1
00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:12,280
This meeting to order.

2
00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:15,040
Please rise and salute the flag.

3
00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:17,400
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

4
00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:20,320
United States of America, and to the

5
00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:23,120
republic for which it stands, one nation

6
00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:26,080
under God, indivisible, with liberty and

7
00:00:23,120 --> 00:00:26,080
justice for all.

8
00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,520
» Roll call, please.

9
00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,280
» Mr. Meen.

10
00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,520
» Here.

11
00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,160
» Mr. Wakielski.

12
00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,360
» Here.

13
00:00:33,160 --> 00:00:34,920
» Miss Castoni.

14
00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,120
» Here.

15
00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:36,960
» Miss Devenezia.

16
00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:40,720
» Here.

17
00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:41,280
» Mr. Balin is absent. Miss Mazie.

18
00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:42,280
» Here.

19
00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:42,800
» Miss Lopez.

20
00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:43,880
» Here.

21
00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:44,440
» Mr. Weisman.

22
00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:45,560
» Here.

23
00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:46,160
» Mr. Lynch.

24
00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:47,320
» Here.

25
00:00:46,160 --> 00:00:47,960
» Mr. Plasternak.

26
00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,080
» Here.

27
00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:49,960
» Mr. Henry.

28
00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,640
» Here.

29
00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:53,640
» And Miss Bonswich is here.

30
00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,120
» Notice of this meeting has been provided

31
00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:59,360
to resolution adopted by the mayor and

32
00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:00,800
council on December 15th, 2025 as

33
00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,800
regular meeting of of the mayor and town

34
00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:04,080
council at the Boonton Town Hall, 100

35
00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,280
Washington Street, Boonton, New Jersey,

36
00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:06,880
and by electronic mailing to the

37
00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,560
citizens of Morris County and the Daily

38
00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,080
Record newspapers, through posting on

39
00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,720
the town website, and by filing copy of

40
00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:12,720
the same with the town clerk.

41
00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:14,080
Members of the public were also

42
00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,960
permitted to submit written comments

43
00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,640
prior to the meeting via mail or email,

44
00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:19,040
which may be summarized or read in their

45
00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,680
entirety during the public comment

46
00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:22,720
period. All public comments, whether

47
00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,800
during the public portion of the meeting

48
00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,520
or submitted beforehand, shall be

49
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,880
limited to no greater than 3 minutes in

50
00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,880
duration.

51
00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:30,080
Now, we'll move on to our

52
00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:32,040
administrator and committee reports,

53
00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:33,000
starting with Town Administrator Neil

54
00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,600
Henry.

55
00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:36,200
» Thank you, mayor. Highlights from the

56
00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,800
administrator's office for the time

57
00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:40,760
period of June 1st through today that

58
00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:43,480
are not included on your agenda are the

59
00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:45,240
following. I've begun the transition

60
00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:47,440
planning on all projects being handled

61
00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:50,200
by the current town administrator to the

62
00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:52,040
new incoming town administrator. I did

63
00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,920
have the occasion to attend a mandated

64
00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,040
court appearance last week on a personal

65
00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,200
matter.

66
00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,880
I would like to announce the

67
00:01:56,200 --> 00:02:01,880
installation of 14 safety sticks on Main

68
00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:04,040
Street beginning in July. This is new

69
00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:06,440
equipment being tested to help enforce

70
00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:07,880
parking laws already in place.

71
00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:10,000
The safety sticks are solar

72
00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:12,680
solar-powered with radar technology to

73
00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:15,600
detect and document vehicles illegally

74
00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:17,320
parked in no parking zones. Photographic

75
00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,000
evidence of each violation will be

76
00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:22,160
reviewed by the Boonton Police

77
00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,560
Department personnel and if warranted, a

78
00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,480
violation will be mailed to the

79
00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,360
registered vehicle owner.

80
00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,800
Safety stick personnel will not have

81
00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:31,000
access to the Department of Motor

82
00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,440
Vehicles DMV records.

83
00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:36,000
Any DMV record searches necessary for

84
00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,880
enforcement purposes will be conducted

85
00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:40,080
slowly by authorized Boonton Police

86
00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:42,000
Department personnel and tomorrow

87
00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:45,160
morning we will begin sharing the safety

88
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,920
stick information on our website. Phase

89
00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:49,400
two of the town's veteran banner program

90
00:02:46,920 --> 00:02:51,800
is now complete. I'm happy to report

91
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:53,600
there are over 100 banners that are up.

92
00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:55,080
Phase three will commence in January for

93
00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:57,280
the next round.

94
00:02:55,080 --> 00:03:00,120
And this afternoon I our new

95
00:02:57,280 --> 00:03:02,560
superintendent Eric Orr, our new DPW

96
00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:05,320
superintendent Eric Orr and I met with

97
00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:07,280
members of the OEM team to update each

98
00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,200
other on best practices moving forward

99
00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:11,120
on storm management. That concludes my

100
00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:12,400
report this evening.

101
00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:15,160
» Thank you. Any comments or questions for

102
00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:15,160
Mr. Henry?

103
00:03:15,920 --> 00:03:17,640
Seeing none, we'll move on to finance

104
00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:18,480
and personnel.

105
00:03:17,640 --> 00:03:20,400
» Council member Weisman.

106
00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:22,040
» Thank you, Mayor. In our last couple of

107
00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:25,239
meetings we've gone over a number of the

108
00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:27,040
change orders that are in this agenda as

109
00:03:25,239 --> 00:03:28,920
well as continuing work on closing out

110
00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,600
the last budget issues

111
00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:33,120
including salary. There's some in this,

112
00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:35,120
there'll be some other additional salary

113
00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:39,160
ordinances in our next at our next

114
00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:40,440
meeting. And continuing some of the

115
00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:43,600
other projects that the committee is

116
00:03:40,440 --> 00:03:45,480
working on, but our most our most timely

117
00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:46,880
stuff we really been focused on lately

118
00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:48,760
is all represented in this agenda, these

119
00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,000
change orders that we take.

120
00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:52,040
» Thank you. Any comments or questions

121
00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:53,239
from Council member Weisman? Seeing

122
00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,760
none, we'll move on to police committee.

123
00:03:53,239 --> 00:03:57,360
Council member Cascone.

124
00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:59,920
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

125
00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:02,160
Police Committee met on June 9th. We had

126
00:03:59,920 --> 00:04:05,200
a wonderfully productive meeting.

127
00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:07,240
We can confirm that the camera project

128
00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:09,400
for Boonton has been funded. This will

129
00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,240
provide cameras in

130
00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,080
um

131
00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:15,959
areas such as Canalside Park, Peabe Park

132
00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:17,760
and Main Street. The speed signs for

133
00:04:15,959 --> 00:04:19,840
Washington Street, Morris Avenue,

134
00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:23,000
Vreeland and Oak Street are being

135
00:04:19,840 --> 00:04:24,400
installed this week. So, keep an eye out

136
00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,720
for those.

137
00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:29,400
Um

138
00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:33,080
There was an accreditation board meeting

139
00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,840
last week on the 11th with Chief Patanik

140
00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:38,440
um

141
00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:40,200
and uh Captain Lamandri went to or

142
00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:40,840
Oh, Lieutenant Mondino.

143
00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,720
Um

144
00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:44,400
and

145
00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:45,919
it was it went well.

146
00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,400
It went well? That's fantastic. That's

147
00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:49,568
what we want to hear.

148
00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,568
Uh [laughter]

149
00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:54,800
Uh there was a discussion about the Tone

150
00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:59,040
Road and

151
00:04:54,800 --> 00:05:00,800
287 North intersection to see if we can

152
00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,240
um

153
00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:04,360
remediate some of the issues that have

154
00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:07,240
had with the residents of Tone Road. I

155
00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:08,720
can confirm that the street painting for

156
00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,919
287

157
00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:12,600
that indicates that 287 ramp is not

158
00:05:10,919 --> 00:05:15,040
visible. It is gone.

159
00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,880
So, that needs to be redone.

160
00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:19,960
Um but that is something that we are

161
00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:23,320
taking seriously and looking into. Um

162
00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:25,680
There was a discussion about

163
00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:28,120
um left-hand turn issues for Division

164
00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,000
and Main. This is also being looked into

165
00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:33,560
and we will have further information

166
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:37,080
later. Um one last thing is there is a

167
00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:39,120
summer camp that is being um

168
00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:41,400
held for the sixth graders of John Hill

169
00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:44,320
School. This is being run by Officer

170
00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:45,960
Hopkins. We have about 26 sixth graders

171
00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,320
that will be attending and I'm sure that

172
00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:48,720
they will have

173
00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:49,760
week.

174
00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,160
And that concludes.

175
00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,360
» Thank you. Any comments or questions for

176
00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:54,320
Councilwoman Scotto?

177
00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:57,360
» I have a comment. I just want to also

178
00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:59,760
reinforce what um Neil said about the

179
00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:01,800
safety sticks. Um just want to make sure

180
00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,960
we have this documented and recorded.

181
00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:05,880
So, installation of the safety sticks

182
00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:09,240
will be um

183
00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:11,560
going on Main Street beginning of July.

184
00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:13,720
This is new equipment, but just reminder

185
00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:16,400
that it's new equipment, but it's it's

186
00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:18,919
it's being installed to enforce the

187
00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:21,240
already laws that have been in place.

188
00:06:18,919 --> 00:06:25,000
Safety sticks will be solar-powered with

189
00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:28,120
radar uh with uh radar technology

190
00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:29,919
to detect um

191
00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,960
to detect the vehicles who which are

192
00:06:29,919 --> 00:06:35,120
illegally parked. Um photograph evidence

193
00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:38,080
will be sent to the Boonton Police and

194
00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:40,720
will be reviewed and warned

195
00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:42,720
and will be warranted

196
00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:45,080
if a vio- if if there is a violation

197
00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:46,480
will be mailed to the um

198
00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,080
the offender.

199
00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:51,120
Safety stick personnel will not have

200
00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:52,640
access to DMV records and any DMV

201
00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:54,919
records searches necessary for

202
00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,680
enforcement purposes will be conducted

203
00:06:54,919 --> 00:06:58,960
solely by authorized Boonton Police

204
00:06:56,680 --> 00:07:01,320
Department department.

205
00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:03,240
And tomorrow morning, like Neil said, we

206
00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:05,640
will be sharing this information on our

207
00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,919
web- website. So, take a look if you're

208
00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,400
interested in finding out more

209
00:07:06,919 --> 00:07:11,240
information on

210
00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:12,919
this new enforcement. Thank you.

211
00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,800
» Thank you.

212
00:07:12,919 --> 00:07:14,800
Moving on, I'm Planning Board,

213
00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:17,400
Councilwoman Mazur.

214
00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:19,680
» Yes, thank you, Mayor. So, the Planning

215
00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:22,680
Board met on June 10th

216
00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:25,240
and there was a discussion to revise uh

217
00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:26,360
the process of expedited waivers of site

218
00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:28,400
plan.

219
00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:32,400
So, just so I can explain this to you,

220
00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:35,120
it it's called an ES- a EWSP and it's a

221
00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:37,040
process which an ordinance does support,

222
00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:39,320
26-21,

223
00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:42,280
and it's allowed to expedite any kind of

224
00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:44,680
site plans for the B-1 district, which

225
00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:47,400
is the business district in Buellton at

226
00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:50,080
that would be Main Street. Um this

227
00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:54,280
expedite this expedited site waiver

228
00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:57,040
allows for B1 owners to make changes

229
00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:59,720
from their commercial uh businesses to

230
00:07:57,040 --> 00:08:02,080
residential or mixed-use.

231
00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:04,880
Um what the planning board wanted to be

232
00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:07,080
able to do is possibly have some

233
00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:10,520
oversight on this if that is possible

234
00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:12,360
because currently EWSPs are becoming

235
00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:15,960
more and more frequent. I believe we

236
00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:17,720
have three uh that that a committee has

237
00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,960
um taken in to take a look at to make

238
00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:22,760
sure that there are going to be no

239
00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:24,600
structural changes done to the outside

240
00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:26,040
of the building. It would be all done on

241
00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:28,640
the inside.

242
00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:30,320
So the question was should we have the

243
00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:32,240
planning board

244
00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,680
be an oversight committee for something

245
00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:35,800
like this. So that is that is something

246
00:08:34,680 --> 00:08:37,520
that the

247
00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:40,400
planning board is kind of tossing around

248
00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:42,159
and we're trying to figure that out. Um

249
00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,719
and the reason for that is is when

250
00:08:42,159 --> 00:08:45,200
you're going from a commercial space to

251
00:08:43,719 --> 00:08:47,880
a residential space, they want to make

252
00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:49,560
sure that there's no tiny living spaces.

253
00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:51,520
They want something appropriate if there

254
00:08:49,560 --> 00:08:53,920
is going to be residential.

255
00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:56,680
Uh the mayor did make a comment at that

256
00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:59,040
particular meeting and said residential

257
00:08:56,680 --> 00:09:02,120
businesses on Main Street are really not

258
00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:03,520
beneficial to our commercial

259
00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,640
um

260
00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,360
to our commercial businesses.

261
00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,320
The resi- the residential. Am I correct

262
00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:09,240
in saying that?

263
00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:10,000
» I said that.

264
00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:10,760
» All right.

265
00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:11,839
I Okay.

266
00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:12,080
» I'm happy to make a comment when you're

267
00:09:11,839 --> 00:09:13,800
done.

268
00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,320
» Okay, that's fine. I didn't I didn't

269
00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:16,520
want to I didn't want to speak for the

270
00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,280
mayor, but I I thought there was

271
00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:19,920
something like that. So

272
00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,640
um that's that is what's happening right

273
00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,920
now. There was a memo that was asked to

274
00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:23,640
be written

275
00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,400
um

276
00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:28,680
uh by Chris Colley. He works for

277
00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:30,640
topology and he'll be uh

278
00:09:28,680 --> 00:09:32,640
um addressing some of those concerns in

279
00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:34,760
moving commercial spaces into

280
00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:36,680
residential spaces with these types of

281
00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:38,320
applications.

282
00:09:36,680 --> 00:09:41,400
And that concludes my report.

