This meeting to order. Please rise and salute the flag.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» Roll call, please. >> Mr. Meen.
» Here. >> Mr. Wakielski.
» Here. >> Miss Castoni.
» Here. >> Miss Devenezia.
» Here. >> Mr. Balin is absent. Miss Mazie.
» Here. >> Miss Lopez.
» Here. >> Mr. Weisman.
» Here. >> Mr. Lynch.
» Here. >> Mr. Plasternak.
» Here. >> Mr. Henry.
» Here. >> And Miss Bonswich is here.
» Notice of this meeting has been provided to resolution adopted by the mayor and
council on December 15th, 2025 as regular meeting of of the mayor and town
council at the Boonton Town Hall, 100 Washington Street, Boonton, New Jersey,
and by electronic mailing to the citizens of Morris County and the Daily
Record newspapers, through posting on the town website, and by filing copy of
the same with the town clerk. Members of the public were also
permitted to submit written comments prior to the meeting via mail or email,
which may be summarized or read in their entirety during the public comment
period. All public comments, whether during the public portion of the meeting
or submitted beforehand, shall be limited to no greater than 3 minutes in
duration. Now, we'll move on to our
administrator and committee reports, starting with Town Administrator Neil
Henry. >> Thank you, mayor. Highlights from the
administrator's office for the time period of June 1st through today that
are not included on your agenda are the following. I've begun the transition
planning on all projects being handled by the current town administrator to the
new incoming town administrator. I did have the occasion to attend a mandated
court appearance last week on a personal matter.
I would like to announce the installation of 14 safety sticks on Main
Street beginning in July. This is new equipment being tested to help enforce
parking laws already in place. The safety sticks are solar
solar-powered with radar technology to detect and document vehicles illegally
parked in no parking zones. Photographic evidence of each violation will be
reviewed by the Boonton Police Department personnel and if warranted, a
violation will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner.
Safety stick personnel will not have access to the Department of Motor
Vehicles DMV records. Any DMV record searches necessary for
enforcement purposes will be conducted slowly by authorized Boonton Police
Department personnel and tomorrow morning we will begin sharing the safety
stick information on our website. Phase two of the town's veteran banner program
is now complete. I'm happy to report there are over 100 banners that are up.
Phase three will commence in January for the next round.
And this afternoon I our new superintendent Eric Orr, our new DPW
superintendent Eric Orr and I met with members of the OEM team to update each
other on best practices moving forward on storm management. That concludes my
report this evening. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions for
Mr. Henry?
Seeing none, we'll move on to finance and personnel.
» Council member Weisman. >> Thank you, Mayor. In our last couple of
meetings we've gone over a number of the change orders that are in this agenda as
well as continuing work on closing out the last budget issues
including salary. There's some in this, there'll be some other additional salary
ordinances in our next at our next meeting. And continuing some of the
other projects that the committee is working on, but our most our most timely
stuff we really been focused on lately is all represented in this agenda, these
change orders that we take. >> Thank you. Any comments or questions
from Council member Weisman? Seeing none, we'll move on to police committee.
Council member Cascone. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Police Committee met on June 9th. We had a wonderfully productive meeting.
We can confirm that the camera project for Boonton has been funded. This will
provide cameras in um
areas such as Canalside Park, Peabe Park and Main Street. The speed signs for
Washington Street, Morris Avenue, Vreeland and Oak Street are being
installed this week. So, keep an eye out for those.
Um There was an accreditation board meeting
last week on the 11th with Chief Patanik um
and uh Captain Lamandri went to or Oh, Lieutenant Mondino.
Um and
it was it went well. It went well? That's fantastic. That's
what we want to hear. Uh [laughter]
Uh there was a discussion about the Tone Road and
287 North intersection to see if we can um
remediate some of the issues that have had with the residents of Tone Road. I
can confirm that the street painting for 287
that indicates that 287 ramp is not visible. It is gone.
So, that needs to be redone. Um but that is something that we are
taking seriously and looking into. Um There was a discussion about
um left-hand turn issues for Division and Main. This is also being looked into
and we will have further information later. Um one last thing is there is a
summer camp that is being um held for the sixth graders of John Hill
School. This is being run by Officer Hopkins. We have about 26 sixth graders
that will be attending and I'm sure that they will have
week. And that concludes.
» Thank you. Any comments or questions for Councilwoman Scotto?
» I have a comment. I just want to also reinforce what um Neil said about the
safety sticks. Um just want to make sure we have this documented and recorded.
So, installation of the safety sticks will be um
going on Main Street beginning of July. This is new equipment, but just reminder
that it's new equipment, but it's it's it's being installed to enforce the
already laws that have been in place. Safety sticks will be solar-powered with
radar uh with uh radar technology to detect um
to detect the vehicles who which are illegally parked. Um photograph evidence
will be sent to the Boonton Police and will be reviewed and warned
and will be warranted if a vio- if if there is a violation
will be mailed to the um the offender.
Safety stick personnel will not have access to DMV records and any DMV
records searches necessary for enforcement purposes will be conducted
solely by authorized Boonton Police Department department.
And tomorrow morning, like Neil said, we will be sharing this information on our
web- website. So, take a look if you're interested in finding out more
information on this new enforcement. Thank you.
» Thank you. Moving on, I'm Planning Board,
Councilwoman Mazur. >> Yes, thank you, Mayor. So, the Planning
Board met on June 10th and there was a discussion to revise uh
the process of expedited waivers of site plan.
So, just so I can explain this to you, it it's called an ES- a EWSP and it's a
process which an ordinance does support, 26-21,
and it's allowed to expedite any kind of site plans for the B-1 district, which
is the business district in Buellton at that would be Main Street. Um this
expedite this expedited site waiver allows for B1 owners to make changes
from their commercial uh businesses to residential or mixed-use.
