--------- I'm ready when you are away from that. No, we can we're going to get out of close. We can do that. I'll take a motion to um um exit the close session and re-enter the open public work session. So moved.
Second. Miss Bdansky? Yes. Mr. Lane. Hi. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. And Mayor Bonstra. Yes. An affirmative vote. The motion is approved. And we'll take a motion to adjourn the work session. So moved. Second.
Miss Bogdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Melion. Yes. The Mayor Bonstra. Yes. With an affirmative vote, the vote the work session is adjourned. We are adjourned. Okay. Now we'll move right to the business meeting. The regular business meeting for
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. Microof Township Committee is called to order. If everyone will rise for the flag salute, we'll have our Boy Scout or Cub Scouts come up. Boy Scouts come up here. Come on, guys. Come on up to the microphone.
Right over here. Right over here. Now, you guys are Troop 89. Yeah. Yes. We do a lot of Eagle Scouts for Troop 89, so we're going to be looking to see you guys in a few years. Okay, that's right. All right, go right ahead, gentlemen.
Ready? Salute. Begin. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Remain standing. We'll have the
invocation by Reverend Wolf from Christian Healthc Care Center. Reverend, thank you for joining us tonight. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you for your comments about Christian Health Mayor earlier and uh Doug's great work, but uh I'm also on behalf of Christian Health, thank you for your partnership, the
services you provide. We do see it as a partnership of care and involvement in the community. Let's pray. Thank you, Lord. We thank you so much for the opportunity and the gift of serving you. I ask for uh the gift of wisdom. I ask
for the gift of vision. Uh I ask for the gift of endurance to lead in a day in a time like this is very challenging. We thank you for this woman and these men, this township uh staff. We ask for your help. continue to allow this township to
be prosperous, safe, and a place of community and connection. We ask all of this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend. Thank you. All right, everyone be
seated. Keith Keith The notice requirements of the open public meetings act have been satisfied with respect to this meeting. Specifically, the time, date, and location were included in the annual notice of meetings adopted by the governing body, posted in the municipal building by the township clerk's office, and sent to at least two newspapers,
including the official newspaper of the township, the Ridgewood News. Additionally, to the extent known, the agenda for this meeting and whether formal action will be taken was posted in the municipal building by the township clerk's office and sent to at least two newspapers, including the official newspaper of the township, the Ridgewood News, and posted on our
municipal website in the in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Thank you. Roll call. Roll call. Miss Bogdansky here. Mr. Lane here. Mr. Madigan here. Mr. Milkon here. And Mayor
Bonstra uh here. Okay, I'll take a motion to open the business meeting for public comment. So moved. Second. Miss Bdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr.
Madigan. Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. Mayor Bonaw. Yes. An affirmative vote. The motion is approved. Thank you. Okay. The meeting is now open for public comment. Five minutes per speaker. Public comment on any governmental issue that a member of the public feels may be of concern to
the residents of the township of Whiteoff. All right. Janet Tumi, 501A Aspen Lane. And I was just wondering um if you knew uh when the grant um has to be uh spent the our
grant, our wonderful grant that we got. I do. Give me a second. Nancy, you sent that to me, correct? I believe so. We got 24 hours or Yeah, it's about it. Okay.
Hopefully in your lifetime, Janet. Yeah. Oh, yes. I can also email her tomorrow. Oh, that's it. It's We'll get back to you on that. Yeah. It's the paperwork just as we said, the paperwork just came in. Um, and we've been waiting on it. So,
and they gave us a two It comes with a three-page checklist of things that we have to send to the DOT before we can even spend the money. Oh, I see. Oh, nice. Well, we thank you very much. We're very happy about it as I'm sure you are. And um if you There is no rush.
You can take a week. She'll email you tomorrow. Okay. Thank you. Find it before the end of the meeting. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Janet. Anyone else? Uh, there being none, a motion to close the public session.
Second. Miss Bugdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr. Madigan. I Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. Mayor Bon. Yes. With an affirmative vote. The motion is approved. Mr. Mayor, point of order. Could I request that uh we record the names of the three young scouts that
are here for the record for the for this business meeting here? You got them? I have I have their names. She has them. Okay. Thank you. Do you want to know what they are? Well, it would have been nice. As long as you got them scouts who you want to introduce yourselves, come on
up. My name is uh Matthew Ebeneer. Thank you. My name is Jack Dutilio. Thank you. And my name is Trayon Oandino. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank you, gentlemen.
[Applause] Okay. Take a motion to approve the April 15th, 2025 work session and business meeting minutes. So move. Second. Miss Bdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr.
Madigan. Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. and Mayor Bonra. Yes. With an affirmative vote, the motion is approved. Okay, we're going to open the public hearing on persontoerson and placetoplace transfer of plenary retail consumption liquor license number
0270 33001 0006. Take a motion. So move. Second, Miss Bansky. Yes, Mr. Lane. Hi, Mr. Madigan. Um, for some reason, I don't
seem to have that. There's no resolution. That's right. The resolution is going to be on the consent agenda. It's item number eight on the agenda. This is just a public hearing. Okay. There's a motion. There's a motion. So, this is open for a public hearing. Yes. Yeah. On item number one, Mr. Melion.
