Good evening, West Orange, and thank you for your patience. Welcome to the Township Council meeting for June 9th, 2026. We are live streaming to you, coming to you from council chambers. Uh you're welcome to join us here at 66 Main Street, where public comment in
person is welcome, but apparently not on Zoom. I meant obviously not on Zoom. Thank you very much. And at this time, I'd like to turn the council meeting over to Council President Thank you. Thank you everyone for being here and those on Zoom. Madame Clerk,
this is to inform the general public that this meeting is being held in compliance with section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, Public Law 1975. The notice for this meeting was emailed to the West Orange Chronicle and the Star Ledger on October 30th,
2025. Councilwoman Caselino, >> present. >> Councilman Koviaak, >> present. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> here. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> present. Council President Scorpa >> present. >> Mayor McCourtney. >> Council President.
>> Okay. Tonight we have a presentation on uh Junth Mayor or Councilwoman. >> Thank you, Council President. >> Greetings. Greetings. Quest Orange. I'm
going to ask the members of the Junth Planning Committee Film Festival. Please time. Yes. Yeah. >> No, we're gonna we're not going to bring the banner because it says 2024. Yeah. >> Good year.
>> That was a good year. That was a good year. >> Thank you. So we are presenting this Junth uh proclamation because June 19th is National Independence Day 2026 honoring the 3rd annual Junth film
festival and Junth whereas Junth commemorates June 19th 1865 the day when enslaved African-Americans in Galveston Texas learned of their freedom more than 2 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation
and stands as a powerful symbol of resilience liber liberation and the ongoing pursuit of equality. And whereas the observance of Junth provides an opportunity to celebrate African-American history, culture, achievement, and contributions while
fostering education, reflection, unity, and understanding among all people. And whereas the township of West Orange holds a unique and distinguished place in the history of motion pictures as the home of inventor Thomas Edison and the
site of the Black Mariah recognized as America's first motion picture studio where the earliest films were produced and where the foundations of the film industry were established. And whereas West Orange's legacy as the birthplace of American cinema continues to inspire
storytellers, artists, filmmakers, and audiences from across the region and beyond. And whereas the Junth film festival honors this rich cinematic heritage by showcasing films and creative works that elevate diverse
voices, preserve cultural history, encourage meaningful dialogue and celebrate the experiences, achievements and contributions of black communities. And whereas through film screenings, educational programming, community
discussions, artistic expression, and cultural engagement, the festival creates opportunities for residents and visitors of all backgrounds to learn from one another and strengthen the bonds that unite our community. And whereas the June Film Festival has grown
into a highly anticipated annual celebration bringing together filmmakers, artists, educators, students, family, community, organizations, and civic leaders to honor freedom, creativity, and cultural excellence. And whereas the third annual
Junth Film Festival continues this important tradition of storytelling and community engagement while reinforcing West Orange's commitment to diversity, inclusion, education, and the arts. And whereas the Junth Film Festival was
founded by Councilwoman Tammy Williams, whose vision and leadership have helped create a meaningful cultural event that celebrates history promotes understanding and showcases West Orange as a welcoming and vibrant community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that
Mayor Susan McCartney and the Township Council of the Township of West Orange do hereby proclaim June 19th as Junth National Independence Day. and recognize and celebrate the third annual Junth Film Festival and commend its
organizers, participants, sponsors, volunteers, filmmakers, and community partners for their dedication to preserving history, advancing cultural awareness, and enriching the quality of life for all residents. We encourage all
residents to participate in the Junth Film Festival and join in celebrating freedom, culture, creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling. Thank you. >> Thank you. And now I would like to take this
opportunity to introduce to some and welcome our curator for 2026, Miss Natasha Gout, and just give her a moment to say a few words about the festival. >> All right, I always have to adjust
these. Uh, good evening everyone. It is my honor to be curating this third annual Junth Film Festival. I'm very excited about the opportunities that we'll be bringing forth to the community. The
panels that we have are involving industry professionals who will be able to connect community members with the hopes and aspirations of being a working professional in the industry with pathways to that. as well as providing a
platform for filmmakers who are on their journey as well to be able to have visibility and to be able to have access to resources so that they can further their journeys. We hope that this propels people forward to other places
like Tribeca and Can Film Festival and all over the world. These resources that we are providing here in West Orange are near and dear to my heart specifically because they are involving individuals that I have met along my journey in the
theater world and film world. So I'm very excited to be connecting people to union members to be connecting people to resources and workforce development opportunities so that they can elevate their quality of living with professional jobs that can sustain them
in the industry. and I hope everyone else is going to come as well. Um, we are also creating an atmosphere where the film festival is intergenerational. We want to make sure that all of our areas of our community, our older adults as well as our younger
people are also involved in everything that we're doing. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Get the whole council. >> Okay, everybody look this way. Perfect. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> And we have a few minutes, I think. Do
you have anything else, Mayor, or is that it today? >> Anybody want to um do any um Sure. I hear >> Yeah, that we have a few minutes. I want to thank everyone for coming out to our
Shri Fair this past Saturday, June 6. Uh we had a great day, a very, very hot day. Oh, wow. That was fast. >> Awesome. Look at those photos. Very nice. So, just want to, you know, we
can't do these events without our great great uh staff, our first team of uh first responders, our police department, fire, uh our OEM this year, uh DPW, uh amazing with the setup and just keeping
everybody safe. you know, I'm not sure if uh any of you saw the news this weekend of some events that, you know, had some tragic endings uh across the country and we are very very blessed that we have a great support team that
is always and chief, thank you so much the you know how they keep us safe in this town. We're very very fortunate uh and uh we have to be thankful for that and thankful for all of our first responders. A few people had fainted due to the heat and and they were taken
immediately care of and uh but it was just a really beautiful day, a hot one, but it was beautiful. And I really want to thank on behalf of Miss Bril, Miss McCbell, Miss Brill couldn't be here this evening. Um just to thank everyone for coming out. There's a lot of
volunteers that were here in this room. Uh, and I just especially want to thank the mayor's family for coming out and helping all day and Miss Burl's family for coming out and helping all day as well as our downtown board. Uh, everyone
was amazing. We had the uh FIFA Skyline and Shoreline bus come. It was a little bit hot for them. Our uh our state uh soccer team came down to kick things off, no pun intended. It was just a really, really fun day. And I just want
to thank you especially to all the volunteers who help us uh load up these uh vendors and all the vendors that came uh for the day. We really appreciate it. So it's a team definitely a team uh sport that day to get it all done and it
was uh just a great day. So thank you to everyone for coming down to support us and our sponsors especially our sponsors too. Uh but summer fun has not ended. We have our downtown Thursday programs which will all be held on Alden Street
this summer. Thank you, Mr. Fagan. So, uh, any of you that attended May 7th, that was a great success with food trucks out with entertainment. Uh, June 25th is our next one. July 9th and August 6. So, if you're in town, uh,
those nights on a Thursday night, we'll be there. So, hopefully you could come on down downtown and catch our energy. And uh that's it. So I hope you could come out and support. There's a lot of great events this summer. I want to thank to uh public relations team for
being out there uh with the downtown helping and getting the word out on a lot like our newsletters and our information uh that we have out there so everyone could come out and support our events. >> Thank you. Council President, >> would you like to go to
>> Sure. Sure. Thank you. Um so a couple of updates on the uh West Orange Arts Center Council. Um Council Member Kovak will say I I stole his thunder. Um but on Sunday we held
our reception, artist reception and showcase um for the art of the game. Um which is our FIFA uh tribute. Um we had various community organizations come in throughout the month of May to paint soccer balls. We had a wonderful donation in partnership um with the Red
Bulls and Edie Pastell from the Chamber of Commerce. Um we were able to receive a 100 soccer ball donation um and we have participated with different community groups, organizations, PAL, WO CPAC, different uh residents have come
in as well as different artists have come in to paint the soccer ball. So it's a beautiful exhibit. Um the gallery is open from 2:00 to 4:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. So, please stop by. And then on Saturday the 20th, um there'll be a lot of activities again partnering
uh for Junth um at the arts uh council gallery as well. So, looking forward to seeing uh you all there. In addition to the uh arts council, we've also um done
what other boards have I uh met with? Oh my goodness. Okay. The art center. Art center. art center and I guess we haven't had any other uh board meetings with any of our uh other boards. So that that's it for me. Just highlighting the uh art center gallery.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> And Junth of course is June 19th. We just said that. >> We got June 19th. June 20th and June 21st. >> Location. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. So, I can um but the 19th the kickoff is going to be at Castaways
Restaurant which is right on the border of Orange and uh West Orange. Um and then on Saturday we start at the um senior building with some intergenerational activities starting at
11:00. Um we're going to also do a cookout on the sideyard for the uh older adults. Um and then we're going to segue over to the art center gallery um for the afternoon activities that's going to
be in partnership with some outdoor activities. Sik film school is going to bring their sick van or sick ambulance um which does a lot of um >> drone activity as well as um just film uhformational.
um you go into um what is a a bus that gives you um all kind of activities for young adults and we'll have music and entertainment. We'll also later that evening go over to Lumen Stage and then on uh Saturday on Sunday night or Sunday
afternoon we're partnering with Help Me Out. >> So on Saturday we have How Delish. Oh, how delish. We have a panel discussion at How Delish in the evening and then on entertain the idea. We'll have a panel discussion there and then we'll follow
that up with >> the library. >> The library uh the library, the dispensary. We'll have another panel discussion and some movie screenings there as well. >> Then we also have the family and healing center after >> Oh yeah. Then we because because Sunday
is actually Father's Day. Yes. Um so everyone be mindful that that Sunday that's a busy weekend. So there's a lot going on all over the place. Um so for Sunday we'll be at the family healing center um with a men's panel discussion as well. We'll have the schedule that
we'll um put we'll send to you so that you can post it and we'll have all the activities listed. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Ruden. And no remarks. >> Okay. Councilman Koviac. >> Uh, thank you. I cannot think of
anything to add and am ready to bite into the agenda. Thank you. >> Okay. Just I'll go quickly. The planning board has been very busy and um, as most of you know, the West Essex Highlands uh, will not be moving forward and the resolution for that will be on
Wednesday, tomorrow night. Um there are a lot of important important developments and I urge you to tune into the planning board and if you can't you could always get them on video. So I really hope that everyone will start to take a look at how our community is being developed and the projects that
are going on. The older adults advisory board is busy as usual. We are currently looking at the various pieces of exercise equipment that are being proposed and hopefully we'll be making some recommendations to the mayor on
that. And that's about it. So with that, we can close the conference agenda. Okay. This is to inform the general public that this meeting is being held in compliance with section 5 of the Open Public Meetings
Act, Chapter 231, Public Law 1975. The notice for this meeting was emailed to the West Orange Chronicle and the Star Ledger on October 30th, 2025. Councilwoman Castelino, >> present. >> Councilman Koviaak, >> present. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> here. >> Councilwoman Williams,
>> present. >> Council President Scarpa, >> present. >> Mayor McCartney. >> Will everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The council is now in their public meeting. >> Okay. So, it is time for Mr. Mlesi.
>> Uh, Mr. Mr. Mr. Yes. >> Are you going to do his tonight? >> Uh, I don't have anything from him, but I Yes, I will give his contact information. Mr. >> Thank you, Council President. Uh, I'd like to start off with uh June, which is Pride Month, and I have this graphic
running on the uh the east side and certainly on our social media as we recognize June as pride month here in West Orange and all over. Um the like to mention the West Orange uh Township municipal budget meetings will continue
Tuesday, June 16th. I believe that's two weeks from tonight uh right here in uh council chambers. And the Zoom and agenda link will it is posted at westthorns.org. And as has been mentioned, the uh current budget can be found on our
website uh under just look for this graphic either in the scroll um at west.org or and you'll be able to find latest up-to-date information. Uh Mayor McCartney has open office hours on Thursday, June 11th, 6:00 to 8, uh right
here in town hall. No appointment necessary in the uh township council connection. Open office hours is uh the end of month, June 25th, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. right here in council chambers. And once again, no appointment is necessary.
also like to um uh congratulate our retiring fire chief, Chief Anthony Veco for TW Veio for 25 years of service to the community. Uh he retired effective uh June 1st. And I want to mention this
emergency work uh that this is going on. This started on May 28th and will is continuing for approximately four to six weeks between on Pleasant Valley Way between Mount Pleasant Avenue and Rand Drive. Uh no, uh lane closures are
expected. Um uh but there are uh there might be delays through the area. Just want to make West Orange public aware of that in case they are traveling through the area, they can plan accordingly. Um on the website, we have uh you can find all health department news under this
graphic here. Uh it's updated frequently, so you you might want to check back and and see uh what's there. And the same is true for the uh Jenny Dunle pool of the recreation department. All the latest news, updates, and events can be found here. And as I mentioned,
it's also updated frequently. Um, also updated frequently is the canvasing map uh for the new New Jersey American Water. We get weekly updates uh from New Jersey American Water and we update the canvasing map so you can see for that
particular week where um they're expected to uh be canvasing the area. Um as we get into the summer months now uh and you have your landscaping projects uh or you're planning your landscaping projects, I'd like to just remind West
Orange residents that there is a tree removal permit required in West Orange. Uh if you're planning on removing any trees, uh these this information is uh available at westtorange.org. And uh this is the final call for
Tuesday, Thursday, June 11th, 2026 for the uh Western style roundup uh sponsored by West Orange Police Department, Community Division, Aging Well, West Orange Senior Citizens, and of course in cooperation with the West Orange High School. It's uh uh June
11th, 5 to 8:00 PM West Orange High School, Tarnoff Cafeteria, 51 Confori Avenue. We have the Philippine Fest Fiesta coming up on Sunday, June 14th, 1 to 4. This information is on our social media. And there's also a uh an event at
the West Orange Public Library that I think is quite important on Thursday, June 18th, 2026. And it's emergency preparedness workshop. You know, sometimes we often uh take for granted that we should be prepared having things like a go bag in case we had to get out
in a hurry and just have uh various items in that. So, this would be a good seminar especially for uh seniors uh to just in in terms of being prepared. Uh also on our website, the uh open office hours for the West West Orange tax
assessor, the June schedule is up there. And um also want to mention that a couple weeks ago there was a training exercise that occurred at the Essex House property and uh rumors started to circulate on social media that the
Wessix house the Essex house was being demolished. That was not true. Uh it was the the owners of the Essex House had graciously uh donated the building uh in terms of being able to be used for a training exercise and it was a great savings to
the uh township uh in terms of having to go out and get a facility. So it was a misunderstanding but uh everything went well there. And uh as was mentioned the street fair uh was this past June 6th. Uh downtown Thursdays was mentioned uh
Junth. Oh, I want to give a congratulations to West Orange resident uh uh friend of m of of mine, my wife's for many years, Brandon Deran. He received his first Tony Award nomination for best performer by an actor in a
featured role in a play at the Tony Awards this past Sun uh Sunday night. Unfortunately, Brandon did not win. Uh but remember that name. Uh he's certainly uh uh he's been on the scene for probably two decades, but it's only a matter of time before it does when
he's a West Orange resident. He's pictured here with his wife Crystal Dickinson who herself is a famous actress. She stars in the Showtime series The Chai and they are both West Orange residents. And if that's not enough, their son Chase uh attends
Liberty Mi Middle School and he had a lead role in um Little Mermaid and it was a phenomenal performance. And so uh before I close, Council President, I just like to I hope this works here. I just want to A West Orange resident had
asked me uh what this was above the door over here and I had just assumed that everyone knew. Uh but what it actually is is it's a time capsule. And in uh 1962, a time capsule was placed out in
front to be opened in 2012. Of course, in 2012, the contents of that time capsule had uh disintegrated completely. So, our former recreation director, Mr. Kio, has suggested that we place a time capsule for the next 50 years in plain
view. And that's what this is above the uh door where council councilwoman Ruden sits. Uh so I just wanted to uh bring that to your attention. And um Mr. Puglesi is not here tonight. Uh but you
can contact Mr. Puglesi at um uh 973-621-2542. And this is his email address I have displayed on the screen there. Uh that concludes my report. Uh council president. Thank you very much.
>> Okay. Thank you. So, it looks like it's time for public comment. Could you raise your hand if you're going to be making public comment this evening? >> Okay. Why don't we start over here with Mr. Gibbons? All
right. >> Good evening. My name is Kenneth Gibbons. Seven Rakes Place in the Valley section. I have uh read the RFP pertaining to safe streets and roads for all SS4A the Michael Baker proposal and
the evaluation report posted 4 days ago. Why this matters to you? If you walk to a bus stop, push a stroller, use a wheelchair, or simply cross the street, this study is about you. Residents should look for opportunities to provide
input, and the township should actively promote those opportunities to every ward. The numbers and the three questions for the administration. The township is committing 562,500 of which 450,000
is for federal from federal and 112,500 is the local match. Michael Baker earned this award. But before voting, I have three questions that deserve answers tonight. Number one, how were the priority corridors chosen? Northfield
Avenue, Valley Road, Kingsley Street, and Central Avenue are named. Why not Gregory Avenue? What criteria determined which streets made the list? Number two, what is the administration's realistic estimate of full implementation cost?
Tonight's 562,500 is five to 15 cents of a do on the dollar. Plus orange taxpayers deserve a real number, not just a study cost. Number three, how is the local match for implementation been budgeted or has it
been budgeted? We are likely talking about $1 million or more in taxpayer funds. The vote is the beginning of a much larger commitment, not the end of one. The valley section and community offer
53% of West Orange fatalities occur in low light conditions. That is not a statistic to me. That is my block. I am waiting for approval to host a block party on Rig's Place in a few weeks. I'm inviting the consultant to set up a
table. The audience will be there. The venue will be there. And I'm asking council to require at least one popup event in the valley section. And I'm offering my block party as the vehicle. Three physical ask. One, itemize monthly
invoices by task, staff, and hours, not lump sum. to GIS data and outputs in independently accessible formats. West AR should not depend on the consultant for its own safety data. Three, a
designated staff member for two CFR part 200 federal compliance. That cannot be assumed. By 2029, I want a Ward One senior walking safely to the bus stop on Northville Avenue at night. The sidewalk
from Rollinsson Street corner to Northville Avenue is dangerously narrow and passable for seniors, strollers, and people with disabilities. Widening it should be a priority recommendation of this study. Council job does not end
with the award to Michael Baker. It begins there. The valley section has waited long enough. I will be watching and so will my neighbors on Rick's place. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Goldsman. Um Justin Goldzman, West Orange. Um good
evening members of the council. Just a few questions tonight that I hope you can shed some light on. First, at the previous council meeting, it was unanimously voted by this body to move on first reading to amend our cannabis ordinance to be in alignment with neighboring municipalities and our liquor stores in terms of operating
hours. I'm not seeing that on the agenda tonight where it should follow in process. We know that liquor and cannabis stores tend to increase during popular sporting events. And with the World Cup starting this week, and this item still not dealt with, I worry we are once again missing out on the opportunity to support our small
businesses, generate economic stimulus, and chip away at our town's $171 million debt. Can you provide clarity as to why this isn't being heard tonight and when we can expect it to be heard? On the bill list, if I'm reading correctly, there's an item from March 2025 to KJC
Enterprises for $25,000 for library renovations. While at first that seemed a reasonable number for an office or home renovation, it seems that that allocation is actually for a remodel of the library sign. I've been to the library many times. I have never once
seen a library sign that could possibly fathom $25,000. Can someone please speak to the cost associated with $25,000 for a library sign? Regarding the 80 Main Street redevelopment proposal, while I have always urged caution on major development proposals in West Orange and
still do, especially where proposals add significant density or change the character of a neighborhood, the 80 Main Street draft plan, based on my reading of it, is different. It focuses on improving an existing older office building, preserving the office use, and allowing certain groundf flooror experiential retail in the already
developed prime downtown location right across from where we are today. In my view, that kind of targeted reinvestment by property owners without any public subsidies or pilots is the type of redevelopment the township should be willing to consider and move forward pending the appropriate processes. Can
you please speak to the status of the project? There's a lot of confusion about there about procedure and which body is appropriate to hear this project. All of those should be considered and aptly dealt with. I do worry, however, that the longer we take to redevelop this space, similar concern to the movie studio concept, again with
an absolute respect for our laws and our processes, that we are missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual re tax revenue. And given the current climate of proliferating warehouses and data centers, that we lend ourselves to a potential patron walking away and instead being replaced by something detrimental to the
character of our town. Can you please tell us what the next steps for 80 Main Street are? on resolution 2974-26. I'm absolutely supportive of these new parking spaces for our residents with disabilities. This speaks to the ability that the government can have to address a problem when it so chooses.
I'd like to see the same swiftness and attention given to the parking situation in the valley because a decade is long enough. That does not mean pitting residents or communities or areas in town against one another, but it speaks to priorities and willingness to listen.
I'm fully in favor of 297626 to erect a stop sign at White Street in Ashland. The same question applies. How are these decisions prioritized when we've seen accident after accident at Gregory and Mitchell? Item 16026, Michael Baker International, a contract
not to exceed $450,000. It's $112,000 share for the town and a 25% match. All for the Safe Streets for All grants. I'm glad to see us seeking grants and to strive to prioritize pedestrian safety. There's another agenda, Herps Musciano for 57,000 for professional architecture
services for municipal building um interior alterations at 46 Mount Pleasant. These five items 80 main, the renovations at 46 Mount Pleasant, safe streets for all, and the two parking situations and pedestrian safety have one underlying theme in common. They all
speak to the need for a comprehensive, holistic town planner, an in-house town planner that has a working understanding of all of our projects, how they impact one another, how they intersect with traffic, environment, competitive businesses, and residential impacts. I hope one day we can get to an in-house
town planner on resolution 16626, the local health grant for $52,000. Every time we get a grant, we should applaud it. We know that healthcare costs are skyrocketing. We saw it during the budget presentations. We all personally feel it. My healthcare is $1,200 a month. Per the granters website, the
program aims to support the development or expansion of long-term health infrastructure improvements with a focus on health equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The agenda item says it'll be used to hire a short-time specialist to perform various health inspections. So, I'm just genuinely curious if someone can speak to the
number of complaints we actually receive. Are those numbers due to a lack of staff or other contributing factors? and how a temporary grant hire seems to speak to long-term solutions that are imposed by the nature of this grant. Simply put, is this the best use of our funding? Um, I echo Councilwoman
Calcelino's comments about everyone involved in the street fair. It was a great time. It was good to see so many faces. And lastly, June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. I hope this council will consider a proclamation to support that and end the epide epidemic of gun violence. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone over here, Mrs.
