[0:57] No 4 p.m.

[1:01] Will everyone please silence your cellphones and will the clerk please read the Senator Byron Bear Open Public Meetings Act.

[1:11] In accordance with Section 5 of the Senator Byron Bear Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the annual notice schedule, which contained the time date and location of this meeting.

[1:21] Copies of which notices were forwarded to be official county newspapers to with the Harold news and the record and a copy of which was posted on the bulletin board in the Bergen County Justice Center

[1:31] and administration bill the one Bergen County Plaza Hackensack New Jersey and file with the office of the Bergen County Court.

[1:37] Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll.

[1:41] Commissioner Marté.

[1:43] Commissioner Ortiz.

[1:44] Commissioner Sullivan.

[1:46] Vice Chairman Tonelli.

[1:47] Chair Pro Tempore Voss.

[1:49] Here.

[1:49] Commissioner is there.

[1:50] Chairwoman Emerson here evidence of a quorum is present will you please join me for

[1:56] the pledge of allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence and we

[2:13] pause for a moment of silence, we want to honor the life and memory of Frank Kiernan, a truly

[2:23] remarkable man who dedicated his 95 years to family, community and service.

[2:31] Frank was a proud veteran, a founding member of the H&E Telephone Federal Credit Union, and

[2:39] paid in full life member and past commander of the Rochell Park American Legion post 170.

[2:48] He was a devoted husband to Carolyn for 63 years, a loving father, grandfather, and great

[2:55] grandfather, and a friend to all who knew him.

[2:59] Frank's legacy of kindness, integrity, and compassion continue to live on in the countless

[3:06] lives he touched. As at this time, let us join together in a moment of silence to reflect

[3:14] on his extraordinary life and the enduring example he leaves behind.

[3:23] Thank you.

[3:29] I now move that we open the commissioners meeting to the general public. Do I have a second?

[3:35] Second. All in favor.

[3:36] I oppose, say nay, unanimously approved.

[3:41] We will now have the hearing of the general public for those members of the public who would

[3:46] like to participate during the public comment.

[3:49] Please fill out a sheet to be recognized if you haven't done so.

[3:54] Would the Councillor please explain the process by which the public will be recognized?

[4:00] Thank you, Chairwoman.

[4:01] If you have filled out one of these sheets when you recognize, speak by the Chairwoman,

[4:05] Please come to the podium, state your name, spell your last name, you have three minutes to speak.

[4:11] I'll let you know when your time is up.

[4:13] And we think we know why a number of you are here, happy to have you all.

[4:18] Our county administrator, Tom Dutch, has a statement to read.

[4:23] Thank you very much. Madam Chairwoman, Vice Chairman Tenelli, commissioners, ladies and gentlemen of the public.

[4:29] I would like to take a few moments to clarify some of the misinformation that is currently circulating regarding the county's consideration of a possible telecommunications tower in the Ramapoe Valley County Reservation.

[4:46] First and most importantly, no decision has been made by the county executive, the Board of County Commissioners, or the administration to approve or construct any tower in the Ramapoe Reservation.

[4:58] As the park has seen a significant increase in visitation and trail use, we have long recognized

[5:06] that the lack of reliable cell services, one of the biggest public safety challenges we face there,

[5:13] especially when it comes to loss or injured hikers or emergency response personnel unable to reach dispatch.

[5:21] Earlier this year, the county was approached by a private entity interested in the possibility

[5:28] of constructing a telecommunications tower at no cost to county taxpayers.

[5:35] And we felt it was prudent to explore options that could improve coverage and reliability

[5:40] for visitors and for first responders.

[5:44] The only action that has been taken to date was the approval of a non-binding memorandum

[5:51] of understanding to allow for due diligence and for further evaluation.

[5:59] The adoption of that memorandum of understanding is not an endorsement or a statement

[6:05] of support for the project.

[6:08] It simply allows the county to evaluate the proposal and it was advertised and considered

[6:15] publicly in accordance with New Jersey's public private partnership law and the Open Public

[6:21] Meetings Act.

[6:23] To reiterate, the county has not approved any project, has not filed any permit applications,

[6:31] and has not initiated any applications with the state.

[6:36] The county is committed to preserving open space and maintaining the character of the Ramapow

[6:41] Reservation.

[6:42] It is also important to note that the Ramapow Valley County Reservation is green acres in

[6:50] combered open space, meaning that any change in use would require a diversion permit

[6:58] from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey State House Commission.

[7:05] The site also lies within the Highlands Preservation Area, which would require additional

[7:11] review and approvals from the New Jersey Highlands Council.

[7:15] These processes are extensive and include multiple public hearings, environmental reviews,

[7:24] and state-level approvals before any project could ever proceed.

[7:29] We welcome the public's input and we appreciate the passion that so many have for protecting

[7:36] the Ramaphone Mountains.

[7:39] Once again, I would like to emphasize there is no proposal before the Board of Commissioners

[7:46] tonight.

[7:48] There is no vote scheduled or pending and no decision has been made to advance any project.

[7:56] Finally, both county executive Jim Tedesco and this Board of County Commissioners remain firmly

[8:03] committed to protecting Bergen County's open space and natural resources.

[8:09] Since 2015, the Tedesco Administration and Board of Commissioners have preserved nearly

[8:15] 200 additional acres and allocated more than $148 million to support $649 projects throughout

[8:25] the county that acquire, protect and maintain open space throughout

[8:32] urban county. That record speaks for itself. Madam Chairwoman, thank you so much for

[8:38] giving me the opportunity. Thank you Mr. Dutch. We will now go to our public

[8:44] statements. We are going to start with Mr. Parrish, who I think is probably not on this topic.

[8:57] So we're back again to the legal resource center topic that's been dragging around for a few years.

[9:07] Three years it seems like.

[9:11] Right now, there's a nice size rule on the ground floor and the back and the courthouse

[9:17] that has a wall of books and a few big tables and some chairs and then there's an

[9:26] unbutement who the unbutement was there before but now I guess instead of just

[9:32] a little office she has that open space to work in what we don't have anywhere

[9:38] which I think is minimally necessary to have any sort of actual resource

[9:43] or some workstations, some printers, some copiers, and a subscription or two to the professional databases that provide all the legal citation because what those books is supposed to do is for people who have been to school and trained how to use them.

[10:05] There's a whole science to use in this novel.

[10:09] Therefore, people to come and manually look up things.

[10:12] They're usually put into use when the electronic searches don't

[10:17] provide any helpful citations.

[10:21] So for a beginner or a lay person or a member of the public

[10:25] to just go there and, oh, here's your books, you know,

[10:29] have, you know, have Adam, is not accomplishing all that much.

[10:33] it's these electronic subscriptions,

[10:37] which are much more important.

[10:39] But I just wanted to mention one more thing,

[10:41] because progress rates weights for no one.

[10:44] So there's a new nonprofit website that just opened,

[10:48] called NIM, and NYA-Y-A-M.org, which is a AI lawyer.

[10:59] And it doesn't just do contracts.

[11:01] I was playing around with it and I had to do a complaint in the birdy county special civil

[11:10] court and it acts sort of like a lawyer, they ask you questions, they answer the questions,

[11:16] and here's your document. So that's incredibly important for, again, a non-professional

[11:23] a way person to be able to use a platform like this, but to make it be a full-featured

[11:31] experience. Workstations, copyers, printers, and subscription to the professional database.

[11:40] And that's what I'm here asking for. I don't think it's a major expenditure.

[11:45] Okay. Okay, we will take it under advisement. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[11:50] Okay. Next up, Jeff Tittle.

[12:01] Thank you. I don't know. Some people may remember me, but I'm

[12:05] Jo and I've been a long time, but I just want to give a brief

[12:08] bit of history. So 40 years ago, I was involved with Sierra

[12:13] Club. Sorry, 40 years ago, I was involved with Sierra

[12:16] Club and other groups, saving a lot of the land and around

[12:19] Oppos. And also, you know, helping getting the counties open

[12:24] based trust on the place which was a big battle under the previous administrations.

[12:29] And so, you know, you've done a good job for your parks.

[12:31] This is not going to be one of them.

[12:33] And the reason I'm saying that is that we have something in New Jersey called the Public Trust Doctor.

[12:39] Land does not belong to the government.

[12:41] It belongs to the people.

[12:42] Your job is to hold it and trust for us.

[12:45] If you allow a private firm to build a 500 foot tower that's twice as tall as the old

[12:53] Sheridan Crossroads, and by the way, my wife was a burden county planner for many years in your

[12:57] shit.

