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Good evening notice of the time, date,

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location, and agenda of this meeting.

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To the extent then known was

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provided at least 48 hours prior to the commencement

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of this meeting in the following manner.

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Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2 31 of the Law

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of 1975, the Open Public Meeting Act

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by listing such notice on the bulletin board

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and the municipal building and

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by email notification generated by IQM two, the offices

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of Independent Press, Bloomfield Life star,

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led pat bures net and tap into Bloomfield.

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Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance,

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United States of America, Mt for

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God, indivisible with liberty.

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I justice for

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Claire, can you please call the roll

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Councilwoman Gonzalez?

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Here. Councilman Joanna? Here. Councilwoman Cruz. Here.

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Councilwoman. Chair TOIs. Here. Councilwoman Fishman. Here.

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Councilwoman Toler Phillips. Here. Mayor Mendel.

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Here. All present. Thank you.

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First up, we have a proclamation in honor

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of Asian American Pacific Islander Month

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Councilwoman Gonzalez.

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Sure. In honor

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of Asian American Pacific Islander month, whereas the month

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of May is officially designated as Asian American

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and Pacific Islander A API Heritage month.

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A time to celebrate the remarkable contributions

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and diverse cultures of the A API community

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that has shaped the fabric of our nation

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and our local community.

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And whereas the A API community is a vast

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and diverse diaspora encompassing Pacific I individuals

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who trace the ancestries to East Asia, Southeast Asia,

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south Asia, and the Pacific Islands

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representing a profound diversity

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of faiths including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism,

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Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism and Taoism.

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And whereas A API,

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New Jersey has played a crucial role in advancing causes

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relating to the A API community and beyond.

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Through tireless advocacy

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and statewide leadership ensure

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that A API voices are amplified, social justice is pursued,

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and the rights of all Asian Americans are protected

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across the garden state.

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And whereas Bloomfield's Strength is rooted in its numerous

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A API organizations, spiritual centers such

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as the Korean United Church of Bloomfield, which has served

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for decades as a cornerstone of guidance, outreach

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and community service.

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And whereas our township is home

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to a thriving Filipino community whose professional

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excellence and family values enrich our neighborhood

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and enhance the fabric of our culture, such as through Phil

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p Rua scholarship for students

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and support for families in need.

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And whereas Bloomfield cherishes its South Asian resident

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population whose leadership

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and vision help launch Bloomfield's first ever ally

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celebration in 2025,

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marking a historic milestone in our town's cultural history.

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And whereas we recognize that honoring this community goes

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beyond celebrating food

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and traditions, it requires a commitment

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to addressing the substantive needs

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of its large preparation, particularly in healthcare access,

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linguistic resources, employment opportunities,

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and equitable support systems.

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And we hereby commit to ensuring

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that these needs are considered in our municipal planning.

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And whereas we are actively encouraging members

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of the A API community to reach out and share their culture

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and concerns with the township.

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And we warmly welcome their voice

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and sharing essential guidance on the issues

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and priorities that are most important to them.

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Now therefore be it resolved that I, Jenny Mondell, mayor

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of Township of Bloomfield joined in the town council due

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hereby proclaim the month of May, 2026 as Asian American

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and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the township

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of Bloomfield and urge all residents

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to join us in honoring the legacy

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of our A API neighbors supporting A API owned businesses,

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donating to A API focused nonprofits

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and reaffirming our commitment to a town

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where every resident is supported, represented, and heard.

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Thank you.

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Thank you. I believe we

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have a few members of a couple organizations here.

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I am not sure if we have someone from Pagasa here.

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I think we have some folks maybe from,

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I don't know, a API, New Jersey.

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Any of you who are here tonight about this proclamation,

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if you'd like to come up you're welcome.

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You could say, do you? Yeah, that's good.

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And if you wanted to say a couple words, you're welcome.

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Thank you.

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Well, if you wanna go to the mic. Yeah. Thank you.

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Green light. Good

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evening, your honors.

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My name is Bernardo de la me, which Isol,

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but I'm Filipino

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And with me is the core group of the Philippine pga

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PGA in English, min means hope,

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that's a Filipino word, pza.

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And we are really very proud to

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and express our thanks at most.

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Thanks for every little thing that we are imparting

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for the betterment of our lives here in in Bloomfield.

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And we will continue rest be assured that

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with the A API, the Asian American

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and Pacific Islander, there's cultural, historical,

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and other invaluable contributions.

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Whatever we have started, we are going to continue

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until we fulfill our duty, not only

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to our beloved township of Bloomfield,

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but making a dream that Bluefield

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becomes the best township to live in,

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in the whole of USA.

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So in the end, I would just like to say

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on behalf of my group here,

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as one of the most beloved

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singer entertainer, not only in the USA,

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but in the whole world, every time he would finish

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his performance, he would

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say, thank you very much.

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Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

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Thank you. I feel like I should say,

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I feel like I should say thank you Elvis.

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I've seen your performance before. It's always impressive.

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So thank you. Is anyone else here from, from

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for the A EPI month?

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And if you're here, we'd like, we're gonna take a picture

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with the proclamation, so thank you.

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If you wanna come up. Thank you.

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Thank,

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Next up we have a proclamation for Jewish

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American Heritage Month Councilwoman Fishman.

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Whereas the month of May is officially recognized

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as Jewish American Heritage Month, a time

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to honor the generations of Jewish Americans

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who have woven their culture, faith,

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and values into the very heart of the American story.

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And whereas the arts and sciences to public service

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and civil rights and the contributions

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of Jewish Americans have been fundamental to our progress

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as a nation driven by a deep seated commitment to education,

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justice, and the betterment of society.

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And whereas the Township

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of Bloomfield is a community built on the foundation

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of mutual respect, where we reaffirm

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and our unwavering commitment to honor the rights

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and dignity of all humans standing united against prejudice

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and ensuring that every resident can live

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with pride in their identity.

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And whereas within our own borders, temple ne Me serves

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as a vital thread in the fabric of our township

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through its remarkable resilience

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and dedication to interfaith harmony.

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The synagogue exemplifies the spirit

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of Tikuna Lam repairing the world

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and remains a steadfast pillar of spiritual

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and civic life for the people of Bloomfield.

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And whereas by celebrating Jewish American History Month,

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we recognize that our diversity is our greatest strength,

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and that we rededicate ourselves to fostering an environment

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where the history and heritage

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of the Jewish community are celebrated as essential

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to our shared future.

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Now therefore be it resolved that I Jenny Mandel, together

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with the Bloomfield Town Council,

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do hereby proclaim May, 2026 as Jewish

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American Heritage Month in the township of Bloomfield.

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We all urge all citizens

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to reflect on the significant impact

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of Jewish Americans on our local and national history,

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and to join us in upholding the values of compassion,

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equality, and dignity for all of humanity.

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Thank you, Councilwoman.

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I believe we have a representative here from Temple near

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to meet, if you wanna come up to the mic, how are you?

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Good,

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Thank you.

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I think I have to just address the shiner in the room.

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So fortunately this is not the result

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of rising antisemitism.

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I teach self defense and I had an overactive

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overeager student today, so apologize for my how I look.

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So thank you very much for this proclamation. It's great.

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I I just a few comments about this.

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I think on this, because this year is our bi

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not our bicentennial year.

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There's a, there's a word for it,

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but we know it's the 250th anniversary

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of the Declaration of Independence.

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And on a day like this, we, you know, we think about

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what Jewish Americans contributed to this country, but

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because it's a 250th anniversary,

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I thought I would talk just for a second about

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an opportunity that we gave the federal government in the,

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in the period between when the Constitution was signed

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and the Bill of Rights was ratified,

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George Washington was touring the country

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and Jewish communities all over the country were essentially

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pleading with him to make sure that they were safe,

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that they were able to practice their religion.

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And Washington very famously wrote a letter about this,

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where he says, he talks about the United States being a

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government, and this is, you know, oops, sorry, a government

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where bigotry, excuse me, which gives bigotry no sanction

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to persecution, no assistance,

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and requires only that they

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who live under its protection should demean themselves

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as good citizens.

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This was a letter to the Toro Synagogue in Providence,

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Rhode Island, but it was really the result of all

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of these efforts of trying

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to instantiate religious freedom and freedom for everybody.

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And I know that we don't as a country

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or didn't then live up to those values completely,

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and maybe we can talk about whether we do now or not,

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but it was a north star that was created

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that we could all strive toward and really move toward.

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And to have the, and to have the Jewish community be

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a part of that is very meaningful. So thank you very much.

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Thank you.

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If you, if you'd like both to come up

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and take a picture of, there's other

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Jewish Americans who'd like to come up.

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Let's, let's memorialize this. If there's other Jewish

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Americans here who would like to come up, we're

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so excited right then, then you're welcome

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to join us as well for the picture.

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Okay, Next up we have a proclamation

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for National Gun Violence Awareness.

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State Councilwoman Chair Veris. I'm sorry.

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That's okay. Councilwoman

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Cruz.

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Thank you. I am,

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I have the proclamation declaring the first Friday in June

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to be the National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

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This proclamation declares the first Friday in June to be

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National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the township

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of Bloomfield to honor and remember all victims

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and survivors of gun violence

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and to declare that we as a country must do more

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to end this public health crisis.

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Whereas every day nearly 130 people in the United States are

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killed by gun violence, and more than 200 are shot

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and wounded with an average

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of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year.

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And whereas people in the United States are 26 times more

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likely to die by gun homicide than people in other

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high income countries.

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And whereas New Jersey has 442 gun deaths every year

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with a rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 people, a crisis

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that costs the state 5.3 billion each year, of which

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168.9 million is paid by taxpayers.

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New Jersey has the fourth lowest rate

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of gun deaths in the United States.

264
00:16:51,915 --> 00:16:53,375
And whereas gun homicides

265
00:16:53,375 --> 00:16:55,295
and assaults are concentrated in townships

266
00:16:55,525 --> 00:16:58,695
with more than half of all gun homicides in nation occurring

267
00:16:58,695 --> 00:16:59,735
in 42 townships.

268
00:17:00,155 --> 00:17:02,175
And whereas townships across the nation,

269
00:17:02,175 --> 00:17:05,415
including in Bloomfield, are working to end the senseless

270
00:17:05,975 --> 00:17:07,935
violence with evidence-based solutions.

271
00:17:08,475 --> 00:17:11,335
And whereas protecting public safety in the community,

272
00:17:11,335 --> 00:17:13,735
they serve as the mayor's highest responsibility.

273
00:17:14,155 --> 00:17:16,335
And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights

274
00:17:16,335 --> 00:17:18,335
of law abiding citizens goes hand in hand

275
00:17:18,445 --> 00:17:20,975
with keeping guns away from those who are a danger

276
00:17:21,035 --> 00:17:22,855
to themselves and or others.

277
00:17:23,435 --> 00:17:25,415
And whereas mayors council members

278
00:17:25,435 --> 00:17:27,695
and law enforcement officers in partnership

279
00:17:27,695 --> 00:17:30,175
with local violence intervention activists

280
00:17:30,195 --> 00:17:33,575
and resources know their communities best are the most

281
00:17:33,855 --> 00:17:36,295
familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it

282
00:17:36,475 --> 00:17:38,255
and are best position to understand how

283
00:17:38,255 --> 00:17:39,655
to keep their citizens safe.

284
00:17:40,235 --> 00:17:41,335
And whereas gun violence

285
00:17:41,335 --> 00:17:42,815
prevention is more important than ever.

286
00:17:42,875 --> 00:17:45,255
As we can see, gun violence continues

287
00:17:45,255 --> 00:17:46,895
to impact communities across the country.

288
00:17:47,365 --> 00:17:49,365
Whereas in January, 2013,

289
00:17:49,935 --> 00:17:53,285
Hadia Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15

290
00:17:53,905 --> 00:17:55,645
and on June 5th, 2026

291
00:17:55,665 --> 00:17:58,485
to recognize the 29th birthday of Hadia Pendleton.

292
00:17:58,835 --> 00:18:00,725
Born June 2nd, 1997,

293
00:18:00,985 --> 00:18:03,845
people across the United States will recognize National gun

294
00:18:04,005 --> 00:18:06,685
Violence Awareness Day and wear orange in tribute

295
00:18:06,685 --> 00:18:09,885
to Hadia Pendleton, other victims of gun violence

296
00:18:10,305 --> 00:18:11,845
and the loved ones of those victims.

297
00:18:12,625 --> 00:18:15,245
And whereas the idea was inspired by a group of had idea's,

298
00:18:15,245 --> 00:18:17,725
friends who asked their classmates to commemorate her life

299
00:18:17,725 --> 00:18:19,845
by wearing orange, they chose this color

300
00:18:19,845 --> 00:18:22,045
because hunters wear orange to announce themselves

301
00:18:22,045 --> 00:18:23,845
to other hunters when out in the woods.

302
00:18:24,225 --> 00:18:25,245
And orange is a color

303
00:18:25,245 --> 00:18:27,445
that symbolizes the value of human life.

304
00:18:27,945 --> 00:18:30,525
And whereas anyone can join this campaign by pledging

305
00:18:30,525 --> 00:18:33,005
to wear orange on June 5th, the first Friday

306
00:18:33,145 --> 00:18:35,325
of June, 2026 to help raise awareness.

307
00:18:35,675 --> 00:18:37,805
Whereas by wearing orange on June 5th,

308
00:18:37,805 --> 00:18:40,365
people across the United States will raise awareness about

309
00:18:40,425 --> 00:18:42,925
gun violence and honor the lives of gun violence victims.

310
00:18:43,475 --> 00:18:46,445
Whereas we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence

311
00:18:46,505 --> 00:18:51,165
and pledge to do all we can keep firearm hams, firearms out

312
00:18:51,165 --> 00:18:53,565
of the hands of people who should not have access to them

313
00:18:53,905 --> 00:18:55,885
and encourage responsible gun ownership

314
00:18:56,305 --> 00:18:58,165
to help keep our families and community safe.

315
00:18:58,785 --> 00:19:01,325
Now therefore be it resolved that I, Jenny Mondell, mayor

316
00:19:01,325 --> 00:19:03,725
of the Township of Bloomfield, along with members

317
00:19:03,785 --> 00:19:04,845
of the Township Council,

318
00:19:05,025 --> 00:19:06,965
do hereby declare the first Friday in June

319
00:19:07,385 --> 00:19:10,765
to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Bloomfield.

320
00:19:11,065 --> 00:19:12,405
We encourage all citizens

321
00:19:12,405 --> 00:19:14,245
to support their local community efforts

322
00:19:14,585 --> 00:19:17,725
to prevent the tragic impact of gun violence and save lives.

323
00:19:17,895 --> 00:19:18,895
Thank you.

324
00:19:24,975 --> 00:19:27,165
Thank you Councilwoman Lorraine,

325
00:19:27,165 --> 00:19:28,685
did you wanna come up and say a few words?

326
00:19:28,725 --> 00:19:30,525
I don't know if anyone else is with you as well.

327
00:19:30,615 --> 00:19:31,615
Thank you, please.

328
00:19:43,655 --> 00:19:45,145
Well, hello again, we're back.

329
00:19:46,125 --> 00:19:50,385
I'm Lorraine Lombardi and volunteer with Moms Demand Action

330
00:19:50,445 --> 00:19:53,785
for Gun Sense in America here in Essex County.

331
00:19:54,485 --> 00:19:57,905
And I'm happy to accept this proclamation along

332
00:19:57,905 --> 00:20:01,625
with my fellow Montes Peg Zko

333
00:20:01,645 --> 00:20:03,065
and Alicia Silverstein

334
00:20:05,525 --> 00:20:08,145
spr, sorry about that.

335
00:20:09,915 --> 00:20:12,745
Where Orange, a nonpolitical

336
00:20:12,885 --> 00:20:16,945
and nonpartisan campaign honors the countless lives

337
00:20:17,695 --> 00:20:20,705
touched by gun violence in the US every day.

338
00:20:21,445 --> 00:20:24,905
And where Orange also elevates the voices

339
00:20:25,165 --> 00:20:27,905
of advocates all across the country

340
00:20:29,605 --> 00:20:32,505
who are demanding an end to gun violence.

341
00:20:33,285 --> 00:20:36,305
Now we need every voice in our community

342
00:20:37,725 --> 00:20:38,865
to support us

343
00:20:39,085 --> 00:20:41,225
and we are profoundly grateful

344
00:20:41,565 --> 00:20:44,825
for your continued support of our work.

345
00:20:45,165 --> 00:20:48,125
And this is our 10th year doing this

346
00:20:49,905 --> 00:20:52,445
and we can't thank you enough for it.

347
00:20:55,815 --> 00:20:59,445
There were some data points given in the proclamation,

348
00:20:59,545 --> 00:21:02,285
but I just want to go over a few others.

349
00:21:03,025 --> 00:21:05,885
Now, as of May 5th of this year,

350
00:21:07,805 --> 00:21:11,795
there have been 99 unintentional shootings by children,

351
00:21:11,965 --> 00:21:13,475
which means that they were able

352
00:21:13,475 --> 00:21:16,515
to access an unsecured loaded gun.

353
00:21:17,255 --> 00:21:21,555
And that resulted in 34 deaths and 66 injuries.

354
00:21:22,175 --> 00:21:25,195
And it's mostly children under 10

355
00:21:28,975 --> 00:21:33,315
as of the same day, May 5th, there are 49 incidents

356
00:21:33,375 --> 00:21:37,835
of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 21 deaths

357
00:21:38,055 --> 00:21:39,315
and 22 injuries.

358
00:21:39,655 --> 00:21:43,755
And unfortunately today we can add one more shooting

359
00:21:45,095 --> 00:21:47,195
on on school grounds.

360
00:21:47,245 --> 00:21:52,075
There was a shooting in the Islamic Center in

361
00:21:52,215 --> 00:21:54,915
San Diego, three people died

362
00:21:55,335 --> 00:21:57,915
and luckily none of the children were hurt.

363
00:22:00,055 --> 00:22:04,955
But it's very sad every month. I never knew this.

364
00:22:05,285 --> 00:22:09,875
Every month an average of 70 women are shot

365
00:22:10,015 --> 00:22:12,435
and killed by an intimate partner

366
00:22:14,785 --> 00:22:19,725
And six out of every 10 death gun deaths are suicides.

367
00:22:20,185 --> 00:22:24,325
That's 27,000 Americans every year an average

368
00:22:24,545 --> 00:22:26,205
of 73 a day.

369
00:22:28,335 --> 00:22:32,515
And that number has increased 19% over the last decade.

370
00:22:33,905 --> 00:22:37,125
And this number also includes 1300 children

371
00:22:38,065 --> 00:22:40,605
and 4,600 veterans.

372
00:22:42,285 --> 00:22:44,325
Children between the ages of 10

373
00:22:44,545 --> 00:22:47,925
and 15 have the fastest growing rate

374
00:22:48,065 --> 00:22:50,765
of suicide over the past 10 years,

375
00:22:50,855 --> 00:22:52,445
which I find just amazing.

376
00:22:53,285 --> 00:22:56,365
And that's a 21% increase over a decade.

377
00:22:58,265 --> 00:23:01,325
Now the most important action that

378
00:23:02,145 --> 00:23:05,725
gun owners can take right now to help reduce

379
00:23:06,025 --> 00:23:08,885
and prevent all types of gun violence is

380
00:23:08,885 --> 00:23:11,005
to securely store firearms.

381
00:23:13,795 --> 00:23:16,215
If you can disrupt

382
00:23:17,395 --> 00:23:22,015
or put distance between someone's thought of suicide

383
00:23:22,475 --> 00:23:25,575
and access to a gun, you can reduce

384
00:23:26,285 --> 00:23:28,295
suicide a lot.

385
00:23:28,915 --> 00:23:31,415
So secure storage helps that

386
00:23:31,415 --> 00:23:33,335
because they can't get to the gun.

387
00:23:36,255 --> 00:23:38,675
Now the this proclamation

388
00:23:38,975 --> 00:23:41,315
and the secure storage ordinance

389
00:23:42,145 --> 00:23:44,275
that you passed back in the fall,

390
00:23:44,485 --> 00:23:45,765
which we are thrilled about,

391
00:23:45,765 --> 00:23:47,325
unfortunately I couldn't make it

392
00:23:47,325 --> 00:23:48,645
to either of those meetings.

393
00:23:51,635 --> 00:23:54,725
They play a vital role in raising awareness

394
00:23:55,105 --> 00:23:56,285
in our community.

395
00:23:57,465 --> 00:24:00,285
Now, no one should have to live in fear of gun violence,

396
00:24:01,555 --> 00:24:05,685
just as orange is a color that you can't ignore.

397
00:24:06,515 --> 00:24:08,565
None of us can ignore gun violence.

398
00:24:09,065 --> 00:24:13,565
So please wear orange on Wear Orange Day, which is Friday,

399
00:24:13,715 --> 00:24:16,285
June 5th, and throughout the weekend

400
00:24:16,945 --> 00:24:21,045
and tell everyone that you know to wear orange

401
00:24:21,385 --> 00:24:23,325
and tell 'em about what you heard tonight.

402
00:24:24,225 --> 00:24:26,325
So thank you very much. Thank you.

403
00:24:29,385 --> 00:24:31,325
Oh, So

404
00:24:32,825 --> 00:24:36,245
One other thing, one other thing, here's some good news.

405
00:24:36,785 --> 00:24:38,645
If you look in the packet that I gave you,

406
00:24:42,735 --> 00:24:43,795
our advocacy

407
00:24:44,095 --> 00:24:47,555
and other organizations is working according

408
00:24:47,615 --> 00:24:51,515
to the Gun violence archive, both gun deaths

409
00:24:52,375 --> 00:24:55,795
and gun injuries declined in 2024,

410
00:24:56,325 --> 00:24:59,515
fewer than any year since 2019.

411
00:24:59,895 --> 00:25:02,635
So our work is having an impact,

412
00:25:02,735 --> 00:25:05,555
but we need everybody's help to do it.

413
00:25:05,585 --> 00:25:06,995
Alright, I'm done. Thank you.

414
00:25:10,495 --> 00:25:12,075
So Lorraine

415
00:25:13,055 --> 00:25:14,955
Ribbon, if anybody wants an orange ribbon

416
00:25:15,015 --> 00:25:16,835
to wear in June. Yes,

417
00:25:17,095 --> 00:25:18,095
That's great.

418
00:25:18,095 --> 00:25:21,715
So Lorraine, so Lorraine, I, I wanted to say,

419
00:25:21,715 --> 00:25:23,155
I know you weren't able to join us

420
00:25:23,335 --> 00:25:25,355
for the ordinance when we passed the ordinance,

421
00:25:25,495 --> 00:25:27,435
but I did wanna say thank you to you

422
00:25:27,435 --> 00:25:29,515
and your colleagues for your help with that.

423
00:25:29,535 --> 00:25:32,195
We worked closely with you all with our police department

424
00:25:32,795 --> 00:25:35,395
to come up with, with our, our law department to come up

425
00:25:35,395 --> 00:25:37,075
with a, a really, I think,

426
00:25:37,135 --> 00:25:40,035
strong secure storage ordinance for Bloomfield.

427
00:25:40,215 --> 00:25:41,595
And I do wanna mention that

428
00:25:41,595 --> 00:25:43,395
that preceded action by the state.

429
00:25:44,095 --> 00:25:46,235
So if I recall correct, yes.

430
00:25:46,235 --> 00:25:48,715
And so Bloomfield is actually at the forefront

431
00:25:49,335 --> 00:25:50,875
of secure storage.

432
00:25:51,175 --> 00:25:53,235
Yes. Before the state of New Jersey at this point, before

433
00:25:53,235 --> 00:25:54,235
The state, yeah.

434
00:25:54,535 --> 00:25:56,875
And actually everybody can help.

435
00:25:58,295 --> 00:26:02,795
If you text NJ from New Jersey,

436
00:26:03,135 --> 00:26:07,755
if you text NJ to 6 4 4 3 3,

437
00:26:08,295 --> 00:26:11,955
you can get connected to the New Jersey State legislature

438
00:26:12,015 --> 00:26:16,395
and there possibly going to be passing

439
00:26:16,955 --> 00:26:21,395
a bill, the New Jersey Home Safety Act,

440
00:26:21,965 --> 00:26:26,875
which requires secure storage for the whole state.

441
00:26:27,175 --> 00:26:30,275
So the fact that we were able to get this done here,

442
00:26:30,415 --> 00:26:32,275
we think has moved its way up.

443
00:26:32,595 --> 00:26:34,635
We've been working on it for about five years.

444
00:26:35,255 --> 00:26:38,555
So hopefully, I think

445
00:26:40,415 --> 00:26:43,285
we were talking to Senator Cryon

446
00:26:43,745 --> 00:26:46,565
and he said that hopefully in June it will get

447
00:26:46,565 --> 00:26:47,565
Passed.

448
00:26:47,565 --> 00:26:49,005
Well, thank you for your hard work and your advocacy.

449
00:26:49,115 --> 00:26:51,245
We'd love to take a picture with you with the proclamation.

450
00:26:51,465 --> 00:26:52,725
All right. Yep. Thank you. Thank you.

451
00:27:26,085 --> 00:27:26,555
Thank you.

452
00:28:19,425 --> 00:28:22,035
Okay, Councilwoman Terra Deis,

453
00:28:22,115 --> 00:28:23,395
I believe you have the proclamation

454
00:28:23,415 --> 00:28:25,115
for National Public Works Week.

455
00:28:25,745 --> 00:28:29,395
Okay. It is my honor to read the proclamation

456
00:28:29,535 --> 00:28:33,595
for National Public Works Week, whereas public work

457
00:28:34,385 --> 00:28:38,635
professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities

458
00:28:38,695 --> 00:28:43,315
and services that are vital importance to sustainable

459
00:28:43,415 --> 00:28:44,995
and resilient communities

460
00:28:45,655 --> 00:28:49,915
and to public health, highly qua high quality of life

461
00:28:50,295 --> 00:28:53,435
and wellbeing of people of the township of Bloomfield.

462
00:28:54,455 --> 00:28:57,635
And whereas these infrastructures, facilities

463
00:28:57,695 --> 00:28:59,795
and services could not be

464
00:29:00,315 --> 00:29:02,315
provided without dedicated efforts

465
00:29:02,735 --> 00:29:07,675
of public work professionals who are engineers, managers,

466
00:29:08,395 --> 00:29:10,555
employees at all levels of government

467
00:29:10,815 --> 00:29:15,195
and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding,

468
00:29:15,665 --> 00:29:19,315
improving and protecting our nation's trans, our nation's,

469
00:29:19,315 --> 00:29:23,475
transportation, water supply, water treatment systems,

470
00:29:24,015 --> 00:29:26,395
public buildings and other structures

471
00:29:26,415 --> 00:29:29,195
and facilities essential for our citizens.

472
00:29:29,615 --> 00:29:32,675
And whereas the Bloomfield Department of Public Works

473
00:29:33,095 --> 00:29:37,155
and Parks Maintenance DPW serves

474
00:29:37,255 --> 00:29:40,315
as the backbone of our municipal operations

475
00:29:40,655 --> 00:29:43,525
and the key element to improving the quality of life

476
00:29:43,785 --> 00:29:46,285
for residents through the township Clean

477
00:29:46,285 --> 00:29:47,405
and Strong campaign.

478
00:29:47,825 --> 00:29:52,565
And whereas the DPW had taken a lead role

479
00:29:52,705 --> 00:29:54,805
in the planning and executing

480
00:29:54,825 --> 00:29:59,285
of our twice yearly town wide cleanup days in

481
00:29:59,605 --> 00:30:01,645
collaboration with the Mayor Council,

482
00:30:02,095 --> 00:30:05,325
Bloomfield Beautification Committee and the community.

483
00:30:05,675 --> 00:30:10,205
Whereas DPW has pioneered initiatives solutions

484
00:30:10,305 --> 00:30:12,245
to infrastructure maintenance such

485
00:30:12,265 --> 00:30:16,725
as annual Pothole week initiative and aggressive

486
00:30:16,825 --> 00:30:21,325
and proactive approach to repairing township streets that

487
00:30:21,885 --> 00:30:24,605
directly improves the daily quality of life

488
00:30:24,905 --> 00:30:27,805
for every com commuter and resident.

489
00:30:28,105 --> 00:30:30,485
And whereas department provides care

490
00:30:30,585 --> 00:30:33,965
and maintenance, maintenance of our town parks

491
00:30:34,305 --> 00:30:35,525
and sports fields,

492
00:30:36,085 --> 00:30:39,925
ensuring these vital green spaces remain safe, beautiful,

493
00:30:40,185 --> 00:30:42,285
and ready for our youth, athletes

494
00:30:42,425 --> 00:30:45,605
and families to enjoy, I need water.

495
00:30:46,435 --> 00:30:50,605
Whereas the members of DPW consistently go above

496
00:30:50,605 --> 00:30:54,645
and beyond the call of Duty working round the clock hours

497
00:30:54,785 --> 00:30:58,085
during snow storms, severe weather

498
00:30:58,505 --> 00:31:00,965
and other emergencies to clear our roads

499
00:31:01,025 --> 00:31:04,525
and keep communities safe while others remain indoors.

500
00:31:04,945 --> 00:31:09,365
And whereas DPW has been instrumental in the advancement

501
00:31:09,385 --> 00:31:12,765
of our, of the Township Storm water

502
00:31:13,415 --> 00:31:17,125
management initiatives, implementing regular reviews

503
00:31:17,505 --> 00:31:21,045
and clearing of storm drains to mediate, flooding,

504
00:31:21,225 --> 00:31:24,565
and protect our local government and residential properties.

505
00:31:25,105 --> 00:31:28,685
And whereas the year 2026

506
00:31:29,415 --> 00:31:34,365
marks the 66 annual National Public Works Week

507
00:31:34,915 --> 00:31:39,045
sponsored by American Public Work Association now

508
00:31:39,115 --> 00:31:40,845
therefore be it resolved.

509
00:31:41,145 --> 00:31:42,925
Aye Mayor Jenny Mendell

510
00:31:42,925 --> 00:31:46,885
and the Bloomfield Town Council do hereby designate the week

511
00:31:46,885 --> 00:31:50,645
of May 17th through 23 20 26

512
00:31:51,145 --> 00:31:53,645
as National Public Works Week.

513
00:31:53,745 --> 00:31:54,745
Congratulations.

514
00:31:55,735 --> 00:32:00,565
Thank you. So I

515
00:32:00,565 --> 00:32:04,765
believe we have some members of our amazing Department

516
00:32:04,765 --> 00:32:06,765
of Public Works and park maintenance here.

517
00:32:06,825 --> 00:32:09,005
If you're here, please come up to the front.

518
00:32:09,505 --> 00:32:11,125
We love to take a picture with you

519
00:32:11,225 --> 00:32:13,045
and recognize all of your service.

520
00:32:13,305 --> 00:32:14,445
We really appreciate you

521
00:32:14,825 --> 00:32:16,525
and all that you do for our township.

522
00:32:16,575 --> 00:32:17,575
Thank you.

523
00:33:55,865 --> 00:33:57,385
First and foremost, thank you very much

524
00:33:57,645 --> 00:33:59,105
for the presentations.

525
00:33:59,575 --> 00:34:01,105
It's quite nice to be recognized.

526
00:34:01,105 --> 00:34:02,785
The DPW, we usually don't get

527
00:34:03,065 --> 00:34:04,145
recognized for the good, right?

528
00:34:05,485 --> 00:34:08,625
But what I can tell you is I truly appreciate all the

529
00:34:08,625 --> 00:34:10,025
support we've gotten from the mayors

530
00:34:10,045 --> 00:34:13,385
and council people over the years since I've been there.

531
00:34:13,795 --> 00:34:16,385
We've been trying to move into the future with the DPW

532
00:34:16,405 --> 00:34:17,705
and we'll continue to do so.

533
00:34:18,855 --> 00:34:21,585
What I want most people to know is that most of our staff,

534
00:34:21,605 --> 00:34:23,305
we have about 40 members right now.

535
00:34:23,605 --> 00:34:25,625
We used to have 60 or 70 members, right?

536
00:34:25,645 --> 00:34:27,025
So we have about 40 right now.

537
00:34:28,335 --> 00:34:29,705
Most of 'em come from Bloomfield.

538
00:34:29,705 --> 00:34:32,065
Most of 'em grew up in Bloomfield, they live in Bloomfield.

539
00:34:32,565 --> 00:34:34,105
So they take it personal.

540
00:34:34,105 --> 00:34:36,105
When you guys complain about the potholes

541
00:34:36,105 --> 00:34:37,625
or the snow, they sleep.

542
00:34:37,655 --> 00:34:39,185
They don't sleep that night, they go out,

543
00:34:39,255 --> 00:34:40,305
they wanna do the right thing.

544
00:34:41,215 --> 00:34:43,745
Sometimes we have to shut down because they're tired.

545
00:34:43,775 --> 00:34:45,585
They work 30 hours, 40 hours.