Bernett? Joy brunette 63 pod place. Okay. So I am here to just follow up on the status of the pilot for the valley area. I'd like to know what are we doing going forward. There are some things I
want to also address. Um, I'd like to address the commercial parking. As I have previously brought up my neighbors, not on my street, but on the other streets and the other alphabet streets were concerned about commercial parking in the evening as this was one of one of
the issues with giving us these one-way streets was to create additional parking. Um, I drove through my neighborhood one night and I have videos of all of the empty parking spaces that were on every street. I also have video
of all of the commercial vehicles. I did reach out to the chief and all of you about the commercial vehicles in the area. How I walk my dog at night, like 10:00, I see them. I walk my dog about 6:30 the next morning. There are no tickets on these vehicles. But I know if
we park in front of our house illegally, there is always a ticket. Um I also after reaching out to the chief and to you guys, there was there were tickets for one night. These same cars continue to be parked. The same vehicles with commercial plates continue to park on
the streets and there are no tickets issued because my dog has to be walked every night and every day. Uh and so I am questioning that before you want to push us to getting uh one-way streets
without our that we are against. I think we need to talk about all of this commercial parking. They are very large vans and I even called one night and they actually told me cuz I went through every block and I called and said, "Can you come ticket these vehicles?" By the
time I got to the fourth call, they said, "Miss Bernette, we're going to have cars go out and they're going to ticket." I'm not sure why that's not happening every night. Why do I have to call? Why do my neighbors have to call? We all have jobs. We got to come home and do the job of the police as well.
I'm a little confused by that. Um, I also actually stopped an officer one night as he was patrolling through the neighborhood. I came home late and I asked him, "Was everything okay?" He said it was okay. He was just going through the neighborhood. And I said, "Are you also working on parking?" He
said, "Yes." So I said, "What about all of those commercial vehicles I just passed? There's at least three to four parked on Kingsley every night." And he said to me, "Oh, around there on Kingsley." So I said to him,"Wh haven't those vehicles been ticketed if you're
telling me you are here going through the neighborhood and you're also patrolling for parking?" The response was he was unsure of what the ordinance was. He thought they had to have ladders on them. And I said, "No, they have to have commercial plates and they all have
commercial plates." So I was confused as to why this officer, and I have his name, I'm not going to say it here, but why he did not know that They didn't have to have ladders. They had to have commercial plates. And they all have commercial plates. And it's the
same ones parked every night on these streets. So there is available parking if the parking was available to residents and not to all of these commercial vehicles. So that that is something that I would like to have addressed. And I don't think it is my
job because he also said, "Well, you can call. Why should I have to call when I park when my kids park in front of my house just to get a spot? Sometimes they get tickets. Nobody's calling. So, I would like the police to do their job for everyone, not just for the residents
without commercial plates. >> Thank you, Miss Bernett. We will have that addressed. Um, anyone else over here? I'm sorry. Come on up. Good evening. My name is Alex Dalmple. Uh my husband
and I moved to 204 Gregory Avenue over 5 years ago, specifically choosing West Orange for its reputation as a quiet, leafy suburb where we could start a family. As former New Yorkers, we were thrilled to find a neighborhood that checked every box, great schools and a sense of community and a playground
within walking distance. We knew living on a main street might bring some traffic, but for the first two years, we only experienced it during rush hour. However, about 2 years ago, when my now four-year-old was a toddler, my perspective shifted from minor inconvenience to genuine fear. While
walking my daughter Charlie and her stroller to the playground, the one next to Roosevelt Middle School on Club Boulevard, I stopped at the corner of Gregory and Wellington. I waited for the car to come to a complete stop before I stepped off the curb. And as I began walking, the driver, who later admitted
that they simply weren't looking, started their engine, began to pull forward. I had to scream and literally wretched the stroller out of the way to avoid a tragedy. This wasn't an isolated incident. It was a warning. Over the last year, our family has witnessed a
transformer explosion caused by a car hitting a utility pole, five major accidents in just three weeks in May, including a vehicle flipping over, and a threec car pileup. My next door neighbor continuously shares that while working from home, he sees at least two, if not
three near collisions daily because of speeding on Gregory Avenue. Just this past Monday, I was crossing Gregory Avenue to go to my Jitney stop at the intersection of Forest Hill Road, and a car even refused to stop for the crossing guard. His name is Eddie. I don't know if you guys are familiar with
him, when he put up his stop sign so I could cross. And the car even went around us. This is not the first time this has happened to Eddie, unfortunately. Last year, he unfortunately got in a severe accident where he had to step out of the way due a a speeding car.
My main question is this. How fast are cars going when these severe accidents are happening and back to back? The street is a 25 mile per hour street, yet I see cars continuously treating it like a highway. I have recently been in touch with Sergeant Matthew Reese from West
Orange Police and he shared that there will be a speed feedback trailer being put into the Gregory neighborhood. However, I'm not seeing any uh difference in the speedback trailer that's in front of the Gregory school right now. It's not deterring drivers in any real way. Currently, there is a
traffic police officer at the corner of Greg Gregory Avenue in Mitchell. And I do see drivers are much more cautious when driving past him. And in addition, I know that there is a traffic light that is currently on the table. And I've heard that that will take about a year and it's very expensive.
I'm asking the town council, mayor, and county to take this very seriously. We need permanent trafficcoming measures, including a delegated crosswalk on the corner of Gregory Avenue in Wellington, and consistent police presence on Gregory Avenue, giving out speeding
tickets, holding unsafe drivers accountable to ensure that our town remains a safe place for our children to grow up. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> I'm sorry, we didn't catch your name. Did you say your name? I'm sorry. Um, Alex A L E X and then the last name is D
as in David. A L R Y M P as in Peter L E DLE. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any Jackie, >> good evening everybody. Jackie Hendy, Beverly Road. Um, I I want to first
clarify the record a little bit regarding the um transparency and accountability ordinance that I brought forth. I want to thank the council president for moving it forward in good faith and all the council members who reached out to me privately. I do appreciate that spirit of collaboration. So, thank you. Um, I did want to just
clarify that I did reach out to my ally and I just didn't hear anything which is why I took the course that I did. I just want to clarify that for the record. Um, I also want to speak tonight about three moments that to me have defined the council's character over the fa past several months. Um, on April 28th,
residents came before this body and asked for a resolution requiring a judicial warrant before ICE enters non-public municipal spaces. They were specific. They were prepared. And they named a dozen neighboring towns that had already acted and noted that we are 10
miles from Delaney Hall, which the situation there has only continued to escalate since um April 28th. Um the resolution did not fail. It never got a second. It was refused consideration entirely. There was one council member who was
willing to move it. I know that another had said support, but when the moment came, it just never it never surfaced. Um, one council member said that they'd made a commitment against these types of resolution, and I'm just curious um when wondering how it feels to be so
comfortable making such a blanket statement. Um, I've never lived that experience, so it's just curious to me. Um, regarding the pride flag on the steps that was removed without notice, um, at the last meeting, we heard heartfelt testimony from members of the
LGBT community and their allies. And one council member's response was, and this is a direct quote, that appreciation of diversity is not based on symbols. And with all due respect, the people who needed that flag on that steps didn't come to this podium to be told that
their feelings uh are based on a misunderstanding of diversity. They came because they wanted to be seen and you told them they were wrong to need that. Another council member said, and I'm quoting directly, "I'm not supportive of the resolutions. I made a commitment for that." Again, I'd like to know what it
feels like to live when you're comfortable making those kinds of commitment because not everybody has that luxury. Um, I want to say something directly. This council often governs as though its sole obligation is fiscal. And I do
understand that our budget challenges are real and very serious. And I do appreciate the excellent work that the council is doing to try to resolve decades of trouble, for lack of a better word. You know, but governing is not just a balance sheet. It's also a reflection of who lives here and what
they need. West Orange is now a majority minority community. That shift has happened in a single decade. Today, nearly six in 10 residents identify as black, Hispanic, Asian, or multi-racial. Yet, the people standing at this podium asking to feel safe and asking to be
seen and asking for accountability are being told to wait, trust the process, and stay in their lane. The demographics of this town have changed. The national moment has changed. And the question is whether this council is capable of
change because we are not living in times. The rights of LGBTQ plus residents are under assault at the federal level. Communities of color are being targeted, surveiled, and removed. The institutions that were supposed to protect all of us are being dismantled
in real time. And people are watching, watching to see whether their government will be a place of refuge or just another place that looks away. This council doesn't have to solve all of that, but it does have to decide what it
stands for. And I'm going to say four of the five members of this council are running for mayor. Four people asking this community for its trust, for its promotion, for the opportunity to lead, while people who come to this podium again are told to wait, to stay in the
lane, and that the visibility is negotiable. My ask is not a political one. It comes from someone who long after this election year passes needs to know whether this town will have the back of people who look like me, families like mine. Whether we'll be up for real
reflection when faced with world views and lived experiences that don't reflect its own. We are never done learning and growing until we are returned to the earth from which we came. And that's all I'm asking from this council. Not perfection, but growth, curiosity, and
humility. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Yes. What up? >> Welcome. >> Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? >> Name name and address. >> Jackie Paresi,
46 Mount Pleasant Avenue around the corner. I have two issues here I'd like to address. The first issue is the constant speeding on Mount Pleasant Avenue. It is
very dangerous. Uh school buses at after 2:00 in the afternoon come down the hill probably 40 45 miles an hour. Dump trucks, construction trucks, and vehicles
themselves. Uh this is a very small area for the speeding to happen. And besides where are they going? There's a traffic light right here. >> All right. >> And and um I'm I'm a concerned citizen
and I'm looking out for the safety of everyone. You have Zoo Fall across the street. You have our building that is a senior building where people are driving. uh their cars maybe not going as fast as
they should or look out as better as they could, but it's a dangerous area, very congested. And up the street there's a a speeding sign that says cars 35 miles an hour and trucks and buses 20
miles an hour. Well, it's not enforced at all. Um, if we could have a uh speeding sign posted in the middle of the street that says what your speeding is and what the
speeding should be. That might might catch their attention. Or maybe we can have a police officer just stand there for like half an hour and watch all the cars and go by and very very very very fast. Very dangerous. I've addressed
this before. I'm really tired of addressing this again, but I am going to come back and I will address it again if uh if the if there's not a resolution to this horrible situation. Now, my second um request here is that
there is going to be uh construction, preconstruction possibly in this building over here that's attached to our building that's empty right now at 46 Mount Pleasant Avenue. And it's
going to include new municipal offices, administrative areas, accessibility and restroom upgrades, mechanical and electrical improvement, and life safety systems among other improvements. Well, first of all, where are all these people
going to park their cars? Number one. Number two, this is going to create a lot more traffic in the area and it's not safe for all this to happen. And besides, not for nothing, but we were under the impression, the residents of
uh 46, we were under the impression that that building was going to be converted into a community center for seniors. There is no community center around here. Uh the Rena House has has uh property that's designated for the
seniors. We have nothing, zilch, nothing. And it's bad enough that when the variance was approached to only have 38 parking spaces for 62 units, the law says one unit, one car unit, one car per
unit and that has not been carried out at all and we still fight for parking uh in in our in our area. Okay, I'm done. >> Points well taken. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else over here on this side of the room before I go to the next?
No. My name is Beverly Hartzfield and I live at 46 Mount Pleasant Avenue and I'm very illprepared to read a speech, but uh it was brought to my attention today that the um old library is going to um have
some residents uh some people move into that building. First of all, there is not enough parking. I completely concur with what the previous speaker said there. The people that live in 46 do not
have enough space to park as it is. Um, and for we had come previously to speak to the mayor about the parking and we got uh four four parking spaces with signs on them and the rest of the uh
parking underneath the building that was supposed to be designated to us has no signs. So the police officers, with all due respect, um exchange their cars. they go and get a a a town car and put
it in their space and then move their car out so that they don't have to deal with the rain or the the the elements um around and in the morning you can watch them go ahead and do an exchange again.
The the fact of the matter is that the people that live at 46 need to have additional space. And the other thing that it has to happen is that they have to understand that the the space between
the the the spaces are allotted for parking is not a throughway. We have cars driving through there coming down a wrong way the wrong way on a one-way street. And I personally have stood
there in the middle of that that parking lot and told them this you can't come through here. Well, I have to be to work. I'm sorry you have to be to work, but you're going to be late today because I'm not moving. >> Good for you. >> I think it's but and and it it it sounds
hysterical, but the the fact of the matter, if you you live there and you see how people use that as a throughway because they don't want to get on um Mount Pleasant Avenue the appropriate way, it's just not fair to the people that live there. This is supposed to be
a senior building. It has absolutely no services. There is nobody watching what's going on in that building. And the services that are allotted to the other buildings does not seem to come our way. I think it's time that people
realize that we are seniors, but we do vote. Mhm. >> And um I personally am prepared at this point to write a letter to the other senior buildings and say, you know what, we need a whole new set of council people. We need a whole new set of we
need a another mayor. Whatever it takes for the for you to listen that this community has a lot of seniors. At least 20% of the the the community is is seniors. But the issue is that nobody ever pays any attention. and you wait
for something to happen. Some of these items have to be addressed. Don't give me the chance to have to sit down and write what needs to be done because I'd be here all day. Thank you very much. Points well taken. Yes.
Uh Rachel Klein how drive um we don't just not uh it seems like we gave a builder a pretty big break to build a building put some pe some seniors in it and then did a bait and switch. Not only don't we have facilities for seniors in
the building, but we also don't really have a dedicated senior center in the town. If we we're probably not the only town in Essex County, but we're the only town of this size in Essex County to not have a dedicated senior center, a center that seniors can be busted to to all get
together for different types of activities. Instead, we have the activities spread throughout town in every different place. And then come summer we kick them out of some of those places to the cats center is a great place with a treacherous driveway. It's if that was changed maybe that
could be the dedicated senior center but as it is now it has issues also something should be done. senior. This has been now I've been coming here regularly since March of 2023 and almost every meeting a senior comes and says
this and I think it really you need to you guys need to do something at least before the end of the calendar year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else over here? No. Okay, we'll move to this side of the room who would
like to comment. Okay. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Joseph Penolo. I live in the 200 foot notice area of the West Essex Highlands and Essex Spells. and I came up here
with a a few points and a couple of questions. Uh just to summarize where things are at, on June 3rd last week, there was a resolution drafted proposed for adoption that went out not too long
before the meeting as well as March 4th minutes of a planning board meeting for which deliberations occurred for most of the entire evening and a vote did not take place. The substance of the comments from members of that planning board raised many many issues that were
chosen to be I guess at the discretion of both the board and the developer come back and write a letter to fulfill the issues that we have and add to the record after 30 meetings and all the evidence that was presented information
about the water tower in question, a tree replacement plan, sanitary sewer layout and capacity as well as the cost of the sewer that's going to be have to be added which doesn't include the cost of other infrastructure that comes at the cost of the township for all offtrack site improvements except the
traffic light the sanitary sore odor at Howell Drive and then the only vote that did take place on the evening of March 4th was a poll on the planning board members which got an 8 zero vote should everyone like to have a second means an
alternative means of ingress and egress access to this site because there isn't It's over roads at Eagle Rock and the vote was 8-0. Planning board gave the developer an opportunity to come back, write a letter. That letter submitted March 30th
was posted weeks later and it addressed no new matter, introduced no new matter. So there was no rebuttal. That might have been a smart tactical maybe strategic path because it didn't open the door to response. but it failed to convince the balance of the planning
board to prevail to give the application an approval. All that said, some of the things that that letter did say advised the township that it doesn't have the authority to regulate its own wetlands. And I will remind everybody here because
it may end up here at some point that while the ordinance IHT 261420 suspended design, bulk and environmental ordinances in town, steep slope, tree, everything, it didn't suspend chapter 25 stormwater regulations. So I came here
on March I don't know 24th and presented something that was pres given by Oprah by the DP that showed upper wetlands field notes from 2018 and 19 which were not part of the submission to the D by
the developer or engineer and developer engineer and the D were both party to those field notes that were taken and those notes contradict seasonal high water tables wetlands borings with water coming up in holes, all kinds of things that show that the
wetlands are not accurate on the upper side. They're not in the record. Interestingly, the same time the developer sends his March 30th letter in, he sends in a letter to a pen in the record with an order denying the suspension requested by WeCare in May of
last year that never got an answer that was given to us the day Mikey Cheryl was inaugurated. That record, that order from the DEP commissioner said there's no new information. However, the new information that did exist was up on the board here two months ago. The developers
attorney didn't know that. The D was requested at the same time, unbeknownst to all of us here, to allow the order and denying the request by the D commissioner on June 20th, January 20th, delivered to everybody. The appellet
division denied it. did not allow it into the record, but it did allow the field notes into the statement of information comprising the record discovery equivalent in the appelllet. So, your planning board denied allowing those notes in, but it did allow them the order of opinion in and the appellet
division denied. That said, there are a lot of issues with what would appear to be a planning board resolution, which we're not going to get a chance to comment on should give an adequate time. I was told by town attorney, not you, sir. I think you're the town attorney,
but you're not Mark Subaro. That the planning board attorney would defend the planning board decision by the town. That same fact was true 20 years ago in 2006 when the planning board denied the application 5 to2. But
the planning board, the town of West Orange did not defend its planning board decision. Decadence was remanded back to West Orange. There was effort to go on to preserve the site and the world blew up. I'm concerned the same thing is going to happen now. I know my time is
up. Cameron, thank you very much. There's information that people should know that's happening that isn't happening here and I hate to be the guy to present it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I did ask people to tune in to the planning board. Anybody else over here? Uh, Miss Bennett.
Oh. Good evening, Michaela Bennett, Old Indian Road. Um, I think I'll start with the new business and then I'll switch to my old business. Um, on tonight's agenda, uh, of course, I'm not going to know the
number. Sorry. It's the agenda item number regarding the space that was supposed to be library space slash community space. Now considering it for oh it's 162-26
uh the professional services contract for professional architectural services associated with the um interior alterations for new municipal offices. Why would we put municipal offices in a
space that was identified as either satellite library or community space? A space that we've heard already this evening from residents of that building um has issues with parking. Um has issues with speeding on the street
outside of it. And more importantly, why would we put municipal employees there? What was all of that a bait and switch just to get it across the finish line? And speaking of bait and switch, the sewer bill,
I'm guilty of I think not having paid my sewer bill in 2025. It just got paid last night along with the sewer bill um this year. But I have to tell you that when we raised that sewer bill back of the napkin math, we um started collecting $9 million extra annually.
We're we're at year three. Again, I'm not great at math, but that's $27 million. Now, I know that um when I raised this issue, where did the sewer um money go? We were told here at a at a meeting that it went into the general
fund. I think we walked that back. I think um the thought is that we're going to do some math and pull some ordinances and figure out where $27 million went. That should be a priority of yours.
That would close lots of gaps. Um another issue that I raised was executive session minutes. Uh the reason I I I'll be transparent. The reason I want to see some executive session minutes is because I know that the sewer
bill was was discussed at length during executive sessions. What we were going to use the money for was discussed at length during executive sessions. The reason I know that is because I remember Mr. Rutherford coming out and being surprised when Mr. Gross
said, "No, that's not what you can use the surplus um sewer money for." I remember that. We could play the tape back. Um, I mean, that's one of the reasons why I want to see the executive session minutes. I don't know if we're going to
see executive session minutes, but I would like to be able to review executive session minutes. And it really is the right of the public to know once the need for confidentiality is gone. And so at some point if the executive session minutes can be published obviously the ones where um
confidentiality is no longer necessary uh the secrets we you you don't need to operate um from a place of secrecy. You don't need to lead from a place of secrecy unless you're not leading correctly. If you're doing the right thing, you
should open your books and show everybody. Um, with the short time that I have left, there's one other uh, no, there's two other items I want to address. We had the good fortune um, of welcoming my mother-in-law into our home
in January. And, uh, as a senior in this community, she's had the good fortune of understanding the services that are available to seniors. And some of them, um, happen at the library. And the last time she went to learn how to um use a
computer, I walked her in. Um she probably should have brought her walker that day. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get from handicap parking into the space where she was going to um going to learn. And it was then that she
pointed out to me because she had been there before that there's not even accessible bathrooms at the library. not a bathroom where she's comfortable. How did that happen? How did we end up with basically a
retrofitted brand new beautiful library that is not accessible? For a walking senior who had to stop multiple times from the parking lot to get to the front. All right, in 12 seconds I'm going to try to do this very quickly. It's on here. I
don't remember the number and I don't want to in 765. We should not be approving $50,000 for someone. >> Your time is up. >> I'll just finish in one sentence. It's one sentence. Go ahead. >> We should not be approving $50,000 for
someone who was not qualified on the face for a role. You don't need to augment someone's um um you're either you're either appropriate for a role or you're not appropriate for the role. And if
you're not appropriate for the role, if you don't have the requisite requirements, we shouldn't be outsourcing them so that you can keep the role. We should just be hiring someone who has the require necessary requirements. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else over here on this side?
This >> Mr. Devi, are you coming up or no? Okay. Anyone else back there? No. Okay. Seeing none, we move to close public comment. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> Oh, never mind.