Um what the planning board wanted to be able to do is possibly have some
oversight on this if that is possible because currently EWSPs are becoming
more and more frequent. I believe we have three uh that that a committee has
um taken in to take a look at to make sure that there are going to be no
structural changes done to the outside of the building. It would be all done on
the inside. So the question was should we have the
planning board be an oversight committee for something
like this. So that is that is something that the
planning board is kind of tossing around and we're trying to figure that out. Um
and the reason for that is is when you're going from a commercial space to
a residential space, they want to make sure that there's no tiny living spaces.
They want something appropriate if there is going to be residential.
Uh the mayor did make a comment at that particular meeting and said residential
businesses on Main Street are really not beneficial to our commercial
um to our commercial businesses.
The resi- the residential. Am I correct in saying that?
» I said that. >> All right.
I Okay. >> I'm happy to make a comment when you're
done. >> Okay, that's fine. I didn't I didn't
want to I didn't want to speak for the mayor, but I I thought there was
something like that. So um that's that is what's happening right
now. There was a memo that was asked to be written
um uh by Chris Colley. He works for
topology and he'll be uh um addressing some of those concerns in
moving commercial spaces into residential spaces with these types of
applications. And that concludes my report.
» Okay, I'll fill in a little bit. This uh process is pretty unique to Boonton.
There's very few other towns that offer this and it was designed to streamline
if if there's a commercial enterprise and they want to switch from one type of
commercial enterprise to another type of commercial enterprise. So, they didn't
have to go to planning board and take them months perhaps and and all kinds of
fees. So, it was designed to streamline that. Uh in the last couple of years,
there have been no additional residential units permitted other than
ones that were grandfathered and they're now permitted. So, now we're seeing some
changes from what was commercial space to residential space and we want to uh
perhaps revisit, you know, what the residential standards are on our our
Main Street and perhaps exclude the residential conversions from this
process. We don't want to slow it down for commercial enterprise because if,
you know, if there's a vacancy and it was a you know, a a deli and now it
wants to be a restaurant, we want to you know, that to be as quick as possible.
So, >> That Maybe that
» That was the correct comment. That was the correct comment. My my mistake.
» Yes. >> So,
» Sorry. >> Yes.
» Clarify um that um these residential conversions
are are restricted to second floor and above spaces. It's not street level,
correct? >> It's not street level or or basement, I
don't think. So, I think it's >> It I think one actually was
semi-basement. It was basement in the front but walk out in the back. So,
we're trying to have planning board uh review, you know, for years and years,
probably decades, you couldn't do any additional residential. But now that we
changed that, you know, perhaps this one fell through the cracks and we're going
to make sure that there's planning board review or or that's a proposal, you
know, has to come before this board for change in ordinance but we'd like to
have uh planning board approval when it converts from commercial to residential.
» And then that would come to this to the the governing body.
» it's an ordinance, so yes, yeah. >> So, I think
» But I think it's going to initiate as a uh recommendation from the planning
board. But we've seen three so far this year.
Okay. Any other comments or questions? >> I'm sorry. What was the name of this
» That's you. >> [laughter]
» expedited waiver. >> Yes, an expedited waiver site plan.
And there is a currently a committee of three, I believe, that that oversee this
right now, and that's where those plans get looked at.
You know, to make sure that they conform with zoning and things like that. But,
to the mayor's point, we want to be able to possibly have oversight on it as a
council.
Anyone else? You have another question? Sure.
» So, this would um expedite commercial to commercial,
commercial to resident, and >> No, no, no. It right now it allows, you
know, if you meet certain criteria and there's no changes
I don't know if change is the right word. Uh if you want to go commercial to
commercial, you can do whatever you want. Right now, if you want a
commercial to uh residential I assume as as long as whatever the the the code is
for residential, you can do that. But, I think the planning board would like to
have some oversight when it goes commercial to residential. But, we still
want to have it be as streamlined as possible for commercial to commercial.
Good?
» [laughter] >> All right. So, if if I have a commercial
um on the second floor, and I now want to move that to residential, that's what
we're speaking to. >> You're permitted to, but we're trying to
uh the what the planning board board would like to do is perhaps have
planning board review before it's just automatic.
» Got it. >> And I think we also want to review the
the standards for residential, because when we allow residential, we didn't
address what minimum standards might be.
Okay. You can go yet.
All right. >> You're fine.
» So, I want you to understand. >> So, and what was the So, what is the
process now? Like, if I want to do commercial to residential, it's just
like a like I to planning board, it has to
» No, to >> not currently. Not currently. We're
trying to remove the commercial residential to have that come before the
planning board. >> Okay.
» For years and years and years you couldn't go to you couldn't add any
additional residential on Main Street. >> Got it.
» And then we we passed the change the ordinance maybe 2 years ago that
permitted that. But
this expedited >> waiver waiver
» Yes. >> [laughter]
» wasn't existing before. So these commercial residential got caught up in
that and I don't think that was the intent.
» Okay. So Louisa, there's still a committee
that reviews this. >> Yes.
» It just doesn't come before the planning board.
» Okay. Okay.
I think I got it. >> I'm just going to give you a quiz so
Next up Board of Education, Council member
Cascone. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Uh Board of Education met on June evening of June 8th.
Um Let's see.
Uh We wanted um was the uh last meeting
that the uh student representatives um from Boonton High School and John Hill
School were presenting to the Board of Education. So we'd like to congratulate
Nicholas Fava and Ivana Rebello um for presenting um for John Hill School and
Boonton High School respectively um all year. They did a fantastic job.
It was and they got um little plaques. It was
very nice for them to be um recognized. >> Good.
» Um there was an AVID accomplishment presentation. So um I don't know how
many people are aware of the um AVID um
program that goes on within John Hill School and Boonton High School. Um
Booton uh Booton is actually a national demonstration school for this program.