546
00:34:45,805 --> 00:34:49,545
So to be recognized this week, very grateful.

547
00:34:50,555 --> 00:34:55,265
After late last week, I put them through HELL last week

548
00:34:55,265 --> 00:34:57,505
through our pothole initiative.

549
00:34:57,685 --> 00:34:59,465
We, at attempt, we wanted to go out

550
00:34:59,465 --> 00:35:02,225
and do a hundred potholes a day, which is a feat if you know

551
00:35:02,225 --> 00:35:03,785
how to, if you know about potholes.

552
00:35:04,285 --> 00:35:06,985
We doubled that. We did over a thousand potholes last week.

553
00:35:07,085 --> 00:35:07,305
So,

554
00:35:14,805 --> 00:35:17,625
And, and that was all I was at an extended leave

555
00:35:18,015 --> 00:35:20,785
with an injury that was all without me here.

556
00:35:21,085 --> 00:35:24,305
And our, we like to call her our mom down there, Samantha,

557
00:35:25,775 --> 00:35:27,945
getting everybody out there and, and,

558
00:35:28,005 --> 00:35:29,385
and getting everybody on task.

559
00:35:29,525 --> 00:35:32,385
So again, we appreciate everything you do for us.

560
00:35:32,725 --> 00:35:33,905
We hope it continues

561
00:35:34,805 --> 00:35:36,145
and we'll see you down the road. Thank you.

562
00:35:36,675 --> 00:35:37,485
Thank you Sean.

563
00:35:43,735 --> 00:35:44,205
Thank you.

564
00:35:48,935 --> 00:35:53,035
Get that a minute. Okay, next up communications.

565
00:35:53,845 --> 00:35:56,715
Thank you Mayor. We have several communications

566
00:35:56,715 --> 00:35:57,755
that were forwarded

567
00:35:57,755 --> 00:35:59,795
to the Health Department Police Department

568
00:36:00,055 --> 00:36:02,515
and our grants writers Millennium Strategies.

569
00:36:02,905 --> 00:36:05,755
They are as follows, notice from the New Jersey Department

570
00:36:05,755 --> 00:36:07,155
of Environmental Protection.

571
00:36:07,955 --> 00:36:10,955
There are three suspected hazardous substance discharge

572
00:36:10,955 --> 00:36:14,115
notification for 26 ferncliff Road

573
00:36:14,795 --> 00:36:16,675
Biennial certification submission

574
00:36:16,735 --> 00:36:19,835
of the established soil remedial action permit

575
00:36:20,255 --> 00:36:23,395
for 100 dash four 40 Memorial Parkway.

576
00:36:24,375 --> 00:36:25,755
And the third one is area

577
00:36:25,775 --> 00:36:28,995
of concern 1 550 gallon number two,

578
00:36:28,995 --> 00:36:32,995
heating oil underground storage tank for no further action

579
00:36:33,615 --> 00:36:36,035
and letter, excuse me,

580
00:36:36,035 --> 00:36:37,955
no further action letter in Covenant not

581
00:36:37,955 --> 00:36:40,475
to sue 95 Parkway East.

582
00:36:40,785 --> 00:36:43,195
Then we have notice from the Glen Ridge Country Club

583
00:36:43,545 --> 00:36:47,035
that they will have their annual 4th of July family barbecue

584
00:36:47,095 --> 00:36:48,355
and fireworks display.

585
00:36:48,665 --> 00:36:51,355
That'll be held on Saturday, July 4th.

586
00:36:52,095 --> 00:36:54,475
And finally, notice from g, the New Jersey,

587
00:36:54,675 --> 00:36:56,835
DOT Governor Murphy announced that

588
00:36:57,435 --> 00:36:59,195
applications will now be accepted

589
00:36:59,255 --> 00:37:01,275
for the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

590
00:37:01,505 --> 00:37:03,755
This has been prior, this was actually prior

591
00:37:04,065 --> 00:37:05,315
when he was in office.

592
00:37:05,415 --> 00:37:08,955
The deadline for grant application submission is July 1st

593
00:37:09,445 --> 00:37:12,115
grant awards and expected to be announced in November.

594
00:37:12,615 --> 00:37:15,875
And finally, notice from New Jersey, DOT Division of Local

595
00:37:15,895 --> 00:37:18,555
and Economic Development is launching a new round

596
00:37:18,615 --> 00:37:21,955
of the transportation Alternative Set Aside.

597
00:37:22,615 --> 00:37:24,395
Set aside program. That's all. Mayor,

598
00:37:25,565 --> 00:37:26,565
Thank you.

599
00:37:27,425 --> 00:37:28,595
Oral petitions and hearing

600
00:37:29,335 --> 00:37:30,335
Yes.

601
00:37:31,855 --> 00:37:33,555
Manner of addressing the counsel.

602
00:37:33,665 --> 00:37:36,075
This is for everyone who would like to speak tonight.

603
00:37:36,415 --> 00:37:39,715
The time limit. We have a time limit each person addressing.

604
00:37:39,715 --> 00:37:41,195
The counsel shall give their name

605
00:37:41,255 --> 00:37:43,915
and complete address in an audible tone

606
00:37:43,915 --> 00:37:45,275
of voice for the record.

607
00:37:45,415 --> 00:37:48,155
And unless further time is granted by the council

608
00:37:48,685 --> 00:37:50,715
shall limit their statement to five minutes.

609
00:37:51,375 --> 00:37:54,155
All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body

610
00:37:54,535 --> 00:37:56,315
and not to any member thereof.

611
00:37:56,895 --> 00:37:59,115
No question shall be directed to any speaker

612
00:37:59,215 --> 00:38:01,275
by a council person except through

613
00:38:01,295 --> 00:38:02,995
and at the discretion of the presiding

614
00:38:02,995 --> 00:38:04,395
officer, which is the mayor.

615
00:38:04,865 --> 00:38:08,795
This is in chapter five dash 21 of our township code.

616
00:38:09,325 --> 00:38:11,155
Thank, I'm sorry, Ms.

617
00:38:11,455 --> 00:38:12,595
Ano, if you could just hold on one second.

618
00:38:12,835 --> 00:38:14,995
I do see a number of people on here who signed up

619
00:38:14,995 --> 00:38:19,115
to talk about the sewer collection fee change.

620
00:38:19,755 --> 00:38:22,555
And so I did wanna mention that on June 10th,

621
00:38:22,935 --> 00:38:27,075
we do have scheduled a another information session.

622
00:38:27,145 --> 00:38:30,115
This one will be in person, so if you have questions,

623
00:38:30,175 --> 00:38:33,515
you might wanna ask them there when you give public comment,

624
00:38:34,495 --> 00:38:36,405
it is a, a, a limited public forum,

625
00:38:36,585 --> 00:38:38,285
so we don't answer you sitting here,

626
00:38:38,305 --> 00:38:42,165
but you can ask your questions at that in-person meeting.

627
00:38:42,585 --> 00:38:44,445
So thank you. Go ahead Ms. Pagana.

628
00:38:44,555 --> 00:38:47,965
Okay, thank you. The first is who?

629
00:38:48,245 --> 00:38:51,525
Mayor, as you mentioned the sewage. Jason Martone.

630
00:38:54,795 --> 00:38:56,335
Are you here? Martine? Sorry

631
00:39:02,115 --> 00:39:02,975
you have five minutes.

632
00:39:03,195 --> 00:39:04,895
Please state your name and your address.

633
00:39:11,045 --> 00:39:14,215
Good afternoon, mayor Council. My name is Jason Martinez.

634
00:39:14,375 --> 00:39:15,855
I live on 14 Walter Street.

635
00:39:16,435 --> 00:39:19,295
So in regards to the sewage, the sewage fee,

636
00:39:19,855 --> 00:39:21,175
I appreciate the administration

637
00:39:21,275 --> 00:39:23,575
and everyone who has worked on this issue

638
00:39:23,575 --> 00:39:26,975
because I understand these are not easy decisions

639
00:39:27,035 --> 00:39:31,055
and they are real long-term challenges facing the township.

640
00:39:32,315 --> 00:39:34,735
My concern is that many residents still do not

641
00:39:35,705 --> 00:39:37,815
fully understand the proposal

642
00:39:37,995 --> 00:39:40,335
or how it may impact them financially.

643
00:39:41,405 --> 00:39:44,295
Unfortunately, there's also a lot

644
00:39:44,295 --> 00:39:46,855
of misinformation circulating online

645
00:39:48,435 --> 00:39:49,655
in the mailboxes

646
00:39:50,075 --> 00:39:53,095
and across social media, which has created confusion

647
00:39:53,095 --> 00:39:55,135
for residents trying to understand the facts.

648
00:39:56,495 --> 00:39:58,775
I do believe the township has made efforts

649
00:39:58,795 --> 00:40:00,215
to communicate information

650
00:40:00,235 --> 00:40:02,575
and provide opportunities for residents to ask.

651
00:40:04,555 --> 00:40:06,615
But the misinformation surrounding

652
00:40:07,805 --> 00:40:10,415
this issue has been difficult for many people

653
00:40:10,475 --> 00:40:12,095
to fully understand this proposal.

654
00:40:13,795 --> 00:40:16,175
For the future, I believe residents will benefit

655
00:40:16,965 --> 00:40:19,975
from additional communication from community information

656
00:40:19,975 --> 00:40:23,695
sessions with professionals presenting this factual

657
00:40:23,695 --> 00:40:26,855
information and answering these questions openly

658
00:40:27,475 --> 00:40:32,415
so people can form, form, inform opinions based on facts,

659
00:40:32,635 --> 00:40:35,055
not pol not politics or misinformation.

660
00:40:35,705 --> 00:40:36,705
Thank you.

661
00:40:37,385 --> 00:40:37,815
Thank you.

662
00:40:43,855 --> 00:40:45,535
Next we have Corey Anderson.

663
00:40:46,835 --> 00:40:48,655
You have five minutes and I'll let you know when

664
00:40:49,035 --> 00:40:50,055
you have 30 seconds left.

665
00:40:50,455 --> 00:40:52,175
I, I'm sorry if, could you just hold on one second.

666
00:40:52,515 --> 00:40:55,055
People who are here, you're also gonna have your chance

667
00:40:55,155 --> 00:40:57,855
to speak and I'm gonna, we're gonna ask

668
00:40:57,855 --> 00:40:59,855
that everybody give each other the same respect when

669
00:40:59,945 --> 00:41:01,095
folks are up at the podium.

670
00:41:01,145 --> 00:41:02,145
Thank you.

671
00:41:02,825 --> 00:41:05,735
Thank you. Good evening everyone.

672
00:41:05,745 --> 00:41:09,095
Mayor council Corey Anderson, 1 0 6 North 16th Street.

673
00:41:10,205 --> 00:41:11,295
Been in this town 18 years.

674
00:41:11,375 --> 00:41:12,775
I don't think I've ever spoken this podium,

675
00:41:13,955 --> 00:41:15,655
but I am honored to speak today.

676
00:41:16,335 --> 00:41:18,535
I just wanna speak about about unity.

677
00:41:19,215 --> 00:41:22,215
Some of you may know me. Yes, I am a DPW worker,

678
00:41:22,515 --> 00:41:23,855
but I'm also a homeowner here

679
00:41:24,655 --> 00:41:27,015
raising two young girls with my wife.

680
00:41:27,875 --> 00:41:30,255
So tonight I wanna speak about respect and unity

681
00:41:30,915 --> 00:41:33,885
and I'm glad I came up after Jason after just what happened.

682
00:41:35,585 --> 00:41:39,045
You know, no matter the political views

683
00:41:39,145 --> 00:41:42,285
or differences of opinion, we must remember

684
00:41:42,285 --> 00:41:44,005
that we are neighbors first.

685
00:41:44,635 --> 00:41:46,565
Whether you live in the first, second,

686
00:41:46,625 --> 00:41:48,605
or third ward, we all want the same things.

687
00:41:49,145 --> 00:41:50,845
We want safe and clean streets.

688
00:41:51,545 --> 00:41:53,285
I'm sure a lot of us want lower taxes

689
00:41:54,105 --> 00:41:56,365
and of course we want those potholes filled

690
00:41:56,465 --> 00:41:59,605
as my director just applied there.

691
00:42:00,545 --> 00:42:02,925
We just want a community that we can be proud of.

692
00:42:04,385 --> 00:42:06,285
We may debate issues passionately,

693
00:42:06,665 --> 00:42:08,245
but we should never lose respect

694
00:42:08,245 --> 00:42:09,605
for one another in the process.

695
00:42:10,825 --> 00:42:14,605
Our local elected officials dedicate countless hours in

696
00:42:14,605 --> 00:42:15,725
serving this community

697
00:42:15,825 --> 00:42:17,925
and they do it for very little compensation.

698
00:42:18,505 --> 00:42:20,685
So they deserve to be treated with dignity

699
00:42:21,065 --> 00:42:24,605
and respect, especially the women on this council.

700
00:42:34,245 --> 00:42:36,365
I think disrespect, personal attacks

701
00:42:36,625 --> 00:42:38,765
and hostility should never become a standard

702
00:42:39,025 --> 00:42:40,085
in public discourse.

703
00:42:41,025 --> 00:42:43,085
We can disagree without being disrespectful.

704
00:42:44,685 --> 00:42:46,845
A united community is built through communication,

705
00:42:47,085 --> 00:42:49,085
understanding, and mutual respect.

706
00:42:49,505 --> 00:42:50,725
Let tonight be a reminder

707
00:42:50,875 --> 00:42:52,805
that we are stronger when we come together

708
00:42:53,225 --> 00:42:56,045
and support one another. Thank you for your time.

709
00:42:56,375 --> 00:42:56,845
Thank you.

710
00:43:02,235 --> 00:43:06,405
Next is, I think it's Hilda and Frank from Farndale Avenue.

711
00:43:07,585 --> 00:43:11,645
I'm sorry. Okay,

712
00:43:23,025 --> 00:43:24,645
you have five minutes and I'll let you know

713
00:43:24,645 --> 00:43:25,685
when you have 30 seconds left.

714
00:43:25,945 --> 00:43:28,325
Yes, thank you. If I may approach the council, I,

715
00:43:28,885 --> 00:43:30,805
I brought some photographs. You can give it

716
00:43:30,805 --> 00:43:31,965
To the Clerk. Yes, please.

717
00:43:32,265 --> 00:43:36,005
Oh, State your name for the record.

718
00:43:39,205 --> 00:43:41,005
Good evening Mayor Mundell and Council.

719
00:43:41,625 --> 00:43:45,165
My name is CIO Berti and I reside at 39 Farndale Avenue.

720
00:43:46,305 --> 00:43:49,525
And keeping with what this gentleman just mentioned in

721
00:43:49,635 --> 00:43:52,325
keeping our community united and strong.

722
00:43:52,325 --> 00:43:55,005
When we all come together, I truly believe

723
00:43:55,005 --> 00:43:57,525
that I'm here representing not just myself

724
00:43:57,785 --> 00:43:59,725
but my neighborhood and possibly

725
00:44:01,555 --> 00:44:03,605
furthermore further of our community.

726
00:44:04,045 --> 00:44:05,845
The reason I'm here and what I have brought over

727
00:44:05,945 --> 00:44:09,805
to the council are some photographs of some recent

728
00:44:10,635 --> 00:44:13,325
sightings that have been occurring in our

729
00:44:13,325 --> 00:44:14,565
neighborhood of rats.

730
00:44:15,395 --> 00:44:18,645
This has been a concern for some time

731
00:44:19,305 --> 00:44:23,045
and the concern has increased as the population

732
00:44:23,045 --> 00:44:27,365
of the rats has increased as I'm seeing them during the day

733
00:44:29,065 --> 00:44:33,485
in the neighbor's house, my home, I have approached,

734
00:44:33,805 --> 00:44:38,565
I have emailed the health department, I was informed

735
00:44:38,635 --> 00:44:41,285
that there was an inspection done to my home

736
00:44:41,285 --> 00:44:44,205
and surrounding areas in my, around my neighborhood.

737
00:44:44,585 --> 00:44:47,925
And that my home did not seem like a, an area

738
00:44:47,935 --> 00:44:52,205
where they would burrow well despite the fact

739
00:44:52,205 --> 00:44:53,765
that my area is kept clean

740
00:44:54,825 --> 00:44:58,725
and I have certain things that I do in keep in place so

741
00:44:58,725 --> 00:45:01,525
that my area could be clean and there's no rats.

742
00:45:02,095 --> 00:45:04,165
There is an issue, you know,

743
00:45:04,185 --> 00:45:07,205
as we all wouldn't wanna have our children going outside,

744
00:45:07,205 --> 00:45:10,805
especially after the health concerns that have been online

745
00:45:11,035 --> 00:45:12,405
with the ship, right?

746
00:45:12,415 --> 00:45:17,085
We're all concerned because rats carry viruses that we may

747
00:45:17,145 --> 00:45:18,445
or may not know what it is.

748
00:45:18,905 --> 00:45:21,045
And it is a concern when it affects our

749
00:45:21,175 --> 00:45:22,965
population and our children.

750
00:45:23,705 --> 00:45:26,005
So I'm not just bringing my concerns

751
00:45:26,025 --> 00:45:28,405
to the council saying, what can you do?

752
00:45:28,475 --> 00:45:29,525
What have you not done?

753
00:45:29,985 --> 00:45:32,805
I'm here stating that because this is our community

754
00:45:32,805 --> 00:45:36,045
and we want it to stay a good healthy community,

755
00:45:36,045 --> 00:45:37,125
what can we do together?

756
00:45:37,965 --> 00:45:39,885
Because we are willing to do whatever it takes

757
00:45:39,905 --> 00:45:41,205
to get the rats out.

758
00:45:42,725 --> 00:45:45,165
I know that there's neighboring towns that have

759
00:45:45,755 --> 00:45:47,445
garbage receptacles that are

760
00:45:47,685 --> 00:45:50,645
provided so that the trash is not simply placed on the

761
00:45:50,645 --> 00:45:54,765
curbside where the bags, the rats can go in ensuring

762
00:45:54,795 --> 00:45:58,045
that there is compliance with ordinances with our neighbors.

763
00:45:58,905 --> 00:46:00,605
And not that we wanna tell on our neighbors,

764
00:46:00,625 --> 00:46:02,765
but have a respect for our own home

765
00:46:03,345 --> 00:46:05,005
and our surrounding neighbors

766
00:46:05,155 --> 00:46:07,885
because that does affect, it doesn't matter how clean I,

767
00:46:08,165 --> 00:46:12,085
I keep my home and if the neighbor next door

768
00:46:12,345 --> 00:46:15,365
or further down is doing whatever they need.

769
00:46:15,745 --> 00:46:17,405
And I do understand there's circumstances

770
00:46:17,405 --> 00:46:18,965
where there's some individuals that are older

771
00:46:19,265 --> 00:46:22,805
and may not have the finances to be able to take care

772
00:46:22,805 --> 00:46:25,805
of the garden, but this is when we all come as a community,

773
00:46:26,325 --> 00:46:28,405
I know that we all have to think outside the box

774
00:46:28,425 --> 00:46:29,605
to see what can we do.

775
00:46:30,045 --> 00:46:31,925
I knew in New York when there was a storm

776
00:46:31,945 --> 00:46:33,365
and there was issues with snow,

777
00:46:33,635 --> 00:46:35,965
they were allowing the homeless people to come

778
00:46:36,385 --> 00:46:39,965
and be able to have some money to clean out the snow.

779
00:46:40,565 --> 00:46:42,605
I mean there's things that we all come together.

780
00:46:42,605 --> 00:46:44,845
There's people that wanna feed their families

781
00:46:44,845 --> 00:46:48,325
that will stand in corners for for hours.

782
00:46:49,025 --> 00:46:51,845
Not asking for money but asking for employment.

783
00:46:52,875 --> 00:46:54,405
What can we do as a community

784
00:46:54,465 --> 00:46:57,685
to make our community safe holding big businesses

785
00:46:57,685 --> 00:46:59,685
accountable for their garbage?

786
00:47:00,755 --> 00:47:02,525
What are they doing to keep their garbage

787
00:47:02,895 --> 00:47:04,325
controlled and maintained?

788
00:47:05,545 --> 00:47:09,845
Are we, I know the, there was a, a meeting last week

789
00:47:09,845 --> 00:47:11,925
where I heard the officers saying there's an app

790
00:47:12,135 --> 00:47:14,565
where we can report something that we see for crime.

791
00:47:15,605 --> 00:47:17,885
I know I don't wanna tell on any neighbors or anything,

792
00:47:18,025 --> 00:47:20,485
but if there's something anonymously we can also do like,

793
00:47:20,665 --> 00:47:23,165
hey, maybe she needs a little bit of help cleaning up.

794
00:47:23,425 --> 00:47:27,325
Or maybe they're not aware that we have ordinances in towns

795
00:47:27,325 --> 00:47:29,725
where we can't just throw our garbage in the backyard.

796
00:47:30,565 --> 00:47:33,525
Certain things like that that we can all do together.

797
00:47:34,325 --> 00:47:36,365
Possibly getting information at the health clinics

798
00:47:36,365 --> 00:47:38,205
where people are coming that don't have insurance.

799
00:47:38,395 --> 00:47:42,765
Because if they don't have insurance, there's maybe not able

800
00:47:42,765 --> 00:47:45,285
to have resources to the information that's on the website

801
00:47:45,635 --> 00:47:47,405
with the issues with the rats.

802
00:47:48,355 --> 00:47:51,005
What can they do? Because I'm sure they would wanna keep

803
00:47:51,005 --> 00:47:52,485
their families safe as well.

804
00:47:52,945 --> 00:47:55,005
So these are just a couple of things that I wanted

805
00:47:55,005 --> 00:47:56,605
to bring about because once again,

806
00:47:56,675 --> 00:47:58,765
it's not what can you just do? Excuse

807
00:47:58,945 --> 00:47:59,945
Me?

808
00:47:59,945 --> 00:48:00,245
You have 30 seconds. Yes,

809
00:48:00,585 --> 00:48:01,585
I'm closing.

810
00:48:01,585 --> 00:48:03,885
I got my timer. But what can we do as a community?

811
00:48:03,985 --> 00:48:06,085
But if you could please hear our concerns

812
00:48:06,085 --> 00:48:09,565
because we are concerned about the population increasing.

813
00:48:09,935 --> 00:48:10,935
Thank you.

814
00:48:14,745 --> 00:48:17,565
So ma'am, if you wanna give your information,

815
00:48:18,685 --> 00:48:21,045
I don't know if Jackie's is, Jackie's waving in the back.

816
00:48:21,045 --> 00:48:23,845
If you wanna give your information to Jackie back there,

817
00:48:23,905 --> 00:48:24,925
she can help you with.

818
00:48:25,355 --> 00:48:27,285
Just make sure that someone circles back

819
00:48:27,285 --> 00:48:28,525
with you about the rodent issue.

820
00:48:28,905 --> 00:48:31,765
And there is a way to report

821
00:48:32,475 --> 00:48:34,605
anonymously on the clean and strong portal.

822
00:48:34,865 --> 00:48:36,845
So I don't think you need to look at it

823
00:48:36,845 --> 00:48:38,005
as telling on your neighbor.

824
00:48:38,115 --> 00:48:39,405
It's, it's just reporting like a

825
00:48:39,405 --> 00:48:40,965
health, a public health issue.

826
00:48:41,065 --> 00:48:44,005
And so you can just, you can fill it out anonymously

827
00:48:44,005 --> 00:48:45,085
if you don't wanna put your name in.

828
00:48:45,985 --> 00:48:47,205
And then there's programs

829
00:48:47,205 --> 00:48:50,325
and stuff that, that the town has through like neighborhood

830
00:48:50,325 --> 00:48:52,725
to neighbor network and other things that there's resources

831
00:48:52,785 --> 00:48:54,245
for some of the things that you're talking about.

832
00:48:54,345 --> 00:48:56,885
So if you give your information to Jackie back there,

833
00:48:56,885 --> 00:48:58,645
she'll she'll someone will get back to you about that.

834
00:48:59,055 --> 00:49:00,055
Thank you.

835
00:49:01,915 --> 00:49:05,895
Next Matthew font. Is it? Thank you.

836
00:49:07,555 --> 00:49:10,455
Please state your name and address for the record. Thank

837
00:49:10,455 --> 00:49:11,455
You.

838
00:49:11,455 --> 00:49:11,775
It's nice to see some familiar faces.

839
00:49:12,555 --> 00:49:15,695
My name is Matthew Font res, former resident

840
00:49:15,695 --> 00:49:19,215
of 27 Park Place five year, almost four and a half year.

841
00:49:19,405 --> 00:49:20,775
Said that backwards. Four and a half,

842
00:49:20,775 --> 00:49:24,375
almost five year tenure just right off the bat.

843
00:49:25,345 --> 00:49:28,055
Occupation? Occupation wise?

844
00:49:28,495 --> 00:49:33,455
I am a commercial HVAC installer, so I frequent derelict

845
00:49:33,455 --> 00:49:34,895
to rooftops on a daily basis.

846
00:49:37,255 --> 00:49:39,775
Majority of them are fraught with ponding water.

847
00:49:41,275 --> 00:49:42,975
I'm having technical difficulties with this Mike.

848
00:49:45,285 --> 00:49:47,335
It's great that we have a monthly recognition

849
00:49:47,355 --> 00:49:49,895
for things like gun violence, mental health awareness,

850
00:49:50,355 --> 00:49:52,815
but I still see slight squander

851
00:49:53,075 --> 00:49:54,975
and it's not the potholes disclaimer.

852
00:49:54,975 --> 00:49:58,135
This is all just good faith constructive criticism.

853
00:49:58,855 --> 00:50:00,575
Councilwoman Gonzalez began

854
00:50:00,755 --> 00:50:03,415
by mentioning the key term diaspora.

855
00:50:04,255 --> 00:50:07,015
Displacement isn't mutually exclusive to one ethnic group.

856
00:50:07,375 --> 00:50:10,055
I say that as a descendant of Cuban parents.

857
00:50:11,035 --> 00:50:13,335
Anyone in this room can be rendered a diaspora from

858
00:50:13,565 --> 00:50:17,655
despotism religious persecution or regulatory negligence.

859
00:50:18,065 --> 00:50:20,935
50% of the town constituents are renters.

860
00:50:21,435 --> 00:50:23,455
That's a colorblind stat in my book.

861
00:50:23,675 --> 00:50:25,815
How many people in this room know what a scupper is?

862
00:50:25,955 --> 00:50:27,645
It takes one waltz around town

863
00:50:27,645 --> 00:50:29,085
and immediate Google search

864
00:50:29,345 --> 00:50:31,405
to know this rudimentary device saves lives.

865
00:50:32,645 --> 00:50:34,005
I understand certain anonymities

866
00:50:34,005 --> 00:50:35,525
or pedigrees are apropros

867
00:50:35,525 --> 00:50:38,805
to the tenants out-of-pocket expense such as exterminators,

868
00:50:39,245 --> 00:50:41,645
septics sewage, but rooftop drainage.

869
00:50:41,785 --> 00:50:44,645
Who are we fooling? Nobody should have to live in fear

870
00:50:44,645 --> 00:50:46,845
of gun violence or a roof collapse.

871
00:50:46,895 --> 00:50:48,845
These things don't just arbitrarily happen.

872
00:50:49,425 --> 00:50:50,965
An elderly woman in my building was

873
00:50:51,165 --> 00:50:52,485
hospitalized in critical condition.

874
00:50:52,615 --> 00:50:53,645
Would anyone allow this

875
00:50:53,645 --> 00:50:55,845
where a gun violence committed towards a child

876
00:50:56,025 --> 00:50:58,965
or lemons law with automobile, we call

877
00:50:58,965 --> 00:51:00,125
that vicarious liability.

878
00:51:00,285 --> 00:51:03,405
A spade is a spade. How much of a pretext does a town need

879
00:51:03,545 --> 00:51:05,125
to send a drone around town?

880
00:51:05,365 --> 00:51:06,885
I know the private insurance firms do

881
00:51:06,885 --> 00:51:07,925
that without hesitation.

882
00:51:09,245 --> 00:51:11,325
I know other people tonight are gonna mention the pilot

883
00:51:11,725 --> 00:51:12,965
urping clout from the schools

884
00:51:13,065 --> 00:51:14,925
or sabotage of the Rent leveling board

885
00:51:14,945 --> 00:51:17,565
or obfuscation of trying to obtain an Oprah.

886
00:51:17,985 --> 00:51:20,365
But again, how much of a pretext to town need?

887
00:51:20,365 --> 00:51:21,405
That's all I have to say.

888
00:51:23,375 --> 00:51:23,845
Thank you

889
00:51:28,975 --> 00:51:29,325
Donna.

890
00:51:29,455 --> 00:51:30,455
Donna Ryan.

891
00:51:39,555 --> 00:51:41,605
Good evening before.

892
00:51:41,745 --> 00:51:44,485
My name is Donna Ryan, 1 34 Berkeley Avenue.

893
00:51:45,745 --> 00:51:47,365
Before I begin, I would like to say

894
00:51:47,365 --> 00:51:48,965
that I am not running for office.

895
00:51:50,045 --> 00:51:51,685
I am here after calculating

896
00:51:51,685 --> 00:51:56,245
that my annual sewage fee would be $465 using the

897
00:51:56,265 --> 00:52:00,845
online calculator that was provided by NW Financial.

898
00:52:01,825 --> 00:52:03,525
I'm here because I'm about transparency,

899
00:52:03,625 --> 00:52:05,845
fiscal accountability, dialogue,

900
00:52:05,905 --> 00:52:07,565
and making informed decisions.

901
00:52:07,795 --> 00:52:08,965
Here are my four points.

902
00:52:09,375 --> 00:52:12,405
Point number one for counsel to present a draft

903
00:52:12,425 --> 00:52:13,485
of the municipal budget.

904
00:52:13,835 --> 00:52:15,005
This is true transparency.

905
00:52:15,525 --> 00:52:18,365
I know I can say I am not alone when to have a,

906
00:52:18,485 --> 00:52:21,045
a retroactive sewage ordinance presented

907
00:52:21,045 --> 00:52:23,525
before the municipal budget is very suspect.

908
00:52:24,305 --> 00:52:28,005
My second point I,

909
00:52:30,005 --> 00:52:31,005
I only have five minutes.

910
00:52:31,225 --> 00:52:34,805
So my second point is a revision of the sewer ordinance.

911
00:52:35,305 --> 00:52:38,605
The experts that recommended the pricing have, I believe

912
00:52:38,605 --> 00:52:40,605
that they have far overestimated

913
00:52:40,605 --> 00:52:42,085
that the average homeowner's ability

914
00:52:42,105 --> 00:52:43,725
to continue living in this town.

915
00:52:44,275 --> 00:52:46,765
What do I want to see in a revised ordinance?

916
00:52:47,025 --> 00:52:50,285
Number one, commission a sewer use study,

917
00:52:50,865 --> 00:52:53,325
not a sewer rate analysis that can be used

918
00:52:53,325 --> 00:52:56,445
to establish equitable rates for residential, commercial,

919
00:52:56,575 --> 00:52:58,565
industrial and large developments.

920
00:52:59,485 --> 00:53:00,965
B, in a sewage rate study.

921
00:53:01,265 --> 00:53:03,805
In the sewage rate study that I offered, I would like

922
00:53:03,805 --> 00:53:06,125
to point out that one of the options presented

923
00:53:06,125 --> 00:53:09,885
by NW Financial was to exempt five eighths

924
00:53:10,395 --> 00:53:11,685
metered homeowners.

925
00:53:12,185 --> 00:53:16,525
And I understand the legal basis for universal contribution

926
00:53:16,785 --> 00:53:18,325
to the system because

927
00:53:18,915 --> 00:53:20,685
that was part of the research that I did.

928
00:53:20,835 --> 00:53:23,245
What I am suggesting is a hybrid model

929
00:53:23,395 --> 00:53:27,565
that would combine a standard modest flat, flat fee.

930
00:53:28,035 --> 00:53:31,005
When I say modest, I mean like $5 per quarter

931
00:53:31,225 --> 00:53:34,805
for a five eighths meter along with volumetric pricing.

932
00:53:34,835 --> 00:53:39,245
That occurs only once the user surpasses the standard flow.

933
00:53:39,425 --> 00:53:43,565
And the standard flow would be the average of your Q1 use

934
00:53:43,985 --> 00:53:45,245
for a five eighths meter.

935
00:53:45,545 --> 00:53:47,125
I'm talking only five eighths meters

936
00:53:47,125 --> 00:53:49,045
because that's what your average one

937
00:53:49,045 --> 00:53:50,125
and two family homes are.

938
00:53:50,545 --> 00:53:53,525
By using Q1 averages, you will eliminate the use

939
00:53:53,585 --> 00:53:56,525
of the issue of swimming pools watering your garden

940
00:53:56,785 --> 00:53:59,245
or car wash fundraisers that are used by the schools.

941
00:54:00,405 --> 00:54:02,325
C establish an appeal process.

