question in We're good. Okay. Everyone, welcome to the special public meeting of March 31st, 2026 of the Township of Washington Township Council. Adequate notice of the meeting was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the township clerk to at
least two newspapers on March 24th, 2026. And this notice 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 washington. us. Use the 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 algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Calcium >> here. >> Councilman Sears >> here. >> Councilman Omen. Councilwoman BZ. Council President >> here. Let the record reflect also in
attendance, Mayor Peter Calamari, administrator Mark D. Carlo, CMFO John Corkran via Zoom, and Township Clerk Susan Wakowski. At this time, I'd like a motion to open to the public comment period. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? I.
>> Would anybody like to address the council at this time from the public? Seeing no one, motion to close the public comment period. >> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Moving on to discussion. We'll start with the continue with the 2026 budget. We'll start on page 37.
We'll start with prosecutor's office. Uh prosecutor salary, there is none. Uh extra sessions, there is none, right? Alternate prosecutors. So that completes the bottom of page 37. We'll move to 38. Uh Department of Municipal Facilities. I
know we asked this to be changed from DMF to DPW last year because that's their new name. I don't know why we still have >> the first >> It's okay. We can fix it. >> Oh, it's wrong.
>> You're right. >> So, um the first one is a salary line item. Uh it's a base salary plus safety education steps, savings due to recent retirements. >> So, >> so again, it's sort of contractual. I know you wanted to skip the salary line if you wanted to. This
>> But this one's contractual, right? >> It is. I just I want you to realize that it invol it does include the safety steps and um all that supporting documentation is in the miscellaneous section if anyone wanted to see it, but we give everybody's breakdown of what their salary is, when they hit their
milestone, their safety type stuff. So um and it and it's obviously a reduction from last year because we had two very senior individuals retire and they were replaced by two new officers that entered in the the uh lowest it's
considered an H manner but it would be the entry level step. >> So should we have seen a more of a reduction there? Well, I mean there's not that much of a jump. You know, I think entry level is like 49,000 and top is 83, but then then
uh 2.75% >> on everybody's salary because it's a new year >> and that's contractual, right? That's >> Yep. And it has the safety incentive steps. >> Everybody okay with that? You want to table it? >> No, it's contraction contractually.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh next time DBW overtime. Uh it's a big increase from last year. >> So we if I'm sorry, were you ready? Go ahead. No, go ahead. >> So if you see how much we spent um I was hoping to to gamble. Not that that's an
appropriate uh budgeting term, but we've already spent 43,000 this year in overtime and those are because of the huge snowstorms. So basically, >> does some of that money come back from the county and go into this trust? >> We do. We do. It does go back into the trust. Yes. But the trust um
>> do we know what the trust is at? Do we look at that? We can it's I gave you the audit trail. Can Mr. Coffin tell us what's >> Mr. Corkin? Can you tell us what's in the trust for for the snow removal? >> I I really don't know the exact amount
and I'm not able to get on to check it out. >> I can get into admins. I can tell you that it you know I remember when I told you when we do the AFS I transferred 25,000 into the snow trust and into accumulated leave. So we did just get a um a check from the county for the big
snowstorm. I think it was 10 or $12,000. But remember, we also use that to offset um the cost to repair the trucks. So, if you want an exact amount, I can sign it'll just take me a minute to sign into Edmonds. I can get it for you. But based on what we spent last year and
considering we blew through 43,000 already, uh that's why we asked what we did we did ask for. And last year was because of snow. as well. >> Yeah, it was the snowstorms and >> the big one was Martin Luther King uh
day and I think this year it was a big one on Martin Luther King Day too. >> But do do you want me to look sir for and >> let's let's let's hold off on this one because I think I'm sure Mr. Almond has something he'd want to add to this one. So let's hold on. >> Okay, >> let's table this one. >> Um following one is stipens not foreman.
That's contractual 7420. >> Yes. >> So that's everybody okay with that? Contractual thing. seasonal workers uh stays the same as last year. You want to cut that a little bit? >> I kindly asked you not to because that's how I um when I saw overtime creeping up
like that, I had to adjust how we how we were using our seasonals. So, I cut back on their hours because I I knew I was going to have to account for that. Plus, um I think we're asking not to increase the line, but to um increase their
salary range by 50 cents when we get to the salaries. And also, we were able to determine um this year that seasonals can work 40hour work weeks without us being without them being privy to health benefits. And we confirmed that with our attorney. So, uh we
>> have we confirmed it with the Department of Labor. >> Yes. Or well, our labor attorney. Yes. So, we were holding them to 29 hours the last couple years because of it and uh now it's obviously we're we're attracting uh better and more candidates
because people aren't limited to 29 hours. So, our plan this year is uh to have two employees that have been here for a long time that have a lot of institutional knowledge, have a lot to call 40 hours a week. one, you know, you probably his name, he's got great skills as a mason. They're going to work the 40
hours and then right now starting in May, we're going to have two that will be able to do we're going to keep them at 32 hours so we don't totally blow through this and we have enough money for lease season. So I kindly ask if we can keep that funded at that.
>> Everybody okay with it? So, did did the uh Department of Labor change with the number of hours worked for part-time? >> I don't know. >> It doesn't make doesn't make sense to me. >> Yeah. So, >> I don't know how you can go, you know,
from 29 to 40. >> Well, that the advice um when I started from Mr. West because people were working more than that was to keep them at 29 hours. We since then went back to him like two months ago when we were preparing the budget. and he checked and
he feels confident that seasonals can work 40 hours with us without us having to offer them health benefits. >> Don't they need a break in the seasonal? They could be seasonal an entire year. >> Well, then they're probably not considered seasonal, but we >> That's what I'm saying. So,
>> yeah. So, no, we keep them from, you know, from about April 1st, March 15, April 1st to about the end of leaf season. So, and then we usually will lose people during this, you know, the two college kids that are going to start in May are
going to probably leave us in September. So, we're hoping we'll find another one or two during that time frame. >> But I I do feel confident on on the information given to us by our labor attorney. >> Our payroll uh individual, you know,
conferred as well. between all of us. We feel confident that we can >> I'm just concerned that >> we're going to have to benefit what they're not to it. They can't have it. >> They can't they can't have >> Well, if they can't have it, then we
>> as long as it's confirmed that they can't, you know, I don't want to make new new full-time employees and then bring out all that additional overhead. Do you have my word? >> Everybody okay with it? >> Yeah, I'm good. >> Yeah, it's not an increase. So, just >> Okay,
>> thank you. Next line is winter watch. What is this? What is winter? >> This is contractual, too. So, I think it starts um in the middle of December. So, it's like December 15th to March 15th. And contractually the officer is uh the
officer the DPW employee is um for every 16 hours of overtime a week because they're on winter watch. So winter watch is they are the first and immediate person to respond if called out by the police. >> Are they physically working or are they
just working? >> So the winter are they on call? >> Right. So say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say say there's no call during their week they still get the 16 hours of overtime. If there is a call they still get the 16 hours of overtime and they get the money for responding for however long they're here with a
minimum of two hours. So it's essentially an on call stipen for them >> and this is contractual. >> Yes. Same thing. We got to look at the contract that that's every week whether it's >> well it's during our winter season other than that's how they identify who's
responsible for coming. >> All right. Everybody okay with that? >> Yeah. It's contract. >> Moving to page 39. Um superintendent's salary. We'll skip that. >> The stipen is a stipen, right? There's no that's contractual stipen, right? Yep. >> Everybody okay with the stipens?
>> Mhm. >> Uh vacation buyback is a,000. They haven't used it, but we need it there just as a reserve if somebody does buy it back, right, Mark? Is that basically >> Yes. So, we used to fund the 1,000 for the sick leave, but no one is able to get it in their contract. You have have a certain amount of sick time before
they can sell it back. And no one's even close to that. So, that's why we unfunded or defunded that line. Uh but the vacation buyback um since I've been here honestly no one has used it but again someone contractually uh can come along so we would be obligated.
>> Is that in the trust market? >> The fund we're not >> what is what in the trust >> the the vacation buyback we we funded for the last 5 years nothing was spent right >> no it lapses in the surplus. >> Okay.
a typical what's a typical buyback on that? Any idea? >> No, I I don't remember off the top of my head. So, like it's most likely similar to police. So, the police can sell back up to 100 hours of what they have or half of what they have. >> I don't remember what the DPW can and
it's just at their hourly rate. >> John, would this make sense to put it into a trust? >> Um, I mean, you could, but it's such a it's such a low amount. I don't know if it's that that's really necessary. >> Okay.
a large amount. >> Well, if you have someone buying back hours, right? Does that acrue over time for is that just for that that particular year? >> So, I'm going to I'll just answer it. I'll just expand to answer it. Any So,
any money unused in 25 will go into reserves for 26 for bills that haven't been paid. We get a year. >> Then after that year, that will lapse into trust. >> Right. to the second year from the bud. So in 20 the beginning of 2028 2025 will lapse into
uh into surplus. So essentially I did do what you asked. I just we took it at during the AFS. So during the AFS I funded the accumulated leave trust with $25,000. So you know it doesn't specifically come
from this line or that line. It's just rather diverting and going to surplus, we put it into accumulated leave and we put it into the snow trust. That's how we did it. That's that's really the only way we can build up those trusts. So
essentially the the answer to your question is yes. It's just the explanation is not as clean as what you're you know the answer is not as clean as what you're looking for. But essentially yes. We do fund our trust by unused money from the previous two
years. >> Everybody okay with it? >> If it's in a trust, I'm okay with it. >> What's that? >> If it's in some type of trust account, >> it's not as per Mr. Corp. It's not in a trust. It's >> an account that's used solely for if we're sell if we're funding this for
buybacks, whether it's police or the DPW, it's it's somewhere we can access it readily. The $1,000 I don't get by is a lot of buy vacation time for a whole department. >> So, this this line is appropriate to be
in the budget, right? Because it's a yearly operating expense essentially. So next year we could still use that money. So say the employee wants to to wait till the end of the year to make sure they don't use any vacation.
>> Yeah. Because like why didn't we fund sick leave payout last year? There's not an explanation >> because it's the same explanation. There was no one eligible to sell back sick time. So that it makes sense. >> That one made sense to not fund it. >> So I mean if you want to take the $1,000
away, you can. But if someone comes from the DPW and wants to sell back money, I won't I won't have anything. But it's also possible that multiple people could come and I can need more than $1,000. It's just we feel the $1,000 is a safe
safe holding point. >> What's okay with it? like kind of like Steve's idea of putting this into a trust and it just constantly keeps building. >> You know, we we need an average. What's the average?
>> Well, nothing's been spent on this. >> So, it makes sense to just get rid of it. Then if you if you want to do all that work just like we did sick payout, just get rid of it. That's >> But then what do we do if someone wants to sell back even one day? >> We'll find the money somewhere else. Like we would have to
>> You guys keep saying we'll find the money, but we cut every a lot of the line items. >> Yeah. You got to give us a little something to find the money from when you ask. >> Well, we just said, Mark just said they have it they have it in TG funded with
$25,000 somewhere that you could take it out of. Was that not what you said, Mark? >> I didn't I didn't >> I misunderstood? I didn't necessarily say it like that, but there is money in the trust and it's a trust for accumulated leave. So like um I don't
want to >> would vacation by that be would that fall under accumulated leave? >> I mean essentially it could but again if you're if you're taking like even $1,000 that's $1,000 less that will eventually go in the surplus if it's unused. So,
you know, on the back end of the budget, I do want there to be money that's unused because that's how we're going to build up our surplus. >> All right, we'll leave it. >> We'll leave it for now and then we'll we'll we'll deal with that later because I think that's an issue. >> Directors is salary, which we'll skip.
We'll go to C2 license operator. That's a contract with somebody for using their license. >> Yeah, you already passed the agreement at the reorg meeting for 4,000 for that gentleman. >> Okay. Uh DVW office supplies is the same. They didn't use anything last year and they shouldn't be using that much
>> this year. Want to cut it. Move >> to cut it to five. I'll make a motion to cut it to 500. >> I'll second it. >> So motion by Steve, second by Mr. Sears to cut it $400. So minus 400.
>> Roll call. >> Councilman Cassio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. Health President. >> Yes. Dues, conferences, and meetings. Uh, same as last year. >> Everybody okay with that? >> Cut it.
>> 49. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to cut it to uh $300 to $700. >> Before you do it, are you well on the lesson? >> Um, sure. I'll listen anything. >> Thank you. If if hypothetically you're cutting these
lines because you don't see it used, then that I mean this isn't a threat, but it tells me use the money. And then if I use the money, I'm not going to have anything go into surplus. We're we're working against ourselves essentially. So I respect you for allowing me to say that. I ask you to
reconsider uh cutting it based on because you don't see the usage. It doesn't mean I might not need it this year. You know, we are encouraging DPW to better themselves and have professional development. Um, and the dues, meetings, and conferences assists us with that. It's $1,000. I don't think
you cut anyone else's. So, thank you for listening. >> Then I will not >> leave it alone. Everybody leave it alone. I'm still my motion. My motion still stands to cut 300. >> Yeah.
you know, if if if you're funding it, and this is just a general state, if you're funding something, I expect it to be used and not put it into surplus for the next year. If we're giving the taxpayers money to do something, then do
it. You know, this thing was we're putting in this surplus for next year. Yes. Is it bringing down the cost next year? Theoretically, on paper, yes. Realistically, no. because you're still charging the taxpayers for something that they're not getting they're not getting a service for.
And that's that's an issue. You know, surplus sounds great, but it's still your money that we're using in surplus. So, it's still this the same. It it was only one of my facts. My most considerable fact was to please invest into your DPW workers and allow them to
go to schools and do and be part of conferences and organizations. >> Okay. And Mark, that's okay. But then it needs more encouragement because obviously there was no encouragement in 2021 22 23 24 or 25 or 25. >> Okay.
>> So that's that's all I'm saying. If we're spending the money then spend the money. We have $1,000. Use $1,000 to get the education. Right now they're only getting half the education that they should be getting. Right. Militarily. >> It makes sense. So
>> we did make a new round of promotions for, you know, we have a new um foreman and we have two new crew chiefs. So maybe I can encourage them. So thank you. >> All right. >> They've been promoted already, Mr. >> Yes. And yep.