Yes. And Mayor Bla? Yes. With an affirmative vote, the motion is approved. I just want to read the notice that was published in the paper. Yep. Take notice that application has been made to the township committee of the township of Wyoff to complete a person-toperson transfer to Indereby and Friends LLC for the Plenary Retail
Consumption License 0270-33-001-006 here to for issued to Gearhead Liquors and is currently an inactive pocket license. The persons who hold an interest in this license are Anthony Donado, Adam Defino, and Arthur Toyan. Um, objections, if any, should be
made immediately in writing to Nancy Brown, Municipal Clerk, Township Wolf, and our address. A public hearing will be held on May 6, 2025, which is what we're doing right now. Any comments, questions? There being none, make a motion to close. There being none, a motion to
close the public portion. Second. Thank you, Miss Bdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane, hi. Mr. Madigan, yes. Mr. Milkon, yes. Mayor Bonto, yes. With an affirmative vote, the motion is approved. All right. Now, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Nancy, please. Yes. Um, all
matters listed below are considered by the township committee to be routine in nature. There'll be no separate discussion of these items. If any discussion is desired by the township committee, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. We have a plethora of resolutions recognizing May as honor and
remember month. Return of professional escrow 344 West Shore Drive. Review and acceptance of 2024 audit results. Preparation of 2025 estimated tax bills. Authorization of vouchers and payment of bills. Return of professional escrow 733 Highview Drive. Opposing legislation
that permits accessory dwelling units. Calling for the restoration of energy taxes to municipalities. Chapter 159 for the 2025 Bergen County History Grant. Recommending planning board amend prior site plan conditions for block 238 lot
101 13 and 15 regarding escro sidewalk funds and authorizing release upon amendment subject to ongoing future obligation. Approving job descriptions for certain township positions. Authorizing engineering services for YMCA drainage improvement project.
Amending resolution 25-04 to add an administrative officer and clarify enforcement authority May as mental health awareness month authorizing application to Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund for Park Development. Chapter 159 for 2025 Firehouse Subs public
safety grant designating May 18th to 24th as emergency medical services week. We have one ordinance for introduction which is a capital ordinance number 2040. Sorry, I forgot to put the number on the agenda. Uh, appropriating
$64,414 for Spring Meadow Drive pedestrian safety improvements and authorizing the use of a grant received from the New Jersey Department of Transportation fiscal year 2025 local transportation program to fund the appropriation. I have quite a few motions as well, so bear with me.
Approve the request by the parade committee to serve beer after the Memorial Day parade until 3 p.m. Beer is not to be advertised. must be served in 12 oz cups, limited of two 12 ounce beers per person. The approved location for serving is a beer garden behind fire company number one. A social affairs
permit from the ABC is required and in progress. Beer will be served by VFW Post number 7086 volunteers only after ID check is verified by handstamp. This approval is granted for 2025 only. Authorize the application of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church for their annual festival fundraiser to be held
September 19th, 20th, and 21st. This approval includes the posting of temporary signage promoting the fundraising event for the 10-day period beginning on September 9th, 2025. Authorize the application of Keller Williams real estate agent to hold a curb alert event from 9:00 a.m. to 400
p.m. on Saturday, June 7th. Approval includes the posting of temporary signage at each home that registers for the event so that other residents are aware of the home's participation. The temporary sign will also assist the junk removal company who will pick up the unselected items from the curb later the
same day. The signs will be removed once the items have been collected. Additional temporary signs promoting the event will be placed at specific locations for the 10 days prior to the event. Approve request for sample sale event by Michael Feliz Interiors at 318 Franklin Avenue on the weekend of June
12th to 14th with a rain date option of the weekend of June 19th to 21st. On Thursday, the hours will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm. On Friday from 9:00 to 4:00, and on Saturday from 10 to 1, a single sandwich board sign will be posted out front to promote this event. Approved requests by Christian Health to hold a fundraising
walk in support of mental health month on Saturday, May 17th from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christian Health's mental health awareness walk will be hosted on the Whiteoff campus to raise awareness to the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. Any signage will appear on their campus only. Approve the
application of Nicholas DeMarco as a firefighter with fire company number two effective May 6, 2025. Approve requests by the Whiteoff Lions Club to post temporary signage for the 10 days prior to their annual fundraising carnival being held in Franklin Lakes at Parson's Pond on May 14th through 19th. A
temporary 24 by 36 inch sandwich board sign will be posted at the Dairy Queen and other smaller 16 by 20 signs will be posted by participating retailers in Wipe Off. Their sign is already up at the Dairy Queen. Mr. Mayor permission. Two questions on uh
25147 authorizing engineering services for the YMCA drainage improvement project. Is there an a a number associated? Yeah, it's in the uh packet. It's in the packet. Okay. 167,000 somewhere around there. Okay. And uh about 167 67. Okay. Okay. Good. Thank
you. And uh secondly, I just as a fire commissioner, I'd like to congratulate uh Nicholas DeMarco on becoming a firefighter with fire company number two effective May 6th, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Anyone else? We have a motion and a second to approve
the consent agenda. So moved. Second. Miss Bogdansky? Yes. Mr. Lane, I. Mr. Madigan, yes. Mr. Milkon, yes. And Mayor Bloom, yes. An affirmative vote. The motion is approved. There are no ordinances for further
consideration. So motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn is appropriate. Is there a second? Miss Bugdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. And Mayor
Bloom. Yes. We are. Thank you everyone. Thank you. I want. Part: 2
Why is he to visit? Michael, welcome. Welcome back. You ready? Yes. ready. All set. Thank you. Okay. The uh Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 700 p.m. work session meeting of the
Wyoff Township Committee is now in session. Roll call, please. Nancy. Miss Bogdansky, here. Mr. Lane, here. Mr. Madigan, here. Mr. Melion, here. And Mayor Bonra here. Thank you. Mhm. This regular work session meeting of the Woff
Township Committee is now in session. In accordance with the open public meetings act, notice of this meeting appears on our annual schedule of meetings. A copy of said annual schedule has been posted on the bulletin board and memorial town hall. A copy has been filed with the municipal clerk and has been posted on our municipal website and a copy has also been emailed to the record the