So we have other schools that come to and other um board members from other
districts that come to our school to see how to implement this program. So, out
of um the schools in New Jersey, specifically for Boonton High School,
Boonton is one of three total national demonstration schools within the state
of New Jersey. Within the entire United States, we're
one of 207. This is
honestly a a something
that should be screamed from the rooftops for Boonton. We are, you know,
we we are a demonstration school for this fantastic program that a lot of the
students like to be in. It gives them um
better understanding of how to work within colleges and to move forward with
their greater academic um
accomplishments. They learn how to take better notes. They
they learn how to interview with people. They are interviewed by board members
and how they like the AVID program and they are quite articulate. And our board
members were extremely extremely proud of the students that were uh that taken
part of the last demonstration that came to our school.
Um so um
There wasn't there wasn't a whole lot of this meeting. It was winding down for
the school year. Um And there was a a bunch of personnel
changes. That's all within the agenda. It's too much to mention here, but that
agenda can be found on the Boonton Board of Ed website. Um I highly suggest that
everyone take a look. It's very informative. Their meetings are also
open to the public and on Zoom. So, if anybody has any questions,
they're there as well. And
um We they had their HIB self-assessment
for the state. Each building scored a 77 out of 78 and the state has accepted
those ratings. >> Thank you.
» So. And that's it.
» Any comments or questions? >> I just one question which is when is
graduation? Do you know? And if you don't
I apologize. >> It's on Monday for John Hill.
» 23rd? >> Week tomorrow.
» For John Hill or for the high school is different, right?
» Are they both the same day usually? >> Oh, is it the same day?
» Anyone else? Okay, next up Boonton Holmes Library.
May be Mayor Lunch. Uh there was a meeting uh last Tuesday.
Uh rather quick meeting that followed the the grand opening for the teen room,
which was funded by a I believe about a $20,000 uh bequest from a member of the
Cerbo Lumber family and they used basically all of it for the uh
for the teen room. Um they're rolling out a potentially
discount membership for our neighboring towns. Uh presently I think for $250 you
can have access to all the uh county libraries all the municipal county
libraries and Boonton uh Holmes Library is considering I I believe uh working on
the plans to roll out perhaps Boonton Township doesn't have their own library
for for a lesser fee just to use our library and our programs.
And their audit's complete. Uh a couple minor uh things that the auditors found
but nothing significant. So I think they're pleased with that.
And that's my report. Any comments or questions?
» Uh I would like to say that um Thea and I attended the ribbon cutting for the
teen room and it is it was lovely. >> It was a wonderful event. The space is
fantastic. I love what they've done. It's it was really well done.
» Almost 100% funded by a a bequest from a former resident.
Moving on, Parks and Rec. Councilwoman Meaney.
» Thank you, Mayor. Um unfortunately we were not able to meet in June. We did
not um have a quorum. A number of people were out of town. So uh no major
updates. Our resident uh Rec Director Tracy Prior
is also our resident weather guru. She was uh quick on the draw of canceling
last uh or rescheduling last Friday's uh movie. It's going to be moved to next
week on the 24th. So, it'll be at Grace Lord Park. Come on out.
Enjoy a good time. Um some work has been done up at Peppy. The uh gazebo was
power washed, some of the holes were filled.
Um so, it's freshly redone. So, that's going to be look nice. Uh
there's some gate issues go up there that's underway and um
Councilmember Cascone, I love hearing that the cameras are finally going up in
Canalside Park and Peppy. Um there's a lot of work, a lot of expenses that are
going up there and having some eyes on it to slow down, prevent vandalism would
be go a long way. So, all good news. Thank you.
» Thank you. Any comments or questions, Councilmember Mean?
» I have a question for Councilmember Mean. The uh misting flowers in Peppy
Park, I understand that they were not winterized correctly and are currently
inoperable? >> That's correct. I Tracy, would do we
have a plan to get those fixed? Did
» Okay. >> Uh it is not going to be replaced.
There was something happening during winterization, I believe. Uh that's kind
of the word and the answer I'm getting. So, unfortunately, we're in the process
of finding someone that can come in and fix that.
But, they they will be done. They are working on it. I
can't tell you how quick it's going to get done now, but I expect it to be
done. It's going to take some time.
» Okay. Thank you.
» It'll be done in time to winterize them. >> [laughter]
» Anyone else? >> Thank you.
» Okay, moving on. Fire Department, Councilmember DeVaney.
» Fire Department, let me find my notes here.
Um Uh
So, the Boonville Fire Department celebrated their 135th anniversary with
a picnic and a group photo on the 31st of May. I will tell you I was not able
to attend that, but boy it smelled good. Um
uh in the month of May they responded to 38
calls of varying types for an additional 14 of mutual aid. Um two of note uh that
are outside of the month of May is earlier this month uh in the middle of
the night our fire department was called out with three alarm fire in Denville uh
which seriously damaged a cafe on West Main Street. Um there were a
number of other departments that were called out to that fire and and you
know, it's just an example of of how important mutual aid is in in in all
these towns that that um have volunteer fire departments in addition. Um they
were called out to a fire in Mountain Lakes just yesterday, a house fire. Um
you know, that was knocked down fairly quickly and thankfully no serious
injuries considering that there was a party going on at the house at the time.
Um and uh there was one other thing that I was
going to say and now it's on my brain. So, that concludes my report and uh
Oh yeah, there there Nope, it's
word up, you know, uh mark your calendars for the Labor Day
parade and the carnival. >> Are there any comments or questions for
Council member Devenezia? Seeing none, we'll move on
to tonight's [clears throat] main event, presentation from Boonton Main Street on
the the work they're doing at Town Square Park.
» There's a microphone that may or may not be on.
Do we have an easel?
» There's a mic in front of you too, Frank.
» Okay. You said You said it was at the bottom
of the note.
It's possible that
» All right. Okay. I want
» Everybody Hello.
» You can take the mic out if you want to. >> Sure.
