[Applause] There are stories and I can't see [Music] I know Evening everyone. Welcome to the regularly scheduled public meeting of July 14, 2025 of the township of Washington Township Council. At the
notice of the meeting was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the township clerk to at least two newspapers in January and this meeting has been posted on the township 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 send email to the township of
Washington. Contact all council members at once twwp of washington. us. Can everyone please stand for 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. Okay. Roll call. Councilman Casio here. Councilman Sears here. Councilman Olman. Councilwoman BZ
here. Council President Denna here. Let the record reflect also in attendance. Mayor Peter Calamari, Township Administrator Mark D Carlo, Township Attorney Siobhan Bailey, and Township Clerk Susan Wowski. Payment of bills. Resolution number 25-276
authorized payment of bills June 20th, 2025 to July 10th, 2025. Do I have a motion? So move second. Any discussion? Roll call. Councilman Casio, yes. Councilman Sears, yes. Counciloman Veles, yes. Council President,
yes. PSA for July 14, 2025. The Township of Washington Department of Public Works is seeking qualified applicants for a permanent full-time laborer position. Employment applications are available at www.twpofwatch. us. Please submit job applications to
township administrator D. Carlo at m darlopofw washington. us or drop off at 350 Hudson Avenue. The township is an equal opportunity employer. Deadline to submit your employment application is August 10, 2025.
The Township of Washington is launching its third round of our hometown heroes banner program as a living tribute for our community to honor past and present members of the armed forces. Please visit our website for further information. Bergen County Chore helps seniors and
those with disabilities remain safe in their homes by offering repair services and home maintenance. The chore volunteers perform a variety of jobs including installing grab bars and wooden banisters, replacing outlets and switches, weather stripping, installing doorbells and locks, changing light
bulbs, and smoke alarm batteries. To schedule an appointment, please call 201489-9456. Estimated property tax bills for the third quarter 2025 were mailed on June 16th. Due date is August 1st with the grace period to August 11th. Bills for
the remaining quarters would mailed in September. This bill does not include any calculations from the townwide reassessment currently being undertaken. Building from the reassessment will occur next year in 2026. Please take a moment to read the enclosure, including with your bill for
important information. Contact the tax office at 2016668797 with any questions. Pursuant to N.J.S.A.468-28, landlords are required to complete a landlord identity registration form for single unit dwellings that are nonowner
occupied. The completed form is to be filled in the office of the township clerk with a copy to be given to the tenant. As for ordinance number 2403, all rental unit owners are required to complete a lead inspection application. Both forms are available on our website.
The Kuanas Club of the Pasc Valley meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center. If anyone would like more information, please contact Paul Ralph Cardulli at 5165818319 or Pasc Valley Kuanasgmail.com.
Our next council meeting will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7 p.m. Report of the administrator. Thank you, Council President Denna, and good evening, everybody. This is my followup from the June 23rd meeting.
There was no C uh resident C concerns or questions to follow up on. There were there a few uh follow-ups for council. One, the first one is the new purchase. The garbage truck is due to be delivered before the end of the month. This brings our fleet up to five working garbage
trucks. Council requested that I look in the idea of repairing truck 36, which is a 2006 Freightlininer 32yard garbage truck. currently has 77,000 miles with 20 years of wear and tear. DPW superintendent explained that in order
to keep the truck in a safe and usable condition, the cab should be replaced, which is estimated at $40,000. Additionally, the suspension has failed, leading to a crushed exhaust pipe. Diesel exhaust leaks into the cab. The exhaust and the cab suspension need to
be replaced at a $20,000 estimated to repair. The body has rust over it through the years through use and has multiple holes and hydraulic issues which are bad pistons, dry rotted lines, etc. Multiple components of the vehicle are beginning to need replacement and
repair. Administration has determined that it is not safe nor fiscally responsible to maintain the truck and recommends auctioning the vehicle. Township of Washington uses Gov deals as our online auction service and speaking with Mr. Pearlman, he believes it may
sell between4 to $5,000. the new front loader. This is due to be received in October. Administration has reconsidered training our older front end loader in as part of the purchase and will maintain the vehicle as our fourth loader to assist with leaf
collection here at uh our G2PW site. This will involve paying the additional $15,000 which represents the value of the trading. These funds are within the amount approved by capital and a new resolution for the revised amount will be presented to the council this
evening. Some updates. The building department and planning and zoning. Both offices have been consolidated for better efficiency and service to the public. Their new office is located in the lower level of town hall. Reassessment update. All properties have
been visited in the township. The current entry rate is about 60% which is approximately 1,368 estimates or refusals. A notification in postcard format will be mailed by appraisal systems inc to the estimates
refusals in the upcoming weeks. A sample of the postcard has been placed on the website and our social media platforms. Progress is on track for timely completion. Homeowners can expect to receive notification of the results of their reassessments in December of 2025.
This evening, the council will have two resolutions before them requesting to go out to bid for the 2025 road program which includes Salem Carriage Bergen and Firm from Cyprus down to Bergen and the construction of the new DPW building.
Swim club update. Boss Engineering is still conducting testing to determine the distance and depth of the contamination. I've been updated by Boswell Engineering that NJD is reviewing our grant application, which is a positive step in the direction of hopefully receiving the grant. We are
awarded the grant. The grant will reimburse the township for 100% of the funds spent on the investigation and 75% of the actual remediation cost. 450 Pasc Road, Liscoco Environmental, still conducting testing to determine the distance and depth of the contamination
and escrow established by the SERL were paid for the environmental testing and the remediation, not tax dollars. The squabsync brook, the New Jersey D is currently reviewing our resubmitt of Boswell engineering plan and permit application. They have 90 days to
approve, deny, or request additional information. And lastly, coolage. The residents have uh been looking for an update on the coolage resurfacing. We are hoping to have the project done by now. Um but rightfully so. Becky Engineering and doing the inspections of
the concrete work. I noticed some deficiencies that need to be f uh um repaired um by the concrete uh company before we can resurface it. And that concludes my uh report. Thank you. Thank you. Report of the mayor. Thank
you, Mike. Um, Mark, yeah. Um, I'm going to ask the administrator to read my report. I'm dealing with a sore throat. Probably couldn't get past the first paragraph. Um, if anywhere he says I, please note that that means me and probably not him. Got to wait three years for this
opportunity. Uh, good evening and general news. Councilman Tom Sears, Councilwoman Daisy BZ, and the mayor attend an event honoring Director Bliss Borhees for his eight years of dedicated service at Bethany Community Center. Since Bethy's
acquisition of the former YMA property, it has been a privilege to collaborate with him. His constant support played a role in facilitating numerous community events at the location, including our current and successful summer recreation program. As Bliss embarks on new
endeavors, I wish him continued success and I'm confident he will be a valuable asset in his future pursuits. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Bethany Church and Community Center and building upon the solid foundation he established. As part of
our continuous focus on health and community well-being, I am pleased to announce that the township's mayor's wellness campaign has donated donated $500 raised through our spring into wellness 5K walk and health fair to
Jordan Schwarz, a student at our high school. This contribution supports his exemplary efforts with MCORFoundation. The website is www.mcorfoundation.org or to facilitate screenings of teen athletes for sudden cardiac arrest
syndrome. Jordan embodies the leadership and commitment to service we encourage in our youth. Such screenings are vital and have the potential to save lives. Special appreciation is extended to council members Steve Les and Tom Sears for their instrumental roles in
organizing these wellness events that enable these meaningful contributions. The township has located an electronics recycling company to provide a container for our e recycling program. Company will also compensate the township each time a full container is exchanged for
an empty one. Further information will be provided as details are finalized. Our Lady of Good Council is hosting an outdoor movie night on Thursday, July 24th at 6 p.m. The film is Elf. Please RSVP by texting 862591-3440.
