Transcript
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT
This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.
These are YouTube's auto-generated captions, not a human transcript — expect occasional errors, especially with names and technical terms.
[0:00]
Okay, good evening.
Excuse me. [clears throat] Good evening
[0:02]
and welcome to
to the August 11th, 2026 meeting of the
[0:06]
Roseland Governing Body.
Adequate notice of this meeting is
[0:09]
provided in accordance with the Open
Public Meeting Act that the date, time,
[0:11]
and location of the meeting were
included in the annual meeting schedule,
[0:13]
posted on the public bulletin board in
the municipal building, and filed in the
[0:15]
office of the borough clerk.
For those attending tonight's meeting
[0:18]
via Zoom, the agenda and other relevant
documents can be found on the borough's
[0:21]
website attached to the meeting notice
posted in the news and announcement
[0:24]
section. [clears throat]
During the meeting, an announcement will
[0:26]
be made prior to the two public comment
periods. Anyone wishing to make a public
[0:29]
comment via computer will be instructed
to use the raise your hand icon, and
[0:32]
anyone wishing to make a public comment
via telephone will be instructed to dial
[0:35]
star nine at the appropriate time. For
those in attendance in person or
[0:38]
remotely, please just please provide
your name and address when selected. If
[0:42]
you're eligible for Daniels Law, please
just announce your name. Mr. Watkins,
[0:45]
please call the roll.
>> Mayor Spango.
[0:46]
» Present.
>> Mr. Barti.
[0:48]
» Here.
>> Mr. Braun.
[0:50]
Mrs. Perotti.
>> Here.
[0:51]
» Mr. Schroeder.
>> Here.
[0:53]
» Mrs. Tulli.
>> Here.
[0:54]
» Mr. Trillo.
>> Here.
[0:57]
» Please rise for pledge of allegiance.
[1:02]
Pledge allegiance
>> to the flag of the United States of
[1:04]
America, and to the republic for which
it stands, one nation under God,
[1:10]
indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
[1:18]
» Thank you.
[1:22]
» Thank you. First on the agenda is our
first round of public comment. Any
[1:25]
member of the public wishing to be
heard, come forward, state your name and
[1:27]
address for the record. If you're with
us via Zoom, use the raise your hand
[1:30]
icon, and if you're with us
telephonically, please press the star
[1:32]
nine.
[1:42]
» [snorts]
[1:44]
[laughter]
>> It should be adjustable. I think you can
[1:46]
push it down.
>> it down.
[1:48]
Thank you.
[1:52]
That's fine.
Good evening, members of the town
[1:56]
council and members of the community.
Um specifically those that addressed
[2:01]
last month's meeting on that reside on
Freeman Street. My name is Nancy
[2:05]
Santerello, a tenant at 25 Mitchell, and
I work with the Performing Arts Project
[2:10]
NJ, a children's theater program that is
located at Chapel on the Hill at 40
[2:14]
Freeman Street. I am here tonight
because I believe it's important that
[2:17]
the council and the public hear directly
from someone who is present at this
[2:21]
program every day rather than relying on
assumptions,
[2:25]
incomplete information, or statements
that have been repeated without
[2:28]
verification about who we are, what we
do, and what is actually taking place at
[2:32]
the church. Our summer program runs
Monday through Friday 9:00 to 2:00 p.m.
[2:36]
with an aftercare option until 5:00 p.m.
Otherwise, our hours of operation differ
[2:41]
from September through June, we provide
services after school hours. We provide
[2:46]
children with a structured environment
focused on theater, music, performance,
[2:50]
creativity, and teamwork. Before we ever
opened our doors at
[2:56]
40 Freeman Street, we were fully aware
that the church is located within a
[3:00]
residential neighborhood. Because of
that, families were given clear written
[3:03]
instructions to drive slowly, respect
the residents of Freeman Street, follow
[3:08]
all parking laws, and be mindful of the
neighborhood. For performances that are
[3:12]
held at Chapel on the Hill, families are
directed to use the church parking lot
[3:16]
and when necessary to utilize
surrounding streets in a way that avoids
[3:20]
congestion on Freeman Street. On Fridays
during summer camp, our children perform
[3:25]
for their families at 1:00 p.m. And on
those weeks we have a higher attendance
[3:29]
of campers, we have two shows, one at
11:00 a.m. and then another at 1:00 p.m.
[3:34]
In anticipation not to overwhelm the
neighborhood and keep our campers and
[3:38]
residents safe. From the beginning,
safety and respect for the neighborhood
[3:41]
have been priorities, not afterthoughts.
I also want to acknowledge that on that
[3:46]
first day our pick-up car line, there
was confusion among parents who were
[3:51]
unfamiliar with the procedure. As a
result, the line became longer than
[3:55]
intended and extended into the street.