Okay. My name is Mandy DeNezio. I'm a resident
of Boonton and I'm here with my team who I'll introduce shortly. We were asked to
give a informational overview of the project that we're doing at Canal Side
Park. So, that's what we're here for. Um we really have just prepared a
general presentation. So, if there are questions or things that kind of go
outside of that scope, we'll just ask that we can get back to you with any uh
formal responses, but this is supposed to be like an informal informational
overview. Um so, what it is Um if you could go to
the next slide and my friend Neil's going to be There we go. Um so, it's an
effort spearheaded by the Boonton Main Street Design Committee to reclaim the
green spaces of Canal Side Park and convert them into stunning native and
non-invasive gardens. So, where? The area in uh scope of the project is along
the Main Street side of the park within the stone retaining wall. You can see
part of it here. Thank you, Frankie. That you can see
zone one there. It's the area that's inside the retaining wall.
Um it's going to be divided into zones. Um we're going to complete one zone at a
time cuz it's a really long park. Um and why are we doing it? The park is
currently overgrown with invasive species, which is both bad for the
environment and bad for Boonton, creating beautiful natural seasonal
displays will draw visitors and revitalize interest in this incredible
park while restoring areas targeted by the whole Highlands Coalition and
providing a healthier ecosystem. So, when?
Starting in summer 2025 and running through at least 2028. The park has a
very long footprint. It's a It's about a thousand linear feet. So, as I said,
we're going to work on it in zones, and the idea is that we can kind of focus
and deliver like zone by zone
to the residents of Boonton year after year, so it's like something happening
every year. Um so, the goal for 2026 is to
reclaim the area of the park adjacent to the Plane Street parking lot, which we
are referring to as zone one. And who So, I'm Madigan Easy. I'm the leader of
the Boonton Main Street um design team. I've got Frankie
McDonald's here, who's a design committee member and a Main Street
business owner. Um our subject matter expert, Daryl
Jones, he is a former Boonton resident and um Morris County park employee. And
um our another subject matter expert is Kyle DeVecchio. He's a Boonton resident
and a landscape architect. So, you can see we've got a lot of brainpower and um
I also want to give a huge thank you and recognition to Natalie Spingold, who's
the leader of the Boonton Main Street and has given us a tremendous amount of
support. And a thank you to Tracy Prior, who has enabled us to do this project.
Um So,
how uh this is going to be a volunteer-led effort, so BMS design
committee will take responsibility to secure all the resources that we need.
We had an initial budget of $5,000 from BMS and have been awarded 3,000
additional dollars from the Highland Coalition, allowing us to continue in
2026. Um we received permission from the town via Tracy Prior on June 10th of
last year, and we have a certificate of insurance in place and have been working
ever since. So, here's an overview of the project and what we've accomplished
in just over a year. So, if you could scroll a little bit,
yeah. So, step one, I'm going to turn it over to Daryl.
» Sure. Thank you.
Uh Yeah, um
So, uh I came into this as a natural resource manager for the Morris County
Park Commission. So, we have some nearby properties, Tourne County Park, Pyramid
Mountain, just up the road. Um invasive species management is a um
growing effort and a necessary part of manage managing our natural areas. Um
and there's been an increased importance on managing those spaces in
between urban parks, green spaces, and really any opportunity that we can um to
eliminate emerging invasive populations and promote native plants specifically,
um you know, is why I really came on board here. So,
uh when we came into this project, um the first step was kind of identifying
which species were on site. Um coming up with a a schedule, um different ones
require a different timeline for control methods um to give us the best chance to
economically kind of um set the stage for the native plants and the
wildflowers and um beautification that we want to do following up. So,
uh we could go to the next slide there. Um so, we identified a list of uh
species in zone one. Uh there are some additional species that we've identified
further down the line that will will update this list as we go. Um I won't go
through all these, obviously, but uh I'll just highlight a couple.
Uh there's some really aggressive vine species. So, um
invasive species for those of you who aren't familiar or just as a reminder,
um they're uh species that have been been
introduced outside their natural range. Uh and in terms of plant species, they
can become super aggressive and inhibit native plant growth and disrupt local
ecosystems. Uh and in this case, um the invasive vines that are growing in Canal
Side Park really inhibited um zero native plant regeneration. Uh so, we
really needed to wipe the slate clean and give us a nice
uh planting um slate to kind of build off
of. Uh so, black swallow-wort and Japanese honeysuckle were really the
main targets here that were growing as one large monoculture across the whole
site um that we really had to uh uh reset completely. Um so, we'll get
get to how we did that in a second. Uh and just one other one that I wanted to
note, you may have heard of tree of heaven or Ailanthus altissima. Um that's
the preferred host tree species for the spotted lanternfly.
Uh and so, that was growing uh and still is growing in large number throughout
Canal Side Park and some of the adjacent properties. Um especially the small
trees that are growing out of that sloped section can support thousands of
the little nymphs that then will uh emerge um later on in the summer, grow
into the adults that we see flying around uh Main Street. So, um so, that's
kind of uh our approach to this uh invasive species um control that we
started last year. Uh and if we go to the next slide,
um so, these are a couple just example
photos of how um some of these species uh
and we can go to one more slide. Uh so, really there's usually a a
combination of approaches that you have to do um when controlling invasives.
Uh usually it's a multi-year effort. It's always better to be um extra
diligent early on and try to get um uh exhaust the seed bank that may be in
the soil. Uh so, we really wanted to spend the whole first year really
removing as many invasives as we could and introduce a little bit of
competition um to the space as well. So, uh to minimize
the use of herbicides, we really emphasized mechanical control methods um
Um, and uh ended up going with a solarization technique, uh, which I
think we do have a a slide that shows what that looks like. Um, it consists of
dre uh, fixing thick plastic clear tarps over
the entire slope after we went through with hedge trimmers and cut everything
back. Um, this uses the power of the sun to just basically cook everything even
through the soil and um, and sometimes it can actually exhaust the seeds that
are underneath. Uh, but again, this is something that we've had to do two
summers now. Um, we're really taking a a thorough approach and Frankie has been
instrumental in getting that uh, on on schedule, so. Um, do we have a slide of
the next slide? Okay.