Recreation news. The summer recreation program is now in full swing. I have visited the building a couple of times and is evident the children have been enjoying themselves. The 2025 fun with art and fun with cartouding fall season registrations will start on Friday,
August 15th and end on Friday, September 12th as reported in the past press and posted on our electronic bulletin board. I want to congratulate the 12U Falcons and their coaches on their New Jersey Little League district for win. As always, I encourage you to please visit
the recreation page on the Township of Washington's website and follow Township of Washington, New Jersey, 07676 Recreation, Parks, and Public Affairs Facebook page for updates on these and many other programs. Police Department news officers conducted the annual
safety town program, which is designed to educate kindergarten age children in public and traffic safety. They attended both Jesse F. George and Washington Schools field day events. officers part participated in the annual torch run in support of New Jersey Special Olympics.
The department welcomed Chief for a Day David Dmitri Eski and participated in B County Chief for a Day events. Officers attended and assisted with both the middle and high school graduation ceremonies. The department along with Westwood and
Emerson's police departments hosted another successful junior police academy program. Fire Department news for the month of June. The fire department responded to multiple fire and seal alarms as well as odors of burning, odors of natural gas, one tree falling into a house, and one fall for power
lines burning and one trailer on fire in the parkway. The department also participated demonstrations at the police department Junior Police Academy as well as safety township event. All three fire sirens are back up and running. The department is always looking for members. Anyone interested
can stop by the firehouse at Monday night to inquire and pick up an application. Department of Public Works DPW News. The weekly garden debris collection program is underway. They remove multiple trees and large branches due to storm damage. They continue to
inspect and repair sanitary and storm water lines and catch basins as well as potholes as needed. Our lighting detection systems are approaching the end of their useful life. Once they fully reach this point, replacement parts may become difficult to obtain. Fortunately, the vendor is currently
offering an upgrade at the state contract rate and providing labor at no additional cost. Given the critical role these systems play in ensuring the safety of individuals using our parks and fields, I decided to proceed with the upgrade at this time. The upgrade is expected to take approximately 1 month.
We anticipate no disruption to the current service during this period. However, should any interruption occur, we will promptly notify the public. Also on the agenda tonight is a resolution by the council for us to go out to bid for the DPW building project. Public affairs. Public affairs has been hard at
work securing this year's summer concert event. We're happy to announce that Super Trans Am will be this year's big headliner. The concert will take place on Tuesday, August 19th, starting at 7 p.m. We will have Hold My Knots and Conrad serving up delicious eats. We are expecting a great turnout for this
event. Please check the website and social media for more details. Zoning office, there was a total of 49 zoning applications reviewed for the month of June. Library summer reading open with a great response over 100 people at the kickoff event. Upcoming programs include
the annual touch a truck event on Wednesday, July 23rd, featuring our DPW trucks and amazing pros. We also have the kind kindergarten mixer in August for incoming kindergarten students and their parents to meet before the first day of school. a monthly family craft
green hour outdoor program for kids and yoga story time are just a few of our newer programs that have become extremely popular this summer. July also features an adult woven woven bookmark lab, a teen clay craft, and an adult
bingo night coming up. Please check the library website and social media for information and updates. Municipal Alliance, our annual safety town program designed for ages 5 to six had a wonderful response this year. Registration filled in just 48 hours and all the kids had a wonderful time
learning about safety from our local responders. Special thanks to the police department, fire department, ambulance corp for the wonderful presentation, engagement with the kids. We also hosted two learn to ride bike riding classes for kids age 5 plus in the library parking lot. 27 children earned their
pedals and safety skills for bike riding in town. municipal court, 150 total traffic tickets were issued in May with 128 from the township of Washington Police Department and 22 from the state police. Court collected $5,23924
in revenue to the township. And that's the mayor's report. Thank you. Report of the council, Miss. Yes, thank you. Um so as the mayor had said in his report um council and CEOs myself and the mayor had attended um
director Bliss's farewell farewell um really grateful for the opportunity to work with him on so many town events. Um they were he was a great partner and I wish him the best of luck. Um I hope to continue our relationship with Bethany
Community Center. They've been the the center as well as the church has been an intricral part of our community with our children in particular. Um on June 11th, the Jordan Schwarz, the young man that came here to do the presentation, had
his cardiac screening. Um it was during the work day from 8 to 4, so I was unable to attend, but I'm sure it did very well. in the CASAC Press, they did an article on his um his endeavor and
I'm I'm happy that our efforts have been able to contribute. Maybe not quite as much as Hackinac did, but I'm sure every every dollar helps him um get this important initiative off the ground. So, I'm glad we were able to to donate $500
towards his cost. Um June June we know is made up of graduations. So, the mayor, Councilman Sears, and myself also attended the high school graduation. Unfortunately, had to be be indoors this year. Um, but that's always a hard call.
Congratulations to the class of 2025. Um, it's always, you know, as many times as I've done graduation, um, and attending graduations. It's always great to see the kids super excited for such an important day, as well as their parents. So, congratulations to all. Um,
Councilman Sears and I also attended the JPA graduation. Uh, that's a really nice program. My daughter, this is her second year doing it. And it's it's nice to see the kids so disciplined and coming home tired and sweaty and, you know, even a little dirty. So, thank you to the
police department in Westwood, Emerson, and here in Township for putting that together. They do a great job. Um, and additionally, you know, in speaking about the the 5K, um, we were able to give three scholarships this year to
three young ladies. Um, I'm going to keep their names private right now, but because of the end of the year and um, vacation plans, we haven't been able to coordinate. So soon we'll get those names out. Um, and we were able,
thankfully to our sponsorship as well as so many participants in the event this year, we were able to give out three scholarships this year, each for $500. Um, as the mayor's report said, August 19th is the summer concert. I'm really
excited to see uh, Super Trans Am, right? 70s rock. So, um, get out there. I know we always have a great time out on Memorial Field with all the residents. And then last but not least, uh save the date for our Halloween fun
run. It is October 26. It will take place at Gardener Field. I know it's summer and nobody wants to think about the fall quite yet, but maybe it'll in incentivize some people to get their costumes ready to go, so it should be a lot of fun. It was very cute last year.
