So, if any of that interests you, please look on the township website for all the details. Um, I also want to thank all the emergency service departments for
their efforts over the last two storms. Uh, we really appreciate your work and it does not go unnoticed. So, thank you for all the hours that you put to being out there and away from your families. and um I am um a volunteer on the public
affairs uh committee and I'm working with them on the 250th anniversary and a offer that was brought up was for the council to potentially grill um in an effort to bring the community together
to show uh council participation. So if any member of council would like to grill um I think it'll be nice. We used to, well, not me, but council used to do it at town day before it became so large. >> So, I think it's great for you guys or
us to do it together. The date is July 11th. So, if you want to save the date on your calendar, uh, any help would be appreciated. And then um last but not least um as the mayor mentioned in his report u regarding the summer camp, I am
very disappointed that this is happening to our uh kids especially so um quickly and with now enough notice um I wish they would have phased phased us out but
that didn't happen. And I wanted to just share my displeasure with how that all went down. Um, it's not only affecting our kids, but it's also affecting our teens that look forward to the job opportunities. I know Mr. Pinto is going to do a great job and still give us
quality program. Um, but I just I don't appreciate the the halfhazard or maybe I shouldn't say halfhazard, but the lack of notice just months away from the program. So, and that is my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Sears.
>> Thank you, Council President. Um, the public service gas and electric energy efficiency program that the green team started will be kicking off in March. Again, we will uh offer uh light bulbs,
uh, power saving bars, and other hopefully will save your electricity. But I did get my public service gas and electric bill today. And let me tell you, I could have bought a car, you know, it's it's I can't believe the the
cost of it. But anyway, we will start that program again. Hopefully, we can reduce uh some cost of electricity. Uh I met with Professor S. Sans down in the Monontlair State um University. We're going to do an environmental
project this year. Uh, I have a meeting next week with the four graduate students that are going to work on environmental issues, uh, carbon monoxide, uh, trying to replace our tree canopy in the township. So, I will keep
um, everybody up to date on that. I was honored to attend um an Eagle Scout ceremony for two scouts that got their Eagle awards. Uh then I was able to attend the Weeblows going from their cup
pack over to the scout pack which was uh a really an amazing event that the uh scout troop 228 held. And I also attended the Matchbox uh races that were pretty cool. I'm going to tell you there was a lot of excitement there Saturday
at the at the high school. Uh the green team is meeting this Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the library to set up our project for this year. Uh we are going to focus on all natural plants as what
the governor put into into law that that we should be working on all native plants for New Jersey. So we will be working up a time frame on that. Um, VFW Post 6192 was asked to help out uh for a
uh from the county sheriff on doing a clothing drive for homeless veterans uh and um and the parameters home. I can happily say that I was amazed the residents and non-residents
delivered 43 bags of coats, socks, scarfves, and it was distributed throughout the community. And it was uh amazing um to see that many people show up. And uh I really truly thank you as post commander. And I'm sure these
veterans were pretty warm. Uh some of these coats were brand new. people actually bought brand new coats and socks. So, thank you very much. Again, I'm going to echo what councilwoman said about Bethany. I can't say community
center anymore, but the way we were treated um it was not u well received uh to leave us out in the cold like that. And um I'll just leave it there as as that.
Property evaluations. I have received numerous complaints about um how the evaluation was completed and done. Some of the properties went from
650,000 to $1.2 million. I I can't understand how that would jump that high. Um, some of the concerns when they talked to the the gentleman here was, "Well, we base it on
how you could sell your house." So, I thought we hired the guys to do evaluations. I hope we didn't hire a real estate agent because if you're basing your property increases on how you can sell your house, I don't think that's going to fly. There were also
complaints where the property was measured wrong and there was uh no feedback on they were going to correct it. Uh this is just one of 10 complaints I've got so far. Hopefully that they went to uh I told them all to go to the
county at this point if they don't have any resolution. And that's all I have today. Thank you, Counc. >> Mr. Casio. As as always, much has been said already, and I'm not going to repeat it, but um you know, with the change of daylight savings time, uh
please be aware that you have to drive more cautiously with the sun coming up uh in the morning for the students out there. Um so just be aware that you must be a little bit more cognizant of that. Other than that, I have nothing else to say. Thank
>> Mr. Almond. >> Uh yeah, thank you, uh Council President. The only thing I'd like to say is uh I know there uh is a discussion uh about having the department heads uh at the budget meetings. I don't believe it has
anything to do with transparency. I believe it has to do with the way the council wants to operate. Uh I think that the administration prepares a budget. Uh and uh they have a uh strong working knowledge of the budget which is
why it's being presented to us. So uh to say it's transparency I think is uh you know misleading uh I think it's how the council wishes to operate. Uh I believe in our form of government uh the
administration provides the council with the budget uh and we have these meetings to go through it. So, uh, you know, I'm of the opinion that if, uh, the council, uh, the majority of the council feels that the, uh, department heads do not
need to be, uh, present and present, that that should be the, uh, will of the council. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Alman. So, very quickly, um, it was a an honor to read to the third grade class at Jesse F. George for Read Across America last Wednesday
morning. um happened to be my oldest son's uh third grade teacher, so it was great to go back and see her again. Um April 18th will be Washington Township baseball softball opening day at Clark Field. Events start at 10:00 a.m. and
will run all day long. Um I'm very disheartened about the summer camp. I know a lot of people reached out to me and I made my uh case that I only found out two hours before the public found out. Um, you know, it was it was it was
just a sad thing that our children are going to lose out. I know Mr. Pinto and the whole department and all the counselors did a great job at the Bethany. So, we'll leave it at that. And I just want to thank all our departments for such a great job that they've done over the last few storms. Uh, they
really handled it. Uh, the only complaint I got from a lot of residents was we didn't plow curb to curb. So, the streets were very narrow and there was a lot of accidents in town, unfortunately, that people lost their cars, but that's unfortunate. So, maybe next time we could plow a little wider. That's the only complaint I got.
>> Um, moving on. General public comment period. Motion to open the public comment period. >> So, move. >> So, move. Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> would anybody like to come up and address anything that is not on the agenda?
>> Mr. Pakor. Chief Pakora. >> Hi, Chief Pakor. Washington PD. I have William Bilias from the fire department and Dance Federi from the Department of Public Works. Uh we are here tonight to directly address our concerns that department heads may not be able to participate in budget and capital
discussions regarding the fire department, Department of Public Works, and Police Department. As public servants, we don't just accept budget oversight. We welcome it. We look forward to representing our respective departments at upcoming meetings to provide the clear databacked
explanations our residents deserve. Transparency is not just a goal. It is our responsibility. We recognize that every dollar we request is a dollar earned by the taxpayers of Washington Township. As this is my first budget as chief, I'm committed to a partnership
with this council that prioritizes prioritizes, excuse me, both elite service and fiscal discipline, as are my fellow department heads. We are ready to come to any budget meetings in order to provide answers and collaborate for the continued betterment of Washington Township. Thank you.
>> Thank you, gentlemen. Would anybody else like to come up and address the council at this time? >> Go ahead, sir. Could you just state your name, please? Sure. >> My name is Michael O'Neal. I live in 62 North Cape Road.
>> Good evening, Mr. William. >> Nice to meet you guys. I appreciate your time. Quick question in regards to the affordable housing on the corner of Washington and Pasak Road. >> Excuse me. Could you speak very tall? I'm sorry. >> This is in regard to the affordable housing on Pasak and Washington
>> at 660. Okay. We received a letter of certified mail and I just want to clarify one line. It said they said they were going to do a a minimum of seven affordable housing. Uh is it going to be a minimum or maximum of seven? >> The minimum is seven.
>> It's a a min and a max. Right, Miss >> at least seven or most seven of the 32? >> The seven of the 32 will be affordable. >> At least seven must be >> they could do more. They could do more if they >> they could do more. >> Yeah. But so but then it's >> the maximum density is 32. Yes. They can
decide to make 10 of those affordable. That's not an incentive to do a developer. But it doesn't mean >> over 32 density ones can be at that location. >> Oh, so they can do the whole thing. 33. You're saying if >> 32 units will be permitted at that location. Seven must be affordable
units. >> Okay. I understand. But no 32. No more. >> Okay. I just wanted to clarify. Okay. >> Who's going to monitor that? It only stays at >> Can we get clarification? >> It's a maximum more than 32 units.
>> There is a minimum requirement of seven affordable units. >> If the developer chooses, he could make all 32 affordable. >> Correct. >> That but it's not fiscally it's not fiscally responsible, but it can happen.
>> It can go up to 32. Huh. There would be no incentive for there would be no incentive to for a developer to do that because affordable units >> but if he's got empty units and nobody's taking figured I'll take whatever I can get at that point. >> I mean if it also adding another 72 down
the road so there might be the possibility of empty ones. >> Can everybody just let Mr. O'Neal talk please cuz >> I'm saying you're adding >> I'm saying I I can't hear with all the chatter behind you. We can't hear you. >> Okay. You're also adding another 72 or whatever it is right there across from the supermarket >> right next door. So there is a possibility that there may be some empty
where the guy might say I might as well take something as opposed to waiting for the top dollar. >> The cost the the the real estate differential to go into the affordable housing lottery atund was it $58,000 in Bergen County for those units. >> Um >> might I don't
>> it's less than $158,000 Mr. O'Neal per unit if you buy it. So, a developer is not going to spend millions of dollars and and millions upon, you know, to build this and and just make them. Just so you know, Montail just tried to do a full affordable housing building and the state denied them.