Yeah, I don't think I'll pass back to Amanda for it this point, but
» Thank you. Thank you, Daryl. He's got all the technical knowledge. Um, and
then as far as then what's next is we get to plant it up, which is very
exciting. So, I'd like to give a disclaimer. It's going to look worse
before it gets better. You have to trust the process. So, we had to, you know,
solarize and add the tarps, which might not be the most beautiful thing, but
just wait until you see what that enables. So, if you go to the next
slide, um, this is our current state. So, we have
we, Frankie primarily, and [laughter] a few other people have really removed a
lot of the invasive species there and we all work together to put the tarps on.
The section in the middle what we had the tarp on all summer last year. And
then once the tarp came off, we were able to plant rye seeds and what that
does is stabilize the soil so it doesn't erode and it also blocks some of the
native spe- or invasive species from coming back. So, right now this is what
it looks like and then we're going to talk about where it's headed and I'll
have my friend Kyle take us through that, but go one more slide.
Um, again, yeah, about 90% of the zone has been at least remediated, so we have
the rye grass growing there now. It's like a temporary measure, and when we
when we're ready to plant for real, we'll remove the rye grass.
And then you can go one more. So, the vision. So, uh what inspired
this all? Um you can go one more. There's
beautiful public gardens like you see the one on the left is
um by Piet Oudolf, who actually Rosemary
has introduced us to. He's done the um
Highline Highline gardens in New York that you see up all along the Highline.
He also did um He didn't do this, actually. Somebody
else did it, but the native plant garden at the New York Botanical Gardens at the
top right. It's incredible. I highly recommend you go. Some of the
inspiration for our project. But then we took that and we handed it over to Kyle
cuz Kyle's actually a landscape architect, and he's been donating all of
his services for free to design this um park. So, thank you, Kyle.
» Hi.
» All right. Don't worry, I'll send my bill later. Um
» [laughter] >> Uh so, the plan is pretty simple. Uh as
you can see in the aerial photo, uh it's an area that backs up uh a lot of
community events in the area. Obviously, that's the farmers market that we're
looking at now. Uh so, it would be great to get a nice
backdrop for that area. Um again, like I said, the plan is is
pretty straightforward. We're going to stick with woodland edge line plantings
along the borders. Uh so, on the left where the trees are thicker and heavier,
we're going to stick with things that dwell in the shade, uh tolerate dry
soil, and are are zone hardy. Uh again, everything we're going to do
is is native planting. That's the big emphasis right now, which is a nice
change of pace from what I deal with in my day-to-day life. Uh everybody wants
to design a a hydrangea and boxwood garden. So, to do something that gets
back to local natives and fauna is really uh is exciting for me.
Uh same goes for the right side of the project. You'll note that there's a a of
shade coming off of a a structure over there. So again, it's going to
accommodate a more shade heavy planting. As we move towards
the middle of the project, there's going to be two main swaths. Everything is
going to be planted in in mass. So there's going to be, you know, figure 5,
10, 15 of each plant to generate a zone of interest. Um
And we've worked really hard to make sure that everything that we plant is
going to bloom at a different time. So we're going to have constant interest
throughout the year. Even when we get to the fall and winter months, we'll have
things like the fragrant sumac, which even though it doesn't
give off the most beautiful flowers, it does have a beautiful red foliage. So
things that are going to constantly go off. You know, we'll go from one flower
to the next and generate more interest. But to get back to the the central
layout, we're going to move from sort of a grassland area,
which will be, you know, swaths of beautiful grasses, some tall things like
goldenrod, things that support local wildlife, lots of butterfly uh
loving plants or vice versa, butterflies that love the plants.
Uh and then as we move over to the to the right side of it, we're going to do
specifically sort of a butterfly garden. Uh we also envision an area along the
road where we might be able to get sculptures maybe from Broadfoot and
Maine or some local artists who we can display in that area as well.
I think it's a great opportunity for, you know, the community to to come
together and enjoy the space.
» You can keep going. Did a very, you know, general idea of
what it might look like. This is the AI generation, so please don't hold us to
it exactly. Um but you get the idea of it's a little
bit wild, it's a little bit like um carefree. It's not like a structured
garden, you know, that you see in everyday homes. It's it's got a lot of
life to it and a lot of natural quality to it.
You can keep going. Just another look at the same idea.
You can keep going. And then again, just want to reiterate,
it takes time. These species are very stubborn, so we might be going back over
things a year later and then a year later.
Um so, we do expect it to take several years.
And then the next slide, please. Um after we complete that, we want to keep
going. The goal is to just do the entire thing. So, we will take this area and it
might not be exclusively natives, but it will all be non-invasive plants. And you
can go ahead and go forward, Neil. We want to turn it into like an evergreen
spring blooming forest. So, imagine not hydrangeas. You got that in my head.
Rhododendron, mountain laurel, azaleas, um things that all bloom in the spring,
but also stay green all year, so that is just always something beautiful, but
there's this like burst in like May to really generate interest. So, that would
be, you know, 2027 and beyond. We haven't quite gotten there.
And then next slide. And then so, how are we going to do it?
We do have a team. Um we have at least five or six core members and then we're
definitely gaining a lot of interest along the way. We do have monetary
support from BMS Main Street, so thank you for that. We have our $3,000 grant
from the NJ Highlands Coalition and we just completed our application to get
another one, so we're hoping, fingers crossed, they like the progress and
they'll fund us again. Um Kyle has been working on actually
obtaining water access from Boonton Sewer and Water, so that's part of what
we want to um curry your support for is they've offered to give us a meter on
the hydrant that's down there, so that we can use it to water the gardens.
Um we're looking for support from you guys,
just really from a a
not emotional us you know, just support generally and like the goodwill of so
that you guys feel like you're in the know and like wanting to be a part of it
or and things like that. And just patience because it is going to take
time. It It's going to take several years to get through it, but we think
it'll be really cool at the end. So, that's what we have.