283
00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:42,880
» Okay, I'll fill in a little bit. This uh

284
00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:44,280
process is pretty unique to Boonton.

285
00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,840
There's very few other towns that offer

286
00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:47,360
this and it was designed to streamline

287
00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:48,640
if if there's a commercial enterprise

288
00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,960
and they want to switch from one type of

289
00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,400
commercial enterprise to another type of

290
00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,560
commercial enterprise. So, they didn't

291
00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:54,680
have to go to planning board and take

292
00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:56,280
them months perhaps and and all kinds of

293
00:09:54,680 --> 00:09:59,120
fees. So, it was designed to streamline

294
00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:00,520
that. Uh in the last couple of years,

295
00:09:59,120 --> 00:10:02,120
there have been no additional

296
00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,360
residential units permitted other than

297
00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,920
ones that were grandfathered and they're

298
00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,040
now permitted. So, now we're seeing some

299
00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:11,000
changes from what was commercial space

300
00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:12,480
to residential space and we want to uh

301
00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,920
perhaps revisit, you know, what the

302
00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,800
residential standards are on our our

303
00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,640
Main Street and perhaps exclude the

304
00:10:15,800 --> 00:10:19,040
residential conversions from this

305
00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:21,200
process. We don't want to slow it down

306
00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:22,520
for commercial enterprise because if,

307
00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,640
you know, if there's a vacancy and it

308
00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,600
was a you know, a a deli and now it

309
00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,920
wants to be a restaurant, we want to you

310
00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,160
know, that to be as quick as possible.

311
00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:29,840
So,

312
00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:31,080
» That Maybe that

313
00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,200
» That was the correct comment. That was

314
00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:33,840
the correct comment. My my mistake.

315
00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:34,360
» Yes.

316
00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:34,800
» So,

317
00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:35,440
» Sorry.

318
00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:38,040
» Yes.

319
00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:40,080
» Clarify um

320
00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:41,839
that um these residential conversions

321
00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,760
are are restricted to second floor and

322
00:10:41,839 --> 00:10:44,320
above spaces. It's not street level,

323
00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,600
correct?

324
00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,240
» It's not street level or or basement, I

325
00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:50,040
don't think. So, I think it's

326
00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,680
» It I think one actually was

327
00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:54,120
semi-basement. It was basement in the

328
00:10:51,680 --> 00:10:55,680
front but walk out in the back. So,

329
00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,600
we're trying to have planning board uh

330
00:10:55,680 --> 00:10:59,320
review, you know, for years and years,

331
00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:00,600
probably decades, you couldn't do any

332
00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:02,320
additional residential. But now that we

333
00:11:00,600 --> 00:11:03,760
changed that, you know, perhaps this one

334
00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,839
fell through the cracks and we're going

335
00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,800
to make sure that there's planning board

336
00:11:04,839 --> 00:11:08,000
review or or that's a proposal, you

337
00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,480
know, has to come before this board for

338
00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:12,040
change in ordinance but we'd like to

339
00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:13,800
have uh planning board approval when it

340
00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:15,240
converts from commercial to residential.

341
00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,200
» And then that would come to this to the

342
00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,600
the governing body.

343
00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,440
» It's an ordinance, so yes, yeah.

344
00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,520
» So, I think

345
00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,000
» But I think it's going to initiate as a

346
00:11:20,520 --> 00:11:23,240
uh recommendation from the planning

347
00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:26,680
board.

348
00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,680
But we've seen three so far this year.

349
00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:31,200
Okay. Any other comments or questions?

350
00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:32,342
» I'm sorry. What was the name of this

351
00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,160
» That's you.

352
00:11:32,342 --> 00:11:34,280
» [laughter]

353
00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:37,440
» Expedited waiver.

354
00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:39,200
» Yes, an expedited waiver site plan.

355
00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:42,320
And there is a currently a committee of

356
00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:45,280
three, I believe, that that oversee this

357
00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:47,080
right now, and that's where those plans

358
00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:48,720
get looked at.

359
00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:50,960
You know, to make sure that they conform

360
00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:52,520
with zoning and things like that. But,

361
00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,880
to the mayor's point, we want to be able

362
00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:57,480
to possibly have oversight on it as a

363
00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:57,480
council.

364
00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:01,520
Anyone else?

365
00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:03,800
You have another question? Sure.

366
00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:06,200
» So, this would um

367
00:12:03,800 --> 00:12:08,160
expedite commercial to commercial,

368
00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,600
commercial to resident, and

369
00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:13,240
» No, no, no. It right now it allows, you

370
00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:15,320
know, if you meet certain criteria

371
00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:16,160
and there's no changes

372
00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,200
I don't know if change is the right

373
00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,080
word. Uh if you want to go commercial to

374
00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,000
commercial, you can do whatever you

375
00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:23,040
want. Right now, if you want a

376
00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:25,200
commercial to uh residential I assume as

377
00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:27,240
as long as whatever the the the code is

378
00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,680
for residential, you can do that. But, I

379
00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:29,760
think the planning board would like to

380
00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:31,480
have some oversight when it goes

381
00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,120
commercial to residential. But, we still

382
00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:36,440
want to have it be as streamlined as

383
00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,440
possible for commercial to commercial.

384
00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,560
Good?

385
00:12:40,463 --> 00:12:45,560
» [laughter]

386
00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:47,600
» All right. So, if if I have a commercial

387
00:12:45,560 --> 00:12:48,839
um on the second floor, and I now want

388
00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:49,640
to move that to residential, that's what

389
00:12:48,839 --> 00:12:51,480
we're speaking to.

390
00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:53,640
» You're permitted to, but we're trying to

391
00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:55,040
uh the what the planning board board

392
00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,280
would like to do is perhaps have

393
00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,960
planning board review before it's just

394
00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:58,520
automatic.

395
00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,000
» Got it.

396
00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:02,680
» And I think we also want to review the

397
00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,440
the standards for residential, because

398
00:13:02,680 --> 00:13:08,880
when we allow residential, we didn't

399
00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:08,880
address what minimum standards might be.

400
00:13:09,839 --> 00:13:13,120
Okay.

401
00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:14,880
You can go yet.

402
00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,600
All right.

403
00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,600
» You're fine.

404
00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:21,640
» So, I want you to understand.

405
00:13:18,680 --> 00:13:23,160
» So, and what was the So, what is the

406
00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,520
process now? Like, if I want to do

407
00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:26,280
commercial to residential, it's just

408
00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,480
like a like I to planning board, it has

409
00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:26,960
to

410
00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,040
» No, to

411
00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:29,560
» Not currently. Not currently. We're

412
00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,280
trying to remove the commercial

413
00:13:29,560 --> 00:13:32,120
residential to have that come before the

414
00:13:31,280 --> 00:13:34,080
planning board.

415
00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,040
» Okay.

416
00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,880
» For years and years and years you

417
00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,240
couldn't go to you couldn't add any

418
00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:38,840
additional residential on Main Street.

419
00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:40,760
» Got it.

420
00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:43,200
» And then we we passed the change the

421
00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:44,640
ordinance maybe 2 years ago that

422
00:13:43,200 --> 00:13:45,600
permitted that.

423
00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:47,560
But

424
00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,240
this expedited

425
00:13:47,560 --> 00:13:49,894
» Waiver waiver

426
00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:50,960
» Yes.

427
00:13:49,894 --> 00:13:53,600
» [laughter]

428
00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:55,200
» Wasn't existing before. So these

429
00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,600
commercial residential got caught up in

430
00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,240
that and I don't think that was the

431
00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,160
intent.

432
00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,760
» Okay.

433
00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,040
So Louisa, there's still a committee

434
00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:01,360
that reviews this.

435
00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:02,800
» Yes.

436
00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,160
» It just doesn't come before the planning

437
00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,040
board.

438
00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:05,240
» Okay.

439
00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:05,720
Okay.

440
00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,440
I think I got it.

441
00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:10,000
» I'm just going to give you a quiz so

442
00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,160
Next up

443
00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,480
Board of Education, Council member

444
00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,200
Cascone.

445
00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:16,400
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

446
00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:18,200
Uh Board of Education met on June

447
00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:20,760
evening of June 8th.

448
00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:22,240
Um

449
00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,040
Let's see.

450
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:26,840
Uh

451
00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:29,720
We wanted um was the uh last meeting

452
00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:31,440
that the uh student representatives um

453
00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,880
from Boonton High School and John Hill

454
00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,839
School were presenting to the Board of

455
00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:39,640
Education. So we'd like to congratulate

456
00:14:35,839 --> 00:14:43,120
Nicholas Fava and Ivana Rebello um for

457
00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:45,040
presenting um for John Hill School and

458
00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:47,240
Boonton High School respectively

459
00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:48,480
um all year. They did a fantastic job.

460
00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:50,080
It was

461
00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:53,000
and they got um little plaques. It was

462
00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,640
very nice for them to be um recognized.

463
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:56,120
» Good.

464
00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:58,600
» Um there was an AVID accomplishment

465
00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:01,960
presentation. So um I don't know how

466
00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:03,280
many people are aware of the um AVID

467
00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:05,080
um

468
00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:08,400
program that goes on within John Hill

469
00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:11,080
School and Boonton High School. Um

470
00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:13,839
Booton uh Booton is actually a national

471
00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:15,880
demonstration school for this program.

472
00:15:13,839 --> 00:15:18,360
So we have other schools that come to

473
00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:20,800
and other um board members from other

474
00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:24,040
districts that come to our school to see

475
00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:26,800
how to implement this program. So, out

476
00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:28,240
of um the schools in New Jersey,

477
00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:31,040
specifically for Boonton High School,

478
00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:32,640
Boonton is one of three total national

479
00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:34,200
demonstration schools within the state

480
00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:36,000
of New Jersey.

481
00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:38,760
Within the entire United States, we're

482
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:40,080
one of 207.

483
00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,400
This is

484
00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:43,520
honestly

485
00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,720
a a something

486
00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:47,680
that should be screamed from the

487
00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:49,760
rooftops for Boonton. We are, you know,

488
00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:51,840
we we are a demonstration school for

489
00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:54,800
this fantastic program that a lot of the

490
00:15:51,840 --> 00:15:56,840
students like to be in. It gives them

491
00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:56,840
um

492
00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:04,080
better understanding of how to work

493
00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:06,720
within colleges and to move forward with

494
00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:09,400
their greater academic

495
00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,400
um

496
00:16:09,560 --> 00:16:14,880
accomplishments. They learn how to take

497
00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:18,040
better notes. They

498
00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:19,720
they learn how to interview with people.

499
00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:22,360
They are interviewed by board members

500
00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:24,720
and how they like the AVID program and

501
00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:28,040
they are quite articulate. And our board

502
00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:30,400
members were extremely extremely proud

503
00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:32,400
of the students that were uh that taken

504
00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:33,600
part of the last demonstration that came

505
00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:36,560
to our school.

506
00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:38,240
Um so

507
00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,600
um

508
00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,280
There wasn't there wasn't a whole lot of

509
00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:44,839
this meeting. It was winding down for

510
00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:47,520
the school year. Um

511
00:16:44,839 --> 00:16:49,440
And there was a a bunch of personnel

512
00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,800
changes. That's all within the agenda.

513
00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,960
It's too much to mention here, but that

514
00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:56,880
agenda can be found on the Boonton Board

515
00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:58,360
of Ed website. Um I highly suggest that

516
00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:00,040
everyone take a look. It's very

517
00:16:58,360 --> 00:17:02,480
informative. Their meetings are also

518
00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:04,480
open to the public and on Zoom.

519
00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:06,000
So, if anybody has any questions,

520
00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:07,319
they're there as well.

521
00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,240
And

522
00:17:07,319 --> 00:17:11,680
um

523
00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:14,839
We they had their HIB self-assessment

524
00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:16,880
for the state. Each building scored a 77

525
00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:18,079
out of 78 and the state has accepted

526
00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:18,400
those ratings.

527
00:17:18,079 --> 00:17:19,199
» Thank you.

528
00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:20,480
» So.

529
00:17:19,199 --> 00:17:21,640
And that's it.

530
00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,400
» Any comments or questions?

531
00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:26,400
» I just one question which is when is

532
00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:28,040
graduation? Do you know?

533
00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:29,560
And if you don't

534
00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:32,000
I apologize.

535
00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:33,720
» It's on Monday for John Hill.

536
00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,320
» 23rd?

537
00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,040
» Week tomorrow.

538
00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,640
» For John Hill or for the high school is

539
00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:37,720
different, right?

540
00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,720
» Are they both the same day usually?

541
00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:40,720
» Oh, is it the same day?

542
00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:45,000
» Anyone else?

543
00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:46,400
Okay, next up Boonton Holmes Library.

544
00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:49,320
May be Mayor Lunch.

545
00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:51,680
Uh there was a meeting uh last Tuesday.

546
00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:53,680
Uh rather quick meeting that followed

547
00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:55,680
the the grand opening for the teen room,

548
00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:58,200
which was funded by a I believe about a

549
00:17:55,680 --> 00:18:00,320
$20,000 uh bequest from a member of the

550
00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:02,560
Cerbo Lumber family and they used

551
00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:03,880
basically all of it for the uh

552
00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:06,720
for the teen room.

553
00:18:03,880 --> 00:18:08,880
Um they're rolling out a potentially

554
00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:11,760
discount membership for our neighboring

555
00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:14,280
towns. Uh presently I think for $250 you

556
00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:16,120
can have access to all the uh county

557
00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,080
libraries all the municipal county

558
00:18:16,120 --> 00:18:21,120
libraries and Boonton uh Holmes Library

559
00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:22,800
is considering I I believe uh working on

560
00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:24,040
the plans to roll out perhaps Boonton

561
00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:25,600
Township doesn't have their own library

562
00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,440
for for a lesser fee just to use our

563
00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,480
library and our programs.

564
00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:31,920
And their audit's complete. Uh a couple

565
00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:33,240
minor uh things that the auditors found

566
00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,640
but nothing significant. So I think

567
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:36,040
they're pleased with that.

568
00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,720
And that's my report. Any comments or

569
00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:40,280
questions?