>> Yeah. But they also have some of them are going to be condos, right? I saw that I don't I think in Montail 680 in the next 10 years and there's a >> but they had one they they tried to do one development by themselves and make it all affordable housing and the state said no.
>> Just I and I know I'm just food for thought. Okay. Okay. That's all I wanted to ask. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Who else would like to come up? Is this regarding affordable housing? >> Yes, >> it's on the agenda. So, Miss Bailey just advised me that we have to wait till we
get to that point of the meeting. I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> Anything else other than affordable housing at this time or anything that's not on the agenda? >> Seeing no one, motion to close the public comment period. So move >> second. >> All in favor?
>> I. >> Approval of road opening requests. Road opening permit for water service at 572 Cypress Street, lot 430101, lot 6. Correspondence dated February 19, 2026 from Danny Jurnik. Motion to approve. >> Question.
>> Yes, Mr. >> We got a motion. We got a motion. >> So moved. Second. >> Question. Mr. Sears. >> Yes. This is the third request since the winter and I'm trying to find out where is the breakdown. You know, we
have a strict policy. No roads are supposed to be open during the winter months and now all of a sudden we're getting all these urgent requests, >> right? >> And this house has been over over a year it's been being built and now why is it all of a sudden an emergency and we have
to approve opening the road now when we have a strict ordinance that states not until April. I that's a good question. >> Mr. D Carlo, is that something you can get back to us on? >> I have no further knowledge other than the resolution.
>> So maybe for the next meeting if you can get back to us. >> Well, can I be? >> Sure. Hold on. Mr. Wowsky has an answer. Mr. Sears, >> from what I've understood speaking to the homeowner, he's been working on this project, working on this project, working on this project, and he's now to the point where he wants to move in. And
because we have that ordinance, it also states that in order to move quicker or ahead of time, he has to come in front of the council and get approval. That's why. >> Yes. But he's been working on that house for over a year. He could have had this done. >> Yeah. But shouldn't the but shouldn't the building department notify him that there's a moratorum not allowing road
openings in >> Yes. And they tell him they have to he will be the third one this year. So >> I know it's it's unusual. >> Yeah. >> We maybe speak to the Mr. to Carl if we maybe speak to the building department and make them not you know issue something with the permits that you know there's a moratorum for the winter months for road openings and they have
to schedule around that moratorum. >> I certainly can but Miss W Makowski isn't going to the council for a resolution part of the ordinance. >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Yes. So if we work ordinance, >> we're just following. >> No, no, you're following the ordinance,
but the ordinance also said there's no road openings in the winter months, >> but they can come to the council for >> Yeah, but we don't want them to come for an appeal because it's wasting our time and it's wasting their time and they should know that they can't open the roads. So if we tell them, hey, you can't open the roads between November and March, at least they could plan
accordingly. But maybe nobody's telling them that and that's why we're having all these requests. That's all. >> So maybe we need to modify >> that ordinance. Maybe we shouldn't be opening roads in the winter months. >> No, but I'm saying if the ordinance reads that they can come to the council
to request >> Well, there's always got to be if there's an emergency, you have to have some mechanism. I believe that's >> I mean that's what Yeah, that's what they're doing. >> We put on the sue for next um council meeting to revise to go over that ordinance. >> Yeah. Can we do it after budget? >> Yes. >> Oh, yeah. Definitely after budget
because budget is going to take a long time. >> Roll call. Please. What are we doing with this? We're moving it to >> We're moving it for approval. No. No. We're going to approve it or either approve it or deny it depending on what the council wants to do. >> Roll call.
>> Councilman Cassio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> No. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilman VeZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Resolution number 26-190,
endorsement of the amended 2026 housing element and fair share plan. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Anybody second it? I'll second it. Um just uh have the
amendments or the edits from the uh planning board discussion been uh updated? The resolution incorporates the changes made by the planning board on the record. So you'll see in the resolution those are incorporated
>> that it references the meeting or that they are there >> the the changes made on the record. I don't believe the planning board resolution spells out those changes. So I changed our resolution to incorporate all the changes made on the record to
that plan that weekend so that the plan will be what was before you as revised and specified on the record. >> So when I read the and my apologies perhaps I didn't read it closely enough but when I read the
uh ordinance I didn't see the updates. You mean the amended housing element plan? >> Okay. The the plan itself has is the same plan that was before the planning board. It is being adopted subject to
and that's the language in our resolution. It's being endorsed subject to changes made on the record at the March 4th, 2025 uh 2026 planning board hearing. And that language is
begins on page three. Uh let's see. >> So we >> beginning on the first whereas clause. >> Yes. >> And then the resolved the first paragraph in the resolved adopts the plan subject to
the amendments made on the record on March 4th, 2026. >> Okay. So, we're amending we're uh excuse me, the ordinance is accepting >> the plan is being endorsed by the council. So, we're doing the plan right
now. >> Yes, >> that's being endorsed by the council as adopted by the planning board subject to those specific changes made on the record. And who is responsible for making those updates
and when do they get published or how are they published? >> So I would suggest given the strict deadlines that we are under um I would suggest we do a followup. We have Mr. Burgess make those plans and refile
after the statutory deadline. Right now there is simply isn't the time to physically do that. So, we're preserving that here in this resolution that this that plan is being adopted only subject to the changes. That's the caveat. And
then we can refile after we have time to do that. And Mr. Burgess has the ability to make those changes. >> Okay. And who's responsible for making sure that that happens? >> I I will make sure that happens. Joe Burgess will change the plan, bring it back to the planning board, make sure
you're all satisfied that that reflects exactly what was changed, and then we'll refile that. >> And will that come back to the council once it goes back to claim board? >> It'll be reored. Yeah. Yeah. >> I can tell you what the changes are
right now. And after I I' I'd like to do a brief introduction of this whole process because it's it's rather a lot and it's rather confusing. So it might be helpful and then I'd be happy to tell everybody what those changes were made on >> that be. Okay. So let's start at the beginning.
>> So we have a motion a second to start discussion. Right. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Siobhan Bailey. I'm the township attorney and along with the township's planner Joseph Burgess. Um we have been
responsible primary primarily to the mayor and council in assisting them in um the process called the fourth round of satisfying the affordable housing obligation um that is imposed on each and every municipality in the state of
New Jersey. Now, you're probably all familiar with the terms Mount Laurel, affordable housing, and things of that nature, but it's it's very complicated. Oh, yeah. It it tends to be complicated. It tends to be
uh uh you know, difficult. And one of the reasons I find it's difficult is because the statute, especially the current amendments, provide for very limited public the ability for very limited public hearings and involvement.
Um that is not anyone's desire, certainly not the township's desire, but it is the way the statute is set up and designed. So just a little background and history of affordable housing. Um affordable housing dates back to 1975.
Um in the uh the case Supreme Court case South uh Burlington NAACP versus Mount Laurel. Um it's a Supreme Court case that held that every municipality has an obligation to provide for low and moderate income
housing within its uh uh municipality. um throughout the years, what that obligation is, how it's determined, um what our developing communities um versus fully developed communities have
been litigated and litigated. And most recently in 2015, the courts held that the agency responsible, COA, um would uh they disbanded the agency because they found the courts found it
was no longer um effectively uh you know ensuring that affordable housing was being built uh throughout the state. So in March 2024, in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in 2015, the amended Fair Housing Act was enacted and
that brought about um a fundamental change on how affordable housing obligations were calculated and most importantly the process by which municipalities must follow um in order
to get what's called the compliance certificate for complying with its obligation imposed by the Supreme Court. Now, you know, uh you you may say to yourself, well, what if we don't do it? Well, fail failure to comply with this
system could include a lot of drastic um consequences to your municipality, including the loss of zoning power, the takeover of your land use boards, and essentially have a right to have a say on how much affordable housing is appropriate for your town. um as well as
how it looks, height, buffers, and things of that nature. We have our we have our own example in Bergen County, um of what it means not to comply, and that's Anglewood Cliffs. They chose not to comply um say we're we're not going
to do what the state tells us to do. We're going to go to trial and we're going to do what we want to do. Well, what happened there is basically the court invalidated all of their zoning ordinances, appointed a special master who decides how much affordable housing
gets built, where it gets built, how high, buffers, etc. Not land use for its no public participation, one person. So you can see or you can probably tell um
the you know the the preference is to work with the town uh work with the state and come up with a a solution so that while may not be ideal it's the best possible uh scenario. So that's what we've been doing over the past
year. In June of 2025, the planning board adopted the housing element share plan. In that plan, it had the 72 units uh proposed for the Valley Bank site. It had the units and density
proposed on the 660 site. Um and it and we held public hearings on that plan. Um there was an opportunity in August of by by August 31st of uh 2025 to file a challenge to that plan and the only
challenge we received was from uh Fair Share Housing Center. That's really the the organization that has filed challenges pretty much to every plan throughout the state. And what they do is they try to push municipalities for
more um for more affordable housing. And the municipality has the obligation to come up with a settlement with fair share housing by December 30th, 2025 or risk being out of compliance. And I just described to you what that means. So
what we did, townships professionals, myself included, Mr. Burgess, we um negotiated, we litigated, and we came up with a plan that's currently before the council tonight. It's by and large the same plan that was adopted by the
council at the public meeting or excuse me, planning board at a public meeting in June of 2025, endorsed by the council uh a week or so after. So, um in my view, we did very well for the township. Um the number of units that the state uh
requires that Washington town to provide for is 184 affordable units. Um a vacant land adjustment was done by our planner and a realistic development potential was established at 19 affordable units
and those units are being satisfied primarily through the two sites that are in our plan tonight. Now in addition to this, what happens with the remaining 165 units 184US 19? That's called a
municipality's unmet need. And you can't just say, well, we're we're fully developed. We can't do anything about that. The statute requires the municipality to target other sites that may in the future, may not ever, but may
in the future turn over. and what where could we put affordable housing in order to meet that remainder 165 units. You have to you have to provide for that unmet need. So what um was agreed to um
what Fairshair Housing asked for four additional overlay sites. one at the TD Bank, one at LGC. Um, additional overlay units on the current at Bethany. Um, as well as, um, the fourth site, Stonemill Gardens, they
wanted to go up to 12 units per acre. Now, currently, two of those, Bethany and Stone Mill, are part of our third round overlay. At Stonemill, uh, there's an overlay zone. If there if that ever gets sold to a developer, currently that
developer can build eight units per acre. Fair Share Housing was pressing to increase that to 14 units per acre. We were able to get them to agree to only one additional unit must be affordable and it will be paid for by the township's affordable trust fund. So
rather than a a huge increase in density at that site, one additional unit will be built. About two to three will be affordable. Now it's three to four depending upon whether the owner picks rental versus for sale. It it it's a formula. So that's the result that we
got there. Terms of the best site that currently permits 15 units per acre if that ever turns over from its current use. Fair share housing was pushing to increase that to 25 units per acre. We were able to convince them and to get
the court to convince them that 18 units per acre was was an appropriate increase in that overlay. We were able to uh push back on the additional overlay sites at OGC as well as the TD Bank as not being appropriate for high density
development. So in my view um we entered into you know we came before the council we you know we got agreement and we entered into a mediation agreement that is now incorporated within the plan before the council tonight um as well as the implementing ordinances. Um, I just
will say as well, um, the township also, um, joined other municipalities in the state, um, uh, in filing a lawsuit to challenge this process, which drastically limits the ability of municipalities to prepare affordable
housings in consultation and at public meetings over an extended period of time. and made it basically an under one-year process with limited public hearings. The lawsuit was filed not long after the enactment of the amendments to
the Fair Housing Act and has been aggressively pursued by our consortium of municipality, literally taking it to the highest court on the land in the land, the new the United States Supreme Court. Uh about a week and a half ago, uh unfortunately, Justice Alo denied our
emerging application to stay the time frames of this amend this New Jersey amended FHA. So now uh that was basically the last uh the last step uh that we took in that litigation to be
able to challenge it. So here we are about a week before the deadline. uh we believe we've come up with a plan that uh is favorable to the township in ter in terms of limiting the increase in in density and afford and multi- you know
unit development. Certainly the township wants to participate and uh satisfy its obligation and help the state um make sure it it provides for low and moderate income people. But I believe this plan does that in a way that that maintains
the character of this community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Bailey. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, just to follow up, I know I stopped the public comment bill B as we as we continue in the ordinance reading. You'll have time to come up and give your public comments. So, I just wanted
to make sure everybody understood that. So, let's take a roll call on uh resolution number 26-191. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes.