[12:59] That is a desecration of a sacred area with a roundup pose, and of that open space, and on your

[13:05] commitment that you have as a county for preserving and protecting those lands.

[13:11] It's a wrong tower in the wrong place.

[13:13] There are alternatives.

[13:14] No one says you shouldn't look to do things for cell service.

[13:17] If this is not about cell service, the purpose of this tower is so that some

[13:21] crater up in Toronto, or Montreal, can get a microsecond quicker in a deal down on Wall Street

[13:30] or at NASDAQ.

[13:31] That's the main purpose.

[13:32] They're trying to build these towers up and down the coast, but here they're picking

[13:35] a spot in the middle of the Ramapo reservation up on a hill in the middle of an area that

[13:41] has historic sites nearby, both Indian and Native American and Revolutionary War.

[13:47] It's in the middle of one of the most precious areas that Bergen County and New Jersey has the Ramapole Mountains.

[13:53] And so what I'm here to say is I know you haven't taken any steps, but this is the first time

[13:58] the public has a chance to really address you and say why this doesn't belong.

[14:03] And what I'm saying to you is this is violates the Highlands Act, the violates open space,

[14:09] we're going to, the State House Commission, you're going to have to come up with other lands,

[14:13] And, you know, we're going to fight that because it's not appropriate.

[14:17] More importantly, we've got to work and find alternatives because there are three towers in that area within a mile-led site.

[14:23] You should not be trading the open-space suburban county to a Wall Street Trail.

[14:28] You should protect that land for now and for future generations, which has been your told.

[14:34] We do not take public land for private purpose.

[14:36] We need to hold it dearly for the public for now and for future generations because that was the charge when that land was bought.

[14:42] And that land was paid for by the county and by green acres and everyone else.

[14:45] So thank you, but please let this go away because this is not right.

[14:50] The save of micro-second on a stock trade for a bunch of speculators in Canada is not appropriate for burden county to support.

[14:56] Thank you.

[15:02] Next up, Jodi Gofredo.

[15:15] JODI is on paper, G-O-F-F-F-R-E-D-O, high-tracy, high-dermane, everybody else, well I want to thank

[15:24] Jermane and Tracy for paying attention to Oakland to the to the dump situation. It shows that

[15:30] you guys really care about the environment. Nobody else here responded and Mary unit respond and

[15:38] from Moa. Oh, you were there. You were there. I'm sorry. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You were there.

[15:43] You were there. It's Tom. That wasn't there. And Tom, you're up for reelection. Yeah, I'm sorry.

[15:48] I have a full time job. Okay. Well, well, Jenny. Okay. Finish your thoughts. Mary, you were there.

[15:54] Turn me in. You were there. Tracy, you weren't there that day, but you were there. I just

[15:59] want to say that this can happen. And Tom, shame on you. I'm getting Democrats to change our

[16:03] So,

[16:06] okay, next up, Ellie Gruber,

[16:13] and if you could, if I could, if I could, if I could just say something, then we all were in contact with the mayor, maybe just because we weren't there in that specific day, there's not me, we're not in contact with the mayor.

[16:25] So just, just want to put that out there.

[16:27] Thank you.

[16:28] Okay, and if you guys could spell your name and list your town, we'd appreciate it.

[16:34] Thank you. So, yes, Ellie.

[16:36] Hey, Ellie Gruber, G-R-U-B, I'm a resident of Richmond, but I'm speaking tonight from

[16:42] the League of Women Voters of New Jersey who asked me to speak tonight.

[16:47] And I want to say, first of all, before I speak for the League, you have been wonderful.

[16:52] You will protect open space.

[16:55] Richard has been the benefactor of so much of each Tracy.

[16:59] I know from a long time ago.

[17:01] You've been wonderful and we appreciate everything you've done.

[17:04] I think we have an amazing county.

[17:06] We have amazing county parks.

[17:08] And I always brag about them when we're so crowded that you've done a great job.

[17:13] Okay.

[17:14] The league is not an environmental organization.

[17:18] We're a public policy organization.

[17:19] which carefully examines both sides of any proposal.

[17:25] As you've said, the Highlands is one of the most unique,

[17:29] natural areas in New Jersey.

[17:31] It's a respite for residents who live in crowded Bergen County.

[17:36] Ramaporeg area is spectacular.

[17:38] The area is important for migration.

[17:40] It's home to many native and protected species.

[17:44] But we're alarmed that you're even considering

[17:46] listening to a proposal, to allow a communications tower solely for the benefit, real benefit

[17:54] of private entities. I know it seems like a gift, but it's not a gift because it's going

[17:59] to be a burden on everybody. And it's not only the tower itself, but in order to construct the tower,

[18:07] a road has to cut through, and I don't think it's possible to do it, more of our protected areas.

[18:13] We urge you just to discard this proposal.

[18:16] I know you say you want to listen to more about it,

[18:19] but you have to listen to the public.

[18:21] The time to cut it off isn't the beginning

[18:24] when the proposal just makes no sense.

[18:28] There are other sites that can be considered,

[18:30] as Jeff said,

[18:32] we understand you want more service if you do,

[18:35] and I know this proposal will allow you to attach

[18:37] some self-service to that tower,

[18:39] But you could put it in your pot, you could put it in other places.

[18:44] I've hiked there a lot, and I've used myself on.

[18:47] So I don't know why they say there's not enough self-service.

[18:52] We have a few open spaces in Birken County.

[18:55] I want to thank you, and I hope, I really hope you see this is just a small amount of people

[19:01] who are going to be very, very opposed to this proposal.

[19:05] So I urge you to say thanks, but no thanks.

[19:09] And thank you again for taking care of Richard.

[19:12] Thank you, Ellen.

[19:14] Before we continue, I'm going to let listeners to Nellie speak.

[19:17] Yeah, I just want to address the previous speaker.

[19:21] So as a former elected or an elected, you should know better than do

[19:24] and drive buys up on the day is making accusations about elected officials.

[19:29] Almost everyone up here spent time in Oakland.

[19:32] I got a personal tour from the mayor because I was so concerned about it.

[19:35] So because I didn't do the tour with you or I didn't contact you,

[19:38] that's not good enough, I'm very disappointed in your reaction tonight.

[19:44] No, but you're talking about my colleagues.

[19:45] We all, a lot of us have jobs, and we do the best we can, and we're at everything we need to be at, just because it's not when you were there.

[19:52] I take a fence that, in fact, he came up here and accused us, this is not caring.

[19:57] Okay.

[19:58] Okay.

[20:00] Next up, Timothy McKenna,

[20:07] so if you would just say your name and your town,

[20:10] Timothy McKenna, MCKE and NNA. I'm with the New York Nature's E-Trail Conference in

[20:18] Maua or headquarters is right on the edge of the RIMPO reservation. As the other speakers

[20:24] have said, we think this is a bad proposal. Sure, sure.

[20:33] As Jeff said at the beginning,

[20:35] And as Mr. Duch said, the tower would go in green acres, land, also in the area designated

[20:44] by the Highlands Council, both of which would suggest to us that it's a bad idea to put

[20:51] it there.

[20:52] In addition, the work involved putting the tower up, cutting the road through the forest,

[20:59] and we know this from experience, because we build most of the trails in North Jersey,

[21:05] and Southern New York and if you cut a big road through and then open up the canopy to the

[21:12] extent it's going to be needed when you build this tower you're going to do significant.

[21:18] It's going to take a long time before that area recovers and finally I understand we understand

[21:24] the need for good cell service and hiking areas but again this is not as we understand anything

[21:31] like the cell service tower.

[21:34] It's for front running trades.

[21:38] So anyway, thank you.

[21:39] Thank you, Mr. McKenna.

[21:45] Brielle Olshan.

[21:53] My name is Brielle Olshan, OLS-H-A-N.

[21:57] I'm a resident of Norwood.

[21:59] I'm a resident of Norwood.

[22:00] Mr. McKenna, you can move it up a little bit.

[22:01] You can move it up, you can move it up, you can move it up.

[22:03] Thanks.

[22:05] Do you need me to start again?

[22:06] Yes, you can, if you want.

[22:08] Got it.

[22:09] OK.

[22:09] My name is Brielle Olsen, OLS-H-A-N, I'm a resident of Norwood, and I'm also the director

[22:17] of Strategy and Operations at the New Jersey Highlands Coalition and chair of the Norred

[22:22] Environmental Commission.

[22:24] We live in a beautiful county and state, thank you for your part in protecting and expanding

[22:30] on the open space that is held in public trust.

[22:34] I'm here in opposition of to the McKay Brothers cell tower proposed for the Ramapoe County Reservation,

[22:41] which is an inappropriate use of the public lands for private interest.