No driveways were blocked and no illegal
[3:59]
parking occurred, but we recognize that
the system needed improvement and we
[4:04]
immediately began addressing it. That is
what responsible organizations do when
[4:08]
they identify an issue. However, there
is meaningful there is a meaningful
[4:12]
difference between raising a legitimate
concern and building a narrative about
[4:16]
an organization without first seeking
accurate information. Police have been
[4:20]
called regarding parking and traffic
concerns. When officers responded, we
[4:24]
were informed that the vehicles were
legally parked and that no driveways
[4:28]
were blocked. Before I became a tenant
on Mitchell, I rented around the corner
[4:32]
from Farmer Funeral Home on Park Street
for 16 years. Should I have called every
[4:37]
time the funeral lot was full and the
mourners had to park on our street?
[4:40]
Doesn't seem like a good use of
community resources to me.
[4:44]
Despite that, concerns about our
presence began circulating even before
[4:48]
our program opened. We have also become
aware of statements suggesting that the
[4:52]
church is no longer functioning as a
church or that there is no pastor or
[4:56]
congregation present. These statements
are not accurate. The church has an
[5:01]
active pastor and parishioners,
including individuals who live on
[5:04]
Freeman Street. These facts could have
been easily confirmed through direct
[5:08]
communication with the church. To our
knowledge, none of you making these
[5:11]
claims contacted the church, visited the
property, or reached out to our program
[5:15]
before presenting these assertions
publicly.
[5:18]
We have been incorrectly described as a
dance company, which is not also which
[5:22]
is also not accurate. In addition,
there have been statements suggesting
[5:26]
that children are bused in from Newark
and East Orange alongside
[5:31]
concerns about traffic and crime. I want
to address this carefully. When children
[5:36]
from specific communities are referenced
in connection
[5:39]
with concerns about crime, it is
important for all of us to reflect on
[5:43]
what is actually being implied. These
are children participating in a theater
[5:47]
program. Children who are here to learn,
create, perform, and grow in a
[5:52]
structured, supervised environment. I
was a student that was bused from East
[5:56]
Orange to West Orange. My criminal
record is clean.
[6:00]
I may not be privileged enough to own a
home in this town and said I rent. I've
[6:05]
dedicated my time serving this community
on various committees like the Roseland
[6:10]
Environmental Commission, the Green
Team. I was a Roseland Girl Scout leader
[6:14]
for troop 20357,
worked the farmers market and the
[6:18]
endless and extremely meaningful years
serving the Noecker and West Essex
[6:22]
school communities as both an HSA board
member and a class parent. And our
[6:28]
organization has founded the musical
theater program in Noecker which
[6:31]
continues thrive today with our
continued hands-on support.
[6:35]
If there are concerns about traffic,
parking, or safety, those are concern
[6:40]
those concerns are valid and we welcome
them. We take them seriously. We live in
[6:44]
communities as well. As a matter of
fact, the same one as you, this one.
[6:48]
I've been a resident in Roseland since
June of 2006 and before that I lived in
[6:52]
West Orange from kindergarten to college
age.
[6:55]
We understand the importance of
neighborhood quality of life. But
[6:59]
concerns must be based on what is
actually happening. Being a good
[7:02]
neighbor is a shared responsibility and
means our families must continue to
[7:06]
drive carefully, park legally, respect
private property, and minimize
[7:10]
disruption. And we will continue to
enforce those expectations. But it also
[7:15]
means communication should come before
escalation. It means asking questions
[7:19]
before making assumptions. It means
verifying information before presenting
[7:23]
it as fact. And it means that when
concerns arise, the first step should be
[7:28]
dialogue not misinformation or
unnecessary escalation and alarm.
[7:32]
If someone had contacted us or the
church directly, we should we would have
[7:36]
gladly explain our program, our
schedule, our procedures, and the steps
[7:41]
we are already taking to be respectful
tenants in this neighborhood. We remain
[7:45]
fully open to that conversation. We
cannot effectively respond what we
[7:50]
cannot effectively respond to our rumors
or narratives that are formed without
[7:54]
direct engagement with us. We are not
asking for special treatment. We are
[7:58]
asking to be evaluated based on our
actual conduct. If a parent speeds, we
[8:02]
will address it. If a vehicle blocks a
driveway, we will address it.
[8:06]
But we ask that our organization not be
defined by assumptions nor should the
[8:10]
church or the children we serve be
mischaracterized based on incomplete or
[8:15]
unverified information. When we became
when we became aware of the concerns
[8:19]
being circulated, i.e. the Freeman
Street chat group, we also felt it was
[8:24]
important to provide them written
context directly to neighbors. We
[8:28]
introduced ourselves, shared our
background, and provided our direct
[8:32]
contact information specifically so that
concerns could be addressed quickly and
[8:36]
respectfully. We did that because we
value communication and believe it is
[8:40]
the most effective way to resolve issues
before they escalate. Our goal is not
[8:45]
conflict with the residents of Freeman
Street. Our goal is to operate a safe,
[8:49]
positive children's theater program
while being respectful tenants and
[8:52]
responsible neighbors within this
community. I hope that moving forward
[8:56]
concerns can be addressed through facts,
communication, and cooperation rather
[9:00]
than assumptions and misinformation. The
children in our program deserve that.
[9:05]
The church deserves that. The residents
deserves that. And I believe this
[9:10]
community, our community, deserves that
as well. Thank you.