>> Council President Denna. >> Yes. >> Motion to continue the public hearing for ordinance 26. Oh, excuse me. Would anybody at this time like to come up and address this ordinance? >> Motion to public. >> You have to do >> motion to have to do 191.
>> Did you Oh, I'm sorry. Well, then my pages are up. >> Yeah, they are. >> I don't have 190. >> 190 right here. >> Okay. All right. Okay. >> Okay. Sorry. >> All right.
>> Adoption. Second reading. Ordinance number 2601, an ordinance amending chapter 540, article 11 21 entitled affordable housing and article 22 entitled mandatory affordable housing set aside of the code of the township of Washington. Resolution number 26-191
authorizing second reading and opening of public hearing for ordinance 2601. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Now you can come up. Thank you.
>> Can you just state your name and you don't have to give your address, just your name. >> Okay. Can you can you hear me? Yeah. Okay. Christine Garrison. I'm a township resident for almost six years now. Um, >> you said Garrison, right? >> Garris. G E H R E S. Garris. >> Thank you, Garris. >> So, I have several one question and then
a couple of comments questions if I may. So, the first one is this public housing trust fund. How is that resourced? And I I'm sorry if I don't know that, but I couldn't find it. I know that there's grants from the state of New Jersey, but they're very small.
>> Developers the developers have to post fees in order to fund the developers fund. Okay. >> So, any potential developer that would enter into these sites to to um construct the the the housing there would have to pay into a developer's fund
>> and then the township can use that >> to to increase the number and fund that beyond what >> only for our requirements which is the one unit at this time if we ever built it. Right. Or there's others. >> That's the only unit we're we're funding. >> Okay. All right. So, it's not the the
taxpayers per se or anything that budget for >> the developers. the developers would fund that uh program, >> right? And then thank you. >> What do they have? >> All developments too. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. The the other question is a more general question. It probably applies to all the the sites that are in
discussion today. Sure. >> Um so in general terms adding that number of units looking at how big Washington town of Washington is, it's probably not that huge, but it's a few percentage points, right? Four or so percentage more of inhabitants. and and
of course all these people have to go to school. They all need to drive. They all need to park. So it's really more of a general question of infrastructure. How is that going to impact us and is that being considered? Is that significant enough? Um and also um specifically
sewer capacity. Somebody talked about there's a new sewer system put in for different developments. So that would cover that, but I have a question mark around that. And last point in comment is looking at the surface area that's going to be covered. It says on there very clearly
impermeable. So where is that water runoff going to be? Because in some areas here in Washington Township, we already have a lot of water on the ground and if you have that higher coverage, which is very high in my mind, where's that going to go and how's that going to be dealt with? So those are my
concerns. So the developers are required to go in front of the board that they need to go to and they have to meet all state guidelines just like every other developer would in the township. So they would have to address all your concerns. They would have to do traffic impact studies uh sewer analysis uh and per you
know storm water analysis. All that would have to be presented and approved by our professionals in the township in order to proceed with the development. And I will say that's why it's so important for our boards to be able to maintain control of this process rather than have one special master deciding
these these things with a developer. Okay? Because what what is in the in the document that we all received right it does talk about very specific points specifically surface coverage and impermanable. So what you're saying is that's kind of preliminary in the sense
right you prove it we have so many units maximum and so many minimum have to be affordable housing however when it comes to the details there could be changes that you say you can't put u you know impermeable surfaces on this much area you have to find a different way
>> correct well it would be you know it would be storm water management so they'd have to figure out how to manage the storm water on site however it may be with underground detention systems whatever it may uh they'd have to figure that out in the design right now. This is just a general conceptual footprint
for the developer to look at it and say this is what I could build on this site. >> Okay. But you >> but it doesn't mean that that's the final layout or you know it's just a I don't want to say it's a pretty picture but that's what it really is because all the details aren't there like the trees aren't shown the landscaping buffers
aren't shown. just says these are your buffered areas, but we don't have the details of what's going to be in those buffered areas until they go in front of one of our boards and the professionals determine what's required. >> Right? So, you have you have ways of making it more stringent or go back and say, "Hey, that's not sufficient." >> They have to meet all state requirements
just like every other developer does, just like every resident in the township would if they wanted to develop their site. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Oh, I pointed to You're up. No, no, you're up. You're up. You're up. You're up. I pointed in the same direction. It was
right one right behind each other. >> Uh my name is Richard Miller. I live at uh 10 Brayburn Drive. >> Good evening. >> Township uh in the Northgate community. Okay. Uh few questions I have. Uh you had mentioned there' be 184 units in in
uh in Washington Township for affordable housing. >> That is the required number. And after that, that was what the state determined we needed to provide for, then the process went forward. We did a vacant land adjustment and our planner was able
to determine that the most we could provide for is 19 units because this is a fully developed town. Um, it wouldn't be appropriate because 184 units is only 20% of the total you would have to build to get to that number. So the cord and
the fair share housing they they worked with us and we came up with 19 affordable units. >> So 184 was reduced to 19 by our plan. >> Correct. >> 19 afford uh >> affordable housing units. Yeah. >> Is is there a time frame for this where
you know we're planning on I guess Valley Bank you had said there's 72 units there. >> Lot 650 which is Northgate uh 32 units. Is there a time frame uh that we have from the state 5 years, 10 years, two
years? >> So, there's a five-point review period and and you have to submit whether or not those developments actually occurred and the court will be able to determine whether or not you need to find additional sites because that wasn't
sufficient. I think we have enough evidence to show that the zoning that is proposed here is enough and realistic and better than any other, you know, or shouldn't spawn any additional requirements from the court because I
think it's it's a realistic uh plan even if it doesn't happen within 5 years. >> Well, Mr. Dilla, like just as Miss Bailey just said, Vivaniano has been going on for 25 years. That's part of our round one, two, and three affordable housing units. None of those
units are even close to they haven't even come to fruition yet, but there we still need to build there eventually and give them those give the state those units at that site. >> So, it could it might it may happen. They may put shovel in the ground this year. They may put shovel in the ground in five or 10 years. We can't I can't speak for the we can't speak for the
developers. >> Okay. But if the developer develops, particularly talking about uh lot 650 on Washington and Pasc, >> will will the public and of course the planning board and zoning board have input into what it would look like? Uh
>> yeah, they'll be they'll be they'll be just like there was on the previous development that you attended when I was zoning board chairman. Um you'll have the same ability to attend those meetings and uh give your input at those meetings when it when they do occur. They haven't submitted anything. Now, are they are there plans uh short-term
plans on whether they be town homes or will it be rentals or does anyone know that yet or the developer? >> We don't know that for sure. >> That's up to the developer. >> I believe town homes are planned at that site. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Okay. I think that's all I have right
now. >> But you'll have the right to go to those. >> Yeah. We'll have meetings that we'll be able to attend and just address our concerns, etc. like, you know, uh I know they say there'll be footage in the rear, the footage on the sides and all, but then where's the parking? Where's
the garbage dumpster going to be? I mean, >> that'll all be addressed at those meetings. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mill. >> Yeah. Hi, John Ramik, 70 Northgate Road. >> Good evening, Mr. Ramik. >> Thanks for having us. Um, first of all, I'd just like off a little off topic.