942
00:54:03,245 --> 00:54:05,805
D attach a rate schedule similar to

943
00:54:05,805 --> 00:54:08,365
what other towns in the surrounding areas have done

944
00:54:08,745 --> 00:54:12,085
to guarantee give residents a guarantee of fixed pricing.

945
00:54:12,455 --> 00:54:14,805
Since we have a 2% cap on property taxes,

946
00:54:15,325 --> 00:54:17,725
I would suggest a 2% cap on sewer utility.

947
00:54:18,105 --> 00:54:20,765
The rest can be subsidized out of the general budget.

948
00:54:21,065 --> 00:54:22,165
And if you do it that way,

949
00:54:22,505 --> 00:54:25,205
you can continue keeping the school's water

950
00:54:25,265 --> 00:54:27,765
and sewage use under the general budget.

951
00:54:28,065 --> 00:54:32,205
If you move completely to a sewage based utility, eventually

952
00:54:32,225 --> 00:54:34,045
that's going to have to move into their budget.

953
00:54:35,165 --> 00:54:38,045
E the retroactive nature of the ordinance, I'm sorry,

954
00:54:38,065 --> 00:54:39,845
but I feel it's just pure nonsense.

955
00:54:40,145 --> 00:54:43,525
No one budgets that way. Okay, my third point.

956
00:54:43,945 --> 00:54:45,485
You were elected to represent us.

957
00:54:45,705 --> 00:54:47,565
So I'm going to ask you to please represent

958
00:54:47,565 --> 00:54:48,685
us beyond Bloomfield.

959
00:54:49,185 --> 00:54:52,325
Why should Bloomfield a legacy municipality

960
00:54:52,465 --> 00:54:55,805
of the Passaic Valley Sewage Commission established in 1911?

961
00:54:56,105 --> 00:54:58,365
Why should we pay for the infrastructure

962
00:54:58,665 --> 00:54:59,965
of surrounding towns

963
00:55:00,145 --> 00:55:02,965
and their large developments including data centers?

964
00:55:03,625 --> 00:55:06,205
The governor ran a campaign on affordability

965
00:55:06,705 --> 00:55:09,245
and declared war on utilities.

966
00:55:09,595 --> 00:55:11,045
Hold the governor accountable.

967
00:55:11,355 --> 00:55:13,085
Hold Passaic Valley Sewage Commission

968
00:55:13,085 --> 00:55:14,165
accountable for the same.

969
00:55:14,645 --> 00:55:17,125
I have phones the governor's office four times.

970
00:55:18,085 --> 00:55:21,365
I have actually spoken to a governor's aide who referred me

971
00:55:21,365 --> 00:55:22,845
to the Board of Public Utilities.

972
00:55:23,065 --> 00:55:25,645
The Board of Public Utilities told me in writing,

973
00:55:25,995 --> 00:55:28,885
they are not responsible for water and sewage utility.

974
00:55:29,505 --> 00:55:32,445
So why would the governor's office refer me to the BPU?

975
00:55:32,665 --> 00:55:35,325
If the BPU is it, it's a giant circle

976
00:55:35,425 --> 00:55:36,885
of no one knows what they're doing.

977
00:55:37,355 --> 00:55:38,765
Okay, so you can

978
00:55:39,365 --> 00:55:41,805
represent us at Passaic Valley Sewage Commission.

979
00:55:42,195 --> 00:55:44,845
Okay. This is a much larger issue than just Bloomfield.

980
00:55:44,905 --> 00:55:47,005
It affects the entire Passaic Valley region

981
00:55:47,505 --> 00:55:48,845
as well as the county and the state.

982
00:55:49,075 --> 00:55:51,885
Okay, it's the governor declared state

983
00:55:51,885 --> 00:55:53,605
of emergency January 1st.

984
00:55:54,305 --> 00:55:57,125
Now it's being applied just electric if you actually read

985
00:55:57,125 --> 00:55:58,605
her emergency declaration.

986
00:55:58,865 --> 00:56:01,125
But that includes she ran on utilities.

987
00:56:01,475 --> 00:56:04,485
That includes all utilities, water and sewer utilities.

988
00:56:04,745 --> 00:56:08,285
Now this is very important as a legacy municipality.

989
00:56:08,615 --> 00:56:11,165
Bloomfield has his historic, excuse me, 30 seconds.

990
00:56:12,765 --> 00:56:15,805
Historic governance leverage that could use to negotiate.

991
00:56:16,065 --> 00:56:18,045
It just takes courage for someone on the council

992
00:56:18,185 --> 00:56:19,245
to show some leadership.

993
00:56:19,475 --> 00:56:21,845
Currently there's nine appointed commissioners.

994
00:56:22,185 --> 00:56:24,005
No one from Bloomfield is represented,

995
00:56:24,225 --> 00:56:26,605
but little Wallington with 12,000 residents.

996
00:56:26,605 --> 00:56:28,565
They are last point, I'm sorry.

997
00:56:29,015 --> 00:56:32,325
Adopt an immediate and unanimous moratorium on

998
00:56:32,465 --> 00:56:33,645
all pilot projects.

999
00:56:33,905 --> 00:56:35,605
Appeal to the governor to do the same.

1000
00:56:35,935 --> 00:56:38,525
Pilot agreements tie into state law,

1001
00:56:38,865 --> 00:56:42,005
but given the current financial strains we face as a state,

1002
00:56:42,225 --> 00:56:43,725
the inflated cost of sewage

1003
00:56:43,725 --> 00:56:46,725
and the need for a sewage you study, as well

1004
00:56:46,725 --> 00:56:49,005
as the mass amount of data center applications,

1005
00:56:49,745 --> 00:56:52,325
you can legally impose a temporary moratorium.

1006
00:56:52,375 --> 00:56:53,485
Thank you for the 32nd.

1007
00:57:03,265 --> 00:57:03,885
Excuse me.

1008
00:57:07,635 --> 00:57:08,965
Next is Ted Glick.

1009
00:57:10,885 --> 00:57:13,885
Ted Glick. Oh, this is

1010
00:57:13,885 --> 00:57:14,885
A copy of my speaker.

1011
00:57:14,885 --> 00:57:16,925
Okay, thank you Ted Glick,

1012
00:57:27,905 --> 00:57:31,325
please state your name and address and you have five minutes

1013
00:57:33,975 --> 00:57:35,845
Glick, 500 Rotan Avenue.

1014
00:57:36,065 --> 00:57:40,685
And that is a really hard act to follow. That was so good.

1015
00:57:41,045 --> 00:57:42,485
IIII learned a lot

1016
00:57:42,545 --> 00:57:45,085
and I would really love to study what you just said.

1017
00:57:45,085 --> 00:57:49,285
Seriously. 'cause I am not an expert on issue of the sewers

1018
00:57:49,345 --> 00:57:51,605
and the taxes on, on sewer usage.

1019
00:57:51,705 --> 00:57:54,645
I'm just not. So I'm kind of learning on the fly here.

1020
00:57:54,885 --> 00:57:56,365
I think a lot of us are right?

1021
00:57:56,745 --> 00:57:58,005
But again, thank you for that.

1022
00:57:59,105 --> 00:58:00,605
So let me just make a few points.

1023
00:58:03,005 --> 00:58:05,405
This document here is an interesting document.

1024
00:58:06,065 --> 00:58:07,645
It would've been nice if this was available

1025
00:58:07,705 --> 00:58:10,045
before 6:45 PM I mean,

1026
00:58:10,085 --> 00:58:11,725
I understand there were some other documents,

1027
00:58:11,745 --> 00:58:14,565
but this one, you know, would've been good to have people

1028
00:58:15,075 --> 00:58:17,725
with knowledge of this issue to look, look at it,

1029
00:58:17,725 --> 00:58:20,245
to assess it, and to be able to speak here tonight.

1030
00:58:21,545 --> 00:58:23,405
So that's just one kind of small point.

1031
00:58:24,325 --> 00:58:27,005
I also agree with what the sister said about April 1st.

1032
00:58:27,075 --> 00:58:28,845
Like it's retroactive to April 1st.

1033
00:58:29,365 --> 00:58:32,125
I mean, that kind of, kind of gives it away really in terms

1034
00:58:32,125 --> 00:58:34,405
of kind of a process that was being rushed

1035
00:58:34,745 --> 00:58:37,085
and pushed for some reason, right?

1036
00:58:37,715 --> 00:58:38,885
It's been slowed up now.

1037
00:58:39,055 --> 00:58:40,965
Thank, thank heavens, thank whomever.

1038
00:58:42,705 --> 00:58:45,605
But so it's a good thing that time is being taken

1039
00:58:45,605 --> 00:58:48,965
because of the concerns, the questions a lot

1040
00:58:48,965 --> 00:58:50,245
of us have about all of this.

1041
00:58:51,085 --> 00:58:52,245
That's a good thing.

1042
00:58:53,635 --> 00:58:54,845
Just a couple other points

1043
00:58:54,875 --> 00:58:56,485
that I don't think have been made yet.

1044
00:58:59,305 --> 00:59:02,565
The, this, some, somebody

1045
00:59:02,585 --> 00:59:04,485
who knows more about this than I do

1046
00:59:05,135 --> 00:59:07,525
spoke about an issue this, this issue this way.

1047
00:59:10,015 --> 00:59:13,965
Bloomfield moving quickly to add a new sewer fee

1048
00:59:15,025 --> 00:59:16,205
as a separate bill.

1049
00:59:17,235 --> 00:59:20,285
This will mean that instead of paying for sewer costs

1050
00:59:20,285 --> 00:59:24,885
through property taxes, residents will now pay a new bill

1051
00:59:24,955 --> 00:59:28,765
with the fixed change no matter what, et cetera.

1052
00:59:30,585 --> 00:59:34,965
And what this means is that in terms of for, for seniors,

1053
00:59:35,145 --> 00:59:37,925
for the programs that exist, you know,

1054
00:59:37,925 --> 00:59:40,685
the senior freeze state New Jersey anchor

1055
00:59:41,415 --> 00:59:45,005
money is then not going to be go going back to them

1056
00:59:45,005 --> 00:59:47,325
through those programs for this money

1057
00:59:47,345 --> 00:59:49,365
that's being taken out of the property tax.

1058
00:59:49,795 --> 00:59:51,325
That seems to be questionable.

1059
00:59:52,505 --> 00:59:55,125
And, and just that leads to the, the last thing I'll say.

1060
01:00:00,165 --> 01:00:02,175
This same person says that

1061
01:00:03,635 --> 01:00:07,815
the sewer fee won't be reimbursed the way that it could be

1062
01:00:07,815 --> 01:00:09,175
with these state programs.

1063
01:00:10,445 --> 01:00:14,935
Seniors and disabled residents will pay more out of pocket

1064
01:00:15,495 --> 01:00:17,775
altogether when you take all of the taxes.

1065
01:00:19,515 --> 01:00:20,855
And there'll be possibilities

1066
01:00:21,155 --> 01:00:23,255
for increases in property taxes

1067
01:00:23,285 --> 01:00:27,335
because this has been taken out, which is kind of ominous.

1068
01:00:28,085 --> 01:00:30,575
It's also 100% disabled.

1069
01:00:30,975 --> 01:00:34,895
Veterans who don't pay any property taxes today will now

1070
01:00:34,895 --> 01:00:36,495
have to pay this new fee.

1071
01:00:37,155 --> 01:00:39,575
So there, there's so many questions about this.

1072
01:00:41,095 --> 01:00:42,615
A moratorium is what we need.

1073
01:00:43,175 --> 01:00:44,855
This thing should be like laid aside.

1074
01:00:45,345 --> 01:00:47,015
Let's wait till after this election's

1075
01:00:47,675 --> 01:00:48,775
coming up in two weeks.

1076
01:00:49,655 --> 01:00:52,415
Let's have some serious sub discussion.

1077
01:00:52,435 --> 01:00:56,935
Get, let's get input from people like this woman who spoke

1078
01:00:57,035 --> 01:00:58,655
and others not.

1079
01:00:58,655 --> 01:01:00,175
Just kind of bring something forward

1080
01:01:00,235 --> 01:01:01,455
saying, we're going to do this.

1081
01:01:01,555 --> 01:01:04,455
In fact, we're already setting it up, starting April 1st

1082
01:01:04,455 --> 01:01:06,135
before you even find out about it.

1083
01:01:06,355 --> 01:01:08,615
That's not the way business should be done by this council.

1084
01:01:08,725 --> 01:01:11,895
There's gotta be a two-way street between the leadership

1085
01:01:11,955 --> 01:01:14,935
of the township and the residents of the township

1086
01:01:14,955 --> 01:01:16,375
and the citizens of the township.

1087
01:01:16,575 --> 01:01:18,575
A much more back and forth process.

1088
01:01:18,795 --> 01:01:21,735
That's the way a real democracy should work. Thank you.

1089
01:01:32,055 --> 01:01:35,265
Next is Joey Huddleston.

1090
01:01:35,815 --> 01:01:38,385
Joey Huddleston, Newark Avenue.

1091
01:01:43,095 --> 01:01:44,965
Thank you. Yes, Joey Huddleston, Newark Avenue.

1092
01:01:46,265 --> 01:01:48,605
For the information session on May 7th.

1093
01:01:48,925 --> 01:01:50,285
I submitted nine questions.

1094
01:01:50,895 --> 01:01:52,605
Three of them were somewhat addressed

1095
01:01:52,625 --> 01:01:55,045
and the other six made no appearance.

1096
01:01:55,825 --> 01:01:57,565
It can't be because of a shortage of time

1097
01:01:57,565 --> 01:02:00,325
because that session only lasted 22 minutes

1098
01:02:00,905 --> 01:02:02,525
and appeared to be prerecorded.

1099
01:02:03,565 --> 01:02:05,205
Moreover, neither the mayor

1100
01:02:05,305 --> 01:02:06,765
nor the council members who voted

1101
01:02:06,865 --> 01:02:08,685
to push forward the sewer change were

1102
01:02:08,685 --> 01:02:09,885
present to answer questions.

1103
01:02:10,785 --> 01:02:14,245
But I do value your time. So I'll simply enter my questions

1104
01:02:14,275 --> 01:02:15,725
into the public record here tonight.

1105
01:02:16,335 --> 01:02:19,245
First question, when will the mayor, the council

1106
01:02:19,585 --> 01:02:21,845
or administrator, does Enzo provide residence

1107
01:02:21,845 --> 01:02:24,605
with the full Northwest financial sewer usage study

1108
01:02:24,965 --> 01:02:26,005
referenced in the ordinance?

1109
01:02:26,425 --> 01:02:28,325
It forms the basis for the new fee.

1110
01:02:28,785 --> 01:02:31,165
And Bloomfield residents deserve to know why their mayor

1111
01:02:31,185 --> 01:02:33,605
and council is making room in the property tax structure

1112
01:02:33,605 --> 01:02:36,605
that could result in possible further increases

1113
01:02:37,185 --> 01:02:39,365
as the FAQ page implies.

1114
01:02:39,385 --> 01:02:42,085
On question three, question two,

1115
01:02:42,355 --> 01:02:43,845
what steps will the township take

1116
01:02:43,845 --> 01:02:46,205
to establish an internal financial oversight

1117
01:02:46,205 --> 01:02:47,285
committee or subcommittee?

1118
01:02:47,715 --> 01:02:48,765
Many of your residents

1119
01:02:48,765 --> 01:02:52,205
and voters do not trust so-called financial professionals

1120
01:02:52,625 --> 01:02:55,085
and want to see better transparency from this

1121
01:02:55,225 --> 01:02:56,565
and future councils.

1122
01:03:00,265 --> 01:03:03,005
The, the information session claimed it would only be nine

1123
01:03:03,005 --> 01:03:04,045
bucks to fill a pool.

1124
01:03:04,645 --> 01:03:06,525
I don't believe it without seeing proof.

1125
01:03:07,355 --> 01:03:09,565
Just like I don't believe Donald Trump is going

1126
01:03:09,565 --> 01:03:11,885
to send me a check for savings from tariffs.

1127
01:03:12,865 --> 01:03:15,165
You have to show your work to be believed

1128
01:03:15,585 --> 01:03:17,325
as we all learned in third grade math.

1129
01:03:19,065 --> 01:03:22,085
Why were some sitting council members notified of this study

1130
01:03:22,345 --> 01:03:23,845
and proposed ordinance only weeks

1131
01:03:23,845 --> 01:03:26,125
before the public rather than at the time

1132
01:03:26,125 --> 01:03:27,285
the study was completed?

1133
01:03:27,625 --> 01:03:29,725
And why wasn't the full study distributed

1134
01:03:29,725 --> 01:03:34,605
to all sitting council members prior to the vote on the,

1135
01:03:34,605 --> 01:03:36,805
the first reading on April 20th?

1136
01:03:37,255 --> 01:03:40,365
Given how relevant this is to this proposed ordinance.

1137
01:03:40,435 --> 01:03:43,205
Another way of asking this is why were sitting council

1138
01:03:43,205 --> 01:03:44,925
members asked to move forward

1139
01:03:44,925 --> 01:03:47,645
with a new fee based on a study they had not been given the

1140
01:03:47,645 --> 01:03:49,325
opportunity to examine themselves.

1141
01:03:53,445 --> 01:03:57,155
When When will you schedule an in-person public forum

1142
01:03:57,635 --> 01:03:59,755
separate from that sparse information session

1143
01:04:00,135 --> 01:04:01,995
and from these Monday council meetings

1144
01:04:01,995 --> 01:04:04,435
to have direct conversations with your residents.

1145
01:04:04,785 --> 01:04:08,315
Your residents would like to be the sole agenda of a forum.

1146
01:04:08,775 --> 01:04:12,635
And I hope future engagement is more conversational than

1147
01:04:12,635 --> 01:04:14,155
these meetings or than

1148
01:04:14,155 --> 01:04:16,715
that closed remote information session

1149
01:04:16,865 --> 01:04:18,115
offered a few weeks ago.

1150
01:04:18,905 --> 01:04:21,915
Next question. Why is there already a sewer bill payment

1151
01:04:21,915 --> 01:04:23,595
section on the township website?

1152
01:04:25,665 --> 01:04:28,115
This, this

1153
01:04:28,115 --> 01:04:30,515
Ordinance, this ordinance has not been

1154
01:04:30,675 --> 01:04:31,955
formally approved by the council.

1155
01:04:32,535 --> 01:04:34,875
And the last meeting, the mayor assured us that she

1156
01:04:34,875 --> 01:04:36,995
and the council are not merely rubber stamping

1157
01:04:37,115 --> 01:04:38,235
a foregone conclusion.

1158
01:04:39,335 --> 01:04:42,555
Yet you go online and there's the rubber stamp right there

1159
01:04:42,895 --> 01:04:43,955
on our township website.

1160
01:04:44,855 --> 01:04:46,755
Now I want to point out that as someone who voted

1161
01:04:46,775 --> 01:04:49,635
for the mayor, the sitting council member of my ward,

1162
01:04:49,895 --> 01:04:51,715
and two of the three out large council members,

1163
01:04:52,155 --> 01:04:53,715
I have been very disappointed in the lack

1164
01:04:53,715 --> 01:04:55,635
of transparency offered by this council.

1165
01:04:56,335 --> 01:04:59,035
An alarming new tax ordinance shows up one that your voters

1166
01:04:59,135 --> 01:05:01,475
and residents are obviously worried about

1167
01:05:01,695 --> 01:05:03,315
and most of this council don't question it

1168
01:05:03,345 --> 01:05:04,395
when it's introduced.

1169
01:05:04,895 --> 01:05:05,955
And it turned out that those

1170
01:05:05,975 --> 01:05:08,355
who do question were not given the study it's based on,

1171
01:05:08,615 --> 01:05:10,435
but they were asked to move forward on it in

1172
01:05:10,435 --> 01:05:13,715
that same meeting, then a public outcry makes the council

1173
01:05:13,765 --> 01:05:17,470
pause, postpone the second reading, which was a smart idea

1174
01:05:17,905 --> 01:05:19,445
and offered information session.

1175
01:05:20,525 --> 01:05:21,925
I had a moment where I thought, hmm,

1176
01:05:21,925 --> 01:05:24,525
maybe they're just blindsided a bit by this reaction.

1177
01:05:26,115 --> 01:05:28,805
They're listening. But this information meeting happens.

1178
01:05:29,515 --> 01:05:31,325
It's remote, it's not interactive,

1179
01:05:31,325 --> 01:05:32,565
it's not even a half hour.

1180
01:05:33,145 --> 01:05:35,805
All the questions about process are ignored.

1181
01:05:37,235 --> 01:05:39,165
None of you are present. And those questions

1182
01:05:39,165 --> 01:05:41,365
that are addressed are answered in a patronizing.

1183
01:05:41,795 --> 01:05:44,245
Just trust us. We know what's best for you way

1184
01:05:44,665 --> 01:05:46,245
by people who did not elect.

1185
01:05:47,795 --> 01:05:50,765
This does not communicate respect to your residents.

1186
01:05:51,145 --> 01:05:54,165
To put it simply, we don't want to be told

1187
01:05:54,265 --> 01:05:56,805
to blindly trust a financial professional saying,

1188
01:05:57,095 --> 01:05:58,885
we're going to alter your tax structure

1189
01:05:58,985 --> 01:06:00,165
and you're going to like it.

1190
01:06:00,705 --> 01:06:02,645
We want the respect of being allowed

1191
01:06:02,785 --> 01:06:04,445
to see the process you are using

1192
01:06:04,825 --> 01:06:06,605
to make these kinds of important changes.

1193
01:06:07,255 --> 01:06:08,255
Thank you.

1194
01:06:20,355 --> 01:06:25,005
Next is Julissa Carrera on Essex Avenue.

1195
01:06:26,075 --> 01:06:29,345
Sorry, I was Okay, thank you.

1196
01:06:30,015 --> 01:06:31,185
Next, Doug Grant,

1197
01:06:49,605 --> 01:06:50,705
I'm not coming here today

1198
01:06:50,705 --> 01:06:52,665
with a prepared speech 'cause it's unnecessary.

1199
01:06:53,445 --> 01:06:55,385
I'm gonna speak from my heart to everybody today

1200
01:06:55,655 --> 01:06:57,905
because that's what needs to happen here.

1201
01:06:59,385 --> 01:07:00,985
I heard a little something here today

1202
01:07:01,715 --> 01:07:03,825
about respecting the women on the council

1203
01:07:04,325 --> 01:07:07,985
and I greatly respect women to a large degree.

1204
01:07:08,885 --> 01:07:11,585
But respect also comes with accountability.

1205
01:07:13,045 --> 01:07:15,665
And if you respect the women on this council,

1206
01:07:16,115 --> 01:07:18,665
there should be a public apology that Tracy told Phillips

1207
01:07:19,085 --> 01:07:20,385
for what happened in this parking lot.

1208
01:07:22,925 --> 01:07:24,025
If you respect women,

1209
01:07:27,205 --> 01:07:31,425
if you respect the women, you'll apologize for what happened

1210
01:07:31,425 --> 01:07:32,825
to Casey Dudley.

1211
01:07:40,445 --> 01:07:41,865
But I don't see those things happening

1212
01:07:42,565 --> 01:07:45,985
and I'm gonna give anybody on this council man

1213
01:07:46,065 --> 01:07:48,625
or woman the same kind of accountability

1214
01:07:48,645 --> 01:07:51,385
and judgment that I would give any person on the council.

1215
01:07:52,165 --> 01:07:53,865
It doesn't matter if you're a male

1216
01:07:53,885 --> 01:07:55,985
or a female, I'm gonna treat you the same way.

1217
01:07:55,985 --> 01:08:00,025
Equally screaming isms doesn't give you a shield

1218
01:08:00,525 --> 01:08:01,865
to avoid accountability.

1219
01:08:08,005 --> 01:08:10,065
So let's talk about what's going on here.

1220
01:08:10,465 --> 01:08:14,185
I had to file a superior court complaint last Friday. Why?

1221
01:08:15,095 --> 01:08:16,595
That's the question I need to ask.

1222
01:08:16,775 --> 01:08:18,075
Why did I even have to do that?

1223
01:08:18,935 --> 01:08:23,355
Why Is anyone in this township not getting the proper

1224
01:08:23,715 --> 01:08:26,555
responses when they're filing Oprah requests,

1225
01:08:26,865 --> 01:08:28,355
when an Oprah request is filed?

1226
01:08:28,575 --> 01:08:29,675
And I've reviewed some people,

1227
01:08:29,675 --> 01:08:31,395
because a lot of people inbox me when they,

1228
01:08:31,395 --> 01:08:33,155
when they're filing Oprah requests,

1229
01:08:33,465 --> 01:08:35,955
they're not even giving them a breakdown of

1230
01:08:35,955 --> 01:08:37,235
what they were denied for.

1231
01:08:37,705 --> 01:08:40,475
What was the reason I got all that stuff?

1232
01:08:41,055 --> 01:08:44,875
And as much as you all did not know that I, I'm a data guy

1233
01:08:45,855 --> 01:08:49,595
and I understand data and I can manipulate data and I,

1234
01:08:49,855 --> 01:08:51,995
and I can physically do whatever I want with data.

1235
01:08:52,415 --> 01:08:55,075
So when you guys were giving me this information thinking

1236
01:08:55,075 --> 01:08:58,235
that I was stupid and I didn't understand it, I sat back,

1237
01:08:58,755 --> 01:09:01,195
I looked, I analyzed and I waited.

1238
01:09:02,375 --> 01:09:04,875
So now that it's filed, now that it's public record,

1239
01:09:05,475 --> 01:09:08,955
everyone knows what's going on now, are you gonna fix it?

1240
01:09:09,555 --> 01:09:14,475
I hope so, because are you giving all the council this same

1241
01:09:14,475 --> 01:09:17,475
manipulated data so that they can't properly analyze it

1242
01:09:17,735 --> 01:09:20,235
and answer questions that our elected

1243
01:09:20,255 --> 01:09:21,915
of public officials are supposed to answer?

1244
01:09:22,635 --> 01:09:23,795
I feel like that's what's happening.

1245
01:09:24,095 --> 01:09:25,875
Are you giving that to the state the same way?

1246
01:09:26,665 --> 01:09:29,635
What are you hiding? Why can't you just give me the

1247
01:09:30,125 --> 01:09:33,595
unredacted data that I've asked for,

1248
01:09:33,955 --> 01:09:37,835
exported without any changes for whatever reason,

1249
01:09:38,865 --> 01:09:41,875
it's gone on over 75 days with this game.

1250
01:09:44,025 --> 01:09:45,675
Something has to give at this point.

1251
01:09:46,695 --> 01:09:49,195
But let's talk about the sewer fee as well.

1252
01:09:50,215 --> 01:09:51,395
The sewer fee itself.

1253
01:09:54,745 --> 01:09:57,605
You all are moving a user fee

1254
01:09:58,335 --> 01:10:02,125
where I've heard members of the council tell people

1255
01:10:02,125 --> 01:10:04,885
that it's not tax, even though it's treated like tax.

1256
01:10:05,875 --> 01:10:08,885
There's a interest, interest fees imposed on it.

1257
01:10:09,075 --> 01:10:11,525
There's a lien possibility imposed on

1258
01:10:11,525 --> 01:10:13,125
it, but it's not a tax.

1259
01:10:13,805 --> 01:10:15,805
Everyone was stupid. We're supposed to pretend

1260
01:10:15,915 --> 01:10:18,925
that everything the tax does is not a tax as long

1261
01:10:18,925 --> 01:10:20,325
as they say it's a user fee.

1262
01:10:20,685 --> 01:10:23,885
A lien. Exactly.

1263
01:10:25,065 --> 01:10:27,365
So while we pretend like it's not a user fee,

1264
01:10:27,635 --> 01:10:31,925
what you're doing is that you're moving this sewer fee out

1265
01:10:31,925 --> 01:10:36,205
of the taxable levy, but are you reducing our tax levy?

1266
01:10:36,745 --> 01:10:38,125
Is that happening anybody?

1267
01:10:38,125 --> 01:10:39,485
Does that look like it's happening? No.

1268
01:10:40,145 --> 01:10:41,445
Are you gonna reduce spending

1269
01:10:41,465 --> 01:10:44,285
or are you gonna just go back up to that 2% cap again

1270
01:10:44,625 --> 01:10:46,805
and keep on overspending faithfully?

1271
01:10:48,005 --> 01:10:50,525
I think that we need to properly watch you all now.

1272
01:10:50,745 --> 01:10:52,805
We have to be the watchdogs that watch you

1273
01:11:00,175 --> 01:11:00,685
y'all love.

1274
01:11:01,045 --> 01:11:03,245
I love this time to sleep for a very long time

1275
01:11:03,425 --> 01:11:05,485
and you were able to spend money, whatever you wanted,

1276
01:11:05,955 --> 01:11:07,525
treated like monopoly money.

1277
01:11:08,085 --> 01:11:11,365
I watched it. 1.4 million in terminal leave payments,

1278
01:11:12,435 --> 01:11:16,605
irresponsibly paid out, added on top of the tax levy.

1279
01:11:17,885 --> 01:11:19,285
Residents in this town have to pay it.

1280
01:11:19,285 --> 01:11:20,765
You've never addressed it publicly.

1281
01:11:20,865 --> 01:11:22,165
30 seconds. All

1282
01:11:22,165 --> 01:11:26,205
Of the, all of the utility sweeps over the regulated state

1283
01:11:26,305 --> 01:11:28,365
cap never addressed it with the public.

1284
01:11:28,505 --> 01:11:29,885
Why? Why haven't you addressed that?

1285
01:11:30,025 --> 01:11:33,605
But yet you're yelling up to everybody. It's misinformation.

1286
01:11:35,475 --> 01:11:37,845
It's so much misinformation that they won't even address.

1287
01:11:39,005 --> 01:11:41,445
Remember that everybody, anytime the truth comes out,

1288
01:11:41,755 --> 01:11:42,845
it's misinformation.

1289
01:11:57,115 --> 01:11:58,805
Next is Dawn Sampson,

1290
01:12:00,505 --> 01:12:02,125
86 Parkway West.

1291
01:12:10,885 --> 01:12:11,825
Do I have to say my name?

1292
01:12:12,045 --> 01:12:13,225
Yes. State your name and address.

1293
01:12:13,245 --> 01:12:14,985
I'm Joan Sampson Parkway West. Thank

1294
01:12:14,985 --> 01:12:15,985
You.

1295
01:12:15,985 --> 01:12:16,985
Good evening, mayor and counsel.

1296
01:12:17,585 --> 01:12:20,425
I want to begin by speaking about respect communication

1297
01:12:20,575 --> 01:12:22,545
between elected elected officials

1298
01:12:22,885 --> 01:12:25,425
and the residents they present represent, I'm sorry.

1299
01:12:26,295 --> 01:12:28,825
Many residents take time out of their evenings

1300
01:12:28,825 --> 01:12:29,865
to attend these meetings

1301
01:12:29,885 --> 01:12:32,665
and speak during the limited five minutes allowed to them.

1302
01:12:33,405 --> 01:12:36,505
Yet too often residents are met with lack of eye contact,

1303
01:12:38,975 --> 01:12:41,265
Disengagement, or body language

1304
01:12:41,455 --> 01:12:43,385
that makes people feel dismissed,

1305
01:12:43,385 --> 01:12:44,825
whether intentional or not.

1306
01:12:44,845 --> 01:12:48,065
It comes across as disrespectful to the systems of this town

1307
01:12:48,685 --> 01:12:50,425
who are simply trying to be heard.

1308
01:12:51,145 --> 01:12:53,905
Residents are frequently told the questions should be sent

1309
01:12:53,905 --> 01:12:56,585
through email because council members are not admitted,

1310
01:12:56,585 --> 01:12:59,545
permitted to directly engage during public comment.

1311
01:12:59,695 --> 01:13:03,225
However, many emails sent by our residents are kind

1312
01:13:03,225 --> 01:13:04,505
of the same questions.

1313
01:13:04,895 --> 01:13:07,385
This creates frustration and a lack of transparency.

1314
01:13:07,605 --> 01:13:10,585
If residents cannot receive responses by email,

1315
01:13:10,975 --> 01:13:13,905
then why can't important questions be openly addressed

1316
01:13:13,905 --> 01:13:15,065
during public meetings

1317
01:13:15,065 --> 01:13:17,705
where everyone in the town can hear the same

1318
01:13:17,705 --> 01:13:19,185
information at the same time?

1319
01:13:19,975 --> 01:13:23,225
Many of our concerns raised by the residents sh,

1320
01:13:23,245 --> 01:13:24,265
are shared concerns.

1321
01:13:24,445 --> 01:13:26,625
People are asking the same questions.

1322
01:13:26,995 --> 01:13:30,265
Taxes, sewer bills, infrastructure, public maintenance,

1323
01:13:30,295 --> 01:13:32,945
ongoing town projects, misinformation,

1324
01:13:33,615 --> 01:13:35,585
peop public meetings should be a place

1325
01:13:35,645 --> 01:13:38,105
for public accountability and public information.

