Are we good? Everybody here? Good. Uh, good evening everybody. Um, Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided through the posting, mailing and filing of the annual notice
of regularly scheduled meetings of the town council on December 17, 2024. The notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building provided to the Westfield leader in the star ledger and filed with the clerk of the town of Westfield. Miss Lashi, may I have a roll call? >> Mayor Bindle >> here.
>> Council member Tavgood >> here. >> Dardia >> here. >> Here. >> Keeper >> here. Saunders >> here. >> Here. >> Contract Healey >> here. >> Please rise for the invitation given by Councilman Hapgood. Remain standing for the salute to the flag.
>> As we begin this meeting, let us let us take a moment to appreciate the privilege and responsibility we have been given to serve our community. Let us seek the highest ideals of honesty, integrity, and compassion in our interactions and decisions. May our differences inspire dialogue rather than
division. And may our shared goals unite us in purpose. Let us move forward with open hearts, minds, and committed to the and be committed to the well-being of alliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. No comments from me tonight specifically, but I want to introduce uh Beth Sad from the United Fund who uh want to say a few words about the United by Light program and also introduce a special guest here tonight. So, I'll
turn it over to Beth. >> Hello. Uh like Jim said, my name is Beth Sad and I'm the executive director of the Westfield United Fund and it is Westfield United by Light season. So, I came to share a few of those details. So, this is our annual fundraiser to
shine a light on mental health. It's our fourth year hosting this event. And we bring in funds by selling candle kits, also known as luminaries, um that are then distributed to six of our partner agencies providing mental health
programs to residents throughout Union County. So, there are a couple of things we're doing a little bit differently this year that I just want to make sure everyone is aware of. For starters, we're having our lighting event on November 16th. So, that's the day when
we ask everyone to, you know, line their sidewalks and their front paths with the bags that they've purchased and light them. In the past, we've done that the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but Mother Nature has yet to agree with us for that. So, we are trying to learn a lesson and we are moving it up to
November 16th, which is the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Um, the second part is that we're doing everything together. So, we're distributing the kits Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th from
the pool and going straight into the lighting. So, we're hoping that that works with everyone's schedules. Kind of like if you're available for one, you're available for the other. Um the third new element this year is that we are going to be providing an impact grant to
the high school which is new for us. Um we haven't yet partnered with them. So we've been in talks with the student um assistance counselors about some of their upcoming programming that we that they're that they have for their students and the families around mental
health. So we're very excited to be able to fund some of those upcoming programs. Um, and then the fourth element is what Claire will be talking about in a minute. So, um, our goal is to sell 2,000 kits this year. So, it's a big goal. And if we do sell all of those
kits, then we stand to bring in upwards of $40,000, which is, you know, that's a quite a chunk of change and can really make an impact in Union County. So, I love the symbolism of the lights. I think that they stand for hope and solidarity and
you know seeing them it's you know it stands for lighting a path toward mental well-being but $40,000 can really make the difference. So that is families coming off of weight lists for affordable counseling. It's um nights of support for children who are uh
participating in group grief counseling. It's um music therapy for underserved communities. It's art therapy for domestic violence victims and it's training for volunteers to become um
skilled active listeners on the 988 suicide prevention hotline. So all really worthwhile causes that we want to make sure gets attention. So we would love for you to help us achieve our goal of selling all 2,000 kits. Um you can do so by visiting our website which is
westfieldunitedfund.org or to purchase. Um, please follow us on Facebook, on Instagram. You'll get updates and reminders and you'll get a lot of information about where the money is distributed and how it makes an impact on the agencies and um we would
really love to sell out this year. So, >> how many did you how many did you sell last year? >> Okay. Last year was a drought. Okay. >> Yeah. Oh, right. That's right. So, we sold 1300 last year, but the year before when there wasn't a drought, we sold 1,800. >> So, 2,000 is a jump regardless. Got it.