>> I apologize. >> Okay. Would you like to start us all? You want to start the other end? >> Start at the other end. Uh, Councilman, you want to get started? >> I think it was just start at the other end. I'm just kidding. Uh,
I'm just I'm just astounded at so many people coming up here and pointing out all the many ways we could greatly improve our services to our residents. I I I'm I couldn't even take
notes fast enough uh for everything that was brought up and I I feel a need to apologize because there are so many things that we as the municipal government, both the administration and the council should be
doing to get these things done. And I I uh I want to just thank everybody for coming up here and and pointing these out. We have a long way to go and uh uh I hope the administration was listening
and can respond to a lot of these these questions starting with uh uh questions about the safe streets. There were three questions that were asked including uh estimate of costs, how the specific streets that are being targeted were
chosen and uh what our meaning our municipalities matching share of this overall cost is going to be. So, I certainly want to to uh try to address those here in the in the
administration's response to uh the first public speaker. Council President, I don't know whether to just keep a list or or uh so I can go on because >> Yeah, go on. >> Okay. And >> uh Mr. Goldsman uh raised a a as he
usually does a great number of concerns. Uh there was a mention of the proposed area need of rehabilitation at 80 Maine across the street. I believe that is not on the agenda tonight because it's going
to be sent to the planning board as per the state redevelopment law for the planning board to review and to send their comments back to the council. I think the same thing is going on with the uh cannabis ordinance. I I think that's what's going on, but uh again,
I'd have to rely on the the administration or perhaps the town attorney for uh what's what's going on here. Um, Miss Bernett, I don't know whether to say thank you for coming here and pointing out all of
the ways we should be uh behaving with parking down in in the valley. uh but uh just about I I would say everything you said is completely reasonable if what we're trying to do is improve the
uh parking situation down in the valley while we're trying to come up with a uh I guess a replacement plan for what the administration had proposed uh a few uh meetings ago. So, thank you for bringing that up. I'm just uh I'm just wonder if
maybe a few pictures like you've done in the past and video might uh might might help, but it just uh I really appreciate your patience and your perseverance. Um um Miss Dal Rimple, I know the uh
administration and the police are looking at these issues here and trying to figure out what's the best way to not only in an ongoing basis what we're doing to improve safety uh around
Gregory, but what we can do long term. It's just we're going to have to take a little while to to put this together. Uh, Miss Hendy, I appreciate you coming and explaining your perspective on what was discussed on a couple of these
issues, but uh, I respectfully disagree with at least the comments that you were referring to me on. I encourage everyone to just go back and watch the video of the meeting and perhaps decide for yourself because what I said was I
understood that people feel some people feel very strongly with symbols and I understand that. I get it. What I also said was the change or temporary uh
removal of a of a symbol however valued does not change the character of in my opinion of our township which is a very uh welcoming and uh diverse uh community
and uh it's another situation where I I would hope that somebody in the administration could talk about where things stand uh in terms of the uh follow-through on on that council meeting and what may be uh being done
going forward. Um, I appreciate the residents at uh uh uh at the senior center bus the the parking lot here again raising issues about increasing safety not only on Mount
Pleasant Avenue but also in the parking lot. It was one of the first questions I had about this project is the parking. But just so everybody knows, and this is something that's been discussed roughly for a
decade, but it now appears likely, depending on the council vote, to come to fruition is that the public works department at 25 Lakeside has to move for two main reasons. one,
we've we've got to fix the remediation, the environmental remediation needs of that property, and we also need to move our people and equipment off of it so that it can be potentially in use for our downtown
redevelopment project. So uh that's why this uh planning and design resolution is on the agenda for tonight. But you make a very good point your two speakers who
came here that it needs to be done in coordination and in sale safe coordination with the people who are literally uh across the wall uh on this project. and we need to get this done
right on the parking. And uh that was one of the first questions I asked. I haven't had an answer from it uh for that question, but I'd be very interested uh in in learning more about that. Uh Mr. Panulo, I uh I appreciate you uh
coming once again. And uh is it my opinion or have you been down in Florida for a while because you seem to have a pretty nice hands. But thank you very much for coming back uh to talk about uh West Essex Highlands because it may or may not
be over at least in the short term or the long term. We'll have to see uh what happens. Um, and I join uh, Miss Bennett in asking
for all due efforts to get our executive session minutes drafted and identified for public
disclosure as soon as it meets the state statute for not putting township in any sort of legal or financial uh peril while we are working on on various issues. And uh she also
appropriately identified this sewer fee uh that I've been criticizing for well over a decade uh uh is is a real issue for us. It may be a long-term problem because
I don't know how close her estimate of the $27 million is, but if it's gone into the general fund, we've spent it. And uh, as I've said before, I consider this to be a tax by another name, uh, a
property tax by another name. We need to deal with it as part of the huge huge huge financial challenges we are facing in our township. Everybody here is justified in asking uh for improved
performance and additional spending. I'm telling you it's not there. We are in a deep deep hole. I think Mr. Goldzman mentioned the $170 million in in outstanding debt that's chewing up roughly more than 12% of our operating
budget and we've got to do something about that because it is it is really hurting us. But uh we're having to move as as fast as we possibly can, but unfortunately that's not going to be fast enough uh to fix a lot of these
problems. So I'm sorry if I rambled. Uh, I'm looking forward to I didn't have much time to prepare a response, but I do encourage the administration and perhaps the town attorney if if possible to answer some of the questions that were raised. They
are all legitimate concerns and uh once again, our public commenters are really truly amazing. they uh come up with frustrations, but they're civil and uh you definitely got your point across to
me. So, thank you, Council President. >> Yes. Hi, good evening everyone and thank you for your public comment and for just being here and listening. There are some things that we as a council cannot do because it it really comes from the top
and that is from the mayor and the administration. But on tonight's agenda, there is one thing that we absolutely can do. Um there is an ordinance that many of you came out to speak about and I appreciate um the members of the
community at over at 64 Mount Pleasant, our new senior building. Um resolution I'm sorry, backwards. Um the resolution 16226. Some of you have called this a bait and switch. That is
exactly what it is. That community space was promised to the community. It was never meant to be office space by the government. In February of 2021, this presentation
was presented to those at the council. I was not at the council. It was called executive drive redevelopment. and those on the council um heard a presentation where it described what was going to happen at
the existing library site. And we the public and the people who were on the council at that time were told that 7,500 square ft of community space would be given to the community. It also said
slash library annex. Not only did this say this once in this report and in the slideshow that was given to us, it said it twice. There's no question this was meant as a library annex. When they
moved the downtown library, so critical to our downtown residents, away from the downtown, we were told they would make good on this and this would be an annex. It also was there are several members who came out tonight who I spoke with
today personally and told me that when they came to the senior building they were told that they would have community space and it would be that building. Now they were not told they were not told
that's being taken away but it is being taken away and it can be taken away tonight by our vote. Tonight, the resolution proposes to hire an architectural firm to do a complete
layout for our many of our departments here. Now, you've heard the story that our engineering department and um and our public works department are in an area that where they have to relocate if that area is going to be remediated.
What you didn't hear is where is the public works department going? We're now going to do a plan for half of the people who are located down there, the engineering department, but the public works department, which actually takes up the majority of that space with our
trucks and our salt and our employees. Where are they going? So until we know what the global solution is for this, why are we moving ahead and authorizing another 50 I think it's um $57,000
for an architectural plan when we don't know the whole plan of what's happening with this. So I urge my council colleagues to say no. This is a bait and switch. This was never intended to be office space for the for the government
and let's keep our promise to the people that the promise that was made by Mayor Paresi in in this presentation. Um as far as some other things, what can we do about um Miss Bernett? Every time you come down here, I feel just
completely heartbroken. Why are these simple asks that you have not being done? Why is there not enforcement every single night until this problem is taken care of? Um my frustration also is is that in the bill last week we uh two
weeks ago we paid $5,000 to dynamic traffic to institute this one-way pilot program that the community spoke in one voice against. Why why was this allowed? And then this
this on this week's um agenda, there's another $12,000 bill from Dynamic Traffic. And what is it for? It's to roll out the one-way pilot. So now our community is being
asked to spend $17,000 on something that nobody asked for and nobody wants. And I just want to repeat one more time that when dynamic traffic was here and I said to them after the entire community from that area spoke to
them, I said, "Can you can you do what they are asking?" He said the the um owner said, "Absolutely." As if we get the marching orders to do this. Well, Madame Mayor, they did not get those
marching orders. They got other marching orders. and we the taxpayers are paying for a plan that should never have been instituted. As far as um some of the other issues having to do with the resolution for ICE, I think um Miss Hendy, that you
know that I was the one who proposed that. I also brought um Coun uh Congresswoman MacGyver here to do a presentation. Um I asked for support. I did not get one other vote for a second from any of the members of my
colleagues. So, I do recognize that we are 10 miles away from from um Delaney Hall. And I do wish that my council members had supported that, but um none of them chose to because they think that it is symbolic. It is not symbolic. It
is truly what we can be doing here. and many counties have since signed on to passing safe zones in county lands. I don't know why West Orange can't get it together to do the same. Um Justin, as far as cannabis that was inappropriately
or inaccurately pulled and sent to planning board, that has now been corrected. It will be on the June 24th um agenda. It is too bad that it was pulled because it costs us money. We could be getting revenue from our
cannabis businesses. We all talk about needing re revenue. That that should have been done. Um, Alex, um, I thank you so much. As a young mom, it is so hard to get out here and I really appreciate that you that you came out here tonight again to not again, but to
for us to hear again about the problems in on Gregory Avenue. And again, I'm g going to refer this to um to our engineer about what what can we do if there's anything else that we can do sooner, but more importantly to our
police chief about why can we not get police presence there because um what she said is that when the police are there, people do slow down. And I I think that everybody needs to be ticketed, West Orange residents or or
not. If you're breaking the law, give them a ticket. Is the same thing for Mount Pleasant Avenue. If they're breaking the law, you know, give them a ticket whether or not they're a West Orange resident. Um, also, there was an issue about on Mount Pleasant Avenue
about having a speed speed um notification and a speed monitor. Um both of we we did recently pass um a resolution that will lower the speed limit on Mount Pleasant Avenue. However,
there are no signs right now and there's no indicator and the indicator that is in front of your building is hidden by a tree branches and there's no sign under it to tell people this is how fast you should be going. So I I spoke with Mr.
Moraldo before the meeting and I I mentioned this um he's now currently the acting head of of the DPW. So I hope that you can address that, you know, putting up some sort of sign where the speed indicator is um and make it
visible so that people can get feedback on how they're driving. Um, as far as um the sewer bill, couldn't agree with you more. It seems like another, you know, lack of transparency. We all got $500 um
sewer bills all went into a fund. No idea where that where that money is. And I truly wish that we could get the answer to what happened with that. But like I said, some things are not available to us as as council to resolve, but some things are. And again,
I go back to my colleagues to say, please do not allow the the space that was meant for our seniors, for community space, for an annex library to be manipulated into something that it should never have been. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you. Uh, thank you to everyone who came out and shared your concerns. Uh, I wanted to address um the pilot program uh in the valley area. Again, uh as my
colleague has stated, there's $12,000 uh bill that is on the build uh due list that we should be approving this evening. Um but I am not in support of changing um what was gifted as community space to office buildings. Um I think we
need to try and come up with a different plan. Um, we need to perhaps even reconsider um the distribution of space within town hall and see if there's some additional accommodations um that could be made. There's perhaps um offices that
um may not be as utilized that we can make some changes in just who sits where um before taking what was uh communicated when I was on the council um for the first year as community space. And again, um I've often heard um
from residents who live in the downtown corridor, um that they don't have resources that they need. Uh they don't have a a computer center um where they can go fill out applications. Um they don't have a satellite library where
they can perhaps pick up books. um you may be able to order them online from the regular library and we can create some type of delivery um system so that people again in this area of town who may not have u vehicles or cars or may
have to take bus transportation to get to our centrallylo amazing library. Um but again we just have to be considerate and listen to the needs of our residents and I think that's something that we can improve. Um, again, it speaks to the
parking situation. Why are we not listening to the concerns and the needs of our residents? And if we're willing to um try different things, then let's try what it is they're asking for. And if it doesn't work, you know, that can be the pilot program. We can perhaps
extend for the next 180 days uh the uh parking permits. We can figure out how to do it equitably. Maybe every home that has a driveway doesn't get parking permits, but for those homeowners who
live in um their their space with no driveway, with no accommodations, then maybe we have to figure out and again, we have the data. Um the engineer has told us exactly how many spaces are on each street. And so we know that maybe
if it's a multifamily property that houses three different families and there's six different cars, maybe we know we can't give them six parking permits, but we can try and figure it out and maybe each resident gets two
parking spaces if they have no driveway or nowhere else to park. But I personally drove around and everything above Rollinsson is zone 7 permit parking.
Obviously, now that Satan Hall students are no longer in school, their parking issues aren't going to be exacerbated. But we need to deal with this problem now when we can fix it instead of waiting until September when we're doing
the same thing again. I hate to be that person that uses the cliche, but you can't keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. We can't. And you know, there's some
solutions. They may not be favorable. Um, of course, one-way parking or one-way directions are going to give us increased parking, but that's just not what the people want. And so, I believe that we have to listen to our residents.
We have to give them a clear indication of this is what this is going to do for you. It's not going to increase parking, but what it will do is provide you parking in your neighborhood in front of your house, maybe on the next block because
it's permitted and there may not be spaces, but I'm pretty sure they would much rather based on what I'm hearing, based on what's been communicated to us in our in our council meetings is that they would rather try that than change
and disrupt their entire lifestyle. So I am urging our administration to just listen and respond to their request on a pilot program on a temporary basis. And if it doesn't work, guess who sees that
it doesn't work? The people that live there. And when they come back and they say, "You know what? You were right." they'll be very appreciative if they are wrong that at least they had the opportunity to try. And so that's what I
am encouraging um us to do. Again, it's not an issue during the summer. The students aren't in school. Um but in September, we're going to be dealing with the same thing. So, we can tackle that. Now, um also wanted to um just speak to
uh the parking uh the the speeding throughout town. Um Gregory specifically has been a tremendous problem. Um I moved to West Orange somewhat in the Gregory section. Um so Gregory has always been a concern. Even when my
children were young at Gregory, we started the safe walk to school. We we intentionally walked to school um several times during the year so that we could help our kids learn how to walk, learn how to walk safely, and also showcase and highlight that we needed to
do some improvements because there weren't sidewalks. Um some of the areas weren't walkable. And again, we're talking about an elementary school. Um but at the end of the day, and not just the elementary school because we still also have um Roosevelt right there as
well. And again, as a parent who had uh children who attended Gregory and then went to Roosevelt, um it was impossible for me to tell my kids that you can't walk to school. Their friends walk to school. So that was like, mom, you're
not going to be that mom. Everybody's walking to school. I'm going to walk to school and you're not walking with me. I mean, our kids are independent. We raise independent kids, but we need to be mindful of the increased concerns and fears and risks when our children are
walking to school. So, I'm really excited about the safe grant uh safe streets grant. Um I think there's so much more that we can continue to do. Um, I know that, um, of late and as we get to the end of the school year, some of our crossing guards haven't been as
available and we have seen increased police officers present at some of our um, crossing areas, walk areas. Um, so, thank you, Chief, for making sure that you do everything that you can um, just to make sure our our school students are
safe. So, I do appreciate that. Also just wanted to um again with the band um I wanted to just speak to that um if if chief you can I know that ordinance is a little unclear
clear. So I've heard a few things. I've heard and I don't have the ordinance in front of me but I I have heard that lettering does not exclusively indicate that a commercial van is a commercial vehicle. just because it has lettering,
but if someone from either the administration or the police department um could just go over what that ordinance actually says and then explain how it is enforced, what the ordinance says. I think that would help um I think
that would help everybody have clarity and then we would all know exactly what the ordinance states and then how enforcement follows with that and I think that might be helpful as well. Um if the administration can speak to already the things that we have spoken
about um that would be helpful. Again, we as a governing body, it takes three votes for us to get to something and to move legislation. Um so I just want to be very clear. um as a black woman who just stood up here and highlighted Junth
and my colleagues did not opt to come and take a photo for Junth which is a national holiday. Um let's just talk about what it feels like when you're not supported and valued. And so for that,
um, it's a little difficult and interesting when you realize that West Orange is an extremely diverse community, probably the most diverse community in all of Essex County, if not the state. Um, we just have to be mindful that as we continue to grow,
evolve, we need to celebrate everyone. We don't we don't need to feel that our diversity is something that we should be ashamed of. we need to be and take pride in our diversity. We have so many different cultures, so many different
religions, and um it it just speaks volumes when everybody doesn't feel equitable, celebrated, or that their their culture quite frankly um is acknowledged. So, I think that's
extremely important um that we're just mindful of optics and how it looks when we're really ready to get up and celebrate everybody but not everybody. So, I just wanted to put that into the stratosphere. A little disappointed. Um
but again, it is what it is and this is an election year as everyone continues to remind us. Uh, I think that's all that I have that I wanted to bring up right now. And then again, just yielding to the
administration to specifically address um the RFP and the safe streets and how they were chosen. uh Justin to clarify with the cannabis um ordinance and again 80 Main Street if we could have an
update on the status and um transparency ordinance. Uh just wanted to again to iterate. I think it's very clear that I do support that and I've stated that on the record. Um, it wasn't seconded because I
knew that we did not have the support based on the comments that my colleagues made. I have learned how to count to three. It's not a it's not an efficient use of time when we can't get there. It's disappointing. It's frustrating. But I also understand how long our
meetings are and that we take a lot of time to discuss things and then sometimes we vote yes for them even though we are um saying that we don't support it or sometimes we vote no for things that we've discussed. Um but
again I'm supportive of the Immigration Trust Act and not utilizing municipal properties unless there is a judicial um warrant. And if my colleagues can get there with us, I will certainly continue to support that. And I've also stated
that that could be done by executive order. The mayor could just put that out there and say, "We're not going to allow ICE to use municipal properties unless they have proper documentation." So, that's another option. I've floated that
to, you know, people who understand again how government works. Um, I'm not even sure if the mayor has ever done an executive order, but that's certainly an opportunity um for us to address that concern. >> Thank you, Council Councilwoman Ruden. >> Yes. I I normally don't do this, but
when I hear statements that are just outright distortions, I feel the need to correct them. The reason why the council did not stand with Miss Williams for the for the um bride event is because she
gave herself a resolution June for for for sorry Junth. She gave hers herself a resolution honoring herself for starting a film festival where all the proceeds which she does not mention go to her personal charity.
So it is hard as a council member to stand up for supporting a personal charity where she take uh derives an income from this is not about June 19th. I celebrate
June 19th and excuse me >> this is not about June 19th. This is about not creating more money for Ms. Williams pocketbook, which is what she's doing through the June 19th event. It
is, yes, something for our West Orange community, but let's be clear, all of the money goes to her personal charity. As far as being able to count to three and saying, "Yet I yet I still support
safe spaces." All I needed was a second to to have the safe space zone um established in West Orange. Anybody can vote their conscience. You don't have to vote because you can count to three and see if the votes are there. You vote
your conscience. You vote for your community and you vote what is right. >> Okay. Thank you, Councilwoman Castelino. >> Okay. A lot's unpacked this evening. Thank you everyone for coming down. Um,
a lot of heartfelt uh, comments from the public tonight and rightfully so. I know everybody's frustrated. I'm going to start with the traffic issues and um checked in always checking in with the chief and our our
engineer on how we're progressing and government just moves too slow which is frustrating especially as an elective official who you put your trust in. I do
not know what is going on everywhere, whether the the the cars we drive are so comfortable, people are just on the phone, not paying attention. But I take the Parkway a lot and I have to tell you, the past year or two has been
insane. The the the drivers are all over the place. You have to pay attention. You got to be off the phone. It is really really getting worse and worse and I I don't know why. I jot
some notes here. I know around the Roosevelt area um this year it was overcrowded the school because they um school board um they took away the central six and went back to 678 model
and a lot of families requested to stay in Roosevelt for their eighth graders. So there was more students this year in the area with drop offs and pickups. So that could have added to a little bit more of the congestion, but you know,
our our police are out there as you some folks attested to. And um yeah, like the they're working on it. I mean, they administration could come up and answer. That's the council president if they want to. Uh she wants to bring them up
after we get done speaking. But um I know they're out there. I know they're working on it and I know it moves really really slow, but we talk about, you know, what the council's doing, what the mayor's doing. We need money, folks. You know, you know, one of my colleagues
mentioned, you know, all the debt that we're in, but to pay for traffic lights, uh, additional police officers and whatnot. And that's why we've been carefully looking at the budget to see where we could squeeze money out of. uh
health care costs h has risen uh for staffing. Um been proud the past few years we haven't laid anybody off. We haven't cut any programming in the town. Uh but we also have a lot of these issues and it's election year. Think I'm
the only one in the room not running. Um and but everybody wants to point fingers to each other which are going to ha happen and that's you know what that's politics for you. But at the end of the day, it it's about us having enough money. You saw what happened with the school district.
