[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.
[4:44] » 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
[36:34] » 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.