Um again, that is going to be October 26. Um and the details will be available shortly. Please check out the website as well as social media and we'll have all that information to everybody shortly. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. Sears.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilwoman Valz for bringing back up to that. I don't have much to say. Uh, first of all, I'd like to send my prayers and my condolences out to the Texas flood victims. It was a horrible
event that's been going on for so long. So, I would ask everybody to say a prayer for those flood victims. Our CSA program, that's where the green team uh coordinates with a a farm. Uh we
started out with 18 members. This year we're up to 42 members and every Tuesday Farms delivers a box of whatever fresh fruits or vegetables that they have picked that day. So, we're up to 42
members and um every everybody loves it. The the vegetables, the fruits, all fresh. It comes right from the farm that day and it's um dropped off at the library and we distribute it every Tuesday. The next item I'm going to talk about is
the public service 17% electric uh bill increase. Uh I met with the seniors last week and they are quite upset and shocked over uh this amount of increase and I'm actually hearing some horror
stories on some of the bills that people are getting. So um I reached out Mr. Sears it's not only the seniors it's folks like No, I'm just saying it's not only trust me shock also. I know. I know. But that was the meaning. I was that. So I
reached out to Sustainable New Jersey and um they have what they call a partners of energy efficiency. So um I I asked Councilwoman MZ to to lend a hand with this. We are establishing a a
process where uh we will reach out to every resident in Washington Township. We're uh got a conference call tomorrow, a Zoom meeting tomorrow. They have assigned us a energy efficiency group
that the township residents can call. They will come out and do an energy efficiency in your house for free. But that's only if you qualify. No, no. They will come to your house if you call them. But that's only if you meet the media and they come.
No, no, no. They will come out to your house and they will do a complete energy efficiency review. It's an energy audit is what I understand that. But but if you if you if you if you income level is above a certain threshold, they will not come out and do it. Well, that's what we need to verify because
well, we'll have that Zoom meeting tomorrow. But it was our understanding that whoever calls they will come out to review and they will drop off they will give each resident six to eight of the high efficiency light bulbs, power strips, uh
pipe wrapping um and some other um the things to help reduce um a thermostat to help reduce the the electric intake. So uh we sent our first cards went out. We
we covered the 100 seniors with these. There'll be a letter coming out from the mayor and then our uh efficiency partner group will be sending out another letter. Um take advantage of it. Um I'm hearing I'm hearing some really horror
stories on the electric bill that's coming out. Absolutely. And a lot of seniors are now faced with um eating, you know, keeping the lights out, burning a candle, you know, I mean, it's it's it's not right. Um I know that the
blame game is going on between uh the people that distribute the power, send it to public service, going to the governor, the governor signing the bill for a 17% increase. Um, so we're going to reach out and work with the community uh the best we can. Uh, I have a meeting
for Washington Commerce next week to talk to those residents there about it. So hopefully we'll have everything, you know, put to bed and ready to go about a week or two. That's my report. Thank you. Thank you, President. Mr. Casio.
Uh, thanks Mike. Uh, again, as Mr. See you said our uh condolences and heartfelt um I don't know how to put it but uh the terrible terrible treachery down in Texas with those people in the camps and that area and you know we have storms
here in New Jersey and if you do not know how deep something is driving along please do not attempt if you have no idea where you're going and how deep it is because it does happen here locally. So please be cautious out there. Um, and
between the mayor, Miss Vez, Mr. Sears, there's really nothing more for me to report. But I I do want to make one comment. Uh, we always talk and Tom Was always talk about the cyclists out there on the road. And I've noticed that uh more of the kids are wearing helmets. Yes. Which is fantastic. So, I'm glad
that's happening. And uh I also want to thank the police department because I know they had a little program a while back regarding bike bicycle safety and pedestrian safety. and it looked like it's taking effect. So, that's my report. Thank you. Uh, very quickly, I just want
to again thank and congratulate the girls on a district 4 softball championship for our district. They did a great job all season and continue to do a great job. Our boys are also playing in this the little league tournament. Unfortunately, we didn't uh there was no champions that came out of
that district, but they still played their hearts out and had a great season. Uh I wish Bliss u a lot of you know congratulations on everything he's done for us in the past and uh on his future endeavors wherever he may go and I would just like to thank uh Jordan Schwarz on
everything he did for the art program and my fellow board members for also making a generous donation to his organization. So thank you and great job for such a young gentleman to take this endeavor on and I believe he told me when he dropped off it was 74 students
got evaluated which is a more than he thought he could have but because of all the donations he was able to increase it by almost 25 people so that's great great job kid um that's all I have for tonight we'll move on to approval of minutes uh regular meeting September 9th 2024 conference meeting September 9th
2024 regular meeting September 23rd 3rd, 2024 conference meeting September 23rd, 2024. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Roll call. Council Gazio. Yes. Council Zear. Yes. Council
President. Yes. General public comment period limit to 5 minutes. Motion to open the public comment period. So move second. All in favor? I. Would anybody like to come up? Seeing no one at this time. Motion to close the public comment period. So
move. Second. All in favor? I. Ordinance is adoption. Second reading. Ordinance number 25-16, an ordinance amending chapter 223, article 8 of the ordinance of the township of Washington entitled schedules. Resolution number 25-277
authorizing second reading and opening of the public hearing for ordinance 2516. Do I have a motion? Second. Roll call. Councilman Casio. Yes. Councilman Sears. Yes. Council BZ. Yes. Council President. Yes. Would anybody like to come up and
discuss ordinance uh resolution number 25277? Seeing no one, motion to close the public hearing for ordinance number 2516. So move. Second. Councilman Calio. Yes. Council.
Yes. Council, yes. Council President, yes. Motion to adopt ordinance number 2516 at second reading by title. Do I have a motion? So move. Second. Roll call. Councilman Calio. Yes. Councilman Sears. Yes. Councilman.