350 people were let go. So many friends of mine have spent the past couple weeks with them literally crying on the phone. Programs that I started years ago are no longer in effect because of financial crisis. And
so we're trying really hard here. And what we need to do is all work together. I can't wait to the middle of November where hopefully we could start doing that again because the politics have to go away and everybody has to roll up their sleeves and we got to get these
problem solved. You folks have serious problems in your neighborhood. Joy I coming for years coming coming for years here and again you know the commercial vehicles hopefully there's consistency and and chief you and I give
the chief credit he's coming to every single meeting hearing what's going on going back to implement it with the force and so obviously this evening I'm sure one of his takeaways tonight is you know why my guys think that or uh staff
as the ladies We have a grace police women here. Um you know you know get straighten it let's straighten them out with the commercial vehicles. What is a commercial vehicle? Go over the ordinances. So um a lot of great takeaway and I know there was talks and
Mr. Sando he had just left the room but um headmaster Galla was very uh attentive. We attended a meeting that uh supposed to happen a couple months ago, finally happened last week and they're working on it. They know that they they're trying to get their kids in that
parking lot and uh there's other uh other ways about that hopefully that some recommendations that were made and some brainstorming to to get that to happen because that has to happen. Uh but at the end of the day, you have a
lot of people living in the area, more people, more drivers, and these problems have to get solved and uh and I'm committed to it and uh we just got to keep working at it because you folks can't wait any longer. as far as 46
Mount Pleasant Avenue and I feel for the new residence. I was on the council when that was approved and yes uh my colleagues has the uh the uh the uh I can't think PowerPoint. Um this
would happen folks. I babysit now during the day for my grandchildren. So I got like scrambled eggs sometimes. So you have to I apologize but um yeah that was supposed to be community space. We were all hoping to be a library annex and um
what happened was that the parking the parking was a problem and the site needed more parking spots for the residents which obviously are still short spaces and um in regards to that
now we need the space for office staff. There isn't a bait and switch. Things change. When that plan was first proposed, it was 2018. A lot of things have changed in this town since 2018. We're in 2026 and we have different
needs than we had then. So, unfortunately, um you know, that that's an issue for that to be a public space because of the parking situation. There's also supposed to be a recreation space other than that space. that space was always supposed to
be rec um public space. Um but also within your building, you were supposed to have your own recreational area. And if that's not there, you know, I can't answer that for you. So that's unfortunate because
that's what I was under the impression when I approved that plan way back when. But there is an abate and switch situation has changed and we have to face our immediate needs. Our immediate
need right now is that we have got to remediate as my colleague he had mentioned earlier um behind CVS or the Barton press area and we need to relocate our DPW staff.
So those are the needs and we need to face it as a council that you know we just don't have the luxury of just just giving you false hopes of what we need to do. So I am always have a realistic and maybe I'm not always the the fund
council person up here but a realistic approach that you know we have to take care of business and unfortunately uh business doesn't make everyone happy but those are the realities and our challenges that we have to face and um that is the most logical place to put
staff so we could get the remediation done so we could get properties sold so we could bring the debt down and that's the only way we're going to get it done. Otherwise, investors are going to keep walking and we're not going to in uh we're not going to bring up revenues in
the township and that's the hard reality of all. Um, a lot of great comments were made by all of you. I don't want to take up a lot of time. Um, but I hoped, uh, Mr. uh, Gibbons had mentioned a couple of questions about the safe streets that
when we get to the resolution, uh, Mr. Goldsman as well. So, we could talk about a little bit then. Um and and your point too, you know, we, you know, I've been advocating for a township planner. We need a township planner. Um I hope everyone who's running on the mayor's
committed last year. We went to hire one. Uh we couldn't give a contract that the clock ticks in um November or January 1st uh with a new person. So, I'm looking forward to that process starting over again. I I believe that
commitment is still on the table. Uh so, I look forward to that. Um Oh, yeah. One other item, Miss Bennett. Um the sewer bill. You know, I sat there um I was in close sessions. I don't recall one conversation
in close session about the sewer bill. That was all done out here. And I was never under the impression that the money wasn't going to the general fund. So I don't know I don't know what was missed or restated. I I gotta apologize
to you, but um I I what I did hear was meeting after meeting uh the bills roll in for the uh for the valley sewage. I mean they did a total after the floodings
um and the the the stress on this the general sewer system we had to come up with a lot of money we had we did bond after bond and miss maybe Mr. Diniac could talk to that but that you know it was going in the general but bills were
getting paid money wasn't going out all over the place so I know it's stressful what was promised and didn't get delivered was we were going to look at a user system and because of our um computer system but again if we do
decide to go to do that as a council and and the admin excuse me the administration you know there's going to be a lot of angry folks too because now you're going to have people that use the system a lot are really going to get hit
over the head with with with the fees. I'm going to tell you now. So, um I I don't know what you heard, but I know sitting in those meetings, I do not recall. Not to say something could have been mentioned. Maybe on the way from the room to here there's conversations
and maybe my former colleague, you know, that's what he referred to. I I don't know but in the rooms I don't recall any conversations of that. So I just I just felt I had a share and I'm going to end on um again thank you everyone for your
comments. I will say um um Jackie, I heard I did go to Italian night Friday night for a little bit because I leave to set up for the street fair and your her son had a solo that was just amazing and beautiful and um
when we hear we talk about um losing programs up at the school district, my heartbreak. So I wanted to make sure I got up there for at least an hour to support it. uh because I can't tell you how heartbroken I am uh with a lot of programs uh a lot of programs that we're
losing which goes back to one comment from Mr. Fagen. Thank you for being bringing up that time capsule. I'm proud to say I am in there as a former board of ed member 2012 and you too. So that was a fun and great celebration. When we
talk about celebrations and budgets that was an easy one. So, it's a balance, folks. A balance. We may have tough tough times with balancing, but we also have to celebrate our diversity, our township, and everything. Um, I want to
I'd be remiss to say if I didn't thank Tony uh uh Chief Tony Veio for his years of service and dedication to this community in so many ways. He'll be surely missed. Hope he enjoys his retirement.
And um I'm just last thought um pedestrian safety committee um really needs to do a campaign about the speeding. I I you know the we have these commissions and we and and they're a lot of folks are active but that's something about education through the township. I
think that that commission should really look of ways they could promote um you know driver safety to to help out with uh you know with with this situation. And one last thing my council colleagues
I I know you just had an exchange and I I am going to add to that because I've always supported uh Junth efforts of councilwoman. appreciate that you started the film festival, but this year it it's not sanctioned by the town and
um and so um you know these are things we have to think about and um it was prior done through the film uh through the arts council and I think maybe should have kept it well then there was the logo for it so
>> because they're partners and they still are. >> Okay. Okay. But but but the comment of the we don't support >> I said what I what I said was that no one got up to stand >> okay and I still have the the mic so >> let's >> I I understand that but but again we got
to we all got to work together here and and it's going to be tough road to November so I hope everyone could you know stop taking punches and and work together to solve these problems for our community for the greater good. And I'm
gonna end on that. Thank Council President. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um this is a difficult one for me. I want to thank everyone for coming out, but particularly our seniors. Um tonight I'm really heartbroken. I Everyone who
knows me knows I've been I campaigned for this seat on senior issues. I brought social workers here, nurses, doctors, psychologists to campaign for a senior center for our seniors. Rosary
Morelli, who God lover is in Daughters of Israel and I visit regularly, is I promised her I would have the cat center open by the time I left this seat. And I want the mayor to open that
cat center from 11 to 2 at the very least and put one of our senior staff there and have a place for our seniors to go. I know all these seniors from 46 Mount Pleasant are warehoused in that building. That building was sold to Mr.
Albert for a million dollars and then the the council, not me but the rest of the my council colleagues gave him another half a million dollars back from that developers fund because he had difficulties with the co and that was
promised to be a place for the seniors. Sheila Lefowitz, myself, and others on our older adults advisory board drew up recommendations for the mayor. She had Jerry Tarnoff looking at other
senior centers. That was the original intent, an annex library or something for the seniors. And I know those seniors at 46 Mount Pleasant have no senior room in that building. They have a little hallway or something. It's outrageous that we would build a senior
building like that with no social space. They they all and in other buildings as well, they need a place to go. And if we have nowhere so far, we do have the cat center. Our older adults advisory board has lobbyed this administration to at
least have a spring and a fall cafe. It's not even weekly, but it is a thriving success. Our seniors are there. They are enjoying it. Laura Van Djk is doing a fabulous job with programming for that. And there's no reason why it
can't be opened a few hours a day at least. You could get actually speakers free from AARP anytime you want. Our senior advocate, Mr. Rashkus, will tell you that that there is absolutely no reason we should not be using the
resources we have. And I just really want to see that happen immediately. It's it's outrageous and I just can't I just can't say enough about that. And I appreciate the traffic safety issues too. All of them from the Rena. They've
all been coming on these safety issues. And I know the chief has a ch tough job controlling the speeding and all these other issues. And we'll let him speak to that at you know later on. But we do have to start controlling not only that, but Miss Bernett's issues with the
commercial vehicles and the parking situation. You know, the magic number is three. And I heard tonight we have one, two, three council people who want to give parking permits to the people in the valley. And I would like our
administration to try it. I think it's time we do it. We've got three. We've heard it tonight. Enjoy. You and your neighbors should not have to come here for another year. If it works, it works.
If it doesn't, we'll learn from it. And we'll move on and try something else. But there's no reason why this should not be done. It should have been done a while ago. If it works on every other street, it seems like it should work in the valley, right? Okay. So, that's where that's where we
are with that. Um, I'm going to let uh Mr. Gibbons questions be answered uh when we get to it. He had a lot of specific questions. If you want, I can recap them later. Um, uh, Mr. Goldman 280 Main Street. We are
looking at that and I'll let the administration talk about that as well. Um, Mr. Panulo, thank you for always coming and advocating and clarifying all of the important details about that project in the Highlands that may or may
not get on the record and need to be shared. And thank goodness we have a public forum where he can come and he can do that. Um, oh, my neighbors, my new Alex and
Beverly on Gregory Avenue. I'm a 343 Gregory. A year ago, I got in an accident coming out of my driveway because somebody was going around that bend at probably 40, 50 miles an hour.
And thank you to those Gregory parents who I have worked with to have all of the, you know, the walking and all that. Thank God to them. They have gotten crosswalks. They have fought hard to get
all of the various different mechanisms in place to try to get that situation under control. We have to continue to work with them. Um, I read Christa Pulison's letter. She has five children. she can't get here. And I read her
letters that I think made a difference. I really do. I think all of these parents speaking up over and over again. If you could have seen the walk that she had the children out there, her children were out there walking with us doing the audit. Jackie, I know you were there.
The children are the key to education. I think we need an education campaign with our public relations, our pedestrian safety, and it needs to be in the schools. And the children have to teach their parents about traffic safety, right? Because they're the ones driving
like maniacs. So, I think that we need to seriously put some kind of a program in place to make that happen. And I will ask Christa and the kids to come to to a conference agenda and talk about what they've done and what maybe we can move
forward. But being an educator, I know the key is education and the children are the voice where it should happen. Um the library bathrooms, I know Justin had some questions on uh and I'll let the administration um talk about that. Pete,
did you want to start and talk about the sewer bill where the money goes the the library if 80 main >> start with >> I don't know where >> I think if we want to start with the sewer bill I'd actually defer to Mr. Denny act and I could continue on with
everything else. >> Yeah. So we've had conversations in past council meetings about the sewer fee uh and the fact that it is in the general fund. It's not in a separate utility fund. Um the the the sewer fee is
treated uh in the same way that any of the other anticipated revenues are, whether that would be pilot fees or fees and permits or other licenses, ABC licenses, topical because we have ABC hearings on tonight. Um
so, you know, it's it's general fund revenue. it all the anticipated revenues add up and then the difference is going to be what we we ask the taxpayers to pay in their in their property tax. Um if you're looking at isolating the sewer
fee and saying well what what expenses does it pay for? Obviously we have a a very healthy assessment that we pay to the joint meeting of Essex and Union County so that they process all of our sewage. Um there's debt related to both
the joint meeting uh in the form of the NJI bank loans that uh we frequently have to um issue to give a little bit of uh background on that. the joint meeting when they do capital projects, let's say they're
doing a hund00 million capital project, they assess all of their members, um, you know, based on an allocation method to say, "Okay, uh, West Orange, you're going to pay $5 million for this, and uh, uh, you know, Lyndon, you're going
to pay $10 million for this." And, um, so we passed those ordinances that Councilwoman Castalino discussed before. We pass those ordinances and then when we're instructed, we go ahead and we issue loans with the with the I bank and
and then we're going to have to pay back those loans. That's part of the reason that our our debt is what it is is we have open uh ordinances not funded yet uh for joint meeting projects. So joint meeting did a a pretty substantial
project post Sandy um to to shore up its capabilities to withstand you know those hundredyear storms. And I I've said it before um once that project is complete they're going to uh come to the uh the
member municipalities and then we're going to be told how much we have to actually uh issue in terms of real money for that project. The goal has always been to go to FEMA and get 90 cents on the dollar for that project. That would be best case scenario and then whatever
we we don't have to issue, we would cancel. Um I know a little bit long-winded. So there's debt service related to joint meeting. There's debt service related to sewer improvements that we do to the infrastructure within the township. um you know when we have sewer main breaks and or you know we
have to do work on our pump stations we issue uh debt through bond ordinances and you could say technically that that that gets paid for by uh by the sewer fee. Um but you know as I mentioned before if you just fully pulled the
sewer fee out you would have a pretty substantial gap in the revenue that you either make up for in taxation which it would be too large we couldn't. Um so you would have to end up uh you know reducing appropriations to meet meet
that gap. So it would be a total disaster. It would be you know you'd have to restructure the budget definitely um if you lost the $9 million fee. Um
so you know we haven't issued the 2026 sewer fee. Uh we haven't done that yet. We're still working with Edmonds and American Water to develop uh a potential plan to build based on usage. Um so
Edmonds Govvek is is the new uh financial software system that replaces uh Munidex Zengov. Um it's going to roll out pretty soon for tax and water. So we're going to put some announcements out there. I'll take time to say that. Uh and not tax and water for taxes. Um,
so there'll be a new whip platform they call it to to pay your tax bills online. Um, and and that system is going to give us the capability to accept American water data and convert that to uh a
sewer bill. Uh, again, we're going to have to do a lot of work as a as a group, both administration and governing body. um if that's the the road we want to go down to pass the ordinances and and do the analysis that's necessary to
to trans uh or to a a usagebased system like that. So that's all I have on sewer. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah, sure. >> Is it lawful to do it this way? >> Sure. Yeah. Yeah. the township passed an
ordinance establishing a fee and uh we're following the ordinance. Um a lot of municipalities uh keep it in the taxes. Uh so it's there's not a separate fee. Your
property tax pays for it. So if you have a really big house, you're probably paying for more of the sewer than someone with the smaller house because it's all based on the assessment. Some municipalities have a separate utility. Um, and they can use any form of flat
fee, usage based fee. Uh, but when it's in a separate utility, you know, you couldn't say that the sewer fee is paying for a recreation program. You know, the sewer fee would pay for sewer related activities. Um, so it's it's
siloed. uh other towns um we'll take Melbourne for instance they have the fee in the current fund as we do um so there is a separate fee and it's a separate anticipated revenue and then you know they have their payment to uh I think
they're with joint joint meeting as well um they have their payment to join meeting and then they um reserve money for sewer uh improvements every year in cash so they try to Say if we're raising 4 million, the appropriation offset is
about 4 million. So it' be joint meeting plus reserve for future sewer projects. So that's what that's how they do for joint meeting yearly. >> Um over $4 million. Yeah. >> So there's still 5 million.
>> Yeah. Yeah. The simple math. Sure. Definitely. But I think we said, you know, there's there's debt service related to it. Um there's small operating um that goes along with sewer. We we do have some small operating that you could
allocate to sewer, but yeah, there's there's there's definitely an amount there that goes to just fund the rest of municipal operations as any revenue does. So, >> and how much is collected annually just
from the sewer? >> It's it's like 9.1 million 9.2 million. Yeah, it's a it's a substantial revenue. No doubt about that. >> I'll add to that that joint meeting and utility authorities have independent
bonding authority. So, you can bond separately for capital improvements. It doesn't necessarily go on the township or the municipalities uh bond rating and and debt service. So, there's that's the added advantage that some municipalities
take advantage of there. >> Thank you. Hey, Mr. Maldo, you want to keep them? >> Just make sure nobody else has any more questions until >> Anybody else? I think we're good. You want to go to 80 ad 80 m or the library? >> Okay. So, I'm just going to go down the
list of from where I can see. Um, so, um, we have director Carbalo here tonight. I'm not going to ask her to come up right now, but she can address some of the issues with regards to the streets and resolution 160 and things of that nature. um Mr. Goldsman in regards to the KGC
cost, the library signals coming up. So that was part of the um renewal or the building of the of the of the library. Part of the plan was to purchase signage. It was promised to the library,
all different kinds of signage. We have money that has been dedicated through um a a um I forget if it was an appeal or it was something to do with with with our tax taxes and one of the one of the uh commercial properties in town. So
this money is actually going to be paid for through that. It's not coming out of public fund. So I'm not going to speak about that, but >> that money was part of the the 75,000 of of the original executive drive proposal. So the package
>> there was 75,000. Yeah, but there was there was there was a deal that was made, a legal deal. So I'm not going to get into the technicalities of it, but there was $75,000 that was allocated toward signage in and around that area for the library. So this this particular
sign, which is an LED sign, which was designed u with with the library, uh it was uh it's it's taken a long time to put in because there was a lot of different decisions and and input. So that that is finally coming to fruition and so that's where those bills came
from, but it is going to be at no cost to our our budget. Um, regarding the 80 Main Street, well, that's still in the hands of legal. So I'm not going to comment on that because I just I don't want to make any uh uh inaccurate statements at this time. So
I'm going to leave that for now and I will have I will ask Mr. Samero to give us a update for that for the next meeting which will be in attendance. So, uh, and then and and because it's legal, I don't want to comment on it. The
just trying to without getting into the big issues first, I want to address some of the smaller issues that I could go over quickly, then go into the the ones that have been challenging for us. So, the cannabis ordinance was was passed tonight only for the fact that we
didn't have a proper notice for the public. It wasn't the seven days, I believe it was. So that will be on for the next uh council meeting. So that was just a a technicality. It was no other reason than that. So we had it's already been noticed I believe. >> Yes.
>> And it will be on for the 24th. Uh seem okay. So I'll I'll go into the the parking next. So we are all concerned with parking. We have we have heard the
public. We have hired dynamic traffic. We um to say that dynamic traffic would only do what we tell them. We asked dynamic to tra traffic to give us a comprehensive look at everything and and including um the valley and the entire
community, not just the valley, but all over the comm town of the township and part of it included the valley. the the one-way concept was what was designed after they did all their information and gathering throughout the the um um the last year or so and that including going
out at different hours of the day and night and collecting the data and looking at the information. So that was part of what their their um their charge was. It wasn't just the valley, it was the entire town, but we identified the valley as the highest priority as as
everybody else up here did and that's where we we concentrated our efforts. So, we brought that presentation here. It obviously didn't wasn't wellreceived. It didn't receive the warmth and fuzziness that we thought and it was, you know, other than the fact that we were trying to do something to double up
the spaces. So, since then, when we spoken last time I was here, we we met with Satan Hall the other day to discuss our concerns as a community and as a township with them regarding their their parking and how we could be more neighborly to one another and how we can
work things out. they they agreed to look at alternatives for their students. Uh we've provided with them with some some uh property leads so that perhaps maybe we can get parking for them off the street. Um I've also spoke with this
the chief at length regarding the issuance of permits or no permits or whatever the case may be. You know, we still have our concerns that we may not be able to enforce it. We understand that that issue that that um this council wants us to issue out permits.
We can issue out the permits and we could we could do a trial period, but I I can assure you that the chief is not um crazy about it. I'm not going to speak on his behalf, but these are conversations him and I have had and I believe it's been spoken out here that he's just afraid it's not going to be
enforced the way that it should be enforced or nor will he have the resources to do so. So, it's I I just want to make sure we're all clear on that when we speak about this. Um the other thing is um with the parking is that we're going to we could also look at alternatives of maybe possibly just
doing during the daytime. But right now, I've asked the chief and he's provided me up to this point from April 16th, I believe, to current the amount of summones have been issued day and night in the valley. So this is prior to our
presentation and now that that Satan Hall is out, we want to have a couple more weeks of looking at data to decide what is going to be the best way. And he has provided me the number of summones that have been issued and and and honestly it's it seems to me it's kind
of somewhat consistent both during the daytime and night time for the amount of issues. We do have two law enforcement I mean parking um enforcement officers who are going out during the daytime um and they are they were issuing summones. So we have that. We still have an opening. If anybody knows somebody who wants to
be a a parking enforcement officer, please contact uh the administration or the police department and we would love to to vet you to see if that you would be somebody you could fit in our team. So we can also do that. We have the ability to hire a third person which we need. we we desperately need and when we
would we would like to have. So we are so we are looking at it and and I think Councilwoman Castelino said before sometimes we go a little slower than we need to but we sometimes need to figure um where that data is and what we're going to do. So we're we're not we're not poo pooing this. We're listening and
we're just trying to make sure that we get the you know get what's best for especially for this area and the residents and and during the summer. So we're going to we will be addressing it very shortly. Um, so that leads me into the parking over here at 46 Mount
Pleasant and which goes into the building itself. So we do not own 46 Mount Pleasant. We don't own that building. That belongs to the Alpert Group. Um, the part of the the the the deal that came with the 46
Mount Pleasant Avenue was that we would get space leased to us that we could use at our at our discretion. Now, I was not involved in the 2021 when it was present and they said that there may be a senior services center there and I I know there was discussions about that because we
have met we met with the the older advisory board at that space. We met with other residents um and then we actually last year in fact in front of this body on June 24th, 2025 we did a presentation of a feasibility study to this body with the exception of
Councilwoman Williams which we actually have this online for everybody's view. they can look this is public knowledge so it's right there. Um this should not be a surprise that we actually said that we were going to make this into office spaces last year. So this shouldn't be a shock to everybody. Um so we did that
after we looked because and if you go into that study you'll see why. The reason that we said over here is that one we were worried that if we put a senior center here for 200 people we talked about parking and accessibility. We don't have enough spo spots here for
our just for our own staff here and and other people who may be visiting, let alone add for up to 200 seniors. Then they have to either traverse up that the hill from this parking lot here or take the elevator which we know we know will probably have to redo that elevator in
that building is at least at least refurbish it if not replace it. They would have to take the elevator up there. So we found we look for an alternate solution. If you go if you go to that feasibility study, we we provided a solution in that feasibility study where we said we would build a
senior center inside the library um on the bottom floor so that the seniors from everywhere that we can transport with our chitney service who would be stationed at 10 Rooney Circle to provide them rides up to the library and the
senior center along with Essex Scream as an alternative that was presented. that's in the report and you could see that there and we in fact we made it so that with that um that feasibility study there is better accessibility to the building, there is better accessibility
to the bathrooms. There is better accessibility all around for our senior citizens because that was part of the study which we we presented last year and it was discussed at length um on how whether we should or should not for move forward with that that particular program. So, in regards to the cat
center, I have recently had conversations with the mayor and director Johnson about looking to do an alternative. We are in the process now of looking of remodeling the cat center at a nominal cost. We needs painting. We're looking to paint the place up. We're looking to make it more
accessible. We But again, if we want to fix it up to its glorious days, we're going to have to spend more money on capital, which is becoming a a major issue for all of us on how much money we spend. So, we are looking to um relocate
some of the services. Um and one of the suggestions here was about relocating um somebody up there from the staff. We have spoken up about possibility of moving our senior services into that building. So, these are not things that we have not discussed before. These are things that we're planning on right now
because we're listening to what the what the concerns are. So, we're trying to make those adjustments where we can. Um, and just so everybody's clear, the township of West Orange does not own, operate, maintain any single one of the senior buildings in this municipality
with the exception of the Rena House whereby we own that property and we leased it to the West Orange housing u um housing not housing authority, but it's we got a different term. We just changed the term a few years ago the name. It's a 501c non forprofit whereby every
member on this council and including the mayor has a a person that's appointed to that board oversee the board which I myself sit on and and um and and coun president sits on and and several others. And so that's the affiliation that this township has with just that
particular building. But it's running it's independent. It is actually belongs to that authority. And if they ever try to sell it, they got to give us the money back. That's what this the the um that's how this works. All the other buildings are independent and we are not obligated to provide that space in that
building over there. And I and I'm sorry that they don't have that that space there, but we didn't design the building. We didn't operate that building and and I understand the frustration for some of the residents there that they don't have a place going there. But we're trying to build um
alternatives so that we one if we did build a site we will also we've come up with ideas how we're going to get them there with our jity service and so on and so forth. So so but again this comes down to we need capital myself the CFO and the director um Kerbalo are actually
sitting down this week to prioritize all of our our our capital requests which we were going we're going to present to you so that you see what we need. Um, we know that um we know that we need um a lot of money. We know that we're limited in how much we want to spend every year.