570
00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:42,720
» Uh I would like to say that um Thea and

571
00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:45,040
I attended the ribbon cutting for the

572
00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:46,800
teen room and it is it was lovely.

573
00:18:45,040 --> 00:18:48,960
» It was a wonderful event. The space is

574
00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,920
fantastic. I love what they've done.

575
00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:54,760
It's it was really well done.

576
00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:57,360
» Almost 100% funded by a a bequest from a

577
00:18:54,760 --> 00:18:57,360
former resident.

578
00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:00,080
Moving on, Parks and Rec. Councilwoman

579
00:18:59,040 --> 00:19:01,840
Meaney.

580
00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:03,600
» Thank you, Mayor. Um unfortunately we

581
00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:05,520
were not able to meet in June. We did

582
00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:07,640
not um have a quorum. A number of people

583
00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,960
were out of town. So uh no major

584
00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,520
updates.

585
00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:13,840
Our resident uh Rec Director Tracy Prior

586
00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:16,360
is also our resident weather guru. She

587
00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:19,560
was uh quick on the draw of canceling

588
00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:21,000
last uh or rescheduling last Friday's uh

589
00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:24,040
movie. It's going to be moved to next

590
00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:25,800
week on the 24th. So, it'll be at Grace

591
00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:27,720
Lord Park. Come on out.

592
00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:30,120
Enjoy a good time. Um some work has been

593
00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:31,400
done up at Peppy. The uh gazebo was

594
00:19:30,120 --> 00:19:32,480
power washed, some of the holes were

595
00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,800
filled.

596
00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:36,760
Um so, it's freshly redone. So, that's

597
00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:37,880
going to be look nice. Uh

598
00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:40,800
there's some gate issues go up there

599
00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:42,560
that's underway and um

600
00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:44,320
Councilmember Cascone, I love hearing

601
00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:47,040
that the cameras are finally going up in

602
00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:48,440
Canalside Park and Peppy. Um there's a

603
00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:50,680
lot of work, a lot of expenses that are

604
00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:52,760
going up there and having some eyes on

605
00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:55,800
it to slow down, prevent vandalism would

606
00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:56,640
be go a long way. So, all good news.

607
00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:57,800
Thank you.

608
00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:58,680
» Thank you. Any comments or questions,

609
00:19:57,800 --> 00:19:59,920
Councilmember Mean?

610
00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,600
» I have a question for Councilmember

611
00:19:59,920 --> 00:20:04,640
Mean. The uh misting flowers in Peppy

612
00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:08,600
Park, I understand that they were not

613
00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:09,840
winterized correctly and are currently

614
00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:11,720
inoperable?

615
00:20:09,840 --> 00:20:15,360
» That's correct. I Tracy, would do we

616
00:20:11,720 --> 00:20:15,360
have a plan to get those fixed? Did

617
00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:21,800
» Okay.

618
00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:23,080
» Uh it is not going to be replaced.

619
00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:25,640
There was something happening during

620
00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:27,920
winterization, I believe. Uh that's kind

621
00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:30,400
of the word and the answer I'm getting.

622
00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:33,040
So, unfortunately, we're in the process

623
00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:34,120
of finding someone that can come in and

624
00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:36,080
fix that.

625
00:20:34,120 --> 00:20:37,840
But, they they will be done. They are

626
00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:39,240
working on it. I

627
00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,840
can't tell you how quick it's going to

628
00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:41,760
get done now, but I expect it to be

629
00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,400
done.

630
00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,920
It's going to take some time.

631
00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:45,960
» Okay.

632
00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:47,789
Thank you.

633
00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:49,809
» It'll be done in time to winterize them.

634
00:20:47,789 --> 00:20:49,809
» [laughter]

635
00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:51,480
» Anyone else?

636
00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:52,520
» Thank you.

637
00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:55,720
» Okay, moving on. Fire Department,

638
00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:55,720
Councilmember DeVaney.

639
00:20:56,480 --> 00:20:58,920
» Fire Department, let me find my notes

640
00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,800
here.

641
00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:01,560
Um

642
00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,400
Uh

643
00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:05,960
So, the Boonville Fire Department

644
00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:08,880
celebrated their 135th anniversary with

645
00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:10,400
a picnic and a group photo on the 31st

646
00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:13,520
of May. I will tell you I was not able

647
00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,680
to attend that, but boy it smelled good.

648
00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:15,760
Um

649
00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,240
uh

650
00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:20,840
in the month of May they responded to 38

651
00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:25,520
calls of varying types for an additional

652
00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:26,880
14 of mutual aid. Um two of note uh that

653
00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,920
are outside of the month of May is

654
00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:31,040
earlier this month uh in the middle of

655
00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:33,280
the night our fire department was called

656
00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:36,280
out with three alarm fire in Denville uh

657
00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:38,240
which seriously damaged a cafe

658
00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:39,680
on West Main Street. Um there were a

659
00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,560
number of other departments that were

660
00:21:39,680 --> 00:21:43,720
called out to that fire and and you

661
00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:46,080
know, it's just an example of of how

662
00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:48,520
important mutual aid is in in in all

663
00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:51,320
these towns that that um have volunteer

664
00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:52,640
fire departments in addition. Um they

665
00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:55,080
were called out to a fire in Mountain

666
00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:56,640
Lakes just yesterday, a house fire. Um

667
00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:58,960
you know, that was knocked down fairly

668
00:21:56,640 --> 00:22:00,080
quickly and thankfully no serious

669
00:21:58,960 --> 00:22:02,280
injuries considering that there was a

670
00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:06,080
party going on at the house at the time.

671
00:22:02,280 --> 00:22:07,040
Um and uh

672
00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:08,920
there was one other thing that I was

673
00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:13,120
going to say and now it's on my brain.

674
00:22:08,920 --> 00:22:14,800
So, that concludes my report and uh

675
00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:16,440
Oh yeah, there there

676
00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:18,760
Nope, it's

677
00:22:16,440 --> 00:22:20,040
word up, you know, uh

678
00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:22,760
mark your calendars for the Labor Day

679
00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:23,840
parade and the carnival.

680
00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:26,520
» Are there any comments or questions for

681
00:22:23,840 --> 00:22:28,440
Council member Devenezia?

682
00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:29,720
Seeing none, we'll move on

683
00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:31,880
to tonight's [clears throat] main event,

684
00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,200
presentation from Boonton Main Street on

685
00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:35,760
the the work they're doing at Town

686
00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:35,760
Square Park.

687
00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,760
» There's a microphone that may or may not

688
00:22:44,360 --> 00:22:46,760
be on.

689
00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:50,400
Do we have an easel?

690
00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:58,680
» There's a mic in front of you too,

691
00:22:58,080 --> 00:23:00,200
Frank.

692
00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,600
» Okay.

693
00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,840
You said You said it was at the bottom

694
00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,840
of the note.

695
00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:06,920
It's possible that

696
00:23:07,120 --> 00:23:11,880
» All right. Okay.

697
00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:11,880
I want

698
00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:14,760
» Everybody

699
00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:16,320
Hello.

700
00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:18,000
» You can take the mic out if you want to.

701
00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:18,960
» Sure.

702
00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:21,000
Okay.

703
00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:23,000
My name is Mandy DeNezio. I'm a resident

704
00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,200
of Boonton and I'm here with my team who

705
00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:27,640
I'll introduce shortly. We were asked to

706
00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:29,160
give a informational overview of the

707
00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,720
project that we're doing at Canal Side

708
00:23:29,160 --> 00:23:33,040
Park. So, that's what we're here for.

709
00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:34,800
Um we really have just prepared a

710
00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:36,840
general presentation. So, if there are

711
00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:38,360
questions or things that kind of go

712
00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,880
outside of that scope, we'll just ask

713
00:23:38,360 --> 00:23:42,800
that we can get back to you with any uh

714
00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:44,920
formal responses, but this is supposed

715
00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:46,120
to be like an informal informational

716
00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:49,040
overview.

717
00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:50,920
Um so, what it is Um if you could go to

718
00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:53,160
the next slide and my friend Neil's

719
00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:54,960
going to be There we go. Um so, it's an

720
00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,640
effort spearheaded by the Boonton Main

721
00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:59,000
Street Design Committee to reclaim the

722
00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:01,280
green spaces of Canal Side Park and

723
00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:04,280
convert them into stunning native and

724
00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:07,160
non-invasive gardens. So, where? The

725
00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:09,480
area in uh scope of the project is along

726
00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:11,040
the Main Street side of the park within

727
00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:12,640
the stone retaining wall. You can see

728
00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:14,440
part of it here.

729
00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:16,120
Thank you, Frankie. That you can see

730
00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:18,120
zone one there. It's the area that's

731
00:24:16,120 --> 00:24:20,960
inside the retaining wall.

732
00:24:18,120 --> 00:24:22,560
Um it's going to be divided into zones.

733
00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:25,000
Um we're going to complete one zone at a

734
00:24:22,560 --> 00:24:27,080
time cuz it's a really long park.

735
00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,880
Um and why are we doing it? The park is

736
00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,640
currently overgrown with invasive

737
00:24:28,880 --> 00:24:32,920
species, which is both bad for the

738
00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:35,480
environment and bad for Boonton,

739
00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:37,560
creating beautiful natural seasonal

740
00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:39,640
displays will draw visitors and

741
00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:41,640
revitalize interest in this incredible

742
00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:43,880
park while restoring areas targeted by

743
00:24:41,640 --> 00:24:46,640
the whole Highlands Coalition and

744
00:24:43,880 --> 00:24:47,880
providing a healthier ecosystem. So,

745
00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:50,080
when?

746
00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:52,720
Starting in summer 2025 and running

747
00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:55,000
through at least 2028. The park has a

748
00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:56,920
very long footprint. It's a It's about a

749
00:24:55,000 --> 00:24:59,720
thousand linear feet. So, as I said,

750
00:24:56,920 --> 00:25:01,920
we're going to work on it in zones, and

751
00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:03,640
the idea is that we can kind of focus

752
00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:05,640
and deliver

753
00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:07,400
like zone by zone

754
00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,680
to the residents of Boonton year after

755
00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:11,040
year, so it's like something happening

756
00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:13,680
every year.

757
00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:15,680
Um so, the goal for 2026 is to

758
00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:17,400
reclaim the area of the park adjacent to

759
00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:20,520
the Plane Street parking lot, which we

760
00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:22,320
are referring to as zone one. And who

761
00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:24,520
So, I'm Madigan Easy. I'm the leader of

762
00:25:22,320 --> 00:25:27,120
the Boonton Main Street

763
00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:28,680
um design team. I've got Frankie

764
00:25:27,120 --> 00:25:30,320
McDonald's here, who's a design

765
00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,800
committee member and a Main Street

766
00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:34,800
business owner.

767
00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:37,080
Um our subject matter expert, Daryl

768
00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:40,440
Jones, he is a former Boonton resident

769
00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:42,720
and um Morris County park employee. And

770
00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:45,080
um our another subject matter expert is

771
00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:47,160
Kyle DeVecchio. He's a Boonton resident

772
00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:50,080
and a landscape architect. So, you can

773
00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:51,680
see we've got a lot of brainpower and um

774
00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:53,560
I also want to give a huge thank you and

775
00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:55,520
recognition to Natalie Spingold, who's

776
00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:57,360
the leader of the Boonton Main Street

777
00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:59,560
and has given us a tremendous amount of

778
00:25:57,360 --> 00:26:03,200
support. And a thank you to Tracy Prior,

779
00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:04,040
who has enabled us to do this project.

780
00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:05,760
Um

781
00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:07,480
So,

782
00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,800
how uh this is going to be a

783
00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,200
volunteer-led effort, so BMS design

784
00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:13,640
committee will take responsibility to

785
00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:16,240
secure all the resources that we need.

786
00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:18,520
We had an initial budget of $5,000 from

787
00:26:16,240 --> 00:26:20,640
BMS and have been awarded 3,000

788
00:26:18,520 --> 00:26:23,520
additional dollars from the Highland

789
00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:27,120
Coalition, allowing us to continue in

790
00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:29,560
2026. Um we received permission from the

791
00:26:27,120 --> 00:26:32,200
town via Tracy Prior on June 10th of

792
00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:33,920
last year, and we have a certificate of

793
00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:35,960
insurance in place and have been working

794
00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:37,680
ever since. So, here's an overview of

795
00:26:35,960 --> 00:26:39,720
the project and what we've accomplished

796
00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:41,400
in just over a year.

797
00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:44,120
So, if you could scroll a little bit,

798
00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:45,200
yeah. So, step one, I'm going to turn it

799
00:26:44,120 --> 00:26:46,600
over to Daryl.

800
00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:47,680
» Sure.

801
00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:49,560
Thank you.

802
00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:51,200
Uh

803
00:26:49,560 --> 00:26:53,440
Yeah, um

804
00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:55,200
So, uh I came into this as a natural

805
00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,800
resource manager for the Morris County

806
00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:59,040
Park Commission. So, we have some nearby

807
00:26:56,800 --> 00:27:02,040
properties, Tourne County Park, Pyramid

808
00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:04,800
Mountain, just up the road. Um invasive

809
00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:07,640
species management is a um

810
00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:10,600
growing effort and a necessary part of

811
00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:12,480
manage managing our natural areas. Um

812
00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:14,280
and there's been an increased

813
00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:17,440
importance on managing those spaces in

814
00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:20,640
between urban parks, green spaces, and

815
00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:22,840
really any opportunity that we can um to

816
00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:25,680
eliminate emerging invasive populations

817
00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:27,800
and promote native plants specifically,

818
00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:29,400
um you know, is why I really came on

819
00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:31,840
board here. So,

820
00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:33,640
uh when we came into this project, um

821
00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:37,480
the first step was kind of identifying

822
00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:40,560
which species were on site. Um coming up

823
00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:43,040
with a a schedule, um different ones

824
00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:45,680
require a different timeline for control

825
00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:48,440
methods um to give us the best chance to

826
00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:50,160
economically kind of um set the stage

827
00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:52,800
for the native plants and the

828
00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:54,960
wildflowers and um beautification that

829
00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:57,520
we want to do following up. So,

830
00:27:54,960 --> 00:28:00,000
uh we could go to the next slide there.

