[0:00] Mr. Ludwig

[0:03] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:05] United States of America and to the

[0:07] republic for which it stands, one nation

[0:10] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:13] justice for all.

[0:17] » [sighs]

[0:22] » Do a roll call, please.

[0:23] » Mr. Mean

[0:24] » Here.

[0:25] » Ms. Cascone

[0:26] » Here.

[0:27] » Ms. Devenezia

[0:28] » Here.

[0:29] » Mr. Baylin

[0:30] » Here.

[0:30] » Ms. Mazy

[0:31] » Here.

[0:32] » Ms. Lopez is absent. Mr. Weisman

[0:36] » Here.

[0:36] » Mayor Lynch

[0:37] » Here.

[0:38] » Mr. Semrau is absent. Mr. Pasternak

[0:41] » Here.

[0:41] » Mr. Laverty

[0:42] » Here.

[0:43] » Ms. Bonzella is here.

[0:47] » Notice of this meeting has been provided

[0:49] through resolution adopted by the mayor

[0:51] and council on December 15th, 2025 at

[0:54] its regular meeting of the mayor and

[0:55] town council at the Boonton Town Hall,

[0:57] 100 Washington Street, Boonton, New

[0:59] Jersey and by electronic mailing to the

[1:00] citizen of Morris County and the Daily

[1:02] Record newspapers. Through posting on

[1:03] the town website and by filing copy of

[1:05] same with town clerk.

[1:07] Members of the public were also

[1:08] permitted to submit written comments

[1:10] prior to the meeting via mail or email,

[1:12] which may be summarized or read in their

[1:14] entirety during the public comment

[1:15] period. All public comments, whether

[1:17] during the public portion of meeting or

[1:18] submitted beforehand, shall be limited

[1:20] to no greater than 3 minutes in

[1:22] duration.

[1:24] Up next, we have a resolution 26-209,

[1:28] resolution of the mayor and town council

[1:29] authorizing the appointment of Mark

[1:31] Russo as first ward council member. Uh

[1:33] this is to fill the vacancy created uh

[1:35] by the passing of uh

[1:37] council member Wolkalski. Uh can I get a

[1:39] motion to open this up for discussion?

[1:43] » So moved, Baylin.

[1:44] » Second, Mean.

[1:46] » All in favor?

[1:46] » Aye.

[1:47] » Aye.

[1:49] » Uh anybody have any comments on this? Uh

[1:51] as you know, um there was 30 days in

[1:53] order to fill the position. It was not

[1:55] filled. The authority then reverts back

[1:57] to the uh

[1:58] Putnam County Republican Committee

[2:00] Chairman who has uh submitted letter on

[2:02] nominating uh Mark. And our role here is

[2:05] motion to uh

[2:07] acknowledge, I believe.

[2:09] » That's correct, Mayor. It's just a

[2:10] motion to acknowledge based upon the

[2:11] statute. And and that's because the

[2:13] person just I understand that's because

[2:15] the person who we voted on at the last

[2:17] meeting declined to fill the position.

[2:19] » That's correct.

[2:20] » Of the three names that were submitted.

[2:21] » And then we had it came down to the

[2:23] remaining two.

[2:24] » Right.

[2:24] » And

[2:25] » We didn't have a meeting to try that

[2:26] out.

[2:27] » Okay. Thank you.

[2:29] Any other comments or questions?

[2:31] » Thank you to all of the nominees and the

[2:34] uh Mr. Robel for stepping up. It's

[2:36] always

[2:38] always great that people are willing to

[2:39] get up here and actually do this even

[2:41] for a

[2:42] for a uh temporary position. Thank you.

[2:46] » Uh seeing no other comments, I would

[2:48] call for motion to acknowledge the

[2:50] appointment.

[2:52] » I Mr. Mayor, I do have one question.

[2:54] » Okay. [laughter]

[2:56] » Uh seeing as how um Mr. Robel is

[2:59] currently a sitting member of the

[3:01] Planning Board and there can only be one

[3:04] » That will be addressed.

[3:05] » It will be addressed? Okay, thank you.

[3:09] » Okay.

[3:09] » I'll

[3:10] uh motion to uh make the appointment.

[3:13] » I'll I'll second.

[3:15] » Okay, can you do a roll call, please?

[3:17] » Mr. Veale and

[3:17] » Yes.

[3:19] » Ms. Cascione

[3:20] » Yes.

[3:20] » Ms. DeVenizia

[3:21] » Yes.

[3:23] » Ms. Mazie

[3:24] » Yes.

[3:24] » Mr. Mean

[3:25] » Yes.

[3:26] » Mr. Weisman

[3:27] » Yes.

[3:27] » Mayor Lynch

[3:28] » Yes.

[3:30] » Next up we have some

[3:32] festivities.

[3:32] » Mr. Mayor

[3:33] » Oh, just one. Do you want to swear him

[3:35] in now?

[3:36] » Yes, that's the festivities.

[3:37] » I thought Thank you. I didn't know what

[3:38] you're doing. Couldn't see.

[3:40] So I put my specs on.

[3:42] Mark, you you can please come forward

[3:44] with your family.

[3:57] » I will support the Bible, right?

[4:02] And it's sometimes difficult. So, let me

[4:04] chop it up short cuz what's simple but

[4:06] it's tougher than it looks. Appreciate

[4:07] that. Thank you. And both of the leases.

[4:11] » And can I have

[4:12] » Can I have a piece of paper?

[4:15] I, Mark Brodeur, do solemnly swear

[4:17] » I, Mark Brodeur, do solemnly swear

[4:20] » That I will support the Constitution of

[4:21] the United States

[4:22] » That I will support the Constitution of

[4:24] the United States.

[4:24] » And Constitution of the State of New

[4:26] Jersey

[4:26] » Constitution of the State of New Jersey

[4:29] » And I will bear true faith and

[4:30] allegiance to the same

[4:31] » And I will bear true faith allegiance to

[4:33] the same and to the governments

[4:35] established in the United States

[4:37] » Governments established in the United

[4:38] States

[4:39] » And in this state

[4:40] » And in this state

[4:41] » On the authority of the people

[4:42] » On the authority of the people

[4:44] » So help me God.

[4:45] » I do further solemnly swear

[4:47] » I do further solemnly swear

[4:50] » That I will impartially

[4:51] » That I will impartially

[4:52] » And justly perform all the duties

[4:54] » Justly perform all of the duties

[4:56] » Of the office of First Ward

[4:57] Councilmember

[4:58] » Of all the duties of First Ward

[5:00] Councilmember

[5:01] » To the best of my ability

[5:02] » To the best of my ability

[5:04] » Will send.

[5:05] » Brodeur's

[5:05] » I'll fill it out.

[5:27] I did sign

[5:29] » Deep hands

[5:30] » Come on down, Mark.

[5:32] » Great hat.

[5:35] » Need your signature.

[5:36] » Welcome aboard.

[5:40] » Hello, Marie.

[5:41] » Hi, Marie.

[5:48] » Up next, we have our various committee

[5:50] liaison reports starting with our

[5:52] administrator Patrick Liberty.

[5:54] » Thank you, Mayor.

[5:55] First and foremost, it has been a very

[5:57] busy month continuing from last month.

[6:00] We're continuing our transition

[6:02] department head meetings with all staff

[6:04] and personnel. I've been meeting with

[6:06] individual groups

[6:07] a couple times a week to try to get

[6:09] caught up to see

[6:10] where we're at, where we need to go, and

[6:12] how we get there.

[6:13] Happy to say my replacement upstairs in

[6:16] the zoning code enforcement has started

[6:18] as of the 3rd.

[6:20] Raphael has definitely hit the ground

[6:21] running. He's doing an excellent job and

[6:23] he's going to be a tremendous asset to

[6:25] us here in town.

[6:26] We had some pre-construction meetings

[6:28] for the sewer

[6:29] rehab and repair work on the 5th. Work

[6:32] did start last week and we are seeing

[6:34] some great results so far. Project is

[6:36] moving along smoothly at this time. And

[6:40] that that project is is moving along

[6:42] along with other various water and sewer

[6:44] projects.

[6:46] We've had some discussion about some

[6:48] safety improvements over on the Tonnele

[6:50] Road 287 intersection.

[6:52] We will be putting up some additional

[6:54] signage and delineators to assist in

[6:57] hopefully getting people to stay on path

[6:59] either be it to 287 or Tonnele Road.

[7:02] Going forward, we should see that within

[7:04] the next week or two. Hopefully all of

[7:05] those new pieces will be in place.

[7:08] Had met with Ms. DeSalvo from our green

[7:11] team.

[7:12] I am now enrolled into the Sustainable

[7:16] New Jersey site and we're looking to

[7:17] identify additional ways to obtain

[7:20] points to achieve a bronze certification

[7:22] by February.

[7:24] It appears that there might be some

[7:25] things we're already doing right now in

[7:27] town that we'll be able to get those

[7:28] points. So that's going to be a

[7:29] continued effort going forward.

[7:32] The shared we're having discussions

[7:34] about what direction we'll be going in

[7:36] with our court as our contract is up at

[7:39] the end of the year. So we have that.

[7:41] Uh

[7:42] was out as well for a replacement judge.

[7:44] Um that will close on the 28th of this

[7:46] month and then we'll uh take the next

[7:48] steps on interviews.

[7:50] We have uh executed a shared service

[7:52] agreement with the Lumen Academy for um

[7:55] the SLEO at the police department.

[7:56] Interviews are ongoing now with the

[7:58] police.

[8:00] Uh preparations are underway for the uh

[8:02] annual parade and carnival with the fire

[8:04] department. So, that's moving full speed

[8:06] ahead.

[8:07] Uh we are starting some intersection

[8:09] upgrades and repairs, really more

[8:11] repairs than anything. Uh Wooten and

[8:13] Bridge, Division and Main, and ensuring

[8:15] that the uh lighting systems are being

[8:18] uh repaired and fixed as needed. We had

[8:20] some reports from last year that we were

[8:22] able to uh utilize and start identifying

[8:24] and correcting some problems.