Rididgewood News and the North Jersey Herald News. All newspapers having a general circulation throughout the township of Wyoff. At least 48 hours prior to this meeting, the agenda thereof was similarly posted, filed, and emailed to said newspapers. Thank you. Uh, everything's signed. All
documents are signed. Uh, finance committee, we good to go here? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Okay. I will take a motion to open the um work session for public comment. 10 minutes, two minutes
per speaker, please. So moved. Second. Thank you, Miss Bdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane, hi. Mr. Madigan, yes. Mr. Milkon, yes. And Mayor Bonto. Uh, yes. With an affirmative vote, the motion is approved. Thank you. Okay. The minute meeting is open for public comment. As I
stated, two minutes per speaker, total of 10 minutes. Now, there is another opportunity at the 8:00 meeting for additional public comment should we need that time. So, if anyone wishes to address the township committee, please step forward, state your name and address, and use the microphone. Not
your address, just your name, please. Uh David Zachuski. Uh Mr. Mayor, thank you for the time. Town council, thank you for your time. Um so, uh the residents of Green Haven Road were notified this week of plans to make the end of Green Haven a paved road pass through to
Cumberland Court. Uh after decades of existing as a quiet, dead-end street, the explanation for this change was cited as better access for snow removal, garbage collection, and fire emergency services. After speaking with the residents of Green Haven, uh there's a
collective agreement to strongly oppose this change. Part of the charm of Green Haven, which highly contributes to property value, is precisely that is a quiet deadend street. Additionally, the reasons cited for the change seem very unlikely to be a net benefit. snow
removal. Given that there are only a handful of days that a plow needs to come down the street a year and the plow uses a pickup truck that turns around in a driveway, this reason is hardly a justifiable one. Garbage collection. Garbage collection has not
been an issue for decades and has no complaints uh from the residents regarding the collection process have been filed. This is a very weak justification to the project. The collection takes place between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. which has very little impact
on the truck's ability to back up on the street. Fire emergency. Although the only legitimate reason to even consider this project, it's impossible to predict the actual need of such a change in the event that there could be an emergency
at some point in the infinite future. Within the last 3 years, Green Haven has been used on at least one occasion for fire training operations where a house was literally set on fire with no issue. Uh the truck does need to quickly access
the street to fight a fire, which currently has the which it currently has the ability to do. Additional feedback from a longtime resident to add perspective was quote over the last 20 years there have been a few incidences there have been a few incidences that
require emergency services without any access or egress issues. The residents of Green Haven are deeply concerned of impact of property value, the lack of potential benefit to the change, and concerned that at some point the pass
through could be changed from just emergency access to full access to all vehicles, including package delivery trucks, which would create an actual and observable safety risk to the number of families that have small children on the street. Any mechanical box device to
restrict other traffic or a chained gate is not a positive solution or an aesthetic contribution as it requires either additional maintenance by the city or someone to physically open or close a gate which could cause confusion and allow for additional traffic. The
net loss of the wooded area on the street to be converted to pavement with a mechanical gate is a significant detriment to the privacy, security, and natural border to the neighborhood. Being in a direct proximity of train traffic noise, the trees serve as a
natural absorption buffer uh to that noise, which if removed would be much worse. What cost to the taxpayers is warranted to force something that is not wanted and has not been needed since Green Haven was subdivided decades and decades ago, not to mention the large
construction burden worn by the residents of Green Haven and Cumberland. Uh please let us know what the next appropriate steps are and if any escalation protocols are warranted. Uh thank you again for your time. Green Haven Road residents and mayor uh Mr.
Lane, Mr. Madigan, thank you again for coming by the street and looking at what the area and what would actually be entailed by engaging in that process. Thank you again. All right. Thank you for your comments. Thank you. Anyone else? Hi, Kirsten
Alland. Um, supporting Mr. Zachuski. We purposely bought our house in a dead-end community and I know that it can be changed and technically being a public right of way that can be engaged over the years, but as uh he had
mentioned, it hasn't been. It's been a paper street. Um, I have some pictures. I don't need to show them for those had that been out on the site, but I understand drainage was a concern as well. The the drainage concern that I saw um was more of a low point further
down in the road that enhancing that is actually uphill of where the drainage is. I don't see that being any sort of benefit to it. um enhancing imperous coverage, trying to allow trucks to go through and enter into Cumberland and and I'm going onto an engineering side, which I know everyone is aware of, of
turning radiuses and stuff that would impact those residents on Cumberland, the lights that then would be coming into them. And as mentioned, I know there's other options for it, but when you in you introduce it as an option for an emergency access, there's always the potential for it to turn into further.
And while I am around the corner, I'm still part of that dead-end community. And when my kids are riding bikes and we're in the neighborhood, we know everybody that's driving their their cars around. And just having that extra street to be in essence, that can become a cutthrough. The additional traffic
flow that it's not meant to be with that width of that road. The the potential of paving it is paving it at its current width and it's not a current up to standard travel width. So encouraging that traffic to go through it whether
emergency or not. I think for the long term of what that road has existed for as long as it have I don't personally see the positive benefit with it and I'm just part of the neighborhood community with that. Okay. Do you want to see pictures or no? Uh do you want to see
them? We we have whoever I'm sure you guys if you leave them up here we'll we'll distribute them. They're going both directions. Okay. Up and down the street but I'm sure you guys have been there. Yep. Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone
else? Anyone else on any issue? There. There being none, a motion to close this portion of the public site. Everyone's done. I'll second it unless anyone else has anything else to say. Thank you. Second. Miss Bogdansky? Yes.