[9:26]
» Hello.
>> I'm Missy Bonagaide. I live I'm your
[9:29]
neighbor at 3 Harrison Avenue, and you
see me walk my dog Jessie all the time
[9:34]
around here.
Um
[9:36]
so,
uh we I started
[9:41]
way back in the day, maybe some of you
remember
[9:45]
Superintendent Retsky
at Noecker. Yes, back in those days,
[9:51]
I started the Roseland annual musical.
I did theater professionally and I had
[9:59]
three daughters, still have, thank God,
three daughters and there were a lot of
[10:04]
recreation, sports, lots of
opportunities for different things of
[10:08]
that nature, but no theater in Roseland
at all. And so, I went to the
[10:12]
superintendent and said, I would like to
start an annual musical at Noecker.
[10:17]
And he said, that sounds great. Uh, and
it's been happening ever since. That was
[10:23]
when my daughter was in fourth grade,
she's currently 24. And so, this has
[10:27]
been a long-standing tradition in
Noecker. That is how the Performing Arts
[10:32]
Project started.
As a mom who wanted theater
[10:36]
opportunities for her children in this
community and for other children. And it
[10:40]
was very important to me at the time
that we offered the program for free so
[10:44]
that no child would be turned away and
would be able to have the opportunity to
[10:48]
do theater. I was looking into theater
programs and as a young mother,
[10:53]
who had just moved to New Jersey from
the city, I and we were young and
[10:59]
starting out, I didn't have a lot of
money for these expensive theater
[11:02]
programs in Maplewood and all over and I
said, I I don't want people kids to not
[11:08]
have theater because of money.
And I also my oldest daughter is on the
[11:14]
autism spectrum. She also has ADHD, OCD,
IED and multiple other
[11:23]
uh
abbreviations. And
[11:27]
so,
the other issue I had was she there was
[11:30]
nowhere for her to fit in.
Um if she had I should say she had
[11:34]
trouble fitting in.
Um the sports programs she did, her dad
[11:39]
coached all of them, but it wasn't
exactly the right fit for her and I
[11:43]
thought theater is it's a perfect fit
for kids who aren't maybe
[11:48]
exactly fitting the mold of all the
other kids. And uh we could service all
[11:53]
those kids in this way. And that was my
other mission. And she thrived doing the
[11:59]
Roseland musical and so did a lot of
other kids. And I got a lot of feedback
[12:04]
from teachers and parents. Um I still
have parents coming up to me when I go
[12:09]
to the West Essex shows who are crying
and say, "This is because of you. You
[12:15]
started this." And this never would have
happened without you. Um all our
[12:20]
original uh kids are all graduated now.
The first several years of the Roseland
[12:26]
musical.
Um so I've watched them and not just I.
[12:30]
Nancy's been with me since the
beginning. And we've watched them go
[12:34]
through our little ones would sit there
crisscross applesauce watching um all of
[12:39]
the the rehearsals and just dying for
their day that they could have a turn.
[12:45]
And they eventually did get their turn.
And then it was COVID.
[12:49]
One week before the performance. So they
missed out on their sixth grade year,
[12:53]
but I digress.
So
[12:56]
um
that's who we are. This is what we do.
[13:00]
Uh we started out in Roseland at the
Methodist Church. Um once I wanted to
[13:04]
expand beyond just the Newark musical
and then we had to move to Verona
[13:10]
because they we wanted to be able to do
something for the kids during the day
[13:14]
uh and not just after school. And so we
wanted to do a day camp during the
[13:18]
summer and uh the Methodist Church had a
preschool. They had day blah blah blah
[13:23]
blah. So we went to Verona. But we
always really missed Roseland. So, the
[13:28]
opportunity um came and I believe was
meant to be because I was thinking about
[13:35]
looking for a new place and I found out
someone told me that oh, you know, the
[13:40]
preschool's moving out of that church. I
said, what?
[13:43]
I would love like the Okay, I'm not
going to go on forever, I promise. But,
[13:48]
the I always wanted to partner with the
church and not just be there. And at the
[13:52]
Verona church, we were just kind of
there and they didn't want to partner
[13:56]
with us. And I spoke to Robert, Pastor
Robert, and he wanted to partner with
[14:00]
us. He was starting the Connection, a
Chapel on the Hill, which is the church
[14:05]
um that was the Presbyterian church on
Freeman Street. And I was thrilled about
[14:11]
this because we he we there's a board, I
was put on the board, and I'm excited as
[14:18]
theater as a church outreach. And so,
that is how that all came to be. So,
[14:24]
while Yancey's we've been around for a
long time, T Pap and Jay, we are also
[14:28]
integrated with the church and a part of
the church. Um we go to services, the
[14:33]
kids have performed at um a service, and
we plan to do more once it's the school
[14:38]
year, and we are very excited about
being part of the the church. Um
[14:45]
we had no idea that residents were not
happy that we were going in there until
[14:50]
um a mom who lives on Freeman Street,
who um knows me, called me up and told
[14:55]
me what people were saying. And she
said,
[14:58]
I'm so excited that you're going to be
here cuz I can walk my kids there. And
[15:02]
I'm so thrilled, and I don't know what's
happening. And um and in fact, in camp,
[15:06]
we've had several residents of Freeman
Street, their kids, and they love it cuz
[15:10]
they walk. They bring their dog, they
walk, they get their kids. And um one of
[15:15]
them expressed how embarrassed she was
and because um Um, residents kept
[15:21]
calling the police on us um because one
day there were cars on the street.