[8:26] Uh we have also tested all of the

[8:28] generator switches to ensure that they

[8:30] work uh during power failure.

[8:33] National Night Out, I had the

[8:34] opportunity to go up. Um kudos to the PD

[8:37] here as well as the other towns

[8:39] involved. That was an excellent night

[8:40] out. I appreciate the uh burgers and

[8:42] dogs and all the other good stuff that

[8:44] they had going on.

[8:45] And uh as we probably all have seen,

[8:47] paving wrapped up on Friday.

[8:50] That's all I have for now.

[8:52] » Thank you. Any comments or questions for

[8:53] Mr.

[8:54] » Yeah, just one question.

[8:57] Lobby.

[8:58] » Will, how you been, buddy?

[8:59] » [laughter]

[9:00] » Um uh

[9:01] uh Pat, uh the uh the chair lift outside

[9:04] of town hall, just any update on that on

[9:07] getting that that in there?

[9:08] » Yes. Uh next week they are going to be

[9:11] on site, the contractor will be on site

[9:12] to do the rough opening. They anticipate

[9:15] probably being here for most of the week

[9:17] uh to do that and get that piece moving.

[9:19] And Mobility Lift, uh who is actually

[9:22] the lift company, will uh we're I should

[9:25] have an update tomorrow as to their

[9:27] schedule uh to hopefully come right

[9:29] behind and get that opening uh closed

[9:32] going forward. So, we are we are moving

[9:34] on that.

[9:35] » I really appreciate it. Thank you.

[9:37] » So, a lot just following up with that.

[9:39] Do they then maintain it or is that

[9:40] something that the town maintains once

[9:42] it's

[9:42] installed?

[9:43] » That's ours. It's ours. Yeah. Yeah, it's

[9:45] it's and it is also classified as an

[9:47] elevator, so it's going to be licensed

[9:48] through the state. So, DCA is going to

[9:50] be up to do their elevator inspections

[9:53] like they would in a high-rise building

[9:55] as well. So.

[9:56] » Okay. Thank you.

[9:57] » Yep.

[9:57] Anyone else?

[9:58] » Yeah, I do have one question. Um, so

[10:00] I've seen in the bills some payments to

[10:03] folks

[10:04] up at Peppi Field. What's the status of

[10:06] those flower head sprinklers right now?

[10:08] Are they operational or are they still

[10:09] out of out of whack?

[10:11] » My My understanding is two to three have

[10:13] been operational. The one had to be

[10:14] basically rebuilt completely. The The

[10:16] piping for, you know, split and froze.

[10:19] So, I know public works has been working

[10:22] on that. Eric in particular has been

[10:24] getting the pieces that's needed to re-

[10:27] correct that that issue. It looks like

[10:28] it wasn't winterized 100%.

[10:30] Unfortunately, we lost one.

[10:33] » Okay, thank you.

[10:35] » Anyone else?

[10:37] Okay. Moving on. Finance and Personnel,

[10:38] Council Member Weisman.

[10:40] » Thank you very much, Mayor. Mr. Laverty,

[10:42] here on a number of the things.

[10:44] Just to add in the Transit Village, the

[10:46] work continues there. All the documents

[10:47] were submitted at the end of July. We're

[10:49] waiting to understand when their next

[10:51] hearing will be so that we can hopefully

[10:54] get that um

[10:55] that confirmed. And then a number of the

[10:58] ordinances that are in the or

[10:59] resolutions, I should say, that are in

[11:00] the consent agenda came through the

[11:02] committee

[11:03] as well as talking about how we continue

[11:05] to move forward and continue to build

[11:06] the strength that Gary has helped us

[11:08] with in the water department.

[11:10] » Thank you. Any comments or questions,

[11:11] Mr. Mayor? Council Member Weisman.

[11:14] Seeing none, we'll move on.

[11:15] » Here. I'm sorry. One other thing. A

[11:17] question myself.

[11:18] » Okay.

[11:18] » Yeah. Um, why you're such a good chair.

[11:19] No, I'm kidding. Uh,

[11:21] the one of the conversations we'll

[11:23] continue to have, we do this every year,

[11:25] is around the best practices and

[11:27] understanding where the areas that we

[11:28] met, we had the best practice report a

[11:30] couple months ago now, and that's

[11:31] something that the committee, just for

[11:32] to know will be looking at. We we score

[11:34] really really well, so it's just a

[11:35] question of where those couple of

[11:37] things. So, I feel like that was

[11:38] critical to get that. Yeah.

[11:39] » Thank you.

[11:41] Did that generate any other comments or

[11:42] questions?

[11:44] Even from you?

[11:44] » No.

[11:45] » Okay.

[11:46] All right, moving on to police

[11:47] committee. Council member Casgorney.

[11:50] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh police

[11:51] committee met on uh August uh 11th. We

[11:55] discussed a number of issues. One was a

[11:58] request for a handicap spot on Lorraine

[11:59] Terrace. It is my understanding that

[12:01] that is moving forward. Is that correct,

[12:03] Mr. Laverty?

[12:05] » I have yet to receive a request

[12:07] formally.

[12:08] » Okay.

[12:08] » So, as soon as we're ready to go as soon

[12:10] as I they send the request in.

[12:12] » All right, thank you.

[12:13] Um

[12:15] we uh we discussed a vehicle exhaust

[12:18] complaint. Um it was um

[12:22] the PD does

[12:24] um

[12:25] respond to these complaints. They um

[12:27] made sure that officers were um

[12:31] uh sent to the area um of the noise

[12:34] complaint and it is um

[12:35] again reiterated that they will stop

[12:38] cars with you know that that have excess

[12:40] noise.

[12:41] Um we did discuss the uh traffic signal

[12:44] issues from OEM and making sure that our

[12:46] generator plugs and lights are working.

[12:49] Um

[12:51] just to reiterate what Mr. Laverty said.

[12:53] Um we did discuss National Night Out,

[12:55] which again was a fantastic event and um

[12:58] I was happy to attend along with Mr.

[13:00] Laverty and uh Councilperson Weisman and

[13:02] the mayor. Um it was a really fantastic

[13:05] night. Um thank you very much to the the

[13:08] Boonton PD and the Mountain Lakes PD,

[13:09] the Boonton PD for um all of their hot

[13:12] dog and hamburger making skills. They

[13:15] looked fantastic. I know that the 10th

[13:18] anniversary of National Night Out is

[13:20] next year and um there were discussions

[13:23] on how to make that a really even more

[13:24] standout event.

[13:26] Um the uh search for a class three

[13:29] special um law enforcement officer um is

[13:32] still underway and um the speed signs um

[13:37] will be put up I guess at Washington and

[13:39] Morris pending uh some DPW

[13:42] communication.

[13:44] They we still have them.

[13:46] And I was told that the women's locker

[13:48] room update downstairs is in progress

[13:50] and going well.

[13:53] » That's it?

[13:54] Okay, thank you. Any comments or

[13:55] questions for Councilman Cascone?

[13:58] » I just

[13:58] » Sure.

[13:59] » This one um were safety sticks a part of

[14:01] the agenda at all?

[14:03] » There was um an email sent in regarding

[14:07] um the the safety sticks and questions

[14:10] around the safety sticks and yes that

[14:11] was

[14:12] that was discussed and we received

[14:14] further information from um Chief

[14:17] Patanik as well about um

[14:20] what

[14:21] the um the company that runs the safety

[14:24] stick program and all that entails.

[14:27] » And I had some of that I know the

[14:28] council has uh received information on

[14:30] but is that is any of that getting out

[14:32] to the public? The cheat sheet, the uh

[14:34] » We just that kind of just got developed

[14:37] over the last

[14:38] » It arrived today. We'll prematurely

[14:40] circulate it on arrival.

[14:43] We are looking into the matter.

[14:44] » Thank you.

[14:45] » Yeah, I think it's a I do what you were

[14:47] saying. I do think it's a good good good

[14:48] point though as whatever we can get out

[14:50] we should. So I totally agree with you

[14:52] on

[14:53] Uh just one comment to share which is

[14:55] that um uh I had the occasion a couple

[14:58] days ago I was um

[14:59] uh nearby a gentleman who passed out who

[15:01] was truly unconscious

[15:03] um with um uh

[15:05] Rabbi Dubinsky. Um we called 911. I just

[15:08] want to commend the police department.

[15:09] Incredible response time first of all

[15:11] showing up, um professionalism through

[15:13] the roof but the thing I really want to

[15:15] share is because I think sometimes when

[15:16] we do when we vote on budget things up

[15:18] here and we we spend a lot lot talking

[15:20] about budget certainly in our committee

[15:22] spent a lot of time on that stuff, and

[15:23] you know, they're just they're just

[15:25] items on a page. I saw I got to see

[15:27] first hand this gentleman who who passed

[15:29] out, who's fine. Um,

[15:30] he only spoke Spanish. Uh, and to see

[15:33] how incredibly nervous uh, he was when

[15:35] the officers arrived, um, and how uh,

[15:38] uncomfortable, and to see the the the

[15:40] the Axon is what they call I think,

[15:41] Chief, right? The Axon body cameras. Um,

[15:43] to see them in action with the translate

[15:45] feature was absolutely extraordinary. To

[15:48] see how they were able to communicate,

[15:50] and just to the the the change in I

[15:53] think outcome was extraordinary. So, I

[15:55] just want to say, um, I'm so glad we

[15:58] have them here, and uh, to officers

[16:00] Wadalaw and Lance, who I thought

[16:02] exhibited in incredible professionalism,

[16:04] but it was really amazing to see those

[16:06] body cameras in and the the translate

[16:07] feature of those body cameras in action.

[16:10] So, I just want to share that.

[16:11] » Thank you.

[16:13] Anyone else have questions regarding the

[16:14] police committee?

[16:16] Okay, moving on. Planning Board, Council

[16:17] Member Macy.

[16:19] » So, we had the Planning Board meeting.

[16:21] Um, we discussed the uh, exped-

[16:23] expediting waiver site plan.