» Thank you all.
Any questions? How's that questions?
» I I just have maybe one or two. >> Let's go for it.
» Um Question Question number one I think is
Kyle, is that your name? I I'm blanking on people's names.
» That's okay. >> Um
how much maintenance is this going to take it while it's getting established?
I understand once it's once it's firmly rooted that probably that maintenance
requirement comes down, but you know, as as we're starting this off, you know,
» That's you know, I think yep. Off the bat, I'm sure that there's going to be a
lot of mechanical hand weeding that's going to have to take place
unfortunately once the solarization is done and we've we've knocked out figure
95% of the weeds, it's going to require our dedicated team to continue to go out
there and and maintain from a weed perspective. From a watering
perspective, you know, our goal is to plant mostly in the fall to minimize the
amount of water that we're going to need. Plants can establish their root
systems over the winter and then usually by the time the spring comes back around
they'll need minimal intervention if any. If we end up with an exceptionally
dry spring, then it will of course require a little bit more assistance,
but you know, our plan is to be as
straightforward and economical about this and well thought out as possible to
minimize impact to the town and to the plants of course.
» Well, it's certainly an improvement over what's there now, so
» To be fair, a dumpster fire might have been an improvement, too, but
» Um I have an idea for the area by the
waterfall, but that that we can take it offline.
» Sounds excellent, yeah.
» Okay. >> Um the one it looks great. Is
is there opportunities or do you need volunteer help from residents and how
how would you envision that and how can we get that going?
» Thank you for asking. So we have our Instagram BMS design team. So we're
encouraging people to go through there. For anybody who doesn't have Instagram,
I can share my email with everybody after the meeting.
So you would just reach out to me and I'll get you get anybody set up with
There's plenty to do. So yes, thank you. Yep.
» Yeah, that's about the size of it. So there is volunteer portal on there which
goes directly to me and then BMS did it through BMS for them and
so just go to the BMS website and you can volunteer. We have a volunteer sheet
on there now. And so they will be put to the pot to be put to this.
» I have one other question. In addition to the funding from Boot and
Main Street and from the Highlands Coalition, is there an opportunity for
private citizens to donate or or help fund this project?
» Yes, I think along the same lines on the BMS website, we do have a portal to
donate directly.
» Um we've had that happen
before and then and we'll just make sure because
I I see it all it all comes directly. >> Yeah, it's all coming through BMS. Yeah.
Thank you. >> But there would be a way to earmark that
donation specifically for this project. >> Yes. Yes, so we have actually our own
bank account within BMS. >> Perfect. Thank you.
» Anyone else? This may be something they could perhaps
partner with green team. >> Yeah, I've spoken to Missy DeSalvo.
She's interested in getting our teams together as well.
The green team, right? Yeah. >> Well, thank you all for stepping up and
trying to make our town more beautiful. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you for
your time.
We can leave these here if you guys want to look at them.
» I don't need that. >> Okay.
» Thanks very much.
Moving on to consent agenda, resolutions 26-145
through 26-171, can I get a motion to open this up for
council discussion? >> Move.
» Second. >> Ms. Cascone.
» All in favor? >> Aye.
» Aye. >> I have a one quick comment. Uh 26-151
will be pulled. It was uh to fill a uh position that the um person who had
accepted no longer was interested in the full-time position. So, we will not be
voting on 26-151. Other than that, do we have any comments
or questions? >> Yeah, just one, Mayor. Um
although on the advice of council, although it's not required, just because
of my leadership role in the Boot and Saddle Club, I'm going to recuse on just
26-165, which I'll do when we do the roll call
vote.
» Anyone else?
Then I would close council discussion and call for motion to adopt
consent agenda. >> So moved,
Second, what? >> Uh Mr. Weisman.
» Okay. Only one bite each, please. Um can we get a roll call, please?
» Ms. Allen. Ms.
Cascone, sorry. Ms. Cascone. >> Yes.
» Ms. Devenezia. >> Yes.
» Ms. Horton. >> Yes.
» Ms. Eagan. >> Yes.
» Mr. Kermian. >> Yes.
» Mr. Weisman. >> Uh recusing on 26-165,
yes on the others. >> Mr. Miller.
» Me? >> Yes.
» Mayor Merrill. >> Yes.
Moving on to unfinished business, ordinance 17-26, an ordinance amending
the revised general ordinances of the town of Boonton and providing for
licensing and regulation of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapy
establishments. Can I get a motion to open this up for
public hearing?
» Second, Megan. >> All in favor?
» Aye. >> Any members of the public wishing to
come forward to discuss just this ordinance, please do so. step forward.
The microphone's here for 3 minutes. Just introduce yourself and make
whatever comments you like.
Seeing none, I will close the public hearing and call for motion to open this
up to town council discussion. >> So moved, Divinagracia.
» Second, Mian. >> All in favor?
» I. >> I.
Any members of the council have comments or questions on this ordinance?
» I just want to thank our health inspector who worked very really closely
after we tabled this. You know, we worked very closely to get this back
together and I think it's a it's a really strong ordinance. I appreciate
very much his time. >> And the um
local business that was concerned happy with this?
» Yep. >> Anyone else?
» And dare I say I think this will be a model for some of the other uh
» Okay. Any other comments?
Then I will call for motion to move the ordinance 17-26.
» So moved, Weisman. >> Second, Divinagracia.
» Roll call, please. >> Ms. Castiglione?
» Yes. >> Ms. Divinagracia?
» Yes. >> Ms. Lopez?
» Yes. >> Ms. Mazzei?
» Yes. >> Mr.
» Yes. >> Mr. Weisman?
» Yes. >> Mr. Okilski?
» Yes. >> Mayor Wind.
» Yes. >> Next up, ordinance 18-26.
An uh for introduction and title only, I believe.