[15:28]
Cars on the street.
[15:31]
And one day um the parking lot uh
the cars for the performance the people
[15:38]
didn't get the they didn't give their
extended family the memo. So some people
[15:41]
parked on Freeman Street even though I
was very careful to tell everyone
[15:46]
for the love of all things do not park
on Freeman Street. Um, but some of them
[15:51]
didn't get the memo and parked on
Freeman Street so they called the police
[15:53]
on us and he came in in the middle of
the performance. There were people
[15:56]
parked legally on the street. The
residents are complaining and um and one
[16:01]
of the residents was she said, "I'm so
embarrassed." Anyway, okay. I'm sure
[16:06]
there's probably some sort of time
limit. But I just um wanted to tell you
[16:10]
that uh
I
[16:13]
unfortunately a lot of the
misinformation was I believe um
[16:18]
construed to give us sort of a bad give
a bad impression. I think I don't know
[16:23]
because bussing kids from New York
I've never bussed kids in my life except
[16:28]
for my kids who got bussed to Norwalker.
But I've never bussed kids for our
[16:32]
program. I don't I that is like how did
they come up with that? Um
[16:38]
so I don't know. But um I did when I
heard about this I wrote a letter and I
[16:45]
um
put one on the doorstep of every
[16:48]
resident of Freeman Street. And what it
does is it just introduces who I am
[16:53]
because I thought, "Well, maybe they
think it's some
[16:56]
crazy person from some city somewhere
who hates Roseland who's coming here to
[17:02]
destroy our town." And I'll let them
know that that is not the case. I'm like
[17:08]
we're the Girl Scout leaders. We're the
class moms. We started the musical.
[17:13]
We're the ones who were like handing out
the water cups at the 5K race. Like that
[17:19]
we've been a part of this community for
21 years.
[17:22]
» [clears throat]
>> Um all three of my girls grew up here.
[17:24]
My last one just graduated West Essex
and is going to Skidmore College in the
[17:28]
fall, which is crazy. But um I have been
we have been deeply ingrained in this
[17:33]
community and we just want we were so
excited to come back here and be able to
[17:38]
bring real sand more into it. And um and
be um
[17:43]
in uh connection with the church. And um
so it it was
[17:48]
disheartening. Um and but we as good
people know how to handle things with a
[17:55]
smile and see the bright side. And
Captain Ballard, dude, he is so nice. I
[18:02]
would never have gotten to know him
otherwise. So, bright side,
[18:06]
he's great. And we're on like a first
name basis. We email.
[18:11]
So, and in fact um a lot of the officers
email me. They they email me.
[18:18]
So, [snorts]
um
[18:21]
I never had I live right here and I
never knew the officers. So, this is a
[18:25]
nice, you know, bright spot of all of
this. Um I think I need to bring them
[18:30]
donuts or something because now I feel
like we're buds. They're So, um
[18:35]
basically, which and I'll leave this
letter with you. I'm not going to take
[18:37]
time to read it cuz I know I'm very
long-winded. But um you can read this uh
[18:42]
and it just introduces us and like what
we do and the precautions we put in
[18:47]
place before we ever even started summer
camp so that we would not inconvenience
[18:51]
anyone who lives there because
we live here, too.
[18:55]
We don't want people mad at us. That's
the last thing we want. So, anyway.
[19:00]
Um so, just the last couple of things
I'll address is
[19:05]
um
uh one thing is I feel like um
[19:09]
I feel I feel bad that the police are
coming and supervising twice a day every
[19:15]
day when it's most weeks it's a handful
of cars and nobody ends up on the street
[19:21]
and they're sitting there for an hour in
the morning and an hour in the afternoon
[19:24]
and
I just I just I feel I it's just so
[19:29]
unnecessary and I feel bad that they
have to do that and I feel bad that
[19:33]
they're being called to do that but
I just I feel like they could be doing
[19:38]
better things than watching the orderly
organized safe the car line is so safe
[19:44]
I
I don't know.
[19:47]
So
that's something that was on my mind
[19:50]
that I I was feeling bad about and
[19:56]
and having them be called away because
there were a few cars parked on the
[19:59]
street for an hour it just seems like as
a taxpayer of Roseland all these years
[20:03]
it seems like not a good use of
resources but
[20:07]
we put the kids safety first
they
[20:11]
parents are always asking why are the
police here?
[20:14]
The kids are like why are the police
here? And I tell them well some people
[20:19]
are concerned that they want to they
want to make sure everyone's safe so
[20:22]
they're here to help us.