[16:26] And we're going to continue that for

[16:28] commercial businesses that are not going

[16:30] to um,

[16:32] do any alteration to buildings on Main

[16:34] Street. Uh, that waiver plan will still

[16:37] stay into place. However, we are going

[16:39] to have if there is a commercial

[16:41] property that is now want wants part of

[16:44] that commercial property to become

[16:45] residential, and they're still not

[16:47] making any kind of um, um,

[16:51] you know, determination, they're not

[16:52] doing anything to the outside of the

[16:54] building. We want that to become part of

[16:56] the Planning Board discussion to make

[16:58] sure that the residents and those rental

[17:01] properties are proper size, that we

[17:03] don't have too many bedrooms in there,

[17:05] or not enough bedrooms for people. So,

[17:08] the ESWP, as they call it, is going to

[17:10] stay in place with some with some

[17:12] modifications made.

[17:14] We did talk about the Riverwalk

[17:15] extension. The Riverwalk developers came

[17:18] before the board and they wanted an

[17:20] extension. Um as you know, that property

[17:23] probably hasn't been touched in a couple

[17:25] of years. They have been remediating the

[17:27] soil uh to do um some construction on

[17:31] there, but there was a delay and the

[17:33] delay was caused by a change of

[17:35] ownership. Really, I think that was, you

[17:37] know, most of the delay with uh what was

[17:39] happening there. So, they wanted to be

[17:41] able to have that extension to be able

[17:43] to continue to test the soil, remediate

[17:47] the soil, either cap and and fill it um

[17:50] or send it out for testing. So, we

[17:52] allowed them to do that. However, the

[17:54] planning board members uh did make a

[17:56] recommendation that the uh that the uh

[18:00] property um administrators are going to

[18:02] be there to make sure they maintain that

[18:05] property, cut the grass, get rid of any

[18:08] trees, bushes. They have to take care of

[18:10] the property according to town

[18:12] ordinances. So, that was one thing that

[18:14] the planning board had done. Um

[18:16] Parkwoods also came before the planning

[18:19] board. They have some extensions or they

[18:22] were looking to do some engineering

[18:24] changes, rather.

[18:26] I just want to make one comment about

[18:28] this Parkwoods. This was approved 10

[18:30] years ago. This was something that came

[18:33] to the town 10 years ago and the

[18:34] building of these uh particular uh

[18:38] residences was approved 10 years ago.

[18:42] So, what they did was they came before

[18:43] planning board because they had some

[18:45] engineering changes that they wanted to

[18:47] do.

[18:48] Some of them were good. Um they're

[18:50] lowering some of the retaining walls.

[18:52] They're not going to disturb some of the

[18:53] trees and the soil that's there. So,

[18:56] that way it will help with that slope

[18:58] there. It'll It'll hold some of that

[18:59] soil on there. We wanted to make sure

[19:02] that that was going to be done. There's

[19:03] some new water retention basins that

[19:05] they're putting in instead of having

[19:07] water run directly over Fanny Road. Now,

[19:10] they're going to have these detention

[19:11] basins and be able to have those basins

[19:14] filled and then the water will slowly

[19:17] leak out.

[19:19] Like I said, they are lowering some

[19:21] retainer walls. They're not going to

[19:23] move as much debris or lower vegetation

[19:26] from from that particular spot. And we

[19:30] also as the planning board decided that

[19:33] that property should be maintained while

[19:35] all this construction is going on. We

[19:38] did have a few residents that complained

[19:40] about some falling trees that may have

[19:42] fallen off of that particular property.

[19:44] They seem to be responsive and they were

[19:46] going to go up there the next day to

[19:47] make sure that they were going to clear

[19:49] any of those those falling trees. It was

[19:51] a It was a difficult

[19:53] vote for me, but we voted on the

[19:56] engineering changes and I just want to

[19:58] make that clear to everybody that was

[20:00] here and

[20:01] that ends my

[20:03] report. So, thank you.

[20:04] » Couple comments.

[20:05] » Yeah.

[20:06] » Regarding Riverwalk, um

[20:09] planning board members did make it

[20:11] important that they uh

[20:12] » Yeah, I'm sorry. If you could turn on

[20:14] your microphone.

[20:14] » I'm sorry.

[20:15] Thank you.

[20:17] Uh for Riverwalk, they planning board

[20:19] members did

[20:20] stress that the need to comply with with

[20:22] code and my understanding is that Mr.

[20:24] Lavery and his replacement, Raphael,

[20:26] whose last name looks Asian now, will

[20:27] walk the property with the manager the

[20:29] following day.

[20:30] » Yes, we we met Friday on site and went

[20:32] over

[20:33] They they will be cleaning doing a mass

[20:35] clean up, moving the storage containers,

[20:37] the abandoned forklift, cutting trees

[20:40] back and maintaining as as discussed.

[20:43] » Okay, so I said the next day, but it was

[20:45] two days. So, they're they're on it. And

[20:46] then regarding Park Woods, that project

[20:49] was not

[20:50] approved 10 years ago. It was

[20:52] unanimously denied multiple times over

[20:54] the last 10 years.

[20:55] And

[20:56] um

[20:57] most recently they appealed it and they

[21:00] won and we were going to appeal it, but

[21:03] we got guidance that uh

[21:05] uh we were not going to be successful.

[21:07] You know, it's unfortunate that, you

[21:09] know, a judge can overrule, you know,

[21:11] our our code in town. We have steep

[21:13] slope ordinance that

[21:16] forbids building on property such as

[21:18] that, and the judge said, "I don't

[21:19] care." And he says, "You got to do it."

[21:21] And we were able to reduce the density

[21:24] from four buildings into three

[21:25] buildings, and that was approved

[21:27] grudgingly on a mixed on a split vote at

[21:29] the planning board. And they came back

[21:32] for for changes. And unfortunately, a

[21:34] lot of residents didn't understand that.

[21:35] They thought the whole

[21:37] uh decision was up, and it was not. So,

[21:40] um that had been dragging on since uh

[21:44] Matt Deorio was mayor. So, that that was

[21:45] a mess. So, just wanted to clarify those

[21:47] two points.

[21:49] » Do you have a sense with Park Woods and

[21:50] and if what sort of the

[21:53] the next steps for them are in terms of

[21:56] what other what other approvals do they

[21:58] need in order to proceed with building

[22:01] at this point? Do we have a sense of

[22:02] that?

[22:03] » Well, the conservatory, right? They have

[22:04] to go through the conservator uh soil

[22:07] remediation or uh soil removal.

[22:09] » Yeah, they their their next steps are at

[22:11] this point will probably be they're

[22:13] going to start getting some probably

[22:14] site plan work engineering done. They

[22:16] need to go to Morris County Soil

[22:17] Conservation, submit that plan. Morris

[22:20] County then has to um review the plan,

[22:23] give their blessing before they could

[22:25] then take the next step, which would

[22:26] probably be some site work, some

[22:28] clearing to a certain extent. Um I'm

[22:32] still going to hold them to what I had

[22:33] requested last year to meet on site. Um

[22:36] Rafael will take that rain now, do a

[22:39] tree count just so we have a number, try

[22:41] to talk to them about what the

[22:43] replacement plan will be. Although they

[22:44] are exempt from our ordinance, we we did

[22:47] get them to agree uh that they would

[22:50] work with us in at least having

[22:51] discussion.

[22:53] » There've also been some discussions. A

[22:55] lot of residents, you know,

[22:56] it wasn't just the board that was

[22:57] opposed to this. The residents were

[22:59] opposed to it as well. Uh but there's

[23:01] been some discussions about not

[23:02] permitting

[23:03] uh, construction traffic to exit out,

[23:06] you know, for Eli to Fairview, that

[23:08] they're going to have to go down to that

[23:10] crazy intersection, which their expert

[23:12] said will be fine.

[23:13] » Okay. Yeah, I think that's great cuz

[23:15] we're paid to say it was fine. exactly.

[23:18] Right. I guess cuz my my view and and

[23:21] Ed, keep me honest here because I know

[23:23] that um, I need you know, just keep me

[23:26] honest here about if I'm if I'm crossing

[23:27] any lines. But I think it's really

[23:29] important with this particular project

[23:32] that any concessions that they make, we

[23:34] hold them to.

[23:36] Uh, and that we make sure that that's

[23:38] happening and so things like the tree

[23:40] while they are exempted, I think think

[23:41] it's some of the settlement

[23:42] conversations, um,

[23:44] I think it well, I think it's just

[23:45] important that whatever it is, we make

[23:46] sure we're holding them accountable,

[23:48] holding them true to their word on this

[23:50] stuff because

[23:52] I'll leave it there.

[23:53] » Yes, thank you.

[23:55] » Anyone else?

[23:56] » Yes, please. Riverwalk. I just to

[23:58] piggyback on Mr. Weisman's sentiment,

[24:01] with regard to Riverwalk as well.

[24:04] Um,

[24:05] the

[24:06] I I

[24:07] So, was it is it the extension uh, how

[24:10] long was the extension granted?

[24:12] » We can grant uh, up to three one-year

[24:14] extensions. They I think it expired in

[24:17] March, so they were halfway through

[24:19] year one.

[24:21] They'd have to come back each year and

[24:22] ask for it.

[24:22] » Okay. So, other another year.

[24:25] Or half a year this point. Okay. And

[24:27] then, um, the

[24:29] we were uh, previously checking on their

[24:32] uh,

[24:33] maintaining their timeline for the

[24:35] remediation. So, we're saying the change

[24:36] of owner ownership caused them they're

[24:38] are they not on schedule for the

[24:40] remediation?

[24:40] » That's what they're saying.

[24:42] Yeah. They came back and said that they

[24:45] were held up by permit. They wrote a

[24:46] letter to DEP saying they're held up by

[24:48] permit permitting and all this other

[24:50] stuff and they were blaming basically

[24:52] the town for for the delay. Initially,

[24:54] they came in and said, "Well, it's

[24:55] because we're waiting for licensing or

[24:56] whatever from DEP." which turned out not

[24:58] to be the case.