I'd just like to congratulate you and thank you for what uh the council, the mayor and the council did for the intersection down here on Pasc. I it's the traffic's moving. I think it's created a you know, it's a lot safer
than it was. We have uh walk signals, you have turn signals, and we have walkways. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Um Mr. Miller just took a few of my questions that we can uh I guess address some of the issues specifically for the
construction itself as far as where parking's going to be and the lighting and the type of >> that'll all be done at that. >> Okay. So uh forgetting that then so I was at the meeting um in June when uh
Burgess uh presented the um the plan that I guess we all worked or uh the council worked on to get to the current ordinance question. And I have a couple things between what that draft uh
proposal was with Burgess. He had uh as far as buffers go. Uh you mentioned buffers. Originally it had in the plan a minimum of 30 feet buffer between sides and now in the ordinance it has 15 feet
buffer between the sides and the rear. Um as far as parking setbacks, the same thing. In the original draft, it had 15 feet between the properties for parking setbacks, but then now in the ordinance, it has uh 15
ft. So, it went from 30 to 15. And lastly, in the original draft of this proposal of the affordable housing um on Pasak and Washington, it was originally in the plan 28 units with six
affordable. Now it's 32 units and seven affordable. So something changed between the original proposal that I guess >> in order to settle in order to settle not having a lawsuit. That's some of the >> Okay, but why why would you have to All
right, I can get that going from 6 to 7. But why do you have to go from 28 to 32? >> Cuz that's, >> you know, I mean it's just creating more. >> We started at 70, Mr. Ramic. Yeah, that was Yeah, 70 units. No, I'm just saying.
I understand. I get it. He went back with them with those numbers that you stated, but we started at 70 and we got him down. >> Well, I'm starting at the low number. >> Yeah, I understand. >> But unfortun Unfortunately, Mr. R, we had to start it the other way cuz they came in with this. We got him down. We thought we were going to get him to that
and then we ended up having to settle at that number. So that's that's >> just it was just a little disconnect between the presentation that we're back in June from Burgess to where we are now. And I guess I missed some of the pieces in between, but thank you for your time and your efforts on all this.
>> So if I can address that because maybe other people have a question that that's this process we're in. Uh in June of 2025, the township proposed its housing element and fair share plan and objectors had the ability to file
objections before August 31st of 2025. Fair Share Housing Center filed such an objection and that's where the give and take went back. They had a developer who was ready to come in at 70 units and quite frankly I think it's great that we
kept it at 32. >> Okay. So there's really nothing you could do. They just told you it's got to be >> No, no. 32. >> No, no, we we negotiated back and forth. So, it was it was you know, >> you know, they started at 70, we went to 28, then we ended up at 32. We you know, we could have ended up at 35 in the
middle points. I think we we we did win a little bit, but >> it's not it's Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. The the point is our job, you know, in the township is to make sure that we keep the units down as much as possible
in total and the affordable ones down as much as possible. And unfortunately, you know, the last thing you want to do is have the state come in and take it over >> because it'll be a nightmare. You know, here's the problem with the state government. They think every town is the same. We're a cookie cutter. We're not. We're Washington Township just like
Westwood's Westwood and Emerson's Emerson, you know. And I think um I hopefully I can speak for the the council. That's our job to make sure those units are as minimal as possible and the affordables are minimal as possible. And sometimes we have to give stuff up that we don't want to give up,
but you know, it can go the other way and we don't want to go the other way, you know, and we really try and um you know, I'm a I'm a lifer in town and I'd like to keep the um the home feel, so to speak. It's a very difficult job. That's
the problem with the state government. They just don't understand that we're not all the same. You know, and I think the council and previous councils and the administration are really trying to accomplish that one goal. You know, we're doing everything we can. The last thing we want to do is live in if I want to live in the city, I would move to New
York. I don't want to live in the city. And that's what's happening with our communities in Bergen County. The state is trying to turn everything into >> our hands are bound by this. You know, >> our our hands are basically bound. So, we're really trying to do the best we can to keep it as it's all it's always
been. So, you know, our our council and our planning boards and our planners and our attorneys are really trying to do the best we can for you, you know, and I wish we could get get our wish where we have to change nothing. But unfortunately, that's not the reality we live in these days. and and and just
remember our first goaround with the state they wanted 484 low to moderate income housing that means we would had to take over a,000 or500 living unit somewhere and this
battle's been going on for 20 some odd years now Mr. Mayor 2025. We've been battling with the fair share. >> Even longer. Go. >> Even longer. >> Yeah. So, we got it from 484 down to 19.
It was a long battle. >> Good. Anyway, I'm sorry about that rant. I apologize, but sometimes I get I get passionate about those things. So, I do apologize, sir. >> My name's Henry Senakola, uh, 29 Braburn Drive. Um, >> thank you for those comments. It wasn't
rambling. I think you're in expressing exactly the sentiments of virtually everyone. It's frustrating. This room shares absolutely well to think that that somebody down at a state agency could tell us that we're going to build 70 units on the corner of 660 Pascap Road. >> Yeah.
>> Is is is obscene and disgusting to think that you're going to build, you know, like the center of Emerson, that ma massive building. I'm not saying anything bad about Emerson, but look how long that's been going on. We don't want that at Washington and Pasc. I would choose words stronger than disgusting
and obscene. But anyway, um I just want to echo what my neighbors Rich Miller and John Ramik said. Miss Bailey, is 19 the number now? We now is there a we owe the state 165? Is that always going to
come up? >> Your unmet need is always going to be there. So you always have to strive to uh satisfy that obligation, so to speak. So the way that we make efforts to do that is to say one day this site
redevelops this is what will happen there. But the the state understands that we're entitled to our vacant land adjustment and only for affirmatively zone for 19 units at this time given the fully developed nature of this township. So, aside from these two developments
that you've discussed when we talked about the nursery on Pascak and Ridgewood and and Beth Community Center, each one is going to be a separate review with the state. Correct. In terms of how many units we're going to put up, >> uh there are for FHA
>> there are only two overlays if we're talking about unmet need, that 165 number. We've got Bethany, which was part of the third round. That was 15 units per acre. It's gone up to 18 units per acre, not 25. >> And the Stonemill Gardens is only adding
one additional site. Fair Share Housing tried to get us to do an additional overlay at the TD Bank site and OLGC. We pushed back on that. Said those were not appropriate sites at any time at any
time for uh multi-unit and that was a difficult push back. But >> I can only imagine. Yeah. Yeah. >> Now, are we locked in? Are we guaranteed for instance a nursery site of one affordable unit? Is that done with our
resoning or if that comes to reality, do we have to dance again with the >> No, we don't have to dance again. >> So, we've got the we've got those numbers. Okay. >> We have both all the the two overlay zones like Miss Bailey just said at both the Bethany and Stone Mills are set in stone. >> Okay. And is there pressure by the state
for us to reszone any other areas? >> That was OLGC and TD Bank which we pushed back >> push back and they'll come back. I'm sure >> anything's possible the state of Jersey. You know that >> there will be a five year mid review but hopefully during this 10-year process
greater minds will prevail and we'll keep fighting as we did in the consortium of municipalities to fight the legislation and to go to Trenton and make our case. >> Okay. Now, I know the sites that will be developed, the ones we spoke of to be
compliant with our dues of 19 units, are they are the projects obligated by the developer to be rentals or can they be purchases? Are they a mix or is that up to the developer or does the state have
the final say? >> It's up to the developer. Well, the someone somewhat the there in this 50page affordable general affordable housing ordinance um there does have to be a certain percentage of rentals to
for sale so that yeah they have to comply with the affordable housing ordinance and provide some rental >> but right now they're all aren't they all town houses right now? >> Yeah, but some of them could be >> you know what that ratio is? >> Uh let's see. Yeah, we're on the
>> Mr. S call. Miss Bailey, you'll have to get back to you because she doesn't know. >> No problem. No problem. And do we know for the units for the two projects that are going to happen? >> Yes. >> Do we know for instance the one at Pasc is that rental or purchase or don't we
know? >> Not at this time. The developer hasn't even submitted a plan. >> Okay. Now a lot of what I've read the strong implication from the state is that all of these FHA units are going to
be rebels. Is that a misconception on my part or is that understood or we don't know until >> we don't know until a developer submits their application? >> Okay. So, we'll see you when the developer gets his plans. Thank you again. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mr.
>> Yes, Mr. Alman. Hold on one second. M Mr. Derso, you're next. I'll I'll just answer Mr. Alman's comment. >> You know, uh I uh I just want to uh say that I generally agree with Mr. Casio's statement that we certainly want
to keep the develop rates uh as low as possible in terms of the total number of units. I am not uh of the opinion that we have to keep the affordable units at the lowest number. And I think that you know
people hear affordable and they think of uh you know cinder blocks and cars in front on uh in disarray. Uh first these have to be developed. It's laid out in
this 50page document. the level of finished uh how they're situated on the site uh and things of that nature. And the other thing I think to keep in mind is that there is a there's specific
language in this about our veterans and our ability or the uh requirement that up to 50% of these units can be designated for veterans who require affordable housing. So, you know, if
someone is willing to defend our country and you know, uh, now it's fallen on hard times and there's an ability through this mechanism to provide for them. I don't think that's a bad thing.