But
[20:26]
and I did watch the meeting
on the last meeting I watched the video
[20:31]
and I wrote down a giant list of things
that were 100% inaccurate
[20:38]
but I'm not going to I can always email
it. I'm not going to take the time
[20:41]
because I've already taken way too much
of your time. So
[20:45]
but let's just say most of it was
inaccurate the church is alive and well
[20:49]
and we are not some business and there
haven't been they've been getting
[20:54]
bombarded with school after school the
last school was there for 16 years.
[21:00]
So and when I was looking for a house in
Roseland I was told by the realtor this
[21:04]
street has a church as a preschool it's
an active street so if you want to be on
[21:08]
a quiet street, don't buy a house on
Freeman Street. I was like, okay. I
[21:11]
mean, I bought a house on Harrison, so
obviously I didn't CARE ABOUT THAT.
[21:15]
» [laughter]
>> I'M LIKE, REALLY? YOU HAVE A TRAFFIC
[21:18]
PROBLEM IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE?
>> [laughter]
[21:21]
» NOT FOR NOTHING, BUT THE SCRAM THERE
WERE THOSE GIANT scram buses parked that
[21:25]
one day, and they were blocking the
crosswalks, so I had to walk around the
[21:30]
bus when I walked my dog to get to the
crosswalk. I was like, Captain Blood on
[21:35]
speed dial.
It's a problem.
[21:39]
I'm just kidding. I would never, because
that's insane.
[21:43]
Um
as a resident, I want to get along with
[21:47]
everyone and lend a helping hand, and
that's what I do. And I'm going to
[21:52]
continue to do that, and I will give you
this for your perusal.
[21:57]
And uh I will shoot you an email with
some of this other stuff so that you can
[22:02]
get on to really more important issues,
because Freeman Street I'm an important
[22:07]
issue.
Thank you.
[22:18]
» My name is Robert Conaway. I'm the
pastor at Roseland Presbyterian. Um
[22:23]
it was very disheartening of us to hear
that nobody goes to that church. All the
[22:28]
ladies and gentlemen that are there
every Sunday were quite offended that
[22:32]
they are nobodies. Uh
and they've been Some of them have been
[22:35]
going to that church for 40 and 50
years. Uh so they're they're very loyal.
[22:41]
Uh I am the pastor of that church
currently. Um we are viable. Um we have
[22:46]
a lot of funding to keep us going. Our
5-year, our 10-year, our 25-year plans
[22:54]
do not say we're closing the church and
building housing.
[22:57]
» Mhm.
>> Uh
[22:58]
our plan is that we be a viable part of
the community. Uh we made an assessment
[23:03]
this last year that
while the preschool uh was using the
[23:08]
building, it didn't really have any
community connection with us. It was a
[23:14]
tenant landlord. Uh I opened that
preschool in 2010 when it was there,
[23:19]
very tightly joined with the church. Uh
when I stepped down and the teachers
[23:24]
took over the school, it became a tenant
landlord situation and we saw no benefit
[23:29]
to Roseland other than having child care
and we saw no benefit to the church uh
[23:35]
in the future. So, we made a decision to
uh to
[23:39]
make a change. They moved over to
uh Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament.
[23:44]
They're very happy over there. They have
five times more room than we had. Uh
[23:48]
when they were with us, they they had
every nook and cranny of that building
[23:52]
filled with stuff and it we were unable
to use it. So, our goal is to put that
[23:58]
church and that building into the
service of Roseland and the community.
[24:01]
So, we're looking for ministry
opportunities for uh group opportunities
[24:06]
for people to come in and use that space
for whatever they can use it. Uh we work
[24:12]
very closely with the zoning board. Um
we're not trying to do anything illegal
[24:16]
there. It's like uh
everything we hope is in order.
[24:20]
Um
I have made that and I hope before, but
[24:24]
especially now that um
the children in the neighborhood use
[24:28]
that as a playground. And I've talked to
parents who say they so appreciate that
[24:32]
we welcome those kids.
Uh I'll tell you a funny story. Uh
[24:36]
before the preschool left, the uh there
were four nine- and 10-year-old boys out
[24:41]
playing baseball. They had all the
equipment, the bases, the bats,
[24:45]
everything to play baseball. And I went
out and uh was pulling my car in,
[24:50]
uh pulling I'm going to my car and the
kid says, "Hey, mister, you're in our
[24:54]
baseball field." And I said, "O- okay,
let me move." So, I moved my car out of
[24:59]
the baseball field. When I went back the
next evening, they were there again, but
[25:03]
they had moved the baseball field and I
said, "I thought this was your baseball
[25:06]
field." And they said, "We decided this
is better." I said, "Good for you." But,
[25:10]
one of the young men, I think he was 9
years old, came up to me and says, "You
[25:13]
know how some ladies have red hair?" And
I said, "Yes." And he says, "You know
[25:18]
how some ladies have black hair?" I
said, "Yes." And he says, "Well, some
[25:22]
lady with blonde hair came out of that
building in the school and said we were
[25:27]
not allowed to play here." And I said,
"You tell her Robert said this is your
[25:32]
ball field and you are allowed to play
here." And I had a long conversation
[25:37]
with a parent that's adjacent to us and
her kids are there every evening playing
[25:42]
baseball, shooting hoops. On Saturday
and Sunday afternoons, I see families up
[25:47]
there teaching kids to use the bicycle.