>> Is that public knowledge or >> Yeah, we retirement close to you. >> Yeah, we infor I I know. I I told the council it was effective January 1st. >> Moving on to page uh >> Excuse me. I'm sorry. We do with the vote. I'm sorry. >> Mr. Casio wanted to reduce it by 300.
Correct, Mr. Casio? >> I second it. >> You second it. Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Denna. >> Yes. >> Uh page 40, radio expense, $3,000 uh
requested, 3,000 recommended. We didn't buy any radios last year, Mr. Darl. No, because we still have one on order from the previous year that still hasn't come in. >> Any reason we just can't get them or >> it's it's like on back order. I have I asked Bill to, you know, check into it
periodically and uh they've been ordered since 24. >> Yeah, 24. >> Can we table this and find out? >> Yeah. Can we get more information on that from Mr. Lawler and why it's taking so long to get radios?
We're giving them, you know, we're giving them new equipment that we're not, you know, >> so it was funded for one radio in 25 and we just didn't get it. Is that what it is? >> Um, we didn't order any in 25. >> We didn't order it.
>> But we spent 1,400 26 which is still encumbered because the radio hasn't come in. >> Was that the radio from 24 or that radio came in? >> That's the radio from 24. So, did we encumber it in 24 or 25?
>> We encumbered it in 24. >> So, did we buy radios in 25 or we didn't? >> No, we did not buy radios in 25. >> Do we need radios? >> And if we do, why didn't we buy them in 25 and we gave him all this money? >> I I don't have a good answer for you.
>> Can we table that until we get an answer for Mr. Lawler, please? Can he prepare a little summary for us of what occurred? >> That's okay, Mr. Mayor some I mean it gives us less than 24 hours. So we'll try but >> we can wait till we can wait. We just we want to know why you know if we need the
radios why didn't we buy correctly isn't tomorrow night the last budget meeting. >> Well we're going to try to make it the last that's our intent is >> well I thought you going to introduce on the 6th but >> again >> maybe I'm okay >> we you know we should have a meeting you know three nights and we so um we'll
we'll hopefully get an answer. Can we just get an answer? >> I can text them. What's the question? >> Why didn't we buy if we needed radio? You know, we put a request in in 25 for these radios and we put a request in in 24 for these radios and we didn't buy any. So, why didn't we buy any?
If we need them, we need them. Right. We We just said we want to better the men and the women of the department by sending them to training and if they need new radios, they need new radios. So, we should buy them for them. >> Right. Is that a fair statement? >> Yeah. >> No, I don't think it is. that you're trying to use my words against me and I think it's two different things. No
professional development and buying a radio. >> No, but they need radios, right? >> If you want to unfund it, unfund it. I'll text them. >> All right. >> We'll table it till the end and we'll come back to it. Training, um, it's the same as last year. I'm okay. They spent all almost all the money last year in training. I'm okay with it. Everybody okay?
>> Yep. >> Uh, sign expense. Are we okay with that amount going down so much, Mr. D Carlo? >> Uh, those are all stops. >> Yeah, last year it was a stop sign. incentive program. >> Okay. So, we're okay with that, gentlemen. >> Y
>> uh uniform rentals, that's a contractual agreement. >> Y >> uh uniform and safety equipment. Uh >> so, we got 1350. >> I'm okay with that. >> You're okay with it? Okay. >> Oxygen and fire extinguishers. Any
reason why it's we're asking for so much and it's such a low cost, Mr. Darl? Oh, >> I'm sorry, sir. What line are we on? >> Oxygen and fire extinguishers. And what what was the question? >> We only spent $140 last year. We're asking for 2,000. >> I mean, that's you know, generally what
we >> don't know. Is that a cyclical like every two years? >> It is. Isn't it every year? >> Extinguish every year. Unfortunately though, sometimes you may need hydroatic testing to the extinguisher which cost more money or if you have to replace the
extensions depending on the extinguisher anywhere between >> you can't take it from the a he can't talk from the audience. >> Everybody okay with it? >> Well, let me ask you this question. You know, there's
I'm looking for the last three years, four years. Say three years. Could they live with 1,500 for this year? Minus 500. >> Is that your motion, Mr.?
>> Yes. >> I'll second. >> So, we're reducing it $500. >> Yes. >> Okay. We have a motion for Mr. Seconded by Mr. Casio for reducing it to 1500. Roll call. >> Councilman Casio.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Denno. >> Yes. Facilities maintenance and repairs. Uh 44,000. It went up by 4,000. New window and building department 4,000. And new sink in men's room in
town hall. Replacement of water fountain outside council chambers. $4,000 for a new sink. >> No, it's three things. It's the window. >> The window is $4,000. >> The window is $4,000. >> I was going to say it has a big crack in the glass lengthwise in the building
department >> and glass has fallen from it. >> Is it is it the entrance window like when you go to the building department or is it >> building? >> Oh, it's a physical building. >> Somebody smashed >> and it's not You don't think it was broken like by damage or something? Mr.
insurance. >> The crack is actually on the inside. >> Pieces of glass are falling on the inside. >> All right. Everybody okay with that? >> Yep. >> Janitorial supply stays the same as last year. Everybody okay with that? We kind of almost had them now. >> Yep.
>> Uh equipment purchases um stays the same as last year. Everybody okay with that? >> Was that like hand tools Mark and stuff like that? >> Let me just look. Sorry, I'm trying to keep up. Yes. All kinds of stuff. Everybody okay with that? >> Yep. Okay.
>> DBW Miscellaneous uh went up $1,000 increase in drug and alcohol testing Valley Health System. >> Yes. So all of our stuff. So like our new hires um when they have our you know the uh I guess the physical to get hired um and
the periodic um random drug and alcohol testing went up too. So that extra $1,000 is anticipated to be uh sucked up all by the um the drug and alcohol testing. >> Mr. D Carlo, uh the periodic testing for
all our employees, is that randomly generated by who generates that? >> Uh Valley. We contract with Valley. So they'll call me and be like, >> "Hey, such and such has to show up." >> Yeah. They'll be like, "We're coming tomorrow morning. It's going to be this person, this person." And >> Oh, they come here and do it. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Do they just do
particular departments like do they do police? >> The police deal with their own stuff and they have to use the state New Jersey state toxicology lab. >> Uh we use Valley is our contractor. >> But is that for all employees? DPW
>> just just DOT license just um CDL license >> just CDL regular employees. So like so like the seasonals are not part of it. >> Okay. >> And neither are the admin like the staff inside. No, it's only someone that will drive a CDLV. >> Okay, thank you. Fine. Thank you. I'm
okay with it. Everybody okay with it? >> Yes. >> Uh drainage repairs, 14,000 requested is the same as last year. We spent almost all of it last year. We have been getting them repaired, which is something we needed to be doing. So, everybody okay with that? >> Yep.
>> Other equipment rental. We haven't used this in two years. Um is this when we were renting the back hose and stuff, Mr. Darl, or the loader? It's another one of those that we keep it there just in case, you know, again, I can't think of a a good um
example right now. Uh but it is a nice buffer. I >> I think it used to be uh like if the piece of equipment that we own went down during leaf season for any length of time where we had to rent something during the season to replace it. I believe that was where this came from. >> I'm good with it. You ready to go with
it? >> Y >> tree removal town property. Um, it's the same as last year, but I was hoping it would come down. I figured we got rid of a lot of the dead canopy. Haven't haven't we done a good job at getting rid of a lot of it, Mr. >> We have done a a lot coming down.
>> Is there still a lot more to come down or >> I would like to drop it 4,000. >> Yeah. It's storm driven also. >> Yeah. >> But I but I remember we like when we first started this, there was a lot of dead >> made a lot of progress. >> Yeah. There was a lot of dead canopies all around our >> park. I'm not disputing that. Yeah.
>> You want to cut it 4,000 this year? >> So, you make a motion for that? >> I make a motion uh to cut 4,000. >> I'll second it. So, we're making this 40,000. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Council.
>> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Hardware and paint 2250 is the same as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Road repairs, same thing as last year. It's tough to guide, right? >> Yes.
>> Uh salt and brine. Salt is $78 a ton. Co-op price is $100 to $200 a storm. 50 ton comes from county per event. Brine is 50 cents a gallon, roughly 1,200 gallons a storm. Calcium chloride assisted salt to be more effective at lower temperatures. So, we're looking to
raise this by $7,500. >> And we've already spent 12,000. >> We've already spent half of 122,000 to date. And this is still part of the agreement we have who with another town. >> Well, we just we just uh council just approved the brine with Hawthorne. Okay.
>> The salt is the county >> and we spent 12,000 to date as of today on salt and brine. >> Yes, sir. So, I do have an update if you don't mind on uh it seems like the radio did come in for the truck. It's not must be coincidental. I don't think he's
lying. And uh he does say that they would like to buy two more this year. I haven't gotten an answer as to why we didn't buy anything last year, though. This was for the DPW radios. >> All right. So, just we'll come back to that. >> Okay. >> So, on Salt and Brian, everybody okay with the increase of $7,500?
>> Um yes, >> we've already spent Mr. Mr. Cass, you okay? >> Yeah. >> All right. Moving on. DPW sewer expenses. Uh same as last year. We spent about $8,200 last year. Everybody okay with that? >> Yes.
>> Moving on to page 42. Uh DPW street sweeping 28,000. 28,000. That's the new contract with uh our new with Emerson, right? >> We use Emerson the most. They went up $100 this year. >> Do we still use Pamis when we can or no? Or we don't
>> was in our in our cadgery of options. Um and so is the county, but we generally use Emerson. >> Did it start yesterday as per the game? >> It did. Do we know where it started? >> On Lyndon. >> On Lyndon. >> Yeah. >> And they pay to get rid of the waste, right?
>> Uh no, we don't. >> We do. We do. Part of that, but that's including that. >> So, it's 5,100 to do it and then we have to pay um to get rid of the waste, but you know, they're they do a good job. >> Yeah. Didn't a resident just email us
today or yesterday saying what a good job the person driving did. They able to loop back around because they saw they just didn't pick something up and they did a second pass. >> All right, everybody okay with that? >> Moving on to recycling. Uh Sally and Wade, the recycling coordinator. It's an
increase of $200 due to amount of work and responsibility involved. Proper completion of this job assures our grants for recycling and clean communities. >> I do want to uh give you um some explanation on this. When you see it on the salary chart, I just don't want
there to be a misconception. When you see it on the the salary ordinance, I'm going to ask there's two people that do it. Um I'm going to ask for 1,400 for the one because there is significantly more paperwork that that individual does
and I'm going to ask for 600 uh for the second person. >> So you changing this request? >> No, I just I can pay for some of it with our grant. >> Oh. So, I only, you know, I didn't want to hit the budget with it. So, I but I also didn't want to rob more money from the grant line. So, I'm respectfully
requesting to go from a,000 to 1,200. If we had to pay the county to do this, we're looking at $4,000. So, we're, you know, uh supporting in our in our two employees gets us get us it for about half the price. The reason why I want to increase for the one employee
is um there is now a responsibility to fill out paperwork for clean communities which hadn't had to be done and we have to go back like numerous years. So it's not just a one-year request. I will continue to ask um again, you know, it
is an increase, but $1,400 is a is an excellent cost to pay for our person to do it as in compared to the county that would charge about $4,000 to do it. So, I just didn't want you to think that I didn't give you all the information. So this this line is only asking for an
increase from 1,200. But when you do see the salary ordinance, you will see a total of about 2,000 being spent on this, but 1,200 will be from tax dollars and the other 800 will come from the grant line.
>> Should it all come from the grant line? >> I mean, it certainly could, but then, you know, then it's like a shell game at certain point. Then I'll have, you know, like I I use the grants to supplement for the brush, the vegetative pickup, and then the
recycling pickup. You know what I mean? So, >> all right. >> I I know this the new state D requirements are more stringent now, and they want us to be more precise in what we're actually picking up. Um, it's just
going to get worse with D coming down there. >> Everybody okay with this? Yes, I am. >> Recycling paper and plastic curb fees. Uh 2026 contract with GA is 174,000 for curbside pickup. Gator recycling drop off estimated at 20,000 to be partially
offset by the recycling time grant. Can you explain that, Mr. Car? >> Yes. And uh before I do that, I just do want to thank the council for supporting our recycling coordinators. I that is much appreciated. So, um, over the last couple years, we have supplemented what we've asked for in the budget by unused
grant lines for clean communities and the recycling tonnage grant. As I've reported to the council, it's dwindling. So, we still have a little bit to to supplement, but that's why uh it has gone up. So, this line is for GADA to
pick it up. And then we we used to bring it to Atlantic Coastal. we made um an agreement with GADA to bring it to their facility and we we did that in about September and we started saving money. So for GADA alone it the
contractual price the bid award is for 174,000 and we're estimating the drop off to be about 20,000. So, of course, that would be $194,000, but I'll be able to offset that with $10,000 in the recycling tonnage grant.
And you'll see that line a little further down. So, this is the pickup and drop off of recycled materials, cans, glass, plastics, etc. >> Are we okay with the increase?
I guess we have no other choice. >> Why bother recycling? We save a lot of money. >> Yeah. >> Anyway, >> yeah. >> Good. Okay. >> We're good. >> Leaf and brush disposal fees. Uh this is a big hit. Um says need $100,000 to be
offset by $45,000 in grants. >> Same explanation, sir. >> So we're spending 100,000 for the year. >> Yes. >> Have we all last year? Last year we got $75,000 of grants. You're saying, Mr. D? >> Yeah. >> So, we had unused money in uh all the
unused money from grants for um uh recycling tonnage has been used up. The what I'm supplementing with uh with the previous budget line is coming from the budget. There's nothing in the grant lines. The 45,000 that I'm suggesting to
supplement for this line. Some of it is coming from grant lines and some of it's being introduced um in the budget as a clean community grant, meaning it's a grant for this year and the grant lines were unused grants from previous years. That's what that means. H >> has the administration reconsidered uh
dumping down that cherry field the leaves and and debris that would save us a lot of money and time. >> Yeah, we're still looking into the options. That is certainly one of them. >> Thank you. Yep. >> Everybody okay with this?