So, uh, you know, we do want to keep the overall development down. I do think that uh when we talk about these things, we have to be careful what we say about affordable and the uh possible
misconception of what that is going to look like and what's that that's going to do with our town. >> Thank you. M I make a quick statement. Thank you. I just want to make sure the public is totally understanding. Um we
did not go looking for these sites. these property owners came to us and said we want to help you with your affordable housing obligations. So we were we did not seek out these sites but the property owners came to us under
affordable housing saying you know as I said we want they said we want to help you with your affordable housing obligation. Uh and then that starts this whole pro well not the whole process but the local process cuz before that >> but that's not all the sites Mr. Mayor. Well, it's these two currents.
>> The two the two current the Valley Bank. Correct. So, I just want to make sure like >> Stonemill and Bethany did not come to us and ask for an overlay zone. So, I want to make >> No, not the overlay zones. The two that are >> active, let me say, as opposed to overlay. They came to us. We did not
approach them, nor were we required to as part of the fair share housing obligation. So, thank you, Mike. >> Thank you, Mr. Dson. Hi Joe Derso 12 terrace. Um Peter, you read my mind. How did you know I was coming up?
>> Great minds. >> Great minds think alike. So yeah, that was I asked that question back in uh June, I believe. >> Okay. >> You know, obviously, you know, I always use the word and I'm here nimi. You know, whatever. Um nobody likes it in their yard as these people over here.
They've been fighting that development on on their on the corner over there. So, I guess you're answering my question. So, I'm not going to bring up names. So, this other than the fact that the LLC that owns Valley and the LLC that owns that property, they came to
you then? >> Yes, they did. >> They did. And when when exactly did they come to you? >> Because we just got through >> off hand. I'm I don't remember. If anyone else does, please jump in, but I don't. >> All right. because you know I know the that property on the corner they were
looking to do a strip mall and you know the people over behind there across there they were all against it. So this came up you know my neighbors most of us on Biola were all sitting back there. It was you know it came up in June you know I'm a I'm quick to react but you know
it's it's a concern because you know my house faces this my neighbors houses are next to it. Um, I seen the makeshift plans or however you want to call them, >> conceptual plans. >> Yeah, conceptual plans. You know, the one thing and I'm and again it doesn't
affect me at all and I hope it doesn't, but I'm not going to give this to you and I said it in my Can I just hand this out because you you guys have all seen this? This is Filmore. This is the Fillmore disaster
that I think the town really dropped the ball on and I mentioned it the last time I was here. What? And my question is how could you allow garages to be built there and and does and do you have a say in it or did the
state allow it or does somebody have it? >> Well, Philillmore was done. I I wasn't on this status when that was done, Mr. Mr. Derso. So, I I I I see the pictures you're submitting. >> But who allows this though? I mean, look at those. I don't even know the people and I feel bad for them because yeah,
>> you got you got three stories a peak and those garages. Those garages should have never been there. It was bad enough and I believe and I don't want to rehash this, but that property was supposed to be closer to the parkway and and then all of a sudden I hear it's wetlands and that was one of my dialogues that I brought up. How's Paramis building on
wetlands? So you ruined these pe well the state I guess whoever ruined this and I'm just you know and you know one of my neighbors pointed out to me because I I jumped to conclusions and it looks like in these plans that they're not building garages here at at Valley
Bank. It looks like it's going to be three stories 35 ft high with the peak and no garages. Can can anybody assure us of that? So the the zone that we well I don't think anyone can assure you Joe but I think you know what we can say is the
zone is uh a 35 ft zone. So they can only go to 35. They have to go to one of the boards for a variance. >> All right. >> I can't answer your question how this got to be 50 ft high. Mr. D. So I know that's your question. >> Right. >> I we'd have to ask the building
department why that was allowed. >> Yeah that's a that's something it's a valid question. I don't have an answer to you. I don't have I can assure you I can assure you that at next door at Valley Bank the ordinance is clear that it's 35 ft high. That's what's in the ordinance and that's the max height of
any structure on site. >> Right. My next question, I know the answer to this already. You're an engineer. We have people that they're engineers. They're not going to grade this property. No. >> So the my issue is we're up on a hill >> and so is the parking lot of Valley
Bank. So the 35 ft for the current bank I listen 35 years ago when I moved in it was there. I knew about it. But now you're going to take they're not going to I know they're not they're not going to put giant retaining walls up because it's going to cost too much money. So they're going to go up second tier of
the park. They're going to put a 35 ft structure. They're going to go up 16 more feet because we measured it. They're going to put another 35 ft structure. How high is that structure going to be? like currently like I mean 35 ft from there is probably equal to my
neighbors side property you know and I I just think the town and I appreciate what you said um that you know you we have control over it but do we really have control over the over the developer coming in or can he just say oh look we
own all this property and now you know the plans don't show um that they're going on the far side closer to building all the all the back property over there. Can they go and develop that for something else? I mean, >> no. Their their zoning is limited to what we approved in this ordinance.
>> So, 72 units, >> that's it. >> How they right now there's a there's a plan that you've seen that shows how those 72 are conceptually laid out and it has a huge buffer at the rear going toward Biola and toward uh Hudson. Right. There's a there's a massive
buffer there that remains as is, which is there currently. That's what it shows. That's what we'd hope that when they present it to the boards, they would continue with that buffer, >> but we can't speak for the developer at this time. >> It is shown. It is shown. Yeah. So, I mean, it's imperative that when the the
developer does go in front of the boards that if you have these concerns that you're there to to address them because, you know, we can't go as council people and address the board because it it you know, it you know, there's case law about, you know, we're we're kind of right, we're we're bullying the board,
so we can't go and address them. US residents and 200 foot neighbors have every opportunity to go there, but right now the current plan has the whole back side of the site remaining as a buffer like it currently exists. So, >> right. >> No, I get it. And and and I appreciate
>> But I I I would say as an engineer. Yes. Putting on my engineer's hat. Yeah. They're not going to regrade that rear parking lot and lower it to make the 30 They're going to build on top of that parking lot and make the building 35 foot high from that parking lot. Yes. >> So, >> but I you know, I'm not the developer and I, you know, I'm just saying. No, I hear you.
>> Probably you know what's going to happen. >> So about 10 years ago, maybe a little bit less, I was uh here when you guys had to deal with this with the with declaring the overlay properties and I remember you brought you guys brought it up. Snowmill Mike had no clue he was an overlay. >> Correct. And that's why I wanted to make
it clear that he didn't go to the mayor because I know a lot of people were upset. >> So who decides now for you? Does the council decide where the overlay? Does the planner decide or who decided >> continuation of the round three COA that those two zones remained overlays and
the master tried to add OLGC and TD Bank to that overlay zone >> and Miss Bailey and the planner were able to not have those added. We did not ask them to there was the pl the master never asked us to remove those overlay because then we wouldn't have been
compliant with our uh agreement. >> Right. But he asked or he or she I I can't think of I don't know who it is asked us to add to the overlay zones which would have added OGC and TD Bank and we were able to su successfully negotiate not adding those two but the two existing ones remained and like Miss
Bailey presented the with one additional unit at uh there and three additional units per acre there. Instead of the 10 they started with >> they wanted to go to 25 per acre. You know, in reference to Councilman Olman, I agree with him. People, as soon as you hear affordable and and I got an
education on it, you know, I mean, I have a business I'm involved with in an area where there's hundreds of homes being built. And, you know, it's not like I know you you tiptoed around the way you worded it, but they're they're people, you know. Yeah, veterans are going to come in. People are are going
to be that's what everybody worries about. We're in, you know, we're in our little hamlet town here, and it's been a nice fit, but, you know, I'm not so worried about the affordable. I'm really worried about all the building that's going to go on. And somebody also brought up the infrastructure here. Like are we planning for this? I don't think
72 homes and 30 something homes. I don't know how much more that's going to put on our police department or emergency services and you know ambulance. So that's probably dialogue that you guys are all going to have to have. But my question is I mean again going back to
who decides the overlay and I think the mayor had brought up Lincoln or Kennedy Park. Why don't we declare those as overlays? That's I mean they're vacant land. I mean it's not really intrusive to anybody right now because it's all are
they developable developable. >> I think that's the key is that >> it's not only vacant but it's developable. >> LinkedIn >> I don't think that's coming out. >> I know but you see what they're developing in in swamplands right now. I mean, so that's, you know, you're we I
know and um >> you have one minute, Mr. D. >> Oh gosh. Really? Okay, I'll move it along. >> I think they do. >> So, when's round five coming? >> 10 years. >> 35. >> Don't go sit down asking that question. >> 10 years.
>> Yeah. >> Nine years. >> And the Viviano property, I was involved back in 2010. I thought they're excluded from affordable housing or obligation because the town used to send money to the state into I think it was Hoboken or
Jersey City. So >> they own >> they own >> but they still provided to our our full affordable housing. >> But there they don't have to build affordable housing there though. >> No. Correct. >> Right. So >> but they did provide for affordable housing. >> They did provide but we paid over the
course of those years. remedy. There was a remedy available to us. >> There was RCA's available at the time and the RCAs are no longer available. So, everything has to be built in the township now. You can't you can't sell your affordable housing to other districts that were buying these RCA
credits. >> I'm running out of time. I have two things real quick. Go ahead. Environmental. We are sitting on environmental issues. We all know that for years goes down the hill. Has there been any kind of environmental studies or it was just allowed for a developer to come in? You know, did he do
environmental studies over there? >> We can't speak for the developer, >> right? Well, >> we know ours ours have been addressed here at the site >> after 25 years. >> Well, the council, the council, my first term on council, we addressed it and with the administration, we got it
cleaned up. We got a no further action on the site. So, we are our part is done. What is there I can't answer. uh you know no I hear you and uh >> Joe I I know you have limited time if you'll just give him um I I think what
we had to do with the DPW is we had a branch out and so we saw the contamination did not go as far as Valley at the time. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> It's you know it's listen it's inevitable it this this is coming and I'm sure my neighbors would probably want to talk about whatever I missed but
thank you for the explanation and appreciate it. >> Thank you Mr. D. And Tom, I just want to say you're doing a hell of a job. I have pe people what you do with your volunteering with everything and you know I have somebody that sees you at the library all the time. Thank you. I appreciate it.