[22:47] These private interests are very clearly using public good for their own profit,

[22:52] though it's still clearly just an MOU.

[22:55] This proposal should not move forward, and if it does, it will face opposition every step of the way.

[23:02] The Ramapoe reservation is a critical and beloved park that I know I, I tend almost every day when I went to Ramapoe College.

[23:11] So thank you very much for your time and consideration.

[23:14] Take care.

[23:15] Thank you for your

[23:20] time.

[23:21] Dr. Emil Divido.

[23:33] Good evening.

[23:35] My name is Emil Divido.

[23:37] First name is spelled E. M. as in Michael I. L. E.

[23:40] Divido like Tommy and Danny.

[23:42] Not related.

[23:45] I've been the Director of Science at New Jersey Conservation Foundation for 36 years.

[23:52] Our organization, some of you, if you've been around long enough, I don't know, you may

[23:56] remember when Dennis Miranda of our staff 30, some of my years ago helped Bergen County

[24:02] get its own space trust fund going, you know, helped with the public advocacy for that.

[24:09] And you've obviously done an incredible job.

[24:11] The parks are incredible.

[24:13] I hiked the entire site today.

[24:15] I hiked up and down from Camp Yoppa.

[24:18] I hiked the entire length of the Gantuin pipeline,

[24:22] from the yellow trail that comes up the mountain.

[24:25] And it's just really unfortunate

[24:29] that we even have to be here talking about this.

[24:32] This is not a public compelling public need.

[24:37] If you need cell service, there are many ways to get self service on top of that hill without having to build a 500 foot tower.

[24:44] I saw a flock of palm warblers migrating through.

[24:47] At night they would be getting killed by the guywires for a 500 foot tower.

[24:53] It's a many threatened endangered species up on the mountain state threatened endangered species.

[24:58] See one waterways, wetlands.

[25:01] It's just a completely wrong place.

[25:03] So we're here to start building the public record, it's good that you haven't done anything

[25:09] except perhaps, you know, have some sort of a memorandum that allows you to listen to them,

[25:16] the private entity, but it just needs to stop and I can guarantee you that this coalition

[25:21] of groups and people will just get bigger and bigger, building the public record along

[25:27] the way so that if somehow this manifests itself into applications and, you know, the applications

[25:34] would have to be signed by Bergen County, you're the landowner, the applications to

[25:38] the Green Actress Program for a diversion, the applications to the State House Commission,

[25:42] the applications to the Highlands Council, land use for freshwater wetlands and flood hazard

[25:47] areas and all those things. We don't want anybody to think that this application is by some

[25:52] private party because, you know, somebody's going to, you know, have some gain.

[25:58] This is, this is you and you should just stop and we're going to build a public record.

[26:04] We're going to be there every step of the way and if we have to will litigate, we litigate

[26:08] it against the pennies pipeline and we won, we litigated it against the port authority

[26:12] of New York and New Jersey and we won, recently, you know, there's been green acres,

[26:16] the versions and we won on those and we will win on this one too.

[26:20] So you might as well just stop and not waste everybody's time.

[26:23] Thank you very much.

[26:47] What do you think?

[26:50] My name is Eric Israel, and I'm from the town table,

[26:54] Mama, Eric E. R. I. C. I. S. R. A. E. L.

[26:59] Like the country, and Mama, M. A. H. W. H.

[27:04] I'm just here. I'm not used to speak for boards like this.

[27:10] I'm a resident of Malaw for 20 plus years, we live close to the Remable Mountains, and we enjoy it so much that we decided to stay where we live right now.

[27:25] I just learned about the tower, which I think is devastating.

[27:29] It's not free.

[27:30] I'm from the public sector, sorry, the private sector, and I know how business works.

[27:36] So, when I heard in the opening that this was something that a private company wanted to do for the community for free, I am suspicious.

[27:48] I'm also forensic accountant, so forgive me to be a little bit critical about this.

[27:54] But I just want to say that everything I heard so far, I can't say it better than that.

[28:00] It doesn't belong here. It will, it will, it will not lead to value for the community here.

[28:08] And I may be other options. And I want just to keep it, leave it like that. I think you get my message.

[28:16] I'm definitely opposing this whole cell tower. Thank you.

[28:20] Thank you.

[28:26] Next up, Betsy Longendarfer.

[28:34] Did I do okay? Thank you.

[28:39] I'm Betsy Longendorfer, L-O-N-G-E-N-D-O-R-F-R, from Northfail, but I've been a resident of Bergen County

[28:48] for 40 years, including 30 years in Ridgewood, so I'm an avid hiker and cyclist, and I often

[28:56] bring people from outside the area, including a recent visitor from Australia, and they're always

[29:07] in how many wonderful parks we have and that's one of the reasons that we

[29:13] continue to stay here even though we're retired. Why would we go anywhere else?

[29:17] It's just a great place to live. Also a retired engineer and when I look at

[29:23] problem solving one of the things that you do is an engineer is first you look at

[29:27] your available solutions that exist already and only if they don't work do you

[29:32] go and start to consider some more crazier outbound type solutions. So in this case, if

[29:40] cell services really the problem that we're trying to solve, and there are other solutions

[29:48] as these point it out. They have three other towers in the area, and I'm sure there's other

[29:53] areas near there that would be suitable to. If that's really the reason why aren't they looking

[29:57] at that first. This got to be some-

[30:00] Other reason why they're looking to do a 500 foot tower on post reservation. So that's my take on the solution. So please take care of us. Thank you.

[30:10] Thank you. Thank you.

[30:14] Next up, T is real.

[30:23] And you're related. Are you?

[30:25] Yes, we are abstain and wife.

[30:27] Yes, we are abstain and wife.

[30:28] Yes, we are abstain and wife.

[30:28] Okay.

[30:29] My name is Starnia.

[30:31] T, N, J, A, Israel, ISR, A, E, L.

[30:34] Also like the country.

[30:36] And believe in mama.

[30:43] There's so much I would like to say about this, I'm a vivid hiker, also every day I go up.

[30:51] This is a highly protected area, as you have mentioned, right?

[30:56] But regardless of that, we have a pipeline running through it. It has been recently widened.

[31:03] So, in spite of all these protections that are in place, this was possible to happen and why,

[31:11] because we were not standing up on the right time at the right time, and here we are for another

[31:16] project that needs to be in a preserved area, and it's in sync, it's totally in sync to do this,

[31:23] because it is foresight of our generation to leave a legacy for future generations with

[31:30] pristine forests, because they are the lungs of this world, of this state. There have been

[31:36] people in the past who have had a vision, they protected the palisades, they had beautiful

[31:42] presentations, and now look at what's on the stake right now in this country. We have to do everything

[31:50] we can to protect whatever we have left, because once we chop things, when we destroy things,

[31:57] It will not come back the same way it was, even the Earth that we stand on has microorganisms.

[32:04] All the trucks they go up there, bring all the organisms on the road, the birch trees are dying.

[32:12] It's terrible.

[32:13] We already used all the ash trees and every truck that goes up there brings germs, all kinds of microbes,

[32:21] and it's destroying the forest, and we have to do something we have to stop this.

[32:25] And I hope you're listening, I hope you can make a difference because

[32:29] what's your legacy for the future?

[32:32] Who is going to keep you responsible?

[32:34] Your grandchildren?

[32:36] Their children?

[32:37] Their grandchildren?

[32:39] How long will this go on?

[32:41] Right?

[32:41] Because there's a limit to what we can do in a forest before it breaks down to ashes.

[32:48] And we have to do everything in our power to protect it.

[32:51] And I have grandchildren, and I want them to see the ramapa reservation in all its grandeur and beauty, because we have the most unbelievable animals there, just this morning I saw a big turtle, right next to the river, right, wetlands, aquaver, highlands, and here we are with a pipeline and now maybe this stupid cell tower that will not serve us at all.

[33:20] It's because someone wants to make even more money than they already have and where is the limit to greed?

[33:28] Because no, there's it's not free and we are going to pay for it and all the animals the ramipo

[33:35] Lenape's it's their territory to we all it to future generations and everyone else to protect what we have and

[33:45] Thank you for

[33:53] your time.

[33:53] William Sistee.

[34:03] Good evening.

[34:04] William Sistee, S-I-S-T-I.

[34:08] Oakland, New Jersey.

[34:10] First, I'd like to thank the gentleman for the recap

[34:12] of what is happening prior to all this,

[34:14] so we kind of know where we stand.

[34:17] I'm just a citizen.