And I could tell you right now, um with a quick assessment just from the needs of of the engineering department, we're well over a lot of money. Um and and and that's not just the operational needs that we we have. So, so we're we're looking to do these and we're looking to
prioritize and we will be providing the council a priority of our list and what we think is the most important to get done whether it be infrastructure, vehicles. I mean, the police chief, he's sitting right here. Um, he needs police cars desperately. Um, and and I'm trying to buy him police cars because we've
we've had situations where we've had to double up our officers because we've had lack of vehicles get either get they get in accidents or they they have maintenance issues and things of that nature. We're we're trying to do what we can and that's why we're prioritizing everything so that we can present to you. So once we're done with the actual
cap or the uh our operating budget, we're going to be presenting you with a capital U request. So um I know some of this was not on the questions, but I think it led with questions from the public. I think but I
I led into it. The um I think we were I covered pretty much everything and if I didn't I apologize and I'm sorry I stepped out before. I was making sure the sewers were working and um so >> somebody's got to do it. >> Yeah. So um so if I missed any of your
comments I have any questions I can answer them. Um so but with that if council president if I didn't answer it if there's anything else let me know. If not, I will ask either director or the >> Great job. Mr. Gibbons had a lot of different questions about that safe
streets, but >> then I would like to turn it over to director Carbalo because she would probably answer that best. >> Yeah, he he asked about um have there been um various uh vendors chosen? What were the
criteria estimates of the real cost? I think that was his main concern is, you know, having a real cost estimate for the total project and how's it been budgeted and then he had concerns about the valley. >> Good evening everyone. Uh with regards
to the uh safe streets for all, we actually put out an RFP. Okay. So the township received a grant of $450,000 of which the township's contribution needs to be 25% of that. So it's $112,500. That was actually a resolution that was
passed last year, I believe in December of 2025. So with regards to the cost, every single one of the uh vendors submitted their table with manh hours for each one of the
professionals and for the different tasks that were asked in the RFP. We did put out an RFP online to which I would say six or five actually five um vendors submitted proposals.
Some of them were exactly 450 because they knew how much the grand was. Okay. Others were likely less like you know 390 something. There was one was extremely low. I really don't think or believe that they had a good
understanding of what the scope of the work was. So we created a committee. Okay. We graded every single one of these um vendors based on the different categories and
it came out to be one of the 450 which was you know Michael Baker which has a lot of experience with this type of projects and so does MV5. Um how are the streets or the um
locations selected? They're basically based on the vision zero action plan that was approved actually in December of 2023. >> Um I was also part of that committee for a short period of time. So we provided
with each one of the vendors the report a link to the report which is posted online in our website and that's how the different streets or the different um locations are selected. There's actually an appendix on that report that actually
provides the location for hard, you know, hazard injury networks. Um there are some county roads in there. There are some municipal roads. So once this is approved, then I'll be able to sit down with the um selected
professional to go over the list and also what exactly are we going to do and when are we going to start the project. Yeah. Okay. And uh he asked about a real cost estimate. I mean that's just to do a plan. I mean I think he's concerned
about the you know what is project >> if you're looking for an implementation. I wouldn't know the cost until I actually get the report for this two studies. One is for the uh vulnerable users and the other one is for lighting. So
the idea or the game plan is that once these two studies are done hopefully the federal highway administration will come out with more grants on the safe streets for all that we could apply for now for actual implementation. When I applied for the grant I would say
about a year and a half ago I applied for everything under the sun. It was the studies it was also the implementation plan. They came back to me, it has to be this is what we're going to give you or the most that we can give you is the 450 for the studies. Take it
or leave it. So this is what we took. Okay. You cannot have an implementation plan unless you have something to guide you with. So vision zero was actually another grant that was paid by DOT for the uh action plan. But that action plan
needs to be taken now. And in order to be able to put it into action, you need to have some reports and also um obviously funds eventually through grants or municipal funding to make
those recommendations a reality. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Anybody have any questions? Go ahead. a question, not particularly right here, but um in the area of of the questioning from public comment on
Rollinsson. I know there are um crosswalks that go north north to west going across but not going across to Satan Hall. That's east west that direction. Are there ones that may not
be updated with being painted? Is there what do we what can we do to try to get crosswalks there or should we is that the appropriate spot for them? No, it is not. We don't recommend middle like midb
block crosswalks. It is not prefair by engineers because nobody expects anybody to be actually to stop in the middle of the street for people to be crossing. Um this has been
brought to my attention actually for a few years now. >> Okay. >> Uh that they want a crosswalk right across um I believe is that the driveway that goes to Satan Hall. >> Yeah. But then Okay. So we cross them there but
>> it is not recommended. >> Yeah. Okay. >> It's a safety issue. Um, I mean, everybody's saying that, you know, speeding is speeding is speeding, but you also got to take into consideration
drivers behavior. So, how am I going to put a crosswalk or tell you like, yeah, this is a great idea >> and god forbid there's an accident. That's the reason why we have a crossing guard located at the intersection of Mitchell and Rollinsson.
Now the sit and hold students who decide to start crossing there. They're basically crossing at their own risk. >> Yeah. And there's nothing I can do about it. >> Well, I just wanted you to state that. Thank you. >> Oh, you're welcome.
>> Question. >> So, just in reference to the crosswalk, is it possible to put the crosswalk at an appropriate place? I know I know there's one at the corner, but we have on Rollinson now almost at every other block a stop sign. >> So that we've been able to calm the
speeding >> because you can't really go down that street and go more than two blocks and not actually incur a stop sign. >> So we have a stop sign I know at Mitchell and Rollinsson. Then after that the next one comes basically at
Northfield Avenue if I'm not mistaken on that stretch. Or is it >> you've got one maybe not at POT but you've definitely got one >> at Rick's >> at Rig's place. Yeah. And then there's another one right
>> kind of >> before you get to the edge back to Northville. There's actually, if I'm not mistaken, there's either two or three stop signs. >> And I know I know that was discussed because again we wanted to control the speeding. And so that does control the
speeding because you you have those stop signs. >> I have to take a look at that. >> Okay, that's fine. Maybe if we could put one somewhere else. Maybe not in the middle so that they have but maybe perhaps if you can just take a look at that, that would be appreciated.
>> I'll take a look at that. >> Okay. But once again, I'll go back to my MUTCD and see what warrants if it meets the warrants because that's the other thing like I have mentioned previously the manual of uniform traffic devices MUTCD does have warrants or stop signs
for always stops for crosswalks even for you know traffic lights. So if all those warrants or most of them are met then yes we could go ahead and do what we need to do. it. If it doesn't, then it's an issue. But I will look into it.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Um, I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about the commercial vehicle problem and what you're able to do. Maybe you could give us an idea of the
revenues we've generated maybe in the last couple months since you've stepped up the effort, you know, any other time and take a look at what we're actually making with the tickets that we are giving out. You know, given that we don't want a parking lot there on these
alphabet streets, we want to figure out what else we can do. >> Okay. So, you want me to address the commercial vehicles? Yeah. First. Okay. So, I'm I'm going to um start bringing my uh laptop here because I've I've
answered this question. I have no problem reiterating what I sent. Um if you go back to um it was back in May, I'm sorry. I believe it was May 18th. >> I sent an email to uh Mr. Moraldo for
for this very complaint of the commercial vehicles >> in the valley section. And I copied my command staff because they were the ones who provided me the information and I copied the West Orange Township City Council and the zoning director. I gave a full explanation of what a commercial
vehicle is described in the ordinance. I explained when it can be enforced by the police department, where it can be enforced, and when it is a report to the zoning officer. So, I I'll be happy to go over it again and explain to you. A
commercial vehicle by definition by the ordinance is not only defined by commercial license plates. If it only has commercial license plates, it is not defined as a commercial vehicle by our public needs to understand that. Thank you very much. know, I I'll gladly
explain it as many times as I need to. It requires additional um information. For example, lettering dictating a company business, a ladder, >> roof racks, something to indicate additionally that is a commercial vehicle.
>> If it is in fact on the street >> during the uh the overnight hours from 900 p.m. to 700 a.m., that is enforcement by the police department, which we have been doing. I've provided Mr. Smearaldo with the numbers of how
many uh commercial vehicle violations there have been. If I had my laptop, I'd be able to go back into my phone. >> Um that's okay. >> After 7:00 in the morning, if there is a commercial vehicle violation, well, let
me back up. Even when the police department does issue a summon for a commercial vehicle, which we have been doing, we also accompany it with a commercial vehicle report that is forwarded to Miss Adams, the zoning director, so that she knows we issued a
summon to this vehicle. >> If it's after 7:00 in the morning until 900 p.m. at night, the police department cannot enforce that. That's a zoning department enforcement. We do provide the same commercial vehicle report to zoning
>> that this is where the the commercial vehicle was. This is the plate and these this is the information that we provide to her for enforcement. Um um >> her name is escaping me. I'm sorry. Miss Bernette uh was kind enough to send all
those photos and that's what generated this email that I provided to the council and my response to that. Um, so I'd be glad to discuss that further if there's any more information you need to know about it, but I have provided um numerous violations that have been
issued by the police department >> and the reports that have been provided to zoning. Keep in mind too, if a commercial vehicle is on proper private property like a uh >> driveway, >> a driveway, it is not enforceable by the police department, only by the zoning department.
>> Okay. So, I really appreciate you're clarifying all of this really for the public because they need to know that we're doing everything we can to address this situation. >> And council president, if I just interject real quick, just so you know, at today's uh director's meeting, we did we were having this discussion and
director Adams did tell me that her department is going out this week. I'm not going to say when and I'm not going to say where, but they are going out this week again. >> Great. >> Again, when I say again means it's not the first time that they're going out to do enforcement for commercial vehicles. So that that's going to be occurring again this week.
>> Thank you. Councilwoman Castle, >> just quick question. During the daytime hours though, they could park cuz ones if you have a service call. >> Exactly. If they're at a resident doing work, they're not going to receive a a a violation, commercial vehicle violation. They could be there doing work.
>> Yeah. That's that's the only >> after 7 a.m. they're permitted to be there >> on the streets >> until 900 pm. From 900 pm to 7 a.m. is when the police department takes the enforcement. And we have not only in the valley section, we have a lot of uh
commercial vehicle violations that occur in the Tory corner section of town. Wherever it may be, if it's on the street, we'll enforce it. If it's in on private property, we submit a report to the zoning director. >> I've heard about Kents, too. Kent Terrace. >> Same thing. >> I've heard from them. same thing. Okay.
>> So, um I I provided to the township council um what a commercial vehicle is by definition. >> So, if it just has the plates, just to reiterate, it is not considered a commercial vehicle. It needs more. >> Okay. We need to make all this clear and I can refer them to this little piece in
the video if they want to understand. >> Yeah. If if you if you go back to your if you go back to the email that I copied the council on, it's all laid out in there. If you have question, please feel free to >> contact me and I'll do whatever you need to do. >> Great. I really appreciate your explaining if you have. >> No problem.
>> Thank you. >> Anything else you want to address while I'm here? >> I think that's it. >> I would just like to on Gregory Avenue. Um, like I said, and I'll reiterate again, the first thing, my first order of business when I get in my office during the week and on the weekends when
I'm at home through my laptop is to check the work from the day before. Just this morning, as is every time when I have the staff available, we issued two speeding tickets on Gregory Avenue this morning through radar. >> Great. Good. Okay.
>> So, um it is being done. Um like I wrote to the mayor and the business administrator, we have 12.1 square miles of roadway in this township. I do not have unlimited staffing. The number one complaint that I receive as the chief of
police is parking and traffic related as opposed to anything else that happens with law enforcement. Doesn't mean we don't handle everything else that comes our way. We do, including the the school crossings that uh deplete my staffing during prime time rush hour. Obviously,
when school opening and school dismissals takes away from the staffing, but from the numerous traffic complaints, I am open to it. I am receptive to it. your concerns or my concerns and I can assure you I address each and every one that I receive. I've answered Miss Paresi numerous times on
the statistics on Mount Pleasant Avenue. I know when we're not there, it's going to reoccur. I can't help that 46 Mount Pleasant is at the foot of a very steep incline with exiting Route 280 with trucks and buses. That's the route the school buses take to get to Standish
Avenue. We are there when we can. Staffing permitting, I distribute staffing throughout the township to address Bowloland Drive in Prospect Avenue, Rock Spring Avenue with the golf course opening again, the speeding. I have radar out there periodically just
like I do throughout the township. I do not have unlimited resources. The staffing analysis that I provided to each one of you explains that where I'm in dire need of staffing and traffic is my number one complaint that I just do not have unlimited resources to address
at each and every location each and every day during the day. I just can't do it. We do it periodically to try to get compliance. >> All the traffic complaints are the three E. I've said it before. Education,
engineering, and enforcement is last. We need compliance by the drivers which unfortunately is close to nearly impossible to achieve. It really is. The two recent accidents that I provided I think uh councilmanoviac
I and I copied everybody um were driver in attention on on on Gregory Avenue. They were not at the intersection of Gregory and Mitchell. They were on Gregory Avenue at Northfield and the other one was at Gregory and Lawrence >> and and so it's driver and attention.
One was a sideswipe and one was a rear end. >> Absolutely. You know, and you know, that's why I wanted to know the specifics of those two crashes. So that's why I had that researched. Any concerns you bring to me, I'll answer you. If I don't know about it, I can't address it. But I assure you that I take
the complaints seriously and my command staff does too. We meet every day in the morning to go over the day's work and the traffic enforcement is always there when it's available. If I had more staffing, I would put more people out there. We do the best we can with what we have. >> Thank you very much. I really appreciate
you're clarifying everything and all you do. >> No problem. Any other questions >> and and all the staff? >> Absolutely. >> Okay, that's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, Council President, um, we have an
attorney here from Mr. Anteneelli's office for the ABC. I don't know if you want to go out of order and take that first. >> Yeah, I also coun we also have um, >> director Carbalo here. So, we're talking about get through hers first.
>> Can we get through hers first and get and then we'll do and then we'll go to ABC. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, >> all right. So there's two resolutions >> for Dr. for
>> there's three resolutions. Thank >> 161 >> and 162. >> Yes. >> So if there's any questions on any of those >> are there any questions on it either of those? So >> um >> ABC has >> on on which
>> um the resolutions for Miss Carbala 16126 and 16226 >> no questions >> no >> I don't Okay so there looks like there's nothing on the resolutions >> on the ordinance >> um is there anything on the ordinances
any questions on not uh 2974 26 or 29 97626 because if not we can let her go and get some sleep so she'll be fresh for tomorrow. >> Look at that
record. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Are we done? >> Uh yes. So we can do the uh >> So is there a move to the ABC >> motion to recess the public meeting and enter into an ABC hearing?
>> I'll second. >> No. Is there one? Go ahead. Yes. >> No, I have a comment before we get into whatever else I just want to make. >> Okay. Would you like to do that now? >> Yeah, if I can. Sure. >> Yeah. Um, I I just want to respond to
false information that was stated and just make sure that the public understands the function of a foundation. Um, my colleague has continued to iterate prior to me running for reelection in 2025 that my foundation puts money into my pockets.
The WSAC Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and community wellness. Through education, advocacy partnerships, and direct programming, we work to reduce stigma, connect individuals and families to
resources, and build healthier communities. It is illegal to co-mingle nonprofit funds, period. Suggesting otherwise without facts is irresponsible and damaging. So, I'm going to ask my colleague once and for all to please
stop using false statements to disparage my foundation, my work, and my name. Our residents deserve honest dialogue, not misinformation. And that's all I want to say. Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. Uh, we get to the ABC. >> Yeah. Is there a motion to recess the public meeting and enter into an ABC hearing? >> So move. >> So move. Okay. Um, Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden,
>> no. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Scarfac, >> yes. >> Okay, the motion carries. >> Okay. >> So, we have Miss Reynolds here from Antelli Caner.
Um, in case there's any questions as we go along this evening. Um the first resolution up is 78726 hearing on renewal for 2026 27 license term for Yugito's Restaurant and Bar
LLC. No, shouldn't take that long. Over on the by the microphone, please. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. At the podium. Yeah, it's fine. Hey love, can we uh
raise the temperature from breathing? I'm breathing. My legs are freezing. or are there any questions on this uh renewal 787 26? >> Shut the air for a minute. Um
>> shut it over. Yeah, let's just shut it. It'll stay cold for a while. No. Last questions. >> Does anybody Well, does anybody have any questions? Yes. Councilman Kobia. >> Hi.
>> I had some questions that I sent to Mr. Vanelli earlier today and you must be the answer. Do you have those questions? >> Um, forgive me I don't have them but I believe I may >> I can interrupt. Ma'am, can you just put
your appearance on the record? >> Well, I'm sorry. Lori, my apologies. Lori Reynolds with Anteneelli Cancer Rivera. So, I think you had some questions regarding, and if forgive me if I've mispronounced this, uh, the Hugitos
Bar and Restaurant. Is that right? >> Yukitos. >> Hukquitos. Thank you, Councilman. Um I think and please jump in if I'm if I'm not remembering it correctly, but uh I know one of your questions had to do
with um the security video camera and uh allowing the police access to that. Am I correct? >> That's correct. That's the first question I asked. I'll just read it. The proposed language change in subsection D or paragraph D appears to add the
provision that the video can be given to the police upon request and I just asked if that was the correct reading. >> Yes. >> Okay. So in in a separate part of the document uh the ABC document uh there
was reference to pending charges uh against the lency and I thought they were all from 2018 and I was asking if that was correct. Uh that is correct and that is actually what held up our getting back to you because we were looking into that. So my apologies for
not getting back to you. So then the the follow-up question is why are they pending eight years later if you if you now know >> and I can't state with certainty why they are still pending eight years later because first of all that did predate um
our firm's retainer but we are looking into it and I don't have it so I don't know why I just know that they are still pending they have not been resolved and if they indeed are still pending as I said we
can look into a resolution if possible. >> Okay. It also and then the last question had to do with >> I think it was F. >> Yes. The appearance that that paragraph F was being dropped from the renewal
conditions and I just wanted to see if that was correct and if it was correct then why were they being dropped? >> Uh yes sir. And so on I believe it's the third page of the resolution which would be the four uh third whereas clause it
does explain why provision F is being dropped and that is because the ABC commissioner from the state of New Jersey advised that such special condition exceeded the township's lawful discretion. So it had to be dropped. Uh
>> that's fine then. That's those are my questions. Thank you for answering. >> Is there a motion to approve 787-26? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Kakovia, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council Council President, >> yes. >> The motion carries. Next one is 788-26 hearing on renewal for 2026 27 license term AMC Entertainment International
doing business as AMC theaters uh Essex Green. Are there any questions? >> No. >> Well, only question I have is this is again one of the um establishments that doesn't come and ask
for their special conditions to be updated and or removed. There's very very very few times I think it ever that anyone has ever appeared. Maybe once or twice over the years that I've been here.
Yeah. They usually just go with it. >> Okay. Yes, Councilman. >> And they've actually been in place I I think since they opened up the Absolutely. >> this the format. It's it's been years now. So, >> yes. Yes. Is there a motion to approve? So move.