831
00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:02,240
Um so, we identified a list of uh

832
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:04,320
species in zone one. Uh there are some

833
00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:05,880
additional species that we've identified

834
00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:08,480
further down the line that will will

835
00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:10,160
update this list as we go. Um I won't go

836
00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,960
through all these, obviously, but uh

837
00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:13,720
I'll just highlight a couple.

838
00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:16,360
Uh there's some really aggressive vine

839
00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:18,800
species. So, um

840
00:28:16,360 --> 00:28:20,920
invasive species for those of you who

841
00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:22,400
aren't familiar or just as a reminder,

842
00:28:20,920 --> 00:28:23,480
um they're

843
00:28:22,400 --> 00:28:25,920
uh species that have been been

844
00:28:23,480 --> 00:28:28,480
introduced outside their natural range.

845
00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:31,120
Uh and in terms of plant species, they

846
00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:33,520
can become super aggressive and inhibit

847
00:28:31,120 --> 00:28:37,000
native plant growth and disrupt local

848
00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:38,800
ecosystems. Uh and in this case, um the

849
00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:42,000
invasive vines that are growing in Canal

850
00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:44,800
Side Park really inhibited um zero

851
00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:46,640
native plant regeneration. Uh so, we

852
00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:49,160
really needed to wipe the slate clean

853
00:28:46,640 --> 00:28:49,960
and give us a nice

854
00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:52,720
uh

855
00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:55,160
planting um slate to kind of build off

856
00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:56,840
of. Uh so, black swallow-wort and

857
00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:59,120
Japanese honeysuckle were really the

858
00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:01,400
main targets here that were growing as

859
00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:05,720
one large monoculture across the whole

860
00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:08,720
site um that we really had to uh

861
00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:10,640
uh reset completely. Um so, we'll get

862
00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:12,000
get to how we did that in a second. Uh

863
00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:13,520
and just one other one that I wanted to

864
00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:16,800
note, you may have heard of tree of

865
00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:19,000
heaven or Ailanthus altissima. Um that's

866
00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:20,640
the preferred host tree species for the

867
00:29:19,000 --> 00:29:23,080
spotted lanternfly.

868
00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:25,040
Uh and so, that was growing uh and still

869
00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,800
is growing in large number throughout

870
00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:29,600
Canal Side Park and some of the adjacent

871
00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:31,200
properties. Um especially the small

872
00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:33,880
trees that are growing out of that

873
00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:36,360
sloped section can support thousands of

874
00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:38,920
the little nymphs that then will uh

875
00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:40,320
emerge um later on in the summer, grow

876
00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:43,760
into the adults that we see flying

877
00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:45,960
around uh Main Street. So, um so, that's

878
00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:48,440
kind of uh our approach to this uh

879
00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:49,880
invasive species um control that we

880
00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:53,520
started last year.

881
00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:54,640
Uh and if we go to the next slide,

882
00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:56,440
um

883
00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:58,840
so, these are a couple just example

884
00:29:56,440 --> 00:30:01,760
photos of how um

885
00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:04,680
some of these species uh

886
00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:07,280
and we can go to one more slide.

887
00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:08,920
Uh so, really there's usually a a

888
00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:12,040
combination of approaches that you have

889
00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:13,840
to do um when controlling invasives.

890
00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:16,920
Uh usually it's a multi-year effort.

891
00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:20,160
It's always better to be um extra

892
00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:22,280
diligent early on and try to get um

893
00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:24,560
uh exhaust the seed bank that may be in

894
00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:26,520
the soil. Uh so, we really wanted to

895
00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:28,920
spend the whole first year really

896
00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:30,120
removing as many invasives as we could

897
00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:31,800
and introduce a little bit of

898
00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:35,400
competition um

899
00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:37,320
to the space as well. So, uh to minimize

900
00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:40,000
the use of herbicides, we really

901
00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:42,400
emphasized mechanical control methods um

902
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:44,800
Um, and uh ended up going with a

903
00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:47,000
solarization technique, uh, which I

904
00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:50,160
think we do have a a slide that shows

905
00:30:47,000 --> 00:30:51,120
what that looks like. Um, it consists of

906
00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:54,080
dre uh,

907
00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:56,480
fixing thick plastic clear tarps over

908
00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:58,440
the entire slope after we went through

909
00:30:56,480 --> 00:31:01,760
with hedge trimmers and cut everything

910
00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:05,080
back. Um, this uses the power of the sun

911
00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:07,760
to just basically cook everything even

912
00:31:05,080 --> 00:31:09,440
through the soil and um, and sometimes

913
00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:11,680
it can actually exhaust the seeds that

914
00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:13,120
are underneath. Uh, but again, this is

915
00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:15,920
something that we've had to do two

916
00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:18,000
summers now. Um, we're really taking a a

917
00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:20,480
thorough approach and Frankie has been

918
00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:23,600
instrumental in getting that uh, on on

919
00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:24,760
schedule, so. Um, do we have a slide of

920
00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:27,680
the

921
00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:29,120
next slide? Okay.

922
00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:31,200
Yeah, I don't think I'll pass back to

923
00:31:29,120 --> 00:31:32,960
Amanda for it this point, but

924
00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:35,360
» Thank you. Thank you, Daryl. He's got

925
00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:37,200
all the technical knowledge. Um, and

926
00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:38,560
then as far as then what's next is we

927
00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:40,560
get to plant it up, which is very

928
00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:42,240
exciting. So, I'd like to give a

929
00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:44,120
disclaimer. It's going to look worse

930
00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:46,760
before it gets better. You have to trust

931
00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:48,600
the process. So, we had to, you know,

932
00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:50,080
solarize and add the tarps, which might

933
00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:51,600
not be the most beautiful thing, but

934
00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:53,760
just wait until you see what that

935
00:31:51,600 --> 00:31:56,120
enables. So, if you go to the next

936
00:31:53,760 --> 00:31:59,200
slide, um,

937
00:31:56,120 --> 00:32:01,960
this is our current state. So, we have

938
00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:04,960
we, Frankie primarily, and [laughter] a

939
00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:07,080
few other people have really removed a

940
00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:08,960
lot of the invasive species there and we

941
00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:10,400
all work together to put the tarps on.

942
00:32:08,960 --> 00:32:12,880
The section in the middle what we had

943
00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:15,880
the tarp on all summer last year. And

944
00:32:12,880 --> 00:32:17,800
then once the tarp came off, we were

945
00:32:15,880 --> 00:32:19,640
able to plant rye seeds and what that

946
00:32:17,800 --> 00:32:22,200
does is stabilize the soil so it doesn't

947
00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:24,000
erode and it also blocks some of the

948
00:32:22,200 --> 00:32:25,800
native spe- or invasive species from

949
00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:27,840
coming back. So, right now this is what

950
00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:29,920
it looks like and then we're going to

951
00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:31,600
talk about where it's headed and I'll

952
00:32:29,920 --> 00:32:34,280
have my friend Kyle take us through

953
00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:36,480
that, but go one more slide.

954
00:32:34,280 --> 00:32:38,400
Um, again, yeah, about 90% of the zone

955
00:32:36,480 --> 00:32:40,360
has been at least remediated, so we have

956
00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:42,320
the rye grass growing there now. It's

957
00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:44,360
like a temporary measure, and when we

958
00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:46,160
when we're ready to plant for real,

959
00:32:44,360 --> 00:32:48,800
we'll remove the rye grass.

960
00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:51,840
And then you can go one more.

961
00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:53,320
So, the vision. So, uh what inspired

962
00:32:51,840 --> 00:32:55,320
this all?

963
00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:57,400
Um you can go one more. There's

964
00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:59,440
beautiful public gardens like you see

965
00:32:57,400 --> 00:33:00,680
the one on the left is

966
00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:02,640
um

967
00:33:00,680 --> 00:33:03,400
by Piet Oudolf, who actually Rosemary

968
00:33:02,640 --> 00:33:06,120
has

969
00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:08,720
introduced us to. He's done the um

970
00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:10,400
Highline Highline gardens in New York

971
00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:12,640
that you see up all along the Highline.

972
00:33:10,400 --> 00:33:13,840
He also did um

973
00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:15,360
He didn't do this, actually. Somebody

974
00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:17,080
else did it, but the native plant garden

975
00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:18,880
at the New York Botanical Gardens at the

976
00:33:17,080 --> 00:33:20,400
top right. It's incredible. I highly

977
00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:23,040
recommend you go. Some of the

978
00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:25,080
inspiration for our project. But then we

979
00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:26,600
took that and we handed it over to Kyle

980
00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,720
cuz Kyle's actually a landscape

981
00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:31,400
architect, and he's been donating all of

982
00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:34,840
his services for free to design this um

983
00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:34,840
park. So, thank you, Kyle.

984
00:33:35,040 --> 00:33:37,320
» Hi.

985
00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:40,043
» All right. Don't worry, I'll send my

986
00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:41,080
bill later. Um

987
00:33:40,043 --> 00:33:43,200
» [laughter]

988
00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:45,280
» Uh so, the plan is pretty simple. Uh as

989
00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:47,160
you can see in the aerial photo, uh it's

990
00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,160
an area that backs up uh a lot of

991
00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:50,440
community events in the area. Obviously,

992
00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,680
that's the farmers market that we're

993
00:33:50,440 --> 00:33:53,080
looking at now.

994
00:33:51,680 --> 00:33:55,240
Uh so, it would be great to get a nice

995
00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:56,760
backdrop for that area. Um

996
00:33:55,240 --> 00:33:57,840
again, like I said, the plan is is

997
00:33:56,760 --> 00:34:00,480
pretty straightforward. We're going to

998
00:33:57,840 --> 00:34:02,600
stick with woodland edge line plantings

999
00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:05,040
along the borders. Uh so, on the left

1000
00:34:02,600 --> 00:34:06,280
where the trees are thicker and heavier,

1001
00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:08,760
we're going to stick with things that

1002
00:34:06,280 --> 00:34:11,280
dwell in the shade, uh tolerate dry

1003
00:34:08,760 --> 00:34:12,399
soil, and are are zone hardy.

1004
00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:14,120
Uh again, everything we're going to do

1005
00:34:12,399 --> 00:34:15,720
is is native planting. That's the big

1006
00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:17,040
emphasis right now, which is a nice

1007
00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:19,520
change of pace from what I deal with in

1008
00:34:17,040 --> 00:34:21,720
my day-to-day life. Uh everybody wants

1009
00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:23,159
to design a a hydrangea and boxwood

1010
00:34:21,720 --> 00:34:25,320
garden. So, to do something that gets

1011
00:34:23,159 --> 00:34:27,360
back to local natives and fauna is

1012
00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:28,919
really uh is exciting for me.

1013
00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:30,280
Uh same goes for the right side of the

1014
00:34:28,919 --> 00:34:32,320
project. You'll note that there's a a of

1015
00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:33,760
shade coming off of a a structure over

1016
00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,600
there. So again, it's going to

1017
00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:37,960
accommodate a more

1018
00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:39,040
shade heavy planting. As we move towards

1019
00:34:37,960 --> 00:34:40,879
the middle of the project, there's going

1020
00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:42,679
to be two main swaths. Everything is

1021
00:34:40,879 --> 00:34:44,280
going to be planted in in mass. So

1022
00:34:42,679 --> 00:34:47,520
there's going to be, you know, figure 5,

1023
00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:49,000
10, 15 of each plant to generate a zone

1024
00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:50,200
of interest. Um

1025
00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:52,320
And we've worked really hard to make

1026
00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:54,360
sure that everything that we plant is

1027
00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:55,520
going to bloom at a different time. So

1028
00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:57,040
we're going to have constant interest

1029
00:34:55,520 --> 00:34:58,520
throughout the year. Even when we get to

1030
00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,640
the fall and winter months, we'll have

1031
00:34:58,520 --> 00:35:01,960
things like the fragrant sumac, which

1032
00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:03,920
even though it doesn't

1033
00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:06,120
give off the most beautiful flowers, it

1034
00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:07,320
does have a beautiful red foliage. So

1035
00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:08,680
things that are going to constantly go

1036
00:35:07,320 --> 00:35:10,840
off. You know, we'll go from one flower

1037
00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:12,200
to the next and generate more interest.

1038
00:35:10,840 --> 00:35:14,360
But to get back to the the central

1039
00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:16,120
layout, we're going to move from sort of

1040
00:35:14,360 --> 00:35:18,080
a grassland area,

1041
00:35:16,120 --> 00:35:19,840
which will be, you know, swaths of

1042
00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:22,640
beautiful grasses, some tall things like

1043
00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:26,120
goldenrod, things that support local

1044
00:35:22,640 --> 00:35:29,040
wildlife, lots of butterfly uh

1045
00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:30,360
loving plants or vice versa, butterflies

1046
00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:32,240
that love the plants.

1047
00:35:30,360 --> 00:35:34,080
Uh and then as we move over to the to

1048
00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:36,720
the right side of it, we're going to do

1049
00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:38,560
specifically sort of a butterfly garden.

1050
00:35:36,720 --> 00:35:39,920
Uh we also envision an area along the

1051
00:35:38,560 --> 00:35:41,240
road where we might be able to get

1052
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:43,680
sculptures maybe from Broadfoot and

1053
00:35:41,240 --> 00:35:45,640
Maine or some local artists who we can

1054
00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:47,480
display in that area as well.

1055
00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:48,800
I think it's a great opportunity for,

1056
00:35:47,480 --> 00:35:52,640
you know, the community to to come

1057
00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:52,640
together and enjoy the space.

1058
00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:58,680
» You can keep going.

1059
00:35:56,000 --> 00:36:00,320
Did a very, you know, general idea of

1060
00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:02,520
what it might look like. This is the AI

1061
00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:04,000
generation, so please don't hold us to

1062
00:36:02,520 --> 00:36:05,640
it exactly.

1063
00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:08,360
Um but you get the idea of it's a little

1064
00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:10,360
bit wild, it's a little bit like

1065
00:36:08,360 --> 00:36:12,520
um carefree. It's not like a structured

1066
00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:14,480
garden, you know, that you see in

1067
00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:16,800
everyday homes. It's it's got a lot of

1068
00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:17,880
life to it and a lot of natural quality

1069
00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:20,520
to it.