>> Yes. >> Moving on to page 43. Recycling green team. 10,500 was requested. We only spent about 8,000 the prior years. >> I'm going to drop that five. >> 5,000. >> 500.
>> Oh, 500. I thought you was taking one for the team. Grand >> I really appreciate that. >> Yes. >> So, Mr. has made a motion to reduce it by $500. >> Yeah, I'll second it.
>> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Council President Denno. >> Yes. >> Uh the reason why I'm doing that is we got the $600 mini grant from the county. >> Well, there you go. >> All right.
>> Thank you, Mr. Ser. uh DPW HBAC maintenance and repairs. >> Uh it's increased from last year uh $3,000. >> So that's what's anticipated. That's what we spent last year. >> Does that include this building? Because we don't have a DBW building, right?
That's what we >> Yeah, it's it's just under the DPW line. So it's HVAC maintenance and repairs. And this is a control line. So rather than do a transfer um because of over encumbering it, the extra expenses that
I couldn't pay for in this line were paid for under the DPW um facility maintenance line. So I'm trying to fund it appropriately with what's expected to be spent on HVAC repairs. We've already had a bunch in the police department this year and HVAC
is heating and cooling obviously. Um, and we also pay uh I think $3,900 for the the service contract with Whailing and I that comes out of here as well. >> Everybody okay with the increase? >> I'm good. >> Yeah.
>> Uh DBW Equipment Storage Rental. Um Mr. Corkin, I had a question for you on this. Shouldn't the lease of the uh property at Bethany go toward the capital expense of the building since it's part of the building construction? We won't have the money. Remember I
encumbered all the money uh that was available. Okay. >> So that's the the 69600 is the full one-year lease at Bethany. >> Yes, sir. >> Or is that for >> what? It's for one year. >> Oh, because it's Oh, yeah. Because it doubled from I'm thinking of the church
lease. Yeah. >> I guess we've gone through these numbers already, gentlemen. So, would everybody okay with it since we've already >> signed the contract for it? Page 44, uh, first one was done already for police vehicle tires. Uh, fire vehicle tire is the same as last year. They spent about
1,400. Last year, they're asking for 1,500 this year. Everybody okay with it? >> What are you doing, Tom? >> Um, Tom can't vote on it. So, no, as long as we're okay with it, Steve and I, we're good. Uh, DPW vehicles tires 14,000 is requested and recommended. the
same as last year. >> Everybody okay with it? >> They're really not spending the 14. >> 14, >> right? They're spending >> 14 four uh four eight and nine. >> I'll take two grand then.
>> Mhm. >> I'll make a motion to make it 12 >> 12,000 12,000 >> 12 good with it. You'll >> second it. Yes. Roll call. Mowski. Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears.
>> Yes. Council >> President Denn. >> Yes. >> Police vehicles uh equipment and repairs 30,000 requested 30,000 recommended. We tabled this. If capital is approved for vehicles can be reduced to 23,000. >> Uh the chief just he corrected me and
said he'd feel at 25. So if you if you were going to give him the side job vehicles asked for in capital, then he would felt comfortable bringing it down 5,000. Otherwise, he respectfully requested to keep it at 30 because >> All right, let's skip this one until we have a full council because I know that
makes sense. Uh equipment and repairs for buyer vehicles, 30,000 requested. Um they spent a little bit over that last year. I'm okay with it. >> I'm fine. >> We definitely need it. DPW vehicle equipment and repairs 95,000 requested. It's a little bit more than last year,
but we spent a little bit more last year on budget. Everybody okay with it? >> Oh, good. >> I don't know. >> New vehicles. >> No, these are not new vehicles. These are equipment and repairs. >> I'm saying, do we have new new vehicles where the repairs may be less? That's what I'm saying.
>> Oh, I see what you're saying. >> So, if we got new vehicles, there should be less repairs. >> We we did not. We're waiting for a new garbage truck, but it hasn't come in yet. When do you anticipate that coming more? >> It the way we purchased this garbage truck, like the first one we got came really quickly because it was on the
line. It was already uh completely built. This is coming in two different sections. Like I think it's the body and the chassis. >> One of them is in. We're not anticipating getting it maybe until the fall, but again, I you know, it could be sooner, it could be later.
>> All right. So, next year we may be able to reduce this. Okay. Um, community services act. That's where we make our contribution for the water, fire hydrants, the street lights, and the condo complexes. Right, Mr. Carlin? Right. That's what it says. >> Yes. >> That's good. Moving on to page 45.
Department of Health. Uh, the health registar. >> That's a salary. >> That's a that's a contractual salary. >> No, no, no. It it it's a salary line is what I'm telling you. So, it >> all Let's skip that then. All right. Let's skip that. Part-time secretary. All those are meeting fees. We can go to
that one, right? So, um, health secretary meeting fees$170. Uh, increase from $125 per meeting to $150 per meeting for consistency. It's a $125 ad. Everybody okay with it? >> Thank you.
>> Moving to page 46. Uh, health office supplies. Same. They spent almost 200 last year. Everybody okay with that? >> I'm good. >> Yeah. >> Uh, health dues, meetings, and conferences. a $25 increase. Um, they
spent $391 last year. >> Can the uh record reflect that Mr. Alman joined us at 7:45. >> Good evening, Mr. Alman. >> Good evening. >> We are on page 46. Mr. Get settled. >> Uh, everybody okay with that line?
>> Yes. >> Uh, health consulting non-legal 54,840. That's a contractual with Northwest Bergen. Okay. Everybody okay with that? >> Did we go out and and bid on that for the consultant with anyone else
>> with the or >> we didn't go out to bid if you don't mind help me. I know like a couple years ago >> the county >> the county couple years ago they they wanted to introduce a very significant
increase all at once and with working with us they agreed to phase it in over a couple years. Um, so I mean I I guess professionally, you know, it was very much appreciated from as a municipality that they did that. Um, but to specifically answer your question, no,
we did not. But I believe it's under a professional service. That's why we didn't have to go out to bid. >> Okay. But we haven't checked back with the county. Were the county significantly more? >> Well, what what year? Isn't there like a three-year agreement? >> It is. >> Yeah. >> So, is this the final year of the
three-year agreement? >> The final year of the three-year agreement. great extra real. >> All right. Uh child healthcare well baby clinic. U this is something new. This is also >> well we have
>> not that she asked for but you help we we for for a number of years we had a contract with Hillsdale. They had their child healthcare contract with us and they decided the middle of I think it was the middle of last year they decided they weren't going to do it anymore. So, we kind of lost out for anybody to go to
this. This is for people who can't afford their medical and their place to go to get there. It's for up to, I believe, six years old, seven years old. >> I'm okay with it. >> Everybody okay with it? It's $665, you know. >> Uh, health advisory board. Uh, 2500
requested, 2500 recommended. It's a decrease of $500. What is this for, Mr. uh Car Mowski? What is this money for? Hope your name. >> Wasn't this to do like the posters or something last year? >> Your counsel was for the support to
mayor's wellness last year. >> Wasn't this for the posters? The >> It was the black >> the black poster. >> I forget. There was a reason we couldn't do it. They either stopped doing it for under certain circumstances that we didn't meet. Uh hence that would that is
part of the reduction. Uh I forget if there's something in the miscellaneous part that better describes Nothing yet. >> No, there's there was there was nothing with us. >> We're at the bottom. >> No, I'm there.
>> It's you're in the room. >> I was looking to see what else was there. >> I appreciate that. >> Make a motion. >> I'll make a motion. Minus500. >> Okay. $2,000. Yes.
>> Anybody second it? >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. Uh top of page 47. Animal control
officer 13,620. I guess is a contractual uh contract. Mr. Dro. >> Yes. >> This for TA. Is this for TA? >> It is. So we add and we just so you know we um add a little bit for the road cleanups when there's a deceased animal on the road. So you know most of that
like 99% of that is contractual but we added a little bit. I think it's $60 a pickup. So that's familiar. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You added $120 so two pickups I guess. >> All right. >> Do I get paid for taking the squirrels off the street? Cuz I >> no bury them all the time backyards.
>> No. Uh going into recreation, the superintendent's contractual is a salary. So I'll skip that. Um we'll go to teen program 4500. Is that with is that the teen program with Hills with Westwood? Excuse me. >> It is. >> Is that a contractual amount now with
the amount of extra hours? >> I can't tell you it's contractual. Some of it is. So the one contract 500 of it is for the agreement we we agree to pay and it's supposed to go towards equipment. What is usually kind of up in the air is
um how many >> participants, right? >> Yes. So, obviously the participants don't pay, but this money boards goes towards paying I guess what you'd call like a counselor. >> Yeah. >> You know, so it's uh it helps to pay. So, we pay 40% of the the counselor's
salaries and Westwood pays 60%. >> Okay. I'm okay with it. Everybody okay with it? >> I'm good. >> Thank you. Going to page 48. Uh, recreation copier expense. That's a contractual thing.
>> Yes. >> Recreation miscellaneous. Uh, 2,000 requested, 2,000 recommended. Everybody okay with that? >> 83. >> That's fine. No, I think that's good.
going to need more because >> even though it's miscellaneous, it play it pays for the SNAP. That's $500 off the bat. Uh it get allows the individual to go to training, attend the the league of municipalities in the fall, potentially buy supplies. The reason why
there's some unspent is he didn't go to the league this last year, you would have seen it closer to the 2000. It also gives me a buffer when I can't accurately estimate how much the team program is going to need to >> everybody. Okay.
>> What does the We have a SNAP coordinator. >> No, it's we have a SNAP program. It's a special needs um assistance program. >> Moving on. Uh online registration site. This is for the community pass site, Mr.
>> Yes, sir. That's contractual. >> That's contractual price. Yes. >> All right. Golden Senior Activities, uh, 22,500. Same as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> I'm good with it. >> Everybody okay? Uh, senior exercise program 3,200. Uh, same as last year.
Everybody okay with it? >> Good. >> Yep. That completes page 48. Moving to page 49. Uh, parks building maintenance 10,000. >> Excuse me, Mike. Yes. I'm sorry. Um, just back to the gold and senior activities. >> Yes. Do we know what
where what's that? >> We should have an audit trail, right? >> It's yoga. >> No, not the one before that yoga. I see. >> What did he ask? >> Activities. >> 371000. Golden senior activities. >> Do we know what? Because we they're just
two allocations. Do we know what they use this for? >> So, um, mayor, if you know a better answer, I can answer you why there's only two allocations. >> I'll pivot. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. No, you you start. >> So, we do two allocations because again
here, you know, in the township, we have the purchasing rules that we have to follow. And what we are seeing over the last couple years is sometimes um events or activities were being um scheduled and then we were getting invoices after
the service or merchandise was acquired, which um is against our purchasing rules. you have to have the purchase order beforehand. So what we do is we write the two checks. One would be the temporary budget amount and once the budget is completed, we issue the check
to the Golden Seniors. So they manage their money. So >> who manages their money? >> The Golden Seniors. They have >> How is that allowed? >> Because it's a it's an organization. We write the check to them and they >> And you can equate it to say what we do
for the ambulance contribution. Oh, >> because also uh no disrespect to the seniors, they were having trouble keeping up with all the paperwork that had to be submitted to town. Um and so it made everyone's life easier which I
know you know >> who audits that miss does that need to be audited their account because it's a >> again we don't audit the ambulance once we give it to them. >> No, the ambulance to us. So the seniors >> Golden seniors are so we are funding their activity.
>> Correct. >> They get 225 from the township and they operate without oversight. Correct. And it it was a you can see in the history it was kind of agreed to in 2023
by that council um that you know that we've been carrying it forward 24 25. So this isn't anything new. We've been doing it for the if you include this year the past 3 years. >> I thought I I I apologize because I thought it I know in the past we'd have an audit trail with all the bills and
they would add up to a certain amount. That's I I didn't realize this what we that's my bad. But don't we like what you were saying, Mayor. Uh like the ambulance court get gives us that they're audited, right? Don't they >> financial? We never finances. >> I thought we did. >> No.
>> Okay. >> All right. Um so can we ask for the financials? Can we ask for what they spent this on? I guess that would be a Mr. Corkran question, right? >> Well, I I think it would be the mayor to
direct me. >> I I mean, we can, you know, but I'd like the council to take a vote on it. I don't want to do it just based on one council member asking for it. >> Can you hear it? >> What's that? >> I mean,
>> I mean, we can answer it. I would say going forward, uh, I don't know if they kept records knowing that they were going to have to answer. >> Well, I don't mean to put you on the spot, Mr. Mr. Sears, but everything you do with the with the green team, doesn't it get spent by the town or we cut you a check to the green?
>> No, no, no. I go through the administration. >> Okay. I I just want >> We can ask them going forward. I I don't think it's reasonable to ask them what they weren't anticipating. It could be a lot of work for their treasurer uh to recreate something. But if we say going forward, we'd like to see it.
>> But should they have a checkbook that shows the expenses going out? >> Yeah, but um I think they also get income from other >> places. And so it that's what I mean like it's coingle. So if we ask this year going forward, >> I
>> I think we could ask for 24 or uh >> we could ask if they don't have it, they don't have it. I I would I >> motion or however we want to do it uh like to ask >> for the 25 uh financial activity for the
golden seniors. >> How would they >> how would they do it? They would open the checkbook >> and show what they've done. >> I mean, >> but but let's say they had 30 grand in income altogether from other sources, including this. How are they going to
identify which 22 was from town spent money? >> Understanding it's funible, but you know, we're funding them at a rate on the assumption that they're using it to fund their activities.