>> Second. >> Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Kroia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council presidents, >> yes. The motion carries. >> The next one is the resolution sitting in front of you 789-26
hearing on hearing on renewal for plary retail consumption, distribution, and club licenses for the 2026 27 licensed term. >> Yes. >> Question. Councilwoman Gelina. >> So,
Crab West, >> my question. >> Yeah, they're closed. So, yeah. Are they going to be moved to an inactive status? >> They have to file papers for that. >> Well, I didn't know that. So, unless they reach out to me. I, you know, but I will reach out to the owner of the
license and tell him that he paperwork does need to be filed with the with the clerk's office and then it's sent to the state. >> Can we take him off this? They have to be renewed. >> They He's either going to be renewed tonight or on the 24th. They have to do
it before the 30th of June. Their license expires. It has honestly I know this sounds weird and I say it every year, but one thing has nothing to do with the other. >> Doesn't matter that >> it really doesn't. He can keep his license, right? >> Yeah. He has to have he has he has a
license that has to be renewed. >> But if the but if he's not operating >> doesn't matter. >> Yeah. Doesn't matter. then it becomes inactive or pocket >> right >> and in this case it'll be inactive because he has a a an address affiliated >> a little bit of investigation there only
because that was a partnership with bonds >> if any of the ownership changed we would you know he would have filed they did all that no they did all that they did all that years ago like a few years ago there was a whole right
transferred yeah I group. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, honestly, one thing does not have anything to do with the other. These people, this is their livelihood or whatever. I don't know what he's doing. I don't know why he closed. >> He has the right to sell the license.
>> Correct. He may not. Some of them hold on to it. >> And now we have there's a law in place where you could transfer it to a new municipality if you choose. So, yeah. I I just wanted to make sure it had nothing to do with the establishment being in existence and operating and
functioning because it is not >> right. So the license will he obviously there's many times the lences don't tell they're supposed to tell the clerk's office within 10 days if there's any
changes whatsoever in their license and I can tell you over the years that does not happen. It's somebody will call and say, "Oh, they changed their sign outside." "Oh, oh, they did." "Oh," and then I have to go after them and tell them, you know, they have to whatever they have to do. Um, it happens all the
time. >> Okay. >> So, I'm going to have to remind him tomorrow to do that. Um, and then we'll get the the It's a three-page application. It's not a big deal. I I I I I'm not I mean I just want
it to to be aware again for only for notification purposes, but even in one of his cuz he owns several restaurants and he had another restaurant that had a >> fire and he's in the process of rebuilding. So I don't think it was
intentional. I think it's just an oversight, but I just wanted us to be aware that the location is no longer open. >> Right. Yeah. Councilwoman Castelino told me that tonight. So, >> okay. >> Um, is there a motion to approve this?
>> Second. >> Okay. Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Scarpa, >> yes. >> The motion carries. >> One other question. Where is Shackle and
Camille? >> That's a pocket license. >> What is that? So, it's it was an establishment. No, it it may have been at one point in time, but >> but now these people are the >> So, a pocket license is a license that is held by the Lency, but has no address
affiliated with it. An inactive license is a license held by the L E that has an address affiliated with it. >> Okay. >> Okay. 790. I'm sorry. >> No, I was going to say we have the same issue with 790. They're closed.
>> 790. Yeah, but um they have filed for inactive status. Yes, that's why there's inactive on the agenda. Uh hearing on renewal for 2026 27 license term 1920s Roadhouse, Inc. This is the Essex House.
Are there any questions? >> No, that was my question that they're enacting. >> Yeah, they filed um I think in 21. >> Is there a motion to approve? >> Move. Second. Councilwoman Castelino,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman, I'm sorry. Councilman Kobia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Sparka, I'm sorry, Councilman. There's at least once every meeting that >> Just a reminder, I'm in the distinct minority. Thank you.
>> Yeah. I'm so sorry. 791-26, hearing on renewal for 2026 27 license term club 466 uh LLC. Caterers LLC. Are there any questions? They still open?
>> I believe so. I spoke to them recently and they never said that they were closed. Is there a motion to approve? So move. >> Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. Councilman Koviaak, >> yes.
>> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Scarpa, >> yes. >> Okay, >> the next one. 792-26 hearing on renewal for 2026 27 uh license term Heritage Restaurant and
Lounge LLC. Uh the Lency is actually here tonight. Um he stated that he I sent him the the letter that was sent. He said he called the office and he couldn't get anyone to speak to. So he doesn't know what the terms are for the
conditions that are going to be implemented. Um, I do have a copy of what the police department provided to me if you wanted to explain it to him. >> The letter went out and um by regular
>> correct? Yes. from your firm that I write. >> So, who am I speaking with? >> Yes. Did you get a copy of the letter? >> Oh, okay. >> Uh, he I would suggest that he comes up
that way. Yeah. And you could give him the microphone, Joe, and then just so that you know people can hear in the audience. That's all right. And your name, sir? >> Uh, my name is Charles. Nice to meet you. >> Lori Reynold. Nice to meet you. So, did
you receive a copy of the letter? Um, I did yesterday because I called the uh CL's office and uh because I wanted to follow up on the renewal that I already submitted and paid all the fees. So, she
mentioned to me about uh some special conditions. I said I'm not aware because I didn't notice. And she sent me a copy uh via email. >> Okay. uh which was well uh I read and then I tried to reach out to the law
office uh you know uh that >> right >> to Mr. Grahamson you tried to reach Mr. for Antonelli. Dan Antonelli. >> Yeah. Okay. Yes. >> So, but you didn't receive it in the mail or by certified mail? >> No, I didn't receive those. >> Okay. But you just happened to call the
office just >> Yeah, because I I mean I I do this every year and you know I was thinking that you know the renewal was ready for pickup. >> All right. Well, there so the reason why that there there's a special condition I
believe there had been an a simple assault some time ago at the premises and it was recommended that video surveillance and I'm just going to read directly from here. So the special condition is as follows that the lency
sir which is yourself shall install and maintain a video surveillance system to cover the interior of the licensed premises that includes the bar area, the front and rear entrance and exits, the
front sidewalk area on Valley Road, as well as the re exit area extending into Kerry Street. Which surveillance system shall be maintained in good order and operating during all hours when the premises are open for business? And you
have to keep and maintain and make available to the West Orange Police Department the video recordings upon their request up to at least 30 days following the recording. So any reporting that you make on each given
day or evening, you have to keep it for 30 days. It must be made available to the police department at their request. And then and you shall also cooperate with the police department in the implementation and maintenance of that
video surveillance um system. And that's the condition. >> Okay. Um, that's interesting because I mean we've all I've always had a a video surveillance and I I think in the past I've actually given it to the police
department when when there was an incident and I know it's like a bother uh with orange and sometimes people you know do stuff like street crimes and all that they come to me and if I have it the only problem was I think the last
time uh the officer came for inspection. The system was not operating. You know, it hasn't been for some time and we talked about it and I say, "Yeah, I'm going to reactivate it." So I was already doing it voluntarily because obviously you don't want any crime to
happen to your business you know but I think my point was I I was not aware that you know it has to be like a special condition which might have an impact uh on my license you know uh >> well it's it's a requirement of your
license now unless >> I mean is it is it is it uh for every other bar and we're starring which is for my >> this this pertains to to this particular >> what I'm trying to say is I'm already
doing it voluntary. It wasn't like there's need for it to go into uh resolution you know even though I was doing it voluntarily. I think the point is they could have said oh make sure that you know you you maintain it
consistent. If you go to the premises right now, there's cameras. So, including uh I think the the the police has a a break room across the road. They have their own camera, too. But I I know that sometimes when there's a street
crime, they come to me or come to us and say, "Oh, you have uh you know, recording of what happened, you know." But yeah, it's just that the system sometimes is not active. And when it's active, I always give it to them. They
have a lot so many times in the past. I've been there 15 years almost now. And I mean, we are one of the bars that I always try to maintain security, you know, privately. I used the cops, offduty cops in the past before they
became too expensive for business. So uh when I start getting restriction it just it doesn't appear uh to me that they see the side of the business owner who's trying and competing with all that. But I mean the issue of cameras I mean I'm
I'm willing to do that. It's not a problem. It's just that I didn't realize that it was going to be you know a resolution kind of thing. >> It is. Yeah. And it it's a part and and the council the board will have an
opportunity to vote if for any sounds like you're willing to do it. >> Well, I'm you do have opt an option >> if if you if you it should the board >> u vote and vote with this condition
special condition and and grant you your license for the f for the 26 to 27 year with that special condition. you do have, should you choose to exercise it, the opportunity to um appeal that decision within uh the requisite time
frame, which I'm sure you'll get the notice notification of, but as I said, that's your that's your option. But that's what the condition is and it is because there had been a u an assault that the police had on record at the
location and it's at the recommendation of the police department that this special condition be implemented. So that's where it comes from. It comes from the police department. >> Yeah, I I totally understand. I mean, you know, from security standpoint, I
understand. And and like I said before, we've always cooperated with the police at all times. Or if the uh the video recording was active, we always give them I always give them what I have.
>> Mr. McCachi, I'd like to ask a couple of questions. So, you've said a couple of times if it's active, >> what the police department wants is it to be active all the time when you're on the premises and the premises is open. It can't be an if. It has to be.
>> No, I mean, what I'm saying in the past when the uh surveillance was was working, it works 247. >> Well, that that's the whole point. >> It doesn't stop, >> right? But your surveillance has to work all the time. It must be in working
order 24/7. >> Correct. When you're on the premises and the premises is open, it has to it has to work. It can't be an if, >> you know, >> even when we are not. >> Right. Well, obviously the West Orange Police Department found something other than what you're saying that there must
be an issue or they would not have asked for this special condition. >> When he came, it was not working. That that's the other >> Well, that's the problem right there, >> right? And also what when it does work,
do you keep it for 30 days? >> Um, >> is the a video it's working? They usually come and they use their hard drive to get whatever they need. >> Right. But if they come say 25 days
after the incident, would you be able to show them that video that took place 25 days prior? how much database >> so I got my >> right >> you need to make sure you're compliant with this >> right it's a requirement 30 days and
that's a typical requirement >> and you know very every day that it's recorded >> so if if you're making a recording today >> that recording of whatever transpired today has to be
>> attorney >> for 30 days. After 30 days, then you can record over it. You can delete it must hold it for 30 days is is done automatically by the whatever you know I don't know if it's iCloud or whatever
storage but I I have to check and make sure maybe I get a system that you know >> has enough storage. So it's going to be a condition of your license. So it is it is going to be mandatory. Just just make make
yourself aware of that. And then the police department you have to be not that you have not been in the past but you do need to be cooperative and you need to work with the police department. So should the board agree to extend your
license through the 26th to 27 year, we must make certain that you are compliant with that special condition or that will be problematic. >> And Councilwoman Ruden has a question. Yes. Does Councilman Provia? >> Sir, um did you state that you just
heard about this special condition? When did you hear about it? So, um, may I ask the attorney why did he just hear about this yesterday? >> I couldn't answer that. As as I said stated,
>> I can answer that. >> Well, it was mailed. >> It was Mr. Antonelli. >> Regular mail and certified mail. Correct. Which is why when he first stepped up, I asked him those questions myself as to when he first heard about it and the fact that he contacted the
clerk's office about his renewal, but >> the mailing went out again um >> certified >> certified and regular mail and we did not get a >> right >> a return. So from your office, you feel that it
was it was received at his establishment on what date? >> I can't tell you what date it was received, but it was mailed. I think June 3rd, June 3rd, it was mailed. We haven't received for the regular US
mail. We have not received it back to our office. So we have to assume that made it to its location. and it's too soon for us to have yet received a signed copy of the certified mail. So, >> right. And Councilwoman, I als I'm
sorry. I just wanted to um speak to that about I don't know how long ago it was, but Mr. McCachi, I had a a conversation with him on the phone a few weeks ago and said that there may be special conditions implemented. He asked me what they were and I I didn't know at that
time but it was something that I knew that the police department was writing going to write up. So >> I didn't get what you said. >> I said that I had spoken to you about I don't know how long ago it was prior to this le the report coming to me and I
had spoken to you on the phone. You called about your license and I said that there may be special conditions implemented. You asked me what they were and I said I don't know what they are because I didn't get the report. >> That was yesterday. >> No, no, no, no, sir. This was about I
don't know how long ago. Maybe about a month ago. >> I don't recall that cuz >> Well, it happened. The only interaction I had with your office was when I came in and submitted uh my my renewal application and the fee
and you said to me you were having problem with uh uh checking the tax payment. So >> tax clearance. >> Yeah, the tax clearance. >> No, this had nothing to do with that conversation. Dan up until yesterday. I didn't call you up. That was
>> There was a phone call from your establishment whether it was you or someone else. It was a gentleman that I told that there may be special conditions implemented. >> I don't I don't know anybody because my managers, you know, Valentine. >> Well, I believe it was you to be honest.
So, >> can tell you that I didn't I didn't speak to you regarding that. Uh >> well, I disagree today. >> I disagree with that. >> Go on. I still haven't >> Okay, finish. >> I just going to copy. >> Are you saying you How did you see it
yesterday? Did it come in the mail? >> He emailed a copy to me. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So, under this circumstance, since he is just to his testimony understanding the special conditions, is this something we should go forward with? >> Yeah. >> Since he's justly,
>> yes. >> Speaking about this right now. Well, if you're ask for the board, but we have we have my office sent by first class mail, well, by regular mail and by
certified mail, so in two separate mailings, a letter as of June 3rd. And you've now just heard from your clerk advising that someone, if not the gentleman, someone from the establishment contacted the office and
was apprised of the fact that there were was going to be a special condition. So, are there sufficient grounds for which this board can determine this license and whether or not to renew this license? I feel very comfortable saying
yes, there are. And Councilwoman, it's either tonight or on the 24th of June because they have to renew prior to June 30th. >> I understand, but I I feel that since he's he's stating that he's just now understanding what the special
conditions are that he should be able to let us know, will he be able to comply with those special conditions? And he said that there he's not even sure of the technology. >> He still has to comply whether it's now. >> No, I understand. He has to comply but
shouldn't I mean he has to understand what this is and now as of when is this instituted that he needs to hold 30 days of video at all times >> once the once the application is is once the license is renewed so
>> and then it's renewal he has to comply but I would say he really should be complying immediately and he has the technology already on the premises so it's just a question of making sure that it's operating correctly and it has the
capacity to save it for 30 days. But he can also work with the police department because it does say to to please work with the police department and I'm sure the police department would be of assistance as well as whatever technical individual
you have a tech person working uh with with your system or to help you implement that system. >> Okay. Can council miaak I think. >> Yes, Mr. Mkachi, you probably remember me. I was one of your first uh customers. It's a great place. >> Yes.
>> But I I I do want to just ask a few questions. Do you have legal representation? >> Do you have a lawyer that you have worked with at the premises to get the license before? Do you have legal representation?
>> Yeah, I do have a BC lawyer. Yes. >> Okay. So, you have a lawyer. You also have because your lawyer should see this order, >> this proposal and so should your technical persons >> so that the technical person understands
it's got to be operating for 30 days. It's got to have sufficient storage uh whenever you're open because this is a change in the way that your license requires you to operate. So please show this to your lawyer and also show this
to your technical person so that you are in compliance so that you can maintain your license. Okay. Now you keep asking if other people do that. There are other licences in town who have much longer
records of enforcement than you do who are required to do this. But we have to listen to our police department when the police department recommends that we require this. It's great that you
already have this information, have the technology in place, but you need to show it to you need to show this to your lawyer and you need to show it to your technical person and make sure that you can comply with this because if you don't comply with it, there's going to
be more enforcement action against you. Well, we have always been in compliance with it. >> Okay, that's good. I'm not challenging you at all. I'm just saying you have to get this license renewed by the end of this month. Now, uh you have the right
to speak to the board. All right? Like that's what you're doing right now. So, if you want to request us to do something on your, you know, from your perspective, we will consider that. But you should, if you want to continue to
maintain the license actively so you can offer this service to your customers, you have to get this done before the end of this month. Now, we have one more council meeting uh later on this month, and we can put together an ABC board. There'll probably be others, other
licences that come in at the last minute. >> That would give you time to talk to your lawyer and talk to your technical person about this. And then you could come back on uh I think the meeting >> June 24th
>> June 24th with perhaps with your lawyer and and ask uh whatever action you want the ABC board to take or you can you can uh uh request no delay
in approving this license with this condition today and that way you take care of it so that your license would be uh good past the end of this month and then you can still talk to your lawyer, you could still talk to your technical person and if there's any issues you
could challenge it legally at some point in the future. >> So that's sort of your that's sort of your options there. >> Just want to make sure you understand that >> the special condition um how much time
is given for it to be implemented. >> Can I can I go? I need to go. Councilman, >> if I may, go ahead. >> We I don't know what the timeline is. I'd have to ask the police department because they didn't specify what the timeline was. >> Um, but I I know that when I spoke to
you yesterday, I suggested that you have your lawyer call the attorneys or yourself. I said either one. >> Right. So, but I did recommend that it was your lawyer. Um, so that was already that information was already provided to
you. Um, I personally don't think this should wait. No, it's going to be the same >> result next meeting. If we, you know, if you vote on it tonight and implement it, then I can call the police department tomorrow and find out when it needs to
be um done sooner rather than later, I'm assuming. And I will make sure that I send a copy of the resolution to Mr. Mkachi so that he can provide it to his attorney and they can review it. Um but I don't see any sense in waiting really. >> Thank you. I think we should move forward.
>> Yes, Counciloman Castle. >> So So that was going to be my recommendation as well. Uh so sir you have a recommendation here that the police department as my my colleague had has stated uh I'm inclined to um move
this forward be and accept the police department's recommendation and then if you have uh and we should vote if you have further questions on the process you could continue to speak with the attorney but we need to also move forward with the meeting. I think it
also benefits you as well to have the camera just for your own security and >> to the premises there's camera >> yeah it's it's security I'm not done with my it's security for yourself and
and your patrons as well and as far as checking it to make sure it works a lot of times check with your maybe check with their check uh tech person because they may have a maintenance plan that they could, you know, the company that
you have it with could come check it for you to make sure it's working so you don't have that situation and get yourself caught up in case the police come again and it's not working again for whatever reason. That's all I I like to move the vote.
>> Okay. So, for that very reason, I would like to make another suggestion andor recommendation. And I know everyone is saying that we go ahead and vote tonight. Um, but this is a special condition that impacts a small business owner and he is standing here telling
you that he doesn't know if he has the capacity and once we vote on this ordinance there is no timetable which means it would go into effect immediately. So, I would like to recommend and suggest that perhaps even if we do move forward with the vote
tonight that we as the governing body give him 30 days so that he can get his system up to speed and confirm that he has the capacity to do exactly what this special condition requires. And I would
like to ask Mr. pastor, our attorney, if that is an amendment that we can make in this special condition is just to give him time for implementation. >> No, because the license has to be renewed by July 1st to remain >> by June >> in good stand July 1st. Yeah.
>> Or July 1st. Yeah. >> To remain in good standing. So you'd have to adopt this resolution either tonight or on June 24th >> or or the Lency would have to apply to the state for an interim license while all this >> sorts out which >> silly
>> seems like a lot of hoops to jump. >> So do you have the capacity? We have another meeting on the 24th as everybody has indicated. Can you come back on the 24th and let us confir and so that you can go back and confirm that you have the business capacity, the finances if
you have to upgrade your equipment exactly what is involved so that you can be compliant because right now it appears that this new condition is a requirement. It's not optional. So we don't want
in between time if this is approved or when this is approved for any incident to happen and then you not have the upgrades that you need. So I would like to suggest that you go make sure you understand what your upgraded needs are.
Get your system compliant and operable so that 24 hours a day or whenever you're on your premises, you have the capacity to record as these entrances indicate and that you also have the capacity to retain your video for 30
days. So you may have to go out and get a new cloud storage system or upgrade your system and that may be a cost. But respect go ahead councilwoman even if it was a cost that that there's nothing we can do about it. But I'm just saying
right now if we pass this today it it means he has to do that tomorrow. Right. >> Right. But if you pass it on the 24th he doesn't do it to the 25th and then he has 5 days. Now he has a couple of weeks. >> He's got three weeks to get it done. >> No no no. If we don't if we wait he can
go back assess and assess everything. make sure he has the capacity to get it up. >> I don't recommend that. I think you pass. >> If I may, if I may, that's right. >> The license he currently has does not expire until June 30th. >> So, that is the current acting license
which does not have the special condition. >> So, I don't think waiting is in the >> I get it. So, right that Okay. So, but that hasn't been explained in that way until right now, which is
>> you have until June 30th when your new license will be enacted on July 1st to make sure you get your business recording devices up to speed. That's all the time that that you have
>> if you want to keep your license to sell alcohol. So, it's not an option, it's a requirement. And now you have today is the 10th. Now you have 21 days. >> The nth. >> Tonight
is the nth. >> Yeah. I still need a copy of the conditions because I never got it. So >> I will send that to the after the resolution is signed this evening. I'll send it to you tomorrow. >> Yeah. Because I didn't know what the special condition was. Right.
>> So the video recording at all of your points of egress and ingress and to make sure when your video is recorded that it stays available for at least 30 days before it's so for instance if your system >> there's an attorney can we just move the
word I move the vote and and the attorney could stick around to >> and talk to them about how to orchestrate it >> because we got to get this meeting. >> We need to get moving. Thanks, sir. I I appreciate you coming down to explain and uh and and I wish you luck with your establishment.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. So, is there a motion to approve this? >> A second. Thank you. Councilwoman Castalina, yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> I'm going to abstain. >> Council President Spark.
>> Yes. >> The motion carries. Uh okay. So now are we going to adjourn the ABC and make a motion? >> So this is a motion to adjourn the ABC hearing and enter into an executive
session >> and I'll second. >> Okay. Uh Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, yes. Council President Scarpa, yes. Okay. Thank you. The motion pass.
>> Although we did have a couple items on second reading. Anybody's waiting. Oh, no. There's nothing. >> No, there's nobody's here. We got We have keep paying those only to sit. >> True. But we should ask if anybody was going to speak on second reading on any ordinances. >> Yes.
>> Oh, thank you so much. >> Is there anyone in the audience? >> Oh, that's right. That's okay. I'll change the front seat. All right. Thank you. >> Only a few traffic. Do we need a motion to did it? I made a mo it was a motion to
adjurnn ABC and enter into an executive sess. >> Wait, now we're going into executive session. >> We just voted. >> I didn't know. >> Can't we just finish up the business?