[24:59] You know, speaking to our attorney,

[25:01] these things are are mandatory. We don't

[25:03] want to litigate it cuz it's going to be

[25:04] granted anyway, but we did kind of make

[25:06] them jump through some hoops. We asked

[25:08] for documentation, we made them come and

[25:09] and appear in person, and we kind of

[25:12] read them the riot act about the

[25:14] maintaining the property. So, it wasn't

[25:16] all for naught, but the basically it's

[25:19] you know, we had no leg to stand on if

[25:20] we wanted to deny it.

[25:22] » And the change of ownership, I doesn't

[25:25] I'm sure, but I have to ask. It doesn't

[25:26] affect

[25:28] the the previously approved application

[25:30] by the previous owner,

[25:32] or yeah.

[25:34] » A minority owner is now, I guess, full

[25:36] owner.

[25:37] » Okay. Okay.

[25:39] Are we I would just say that let's be

[25:41] sure to communicate to the new full

[25:44] owner

[25:45] the historic

[25:47] district that they all of their property

[25:49] abuts.

[25:50] Previous owner had was wasn't formed

[25:53] about a number of protections that

[25:55] they're required as they're doing site

[25:56] cleanup.

[25:57] We have both um

[25:59] a set of

[26:01] uh

[26:02] canal stones on one portion of the

[26:05] property line, and then the retaining

[26:08] wall, portion of the retaining wall is

[26:09] owned by the town.

[26:11] So, I just as as they're doing any work

[26:12] on site

[26:14] that we are sure to communicate their

[26:16] obligations.

[26:17] Thank you.

[26:18] » We did discuss a lot of what you just

[26:20] outlined, and I did drive home to him

[26:23] the importance of

[26:25] communicating based upon um

[26:29] their quick approvals that they looked

[26:31] for a couple of years ago when they came

[26:33] in to force some changes.

[26:35] I I feel like the new owner seems to

[26:38] maybe get it a little bit more than the

[26:39] previous, but we'll see.

[26:42] » And and they still have an active

[26:44] affordable housing lawsuit against the

[26:46] town. Is that correct? Yeah.

[26:47] » That is accurate.

[26:49] Can I ask one more question that I'm

[26:50] sure the answer is no, too, but I'm

[26:51] going to ask it anyway. When we grant

[26:53] developer extensions, forget these

[26:55] properties, just

[26:56] generally, are we able to put in

[26:58] provisions to developer extensions that

[27:00] say that they now have to adhere to

[27:03] ordinances passed since they were prior

[27:05] approval?

[27:06] Like, is that a clause that any

[27:07] municipality has done that we could

[27:09] conceivably put in?

[27:11] » If there is one, I've never seen

[27:12] developer agree to it.

[27:15] » Sure, but it's but it's but it doesn't

[27:17] matter if they agree to it, right?

[27:19] » Well, it it would be something that more

[27:20] than I don't think I've ever seen a case

[27:22] where they

[27:23] agreed to it. It served that they were

[27:24] grandfathered on the previous

[27:26] language.

[27:27] So, I have to look into that for you.

[27:28] » Will you research that matter, please?

[27:30] » Really I would really be interested in

[27:31] that question.

[27:32] » So, so part of the reason that they

[27:33] asked for the extension was to ensure

[27:36] that they

[27:37] » Right. Yeah.

[27:37] » Previous zoning

[27:39] » That makes

[27:39] » Historic entry

[27:40] » I'm wondering, like, we we we do have

[27:41] some level of authority, it appears, as

[27:43] a town, despite what particular judge

[27:45] might think. I probably shouldn't have

[27:46] said that one. Um uh but uh

[27:49] I just wonder if there's ways that we

[27:51] can put conditions, just the way we're

[27:53] negotiating with we're walking the

[27:55] property and say clean up and all that,

[27:57] that we can put conditions on a

[27:58] developer extension approval that says,

[28:00] "We'll do this, but since you got this

[28:02] original approval, we passed, let's say

[28:04] for the example, a tree ordinance that

[28:07] um you now have to adhere to." I guess

[28:09] that's the question I would love to get

[28:10] more information on.

[28:12] Okay.

[28:15] » The idea behind the extension, if there

[28:17] wasn't some grandfathering analysis that

[28:20] that is basically a snapshot

[28:22] of the time of the application, they

[28:24] wouldn't have asked for an extension.

[28:27] » It It would help

[28:29] » I'll We'll certainly look into it. We'll

[28:31] We'll advise counsel.

[28:32] » I really appreciate it. Thank you.

[28:34] Thank you.

[28:35] the ordinance

[28:36] » Okay. Anyone else for planning board?

[28:40] Moving on, Board of Education,

[28:41] Councilmember Cascone.

[28:43] » Thank you very much. Uh Uh the Board of

[28:45] Ed met offsite in August. It was their

[28:49] fun meeting.

[28:51] Before the beginning of the school year,

[28:53] unfortunately, I was unable to attend as

[28:56] um I was not able to make it to the um

[28:57] the offsite section. However, um

[29:01] there wasn't a plan to discuss much past

[29:05] what was discussed in July.

[29:09] » Any comments or questions?

[29:11] Okay.

[29:14] I was thinking, why not?

[29:15] » We don't need to go offsite to have fun,

[29:17] can we, Anne?

[29:19] » Next up, Booth & Dimock Library. I sit

[29:21] on the

[29:22] the board up there. Um

[29:24] they generally don't meet uh during the

[29:26] summer, but the library still continues

[29:27] to uh operate and uh

[29:30] the director shared some information

[29:31] with me. They uh were a little more

[29:33] active in their summer reading program

[29:35] than previously. They had 164

[29:36] participants this year, up from 105 last

[29:38] year. That was pretty much all at the

[29:40] urging of uh of Jess Mondino who uh

[29:43] suggested they leave it open longer.

[29:45] But, I think they normally uh shut it

[29:46] down at a certain point in time, and it

[29:47] seems to be uh quite a draw.

[29:50] Uh they sponsored the 20 summer reading

[29:52] events.

[29:53] Um

[29:54] they had a summer of art for adults. Uh

[29:58] first ever series for art workshops for

[30:00] adults.

[30:01] Um

[30:06] Building and grounds, as you might

[30:07] imagine with a old uh the building of

[30:09] that age, there's uh some work needs to

[30:11] be done. They need to do uh some roofing

[30:13] and gutter work. Uh

[30:15] heating pipe work, nothing too

[30:16] significant.

[30:18] And uh I've been

[30:20] for those that don't know, I have 40

[30:21] years experience in public accounting.

[30:23] I've been offering my services to get

[30:24] her

[30:25] uh QuickBooks program to agree with the

[30:27] audit reports. She's finally uh

[30:29] conceded to allow me to do that. So,

[30:31] next probably within next month,

[30:33] their uh in-house records will agree to

[30:35] the audit reports.

[30:37] Um any comments or questions regarding

[30:38] the library?

[30:39] » I I to say that I have uh participated

[30:42] in most of the summer art program at the

[30:44] library and it was fantastic and

[30:47] well-received. They were um they they

[30:50] were sold out um for every event and I

[30:55] look forward to more of these cuz they

[30:57] really were a lot of fun.

[30:59] » Thank you very much.

[31:01] Next up, Parks and Rec uh

[31:03] Councilmember Means.

[31:04] » Thank you, Mayor. Good evening,

[31:05] everybody.

[31:07] Um

[31:07] busy summer.

[31:08] Uh summer camp just wrapped up. Uh

[31:11] once again, we had another great uh

[31:13] great camp for all the kids. There was a

[31:15] chess uh chess camp that came out. There

[31:17] was a STEM sports camp planned for

[31:19] August.

[31:20] But uh

[31:22] again, the

[31:23] you know, having my my all four of my

[31:24] kids have gone through the camp and and

[31:26] I know what a great job they do and so

[31:28] kudos to Tracy and her team for just

[31:30] running another successful camp.

[31:32] Boot 'n' Day is coming up Sunday,

[31:33] September 27th, 12:00 to 4:00. Um if you

[31:37] are interested in being a vendor, please

[31:39] sign up at the boot rec

[31:40] rec desk.

[31:42] Bocce ball starting, there's a couple

[31:43] spaces left. So, if you're interested in

[31:45] that, it was very successful last year.

[31:47] I heard nothing but great things about

[31:48] it. Um

[31:50] so please, if you're interested, sign

[31:51] up. Yoga is ongoing uh Monday and

[31:54] Wednesdays at the senior center.

[31:57] Um

[31:59] man, I hate mentioning this in August,

[32:00] but we are getting ready to start a

[32:02] trick-or-treat trail in October.

[32:05] Um

[32:05] so yes, start thinking about getting

[32:07] your uh your display set up if you're

[32:09] interested in taking part. Um and you

[32:11] know, between the fire department, the

[32:12] police department, and rec, this is just

[32:14] a great night. Um

[32:16] we get you know, we get a I don't even

[32:18] know how many kids come, but we go

[32:19] through bags and bags of candy. We get a

[32:21] ton, you know, the park is just loaded

[32:23] with kids, so it's a great time.

[32:25] Um all the fall sports are sports are

[32:27] getting underway. Field hockey, cheer,

[32:30] dance, soccer, basketball. So, those are

[32:32] all getting started. If you want your

[32:33] kids

[32:34] uh interested in playing, please get

[32:35] them signed up.

[32:37] Um and that's all I have. We'll be

[32:39] getting some more

[32:40] uh activities as we move forward, but

[32:42] uh a great summer program for everybody.

[32:44] Thank you.

[32:45] » Thank

[32:46] » Mr. Mayor, can you also put in a plug

[32:47] for the scarecrow build?

[32:49] » Um

[32:52] That is the first Friday, yes. I think

[32:54] that

[32:55] That's

[32:56] First Friday?

[32:57] » First Friday?

[32:58] » Yeah.

[33:00] Scarecrow build on Main Street for the

[33:02] first Friday.

[33:06] » Any other comments or questions?

[33:10] Seeing none, we'll move on to fire

[33:11] department, Council member DePina Eason.

[33:14] » Okay, let me get back to my notes here.

[33:15] Okay, so the fire department is

[33:17] celebrating our 135th anniversary this

[33:19] year.