>> Thank you, John. I appreciate that. >> Go ahead. >> You know my name Mona Perez. >> Good evening, Mr. Chris. >> Good evening. Um we are from Jackson. So we um we are aware of the development on uh the Valley Bank. I think our question
and do you guys have anything else? Um that uh council vice president was touching on I think um can you guys address how the applications for the affordable housing is processed? Is it processed through our council or our city or you know or is it in New Jersey
sort of decision-m process because I would also I guess along with that is is there some priority with residents who may be wanting to apply for the affordable housing within within these uh developments. There have been recent
updates in all of that and that's part of what we're doing in conjunction with these ordinances and this plan. the state has um developed a a pretty detailed program on how these uh units
are to be marketed um how the applicants are to be prioritized and all of that is in detail in one of these ordinances. It's quite lengthy and it's required to be adopted and those methods are required to be followed. I think Mr.
Coleman mentioned there is some one some flexibility to uh you know that the council can require in its developers agreement with developers that veterans um be given a preference uh 50% of uh
the very low units be uh uh be given to veterans and that can be part of a developers agreement. But other than that, we have an uh administrative agent that we're required to uh uh who is required to administer and process all
of the applications, follow the law in terms of priority of the applicants. We have a municipal liaison um in our in our township uh administration uh responsible for coordinating with the administrative agent to be sure all of that is done properly.
>> Okay. So the I guess the short answer is is it would be within our sort of town employees that are making sort of those. It's not at all. No, we hire. >> So you hire >> we have we have to there's there's certain vendors in the state of New Jersey that Oh, I see.
>> that are that are qualified, right, to to administer affordable housing sales. >> Um and though we we we've engaged one that we've put into the ordinance, right? We have a person we've hired or a company we've had to hire based on their qualifications by the state
>> and they will handle the sale of those units. >> If you I see >> if you look at this evening's agenda. >> Okay. >> Uh resolution 261 195 through 26 198. >> Mhm. >> They are
covering what you're asking. >> Okay, that's great. So 195 and 198 may I add something? Yes. You know, we talk about affordable units, right? And affordable uh has that connotation that it's a very
very very low income applicant, which in Bergen County it's not. So keep that in mind because to make it affordable, you know, they they market most of our houses at a million dollars these days. That's, you know, 50% of a million is
500,000 that becomes affordable now. So, it's not like these really lower in low low poverty level incomes that your families and individuals like looking at. So, that gets a bad connotation over time. I think we have that fear when we hear that, but that's really not the
case. >> Yeah, understood. Um, and I think the maybe the last question that um, you guys maybe touched on it, if you guys could maybe address it a little bit more because I know some of my neighbors in Jackson regarding the Valley Bank timeline. Um, I think that maybe you touched it touched on it that they
haven't actually submitted their plans just yet. And so the first process would be that they would be submitting it to the zoning planning >> zoning or planning board depending on which board it's deemed it would go to. >> Okay. And then approximate timeline. Do you guys submit? >> We have no idea when the developer is going to submit, >> right?
>> No idea. >> You have to wait. You have to pay attention. You know, we'll make announcement. You know, there'll be announcements and, you know, look at the public notices. What's that? >> She can't. >> You can't talk, Mrs. >> So, she's asking, I guess, has the property
>> and talk you want. So, I guess the if you can give us any update on the valley bank process at this point has if the property has actually been sold. I believe that we are aware that is Russo development. So I think we were aware of that. Um you did say that it was 72 units. It was going to be 35 ft from
likely the current parking lot. Did you have any additional information that you can provide us that would be helpful >> other than the fact that they're currently a contract purchaser? We don't know the stage of that transaction at the moment. Whether or not it's closed, whether or not it will close, we don't know.
>> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. the the township's website is very uh it's quite current in terms of planning and zoning. Uh they have uh agendas. They have uh current uh plans
that are before the uh or current applications that are before the board. So you should uh be using that as a tool to monitor what's going on as well. Good evening.
>> How you doing? I'm >> Mike O'Shea. I'm 17 Biola Terrace. I'm right behind the uh >> Mike, what was your left? >> Ohea. >> O'Shea. >> Yep. I'm uh right behind the Valley Bank site. Um we bought up to the woods that are behind that site and I know you said there's a buffer zone and it is
currently shown as not being done. Is there any way to put that in as some sort of a >> Could you just speak up? She can't hear you in >> Is there any way to put that in as some sort of a permanent green space? Is that, you know, >> a guarantee that they won't come in and level that even though it's
>> right now the the the the plan shows it as a bustle. Correct. >> It's really the zoning work. >> Yes. >> That's being voted on. Not that plan. That plan may never be built. They may >> build something completely differently. >> It's being what's being voted on and considered are the ordinances
themselves. >> Okay. So, >> but it is shown as a buffer right now. Mr. Okay. But again, you're going to have to go to the zoning or planning board meetings when they do occur, which we don't know when that's going to happen to make sure that you your wishes are stated there. >> The other question was, was seasons
considered at all as an overlay for any of this stuff? >> It wasn't requested by Fair Share Housing. We certainly didn't offer it. >> Aren't going to offer additional sites. >> Okay. Um, I think that's it for now. I'll be signing stuff.
>> Thank you. Would anybody else like to come up at this time? >> Hi, I'm Lauren Coker. I've been in town for about 25 years. >> Good evening, Mr. >> Hi. Um, I live on Jackson Avenue and I think from what I'm gathering now because this I just heard about this
recently. So, I missed the boat. So, that's why I've been getting concerned. I've been making a decision about making plans. I thought to stay here and, you know, retire here and stay put. But knowing that this is happening right across the street from me, I've been
getting nervous. I think I'm just trying to understand a better um to sort of like a plan of the time frame for moving forward. What kind of what I see so far, we don't have much say in any of this and I understand
that. But moving forward, my concerns are about, you know, will entrances and exits be only on Pat Road? is Jackson Avenue. Is that going to become a cutway? I I teach at Westwood High School. You know, the shopping center, the parking in the shopping center right
now is is crazy. You know, what is going to happen? So, for me, I'm making a decision for my future the next year or two. Can you give me a better idea? Is this a reality that that is taking place or
this is five years from now? It's hard to tell what the stage of the developer is, but I find it interesting when you said about will Jackson be a cut through. >> Yeah. >> One of the results in Anglewood Cliffs,
um, what they lost the ability to do was prevent residential streets from being cut through. That's the settlement would have provided for that. And since they didn't, you know, do what they were supposed to do, all of those residential streets are now passroughs for these
enormously dense units. So that's an important piece of the planning process and why we want to keep it in front of our boards and in front of our public. >> So ultimately, we still we will have control of that as long as we don't the state. >> Yeah. >> To a degree. >> To a degree, we'll have control. Well,
we have control of the amount of units and what our professionals at the planning and zoning board will agree to from the developers. You know, they don't have cart launch to do whatever they want. And that's what we're trying to avoid. >> The Jackson Avenue cut through. >> How would you I don't know. I don't know
how you you'd have to make Viola a cut through to get to Jackson, wouldn't you? If I'm >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't think it's going to happen. >> Yeah. I don't think you can get from Valley to Jackson. >> I know. You never know. I I I I don't think it's poss I think without bulldozing other people's houses, you
can't get there. >> Okay. >> So, I don't know if that settles your fears a little bit, but >> so just so for me, because I'm not always aware of what's going on, I need to be more aware moving forward. We just look for emails and mailings. So, be letting us know when the planning board
>> Well, you wouldn't be on the 200 foot list because you don't live that close. I am. Oh, you are? Okay. Well, there you go. Then then you would get when the when the when the when the board gets uh the application, you'll be notified that the application's in front of the board. Then it's on it's your you have to
decide whether you're going to attend or not attend those meetings at that time. >> And the reality of this takes place. I just can't understand how with the shopping center right here and that traffic flow coming out if we're lucky enough to keep the entrance and the exit on Pasc and see in the homes going up at
seasons. Would we double the size of Pasc Road? Is that even feasible? >> I don't know if it's needed or not. The developers will have to present their case. >> That's going to be too okay. A lot of change. Thank you. >> Go ahead.
Hi, Eric Sanchez, 146 Windsor Circle. Thank you for >> all this information is quite helpful. Um, I just have two questions. One is what would be what would happen if the developers pulled out? One, and what's the worst case scenario in your mind,
assuming we still comply with the state because obviously we don't want to give that up, but what what what are we looking at in terms of the worst case that you could possibly imagine that would go against us? Let me understand your question. If the developers don't proceed with the
development as the council zones, >> yes, >> our only obligation is to comply with the mediation agreement which which requires us to adopt ordinances that permit the development we're describing and talking about tonight. We don't have any control over whether the developers
actually do it and that's not held against us. There is a fiveyear review in 2030. will have to report to the state whether these developments actually occurred. If they did not occur, are there other sites that need
to be looked at in order for us to meet our 19 unit obligation? Um, I think there's a good evidence that even if these developments never happen, we'll be able to say the zoning is still is still very good and the plan is still
very good. I think that we that we will have no impact whatsoever in terms of what the devel you know depending upon what the developers do here. >> And is it 2030 fixed or can the state move move that up? >> That's in the statute now. I don't I don't think they will move that. It's
it's a review and um they'll just say, hey, why aren't these sites that we expected to be developed developed? Could you do something else somewhere else? could you change the zoning to make it more attractive for a developer to do what was intended to do? And we would go through that analysis and we
would object to that. We would say no, the zoning is appropriate. It was appropriate back then and now to give a realistic potential or realistic development of 19 affordable units, which is what our obligation is based upon our agreement.