It's not that much. We got the attorney here. We got the attorney. >> I know, but >> for your patience, West Orange, we are back live and at this time, I'd like to turn the floor over to Council President. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you everyone for
sticking with us at home and on Zoom. Uh, let's have a >> council president. Is there a motion to adjourn the executive session and continue with the public meeting? >> Yes. I'll make the motion to adjourn and continue. >> Thank you. Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Kobia, yes.
>> Councilwoman Ruden, yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Scarpa, >> yes. Motion carries. >> Council Ken, yes. Council President, if if possible, can I uh say something? Go ahead. Thank you. I apologize. So, I'd be remiss. I I didn't say earlier. I
know we had a lot of notes to go over and stuff. Um, but I I'd be remiss in one thing. You know, I didn't say congratulations to the public to Chief Eekio. Um, he was the person who succeeded me when I was the fire chief um in the township of West Orange. Um, believe it or not, we've been in existence for 132 years at the West
Orange Fire Department. Um, I served as the eighth chief and Tony served as the ninth chief, which is hard to believe over 132 years. So, >> um, I was uh I was very proud that he took over um and assumed the seat for me. He did a a fantastic job. Every
chief um faces challenges in their career and each one's different and uh so I had my challenges when I was operating the department, but uh Tony had some Chief Beckio had a couple others that no one would expect, especially some like with the uh the
pandemic and things of that nature. So So he had to navigate some waters. I think he did an ad admirable job. I um I'm I'm happy to call him a colleague. I'm happy to call him chief. happy call him a friend and tell me you'll be missed and um I want just want to say congratulations because you know um one
of the hardest things for any chief uh is to get through is go unscathed uh for your personnel um knowing that your fire department uh everybody goes home safe that's that's big that weighs heavy on a lot of us
>> um so we got through it so I'm glad to hear you got through it so it's I don't mean to be emotional because it's it's It's important to all of us. Um, so we did a good job. >> Thank you very much. >> I also I also just want to say one last thing is what I always tell everybody when they retire from the the emergency
services. There's one thing that we are getting now is we're getting another promotion. Even though he made the pinnacle, he's he's now getting promoted back to civilian. So he doesn't have to put on that uniform anymore. He doesn't have to take orders. He can't give orders at least especially at home. Um, and but he he did a fine job while I was
there. So tell him good luck. Congratulations. Be well. be safe. >> Thank you so much. I agree. He's been an invaluable resource for all of us. >> Yep. >> Very accessible. >> Okay. >> Resolutions.
>> Uh consent agenda, approval of minutes of previous meeting. Budget meetings May 5th and May 11th. I know Councilman Koviaak had a couple of corrections for May 11th. uh public meetings May 12th and
May 26th and the executive session of May 12th. >> Okay. Consent. >> Consent. >> Consent. >> Okay. Uh report of township officers. None. Reading of petitions and communications and bids. the bid uh NJO
I'm sorry NJ do MA 2025 Helen Avenue Lawrence Avenue Florence Place and Lowel Avenue improvement project um bill list are there any questions on the bills? >> Yes. >> Okay, hold on. Let me get my bill
listoman Ruden. >> Okay. Um, I would like to pull um number 1 191078, the bill for landscaping for Denophrio. I want to make sure there's no breakdown
in in the entire bill and it's $16,787. I'd like to understand what time period that is for and how much of that is going towards the dog. I'd also like to pull um bill 189833
dynamic traffic for 12,000. Um I'm just shocked that that this administration is asking us to approve um consent for one-way analysis including their presentation here. um
after the community specifically said they don't want this and then went in and spent this money plus another 5,000 that we approved last last time which I had also called out. Um I'd also like to
ask a question to Mr. Smearaldo about the um uh item 187440 the library sign. Uh you referenced that this $25,75 sign was paid
um by not by the township. I'd like to understand what do you mean by that? Because this references an ordinance 2487-16 from 2016 whereby we bonded $850,000
for improvements. and that's referenced as the source of this payment. So if that's the case, my question is, was this paid for by a prior bonding? I can't answer that. That would be a
question for for Mr. Tiniac. But what I can tell you is that there there was a $75,000 settlement agreement. That's where the money is supposed to be coming out of. We're supposed to get reimbured. That was the deal was for signage in and around the area. As far as the accounting, I I I have to turn over to Mr. Diniac.
>> Yeah. So, we're charging to the capital account and when we're reimbursed by the the entity Mr. Smarald was talking about, we would reimburse that capital account and basically get the cash or the check, deposit it into the bank, and
credit back the the account we charged it from. >> So, is this coming out of bonding? >> No. No. But it'll it'll it'll net out to zero. Um >> why was the bond referenced in the >> it's coming out of the capital. We needed an account to charge. So we
charged it to the account and then when we were reimbursed from the entity via the >> terms of the settlement, we'll put the money back into that capital account. >> But it referenced an ordinance that was for bonding. So it seems that the it's
coming out of >> Yeah. All the 03 accounts are the general capital accounts. So they're always going to reference a bond ordinance. Correct. >> So we are paying for this in a sense. Is that correct? >> Right now we're paying for it.
>> Oh, we're going to get a check and then the check is going to go in for the amount for the sign. >> When are we getting a check? And what is the reason for receiving the check? >> Again, there was a settlement that the township entered in with the the entity. It predates me. >> Which entity? I I can
>> Councilwoman Castle, did you want to >> if I may, there was a $75,000 agreement where the which account was coming from, but for the executive drive for all the signage, it was coming from the
developer. So, they were pay given $75,000 for all the signage that was needed in that area. So the library had their this is the big sign the library is getting correct am I am I >> another wayfinding sign yeah there's way
too so the developer this was part of the whole this whole entire complex package the developer was giving $75,000 for all the signage so I you know you're smirking but >> no I am not I'm just confused about if
if a developer gave $75,000 for signage. Do we have that $75,000? >> Oh, it was it was from years ago. So, I don't know where what account or where it went. >> Listen, I shouldn't state it that way. I
don't know what the accounting is, but that's was the situation. In fact, that was given at some point. >> And to actually add to that, I believe it was actually a settlement agreement. It had nothing to it wasn't just the developer. There was it was it was I I
believe it was a um a reimbursement for um taxes of some sort. I'd have to I wasn't involved with it. This was negotiated many many years ago as councilwoman said, but I believe it was actually for a a tax either an abatement or reimbursement or something to that
effect. And we can get the uh the information, but that's where the money came from originally. >> We don't have the cash. No, we don't have >> it's it we I will have to reach out to Mr. strengths firm to once we get this to that was where the agreement was through there. Once we get the final bill, we have to forward it for them to
get to receive the money. >> So, okay. >> It just this still does not seem clear to me because it it looks like on on the on the spreadsheet that it's coming out of a bonded out of a bond that we bonded. >> Sure. Yeah. It's it's coming out of the
capital. Um and if if if all went according to plan, you know, we would pay for it. We would come back to the developer and say, "All right, you owe us 25,000." They would cut us a check. We would take the check and deposit it back in the same account and reimburse
that that uh 03 account that you're referencing, the um the uh Oh, I had it in front of me. Whatever the bond account. So, we would make ourselves whole. >> So, so that is not happening right now. Now, do we have to go back to the
developer? And >> we would have to go back to the developer. Yes. >> Right now we have to go back to the developer. >> They have to give us the check for for the signing. >> So I want to clarify it may not be a developer. This may be an owner. So I I don't have the I I have to contact Mr. Tran firm. That's the the easiest way to
say. >> We entered into the settlement. >> Okay. So I just wanted to clarify because Mr. Moraldo said that we are not paying for this but at this point we most definitely are paying for this at this point in time. Yes. We're outlaying
the money. Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Councilman Kovac, did you have something? >> So, just a couple of quick couple of questions. Mr. Tinyak, are you making a distinction between a capital account and a bond account? Because capital account in my understanding most of the
time means the down payment for a bonding. Are are you making that distinction? >> The the bond ordinance, the authorization and the money all lives within the general capital account. So, that's why I say the general capital, the 03 account. So, anything you see
with an 03 um account designation is our general capital account. So, that would be down payments and the proceeds from short and long-term issuances. >> Okay. So, I'm very interested in finding
out what's going on with this settlement. I want to see the settlement document and I want to see what happened and what's going to happen. And I don't like this talking back and forth and skipping people's names and not being
sure what we're talking about. When you contact Mr. Trink's firm, you get the settlement. And if it involve litigation, I want the complaint and the initial response. >> All right. This this is >> this is way out of order. This is way out of order
>> from my 15 year my 12 years on the council. I I want to see this as soon as possible. Please >> down for the woman. >> I don't understand why you are contacting Mr. Tran for this >> because he was the one who negotiated the deal. We have I I just don't have it
in front of me. I know that that was the the case. >> We don't we don't work with Mr. Tran anymore? >> I understand that. >> So, shouldn't our attorney just take a look at what the agreement is? >> I could have our attorney reach out to Mr. Trs at the firm and we'll get it. >> Okay.
Are you saying that that this administration does not have a copy of the agreement? >> I don't have it in front of me. Not right now. >> I didn't mean right now in front of you. I'm just saying we should have a copy of the agreement with the development. >> I will get you a copy of the agreement
to make sure I have it. Okay. >> Counciloman Castelino. >> So my only So just the only thing my recollection my recolle recollection of any kind of
settlement was for the tax appeals of $4 million that we weren't going to have to pay. >> Council, I you know, I I would I would strongly suggest that we stop talking about because if there was, you know, this is a legal matter again, you know, when we >> Well, I didn't know there was anything out there. >> Well, I I don't know what's up there.
So, I I said I would contact Mr. Tran's office. I think that's the best way we could handle. I'll make sure I get everything so we have every single document or whatever it is we need for that. So this way we can have the answers because I don't want to speculate, put things on there because I don't want to make sure we're not violating ethics. So okay, the more we talk about legal things, the more and
more we seem to dig. >> We we we you did a resolution. >> Yeah. >> For this back in 2025, actually. >> Yeah. >> So we we'll pull the resolution. >> This does not seem like a legal like a legal issue. This >> No, it was it was called the settlement
agreement. Yeah. Uh and then they memorialized it uh back in 2025. So we have it here, >> but it was related to 2021 was settlement agreement. Yeah, we we can definitely pull this from the bill list um and get you the
>> this this is in my word document. We'll forward off the resolution approved by the council um for that agreement with uh with CLPF Essex Green LLC. Um >> well who's who would name for the
>> siren would >> this this is not in the resolution body. So >> they still have to get paid whether we get >> right >> but don't don't they still have to be get paid regardless of what the
situation is? >> We have a couple weeks for another meeting. you know, we can we can hold off so that uh >> yeah, >> but we'll we'll send the settlement agreement that says the 75,000 for signage and
>> we'll provide all that. >> I I pull up the resolution. What was the resolution of it? >> It doesn't the resolution I have the agreement in front of me. >> We'll get all the information. We can table this one that we can >> The worst thing you can do is shoot from the hip up here. >> Yes.
>> So, we'll just table it and we'll move forward. Do we >> not really? Shoot. I mean, >> do you need a table a motion to table it? >> Um, Greg, if I want to just pull something from the bill list, can I just do it or I'd have to go through council president or
>> uh it's coming along as a coun member brought it up. So, she did. Yes. Ask for >> a motion. Okay. Remove it. >> To remove. Okay. Or to >> I make a motion to remove. >> Got it. Okay. >> Is it a motion to remove or a motion?
whatever the the pledge >> I would do a motion to table until the next meeting. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean, usually the table is is the whole the whole resolution. I I think that if it's just a single item, you're just moving to remove that item.
>> Remove the Okay. Remove item. Okay. >> And then it's up to us to bring it back. >> Maybe maybe if there are others, we should discuss them all and do it as one motion. >> Okay. Right. There's gonna be >> I I I gave three, >> right? So why don't you go through all three
>> three and in the same whether to proceed >> with any or all of them and then take them all off in one motion. That seems a little more efficient. >> Well, what if they're they want to vote differently on each? >> Yeah, I think that I think we need to do them independently because I I'm not in agreement and I have some questions about
>> totally get it. But I'm saying discuss them first. see what the consensus is and then if something's going to be pulled and not paid, vote for those in one motion. Everything else goes back on consent. Right. >> I think we should do it individually. >> Darren, you're the boss. >> Yeah,
>> sure. >> Go back. >> Okay. So, you want to make a motion? >> All right. I think uh Councilwoman Ruden, you made the motion to remove to remove um 18740 secretary signed bill for 25705.
>> All right. and Councilwoman I second. >> Council President, sorry. >> Okay. Councilwoman Castelino, >> yes. >> Councilman Poviaak, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Scar. >> Yes. >> Okay. The motion carries to remove.
>> Okay. >> I have a question about the $12,000 payment to dynamics. Well, >> I think I think I already raised that. Well, she you you said you wanted to pull it. She has a question. Okay. Does the $12,000 payment is it for the
traffic study presentation that was done here? There was commentary that why would the administration authorize the $12,000 knowing that uh the residents and the council was not supportive of the one-way directional street. I want to
understand if that um was for the study or because obviously we have to have the study and pay for the study before we can get to a conclusion. I just want to make sure we're not pulling that for the work that they have done even though we did not like the conclusion and we don't
agree with the conclusion was the work so that we could get there. >> The work was to get there. So the the the bill that was provided by dynamic traffic is relatively detailed and they lay out like part of it was the March 31st call with the township. Uh an April
21st call with the township review parking demand data utilize connected data to identify cutthroughs along Alphabet Street. So it is everything leading up to um that presentation. So I I'm comfortable because again while we
we needed a professional to give us some direction and to identify what we were going to do, I I don't think any of us sitting here at the DEIS could have made that decision andor recommendation. So I suggest that we pay them. We just don't like the results and we may not do
implementation, but they do deserve to get paid for their work. >> Okay. Okay. >> Any other comments? >> No. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Now I'm fine. I just have a quick question though. We were also looking at
uh in the other side of uh town watch area. They were supposed to look at Did they look at that during this >> no period or >> not during not during this period they did the initial which they they provided a report to the council and I believe that was already paid for.
>> Any additional work now would require us to u you pay for it as we go along. So we and we haven't authorized any additional payment. We're at work right now. So >> yeah. No, I'm fine. We have to do our due diligence to make these decisions. >> Council, >> um, what were the the dates of the
dynamic traffic? >> I'm sorry. I I couldn't hear. >> What were the dates of the dynamic traffic presentations? Not present. They had two open houses. Do you have the dates of the dynamic traffic? >> I'm not in front of me. They were here in council chambers. Whenever they were, we advertised them.
>> I understand. I wanted I want to see when when those took place because I I would like to make sure that this work was done prior to those presentations, especially the second presentation where everybody said they don't want this.
>> Yeah, but there >> when was the second presentation? >> Still have to do your due diligence. >> This is not due diligence. This is after they had we had a meeting with the Rollinsson community and then they told them they don't want this. >> Councilwoman, all due respect, there was
30 to 15 20 30 people here, not the entire community. They did their due diligence. That's that was the point was to gather information. So >> there were the whole room was filled. It wasn't 15 20 people. >> So the whole room was fil. It's still not the whole ballot. This is not the whole ballot. So they came in, they did
what they they did what we asked them to do. We said come in and listen to the public. get to data. We we looked at other data and they came up with the report. I mean, you know, it's it's part of what they were supposed to be doing and not everybody in here may have been opposed to. I don't know. I didn't wasn't here for the entire time. I don't know what they collected. What data? I'm
not sure that every I can't I can't attest that every single person sitting here said no. I don't know that. And I don't know if you know that. >> I do. >> You do. You you pulled every single >> I was here the entire time and I listened to the entire entire >> So, what was the date presentation? you were sitting. >> I don't remember the date. That's why
I'm asking. >> So, I'm asking you cuz I don't remember either. You were here the whole time. >> So, >> okay. Can I find >> I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. C, you've had your hand up. >> Just as a just to clarify, Mr. Datiniac, did you just read off of the bill
>> and say that all of the work that was on this $12,000 and change bill was done before the council meeting presentation? Yeah, I'm reading off of the bill. >> Okay. Yeah. So,
>> so I think that clarifies that all the work on the bill was done before the council meeting where there was the presentation and the reaction from the council. So, I just wanted to clarify that because I thought that's what you said the first time. So, >> it's it's work through May 16th.
>> Can I do uh call for the motion? >> Motion. Okay. Is there a motion? I make a motion to pull pull this bill and let's get clarification on when the dates were that dynamic met with met with um our community for the second time.
>> Is there a second? Seeing none, the mo that motion fails. Dies, excuse me. That's the correct. Okay. Uh there was a second one that you >> Denafrio.
>> Oh yeah, Denafhrio and son. Yes, I'd like a better breakdown of that bill and I want to make sure that we we are actually saving money on the dog park. So, >> we'll go back to Denafhrio and because what you saw and what we have available is a one line for
>> exactly >> 16,100. >> It's not an item. So, I make a motion to pull Denafhrio's bill 191078 to get more information. >> Second. >> Okay, hold on. Okay.
Uh, Councilwoman Castelino to pull. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kovia, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Okay, the motion carries. >> Okay, so that takes care of that. >> We're going to add another question.
Councilman Kovia has his hand up. Yeah, I just wanted to uh reiterate, I think I've mentioned it a few times in the past, that I think the the the process for challenging or questioning the bills would move forward much faster, much
more efficiently if if everybody got the information in terms of what's the actual bill number, what's the bill about, and what are the questions about it before the council meeting, then we can just all pull this out uh and and go over it. I think we would spend a lot less time talking about it at the
council meeting. I just want to throw that out again. I know that in the day or two before the council meeting, things can get a little crazy and you can't always do everything you want, but I I would appreciate if if we could get that going forward. I think it would save us a lot of time.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> We're done with the Oh, go ahead. Um, bill number 1 191790, Matthew Kho, $9359 reimbursement, but it says fire
compliance penalties, dedicated penalty. Can I get an explanation on why that's a penalty? What that penalty is? Um so um we collect uh penalties for for fire
safety and we can use that penalty money. It's in trust um for education and >> training you know better than >> it's a dedicated it's a dedicated uh fund under the new New Jersey municipal or the New Jersey administrative fire
code. So when you see those uh when you see 12 uh in front of the account code, those are our trust accounts. So it's the uniform fire penalty trust account. So the money we we take in for uniform fire penalties goes into the trust and
could be used specifically for um you know uh like you said training and education and all that. >> Okay. So, we couldn't use it to buy like me a laptop for instance because I have nothing to do for fire prevention. I'm just saying like the trust account is
specific purposes that you can use it for. >> All right. No problem. Thank you. >> Okay. Can we move along? >> Yeah. I move for substance of the bill. >> Oh, well, it's just a consent. So, consent. >> Consent. Okay. Resolutions. Are any
resolutions being pulled this evening? >> Yes. I >> council president. >> Well, yes. >> Yes. Go ahead. Um before we pull resolutions as a not we you as a
governing body um I make a request if you could pull resolution any papers on my left >> was um >> resolution number 165-26 authorized tax collector to prepare and
issue estimated tax bills for third quarter 2026 taxes. I'm requesting that this resolution be pulled because there is a typo in page two, well page one and page two of the estimated tax uh rate.
Um specifically the municipal library estimated levy. Um we have to come back to you with an updated resolution and we will give that uh to the governing body for the next meeting and we'll we'll give you that updated resolution tomorrow morning. cuz you have plenty of
time uh to look over what that correct rate will be. >> Okay. >> So, um >> seems reasonable. >> I don't miss uh >> Madam Clerk pulling it. Then you could just pull it. Yeah, just pull it. >> I don't know why I called you Miss Madame Clerk. >> Miss Cler, that's right. My
granddaughter Miss Grandma. So, >> Miss Grandma. What big guy? >> Yes, honey. Um, I'd like to pull 1626 and 165 26. >> 166
26. I'm looking at the wrong number. I apologize. >> Okay. Okay. >> Six. >> Yeah. Anything else? Anybody else have anything they want to pull? Okay. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? The consent agenda is implemented. Okay. So, resolution 162-26, resolution authorizing the award of a professional service contract to Herps
Mushiano for professional architectural services associated with the interior alterations for new municipal offices at 46 Mount Pleasant Avenue in an amount not to exceed $56,930. Councilwoman Williams,
>> thank you. Um, I pulled that because I received a letter uh that I wanted to share on behalf of residents at 46 Mount Pleasant. See the A request for community space for the
seniors of West Orange Senior Housing. Dear council members, my name is Sadija Carter. and the property manager of West Orange Senior Housing. While I am unable to attend tonight's meeting, I respectfully ask that Councilwoman Tammy Williams share these thoughts on behalf of our residents and the community we
serve. Recently, I had the opportunity to walk through the former library space located directly across from and connected to West Orange Senior Housing. As I stood in that space, I immediately thought about the seniors who live just steps away and how transformative even a portion of that area could be for them.