[33:20] Um and as already has been previously

[33:23] mentioned, and I mean we do have some

[33:24] things on our agenda for tonight. Uh the

[33:27] um carnival and parade are taking place

[33:30] the first weekend in in September. Uh

[33:33] Thursday, September 3rd, the carnival

[33:35] will open at 6:00 p.m. I believe that's

[33:37] a wristband night. Uh the parade is on

[33:40] September 5th, Saturday, rain date the

[33:42] 6th.

[33:44] Um

[33:45] email from uh Captain Baker or is it

[33:48] Captain? Chief?

[33:50] » Chief.

[33:50] » Yeah, Chief. I'm sorry. Chief Baker. C1,

[33:53] yes, there you go.

[33:55] Uh he mentioned a new member in the

[33:57] Maxfield um

[33:58] uh of

[33:59] fire

[34:01] Maxfield company, I'm sorry.

[34:03] Uh unfortunately, I forgot to write her

[34:04] name down.

[34:05] Um in June, they responded to 42 calls,

[34:09] uh which um there were also nine mutual

[34:12] aid calls.

[34:13] Um I do not have statistics for the

[34:15] month of July. Uh but I also wanted to

[34:18] to um just kudos to our fire department

[34:21] and our police department and our all

[34:23] our emergency responders for several

[34:25] recent in- incidents that in- that uh

[34:27] involved motor vehicles. Uh there was a

[34:29] rollover up by Fanny Road, and there

[34:31] were several motor vehicle versus

[34:33] building incidents in the last couple of

[34:35] weeks. Um

[34:36] and so just just stress that uh you

[34:39] know, you really need to put the phone

[34:40] down, pay attention where you're going,

[34:43] you know, and uh you know, obey the

[34:45] obey the speed laws and uh and and try

[34:49] not to drive into the buildings in our

[34:50] town.

[34:52] Um

[34:53] so that is basically it for the fire

[34:56] department. And so please please please

[34:57] come out and support our fire department

[34:59] at the carnival. It is their major

[35:00] fundraiser and it is also a heck of a

[35:02] good time.

[35:04] » Thank you. Any comments or questions for

[35:05] Council member Divenere?

[35:09] Seeing none, we'll move on to

[35:10] correspondence. Uh

[35:14] perfect segue from uh

[35:16] the Council member's comments. We have a

[35:18] request from uh the fire department.

[35:21] I'll try to uh

[35:22] summarize a little bit. Um

[35:24] it's addressed to to myself on behalf of

[35:26] the department. I respectfully request

[35:29] approval from you and the members of

[35:30] town council for the following. They'd

[35:32] like to use Main Street for the parade

[35:33] on Saturday, September 5th, with a rain

[35:35] date for Monday, the 7th.

[35:37] They want authorization to conduct our

[35:39] annual fireworks display.

[35:41] They'd like permission to sell alcoholic

[35:43] beverages uh on athletic field.

[35:45] They'd like assistance from Department

[35:47] of Public Works with vehicles

[35:50] uh

[35:51] pre-

[35:54] and for cleanup and setup.

[35:56] They'd like 130-yd dumpster.

[35:58] And they'd like assignment of police

[35:59] personnel to assist with traffic control

[36:02] before, during, and after the parade.

[36:04] Uh can I get a motion to open this up

[36:05] for discussion?

[36:07] » Second.

[36:08] » All.

[36:08] » On favor?

[36:09] » I.

[36:10] » Anybody have any comments or questions?

[36:12] You know, it's pretty uh routine uh

[36:14] thing. I I know the whole town basically

[36:16] revolves around

[36:18] uh the the fire department's uh

[36:19] festivities. Um

[36:22] I think we should support it. And I'd be

[36:23] surprised if there's any opposition.

[36:27] So I'd call for a motion to uh approve

[36:29] the request.

[36:30] » So

[36:30] » I'll move.

[36:31] » Weisman

[36:32] » Second.

[36:33] » All right.

[36:33] » All in favor?

[36:34] » I

[36:36] » Congratulations and thank you, Park

[36:37] Plaza.

[36:41] Next up, consent agenda. Resolutions

[36:43] 26-210

[36:45] through 26-219. Can I get a motion to

[36:47] open this up for council discussion,

[36:48] please?

[36:49] » So moved, Weisman.

[36:50] » Seconded, Cascone.

[36:52] » All in favor?

[36:52] » I

[36:54] » Anybody have any comments or questions

[36:55] on the consent agenda?

[37:06] » Nope.

[37:07] » Seeing none, I would call for motion to

[37:08] move the consent agenda forward.

[37:11] » So moved, Devenezia.

[37:12] » Seconded, Mazzei.

[37:14] » We'll get a roll call, please.

[37:15] » Mr. Balen

[37:16] » Yes.

[37:17] » Ms. Cascone

[37:18] » Yes.

[37:19] » Ms. Devenezia

[37:20] » Yes.

[37:22] » Ms. Ms. Mazzei

[37:23] » Yes.

[37:24] » Mr. Meen

[37:25] » Yes.

[37:25] » Mr. Weisman

[37:26] » Yes.

[37:27] » Mr. Rovel

[37:28] » Abstain.

[37:29] » And Mayor Lynch

[37:31] » Yes.

[37:33] Next up, ordinance 19-26.

[37:36] Public hearing, post adoption. An

[37:38] ordinance of the town of Boonton fixing

[37:39] the salaries and wages of certain

[37:40] officers and employees of the town of

[37:41] Boonton, County Morris, State of New

[37:43] Jersey for the

[37:44] year 2026.

[37:48] Can I get a motion to open this up for

[37:50] public hearing, please?

[37:52] » So moved, Devenezia.

[37:53] » Seconded, Cascone.

[37:54] » All in favor?

[37:55] » I

[37:57] » Any members of the public wishing to

[37:58] discuss this particular ordinance, and

[38:00] only this ordinance, please step forward

[38:01] to the microphone, introduce yourself,

[38:03] and the floor is yours for 3 minutes.

[38:10] Seeing none, I will close the open

[38:11] public hearing and call for motion to

[38:14] open this up to town council discussion.

[38:17] » So moved, Balen.

[38:18] » Seconded, Cascone.

[38:20] » All in favor?

[38:21] » I

[38:22] » Any members of the council wishing to

[38:24] make comments or ask questions?

[38:28] » I just um would like to note that uh

[38:31] explanation of my no vote when we call

[38:33] this to vote. Um it is I I completely

[38:36] support um the

[38:39] um compensation and reward for talent

[38:43] and hard work and uh and believe that we

[38:46] need to remain competitive with um

[38:48] uh nearby towns and and the private

[38:50] sector.

[38:51] Um however, as discussed in the finance

[38:54] uh meeting uh committee meeting um

[38:57] I would like to see the town introduce

[39:00] some policies regarding the timeline and

[39:03] um some standards regarding how we uh

[39:06] promote salary adjustments. This is the

[39:08] second cap increase uh at least the

[39:11] second that we've done in my two two and

[39:13] a half two terms

[39:15] um on the council and um I hope we can

[39:17] bring this back quickly.

[39:18] Uh if it doesn't pass tonight um

[39:21] uh with those uh policy standards in

[39:24] place.

[39:26] » Okay, any other comments or questions?

[39:29] I now call for a motion to move this

[39:30] ordinance forward.

[39:31] » So moved.

[39:32] » Second.

[39:34] » Will we get a roll call, please?

[39:36] » Mr. Balin.

[39:37] » No.

[39:38] » Miss Gascoigne.

[39:39] » Yes.

[39:39] » Miss Devenezia.

[39:41] » Yes.

[39:42] » Miss Miss Mazie.

[39:43] » Yes.

[39:44] » Mr. Mean.

[39:45] » Yes.

[39:45] » Mr. Weisman.

[39:46] » Yes.

[39:47] » Mr. Rubel.

[39:48] » Abstain.

[39:49] » Mayor Lynch.

[39:50] » No.

[39:52] Ordinance 20-26 public hearing proposed

[39:55] adoption an ordinance to amend and

[39:56] supplement part two general legislation

[39:59] chapter 201 parking within the town of

[40:01] Boonton.

[40:05] I need a motion to open this up for the

[40:07] public.

[40:08] » So moved, Mazie.

[40:09] » Second, Balin.

[40:10] » Any members of the public wishing to

[40:12] come forward and discuss this ordinance,

[40:13] please uh step to the microphone, to

[40:15] yourself, and the floor is yours.

[40:20] Seeing none, I would close the public's

[40:23] uh Is there Is this the one that has the

[40:25] » No.

[40:26] the solid waste.

[40:27] » Okay.

[40:28] All right. Uh I would close the public

[40:30] hearing and then make a mo- uh call for

[40:32] motion to open this up for town council

[40:34] discussion.

[40:35] » So moved, Balin.

[40:36] » Second, Steven Usher.

[40:40] » Can we get a roll call, please?

[40:42] » For discussion.

[40:43] » Discussion.

[40:46] That's All right.

[40:48] » Uh I I would just say on this, I think

[40:50] it's um I'm I'm glad to see this

[40:53] ordinance. I'm um

[40:55] I think the um

[40:57] especially with the uh s-

[40:59] enforcement going on with the um no

[41:02] parking zones,

[41:03] uh the allowance for short-term parking

[41:07] and the regulation of short-term parking

[41:09] for our deliveries and our takeout uh

[41:12] businesses on Main Street, um I hope

[41:15] this will provide great improvement um

[41:17] for a for a long-standing 2-hour uh only

[41:20] 2-hour uh parking requirement. And um

[41:24] and I would just also add that if it

[41:25] doesn't work, we'll change it. But uh

[41:28] it's uh it's a good step in the right

[41:29] direction.