I forgot the drought last year. >> Yes. We're not We're not talking about last year. Exactly. >> And then it was like whack-a-ole on January 1st trying to light them because the wind was so bad. It was a whole thing. I don't know what mother nature has against us. Like, we're just trying to do something nice here. >> But, um, yeah. So, a little bit of a
reach of 2,000. >> Perfect. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Thanks for your time. >> Thank you. >> Oh, and next is Clara Dioro, who has been a tremendous help to us and helping to spread the world word and just adding
a lovely element to the event as well. >> Good evening, Mayor Brindle and council members. My name is Claire Dioro and I'm a sixth grader at Edison Intermediate School. I was recently crowned Miss New Jersey pre-teen. As part of giving back to my community, I've been working with
the United Fund of Westfield on the United by the Light project. This project helps raise awareness for mental health and spreads hope by decorating luminary bags with kind words and positive messages. The bags will be displayed all around town on November
16th to remind everyone that kindness and light can make a difference in someone's day. I'd like to invite each of you to decorate a bag or write a message to show your support for mental health and our Westfield community. Thank you so much for allowing me to share this project and for everything
you do for our town. So, I'm going to leave these with you. >> We'll make sure we distribute it. >> Great. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. All right. And Claire, don't feel like you have to
stay. I just want It's a school night. I know. I just want you to >> But congratulations on your Miss New Jersey pre-teen round, too. That's absolutely fantastic. Congratulations to you. Um just a little update on uh regarding tonight's agenda and just a
few other reminders. Um uh we I first want to recognize National First Responders Day, which is today, which honors and supports our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and other public safety and health workers who respond to emergencies. So very grateful to the men
and women of the Westville Police Department, the fire department, and our volunteer rescue squad for their professionalism and dedication to our community. I also want to know that yesterday was a big day in the parking world. We launched the first phase of our online parking system in partnership
with Park Vantage and I didn't even ask you Jim is like any all good anything. >> Yeah. Um >> nervous nervous. >> I'm I'm here happily saying yes. All good. I do want to give a special shout out to Scott Merco and the parking team downstairs. Um this took a while to
behind the scenes get programmed. So, we're only in in phase phase one, but as of yesterday, as you said, the um daily well, the system was activated for all permit holders to go in and begin to create their accounts, a load of information and so forth, getting ready for renewals, which will happen in
December for next year. And then the real immediate issue was daily pass sales. So, this week we are als and this was a busier day than Monday. Mondays and Fridays are a little quieter. Obviously, people work from home. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday is a much busier and today was our first true
busy day. Uh uh really went very well. The online system is working well. People are buying passes. We sold out again second day online and in person and uh by next week they'll all be online only for daily passes and uh so far working good and we have sold a few
in water the first time. Um and uh so that's it's all going very well so far. >> That's good. >> Yep. >> That's great. So, I was just going to give everybody that reminder. I think the most important part is for everybody to set up an account with their email address and um it's very nice that we're
bringing this into the 21st century. Um so, I think hopefully as people get used to it, I hope Wat Lot becomes a more uh you know, reliable um destination for people in terms of an option for parking. So, it's great. I think it's long overdue. So, hopefully we'll we'll
keep everybody apprised if they have any issues and call Jim if you have any problems. Um, I also want to remind everybody that um, uh, just well, we all know Halloween is Friday. Uh, luckily I know they're calling for rain, but it looks like the rain is supposed to stop before
trick-or-treating comes out. Fingers crossed. Um, and I just want to remind everybody, it's a big night out. Um, kids everywhere. Try to stay home if you can out of your cars. Uh, pedestrian safety is a really big thing. So, please just be incredibly mindful and sensitive
when you're driving on Friday. um and even on mischief night the night before. So whether you're foot, bicycle, or car, just please extra v be extra vigilant as uh on this kids center holiday. Um also want to remind everybody about the street sign auction. If you haven't
placed your bids, you have until November 13th to do it. Um so far we've received over 3,700 bids. I have heard stories of neighbors uh competing with neighbors um for signs. And I think the
big concern we have is on November 12th when are we are we g how many people are going to jump in and try to out bid uh for their sign. So um it's a it's been a great undertaking. I think we're going to actually it looks like exceed any any expectations that we had for raising money for the public arts commission. We
did get some inquiries about the signs that were on county roads that have been replaced but want to be sold but we don't have the authorization from the county to sell those signs. That doesn't mean we never will. But for now, the county any roads any street signs that are on county streets are not for sale
at the moment. Um, but again, no up until November 13th. So, um, get those bids in. Um, and I did just want on a separate note, um, an update on one Westfield Place. Uh, we did learn last week that the Westfield advocates have
filed yet another legal appeal. This one challenging the latest court ruling issued in the town's favor regarding the amended one Westfield Place redevelopment plan which we adopted in May. Uh the court has ruled in the town's favor all four times in challenges brought by the advocates with
the judges affirming every time the integrity of our process and one westfield places consistency with the town's master plan. Many have asked why the advocates are pursuing yet another appeal and the answer is I think very clear. It has always been to cause
delays and perhaps they f falsely believe that a new administration will somehow be able to disregard our legally binding negotiated agreements when that is absolutely not the case and one westfield place is moving full steam ahead. We are enthusiastic about the signage that's going to soon appear on
the properties and the leasing efforts that are underway. The office market has rebounded spectacularly. Um, and Kushman and Wakefield, who serves as the leasing agents for the one Westfield Place office space, is very bullish on obtaining highquality premier tenants based upon the conversations