Yes. Council president. Yes. Introduction. First reading. None. The resolution's consent agenda. The following items have been determined to have unanimous consent of the 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. At this time, would anybody like anything removed from the consent agenda? Mike, can you remove 281, please? Sure. Any others, ladies and gentlemen? So, we're only going to remove 281.
Resolution number 25-278, authorized refund of performance guarantee and engineering escrow of block 251, lot 3.05 in the amount not to exceed $3,210. Resolution number 25-279 authorize purchase of new frontend
loader with Jessco Inc. 118 St. Nicholas Avenue Southfield, New Jersey 07080 in the amount not to exceed two thou $213,450. Resolution number 25-280 authorize the township administrator to advertise for bids for the 2025 local
roadway project Bergen Avenue, Carriage Court, Fern Street, and Salem Road. Resolution number 25-282 authorize cancellation of general capital fund ordinances in the amount of $2,62.14. Resolution number 25-283
authorize the advertisement for receipt of bids for the new DPW building. Motion to approve consent agenda resolutions as presented. So move second. Roll call. Councilman Casio. Yes. Councilman Zers. Yes. Council. Yes. Council president. S resolution
number 25-281 authorize an increased adjustment in the excuse me in the bid threshold from 44,000 to 53,000 with the QPA. Do I have a motion? So move second discussion. I just want a separate vote on it.
That's all. Okay. Roll call. Any anybody else like please roll? No. Councilman Sears, yes.
Counciloman BZ, yes. Council President Dennetta, no. Okay. Motion to adjourn to the conference agenda. Do I have a motion? So move. Second. All in favor? I. Next meeting of the township council
will be on Monday, August 11, 2025, beginning at 7 p.m. Sign up for Nixel. I'm sorry my council president but since we don't have the votes for that what what's going on with 281 now we can put it on again for the next
meeting if they you'd like there um well tell me why it's increased well because DCA decided And every time every spend money or dedicate specific time to
purchases now up to 53,000. It's a state. Yeah. It's not it's not Mark Carlo's initiative. No, no, nobody said it was Mark Carlo's initiative. I mean, I provided local finance notice. It's local finance notes of those read. Yeah. No, I was right.
So again, if there's anything that we can answer, I can follow up on as as opposed to just a hard nose. Um, that would be helpful. Tell Let me get you my questions on it. I'll get it. Okay. When do you need this, Mr. Deo?
I mean, again, it's it's it's put before the council, so it's their their prerogative. Um, again, I just out of curiosity. I was just wondering why it would be no. I would see it as a benefit to the township. Um, so there's really no no deadline. It
wouldn't go in effect unless the council approved it. That's all. Can you explain the benefits for us? I mean, I wasn't prepared to defend it. I'm actually just surprised that I'm defending it. But again, once we get to that 44, usually we're
utilizing some type of professional service to assist us with that bid. So we would have to pay for it. Going up to 53 would great give us a greater um threshold before having to pay for a professional to um you know to assist us
with that process. Usually it's an architect or an engineer. Okay. The next meeting of the township council will be on Monday, August 11, 2025, beginning at 7 p.m. Sign up for Dixel. Text 07676
to 888777 key code TWWP of Bergen. All right, let's move to conference agenda. All right. Under current business under administration, Kulage Avenue proposed change order. I
I really have nothing further to say if it was there. If you guys have any questions, I'm not going to be prepared to put the purchase I'm sorry, the change order in front of you. Most likely not until the 11th until the project is uh completed. So, I I find it I find it odd that you
know, we're we're doing a change order on this. Why wasn't this accounted for in the original bid? Mr. I have no idea. This law has been around for almost 25 years that we can't have that we need bicycle safe breaks. So kind of, you know, we're paying we're paying a premium to have a professional go out
there and give us plans and specs for the project. Is that is that what it said? I don't think Mr. Deser that's what it said. It said for bicycle safety it doesn't fit the catch basins that were um installed there prior to. So we had to
put attached is a proposal to upgrade the eight storm inlet frames head pieces and bicycle safe grates on Koolage Avenue. The storm inlet frames must be upgraded to accommodate the new compliant storm inlet head pieces and bicycle safe grates. Correct.
So it counters exactly what you just said. No, it doesn't count with such emphasis. No, no, it doesn't count. No, it doesn't counter it. Yes, it does. It's saying you got to remove the headpiece and put a new one on. So why wasn't that included in the original pitch? It does not say that. Yes, it does. No, I disagree with you. I'm sorry. I disagree with you.
Well, I'd like to go out there and meet you there. The engineers will pay them more money. I do not Did I ask for the engineers to file? I just say we put out a bid, right? And there are standard DOT items for local aid that encompass those items.
So, why wouldn't we have used those items when we went out to bid? That is not what I just read to you is the reason mostly change. You know out there there are there are 1970s. Do I have to continue arguing with you? I'm not arguing with you, Mark. I'm just
making a statement. Sir, you make these statements with such emphasis that of accuracy and you're inaccurate. I walked it the other day. I walked it the other day and there are streamline grates out there, right? That that you know your bicycle tire as a policeman, you know, your bicycle tire gets caught
in them, right? And that's why you fall over. Storm inlet frames must be upgraded to accommodate the new compliant storm inlet head pieces and bicycle safe grades. The existing storm inlet frames are not compatible with the NJP required head
pieces. So, we're that was accounted for. It's the inlet head pieces. Okay, we'll go out there when you get a chance. We'll look. I'm not arguing with you. But but to the point is I think if you
have a bid and your engineer goes out that should be in the bid spec already, right? Because that's where they investigate. Correct. I don't know. I'd have to get I mean if if I'm an engineer, right, and I'm making a bid spec, I should know what what should go into that bid. And if that wasn't in the bid, then we have
a problem with the engineer. I don't think sir, we have a problem with the engineer here. Well, how can something that should have been accounted for in a bidsp spec isn't there and now we have to come back and redo it? That's what that's what I don't understand. I don't think it was identified until the company got out
there and like broke down the components of this. So, it wasn't the reason why it's a change order is because you're right, it wasn't identified as an individual spec, but it wasn't noticed that it was needed until they got out there. Okay, that's how I understand. So, it's still
not going to cost us any more money than what the bid was for. But I think identifying embarrassing the potential deficiency of Ryer engineers embarrassing his job. His job is to go out and give
his expert opinion and if he if he is unsure of an item that is not there, he needs to investigate that. I will report by August 11th. I don't I don't want you to have a full I don't want a full report. That's But that's I didn't ask for a full report, Michael.