[41:32] » Okay. So,

[41:32] » [clears throat]

[41:33] » Uh I just have a brief comment, which is

[41:34] that that uh this ordinance incorporates

[41:36] a number of changes, although not

[41:38] exactly the way I had requested or

[41:40] proposed or or or put out there as

[41:42] ideas, but that um

[41:45] you know, uh pulling short-term uh spots

[41:48] out onto the side streets facilitates uh

[41:51] that the turnover of those spots, makes

[41:53] it easier for people to get in and out

[41:55] of our Main Street spots, um

[41:57] and it is something that uh that I have

[41:59] been strongly in favor of for a very

[42:01] long time. Um and it seems as if uh the

[42:05] the public response so far has been

[42:06] positive to these changes. So, let's

[42:09] hope that people comply with the

[42:11] 15-minute parking

[42:12] and uh and and that we can have this be

[42:15] a positive thing for our Main Street.

[42:19] » Thank you. Anyone else?

[42:23] Okay, then I would call for

[42:27] a motion to move this ordinance forward.

[42:29] And I'll second that.

[42:30] » So moved, Devenezia.

[42:31] » Second, Balin.

[42:33] Roll call, please.

[42:34] » Mr. Balin.

[42:35] » Yes.

[42:36] » Ms. Caskey.

[42:37] » I just a point of order. I think we need

[42:39] to remember that we need to

[42:40] » You remind me.

[42:41] » [laughter]

[42:41] » We opened it to the public.

[42:42] » Yes, yes, yes, yes. Okay.

[42:44] » Ms. Caskey.

[42:45] » Yes.

[42:46] » Ms. Devenezia.

[42:47] » Yes.

[42:48] » Ms. Maze.

[42:49] » Yes.

[42:49] » Mr. Mean.

[42:50] » Yes.

[42:50] » Mr. Weisman.

[42:51] » Yes.

[42:52] » Mr. Rovell.

[42:53] » Abstain.

[42:54] » Mayor Lend.

[42:55] » Yes.

[42:57] Next up, ordinance 21-26.

[43:00] An ordinance amending a section of the

[43:02] town code of the town of Boonton, part

[43:04] two general legislation, chapter 246

[43:07] solid waste. Uh can I get a motion to

[43:10] open this up for public discussion?

[43:12] » So moved, Balin.

[43:14] » Second it, Caskey.

[43:15] » All in favor?

[43:16] » Aye.

[43:17] » Any members of the public wishing to

[43:19] come forward to discuss ordinance 21-26,

[43:22] please step forward to the microphone,

[43:23] introduce yourself, and the floor is

[43:24] yours.

[43:29] Seeing none, I would close the public

[43:31] comment section and call for motion to

[43:33] open this up for town council

[43:34] discussion.

[43:35] » Excuse me, Mayor. There is a

[43:36] » Oh, I'm sorry. I just asked you that,

[43:38] too.

[43:40] » All right, there was a uh

[43:42] public comment by email from Ryan

[43:44] Barrons. He wrote, "Public um

[43:47] ordinance 21-26 makes sense overall, but

[43:51] the $2 million insurance requirement

[43:54] should apply only when a dumpster

[43:56] affects

[43:57] streets, sidewalks, parking, sight

[43:59] lines, drainage, or public access.

[44:02] Otherwise, the ordinance treats a

[44:03] driveway dumpster like a dumpster

[44:05] sitting in the street. Please consider

[44:08] amending the ordinance to create a later

[44:10] path for ordinary private driveway

[44:13] dumpsters, pods, and bagsters.

[44:16] Ryan Barrett.

[44:18] » Thank you. Mr. Mayor, just just for

[44:21] clarification, we we acknowledge that

[44:24] that email

[44:25] and we did review it and it is a de

[44:27] minimis change that we are changing it

[44:30] to basically

[44:32] the short version is a insurance that

[44:34] makes sense for the situation. Okay, so

[44:36] a homeowner obviously is not going to be

[44:38] held to that same that a

[44:41] a guy dropping a bin in the middle of

[44:43] the street for a month or two where

[44:45] there's potential hazards in traffic.

[44:47] So, it is a minor change that will be

[44:49] permitted to move forward with.

[44:51] » So, the this version has that change or

[44:53] we need to move to make that amendment?

[44:54] » It's it's it will be incorporated into

[44:57] the ordinance. It's it's accepted.

[44:58] » That's correct, Mayor.

[44:59] We've already made that change and I've

[45:01] issued a legal opinion saying that it is

[45:03] not of substance, so we can move forward

[45:05] with the second reading and adoption and

[45:07] we've made it an easier standard as the

[45:09] administrator has just spoken.

[45:11] » And just to for everyone else on the

[45:13] council, that that both this ordinance

[45:15] and that change were vetted by the

[45:17] finance personnel administration

[45:18] committee where they were passed to move

[45:20] forward.

[45:21] » Thank you.

[45:21] » Yeah.

[45:23] » I would just ask if we can get that um

[45:26] whatever the

[45:28] actual regulation is that we'll provide

[45:30] to property owners pursuing this

[45:32] application that that we can um

[45:35] uh

[45:36] share that with the council before the

[45:37] next public meeting.

[45:42] » Okay. Sorry, if the did do you want to

[45:45] know what the change was specifically?

[45:47] » It's it's in here?

[45:47] » Yeah, section 246.21 under insurance.

[45:51] And it says no permit shall be issued

[45:53] until the applicant has obtained general

[45:54] liability insurance coverage for the

[45:56] aggregate policy limits in an

[45:58] appropriate amount satisfactory to the

[46:00] the

[46:01] That's the change.

[46:03] Previously it was 2 million.

[46:04] » Yeah.

[46:07] Okay.

[46:09] Thank you.

[46:10] » Anyone else?

[46:13] Anyone close the town council discussion

[46:15] and call for motion to move ordinance

[46:16] 21-26 forward.

[46:18] » So moved, Weisman.

[46:19] » Second, Meagan.

[46:21] » In roll call, please.

[46:22] » Mr. Balin.

[46:23] » Yes.

[46:24] » Ms. Cascone.

[46:25] » Yes.

[46:25] » Mr. D'Alessandro.

[46:26] » Yes.

[46:27] » Ms. Mezey.

[46:28] » Yes.

[46:29] » Mr. Meen.

[46:30] » Yes.

[46:30] » Mr. Weisman.

[46:31] » Yes.

[46:32] » Mr. Rubal.

[46:33] » Abstain.

[46:34] » Mayor Lynch.

[46:35] » Yes.

[46:36] » Next up, new business. Ordinance 22-26,

[46:39] introduction title only. An ordinance

[46:41] amending the revised general ordinances

[46:43] of the town of Boonton and providing for

[46:44] regulation of electronic smoking device

[46:47] devices, vape shops, edibles,

[46:49] psychoactive substances, and drugs. Um

[46:52] we don't normally don't do this, but

[46:54] there's a little explanation. Apparently

[46:55] something we had uh conflicted with a

[46:57] statute is de minimis and it's being

[46:59] removed.

[47:00] And can you you You can you can

[47:02] » Elaborate a little bit. Um the the state

[47:05] apparently doesn't like us telling other

[47:07] folks they can't sell drugs under our

[47:08] own ordinance.

[47:10] Um that's basically what it was. So uh

[47:12] our health inspectors were uh looking to

[47:14] be added to our electronic ticketing

[47:15] system

[47:16] and it goes to the judiciary review

[47:19] before they allow the code to go in.

[47:21] That one line was flagged because it

[47:24] supersedes state regulation. So we can't

[47:27] put that in our own code. It is one

[47:29] singular piece being removed, the entire

[47:31] ordinance is enforceable, and it

[47:33] actually has been enforced over the last

[47:35] month as it is.

[47:36] » And probably worth adding that that

[47:37] piece that was removed is covered in

[47:39] other

[47:40] » Yes, please other It's not like that's

[47:41] not

[47:42] » That was my two cents because if we it

[47:44] it just the error was that the word

[47:46] crimes was included. It was that simple.

[47:48] So remove the word crimes

[47:49] » I think it's important to make clear

[47:51] that we're not removing that particular

[47:53] restriction.

[47:54] It's covered elsewhere.

[47:55] » That's correct.

[47:57] » Then I would call for a motion to

[47:58] introduce this title only.

[47:59] » So moved, Weisman.

[48:00] » Second, Balin.

[48:02] » The roll call, please.

[48:03] » Mr. Balin.

[48:04] » Yes.

[48:04] » Ms. Castoni.

[48:05] » Yes.

[48:06] » Ms. DeVenizia.

[48:07] » Yes.

[48:07] » Ms. Mazie.

[48:08] » Yes.

[48:09] » Mr. Mean.

[48:10] » Yes.

[48:10] » Mr. Weisman.

[48:11] » Yes.

[48:12] » Mr. Rubel.

[48:12] » Abstain.

[48:14] » Mayor Collins.

[48:15] » Yes.

[48:17] Next up, we have discussion regarding

[48:19] 202 Myrtle Avenue. I believe they're

[48:21] here and present. Please step forward,

[48:23] introduce yourselves, and I believe

[48:24] we'll give a lot of you 5 minutes.

[48:37] » Okay, then.

[48:39] Good evening, Mayor, members of the

[48:41] council. Richard Schneider of the law

[48:43] firm of Price, Meishelman, and

[48:45] D'Arminio. Let me first thank

[48:48] the Mayor, members of the council, Mr.

[48:50] Pasternak for all of their

[48:52] cooperative efforts in allowing us to

[48:54] address you, albeit briefly, tonight.