[34:17] I'm not part of any environmental group,

[34:20] but I saw this tracking on social media.

[34:24] I look closer to the mountains up there in Oakland.

[34:27] I think it's the Highland Territory, you focus on through all this work to get it designated

[34:33] such.

[34:34] I think it's remain as it is, you know, if you live in the Highlands area, it's hard

[34:39] to build a garage if you're in West Millford, never mind, a radio tower in Oakland,

[34:47] I did a Google map thing, there's enough stuff going up there, ready, there's a pumping,

[34:52] there's some sort of pumping charge station for a pipeline, there's fire roads, there's

[34:56] some power lines here and there. There's two other areas. There's the top of skyline dry. There's already one tower there.

[35:05] You can put another one and make it bigger if you want to. There's one there if you want to take that one down and make it bigger.

[35:10] Knock, knock, he can knock himself out. There's one on top of on Geiger Road in Mauwa.

[35:16] Overlooking where the Sheridan was. If you want to take that one down and put another one up there, it's already up there.

[35:21] or in the New York State, however, I mean, state pockets, right?

[35:24] Of course, on the backside of the chariot, or Tuxedo.

[35:29] There's, you know, other mountains up there if he needs to have something

[35:32] where he can communicate with Canada.

[35:36] There was some discussion about, you know, if it does get anywhere

[35:40] and you're being approved, I know it's a long way away.

[35:42] A lot of things have to happen.

[35:45] But just building a road up there.

[35:46] I mean, you can't use the bare swamp road bridge.

[35:49] That's an antique bridge.

[35:50] So I'll be in another road cut through to get up there to do some work.

[35:56] So consider it carefully, you have a lot of work ahead of you, the cell services nice,

[36:04] but hopefully won't get approved, but if it does, hopefully the county will get more than

[36:10] just cell phone service for the rental amounts, maybe a couple of hundreds of attending

[36:17] and I betrayed that goes through the tower,

[36:19] and you can buy some more land,

[36:21] or whatever you think would be better

[36:22] than just self-won service.

[36:26] And on a letter note, I'm most

[36:28] of part of the Oakland Communications Commission.

[36:30] I wanna thank you folks and Scott,

[36:32] Steven, for giving us the meetings,

[36:34] we re-brow a castes on our cable network.

[36:37] So it's a good way to get the word out

[36:39] what happens here.

[36:41] So again, thank you very much for your time.

[36:43] Thank you.

[36:47] Next up, Robert Schumaker.

[36:58] Robert Schumaker, I live in Blendard.

[37:02] And I'm 86 and I've been hiking,

[37:03] virtually every Wednesday for the last 40 years.

[37:06] I'm blessed.

[37:08] And I think I have the backwards about this.

[37:12] I actually happy,

[37:14] large parts of Harman do not have any cell phones.

[37:17] We're out there for adventure.

[37:18] You know, we can break legs, we can get my snakes.

[37:20] That's scary.

[37:21] That's nice to be out in nature.

[37:23] So I actually don't want any more cell towers or communications.

[37:27] I want the freedom to enjoy the woods.

[37:30] So also, we have a mailing list of about 300 act of hikers.

[37:36] I'm going to email them.

[37:38] I'll let no one is being considered by this Board of Commissioners.

[37:42] And honestly, I'm very disappointed.

[37:45] It's even not this far.

[37:46] I know you just have a man brand him.

[37:48] But this thing should be dead in the water.

[37:50] And they won, you know, have a Parkland agreement, we're not supposed to build in it, and this is just the opposite, and so I'm very disappointed in that regard.

[38:01] So I'm also going to do my best to publicize it in a local Glenrock publications, because I'm pretty sure people are not going to be in favor of taking Parkland and turning it into something for more profit for somebody in Wall Street.

[38:17] Thank you.

[38:25] Ten Barry.

[38:38] Hello there, Chan.

[38:39] I don't like this bar as I used to.

[38:42] Okay.

[38:43] I used to hike all those trails up in that area.

[38:47] I'm a former trustee of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition before that I was a reporter

[38:52] for the Bergen record.

[38:54] And I covered the entire process of the curation of the New Jersey Highlands Protection

[38:59] Act.

[39:02] This act is why they didn't want things like this being built.

[39:07] On the other hand, the county that had a great job in this little tiny place in Tienak,

[39:12] Tienak Creek Conservancy was a dump.

[39:16] And with volunteers and with the county parks department, it has been transformed.

[39:22] That's what we really love about what goes on in Bergen County.

[39:26] Thank you.

[39:26] Thank you to our

[39:37] bicyclist friends, Pat DeRoma,

[39:49] Pat DeRoma, P-A-T-D-I-R-O-M-A.

[39:53] Today, I'd like to talk about an intersection in Oakland.

[39:57] A recent article from NorthJersey.com titled Oakland Pedestrian Death raises questions for

[40:04] Bergen County amid hurdles to upgrades.

[40:06] I lighted some details about a July crash at the intersection of Oak Street and Remopo Valley Road in Oakland.

[40:14] I would like to urge anyone who hasn't read the piece to please do so.

[40:18] It contains a lot more information that I can cover in three minutes here.

[40:21] But I did want to highlight a quote provided by the county spokesperson, Mr. Sands,

[40:27] when an interview with Mr. Tedesco and Mr. Famier was requested.

[40:30] The quote was the traffic signal at this intersection is equipped with pedestrian push buttons, pedestrian indications, and ladder crosswalk striping, and it was fully functioning as designed at the time of the accident.

[40:46] There are a couple of things I want to unpack about this response.

[40:48] First, I agree that the intersection was functioning as designed as it was designed to enable cars to speed through with as little friction as possible.

[40:58] This puts pedestrians in cyclists at greater risk.

[41:01] This is something that Chris, I and other advocates have been saying now for a while,

[41:06] and it makes clear that the current design standards we are relying on are for our roadways are out of date and unsafe.

[41:14] It highlights the need for the county to update these standards with a complete and green streets policy,

[41:19] so that every time maintenance or repaying of a roadway is done, we have a toolkit that we can pull from

[41:25] to automatically apply proven safety countermeasures.

[41:28] That is infrastructure that has been scientifically studied

[41:31] and proven to improve safety for all road users.

[41:36] Second, as noted in the article,

[41:38] subsequently after this quote,

[41:40] the striping was not in fact a ladder pattern.

[41:42] And had in fact been a ladder pattern in the past,

[41:45] but it was replaced with a simple double line pattern,

[41:48] which is less visible to drivers.

[41:50] The fact that at some point in the recent past

[41:52] maintenance was done on this roadway

[41:54] And this intersection was re-striped with a less safe pattern, yet again, reveals that the standards were lying on our outdated and unsafe, which again, we had a complete and green streets policy.

[42:06] This would be something that was automatically applied.

[42:09] We would get the updated safety such as the ladder striping, but we would also standardize many other safety improvements such as protected intersections,

[42:19] curb extensions, pedestrian islands, road diets, bike lanes,

[42:23] centerline hardening, and the list goes on and on.

[42:27] Intersections like this are unsafe and the versions of them exist all over

[42:30] Burger and County. We obviously cannot fix them all overnight, but the easiest path to

[42:35] making these safety improvements is to update our guidelines and make these

[42:39] infrastructure all improvements automatic whenever we do maintenance.

[42:44] We can apply tools that we know will keep residents of Burger and

[42:49] Thank you.

[42:54] Next up, Rachel Hughes.

[43:03] Hello.

[43:04] Hi, Rachel Hughes.

[43:06] H-U-G-H-E-S.

[43:09] Thank you.

[43:10] And what's down here?

[43:11] I'm from Mala.

[43:13] I am a private citizen.

[43:14] This is not my area of expertise.

[43:16] I must say.

[43:18] I have lived in Mala for the past 10 years.

[43:22] And my understanding is that this tower is primarily to accelerate trades from Canada to Wall Street.

[43:29] I understand that there is a possibility of potential to add on a cell tower or a cell

[43:35] accelerant to that, but primarily it is for traits. Ironically, I actually work for a Canadian

[43:42] bank on Wall Street. And I'm here to assure you that there are no delays in trading.

[43:48] There's no interruption in trading, and I think that to increase the speed at the

[43:56] of our beautiful park land and open spaces is like both societally and

[44:03] environmentally irresponsible. I'm also speaking as a mom. My neighborhood is

[44:10] attached to the Remapole Mountains. I walk there. I let my kids walk there. I

[44:15] chose to live there because of its beauty and as my neighbor had mentioned

[44:21] before there is a pipeline there now. And you know on a very regular basis

[44:26] our private neighborhood is now over and with trucks and different people and strangers and

[44:34] it definitely makes me, you know, it makes me hesitate to be out in the open. I'm a runner as well.