I'm asking for one now. Okay. Okay. Moving on. Garbage truck purchase. Is that what we we did before, Mr. Dall? Yes, sir. So, here's the deal. Council approved $600,000 for capital for the potential purchase of two garbage
trucks. We were able to purchase one garbage truck that was actually available on the lot. It was more than $300,000. It was brought to the attention of the council last time when we did a resolution that
went before you. That left $245,000 remaining um from the garbage truck within the same ordinance of 2510 but a different account line. We have a leftover of $35,000
from a front end loader uh that we, you know, the council approved $250,000, but it would only end up costing, I think it was like $213,000. We need $350,000 for a garbage truck
difference of $78,000. I can make up that $78,000 with ordinance 2222 that has a uh $32,000 balance and a $49,000 soft balance, a soft cost balance.
Do we know what 2222 was for? It was for a whole different slew of things. It was for, you know, DPW equipment, but it was for DPW. Oh, yeah. It was it was a DPW line. So, okay. Basically, what I'm asking you to do is allow me to use the 2222 ordinance
and cover that extra $78,000. It's completely funded ordinance. And um will that take care of the missing for the front end loader since we didn't trade it in? No, the 15 is include. So you guys gave
me 250 for a front end loader without the um trade in. It came to like 213 I think it was. So that left to 35, which is like 37. Okay. So other words, we'd have to rewrite an ordinance. We'd have to pay bond council
to write it. It would take time and they won't allow us to order a truck until we get them a purchase. I'm okay with 2322. Is everybody else okay with it? Yeah, it's a DPW line. It's a DPW line, correct? Yes. What um essentially I have a question? Sure. What items
would they not would the DPW not be getting because of that? Because that safety safety items or No, no, no, no. Everything everything that was intended to be purchased in 2022 222 that I can tell was So that's 100%
this was left over money. Okay. So we got everything we wanted at Yes. Reading through the ordinance. So again, the way those paragraphs are written, it definitely does not put us in a corner. So, we can use it, but based on, you know, council's feeling on
it to pass, I felt it best for you to know this and then decide, hey, yeah, we'll use this funded money um without rewriting an ordinance, but they they got everything they needed for that. I'm, you know, I will double check, but yes, it's not like, you know, they were supposed to get something and
didn't. Okay. You know, I think it was the sign boards back then for the for the, you know, um the recreation fields. It was, you know, so there's nothing earth like earth. We're not going to be short $79,000. They need something out of it. It's leftover money.
Is everybody okay with doing that? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. You're good, Mr. Uh council ordinances and legislation uh amendment chapter 360 abandoned properties. Um we have the new ordinance in front of us, Miss Bailey. Right. Or the
uh markup. Yeah. two two things. You've got an amendment to the abandoned properties ordinance and you've got the basically amended and restated tree ordinance given the extent of the changes.
I don't one at a time because the tree one I have I something happened over the last Mr. Sears will probably chime in on it also but we need to we need to come up with a game plan um for trees. So we'll talk about that. Let's do the first one please. All right.
Just just at the outset with the with regard to the or the ordinance, there are just two a couple of slight proposed amendments to the abandoned property ordinances. Um uh and really they're born out of two things. First, the
practical reality that we'd like to get some of the notices required under the ordinances into Sue's domain. So even though the state statute that all ordinances have to be modeled against requires the public officer to take control over all of this.
Okay. What the way I've said it is I've kept the public officer responsible but shall cause township clerk to send notice. public officer sale shall cause. So the public officer who is designated as the code official um who will who will
spearhead all of the obligations under this ordinance is going to be working with the township clerk to send the required statutory and ordinance notices out that revolve around the abandoned properties ordinance, collect fees,
etc. um the clerk's office and soon is much better equipped and uh you know to do those types of tasks. Um, and that's important because you know, you want to be able to rely
upon um the procedures you put in place so that if you end up having to enforce these in court, nine times out of 10, if you make a technical any type of technical problem with notice, which you probably know across the board, whatever you're talking about, you have a problem
with the action that you're bringing, you're trying to enforce as you go through the ordinance. So that's really what we've changed in in the ordinance in these sections. So it's just basically the notice how it goes out. We're looping in the township clerk. Really we're two things. First the public officer is formally designated as
the code enforcement official. Okay. I see that township and then in D you'll see several spots where the cause of township clerk cause there's several spots within section 360-d
does that. Um we've also in section three um made clear that the registration statement that has to be filed by the person who is has the abandoned property is going to have to
follow the forms put out by the public officer through the township clerk. We've added the township clerk there as well. Can we include all those costs to go back to the to the uh person that we're serving them on? Oh, sure. that that none of that's been changed
already in there that way. Okay. I wanted to make sure that's Yeah, that's all in there. Well, now because Sue's department is doing I didn't know if that would have to be authored in there to say that any cost by the township clerk shall be reimbursed by the you know the uh oh so her time you mean
well her her mailing the mailings and all that. Th costs of the township. Okay. So those those are so that even though it's township cost doesn't matter what department I just want to make sure. Yes. Correct. So that so that's that's the scope of those changes to the ordinance.
So basically the clerk is basically taking in the information and sending out the letters. That's her thing. But she's not she's not composing the the complaint. No, it starts with um a publication, right? Um, and then it moves on to
certain additional notices that have to be given to the property owners through the clerk's office. It's going to be through the clerk's office because by certified mail and this and that. So, we keep it really tight so that if we when we get to the certain point, we have to enforce certain things. It's it's there. It's tight. Yeah.
Now, does this is this affected by the governor's new executive order not to have publications any longer? Is this correct? That doesn't go into effect until next year. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. So, we don't we stopped the just the way we are until January 1st.
Uh March 31st. No, March 1st, 2026. 2026. Yes. All right. That's fine. I just want to make sure. Yeah. Yeah. Anybody have any comments on this? So, is the the code official
a name? They're the public they're the designated public officer for the purpose of this ordinance. And that has meaning throughout the ordinance which is modeled after the statute. Okay. Yeah. We okay with putting this on the agenda
for next meeting? Sure. Yeah. Okay. The next one is amendment chapter 465 trees. Um let let me just start by saying so I redlined the the existing ordinance and
I think that was more confusing given the the amount of writing came. ink. I tried to make it easier, but I think it made it more complicated. So, I'm I'm prepared to outline how it's changed if that's easier. Um, but council
president, however you want to proceed with going through this. That would be fine. Um, I just had I I had an issue with the heritage tree. Okay. Um, Tom and I both got called last week. We had a contractor on the lake take down I
think it was a seven foot diameter heritage tree, a six foot diameter heritage tree. Massive massive trees. And the basically it's a $500 fine that he took down these 100 year old trees, you know, cuz the one had to be six,
seven feet the the the trunk at the bottom across that across the you know it's the stumps out. They and then they took the stumps out right away. So, we couldn't measure him the next day, which is Yeah. But for $500, the guy's building a multi-million dollar house. It's $1,000. So, it it it doesn't it
there's no it's like a slap on the wrist, you know, cuz the punishment doesn't fit. The Yeah, the punishment doesn't fit the crime. And I could understand that the trees were diseased and we had an arburry report, but we didn't have an arburry report. We didn't have a permit and the sir, that's not true.