1326
01:13:38,745 --> 01:13:40,465
I also want to address the ongoing

1327
01:13:41,005 --> 01:13:42,865
issues surrounding Hal and Park.

1328
01:13:43,415 --> 01:13:47,585
Four years residents have repeatedly requested maintenance

1329
01:13:47,585 --> 01:13:49,425
and improvements to the pond area.

1330
01:13:50,265 --> 01:13:53,345
Recently, our FA pond was finally mucked out,

1331
01:13:53,395 --> 01:13:56,865
which took quite a few email threads and a few public posts.

1332
01:13:57,935 --> 01:14:01,945
However, since then, little visible progress has been

1333
01:14:02,575 --> 01:14:06,785
made despite repeated statements that big things are coming.

1334
01:14:06,935 --> 01:14:11,845
Even some video. Photo ops residents deserve based facts

1335
01:14:12,745 --> 01:14:16,245
and timelines, not vague promises, right

1336
01:14:16,245 --> 01:14:17,885
before election time.

1337
01:14:18,625 --> 01:14:20,045
If wildlife restrictions

1338
01:14:20,045 --> 01:14:23,805
and permitting issues were a delay, then clearly communicate

1339
01:14:23,805 --> 01:14:26,205
that to the public transparency matters.

1340
01:14:26,825 --> 01:14:30,605
In addition, the town continues filling the pond with water,

1341
01:14:31,215 --> 01:14:35,285
using the fire hydrants despite knowing the issues

1342
01:14:35,355 --> 01:14:38,245
with the pond liner, that it has a huge tear in it

1343
01:14:38,265 --> 01:14:40,725
and the pond continues to drain itself,

1344
01:14:41,105 --> 01:14:43,045
but yet we keep filling the pond.

1345
01:14:43,995 --> 01:14:48,245
Another major issue, oh, also taxpayers

1346
01:14:48,505 --> 01:14:51,245
and citizens would probably like to know who's paying for

1347
01:14:51,245 --> 01:14:53,445
that with the new water bill, sewer bill.

1348
01:14:55,155 --> 01:14:57,725
Another major issue in the Inc.

1349
01:14:58,915 --> 01:15:02,565
Another major issue is the rock problem throughout the town.

1350
01:15:02,565 --> 01:15:06,805
It is not just the south end thing, it is a town wide issue,

1351
01:15:07,225 --> 01:15:09,285
has been a town wide issue for years.

1352
01:15:10,115 --> 01:15:13,005
Come to find out, I have contacted the health department

1353
01:15:13,005 --> 01:15:15,445
and they have informed me you guys will no longer be

1354
01:15:15,645 --> 01:15:18,725
treating for the rat rats in town.

1355
01:15:18,725 --> 01:15:21,965
There will be no more bait boxes filled, et cetera.

1356
01:15:22,195 --> 01:15:25,525
When you have a pest company come out to your home to treat

1357
01:15:25,545 --> 01:15:27,325
and you live across the street from a pond,

1358
01:15:27,675 --> 01:15:31,125
they ask you if the town is treating the pond for rats.

1359
01:15:31,745 --> 01:15:34,925
No, they are not. Therefore, you are treating out

1360
01:15:34,925 --> 01:15:36,485
of your own pocket money.

1361
01:15:36,555 --> 01:15:41,005
That is pointless. No, I don't remember where I left off.

1362
01:15:44,795 --> 01:15:47,125
This directly affects the quantity

1363
01:15:47,185 --> 01:15:48,485
of life and public health.

1364
01:15:48,575 --> 01:15:51,765
There are also concerns about long promise projects

1365
01:15:52,025 --> 01:15:55,525
and neglected pro properties all throughout the town,

1366
01:15:55,955 --> 01:15:57,725
including our vocational school

1367
01:15:57,745 --> 01:16:02,685
and south junior right next door, that have now become

1368
01:16:03,505 --> 01:16:06,125
an eyesore, which probably will remain an eyesore

1369
01:16:06,125 --> 01:16:07,725
until my children leave Bloomfield.

1370
01:16:08,275 --> 01:16:10,125
Some locations have remained abandoned

1371
01:16:10,265 --> 01:16:11,485
and untouched for decades,

1372
01:16:11,735 --> 01:16:14,685
while residents continue hearing promises without

1373
01:16:14,685 --> 01:16:15,845
seeing meaningful action.

1374
01:16:16,385 --> 01:16:19,245
Lastly, regarding the recent sewer bill webinar,

1375
01:16:19,765 --> 01:16:21,885
residents were encouraged to submit questions

1376
01:16:22,875 --> 01:16:24,805
with the understanding that the answers would

1377
01:16:24,805 --> 01:16:26,085
be provided publicly.

1378
01:16:26,395 --> 01:16:29,285
Many residents feel their questions were not addressed when

1379
01:16:29,395 --> 01:16:31,805
were those answers going to be addressed.

1380
01:16:32,485 --> 01:16:34,365
Residents are not asking for perfection.

1381
01:16:34,365 --> 01:16:37,765
They're asking for community communication. Transparency.

1382
01:16:38,085 --> 01:16:41,285
Transparency, accountability, and respect that.

1383
01:16:41,325 --> 01:16:43,565
I feel like your eyes, Ms.

1384
01:16:43,565 --> 01:16:46,605
Mandel, had your eyes down the whole time during my speech.

1385
01:17:01,105 --> 01:17:03,145
Stephanie, Stephanie Santiago.

1386
01:17:06,235 --> 01:17:07,235
Thank you Stephanie.

1387
01:17:15,005 --> 01:17:16,085
Good evening, mayor and council.

1388
01:17:16,485 --> 01:17:18,005
Stephanie Santiago from Hazelwood Road.

1389
01:17:18,785 --> 01:17:21,205
I'm here tonight to reflect on the info session

1390
01:17:21,435 --> 01:17:24,765
that came in response to the public outcry to the

1391
01:17:25,325 --> 01:17:28,725
proposed sewer fee change to our tax system.

1392
01:17:29,505 --> 01:17:33,365
We should all feel good knowing that public advocacy,

1393
01:17:33,545 --> 01:17:35,645
public advocacy still works in Bloomfield.

1394
01:17:38,035 --> 01:17:40,925
What was pretty shocking though was to see that in place

1395
01:17:40,925 --> 01:17:41,925
of our mayor and council.

1396
01:17:42,065 --> 01:17:47,005
It was a PR rep who moderated a very scripted conversation.

1397
01:17:48,195 --> 01:17:51,085
Even more bizarre was that it lasted 22 minutes

1398
01:17:51,185 --> 01:17:54,125
and still left many critical questions unanswered.

1399
01:17:55,765 --> 01:17:58,365
A question I, a question I have about this proposal

1400
01:17:58,705 --> 01:18:00,045
is, oh, I'm sorry.

1401
01:18:00,245 --> 01:18:04,045
A concern I have about this proposal is

1402
01:18:04,065 --> 01:18:06,525
how confidently some of you pushed it forward.

1403
01:18:07,435 --> 01:18:10,725
Despite being unable to answer critical questions,

1404
01:18:11,745 --> 01:18:13,805
I'm thankful to those who did not vote

1405
01:18:13,945 --> 01:18:15,885
to move a questionable policy measure.

1406
01:18:16,395 --> 01:18:18,365
This keeps tapping out. Oh,

1407
01:18:21,355 --> 01:18:22,565
Alex, can you check the mic?

1408
01:18:22,765 --> 01:18:23,765
'cause she said it keeps,

1409
01:18:24,515 --> 01:18:25,085
Yeah, it keeps,

1410
01:18:29,235 --> 01:18:30,035
I dunno if you hear it

1411
01:18:30,035 --> 01:18:31,035
Keeps like Going.

1412
01:18:31,035 --> 01:18:35,155
Testing, testing, testing, testing,

1413
01:18:35,155 --> 01:18:36,555
testing, testing, testing.

1414
01:18:37,585 --> 01:18:38,395
Okay, thank you.

1415
01:18:44,975 --> 01:18:47,995
One question I have that I didn't get to submit

1416
01:18:48,095 --> 01:18:50,955
to the list of questions by email was

1417
01:18:51,055 --> 01:18:52,435
who came up with this proposal?

1418
01:18:54,785 --> 01:18:58,475
This is an issue when you have claimed to be working

1419
01:19:00,095 --> 01:19:01,675
on this for over a year.

1420
01:19:02,815 --> 01:19:05,555
To put it simply. Okay.

1421
01:19:06,095 --> 01:19:08,795
To put it simply, it feels like we've been brought

1422
01:19:08,795 --> 01:19:11,755
to the sewers to get sold turds disguised, disguised

1423
01:19:11,755 --> 01:19:15,795
as glitter, placing in question the judgment

1424
01:19:15,855 --> 01:19:16,875
of our elected leaders.

1425
01:19:17,875 --> 01:19:21,075
I hope to help. That's okay. Thank you.

1426
01:19:22,315 --> 01:19:24,915
I hope to help the council with some advice.

1427
01:19:25,495 --> 01:19:26,835
It would benefit this body

1428
01:19:27,095 --> 01:19:29,315
to have confidence in our public's capability

1429
01:19:29,375 --> 01:19:31,275
of handling tough conversations.

1430
01:19:33,615 --> 01:19:36,195
So with that, I hope you'll share your thoughts on

1431
01:19:36,195 --> 01:19:37,275
where your votes stand

1432
01:19:37,615 --> 01:19:40,555
and if you choose not to disclose that today a lot

1433
01:19:40,555 --> 01:19:43,275
of us are waiting to learn when the town hall with the mayor

1434
01:19:43,295 --> 01:19:45,915
and council on this issue will be scheduled.

1435
01:19:47,715 --> 01:19:49,255
I'm not, I heard earlier

1436
01:19:49,285 --> 01:19:52,095
that there will be a meeting June 10th if I'm not mistaken.

1437
01:19:53,555 --> 01:19:54,695
I'm curious to know with whom.

1438
01:19:57,295 --> 01:19:59,935
While I have time up here, I'd also like

1439
01:19:59,935 --> 01:20:01,655
to ask if there are any district

1440
01:20:01,655 --> 01:20:02,815
leader candidates in the room.

1441
01:20:03,425 --> 01:20:06,095
There are some candidates who have been misled to believe

1442
01:20:06,095 --> 01:20:07,805
that the role of county committee member

1443
01:20:07,865 --> 01:20:10,285
or district leader is to fill in for the failures

1444
01:20:10,285 --> 01:20:12,325
of the town, our township administration.

1445
01:20:13,505 --> 01:20:16,125
If you choose to take on that added responsibility,

1446
01:20:16,525 --> 01:20:18,765
I hope this means you've signed up to speak

1447
01:20:18,785 --> 01:20:21,925
to the concerns you're seeing from our community members.

1448
01:20:25,325 --> 01:20:28,255
This is where pub, the public gets

1449
01:20:28,255 --> 01:20:30,135
to have a seat at the decision table.

1450
01:20:30,715 --> 01:20:33,255
So I look forward to seeing whose interest you'll be

1451
01:20:33,265 --> 01:20:34,815
advocating for

1452
01:20:34,955 --> 01:20:36,655
and when you see the need

1453
01:20:36,875 --> 01:20:38,735
to hold elected officials accountable.

1454
01:20:39,745 --> 01:20:41,935
Given our current affordability crisis,

1455
01:20:42,155 --> 01:20:44,455
I'm sure our township doesn't mind the free labor,

1456
01:20:45,555 --> 01:20:48,095
but I am inviting the public to learn about the role

1457
01:20:48,095 --> 01:20:50,215
of district leaders or county committee members

1458
01:20:50,285 --> 01:20:51,375
that you'll be voting on.

1459
01:20:51,405 --> 01:20:54,615
Soon I'll be hosting a final life info session

1460
01:20:55,125 --> 01:20:56,655
this upcoming Saturday evening

1461
01:20:56,995 --> 01:20:58,655
and everyone who's attended

1462
01:20:58,715 --> 01:21:00,775
so far has found it pretty eye-opening.

1463
01:21:01,435 --> 01:21:02,535
So please see me

1464
01:21:02,535 --> 01:21:04,255
after if you'd like to learn how to register.

1465
01:21:04,545 --> 01:21:05,545
Thank you.

1466
01:21:06,385 --> 01:21:06,855
Thank you.

1467
01:21:12,365 --> 01:21:13,775
Next is Jane kif.

1468
01:21:29,115 --> 01:21:32,655
My name is Jane Califf and I live at 500 Rotan Avenue

1469
01:21:33,595 --> 01:21:37,735
and I've been trying to figure this thing out.

1470
01:21:37,935 --> 01:21:39,575
I mean, it's like all these pages

1471
01:21:39,675 --> 01:21:42,135
and it's so many questions,

1472
01:21:42,715 --> 01:21:44,495
so many questions were raised tonight

1473
01:21:44,495 --> 01:21:48,735
that it's absolutely clear that you have to get, really

1474
01:21:50,315 --> 01:21:53,285
give us more answers to all these questions.

1475
01:21:54,075 --> 01:21:57,125
It's a shame that it's taking all this time for people

1476
01:21:57,125 --> 01:21:58,645
to raise the same questions

1477
01:21:58,825 --> 01:22:00,685
or why, why aren't you clear on this?

1478
01:22:00,865 --> 01:22:02,045
Why aren't you clear on that?

1479
01:22:02,905 --> 01:22:05,685
And I noticed that, for example,

1480
01:22:06,465 --> 01:22:09,045
I'm looking at question 19.

1481
01:22:09,345 --> 01:22:11,045
How does this impact seniors?

1482
01:22:11,265 --> 01:22:15,605
I'm a senior, so I read that New York Anchor, senior Free,

1483
01:22:15,865 --> 01:22:20,845
I'm quoting New New Jersey Anchor Senior Freeze

1484
01:22:21,025 --> 01:22:24,525
and Stay New Jersey are capped tax benefit programs.

1485
01:22:24,985 --> 01:22:28,245
So we anticipate a minimal impact on seniors if

1486
01:22:28,245 --> 01:22:29,325
they've not met the cap.

1487
01:22:30,785 --> 01:22:32,885
The township is looking into options

1488
01:22:32,945 --> 01:22:35,965
to reduce impacts on any seniors who may be affected.

1489
01:22:37,185 --> 01:22:39,285
Really. I mean, what does that mean?

1490
01:22:40,725 --> 01:22:43,245
I mean to take,

1491
01:22:43,395 --> 01:22:46,045
because I was, one thing that I've learned,

1492
01:22:46,055 --> 01:22:49,565
which was very surprising to take the sewer,

1493
01:22:49,705 --> 01:22:51,765
people have talked about this tonight.

1494
01:22:52,345 --> 01:22:55,405
You take the sewer part out

1495
01:22:55,865 --> 01:22:59,165
and you put it over here and it's separate.

1496
01:23:00,585 --> 01:23:04,005
So it will affect, it will negatively,

1497
01:23:04,035 --> 01:23:05,165
it's just discrimination.

1498
01:23:05,405 --> 01:23:08,205
I think against the senior, the seniors,

1499
01:23:09,945 --> 01:23:12,965
it says discrimination against disabled residents

1500
01:23:14,645 --> 01:23:18,085
because of, of making it separate and,

1501
01:23:18,345 --> 01:23:20,005
and then especially what someone else said,

1502
01:23:20,125 --> 01:23:22,005
a hundred percent of disabled veterans

1503
01:23:23,015 --> 01:23:25,405
don't pay any property taxes today.

1504
01:23:25,985 --> 01:23:29,165
So, and that, you know, the sewer was in the property taxes.

1505
01:23:29,305 --> 01:23:31,205
So now, now they're gonna have to pay a fee.

1506
01:23:32,265 --> 01:23:35,965
So it's discrimination against seniors,

1507
01:23:36,765 --> 01:23:39,005
disabled residents, disabled veterans.

1508
01:23:39,545 --> 01:23:43,005
And we need to understand why you are saying

1509
01:23:43,035 --> 01:23:44,685
that this is gonna save us money.

1510
01:23:44,925 --> 01:23:46,365
I mean, it's not clear at all.

1511
01:23:48,105 --> 01:23:51,805
It says there'll be minimal impact on seniors. Why?

1512
01:23:52,065 --> 01:23:53,085
It doesn't seem like it.

1513
01:23:53,305 --> 01:23:57,325
So this is a, a brief speech.

1514
01:23:57,325 --> 01:23:59,365
Sometimes I say more when I come,

1515
01:24:00,065 --> 01:24:04,165
but this time I'm just gonna say we don't make any.

1516
01:24:04,225 --> 01:24:05,245
We need a moratorium.

1517
01:24:05,245 --> 01:24:06,485
Is that wonderful woman

1518
01:24:06,625 --> 01:24:09,525
who had all this information gave us.

1519
01:24:09,945 --> 01:24:13,965
We need a moratorium, we need men more democracy here

1520
01:24:13,965 --> 01:24:16,045
where we get to ask questions and get answers.

1521
01:24:16,515 --> 01:24:18,045
Because here we are saying,

1522
01:24:18,225 --> 01:24:19,525
and lots of times when we come

1523
01:24:19,545 --> 01:24:22,725
to these town council meetings, we don't get any answers.

1524
01:24:23,145 --> 01:24:26,165
We just get people listening and then you sit down

1525
01:24:26,185 --> 01:24:28,525
and hope one day you'll hear what's

1526
01:24:28,525 --> 01:24:29,605
gonna go, what's gonna happen.

1527
01:24:29,825 --> 01:24:32,565
So I guess that's it.

1528
01:24:43,035 --> 01:24:44,285
Russ Russell Malaga.

1529
01:24:55,575 --> 01:24:56,825
Good evening, mayor and council.

1530
01:24:57,365 --> 01:25:00,505
My name's Russell Malika, 1 79 Stonehouse Road, Bloomfield,

1531
01:25:00,505 --> 01:25:02,825
New Jersey, lifelong resident of Bloomfield.

1532
01:25:02,875 --> 01:25:06,025
66 years. Throughout my time in town,

1533
01:25:06,055 --> 01:25:07,265
I've seen many changes.

1534
01:25:08,045 --> 01:25:10,225
One of the things that I've seen is the development

1535
01:25:10,225 --> 01:25:13,825
that's taken place in town from 2010 to 2020.

1536
01:25:14,165 --> 01:25:18,105
US Census has added 5,787

1537
01:25:18,205 --> 01:25:19,545
new residents to the town.

1538
01:25:19,575 --> 01:25:21,345
With all the development that has gone on,

1539
01:25:23,415 --> 01:25:26,945
that has added approximately 74,000 gallons of water

1540
01:25:27,735 --> 01:25:29,025
through our sewer system.

1541
01:25:29,715 --> 01:25:33,655
And that was calculated using 1.6

1542
01:25:34,275 --> 01:25:38,455
low flow toilets that does not count washing,

1543
01:25:39,125 --> 01:25:41,895
laundry and any other use of of the water.

1544
01:25:41,995 --> 01:25:44,735
So our infrastructure, which is old, has been pushed,

1545
01:25:44,925 --> 01:25:46,455
pushing all this water through.

1546
01:25:47,235 --> 01:25:50,455
Now you want to retroactively go back to April 1st.

1547
01:25:50,755 --> 01:25:52,495
Why don't you go back to 2010?

1548
01:25:52,495 --> 01:25:55,015
It hit all the developers who used the infrastructure

1549
01:25:55,595 --> 01:25:58,135
and all the other taxpayers had to pay for it.

1550
01:26:04,305 --> 01:26:08,325
So back in 2011, Carrie Heller did a video,

1551
01:26:08,375 --> 01:26:09,685
which was on barista net,

1552
01:26:09,855 --> 01:26:12,525
which basically said all this development in town was taking

1553
01:26:12,525 --> 01:26:15,805
place and that the taxpayers are gonna pay it.

1554
01:26:16,545 --> 01:26:18,245
Now what we have is a situation

1555
01:26:18,245 --> 01:26:19,965
where we're breaking out the sewer.

1556
01:26:21,185 --> 01:26:23,965
My experience with bureaucracies,

1557
01:26:24,275 --> 01:26:25,965
it's just a better place to hide things.

1558
01:26:26,835 --> 01:26:28,445
It's just been my life experience

1559
01:26:28,985 --> 01:26:31,125
and it doesn't allow us to look and see.

1560
01:26:31,545 --> 01:26:34,245
It just creates more bureaucracy.

1561
01:26:34,845 --> 01:26:39,505
So as a result of that, what I'd like to also find out is

1562
01:26:40,365 --> 01:26:43,065
all the water that comes from Glen Ridge into Bloomfield,

1563
01:26:43,205 --> 01:26:44,305
are they paying a fee?

1564
01:26:46,345 --> 01:26:50,025
Millions of gallons flow from the rains that come down

1565
01:26:50,625 --> 01:26:51,825
downhill into Bloomfield,

1566
01:26:52,055 --> 01:26:54,545
into our source system housed that calculated.

1567
01:26:55,115 --> 01:26:57,505
There was an agreement back in NI in the forties,

1568
01:26:57,835 --> 01:26:59,465
which I cannot find now,

1569
01:26:59,655 --> 01:27:01,425
that basically said Glen Ridge was supposed

1570
01:27:01,425 --> 01:27:03,025
to pay Bloomfield for the infrastructure

1571
01:27:03,365 --> 01:27:06,505
of using the source system That's gone to the wayside.

1572
01:27:07,645 --> 01:27:11,265
So in conclusion, what I see is a bureaucracy

1573
01:27:11,265 --> 01:27:12,905
that's gonna hide a lot of things

1574
01:27:13,365 --> 01:27:15,105
and the taxpayers in need transparency.

1575
01:27:15,685 --> 01:27:19,825
So I ask you don't, don't create a sword utility,

1576
01:27:20,215 --> 01:27:21,945
just let it go the way it is now.

1577
01:27:23,085 --> 01:27:24,705
And that's it. Thank you. And

1578
01:27:33,775 --> 01:27:34,465
Josh Howard

1579
01:27:46,835 --> 01:27:47,865
State your name for the record.

1580
01:27:47,885 --> 01:27:48,665
You have five minutes

1581
01:27:52,525 --> 01:27:53,745
and your address please. I'm sorry.

1582
01:27:53,875 --> 01:27:56,305
Shout out to Norm who showed me that last other week.

1583
01:27:59,185 --> 01:28:02,245
Listen, that's what it's all about. Hello everyone.

1584
01:28:02,315 --> 01:28:04,245
Good evening everyone. My name's Josh Howard.

1585
01:28:05,165 --> 01:28:06,525
I live on Congress Street, right over here.

1586
01:28:07,265 --> 01:28:08,725
I'm relatively new to town

1587
01:28:08,825 --> 01:28:11,685
and I've been coming to these meetings since March.

1588
01:28:12,525 --> 01:28:14,645
I know that pales in comparison to most

1589
01:28:14,645 --> 01:28:17,325
of everyone in this room, but gotta start somewhere.

1590
01:28:17,325 --> 01:28:20,205
You know what I'm saying? I wanna start off

1591
01:28:20,205 --> 01:28:21,245
by saying I love this town.

1592
01:28:21,505 --> 01:28:23,925
And sometimes a person without years

1593
01:28:23,925 --> 01:28:26,005
of built up frustration can offer a perspective

1594
01:28:26,025 --> 01:28:29,005
that's just different, not better, different.

1595
01:28:29,935 --> 01:28:32,605
There are two things that I've seen specifically the,

1596
01:28:32,605 --> 01:28:34,525
the way that this sewer bill's been described.

1597
01:28:34,545 --> 01:28:37,805
Here's the first version I've seen. This is not a soer bill.

1598
01:28:38,155 --> 01:28:41,925
This is a deliberate caps cap evasion strategy.

1599
01:28:42,345 --> 01:28:45,605
The administration is operating in the dark data's hidden.

1600
01:28:45,715 --> 01:28:47,045
There's records that are missing.

1601
01:28:47,395 --> 01:28:49,085
They don't want you to even know what's going on

1602
01:28:49,085 --> 01:28:50,765
inside your own town.

1603
01:28:51,675 --> 01:28:52,685
That sounds pretty scary.

1604
01:28:53,865 --> 01:28:56,525
Now here's what I just described in slightly

1605
01:28:57,195 --> 01:28:58,205
less terrifying terms.

1606
01:28:58,965 --> 01:29:00,445
There's a process called Oprah.

1607
01:29:00,445 --> 01:29:02,525
It's existed in New Jersey for many decades.

1608
01:29:03,185 --> 01:29:06,125
It roots how residents request public documents.

1609
01:29:06,145 --> 01:29:07,765
Now, I don't think it should be on public

1610
01:29:07,785 --> 01:29:09,645
to request documents, but here we are.

1611
01:29:10,465 --> 01:29:14,125
It is slow. The offices get disorganized timeline slip,

1612
01:29:14,125 --> 01:29:15,805
but none of that is a secret government.

1613
01:29:16,065 --> 01:29:19,165
But that is is just government.

1614
01:29:20,395 --> 01:29:22,685
There's a name for what happens when that kind of

1615
01:29:23,265 --> 01:29:25,365
normal process gets framed as conspiracy.

1616
01:29:25,675 --> 01:29:27,285
It's called stochastic rhetoric.

1617
01:29:27,865 --> 01:29:30,565
Now you don't say, you know, go and hurt this person.

1618
01:29:32,545 --> 01:29:34,925
You say, you know, you just say over

1619
01:29:34,925 --> 01:29:36,205
and over that this person is dangerous

1620
01:29:36,205 --> 01:29:38,405
or that they're corrupt or they're hiding things

1621
01:29:38,705 --> 01:29:40,365
and then you let the audience fill in the rest.

1622
01:29:40,585 --> 01:29:42,805
Now most people don't do that, but some do.

1623
01:29:43,185 --> 01:29:45,205
And that now that's the risk that comes

1624
01:29:45,205 --> 01:29:47,045
with the language being used about some

1625
01:29:47,045 --> 01:29:48,045
of the people in this room.

1626
01:29:48,825 --> 01:29:50,925
Now, my father was born in Jackson, Mississippi

1627
01:29:50,985 --> 01:29:53,405
during the Civil rights movement, he was put in jail

1628
01:29:53,405 --> 01:29:56,205
for carrying an American flag told by a police officer

1629
01:29:56,275 --> 01:29:57,805
that you have no country.

1630
01:29:58,265 --> 01:30:00,565
So I take it extremely seriously.

1631
01:30:00,905 --> 01:30:03,565
The question of when government becomes something to fear.

1632
01:30:03,905 --> 01:30:05,765
And in my opinion, again, this is my opinion,

1633
01:30:06,215 --> 01:30:09,125
Bloomfield moving sewer costs from your property tax

1634
01:30:09,125 --> 01:30:11,285
to a usage based fee is not one of those moments.

1635
01:30:11,975 --> 01:30:15,285
Three years ago, two New Jersey council members were shot

1636
01:30:15,325 --> 01:30:16,685
and killed within a week of each other.

1637
01:30:17,145 --> 01:30:19,085
One in Ville, one in Milford, New Jersey.

1638
01:30:19,225 --> 01:30:21,005
Not governors, local elected officials,

1639
01:30:21,155 --> 01:30:23,125
just like the ones in this room now, members

1640
01:30:23,145 --> 01:30:25,645
of this council have told me that they feel unsafe.

1641
01:30:26,225 --> 01:30:29,005
And when that word, certain language gets used online

1642
01:30:29,505 --> 01:30:33,405
to describe a predominantly Latina council on Facebook.

1643
01:30:33,625 --> 01:30:35,165
Now that's crossing a line.

1644
01:30:35,825 --> 01:30:37,885
Now lemme be very, very clear here.

1645
01:30:38,705 --> 01:30:41,965
The sewer bill should have and could have been better.

1646
01:30:42,885 --> 01:30:46,145
The rollout, the presentation far more time than

1647
01:30:46,185 --> 01:30:47,265
I have to discuss here.

1648
01:30:47,265 --> 01:30:48,385
But many people have eloquently

1649
01:30:48,385 --> 01:30:49,545
spoken about it this evening.

1650
01:30:50,165 --> 01:30:51,385
But there's three specific groups

1651
01:30:51,385 --> 01:30:52,585
that needed direct answers.

1652
01:30:52,965 --> 01:30:55,305
On day one, seniors on anchor could

1653
01:30:55,305 --> 01:30:56,465
see their state relief shrink.

1654
01:30:56,465 --> 01:30:58,185
Even if their total cost stays flat,

1655
01:30:58,455 --> 01:31:00,825
something should be added to the bill to fix that.

1656
01:31:01,385 --> 01:31:04,345
Disabled veterans who pay zero in property taxes will get a

1657
01:31:04,345 --> 01:31:05,745
brand new bill where one didn't exist

1658
01:31:05,745 --> 01:31:07,865
before a one line fee exemption

1659
01:31:07,865 --> 01:31:09,945
or something should be added in the bill to fix that.

1660
01:31:10,495 --> 01:31:12,865
Renters like myself have no guarantee any

1661
01:31:12,865 --> 01:31:14,665
of those savings will ever actually breach them.

1662
01:31:15,375 --> 01:31:17,985
Something working with the rent leveling board should

1663
01:31:17,985 --> 01:31:19,065
be added to fix that.

1664
01:31:19,355 --> 01:31:20,825
Those are three specific groups

1665
01:31:20,855 --> 01:31:23,985
with three fixes at almost no cost to the town.

1666
01:31:24,285 --> 01:31:25,945
And I'll be the first one to admit, I may be the,

1667
01:31:26,305 --> 01:31:28,305
I may not have every piece of EV evidence

1668
01:31:28,325 --> 01:31:30,825
or information a sitting council person may have,

1669
01:31:31,045 --> 01:31:32,505
but that does not make my concerns

1670
01:31:32,505 --> 01:31:34,305
or any concerns that these residents

1671
01:31:34,305 --> 01:31:35,425
have said any less valid.

1672
01:31:36,015 --> 01:31:39,385
That is a communication gap that is not a shadow government,

1673
01:31:39,385 --> 01:31:40,625
that is a government that

1674
01:31:40,625 --> 01:31:41,865
doesn't know how to communicate well.

1675
01:31:43,135 --> 01:31:44,785
This administration has done good work.

1676
01:31:44,785 --> 01:31:48,665
Genuine choose on council, help build cares, unit pairing.

1677
01:31:48,665 --> 01:31:50,865
Police with social workers for mental health calls.

1678
01:31:51,365 --> 01:31:53,345
10 miles of road has been repaid.

1679
01:31:53,465 --> 01:31:54,465
I just heard that they fill in

1680
01:31:54,545 --> 01:31:55,865
a thousand potholes in a week.

1681
01:31:57,165 --> 01:31:59,210
That that is town showing up for its people. People.

1682
01:31:59,465 --> 01:32:01,405
Is it perfect? No. No government's ever gonna be perfect.

1683
01:32:01,705 --> 01:32:03,445
The gap I kept seeing was communication.

1684
01:32:03,445 --> 01:32:06,245
Getting information out of this building into people's hands

1685
01:32:06,425 --> 01:32:08,445
before they have to file a request to find it.

1686
01:32:09,005 --> 01:32:11,125
Communication is what I do for a living every single day.

1687
01:32:12,145 --> 01:32:13,685
So when I saw that gap, it's something

1688
01:32:13,685 --> 01:32:15,805
that I personally want to help fill.

1689
01:32:17,145 --> 01:32:18,605
Not to run against any of you,

1690
01:32:19,345 --> 01:32:21,405
but to work with each and every one of you.

1691
01:32:21,985 --> 01:32:24,845
But I don't think anyone wakes up every single day wanting

1692
01:32:24,845 --> 01:32:26,765
to scare their neighbor and make their neighbor afraid.

1693
01:32:28,315 --> 01:32:29,595
I think 30 seconds.

1694
01:32:30,035 --> 01:32:32,275
I think people find that a dramatic headline gets way more

1695
01:32:32,275 --> 01:32:33,395
clicks than an honest one.

1696
01:32:33,735 --> 01:32:36,515
But feelings dressed up as facts have consequences.

1697
01:32:37,095 --> 01:32:39,715
At some point, the goal stops being a better Bloomfield

1698
01:32:39,735 --> 01:32:42,475
and starts becoming, starts being a bigger audience.

1699
01:32:42,775 --> 01:32:44,955
So I'll leave you with this. I have a pretty good idea of

1700
01:32:44,955 --> 01:32:47,515
what gets posted online within an hour after this meeting.

1701
01:32:47,775 --> 01:32:49,075
So let me offer everyone a preview.

1702
01:32:49,755 --> 01:32:51,835
Breaking news, A newcomer attends council meeting

1703
01:32:52,375 --> 01:32:53,515
and defends an administration.

1704
01:32:53,815 --> 01:32:56,475
The reason this man is he plant, is he paid for

1705
01:32:56,495 --> 01:32:57,915
by the assemblyman Esia?

1706
01:32:58,225 --> 01:32:59,915
Read this week's substack to find out.