Mr. Lane. I. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Milkon. Yes. And Mayor Bonstro? Yes. With an affirmative vote, the motion is approved. Okay. Thank you once again. Uh, as you stated, Roger and I were uh we walked the street on Saturday and saw some folks and didn't see others. So, thank you for coming out and expressing
your uh your opinions and we'll take them on our advisement. Thanks very much, Mr. Mayor. When can just so that they can be aware, how do we how can we get can we uh ask them to stop by Nancy just so we maybe get their email addresses so
we can re reach out to them when we have a final answer? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, before we're going to break in, we're going to break here in a little bit. Probably about 10 minutes or so. If you can just leave your contact information with Nancy and then either myself or the mayor or somebody from the township committee will reach out to you guys when we have a decision. So, you know what happens next? Yeah. So, that Yeah.
So that we know so you know what happens next. All right. You're welcome. Okay. Matt, 8:00 p.m. meeting. 8:00 p.m. meeting. several resolutions. Um, first, May is honor and remember month. We have a
return of escrow from the planning board. Uh, as was mentioned at our last meeting, the 2024 audit has been completed. We have zero audit comments. So, our um uh ac review and acceptance of the audit is uh on the agenda.
Resolution authorizing the 2027 estimated tax bills. Um, As has been mentioned before, the state has been uh very uh hot to try on trying to preempt local zoning on certain
matters, whether it's um 5G. Uh but in this case, what we're talking about is accessory dwelling units and pretty much making that accessory dwelling units, there's legislation pending to make accessory dwelling units a permitted use in all
residential zones. Uh, as you know, New Jersey is a home rule state. Local zoning has always been local zoning with the exception of very minor uh very little number of of items such as affordable housing,
group homes. Group homes. Mhm. Uh stuff like that. So, uh this is a resolution opposing legislation that's currently uh working through the legislative process permitting accessory dwellings in uh all residential uh zones.
Second resolution I think we've passed all three years since I've been here so far is a resolution urging the restoration of the energy tax uh receipts for municipalities. Perfect timing for this as the state is working on the state budget and that's where these monies need to be allocated. Chapter 159 resolution inserting the
Bergen County History Grant into the municipal budget, the 2025 municipal budget. We've spoken about it before, but there's a resolution recommending to the planning board to amend the plan conditions uh for blocks two block 238, lot 10, 13, and 15 regarding escrow
money that we are holding uh for uh the PA sidewalks over on Madison Avenue and recommending the release upon the amendment that the planning board needs to do with regard to uh the condition of their approval from years ago. Pretty much what that is is about 20 years ago
in 2005 and 2006 uh those three properties um went to the planning board for site plan. As part of their condition, they had to uh post a nominal amount of escrow in case the township for when the time the township was going
to extend the PA sidewalks on that side of Madison Avenue. We have now been holding that money in escrow for 20 years. As you can expect, the money we're holding is nowhere near what it would cost to install the sidewalks there, but we also have no plans on installing the sidewalks there. So,
we're not looking to release the condition on the property owners that if it was to occur that they would be financially responsible, but we're looking for the planning board to release the condition that the money needed to be held in escrow. So, this resolution is urging the planning board to uh administratively amend those uh
three site plans. Uh and then once the planning board approves it, the resolution gives the authority for the release of those monies. Matt, what's our timeline on this? Because um I was part of my remarks is that there will be no planning board meeting
at this point in May. It's been going on for a couple months of next meeting is fine. June is fine. Yeah. Because Dave's going to have to work with Kevin Hanley on drafting the appropriate administrative resolutions for that. Okay. because it's the opinion of our engineer. Um, and I believe of Dave that
there's really no need for uh any public hearing. It's really just an administrative housekeeping item. I just amend the Okay, thank you. All right. Continuing on, uh 146 approves um a modifications to
several job descriptions that have occurred recently. 147 authorizes a contract for engineering services for the driveway for the storm project below the driveway at the YMCA. Uh this was funded out of the 2025 capital program. Um as you're
aware, the township owns the YMCA property and as such the stormwater compliance on that property is the require is the responsibility of the township. Um, resolution 148 authorizes uh the addition of a an additional
administrative officer uh specifically EJ Lawler and clarifying enforcement authority. Uh we have several we call the administrative officer several different things in our ordinance whether it be zoning officer, code enforcement officer, zoning code
enforcement officer or property maintenance enforce enforcement officer. And what this does is clarifies that anybody listed on our resolution 254, including EJ, are now authorized to administer any section of our code that
calls for any section any uh any version of the of that title. Uh this is specifically for when we have to go to court. We need the there needs to be the backup to the authority to enforce that that ordinance. 149 author uh just recognizes May as mental health
awareness month. 150 authorizes our application to the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund for park development. I'll address that in my next report. 151 is an additional chapter 159 resolution authorizing the insertion of the 2025 firehouse subs public safety
grant in the amount of roughly $20,000 into the 2025 municipal budget. and 152 authoriz recognizes uh next week I believe as EMS week and recognizes our EMS first responders. There is one ordinance for
introduction. That introduction, that ordinance is a capital ordinance appropriating $64,414 for Spring Meadow Drive pedestrian safety improvements and authorizing the use of a grant received from the New Jersey Department of Transportation fiscal year 2025 local
transportation fund, local transportation program fund to fund the appropriation. This is the grant that we spoke about last year. The grant contract has finally come through from the state. Uh so this authorizes us to uh appropriate the grant, spend the
grant, and then submit for reimbursement to the state. Several motions which will be read into the record at the 8:00 meeting. We will be going into close session. So there is resolution 25c7 that we'll need to pass. And then just some updates. As I mentioned earlier on
tonight's agenda is the public hearing regarding our application to the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund for a park improvement grant. The township is seeking funding for drainage related related improvements to community park, including some minor paving, curbing, and storm storm sore repairs to address