It's just that there was no ar convey the findings of There there was no arborous report. Joe set a case he said he issued to take down two pine trees and those were not pine trees.
These were these were I'd have to um check the information but I when Mr. Sedic case came to me and said they had approval for it he did not say there was two pine trees. He described them as something else. So well I I was I was I was contacted by
Mr. just here told there was no permit and there was no harbor report that if that's the the inconsistent Mr. or the call if you can let me know tomorrow so I can let the residents know because that's what I relate back to the calls I got from the residents so Mr. Sedakase got right on it
we talked through Mr. Yeah. And and there was uh two pine trees on the permit and and another little tree or something, but those were not pine trees. But again, I'll have to confirm because I wasn't prepared for it. So I don't
want to say something inaccurate. Okay. That's But I He told me what they were supposed to take down. What they had approval to take down is what was taken down. That's what he told me. If that's incorrect. They were not pine trees. You know that. As much as I do, Mike, those were No, they were massive oaks. Then I would
definitely look into it again. Yeah. I mean, Mark, I'm not the one the one the one stump was threequarters of this conference room. That's how massive that was. Like I said, I just was I took it for his word that it it was all worked out.
Okay. So, I think we just at this point I I don't I can't see it. He had Joe had pictures, too. Again, I don't Yeah, but he had pictures of a pine tree, right? But are these not pine trees picture
or we just go to Google Earth? There's got to be something. Oh, you can see them on Google Earth. So So you're saying if they took down the wrong ones as it relates to these revisions, what was what was your concern? That the $500 is a slap on, you know, if you're building a multi-million dollar house and you want those trees gone,
right? And the the the violation is $500 to take down these heritage trees, it's a it's a slap on the wrist. Like big deal. I pay $1,000 fine and I'm I'm in the clear and the heritage trees are gone, you know. I'm sorry. Where where are you getting
the $500 from? 400. 400, I'm sorry. 400. That was the That's what happened. We had a higher state and then the state said that Yeah. So the $400, Siobhan, correct me if I'm wrong. The $400 is when they do something legitimately. The penalty for taking
down the wrong tree would be $2,000 per tree. Okay. I'm I'm I'm misreading it. Yeah. Well, you I don't know if you misread it. You might not have gotten down to it because it's like boards again with the penalty. No, no, I read it. I I So, the penalties are supposed to be a financial is that right? Monetary
penalty and the the replacement. So, the $400 for the replacement or I got it backwards. So, no, the $400 is when it involves I believe going to the planning board when you have, you know, you're going you can't repet you can't replant the
number. Okay. And you have to pay into the fund. And again, I'm probably paraphrasing this uh way too much. The penalty for doing something inappropriate or not getting a permit is $2,000 per trade. Some of our delay was we did consult with uh Mr. Di
Maria that had provided some advice as to how he felt he could defend this in municipal court. Right. So part of what Miss Bles says is that the fine we initially had ex exceeded the fine cap that New Jersey did. So now we're matching it. That's two.
That's the 2000. He didn't he didn't wanted us to separate um the section. Again, Miss Bailey could probably speak more professionally about it, but just he felt if we separated the penalty phases with the monetary and the replanting,
he'd have a better better ability to um to hold that up in court. And again, Miss Bailey, I'm sorry if I'm, you know, brutally beating it up, but no, the the problem first first tree ordinances are modeled after a seed
statute as we've done with other areas. This particular area, the state, in my opinion, did a horrible job in creating a model. So, I've I actually consulted a bunch of different municipalities just to see how I read ours and I was very confused by
it. So, I did a couple of different things that I'll point out to you and you can consider if you like it, you won't like it or whatever. But make no mistake, the state model is confusing. A lot of municipalities ordinances are confusing in my opinion, our existing ordinance. So, I did my best to try to
make sense of it and then the council can decide if they like it, if they want to change it or what not. So, in so I can start just add one thing. Yeah. Yeah. It's for street tree and definitions in 465-1. a tree planted in sidewalk planting strip or in the rightway. Right.
So I know Mr. Per in years past wanted it, you know, it was clearcut that the township of Washington does not own any trees. Correct. And I don't see that anywhere in this revision cuz when I when I hear street tree, I think it's it's township of Washington
tree. All right. So that was the per I found this confusing to lump public trees in the public rightway in with the regular privately owned. I I found that confusing because I think they should I don't know that they should be treated
the same way. I feel the prohibited activities that relate just to trees in the public rightway are different than the prohibited activities that I'm that we point down. There's no permit that can be obtained to cut a tree down in the
public right of way. Um that there's no process for that. Um you just can't do it. You can't climb on trees in the public right of way. But you're a tree so why would you be able to see that's why I didn't understand trees? The the owner the owner like so that's why I didn't understand like how can we
prohibit activities on their own trees? Look, I'm just being devil. There there are different reasons for treating trees that are in the public right of way different than on your own property.
But can we make a statement in here legally somehow that says all trees within the township boundaries of Washington are the on are the responsibility of the owner of that block and lot. All right, Zach.
Sure. But I'm not I guess I'm not understanding the distinction. If if the trees are in public property that is not privately owned, are you still It's still your tree. So you own the tree, but it's in public right away.
Right away. Well, and you're talking about like in in the right tree is still yours. That tree is still yours. Still yours. So if you have to trim it okay there we're talking about two different things. Okay we have to break it out then I'm thinking of a tree
that's located on township you know on this municipal propert no no we're saying we're saying like in front of my house there's a tree planted between the curb and sidewalks which on beach street there are some for some reason. Okay. Okay. Those like people came to us in the past and said hey I need the trees rotted.
Come cut it down. We've always said, "Hey, we don't own any trees in town other than the ones that are on correct our municipal property." Those are different. All right. I'll make that distinction and that clear. Okay. Is that correct? Everybody sidewalk in the public adjacent to the
portion of street reserved for particular. So, we have to take that out. Let me put that in there. Private trees on public property. Ken, that's a good way to put Yeah, because Ken always Yeah, this is always Okay. It's a private tree, right, Peter? Those were long meetings back then, like six, seven years ago.
They were brutal cuz people would come to us and say, "Hey, come cut down your tree." And we say, "No, you don't want that. We don't we don't own them. We don't own it. We didn't plant it. We don't own it." All right. Come on, John. You can plant. No.