>> And can you remind me this all seems clustered around this area. Are there any other potential lots or spaces that we that could be a backup or >> So, as the mayor mentioned, >> where a developer approaches the town and says, "Hey, there's available land.
The owner wants to sell. I'm going to build." The statute requires you give priority and you give consideration to that. >> You can't say, "No, you know, we're we're going to put it somewhere else and we we we're only going to do 19." We probably our number would probably go up if we said we had other sites because
you have an available developer. Remember our number is 184 really. So that only you know persuades the court and fair share housing to make our number not 19 but maybe 30. So, I I guess to to to answer,
I've always since I've joined council, my biggest fear is that the Viviano property was able to be renegotiated, right? Cuz they're going to put 75 houses there one day. One day, right? We Mr. Mayor, how long we been talking about? 30 years at this point, right?
It's about 30 years. So my biggest fear was that they've been waiting for all these new rounds of affordable housing to come out in order to be able to increase that number and to date after 30 years that number is still holding at 75. So it started at 75 and it ended at
75. So that's good news for that site but doesn't mean it can't change but that was my biggest fear was that the developers have been waiting for all these different rounds to come around to say hey we want to renegotiate this number and it's held to all our settlements. And is it the same developer or two developers that we're
talking about for the potential units? >> They're two different developers. Yeah, for 660 and here it's two different developers. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else like to comment this time? >> Seeing no one motion to close the public comment period.
>> Second. >> What's that? Oh, on the orders. Yeah, but I just want to make sure but says see no one, right? >> Yeah. >> I just want to make sure the comments are make it for the only >> motion to continue.
>> Motion to continue the public hearing for ordinance 2601 on March 16, 2026. Do I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Council Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. County President.
>> Yes. >> Ordinance number 2602, an ordinance of the township of Washington, Bergen County, New Jersey, amending chapter 580 zoning of the township code by creating new AH1 and AH2 affordable housing districts to permit inclusionary townhouse development on block 2329, lot
2 and block 2110, lot 1 and lots 6 through 11. Increase the permitted residential density on block 3202, lot three. Can we can we can we >> excuse us? >> Can we quiet down or go outside? Please
>> increase the permitted residential density on block 3201 lot 3 and amend the required affordable housing set aside for block 3505 lot 1 in accordance with the township's housing element and fair share plan resolution number 26-192 authorizing
second reading and opening of public hearing for ordinance 2602. Do I have a motion? So moved. >> Second. I have to ask anybody. Come on. Ask anybody want to come up. >> Would anybody like What's that? >> You have to roll call. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Cassio. Yes.
>> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Alman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ? >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Would anybody like to discuss 26192 at this time? >> Mr. Daro. Ordinance 2602 26192. >> Hard to hear. They were all talking back
here. Can you reexplain 26 to me real quick cuz I might have a question on it. >> We're increasing the we're increasing the uh density based on all the comments we had. >> And where is this? >> It is uh AH1H2 affordable housing districts to permit inclusionary townhouse development on block 2329 lot
2 and block 2110 lot 1 through 6 and 11. >> Where is that? >> I think both sites. >> Both sites. It's 660 in Valley Bank. >> Okay. All right. That's that's what it is. basically to do what we we set the 72 units and the 32 units. >> I'm so excited I get to speak one more time real quick. So you mentioned you >> find a way.
>> You know the develop so you guys are aware who the developers are. You had just said that at the end of the to this room over here. >> We were on the we >> is that public information yet? >> Who the two developers are because you said they're two different developers. >> They they're they're owners that have
told us they have contract purchasers who want >> Okay. the they're not developers. So, it's the owner of the LLC's on both on both uh on both properties. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we're back at square one. So, all right. Thanks, guys.
>> Would anybody else like to address ordinance 2602? Seeing no one, motion to continue the public hearing for ordinance 2602 on March 16, 2026. >> So, move second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Sears. Councilman Omen. Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. Council President. >> Yes. Ordinance number 2603, an ordinance amending chapter 513 entitled development fees of the ordinances of the township of Washington. Resolution number 26-193
authorizing second reading and open up public hearing for ordinance 2603. Do I have a motion? >> Some move. Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Bles. Yes. >> Council President.
>> Yes. Would anybody like to speak on ordinance 2603? Seeing no one, motion to continue the public hearing for ordinance 2603 on March 16, 2026. >> So move second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes.
>> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Veles. >> Yes. Council President. >> Yes. Introduction first reading. None. >> Mike, can I ask a question? Sure. Are these ordinances uh and the fair share housing plan are
they available on the website in their entirety? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Individual resolutions. Resolution number 26-174 authorized 2025 transfer appropriation $16,700. Do I have a motion? So
>> move second. >> Seconded by Miss VZ. Any discussion? Mr. Stman, you coming for discussion? Are you good? >> Uh, this is only first reading. That's fine. >> Roll call
for the transfer. >> This is for the transfer of >> This is for the transfer. >> No question. >> What's that? No questions. Anybody else questions? >> Roll call. >> Councilman Gasio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Deles. >> Yes. Council President Deta.
>> Yes. Resolutions consent agenda. The following items have been determined to have the unanimous consent of council and will be enacted in one motion. Should any item require independent consideration, any council member may have such item removed from the consent agenda. Would anybody like any items removed at this time?
>> Yes. 176, 177, and 179 >> for separate votes. >> For separate votes. Okay. Uh 181 182 uh 9 194 95
Oh, I'm sorry. Not 194 95 96 97 and 98. >> Okay. >> All right. We'll do them all individually, I guess. >> No, you can do you can do four. Resolution number 26-175 authorized refund of overpayment of property taxes
quarter 1 2026 to Core Logic for various properties as listed in the amount not to exceed $11,89. Resolution number 26-178 approval of certification list township of Washington volunteer ambulance corps members LOAP program year 2025.
Resolution number 26-180 authorize entry into a shared service agreement with the county of Bergen for secure highspeed fiber optic internet services. Resolution number 26-183 authorized entry into a shared service agreement for street sweeping services by and between the burrow of Emerson and
the township of Washington. Resolution number 26-194 authorized refund of engineering escros and cash performance guarantees for various properties in total amount of $20,795. Do I have a motion? So good. >> Second. >> Roll call.
>> I can follow you. Sure. Um I'm sorry. >> You want to know which ones I did? >> Yeah. >> I did 175. >> You did 175. >> 178. >> 178. >> 180. >> 180. >> 183. >> All right. >> And 1942 183 and 194. >> Yep. >> Okay.
>> And 182 181 and 182 is for separate. >> Separate. >> Yep. All right. I'm sorry. Who motioned for the E7? >> Mr. Casio and Mr. Sears. >> Thank you very much. >> Oh, was it? >> Oh, Miss BZ. Sorry. >> Miss Le, you have a second? >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Council Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President Denn. >> Yes. Okay. >> Resolution number 26-176. Authorize establishing threshold of compensation to zoning board of adjustment engineer Boswell Engineering and the amount not
to exceed 140,000 for services rendered in 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Second, >> discussion, Mr. Dire. >> Who? Mr. Sears, you pulled it. I'm going to call for Senator votes. I
don't believe in giving an open pocketbook to um for an endless um charging. >> Well, I don't think it was again this is >> I don't like the >> the verbiage was put in there that this
is not a an ex a usage amount, right? It was just to make sure that they >> according to Mr. So our auditors had recommended or not recommended they said that this was uh required as to be in compliance with the >> you guys are waiting for budget. We're not doing budget tonight.
>> All right. So want to make sure >> so so and I heard the concern and I I believe the consensus of the council was to add language and if you look at page two the first whereas clause um that whereas clause is meant to address that
>> read that to everybody so we read into the record. Did you read? >> Yeah, I wanted to read it and interrupt. >> Whereas the follow >> whereas the set threshold amount is solely an estimate based on fees paid to the board engineer arising from applications to the board in 2025 and
any amounts to be paid to the board engineer for year 2026 will be based upon applications to the board in 2026. Whereas the said threshold does not obligate the township or entitled the board engineer to payment in the said threshold amount.
>> Thank you. That's what we had agreed to at the last meeting. We wanted okay >> that put in there. >> And I will be >> roll call. >> Councilman Cio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> No. >> Councilman Omen.
>> Yes. >> Council Veles. >> Yes. >> Council President Cetta. >> Yes. Mr. Sears. You had asked for 177 to be pulled. Was it for the same reason? >> Same reason. >> Okay. Resolution number 26-177 authorize established threshold of compensation to planning board engineer Paul Aelino of
Aelino and Fury Engineering in the amount of not to exceed 140,000 for services rendered in 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Some move. >> Second. >> Roll. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> No.
>> Councilman. >> Yes. Councilwoman, >> yes. Council President, >> yes. Resolution number 26-179, approval of certification lift township of Washington volunteer fire department members LOSAP program year 2025. Do I have a motion?
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Cassio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. I have to recuse myself from voting on this. >> Councilman Omen. Yes.