[48:57] Because we are only apparently allotted

[49:00] 5 minutes, I'm going to try to be both

[49:02] concise and direct. Um

[49:05] I again appreciate you affording me the

[49:08] opportunity tonight. The application or

[49:11] the matter before you tonight involves

[49:13] the proposed development of the property

[49:15] at 202 Myrtle Avenue for the purposes of

[49:19] establishing a tobacco retail

[49:21] establishment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Aversa,

[49:24] who are the principals of the proposed

[49:27] applicant, are with me this evening and

[49:29] in a couple of minutes will hopefully

[49:31] take some of my allotted time to to

[49:34] address you directly. What I am

[49:37] attempting to do

[49:39] this evening, respectfully, um is to try

[49:42] to solicit some response and try

[49:45] to bring to conclusion

[49:48] what has frankly been a lengthy process

[49:52] to try to redevelop this property for

[49:54] the purposes that have been outlined I

[49:57] think in a number of correspondences

[50:00] to the town. More specifically,

[50:04] going back now probably close to a year,

[50:08] we have engaged and I think it

[50:11] it's all part of the record very

[50:13] cooperatively with Mr. Lafferty, with

[50:16] your health officer, and most recently

[50:19] with Mr. Pasternak

[50:21] in an attempt to both address the status

[50:24] of the required governmental approval

[50:27] process, but perhaps more specifically

[50:32] the status of obtaining any and all

[50:34] required approvals from the town Board

[50:38] of Health. And that's where we seem to

[50:40] have, I don't want to say hit a

[50:42] roadblock, but we seem to be in a place

[50:46] regrettably from the

[50:48] from my client's perspective where we're

[50:51] left with a certain degree of

[50:54] uncertainty

[50:55] as to where that process is.

[50:58] More specifically, and I don't want to

[51:00] necessarily in this public forum go

[51:03] through the details. I don't think

[51:05] that's a productive use of our

[51:07] respective times, but just so we are

[51:11] clear or hope to be clear most recently

[51:14] back on July 2nd, we had formulated what

[51:19] we thought was a point-by-point response

[51:22] to what we understood at the time were

[51:25] outstanding issues articulated by the

[51:28] Board of Health as to what remained in

[51:31] order to satisfy whatever legitimate

[51:33] concerns that the Board of Health had.

[51:37] To date from that July 2nd response,

[51:41] we are unclear, with all due respect, as

[51:44] to where we are in response to that. We

[51:48] are aware and Mr. Lafferty and I have

[51:51] had a series of communications.

[51:54] Uh we are aware, at least we were under

[51:56] the understanding that that matter,

[51:58] specifically our response uh as

[52:01] articulated in our July 2nd

[52:03] correspondence was referred to a certain

[52:06] subcommittee of the town. It's not clear

[52:09] to neither my client uh nor I as to what

[52:12] the results of that are. Again, I'm not

[52:15] here this evening to

[52:18] uh

[52:19] debate or have a a a detailed discussion

[52:21] of that point-by-point discussion other

[52:25] than to say that my client uh

[52:28] certainly I'm more on their behalf, but

[52:31] uh on my behalf, we have expended a

[52:34] significant effort uh in an effort, I

[52:37] hope,

[52:38] to work cooperatively with the town in

[52:41] terms of both the development of the

[52:43] property and to engage the town in a

[52:46] cooperative effort as to how that

[52:48] property can be uh reasonably developed.

[52:52] Without me taking the balance of my

[52:54] time, I thought it would be productive

[52:56] and beneficial if my client, however

[52:59] concisely, can just provide you with a

[53:01] brief overview of what their vision for

[53:03] the property is and then they'll, to the

[53:06] extent we have any time remaining, be

[53:08] able to answer any questions. So, Joe,

[53:10] if you or Steph, whoever's best.

[53:13] » Hello.

[53:15] Thank you, Your Honor, and the council.

[53:18] Um

[53:19] to be honest with you, I'm a

[53:20] construction guy. I'm not a lawyer. I

[53:22] don't speak as eloquently. When it comes

[53:24] down to it, my wife and I fell in love

[53:26] with the Button Station. That's quite

[53:27] frank. We fell in love with the town.

[53:30] This is a small extension of a Hallmark

[53:31] Court, this this town in and of itself.

[53:34] So, the history of the town, the history

[53:36] of the station is what we were drawn to.

[53:38] Cigars have been my blood since I was a

[53:40] child. My grandfather was a cigar

[53:42] roller,

[53:43] um was into cigars. I It was in my

[53:46] blood. It's more about the community of

[53:48] cigars. As a cigar lover, it's become

[53:51] far and few between to where you can

[53:53] actually enjoy a cigar.

[53:55] When it came down to it though, the

[53:56] station offered so many more

[53:59] possibilities. My wife and I are very

[54:01] involved in Toys for Tots. My wife and I

[54:03] are very involved with uh called the

[54:05] Cigar Family Charity, which supports

[54:07] children all over the Dominican

[54:09] Republic, build schools, hospitals, you

[54:11] name it.

[54:12] Part of everything that I want to do

[54:14] with the Butera Station is to help

[54:15] beautify the community, in all honesty.

[54:18] Listen, a cigar business is not a

[54:19] business that I'm going to retire from.

[54:21] It's a It's a love. It honestly is a

[54:23] love. The building was a love. And our

[54:25] idea was, let's bring it here. Again,

[54:28] that bespoke town, that that old Main

[54:31] Street that you can walk up and down.

[54:33] And I believe that

[54:35] » Hey Joe, sorry. I just just to be clear

[54:37] or fair, I just that that was the five.

[54:39] I just wanted to let you know, but if

[54:40] you want to let them continue.

[54:42] » Little leeway.

[54:42] » Okay, thank you, sir.

[54:43] » Um

[54:45] I do have, as I said, my grandfather was

[54:47] a cigar roller, my family's been into

[54:49] cigars. I have a lot of contacts with

[54:51] cigars. So, we have global brands that

[54:54] are in love with the Butera Station, and

[54:56] I can honestly tell you that.

[54:59] Um

[55:00] I have the support of every national

[55:01] brand there is. I have support of Cigar

[55:03] Aficionado. I have support of everybody

[55:05] because again of the history of the town

[55:08] and so forth and so on. But, we don't

[55:09] just want to come in here and put in a

[55:10] cigar establishment.

[55:12] We want to be a part of the community. I

[55:14] want to be able to open up that back

[55:15] railroad tracks to having like um

[55:18] fairs and so forth and so on. Do, like I

[55:21] said, Toys for Tots for kids. Possibly,

[55:23] if we can get a permit, sell Christmas

[55:25] trees on Christmas, give out hot

[55:26] chocolate, do the stuff for the

[55:28] children.

[55:29] It's not all about just saying, "Hey, we

[55:31] want a room we can paint really dark and

[55:34] smoke cigars." Um the industry has

[55:36] changed. There's a ton of women in the

[55:37] industry as my wife. Um, it's evolved.

[55:41] It's It's got a younger generation.

[55:43] We're not asking to be able to sell

[55:45] alcohol. I absolutely would never ask to

[55:48] sell marijuana. I'm completely against

[55:50] it. I don't do any paraphernalia,

[55:52] marijuana, anything of the sorts. No

[55:54] e-vapes, cigarettes, nothing. Strictly

[55:57] premium hand-rolled tobacco or cigars.

[56:00] That's pretty much all we want to do.

[56:03] And my biggest, not to say frustration,

[56:06] has been great. I'm sorry, Mr. Lafferty

[56:07] has been great. We've communicated. Um,

[56:10] I just would love to be able to do this.

[56:13] I'm open to anything that the town would

[56:15] ask of me to do to beautify the property

[56:18] even more. Um, I just want to be a good

[56:21] neighbor. And we just want to come in

[56:22] here and have a place that people like

[56:24] myself who enjoy cigars, where now you

[56:27] can And And I'm sorry, this is just

[56:29] personal opinion. You can walk down the

[56:30] street and sell

[56:32] uh smell marijuana on every corner. But

[56:34] if I light and I walk down the street,

[56:36] people look at me like,

[56:37] "Ooh, he's smoking a cigar." Ugh.

[56:40] Marijuana's I guess acceptable. Um, we

[56:42] look at it so that we can have an oasis

[56:44] for people. The health department did

[56:46] send me a long list back in November

[56:48] 17th. I put all the plans together in

[56:52] order to do that. I want to put in a

[56:53] state-of-the-art ventilation system. The

[56:55] building has a 15-ft ceiling. In

[56:57] addition to that, there's a 13-ft attic.

[57:00] It gives me the ability to clean that

[57:01] air. It does have a fresh air exchange.

[57:04] I can turn the air over in that room

[57:06] every 3 minutes.

[57:07] I have filtration that I would propose

[57:10] to put in so that any air emitting from

[57:12] the building is filtered on its way out.

[57:14] And I know I've taken more than enough

[57:16] time. I just ask you all to please

[57:18] consider us, and we would be good

[57:20] neighbors.

[57:21] » Thank you very much for your time. We

[57:22] will uh discuss this again in our

[57:24] finance personnel administration.

[57:25] » Thank you so much.

[57:26] » Good luck to you.

[57:27] » Thank you.

[57:28] » Have a good night.

[57:29] » You, too.

[57:34] » Next up we have council member

[57:36] discussion. Any members of council want

[57:38] to raise any issue, they're welcome free

[57:40] to do so.

[57:41] » Yes, if I could if I could just speak

[57:43] about we kind of missed the DPW because

[57:46] we did have a meeting last month.

[57:49] But Tracy and I have been working on the

[57:51] welcome to Booton signs of

[57:53] beautification.

[57:55] We were going to call it sponsor a spot

[57:58] and try to involve community involvement

[58:01] to sponsor these spots

[58:04] around the welcome to Booton signs that

[58:07] we have.

[58:08] We have a plan put together and we

[58:10] haven't shared that yet cuz we're going

[58:12] to do that in the next DPW meeting, but

[58:14] I also understand that part of the green

[58:16] team may have some ideas as well or they

[58:19] may have something already in there. So

[58:21] I wanted to be able to just let

[58:23] everybody know that this was something

[58:25] that we were working on. We're going to

[58:26] reach out to Missy DeSalvo and see if we

[58:29] can come together with a plan and try

[58:31] and

[58:32] and make this make this happen for

[58:34] sponsor a spot. So

[58:36] Thank you.

[58:36] » But I I believe that uh

[58:38] Jamie Janzanas who's part of the green

[58:40] team was circulating with somebody today

[58:42] looking at potentially up to 10 spots,

[58:44] not just the welcome to Booton spots but

[58:47] bottom of Council member Weiss and drove

[58:49] bottom of Myer Road with her

[58:51] some overgrown plantings. So we're

[58:54] trying to get you know, incorporate

[58:55] more. I think the count was about 10 but

[58:57] but thank you for

[58:59] uh for

[58:59] » About the four the four welcome to

[59:01] Booton signs that we wanted to be able

[59:02] to do. So

[59:03] » If I could just request that part of the

[59:06] in the budget for this year we did

[59:07] include some money for the Grace Lord

[59:10] Park sign making sure that we

[59:12] we whatever we need to do reinforce

[59:14] whatever that is. So we can include that

[59:17] sign in the conversations that would be

[59:18] great.