1070
00:36:17,880 --> 00:36:23,800
You can keep going.

1071
00:36:20,520 --> 00:36:25,760
Just another look at the same idea.

1072
00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,600
You can keep going.

1073
00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:29,960
And then again, just want to reiterate,

1074
00:36:27,600 --> 00:36:32,480
it takes time. These species are very

1075
00:36:29,960 --> 00:36:34,400
stubborn, so we might be going back over

1076
00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:35,400
things a year later and then a year

1077
00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,960
later.

1078
00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:38,240
Um so, we do expect it to take several

1079
00:36:36,960 --> 00:36:41,400
years.

1080
00:36:38,240 --> 00:36:43,280
And then the next slide, please. Um

1081
00:36:41,400 --> 00:36:45,760
after we complete that, we want to keep

1082
00:36:43,280 --> 00:36:48,920
going. The goal is to just do the entire

1083
00:36:45,760 --> 00:36:51,880
thing. So, we will take this area and it

1084
00:36:48,920 --> 00:36:55,080
might not be exclusively natives, but it

1085
00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:56,800
will all be non-invasive plants. And you

1086
00:36:55,080 --> 00:36:59,480
can go ahead and go forward, Neil. We

1087
00:36:56,800 --> 00:37:03,080
want to turn it into like an evergreen

1088
00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:05,680
spring blooming forest. So, imagine

1089
00:37:03,080 --> 00:37:09,080
not hydrangeas. You got that in my head.

1090
00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:10,960
Rhododendron, mountain laurel, azaleas,

1091
00:37:09,080 --> 00:37:13,520
um things that all bloom in the spring,

1092
00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:14,920
but also stay green all year, so that is

1093
00:37:13,520 --> 00:37:18,000
just always something beautiful, but

1094
00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:20,000
there's this like burst in like May to

1095
00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:22,760
really generate interest. So, that would

1096
00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:24,440
be, you know, 2027 and beyond. We

1097
00:37:22,760 --> 00:37:26,880
haven't quite gotten there.

1098
00:37:24,440 --> 00:37:28,280
And then next slide.

1099
00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:30,560
And then so, how are we going to do it?

1100
00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:33,560
We do have a team. Um we have at least

1101
00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:35,080
five or six core members and then we're

1102
00:37:33,560 --> 00:37:37,120
definitely gaining a lot of interest

1103
00:37:35,080 --> 00:37:39,200
along the way. We do have monetary

1104
00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:41,920
support from BMS Main Street, so thank

1105
00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:44,120
you for that. We have our $3,000 grant

1106
00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:46,280
from the NJ Highlands Coalition and we

1107
00:37:44,120 --> 00:37:48,080
just completed our application to get

1108
00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:49,600
another one, so we're hoping, fingers

1109
00:37:48,080 --> 00:37:51,560
crossed, they like the progress and

1110
00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:53,640
they'll fund us again.

1111
00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:55,640
Um Kyle has been working on actually

1112
00:37:53,640 --> 00:37:57,720
obtaining water access from Boonton

1113
00:37:55,640 --> 00:38:02,160
Sewer and Water, so that's part of what

1114
00:37:57,720 --> 00:38:03,960
we want to um curry your support for is

1115
00:38:02,160 --> 00:38:05,520
they've offered to give us a meter on

1116
00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:08,400
the hydrant that's down there, so that

1117
00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:09,760
we can use it to water the gardens.

1118
00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:11,480
Um

1119
00:38:09,760 --> 00:38:13,400
we're looking for support from you guys,

1120
00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:14,680
just really from

1121
00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:18,800
a a

1122
00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:21,080
not emotional us you know, just support

1123
00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:22,440
generally and like the goodwill of so

1124
00:38:21,080 --> 00:38:24,640
that you guys feel like you're in the

1125
00:38:22,440 --> 00:38:27,720
know and like wanting to be a part of it

1126
00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:29,320
or and things like that. And just

1127
00:38:27,720 --> 00:38:31,360
patience because it is going to take

1128
00:38:29,320 --> 00:38:32,720
time. It It's going to take several

1129
00:38:31,360 --> 00:38:34,800
years to get through it, but we think

1130
00:38:32,720 --> 00:38:37,200
it'll be really cool at the end. So,

1131
00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:39,840
that's what we have.

1132
00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:39,840
» Thank you all.

1133
00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:45,320
Any questions?

1134
00:38:43,720 --> 00:38:48,040
How's that questions?

1135
00:38:45,320 --> 00:38:49,040
» I I just have maybe one or two.

1136
00:38:48,040 --> 00:38:50,440
» Let's go for it.

1137
00:38:49,040 --> 00:38:53,240
» Um

1138
00:38:50,440 --> 00:38:55,040
Question Question number one I think is

1139
00:38:53,240 --> 00:38:55,760
Kyle, is that your name? I I'm blanking

1140
00:38:55,040 --> 00:38:56,360
on people's names.

1141
00:38:55,760 --> 00:38:58,120
» That's okay.

1142
00:38:56,360 --> 00:39:00,520
» Um

1143
00:38:58,120 --> 00:39:02,560
how much maintenance is this going to

1144
00:39:00,520 --> 00:39:04,440
take it while it's getting established?

1145
00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:06,120
I understand once it's once it's firmly

1146
00:39:04,440 --> 00:39:08,720
rooted that probably that maintenance

1147
00:39:06,120 --> 00:39:11,600
requirement comes down, but you know, as

1148
00:39:08,720 --> 00:39:14,040
as we're starting this off, you know,

1149
00:39:11,600 --> 00:39:15,520
» That's you know, I think yep. Off the

1150
00:39:14,040 --> 00:39:17,160
bat, I'm sure that there's going to be a

1151
00:39:15,520 --> 00:39:18,040
lot of mechanical hand weeding that's

1152
00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:19,440
going to have to take place

1153
00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:21,200
unfortunately once the solarization is

1154
00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:24,520
done and we've we've knocked out figure

1155
00:39:21,200 --> 00:39:26,080
95% of the weeds, it's going to require

1156
00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:28,560
our dedicated team to continue to go out

1157
00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:30,040
there and and maintain from a weed

1158
00:39:28,560 --> 00:39:32,280
perspective. From a watering

1159
00:39:30,040 --> 00:39:34,400
perspective, you know, our goal is to

1160
00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:35,280
plant mostly in the fall to minimize the

1161
00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:37,520
amount of water that we're going to

1162
00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:39,360
need. Plants can establish their root

1163
00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:40,920
systems over the winter and then usually

1164
00:39:39,360 --> 00:39:42,680
by the time the spring comes back around

1165
00:39:40,920 --> 00:39:44,800
they'll need minimal intervention if

1166
00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:46,760
any. If we end up with an exceptionally

1167
00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:48,400
dry spring, then it will of course

1168
00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:49,360
require a little bit more assistance,

1169
00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:51,200
but

1170
00:39:49,360 --> 00:39:52,560
you know, our plan is to be as

1171
00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:55,080
straightforward and economical about

1172
00:39:52,560 --> 00:39:57,280
this and well thought out as possible to

1173
00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:58,400
minimize impact to the town and

1174
00:39:57,280 --> 00:40:00,320
to the plants of course.

1175
00:39:58,400 --> 00:40:02,080
» Well, it's certainly an improvement over

1176
00:40:00,320 --> 00:40:04,080
what's there now, so

1177
00:40:02,080 --> 00:40:06,520
» To be fair, a dumpster fire might have

1178
00:40:04,080 --> 00:40:08,960
been an improvement, too, but

1179
00:40:06,520 --> 00:40:10,520
» Um

1180
00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:12,480
I have an idea for the area by the

1181
00:40:10,520 --> 00:40:13,440
waterfall, but that that we can take it

1182
00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:16,360
offline.

1183
00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:16,360
» Sounds excellent, yeah.

1184
00:40:16,720 --> 00:40:20,880
» Okay.

1185
00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:22,720
» Um the one it looks great. Is

1186
00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:25,240
is there opportunities or do you need

1187
00:40:22,720 --> 00:40:26,440
volunteer help from residents and how

1188
00:40:25,240 --> 00:40:27,760
how would you envision that and how can

1189
00:40:26,440 --> 00:40:29,960
we get that going?

1190
00:40:27,760 --> 00:40:32,720
» Thank you for asking. So we have our

1191
00:40:29,960 --> 00:40:35,120
Instagram BMS design team. So we're

1192
00:40:32,720 --> 00:40:36,720
encouraging people to go through there.

1193
00:40:35,120 --> 00:40:38,840
For anybody who doesn't have Instagram,

1194
00:40:36,720 --> 00:40:40,280
I can share my email with everybody

1195
00:40:38,840 --> 00:40:41,760
after the meeting.

1196
00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:44,680
So you would just reach out to me and

1197
00:40:41,760 --> 00:40:47,800
I'll get you get anybody set up with

1198
00:40:44,680 --> 00:40:49,920
There's plenty to do. So yes, thank you.

1199
00:40:47,800 --> 00:40:50,880
Yep.

1200
00:40:49,920 --> 00:40:53,040
» Yeah, that's about the size of it. So

1201
00:40:50,880 --> 00:40:55,320
there is volunteer portal on there which

1202
00:40:53,040 --> 00:40:58,120
goes directly to me and then BMS did it

1203
00:40:55,320 --> 00:41:00,360
through BMS for them and

1204
00:40:58,120 --> 00:41:02,000
so just go to the BMS website and you

1205
00:41:00,360 --> 00:41:04,200
can volunteer. We have a volunteer sheet

1206
00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:06,520
on there now. And so they will be put to

1207
00:41:04,200 --> 00:41:08,280
the pot to be put to this.

1208
00:41:06,520 --> 00:41:10,080
» I have one other question.

1209
00:41:08,280 --> 00:41:11,320
In addition to the funding from Boot and

1210
00:41:10,080 --> 00:41:13,160
Main Street and from the Highlands

1211
00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:15,680
Coalition, is there an opportunity for

1212
00:41:13,160 --> 00:41:17,000
private citizens to donate or or help

1213
00:41:15,680 --> 00:41:19,120
fund this project?

1214
00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:21,800
» Yes, I think along the same lines on the

1215
00:41:19,120 --> 00:41:24,840
BMS website, we do have a portal to

1216
00:41:21,800 --> 00:41:24,840
donate directly.

1217
00:41:25,320 --> 00:41:27,480
» Um we've

1218
00:41:26,520 --> 00:41:29,160
had that happen

1219
00:41:27,480 --> 00:41:29,880
before and then and we'll just make sure

1220
00:41:29,160 --> 00:41:32,080
because

1221
00:41:29,880 --> 00:41:35,240
I I see it all it all comes directly.

1222
00:41:32,080 --> 00:41:36,320
» Yeah, it's all coming through BMS. Yeah.

1223
00:41:35,240 --> 00:41:37,720
Thank you.

1224
00:41:36,320 --> 00:41:39,760
» But there would be a way to earmark that

1225
00:41:37,720 --> 00:41:41,200
donation specifically for this project.

1226
00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:43,000
» Yes. Yes, so we have actually our own

1227
00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:45,760
bank account within BMS.

1228
00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:45,760
» Perfect. Thank you.

1229
00:41:46,280 --> 00:41:48,720
» Anyone else?

1230
00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:50,920
This may be something they could perhaps

1231
00:41:48,720 --> 00:41:53,280
partner with green team.

1232
00:41:50,920 --> 00:41:55,200
» Yeah, I've spoken to Missy DeSalvo.

1233
00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:56,720
She's interested in getting our teams

1234
00:41:55,200 --> 00:41:59,000
together as well.

1235
00:41:56,720 --> 00:42:00,760
The green team, right? Yeah.

1236
00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:02,440
» Well, thank you all for stepping up and

1237
00:42:00,760 --> 00:42:04,160
trying to make our town more beautiful.

1238
00:42:02,440 --> 00:42:06,800
» Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you for

1239
00:42:04,160 --> 00:42:06,800
your time.

1240
00:42:10,200 --> 00:42:12,160
We can leave these here if you guys want

1241
00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:13,520
to look at them.

1242
00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:15,720
» I don't need that.

1243
00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:15,720
» Okay.

1244
00:42:16,120 --> 00:42:18,760
» Thanks very much.

1245
00:42:20,160 --> 00:42:24,120
Moving on to consent agenda, resolutions

1246
00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:26,120
26-145

1247
00:42:24,120 --> 00:42:27,280
through 26-171,

1248
00:42:26,120 --> 00:42:28,640
can I get a motion to open this up for

1249
00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:30,240
council discussion?

1250
00:42:28,640 --> 00:42:30,680
» Move.

1251
00:42:30,240 --> 00:42:31,880
» Second.

1252
00:42:30,680 --> 00:42:32,560
» Ms. Cascone.

1253
00:42:31,880 --> 00:42:32,800
» All in favor?

1254
00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:33,840
» Aye.

1255
00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:36,640
» Aye.

1256
00:42:33,840 --> 00:42:39,800
» I have a one quick comment. Uh 26-151

1257
00:42:36,640 --> 00:42:42,200
will be pulled. It was uh to fill a uh

1258
00:42:39,800 --> 00:42:43,960
position that the um person who had

1259
00:42:42,200 --> 00:42:45,600
accepted no longer was interested in the

1260
00:42:43,960 --> 00:42:47,720
full-time position. So, we will not be

1261
00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:48,840
voting on 26-151.

1262
00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:49,200
Other than that, do we have any comments

1263
00:42:48,840 --> 00:42:50,840
or questions?

1264
00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:51,960
» Yeah, just one, Mayor. Um

1265
00:42:50,840 --> 00:42:54,000
although on the advice of council,

1266
00:42:51,960 --> 00:42:55,200
although it's not required, just because

1267
00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:56,760
of my leadership role in the Boot and

1268
00:42:55,200 --> 00:42:58,280
Saddle Club, I'm going to recuse on just

1269
00:42:56,760 --> 00:42:59,440
26-165,

1270
00:42:58,280 --> 00:43:01,840
which I'll do when we do the roll call

1271
00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:01,840
vote.