persistent runoff issues and persistent wash out of the fields uh at community park. Upon the conclusion of the public hearing and adoption of the resolution, this will complete our application package for submission to the county. And then this grant is usually awarded
around the first week in December by the county. Tomorrow, Rididgewood Water will have their contractor, Conquest Construction, install raw water manes near the intersection of Van Avenue and Neland Drive. Ridgewood Water sent out a reverse 911 message this evening at 6
p.m. to all affected residents. Those include uh including those on Neland Drive, Glen Pond Drive, Pace Drive, and the eastern end of Vanhalton Avenue. Anybody who did not receive a reverse 911 message from Ridgewood Water can sign up on the Rididgewood Water website. Uh if you lived on those areas
and you did not receive it, I should say was closed today. Tomorrow the township will be advertising for bids for our 2025 pavement improvement paving improvement program. The list of streets to be included in the bid package has been placed on the DEIS for
review. On Friday, we will be going out to bid for our first shade tree pruning and removal contract of the year. And we are currently out soliciting requests for qualifications for the position of municipal planner. Those responses are due next Thursday, May 13th at 11:00
a.m. As was put out on social media and I shared with the township committee and the township staff, I'm pleased to share that uh the township's the township has been awarded a AAA bond rating affirmed by uh S&P Global. This reflects not only the township's strong financial
management practices and long-term fiscal planning, but also the leadership, oversight, and continued support of this township committee, which has made the fiscal responsibility a top priority. Uh we will be conducting our uh our bond sale in that was needed that
we needed this uh bond rating for on Thursday, May 15th. Two weeks ago, we did experience a sanitary sore collapse on Stirbridge Road. I'd like to commend our DPW for their prompt response and successful repair of that line using our new uh
sorback truck that we purchased. We have extended an offer of employment for our new mechanic at the DPW garage once his pre-employment paperwork is completed and we anticipate his start date to be somewhere around May 16th. The municipalities of the Northwest Bergen Shared Services Group
have jointly applied for a community-based deer management grant. The goal of this fund is uh from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is a regional study to to assess deer populations and give us a baseline um as to where we are on deer
populations currently. And they will also provide some actionable recommendations that we'll be able to bring back to the municipalities and to the governing bodies in each municipality as to their specific areas. Uh so again, the all of us joined
together and applied for the grant. Our affordable housing planner, Beth Mcmanis, is continuing to work on the township's draft of the fourth round fair share plan for affordable housing. I anticipate receiving a draft for internal review next week. At our next meeting, May 20th, the
township committee will be holding a public hearing on new concepts for living's application to the Bergen County Division of Community Development. The nonprofit is seeking a grant to fund HBAC replacement at their new group home located on Carlton Road, which serves which is set to serve
adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A reminder that the Whiteall family YMCA will host their um annual roll call for veterans on Thursday, May 15th, beginning at 11:30. Uh all those all the members of the
township committee received an invite uh to that. Finally, there's two recognitions uh I'd just like to uh touch upon. This week is national or we have national EMS week. And on behalf of the township committee, I'd like to express uh and and and the employees,
I'd like to express our deep appreciation to the dedicated EMTs of our uh Whiteoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the paramedics of Valley Hospital for their professionalism, compassion, and courage. And also uh Sunday, May 11th through Saturday, May 17th is National Police Week. And I'd
like and I'd like to say that we're grateful for our White Golf Police Department uh and the vital role they play in keeping our community safe every day. And that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Excellent. Thank you. Questions. Tom Madigan. Just uh it's a comment and a
question. I'm going to run it past you. My personal opinion, the biggest thing facing the township of Wikoff is the statemandated affordable housing plan. We have one that we have to sign up for.
We have to report, we have to get back. It's my understanding by June 30th. It's also my understanding that the township has to review it. The township has to approve it. The planning board has to approve it. And it's we're getting a report next
week. So, I'm just want to go on the record again. I've been asking for several months. I don't understand. Unless it's not June 30th. If it's September 30th, you can disregard my comment, but if it's June
30th, I'm extremely concerned. Um, and I don't know. I know there was some issues, but I keep asking. So, June 30th is the date, but it's the date we actually have to file by. So that means ordinances and resolutions need to be
passed prior to that. In fact, you have to file 48 hours after they're passed. So we're going to have to have some meetings. It does have to go to the planning board. U they don't really rec they don't have to approve it, but they have to give um comment letter back as to it to this township committee. So
they'll they'll have at least two meetings themselves and then you need to look at it. So if the plan's ready next week, we need to start looking at it no later than next week in my opinion. And as we mentioned before, you know, we only were able to settle with fair share
at the beginning of April and the state gave very very short timelines almost not possible timelines for the development of this plan. So I'm very uh I I share your sentiments as to
timing, but we are waiting on our planner who's drafting. No, I also agree it's I think it's totally unfair. Okay. But it's just they're trying to speed up the timeline because if you remember third round there were no timelines and we ended up having to go to court. But the timelines I think they only point we
get this next week the following week's Memorial Day. The following weeks the 1st of June and we're here in the planning board's not meeting but there's only so many days in a month. That's all. Okay. I was talking to Dave in the hallway about this. We're probably
looking at a special planning board meeting for this. Don't know. Okay. Thank you. I'm I'm not upset at you. I'm just frustrated with this ridiculous process and what we've had to go through and how it impacts our 17,000 residents
in this town for a long long for in perpetuity this plan. So, I don't want to find out that all of a sudden we get it and the next day and the next day and then we're done. We have no public input. we have no residents ability to to uh come here, including our