[44:42] So again, this is, you know, my personal stake in it. I can't, there's no way I can follow

[44:48] what everybody else has said because they have more information on this, but as a mom and as somebody

[44:55] who's raising her family in a neighborhood that is now consistent.

[45:00] And there's a consideration for a tower to be put there. I just feel that there have to be more options.

[45:09] From the limited research I've done, you know, towers don't have to be 500 feet.

[45:16] So like, I'm still at a loss as to why it would even need to be that large.

[45:20] Data towers, cell towers, they can be built onto existing towers as one of the gentlemen already said.

[45:27] So, again, I'm just speaking in opposition, supporting building the public record, and again speaking from somebody who works on Wall Street, like, there's to do this, you know, to accelerate the trades. I mean, it's just, it's really, it's very irresponsible. So, hopefully you consider that. Thank you.

[45:47] Thank you.

[45:55] Next up, Rosanne Steves.

[46:01] Thank you.

[46:08] I'm just here to echo what everyone else is saying.

[46:11] I live in Mawa in the same neighborhood that Rachel and a few other speakers.

[46:17] And I'm just here for the same reason.

[46:19] I do just one about this.

[46:21] Yes.

[46:21] We've just learned about this potential tower two days ago.

[46:24] And I think we would have had a much larger turnout

[46:27] had we had heard about it earlier.

[46:30] I think my biggest concern as well is just the size of this

[46:33] tower and not understanding the trading tower part of it

[46:37] as compared to the cell part in the emergency responding parts

[46:40] of it, I really understand.

[46:42] But as we all said as well, it could be a much smaller tower.

[46:45] So I think that's my main concern.

[46:48] I also had similar feelings to we're already in an area

[46:52] that's supposed to be a very quick, quiet, beautiful neighborhood, and we're already loads

[46:58] of trucks going up and down the neighborhood and whatnot for the pipeline and everything

[47:02] else.

[47:02] Every time you turn out of our neighborhood, you see more trucks going up in that area, and

[47:06] it's just heartbreaking to see what could be potentially happening in that area.

[47:12] That's all I really have to say.

[47:13] Thank you, Rose.

[47:22] Next up,

[47:27] Brian Russo,

[47:33] hey, Brian.

[47:35] Hello everybody.

[47:36] I'm Brian Russo, BRIN, are you SSO.

[47:39] I live in North Heldin.

[47:40] We're on the border of Oregon County.

[47:43] I live there 45 years.

[47:44] My parents are in Mawawa.

[47:45] They've been there about 15 years.

[47:48] We go hiking up the reservation regularly.

[47:51] I have family that was in Gringwood, so I'm familiar with the man, so solidarity with the indigenous people who's land this was.

[48:00] I am the co-chair of Climate Reality Project, which is an environmental organization, the New Jersey chapter, founded by Al Gore.

[48:08] So I'm speaking on behalf of our members, we oppose this, mostly because it's public land and we're looking to sell it for private purposes.

[48:18] Now, living in North Held in my entire life, I've always had terrible cell phone service, and I

[48:24] could tell you that the cell phone service over at Ramapone Reservation is just fine.

[48:29] Most of the hikers, they go up the simple trail, they go up by the waterfall, and then there

[48:34] is the lake, so that's pretty much where everybody goes, and then there are much more trails

[48:40] throughout, and I tell you that when you are on those trails, there is nobody else around,

[48:46] We are not looking at our cell phone, like the gentleman's set, so there's really no need for something like this.

[48:52] I work in an auto body, and let me just give you guys an explanation or an analogy that you may understand.

[49:00] A few of a brand new vehicle, and your vehicle is perfect, and it looks great, it's nice and beautiful,

[49:05] and somebody puts a big dent in it, that debt is going to ruin the appearance of that vehicle.

[49:13] So, you know, putting a 500 foot cell phone tower in the middle of preserved land, will destroy, you know, this land.

[49:20] There's just, there's no purpose for it. So, we're against it for many of the reasons that you've heard here.

[49:26] There's really no benefit to the public good, and I'm hoping that you guys are going to recognize that.

[49:33] And we're on this from being built. Thank you.

[49:39] Paula Regoven,

[49:50] Paula Regoven, R-O-O-G-O-V-I-N, Tina.

[49:56] I'm speaking as the, on behalf of the Food and Water Watch North Jersey Volunteer Team.

[50:03] This is the envelope for my mail-in ballot for the upcoming election.

[50:09] I haven't voted yet because I'm waiting to see what you,

[50:18] commissioners are going to do about this 500-foot industrial tower in the Ramapovali County

[50:25] Reservation, an area protected by green acres and the Highlands Preservation area.

[50:32] We want you to just to drop this proposal now.

[50:37] Don't pursue it any further, assure us that you're not going to continue with this proposal.

[50:46] Many of us haven't filled out our ballots yet, but we vote.

[50:52] Your track record on some of environmental issues many of us have brought before you is not

[50:57] great.

[50:58] In 2018, you refused to vote on a resolution opposing the metal lands frack gas power

[51:04] plant because it wasn't in Bergen County, even though we sang and you'll remember we sang

[51:09] blowing in the wind to you to remind you that pollution from North

[51:14] Bergen would impact Bergen County. Recently, you refused to vote on a

[51:18] resolution to support the Climate Superfund Act in the state legislature.

[51:23] Because it wasn't in your purview, as you said, as if flooding another climate

[51:28] disasters aren't important to Bergen County residents. Now this proposed

[51:33] Ramapot Tower is in Bergen and is in your purview, and we are all concerned that

[51:39] would even consider this tower and this very beloved land. This choice between Wall Street and

[51:46] this is a choice between Wall Street and environmental justice. There was no excuse for even

[51:53] considering the tower. Six of us got arrested in April 2023. We were blocking the entrance to

[52:01] the construction site of the TGP pipeline and compressor and west millford. It was in the highlands

[52:08] an area protected by the Highlands Protection Act.

[52:11] We warned against pollution of the reservoir

[52:13] and possibly sparks from the compressor causing a wildfire.

[52:18] Four of us were convicted tragically last summer,

[52:22] an 18-year-old firefighter was killed in a wildfire

[52:25] just short ways away from this compressor.

[52:29] We and lots of other people will do civil disobedience

[52:33] if you continue to consider this project.

[52:37] And in favor of Wall Street investors, are you commissioners willing to destroy protected

[52:45] parklands?

[52:46] Wall Street investors can make money by sending messages a few millions of a second faster.

[52:54] This is a real betrayal if you continue with this project.

[53:04] So, Paul, my only thing is if I knew you were going to bring a list of the three things that

[53:08] really worked, you explained why we didn't do what we did and we didn't take action.

[53:12] I would have made a list of all the things that we've done, especially in my 13 years

[53:16] here, to preserve open space and what we've done with open space, there's a way more

[53:21] things that we actually did than just the three things that you're saying that we didn't

[53:25] participate in that we're out of our purview.

[53:28] So if you're going to do a list, you should also be mindful of the things that we did

[53:32] do to preserve open space.

[53:33] This board is the one that made the open space of full penny after a voter's wanted it to go to a full penny and the other administrations were afraid to do it

[53:41] So we've done everything we could we could to this point to preserve open space you have one topic and then you come up and salt us with three things that we're out of our purview

[53:50] Next time please give me a heads up so I can make the list of all the things that we've accomplished while we're sitting here

[54:01] Usually usually no

[54:06] Chris Noel

[54:15] Good evening, Chris Null, NWELL, Fort Lee.

[54:20] I actually know many people in the room tonight,

[54:23] and I stand in solidarity with them against this tower.

[54:27] Please just kind of off at the beginning,

[54:29] save your time in administrative fees,

[54:32] and just stop it before it goes any further.

[54:35] And so I wanted to also talk about the E-Bike ban

[54:38] in Santa Barbara County Park,

[54:40] and I'm going to urge you to scrap that ordinance.

[54:45] Bands don't work, and they're not fair.

[54:48] I was in the center of the county park on Saturday morning running,

[54:52] and there were maybe about 40% of the cyclists were on e-bikes in the park,

[54:57] and so clearly there are e-bikes cyclists riding in the park,

[55:00] and they're all riding at very reasonable speeds,

[55:04] and so they actually was possible for them to get a summons.

[55:08] You know, while there were cyclists on acoustic bikes,

[55:13] You know, right beside them are going faster.

[55:16] So this is obviously a huge issue that's just beyond one park or, you know, any bands in county parks.