1707
01:32:59,935 --> 01:33:02,635
But really I'm just a resident that cares

1708
01:33:02,775 --> 01:33:03,995
and wants to make a difference

1709
01:33:04,015 --> 01:33:05,315
and work with each and every one of you.

1710
01:33:05,575 --> 01:33:07,955
In the words of a man wiser than myself, we must learn

1711
01:33:07,955 --> 01:33:09,235
to live together as brothers

1712
01:33:09,235 --> 01:33:10,795
or we will perish together as fools.

1713
01:33:11,095 --> 01:33:12,095
Thanks everyone.

1714
01:33:18,345 --> 01:33:20,115
Eric Soad. Eric,

1715
01:33:30,215 --> 01:33:31,215
Good evening.

1716
01:33:31,215 --> 01:33:33,345
Eric Soad, 83 Liberty Street.

1717
01:33:34,305 --> 01:33:37,025
I was gonna talk about the sewage issues,

1718
01:33:37,125 --> 01:33:40,185
but there have been so many other people talking much more

1719
01:33:41,195 --> 01:33:42,505
eloquently than I could.

1720
01:33:42,525 --> 01:33:44,305
So I'm talking about something else now.

1721
01:33:44,365 --> 01:33:47,065
We have added 5,000 plus residents in

1722
01:33:47,085 --> 01:33:48,185
all these new buildings.

1723
01:33:49,105 --> 01:33:51,265
I thought we would like have more revenue,

1724
01:33:51,645 --> 01:33:55,465
but since we have added all these people living here,

1725
01:33:55,745 --> 01:33:58,225
spending money here, there seems to be less and less money.

1726
01:33:59,205 --> 01:34:01,545
We have no holiday decorations anymore.

1727
01:34:02,085 --> 01:34:05,185
The cruise night with the classic cars just got canceled.

1728
01:34:07,025 --> 01:34:10,345
We building, we seem to filling a lot of potholes

1729
01:34:10,345 --> 01:34:13,185
and we are building a lot of bumpers to,

1730
01:34:13,245 --> 01:34:16,105
to make sure we can't get around town fast enough.

1731
01:34:16,655 --> 01:34:17,745
That is all good.

1732
01:34:18,325 --> 01:34:21,185
But I was wondering really what, what is gonna happen

1733
01:34:21,185 --> 01:34:22,425
with all the extra money.

1734
01:34:23,125 --> 01:34:26,625
One thing I saw is the, immediately

1735
01:34:26,685 --> 01:34:29,025
as the new mayor took office, we had

1736
01:34:29,025 --> 01:34:31,185
to invest money into new bags

1737
01:34:31,365 --> 01:34:35,265
to cover our parking meters for Christmas.

1738
01:34:35,965 --> 01:34:38,225
To let people know that the mayor

1739
01:34:38,365 --> 01:34:41,745
and the council extend the courtesy of free parking.

1740
01:34:42,795 --> 01:34:45,345
Completely ignoring the fact that you and you and you

1741
01:34:45,345 --> 01:34:48,105
and I actually give the money for free parking.

1742
01:34:48,295 --> 01:34:51,465
It's the Township of Bloomfield that is giving

1743
01:34:53,125 --> 01:34:56,505
People, giving people the, the,

1744
01:34:56,525 --> 01:34:58,525
the the right to pay for parking.

1745
01:34:58,745 --> 01:35:00,645
Not why they, I don't know why they come here.

1746
01:35:00,665 --> 01:35:03,205
We have no businesses that attract people either.

1747
01:35:03,465 --> 01:35:07,405
But anyway, so can you please

1748
01:35:08,315 --> 01:35:10,725
when you reprint them, take your name off

1749
01:35:11,025 --> 01:35:13,765
and to say The township of Bloomfield is happy

1750
01:35:13,765 --> 01:35:14,965
to allow free parking.

1751
01:35:15,385 --> 01:35:19,005
We can use them when you are no longer in office. Thank you.

1752
01:35:28,485 --> 01:35:31,165
Next is Sonias. Is it Solano on Merle Street?

1753
01:35:35,735 --> 01:35:37,035
Let me hold this like Doug does.

1754
01:35:37,495 --> 01:35:39,595
My name is Sonya Solano, 21 Myrle Street.

1755
01:35:40,255 --> 01:35:41,995
Before I start, I wanna call on you Doug,

1756
01:35:41,995 --> 01:35:44,635
to publicly apologize to a councilwoman here.

1757
01:35:44,735 --> 01:35:46,355
Latina Monica Chare. Tava.

1758
01:35:46,785 --> 01:35:49,555
What was that term you used on Facebook? Let me see.

1759
01:35:49,555 --> 01:35:51,395
Was it gang something? I'm sorry.

1760
01:35:51,815 --> 01:35:54,115
It was offensive, racist, and sexist.

1761
01:35:54,905 --> 01:35:57,795
Okay, lemme tell you something.

1762
01:35:58,675 --> 01:36:00,155
Disagreement with public officials.

1763
01:36:00,385 --> 01:36:01,715
It's, it's fair game, right?

1764
01:36:02,055 --> 01:36:06,155
But distortion name calling and character attacks are not.

1765
01:36:06,375 --> 01:36:07,835
So please learn something from that. Okay,

1766
01:36:08,845 --> 01:36:09,845
Thank you.

1767
01:36:14,935 --> 01:36:16,675
And now to what I have to say.

1768
01:36:16,675 --> 01:36:17,875
And it's nothing about the sewer.

1769
01:36:17,875 --> 01:36:21,555
Sorry to disappoint y'all, But good, good evening everyone.

1770
01:36:21,675 --> 01:36:23,595
I appreciate the opportunity to speak this evening.

1771
01:36:23,735 --> 01:36:25,155
My name is Sonia Solano.

1772
01:36:25,475 --> 01:36:27,635
I wanna take a moment to recognize the importance

1773
01:36:27,635 --> 01:36:29,515
of respectful dialogue in this space

1774
01:36:29,975 --> 01:36:32,595
and to express my appreciation for the work being done

1775
01:36:32,615 --> 01:36:34,715
to support and strengthen our community.

1776
01:36:35,425 --> 01:36:38,115
Town halls are meaningful when they reflect collaboration,

1777
01:36:38,475 --> 01:36:41,515
civility, and shared commitment to moving our town forward.

1778
01:36:42,135 --> 01:36:43,235
And with this said, I'd like

1779
01:36:43,235 --> 01:36:47,195
to extend my heartful congratulations to Mayor Mendel

1780
01:36:47,195 --> 01:36:48,915
and Councilwoman Charis Tavares

1781
01:36:48,915 --> 01:36:51,355
and the Hispanic Heritage Committee for bringing the

1782
01:36:52,065 --> 01:36:53,235
Tuam a Mother's Day event

1783
01:36:53,235 --> 01:36:54,915
that happened yesterday at the Civic Center.

1784
01:36:55,125 --> 01:36:57,595
Thank you for that. That was a beautiful tribute to mothers.

1785
01:36:58,695 --> 01:37:00,875
Events like this do more than bring people together.

1786
01:37:00,875 --> 01:37:02,475
They strengthen the bond of community,

1787
01:37:02,905 --> 01:37:04,195
celebrate our shared values,

1788
01:37:04,295 --> 01:37:05,875
and remind us of the importance of service,

1789
01:37:06,185 --> 01:37:07,955
inclusion and connection.

1790
01:37:08,185 --> 01:37:10,515
They help ensure that all residents feel welcome,

1791
01:37:11,395 --> 01:37:15,515
recognized, heard, and valued to the Mayor Mandel,

1792
01:37:15,515 --> 01:37:17,435
Councilwoman Fishman Gonzalez, Cruz

1793
01:37:17,435 --> 01:37:20,035
and Chavez, who either attended, sponsored,

1794
01:37:20,055 --> 01:37:21,555
or shared the event in their respective

1795
01:37:21,555 --> 01:37:22,635
social media channels.

1796
01:37:22,925 --> 01:37:24,395
Thank you for your continued commitment

1797
01:37:24,395 --> 01:37:25,515
to creating opportunities

1798
01:37:25,905 --> 01:37:27,835
that bring people together in a pos

1799
01:37:28,195 --> 01:37:29,315
positive and meaningful way.

1800
01:37:29,705 --> 01:37:31,355
Your efforts to celebrate the richness

1801
01:37:31,355 --> 01:37:34,035
and diversity of our community are deeply appreciated.

1802
01:37:34,455 --> 01:37:36,275
And this event was a beautiful example of

1803
01:37:36,275 --> 01:37:37,875
what thoughtful leadership and community

1804
01:37:37,875 --> 01:37:38,955
partnership can achieve.

1805
01:37:39,675 --> 01:37:41,955
I also wanna respectfully encourage continued outreach

1806
01:37:41,955 --> 01:37:44,235
and visible engagement with the Latino community

1807
01:37:44,855 --> 01:37:46,155
and with the diverse communities

1808
01:37:46,155 --> 01:37:48,315
that make our our town strong.

1809
01:37:48,775 --> 01:37:51,475
Representation is not only reflected in words,

1810
01:37:51,575 --> 01:37:55,565
but also in presence, participation and support to this.

1811
01:37:55,645 --> 01:37:59,045
I say Councilwoman Tracy to We missed you yesterday.

1812
01:38:00,725 --> 01:38:02,605
I I was working. Wait, I I was working.

1813
01:38:02,965 --> 01:38:06,405
I want, I want person. I wanna, excuse me. Excuse me.

1814
01:38:07,265 --> 01:38:09,645
Excuse me. Excuse. Can you please excuse

1815
01:38:09,645 --> 01:38:10,645
Me.

1816
01:38:10,645 --> 01:38:11,445
My husband is let you know I

1817
01:38:11,445 --> 01:38:13,805
As, excuse me, I'm sorry I haven't finished yet.

1818
01:38:14,405 --> 01:38:17,765
I wanted to personally invite you to engage more openly

1819
01:38:17,765 --> 01:38:19,605
with the large Latino community of Bloomfield.

1820
01:38:19,785 --> 01:38:21,205
And that was all I had to say. Thank you.

1821
01:38:21,865 --> 01:38:24,405
My husband is Latino. I have, I would love to

1822
01:38:27,425 --> 01:38:28,425
Mel Mildred.

1823
01:38:31,245 --> 01:38:32,445
I thought we were not supposed

1824
01:38:32,445 --> 01:38:33,925
to address council people by name.

1825
01:38:33,945 --> 01:38:34,885
I'm sorry. Sorry. I thought

1826
01:38:34,885 --> 01:38:36,165
we're gonna let the public speak.

1827
01:38:36,285 --> 01:38:37,205
I thought we were not supposed to

1828
01:38:37,205 --> 01:38:38,325
address council people by name.

1829
01:38:38,325 --> 01:38:39,765
Thank you. Isn't that what you always say?

1830
01:38:41,095 --> 01:38:43,325
Isn't that what councilwoman clerk said?

1831
01:38:43,525 --> 01:38:44,645
Councilwoman, we're gonna,

1832
01:38:44,645 --> 01:38:45,885
this is the public's time to speak.

1833
01:38:45,885 --> 01:38:47,565
Let's let them speak. Of course, mayor. Thank you

1834
01:38:48,195 --> 01:38:49,195
Mildred.

1835
01:38:49,205 --> 01:38:50,205
Geronimo.

1836
01:39:01,995 --> 01:39:03,525
Good evening Mayor Council.

1837
01:39:04,035 --> 01:39:05,965
Unfortunately I'm not here to complain,

1838
01:39:05,965 --> 01:39:10,205
but I'm here to tell you my story

1839
01:39:10,545 --> 01:39:14,005
of why I am here and how much I enjoy Bloomfield.

1840
01:39:14,745 --> 01:39:16,805
My name is Mildred Bo. I'm Geronimo.

1841
01:39:16,905 --> 01:39:18,645
I'm from 86 Montgomery Street.

1842
01:39:19,075 --> 01:39:22,605
I've been a resident and homeowner for 33 years.

1843
01:39:23,915 --> 01:39:25,965
Okay? As I retired

1844
01:39:26,065 --> 01:39:30,205
and COVID settled in, I became inactive doing things,

1845
01:39:30,455 --> 01:39:32,965
doing many, not doing many things.

1846
01:39:33,725 --> 01:39:37,085
I became very inactive. But things started to change.

1847
01:39:37,795 --> 01:39:39,405
When I first became involved

1848
01:39:39,515 --> 01:39:42,885
with my first ward councilwoman, who later became a mayor,

1849
01:39:43,445 --> 01:39:45,685
I began to attend activities in town.

1850
01:39:46,065 --> 01:39:48,045
And I found out about the senior program.

1851
01:39:50,815 --> 01:39:53,175
I also became a member of the mayor Senior

1852
01:39:53,735 --> 01:39:55,055
Citizens Advisory Committee.

1853
01:39:56,125 --> 01:40:00,975
This has not only changed my attitude, improved my health.

1854
01:40:02,415 --> 01:40:04,295
I can attend programs during the week

1855
01:40:04,835 --> 01:40:08,535
and still go to my appointments as a senior that I am.

1856
01:40:08,555 --> 01:40:09,895
And I have to take care of that.

1857
01:40:10,325 --> 01:40:14,495
When I part participate in these two days of exercise.

1858
01:40:14,695 --> 01:40:18,735
I find myself with more stamina, with more ability

1859
01:40:18,955 --> 01:40:20,935
to spend quality time with my kids.

1860
01:40:21,915 --> 01:40:23,495
My soon to be 2-year-old

1861
01:40:23,495 --> 01:40:26,255
and 6-year-old grandchildren that keep me very busy.

1862
01:40:26,935 --> 01:40:28,215
I take them to school in daycare.

1863
01:40:28,915 --> 01:40:31,935
My daughter is so jealous because she says I have a squad.

1864
01:40:32,935 --> 01:40:34,775
I love the Bloomfield

1865
01:40:37,355 --> 01:40:38,575
Oak Side Center.

1866
01:40:41,835 --> 01:40:45,735
The seniors have embraced me with love and caring

1867
01:40:46,395 --> 01:40:48,575
and I look forward to seeing them every week.

1868
01:40:49,795 --> 01:40:53,885
The staff is caring. The staff is awesome.

1869
01:40:54,515 --> 01:40:56,285
There's always so many things to do.

1870
01:40:56,385 --> 01:40:58,845
I'm a little bit nervous. The things

1871
01:40:58,845 --> 01:41:01,325
that I have learned there aren't measurable.

1872
01:41:01,545 --> 01:41:03,525
We attend seminars in Atlantic City.

1873
01:41:03,805 --> 01:41:05,405
I get involved with the seniors year's

1874
01:41:05,405 --> 01:41:06,765
activities at the Cody Center.

1875
01:41:07,265 --> 01:41:09,765
We work at Special Olympics with the kids this year,

1876
01:41:09,765 --> 01:41:12,965
which was so emotional and so gratifying to me.

1877
01:41:14,145 --> 01:41:16,965
The senior program has totally enriched my life

1878
01:41:18,065 --> 01:41:21,165
and I am very appreciative to the town, the mayor,

1879
01:41:21,265 --> 01:41:24,485
the council for providing these services for the seniors.

1880
01:41:25,225 --> 01:41:26,605
And all I wanna say is those

1881
01:41:26,605 --> 01:41:29,525
that haven't visited the Oak Side Center, come by

1882
01:41:29,785 --> 01:41:32,365
and see this beautiful program that the mayor

1883
01:41:32,465 --> 01:41:33,845
and the council have put together.

1884
01:41:34,185 --> 01:41:37,605
And I thank them. God bless everybody

1885
01:41:37,905 --> 01:41:40,125
and come by the outside center and enjoy us.

1886
01:41:42,135 --> 01:41:42,605
Thank you.

1887
01:41:47,575 --> 01:41:50,935
Jonathan Mejia. Jonathan.

1888
01:42:03,845 --> 01:42:06,175
Okay. Hi everyone. Good evening Mayor.

1889
01:42:06,175 --> 01:42:10,615
Council residents here and those online watching.

1890
01:42:12,415 --> 01:42:14,495
I want to thank you all for the informative

1891
01:42:14,495 --> 01:42:15,815
video about the sewer fee.

1892
01:42:15,995 --> 01:42:18,095
Though it did leave me, myself

1893
01:42:18,095 --> 01:42:20,255
and a lot of residents with more questions.

1894
01:42:20,735 --> 01:42:22,055
I know in the video it was stated

1895
01:42:22,055 --> 01:42:23,775
that there will be an information session,

1896
01:42:24,545 --> 01:42:27,415
which the mayor had just stated at the beginning of this,

1897
01:42:27,415 --> 01:42:29,215
that it will happen on June 10th.

1898
01:42:30,515 --> 01:42:34,815
I'm hoping that a full press release will be listed on the

1899
01:42:34,845 --> 01:42:36,135
town website, you know, front

1900
01:42:36,135 --> 01:42:38,855
and center for all us to know as well as on social media

1901
01:42:39,495 --> 01:42:41,495
with the time and location as we know

1902
01:42:41,495 --> 01:42:42,495
that it's now on June 10th.

1903
01:42:43,475 --> 01:42:46,295
In the meantime, till then, I want to ask a couple

1904
01:42:46,315 --> 01:42:48,215
of things now in the hopes that they are answered.

1905
01:42:48,215 --> 01:42:51,735
When the info info session occurs mostly about the case

1906
01:42:51,735 --> 01:42:53,815
study, how in depth did it go when

1907
01:42:53,815 --> 01:42:55,055
assessing the issues in the town?

1908
01:42:58,155 --> 01:42:59,655
Did it address the long-term pros

1909
01:42:59,655 --> 01:43:03,455
and cons assessed when it comes to the fee?

1910
01:43:03,805 --> 01:43:06,295
Will they drive out businesses in town who will now have

1911
01:43:06,295 --> 01:43:07,895
to pay more for their water usage?

1912
01:43:08,685 --> 01:43:12,375
Will the fee be BA passed down onto the tenants and renters?

1913
01:43:12,935 --> 01:43:14,775
'cause they will be forced

1914
01:43:14,775 --> 01:43:16,495
to pay substantially higher rents.

1915
01:43:17,075 --> 01:43:19,135
All of these and more, I'm hoping our answered at

1916
01:43:19,135 --> 01:43:20,175
the next information session.

1917
01:43:21,405 --> 01:43:24,575
Also, I know that originally the Town Council was supposed

1918
01:43:24,575 --> 01:43:25,775
to vote on the fee tonight,

1919
01:43:26,035 --> 01:43:28,015
but got postponed to a later date

1920
01:43:28,675 --> 01:43:30,575
to hear more from the residents on the issue.

1921
01:43:30,585 --> 01:43:32,815
Thank you very much for that though.

1922
01:43:32,885 --> 01:43:35,615
With all that being said, I, along with many residents,

1923
01:43:35,615 --> 01:43:37,015
would like to know where our red

1924
01:43:37,015 --> 01:43:38,655
representatives stand on this fee.

1925
01:43:39,215 --> 01:43:42,455
I don't expect for the representatives to answer tonight,

1926
01:43:42,555 --> 01:43:44,615
but hopefully sometime soon on all their

1927
01:43:44,615 --> 01:43:45,855
social media platforms.

1928
01:43:47,115 --> 01:43:51,565
Lastly, 'cause I've seen who's come up here

1929
01:43:51,565 --> 01:43:53,605
and has spoken, I want to point out

1930
01:43:53,605 --> 01:43:55,525
that most residents coming up to the podium

1931
01:43:56,105 --> 01:43:58,965
to speak about their concerns and expectations of the town

1932
01:43:59,105 --> 01:44:01,565
and council are doing just that and nothing more.

1933
01:44:01,875 --> 01:44:03,805
They are here to inform you of that.

1934
01:44:04,105 --> 01:44:07,005
And the fact that so many have shown up here tonight should

1935
01:44:07,005 --> 01:44:08,645
let you know of their expectations.

1936
01:44:10,795 --> 01:44:12,045
Also, it's not just here.

1937
01:44:12,685 --> 01:44:14,645
A lot of people are realizing that while they

1938
01:44:14,905 --> 01:44:17,205
as a community are demanding one thing,

1939
01:44:17,225 --> 01:44:19,445
the representatives are doing something else entirely.

1940
01:44:20,155 --> 01:44:21,725
This is how it works. This is

1941
01:44:21,725 --> 01:44:23,365
how working democracy operates.

1942
01:44:23,825 --> 01:44:27,125
People show up, they speak to the representatives hoping

1943
01:44:27,125 --> 01:44:28,245
that something gets done.

1944
01:44:28,635 --> 01:44:30,445
Hopefully something does get done

1945
01:44:30,745 --> 01:44:33,685
and we continue to move forward to make our town better.

1946
01:44:35,465 --> 01:44:36,805
So I wanna thank all the people

1947
01:44:36,985 --> 01:44:39,205
who took the time out here and speak.

1948
01:44:40,085 --> 01:44:42,605
I hope I continue to see all of you,

1949
01:44:42,605 --> 01:44:44,725
and I hope that you all continue to attend

1950
01:44:44,745 --> 01:44:48,685
and operate that democracy operates properly.

1951
01:44:50,585 --> 01:44:54,765
Now, on a personal note, I'm going to say this in Spanish

1952
01:45:35,385 --> 01:45:39,165
in the next meeting and I hope

1953
01:45:40,565 --> 01:45:41,605
everyone has a good night and I hope

1954
01:45:41,605 --> 01:45:42,845
to hear from you everyone soon.

1955
01:45:44,385 --> 01:45:48,005
I'm sorry. Excuse me. Ma'am. Ma'am.

1956
01:45:49,265 --> 01:45:51,765
Excuse me. Ma'am. Ma'am,

1957
01:45:58,785 --> 01:46:00,205
Can I, can I Translate?

1958
01:46:00,305 --> 01:46:02,685
I'm sorry. Thank you. I can translate. Are you finished?

1959
01:46:02,905 --> 01:46:04,045
I'm sorry. Are you finished? I

1960
01:46:04,465 --> 01:46:05,485
If she, Sorry

1961
01:46:26,815 --> 01:46:27,815
Ma'am.

1962
01:46:27,815 --> 01:46:29,205
No, we're, we'll ask you just

1963
01:46:29,305 --> 01:46:32,005
to please respect everybody's time up at the podium

1964
01:46:32,345 --> 01:46:33,325
and I'm gonna ask everybody

1965
01:46:33,325 --> 01:46:34,605
who's sitting here to do the same.

1966
01:46:34,625 --> 01:46:36,885
Please. With the outbursts from the audience.

1967
01:46:37,665 --> 01:46:40,605
Mr. Mejia was speaking, we were giving him time to speak.

1968
01:46:40,715 --> 01:46:42,645
It's inappropriate to yell out at him

1969
01:46:43,545 --> 01:46:46,325
the next time I hear insults thrown at anybody.

1970
01:46:46,905 --> 01:46:49,525
I'm gonna ask, I'm gonna ask for the,

1971
01:46:50,305 --> 01:46:52,125
for the officers to remove people.

1972
01:46:52,215 --> 01:46:54,245
We're here to have respectful dialogue. Thank you.

1973
01:46:54,385 --> 01:46:56,845
So Mr. Mejia, did you have anything else you wanted to see?

1974
01:46:56,945 --> 01:46:58,085
I'm sorry. Sorry about

1975
01:46:58,085 --> 01:46:59,085
That.

1976
01:46:59,085 --> 01:47:00,765
It's fine. Luis. I had one minute. Correct. Okay.

1977
01:47:01,225 --> 01:47:03,405
So Ms. Yes, Ms, you have 50

1978
01:47:04,155 --> 01:47:05,155
Just to less than a minute.

1979
01:47:05,345 --> 01:47:09,365
So what I had stated was that the people that are here

1980
01:47:09,675 --> 01:47:10,765
that can understand me

1981
01:47:10,765 --> 01:47:14,485
and my language, I understand exactly why they are here.

1982
01:47:15,245 --> 01:47:17,445
I have not seen them comment on social media.

1983
01:47:18,045 --> 01:47:21,485
I have not seen them here. I have been here for three years.

1984
01:47:21,805 --> 01:47:24,765
I understand entirely the reason they are here.

1985
01:47:26,485 --> 01:47:28,965
A lot of people online that also watch,

1986
01:47:29,395 --> 01:47:30,925
know exactly why they're here as well.

1987
01:47:31,905 --> 01:47:34,645
And that they should continue to show up so

1988
01:47:34,645 --> 01:47:36,565
that we can learn about each other

1989
01:47:36,905 --> 01:47:39,805
and not show up for one particular reason that a lot

1990
01:47:39,805 --> 01:47:42,525
of people online specifically know what they are here for.

1991
01:47:43,235 --> 01:47:44,605
Okay. That is all.

1992
01:47:44,945 --> 01:47:46,645
So it's kind of basically like saying,

1993
01:47:47,125 --> 01:47:49,125
I understand what's going on.

1994
01:47:49,485 --> 01:47:51,165
I can read between the lines

1995
01:47:51,905 --> 01:47:53,485
and so can everybody else online.

1996
01:47:54,025 --> 01:47:58,645
So showing up to state one make one statement, it's invalid

1997
01:47:58,645 --> 01:48:00,285
because a lot of people know exactly what it's about.

1998
01:48:00,555 --> 01:48:02,605
That is what I was addressing. I

1999
01:48:02,605 --> 01:48:03,605
Appreciate That.

2000
01:48:03,605 --> 01:48:04,525
Thank you. No problem.

2001
01:48:10,865 --> 01:48:12,125
Norman Nikolai.

2002
01:48:22,815 --> 01:48:26,605
Norma Nikolai. I live at 52 Overlook Terrace

2003
01:48:27,145 --> 01:48:28,165
in the second ward.

2004
01:48:28,905 --> 01:48:30,605
I'm not gonna belabor a lot of the points

2005
01:48:30,605 --> 01:48:32,725
that have been made about the sewer fee.

2006
01:48:33,005 --> 01:48:34,925
I had a whole statement prepared on that.

2007
01:48:35,025 --> 01:48:37,885
But I think, I think much of what is, I was gonna

2008
01:48:38,415 --> 01:48:40,165
speak on the, the sewer fee,

2009
01:48:40,465 --> 01:48:42,765
but a lot of that has already been stated here tonight.

2010
01:48:42,905 --> 01:48:44,805
So I won't reiterate very much of that.

2011
01:48:45,485 --> 01:48:47,045
But I do wanna point out that

2012
01:48:49,065 --> 01:48:51,965
two weeks ago I was here at this, at this meeting

2013
01:48:52,065 --> 01:48:55,925
and I asked specifically if all information is shared

2014
01:48:55,925 --> 01:48:58,485
equally within the city council,

2015
01:48:58,665 --> 01:49:02,245
if every council member has access to the same information

2016
01:49:02,475 --> 01:49:05,045
regarding town business, whether it's shared equally.

2017
01:49:05,185 --> 01:49:06,485
And I was assure that it was.

2018
01:49:07,105 --> 01:49:08,405
And as of two days ago,

2019
01:49:08,665 --> 01:49:11,245
or a couple of days ago, I was told by two members

2020
01:49:11,265 --> 01:49:15,245
of this council that they had received absolutely nothing of

2021
01:49:15,885 --> 01:49:19,245
substance about the, the sewer fee that has been proposed.

2022
01:49:20,115 --> 01:49:22,885
Okay? So my question is then,

2023
01:49:23,025 --> 01:49:24,445
or my, my inference is, well,

2024
01:49:24,445 --> 01:49:27,405
if two people have not received any of the information

2025
01:49:28,105 --> 01:49:29,685
and everything is shared equally,

2026
01:49:29,995 --> 01:49:32,885
then obviously nobody else on the council has gotten

2027
01:49:33,285 --> 01:49:37,645
anything of substance other than the information webinar we

2028
01:49:37,665 --> 01:49:39,605
had a couple of weeks ago, or the,

2029
01:49:39,745 --> 01:49:43,725
or the short audio visual presentation back in April.

2030
01:49:44,505 --> 01:49:49,005
And my question is, how are our representatives supposed

2031
01:49:49,005 --> 01:49:51,325
to share information with us if they don't

2032
01:49:51,325 --> 01:49:53,205
have anything of substance?

2033
01:49:53,745 --> 01:49:56,325
If they're not given anything of substance, they're supposed

2034
01:49:56,325 --> 01:49:58,205
to be a conduit to the people.

2035
01:49:58,625 --> 01:50:00,005
We supposed to ask them questions

2036
01:50:00,185 --> 01:50:01,045
and they're supposed to,

2037
01:50:01,475 --> 01:50:02,845
they're supposed to give us answers.

2038
01:50:03,225 --> 01:50:05,885
And obviously that can't take place when everything

2039
01:50:05,885 --> 01:50:06,925
is done in a vacuum.

2040
01:50:08,025 --> 01:50:10,565
The other, the other question is how are they supposed

2041
01:50:10,565 --> 01:50:11,765
to make informed votes

2042
01:50:12,345 --> 01:50:15,805
and informed decisions on things like this if they're denied

2043
01:50:16,145 --> 01:50:19,125
all of that information, if the information isn't presented

2044
01:50:19,135 --> 01:50:20,685
until the very end of the process.

2045
01:50:21,405 --> 01:50:22,565
I mean, it denies the people

2046
01:50:22,865 --> 01:50:24,485
and it denies the council members

2047
01:50:24,865 --> 01:50:26,205
access to that information.

2048
01:50:27,665 --> 01:50:29,645
The only other thing I want to say is that

2049
01:50:32,025 --> 01:50:33,165
two weeks ago when I asked

2050
01:50:33,165 --> 01:50:37,445
that question about sharing information on the council, one

2051
01:50:37,445 --> 01:50:39,925
of the council members, council member

2052
01:50:40,775 --> 01:50:42,965
Toler Phillips was gave down

2053
01:50:43,485 --> 01:50:45,325
'cause she had a, she had a point of information

2054
01:50:45,635 --> 01:50:47,005
that she wanted to bring forth.

2055
01:50:47,865 --> 01:50:51,805
Now, I'm not incredibly experienced at the rules of order,

2056
01:50:52,265 --> 01:50:56,365
but I know enough of the rules of order that the person

2057
01:50:56,385 --> 01:50:59,725
who wheels the gavel has a wheels a great deal of power

2058
01:51:00,345 --> 01:51:01,525
in this, at this meeting.

2059
01:51:06,075 --> 01:51:08,055
The rules are supposed to maintain order,

2060
01:51:08,555 --> 01:51:10,255
but they're also supposed to be there

2061
01:51:10,515 --> 01:51:13,815
to let everybody have a voice on the council.

2062
01:51:14,035 --> 01:51:14,935
That's one of the reasons

2063
01:51:15,045 --> 01:51:16,455
they're operating under these rules.

2064
01:51:17,115 --> 01:51:20,815
So I would implore Mayor Mundell in the future

2065
01:51:21,435 --> 01:51:26,415
to please show some transparency and to be more democratic

2066
01:51:26,875 --> 01:51:29,775
and let other people on this council have a word.

2067
01:51:30,115 --> 01:51:31,575
Let them say something. Yeah.

2068
01:51:31,995 --> 01:51:33,415
Yes. The other thing,

2069
01:51:36,475 --> 01:51:40,695
and I, I make that, I make that request with respect.

2070
01:51:41,635 --> 01:51:43,535
You know, I'm, I'm, I believe in civility.

2071
01:51:43,645 --> 01:51:46,575
Something has been talked about quite a bit at this meeting.

2072
01:51:47,435 --> 01:51:49,255
And the other thing I would like to say is

2073
01:51:49,255 --> 01:51:50,775
that when one member

2074
01:51:50,795 --> 01:51:53,375
of the council is treated in such a fashion,

2075
01:51:54,005 --> 01:51:57,535
it's not about them, it's about us, the voters.

2076
01:51:57,725 --> 01:51:59,455
It's about me and the people who,

2077
01:51:59,635 --> 01:52:00,655
who are sitting in this room.

2078
01:52:06,445 --> 01:52:08,935
They represent us essentially.

2079
01:52:08,935 --> 01:52:11,495
You're, so when you do that to somebody on the council,

2080
01:52:11,835 --> 01:52:13,335
you're doing it to the voters as well.

2081
01:52:13,945 --> 01:52:14,945
Thank you

2082
01:52:24,755 --> 01:52:25,755
Sam Dion.

2083
01:52:38,135 --> 01:52:40,465
Good evening. My name is Sam Dion.

2084
01:52:40,585 --> 01:52:41,905
I live on Broad Terrace.

2085
01:52:43,705 --> 01:52:46,085
I like many of my neighbors around town would like

2086
01:52:46,085 --> 01:52:47,965
to see a debate with candidates for each

2087
01:52:48,145 --> 01:52:51,765
and every seat up for election on the Town Council.

2088
01:53:00,905 --> 01:53:03,445
My prediction is that we're not gonna get one.

2089
01:53:05,465 --> 01:53:09,365
The decision to deny us voters, something as important

2090
01:53:09,505 --> 01:53:14,125
and informative as a debate is completely unacceptable.