I think we should there should be some transparency there. >> Are you concerned there could be a surplus there? >> Surplus? I you know I have no idea. I mean we're giving them basically a blank
check for 22,500. I'm just asking what's happening with the money. >> I would be okay if they just put together a program of what their anticipated costs were. >> Like hey like this D whatever this is going to cost us $1,000 and this is
going to cost us a trip here is 8,000. Seasons are going to cost us. >> That's for a budget per se. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Is everybody okay with that? Is every Mr. Man is not satisfied until we get that started. >> I don't know that they can do it in time to get this approved. >> No, not we're we're going to approve it
anyway this year. Okay. There's no doubt about it. >> But I'll ask them for and then we could ask for more later, but >> Correct. Right. Okay. >> I mean, they do know what programs they did last year and they knew they should know the estimated cost. where the money came from at this point doesn't matter because like you said I mean if they
come back to us and they say they've spent 40,000 last year because they got 17,500 in private donations that's fine but I think if they spent 15 what did they do with the other 7500 in the tax money? >> I'm I'm fine with that. Yep. Okay. >> And then Mr. Alman once we get that we
can proceed further. >> I mean it makes sense. >> Right. Are you okay with that or you want to you want to you want to make a motion to ask for it now? No, I I understand what what you're asking for. >> I'm talking to Mr. Alman because Mr. Alman made a motion. >> Nobody seconded it, but
>> I'll take the motion off. >> I think we could bring it up later, right? >> Of course. >> All right. Uh parks, building maintenance, 10,000 requested, 10,000 recommended. It's the same as last year. We spent 8,200 close to 8,200 last year.
Everybody okay with it? Um, >> this is for >> building maintenance >> parks. I'm good with it. >> Everybody else okay with what's wrong with you?
>> Well, I mean, we spent 2500 on a deductible. Um, not sure that's going to be recurring. So, uh, I assume there was damage and we had to cover something.
>> I think it was the electrical lines if I remember correctly that were damaged on Memorial Field >> for the lights. >> Yeah. Yeah. It was the guy that was doing the re infield rehabilitation. >> Yeah. Am I correct? They weren't
properly marked out or something. We since fixed the ride. So, and I would motion to uh bring it down to 8,000. Make a motion to bring the line down to
8,000. >> Reduce it by We >> by two. >> We're on building maintenance, you're saying. >> Correct. >> Bring it down to 8,000 or bring it down to 2,000. >> Bring it bring it down 2,000. >> To 8,000. So minus $2,000.
I'll say roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councelman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Council President Denna. >> Yes. Parkfield maintenance expenses. Uh
65,000 requested 65,000 recommended. It's uh matching what was actually spent last year and it's need to repair sprinkler box for $3,000. Do we know where that is, Mr. Darl? >> Yes. at Memorial Field and there may be more than one >> more than one sprinkler box.
>> There may be. Yeah. >> Are these field box like in the ground? >> Yeah. The sprinkler box. You remember we work off of uh >> Yep. That's what shut down summer camp sprinklers, right? >> Yeah. >> Well, how did they >> How are they getting damaged so badly that we need to repair them?
>> I don't know that it's getting damaged. >> Oh. >> Are we okay with the $5,000 increase? Yes, >> I'm okay. This is >> Sure. >> Portable bathrooms. It's a price
increase. Uh we spent So, we got a new contract with the bathroom vendor. I guess the portable bathroom vendor report increase. >> No, we didn't get a new uh new rates, but it's not contract. Just remember, depending on the weather, we may put them out sooner >> and later. >> And later.
>> Yeah. Everybody okay with it? Thank you. >> Field striping went down $700. Everybody okay with that? >> We uh I asked why we didn't spend as much is because we had a surplus of it. The surplus is gone and we've already spent almost $2,500 this year so far out
of that line. >> Okay. >> All right. Okay. >> Everybody okay with it? >> Yes. >> Uh library contribution due um the bottom of page 49. It went up uh $61,000 close to it. Uh that's a contractual.
>> You see the note on the following page. Yeah, it's a state formula. >> The state formula went up amount provided by New Jersey state formula based on equalized value. >> Wow. >> I hate the state. >> Everybody library >> uh your library
>> library improvements to buildings? None. Uh holiday celebrations and remembrances. 9,000 requested, 9,000 recommended. It's the same as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> Good with it. >> Town day. Uh 10,000 requested, 10,000
recommended, 5,000 was used last year. Um >> so if you remember, we supplemented it with the trust for celebration of public events. >> Yep. And then so um anticipating to use
money from that same trust for our 250th celebration, we're now asking to fully uh fund the town day. >> What say you, gentlemen? >> I'm good with it.
It's a great event. Was there any thought to combining those days? Town had the 250. >> Mr. Alman's asking if we wanted to combine the two. >> Yeah, that's what Mike was just talking
about. >> Yeah, I was talking about that. You know, >> I'm just asking if it was it was discussed that, you know, we feel that uh the 250th deserves its own celebration. Uh, and Town Day, you know, has been a 15-year tradition now, plus
or minus that, you know, we're we're hoping to just make the 250, you know, what it deserves, not take away from town day. I would give it what it deserves for the 250. >> Everybody okay with it? >> I am. >> I'd really like to see it combined to be
quite honest with you. you know the town is in United States so we could we'll do it together you know I think having two celebrations might be a little bit um you know each uh each
day would be a little bit less attended because there's two so I I would tend to think you should just combine them. That's my that's my opinion. >> I promise we wouldn't ask again till the 300th celebration. >> Uh Peter, you're not going to be here. I'm not asking. Thank you very much. I
get I hope I am. It would be nice. >> But uh you know so >> all right moving on. >> So we leave at 10,000. >> Nobody made a motion. So we're moving on. Um ESB electricity. What's that? >> It's staying. >> It's Yeah.
>> ESB electricity uh 26 re uh requested 26,000 recommended. PSEG rate increase. Everybody's seen their electric bills go crazy, >> beyond crazy. >> So, we spent that much money last year on our electric bills for the ESP
building. Uh DBW building, electricity, none uh electricity, street lights, traffic um control devices, PSEG rate increases, 131,000 recommended and requested. I guess Mr. Dalo, I have a I have a
favor to ask. >> Uh oh. H my pet peeve are are lights that we're paying in this line item that are out. So I don't know if we could put a public service announcement, a Nixl announcement for residents to if you have a street light in front of your house and it's out. We're paying for
that street light to be on. And like last night I I walked around the lake and I found 10 of them that are out and it was it was darkness. It wasn't early. And it's it's it it like you know I look at this 131,000 saying hey PSG is
getting this money whether they're on or off. >> Do you get the phone numbers? >> I I I did not have anything to write with and I'm too busy >> doing my ta sheet for my arm so I couldn't write down. >> Um >> I I think I can ask the chief of police
to see if patrol could look at him. >> Yeah. cuz I mean like just around >> edit PSA. >> Yeah, but we do a PSA also and maybe put out an alert or something cuz it's a shame because the lights would make a big difference in the eboard. Yeah, >> the PSA that we do at the meeting, right? >> Yeah. All right.
>> Do we know anybody from public service that could assist? >> Well, we just got to tell they're going to just say what what poll numbers they are. Yeah. >> Yeah. It's that simple, >> right? That's what they're going to say, right? What poll numbers are. >> You can't climb the pole, Tom. Yeah. >> Those days are over. All right. Um, >> is this is this electricity
>> electricity? >> It's it's everything other than town hall police. >> It's all the lights on the streets and the traffic signals. Mr. >> Everything. >> Well, so does it include or does it exclude town hall?
>> It excludes town hall. I believe I see if we started to zero it out then we combined it. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> In the prior line. >> What did I say something different? >> Right. We took from here down to there also. >> Yeah, we traffic controls when we had
the old >> a few lines for electricity. >> I just want the only reason I'm at I'm looking at the >> No, I'm sorry. It does it. It's all electricity except for the ESB. So, it's all the playgrounds, recreation grounds, the tall lights at memorial, all the
>> It's everything, right? >> Everything. It's everything. >> Yeah. Because we got rid of all the except for ESB, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Moving on. Uh, administrative office telephones 37,000 requested, 37,000 recommended. It is a reduction.
We had a We went over this line last year, Mr. D. Carlo, right? And I think it's >> Yes. >> A one time hit or something. >> Uh, no, it wasn't a one-time hit. We had problems. Remember, we switched from Inner Globe to uh I can't think of who the new company is right now. >> Quick Copper.
>> Quick Copper. >> Yeah. And we had issues with Interglo releasing our lines. We just say the phone number. >> I had to get Miss Bailey involved. >> Oh, so she charged time for this.
>> No, no, it's just I was anticipating saying stop paying inner globe say March 1st. >> Double. It was overlap. >> Yes, there was overlap. And >> so we're not we're not anticipating that. >> No. No. >> Everybody okay? >> Yep. >> That closes out page 51. Moving to page
52. >> Uh, >> this is all, just so you know, too, that's like all internet. We're just calling it the telephone lines. It's >> It's all our internet, our telephones, our internet lines, our backup internet, all that. >> Uh, ESB gas. Uh, >> I think it skipped the water. Water at
the top. >> Oh, sorry. Water. Uh, water at the top of page 52. 20,000 recommended, 20,000 requested. It's, uh, the bill pretty much what we spent last year. >> Can I tell you something before you vote on this? Not that I'm asking for an increase, but if you remember Miss Wikowski sent out, I think something
from Violia, they're asking for a price increase of almost 10%. And I spoke with our representative. So what they do is they go to I forget what the >> BP Yeah, public utilities board. You know, obviously they don't know. They're
asking like 9.6%. They don't know what it's going to be, but they think if it does go into effect, whatever raise, it won't be till September. So, I just wanted to advise you that if I may have to ask for, you know, a transfer, I want you to be aware, but it did not affect
our fire hydrants. So, fire hydrant water did not go up when you go back to that. >> Okay. 18,000 last year, 20,000 this year due to the increase possibly. So, everybody okay with that? >> Mark, just a quick question. Um, do you know if when they get the your actual
number, is that gallons used or is that just >> is it a rate? I want to say I hope I'm not saying something stupid. I think it's almost like measured in cubic feet or something. >> Yeah, cubic feet, right? >> But I'm saying are we using >> three times more? >> Well, go from a lot of this has to do
with the fields. So all the fields are in this. So if you remember the well went down at Memorial for significant like bunch of weeks >> during the drought. So we had to use um you know >> street water. >> Street water >> at Memorial. So, you know, if anything,
I would tell you it's the fields and depending on what kind of drought there is and how long it is. It's not I don't see it, you know, from like, you know, all of a sudden we're letting a faucet run or, you know, there's a a broken >> No, no, no, no, no. That's not was my my
question. Are we using more water now minus the incident with the fields than we have in the past? >> Yes, absolutely. because we used to not sprinkle any of the fields until Mr. uh got involved and we started getting all those repairs made.
>> What is the condition of the well, the pump and everything fixed? Yeah, that's why you saw some of that um expense. I think it was the the fields, you know, what was 65,000 last year. We had spent a bunch of money on
the on the uh the well repairunch and they put a million gallons up. >> All right. Uh moving on. ESB gas natural 8,000 was spent last request last year 11,000 this year based on the expenses and the rate increase from public
service. Everybody okay with that? >> Yes. >> Town hall gas same reasoning. We spent 13799 last year. They're asking for 14,000. Everybody okay with that? >> Yeah. >> Sanitary sewer fees. Uh >> you got to reduce that. Sorry, I can't wait to say that.
>> You're going to reduce reduce it big time. >> Go ahead. >> Uh to 941. I think it should be 55,000 if the math is right. >> So reducing it 941 >> 55,000. With that good news, I was
wondering if the council wanted to go back to all the lines they reduced and >> restore them. >> What's that? No, nothing. >> You should have let me do that first. >> All right, everybody okay with that? >> Yeah. 941 should be the number. >> Roll. >> Hold on. What line you want?
>> Uh, sanitary sewer fees BC bottom 52. Got Okay, that's >> This is an actual bill that came in, isn't it, Mark? >> Yes. So, it they told me it was supposed to come in um in the middle of February and we only got it like when I sent it out to the county. >> It's a change. >> It's something that's coming. It's a
bill that was received. >> Okay, moving on. >> We have to vote on that one. >> Page 53. Uh sanitary sewers other than BCUA75,000. Hillsdale Paramis Ridgewood increase of $75 a unit at 89 units for 75,000. Everybody okay with that?
>> Yeah. Uh, we did police gasoline diesel, fire department gasoline diesel. >> Are we missing bills? >> Yes. >> This is the one that always comes late, right? Millsale is always late, right? >> Yeah. Remember I looked I printed this out February 10th and this was all, >> you know.
>> Do we know if it's been if everything's caught up? >> Yes. Yes, sir. Yeah. >> Do we know how much we spent? >> Just just about under the 75,000. I can get you the exact number, but the 75,000 will be accurate because of that. >> I don't remember. >> Three years. We don't have anything
coming online with uh >> I don't even know what it's called. >> Filmore. >> Frank Filillmore. >> Frankton. >> Is that >> coming online to >> No, it won't be in 2026. >> But is it or is it?
>> No, it'll come to us. >> Well, sometimes when it borders it goes to Hocus or it goes to >> We pay for it one way or another. >> We're going to pay for it either way, but it's not coming online this year. code I >> but the rates very little if it does >> but aren't the rates different between
um BC and Ridgewood and all those rates can vary >> they yes if because we pay different rates to I believe we pay Hillsdale prince I I you know I obviously can't find out for this number but um I would imagine the sewers coming to us >> can we find out from the engineer where
they're going >> yeah it's supposed to go >> cuz we want >> I remember what I >> you're talking about Franklin Court right if I remember was the cheapest uh bidder. >> I believe it's coming. >> Not bidder, but >> I remember there was some that
>> All right. Fire department gasoline diesel. Uh 6,000 requested, 6,000 recommended. It's the same as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> I have to refuse. >> Yes, you have to. We're not changing it, so it's fine. Anybody want to change it? >> Okay. Uh DBW gasoline diesel reduction
of $2,000. Um everybody okay with it? >> We're down here. DPW3. >> Everybody all right with it? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh um that was DPW >> solid waste. >> Solid waste uses BCU BCUA monthly fees
82,000. Is that a contractual agreement, Mr. Carl? >> No, but this is our debris week. So like this is when uh you know they drop off when the when the yards open. This is our pickups once a month starting in April. So it's it's solid waste. Exactly. >> So it starts next week, right?