[55:25] At easy ride, we have municipalities and police departments contacting us almost daily now about the issue of e-bikes in the towns.

[55:35] And actually, I'm going to be engaging in a discussion in Closter in two weeks with the police

[55:42] department and Council and parents, and in Creskill Police Department found out about it,

[55:48] and they want to do something. And I have a meeting with the Bogota Council and Police Department

[55:53] tomorrow to talk about this kind of thing, and I was in North Hale in today actually talking

[55:57] with the mayor and the Chief of Police, and they want to send some one of the police officers

[56:03] to the closer meeting to see what we're going to talk about there.

[56:07] So the thing is, though, I mean, a lot of the focus, what we can do on this very small

[56:12] level is related to education and enforcement, and that's really not enough.

[56:18] And these municipalities are considering ordinances, but these things won't solve it.

[56:23] We can't solve it, I mean, it's on a municipal level.

[56:25] So we need state regulations regarding sales of these things, and registration of e-models.

[56:33] Which you can advocate for, you know, whether you consider that in your purview or not.

[56:41] But the biggest, the best solutions are infrastructure.

[56:44] So people, e-bike riders and e-scooter riders are vulnerable road users.

[56:49] They need safe places to ride.

[56:52] And so that's where the local safety action plan comes in

[56:56] and a complete and reads complete and green street policy for the county.

[57:00] And so we need these things to happen.

[57:01] The local safety action plan, by the way, you know, I don't know what the status is of it and

[57:08] North Jersey transportation planning authority completes technical assistance program.

[57:13] I should have used an acronym there.

[57:14] Is open now and we can cite the local safety action plan.

[57:20] We're going to apply for it in four lead, but it's not out, so we can't cite it.

[57:24] Okay, so also I hope you all read Colleen Wilson's article.

[57:27] It's an amazing insight into what's happening internally in the county and the

[57:33] cowlessness and like it just kind of revealed some negligence, a negligent attitude.

[57:39] Whoops.

[57:40] That really isn't acceptable.

[57:42] So thank you very much.

[57:44] Thank you Chris.

[57:48] Brian Scanlan.

[57:57] Feel a little like I'm in high school.

[57:59] I pulled up to recite, before the School of Administration, Brian Scanlan, with an ISEA in LAN, and your Waikov.

[58:11] I'm Waikov, former mayor and councilmember, mayor and councilmember, proud graduate of Emerson Junior, senior high school.

[58:20] I've come to oppose this tower.

[58:23] We, my wife and I use, my wife and I use Ramapow reservation very frequently.

[58:29] I'm really sorry that you opened the door to this by signing this memorandum.

[58:35] When Tom was reciting the list of things that you've done for parks,

[58:39] you failed to mention the many thousands, tens of thousands,

[58:44] if not hundreds of thousands of people that use Ramapo reservation every year, maybe that should

[58:50] be added to the list.

[58:52] The other thing I want to say is that I just get the sense that you guys have never met

[58:58] a fossil fuel project that you didn't like.

[59:04] And I point out, as others have the Tennessee Gas Pipeline, which goes right through that area

[59:10] right past Ramapo College, you had every right to pass a resolution against that.

[59:16] And my theory is the reason you didn't was because you were under a lot of pressure from

[59:22] the labor unions, because they wanted those temporary jobs, building that, fracked gas

[59:28] compressor, compressor station in West Millford. You could have come again out against that.

[59:34] But you didn't. You could come in favor now of the Climate Superfund Act, but you won't

[59:40] do that either. It is in your purview and it does create good union jobs and it also will

[59:48] be a benefit to the taxpayers of Burton County because they will see their taxes reduced

[59:54] by those funds. So please pass a resolution in favor of the climate superfluous.

[1:00:00] Finally, with regard to this tower, I know maybe you want the leasing revenue. In addition to cell phone service. As people appointed out, there's other ways to get cell phone service.

[1:00:13] But if this tower does go through and because you've opened the door and we've seen it with the Tennessee gas pipeline and with other projects across the state, whatever the local officials pass, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,

[1:00:29] and the Highlands Council rubber stamps.

[1:00:33] So you guys are in the driver seat here,

[1:00:35] but if you go through with this and the thing gets built,

[1:00:39] I want each of your names up on the top of that tower

[1:00:42] in one foot high letters,

[1:00:45] so that everybody can see who's responsible for it.

[1:00:48] Just don't do it, and as Paul has said,

[1:00:51] close the door now, thank you.

[1:00:59] Mary Walsh,

[1:01:16] so I want to reiterate

[1:01:17] What Jeff Tittle said about all the good stuff that you have done, because you saved overpacked park from infrastructure and one of two of my colleagues and I went into the Ramapoe before the pipeline was put in.

[1:01:36] And between the three of us we got 150 signatures an hour against the pipeline.

[1:01:43] regrettally the thing moved forward but I just thought it was curious when somebody said

[1:01:52] there was no cell service in the Ramapoe because this is a titanium elbow which resulted

[1:01:59] from falling about two hours up the mountain, a hiking partner called the Park Service,

[1:02:09] you know, the park department, the ambulance, 15 minutes later, I was in the ambulance.

[1:02:15] So I can attest that there is cell service there.

[1:02:21] Three different cell phone companies have assured on the public that they are, and these are

[1:02:28] the major ones, are providing a hundred percent cell service in this area, depending on

[1:02:34] What you read, read, it could be four cell towers, it could be 13, you know, it's the number

[1:02:42] is not secure, but there definitely is cell service in there.

[1:02:48] So I thought I would save you some time by calling the Green Acres Compliance Officer for

[1:02:55] Berking County.

[1:02:55] I spoke with her yesterday, and I copied down what she said.

[1:02:59] She said, there has to be a compelling public need and significant public benefit for the diversion that would be to put up the tower.

[1:03:13] If there is a reasonable, feasible alternative, then the county has to go with that.

[1:03:20] So I know you'll do the right thing. Thank you.

[1:03:28] Next up, Robert Moss.

[1:03:40] Good evening, Robert Moss. I live in Bloomfield. I've been involved in green acres issues since about 2010

[1:03:47] I just have very sketchy notes here like many people just found out about this. I'm juggling things trying to look up stuff about this

[1:03:55] One of the things I notice the McCay people or their lawyers

[1:04:01] seem to be

[1:04:03] pushing this thing like

[1:04:05] There's a lot of things we can do that will make this easily flow through the diversion process,

[1:04:12] the State House Commission, and so on.

[1:04:14] For example, the lease, 19 years and 11 months.

[1:04:19] I don't know who, and I don't even want to explain it.

[1:04:22] I think many people don't realize why that number was chosen.

[1:04:26] Sorry, I will explain it.

[1:04:27] This came up with Mountain Broadcasting way back and around 2000

[1:04:31] in over towards Sparta that was not cells back then that was a television station.

[1:04:38] The lease was 19 years and 11 months.

[1:04:43] It had a renewal clause, which said,

[1:04:47] Oh, the state, this is state land.

[1:04:49] The state can renew,

[1:04:53] I'm sorry, how did this work now?

[1:04:56] Oh, the tenant can renew the lease if the state doesn't need the land.

[1:05:00] Now, this is a tower sitting in the middle of a wildlife management area surrounded by woods.

[1:05:05] The states, and this would apply to the county here, the managing the state or the local government entity,

[1:05:15] whichever it is, has no legitimate interest in just putting stuff in a wooded area that's under Green Acres protection,

[1:05:25] particularly in an existing tower. So of course, the state in that case, the county here,

[1:05:31] is not going to be able to say they need the existing building. So the tenant would then say

[1:05:37] if the contract is written this way, the tenant would just say, oh well, since you don't need this

[1:05:42] space here, I'm going to renew automatically for then you've gone over the 20 years and the requirements

[1:05:49] for a lease of greater than 20 years, 20 years or greater, are more stiff than requirements

[1:05:55] for less than 20 years, which is where that number comes from.

[1:05:58] I don't remember the details, again, I'm juggling stuff, you don't want to know everything,

[1:06:02] I'm juggling, found out about this like during the weekend, but that's one example.

[1:06:09] McKay, as far as I'm concerned, is handing people a load of corn as what they said in Joseph

[1:06:16] in the technical or dream code.

[1:06:20] What else we might have?

[1:06:21] Oh, the public private partnership.

[1:06:24] There's nothing in the Green Acres regulations or any Green Acres law that gives that

[1:06:28] fact that it's a public private partnership.

[1:06:31] Any weight, as far as whether this should be approved or not.

[1:06:35] That's something they just threw in.