1272
00:43:01,880 --> 00:43:04,400
» Anyone else?

1273
00:43:04,880 --> 00:43:09,760
Then I would close council discussion

1274
00:43:07,240 --> 00:43:11,200
and call for motion to adopt

1275
00:43:09,760 --> 00:43:14,120
consent agenda.

1276
00:43:11,200 --> 00:43:14,120
» So moved,

1277
00:43:14,720 --> 00:43:16,920
Second, what?

1278
00:43:15,680 --> 00:43:19,680
» Uh Mr. Weisman.

1279
00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:21,480
» Okay. Only one bite each, please.

1280
00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:22,760
Um can we get a roll call, please?

1281
00:43:21,480 --> 00:43:23,360
» Ms. Allen.

1282
00:43:22,760 --> 00:43:25,920
Ms.

1283
00:43:23,360 --> 00:43:26,960
Cascone, sorry. Ms. Cascone.

1284
00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:28,120
» Yes.

1285
00:43:26,960 --> 00:43:29,000
» Ms. Devenezia.

1286
00:43:28,120 --> 00:43:29,680
» Yes.

1287
00:43:29,000 --> 00:43:30,680
» Ms. Horton.

1288
00:43:29,680 --> 00:43:31,440
» Yes.

1289
00:43:30,680 --> 00:43:32,200
» Ms. Eagan.

1290
00:43:31,440 --> 00:43:33,000
» Yes.

1291
00:43:32,200 --> 00:43:33,680
» Mr. Kermian.

1292
00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:34,800
» Yes.

1293
00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:37,440
» Mr. Weisman.

1294
00:43:34,800 --> 00:43:39,280
» Uh recusing on 26-165,

1295
00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:39,960
yes on the others.

1296
00:43:39,280 --> 00:43:40,440
» Mr. Miller.

1297
00:43:39,960 --> 00:43:41,000
» Me?

1298
00:43:40,440 --> 00:43:41,840
» Yes.

1299
00:43:41,000 --> 00:43:43,720
» Mayor Merrill.

1300
00:43:41,840 --> 00:43:45,240
» Yes.

1301
00:43:43,720 --> 00:43:48,000
Moving on to unfinished business,

1302
00:43:45,240 --> 00:43:49,560
ordinance 17-26, an ordinance amending

1303
00:43:48,000 --> 00:43:50,800
the revised general ordinances of the

1304
00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:52,880
town of Boonton and providing for

1305
00:43:50,800 --> 00:43:54,680
licensing and regulation of massage,

1306
00:43:52,880 --> 00:43:56,040
bodywork, and somatic therapy

1307
00:43:54,680 --> 00:43:57,400
establishments.

1308
00:43:56,040 --> 00:44:00,040
Can I get a motion to open this up for

1309
00:43:57,400 --> 00:44:00,040
public hearing?

1310
00:44:00,680 --> 00:44:02,600
» Second, Megan.

1311
00:44:01,840 --> 00:44:03,600
» All in favor?

1312
00:44:02,600 --> 00:44:05,160
» Aye.

1313
00:44:03,600 --> 00:44:06,560
» Any members of the public wishing to

1314
00:44:05,160 --> 00:44:08,480
come forward to discuss just this

1315
00:44:06,560 --> 00:44:09,680
ordinance, please do so. step forward.

1316
00:44:08,480 --> 00:44:11,040
The microphone's here for 3 minutes.

1317
00:44:09,680 --> 00:44:14,000
Just introduce yourself and make

1318
00:44:11,040 --> 00:44:14,000
whatever comments you like.

1319
00:44:15,800 --> 00:44:19,000
Seeing none, I will close the public

1320
00:44:17,200 --> 00:44:20,920
hearing and call for motion to open this

1321
00:44:19,000 --> 00:44:23,280
up to town council discussion.

1322
00:44:20,920 --> 00:44:24,440
» So moved, Divinagracia.

1323
00:44:23,280 --> 00:44:25,240
» Second, Mian.

1324
00:44:24,440 --> 00:44:25,720
» All in favor?

1325
00:44:25,240 --> 00:44:26,560
» I.

1326
00:44:25,720 --> 00:44:28,040
» I.

1327
00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:31,440
Any members of the council have comments

1328
00:44:28,040 --> 00:44:31,440
or questions on this ordinance?

1329
00:44:31,920 --> 00:44:34,520
» I just want to thank our health

1330
00:44:32,760 --> 00:44:36,280
inspector who worked very really closely

1331
00:44:34,520 --> 00:44:38,440
after we tabled this. You know, we

1332
00:44:36,280 --> 00:44:39,840
worked very closely to get this back

1333
00:44:38,440 --> 00:44:41,080
together and I think it's a it's a

1334
00:44:39,840 --> 00:44:42,400
really strong ordinance. I appreciate

1335
00:44:41,080 --> 00:44:44,240
very much his time.

1336
00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:46,280
» And the um

1337
00:44:44,240 --> 00:44:48,840
local business that was concerned

1338
00:44:46,280 --> 00:44:48,840
happy with this?

1339
00:44:49,240 --> 00:44:51,280
» Yep.

1340
00:44:50,600 --> 00:44:52,280
» Anyone else?

1341
00:44:51,280 --> 00:44:54,160
» And dare I say I think this will be a

1342
00:44:52,280 --> 00:44:55,480
model for some of the other uh

1343
00:44:54,160 --> 00:44:56,840
» Okay.

1344
00:44:55,480 --> 00:44:58,200
Any other comments?

1345
00:44:56,840 --> 00:44:59,840
Then I will call for motion to move the

1346
00:44:58,200 --> 00:45:01,360
ordinance 17-26.

1347
00:44:59,840 --> 00:45:03,960
» So moved, Weisman.

1348
00:45:01,360 --> 00:45:04,880
» Second, Divinagracia.

1349
00:45:03,960 --> 00:45:06,040
» Roll call, please.

1350
00:45:04,880 --> 00:45:06,680
» Ms. Castiglione?

1351
00:45:06,040 --> 00:45:07,760
» Yes.

1352
00:45:06,680 --> 00:45:08,520
» Ms. Divinagracia?

1353
00:45:07,760 --> 00:45:09,320
» Yes.

1354
00:45:08,520 --> 00:45:09,920
» Ms. Lopez?

1355
00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:10,800
» Yes.

1356
00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:11,920
» Ms. Mazzei?

1357
00:45:10,800 --> 00:45:12,240
» Yes.

1358
00:45:11,920 --> 00:45:12,880
» Mr.

1359
00:45:12,240 --> 00:45:13,760
» Yes.

1360
00:45:12,880 --> 00:45:14,560
» Mr. Weisman?

1361
00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:15,440
» Yes.

1362
00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:16,120
» Mr. Okilski?

1363
00:45:15,440 --> 00:45:17,040
» Yes.

1364
00:45:16,120 --> 00:45:18,640
» Mayor Wind.

1365
00:45:17,040 --> 00:45:21,560
» Yes.

1366
00:45:18,640 --> 00:45:23,880
» Next up, ordinance 18-26.

1367
00:45:21,560 --> 00:45:25,120
An uh for introduction and title only, I

1368
00:45:23,880 --> 00:45:26,400
believe.

1369
00:45:25,120 --> 00:45:28,120
An ordinance updating within the town

1370
00:45:26,400 --> 00:45:30,480
code of the Town of Boonton chapter 27,

1371
00:45:28,120 --> 00:45:33,600
article 4, Fire Department, and chapter

1372
00:45:30,480 --> 00:45:36,680
36, Length of Service Award Program.

1373
00:45:33,600 --> 00:45:38,920
Can I get a motion to introduce this?

1374
00:45:36,680 --> 00:45:41,440
» I'll move it, Okilski.

1375
00:45:38,920 --> 00:45:42,920
» Second Castiglione.

1376
00:45:41,440 --> 00:45:44,040
» Can we get a roll call, please?

1377
00:45:42,920 --> 00:45:44,760
» Ms. Castiglione?

1378
00:45:44,040 --> 00:45:45,880
» Yes.

1379
00:45:44,760 --> 00:45:46,480
» Ms. Divinagracia?

1380
00:45:45,880 --> 00:45:47,400
» Yes.

1381
00:45:46,480 --> 00:45:48,040
» Ms. Lopez?

1382
00:45:47,400 --> 00:45:48,760
» Yes.

1383
00:45:48,040 --> 00:45:49,400
» Ms. Mazzei?

1384
00:45:48,760 --> 00:45:50,160
» Yes.

1385
00:45:49,400 --> 00:45:50,760
» Mr. Mian?

1386
00:45:50,160 --> 00:45:51,680
» Yes.

1387
00:45:50,760 --> 00:45:52,440
» Mr. Weisman?

1388
00:45:51,680 --> 00:45:53,440
» Yes.

1389
00:45:52,440 --> 00:45:54,000
» Mr. Okilski?

1390
00:45:53,440 --> 00:45:54,960
» Yes.

1391
00:45:54,000 --> 00:45:56,440
» Mayor Wind.

1392
00:45:54,960 --> 00:45:58,120
» Yes.

1393
00:45:56,440 --> 00:45:59,320
» Next up, town council members,

1394
00:45:58,120 --> 00:46:02,000
administrator, and town attorney

1395
00:45:59,320 --> 00:46:06,200
comments. Um I'm going to start.

1396
00:46:02,000 --> 00:46:08,240
Um, as has been my uh uh

1397
00:46:06,200 --> 00:46:10,800
principles uh

1398
00:46:08,240 --> 00:46:12,520
uh my process during uh

1399
00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:14,640
my 2 and 1/2 year terms as mayor is to

1400
00:46:12,520 --> 00:46:16,880
recognize meritorious service. Uh this

1401
00:46:14,640 --> 00:46:20,360
is our administrator's last meeting for

1402
00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:20,360
a proclamation. Please join me.

1403
00:46:30,920 --> 00:46:33,600
I pledge allegiance to the I pledge

1404
00:46:32,360 --> 00:46:36,880
allegiance to the flag.

1405
00:46:33,600 --> 00:46:36,880
Town of Boonton proclamation.

1406
00:46:37,320 --> 00:46:40,360
Whereas Neil Henry is retiring as

1407
00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:41,480
business administrator

1408
00:46:40,360 --> 00:46:44,000
for the town of Boonton having

1409
00:46:41,480 --> 00:46:46,000
faithfully served since May 2017 and

1410
00:46:44,000 --> 00:46:47,720
whereas Neil has lauded has been lauded

1411
00:46:46,000 --> 00:46:49,000
by the mayor, council, employees, and

1412
00:46:47,720 --> 00:46:50,800
residents of Boonton for his selfless

1413
00:46:49,000 --> 00:46:53,560
service and valuable contributions to

1414
00:46:50,800 --> 00:46:55,160
the town of Boonton and whereas Neil's

1415
00:46:53,560 --> 00:46:56,520
Neil's dedication and leadership have

1416
00:46:55,160 --> 00:46:59,520
helped guide the town of Boonton over

1417
00:46:56,520 --> 00:47:01,840
the past 9 years and whereas throughout

1418
00:46:59,520 --> 00:47:04,280
his tenure Neil has provided invaluable

1419
00:47:01,840 --> 00:47:07,000
expertise, guidance, and professionalism

1420
00:47:04,280 --> 00:47:08,920
in service to the town and whereas Neil

1421
00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:10,920
has brought his extensive expertise to

1422
00:47:08,920 --> 00:47:12,440
bear as both business

1423
00:47:10,920 --> 00:47:14,520
business administrator and qualified

1424
00:47:12,440 --> 00:47:16,000
purchasing agent, skillfully guiding

1425
00:47:14,520 --> 00:47:18,120
employees,

1426
00:47:16,000 --> 00:47:19,680
mayors, council members, and residents

1427
00:47:18,120 --> 00:47:22,200
as they work together to shape the

1428
00:47:19,680 --> 00:47:24,120
landscape and future of Boonton and

1429
00:47:22,200 --> 00:47:25,480
whereas Neil has devoted countless hours

1430
00:47:24,120 --> 00:47:27,000
to the review, preparation, and

1431
00:47:25,480 --> 00:47:28,360
attendance of meetings and municipal

1432
00:47:27,000 --> 00:47:31,640
matters in furtherance of the town's

1433
00:47:28,360 --> 00:47:33,360
success and whereas Neil's commitment to

1434
00:47:31,640 --> 00:47:35,160
public service often requires

1435
00:47:33,360 --> 00:47:37,080
significant personal sacrifice for which

1436
00:47:35,160 --> 00:47:39,200
his wife, Leslie, and his children,

1437
00:47:37,080 --> 00:47:41,040
Alexandra, Bill, and Ted have shown

1438
00:47:39,200 --> 00:47:42,800
unwavering support and understanding.

1439
00:47:41,040 --> 00:47:44,080
Now, therefore, I, James Lynch, on

1440
00:47:42,800 --> 00:47:45,880
behalf of the governing body and the

1441
00:47:44,080 --> 00:47:47,720
people of the town of Boonton, do hereby

1442
00:47:45,880 --> 00:47:49,160
extend our deepest gratitude and

1443
00:47:47,720 --> 00:47:51,000
appreciation to Neil for his many

1444
00:47:49,160 --> 00:47:53,400
contributions to the growth,

1445
00:47:51,000 --> 00:47:55,440
revitalization, and continued success of

1446
00:47:53,400 --> 00:47:57,600
our community throughout his years of of

1447
00:47:55,440 --> 00:47:59,360
service. Be it further proclaimed that

1448
00:47:57,600 --> 00:48:00,400
the mayor, governing body, employees,

1449
00:47:59,360 --> 00:48:02,560
and residents of the town of Boonton

1450
00:48:00,400 --> 00:48:04,560
wish Neil Henry continued health,

1451
00:48:02,560 --> 00:48:06,040
happiness, and success in all his future

1452
00:48:04,560 --> 00:48:08,280
endeavors.

1453
00:48:06,040 --> 00:48:08,280
» Thank you.