schedules. It's just not right. To to your point, that was part of the litigation that's ongoing that we're one of the 28 municipalities involved in because unfortunately the municipalities could not participate in the rule making or the timelines. That was the uh DCA,
state elements, fair share housing, and they left us out. That's part of our complaint. Now, where does that put us for June 30? doesn't put us in good place, but that's one of the reasons why we joined with that group in filing the complaint. So, your concern of the timeline and and Matt mentioning that,
you know, it wasn't a long period of time till we uh got a number. Remember, they also had period that they could object to it and they waited right up to the last minute, the groups that wanted to object. So, we're it we're dealing with what we have to deal with and I think your frustration is the same for
everybody on the day as mine and Matt. So, we're going to do what we can to get this thing done, but also to do a thorough a thorough job. Okay. Thank you, everyone. Uh, township committee reports. Pete, can we start with you? Yeah, sure. Thank you, mayor. Um, I just
first want to echo um Matt's comments on our AAA rating. It was a great achievement and a great accomplishment for uh Wyoff and the hard work for the uh finance committee, the finance department, and the township committees. It is truly a uh a great achievement. Uh
team up to tidy up was not this past Saturday, Saturday before. Um unfortunately the weather wasn't cooperating but still there was a lot of participants that came out. I'm sure May will give the detailed report as our environmental chair. Um I attended um
Doug Strike's retirement dinner. More comments at our next meeting as he'll be here in town hall as we uh as we honor him. Um, Memorial Day parade committee meets tomorrow night. Uh, that's ongoing. It's fastly approaching. So, I
always mention this. It's one of my, uh, favorite days here in Yolf, our Memorial Day parade. It's, uh, it truly is a great day here in town. Um, Centennial, Centennial Committee, uh, between calendar, gala, street fair, historic, everything we're planning. Um I know
it's next year 2026 but we've been working very hard this year meeting almost weekly on that. And then just lastly uh police committee uh Rudia and myself met with the uh Rabbi Waxman Stein and Kaplan about the uh
anti-semitic flyers that were distributed in the Sycame section and Rudy's going to go into more detail about that in his report and that's all I have tonight. Thank you. Thank you Pete. Tom. Okay, a couple of things on a
more upbeat joial night. Uh, number one, just pleased to see our Boy Scouts in attendance this evening, fellas. I hope you're going to introduce yourself at some point. I think you're getting your citizenship and welcome and your guests as well. And I want to thank the
residents that came out from uh, Green Haven. And um, I got a copy of that email. I read a copy of the email today and thanks for those comments. And uh I too am looking forward to what's the next step and hearing the report, the
status report after I know the mayor and Mr. Lane were going out to do surveys over the weekend. So I guess they got a lot of input. So looking forward to hearing uh hearing on that. I also too want to note on our annual audit and
special congratulations to uh our chief financial officer Diana Mloud and Fran uh Piscadillo along with Matt for all their hard work and um I'm just going to quote a couple of things because I think it's important we read it into the
record but as a member the member of the finance and budget I'm certainly thrilled with our upgrade to AAA rating and I know from the report it says The township has a track record of producing surplus operations in the current fund
and adding to fund balance each year. These trends are supported by a growing tax base and conservative decisionmaking. They also not note that the AAA rating that they reported on highlights a positive financial
performance trends with recent surpluses that are increasing available reserves annually. Also, they emphasize how WOFF is to be noted for its conservative budgeting coupled with regular budget
monitoring and annually updated capital planning through limited formalized policies compared to those of many similar rated peers. And then just one other thing, Matt, and thank you for your
uh comments and your letter telling us all about it and the emphasis on the township committee for their steady support of fiscally sound budgets, long-term investments in our infrastructure and community services.
And the report highlights the growing tax base, which I just mentioned, surplus, increasing reserve. It underscores the strength and stability of White Cop's overall financial position which is a direct result of uh the leadership and the dedication of all
here in town hall. So that's a nice compliment. I want to thank all those in town hall not only in the finance department but our many managers and workers who work so hard on behalf of our neighbors here in Woff. Moving on, I just want to report
and I'm going in no particular order that we're working on the centennial calendar. Uh Pete Mel and I be reviewing uh photos and photographs for our calendar. We hope to get through the majority of it. We spent a few meetings
gathering them on this Thursday. I'm looking forward to honoring our veterans at the YMCA lunchon. Uh that is I think it's the 15th over at the YMCA. And um also want to report that
the Whiteoff Lacrosse boosters are uh meeting going over their plans for uh raising funds for the new lacrosse wall that's going to be over at Pullers Field. and they have a big
kickoff including lacrosse day on May 17th. And then just one final just want to extend happy birthday wishes to our mayor Rudy Boonstra 39 who uh who Thank you. who just doubled that and uh Oh
jeez. And since I see m Mike helped him since I see Michael in the audience. Mike, thank you for coming out. I know you just had a birthday. That's right. And don't forget mine is coming up May 17th for the record. We got it covered. You're covered. Don't
worry. Should we have a meeting? Yeah. Thank God. All right. Thanks a lot, Tom. We'll move right along here to Roger. Okay. Uh I also would like to uh thank the residents of Green Haven. Uh it was a pleasure walking down that block. I uh I
have a particular fondness. I looked at a home there, but it got snatched away from me. So, uh, unfortunately, I'm not I'm not your neighbor, but, uh, we'll we'll we'll certainly, uh, take a deep look at at what you've suggested and, uh, and get back to you on that. Uh, I
also attended the dinner for Doug Strike, uh, from Christian Healthcare, uh, 600 people, and I think it's worth noting that he wrote a personal note to every single person that was there. It
was on a box in the in the middle of the table. Uh I was there with my wife, so maybe it wasn't 600. If it was a couple, it was one, but he had to write at least 400 plus personal handwritten notes. So, it it's just a testament to him and his
leadership capabilities and what he did for 34 years at at Christian Healthcare. And it'll be a a pleasure to honor him here. All right. Uh uh Tom mentioned in great detail the AAA bond rating. It can't be said enough how important that
is to the financial status of this community and how we go out for bond sales etc. They're both uh both him and Pete are being a little bit modest. Uh they're the uh the budget committee and they sit with all of our obviously our internal employees to put this together.