[1:06:40] And so on.

[1:06:42] I think I'll leave it there.

[1:06:43] Second everything I heard tonight. I came in light everything I heard tonight about the tower

[1:06:47] I quite confident I could second or approve of everything that was said about the tower before I got here

[1:06:54] So

[1:06:54] You know Ronald Rhett with me was Ronald Reagan just say no. Oh, I'll let I'm just say no. Okay. Thank you

[1:07:01] That was name

[1:07:01] He's quote, and everybody

[1:07:07] Next up, Shinnas

[1:07:11] are human now I'm not I'm mask green or less name sorry

[1:07:22] hi my name is

[1:07:23] Shena's S. H. H. H. A. N. E. Z. Last name is Archimond. A. R. J. U. M. A. N. D.

[1:07:31] T. Nick. I'm here to talk about the tower that everybody's talking about the

[1:07:37] infamous tower and the environmental impact we all live in the same county.

[1:07:42] We all we the same air it's not like the air doesn't stop. Oh wait this is

[1:07:46] the commissioners house is not going to stop there, right? So it's whatever happens that

[1:07:51] happens to all of us and we're all going to go through it together. Clearly they're

[1:07:56] environmental impacts that people spoke about and they're also impacts to the community

[1:08:03] and their health impacts as well as cost impacts too. When we talk about a tower like that

[1:08:11] that goes up, you know, how much power is it utilizing?

[1:08:15] I mean, there are a lot of questions that we need to ask,

[1:08:18] is it 40 megawatts of power?

[1:08:20] Is that equal to, you know, 40,000 homes of electricity?

[1:08:25] What are we talking about in terms of cost?

[1:08:27] And then when we talk about the impact of the water,

[1:08:31] and the environment really needs to consider all

[1:08:33] of these factors as we look at this.

[1:08:35] I just want to remind one thing, and I was reading up on this

[1:08:39] In 2018, when the burden county purchased 18 acres of land for $1.35 million for, from the

[1:08:47] burden county open space preservation trust fund to expand the Ramapo Valley County Reservation,

[1:08:53] it consists of wetlands and open fields that are potential nesting habitats for wood

[1:09:00] and bog turtles, both are listed as threatened species by federal life authorities.

[1:09:06] Now, at that time, Bergen County Executive to Desco at that time was quoted saying this

[1:09:12] addition to one of Bergen County's most popular parks is an investment in the quality

[1:09:17] of life for current and future generations of Bergen County residents.

[1:09:23] And at that time, Tom Selman, as was a chairman, and he was quoted saying, people moved

[1:09:30] to and stayed in Bergen County for the quality of life and acquiring and preserving

[1:09:35] in additional 18 acres for the Ramapore Reservation is a protection and demonstration of those

[1:09:41] values. So I think we need to really do what we can to protect those values. So thank you.

[1:09:59] Kirk Schockenberg from

[1:10:16] Bergen County. I'm from Pasea County.

[1:10:21] And Kurt Schneckenberg, SCH, NAK, ENB, ERG, Kurt, KURT.

[1:10:34] But I feel that the issue of the ramp up tower is so significant that I had to make

[1:10:41] the time to come up to Bergen County to say hello.

[1:10:44] I'm, I'm wearing, obviously, I got a hijacked for this.

[1:10:50] I'm wearing a free wolf, wound T shirt, it's very, it's very comfortable.

[1:10:56] But it's not appropriate where for the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.

[1:11:01] And I'm sorry.

[1:11:03] I used to be the guy on the side of the building and so on the satellite dishes.

[1:11:08] I'm a tech, I became a .NET programmer, and I pretty much am a .NET programmer.

[1:11:18] But before I was a .NET programmer, I used to install satellite dishes.

[1:11:24] And the name of the game is line of sight.

[1:11:29] You want line of sight from your building to wherever the entire west side of Manhattan

[1:11:37] one's line of sight to a tower and they're going to spit blood until they get it and they're

[1:11:44] going to try to put towers up all around New Jersey for the benefit of New York. This tower

[1:11:53] is no different. It exists to benefit New York. It benefits the real estate scene.

[1:12:05] It's

[1:12:06] west side and hit the tower and then reflect the signal onward. So you'd have two dishes

[1:12:16] on the tower. One incoming one outgoing.

[1:12:24] I just feel that you as commissioners should

[1:12:26] know about that because why is this tower being built? It's being built because you're

[1:12:33] New York City and New York City's needs are going to be overwhelming. They're going to

[1:12:41] constantly be chewing at Bergen County.

[1:12:47] You can't meet all of New York City's needs even if

[1:12:53] you

[1:12:57] cities needs. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

[1:13:07] Yes. Mrs. Nackenberg. I guess Ann.

[1:13:20] Ann, Ann, Ann, Ann, Ann, Ann, Ann, A-K-E, Ann, B-E-R-G. Okay. Hi there. I'm also

[1:13:30] imported from Pasey County and it's worth the trip over to visit with you because we

[1:13:40] don't want this happening in our county or anywhere else across the state of New

[1:13:43] Jersey.

[1:13:46] I appreciate the opportunity to be heard, posing this tower as a taxpayer and resident

[1:13:53] as state and New Jersey with a vested interest in proposed and protected open space.

[1:13:59] I'm here to tell you that this is not just a local Bergen County issue, it's actually

[1:14:02] a state issue, because if you make a bad decision here, if any of you make a bad decision

[1:14:06] here, it's going to reverberate throughout the rest of New Jersey as one developer after

[1:14:11] another looks at what you've done and uses it as leverage to promote one more bad proposal

[1:14:17] after another throughout the state. Do not let this be your legacy. Okay, you have an

[1:14:22] opportunity if you can nip this in the bud and save everyone a lot of time and effort you'll

[1:14:27] be doing a public service, you'll save us time, you'll save your time, you'll save tax dollars

[1:14:31] because as you can see this is going to be severely opposed. Okay, and I speak from experience.

[1:14:37] The public, and also the public does not need a 500 foot tower, and they certainly don't want one here.

[1:14:45] There's no public need existing for this at all.

[1:14:49] What we need is nature and open space.

[1:14:52] The pandemic taught us that.

[1:14:55] There's environmental justice issues at play here.

[1:14:58] There is...

[1:15:00] Organization of Public Land, industrialization of public land, special interest groups. Are you representing your constituents? Are you representing Wall Street investors? Please think about this. Before you go down the garden path into a brick wall with it. I don't understand why it's even being considered at all. I just heard about this.

[1:15:27] I'm trying to think that it's just bad. It's a very bad idea. And you're not doing anyone faith.

[1:15:32] anyone any favors? Are you actually, do you actually think that it's a good idea to put everyone

[1:15:44] through this? Do you actually think that public protected land that's, you're supposed to be the

[1:15:51] protectors of. You were once called freeholders who landholders who were protectors of the land.

[1:15:57] Please do your jobs and protect the land that is already supposed to be protected.

[1:16:05] Please do the right thing.

[1:16:06] Thank you.

[1:16:06] Good night.

[1:16:12] It appears we have no more speakers, and so I move, we close the hearing to the...

[1:16:19] Excuse me.

[1:16:21] Chairwoman.

[1:16:22] What's called?

[1:16:22] All right.

[1:16:22] I'll second that close.

[1:16:25] Very good.

[1:16:26] All in favor.

[1:16:27] All right.

[1:16:28] I just want to set the record straight.

[1:16:30] You know, this phone is a computer of course, and I just check in my notes the first lady the council woman came and spoke

[1:16:38] He responsibly. Yeah, yeah, I may not have been a demeaning, but I was represented there by my legislative aid

[1:16:43] Who gave me a full report on the this is the Oakland. This is nothing to do with the tower

[1:16:48] This is the first lady talked about the Oakland issue in Oakland the dump in Oakland

[1:16:52] I was represented there by Andrew walked in my legislative aid who gave me report and I also

[1:16:57] got together with my commission friends that were there. So the problem is misinformation and that's the problem we have in this country right now

[1:17:05] People come up and just say what they want. Obviously we realized why that was said it's silly time

[1:17:11] It's silly season this election time. So I just wanted to set the record straight and let everyone know that I was represented at that meeting

[1:17:18] And it was a very irresponsible statement without having the facts, but that seems to be what people do nowadays and I won't do things like that

[1:17:25] So thank you

[1:17:30] I, the last speaker, said to us, do our jobs.

[1:17:35] I will tell you that that is exactly what we're going to do.

[1:17:40] Our jobs.

[1:17:41] And I grew up on that Saturday morning television that talked about knowledge being power.