1454
00:48:17,040 --> 00:48:20,120
First of all, I'd like to thank the

1455
00:48:18,480 --> 00:48:22,080
mayor. I know how you are about

1456
00:48:20,120 --> 00:48:25,520
proclamations, so this is a big honor

1457
00:48:22,080 --> 00:48:27,840
for me. So, thank you for that. Um

1458
00:48:25,520 --> 00:48:29,600
I remember uh growing up over Mendham,

1459
00:48:27,840 --> 00:48:31,120
and I knew Boonton for the firemen's

1460
00:48:29,600 --> 00:48:33,320
carnival. We used to come up here on

1461
00:48:31,120 --> 00:48:36,280
Labor Day. So, when I took the job in

1462
00:48:33,320 --> 00:48:37,560
2017, I didn't know much about Boonton,

1463
00:48:36,280 --> 00:48:39,440
uh but I've

1464
00:48:37,560 --> 00:48:42,400
obviously learned a lot about it. I feel

1465
00:48:39,440 --> 00:48:45,320
like this is my second family. I spent 9

1466
00:48:42,400 --> 00:48:47,280
years here. I think I can say that

1467
00:48:45,320 --> 00:48:49,680
I'm leaving Boonton in a much better

1468
00:48:47,280 --> 00:48:51,600
place than what I found it. I will thank

1469
00:48:49,680 --> 00:48:54,200
the mayor and the council for the all

1470
00:48:51,600 --> 00:48:57,440
all of their unwavering support. Uh I

1471
00:48:54,200 --> 00:48:58,960
feel we've got a really great um

1472
00:48:57,440 --> 00:49:01,600
employee base.

1473
00:48:58,960 --> 00:49:03,720
We've made a lot of accomplishments. Um

1474
00:49:01,600 --> 00:49:06,160
so, again, thank you for this.

1475
00:49:03,720 --> 00:49:08,280
I am looking for a foursome on July 1st,

1476
00:49:06,160 --> 00:49:11,800
so if anybody's interested, you can come

1477
00:49:08,280 --> 00:49:11,800
see me. Thank you, everybody.

1478
00:49:24,800 --> 00:49:28,240
» Any other uh council members?

1479
00:49:26,600 --> 00:49:28,480
» Uh mayor, if I can make a comment, too.

1480
00:49:28,240 --> 00:49:30,720
» Sure.

1481
00:49:28,480 --> 00:49:32,720
» Um I just wanted to make a comment about

1482
00:49:30,720 --> 00:49:34,160
the illumination of town hall for the

1483
00:49:32,720 --> 00:49:36,560
month of June.

1484
00:49:34,160 --> 00:49:39,120
And I wanted to extend my gratitude to

1485
00:49:36,560 --> 00:49:41,120
the Boonton LGBTQ+ community and our

1486
00:49:39,120 --> 00:49:42,880
Boonton allies. I realize the

1487
00:49:41,120 --> 00:49:45,080
illumination of town hall was not the

1488
00:49:42,880 --> 00:49:46,880
desired result of proposed ordinance

1489
00:49:45,080 --> 00:49:48,400
11-26,

1490
00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:50,200
and for that I'm disappointed, but

1491
00:49:48,400 --> 00:49:52,720
perhaps we agree that this is a small

1492
00:49:50,200 --> 00:49:55,960
progressive step towards acceptance,

1493
00:49:52,720 --> 00:49:58,160
unity, inclusion, as well as visibility.

1494
00:49:55,960 --> 00:50:00,880
Symbols do have strength and a rainbow

1495
00:49:58,160 --> 00:50:03,560
symbol is no exception. In closing, I've

1496
00:50:00,880 --> 00:50:05,600
been reminded that we evolve

1497
00:50:03,560 --> 00:50:08,680
as understanding humans through

1498
00:50:05,600 --> 00:50:10,200
conversation and not by opinion.

1499
00:50:08,680 --> 00:50:12,720
So, if anyone wants to start a

1500
00:50:10,200 --> 00:50:15,080
conversation outside of this room and

1501
00:50:12,720 --> 00:50:18,000
off of this dais, I would be happy to

1502
00:50:15,080 --> 00:50:20,360
participate. Just ask. Because this is

1503
00:50:18,000 --> 00:50:22,120
an opinion up here that I speak right

1504
00:50:20,360 --> 00:50:24,480
now and I really want to be able to have

1505
00:50:22,120 --> 00:50:26,240
conversation with community if that's

1506
00:50:24,480 --> 00:50:27,960
what it would take to be to gain some

1507
00:50:26,240 --> 00:50:29,480
more understanding.

1508
00:50:27,960 --> 00:50:31,640
Uh thank you to Boonton for your

1509
00:50:29,480 --> 00:50:35,680
support. I am proud to represent this

1510
00:50:31,640 --> 00:50:35,680
wonderful community and thank you again.

1511
00:50:35,800 --> 00:50:39,480
» Thank you. Any other comments?

1512
00:50:37,880 --> 00:50:41,280
» Yeah, just a couple quick ones for me.

1513
00:50:39,480 --> 00:50:42,880
First, you know, thank you. It's really

1514
00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:44,120
been a pleasure working with you.

1515
00:50:42,880 --> 00:50:45,800
» It's been great working for you, guys.

1516
00:50:44,120 --> 00:50:48,640
» And um I should have noted this probably

1517
00:50:45,800 --> 00:50:51,120
in the consent agenda vote, but um I do

1518
00:50:48,640 --> 00:50:52,640
want to congratulate Pat Laverty on um

1519
00:50:51,120 --> 00:50:53,800
being appointed as town administrator.

1520
00:50:52,640 --> 00:50:56,840
It was a very It was a competitive

1521
00:50:53,800 --> 00:50:57,800
search. Um the uh the Finance Personnel

1522
00:50:56,840 --> 00:50:58,720
Committee we

1523
00:50:57,800 --> 00:51:00,040
first

1524
00:50:58,720 --> 00:51:01,840
Finance Personnel Administration

1525
00:51:00,040 --> 00:51:03,040
Committee, that one. We spent a lot of

1526
00:51:01,840 --> 00:51:05,560
time going through this. I'm really

1527
00:51:03,040 --> 00:51:07,720
excited um for for the work that you're

1528
00:51:05,560 --> 00:51:08,760
going to be doing. You're building on on

1529
00:51:07,720 --> 00:51:10,800
everything we've been doing. So, thank

1530
00:51:08,760 --> 00:51:12,000
you and congratulations to you.

1531
00:51:10,800 --> 00:51:14,520
Um

1532
00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:17,520
couple things that uh as well. Coming up

1533
00:51:14,520 --> 00:51:19,680
on June 16th, which is this weekend,

1534
00:51:17,520 --> 00:51:21,520
tomorrow. It's also known as tomorrow.

1535
00:51:19,680 --> 00:51:22,800
Um

1536
00:51:21,520 --> 00:51:25,320
I don't know how that's tomorrow, but I

1537
00:51:22,800 --> 00:51:27,960
guess it is. Um there's another Narcan

1538
00:51:25,320 --> 00:51:30,520
training. Um Hope One, Lauren LoMotion

1539
00:51:27,960 --> 00:51:32,120
Live at Lauren's Theater in Parsippany.

1540
00:51:30,520 --> 00:51:33,960
Uh I've done it at the Boonton Elks.

1541
00:51:32,120 --> 00:51:36,480
It's a really a phenomenal phenomenal

1542
00:51:33,960 --> 00:51:38,680
training. Uh there's more information on

1543
00:51:36,480 --> 00:51:39,880
uh if you go to LoMotion Live uh social

1544
00:51:38,680 --> 00:51:41,480
media, there's a lot more information

1545
00:51:39,880 --> 00:51:43,440
there. But, if you haven't done it, I

1546
00:51:41,480 --> 00:51:44,800
highly highly recommend it. And thank

1547
00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:45,960
you to Lauren, thank you to Hope One,

1548
00:51:44,800 --> 00:51:48,320
and I know Sheriff Gannon, this has been

1549
00:51:45,960 --> 00:51:51,400
a big a big um push that he's been

1550
00:51:48,320 --> 00:51:53,080
doing. It's really terrific. Um

1551
00:51:51,400 --> 00:51:54,880
Now I'm afraid to say how many days ago

1552
00:51:53,080 --> 00:51:56,560
it was. Two days ago I think it was,

1553
00:51:54,880 --> 00:51:58,000
maybe it was yesterday

1554
00:51:56,560 --> 00:51:59,640
at the Boonton Elks Lodge was a

1555
00:51:58,000 --> 00:52:02,120
fundraiser

1556
00:51:59,640 --> 00:52:03,720
for a young girl called Ellie Strong.

1557
00:52:02,120 --> 00:52:05,320
It's really remarkable event. Cosmar

1558
00:52:03,720 --> 00:52:07,640
Cascone and I were both there along with

1559
00:52:05,320 --> 00:52:08,840
Assemblywoman Marissa Sweeney and Ora

1560
00:52:07,640 --> 00:52:10,360
Dunn.

1561
00:52:08,840 --> 00:52:11,840
It's really this is a family trying to

1562
00:52:10,360 --> 00:52:13,920
raise a significant amount of money for

1563
00:52:11,840 --> 00:52:16,000
a critical medical van.

1564
00:52:13,920 --> 00:52:18,280
I encourage everybody to please go

1565
00:52:16,000 --> 00:52:20,480
online just look up Ellie Strong on

1566
00:52:18,280 --> 00:52:21,920
social media and if you can to support

1567
00:52:20,480 --> 00:52:24,080
this Boonton family and and what they're

1568
00:52:21,920 --> 00:52:25,680
trying to do. It's they need to do. It's

1569
00:52:24,080 --> 00:52:28,160
it's it's huge. I think it was a

1570
00:52:25,680 --> 00:52:30,920
beautiful really a beautiful event.

1571
00:52:28,160 --> 00:52:33,480
And the last thing is just a thank you

1572
00:52:30,920 --> 00:52:35,840
as well to the Elks and very Elks heavy

1573
00:52:33,480 --> 00:52:37,600
I guess today. The Northwest District

1574
00:52:35,840 --> 00:52:38,880
Elks. I was the honor of representing

1575
00:52:37,600 --> 00:52:40,680
the Boonton Elks

1576
00:52:38,880 --> 00:52:42,360
over the yesterday.

1577
00:52:40,680 --> 00:52:44,000
Yep, yep that was I know that cuz it's

1578
00:52:42,360 --> 00:52:45,200
Flag Day yesterday

1579
00:52:44,000 --> 00:52:47,880
up in

1580
00:52:45,200 --> 00:52:50,760
Sussex County at the annual Flag Day

1581
00:52:47,880 --> 00:52:51,840
ceremony and flag retirement ceremony.

1582
00:52:50,760 --> 00:52:53,240
It's really beautiful. It's something

1583
00:52:51,840 --> 00:52:54,360
I've loved doing. It's a beautiful

1584
00:52:53,240 --> 00:52:56,440
ceremony. We go through the whole

1585
00:52:54,360 --> 00:52:57,800
history of the flag, all the different

1586
00:52:56,440 --> 00:52:59,840
flags

1587
00:52:57,800 --> 00:53:02,240
that have represented this country. It's

1588
00:52:59,840 --> 00:53:05,440
extraordinary. And we the Boonton Elks

1589
00:53:02,240 --> 00:53:07,680
Lodge we brought up well over 150 flags

1590
00:53:05,440 --> 00:53:09,520
that were retired. And I want to thank

1591
00:53:07,680 --> 00:53:11,000
my fellow Elk Lisa Ruberto and I she's

1592
00:53:09,520 --> 00:53:13,200
you know the two of us spent a great

1593
00:53:11,000 --> 00:53:15,000
deal of time folding flags

1594
00:53:13,200 --> 00:53:16,480
so that you have them properly folded

1595
00:53:15,000 --> 00:53:18,280
for their retirement.

1596
00:53:16,480 --> 00:53:20,560
Just remind everybody that at the Elks

1597
00:53:18,280 --> 00:53:22,480
we do have a flag drop box. If you have

1598
00:53:20,560 --> 00:53:24,320
a flag in need of retirement, please

1599
00:53:22,480 --> 00:53:25,280
drop it in there. And that's those are

1600
00:53:24,320 --> 00:53:25,800
my comments.

1601
00:53:25,280 --> 00:53:26,520
» Thank you.

1602
00:53:25,800 --> 00:53:29,240
» Thank you.

1603
00:53:26,520 --> 00:53:30,800
» Anyone else? John.

1604
00:53:29,240 --> 00:53:32,440
» Thank you. Um

1605
00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:34,000
I would like to congratulate all the

1606
00:53:32,440 --> 00:53:35,680
residents that are graduating middle

1607
00:53:34,000 --> 00:53:36,920
school and high school, whether it's

1608
00:53:35,680 --> 00:53:39,240
Boonton,

1609
00:53:36,920 --> 00:53:40,240
John Hill, Lumen Academy,

1610
00:53:39,240 --> 00:53:42,120
um

1611
00:53:40,240 --> 00:53:44,560
Morris Catholic and so on. It's a big

1612
00:53:42,120 --> 00:53:46,800
day. Hope all the families enjoy that. I

1613
00:53:44,560 --> 00:53:48,000
should be very proud having raised four

1614
00:53:46,800 --> 00:53:50,480
kids that graduate through the Boonton

1615
00:53:48,000 --> 00:53:52,640
school system. It's a big day. So,

1616
00:53:50,480 --> 00:53:54,680
congratulations to all those graduates.

1617
00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:56,880
And Neil, thanks to you.

1618
00:53:54,680 --> 00:53:59,000
This I've never been involved in

1619
00:53:56,880 --> 00:54:00,560
politics before. You have an You had an

1620
00:53:59,000 --> 00:54:01,760
open door. I appreciate it. I learned a

1621
00:54:00,560 --> 00:54:04,160
lot.

1622
00:54:01,760 --> 00:54:06,040
You're going to be missed. And Pat, you

1623
00:54:04,160 --> 00:54:08,800
got some big shoes to fill.

1624
00:54:06,040 --> 00:54:08,800
So, thank you.

1625
00:54:09,320 --> 00:54:11,120
» I have a comment.

1626
00:54:10,560 --> 00:54:12,400
» Sure.