>> First whole week in April. >> Yeah. >> So now Yeah. Next week. Yeah. Next week. >> So residents uh vault pickup and leaf pickup and debris pickup starts next week. >> Statutory expense pers. Uh this is a >> exact number. >> Exact number. Okay. Everybody okay with
that? >> Uh DCRP pension permanent part- timerrs that make more than $5,000 work less than 32 hours and does not include seasonal employees. Township contributes 5%. So, this is a um >> it's kind of an estimate based on what we expect to pay. >> Everybody okay with that?
>> Um state expenditures FICA, Social Security, and Medicare 300,000. >> Um that's a bill, Mr. D. Carlo, I guess. >> No. Again, this is another one kind of like an estimate, but you figure it's, you know, it's 10% of everyone's salary, so to speak.
>> The next one is it uh state expenditure PF PFRS. That's a contract. That's an actual >> That's the exact number. Yes, sir. Uh, municipal alliance match municipal share 11,000 requested, 11,000 recommended. They used almost all that money last year. >> Everybody okay with that?
>> Yep. >> Uh, that's it. On page 55, uh, page 56, uh, chap chapter 159, community energy grant, uh, sustainable Jersey Energy Outreach
Grant, $1,920. >> So, we are Yes. So it's on it's on the revenue side. So you know it's a wash. We just need to introduce it into the budget so we can use it. >> So the next all the next items are all washes I believe. >> Yeah. >> Because we have the open space grant
offset revenue, right? >> Uh >> that's what the notes say. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> So 20 is a wash. The 80,700's a wash. >> Hold on. Let me just So the 80,7700's a wash, right? Because it's offset revenue.
>> Yes, sir. Uh the 14,398 is offset in revenue. The the recycling tonnage grant >> y >> that completes 56 moving to 57. Uh body armor grant offset in revenue is two years worth $4,914. That's a offset, right?
>> Yes. >> Uh matching funds for grants, nothing. Uh clean communities uh grant is offset revenue. So I guess we got a $24,400 grant. >> Yep. >> It went down as always, right? They're always like a couple years behind. I
don't really know how to explain it, but that's the exact check that we got in for that and for recycling tonnage grant. >> That takes care of the end of page 57. Moving to page 58. Uh Bergen County GIF offset and revenue $1,750. That should pass through, right?
>> Yes. >> Uh that takes care of page 58. Uh page 59. Uh, municipal court shared services negotiated lower shared service agreement would have been 127,500. They lowered it from 117 to 100,000.
Everybody okay with that? That's a contract now, right? >> Yeah. Hope you're okay with it. >> Yeah. >> That takes care of page 59. Page 60. There is nothing on page 60. >> You're going to skip that one. >> What's that for? >> You you'll skip capital improvement fund
until you >> uh Yeah, capital improvement fund. We'll come back to reserve for ambulance $10,000. Everybody okay with that? 903200. >> Mhm. >> They seem to be looking for more money based on that letter that was included
with the budget. >> Um I think they're >> you mean for what the contribution is? >> Can the record >> I think they're looking for LOAP >> which I do have a proposal for the council when we get to the LOAP line. >> Thank you.
So, everybody's okay with uh the 10,000 on page 61. Moving to page 62. >> Oh, sorry, Mike. You're still on. Go ahead. >> Didn't Didn't we were >> Excuse me. You do have a letter from the >> ambulance core. Didn't they provide a
letter and it discussed their challenges? And >> this is in the book or >> Yes, it's in the miscellaneous section. >> It's in the miscellaneous section of the book. >> It should be towards the end cuz I >> Is it on the ambulance core or No. >> Oh, no. Was the end score one of the ones I sent afterwards?
>> I think so. >> Yeah. I don't know where it is in your book. >> Mr. Alman, if you have it in front of you, could you read it? Can you tell us where it is? >> Oh, can you just tell us what number you're looking at that they asked for that we're not funding for? >> I don't remember them asking. Go ahead,
Mr. I'm sorry. >> You bear with me. I can recall that we received a letter. I don't recall. So, I remember I'm gonna find it, but I remember the letter >> being that asking for a low sap
>> increase, >> which I was prepared to discuss with council during low. >> Oh, yesterday. >> Yes, that one. Can >> we take a fivem minute recess and make copies of it? Is everybody okay with
that? Because I don't have it. >> Everybody have it. >> I don't have it here. I can't. >> Oh, here it's >> I don't know really want to cop toward the back more. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I'm willing to give mine to
whoever wants to read it, but it's >> it's a front and back and then like >> Yeah, it's two and a half pages. Two and a third. >> Anybody want my copy? >> It's tainted. >> It's doesn't even
>> So, they're not asking They only want a low SAP adjustment. >> Yeah, they're asking for a low SAP adjustment. I think the gist of the letter is them supporting what they do like facts to support um the volunteer work that they do, how many hours, how
many calls. In addition to that, you know, they provided standby, you know, a list of events that are here. And then they they kind of say that if we had given yearly low SAP since the beginning it would be up to a higher amount which
they feel would have been a greater incentive to you know attract an appeal. >> But that's not our that wasn't our fault that we didn't >> No not at all but in response to that you know when we got to the lowap line I had a proposal for council to consider
but not on this line. >> So this line we're okay with Mr. Are you okay with this line now that we read it or you still need to read it again? >> That's fine. Thank you. >> All right, moving on. Uh that's it on page 61. >> No, Mike, I think the bottom debt service. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, debt service.
>> Yeah, nice try on that. >> 1,190,000. That's contractual, right? So, >> yeah, I mean not contractual, but essential. Yes. Yes. >> We owe that money. >> We owe that money. >> That's the credit card bill that's due. >> All right.
>> Uh moving on to page 62. Uh there's another debt service of 927,59 >> and that's interest >> that's interest only. So >> the first one was principal this is interest >> and then just understand 98,000. So,
we're asking to fund that line with 927,59 in the revenues. On the revenue side, we're introducing a revenue of 98,314. Um, which, you know, in theory would bring that 927 down, but I need that
full amount because that's where we pay from. So, the interest that the town will actually pay is 927509 minus the 98,300. Wow. The 98,300 comes from the premium. I don't know how to explain
that if Mr. Corkin wants to, but that apparently we got a premium when we borrowed the money in July. I don't know how to explain why, but if Mr. Corkin wants to give it a stab. Yes, that's basically the premium that we received
on the band um from uh from 24. Well, since it's more than what the price was, you were able to offset as if that as a revenue, but you still have the budget like Mark said. You still budget the whole amount. >> The 927509 >> he meant to say 25. He meant to say when
we borrowed in 25 >> is I'm sorry because I hear says 24 is actually 25. >> Is it recurring? >> No. So what we'll do is, you know, when budget's over, we'll switch to, you know, when when you guys and girls
approve the capital. We're then and the budget's over, we're then going to ask Accasia to come in and do another presentation. So if you remember, we're going to roll over the 2025 ban 3 years before we do permanent borrowing. Right? So the next three years, we're
we're going to the plan is to to just pay the interest. We'll probably make that adjustment to, you know, based on the money that came in for 450 pass. I don't know when we'll get the
money actually for the MSquap Singh Brookke. We probably won't get it from July, but essentially we're going to borrow less than we did last year, but the council needs to make a decision if so. We're going to bond the new capital if we want to borrow that money now.
>> All right. So that hopefully that answers your question. >> If I could just add one thing to that real quick. Um the reason why we're rolling over the the ban for for up to three years is because 2028 will be the last year that you see the 2009 bond in
the budget. So that that'll be open for books after 2028. So that that was primary thinking behind why we wanted to do that with >> I I guess my question is the premium we're taking it into revenue but it's a
one-time event. Uh is there can that be earmarked or does that go into is just a funible balance of revenue? No, it's a onetime event, but keep in mind too soon. Um, moving forward, I'm
pretty confident that number is going to go down. So, you know, uh, it's it's not like you get that every year. It's it's basically a one time. >> Understood. But we're going to raise next year. If we take it into revenue
this year into general fund, next year we're going to have to raise We're short $100,000 to start. >> I don't I don't think so. That's why I explained I I don't know how to really
explain it, but we received that money, that $98,000. So essentially, we're paying it back. So it it you know we held it and we you know we put it in in an account for the year until we have to pay it back. That that's why I have no
idea to explain why they would give us this money to have to pay it back but you know obviously can part of their presentation. I understand what you're saying. I don't think that's the case in unless when we borrow money again in July if they give us another premium
that we just have to pay back the following year. >> Yeah, we don't get that in bands only on permanent bond is the premium that I'm sorry what >> we don't get a premium when we borrow
money via a ban only via a bond. >> No, that's when we did get the premium when we borrowed the ban. Okay, I stand corrected. >> Actually, you got that for all three of these. You got pre all three of these. >> Yeah, I should have said that. I don't
know about the the bond. Okay, I know we got that for the >> Okay, I understood >> because initially the money goes into the capital account and and then but then afterwards you're able to realize there's a revenue. >> We good with this? >> You don't like it, Mr. It's not that I
don't like it. I mean, I think we're going to get I think we're going to have a bill >> to service our debt for 927,000. >> Uh we are, >> you know, so we have to pay that. Yeah. >> My question again, and it doesn't sound
like, you know, we'll have complete visibility to it this evening, is the 98, if it's not recurring, you know, I would say that we're going to be next year. >> Sure. 98,000. >> We short, we start $100,000 in the hole.
Mr. D. Carlo does not believe that to be correct. You know, I don't think either of us are, you know, uh, verse enough in this to say yes or no. So, I think we should ask someone who
does know. And I have no problem with that. But it's, you know, respectfully, it doesn't change the 927509. So, we have to pay $421,68.3. >> Completely agree. >> But I will have that explanation. >> Yeah.
>> If I could add one thing, too. Um, I understand what you're saying when you when you say we're not getting every year and we're not, but we will be able to tell. I mean, I can't do right a second, but, you know, we could at some point look and see, you know, for 27 what this number is going to be. um is
there's a good chance it might be lower. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is you're not going to feel the hole. You're not going to feel that hole now. I don't believe. Don't quote me. I mean, but I can eventually get those numbers for you. >> All right. Thank you.
>> That completes everything on page 62. On page 63, we have reserve for uncollected taxes. 635,000 requested, 635,000 recommended. Um, everybody okay with it?
>> Yes. >> Good. >> They don't anticipate any impact with the revaluation. >> No, this is all based on on a a formula based on, you know, a bunch of things. I
don't have the list off the top of my head, but you know, we consistently feel this is the appropriate amount to budget for. You know, it might be a runaround to your question, but discussing it with our with LS Vincy Bliss. This is the appropriate number.
>> They run that formula every year, Mark. >> Yes, sir. It's it's >> based on the new amount of >> Yeah, I can feel it's like it's on the tip of my tongue, but it's you know, it has to do with, you know, the collection rate, has to do with add-ins. It's it's a whole big formula to figure it out.
>> Do we know >> what amount of uncollected taxes we have now? >> We are pretty good. I think do you do you remember getting hopefully the council got the tax collectors report? I don't have it but it was it's a really good
>> it's a really high number. We only have like one or two people that don't pay their taxes. Yeah. >> But it but again it's this this amount is to assure that we can we have to pay the school and we have to pay the county. They don't care if people pay us
or not. >> Correct. >> So this amount is to make sure that we can pay our bills after definitely paying the county and the school. >> All right. >> Everybody good with it? >> I'm good. >> That completes page 63 and page 64. So, what I'd like to do is I spoke what
>> I said, woohoo. >> Uh I spoke to Mr. D. Carlo earlier today. Um I know at the last meeting we had talked about the capital budget. So I'd like to go through the capital request and get the council's um
opinion on uh whether we leave some of the items in capital or do we move them to the current budget based on what we were told at the last meeting. Um, >> excuse me, Mike. Just correct me if I'm wrong. Now that you have all five, did you want to go back and do fire before
capital or didn't you skip that because you only had >> Yes, we did. You're right. You're right. You're right. Let's go back. Give me one second. I like looking there, Mr. Gilius, in the Yeah, come on. >> I think it was page 43, right? >> 33. >> 33.
>> Uh, well, 33 is starts with a salary. Oh, no. We have to do fire prevention. No, you have to do ambulance first. >> The first aid contribution. Yeah. >> Bottom of page 32 is where we stopped because we didn't have a whole group up here.
>> So, bottom of page 32, first aid organization contribution 40,000 requested, 40,000 recommended. Anybody? Everybody okay with it? The last item on page 32. Everybody okay with it? >> Yes. >> Uh continuing on page 33. Uh the line
item is above ambulance GIF premiums $6366. I guess that's a uh >> exact amount, sir. >> Exact amount. >> Yes. >> Everybody okay with it? >> Uh fire prevention salaries and wages. These exact numbers, Mr. D. Carlo.
>> Well, it's it's a salary, so it was based on our recommendation. But if you want to skip that and go to >> skip that. We'll skip that to go to miscellaneous expense. Uh fire prevention miscellaneous expense 4200 requested and recommended. Um it's what was requested last year. Everybody okay
with it? >> Yeah. I just going back to 2022. Why did it go up so much for that um for that line from went from 15 to 45. So that's a $3,000 jump though. It's been consistent.
>> Where are you sir? If you go back to uh line 500 there, right? >> Was there didn't somebody pass away? Some some didn't somebody pass away during that year and he didn't work? >> I I don't remember. I don't I don't know if that's when they went to the he went
to the enforcer system for the fire department. >> I'm not sure. I >> Yeah, but that's building fire prevention. >> Yeah, but didn't somebody in fire prevention pass away? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I thought the gentleman passed Yeah, but that probably would have been for that wouldn't have found wages.
>> That wouldn't be in here. This is >> He wasn't working. >> No, this is this is this is operating. >> Okay. All right. >> And there's a 20,000 to Mr. D. Carlo's point for enforces is a $2,000 expense.