[1:17:47] We have to do our due diligence.

[1:17:49] We have to open up this conversation.

[1:17:52] You said, do something else.

[1:17:54] You have other options.

[1:17:55] We have a federal government that is gutting funding to so many of our critical resources and our programs that affect those most in need.

[1:18:04] It's not like we can just pull other dollars out of our dairy air and fund the projects of magnitude to protect public safety.

[1:18:12] I am not and you know how committed I am, whether it has been styrofoam bands or joint services for densification or our

[1:18:21] This entire board standing up for rail to trails when you talk about our legacy, our legacy is going to be what we did the other day of cutting a ribbon on preserving additional open space in East Wutherford to expand Parkland in very dense areas.

[1:18:35] It is a park's master plan that has been the first in a generation to generations to focus on our long term strategic planning for how we're going to preserve open space.

[1:18:46] It is fully funding, open space dollars, day in and day out so we can continue to put a private plan that was held privately now into our public portfolio so we can have that air to breathe.

[1:19:00] We are all committed. I don't agree with you Brian and you and I have known each other a long time on the climate action plan and follow. I disagree with you too because we've been about doing what we can do actively not just passing a BS resolution and support of something that somebody else is doing.

[1:19:16] but taking action here to change our energy usage to make sure that we are looking to other alternative resources

[1:19:24] that we can preserve our environment for future generations.

[1:19:27] I can tell you that every single member on this board is committed to making sure that our environment is safe,

[1:19:33] that we are leaving this planet better for the generation that comes behind us.

[1:19:36] I want to know what this plan looks like so that I can then make an informed and educated decision.

[1:19:42] And we are not going to short-cut that, and I appreciate you all coming out here and making your voices heard that is what makes change.

[1:19:51] That is what makes store that these issues are continuing to be at the forefront of our and everyone's minds.

[1:19:57] But we will do nothing that is irresponsible for the residents of Bergen County, because all of us care, not just about our grandchildren, but about your grandchildren and about the generations that we leave behind.

[1:20:08] So, we are thinking about this, we are taking our responsibility beyond seriously, and every single day, I get up figuring out how we can continue to do better, how we can electrify our fleet, how we can make sure that we are doing more for our environment.

[1:20:25] So, I look forward to this ongoing dialogue, I look forward to you showing up not just here, but at the polls.

[1:20:31] And I will tell you that every single one of us will continue to earn your trust and your respect when it comes to all of this, because we are committed to being part of this movement that continues to move just, you know, how we continue to do our business here has these issues with the forefront of our mind. So thank you, Chairwoman. I apologize for my animation.

[1:21:02] We also just gave a million dollars for more open space and up a set of river.

[1:21:07] 11 acres, which will be a bird sanctuary, so we are definitely committed to it.

[1:21:12] I appreciate everyone coming out tonight and educating us as we get educated as well.

[1:21:18] Thank you.

[1:21:18] Thank you for your input and again we have 10,000 acres of parkland of which we are very proud.

[1:21:25] Thank you, Chairwoman.

[1:21:27] Okay.

[1:21:28] We are going to move on in our agenda.

[1:21:31] Give me a minute to break.

[1:21:34] I could look at our face.

[1:21:37] Second.

[1:21:39] All in favor.

[1:21:43] High, so.

[1:21:44] High motion, second.

[1:21:46] We can vote for you.

[1:21:49] Second, we can vote for you.

[1:21:50] We can vote for you.

[1:21:50] All in favor.

[1:21:51] High, right.

[1:21:52] High, right.

[1:21:53] Your hat.

[1:21:53] We.

[1:21:55] We will now review the resolutions to be voted on this evening.

[1:21:59] Mr. Clerk.

[1:22:01] You have resolutions 1326-25-1411-25.

[1:22:06] Do I have a motion to accept the resolutions as a consent agenda?

[1:22:12] Don't move, second.

[1:22:14] Okay, roll call, please.

[1:22:15] Commissioner Marte.

[1:22:17] Commissioner Ortiz.

[1:22:18] Yes.

[1:22:18] Commissioner Sullivan.

[1:22:20] Yes.

[1:22:20] Vice Chairman Tonelli.

[1:22:21] Chair Pro Temporabos.

[1:22:23] Commissioner Zer.

[1:22:24] Yes.

[1:22:25] numberosa. Yes. With seven yeses the consent agenda is approved. Are there any resolutions

[1:22:31] of non-consent, table, or code? They are none. Okay. We are moving on to our ordinances. First,

[1:22:38] we have our first meeting ordinance. We have ordinance 25-42. Will the clerk read the ordinance

[1:22:46] by title only? Ordnance 25-42 is an ordinance establishing the speed limit along Nicarbaca

[1:22:53] road in the borough of Closer. May I have a motion to introduce ordnance 2542 as was read by the clerk.

[1:23:01] So, Mo, roll call, please.

[1:23:03] Commissioner Marta. Yes. Commissioner Ortiz. Yes.

[1:23:06] Commissioner Sullivan. Yes. Vice Chairman Tonelli. Yes.

[1:23:09] Chair Pro Tempore Vos. Yes.

[1:23:11] Commissioner, is there? Yes.

[1:23:12] Chairwoman Amarosa. Yes.

[1:23:15] With seven yeses, ordnance 25-42 was introduced and passes first reading.

[1:23:19] Next up, we will go on to our ordinance for second reading and adoption.

[1:23:25] Will the clerk read the ordinance by title only?

[1:23:29] Ordinance 25-41 is to rescind and replace the county of Bergen ordinance number 93-47 adopted November 3rd 1993 expanding

[1:23:38] environmental law enforcement authority and providing additional financial resources for the responsibility set forth under the county

[1:23:45] environmental health act.

[1:23:51] This is the time fixed for the public hearing of this ordinance,

[1:23:54] which was introduced at the meeting of September 30th. Advertised as required by law,

[1:24:00] together with the notice of hearing for this time, it has been posted on the County Commissioners

[1:24:06] Bulletin Board and made available to the public. May I have a motion to open the hearing

[1:24:13] on ordnance 2541 to the public.

[1:24:16] So, move.

[1:24:21] All in favor.

[1:24:22] All right.

[1:24:23] Okay.

[1:24:24] Public hearing is open with a five minute time limit in effect.

[1:24:29] Are there any speakers?

[1:24:31] There are no speakers, gentlemen.

[1:24:33] Thank you.

[1:24:34] May I have a motion to close the public hearing?

[1:24:36] Some have.

[1:24:37] Very good.

[1:24:38] All in favor.

[1:24:39] All right.

[1:24:40] May I have a motion to adopt ordnance 2539 and 2540.

[1:24:45] Some of us.

[1:24:47] Second, all in favor.

[1:24:49] Hi.

[1:24:49] roll call, please on final adoption.

[1:24:51] Commissioner Marte.

[1:24:53] Commissioner Ortiz.

[1:24:55] Yes.

[1:24:55] Commissioner Sullivan.

[1:24:56] Vice Chairman Tonelli.

[1:24:57] Chair Pope Tempo Ravos.

[1:24:59] Yes.

[1:24:59] Commissioner Zer.

[1:25:00] Yes.

[1:25:00] Chairwoman Emerosa.

[1:25:02] With 70 S's ordinance.

[1:25:03] Ordnance is 25-41 passes second reading and is adopted.

[1:25:08] Thank you.

[1:25:09] This is now time for our Commissioner committee reports.

[1:25:17] I'd like to make a motion to cancel reports.

[1:25:20] Thank you.

[1:25:23] All in favor?

[1:25:25] Aye.

[1:25:26] Nay.

[1:25:26] We're going to do a roll call.

[1:25:27] You roll call.

[1:25:28] Okay, roll call start.

[1:25:30] Go ahead.

[1:25:32] Commissioner Marte.

[1:25:33] Yes.

[1:25:34] Commissioner Ortiz.

[1:25:35] Yes.

[1:25:36] Commissioner Sullivan.

[1:25:37] Oh.

[1:25:38] Vice Chairman Tonelli.

[1:25:40] Chair vote 10 for boss.

[1:25:42] Commissioner.

[1:25:43] Commissioner.

[1:25:43] No.

[1:25:44] Chairman.

[1:25:45] Yes.

[1:25:48] So.

[1:25:49] five yeses. So we are canceling. There being nothing further to come before this meeting.

[1:25:59] I moved to adjourn. I need a second.

[1:26:01] Second. Thank you. All in favor.

[1:26:04] All right. We are adjourned.

[1:26:07] At eight thirty five p.m.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS on 2025-10-15

Agenda

Transcript