2091
01:53:14,675 --> 01:53:16,405
It's completely unacceptable.

2092
01:53:18,555 --> 01:53:21,855
If you deny a debate, you yourself

2093
01:53:22,555 --> 01:53:26,295
are forcing us to believe that you have no idea how

2094
01:53:26,295 --> 01:53:27,775
to explain your voting pla,

2095
01:53:28,095 --> 01:53:30,575
your voting record or your platform.

2096
01:53:33,405 --> 01:53:36,855
When you are elected, you become the voice of the community.

2097
01:53:38,115 --> 01:53:41,855
But how can you bear a voice if you refuse to use yours

2098
01:53:42,355 --> 01:53:45,295
to explain your platform and the on

2099
01:53:45,795 --> 01:53:48,695
and positions on the issues that matter to us.

2100
01:53:49,035 --> 01:53:50,855
That's all I have to say. Thank you.

2101
01:53:51,355 --> 01:53:51,575
Woo.

2102
01:54:01,565 --> 01:54:02,415
Joan Hussey.

2103
01:54:15,545 --> 01:54:20,475
Good evening Mayor Counsel, Joan Hussey, 1 65 State Street.

2104
01:54:21,495 --> 01:54:23,475
But tonight, my theme is about coverup

2105
01:54:23,895 --> 01:54:26,515
and coverup is the prevailing theme of this town.

2106
01:54:27,245 --> 01:54:29,315
Cover it up till hopefully it's forgotten.

2107
01:54:30,005 --> 01:54:31,755
Cover it up and spring it on us.

2108
01:54:32,645 --> 01:54:34,555
Cover it up and hopefully it will go

2109
01:54:34,555 --> 01:54:36,195
unnoticed in the first place.

2110
01:54:37,825 --> 01:54:40,475
This last one is illustrated by pay to play.

2111
01:54:41,305 --> 01:54:43,795
It's allowing municipal contractors to donate

2112
01:54:43,795 --> 01:54:45,155
to political campaigns.

2113
01:54:45,535 --> 01:54:48,915
And it is illegal in some places, but not here.

2114
01:54:50,005 --> 01:54:52,835
Bloomfield has some astounding numbers to look at

2115
01:54:52,855 --> 01:54:56,435
and the pay to play, and it's in this room right now.

2116
01:55:00,695 --> 01:55:04,955
The only thing that this coverup goes unnoticed is, well,

2117
01:55:04,955 --> 01:55:06,995
how it goes unnoticed is you have to know how

2118
01:55:06,995 --> 01:55:09,635
to pull an Oprah request, which is something

2119
01:55:09,635 --> 01:55:12,195
that these more skilled residents here know how to do.

2120
01:55:12,305 --> 01:55:16,465
It's quite a bit. Or you can read locally,

2121
01:55:16,975 --> 01:55:19,665
there's very little local papers anymore.

2122
01:55:21,455 --> 01:55:24,535
It's a shame. So anyway,

2123
01:55:25,785 --> 01:55:27,535
cover it up and spring it on us.

2124
01:55:28,155 --> 01:55:30,375
That's what the administration did with the sewer tax.

2125
01:55:31,035 --> 01:55:34,135
We found out that it was in the works for over a year.

2126
01:55:34,875 --> 01:55:37,375
It was passed on a first read. Now it's tabled.

2127
01:55:37,755 --> 01:55:40,295
And we have public outrage as shown tonight.

2128
01:55:42,795 --> 01:55:46,765
So now that it's been studied, we see it's a temporary fix.

2129
01:55:47,265 --> 01:55:50,165
It doesn't project future waste requirements

2130
01:55:50,165 --> 01:55:53,485
and water, water demands in our growing town.

2131
01:55:54,475 --> 01:55:57,965
It's a flawed piece of legislation that sets us up

2132
01:55:57,965 --> 01:56:01,085
for future woe and possibly,

2133
01:56:01,385 --> 01:56:05,765
and this is a guess privatization of our water.

2134
01:56:07,105 --> 01:56:08,445
We need to watch for that.

2135
01:56:10,105 --> 01:56:11,805
So instead of temporary fixes

2136
01:56:11,805 --> 01:56:14,245
that hit our modest homes like we are piggy banks,

2137
01:56:14,825 --> 01:56:17,005
how about we generate more business in this town?

2138
01:56:17,705 --> 01:56:19,365
We got an empty theater.

2139
01:56:23,145 --> 01:56:24,365
And why do we cover up

2140
01:56:24,365 --> 01:56:28,165
and forget things like the $10 million VO-tech purchase,

2141
01:56:29,065 --> 01:56:32,525
two abandoned schools sitting on eight acres on a hill

2142
01:56:32,525 --> 01:56:33,565
in Franklin Street.

2143
01:56:33,845 --> 01:56:36,685
I just, we can all look at that with our eyes.

2144
01:56:36,755 --> 01:56:40,165
This is not misinformation, it's concrete.

2145
01:56:47,535 --> 01:56:49,685
Cover it up until it's hopefully forgotten.

2146
01:56:49,785 --> 01:56:50,965
And that's where I get down

2147
01:56:51,025 --> 01:56:53,605
to the $25 million federal lawsuit.

2148
01:56:55,745 --> 01:56:59,125
And even a closed circuit video happened the day

2149
01:56:59,125 --> 01:57:01,005
of the second news tossing at the fire

2150
01:57:01,005 --> 01:57:03,405
department that same night.

2151
01:57:05,185 --> 01:57:07,965
The fire chief and his brother, the, the the

2152
01:57:07,965 --> 01:57:10,645
that then current mayor watched the video,

2153
01:57:12,145 --> 01:57:14,525
the video then submerged for a month

2154
01:57:15,505 --> 01:57:18,845
and then it came out on NBC News with Sarah Wallace

2155
01:57:19,385 --> 01:57:20,765
and everybody was horrified.

2156
01:57:22,065 --> 01:57:23,125
And then it was forgotten

2157
01:57:23,915 --> 01:57:26,405
because Sarah Wallace stopped talking about it.

2158
01:57:26,785 --> 01:57:28,525
We have a little bit of a local media here

2159
01:57:28,525 --> 01:57:31,565
that talks about it, but it doesn't really get far out

2160
01:57:31,565 --> 01:57:32,645
of the bounds of this town.

2161
01:57:34,465 --> 01:57:38,045
So I did look at, well I gotta go quickly.

2162
01:57:39,085 --> 01:57:42,085
I did research and I have the lawsuit right here.

2163
01:57:43,225 --> 01:57:45,685
And I was actually so surprised I forgot

2164
01:57:46,275 --> 01:57:48,405
that it's not just the fire chief

2165
01:57:48,405 --> 01:57:49,805
and Walter Coffee who's in trouble,

2166
01:57:50,305 --> 01:57:52,205
but there are 10 John Doe

2167
01:57:53,195 --> 01:57:54,885
that are defendants in this case too.

2168
01:57:54,885 --> 01:57:57,045
This is a huge case. Wow.

2169
01:57:57,865 --> 01:58:02,485
So other men, other men were able to enabled

2170
01:58:02,995 --> 01:58:04,565
what was going on, but,

2171
01:58:04,665 --> 01:58:07,045
but then again, it comes from the top

2172
01:58:07,345 --> 01:58:09,525
and maybe when you go to work, you're afraid

2173
01:58:09,525 --> 01:58:11,045
to go against what the boss thinks.

2174
01:58:11,105 --> 01:58:14,125
And if the boss thinks it's okay to behave like this,

2175
01:58:14,615 --> 01:58:17,285
maybe those 10 people might have said something.

2176
01:58:17,945 --> 01:58:20,405
I'm defending these firemen, so don't,

2177
01:58:20,405 --> 01:58:21,685
I don't wanna hear the misinformation

2178
01:58:21,685 --> 01:58:23,685
that I disrespect this fire department.

2179
01:58:24,135 --> 01:58:24,925
Don't you dare.

2180
01:58:31,305 --> 01:58:34,445
In conclusion, 44 seconds. Thank you Louise.

2181
01:58:34,605 --> 01:58:37,685
I see it's, it feels as if

2182
01:58:37,695 --> 01:58:39,725
until we get Sarah Wallace back

2183
01:58:40,265 --> 01:58:43,445
and channel four news that this

2184
01:58:44,205 --> 01:58:46,685
complete coverup here is gonna continue.

2185
01:58:47,145 --> 01:58:49,645
We covered it up. We tried to forget about it

2186
01:58:50,425 --> 01:58:52,685
and we, we just can't.

2187
01:58:52,945 --> 01:58:56,165
We can't we, oh, we need justice for Patrick Thomas.

2188
01:58:56,645 --> 01:58:57,645
I almost

2189
01:59:08,605 --> 01:59:10,215
Norm Norm Satter.

2190
01:59:21,545 --> 01:59:24,095
There we go. Good evening mayor and council.

2191
01:59:24,125 --> 01:59:26,055
Norm Ter on 99 Berkeley Avenue.

2192
01:59:27,185 --> 01:59:29,295
First of all, thank you everyone for being here.

2193
01:59:29,795 --> 01:59:31,295
You are going the distance

2194
01:59:31,755 --> 01:59:34,295
and that is what is needed in this community.

2195
01:59:34,675 --> 01:59:38,255
You need to run the marathon and then run it again and again

2196
01:59:38,835 --> 01:59:41,335
and again because it's an ultra marathon.

2197
01:59:42,835 --> 01:59:45,055
And that's what we need. We need distance runners.

2198
01:59:49,675 --> 01:59:53,975
So Bluefield, we've heard tonight

2199
01:59:54,585 --> 01:59:57,095
needs to see progress for everyone.

2200
01:59:58,185 --> 02:00:00,335
Bloomfield requires reform.

2201
02:00:01,065 --> 02:00:02,895
There are three characteristics I would like

2202
02:00:02,895 --> 02:00:04,135
to see our leaders practice.

2203
02:00:04,475 --> 02:00:06,295
Accountability, kindness,

2204
02:00:07,035 --> 02:00:08,895
and collaborative critical thinking.

2205
02:00:10,415 --> 02:00:11,715
Whoops, hold on a second.

2206
02:00:13,785 --> 02:00:16,075
What happens when you don't print out your notes?

2207
02:00:16,675 --> 02:00:18,635
Bloomfield needs to see progress for everyone.

2208
02:00:18,805 --> 02:00:20,595
Bloomfield requires reform,

2209
02:00:20,775 --> 02:00:23,115
accountability concerns itself with the big issues.

2210
02:00:23,145 --> 02:00:26,515
Obviously we heard tonight about the sewer user fee

2211
02:00:28,015 --> 02:00:30,235
and our township budget, which is late.

2212
02:00:32,475 --> 02:00:34,055
And then there are smaller items.

2213
02:00:35,115 --> 02:00:37,015
And in fact, Josh, if you're still here,

2214
02:00:37,035 --> 02:00:40,655
you know this one at the intersection of Con Glenwood

2215
02:00:40,675 --> 02:00:44,855
and Lackawanna Plaza, the pedestrian push button signals,

2216
02:00:45,605 --> 02:00:46,735
they are out of service.

2217
02:00:47,875 --> 02:00:50,495
All eight of them are out of service

2218
02:00:51,565 --> 02:00:53,655
here it is May, 2026.

2219
02:00:54,195 --> 02:00:57,095
And they have been out of service since May 22nd,

2220
02:00:57,875 --> 02:01:01,575
20, 20, 25 when I filed a clean,

2221
02:01:01,835 --> 02:01:03,535
strong Bloomfield request.

2222
02:01:06,065 --> 02:01:08,085
So accountability, big

2223
02:01:08,545 --> 02:01:12,485
and small, day to day, sort of our face.

2224
02:01:12,505 --> 02:01:17,245
And I watched literally multiple times as people walked by

2225
02:01:17,585 --> 02:01:19,085
and didn't even hit the signal

2226
02:01:19,155 --> 02:01:21,005
because they know it doesn't work.

2227
02:01:23,025 --> 02:01:26,285
So I have lots of questions

2228
02:01:26,545 --> 02:01:28,045
for the professionals, Mr.

2229
02:01:28,365 --> 02:01:32,565
Hanley, his firm, regarding the sewer user fee.

2230
02:01:32,585 --> 02:01:34,365
And those questions just keep expanding

2231
02:01:34,545 --> 02:01:35,805
as they do for all of us.

2232
02:01:35,945 --> 02:01:38,685
So I'm not gonna, you know, I'm not gonna keep going there.

2233
02:01:40,825 --> 02:01:44,575
So accountability is important

2234
02:01:45,635 --> 02:01:47,855
and this Mayor Mondell, you

2235
02:01:47,855 --> 02:01:51,015
and the council need to hold our township administrator

2236
02:01:51,355 --> 02:01:53,215
and his team responsible.

2237
02:01:54,235 --> 02:01:55,815
We need to see progress for everyone.

2238
02:01:56,585 --> 02:01:58,535
Bloomfield requires reform.

2239
02:01:59,695 --> 02:02:02,255
Kindness is the next characteristic I would like

2240
02:02:02,255 --> 02:02:03,415
to see our leaders practice.

2241
02:02:04,385 --> 02:02:06,455
There are moments of both agreement and disagreement.

2242
02:02:06,455 --> 02:02:08,335
We all know that that's how democracy works.

2243
02:02:08,795 --> 02:02:10,695
But kindness should always be at the forefront.

2244
02:02:11,405 --> 02:02:16,055
Cell phone usage, texting, rolling

2245
02:02:16,115 --> 02:02:17,655
of eyes, harsh words.

2246
02:02:17,755 --> 02:02:21,935
Verbal blocking and disinterested body language have been

2247
02:02:21,965 --> 02:02:25,015
used part and parcel over the past year as a way

2248
02:02:25,015 --> 02:02:27,495
to intimidate and dissuade residents

2249
02:02:27,955 --> 02:02:29,895
and citizens from making public comment.

2250
02:02:30,925 --> 02:02:33,455
Luckily some of us wear Kevlar

2251
02:02:36,575 --> 02:02:38,375
Kindness must prevail.

2252
02:02:39,035 --> 02:02:42,255
And I call on our township leaders to develop, implement,

2253
02:02:42,395 --> 02:02:45,895
and adhere to a published code of conduct

2254
02:02:46,515 --> 02:02:49,975
and a set of core values whereby all residents,

2255
02:02:50,395 --> 02:02:55,015
the ones watching, the ones here in this room, all residents

2256
02:02:55,035 --> 02:02:59,335
and fellow council members are respected at all times.

2257
02:03:00,315 --> 02:03:01,335
We require kindness.

2258
02:03:01,985 --> 02:03:04,615
Bloomfield needs to see progress for everyone.

2259
02:03:05,025 --> 02:03:07,015
Bloomfield requires reform.

2260
02:03:08,415 --> 02:03:11,535
Critical collaborative thinking is the last item. Cordial.

2261
02:03:11,735 --> 02:03:13,775
Disagreement is baked into our democracy.

2262
02:03:14,395 --> 02:03:18,295
Our democracy thrives on cordial disagreement

2263
02:03:18,915 --> 02:03:20,255
and on compromise.

2264
02:03:21,235 --> 02:03:25,575
And democracy dies when groupthink going along

2265
02:03:25,635 --> 02:03:27,655
to get along, takes hold

2266
02:03:28,435 --> 02:03:30,895
and power becomes concentrated.

2267
02:03:34,275 --> 02:03:36,895
Our democracy in this moment will depend on both

2268
02:03:37,255 --> 02:03:38,695
progress and reform.

2269
02:03:39,385 --> 02:03:41,615
Bloomfield needs to see progress for everyone.

2270
02:03:42,105 --> 02:03:43,855
Bloomfield requires reform.

2271
02:03:44,615 --> 02:03:48,415
I want to leave you with this from Kamala Harris in her

2272
02:03:48,415 --> 02:03:49,855
book, 107 Days.

2273
02:03:50,885 --> 02:03:54,455
Your vote is your voice and your voice is your power.

2274
02:03:54,875 --> 02:03:56,175
30 seconds. Thanks.

2275
02:03:57,155 --> 02:04:00,415
And your, sorry, let me redo that.

2276
02:04:00,725 --> 02:04:04,015
Your vo vote is your voice and your voice is your power.

2277
02:04:04,955 --> 02:04:07,455
And no one takes our power from us.

2278
02:04:17,025 --> 02:04:18,365
Sat. Sat Nick Margo.

2279
02:04:28,145 --> 02:04:31,675
Good evening. Good evening ing Margaret. 34.

2280
02:04:33,615 --> 02:04:35,075
So I'm here tonight to,

2281
02:04:36,585 --> 02:04:41,445
Okay, I am here today to call on mayor

2282
02:04:41,825 --> 02:04:45,205
and the council to take one clear and very actionable step.

2283
02:04:47,555 --> 02:04:48,845
Okay, sorry about that again.

2284
02:04:48,985 --> 02:04:50,645
So I'm here today to call on mayor

2285
02:04:50,665 --> 02:04:53,525
and cons to take one very clear, actionable step.

2286
02:04:54,225 --> 02:04:56,605
And this actionable step is actually mirroring

2287
02:04:56,635 --> 02:04:58,605
what Norm said and we did not coordinate.

2288
02:04:58,605 --> 02:05:03,485
This actually is to establish a municipal ethics board as

2289
02:05:03,805 --> 02:05:07,405
provided by the New Jersey statue NJSA

2290
02:05:08,185 --> 02:05:12,165
for 40 a nine dash 22 1.

2291
02:05:13,075 --> 02:05:17,965
This action carries legal teeth within 90 days

2292
02:05:18,465 --> 02:05:19,525
of establishment,

2293
02:05:20,025 --> 02:05:24,965
the ethics board must promulgate a municipal code of ethics

2294
02:05:25,585 --> 02:05:28,325
for all local government officers, elected officials,

2295
02:05:29,025 --> 02:05:31,245
and employees serving Bloomfield.

2296
02:05:31,585 --> 02:05:36,245
We need this, our residents need this. Right now.

2297
02:05:36,845 --> 02:05:40,325
Residents have no formal avenue to address allegations

2298
02:05:40,325 --> 02:05:43,125
of unethical behavior by elected officials.

2299
02:05:44,105 --> 02:05:46,485
If we raise concern, we have two options.

2300
02:05:47,465 --> 02:05:49,565
We can come here and speak

2301
02:05:51,255 --> 02:05:55,325
where our comments are neither acknowledged

2302
02:05:56,505 --> 02:05:57,645
nor acted upon,

2303
02:05:58,585 --> 02:06:01,525
or we find other channels outside of government.

2304
02:06:03,625 --> 02:06:06,925
And still that's not a recourse, that's not a system

2305
02:06:07,075 --> 02:06:08,285
that is avoidance.

2306
02:06:08,725 --> 02:06:11,245
A municipal ethics board creates a

2307
02:06:11,295 --> 02:06:13,325
legitimate formal process.

2308
02:06:14,105 --> 02:06:17,325
It signals that this community takes accountability.

2309
02:06:17,715 --> 02:06:21,645
Seriously. We heard a lot of

2310
02:06:22,705 --> 02:06:27,365
finger pointing and you know, accusations of things,

2311
02:06:27,625 --> 02:06:29,125
but this is what I have to say.

2312
02:06:30,475 --> 02:06:35,285
When dissent is treated as a threat, we have a problem.

2313
02:06:36,705 --> 02:06:40,925
For the past three years, I have raised awareness of

2314
02:06:41,385 --> 02:06:43,565
of the public on municipal matters,

2315
02:06:44,485 --> 02:06:46,485
transparency in the budget process,

2316
02:06:47,505 --> 02:06:49,765
the VO-tech purchase protections

2317
02:06:49,825 --> 02:06:51,445
for our immigrant community,

2318
02:06:52,345 --> 02:06:56,125
and the impact of the new sew fee on residents finances.

2319
02:06:58,595 --> 02:07:01,445
Take the sewer fee. Plenty of people spoke about this.

2320
02:07:02,225 --> 02:07:05,565
And so far we received just webinars

2321
02:07:05,745 --> 02:07:07,125
and scripted presentations

2322
02:07:07,185 --> 02:07:10,045
and nothing really to answer our questions.

2323
02:07:11,195 --> 02:07:12,605
When elected officials

2324
02:07:13,945 --> 02:07:17,845
and their supporters treat such actions as threats

2325
02:07:18,825 --> 02:07:23,365
or personal insults rather than legitimate civic

2326
02:07:24,055 --> 02:07:27,085
engagement, we lose the possibility

2327
02:07:27,265 --> 02:07:28,845
of constructive dialogue.

2328
02:07:29,905 --> 02:07:32,325
The mayor and the council have chosen to avoid

2329
02:07:32,865 --> 02:07:34,125
public town halls.

2330
02:07:35,635 --> 02:07:39,285
They scheduled a public town hall after the primary election

2331
02:07:40,145 --> 02:07:41,565
and candid discussion.

2332
02:07:41,955 --> 02:07:45,045
They rely instead on carefully choreographed public

2333
02:07:45,045 --> 02:07:47,085
statements and follow up visits

2334
02:07:47,355 --> 02:07:49,365
with residents like mayor on the block.

2335
02:07:50,145 --> 02:07:53,085
Our residents feel that no one is listening.

2336
02:07:53,955 --> 02:07:55,725
This is why there are so many people here,

2337
02:07:56,435 --> 02:07:58,125
they have no other place to go

2338
02:08:00,225 --> 02:08:03,565
and most of us are feeling like we have not been heard.

2339
02:08:04,685 --> 02:08:06,845
I want to be clear, the ethics board is not

2340
02:08:06,845 --> 02:08:08,005
about targeting anyone.

2341
02:08:08,505 --> 02:08:09,645
It is about process.

2342
02:08:10,585 --> 02:08:13,245
It creates fair, consistent standard

2343
02:08:13,745 --> 02:08:17,005
for all elected officials and employees.

2344
02:08:18,425 --> 02:08:21,765
Ethics processes run parallel to municipal government.

2345
02:08:21,765 --> 02:08:24,845
They do not slow down critical services or decision making.

2346
02:08:24,845 --> 02:08:25,845
They ensure fairness.

2347
02:08:26,515 --> 02:08:28,765
This board also protects elected officials.

2348
02:08:29,465 --> 02:08:31,605
It provides formal legal mechanism

2349
02:08:31,705 --> 02:08:35,805
to evaluate concerns fairly, rather than leaving criticism

2350
02:08:35,865 --> 02:08:38,725
to surface on social media rumors

2351
02:08:39,465 --> 02:08:40,965
or town consulate chambers.

2352
02:08:42,425 --> 02:08:46,325
I'm formally requesting the Bloomfield that we establish

2353
02:08:47,115 --> 02:08:48,565
this municipal ethics board

2354
02:08:48,565 --> 02:08:51,005
and promulgate a municipal code of ethics.

2355
02:08:51,805 --> 02:08:53,645
I will be back at the next council meeting

2356
02:08:54,105 --> 02:08:56,445
and the next, until this is voted on.

2357
02:08:56,785 --> 02:08:58,005
And if you have any questions,

2358
02:08:59,315 --> 02:09:01,365
I'll welcome that conversation. That would be constructed.

2359
02:09:01,385 --> 02:09:05,605
30 seconds. I want to end by urging the public not

2360
02:09:05,605 --> 02:09:06,965
to accept silence

2361
02:09:07,665 --> 02:09:09,765
or the bullying from the daes as normal

2362
02:09:10,955 --> 02:09:12,805
dissent is democratic.

2363
02:09:14,105 --> 02:09:18,125
Let me be clear, dissent

2364
02:09:18,745 --> 02:09:19,765
is essential.

2365
02:09:20,345 --> 02:09:22,405
The very act of questioning authority,

2366
02:09:22,735 --> 02:09:25,365
especially in public forums,

2367
02:09:27,445 --> 02:09:29,645
a fundamental of a free society.

2368
02:09:44,475 --> 02:09:46,255
Excuse me. Thank you.

2369
02:09:47,635 --> 02:09:50,615
The next three names have spoken already,

2370
02:09:50,755 --> 02:09:52,215
so I'm going to skip over them.

2371
02:09:52,845 --> 02:09:54,615
Dawn, Sophia, and Mildred.

2372
02:09:54,835 --> 02:09:56,815
So the next will be Steph Boot Walla.

2373
02:10:04,105 --> 02:10:06,815
Hello, I'm Steph Buda on Ashland Ave.

2374
02:10:07,605 --> 02:10:10,975
Firstly, I wanna thank the DPW on the work on pothole week.

2375
02:10:11,735 --> 02:10:15,735
I am someone who complains about potholes as much

2376
02:10:15,735 --> 02:10:17,055
as other people that I talk to.

2377
02:10:17,315 --> 02:10:18,535
And it was actually really enlightening

2378
02:10:18,535 --> 02:10:20,295
to better understand the process of what it takes,

2379
02:10:20,435 --> 02:10:22,455
how many people, how many hours.

2380
02:10:22,875 --> 02:10:26,095
And so I would really encourage for DPW to actually do more

2381
02:10:26,095 --> 02:10:29,015
of that and provide more information about the process

2382
02:10:29,285 --> 02:10:31,095
that it takes to resolve these issues.

2383
02:10:31,445 --> 02:10:34,125
Because I find that when there's more data

2384
02:10:34,225 --> 02:10:38,125
and more information presented, that's a good amount

2385
02:10:38,125 --> 02:10:41,525
of transparency that often buys a lot of understanding

2386
02:10:41,705 --> 02:10:46,245
and trust from the people who are complaining or concerned.

2387
02:10:47,145 --> 02:10:48,285
So thank you for the hard work

2388
02:10:48,285 --> 02:10:49,725
and I'm excited that there were

2389
02:10:49,745 --> 02:10:51,845
so many potholes taken care of this week.

2390
02:10:53,225 --> 02:10:55,005
That's gonna tie into something else I said,

2391
02:10:55,005 --> 02:10:57,685
but I'm, I'm firstly here to speak on behalf

2392
02:10:57,685 --> 02:10:59,205
of some residents I spoke to lately.

2393
02:10:59,805 --> 02:11:01,925
A little bit about the sewer fee, mainly

2394
02:11:01,925 --> 02:11:03,245
because I told them I would come

2395
02:11:03,245 --> 02:11:04,325
here and speak on their behalf.

2396
02:11:04,395 --> 02:11:05,565
Some of them are working, some

2397
02:11:05,565 --> 02:11:06,725
of them are providing childcare.

2398
02:11:06,955 --> 02:11:08,125
Some of them didn't have the means

2399
02:11:08,125 --> 02:11:09,445
to be able to get here tonight.

2400
02:11:10,635 --> 02:11:14,205
Some of them said that they are already paying 15,000

2401
02:11:14,385 --> 02:11:17,525
or 12,000 to $15,000 in property taxes

2402
02:11:18,025 --> 02:11:20,725
and that they are totally strapped paycheck to paycheck.

2403
02:11:21,365 --> 02:11:23,005
I know nothing I'm saying is a surprise.

2404
02:11:23,245 --> 02:11:25,005
A lot of us are here because it's the same thing.

2405
02:11:25,145 --> 02:11:26,485
And that all of us live in this town

2406
02:11:26,485 --> 02:11:29,925
and experience the similar financial hardships,

2407
02:11:30,025 --> 02:11:31,085
but some more than others.

2408
02:11:32,275 --> 02:11:33,685
Some of the people I spoke to

2409
02:11:33,685 --> 02:11:35,605
that are seniors on a fixed income

2410
02:11:35,625 --> 02:11:37,845
and they don't have room in their financial plan,

2411
02:11:37,845 --> 02:11:40,005
like their financial plan for the rest of their life.

2412
02:11:40,475 --> 02:11:42,885
They do not have room for a new line item.

2413
02:11:43,585 --> 02:11:46,485
And most, I, mostly everyone I've spoken to has asked,

2414
02:11:46,515 --> 02:11:49,325
what can we do to stop this or to get more information?

2415
02:11:50,145 --> 02:11:53,085
And we say, come to the meetings, come to the info sessions

2416
02:11:53,085 --> 02:11:55,285
and just try your best, you know, email counsel

2417
02:11:55,385 --> 02:11:56,645
to try to make your voice heard.

2418
02:11:57,425 --> 02:11:59,805
So I know that the vo, the vote is not happening today,

2419
02:12:00,105 --> 02:12:04,645
but I am here on behalf of at least 50 residents that wanted

2420
02:12:04,645 --> 02:12:06,045
to be here and could not.

2421
02:12:07,145 --> 02:12:09,325
And I'm here. So now speaking for myself

2422
02:12:09,345 --> 02:12:13,125
as an HR professional to see if we can get some data around

2423
02:12:13,125 --> 02:12:16,125
what other possible scenarios were considered to try

2424
02:12:16,125 --> 02:12:20,245
to cut the town budget before this sewer fee program

2425
02:12:20,585 --> 02:12:22,685
or proposal was put forth.

2426
02:12:23,545 --> 02:12:26,885
I'm in an unfortunate situation in my work sometimes

2427
02:12:26,955 --> 02:12:29,645
that we have to really scrape, scrape, scrape that budget

2428
02:12:29,745 --> 02:12:32,045
and try to avoid letting go of staff.

2429
02:12:32,385 --> 02:12:34,205
And I know in the township's case I heard

2430
02:12:34,205 --> 02:12:36,845
that sometimes letting layoffs in staff is also a,

2431
02:12:37,125 --> 02:12:39,765
a possibility and it's not one that anyone wants to face.

2432
02:12:40,605 --> 02:12:42,445
But there's also other ways of scrubbing a budget.

2433
02:12:42,505 --> 02:12:44,845
And we, I think that it would go a really long way

2434
02:12:44,845 --> 02:12:47,085
for residents who are angry and surprised

2435
02:12:47,105 --> 02:12:49,085
and confused to better understand

2436
02:12:49,085 --> 02:12:50,605
what those scenarios were played out

2437
02:12:50,625 --> 02:12:54,165
and how, how it was evaluated that landed on this

2438
02:12:54,755 --> 02:12:57,205
revenue coming from the residents,

2439
02:12:57,205 --> 02:12:58,485
the burden on the residents.

2440
02:13:00,585 --> 02:13:01,965
And so, yes, I think

2441
02:13:01,965 --> 02:13:03,525
that if we have a little more information about

2442
02:13:03,625 --> 02:13:06,645
how a thing can happen, I think this is true of potholes

2443
02:13:06,645 --> 02:13:10,205
as much as major financial decisions, just the understanding

2444
02:13:10,205 --> 02:13:11,205
of who brought this up.

2445
02:13:11,305 --> 02:13:12,765
Why is this a concern? What was

2446
02:13:12,765 --> 02:13:14,245
evaluated and how do we get here?

2447
02:13:14,545 --> 02:13:15,925
That's a lot of the transparency.

2448
02:13:16,145 --> 02:13:19,725
Our favorite word of of the night is the transparency is

2449
02:13:19,725 --> 02:13:21,325
just to say why is this happening?

2450
02:13:21,585 --> 02:13:24,405
Who? Who put this forth? What is the data?

2451
02:13:24,825 --> 02:13:28,005
And then if it's like, hey, this stinks for all of us,

2452
02:13:28,145 --> 02:13:30,085
but unfortunately this is what we have to do.

2453
02:13:30,845 --> 02:13:32,685
I, I think that some can sometimes buy a lot

2454
02:13:32,685 --> 02:13:35,885
of understanding and trust to say, okay, we all hate this

2455
02:13:35,905 --> 02:13:38,245
but it has to happen or our costs are going off.

2456
02:13:38,385 --> 02:13:41,285
But it has to happen. Instead of having disagreements about

2457
02:13:41,285 --> 02:13:43,925
what are facts and what are speculations

2458
02:13:44,185 --> 02:13:46,285
and where to get trusted information from.

2459
02:13:47,405 --> 02:13:49,725
I absolutely agree that we will be a better town

2460
02:13:49,725 --> 02:13:50,885
if we are united together.

2461
02:13:51,675 --> 02:13:53,405
I've actually felt extremely united

2462
02:13:53,475 --> 02:13:55,245
with my neighbors in recent weeks

2463
02:13:55,345 --> 02:13:57,525
and I'm seeing that a lot here tonight.

2464
02:13:57,965 --> 02:14:00,285
A lot of people who are passionate, a lot of people

2465
02:14:00,285 --> 02:14:02,085
who brought other people to this meeting

2466
02:14:02,665 --> 02:14:05,205
and people who've lived on the same block from each other

2467
02:14:05,225 --> 02:14:07,525
for years that hadn't even spoken until some

2468
02:14:07,525 --> 02:14:08,605
of this was going on.

2469
02:14:09,035 --> 02:14:12,805
Just trying to get information shared. We love this town.

2470
02:14:13,235 --> 02:14:15,845
I've seen people across political difference,

2471
02:14:16,065 --> 02:14:18,805
people who've lived here for four years, 40 years.