And that's what we want that space to be
[25:52]
used for. We want the community to know
it's there. And if there's a need
[25:57]
for for a meeting space or some kind of
event that needs to be done,
[26:02]
we want to open our doors. And my vision
is that we host three
[26:08]
um
12-step meetings there. Every person
[26:12]
that enters that building is a member of
our church, even if they're only coming
[26:15]
for one or two or three 12-step meetings
a month. Uh every kid that comes into
[26:20]
that back parking lot or that playground
and uses it, their families are a member
[26:25]
of that church and everyone in Roseland.
So, we're going beyond thinking that you
[26:29]
have to be a Presbyterian and you have
to be a member of the Presbyterian
[26:32]
church and if you you know, we're we're
going away from that. We're we're saying
[26:36]
we're here, we're serving the community
and we want to be a part of it. Where
[26:42]
these rumors get started, I've been
there for 16 years. I've never seen a
[26:47]
bus.
Um
[26:49]
I've talked to everybody about who's
driving 50 up and down Freeman Street.
[26:54]
And most of the people I don't believe
you can go try it. I don't believe you
[26:58]
could go 50 between Freeman's between
the beginning and the end of Freeman
[27:03]
Street and not be screeching brakes
trying to stop. Uh so it that street
[27:08]
does not yield itself to 50. I talked to
a lady across the street at length. She
[27:12]
says, "I don't know where this comes
from." She says, "I'm across the street.
[27:15]
We never see people speeding. We always
see people really respectful." And so I
[27:21]
just want to be on the record as saying
we're nice. We're not trying to cause
[27:25]
trouble. We're just trying to be a
resource to the community and put that
[27:30]
building in use. And I will point out I
pointed out to zoning office he said it
[27:34]
doesn't matter that we have been in
Roseland before the zoning plan. And we
[27:38]
are in a residential zone. We know we're
in a residential zone, but churches are
[27:42]
allowed in a residential zone. So
we're playing by the rules and we're
[27:47]
here to do whatever it is we need to do.
Anybody has ideas about something to use
[27:52]
that building for, we're open to talk
about it. Thank you.
[27:55]
» Thank you. Home number.
[28:04]
» You're not the blonde lady THAT SAID YOU
[28:08]
» I WAS THINKING [laughter] THE
>> I JUST SORRY.
[28:11]
» NO, NO.
MY name is Martha Kostler. I live at 40
[28:16]
Old Eagle Rock in Roseland and I think I
probably am the only person here that
[28:21]
lived 75 years in Roseland.
So I care about Roseland. I love
[28:27]
Roseland. Never would move from it. Go
on vacation, I come off 280 and I'm I
[28:33]
just love coming back into Roseland.
But I am speaking more as a member of
[28:40]
the church
and how important it is to have our
[28:44]
churches in the community.
Uh it's more than just Sunday. We give
[28:50]
money to the food bank in Roseland. We
give money to Caldwell food bank. We're
[28:56]
there if somebody needs help. We're, you
know, if people need meals brought or
[29:01]
you name it. And that's an important
thing to keep in in Roseland or in any
[29:05]
community.
So, um
[29:08]
I I think we're a great bunch of people
in this town. So,
[29:13]
I hope that
you know, we can
[29:16]
solve anybody else's problems if they
need help or if they need, uh, you know,
[29:22]
a place to use, uh, for other, uh,
purposes.
[29:31]
» Thank you. Um
It's a just suggestion. I'll put it out
[29:35]
there for you to think about. Maybe we
can
[29:38]
have some sort of offline meeting with
the residents, church, and yourselves.
[29:42]
See if we can work through the issues,
come to a common ground just to just to
[29:46]
clear the air. I mean, just to get the
facts out there. Just a suggestion. I'll
[29:49]
reach out to schedule something we can
all sit down.
[29:52]
If If If everyone's open to it. Just
put the facts out there. So, maybe put
[29:56]
this to
put everyone's
[29:58]
apprehensions or concerns to bed. I
will. Thank you.
[30:02]
Anybody else in the audience?
[30:05]
» Any other member of the public who
wishes to be heard?
[30:10]
If not, we'll move on to introduction of
ordinances. First on the agenda is
[30:13]
ordinance 35-2026.
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
[30:18]
by title only.
>> An ordinance amending chapter 2 of the
[30:21]
revised general ordinances of the
Borough of Roseland entitled
[30:24]
administration
article 3 entitled administrative
[30:28]
organization.
>> Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
[30:31]
35-2026?
[30:34]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[30:37]
» Party Trillo, all in favor?
>> Aye. right.
[30:40]
» Opposed?
Hearing seeing none.
[30:43]
» Ordinance number 35 will be published on
the borough's website and the notice of
[30:47]
public hearing will be advertised on the
borough's website. Public hearing will
[30:51]
be held on Tuesday, September 15th,
2026.