An ordinance updating within the town code of the Town of Boonton chapter 27,
article 4, Fire Department, and chapter 36, Length of Service Award Program.
Can I get a motion to introduce this? >> I'll move it, Okilski.
» Second Castiglione. >> Can we get a roll call, please?
» Ms. Castiglione? >> Yes.
» Ms. Divinagracia? >> Yes.
» Ms. Lopez? >> Yes.
» Ms. Mazzei? >> Yes.
» Mr. Mian? >> Yes.
» Mr. Weisman? >> Yes.
» Mr. Okilski? >> Yes.
» Mayor Wind. >> Yes.
» Next up, town council members, administrator, and town attorney
comments. Um I'm going to start. Um, as has been my uh uh
principles uh uh my process during uh
my 2 and 1/2 year terms as mayor is to recognize meritorious service. Uh this
is our administrator's last meeting for a proclamation. Please join me.
I pledge allegiance to the I pledge allegiance to the flag.
Town of Boonton proclamation.
Whereas Neil Henry is retiring as business administrator
for the town of Boonton having faithfully served since May 2017 and
whereas Neil has lauded has been lauded by the mayor, council, employees, and
residents of Boonton for his selfless service and valuable contributions to
the town of Boonton and whereas Neil's Neil's dedication and leadership have
helped guide the town of Boonton over the past 9 years and whereas throughout
his tenure Neil has provided invaluable expertise, guidance, and professionalism
in service to the town and whereas Neil has brought his extensive expertise to
bear as both business business administrator and qualified
purchasing agent, skillfully guiding employees,
mayors, council members, and residents as they work together to shape the
landscape and future of Boonton and whereas Neil has devoted countless hours
to the review, preparation, and attendance of meetings and municipal
matters in furtherance of the town's success and whereas Neil's commitment to
public service often requires significant personal sacrifice for which
his wife, Leslie, and his children, Alexandra, Bill, and Ted have shown
unwavering support and understanding. Now, therefore, I, James Lynch, on
behalf of the governing body and the people of the town of Boonton, do hereby
extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Neil for his many
contributions to the growth, revitalization, and continued success of
our community throughout his years of of service. Be it further proclaimed that
the mayor, governing body, employees, and residents of the town of Boonton
wish Neil Henry continued health, happiness, and success in all his future
endeavors. >> Thank you.
First of all, I'd like to thank the mayor. I know how you are about
proclamations, so this is a big honor for me. So, thank you for that. Um
I remember uh growing up over Mendham, and I knew Boonton for the firemen's
carnival. We used to come up here on Labor Day. So, when I took the job in
2017, I didn't know much about Boonton, uh but I've
obviously learned a lot about it. I feel like this is my second family. I spent 9
years here. I think I can say that I'm leaving Boonton in a much better
place than what I found it. I will thank the mayor and the council for the all
all of their unwavering support. Uh I feel we've got a really great um
employee base. We've made a lot of accomplishments. Um
so, again, thank you for this. I am looking for a foursome on July 1st,
so if anybody's interested, you can come see me. Thank you, everybody.
» Any other uh council members? >> Uh mayor, if I can make a comment, too.
» Sure. >> Um I just wanted to make a comment about
the illumination of town hall for the month of June.
And I wanted to extend my gratitude to the Boonton LGBTQ+ community and our
Boonton allies. I realize the illumination of town hall was not the
desired result of proposed ordinance 11-26,
and for that I'm disappointed, but perhaps we agree that this is a small
progressive step towards acceptance, unity, inclusion, as well as visibility.
Symbols do have strength and a rainbow symbol is no exception. In closing, I've
been reminded that we evolve as understanding humans through
conversation and not by opinion. So, if anyone wants to start a
conversation outside of this room and off of this dais, I would be happy to
participate. Just ask. Because this is an opinion up here that I speak right
now and I really want to be able to have conversation with community if that's
what it would take to be to gain some more understanding.
Uh thank you to Boonton for your support. I am proud to represent this
wonderful community and thank you again.
» Thank you. Any other comments? >> Yeah, just a couple quick ones for me.
First, you know, thank you. It's really been a pleasure working with you.
» It's been great working for you, guys. >> And um I should have noted this probably
in the consent agenda vote, but um I do want to congratulate Pat Laverty on um
being appointed as town administrator. It was a very It was a competitive
search. Um the uh the Finance Personnel Committee we
first Finance Personnel Administration
Committee, that one. We spent a lot of time going through this. I'm really
excited um for for the work that you're going to be doing. You're building on on
everything we've been doing. So, thank you and congratulations to you.
Um couple things that uh as well. Coming up
on June 16th, which is this weekend, tomorrow. It's also known as tomorrow.
Um I don't know how that's tomorrow, but I
guess it is. Um there's another Narcan training. Um Hope One, Lauren LoMotion
Live at Lauren's Theater in Parsippany. Uh I've done it at the Boonton Elks.
It's a really a phenomenal phenomenal training. Uh there's more information on
uh if you go to LoMotion Live uh social media, there's a lot more information
there. But, if you haven't done it, I highly highly recommend it. And thank
you to Lauren, thank you to Hope One, and I know Sheriff Gannon, this has been
a big a big um push that he's been doing. It's really terrific. Um
Now I'm afraid to say how many days ago it was. Two days ago I think it was,
maybe it was yesterday at the Boonton Elks Lodge was a
fundraiser for a young girl called Ellie Strong.
It's really remarkable event. Cosmar Cascone and I were both there along with
Assemblywoman Marissa Sweeney and Ora Dunn.
It's really this is a family trying to raise a significant amount of money for
a critical medical van. I encourage everybody to please go
online just look up Ellie Strong on social media and if you can to support
this Boonton family and and what they're trying to do. It's they need to do. It's
it's it's huge. I think it was a beautiful really a beautiful event.
And the last thing is just a thank you as well to the Elks and very Elks heavy
I guess today. The Northwest District Elks. I was the honor of representing
the Boonton Elks over the yesterday.