2472
02:14:19,425 --> 02:14:22,005
If you rent or if you own the passion

2473
02:14:22,025 --> 02:14:23,645
of the people loving this town.

2474
02:14:23,645 --> 02:14:26,365
That's why there's criticism, that's why there's feedback.

2475
02:14:27,025 --> 02:14:29,165
And we just love it and want to be able to afford

2476
02:14:29,165 --> 02:14:30,165
to keep living here.

2477
02:14:31,505 --> 02:14:34,325
On another note, again, we keep talking about 30 seconds.

2478
02:14:34,325 --> 02:14:36,605
Transparency. Thank you. Dignity and respect.

2479
02:14:37,245 --> 02:14:39,205
I agree that we should eliminate name calling

2480
02:14:39,305 --> 02:14:40,645
and anger and sharp words.

2481
02:14:40,985 --> 02:14:43,205
And we also have to hold our government accountable

2482
02:14:43,305 --> 02:14:45,565
and give feedback and ask for information.

2483
02:14:45,865 --> 02:14:47,605
And those things should be considered valid

2484
02:14:47,905 --> 02:14:49,085
and not disrespectful.

2485
02:14:49,805 --> 02:14:52,525
I think our leaders should model the transparency, dignity,

2486
02:14:52,665 --> 02:14:55,085
and respect that you're asking for us to display.

2487
02:14:55,635 --> 02:14:57,885
This means making decisions in the best interest

2488
02:14:57,885 --> 02:15:00,125
of residents, offering town halls

2489
02:15:00,125 --> 02:15:03,245
to have serious discussion, apologizing

2490
02:15:03,345 --> 02:15:05,325
and bringing justice for Patrick Thomas

2491
02:15:05,465 --> 02:15:07,325
and others individuals who've been harmed

2492
02:15:07,825 --> 02:15:10,085
and applying dignity and safety to all of us.

2493
02:15:10,265 --> 02:15:12,685
Bus writers, pedestrians, homeowners, renters.

2494
02:15:12,715 --> 02:15:15,005
Because we're all affected by these hard times.

2495
02:15:15,425 --> 02:15:17,765
And I know with great leadership we can get

2496
02:15:17,765 --> 02:15:18,805
through these hard times together.

2497
02:15:19,135 --> 02:15:20,135
Thank you.

2498
02:15:31,595 --> 02:15:36,485
Next is Rocko. Berti. Berti. Farndale Avenue.

2499
02:15:37,745 --> 02:15:41,605
Rossio. Yes. Oh I already, oh okay.

2500
02:15:43,425 --> 02:15:46,085
No, sorry. Neha Morgie.

2501
02:15:52,325 --> 02:15:53,385
Why they assigned twice.

2502
02:15:55,405 --> 02:15:57,905
Hi, Neha Morgie, Lexington Avenue.

2503
02:15:58,885 --> 02:16:02,305
So I did have a lot to say, of course about sewer

2504
02:16:02,405 --> 02:16:03,705
as everyone else did.

2505
02:16:03,765 --> 02:16:06,145
So I'm gonna cut that part of it short.

2506
02:16:07,235 --> 02:16:08,925
However I like.

2507
02:16:09,085 --> 02:16:10,845
I have had questions from one

2508
02:16:10,845 --> 02:16:12,885
of the other council meetings that I was here.

2509
02:16:13,165 --> 02:16:14,405
I emailed questions.

2510
02:16:14,625 --> 02:16:17,085
So I am gonna ask one more question again

2511
02:16:17,745 --> 02:16:22,205
is why are we basing the usage on summer months?

2512
02:16:23,145 --> 02:16:28,125
Why if it's a sewer fee, why are we not basing it on usage

2513
02:16:28,145 --> 02:16:29,525
of the first quarter?

2514
02:16:30,005 --> 02:16:32,445
'cause that is a true sewer fee.

2515
02:16:33,055 --> 02:16:36,405
We're gonna get charged for our pools, our car washes

2516
02:16:36,505 --> 02:16:38,045
and watering our plants.

2517
02:16:38,265 --> 02:16:42,725
And I just don't see how that's fair in regards

2518
02:16:42,985 --> 02:16:44,565
to communication.

2519
02:16:44,905 --> 02:16:46,325
So I've been talking to a lot

2520
02:16:46,325 --> 02:16:48,045
of people about this sewer fee.

2521
02:16:48,065 --> 02:16:50,365
You know, I'm very active in my neighborhood.

2522
02:16:50,525 --> 02:16:52,165
I walk around a lot, I help a lot.

2523
02:16:52,905 --> 02:16:56,445
And when I talk to people that live in my neighborhood

2524
02:16:56,465 --> 02:16:57,845
or outside of my neighborhood,

2525
02:16:57,845 --> 02:16:59,645
they're not aware of what's going on.

2526
02:17:00,025 --> 02:17:02,445
So I'm here to talk about better communication

2527
02:17:02,515 --> 02:17:03,685
with the residents.

2528
02:17:04,075 --> 02:17:07,165
Like we, you know, we get Bloomfield, the buzz,

2529
02:17:07,265 --> 02:17:09,965
the newsletter that gets mailed to every resident.

2530
02:17:10,025 --> 02:17:11,285
So can't we've,

2531
02:17:11,285 --> 02:17:12,725
you guys have known about the sewer

2532
02:17:12,905 --> 02:17:14,085
fee ordinance for a year.

2533
02:17:14,205 --> 02:17:15,365
I know you've been talking about it,

2534
02:17:15,385 --> 02:17:17,645
but just recently the public found out about it.

2535
02:17:17,945 --> 02:17:21,245
But why not put some sort of like announcements

2536
02:17:21,305 --> 02:17:25,885
or notifications for the public in print that goes

2537
02:17:25,945 --> 02:17:29,645
to all of their homes so they know what is happening.

2538
02:17:29,645 --> 02:17:32,085
Because most of the people don't know what's happening.

2539
02:17:32,145 --> 02:17:34,725
And you know, every conversation I've had,

2540
02:17:34,725 --> 02:17:35,765
they're all shocked.

2541
02:17:35,995 --> 02:17:39,765
They don't know we need a just, we need people

2542
02:17:39,765 --> 02:17:42,725
to be well-informed to make better decisions

2543
02:17:42,745 --> 02:17:44,325
of what's happening in this town.

2544
02:17:45,625 --> 02:17:48,125
The other thing that I would like to talk about

2545
02:17:48,665 --> 02:17:51,935
is the pilots.

2546
02:17:53,205 --> 02:17:55,255
When are we gonna stop that?

2547
02:17:55,925 --> 02:17:59,855
Because there has to be a point

2548
02:18:00,225 --> 02:18:04,935
where we stop because it's affecting us as taxpayers.

2549
02:18:05,125 --> 02:18:06,375
Yeah, you know the,

2550
02:18:06,875 --> 02:18:09,655
the developers are not paying property taxes.

2551
02:18:09,875 --> 02:18:11,615
If they were about 45% of

2552
02:18:11,615 --> 02:18:13,055
that would go to the Board of Education.

2553
02:18:13,055 --> 02:18:14,615
Instead they're paying pilots.

2554
02:18:14,955 --> 02:18:16,775
But out of that pilot program, the board

2555
02:18:16,775 --> 02:18:18,335
of education is not getting any money.

2556
02:18:18,555 --> 02:18:20,935
So now the board of education is getting strapped

2557
02:18:20,935 --> 02:18:24,495
and they're getting 3% less from the county two years in a

2558
02:18:24,495 --> 02:18:27,575
row now because the county is assessing us

2559
02:18:27,715 --> 02:18:29,815
as our values being high

2560
02:18:30,155 --> 02:18:33,415
and they distribute monies according to who needs money.

2561
02:18:33,555 --> 02:18:35,895
So now they think Bloomfield doesn't need as much money

2562
02:18:35,895 --> 02:18:37,135
as they did three years ago

2563
02:18:37,135 --> 02:18:40,895
because they're their collective assessed values are high.

2564
02:18:41,125 --> 02:18:42,815
However, the board

2565
02:18:42,815 --> 02:18:45,255
of ed is not getting any money from these developers

2566
02:18:45,495 --> 02:18:46,495
'cause they're not paying taxes

2567
02:18:47,035 --> 02:18:49,055
and they're not getting money from pilots.

2568
02:18:49,635 --> 02:18:53,535
So now that all gets turned around to us as the homeowners

2569
02:18:53,535 --> 02:18:57,855
and our taxes go up to help the board of education.

2570
02:18:57,915 --> 02:19:02,055
And it's just gonna be a vicious cycle if we don't stop

2571
02:19:02,085 --> 02:19:03,095
with the pilots.

2572
02:19:03,095 --> 02:19:07,135
Because what, I mean can we do some sort of, you know,

2573
02:19:07,175 --> 02:19:10,455
addendum to the pilot program to where some of

2574
02:19:10,455 --> 02:19:13,455
that money would go back to the board of education.

2575
02:19:13,515 --> 02:19:15,295
So it's not all on the residents.

2576
02:19:16,865 --> 02:19:19,325
And the other thing I'd like to just mention again

2577
02:19:20,345 --> 02:19:22,405
is the rat issues at House Park.

2578
02:19:22,715 --> 02:19:26,685
Because I did call the Department of Health

2579
02:19:27,015 --> 02:19:29,525
where we had the rat, we had, we used

2580
02:19:29,525 --> 02:19:32,565
to have those black rat boxes there and they used to come

2581
02:19:32,565 --> 02:19:34,685
and fill them and I'm very active in my neighborhood

2582
02:19:35,065 --> 02:19:37,685
and I noticed a lot of rats, neighbors come

2583
02:19:37,685 --> 02:19:38,765
to me and they complain.

2584
02:19:38,875 --> 02:19:40,445
I've been living there for 21 years.

2585
02:19:40,795 --> 02:19:41,845
They don't complain,

2586
02:19:41,865 --> 02:19:44,085
but they tell me they're concerned like, Hey,

2587
02:19:44,085 --> 02:19:45,085
what's going on with this?

2588
02:19:45,085 --> 02:19:46,765
What's going on now? 'cause I'm very active

2589
02:19:47,505 --> 02:19:51,045
and I called the Department of Health who told me

2590
02:19:51,155 --> 02:19:54,645
that they no longer do anything about the park.

2591
02:19:55,145 --> 02:19:58,085
If you have rat, a rat issue at your home,

2592
02:19:58,145 --> 02:19:59,445
you can hire an exterminator

2593
02:19:59,445 --> 02:20:00,965
and have it taken care of that way.

2594
02:20:01,105 --> 02:20:04,925
But as far as the park goes, we don't do that anymore.

2595
02:20:05,385 --> 02:20:06,485
That's what I was told.

2596
02:20:07,225 --> 02:20:11,445
And it was also emailed to counsel that this is

2597
02:20:11,445 --> 02:20:13,805
what the issue is and it's been three weeks

2598
02:20:14,385 --> 02:20:16,965
and the rat issue is just getting worse and worse

2599
02:20:17,105 --> 02:20:19,605
and people are sending me more photos and more photos

2600
02:20:19,985 --> 02:20:23,245
and we need, we need to this to be taken care of.

2601
02:20:23,325 --> 02:20:25,925
I mean it used to be taken care of.

2602
02:20:26,145 --> 02:20:29,885
30 seconds, we, we had something in place to help

2603
02:20:29,885 --> 02:20:32,405
with this issue and now that got taken away

2604
02:20:32,585 --> 02:20:35,005
and I just feel like we're paying more and getting less

2605
02:20:35,105 --> 02:20:36,365
and it's just not there.

2606
02:20:47,355 --> 02:20:47,775
That's

2607
02:20:47,935 --> 02:20:49,095
Everyone who signed up. Mayor.

2608
02:20:49,545 --> 02:20:53,215
Thank you. BCA budget hearing

2609
02:20:55,125 --> 02:20:56,775
Counsel, you have a script in front of you.

2610
02:20:58,765 --> 02:21:03,615
Council, we had a sign up. You had sign up, right? Clerk?

2611
02:21:03,755 --> 02:21:06,215
You had the sign up out until seven 15?

2612
02:21:08,295 --> 02:21:09,615
I asked at the beginning of the

2613
02:21:09,615 --> 02:21:10,615
Meeting.

2614
02:21:10,615 --> 02:21:12,135
You did? Yes. Okay, thank you.

2615
02:21:15,555 --> 02:21:17,775
So there was a sign up, I believe the clerk had a,

2616
02:21:18,495 --> 02:21:20,895
a signup sheet out until seven 15

2617
02:21:21,275 --> 02:21:22,655
and made an announcement you had

2618
02:21:22,655 --> 02:21:23,815
to sign up to speak tonight.

2619
02:21:24,395 --> 02:21:25,395
So thank you.

2620
02:21:29,795 --> 02:21:34,175
So We had a,

2621
02:21:34,475 --> 02:21:35,695
we had a signup sheet.

2622
02:21:35,705 --> 02:21:37,775
There was an announcement at the beginning of the meeting

2623
02:21:37,995 --> 02:21:39,615
to sign up to speed. Thank you.

2624
02:21:40,335 --> 02:21:41,335
I Walked

2625
02:21:42,205 --> 02:21:43,255
Purposely because

2626
02:21:43,415 --> 02:21:45,175
I didn't know that there would be parking,

2627
02:21:46,035 --> 02:21:47,695
but I live in this neighborhood.

2628
02:21:48,655 --> 02:21:51,695
A senior development was built, caught a municipal lot

2629
02:21:51,945 --> 02:21:54,015
where we used to be able to park

2630
02:21:55,595 --> 02:21:56,495
Senior. Your number

2631
02:21:56,595 --> 02:21:57,595
On six.

2632
02:21:57,595 --> 02:21:59,535
Okay ma'am, if you, ma'am, if you'd like to speak,

2633
02:21:59,555 --> 02:22:00,655
you can come to the microphone.

2634
02:22:00,655 --> 02:22:01,655
Please state your name.

2635
02:22:03,875 --> 02:22:05,655
My name is Patricia Marro.

2636
02:22:06,335 --> 02:22:10,775
I grew up off of Broon Avenue and I went to St.

2637
02:22:10,775 --> 02:22:14,055
Valentine's Franklin School North Junior High

2638
02:22:14,155 --> 02:22:15,855
and I graduated 77.

2639
02:22:16,835 --> 02:22:19,095
I'm also a graduate of Bloomfield College.

2640
02:22:20,195 --> 02:22:22,175
I'm also a graduate of the Newark School

2641
02:22:22,175 --> 02:22:23,415
of Fine Industrial Arts.

2642
02:22:23,475 --> 02:22:25,925
So I am in favor of vocational careers.

2643
02:22:26,595 --> 02:22:30,645
Bluefield Tech made my uncle's very successful.

2644
02:22:31,165 --> 02:22:35,245
Mechanics. My father was a successful accountant

2645
02:22:35,425 --> 02:22:36,605
in Belleville, New Jersey.

2646
02:22:37,305 --> 02:22:38,765
If you look at what Bellville did,

2647
02:22:38,765 --> 02:22:43,645
they just elected a very young mayor that says a lot.

2648
02:22:45,825 --> 02:22:49,205
We get **** blocked when we come to the municipal building.

2649
02:22:49,785 --> 02:22:51,765
The clerk's office. That one,

2650
02:22:51,785 --> 02:22:54,685
the youngster right there is the helpful one.

2651
02:22:55,275 --> 02:22:57,925
When I called the town, I asked the person's name

2652
02:22:58,125 --> 02:22:59,365
'cause I'm documenting.

2653
02:23:00,125 --> 02:23:02,325
I was told her name was clerk.

2654
02:23:04,245 --> 02:23:05,365
I had to come to town.

2655
02:23:06,565 --> 02:23:08,645
I have a trespass issue going on

2656
02:23:08,645 --> 02:23:10,525
with the neighbor in town since

2657
02:23:10,525 --> 02:23:15,005
20 21, 20 22, 20 23.

2658
02:23:15,515 --> 02:23:18,885
They called the police on me six times, a 4-year-old

2659
02:23:18,885 --> 02:23:20,725
and a 5-year-old on a tricycle

2660
02:23:21,145 --> 02:23:24,125
or on my property playing in my backyard.

2661
02:23:24,915 --> 02:23:26,885
They dug a trench into my backyard.

2662
02:23:27,845 --> 02:23:30,405
I have had no response from this town.

2663
02:23:31,165 --> 02:23:32,805
I had to take it to Essex County.

2664
02:23:35,265 --> 02:23:37,885
I'm disgusted. I have tried to reach out to you.

2665
02:23:37,935 --> 02:23:39,165
Mayor Manell.

2666
02:23:40,485 --> 02:23:43,685
I always heard from a, we had Greco, I grew up

2667
02:23:43,685 --> 02:23:44,925
with kinder as a mayor.

2668
02:23:45,395 --> 02:23:49,125
They walked around and knocked on doors. I know who you are.

2669
02:23:49,125 --> 02:23:50,565
You've been around for a long time.

2670
02:23:50,765 --> 02:23:52,325
I can't, I don't wanna throw your name out.

2671
02:23:52,325 --> 02:23:54,805
Thank you for your service. And veterans,

2672
02:23:55,275 --> 02:23:57,005
they fought for this country.

2673
02:23:57,295 --> 02:24:00,445
Don't you dare take that away from them.

2674
02:24:01,275 --> 02:24:03,285
Everybody in my family's a veteran

2675
02:24:03,465 --> 02:24:05,205
and that includes the women too,

2676
02:24:16,295 --> 02:24:18,045
Maybe permitted to speak to.

2677
02:24:18,215 --> 02:24:20,485
Thank you. I have a time to five minutes.

2678
02:24:21,355 --> 02:24:23,085
William Jarret Stonehouse Road.

2679
02:24:23,695 --> 02:24:25,325
First, I'd like to thank you.

2680
02:24:26,205 --> 02:24:29,165
I want you to know how much I appreciate you bringing the

2681
02:24:29,215 --> 02:24:30,405
sewer proposal forward.

2682
02:24:31,025 --> 02:24:33,325
If you didn't, I wouldn't have been able to learn

2683
02:24:33,505 --> 02:24:35,805
so much about how our township is run.

2684
02:24:37,905 --> 02:24:40,485
If it wasn't for this proposal, I wouldn't have learned

2685
02:24:40,485 --> 02:24:42,965
that the township illegally swept millions

2686
02:24:42,965 --> 02:24:44,685
of dollars from the utility funds.

2687
02:24:44,915 --> 02:24:46,725
Amen. I wouldn't have learned

2688
02:24:46,725 --> 02:24:49,885
that 1.4 million in terminal leave was paid out from regular

2689
02:24:49,985 --> 02:24:53,365
salary lines instead of the legally required trust fund.

2690
02:24:54,815 --> 02:24:57,965
Thank you for showing us how little the township gets

2691
02:24:58,065 --> 02:25:01,285
for its $200,000 in marketing and pr.

2692
02:25:02,315 --> 02:25:05,525
That scripted Steward Infomercial deserves a nomination

2693
02:25:05,545 --> 02:25:07,325
for the Municipal RACI Awards.

2694
02:25:09,785 --> 02:25:11,125
We know, we now know

2695
02:25:11,125 --> 02:25:13,085
that you believe the public isn't capable

2696
02:25:13,265 --> 02:25:16,565
of handling truthful information or objective reality.

2697
02:25:17,105 --> 02:25:20,765
So I appreciate you spending our hard earned tax dollars on

2698
02:25:20,805 --> 02:25:22,685
a marketing campaign designed

2699
02:25:22,685 --> 02:25:24,725
to tell us exactly what to think.

2700
02:25:25,875 --> 02:25:29,165
Another benefit to that presentation is we got

2701
02:25:29,165 --> 02:25:31,365
to meet some real financial professionals,

2702
02:25:32,365 --> 02:25:35,165
specifically township auditor Steven Wilcots.

2703
02:25:35,345 --> 02:25:37,325
Though I know the mayor is familiar with him,

2704
02:25:37,505 --> 02:25:39,845
as he's given $11,000 to her

2705
02:25:39,845 --> 02:25:42,085
and Mike Veia campaign over the last,

2706
02:25:45,205 --> 02:25:48,085
I quite enjoyed watching him make numerous ethical

2707
02:25:48,095 --> 02:25:49,285
violations up there.

2708
02:25:49,825 --> 02:25:51,845
For instance, I was surprised to learn

2709
02:25:51,845 --> 02:25:55,285
that under New Jersey statute Title 40 a section five dash

2710
02:25:55,315 --> 02:25:58,725
four, a municipal auditor's rule is strictly limited

2711
02:25:58,905 --> 02:26:00,725
to examining financial records

2712
02:26:01,305 --> 02:26:04,805
and issuing reports, leaving no legal authority

2713
02:26:04,905 --> 02:26:07,125
for setting taxes or utility rates,

2714
02:26:09,465 --> 02:26:11,005
or that according

2715
02:26:11,005 --> 02:26:13,725
to the government Accountability Officer's Yellow book

2716
02:26:13,905 --> 02:26:15,205
and auditor designing

2717
02:26:15,205 --> 02:26:19,045
or advocating for utility charges like the sewer fee

2718
02:26:19,565 --> 02:26:21,525
violates independent standards

2719
02:26:21,905 --> 02:26:25,165
and creates a prohibited self-review threat.

2720
02:26:26,685 --> 02:26:29,485
Additionally, when an auditor helps set municipal fees

2721
02:26:29,585 --> 02:26:32,245
or lobbies for policy, they lose the legal

2722
02:26:32,345 --> 02:26:34,205
and ethical independence mandated

2723
02:26:34,465 --> 02:26:36,485
by New Jersey Administrative Code.

2724
02:26:36,485 --> 02:26:39,605
Title 13, chapter 29, section 3.1,

2725
02:26:40,025 --> 02:26:41,925
and A-I-C-P-A rules,

2726
02:26:42,255 --> 02:26:45,205
which can make the resulting audit opinion in ballot.

2727
02:26:46,605 --> 02:26:49,525
I wanna thank your financial professionals

2728
02:26:50,025 --> 02:26:53,285
and by extension you for only answering seven

2729
02:26:53,305 --> 02:26:55,525
of the 21 questions I sent in.

2730
02:26:56,135 --> 02:26:58,965
Mayor, I know you promised to answer all the questions.

2731
02:26:59,225 --> 02:27:01,445
And had you been there, I'm sure you would've.

2732
02:27:02,715 --> 02:27:04,605
Your lack of attendance showed us

2733
02:27:04,745 --> 02:27:07,285
how much you trust those financial professionals

2734
02:27:07,385 --> 02:27:08,925
who contribute to your campaign.

2735
02:27:10,005 --> 02:27:12,165
I further want to thank you for missing at least 10

2736
02:27:12,165 --> 02:27:14,885
to 14 board of health meetings since you've been mayor.

2737
02:27:15,305 --> 02:27:17,765
But kudos for making ample time to plant a tree,

2738
02:27:17,765 --> 02:27:19,965
collect cop carts, go for a walk,

2739
02:27:20,265 --> 02:27:22,205
and all the associated photo ops.

2740
02:27:23,965 --> 02:27:26,845
I want to thank you for not being the least bit conflicted

2741
02:27:26,845 --> 02:27:29,245
about sharing the Metropolitan Health Insurance Fund,

2742
02:27:29,505 --> 02:27:33,325
to which the township pays 17 million a year.

2743
02:27:35,075 --> 02:27:38,375
Now this seems like a fairly obvious conflict which you've

2744
02:27:38,375 --> 02:27:40,135
ignored with the grace of a gazelle.

2745
02:27:41,465 --> 02:27:44,575
Thank you for your ongoing attacks on local journalism,

2746
02:27:44,875 --> 02:27:46,495
except of course for the outlet owned

2747
02:27:46,495 --> 02:27:48,055
by our fire Chief Lou Venetia.

2748
02:27:51,115 --> 02:27:55,375
You know Mike's brother, your use

2749
02:27:55,375 --> 02:27:57,695
of the proven strategy of labeling facts

2750
02:27:57,715 --> 02:28:01,335
and news you don't like as misinformation is a proven one

2751
02:28:01,435 --> 02:28:03,815
that's worked all the way to the White House.

2752
02:28:04,995 --> 02:28:06,855
You have really leaned into the old adage,

2753
02:28:07,235 --> 02:28:08,335
no news is good news.

2754
02:28:09,665 --> 02:28:11,375
Thank you for the magic trick

2755
02:28:11,555 --> 02:28:14,735
of redefining transparency is absolute control

2756
02:28:15,475 --> 02:28:18,415
by silencing councilwoman Toler Phillips on the Deus

2757
02:28:18,515 --> 02:28:21,405
and forcing citizens to use Oprah for simple questions.

2758
02:28:21,705 --> 02:28:24,365
You're actively controlling the public conversation

2759
02:28:24,705 --> 02:28:26,845
to avoid uncomfortable facts and scrutiny.

2760
02:28:27,515 --> 02:28:28,965
This is not open government.

2761
02:28:29,475 --> 02:28:31,005
It's a calculated effort

2762
02:28:31,305 --> 02:28:33,685
to keep the truth in the parking lot.

2763
02:28:36,035 --> 02:28:38,805
Finally, Thank, thank you.

2764
02:28:39,265 --> 02:28:42,125
And for your slates laughable and absurdly ironic.

2765
02:28:42,305 --> 02:28:45,885
May 14th campaign slogan, it's not politics,

2766
02:28:46,315 --> 02:28:48,565
it's good government with receipts.

2767
02:28:49,825 --> 02:28:51,925
30 seconds. It seems to me

2768
02:28:51,925 --> 02:28:54,805
that the only receipts your governance brings are empty

2769
02:28:54,915 --> 02:28:58,005
slogans, shady fiscal management, the squelching

2770
02:28:58,205 --> 02:29:02,245
of discourse, chronic absenteeism, and ethical violations.

2771
02:29:03,465 --> 02:29:05,845
Please prove me wrong.

2772
02:29:17,365 --> 02:29:21,945
You. Thank you.

2773
02:29:22,875 --> 02:29:26,985
We're moving on to the hearing on the BCA budget 2026.

2774
02:29:27,135 --> 02:29:28,985
Counsel, you have a script in front of you.

2775
02:29:29,245 --> 02:29:30,425
I'm sorry, can I just snap A moment

2776
02:29:30,425 --> 02:29:32,705
to honor enter a motion over hearing on the budget.

2777
02:29:33,695 --> 02:29:36,505
I'll be quick. I'll be quick.

2778
02:29:37,715 --> 02:29:38,905
We're we need to move

2779
02:29:38,905 --> 02:29:40,065
on to the business portion of the meeting.

2780
02:29:40,225 --> 02:29:41,985
I know this is the very last speaker. Okay.

2781
02:29:42,075 --> 02:29:44,945
Thank you Mayor. Thank you everybody.

2782
02:29:44,955 --> 02:29:47,145
Thank you Mayor and councilman for giving me the time.

2783
02:29:47,945 --> 02:29:49,545
A lot of people have spoken about. State

2784
02:29:49,545 --> 02:29:50,545
Your name for the record, Please.

2785
02:29:50,665 --> 02:29:52,385
Justin Bullock, east Passe Ave.

2786
02:29:53,015 --> 02:29:54,425
Born and raised in Bloomfield.

2787
02:29:56,565 --> 02:29:58,105
We have Patrick Thomas here tonight

2788
02:29:58,105 --> 02:29:59,345
and I know a lot of people Patrick,

2789
02:29:59,405 --> 02:30:01,145
if you don't mind just, he's there.

2790
02:30:01,175 --> 02:30:05,025
He's gonna say hello. You know, a lot

2791
02:30:05,025 --> 02:30:07,865
of us are still very passionate about what happened to him

2792
02:30:08,005 --> 02:30:10,065
and want you all to be educated on it.

2793
02:30:10,085 --> 02:30:14,905
You know, we are still kind of waiting for, you know,

2794
02:30:14,965 --> 02:30:17,505
the mayor and council to respond to our petition

2795
02:30:17,505 --> 02:30:19,825
that we put out a while ago

2796
02:30:20,165 --> 02:30:22,705
and they haven't, you know, I know there's,

2797
02:30:22,705 --> 02:30:24,665
there's some things that they said they'd be doing.

2798
02:30:25,165 --> 02:30:26,865
The black citizens of Bloomfield hasn't

2799
02:30:26,865 --> 02:30:27,905
really heard back from them yet.

2800
02:30:27,925 --> 02:30:30,185
So, you know, we want to keep his case forefront.

2801
02:30:30,345 --> 02:30:33,225
'cause like I said, I was born and raised in Bloomfield

2802
02:30:33,845 --> 02:30:37,465
and a noose is, is is personal to somebody like me

2803
02:30:38,135 --> 02:30:42,025
that is real racism and it still hurts us.

2804
02:30:42,365 --> 02:30:45,945
And just the response from the town wasn't really accurate

2805
02:30:46,005 --> 02:30:47,585
and has been very hurtful to a lot

2806
02:30:47,585 --> 02:30:49,065
of US black citizens in Bloomfield.

2807
02:30:50,085 --> 02:30:51,465
And we all need to sit together.

2808
02:30:51,535 --> 02:30:53,745
This is a majority minority community, so

2809
02:30:53,975 --> 02:30:55,945
that might affect somebody who looks like me today,

2810
02:30:55,965 --> 02:30:57,865
but it could affect somebody who looks like you tomorrow.

2811
02:30:57,955 --> 02:30:58,955
Thank you.

2812
02:31:05,315 --> 02:31:06,825
Thank you. Counsel.

2813
02:31:06,925 --> 02:31:10,025
You have a, you have a script in front of you,

2814
02:31:10,025 --> 02:31:12,425
the hearing on the BC, A budget 2026.

2815
02:31:13,135 --> 02:31:16,305
I'll entertain a motion to open a hearing on the BCA budget.

2816
02:31:16,945 --> 02:31:20,165
I need a break. Councilman Dono.

2817
02:31:20,165 --> 02:31:25,125
Motion Councilwoman

2818
02:31:25,125 --> 02:31:28,125
Cruz, would you move, move that the hearing be open please.

2819
02:31:29,405 --> 02:31:31,565
I move that the BCA budget hearing be opened.

2820
02:31:32,105 --> 02:31:34,565
Can I get a second please? Second.

2821
02:31:35,295 --> 02:31:38,405
Thank you. I'm sorry. Thank you Clerk.

2822
02:31:38,465 --> 02:31:42,005
Can you, is there anyone here for public comment? Is

2823
02:31:42,005 --> 02:31:45,805
Anyone here to the for public comment on the BCA budget?

2824
02:31:52,505 --> 02:31:56,285
Is anyone here to speak? No, it doesn't seem like that.

2825
02:31:56,285 --> 02:31:58,285
Mayor. Thank you. Observing no further

2826
02:31:58,285 --> 02:31:59,445
applications from the floor.

2827
02:31:59,565 --> 02:32:01,445
I will entertain a motion to close the hearing.

2828
02:32:02,105 --> 02:32:04,565
Aye Mayor, I move that the hearing be closed.

2829
02:32:05,335 --> 02:32:08,485
Could I get a second please? Second.

2830
02:32:08,625 --> 02:32:09,885
Second. Thank

2831
02:32:09,885 --> 02:32:14,245
you. That's

2832
02:32:14,445 --> 02:32:15,205
It. Yeah.

2833
02:32:15,545 --> 02:32:17,525
We have a vote later on in the meeting. Yep.

2834
02:32:17,615 --> 02:32:19,365
Thank you. Introduction

2835
02:32:19,365 --> 02:32:21,125
of proposed ordinances on first reading.

2836
02:32:21,565 --> 02:32:25,365
Councilwoman gon we need to wait one second

2837
02:32:25,385 --> 02:32:27,765
for councilwoman Terra to bear to come back for the vote.

2838
02:32:27,895 --> 02:32:28,325
Thank you.

2839
02:32:53,555 --> 02:32:56,665
Thank you. Introduction of proposed ordinances.

2840
02:32:56,685 --> 02:32:58,545
I'm first reading Councilwoman Gonzalez,

2841
02:32:59,275 --> 02:33:02,305
Mayor and count mayor and council.

2842
02:33:02,485 --> 02:33:05,105
We have introduction of proposed ordinance, an ordinance

2843
02:33:05,125 --> 02:33:07,625
to amend and supplement chapter 3 87

2844
02:33:07,965 --> 02:33:10,545
of the Bloomfield Township Code providing parking

2845
02:33:10,885 --> 02:33:13,785
for physically limited persons. So moved.

2846
02:33:14,165 --> 02:33:16,425
Second. Moved by Councilman Gonzalez, second

2847
02:33:16,445 --> 02:33:17,665
by Councilman Joanna.

2848
02:33:17,725 --> 02:33:19,225
Any questions or comments from the council?

2849
02:33:20,175 --> 02:33:21,405
Clerk? Can you please call the roll

2850
02:33:22,165 --> 02:33:23,485
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

2851
02:33:23,665 --> 02:33:27,085
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

2852
02:33:27,325 --> 02:33:30,965
Councilwoman Charis de Baris. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman.