>> Okay. >> A single item. So >> And that's a recurring bill, right? That's every year, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Says annual. >> All right. Everybody okay with it? >> Yep. 4,200. >> Uh, fire department direct, that's a salary. Uh, fire department office
supplies, 700 requested, 700 recommended. It's the same as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> Uh, dues, meetings, and conferences, 1,000 requested, 1,000 recommended. Everybody okay with it? >> So, before we continue, guys, go ahead.
>> Go. We talked about the uh ambulance and the Golden Seniors being sort of entities outside of the town. Is the fire department an entity outside
the town? >> No, they're within the town. >> They're within the town. >> Okay. Just making sure. Thank you. Uh, so meetings, dues, and conferences, 1,00 requested, 1,00 recommended. Same
as last year. Everybody okay with it? >> Uh, moving down, office equipment and furniture, 1500 requested, 1500 recommended. Everybody okay with it? >> Yes. >> Radio expense $9,500. Everybody okay with it? >> Yeah.
>> We dispatch services. Uh, we raised it. It was requested to be made 4275. Correct, Mr. Depal? >> Yes, sir. That's what we we already discussed this. It was >> You want to maybe take a vote on that? >> Well, it's not it's their request. We didn't take a vote on the last time you >> the admin's request.
>> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. No vote. >> Everybody okay with 4275? >> Yes. >> All right. Uh training $4,500. >> Same as last year. Um department uniform and safety equipment uh 12,000
requested, 12,000 recommended. Same as last year. Uh oxygen and fire extinguishers $1,200. Same as last year. They spent almost $1,100 last year. Uh the new recommend for building maintenance from the administration is
$35,900. Um onetime expense of $10,200. >> Remember council asked us to go back and get a a fresh set of quotes and then to also ask the ambulance department. So, um, I'm grateful that we did that
because their quotes did change based on the cost of things. So, the original quotes went up very insignificantly, maybe 100 here, 100 there that the council did get it, but um, to add in the extra fan in the ES, I'm sorry, the
ambulance side is like another $3,912. Exactly. I'm just asking to round it up to 40,000 if >> So, the new request is 40,000. Yes. >> And that takes care of the ambulance also. >> Yes, sir. >> So, we do think of them. See,
>> would you uh be able to update the note >> to the one? >> Yeah. One time. Yeah. Be 14,000, right? 14,100 then. >> So, next year when I say >> Yeah, you're going to have me. >> Why uh why is it there? I could say,
well, it's a one time, so it shouldn't be there. >> So, I'm I'm glad that Thank you, Mr. D. Carla for doing the work. I'm glad we we didn't think of the ambulance core and get them a fan also since it's the same problem on both sides. So hopefully it'll rectify the issues on both sides. Thank you. >> It was actually Fire Chief Ayella that
got the information. >> Thank you, Fire Chief Ayella. >> If he wasn't here, I would have took the credit, but he spread the audience. >> You wanted to see what I was going to do, didn't you? >> Everybody good with it? >> Thank you. >> Equipment. >> What's the final number?
>> $40,000 question. would recommend >> uh fire department equipment purchases 5,000 requested, same as last year. Uh fire department miscellaneous, $1,500 um requested and recommended, same as last year. We did transfer in 4,000 here
last year, right, Mr. >> Yeah, but it it it wasn't necessarily spent in miscellaneous. That was just a line that uh the CFO put it in because it's all same control. >> All right. Uh moving down, inspections and chief dinner. Uh we're going from $6,500 to
$11,000. Um this is the chief's installment dinner. Everybody okay with that? >> Mhm. >> What What didn't we do? >> If you remember, it's an uh the fire department went from an every year ask of the higher amount to do at at the seasons to an every other year. And I
think that coincides with the promotion of a chief um at when it's conducted at seasons. So obviously that's a little bit more expensive. And then when it's the midyear it was done at the firehouse which is a little less expensive. >> Correct.
>> And and I believe the seasons actually is is not all taxpayers. It's supplemented by their uh fire department organization. I'm not sure what it's called. So it it does cost more than 11,000. So >> So next year we would see
>> I imagine. >> Okay. >> All right. You okay with it? Thank you. >> Moving on. Hardware and parts. Uh 1,500 requested, 1,500 recommended. Same as last year. They spent about $100 more last year. Everybody's okay with it. Uh fire department clothing allowance 47500
requested and recommended. Everybody okay with that? >> Yes. >> That's a that's a a that's a calculated uh thing passed based on the ordinance that we >> and you'll see that ordinance Monday night. Okay. >> We're not asking to change it. >> Okay. Uh fire prevention maintenance
truck 7,500 requested, $7,500 recommended. Everybody okay with that? Uh fire hose pump and ladder testing $5,800. Same as last year we spent about $5,400 have it done. Uh fire department turnout here at $25,000
uh requested $25,000 recommended. Money well worth it. >> Is this chief? Can I ask can I ask the chief to come up for a second? And I didn't mean to pull you on the scotch. Chief, we're doing a rolling replacement of turnout gear, right? So we're not like like we're buying it as a >> as we need it or like I just want to
make sure we don't have a big hit that a lot of people need turnout gear. I thought that's why we did that. >> Absolutely. As needed. It's also I mean if we get a new member in, you know, within the next year, we have to get him gear. We have a certain amount of older gear um that we can supplement to these
guys, but it only lasts so long and then it expires and we have to, you know, get rid of it and then, you know, >> but by keeping this funded, we're constantly replacing gear. So, we don't have a one time hit of like, hey, we need everybody needs turnout five different guys every every year. I mean, it used to be up to seven different
guys, but because of increases, you know what, I haven't asked for more money. I just cut it down to five guys and just keep rolling. But we're being proactive and rolling it so we're not going to get hit with like you're going to come to me come to anybody on this day and say I need $100,000 because I have all this gear expiring. That's all. >> I hope not. Hope that never comes.
>> Thank you. It's the answer we wanted to hear. >> Thank you, Chief. Uh fire pack compliance 2500 recommended. Went up a little bit from last year. Um everybody okay with it? >> Yes. >> Uh fire internet $3,300. I guess that's
the bill, right, Mr. Carl? I believe so. Yes. Or or close to it. >> Fire hydrant service 168,000. This is the bill from V. Right. >> Yes. I confirmed that the the price did not change from last year. >> And we confirmed that they are doing their annual testing of all their hydrants in town.
>> I believe that's what they said on the email. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> I'd like to see when they did the ones across the street from me because my camera has not found them yet. >> Length of service awards. Low sap. >> Oh, you for you you skipped one, sir. >> Oh, fals, excuse me. 1,400 requested. It
went down 600 from last year. Everybody okay with that? >> Uh, length of service award programs 95,000. Uh, >> everybody okay with that? >> If you don't mind me taking the floor on this one, if Sue, thank you for putting that uh supporting documentation in the
packet was in this evening. Um the resolution is essentially a draft that we want to put before the council on Monday night. So every year and uh Miss Wikowski has the LFN, the local finance notice in support of the resolution.
Every year we can do a CPI a um consumer price index adjustment in the LFN. It's allowing for a 3.3% increase. So LO SAP would be increased $42.65, 65 cents, but it would be for this time next year. And
it would we could do this increase and not have to um increase the budget line. So, I was hoping to gain council support on that increase with the resolution and I would have that ready for you on Monday night. >> Okay.
>> Everybody okay with that? >> As you can vote on, >> is that per person? >> Yeah. Uh >> the mix of credits. >> Yes. The $42.65 65 census per person. Um >> I I >> Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. I had this question was
asked. So I know like the fire department submits a certified low sap report, right? >> I guess who prepares that? Like the chief or the is there is there a group in the fire department that so like >> yeah if you don't mind chief just so we can answer the res because somebody asked how does it get calculated and I
said I don't know. So >> I know it's due based on your due date, right? >> LOAP is, you know, was requested by ordinance. There's actually categories of what take how to get your points. Yeah. >> Um each member must maint uh get sorry 100 points by the end of the uh calendar
year. Not everyone makes it every year. Um since you can see in the budget. Um so there is a max amount of points that you can get in each category whether it's from fire calls or meetings or drills. Um, so it we actually sat down
with the former mayor, you know, at the time and went through it all with them because, uh, at the time they thought it was a little too easy to get it, so they made it a little harder. Um, in which case now, you know, where we're at. Um, so you only get it if you get the points.
It's really what it comes down to. >> But everybody that tagged like when you that system that keeps track of it is basically spitting out a report at the end of the year. That's why that system's so important. So once you clock in, it says, "Hey, Chief I is here. He's on the Y there." But um >> it keeps Yes, it keeps track of their
percentages, which is just a a small part of tracking LOAP. Uh my deputy chief is our LOAP officer, and he is, you know, in charge of every year. He provides all the numbers to the director, then the director then provides them to the town. Um and then there's always questions coming back and
forth and uh you know we just make sure that everything is driving the way it should >> is it driving do you feel it's still driving the correct behavior or the behavior we would want so I think when it was last reviewed uh which I
participated in the idea was um there were required um functions that uh firefighters needed to partake in uh but the primary goal of
the fire department is to answer fires. So are we getting are people qualifying and not answering calls I guess is the question. So are we getting the behavior >> the that they're being rewarded for? If our members do not show up to fire
calls, they do not they will not qualify for LOAP, nor will they qualify for their clothing allowances either. You know, >> neither one they would qualify. >> No, you you're fire calls take a big hit on your on your credit on your credits and LOAP. Um those are two of your
biggest categories to get your points. >> So So I guess Mr. Almond's correcting what he's saying is it it is working to their benefit, right? Is that your question, right? That's that's what I got out of your question do you know I mean look we don't do it for the money we we do it because we
love it love it and we do it for community service it yes it is a nice incentive to know that you know I h I have a you know low to serve award program 401k that you know it's like you know a little something that the town's giving to me to you know you know for my
community service you know >> absolutely fully agree it's just I think before we did the last revision I you know there were sort of academic credits for lack of a better term and people were loading up the academic credits and
not the active credits. So >> as long as >> Yes, you are correct. There w there was no limit on training classes and guys were loading up on training classes to get to get their points you know which is you know what that again now there's
a max of a certain amount of points. I don't know it off the top of my head. Um but you know each category has a max I know like uh meetings has a max of 12 of 12 points you know and so we have one meeting a month you know and >> you're not getting your not getting your
neither one your clothing allowance or your low sap if you just make that. >> No no fire calls are a big thing. >> Any other questions for the chief while he's up >> Mr. Anything else? >> No. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you chief. Everybody okay with low sap then? Uh that takes that's it for
now for the for the budget on except for salaries and wages. Let's go to capital. So I guess uh >> there there was a couple of stragglers at the beginning. >> Yeah, but we'll just we'll just we'll just catch those tomorrow night. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, we'll take the yes.
>> So, uh if we go to three-year capital plan that was submitted um we'll start at the top, right? Uh engineering services for 2026 roads. uh 2026 the request was uh 1,290,000
for capital 138,000 grant for um the 2026 NJ dot roads everybody okay with that >> good with that gentlemen and ladies >> yes >> so the the 1.290 290 is is approved and the 138 is approved. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh moving down to police. Uh we have uh police two Taho at $90,000 each and three uh Mavericks at 36,000 each for a total of uh $298,000.
I know we talked about this yesterday last week and uh I don't think it should be in capital. It should if we're going to buy vehicles, we should be buying them in the budget. Uh I know Mr. Corkeran agreed with that um last week. So I think we should put this back. If
we're going to fund it, it should go back into the budget because the the the interest that we're paying on these through the years is, you know, we're paying, you know, we're buying half a million dollar trucks by the time we're done paying for these or more. >> Are we going to discuss giving them one,
two? I well I'm >> discuss putting it into the capital. >> First first question is taking it out of capital and second question is are we giving them the two Taho and the three Mavericks right I guess the first question is does council want to put this back into budget
>> if I could just make a quick comment if you remember on the outside uh vehicles u the chief did say that they could probably get a 10-year lifespan so maybe on those you want to capitalize but on the patrol cars I'm just throwing out something for you guys to consider. I I I was I was going to make a I was not
going to buy the Mavericks. So, I was >> Well, if you did, I didn't know where you had it or not. >> That was my I don't I think we have plenty of patrol vehicles that we don't need the Mavericks at this time, but that's up to the rest of the council. So, I guess the first question for council is is do we move it back into
the budget? >> I'm okay with that. >> Let's say move it back. >> Move it back. As you said, you're okay with it? >> Yes. >> Mr. Sears, you're okay with it? >> Yes. >> Mr. Alman, you're okay with moving it back into the budget? >> All right. Second question is is are we funding these two lines?
>> Um well I'll start. So again I I think we have enough vehicles for service work. So I would take out the Mavericks. >> So you're making a motion not to or >> not to to not. >> Do we have to make a motion for this or it's capital? >> We finish and then I can make
>> No, I'm asking Sue if we need to make motions here or not. >> Let him finish saying his thing and then we'll pull it apart. >> Saying my thing. >> Say go ahead. and then and then fund one uh one Tahoe at $90,000 in the current budget. That's
my proposal. >> So, you want to get rid of the three Mavericks and fund only one Tahoe. >> Mhm. >> So, that's that's my motion. Put it and put it into the current budget. >> Would we entertain maybe two vehicles,
two Mavericks to see how that pans out across this year? I mean, I I I agree. Three is not it's a little excessive, but >> I'm I'm a no for the I'm a no for the Mavericks. So, I I'll I'll I'll second
Dr. Casio's I'll I'll I'll second Dr. Casio's of mine one Tahoe and no Mavericks. >> Roll call. Councilman, excuse me. Councilman Cassio, >> yes. Councilman Sears,
>> yes. Councilman Alman. >> Um, >> no. >> Councilwoman, >> no. >> No. >> No. Council President, Senator, >> yes. >> We good? >> Yeah.
>> Well, are you good? Uh, because moving this back into operating, it went from a zero recommend to now a higher. Do you need four votes? I just want to make sure you get it right. I'm not looking to change what you did, but I don't know.
>> Mr. Corker, do we need four? >> I don't I don't think so, but I'm not 100% sure. I don't think we need I don't think we need two, but I I'm not 100% though, >> Mr. Corkin. To increase a recommendation,
>> but there is no recommendation because we're moving it, >> right? So, technically from zero to something. >> Yeah, you're taking it from one. So, so if it's four then if if we need four it fails. Anybody else want to discuss any other different idea Mr. or
>> Yeah, I mean um you know I was opposed to uh providing the outside billing vehicles. Um >> you were opposed or I didn't hear you.