Yep, yep that was I know that cuz it's Flag Day yesterday
up in Sussex County at the annual Flag Day
ceremony and flag retirement ceremony. It's really beautiful. It's something
I've loved doing. It's a beautiful ceremony. We go through the whole
history of the flag, all the different flags
that have represented this country. It's extraordinary. And we the Boonton Elks
Lodge we brought up well over 150 flags that were retired. And I want to thank
my fellow Elk Lisa Ruberto and I she's you know the two of us spent a great
deal of time folding flags so that you have them properly folded
for their retirement. Just remind everybody that at the Elks
we do have a flag drop box. If you have a flag in need of retirement, please
drop it in there. And that's those are my comments.
» Thank you. >> Thank you.
» Anyone else? John. >> Thank you. Um
I would like to congratulate all the residents that are graduating middle
school and high school, whether it's Boonton,
John Hill, Lumen Academy, um
Morris Catholic and so on. It's a big day. Hope all the families enjoy that. I
should be very proud having raised four kids that graduate through the Boonton
school system. It's a big day. So, congratulations to all those graduates.
And Neil, thanks to you. This I've never been involved in
politics before. You have an You had an open door. I appreciate it. I learned a
lot. You're going to be missed. And Pat, you
got some big shoes to fill. So, thank you.
» I have a comment. >> Sure.
» Uh yeah, to piggyback off of what Councilwoman
Meen said, congratulations to all the graduates this year. My son is one of
them. He's graduating eighth grade. Straight A student four marking periods
in a row. So, very proud of him.
And that's only because I offered him a
bonus at the end of the year. >> [laughter]
» So, so congratulations
to the graduates. And also, thank you Neil for all the work you've done for
this town. I know we've only worked a short amount of time, but you have made
my transition to Council member fairly easy and and like very less
intimidating. So, thank you. You will be missed.
» Thank you. >> Um that's it for me.
» Okay. Mr. Mayor, one one more for Neil. >> [laughter]
» Neil, you know, having having been up here longer than almost anyone except
perhaps Sy. Definitely Sy. Um
I just I want to thank you for your your guidance at the beginning, your your
fortitude in the middle, and and I will miss working with you.
» Thank you, Murray. >> I would also like to
send my thanks, Neil. I appreciate Louisa said your open door policy, your
willing to take phone calls and crazy questions
to you know, to help both in this new endeavor in
our lives. So, it is greatly greatly appreciated.
» Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad it helped. >> Ditto, Neil. What everybody else said,
ditto. >> [laughter]
» Sid, do you have something you want to say?
Thank you, Sid.
All right. I think I said my piece. All right. Uh moving on.
Uh meeting open to the public. Any members of the public wishing to raise
uh any topic they like, please step forward, introduce yourself. The
microphone's yours for 3 minutes.
He's pulled off.
» Hi, my name is Teresa Keyser. By this time, you know me. I'm
living at 219 Mechanic Street. I'm here to congratulate Patrick
on his recent appointment as our town administrator.
I also want to personally thank him for his responsiveness and
professional courtesy that he has extended to
the Keyser family. Patrick, uh
you have a new job, and we wish you success.
But the person who follows you is going to have to have another pair of shoes.
I also want to ask Patrick where we're going to celebrate tonight
because he's responsible.
You have to push it. Uh Patrick's already stepping up.
Anyone
» Good evening, Rob Murray, 697 Booton Avenue. I just wanted to thank
Administrator Henry. I congratulate you on your impending retirement. I wish you
nothing but the best. During our brief time together, I can echo the thoughts
of the other other board members how professional and accommodating you were.
And good luck. Patrick, good luck. You got big shoes to fill.
» Thank you for your comments.
» I'm Cliff Keyser. I live down on Mechanic Street.
I can't pass up this opportunity to thank the town administrator.
Who has been a very uh close friend to me.
Terrific follow-through. And he'll be missed. So, thank you.
» Thank you for your comments.
» Ryan Vent, 217 Crown Road. Neil, good luck.
You made this this town a better place. You made my family a better place.
And for that, we you definitely going to be missed. Hopefully, we see you in the
Acme parking lot and could say hi. And on behalf, and I thought this was
actually pretty freaking This is funny. My family and myself
got you a bonsai tree. >> [snorts]
» Thank you.
» Anyone else?
» You were the letter man. >> Seeing none, we'll close the public
comment and ask our um clerk to read a um I believe it may
email >> Yeah.
» comment. >> Okay. Um
» from Susanna Pittman. Dear Town Council, thank you for illuminating Town Hall in
rainbow colors in recognition of Pride Month. It is my understanding that this
effort was a result of a collaborative process that involved many
conversations. I appreciate everyone who took the time
to engage in those discussions. Conversations around complex and deeply
felt issues are not always easy to navigate, but they are often where the
most meaningful progress is made. Public comment and council member
remarks during Town Hall meetings provide important opportunities for
expressing opinions, which is essential to the democratic process. However,
these forums are not always well suited for the kind of dialogue that requires
openness, vulnerability, curiosity, and active learning.
Over the years, I have invited council members to have those conversations
outside of public meetings, and several council members from across the
political spectrum have accepted that invitation. In most cases, those
discussions led to a greater sense of understanding, appreciation, and unity.
With that in mind, if you choose to reach out to community members whose
perspectives differ from your own, I encourage you to first ask whether they
are open to having that conversation. As we have seen during public comment,
these issues can be deeply personal and emotionally charged, and for some
individuals, those emotions may be connected to past experiences or trauma.
Approaching these conversations with consent, empathy, and caring can help
create the conditions for genuine dialogue and mutual respect. Thank you
again for this gesture of recognition, and as always, thank you for your
service to our town. Warm regards, Dr. Susanna Pittman.
» Thank you.
Seeing no other comments, I'll call for a motion to adjourn.
» Second. You have a nice day. >> All in favor?
» Aye.