I understand that the township is considering converting this space into municipal offices and I appreciate the importance of meeting the township's operational needs. However, I respectfully ask that consideration be given to dedicating a portion of the former library as a community space for
the seniors who called West Orange Senior Housing home. Every day I have the privilege of interacting with these residents who have spent decades contributing to our community. They are veterans, grandparents, retired teachers, nurses, laborers, and public servants. They raised families, paid
taxes, volunteered their time, and helped build the very community we enjoy today. Yet, for many of them, retirement has also brought challenges. Some live alone. Some have lost spouses and lifelong friends. Others struggle with mobility limitations that make it
difficult to participate in activities beyond their immediate surroundings. What may appear to be just a room to some could become a lifeline to others. A dedicated community space would provide opportunities for fellowship, wellness programs, educational
workshops, health screenings, social gatherings, arts and crafts, and tenant meetings. More importantly, it would provide something that cannot be measured in any square footage, and that's a sense of belonging. Loneliness among seniors is a growing concern
across our nation. A welcoming place where residents can gather, laugh, learn, celebrate holidays, share stories, and simply enjoy one another's company can have a profound impact on their quality of life. The former library is uniquely positioned to become
that place. I am not asking for the entire space. I am simply asking that the township consider setting aside a portion of it so that seniors living next door have a place to connect, engage, and remain active members of the West Orange community. The decision
before you is about more than a building. It is about how we honor those who come before us. It is about creating opportunities for connection, dignity, and healthy aging. It is about investing in the people who have invested so much in West Orange throughout their lives. I
respectfully ask that you consider our seniors as plans for the former library moving forward. A community space in this location would be a lasting gift, one that would change lives, strengthen community ties, and demonstrate that West Orange values and supports its
older residents. Thank you for your time, your service, and your thoughtful consideration of this request. Sincerely, Sadija Carter, property manager, West Orange Senior Housing. >> Counciloman Castelino. Oh, you done? >> Well, I I was just going to say um that
I agree with uh the sentiments here and I think we just need to again um take a pause. Um this is a 50 plus,000 uh $56,930 proposal. And again, we're not listening to our community. And I think before we
move forward with a plan, um we respectfully need to consider what options that we could do um for rearranging um and providing space for our other departments that might not include um $50,000.
>> And that's just for the design. >> That's not for the project. It's going to be millions. Go ahead. >> I agree. >> Okay. So, here we go. Um, so I appreciate the property manager looking out for the tenants. However, the ownership of the property was supposed
to provide that space separate for them in that building. Um, so that's number one. This space was always supposed to be for township use for us to see how we would like to utilize it. Again, talk talk back then
was library annex. Mr. Moraldo, the B downstairs from that space is our use or that's the owner's use. >> It's a mixeduse. Part of the the entrance way is ours. Uh some of the storage underneath is theirs. So, it's a
mix underneath. >> The entrance way >> down there that he could utilize and make his own space for them. >> Uh no, I don't I don't know. >> It's a big room. >> I I I'm not familiar. There's a room down there that they use for um utilities and things of that nature. You
know, there's a whole big room. I know because when I was part Well, I'm still part of the friends group. We used to have our friends events down there and it's a perfectly sized room. >> There was there was a storage room down there that was large. It's a It's a very
large room down there. >> We used it as a party room, but it's big enough to be used as a party room. So, there is there is a room, a space there that he could outfit for his uh his staff. Folks, listen. We have to
start working on a plan to get redevelopment done behind that CVS building. And so we keep blaming everything on the administration, but if we don't start putting something in motion and keep waiting, I know there's,
you know, we can't wait. We have to we have to move forward and get this done. We have to get our staff out of um out of DPW. We got to get those buildings down and we got to get this project
going so we could pay off our debt. Now, yes, there's one other space which is at 10 Rooney. Can they can they be moved there? We know they all can't be moved there. So, again, this was this this was addressed
multiple times. we ask administration to move forward. I I think we have to get this in gear. Otherwise, that property is just going to sit there. We're going to be paying $900,000 again this year for it and and not and not make any improvements. So, you know,
we talk about reinventing the town and getting things forward. We we got we got to get that bond taken care of and we got to get it done sooner than later. >> I'm done. helps with CO.
>> The first time I was on council, right towards the end of my my time there, I voted against declaring that library an area in need of redevelopment. And as part of that discussion, the
building that the portion of the building that was not going to be turned into housing was described, I think, as 10,000 square feet. >> 7500 7500 7500. Well, no, no, no, no. This is going back five years.
And it was described as 10,000 square feet or so, and it was maybe a library annex or whatever, >> 7500. >> On this specifically, Miss Carbalo was saying that the study was going to be for office space for 7500
square feet, which suggests to me that there's 2500 square feet that's not included. Uh I was on the friends with with uh councilwoman and there was a big space down in the basement and it was also used as portion of that was used as
storage. So folks >> I I don't know whether there's room down there to to provide this but if there is uh we should certainly explore it for the benefit of the the the residents even if they even if we don't own the
building. So I I see we can do both. We can move forward with this. I'm I'm with Councilwoman. We have got to start moving forward. This has been sitting around for literally almost a decade and we've got to to do something. And I think this is this makes the most sense
in terms of uh you know, if we build out on a separate uh a separate property, we're likely to pay a lot more. Yes. >> For this. And uh but I think we really do need to to make an effort to find out what the available space might be over there and see what we can do as part of
uh any sort of a lease agreement that uh that does provide this this uh property if this area if if it indeed exists and the the owner is willing to discuss this. >> It's upstairs.
I think um those suggestions are viable, but at the end of the day, I still believe that before we authorize spending $56,000, we need to be certain about the additional space. >> Um no one has um done an inventory to
assess whether or not there can be some uh shuffling or readjustments done at town hall for some of these departments. >> Yes, we did. >> But I'll answer that when you're done. Um and again while we have had a study done
unfortunately with a study a study can yield information based on what you are seeking it to justify. So I just am not in agreement with moving the seniors to the library. I think we
can move some of our departments perhaps to the space um that we own or or we can just figure out something different. But I I just I'm not supporting spending $56,000 and taking away community space. >> My concern is you're finished, right? My
concern is we're always rushing to do something without a wellthoughtout plan. Here we we we possibly have a solution. We have to look at all of the solutions. And we we're asking for $56,000 just to
do some design work. We have no idea what this is going to really cost us. And this should have been done by Mr. Albert who was prepared to do this a long time ago. Okay. So, let me go back.
uh in 2020 when I ran for reelection, it's embedded in my brain because all I had to do is defend my vote for uh this whole transaction and it is 7500 square ft of space which is upstairs, not
downstairs. So, um there's room there. It's up to the property owner. Yes, there they are our residents and I'll support him with fixing that for him, but he because he
was supposed to provide their own separate space. This was going to be our own space that was part of the transaction at the time. So, if legal has to get involved and legal has to look up, then we need to uh check that
out. But if that all checks out, you know, 10 years, 10 years we've been talking about this. This this plan started in 2017. We now have a film studio that has not come yet because we have got to get our
cleanup done. So this is not rushed. this you had a year ago. Actually, it was a year ago today. Uh probably next week that you had that presentation on the uh facility study because I know I was away and I missed it and I had to get it when I I had to go vote with Mr.
Smearto when I came back. So, this has been sitting here a while. We need to move money forward in order to start on this or just let these properties rot. I mean, these are our properties. I don't
understand this. We have to we have to get this done. And I don't know, guys. Just I know I just hope politics aren't playing into it. That's all cuz we And as far as the community space goes, there's the
parking issue that everybody forgets about. Um part of the reason the mayor intent over a year ago, two years ago when you started um that was the intent was let's flip it to a senior building and then the reason why that was uh that
ceased in u moving forward was because of the complaints about the parking. So it makes sense that we have our staff in there because community space is going to be utilized in the evening. And um not to say that that there's a
conference room and somebody needs to utilize a conference room that that can't be utilized by the community, but the parking issue is another problem with you know having a 100 people come to that space at night. So anyway, I I
just we got to move forward and you don't want to move forward. I don't know where we go from here. >> I just want to say that I had talked to Mr. Samro about reaching out to Mr. Alpert to see what he would do to rectify the situation and I don't think anything has come of that. I don't know
Mr. Smaldo maybe you could spit some but we he needs to you know to help us make that building viable for the seniors that live there. I know we can't have a full senior center there but it should be a viable space with a recreation area
for those seniors that live there. So there's a couple things that you're raising that are it's it's apples and oranges when when it comes to two spaces. One, first of all, when we first started looking at this project for the senior, Mr. Albert W, he was on site was going to do a lot of the work for us,
but we we as a >> body and everybody else couldn't make a decision, you know, and that was that was a previous council. That's not everybody was sitting up here. So, but we couldn't get we couldn't get that decision done. >> That wasn't a council. No, no, no. That's >> administration. So that's the
administration. >> Councilwoman, I'd let you speak. So it's now it's my turn. Thank you. Please. Thank you. So we couldn't get the money. We presented it to the council. We couldn't get the money to move forward. Nobody wanted to move forward. I'm I'm not blaming blame on we just couldn't get nothing going.
Mr. Albert was was energized or or engaged. We could have done it. We could not get it. We could not get a consensus by anyone at the time. And so it wasn't done. So that was that was part of it. The second part is that to say that we're not thinking about using other
space. Again, if you refer to the study that we presented last year and what we were asked to do and what we reacted to do, if you look at the study, we are relocating our staff. We are also centralizing our staff to have a more efficient engineering building planning and zoning under one roof. We're we're
putting in space for our employees. So we don't even have a place for anybody to take a lunch break here. So, we're looking at energizing and moving people around. We, if you look at the study, it's not completely uh solid, but we have consolidated all offices together
and moving people together. Third, as the counciloman Castle pointed out, in order for us to move forward with the any redevelopment, we have to do a remediation of DPW's building. We can't do it with our people in that building. as long as they remain in that building
that we cannot move forward redevelopments. Plain and simple. We just can't do it. So, the the council has asked us to move forward. We we know from our discussions with with um uh with the developer, which I'm not going to get into deeply. We need to show that we're moving forward. I've told you that
we may have found a spot to relocate our DPW. We're not going to mention it now because we're still in the negotiations. We have found a spot that we could put our planning development building and everybody else in. We did that. We found a spot for our for our our senior ser our seniors down in the basement at 10
Rooney or I even said tonight we're looking at possibly red redoing the the cat center um which I just reaffirmed with the mayor just a half hour hour ago whatever it was. So we are looking forward to stuff but we can't move
forward if we get bogged down in the weeds. So I'm sorry that that this doesn't work for some of the people there. I can't do anything with a building that's not owned by the township. I can speak to Mr. Alfred directly and see what we can do about that other space, but there's not much,
you know, we're we're moving forward like you've asked us to, but we're getting bogged down in the weeds. So, it's, you know, we bring it forward to you and then sits here. So, if you vote it down, you vote it down. That that's that's fine, but we're not going to move forward. That that's the choice here tonight is vote yes or no and make a
decision. >> I suggest we just talk to Mr. Albert to see what he can do with that. >> Well, that's that's a decision. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, so here's where I get frustrated because councilwoman, and no disrespect, but you were on that committee
and this this went around with with the advisory group that who wanted that space, who didn't want the space, who wanted to go to the library. Mr. Albert said at that time and and I was jumping up and down to everyone at that time, a
decision has to be made because while he was completing that building, he was going to be dropping in the the plumbing and the electric and he clearly stated he needed to, you know, on once he's gone, he's gone. And so an opportunity
to get uh items in that space for us uh was wasted. And you know I I know Mr. Samurro said he was going to talk to him. So I do agree. We do have to hear back on uh that. But going back to that
space downstairs where you first walk in uh where the elevators are, you know, we had 100 people to at that library event back then. That's that's a nice size space to put 100 people in. especially if it's just for uh that would be very >> his his building is it's definitely
adequate plus a bunch of uh storage space as well. So there's plenty of room for them to do something for their tenants in that space. >> That space doesn't be cool. That's the reason why the friends stopped having
events there. If you go back to Mr. um library director. Uh he will and I don't you all were on the frames. You all were having fundraisers. >> Yes, I know. I worked >> and then you had to stop having
fundraisers there because it didn't meet the fire code. >> But that's on him to to complete and make for his tenants. So that's not that's not a us problem. That's a their problem. No, it's a problem right now because again it's our residents and we have to be able to work with everyone to
see if we can find >> suitable solutions and until we can confirm that it it might be a doable space. I'm just not willing to spend $56,000 for a study when there may be other options. I don't want to authorize that right now. And if you want to call
the vote, let's call the vote and let our vote be and we don't have to discuss it anymore. >> I would agree. It needs to be comprehensive and Mr. Albert has to help us do what he was supposed to do from the beginning. >> Okay. Is there a motion to approve 16226? >> I'll make a motion to approve.
>> Second. >> I'd like to move forward on the >> Thank you. >> getting something done in this now. >> Councilwoman Castle, >> yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> no. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> no. >> Council President Scor, >> no.
>> Okay, great. The motion fails. >> Okay. Um 166-26 resolution authorizing extension of professional services agreement with Essex Regional Health Commission for the period of April 1st, 2026 through July
31st, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $51,975. Councilwoman Williams, >> thank you. Um my question was regarding so this is about a a 51,000 for three months. Does that money go to
directly to SX Regional to cover the cost that I just thought that was a substantial amount but just April through July that's three months was >> that's Isn't that those salaries about
>> I didn't do the resolution either on this one. Um I didn't do the resolution on this one. This is um this was from No, I know but I This is a grant. This is all grant money that pays for the services. Um, I don't I honestly don't know the answer to that. Let me see if I
can get it from the director. >> There was some questions that uh councilwoman put in the uh information and director said that if the grant we don't get another grant to keep it going that it would end July
31st. But I just wanted to understand does the entire 51,000 go towards the expense. It's a pretty hefty. >> So this is all grant uh for so the >> inspection >> the director said
>> yeah all inspection it's >> an extension of an existing grant. It's 100% grant funed to help us with inspections and complant and complaint in investigations. Let me see if I can get a hold of >> all food establishments, camps, pools, massage parlors.
>> And is this for a new position? Is it? >> No, this is an existing. This is they this the Essex Health U does this work on be the Essex House does this work on behalf of the of the um health department. So they're they're in contract with them. >> Yeah, the scope of work is there on and
I'm reaching out to the director see if he's available. Don't know the the duration. I know it was an extension. I just unfortunately I don't know. I don't know if it's 26 or 27. I just don't know the duration. >> This breaks it down by day. And then
this is it has all these dates in here. >> It's a 2026. The 51,000 I know is to cover the services provided. what they do like said the rest the camp pool inspections they they pretty much >> seasonal >> yeah it's seasonal so I don't know I just don't know the the actual duration
I apologize but I don't know that >> it says here that for the period of April 1st through July 31st >> it's 100% reimburse whatever it is whatever they spend that's 100% reimburseable from the grant >> right but then isn't this running what
happens a after July 30 uh July 31st >> I don't have that answer for you >> well that that was in questions that was already answered that if they don't get another grant, it'll it'll end. It'll terminate. So, >> and then who was going to sign off on all of these licenses?
>> Yes. >> We don't have anybody qualified on staff to do that. That's why we're paying this extra money to Essex Regional. >> And we're pulling out to pay them out of our pocket. >> That's
okay. >> And so, is this budget? So, how what So, >> if we don't get a grant by July 31st, then we're going to have to expense for this. Is this already included in the budget or is this
>> Yeah, we have we have RHS employees. We have licensed employees. Uh this is a supplemental employee, >> but there's nobody called. >> We're not like hiring someone at the end of this grant period. um if we don't get
a grant. So, >> we're not hiring somebody, but you're going to we're going to be continuing paying for Essex Regional out of our own pocket, >> right? We don't have anyone who could do it. >> Well, I think according to the answer that director Fonino gave, we wouldn't
utilize them for this. Well, you use we use them for other things, but >> his response was if we don't get another grant, it this program will terminate. That's what he said in his response, >> right? But that doesn't mean that we don't need this. We do need this because this is their
>> Well, he's I know he's he reapplies for this grant all the time. This this grant is one of it's I don't think it's a given, but it's one of these grants that we apply for and it's it's we're look we're look favored upon because we we continue to use this. >> I just can't.
>> Yeah. I just don't I just don't have the exact answer and I I I sent him a text. I'm sure at 11:47 at night he's being >> he's sleeping good for him. >> I think so. >> I don't doubt that. My concern is is simply um
>> we're not necessarily planning smartly. It's almost like we're going out and buying a new car and we know we're going to have payments for the first three months, but we still own the car and we don't know how to get it. So, >> that's fun. I mean, I guess
>> this was one of the things he wanted done. >> Yeah. If you don't do it, then the the Nacho is going to take the money back. >> Yeah. He would >> I'm not willing to lose the grant money, but I just wanted to understand what her role is going to be after July 31st. If
if there's no grant, >> I will ask him to send you a report onto, you know, an email to clarify that for you >> to the entire council >> to the entire council >> to the Yeah. >> When I say you, I mean, I do everything under a blind copy as we all know. >> Yes.
>> Speaking always come back to it, >> right? We can >> So, can we table this to the next meeting? And I I >> we're not going to lose We're not going to lose this grant. First of all, he's on the board of of Essex Regional and he's been facilitating this grant. We're
not going to lose this grant. >> You don't know that it's not time sensitive. >> It is time sensitive. >> It is time sensitive. >> Yeah. Like, do we have to >> How timesensitive? Why don't we know that? >> You still have to get this done. So, why don't we have somebody pay for it? We
have It's for the pools, the camps. We have we have to do these inspections. The inspections don't go away. >> Well, I I think that we should pay for this, >> but I would like a very clear answer on who is going to be providing service and
how will it be paid for after July 31st because we're still going to have a pool >> and we're still going to have all the restaurants and everything else that needs inspire lay out a detailed plan for you. got to get done. >> Okay. So, I'm going to make a motion to
approve this. >> I'll second. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Castelino. >> Yes. >> Council I'm sorry, Councilman Koviaak. >> Yes. >> Two for two. Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams,
>> yes. >> Council President Scarf, >> yes. >> Motion is carried. >> We'll turn into pumpkins in 8 minutes. >> Okay. Ordinances on second and final reading. 2974-26, an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 7, traffic section 32.2,
restricted parking zones of the municipal code of West Orange. Is there a motion to introduce on second and final? >> Uh, >> introduced on final >> reading. I'll second. >> Okay. Council Councilwoman Castelino.
>> Yes. >> Counciloman Koviaak. Yes. Councilwoman Ruden. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President Scorpion. >> Yes. >> Okay. The motion carries. Okay. Is there anyone >> public hearing? >> Yeah. Anyone in the public would like to comment on 2019 public comment.
>> A second. >> Okay. Hold on. Uh, Council Councilman I'm sorry. Now I'm calling you council. >> Yes. >> Okay. Council. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden. Yes. >> Councilwoman Williams. Council President Scarpa. Yes. The motion carries.
>> Any discussion? No. Is there a motion to approve on second and final? >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Castelino, yes. Councilman Koviaak, yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, Council President. The motion carries.
>> 2976-26, an ordinance and supplementing chapter 7, traffic subsection 7-20, stop intersections of the revised general ordinances of the township of West Orange. Is there a motion to introduce on second and final reading? >> I move to introduce our second reading.
>> Thank you. >> Councilwoman Castalina, yes. >> Councilwoman Proact, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams, >> yes. >> Council President Spar, >> yes. >> You public hearing. >> Okay. Anyone in the public? >> Seeing none.
>> I'm going to councilwoman Castelino. Yes. >> Councilman Koviaak. Yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Williams. Yes. Council President. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry, Madam Clerk. Did we skip 2974 or was that pulled? >> No, that was one you just approved.
>> No, you said 2976. >> No, before that 2974. Now we're on 2976. >> Yeah, 297. >> We did 2973 and that's 73. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Uh, is there a motion to approve on second and final reading 2976? >> A second. >> Councilwoman Castelino, yes. >> Councilman Koviaak, yes. >> Councilwoman Ruden, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Williams,
>> yes. >> Council president. The motion carries. >> Okay. Pending matters. New matters. Council discussion. >> Yes. I have the new matter. >> New matter. >> Yes. >> Council discussion actually. Um, according to our ordinance, we are uh
supposed to only have one meeting in July and one meeting in August. And right now we have two in each month. And I' I'd like to follow the ordinance. Okay. So, there's a problem with that
because you have two ordinances going on for first reading on the 7th that need to be approved on the 21st of July. >> Okay. What about August? >> Um, and historically that has not been
followed because of all the holidays and the last year there was two because there were so much so many resolutions and ordinances >> because we were still dealing with the budget in August, but this year we're not going to be dealing with the budget in August. And I would like to have one meeting, not two. >> Well, the I would love that too, but the
problem is with this group is we have public comment. We don't get done at 10:00. We got to get business like it's going to we'll go September and we're going to be a agenda this thick. >> Can the administration try to get things together so that we can have the one meeting in August?
>> No, but then you guys turn them down. >> You you fool things. You move things to next meeting. I'm just saying I I I'm not I'm I'm not criticizing you. I'm just stating facts. So if you don't stick to the two meetings September, you know, you be here to 3:00 in the
morning. Can I make a suggestion? >> You'll see how it goes. We could do one. Yeah, >> we can. Let's aim to >> I mean, it could always be cancelled with, you know, 48 hours prior. So, >> yeah. >> So, let's load up the first in August and try to get Well, all the ordinances
be >> those ordinances second. I just want to make you have a vacation. If you have to miss, you have to miss. That's fine. >> In August. In August. Right now, we I see one on the 12th. is what is the other date? >> Maybe we didn't have it. >> Maybe we didn't have it.
>> We may not have had it. Oh, hold on. We do. Hold on. Here. >> I love that. >> We do. >> Uh August 4th and August 18th. >> And if Yeah. >> Yep. >> For 2026. >> Okay. All right.
>> 4th 18th and then we have one September 1st. >> You're titled Actually, there's three in September. >> There's three in September. Maybe we could go to two and three. >> Yeah. >> The 1st, the 15th, and the 29th. >> How did that happen? >> How did Yeah. What? >> Cuz we just seeing all
>> It's really fun in September. Get back to school. >> No, not >> Yeah. holidays, too. Yeah, absolutely. >> You only have one in December, which is the 8th. >> No, the 15th. >> Yeah, usually we only have one in December. >> I'm sorry. I don't have on the eth year.
Whatever. Okay. >> All right. I like the 15 better. >> I mean, I I have no problem. We don't have a lot of >> work. We don't have to figure that out tonight. Uh we ready to adjourn? >> I am. >> Yeah, I move to adjourn. >> I'll second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? The meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you. >> Good night. So you have to