>> Councilman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. >> Resolution number 26-181 designate internet internet posting for legal notice publications beginning March 1st, 2026. Do I have a motion? >> Some moved. >> Second.
>> Discussion. >> I just had a question. Uh since it's now March 9th or 8th or whatever it is, >> uh does this we're saying March 1st? >> That's because we didn't have a meeting
on the 23rd. >> I understand that. But does it have to be revised to? >> No, because that's the law. March 1st. State law says March 1st. So retroactively basically March 1st. >> And have we been complying? >> Yes, we have. Actually, we haven't
really had anything until like after tonight. >> Okay. >> So, where where's this internet posting at exactly? >> I read at the beginning of the meeting there's a tab now on our website that shows it. >> There's a public notice tab on our
website which in that public notice will have a link to the state website which everybody all towns need to upload their URL so that people can go either to the state or to ours. It's kind of a back and forth with each other.
>> Any other discussion on this? >> Mike, before you vote, Sue, do you want to share with me what you told me today about the >> Oh, yes. Yes. Thank you, ma'am. >> Um there was an email that did come over this morning from um another clerk to the association that God bless you. >> Um
>> that CDBG grants are federal grants. So therefore, they have to be in the newspaper. They cannot be just on the public on the websites. So we will make sure that we anchor the CDEG on the um in the newspaper. >> So we'll always have a budget >> of some sorts for that.
>> Okay. >> So that was interesting news this morning. Thank you may for the reminder. >> Roll call. >> Uh Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President.
>> Yes. Resolution number 26-182 authorized entry into a shared service agreement for sale and purchase of brine from the burrow of Horththornne. I'll make the motion for that one. >> Thank God. >> Big on brine. >> I'm big on brine.
>> Okay. >> Roll call. >> Oh, sorry. My question. Go ahead. >> Um >> Sears. Thank you. I guess my question is uh
who did we previously buy it from and has there been a gap? So, have we not been able to apply it uh for the recent storms uh because we're just entering into it now? So we purchased it from a private
company that has since gone out of business of dealing with brine and uh was a bit headed was like the beginning of the winter season. So we haven't put it down since then. Um and then we were able to speak with Hawthorne and you
know want to share into the or I'm sorry entered into this shared agreement with that. Hopefully we won't have to use it >> until next winter. until next one >> more closing the price better company
>> but at least we got it so that's good >> and we has was the Brian truck is it is the Brian truck dedicated >> for Bryant or is it >> I believe it has a plow on it so it's not you know it's not like it just sits
there but you know other I don't know obviously I don't know >> yeah I don't know if that's a back attachment that can be lifted off the truck and I just don't know. >> No. So the I I guess I was asking so we haven't been applying brine but has the truck been sitting idle or have we been
able to redeploy it? >> Yeah, it's re it's redeployed. It has a plow on the front. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Roll. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Olman. >> Yes. >> Council.
>> Yes. Council president of the Senate. >> Yes. Resolution number 26-195 authorize adopting the affirmative marketing plan for the township of Washington. Do I have a motion? So second >> discussion.
So >> I guess my question is um we mentioned or it was mentioned that these are sort of uh ordinances that are required
as part of our affordable housing. >> Yeah. Under our mediation agreement as well as the DCA regulations associated promulgated pursuant to the amended FHA, the townships are the township is
required to adopt all of these companion resolutions that feed the plan and implement all of the provisions so that you know they operate correctly. So the first is the adoption of an affirmative
marketing plan that is modeled almost word for word uh and prepared by our affordable housing administrator. I mean actually Joe Burgess prepared this but it's it's modeled after what you know precisely in the DCA form what basically
they told us everybody adopt this and I'm going to say that's pretty much the same as the the following uh resolutions that you see the administr the administrative agent operating manual was prepared by our administrative agent
uh Sue she and I talked on the phone Friday to make sure it was accurate. and had all of the correct information and updated information. Um so that's another uh adopted or else type of um document. The affordability assistance
manual um again same type of a document. the the spending plan um is something that Joe Burgess his office prepared based upon what's in our existing account um projections for spending over
the next o over the the course of the round um and that all was prepared in conjunction with our affordable housing administrator uh input from Joy Apar municipal leaison um and Joe Burgess. So
I guess my question is where if anywhere does the council have the ability to influence this if we
wanted to. So, um, you know, I've mentioned in the planning meetings as well as the council meeting the, you know, my strong desire to make these units a priority for
veterans. Um, and you pointed out it's there's language 50%. Can we make it can we say it needs to be 70%. No, it's that's a maximum threshold. They these units are for
affordable families. They want families are a priority to the state and then it's, you know, very low. You have to have a certain percentage. So, they're pretty strict in terms of what the council can do in terms of manipulating
what that population an additional uh requirement uh so to speak. So, whatever whatever we can do is in there. I'm not sure if that that veterans language is the only way. I'll have to go through and maybe I'll do a little summary of
any additional flexibilities permitted. >> Do we have flexibility to prioritize residents? >> I don't believe we do. We have a region region one that we have to market to.
And once we market affirmatively based upon our affirmative marketing plan, then the applicants come in and again it's prioritized based upon a lot of different factors that are laid out in the regulations and not necessarily residents. I can double check and you
know make sure that there's no way we can't give some percentage to residents. I can I can look at that. >> I mean I would love to stack it. >> Yeah. as much as possible into my priorities would be veterans and then residents. I don't know. The rest of the
council certainly has >> based on what Mr. Burgess presented to us at the zoning board when he when I was on zoning. That is not you're not going to have that happen. >> Well, Miss Bailey could look at it. >> This is a brand new This is I'm not sure. I can almost bet you if we were
going to bet right now, I can bet you that that's not a permitted uh restriction, but this stuff is literally coming off the presses as we're adopting it. >> I agree with you, Mike. If we can do it, we should do it because we had asked the same thing. And he told us it wasn't
permitted. So maybe maybe it is now. >> Can we legally advertise for veterans for these? >> No. >> Units. >> Yeah. >> How would we The marketing team would we would have in our developers agreement with the developer that you
must >> crazy >> you must uh market to or provide for veterans for at least 50% of the affordable units being provided. So >> it's like when we did the units here at the OBFW >> they were all supposed to be veterans units and they couldn't get veterans.
They couldn't fill them all up with veterans. Correct. >> And they have to be low income. >> They put two for seniors, two for veterans. But my goal is is how do I get this message out to veterans? How do we, you know, do are we legally responsible? Can
we legally put a newspaper article in there saying, you know, uh 50% of the upcoming homes in this development? >> It's all handled by the agent. It's all handled by >> Can we legally do that? >> We can amplify. I mean, we have social media. As long as it's not on top of
social media, >> we'd have to check with the agent to make sure that's acceptable. >> Yeah. while we were unable to do that. >> Parkidge sent in stuff today and they sent that to Heather's got a lot of stuff going up for all the different places. Park just sent one in I think today last week.
>> Well, you see the ones coming from the county coming out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> She does a great job with putting as much information out there. >> We get it. We push it to Yeah. >> All right. My last question is who who controls the disposition of the
trust? the use. So right now I think we're using a lot of it to pay for all of this administration and now we're not on the hook but we are going to use this to the extent possible
to purchase the one additional unit. uh if there's monies left over what uh how is how is the disposition of those funds managed? >> It's pretty strictly regulated. Uh the administrative agent together with the
municipal liaison have to follow all of those rules and regulations in terms of the disposition of any monies out of that fund. I can't recite to you what they are or how they work right now, but um I can certainly dig into it. But that
is administered all in you know >> I mean I >> all in accordance with the regulation. >> I tried to read this. >> Yeah. >> You know it's not really written in plain English. Um but I'll give it a I mean I would not
ask you to do that. Uh you know let me try it again. But I would like to understand where this money is because it's going to you know >> it's going to build up >> start bu you know if they start building there's going to be monies here and you know if there's an opportunity for us to
do something proactively with it uh as opposed to letting it sit there. It can only be used for toward affordable >> understood but rehabil you know I know like I don't think we have any rehabilitation
>> zero rehabilitation needs so that would not be an appropriate use you know >> but could we I mean could we purchase a house and rehabilitate it I mean what in Hillsdale they did one right off
>> uh right off Main Street. >> Leave it open. open >> and put it toward our unmet need. You mean >> unmet need? Uh >> I would imagine yes. I imagine yes. It would you know. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you very much. I I don't have any other questions. So I don't know if you want to do >> all four. Anybody have any other questions on these all of these? So I could do them all in one shot. >> All right. Resolution. >> You motion you second on 195? >> Yeah. Let's do 195 and then I'll do the
other three. >> That's what I was thinking. Go ahead. Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilman BZ. >> Yes. Council President. >> Yes. >> Resolution number 26-196. Authorize adopting. >> Do the rest.
>> I'm going to do all three. Yeah. >> So 198. >> Yep. But I got to read them, right? >> Yes. >> You don't want me to read them? >> You mean read them? I want to make sure I'm on the right. >> I just want to make sure I'm continue. >> Yes. Resolution number 26-196 authorized adopting the administrative agent operating manual for the township of
Washington. Resolution number 26-197 authorize adopting the affordability assistance manual for the township of Washington. Resolution number 26-198 authorize adopting an amended affordable housing trust fund spending plan. Do I have a motion? >> So move second.
>> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Council. >> Yes. Councilman Alman, >> yes. >> Council, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. Motion to adjurnn to conference agenda. >> So move. >> All in favor? Yeah. All in favor?
>> I. >> We'll take a fivem minute recess. to enter into close session. >> So moved. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. We'll take a fivem minute recess. Thank you.