Article 2 is basically the beginning of the current ordinance and has some revisions uh in it. Okay. Section 46653 has no changes to it. Uh though that's the definition section. All right. 4644
4654. Right. I'm sorry. 4654 adds a section D making tree removal as defined in the definition section also uh prohibited. I I felt that so the ABC was not
inclusive enough. tree removal um has a clear definition to kill or cause irreparable damage that leads to decline and or defamatory including but not limited to excessive pruning etc etc and then later you have permitted activities
or later exceptions but I think rather than try to just make it inclusive and then we'll see where the exceptions and permit requirements you know will cover the ability to you know for people to get
outside of that. Um, all right. So, the next section adds some permit requirements in the permitted activities section 465-5.
Let's see where those revisions were made exactly so I can All right. So, the the section A um permits the removal of not more than one not more than three non-heritage trees on any approved existing building.
4655 uh 4655A. That's 4655. Yes, it's page four. Okay. It allows the um removal of up to three non-heritage uh um
trees on any approved building lot um within a 12-month period. I added a permit requirement for that. Um if you if you don't want to add a if you want to keep it the way it is, we can I can strike out the permit requirement for that. No, if you want to keep permit
No, but it doesn't have a permit requirement. It doesn't now. I added one. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Any reason why is that every everybody okay with adding the permit? You want to hold the people responsible to make sure they're not having issues.
Well, not only that, but usually they Okay. Well, you got three. Oh, that one's bad. Oh, now you got four permit. Oh, three. And that's been happening in a lot. That's why. Can you say that again? I'm sorry. Take your three wisely. Well, they say three trees and you get there, all of a
sudden the guy say, "Oh, you you got to take this one down too and this one and they take it down and they only got a permit for three." And they take down five. Mhm. You know, and this is h has happened multiple times. So, if there's not a permit that happens, so with a permit, it'll be more
right. Understood. Now, may I ask you a question though? Is there anything in this new ordinance that also holds the vendor responsible? If a fine is issued against the resident,
will a fine be issued against the tree company? Also, you've got to be you've got to register within the township tree removal. Um, so they come in, they take down permit for four trees, they take down eight.
Joe goes out and gives him uh the the resident a summons and a fine, right? But the tree company guy washes his hands and walk walks away. He violates the he violates it. Is there anything in there that holds him responsible also?
The idea is is to control what's going on. Yeah. Because they'll think twice about cutting down another tree then. Exactly. If they're also held responsible for the pine. Yeah. Because right now you could just potentially slip a couple bucks. Well, that's what happens that they come in and they convince them homeowner.
465-8 says any person, corporation, association, or entity of any kind violating, but can we issue more than one person violation? Meaning, can we hit the homeowner and the tree company based on that?
Well, you first have to have violated a section. So I think you're right that it can be whoever violates can be a person, corporation, association or entity violating any provision of this chapter. Um so
let let me just check and make sure it would cover okay the activity of a non property owner and it would be a contractor as well to make that more clear. And in the registration, can we put that any violations of a tree permit may cause
immediate revocation of your tree licensed uh registration and a fine and a fine. You can make the fine as much as you want. Yeah. $5,000. $5,000. Well, you have $2,000. Yeah.
Or stay with 2,000. Follow the state, right? So, say, you know, any any violation of a tree permit will will uh you may lose your registration in the town and a possible violation of $2,000 fine violation. Well, any violation if if we add that it
covers the vendor, then that's a violation that would be covered by the violations and penalties. But I can take a look at reviewing and making a separate section in the case of a
violation by a a registered vendor. Additional penalty can include revocation of registration. Registration with the town possible fine of $2,000 additional fine $2,000 because they're
already subject to the fun. Yeah, but I would put it in there too. That's the homeowner additional. Well, if we revise the statute, we could issue summones to both theoretically. So, the additional penalty for that's
unique to the vendor would be revocation their registration, right? Okay. Thank you. Yeah, sure. Per tree is two 2,000 per tree. Yeah. I I I
So total if you if you cut down four trees, right? So you're two you're you're one over. So it be $4,000 fine. Well, 2,000 for the homeowner and 2,000 for the Yeah. 4,000. Yeah. Yeah. Possibly. Yes.
I'm just saying that's what because you're the the municipal code can be more restrictive than the state. The state is only two. So you can make it any number you want. It can be more restrictive. Can't be less restrictive. No, but that's where we had the issue last time because we were more and and
the the judge the judge said we couldn't be more than the state. Yeah. Yeah. In this in this case, the the municipal court has a statutory jurisdiction. So, if you're going to enforce these by issuing summites, which is the best way to do it, you have to
stick within the $2,000 cap. And if you if you make it per tree, it can be quite a bit. Okay. Now Siobhan, if I may, um I love trees, you know, I don't want to see them go, but is this common practice across other
municipalities such, you know, control over tree removal? Cuz I don't recall some are even more restrict. Yeah. Our neighbors this hyperfocused on tree removal loss. Okay. Trees are a big
deal. Yeah. In county especially. Yeah. Yeah. I mean I can provide I'm just I look like Yeah. Some of them are more restrictive than really. Okay. Remember, Miss Council, that a lot of
this, like Siobhan said, had to be modeled after what New Jersey D told us to do with then a little bit spin off on us. And then the 2,000 per tree um was highly recommended by the municipal court prosecutor, Mr. to be Maria
because the court or in the one case with Carters found the fine we had in our in our current one, not the revised one, was too excessive and that portion was thrown out because it was too too excessive. So then they found themselves
arguing over the validity of the second section which was the replacement portion. So that's why we're writing it this way and that's how we came up with the 2000 because that's what the state the state cap is. Sorry, Council President. Sue, isn't there something on the registration form
for the tree vendors that alerts them to like our ordinance almost like Well, we give them a copy of the ordinance. Yeah. We give them a whole packet saying this is what you have to do. We we specify you have to also make sure that that sticker decal is on your front left bumper. So, if a police officer goes by
and does not see it, he can stop that shop right then and there. We remind him of all that stuff when they come. I thought he did. Yes. Thank you. Anything else? M 465-5B
B. You may notice in the existing ordinance um one of the permitted activities is the removal of trees in accordance with the site plan or subdivision plan etc etc. Um and the existing ordinance says in conjunction with the development of
soil movement um applications each so long as the approval includes a requirement that the applicant replace two trees measuring 2 and a half inches caliber for each tree removed and subsequent to the deposit of funds into the tree uh replacement fund maintained by the township. Um I I think or my
suggestion here is to follow the tree replacement conditions that comply with the um the ordinance section that deals with you know municipal board approvals of and and impositions of those so that
there there's no confusion. Actually, if you turn to 465-7, those tree replacement requirements are laid out. um in section B and as more under there's a
more specific grid in tree replacement with by category BBH of 2 and 12 in has referred to one you know I'm okay with that we don't have any fees here we have to put feeds and that was something we were we were looking at it
yeah I don't know if you want me to take a look at we have a surrounding neighbor that Yeah, I can suggest something on this. All right, moving on. What's that section? Anybody have any
questions on that? I'm sorry. Okay, section E. What did I do there? So what is it compliance with? Yeah, I again um make reference to 4656 to make it uniform rather than has it
includes 25% of trees remove you know it's just starts to get confusing. So it makes it all it all makes it uniform. Yeah. Oh all right 465-5.1 those are the registration requirements. I think you directed me to
What did you do there? This is Oh, okay. All right. Include the vendor on that. All right. And registration. All right. 465-6 permit required for tree removal. All
right. What did I do here? All right. So, I took out section C. And what do I do now is under procedures planning board application planning board not association.