[30:54]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
agenda is an introduction of ordinance
[30:57]
36-2026.
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
[31:00]
by title only.
>> An ordinance amending chapter 2 of the
[31:03]
revised general ordinances of the
borough of Roseland and titled
[31:06]
administration.
>> Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
[31:09]
36-2026?
>> So moved.
[31:12]
» Second.
>> Trillo, Poratti. All in favor?
[31:15]
» Aye.
>> Aye.
[31:16]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none.
[31:19]
» Ordinance number 36-2026
will be published on the borough's
[31:23]
website and the notice of public hearing
will be advertised on the borough's
[31:27]
website. Public hearing will be held on
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
[31:32]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
agenda is an introduction of ordinance
[31:34]
37-2026.
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
[31:37]
by title only.
>> An ordinance amending chapter 2 of the
[31:40]
revised general ordinances of the
borough of Roseland and titled
[31:43]
administration to replace section 2-35
entitled recreation committee in its
[31:49]
entirety.
>> Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
[31:51]
37-2026?
>> So moved.
[31:54]
» Second.
>> Tolly, Barty. All in favor?
[31:57]
» Aye.
>> Aye.
[31:58]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none.
[32:01]
» Ordinance number 37-2026
will be published on the borough's
[32:04]
website and the notice of public hearing
will be advertised on the borough's
[32:08]
website. Public hearing will be held on
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
[32:13]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
agenda is introduction of ordinance
[32:16]
38-2026. Mr. Watkins, please read the
ordinance by title only.
[32:20]
» Bond ordinance providing for the
2026-2027
[32:24]
municipal road project in and by the
borough of Roseland in the county of
[32:28]
Essex, New Jersey, appropriating
$288,000
[32:32]
therefore and authorizing the issuance
of $273,600
[32:37]
bonds or notes of the borough to finance
part of the cost thereof.
[32:41]
» Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
38-2026?
[32:43]
» So moved.
[32:47]
» Second.
>> Party Trillo, all in favor?
[32:49]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[32:52]
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins.
>> Ordinance number 38-2026
[32:56]
will be published on the borough's
website. Notice of public hearing will
[32:59]
be advertised on the borough's website.
Public hearing will be held on Tuesday,
[33:03]
September 15th, 2026.
>> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
[33:07]
agenda is introduction of ordinance
39-2026.
[33:10]
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
by title only.
[33:13]
» An ordinance of the borough of Roseland
to repeal ordinance number 22-2026
[33:18]
as amended, which provided for salaries
and compensation to be paid to non-union
[33:22]
employees of the borough of Roseland,
and substitute therefore salaries and
[33:26]
compensation for the year 2000
>> 26.
[33:32]
Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
39-2026?
[33:35]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[33:39]
» Trillo Party, all in favor?
>> Aye.
[33:41]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins.
[33:44]
» Ordinance number 39-2026
will be published on the borough's
[33:48]
website. Notice of public hearing will
be advertised on the borough's website.
[33:53]
The public hearing will be held on
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
[33:57]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
agenda is introduction of ordinance
[33:59]
40-2026. Mr. Watkins, please read the
agenda. Sorry, read the ordinance by
[34:04]
title only.
>> An ordinance deleting chapter 8 of the
[34:07]
revised general ordinances of the
borough of Roseland entitled personnel.
[34:11]
» Is there a motion to introduce ordinance
40-2026?
[34:17]
» So moved.
[34:21]
» Second.
>> Party Trillo, all in favor?
[34:24]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[34:26]
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins.
>> Ordinance number 40-2026
[34:31]
will be published on the borough's
website and the notice of public hearing
[34:34]
will be advertised on the borough's
website. Public hearing will be held on
[34:37]
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
>> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next is a public
[34:42]
hearing on ordinance 30-2026. Mr.
Watkins, please read the ordinance by
[34:46]
title only.
>> An ordinance amending chapter 3 of the
[34:49]
revised general ordinances of the
borough of Roseland entitled police
[34:53]
regulations
prohibiting the parking of motor
[34:55]
vehicles outside of designated or
delineated parking spaces on public land
[35:01]
Excuse me, public and private property
open to the public and establishing
[35:05]
penalties for violations.
>> Is there a motion to open the public
[35:07]
hearing?
>> So moved.
[35:10]
» Second.
>> Parrott, Barty. All in favor?
[35:12]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[35:15]
Hearing and seeing none. Does anyone
wish to be heard on ordinance 30-2026?
[35:22]
Hearing and seeing none. May I have a
motion to close the public hearing?
[35:26]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[35:28]
» Trillo, Schroeder. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[35:31]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none. Mr. Watkins,
[35:34]
please read the ordinance by title only.
>> An ordinance amending chapter 3 of the
[35:38]
revised general ordinances of the
borough of Roseland entitled police
[35:41]
regulations prohibiting the parking of
motor vehicles outside of designated or
[35:46]
delineated parking spaces on public and
private property open to the public and
[35:51]
Excuse me, and establishing
[clears throat] penalties for
[35:52]
violations.
>> Is there a motion to adopt ordinance
[35:55]
30-2026?
>> So moved.