So, I'd like to thank both Tom and Pete for all of your specific efforts with regard to the the budget and uh certainly it lended itself to the AAA bond rating that we uh enjoy now. So, and Matt, obviously, thank you and please thank uh our staff as well. Uh
kind of under historic preservation, there was a uh a a tour day this past Saturday at the Zabriski House. approximately 50 people attended and it's uh I would only say that if you ever get an opportunity to to go there
when they have an event uh certainly the the history there is absolutely incredible and uh you know it's all going to tie into a lot of the events that we're going to be having for the centennial uh it's it's going to be something 100 years as as white certainly we've been around a lot longer
than that but it's a hundred years as the township uh fire department. So, they uh they've been conducting drills uh every Monday night. They're they're they're doing again tonight. I mean, last night they did it. Uh one thing that a couple
residents we we happen to go a church group of mine goes to Starbucks every Tuesday morning and the the train went by and uh one of the guys said, "Well, Raj, what's on that train?" I said, "You know, I really don't know. I'm not sure." So what I did is I sent a message
to uh our fire chief, deputy chief, and another member of the department. I said, "Listen, we need to know what is being carried on that line." And what Matt, what it's hard to know. Okay. Well, if there's any possibility, the
reason the reason we mention it is obviously safety. God forbid there was a derailment. we, you know, our our emergency services, if they at least have knowledge as to what potentially might be there, it could be handled. So, it's something that, uh, you know, I'm
going to continue to dive into to see exactly what it is and just whatever precautionary uh steps we could take, uh, we'll do that. Uh, water main break, we had the, uh, brand new sewer jet truck that was utilized. So, money well
spent. So, that's that's that's great news. And on Chay Tree, Matt mentioned uh that the bids are going out for trimming, etc., etc. So, we're we're looking forward to just continuing to take good care of our uh beautiful trees and uh and everything that goes along
with that. And that's uh that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Raj. Oh, the train there. There we go. What's on that train? If there's a derail on that train on that train. Oh, boy. All right. We'll take a moment here while the train passes. something we live with here.
Hey, I can might be able to actually help you with that. Oh, really? Oh, let's let's chat then after or one way or another. Thank you. Okay. He's only going to tell you if you don't pay. Well, as an aside, I I started the hot
dog caboose, and when that train goes by, the hot dogs shake everything. So, all right, we're good. May um Yes. uh zoning board is currently working on the uh big expansion of the golf ball poultry farm. Um in 2022 they were
giving uh given four a $4.2 million grant to expand their processing center. Um and it has to be completed by 2026. Um they had a special hearing on April 29th and they will have another one on May 19th.
um environmental. Um as everyone mentioned, we had to team up for tidy. It wasn't such a great day. We had a pretty good turnout. Um but thank you to all the volunteers and all the Woff families that came out. Um I saw plenty of families with little children that
were coming um to do the cleanup. So it was really nice to see. Um fishing derby is hosted by the environmental committee on June 7th. Um it's from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Um that's a fun day to participate
in. On April 23rd, um we all uh all of us attended the community leadership roundt event that was hosted by the superintendent of Ramo Indian Hills High School. um other members were there from Franklin Lynx and Oakland and they just
gave us the budget presentation for 2025 and 26 and um just you know different things that they've done and what's happening and the facility director and IT director also spoke and gave us a
report. Um Arbor Day we all attended um at Lincoln school on April 25th. Uh we planted a tree along with the principal and student council members. Um it was nice. Some of the student council members read some passages. So it was a nice event. Um planning board like we
mentioned before will not be meeting this May. Um there's nothing on the agenda so we canled it. Uh K through 8, I attended yesterday's meeting. Um they too also had a budget presentation for 2025 26 year. They acknowledged a sixth
grade student, Adam Carbone, who made it through the regional geographic bee and is now qualified to participate in the national um and international ge geography be in held in Thailand, which I thought was really nice. Um in
2026, uh some of you might know that principal Ramo and Mr. Blake from Sycam and Washington School respectively um are retiring. They introduced a new principal for Sycamac. His name is Mr. Dunbar. Um, and they're still working on
Washington School. They're still interviewing for that replacement position. Um, and that that's all I have. Thank you, May. Okay, let me see if I can get through my list here. on um
Thursday, April 17th, along with I I attended the GIF uh awards breakfast at Seasons in Washington Township along with Matt Dave Murphy, um Denise, Heidi, and Joander Platt. I
think that was about it, right? Matt and Worf received the platinum award. So, congratulations to everyone for achieving the platinum safety award. On the 21st, I attended Peggy Keane's retirement party after 37 years in Wyoff, I believe. Peggy H 36. 36. Um,
and uh, several of us attended at Siggoia in Oakland. It was it was really a fun event. It was really well done. The food was great and and they had the table set up great. It was really And we wish Peggy the best of all in her retirement. She's well earned. Um, I too attended the Rampo Indian Hills uh,
leadership conference and we were well represented. We were best represented from any of the municipalities. We had most of us there. Matt was there. Dave Murphy was there. And um we we looked pretty good with our representation. So, thanks everyone who was there. Um I
attended the Rotary Club meeting on Thursday the 20 was it? When was that, Tom? Thursday. 24th. Right. Carolyn Goodman for the big 5050 um drawing and Carol Goodman. Carolyn Goodman was given an award. And I just
have to mention that there were five winners in the 50/50. Oh, there it comes. Every ticket was sold by my colleague Tom Matt in here. So that tells you not only is is does he have the luck of the Irish, he sells more road lottery tickets in or 50/50 tickets