2853
02:33:31,105 --> 02:33:33,965
Yes. Councilwoman Toller Phillips? Yes. Mayor men Dowell?

2854
02:33:34,425 --> 02:33:36,735
Yes. Number two. Councilman Joanna.

2855
02:33:37,375 --> 02:33:39,495
Mayor. I have an ordinance to amend

2856
02:33:39,595 --> 02:33:42,015
and supplement Chapter 3 87

2857
02:33:42,555 --> 02:33:45,615
of the Bloomfield Township Code providing

2858
02:33:45,635 --> 02:33:48,895
for physically limited persons removal.

2859
02:33:49,275 --> 02:33:53,415
Two 10 Franklin Street, apartment one ten six Park Avenue,

2860
02:33:53,785 --> 02:33:57,535
beach six Park Avenue. So moved.

2861
02:33:57,795 --> 02:34:00,135
Second. Moved by Councilman Ano.

2862
02:34:00,135 --> 02:34:01,295
Second by Councilwoman Cruz.

2863
02:34:01,395 --> 02:34:02,655
Any questions or comments from the council?

2864
02:34:03,545 --> 02:34:04,855
Clerk? Can you please call the roll

2865
02:34:05,095 --> 02:34:06,415
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

2866
02:34:06,555 --> 02:34:09,495
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

2867
02:34:09,495 --> 02:34:12,895
Councilwoman Charis. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

2868
02:34:12,895 --> 02:34:15,655
Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendel? Yes.

2869
02:34:16,115 --> 02:34:17,365
Number three, mayor

2870
02:34:17,365 --> 02:34:18,365
And council have an ordinance

2871
02:34:18,365 --> 02:34:21,085
to amend chapters 2 54 vehicles

2872
02:34:21,085 --> 02:34:22,565
and traffic by Article three.

2873
02:34:22,845 --> 02:34:27,365
Schedule section 2 54 dash section 60, schedule 20.

2874
02:34:27,365 --> 02:34:28,565
Loading zones. So moved.

2875
02:34:28,945 --> 02:34:30,885
Second. Moved by Councilwoman Cruz, second

2876
02:34:30,885 --> 02:34:32,125
by councilwoman chair to Baris.

2877
02:34:32,145 --> 02:34:33,485
Any questions or comments from the council?

2878
02:34:35,015 --> 02:34:36,285
Clerk? Can you please call the roll

2879
02:34:36,685 --> 02:34:38,005
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

2880
02:34:38,065 --> 02:34:40,965
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

2881
02:34:40,965 --> 02:34:44,485
Councilwoman Charis Debars. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

2882
02:34:44,485 --> 02:34:46,885
Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes. Mayor man Dell.

2883
02:34:47,145 --> 02:34:48,565
Yes. Hearing upon adoption

2884
02:34:48,565 --> 02:34:50,685
or amendment of proposed ordinances on second reading,

2885
02:34:51,205 --> 02:34:53,485
Councilwoman Charis Debars, you take number one.

2886
02:34:53,925 --> 02:34:55,405
I have an ordinance to amend

2887
02:34:55,945 --> 02:34:57,645
and supplement Chapter 3 87

2888
02:34:57,645 --> 02:34:59,885
of the Bloomfield Township Code providing parking

2889
02:35:00,225 --> 02:35:01,845
for physically limited person.

2890
02:35:02,065 --> 02:35:03,065
So moved.

2891
02:35:03,745 --> 02:35:06,325
Second. Moved by Council Min chair, second

2892
02:35:06,325 --> 02:35:07,365
by Council William Fishman.

2893
02:35:07,385 --> 02:35:08,725
Any questions or comments from the public?

2894
02:35:10,585 --> 02:35:13,685
Any questions or comments from the council? Clerk?

2895
02:35:13,705 --> 02:35:14,705
Can you please call the rule?

2896
02:35:16,345 --> 02:35:20,365
Yes. Councilwoman Gonzalez. Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes.

2897
02:35:20,365 --> 02:35:23,765
Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilwoman Charis de Baris. Yes.

2898
02:35:23,765 --> 02:35:26,645
Councilwoman Fishman? Yes. Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes.

2899
02:35:26,645 --> 02:35:27,845
Mayor Mendel? Yes.

2900
02:35:28,965 --> 02:35:30,845
Number two, Mayor Council.

2901
02:35:30,885 --> 02:35:32,365
I have an ordinance to amend Chapter

2902
02:35:32,425 --> 02:35:34,005
2 54 vehicles in traffic.

2903
02:35:34,005 --> 02:35:36,605
Article three, parking, standing and stopping.

2904
02:35:37,625 --> 02:35:42,605
2 54 dash 18 Parking prohibited at all times. So moved.

2905
02:35:43,025 --> 02:35:45,245
Second. Moved by Councilwoman Fishman.

2906
02:35:45,245 --> 02:35:47,605
Second by Councilman Choler Phillips.

2907
02:35:48,385 --> 02:35:50,205
Any questions or comments from the public?

2908
02:35:51,585 --> 02:35:53,005
Any questions or comments from the council?

2909
02:35:53,775 --> 02:35:54,845
Clerk? Can you please call the

2910
02:35:54,845 --> 02:35:56,325
Roll Councilwoman Gonzalez?

2911
02:35:56,585 --> 02:35:59,525
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

2912
02:35:59,525 --> 02:36:02,525
Councilwoman Charis Baris? Yes. Excuse me.

2913
02:36:02,565 --> 02:36:05,045
Councilwoman Fishman? Yes. Councilwoman Toler Phillips?

2914
02:36:05,185 --> 02:36:06,285
Yes. Mayor Mendel? Yes.

2915
02:36:06,285 --> 02:36:11,005
Number three, An ordinance to amend Chapter 5 26.

2916
02:36:11,005 --> 02:36:15,045
Article two, section 5 26 dash 19 A of the code

2917
02:36:15,045 --> 02:36:16,605
of the Township of Bloomfield entitled

2918
02:36:16,755 --> 02:36:18,045
Application for license.

2919
02:36:18,635 --> 02:36:19,925
This amendment was recommended

2920
02:36:19,985 --> 02:36:22,085
by Anthony Marucci zoning officer.

2921
02:36:22,185 --> 02:36:24,885
And verbiage was written by Mike Rubin, Esquire,

2922
02:36:24,885 --> 02:36:27,325
zoning board attorney to amend the limo ordinance

2923
02:36:27,865 --> 02:36:29,405
to include the statement,

2924
02:36:30,905 --> 02:36:33,485
no business can operate in the township without zoning

2925
02:36:33,725 --> 02:36:35,885
approval of some kind, whether a zoning permit

2926
02:36:36,025 --> 02:36:37,605
or board or a board resolution.

2927
02:36:37,605 --> 02:36:39,925
Limousines are issued licenses from the

2928
02:36:40,035 --> 02:36:41,565
municipal clerk's office.

2929
02:36:41,945 --> 02:36:42,945
So moved.

2930
02:36:43,665 --> 02:36:45,245
Any questions or comments from the public?

2931
02:36:46,305 --> 02:36:49,765
Second. Oh, go ahead clerk.

2932
02:36:49,785 --> 02:36:53,605
Can you please read the role of public comment? Yes.

2933
02:36:58,085 --> 02:37:00,365
Matter of addressing the council your time limit.

2934
02:37:00,745 --> 02:37:03,845
As five minutes each person addressing the council shall

2935
02:37:03,965 --> 02:37:07,085
give their name and complete address in audible tone

2936
02:37:07,105 --> 02:37:08,445
of voice for the record.

2937
02:37:08,985 --> 02:37:10,285
And, and

2938
02:37:10,285 --> 02:37:11,725
unless further time is granted

2939
02:37:11,785 --> 02:37:14,165
by the council shall limit their statement to five minutes.

2940
02:37:14,785 --> 02:37:17,645
All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body

2941
02:37:17,745 --> 02:37:19,405
and not to any member thereof.

2942
02:37:19,905 --> 02:37:22,205
No question shall be directed to any speaker

2943
02:37:22,305 --> 02:37:24,285
by a councilperson except through

2944
02:37:24,305 --> 02:37:26,245
and at the discretion of the presiding officer.

2945
02:37:26,595 --> 02:37:29,725
This is cited from our township code five dash 21.

2946
02:37:30,915 --> 02:37:33,765
Okay. Thank you so much. Clerk. Clerk Ballo.

2947
02:37:34,165 --> 02:37:35,605
Good evening, mayor and council.

2948
02:37:35,605 --> 02:37:37,405
Norm Ter, 99 Berkeley Avenue.

2949
02:37:37,865 --> 02:37:41,765
So I just wanted to understand this ordinance,

2950
02:37:43,035 --> 02:37:46,725
does it apply towards drivers who have Uber

2951
02:37:47,105 --> 02:37:48,325
and Lyft vehicles?

2952
02:37:50,045 --> 02:37:51,765
I dunno. Does anyone know?

2953
02:37:54,105 --> 02:37:55,765
No, it does not. Okay.

2954
02:37:55,765 --> 02:37:59,805
So this just applies to limousines specifically. Yes. Okay.

2955
02:38:00,735 --> 02:38:04,965
There was also something in there that said if they have a,

2956
02:38:05,835 --> 02:38:09,925
they're only allowed one vehicle on their

2957
02:38:10,245 --> 02:38:11,325
property that is a limousine.

2958
02:38:11,345 --> 02:38:13,165
Is that correct? In the ordinance? Yes.

2959
02:38:13,835 --> 02:38:17,565
What happens if they have two vehicles that are used

2960
02:38:17,565 --> 02:38:20,765
as limousines and they have parking for two vehicles?

2961
02:38:22,985 --> 02:38:24,725
It depends whether it's an apartment

2962
02:38:24,985 --> 02:38:27,525
or this is part of the reason why we're making the change,

2963
02:38:27,625 --> 02:38:28,765
the amendment in the ordinance.

2964
02:38:28,875 --> 02:38:31,845
Because if it's become a problem, if you've had, you have

2965
02:38:31,845 --> 02:38:33,565
to show where the cars are being kept.

2966
02:38:34,365 --> 02:38:36,485
A lease, you've leased a garage, you've leased,

2967
02:38:36,825 --> 02:38:38,645
it can't be three cars in front of your house.

2968
02:38:38,865 --> 02:38:40,165
Gotcha. What if, what if you're,

2969
02:38:40,165 --> 02:38:42,245
what if you're a single family and this only applies

2970
02:38:42,265 --> 02:38:44,565
to limousines operating of out of apartments

2971
02:38:44,625 --> 02:38:47,885
or limousines operating out of single family homes too.

2972
02:38:48,785 --> 02:38:50,725
It applies to everyone. Okay.

2973
02:38:50,905 --> 02:38:52,965
And, and this is why it now has to go

2974
02:38:52,965 --> 02:38:54,805
to the building department and be reviewed

2975
02:38:55,185 --> 02:38:58,565
for zoning purposes so that there isn't, you know, four

2976
02:38:58,565 --> 02:39:00,165
or five cars parked in front of a,

2977
02:39:00,365 --> 02:39:01,925
a resident on a residential street.

2978
02:39:02,065 --> 02:39:05,365
Gotcha. But if, if the, if the person, if the owner

2979
02:39:05,365 --> 02:39:07,805
of the limousine company has a single family home

2980
02:39:08,065 --> 02:39:10,005
and they have enough driveway parking

2981
02:39:10,225 --> 02:39:13,125
of their own on their own property for four vehicles,

2982
02:39:13,125 --> 02:39:14,165
that would be acceptable.

2983
02:39:16,705 --> 02:39:18,885
That's why it's going to the building department to make

2984
02:39:18,885 --> 02:39:20,365
that determination for that zone.

2985
02:39:20,635 --> 02:39:21,845
Okay. So we're not, I'm not

2986
02:39:22,965 --> 02:39:25,885
authorizing five vehicles on a particular street any longer.

2987
02:39:26,675 --> 02:39:28,205
Okay. It's become a problem.

2988
02:39:28,665 --> 02:39:31,045
Got it. And, and so they will have to go in front

2989
02:39:31,045 --> 02:39:33,565
of the zoning board if they have two vehicles parked

2990
02:39:33,565 --> 02:39:34,605
in their residential

2991
02:39:34,925 --> 02:39:35,925
Property.

2992
02:39:35,925 --> 02:39:36,765
Right. It's going to some form of zoning,

2993
02:39:36,765 --> 02:39:37,965
either in the building department

2994
02:39:37,965 --> 02:39:41,525
or the zoning board for, you know, for a variance.

2995
02:39:41,955 --> 02:39:43,045
Okay. Excellent.

2996
02:39:43,045 --> 02:39:46,805
And that takes effect pending the vote Only reason

2997
02:39:46,805 --> 02:39:48,765
because there was a zoning board application

2998
02:39:49,325 --> 02:39:50,405
that came up recently.

2999
02:39:50,645 --> 02:39:53,165
I need to review it, but it's, it seemed like

3000
02:39:53,165 --> 02:39:56,605
that it was more so the home business not, not dealing

3001
02:39:56,605 --> 02:39:58,365
with the limousine, but I trust Mr.

3002
02:39:58,615 --> 02:40:01,685
Marci and, and the amendment seems fine.

3003
02:40:01,895 --> 02:40:04,845
Right. Mr. Ruben? Sorry, Mr. Ruben and Mr. Mur.

3004
02:40:05,055 --> 02:40:06,805
Right. They both recommended it. Okay.

3005
02:40:06,865 --> 02:40:08,005
And they wrote the language.

3006
02:40:08,035 --> 02:40:09,645
Alright. Very good. Do you know

3007
02:40:09,645 --> 02:40:10,965
what the application fee will be?

3008
02:40:10,995 --> 02:40:12,645
Will, will it be discounted

3009
02:40:12,665 --> 02:40:16,245
or will it be somehow for a limousine owner

3010
02:40:16,385 --> 02:40:17,645
to make the application?

3011
02:40:17,755 --> 02:40:18,845
What, what the fees are?

3012
02:40:19,705 --> 02:40:21,085
That's through the zoning board.

3013
02:40:21,245 --> 02:40:23,205
I don't know what the application fee is. Okay.

3014
02:40:23,225 --> 02:40:25,005
The application through my office is still

3015
02:40:25,025 --> 02:40:26,285
$100 for the vehicle.

3016
02:40:26,755 --> 02:40:28,835
Okay. Got it. Alright. No change.

3017
02:40:29,185 --> 02:40:30,595
Okay. Very good. Thank you so much.

3018
02:40:30,915 --> 02:40:31,995
I appreciate it. You're

3019
02:40:31,995 --> 02:40:32,995
Welcome.

3020
02:40:33,285 --> 02:40:35,275
Thank you. Can I get a second on that motion please?

3021
02:40:36,795 --> 02:40:40,675
Question second. Second question. Oh, I'm sorry.

3022
02:40:42,575 --> 02:40:45,035
Go. I'm sorry. Go ahead. You can come up to the mic.

3023
02:40:48,265 --> 02:40:51,995
Just please state your name and thank you Marro.

3024
02:40:52,725 --> 02:40:56,675
Thank you. And I wholeheartedly

3025
02:40:57,935 --> 02:41:01,995
did that in a passionate moment regarding permits.

3026
02:41:02,695 --> 02:41:07,355
So my house was built in 1880,

3027
02:41:07,715 --> 02:41:11,275
question mark in when the Newark records were burned

3028
02:41:11,275 --> 02:41:12,315
during the riots.

3029
02:41:13,135 --> 02:41:16,435
So my foundation has the possibility of being from 1860

3030
02:41:16,435 --> 02:41:18,875
because I found a Silver War button in

3031
02:41:18,875 --> 02:41:20,075
my backyard by the well.

3032
02:41:20,875 --> 02:41:22,395
I have had to fill holes

3033
02:41:23,055 --> 02:41:27,035
and my properties quite a large quarter acre

3034
02:41:27,215 --> 02:41:31,395
for Bloomfield in the historic section I have always done.

3035
02:41:32,545 --> 02:41:34,475
It's a fixer upper. Nobody wanted it.

3036
02:41:34,475 --> 02:41:35,595
And that's why I got it.

3037
02:41:35,655 --> 02:41:39,075
It rained from my front porch back through the kitchen.

3038
02:41:39,215 --> 02:41:41,395
And I am always repairing my house.

3039
02:41:42,415 --> 02:41:45,635
So I had a neighbor that I have come

3040
02:41:45,715 --> 02:41:48,755
to the town numerous occasions whose fence was collapsing.

3041
02:41:48,825 --> 02:41:52,275
It's for sale right now. 1 24, 1 26 Spruce Street.

3042
02:41:53,665 --> 02:41:54,995
Home Depot had a sale

3043
02:41:55,455 --> 02:41:58,195
and I got the panels, six of them for 80 bucks.

3044
02:41:58,475 --> 02:41:59,795
'cause they're 105 right now.

3045
02:41:59,905 --> 02:42:03,035
They might have gone up and they couldn't deliver.

3046
02:42:03,135 --> 02:42:05,315
So I got $150 off of that

3047
02:42:05,545 --> 02:42:09,235
because the guy delivered it from the Bloomville Home Depot

3048
02:42:09,345 --> 02:42:10,395
with a forklift.

3049
02:42:11,065 --> 02:42:12,475
They didn't have a box truck.

3050
02:42:13,415 --> 02:42:16,115
And then I paid somebody to slap up the fence

3051
02:42:16,265 --> 02:42:18,275
because the other neighbor dug a trench.

3052
02:42:18,575 --> 02:42:20,915
And I've been to the town on numerous occasions.

3053
02:42:21,715 --> 02:42:23,475
I had to put up a fake fence

3054
02:42:23,475 --> 02:42:27,155
because they broke my fence in 19 20, 21

3055
02:42:27,545 --> 02:42:28,835
when they first moved in.

3056
02:42:29,315 --> 02:42:33,875
I did not have the money to replace it. I lost that money.

3057
02:42:34,435 --> 02:42:36,395
I had things going on personal

3058
02:42:37,175 --> 02:42:39,875
and I am coming up for air again.

3059
02:42:40,335 --> 02:42:41,915
I'm grateful for these things

3060
02:42:42,535 --> 02:42:45,155
and I'm addressing them righteously

3061
02:42:45,465 --> 02:42:47,635
because they deserve to be fixed.

3062
02:42:48,635 --> 02:42:51,955
I slapped up a privacy fence so

3063
02:42:51,955 --> 02:42:54,115
that I did not witness a four

3064
02:42:54,255 --> 02:42:56,355
and 5-year-old unattended children.

3065
02:42:57,115 --> 02:43:00,795
Children. UNT tricycles fall into my backyard.

3066
02:43:01,935 --> 02:43:05,155
The zoning board will not issue me a fence.

3067
02:43:05,185 --> 02:43:06,675
They want me to go through the

3068
02:43:07,475 --> 02:43:09,355
Historic Preservation Society.

3069
02:43:10,055 --> 02:43:13,565
It is difficult for me to come out in public,

3070
02:43:14,145 --> 02:43:16,445
but obviously I have showed up

3071
02:43:17,555 --> 02:43:21,205
because I've reached my limit.

3072
02:43:23,175 --> 02:43:26,845
Right now. I am not in a position to take it down

3073
02:43:27,385 --> 02:43:29,405
and started all over again.

3074
02:43:30,365 --> 02:43:32,845
I don't have a lot of money. I'm a senior citizen.

3075
02:43:33,245 --> 02:43:37,045
I am disabled. I'm on a fixed income.

3076
02:43:37,785 --> 02:43:42,565
My backyard is pristine. It's beautiful.

3077
02:43:43,365 --> 02:43:44,365
I grow trees.

3078
02:43:45,285 --> 02:43:49,965
I plant one for everyone that somebody decides to cut down

3079
02:43:49,965 --> 02:43:51,925
because they think a tree is a nuisance.

3080
02:43:52,615 --> 02:43:56,445
Trees provide the oxygen for humans to breathe.

3081
02:44:00,145 --> 02:44:05,125
My neighbor has until June 8th to address dirt discrepancy

3082
02:44:05,185 --> 02:44:06,365
and their trespass.

3083
02:44:06,745 --> 02:44:10,525
So I cannot talk about how I am legally

3084
02:44:11,405 --> 02:44:15,245
handling my property, but I have come to the town.

3085
02:44:15,585 --> 02:44:20,245
2021. There are police reports generated. 20 22, 20 23.

3086
02:44:20,775 --> 02:44:24,245
April 16th, the neighbor on Monroe Place called the police

3087
02:44:24,465 --> 02:44:26,085
on me six times.

3088
02:44:29,235 --> 02:44:31,365
Okay ma'am, if you wanna speak with Jackie,

3089
02:44:31,425 --> 02:44:32,645
she'll take your information

3090
02:44:32,645 --> 02:44:33,725
and someone will get back to you.

3091
02:44:33,935 --> 02:44:37,085
Thank she's over. She's over there like she's waving at you.

3092
02:44:37,085 --> 02:44:39,285
She's in the back of the room. Thank you. Thank you.

3093
02:44:39,715 --> 02:44:41,405
Okay, thank you.

3094
02:44:43,065 --> 02:44:45,765
We will now close the public comment portion

3095
02:44:45,945 --> 02:44:49,405
for this ordinance.

3096
02:44:51,185 --> 02:44:55,525
Can I get a second on the, did you give a second? Thank you.

3097
02:44:55,615 --> 02:44:58,485
Sorry I didn't hear you. Any questions from the council?

3098
02:45:00,275 --> 02:45:01,805
Nope. Clerk, can you please call the roll

3099
02:45:01,885 --> 02:45:03,165
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

3100
02:45:03,345 --> 02:45:06,205
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

3101
02:45:06,205 --> 02:45:09,565
Councilwoman Charis Tobar. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

3102
02:45:09,565 --> 02:45:11,685
Councilwoman Toler Phillips. Yes. Mayor Mendel.

3103
02:45:11,825 --> 02:45:14,085
Yes. Councilwoman Gonzalez,

3104
02:45:14,145 --> 02:45:16,565
can you please move consent resolutions one through eight,

3105
02:45:17,655 --> 02:45:18,655
Mayor and Council.

3106
02:45:18,655 --> 02:45:22,485
I move consent resolution one through eight. So moved

3107
02:45:22,705 --> 02:45:23,525
Second. Moved

3108
02:45:23,525 --> 02:45:24,725
By Councilman Gonzalez.

3109
02:45:24,725 --> 02:45:27,805
Second by Councilman Ano. Any questions from the council?

3110
02:45:30,415 --> 02:45:31,645
Clerk? Can you please call the roll

3111
02:45:31,925 --> 02:45:33,245
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

3112
02:45:33,385 --> 02:45:34,925
Yes. Councilman Ano? Yes.

3113
02:45:38,285 --> 02:45:41,765
Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilwoman Charis Baris. Yes.

3114
02:45:41,805 --> 02:45:44,645
Councilwoman Fishman. Yes. Councilwoman Toler Phillips?

3115
02:45:44,865 --> 02:45:45,885
Yes. Mayor Mendo.

3116
02:45:46,185 --> 02:45:49,765
Yes. Resolutions number one. Councilman Ano?

3117
02:45:50,225 --> 02:45:53,565
Yes. I have a resolution regarding the adoption

3118
02:45:53,665 --> 02:45:58,365
of the 2026 Bloomfield Center Alliance Inc.

3119
02:45:58,385 --> 02:45:59,965
Budget. So moved. Second.

3120
02:46:00,855 --> 02:46:03,845
Moved by Councilman Ano. Second by Councilwoman Cruz.

3121
02:46:04,065 --> 02:46:05,445
Any questions or comments from the council?

3122
02:46:06,975 --> 02:46:08,205
Clerk? Can you please call the roll

3123
02:46:08,445 --> 02:46:09,845
Councilwoman Gonzalez?

3124
02:46:10,025 --> 02:46:13,285
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

3125
02:46:13,285 --> 02:46:16,725
Councilwoman cha de. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

3126
02:46:16,725 --> 02:46:19,085
Councilwoman Toller Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendo?

3127
02:46:19,385 --> 02:46:22,685
Yes. New business resolution number one.

3128
02:46:22,685 --> 02:46:24,085
Councilman Cruz? Yes.

3129
02:46:24,085 --> 02:46:26,605
Mayor. Council of a resolution award of contract

3130
02:46:26,605 --> 02:46:29,445
for janitorial services for the Municipal Building

3131
02:46:29,865 --> 02:46:31,005
and Law Enforcement Building

3132
02:46:31,005 --> 02:46:33,725
with Tropical Cleaning Services LLC.

3133
02:46:33,725 --> 02:46:35,645
Effective June 1 25. So move

3134
02:46:35,705 --> 02:46:36,705
20.

3135
02:46:36,705 --> 02:46:37,565
Second. Second. Sorry.

3136
02:46:38,115 --> 02:46:42,285
Move by Councilwoman Cruz. Second by Councilman Terra. De.

3137
02:46:42,785 --> 02:46:43,805
Any questions from the council?

3138
02:46:44,645 --> 02:46:45,965
I just had a question about the date.

3139
02:46:46,145 --> 02:46:47,845
It said 25. I didn't know if that meant.

3140
02:46:48,355 --> 02:46:51,285
It's 26. Just a correction.

3141
02:46:51,875 --> 02:46:55,565
Just a correction on this for the resolution on our agenda,

3142
02:46:55,585 --> 02:46:58,885
it says 25 but it should say 2026.

3143
02:46:59,035 --> 02:47:03,005
Correct. I'm assuming that's a typo. So thank you.

3144
02:47:03,025 --> 02:47:05,205
So we had a motion and a second.

3145
02:47:06,575 --> 02:47:09,565
Councilman Cruz, can you confirm that motion was for 2026.

3146
02:47:10,065 --> 02:47:13,125
Motion for 2026. Councilman chairs to Baris. Will you

3147
02:47:13,425 --> 02:47:14,765
Second for 2026.

3148
02:47:14,935 --> 02:47:16,285
Thank you. Any questions?

3149
02:47:16,585 --> 02:47:19,215
Any other questions from the council? Clerk?

3150
02:47:19,215 --> 02:47:20,215
Can you please call the roll?

3151
02:47:21,065 --> 02:47:24,135
Councilman Gonzalez? Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes.

3152
02:47:24,135 --> 02:47:27,215
Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilwoman Charis Debars. Yes.

3153
02:47:27,295 --> 02:47:28,735
Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

3154
02:47:28,735 --> 02:47:31,095
Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendel?

3155
02:47:31,875 --> 02:47:34,295
Yes. Number two, Councilman Chair Debars.

3156
02:47:34,735 --> 02:47:36,175
We have a resolution, mayor Council.

3157
02:47:36,175 --> 02:47:38,295
We have a resolution authorizing the execution

3158
02:47:38,435 --> 02:47:41,655
of a Second amendment to lease agreement

3159
02:47:42,125 --> 02:47:45,095
with T-Mobile USA tower LLC

3160
02:47:45,475 --> 02:47:48,575
for property located at 61

3161
02:47:50,585 --> 02:47:54,595
Boyd Bosky Bki Bosky Place. So moved.

3162
02:47:55,495 --> 02:47:58,315
Second. Moved by Councilman Chair, second

3163
02:47:58,315 --> 02:47:59,315
by Councilman Fishman.

3164
02:47:59,375 --> 02:48:00,675
Any questions from the council?

3165
02:48:03,045 --> 02:48:04,075
Clerk? Can you please call the

3166
02:48:04,075 --> 02:48:05,475
Roll Councilwoman Gonzalez?

3167
02:48:05,575 --> 02:48:08,515
Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes. Councilwoman Cruz? Yes.

3168
02:48:08,515 --> 02:48:11,755
Councilwoman Charis Baris. Yes. Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

3169
02:48:11,755 --> 02:48:13,955
Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendel?

3170
02:48:14,775 --> 02:48:15,915
Yes. Number three,

3171
02:48:16,925 --> 02:48:17,925
Mayor and Council.

3172
02:48:17,925 --> 02:48:18,915
We have a resolution in support

3173
02:48:18,915 --> 02:48:21,595
of Senate Bill S 1583 assembly.

3174
02:48:21,665 --> 02:48:25,675
Bill A 46 49 providing cancer screening examinations

3175
02:48:25,695 --> 02:48:27,475
for volunteer firefighters.

3176
02:48:27,475 --> 02:48:28,475
So moved.

3177
02:48:28,935 --> 02:48:31,115
Second. Moved by Councilwoman Fishman.

3178
02:48:31,115 --> 02:48:33,475
Second by Councilman Toler Phillips.

3179
02:48:35,095 --> 02:48:36,115
Any questions from the council?

3180
02:48:38,225 --> 02:48:40,675
This came to us from another municipality

3181
02:48:40,745 --> 02:48:42,435
that also had supported this.

3182
02:48:42,665 --> 02:48:43,995
Took a look that it was good.

3183
02:48:44,495 --> 02:48:47,755
Cancer screenings for paid firefighters are already covered,

3184
02:48:47,815 --> 02:48:48,835
but volunteer is not.

3185
02:48:48,855 --> 02:48:50,875
So we wanted to support this bill that is going

3186
02:48:50,875 --> 02:48:53,035
through the assembly and the Senate Bill.

3187
02:48:55,495 --> 02:48:56,875
I'm sorry, clerk, can you please call the roll?

3188
02:48:57,075 --> 02:49:00,035
Councilwoman Gonzalez? Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes.

3189
02:49:00,115 --> 02:49:03,315
Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilwoman Charis Debars. Yes.

3190
02:49:03,395 --> 02:49:04,795
Councilwoman Fishman. Yes.

3191
02:49:04,795 --> 02:49:07,035
Councilwoman Toler Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendel?

3192
02:49:07,385 --> 02:49:11,245
Yes. Number four, Resolution authorizing open container

3193
02:49:11,715 --> 02:49:13,645
area Permit for Bloomfield Center Alliance.

3194
02:49:13,645 --> 02:49:16,525
Dinner Party Under the Stars event

3195
02:49:16,545 --> 02:49:19,725
for 2026. So moved.

3196
02:49:20,145 --> 02:49:23,605
Second. Moved By Councilman Toler Phillips Second

3197
02:49:23,665 --> 02:49:24,885
by Councilwoman Gonzalez.

3198
02:49:24,885 --> 02:49:25,925
Any questions from the council?

3199
02:49:27,335 --> 02:49:28,365
Clerk? Can you please call the

3200
02:49:28,365 --> 02:49:29,365
Roll?

3201
02:49:29,365 --> 02:49:31,485
Councilwoman Gonzalez? Yes. Councilman Joanna? Yes.

3202
02:49:31,565 --> 02:49:34,925
Councilwoman Cruz? Yes. Councilwoman Charis tab? Yes.

3203
02:49:35,125 --> 02:49:36,605
Councilwoman Fishman? Yes.

3204
02:49:36,605 --> 02:49:38,845
Councilwoman Toller Phillips? Yes. Mayor Mendel?

3205
02:49:39,705 --> 02:49:41,845
Yes. Number five, Mayor and Council.

3206
02:49:41,865 --> 02:49:43,565
We have a list of licenses.

3207
02:49:44,825 --> 02:49:46,965
We have a list for Hawker.

3208
02:49:47,865 --> 02:49:51,765
Pedler, canvasser, junk Shop operator, dealers,

3209
02:49:52,195 --> 02:49:53,605
open air parking station.

3210
02:49:54,135 --> 02:49:57,445
Music machine. Dealer of precious metal gems

3211
02:49:57,445 --> 02:49:58,925
and secondhand goods businesses.

3212
02:49:59,635 --> 02:50:03,965
Taxi, bus, limo, operator, owner licenses, outdoor dining

3213
02:50:04,865 --> 02:50:07,045
and for the outdoor dining would be stamina.

3214
02:50:07,565 --> 02:50:12,165
Buco, Italian American Kitchen and Rapid Fried Township.

3215
02:50:12,265 --> 02:50:15,605
One day events, which would be Brothers Bagel, LLC,

3216
02:50:15,605 --> 02:50:17,085
food Truck Day one.

3217
02:50:17,085 --> 02:50:19,165
That would be May 15th, 2026.

3218
02:50:20,145 --> 02:50:23,325
The middle school baseball game.

3219
02:50:23,665 --> 02:50:26,245
And the Jay Glasco services. LLC.

3220
02:50:26,245 --> 02:50:30,605
Forest Glen Family Fund Day. June 5th, 2026. So moved.

3221
02:50:30,705 --> 02:50:31,705
Second.

3222
02:50:32,175 --> 02:50:33,805
Moved by Councilwoman Gonzalez.

3223
02:50:33,805 --> 02:50:34,885
Second by Councilman Joanna.

3224
02:50:34,885 --> 02:50:38,205
Any questions or comments from the council? All in favor?

3225
02:50:39,105 --> 02:50:42,325
Aye. Aye. Can I get a motion to close please? Motion.

3226
02:50:43,065 --> 02:50:44,165
All in favor. Second.

3227
02:50:44,665 --> 02:50:44,885
Aye.