they've had to date. Unfortunately, the legal action by the advocates does nothing but waste valuable town staff resources that must be devoted to defending these meritless cases. Our focus will remain on fulfilling the potential of this transformative
project, which includes a $375 million investment in our downtown, $42 million in muchneeded infrastructure and streetscape improvements, and it brings new downtown employees and residents that will ensure our downtown remains vibrant for the long term. So, um, keep
moving forward, but just want to make sure everybody is apprised of what the status. I also remind everybody very important election information. Um it's next week already. Um November 4th. Uh the reminder, three ways to vote. Vote by mail. Today was the deadline to
request a vote by mail ballot application. If you have one sitting on your kitchen counter, please please please drop it off um ideally in the secure dropbox at 4 at the at the county clerk's office by 8:00 p.m. on election day and it'll be counted. You can also
early inperson voting started um both and the closest ones to us are Union County College and new this year Westfield Memorial Pool. That is through Sunday, November 2nd. And then of course always in-person voting on election day, November 4th, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Um
hope nothing hopefully know you know your voting ward and district, but they're available on the town website if you need to. Um the Union County Board of Elections is also seeking poll workers for election day. Um so please visit their website for full details. Um
and so I you know we we have a pretty light agenda tonight. So um there's sorry nothing is u I I think there's very exciting a resolution for the tax collector to release a tax sale premium of almost $100,000 for deposit into our revenue. That's always when you get
unexpected revenue uh that's always a great thing. Um and so uh with that we are going to uh I think just last in terms of paving um we're going to be authorizing a change order and final payment to replace to complete townf
funded road improvements and we are going to vote to authorize an award of contract to Broadway Avenue and Elm Street which are both state aided funded projects and that should be the completion of our very robust paving schedule for this year. Um so with that we can get to the agenda. Miss Lashy,
are there any advertised hearings? >> Yes, mayor. Tonight we have advertised hearings for community block development grant application starting with the town of Westfield Recreation Department for senior citizen programming and transportation services in the amount of $30,000. Anyone wishing to be heard on this application, please come to the
microphone and state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, may you may close the hearing. >> This hearing is closed. Next, we have an advertised hearing for a community block development grant application for the town of Westfield Recreation Department for ADA sidewalk and ramps at Memorial
Park $50,000. Anyone wishing to be heard on this application, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. >> Seeing no one, mayor, you may close the hearing. >> This hearing is closed. >> Next, we have advertise hearing for the Westfield Area YMCA for a ramp from gym
exterior door with snow melt system in the amount of $35,000. Anyone wishing to be heard on this application, please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, may you may close the hearing. >> This hearing is closed. >> Last is advertised hearing for Westfield Community Center senior citizen
recreation room restorations in the amount of $35,000. Anyone wishing to be heard on this application, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, may we close the hearing. >> This hearing is closed. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the
town council conference regular meetings of October 14th, 2025? So moved by Councilman Dardia. Second >> second by Councilman Hapood. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yes. >> I'm appusing myself. I was not here.
Opposed. This motion is carried. Um now it's time for open discussion by citizens. Anyone may come up to the microphone and speak to the council on any subject on which we have jurisdiction. Please state your name and address for the record and please limit your comments to five minutes.
Okay. Hearing none, I close this portion of the meeting and moves to bills and bills and claims. Councilman Hapgood. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to move bills and claims in the amount of $594,95967. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Second by Councilman Damagala.
Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion is carried. Next on the agenda, reports of standing committees. We are the finance policy committee. Councilman Hood. >> Thank you again, mayor. I have seven resolutions I'd like to move as a package. One, a resolution authorizing
the CFO to refund recreation department fees. Two, a resolution authorizing the CFO to refund police department fees. Three, a resolution authorizing the CFO to draw a warrant for planning board escrow monies. Four, a resolution authorizing the tax collector to release
tax sale premium. Five, a resolution to amend the cash management plan. Six, a resolution authorizing an award of contract with Monmouth Telecom, Inc. to provide te telephone services and related hardware. And seven, a resolution authorizing an award of
contract with Motorola Ser Motorola Solutions Inc. to provide integration of telephone services and Vesta 911 software. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Second by Councilman Armentoto. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Yes. Opposed? This motion has carried.
Next is the code review and town property committee. Councilman Healey. >> Yes, Mayor. I I move resolution which would authorize you to sign a settlement agreement involving a sanitary sewer line in a slight disagreement we had
with the burrow of mountainside. >> May I have a second? >> Second said that Councilman Saunders. Uh any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion has carried. Next step is public works committee. That's you again, sir.
>> Again? >> Yeah. Councilman, >> you know, I turned 75. >> I moved two resolutions. One for a change order with respect to various uh 2025 road improvements and also an award of a
contract uh for Elm Street and Rowway Avenue. We are fortunate to have the bid accepted by somebody we know and uh has done good work for the town in the past. >> May I have a second by council? Any discussion? All in favor?
>> Yes. >> Opposed? This motion is carried. May I have a motion to adjurnn? >> By council Dia second by Councilman Saunders. All in favor? Opposed. This motion is carried. This meeting is adjourned. Good night
everyone. Thank you.