All right. What I did there is I recommended a diff a procedure that was more consistent with the rest of the ordinance. Let me just take a quick look at that. It's been a little bit activity permitation. It's a tree
removal permit. Okay. Applications require an application form. Okay. All right. E if it's not issued under the procedures set forth, the applicant may go to the planning board. Um
it's you know obviously if it's not associated with any specific subdivision or site plan application um they have to you know file the appropriate fees post escrow etc. So those procedures are a little more streamlined in
that's where uh if posting of the escrow for two we have two three A and B. Yeah, just to to be clear, so anytime somebody wants to take down a tree, you know, because it's, you know,
diseased or hollow, whatever, they need an arborous report. Not for three trees. Oh, so when it's four or more? Yes. Let's take a look. Or if you're taking down a single
heritage tree, you need an olive. If it's in heritage Okay. Yeah, I know. If you're taking down three non-heritage trees, you just cut us down. Well, you need a permit. You need a permit as of the revision to this ordinance. Right now, you don't need a permit, but as once once this passes, you will need a permit,
right? Four more, you will need an arborous report. It has to go to the right. Is that three trees per year? Three trees per year. Yes. I'm just, you know, so three years per three trees per year
as well as you can take down without an arbitrary report just by the way it reads right now. The way it reads right now, if you want to take down four and they're non-heritage trees, you can still take them down, but then you need to go to the planning board and explain why you're taking down four. Understood. Cuz you may have to But if it's an emergency, if you have
four dead trees. Yeah, I know. I understand emergency. The arborist report is what threw me off for a second. Thank you. Anything else with that? Okay. I think we we touched upon
breaking out the fees. I'll give you some uh instruction on that. Um, and I think we touched upon some of the suggestions made by Judge Galina um, in terms of setting up our violations and penalty sections as separate from
restitution requirements. Okay. To make it clear that there's no double dipping on violations and penalties, that one's a violation and punitive, the other is restoration and replacement. And the only other thing I had is on page nine, the the the the
text is too large. So, we got to shrink that text. That's like we have to short this text size. It's too big. Carried with some boxes. What page is that, Mike? Page nine. Anything else, ladies and gentlemen?
So, I guess we'll wait for the corrections for the next meeting. I'll clean this up, make additional changes. So, we want to put it on just to have it on and then if we're okay with it, we can vote on it that night. Is that okay with everybody? Yep. if we're okay. If not, we'll put we'll table it and go to the next meeting if we have to make a revision to
it again. Okay. Okay. Uh under financials auditor for year 2024. Um in your packet, Micowski, you provided two uh proposals. One from uh LVH, right? And one from um
Sley Clooney Clooney. Uh they're both in there. So, if we could review those for the next meeting and we'll vote on who we're going to appoint as the auditor since we have to according to what we were advised we should appoint a new auditor and not so
um I'm okay with it. I I just I did want to just chat about it for a second. Sure. Um I was going through sli is that how you say it? Yeah. I almost called him slurpee earlier when I was reading uh sloopy. Um, I don't see
in their client list, which is what I brought up last time, I don't see that they work with any Bergen County municipality in comparison to, let's say, Lincy and Bliss. Um, the closest
municipality that they have that they work with is uh Hawthorne, right? But that's Pay. So, you know, just something to keep in mind that, you know,
I I'm just there's no familiarity with our work in comparison to Vincy Vincent Bless, which true. You you're right on that. Um, so I I know it came through Lumé,
but I'm also not exactly pleased with how this was brought before us by Lumé. Um, so just wanted to share my feelings on these two proposals. Yeah, if we could review them for the next meeting and this way we'll take a vote at the
next meeting and uh get this done, please. And the last thing I had was uh Mr. Mayor, thank you for the lightning detector upgrade. Is there any way we could talk to the vendor um about adding
text and um alerts on our phones? Um, I know the surrounding towns around us have that capability and it makes it makes everybody's life a lot easier because we were in uh we were in Cresville the other night and the
lightning detector went off and it was great because the police department arrived immediately and basically said, "Hey, coach, your app just went off. You should everybody should be in their cars." And it, you know, the strobe went off. their their their siren, you know,
did the same as ours. Um, their strobes were going, but they had an app and it literally had the 30 minute countdown and when it reset because lightning hit again, it automatically updated the app to 30 minutes again. And I don't know
how much that feature cost, but it made but it made everybody's life a lot easier because now, you know, you're not Do you know the name of the app? It was it's it's it's a similar they have, you know, the thing looks the same. So I don't know if it's the same system just with an upgrade to it, but it's great for recreation.
Yeah, it's great for recreation. So like all the camp counselors could have that on their phone. So this way, hey, clear the fields, it buzzes your phone rather than looking for the stroke, you know, the blinking light, you know. So if we could look at that, you know, if it's not a a huge
like sign up for it. Yes, that's what they said. They so what they said they all the pretty much everybody in town is like Nixl almost they said so when people are walking it notifies them also they said you know so it's a it's it's more of a it's not just a kid feature it's a town
feature so you know the other night unfortunately I got caught in the rain and the lightning going around the lake and it would have been nice to when the lightning bolt went across the lake and what time I called my wife and she picked me up good wife
My 18lb wing vest was getting heavier, so I couldn't walk anymore. I hit on the retreat. So, I mean, if we could look into that, that'd be awesome. Um, that's all I have on that. Um, we're going to go into close session to discuss uh resolution
number 25-284, property acquisition, personnel matters, police department, negotiations with Bethany, and the lats litigation. We do not anticipate coming out of close session. Motion to enter close session. So move. Second. Second. All in favor? I.
All right, we'll take a fiveminute recess while Ricky comes down and does the cameras.