[59:18] » Yeah, I can make I can make a note of

[59:19] that. Absolutely. We can do that. And

[59:21] just to reiterate, this is not something

[59:24] that anyone would pay for. The

[59:26] recognition would be a sign that would

[59:29] it would say sponsored by either a

[59:32] resident or community member. Yeah, so

[59:34] so there's no money involved with this,

[59:36] but thank you.

[59:37] » When do you think you'll have the pitch

[59:39] ready or the proposal?

[59:40] » We have it ready or we have it. We're

[59:42] just I guess we'll pitch it during the

[59:44] DPW committee and then it'll maybe go

[59:47] from there.

[59:48] » Well, it needs to be shared with the

[59:50] green team because they perhaps look at

[59:51] plantings a little bit different than

[59:54] normal people.

[59:57] » And we can

[59:57] » They all want to it's going to be from

[59:59] this area. You like you may say all

[1:00:00] those flowers or whatever.

[1:00:01] » We have the native plants, yeah.

[1:00:03] » I I retract that statement.

[1:00:05] » So Danielle, what

[1:00:06] » We do like poison ivy.

[1:00:08] » I'll share I'll share our plan. We have

[1:00:10] a very detailed plan, native plants, you

[1:00:12] know, cleanup, sponsor time and

[1:00:16] application and things like that. So we

[1:00:17] put a lot of thought and time into it.

[1:00:19] So I'm I'm happy to share that with

[1:00:20] everyone.

[1:00:20] » I'm sorry to interrupt. This is

[1:00:21] Rosemary. I do want to share that we did

[1:00:23] have a green team meeting this past

[1:00:24] week. Um that this was discussed and we

[1:00:27] are hoping to have something in place um

[1:00:30] and a a QR code available during Button

[1:00:33] Day. So the green team will have a table

[1:00:35] during um during Button Day to um

[1:00:38] solicit volunteers to adopt a spot.

[1:00:42] So I'm happy to work with you.

[1:00:43] » Great, that's that's excellent. Thank

[1:00:45] you so much.

[1:00:46] » And the local Rotary Club has been

[1:00:47] reaching out to me looking for a

[1:00:48] project. So they I shared this with them

[1:00:50] and they seem pretty excited, so

[1:00:52] » Excellent.

[1:00:52] » I think it's going to

[1:00:53] » Forward to doing this.

[1:00:55] » Um

[1:00:56] do you have any other green team things

[1:00:57] that I do?

[1:01:00] » I mean I can I can get the I can get the

[1:01:02] notes.

[1:01:02] » I'll go on it. That's fine. Um at the

[1:01:05] green team uh

[1:01:06] meeting uh there was some discussion

[1:01:09] about some neglected properties and

[1:01:11] again I want to credit the Jamie James

[1:01:13] Sanders. He kind of uh

[1:01:15] said we should attack the uh

[1:01:18] roadway and and pathway leading to the

[1:01:20] reservoir bridge. So on Saturday

[1:01:21] morning, himself,

[1:01:23] me,

[1:01:24] uh new member James Gandsle, and Dave

[1:01:26] Aza,

[1:01:27] uh spent several

[1:01:30] pretty strenuous hours, and it looks

[1:01:32] beautiful now. Um I like to also give a

[1:01:34] shout-out to Banta Landscaping cuz they

[1:01:36] helped us up with some equipment that

[1:01:38] certainly made the process much easier.

[1:01:40] So, I really like to thank uh Jamie for

[1:01:42] kicking my butt this weekend.

[1:01:44] Um and the other thing is I just want to

[1:01:46] do a reminder about the garage sale. I

[1:01:47] think it's July 20 uh excuse me, August

[1:01:50] 29th. I think it's on the board now. So,

[1:01:52] uh I've signed up this year. We

[1:01:54] encourage everybody else to sign up.

[1:01:56] And the update on the Transit Village, I

[1:01:59] believe uh Council member Weissman

[1:02:00] mentioned that. Um we went through and

[1:02:04] uh

[1:02:05] reviewed our application, and they came

[1:02:07] back with a in my opinion

[1:02:09] some immaterial changes. They wanted uh

[1:02:11] modifications done. I put a little

[1:02:13] pressure on our planner and our special

[1:02:16] projects coordinator, and they hustled

[1:02:17] and got that uh the the mod the the

[1:02:21] comments they made were all addressed

[1:02:22] probably within a week or so, and we uh

[1:02:25] did make their August agenda.

[1:02:28] So, fingers crossed. I'm um cautiously

[1:02:30] optimistic.

[1:02:34] Anyone else?

[1:02:36] » Uh Mr. Mayor, you hit the two that I was

[1:02:38] going to say, which was the garage sale

[1:02:40] and and kudos to the folks who did that

[1:02:42] clean-up. So,

[1:02:44] beat you to it.

[1:02:46] » Oh, just a reminder, school starts

[1:02:47] September 2nd.

[1:02:49] So, everyone, you know, be aware that

[1:02:51] traffic patterns will change as all of

[1:02:53] our kids are walking to school and being

[1:02:54] dropped off.

[1:02:57] » Thank you. Anyone else?

[1:02:58] » I am

[1:03:00] I just want to say welcome to the

[1:03:02] Council Board, Mark Roble. I've known

[1:03:04] you as long as I've lived in Boonton. Um

[1:03:07] unfortunately, you got some big shoes to

[1:03:09] fill, but I'm sure you're going to do a

[1:03:10] great job. So, glad you could join us up

[1:03:11] here.

[1:03:12] » Thank you. Welcome.

[1:03:12] » Big feet.

[1:03:13] » Thank you for your support.

[1:03:15] » Okay.

[1:03:16] Then anyone would uh close the council

[1:03:18] discussion and open up to the public.

[1:03:20] Any members of the public wishing to

[1:03:21] comment about anything, please step

[1:03:23] forward, introduce yourselves, and the

[1:03:24] floor is yours, 3 minutes.

[1:03:32] » Dr. Susanna Pittman, resident of

[1:03:34] Randolph, owner of 410 Main Street and

[1:03:36] Balance Acupuncture Center located at

[1:03:38] 550 West Main Street.

[1:03:40] Uh two things. I can't remember who

[1:03:42] mentioned um

[1:03:44] uh keeping on top of developers and

[1:03:47] making sure that they are building to

[1:03:50] the plan that they submitted to the

[1:03:52] town.

[1:03:54] I have an excellent view of Parkwood.

[1:03:59] Monday through Friday.

[1:04:01] For very long hours. So, if I see

[1:04:04] anything that seems a little suspicious,

[1:04:07] you can guarantee someone is going to

[1:04:09] hear from me.

[1:04:10] » [laughter]

[1:04:10] » Okay.

[1:04:11] » Um

[1:04:12] second thing I want to talk about is the

[1:04:14] parking sticks. So,

[1:04:16] um

[1:04:18] 410 Main Street, for for those of you

[1:04:20] who don't know what building it is that

[1:04:22] I own, is where Gingerbread Book Book

[1:04:24] Store is located. And it's kind of a

[1:04:26] unique geography because Main Street

[1:04:28] like turns a little bit there.

[1:04:30] Um so, it can be a little bit of a blind

[1:04:33] turn. You don't really see what's

[1:04:35] happening on the right when you're going

[1:04:36] down the hill um

[1:04:38] immediately. So, someone's like trying

[1:04:40] to cross nearby or if someone is

[1:04:43] illegally parked in the yellow area, um

[1:04:47] you're not going to see them kind of

[1:04:49] right away. And so, we witnessed

[1:04:51] accidents there. Um

[1:04:54] we've owned the building for 9 years.

[1:04:56] We've had seven tenants

[1:04:59] uh names on leases. Two of our tenants

[1:05:01] have been hit by cars.

[1:05:03] Um that's a lot. Um and there's no

[1:05:05] parking stick in front of our building.

[1:05:07] And I know that this is sort of a

[1:05:08] phased-in kind of situation, but

[1:05:09] eventually be I would love for that area

[1:05:12] to be priority cuz I think it's a safety

[1:05:13] situation.

[1:05:15] Um and and not to show off, but I work

[1:05:17] out a lot at Eric Moss Fitness.

[1:05:20] And he has yellow area in front of his

[1:05:22] business and um

[1:05:25] every time I work out I see someone

[1:05:26] illegally parked there. Until the safety

[1:05:29] sticks were put there and it's been much

[1:05:32] better. But before that I would witness

[1:05:35] um ambulances not being able to go down

[1:05:37] Main Street fast enough. They'd have to

[1:05:38] pause while people were

[1:05:40] uh you know, cars are in the way or

[1:05:41] whatever. So I just um

[1:05:44] I appreciate them and I just want to see

[1:05:46] more of them especially on Lower Main

[1:05:47] Street uh especially in front of my

[1:05:48] building. Thank you.

[1:05:49] » Thank you for your comments.

[1:05:56] Anyone else?

[1:05:58] Okay, that wasn't really a question uh

[1:06:00] about the parking but it is uh

[1:06:02] a bit of an experiment and I think it's

[1:06:04] gone successfully so far and uh

[1:06:08] it kind of uh merges together with the

[1:06:11] TAP grant. There will be some uh

[1:06:13] pedestrian uh traffic calming steps

[1:06:15] there. So

[1:06:17] it's quite possible that we uh do expand

[1:06:19] the the deployment there.

[1:06:23] I would say that's a wrap. Can we get a

[1:06:25] motion to adjourn?

[1:06:27] » So moved, Balin.

[1:06:28] » Second, Bean.

[1:06:29] » All in favor?

[1:06:29] » Aye.

[1:06:31] » [laughter]

[1:06:31] » Thank you all for coming.

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Agenda

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