1627
00:54:11,120 --> 00:54:15,320
» Uh yeah,

1628
00:54:12,400 --> 00:54:17,040
to piggyback off of what Councilwoman

1629
00:54:15,320 --> 00:54:19,560
Meen said, congratulations to all the

1630
00:54:17,040 --> 00:54:21,360
graduates this year. My son is one of

1631
00:54:19,560 --> 00:54:23,000
them. He's graduating eighth grade.

1632
00:54:21,360 --> 00:54:24,160
Straight A student four marking periods

1633
00:54:23,000 --> 00:54:26,240
in a row.

1634
00:54:24,160 --> 00:54:27,600
So, very proud of him.

1635
00:54:26,240 --> 00:54:28,840
And

1636
00:54:27,600 --> 00:54:31,107
that's only because I offered him a

1637
00:54:28,840 --> 00:54:33,127
bonus at the end of the year.

1638
00:54:31,107 --> 00:54:33,127
» [laughter]

1639
00:54:33,440 --> 00:54:36,120
» So,

1640
00:54:34,440 --> 00:54:38,560
so congratulations

1641
00:54:36,120 --> 00:54:40,160
to the graduates. And also, thank you

1642
00:54:38,560 --> 00:54:42,040
Neil for all the work you've done for

1643
00:54:40,160 --> 00:54:44,200
this town. I know we've only worked a

1644
00:54:42,040 --> 00:54:47,240
short amount of time, but you have made

1645
00:54:44,200 --> 00:54:49,080
my transition to Council member fairly

1646
00:54:47,240 --> 00:54:50,760
easy and and like very less

1647
00:54:49,080 --> 00:54:51,200
intimidating. So, thank you. You will be

1648
00:54:50,760 --> 00:54:52,440
missed.

1649
00:54:51,200 --> 00:54:54,080
» Thank you.

1650
00:54:52,440 --> 00:54:56,652
» Um that's it for me.

1651
00:54:54,080 --> 00:54:57,760
» Okay. Mr. Mayor, one one more for Neil.

1652
00:54:56,652 --> 00:55:00,240
» [laughter]

1653
00:54:57,760 --> 00:55:02,200
» Neil, you know, having having been up

1654
00:55:00,240 --> 00:55:04,520
here longer than almost anyone except

1655
00:55:02,200 --> 00:55:06,520
perhaps Sy. Definitely Sy.

1656
00:55:04,520 --> 00:55:09,160
Um

1657
00:55:06,520 --> 00:55:11,400
I just I want to thank you for your your

1658
00:55:09,160 --> 00:55:14,120
guidance at the beginning, your your

1659
00:55:11,400 --> 00:55:15,520
fortitude in the middle, and and I will

1660
00:55:14,120 --> 00:55:17,720
miss working with you.

1661
00:55:15,520 --> 00:55:19,640
» Thank you, Murray.

1662
00:55:17,720 --> 00:55:22,600
» I would also like to

1663
00:55:19,640 --> 00:55:24,440
send my thanks, Neil. I appreciate

1664
00:55:22,600 --> 00:55:26,480
Louisa said your open door policy, your

1665
00:55:24,440 --> 00:55:28,360
willing to take phone calls and crazy

1666
00:55:26,480 --> 00:55:31,280
questions

1667
00:55:28,360 --> 00:55:33,400
to you know, to help both in this new

1668
00:55:31,280 --> 00:55:35,680
endeavor in

1669
00:55:33,400 --> 00:55:36,600
our lives. So, it is greatly greatly

1670
00:55:35,680 --> 00:55:40,120
appreciated.

1671
00:55:36,600 --> 00:55:42,200
» Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad it helped.

1672
00:55:40,120 --> 00:55:43,158
» Ditto, Neil. What everybody else said,

1673
00:55:42,200 --> 00:55:45,000
ditto.

1674
00:55:43,158 --> 00:55:45,920
» [laughter]

1675
00:55:45,000 --> 00:55:48,160
» Sid, do you have something you want to

1676
00:55:45,920 --> 00:55:48,160
say?

1677
00:55:56,360 --> 00:55:59,080
Thank you, Sid.

1678
00:56:01,160 --> 00:56:06,960
All right. I think I said my piece.

1679
00:56:04,360 --> 00:56:08,560
All right. Uh moving on.

1680
00:56:06,960 --> 00:56:10,880
Uh meeting open to the public. Any

1681
00:56:08,560 --> 00:56:12,560
members of the public wishing to raise

1682
00:56:10,880 --> 00:56:13,800
uh any topic they like, please step

1683
00:56:12,560 --> 00:56:17,280
forward, introduce yourself. The

1684
00:56:13,800 --> 00:56:17,280
microphone's yours for 3 minutes.

1685
00:56:24,920 --> 00:56:27,640
He's pulled off.

1686
00:56:29,320 --> 00:56:33,000
» Hi, my name is Teresa Keyser. By this

1687
00:56:31,160 --> 00:56:36,360
time, you know me. I'm

1688
00:56:33,000 --> 00:56:39,080
living at 219 Mechanic Street.

1689
00:56:36,360 --> 00:56:41,760
I'm here to congratulate Patrick

1690
00:56:39,080 --> 00:56:43,440
on his recent appointment as our town

1691
00:56:41,760 --> 00:56:46,720
administrator.

1692
00:56:43,440 --> 00:56:49,640
I also want to personally

1693
00:56:46,720 --> 00:56:51,800
thank him for his responsiveness and

1694
00:56:49,640 --> 00:56:53,400
professional courtesy that he has

1695
00:56:51,800 --> 00:56:56,120
extended to

1696
00:56:53,400 --> 00:56:57,880
the Keyser family.

1697
00:56:56,120 --> 00:57:01,240
Patrick, uh

1698
00:56:57,880 --> 00:57:03,920
you have a new job, and we wish you

1699
00:57:01,240 --> 00:57:05,880
success.

1700
00:57:03,920 --> 00:57:09,520
But the person who follows you is going

1701
00:57:05,880 --> 00:57:12,040
to have to have another pair of shoes.

1702
00:57:09,520 --> 00:57:14,080
I also want to ask Patrick

1703
00:57:12,040 --> 00:57:18,080
where we're going to celebrate tonight

1704
00:57:14,080 --> 00:57:18,080
because he's responsible.

1705
00:57:20,760 --> 00:57:26,760
You have to push it.

1706
00:57:23,240 --> 00:57:26,760
Uh Patrick's already stepping up.

1707
00:57:32,240 --> 00:57:34,520
Anyone

1708
00:57:37,400 --> 00:57:40,440
» Good evening, Rob Murray, 697 Booton

1709
00:57:39,240 --> 00:57:42,760
Avenue. I just wanted to thank

1710
00:57:40,440 --> 00:57:44,760
Administrator Henry. I congratulate you

1711
00:57:42,760 --> 00:57:46,840
on your impending retirement. I wish you

1712
00:57:44,760 --> 00:57:48,800
nothing but the best. During our brief

1713
00:57:46,840 --> 00:57:51,160
time together, I can echo the thoughts

1714
00:57:48,800 --> 00:57:52,800
of the other other board members how

1715
00:57:51,160 --> 00:57:55,840
professional and accommodating you were.

1716
00:57:52,800 --> 00:57:57,400
And good luck. Patrick, good luck. You

1717
00:57:55,840 --> 00:58:00,240
got big shoes to fill.

1718
00:57:57,400 --> 00:58:00,240
» Thank you for your comments.

1719
00:58:10,240 --> 00:58:13,600
» I'm Cliff Keyser. I live down on

1720
00:58:11,880 --> 00:58:16,480
Mechanic Street.

1721
00:58:13,600 --> 00:58:18,400
I can't pass up this opportunity to

1722
00:58:16,480 --> 00:58:21,320
thank the town administrator.

1723
00:58:18,400 --> 00:58:24,320
Who has been a very uh

1724
00:58:21,320 --> 00:58:24,320
close friend to me.

1725
00:58:24,880 --> 00:58:29,280
Terrific follow-through.

1726
00:58:26,800 --> 00:58:32,240
And he'll be missed. So, thank you.

1727
00:58:29,280 --> 00:58:32,240
» Thank you for your comments.

1728
00:58:35,720 --> 00:58:41,000
» Ryan Vent, 217 Crown Road. Neil,

1729
00:58:39,880 --> 00:58:43,160
good luck.

1730
00:58:41,000 --> 00:58:45,200
You made this this town a better place.

1731
00:58:43,160 --> 00:58:46,760
You made my family a better place.

1732
00:58:45,200 --> 00:58:48,320
And for that, we you definitely going to

1733
00:58:46,760 --> 00:58:50,360
be missed. Hopefully, we see you in the

1734
00:58:48,320 --> 00:58:51,520
Acme parking lot and could say hi. And

1735
00:58:50,360 --> 00:58:54,600
on behalf, and I thought this was

1736
00:58:51,520 --> 00:58:56,240
actually pretty freaking This is funny.

1737
00:58:54,600 --> 00:58:58,350
My family and myself

1738
00:58:56,240 --> 00:59:00,370
got you a bonsai tree.

1739
00:58:58,350 --> 00:59:00,370
» [snorts]

1740
00:59:11,960 --> 00:59:14,320
» Thank you.

1741
00:59:15,800 --> 00:59:18,400
» Anyone else?

1742
00:59:19,000 --> 00:59:22,520
» You were the letter man.

1743
00:59:20,200 --> 00:59:24,920
» Seeing none, we'll close the public

1744
00:59:22,520 --> 00:59:26,840
comment and ask our um

1745
00:59:24,920 --> 00:59:27,520
clerk to read a um I believe it may

1746
00:59:26,840 --> 00:59:28,000
email

1747
00:59:27,520 --> 00:59:28,600
» Yeah.

1748
00:59:28,000 --> 00:59:30,120
» Comment.

1749
00:59:28,600 --> 00:59:32,440
» Okay. Um

1750
00:59:30,120 --> 00:59:34,400
» From Susanna Pittman. Dear Town Council,

1751
00:59:32,440 --> 00:59:36,880
thank you for illuminating Town Hall in

1752
00:59:34,400 --> 00:59:38,720
rainbow colors in recognition of Pride

1753
00:59:36,880 --> 00:59:41,120
Month. It is my understanding that this

1754
00:59:38,720 --> 00:59:42,520
effort was a result of a collaborative

1755
00:59:41,120 --> 00:59:44,040
process that involved many

1756
00:59:42,520 --> 00:59:45,960
conversations.

1757
00:59:44,040 --> 00:59:48,120
I appreciate everyone who took the time

1758
00:59:45,960 --> 00:59:50,320
to engage in those discussions.

1759
00:59:48,120 --> 00:59:52,040
Conversations around complex and deeply

1760
00:59:50,320 --> 00:59:54,080
felt issues are not always easy to

1761
00:59:52,040 --> 00:59:56,560
navigate, but they are often where the

1762
00:59:54,080 --> 00:59:58,080
most meaningful progress is made.

1763
00:59:56,560 --> 00:59:59,760
Public comment and council member

1764
00:59:58,080 --> 01:00:02,360
remarks during Town Hall meetings

1765
00:59:59,760 --> 01:00:04,360
provide important opportunities for

1766
01:00:02,360 --> 01:00:06,680
expressing opinions, which is essential

1767
01:00:04,360 --> 01:00:08,480
to the democratic process. However,

1768
01:00:06,680 --> 01:00:11,120
these forums are not always well suited

1769
01:00:08,480 --> 01:00:13,680
for the kind of dialogue that requires

1770
01:00:11,120 --> 01:00:15,120
openness, vulnerability, curiosity, and

1771
01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:16,840
active learning.

1772
01:00:15,120 --> 01:00:19,560
Over the years, I have invited council

1773
01:00:16,840 --> 01:00:21,480
members to have those conversations

1774
01:00:19,560 --> 01:00:22,840
outside of public meetings, and several

1775
01:00:21,480 --> 01:00:25,400
council members from across the

1776
01:00:22,840 --> 01:00:27,600
political spectrum have accepted that

1777
01:00:25,400 --> 01:00:29,560
invitation. In most cases, those

1778
01:00:27,600 --> 01:00:33,160
discussions led to a greater sense of

1779
01:00:29,560 --> 01:00:34,840
understanding, appreciation, and unity.

1780
01:00:33,160 --> 01:00:36,640
With that in mind, if you choose to

1781
01:00:34,840 --> 01:00:38,960
reach out to community members whose

1782
01:00:36,640 --> 01:00:41,080
perspectives differ from your own, I

1783
01:00:38,960 --> 01:00:43,760
encourage you to first ask whether they

1784
01:00:41,080 --> 01:00:45,920
are open to having that conversation.

1785
01:00:43,760 --> 01:00:48,120
As we have seen during public comment,

1786
01:00:45,920 --> 01:00:50,240
these issues can be deeply personal and

1787
01:00:48,120 --> 01:00:52,240
emotionally charged, and for some

1788
01:00:50,240 --> 01:00:56,000
individuals, those emotions may be

1789
01:00:52,240 --> 01:00:57,840
connected to past experiences or trauma.

1790
01:00:56,000 --> 01:01:01,160
Approaching these conversations with

1791
01:00:57,840 --> 01:01:02,920
consent, empathy, and caring can help

1792
01:01:01,160 --> 01:01:05,800
create the conditions for genuine

1793
01:01:02,920 --> 01:01:07,960
dialogue and mutual respect. Thank you

1794
01:01:05,800 --> 01:01:09,840
again for this gesture of recognition,

1795
01:01:07,960 --> 01:01:12,600
and as always, thank you for your

1796
01:01:09,840 --> 01:01:14,720
service to our town. Warm regards, Dr.

1797
01:01:12,600 --> 01:01:17,120
Susanna Pittman.

1798
01:01:14,720 --> 01:01:17,120
» Thank you.

1799
01:01:17,280 --> 01:01:21,640
Seeing no other comments, I'll call for

1800
01:01:18,880 --> 01:01:21,640
a motion to adjourn.

1801
01:01:22,680 --> 01:01:24,640
» Second. You have a nice day.

1802
01:01:24,040 --> 01:01:26,800
» All in favor?

1803
01:01:24,640 --> 01:01:26,800
» Aye.