>> I was I was opposed to it. Um I I you know I certainly think one Tahoe you know if we provide a single >> voted on
>> Yes. But I I reconsidered or you know I would reconsider putting in uh one outside vehicle and see how it works and see what the usage is and see what the
savings are. uh that uh was proposed. >> So that would be my you know I would motion >> one in one >> one Tahoe and one outside vehicle. >> I'll second that
>> for to the current and then the last second. >> So one Tahoe, one outside vehicle, correct? >> Yes, >> that's correct. Councilman Cassium. >> No. >> No. Councilman Sears. >> No.
>> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> No. >> Let's move on. We'll come back to it. Um equipment, fire department, the quantifit machine. I think we should fund in the budget. And the same thing
with the uh the emergency vehicle warning system. It should just be put into the budget. >> Uh the quantifit was for next year, sir. They removed it. >> Oh, it got moved. I didn't I don't >> Are you looking at the uh >> Mine is at 20 M. There was an updated
version that came out on 29 or something. >> Yeah, they removed it and are going to ask for it next year. >> So, we're just asking for the uh the >> the 20,000. And again, I can fund that with cash on hand. >> All right. So, we don't have to do anything then. >> Well, it will still have to be in my
ordinance, but uh yeah, you have to tell me you approve it and I'll I'm going to use We don't have to borrow the money. I have it in capital fund bound. >> So, that's the two these are for the two flashing lights on both sides of the street on Washington A when they leave and come into the station and to buy remotes for the ambulance corps and the
police and the fire department. So, that's where they can get in and out. >> But they don't but they don't want the the testing machine. >> They're going to buy it next year. They said >> to 2027, correct? 2027. That's what they're going to save us if they're going to save us some money from going out.
>> Come on up, Chief. I want >> you have a seat, Chief. Just >> No, it's it's quite originally I I asked for this and as I told you at the last meeting, um is that we uh want to export grants, you know, so the grant writer gave us a bunch of grants that we can
put in for >> All right, so move it to 2027. So I I would like to push it off to 2027 just to explore grants and hopefully I can you know if I get something for you know have to pay for mid taxpayer dollars. >> I mean I think that's something that we should not rely on other people cuz
apparently we have trouble getting it right chief. >> It's not that we have trouble getting it. We it we get use of it for one month out of the year from our pass valley dues that we pay out of $3,000. Um, currently right now I'm trying to chase down the machine because I just got a
new member on last night and uh and I'm trying to find where what department has it and uh when I can get him in to get >> in the budget. >> So, well, he's he's saying he doesn't want it. You can't you can't vote on this. >> I can vote on the lights, but I can't
>> You can't vote on the lights either. >> Emergency service building, not the firehouse. >> Oh, that's okay. >> That's good. >> I I'll see. It's up to you guys what you would like to do, but you know that's >> if if it's required, I' I'd like to put it into the budget, but if if you're
saying you're going to do research till next year and you'll be able to make do till next year, I'm okay with it. >> I'd like to explore some grants, see if we can do it. Thank you. >> Does that answer everybody's question on that? So, it's moved to 2027. I'd like to get the emergency warning system lights funded because it's something they need. I think we've needed it since
the building went up. It was included in the original plan. I don't know what happened to it, but let's get it done. So, I'm okay with saying yes to that. Everybody okay saying yes to that? >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> A wheel. Uh, Miss Viz, you okay? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cass, are you okay? >> Mr. Alman, you okay? >> Yes,
>> I'm okay. We have four votes. We don't need Mr. Sears's vote, so it's good. >> Sorry, Tom. We don't need >> I just want to make sure it's all nothing even though it's for the building. So, all right. Uh, police, uh, I don't think we should be putting rifles into capital. Um, if you know,
the chief says we need the rifles. I say we just buy them in this year's budget. So, um, >> I'll have that ready for you tomorrow. I I know where to put it. You didn't vote on the line already, so it's the guns and ammo line you take. >> So, you're just going to Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So, I'll have that
>> All right. information ready for >> the off-site dispatch operations at ESB. Um, do we want to put that into capital or leave it in capital or do we want to move it since it's such a small number? I guess that's the first question.
I'm sorry. It's it's the same question for the guns, but I thought we were all in agreement at the last meeting that we were just going to buy the guns and not capitalize them. So, I apologize for that. >> Well, I I didn't really want to buy the guns this year. I wanted to push them out to next
year, >> but I thought the chief said he needed them. >> You want to push it out to next year? All right. Want to make a motion to push it out to next year? That's that's that's up in the air, too. My first motion was to to move it. I don't want to I don't want to I don't want to I don't want to put a a guns a $15,000
expense into a bond. That's all. >> I agree with that. >> Yeah, >> that I would I would move it into operating as well. >> So, Mr. Sears wants to move it to 2027. >> I'll second the capital. >> So, Mr. Sears and Dr. Casio second it to
move the guns into 2027. >> The rifles, excuse me, not guns. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. Councilman, >> yes. >> Councilman Omen, >> no.
>> Councilwoman BZ, >> no. >> Council President, the Senate, >> no. >> Okay. >> What does that mean? >> Glad I'm not the only one who's confused at this point. >> So, the the motion was to push it to 27. >> Yeah.
>> Well, the original mo the original thing was to make it a budget line item, not a capital uh not a bond, you know, capital item. >> Okay. So I we already all agreed we want to make it non- capital. >> Okay. >> And then Mr. Sears put on that he wanted to move it to 2027 which has failed.
>> So we so >> so we have to do that. >> Then can I mo I just make a motion >> that we uh put the rifle replacement at 15K in 2026
in the current budget. Anybody second it? >> I'll second that. >> Roll call. >> Councilman Casio. >> No. >> Councilman Sears. >> No. >> Councilman Omen.
>> Yes. >> Council BZ. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. It fails again because we have four votes to increase. Oh, let me ask you if can can the mayor change his recommendation once it's given because we've done it. We've done it on the
other lines. We didn't do it for the vehicles, but we did it for the ESB. >> Yeah. >> We didn't have the four votes. You didn't do four votes to increase that line >> in the budget. If you move this out of capital and put it into tomorrow, you say that's what you were saying.
>> Right. But we're not starting at zero. >> Do you know what I'm trying to say? >> I do. >> Yeah. Yes. I >> Okay. So, that's for tomorrow. All right. So, moving on. Off-site dispatch. >> I'm sorry. What are you gonna do >> tomorrow? You're going to ask for a new recommend for the extra 15,000 in ammo like you just said at this
>> in Okay, got it. >> Off-site dispatch operations at ESB, $30,000. Um, I think it's it's it's a small expense. I don't think it should be in capital. I guess that's the first question. Does council want it out of capital or do we leave it in capital? I I think that's I think those are long to
me those are longer term. >> So you're okay leaving? >> I mean >> yes. I mean >> everybody else okay with leaving it >> it's really small expense. >> It's it's small. I'm just worried about the >> Yeah. And that's what I was maybe going
to go to the same place. Mike, just a reminder to council. For every h 100,000 you put in operating, it's about what? $32 increase to on the average assessed home. >> But it's a onetime $32 hit versus interest for
>> all those years on in a capital plan. You know, that's we just paid $987,000 in interest on bonds and capital. So, it's a lot of money. It adds up. >> I think in the operating >> So, what what's say you Mr. Almond said to leave it? Uh, anybody want to move? I
my my original thing was to move it to operating. So >> I'll take your motion. >> You'll second to operating. >> Yes. >> Roll call to move it to operating. >> ESB the uh >> the uh dispatch at ESB offsite dispatch.
>> Okay. And you second. Okay. So I'm sorry. You motioned and you second. >> Mr. Sears motion. I second it. What are you guys discussing? >> Moving it to uh moving it to operating budget. >> Is it like an approved expense either way or it's not even like are you going
to spend money either way? >> We're we're talking about moving the $30,000 from capital to operating right now. Take the ball. >> Go ahead. >> Councilman Casio. >> Yes. >> Councilman Sears. Yes.
>> Councilman Omen. >> Yes. >> Council woman. >> Yes. >> Council President. >> Yes. IT related equipment. Um on the following page. Uh we have five new computers at 2400 and
council chambers computer software and three new microphones. question. >> Do we can we push off the council chamber computers to 2027 is what I was asking. Is it vital for this year? Mr. Dalla, do we not? >> Um, I'd like to ask Sue's opinion.
>> Mr. Sowsky, can we move it to 2027? >> Listen, these computers always update. They always have updates and everything. I mean, it's >> Can we look at the expiration? I think I >> I was going to say um I think this was like >> guys in inventory
on if you go to the IT tab and is it do you have it Sue in front of you? >> I'm going to >> which I'm trying to see which one it is DCRE courtroom >> desktop. >> So I mean it's it's 21. The
recommendation is every five years. >> Um you know so >> and we push it off till next year. I mean, >> you probably could. I mean, you know, it's not like it's, you know, of course, you know, like anything, it just gets more expensive, but you know what? >> Everybody okay pushing it up to 2027?
>> The the five computers? >> No, the council chambers computer microphones. The microphones are extremely expensive, but they're getting very old. >> So, >> so the five new computers at $2,400 each. Are they all 2021s, Mr. D Carlo? We don't know exactly.
They have the old No, they're older than 17s. Yeah. >> So, again, I would hope you'd approve it, but you know, if you want to move it back to the budget, I would recommend the IT line. >> Um, if you want to move it. >> Yeah. So, let's move it back to the IT line. I make a motion to move it back to
the IT line. >> I'll second. >> Roll call. >> Moving the 12,000 back to the IT line. Councilman Casio. >> Oh, sorry. >> No, it
says a yes. >> Okay. >> Councilman Sears. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Council Bles. Yes. Council President. >> Yes. Council President, before you go on, can you just go to the page before
the off-site dispatch? I'm thinking the most appropriate place to put that is probably in the ESB building maintenance. I can't think of a better line. So, we voted on that to go to 40. We'll just have it ready for you tomorrow night for 70. Okay. >> Unless I find a better line.
>> All right. Well, you have till tomorrow night. >> Okay. >> Uh DBW uh 2026 expenses. They they asked for a field Drake. Um, the groomer for $45,000. The old one is in dire need of of replacement. Um,
I'm okay with leaving that in capital because it's a bigger expense, right? Or do we want to move it? What do you guys think? >> Life expectancy, Mike. How long does one >> I think the last one was like 20 years old. Yeah, it last it'll last because it's only getting used three months of the year. So, I think the one we have
now is a I think it's 2000, maybe before 2000. Everybody okay with leaving it in capital? >> Yeah. It's got such a long life. Moving down OEM. Uh they asked for the traffic signal plug at uh Ridgewood and Pasc. I
think we need to move that into the um the uh C into the regular budget. It's only $7,000. >> Remember he wanted to he asked you guys to go to 10. >> What's that? remember he fl we thought it was seven but when he was going through his supporting documents he he told you guys it had to go up to 10,000
cuz it was like just under 10. >> All right. So that request is now 10,000 but I think we should move it back into the the operating budget. >> Yeah, I'll put it in uh if it's okay miscellaneous. >> I'll make a motion to move it. Anybody second it
roll >> but we're moving 10,000 Mr. Darl for it tomorrow. Councilman Cassium. >> No, I think it should stay in capital. >> Councilman Sears. >> Uh, yes. >> Councilman Alman, >> yes.
>> Counciloman Deles, >> yes. >> And Council President, >> yes. >> Okay. So, yes for 10 and yes to go back into the budget. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Portable radio upgrade, police equipment, and labor, $21,000. How long do these radios last, Mr. Darla? Do we know? Uh,
>> I'm sorry. I don't know. I mean, I I don't think there's any anticipation of uh replacing them soon. I mean >> I mean, unless they're broken, I that's that's different. But I think like will we get 10 or 15 years out of it? Hopefully. >> I mean, Mr. Phillies, do you have any
insight from communication perspective? >> No. >> Do we want to leave it in capital g ladies and gentlemen? Is this to address the >> Do we want to vote on it too? >> The coverage issue. >> Yes. >> Oh, this is the coverage issue. Sorry. I
I definitely want to approve this. >> You told me to find the money the next day. I couldn't find it. >> You couldn't find it? >> I couldn't find. >> This one really gets my >> What did we spend originally? >> $795,000. >> Yeah, we're supposed to cover everything.
>> Yeah, >> that is exactly correct, Mr. Sears. I'm just upset that it took this long for us to fix it. So, >> so what happened? >> We can't It's something we can't discuss. >> Oh, >> we'll talk about it offline. Yeah. >> The chief of police text me he's
expecting another 10 years on the radio. >> Okay. So, >> how long are the traffic for? >> Yeah. >> But this is just to put a plug in it for a generator. >> Yeah. >> $10,000 for a plug? >> Well, all the wiring in that new control board he said he had to buy because the thing doesn't have the ability to do it
cuz it's the old control. said that's what that's what uh >> Clayton >> Clayton Mr. Clayton uh >> testified to, >> you know, I guess I guess my quandry is, you know, you talk about how long is it
going to last and how much is it cost, right? That seems to be the the definitive um >> criteria or data we're using to move stuff from capital to >> um operating. So I think whatever
whatever we decide to do at least be consistent Yeah. with with that. But in this case, that's not that's not what you're doing. >> Well, that signal is going to last 30 years. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. But this is just a a fix to the signal. It's not going to it's not you
know, >> it's it's a it's a fix, right? >> You're taking $10,000. >> So, it's it's a fix, but we're talking about >> Yeah, but you're taking $10,000, you're going to add all that interest to it. That's what bothers me about putting it in in in not keeping it in capital. >> I I understand that, Mike. But, you
know, when you talk about if you add up all your capital stuff, it's $10,000 more, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, >> just a philosophical difference. >> I just hate paying interest on stuff that >> No, I hate I don't like to pay extra when you don't have to. But
>> $987,000 in interest last year. That's a lot of money. >> I get it. >> Um, so we want to leave these two items in capital, ladies and gentlemen. So, just I thought you already we >> the radio upgrade. The radios.