than anyone else in in the world really. So So just remember where to buy them from next year. That's right. That's right. Go to him. Um I on Thursday uh at 9th the 24th I too attended um the uh Christian Health's
um banquet at the Westmont Country Club honoring Doug Strikes um many many years of service to actually not only Christian health but in all honesty the township of Wyoff um they're an
integral part of what we do here. We're honored to have them in town and as such, as was mentioned, we're going to have um our own presentation of the proclamation that was written to Doug here. We'll have some refreshments and that'll be at the 8:00 meeting on the 20th of of May. I too attended the Arbor
Arbor Day tree planting at Lincoln School. Um um on Saturday the Sunday the 27th I attended an open house at Temple Beth Rashan on Russell Lab. They had an open house and I thought um it was just the
right thing to go and and meet with them. And um it is Beth Rashan's 50th anniversary in Wyoff. I talked to Rabbi Waxman about probably in the fall this we we'll have a proclamation here recognizing their 50 years of contributing as a great uh citizen in
Wyoff. Um somewhere in here I attended team up to tidy up um in the library board meeting. Um on the 2nd we had a meeting as was
mentioned with um three rabbis and Dave Murphy and Matt and myself regarding some disturbing literature that was found strewn along Albamar Street in Woff. It was very troubling what we found and uh and we took a we took a
position on it which I'll get to in a minute. Let me finish my go through my list here. I have one here. Thanks. Okay. Um, as I mentioned, the planning board meeting for this month was cancelled, uh, because the Cedar Hill Shopping Center application was kind of not ready
yet. There's a lot going on there. So, we moved that to the June meeting, which is now going to be really busy, but uh, so there was no real reason to meet in um, in May. Um, kudos to everyone who was mentioned already on our achievement
of a standard and fours AAA bond rating. It is it is just beyond what we had hoped for. I also want to mention our auditor, Gary Higgins, so I'm sure I had a part to do with that. Um, and I think that's it if I didn't miss anything, but
I want to take a minute and read the statement. Now we have a policy or a practice of whenever um anything of this nature um comes about, we take a strong
position on the right, what we feel is the right side of it. We did that when the swastikas were paying at Rampa High School a couple of years ago and uh we are not afraid to stand up for what we believe in. So the statement reads as as follows. This came we we posted this on
Friday. Earlier this week, the township community was made aware of flyers containing divisive, polarizing, anti-semitic messages that were distributed in the sec sycam section of our community. This act is being taken very seriously and is currently under active investigation. The township committee condemns in the strongest
possible terms the dissemination of any hatefilled materials intended to harass, intimidate, or divide members of our community. Anti-semitism has no place in Wyoff or anywhere and we stand firmly with our Jewish residents and neighbors. At this time, the incident appears to be
isolated. However, the investigation by the Woff Police Department remains ongoing. The township remains committed to fostering a respectful and united community and urges residents to avoid speculation while the facts continue to develop. Under direction of Chief David Murphy, the White Police Department is
actively investigating this matter. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Detective Sergeant Reguchi or Detective Sergeant Deo uh by calling 2011891-2121 or well there's an email here at address too I won't get into. Uh there is no ev there is no tolerance in
Wyoff for acts of hatred or intimidation directed towards any member of our community. We remain committed to ensuring that WOF continues to be a safe, inclusive and respectful place for all. And uh that went out Friday and uh I think we got some pretty good reaction to it because it was the right thing to
do. Um that is all I have I believe at this point. So I will having said that I will take a motion to adopt. Oh Dave, I do this every That's quite all right. Mayor, uh just real quick just to follow
up on our affordable housing. I think at our last meeting I mentioned we was the eve of filing the federal complaint that our group was going to file. It has been filed. It goes along what we were talking about today. It's really we're making an equal protection claim in federal court and some of it goes to the
way the rules and how this process went and it was filed right after our last meeting. Uh obviously no action's been taken yet but it's been docketed and we're going to continue to proceed with that as well as our state litigation in that um action. But in with that in
mind, we still have to follow the rules that are in place so we don't lose our zoning rights, but we're certainly proceeding with the litigation and the federal complaints. The most recent I just want to let you know has been filed. Okay. Thank you, Dave. Now, I'll
take a motion uh 25 C7 to go into close number 10. We have item 10 first. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Thank you. Motion to accept the public hearing on the submission of a 2025 Bergen County Trust Fund grant
application. So moved. Second. Miss Bogdansky? Yes. Mr. Lane? I. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Melion? Yes. And Mayor Bonro? Yes. With an affirmative vote, we are open for public comment. Mr. Mayor, this is a proposed project to consist of, as I mentioned, uh some minor
curbing, walkway, and sidewalk uh and uh storm water compliance issues at Community Park. So, at this time, anybody from the public wishing to address this application to the Bergen County uh community Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund, um they can come to
the podium and ask any questions. Does anyone have a question on the grant application 2025 Bergen Bergen County Trust Fund? There being no questions on the grant,
we uh make a motion to close the meeting public. Miss Bdansky, yes. Mr. Lane, I. Mr. Madigan, yes. Mr. Melion, yes. Mayor Bonra, yes. Yes. With an affirmative vote, we the motion is approved. And this will be followed up uh at our 8:00
meeting with resolution 15. Great. Okay. Now motion. Now we'll take the motion. Motion to go into close session. Second. Miss Bdansky. Yes. Mr. Lane. I. Mr. Madigan. Yes. Mr. Melion. Yes. And Mayor Bon. Uh, yes. And affirmative. The
motion is approved. All right. We'll try to be back in 12 minutes.