>> The radio upgrade we're talking about. >> You want the 21,000? Can't find it. So, >> so I I mean it obviously has to be done. >> Yes. >> But I would really appreciate understanding how we got here because
>> agreed. I think everyone who was on the council at that time was under the impression that that investment of that size was primarily being done >> to address
>> that gap. >> Y >> and the fact that the gap wasn't closed I think is you know >> not the best. >> Yeah. >> And to your point the fact when when did that program close? How many years ago?
>> At least >> it was your first term on Yeah, it was our first it was our all our first terms on council together. >> Well, how how do we know this is going to fix that problem? >> Cuz that's what we've been told that >> we're hoping that if you fix it >> years ago, it would cover it, too.
>> Well, I can just hope for the best. I >> I respectfully disagree. I remember the conversation saying it covered it increased the coverage a lot, but it was never meant to be 100%. >> Okay. Well, you know what? Great. >> And I think the chief said that also,
and he was a big part of the radio project when it when it uh went on, took place. >> I think we tape these meetings so and we have minutes so we could find out. >> All right. I don't want to I don't want to I I respectfully disagree. I was we need to fund this because this is
important. >> So, I'm okay with the 21,000 staying in. Do we leave it in capital or do we want to move it? Ladies and gentlemen, the hour is getting late. You're taking good >> of course a nightmare for tomorrow.
>> No, it's not. It's got to ladies and gentlemen, what say? We leave it here or do we want to move it? >> I will leave it in capital. >> Okay, >> that's Yeah, >> so we're just going to leave it. The next two, uh, we okay with the expenses for building our park improvements, the Clarkfield basketball court and the
grant match for Memorial and Clark improvement center. Those should stay in capital because they're capital project, >> but is everybody okay approving those projects? >> Remember, I got to go to 105 on the basketball. I sent you guys the supporting documentation. I >> Well, we're going to get a different
bidder, right? >> Yeah, but I need Yeah. So what I gave you is just for reference, but you know, if I don't have the 105, I'm just going to come back to you with for the need for more money and then we >> So you want to increase that from 95 to 105? >> Yeah, please. I think that'll be good. >> All right. Everybody okay with those two
expenses being put into capital this year? >> I I have a question. >> Sure. >> Uh about the memorial field in Clark. I understand it's for ADA. I believe we received from Mr. D. Carlo
uh a >> conceptual design >> conceptual design and the conceptual design doesn't go around the entire field. So I guess my question is, you know, it's sort of like a
>> horseshoe horseshoe >> a horseshoe, you know, a rever reverse horseshoe going along Pasc school and then along the parking lot >> and it stops about halfway where the kids used to uh what do you call
>> Thank you very much. >> doing uh charades and there's nothing along the uh >> I agree. So, you know, I think it's great that we're getting these um grants, but I I don't know if adding
another 100 ft of uh path to nowhere is a good use of the grant. So, that that's my only concern. And I don't know if there's an opportunity now that we have what is that 390?
>> Is that the one we own? 450 Jason too >> 450 you know if that gonna provide an opportunity to close the loop but I just you know I question do you feel that we are wasting money on 100 ft that nowhere I didn't realize there was
>> no with the concept >> close the loop spend the next >> money 100 feet in >> you know we're we're we're adding >> we're adding >> I think that's phase two maybe right Mr. Well, the idea I I thought it went all the way around, but when I went back to
get the conceptual design, I realized it the the ADA sidewalks is to link that individual to where they would sit. So, it brings them from the parking spot all the way around to the baseball field and then it just brings you to the adult the
men's softball field. >> So, um I was wrong when I told you. I thought it went all the way around. >> Well, we could apply for a phase two grant to complete it, right? Oh, I have two up there to pay us back for the 120. Got >> so um
if you're suggesting to close the loop, I think we certainly could do that, but it was going to cost more money than that because if you saw the price of the concrete, but >> yeah. >> So, I guess my question is is it was the conceptual design based on
the grants or is it based on the final? I think I think we came up with the idea first based on the fact that it it is supposed to be for the the ADA improvements and then we couldn't really prove um that it would be useful for that
other link. I mean those are my words. They they didn't say that. >> No, no. We did apply um for CDBG and they called us and said, "Hey, do you want to consider retracting your application because we're not going to approve it because it wasn't exclusive
to that um that handicap usage. So that's when we reapplied for the Burden County Open Space Park improvement grant that did give us the 80,000, right? We we anticipated the whole project to be 200,000. That's why we're getting this
20. We've since now um we are going to we resubmitted for the DCA local recreation improvement grant to help the township get the 120 back. And then we also just filed a letter of intent for Bergen County open space park
improvement grant for this year to assist us with getting some of that money back too. But you know again that who knows when we're going to get that. I they've been really good to us. But we could have we could also apply for a phase two and complete the loop like Mr. Alman saying. >> I think I think it' definitely be
amendable to the county in in the program to continue the loop >> to give them a full ADA accessible path around the whole field and not a horseshoe at this time. I mean if you go back you know to ancient time when the turf field was you know uh under
discussion that was one of the you know advantages or one of the proposals >> was to have a full walking path around the home. >> Yeah. So, you know, I think >> I think when uh when Mayor Softwitz and I first started getting these grants for
the town, it was a big it was a big impetus of getting the access because I know like Clark Field had no access and uh when we started this, you know, the mayors continued that. But, uh, it's it's worked out very well for a lot of, you know, I we get a lot of we get a lot
of compliments when we're at, you know, games and programs of people being able to drive up and be able to park right at Parkfield or at Cherry Field and be right there and have a path right there. So, you know, through the years of continuing this program, I think it's worked and I think if we all, you know,
with the administration's uh continued uh support, continue to fund this, it's it's well worth it. And >> that's fine, right? I think Yeah. Right, Mayor Kar. I think this has worked out very well. >> Absolutely. Yes. >> So the 120 is staying where it is. Correct. >> Those two items both staying where they are.
>> Just increasing the 95 to the 105. >> And then you have the one other thing in here for the soft >> foracia grant for uh the So that >> Yeah. So that stays there. >> That's going to stay. >> Yep. >> Okay. So So 30 grand is approved. >> Yep. But
>> thank you because >> we don't have a choice. How >> we're definitely going to need that. But that goes in to each one of these in theory. >> Well, I don't do that anymore because when like if you guys gave me say the
one the 105 for the basketball court, I didn't fluff that number for soft cost. So if John when he sets up uh Mr. Corkin sets up these accounts and he takes 5% out of everything, I end up being short and then I got to dip into the soft costs for the thing. So I didn't I
didn't go ahead. No, no, go ahead. >> Yeah, I didn't pad any of these numbers to account for what I will need to pay those individuals like like to borrow money again LVB will be $10,000, you know, occasia will be about $10,000, you
know, and then, you know, binfeld, you know, so um I feel 30 will be sufficient. Um, maybe we won't need everything, but I don't like I don't tell you like I don't need 15,000 for rifles to tell you 18,000 because I'm accounting for the 5% to set up the software, right?
>> Um, I usually try not to set up the soft blast unless we need it. >> So, I understand how you're presenting it. My question is in the actual bonding ordinance, there are caps to sort cost and interest
associated with each issuance. So, how are we tracking that? Because we can't exceed x number x% of total for the soft costs. Well, I I mean, if if you're asking, I
would just I would set up um those soft costs. I mean, the other idea would be to fund this through the budget line, too, and put it in the financial services, >> you know? I mean, I don't give a crap. I mean, the No, but the the you know, I
want to ensure that we are in compliance with our ordinances, these bonding ordinances. There's there's very specific language about soft costs and interest and the percentage that it can
be of the total. >> Yeah, we we're nowhere near that. We we'll be good at the 30,000. then I I will set up a separate line to keep track of the soft costs. Um, you know, I it it becomes like a a bowl of soup sometimes, those soft cost lines. That's
why I don't like them too much. Um, because it's hard to tell what's associated with what project. >> Um, so like, you know, I would like if you go back to the engineers, >> I will put probably put that all in one line and call up the 2026 road improvements. You know what I mean? I
won't set up I wouldn't ask John to set up a soft cost for the the 138. I hope I'm understanding what you're saying. >> No, you you are. And I believe I'm understanding what you're saying. It doesn't answer the question. >> That's a switch for you guys.
>> How how are we tracking it? Because the you know, if you look at the DPW building, it has monies that are from probably 30 years ago or at least 20 years ago that were
allocated that we reallocated. So at some point we've been paying interest on those. We've been paying uh you know soft costs related to the bond issuance and so my only question and we
can ask you know if Aacia is coming or Mr. Binfeld is coming. Uh, Binfield, excuse me. How are we tracking that and ensuring that we're not violating our own bonding ordinances?
>> I I understand. >> You know, I don't know what to say. >> Why put it in there? I mean, we we put all this information in these ordinances. I'm assuming because we have to legally, you know, adhere to them and if we don't, you know, if we're not
tracking it individually, I'm just wondering how do we attest to it and how do we ensure we're in compliance and how do we ensure we're not we haven't exceeded uh >> when you say tracking, you're you you're not saying necessarily track the
expense. You're talking about tracking the time frames. >> No, the expense. >> Yeah. You must not be caught talking about a simple audit trail meaning like we spent 5,000 on binfeld and 7,000 on lurch fency bless.
>> No. Like so we we're heading down a rabbit hole. >> Yeah. >> Maybe tomorrow I'll send you an example of what I'm referring in a recent bonding ordinance. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, just so you know, I mean, it's all these these ordinances and these capital lines are
part of the audit. So, I would hope if we were doing something um incorrectly, you know, it would I'd feel confident would be get caught. But if I think if I understand what you're asking for a little better offline, we can get you the appropriate answer.
>> Thank you. Motion to adjourn. >> Can I just make two quick comments about capital? Um I agree with most of what the council is doing about moving things into operating. However, would it be okay next year when we start the budget process in November to get a rule of
thumb from the council as to what you want to see where so we don't go through this thing to say, you know, we're proposing in capital, but you feel it's better. Uh, you know, save us a lot of time as it would have tonight. >> I think the items we've moved tonight, >> I I like I said, I agree
>> as a general rule of thumb would be limited numbers. I think the larger things that last 20 30 years or even more than 15 would stay in capital but I think we have >> but there's a dollar thing in >> but I think it's like if it's $10,000 we want to we want to just pay >> 10,000 and more than less than a five
>> maybe we'll come up with maybe we'll discuss it in future meeting what the threshold would be okay >> because that was one of Dr. cast is what's the threshold that we want to >> whatever you come up it's got to be consistent >> correct that's what we're looking for you know >> and the second question is um I promise it I don't mean it to be a gotcha
question but on the police vehicles um do you feel that the chief did not do a proper job explaining the need for them uh do you feel that the vehic cost too much >> I just think we have 22 police vehicles right now in house >> and three more Mavericks when we have
all those vehicles sitting in the back parking at this time when we could use those vehicles for >> off. I rarely admit I don't remember everything that said did the chief volunteer or did anyone from the council ask if we approve these vehicles how many could you get rid of because just
last week he told me when we were meeting he right now he has four vehicles out of service uh for repair issues and so that's part of the reason he feels he has to keep a larger fleet whereas if the fleet was newer he could and I just don't remember that conversation taking place while he was
here to say all right well if you got new vehicles how many do You think? >> I did ask him that. Well, I did. >> He told me one for one when we were preparing. I believe I did ask you did I did ask him that question because I looked at the the 2024 2025 audit and it
shows that the police department has 22 vehicles or 19 and two other off there's hope. But it came out to almost 22 vehicles. So >> that was the punch line. Okay. Thank you. >> Sir, I just have one quick question. The vehicles I know. So, whatever vehicles you do approve, whether it's the two
Taho and the three Mavericks or any combination thereof, it's definitely not going to be in capital. >> It definitely I we made that decision. It's not >> So, I'll be able to get you all the final numbers, the capital improvement fund number based on that then. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Motion go.
>> Can I ask a non budget question? >> Go ahead, Mr. >> We received a document from you, Mr. Carlo today for for Mr. Kenny for the OEM. >> Yes. >> Can you just explain
what I quite honestly I'm not even sure I understand. I mean I read the document and I have a lot of questions on it. >> The 10-page part. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So that's part of like a 840 page document. I can send you um the link to it. But from my that's why I wanted to
try and get the questions in advance for him because he's going to attend. But from my understanding, the this is something the county um government takes on, you know, takes under their wing, the county OEM, and they work with the
municipal OEMs and it's based on the county's master plan. So, I don't know if it's done specific to all the different municipalities within the county. And as you can see, we have 10 pages um that you know, honestly, I'm not that
familiar with either. That's why I wanted to get it in everybody's hands uh quickly. I I not prepared to tell you we don't have a choice. It's like one of those we don't have a choice. We have to agree to it. But um you know, if there's specific questions, but you know, uh Mr.
Kenny or Corporal Kenny will definitely be here to give a better explanation than I did. >> This is a Monday. He's coming. >> This is a Monday. Yeah. a resolution that'll be on for Monday. Okay. >> Well, my only concern is in reading it, there is a lot of language that based in
the current polit political environment, I'm not sure we want to be highlighting. Mhm. >> And I don't know if you know this ties into any funding downstream, but you know, if we say that all of our problem, well, not all of them, but if our
problems are related to climate change and our federal government doesn't believe in climate change, I'm concerned that it may uh present an opportunity to either lose
funding or not be considered uh downstream. I don't know. You know, again, I I you know, I I am a firm believer in climate change, but you know, clearly that's not the direction that the federal government is. And if we're looking for monies from the
federal government, either as direct from the municipality or through the county. I'm just concerned that, you know, we'll be uh excluded for those types of reasons. So, do you mind when you're doing the other email about the borrow if you want to expand on anything
cuz that might be something Corporal Kenny has to >> you know research also >> his head as well. >> Sure. >> All right. >> Thank you everyone. We'll see you tomorrow night. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Same place. Yeah. Woohoo.