[36:02]
» Second.
>> Parrott, Barty. Roll call vote, please,
[36:04]
Mr. Watkins.
>> Mr. Barty.
[36:06]
» Yes.
>> Mrs. Parrott.
[36:08]
» Yes.
>> Mr. Schroeder.
[36:09]
» Yes.
>> Mrs. Tully.
[36:14]
Mr. Trillo.
>> Yes.
[36:20]
» Ordinance number 30-2026
will be on the borough's website as a
[36:23]
passed ordinance and shall take effect
as provided by law.
[36:27]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next is a public
hearing on ordinance 31-2026.
[36:31]
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
by title only.
[36:33]
» An ordinance amending chapter 13 of the
revised general ordinances of the
[36:37]
Borough of Roseland entitled fire
prevention and protection
[36:41]
to establish regulations for the
designation, design, marking,
[36:44]
maintenance, and enforcement of fire
lanes and associated no parking zones.
[36:49]
» Is there a motion to open the public
hearing on ordinance 31-2026?
[36:54]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[36:56]
» And Schroeder, Porratti. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[36:59]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, does anyone
[37:02]
wish to be heard on ordinance 31-2026?
[37:08]
» Sorry about
>> Hearing and seeing none, may I have a
[37:09]
motion to close the public hearing?
>> So moved.
[37:13]
» Second.
>> Porratti, Barty.
[37:16]
All in favor?
>> Aye.
[37:18]
» Opposed?
[37:21]
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins,
please read the ordinance by title only.
[37:24]
» An ordinance amending chapter 13 of the
revised general ordinances of the
[37:28]
Borough of Roseland entitled fire
prevention and protection
[37:31]
to establish regulations for the
designation, design, marking,
[37:35]
maintenance, and enforcement of fire
lanes and associated no parking zones.
[37:39]
» Is there a motion to adopt ordinance
31-2026?
[37:43]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[37:45]
» Porratti, Trillo, roll call vote,
please, Mr. Watkins.
[37:48]
Mr. Barty?
>> Yes.
[37:50]
» Mrs. Porratti?
>> Yes.
[37:51]
» Mr. Schroeder?
>> Yes.
[37:53]
» Mrs. Tolley?
>> Yes.
[37:55]
» Mr. Trillo?
>> Yes.
[37:57]
» Ordinance number 31-2026
will be on the
[38:02]
be advertised on the Borough's website
as a passed ordinance and shall take
[38:05]
effect as provided by law.
>> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next is a public
[38:08]
hearing on ordinance 32-2026.
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
[38:12]
by title only.
>> Bond ordinance providing a supplemental
[38:16]
appropriation of $80,000 for acquisition
of a command vehicle and related
[38:20]
equipment for the part for the fire
department in and by the Borough of
[38:25]
Roseland in the County of Essex, New
Jersey and authorizing the issuance of
[38:29]
$76,000 bonds or notes of the Borough to
finance part of the cost thereof.
[38:34]
» Is there a motion to open the public
hearing on ordinance 32-2026?
[38:38]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[38:40]
» Parrott, Barty. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[38:43]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, does anyone
[38:46]
wish to be heard on ordinance 32-2026?
[38:52]
Hearing and seeing none, may I have a
motion to close the public hearing?
[38:56]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[38:59]
» Trillo, Barty. All in favor?
>> Aye.
[39:02]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins,
[39:05]
please read the ordinance by title only.
>> Bond ordinance providing a supplemental
[39:09]
appropriation of $80,000
for acquisition of a command vehicle and
[39:14]
related equipment for the fire
department in and by the Borough of
[39:17]
Roseland in the County of Essex, New
Jersey and authorizing the issuance of
[39:22]
$76,000 bonds or notes of the Borough to
finance part of the cost thereof.
[39:26]
» Is there a motion to adopt ordinance
32-2026?
[39:29]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[39:32]
» Parrott, Barty, roll call vote, please,
Mr. Watkins.
[39:35]
» Mr. Barty?
>> Yes.
[39:36]
» Mrs. Parrott?
>> Yes.
[39:38]
» Mr. Schroeder?
>> Yes.
[39:39]
» Mrs. Tolley?
>> Yes.
[39:41]
» Mr. Trillo?
>> Yes.
[39:43]
» Ordinance 32-2026
will be advertised on the Borough's
[39:47]
website as a passed ordinance
and shall take effect 20 days after
[39:51]
first publication after final adoption
as provided by law.
[39:56]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next is a public
hearing on ordinance 33-2026.
[40:00]
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
by title only.
[40:03]
» Ordinance appropriating $409,456
[40:07]
to provide provide for improvements to
Old Eagle Rock Avenue and Park Street in
[40:12]
and by the Borough of Roseland in the
County of Essex, New Jersey.
[40:15]
» Is there a motion to open the public
hearing on ordinance 33-2026?
[40:21]
» Moved.
>> Second.
[40:24]
» Trillo, Barady, all in favor?
>> Aye.
[40:25]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[40:28]
Hearing and seeing none, does anyone
wish to be heard on ordinance 33-2026?
[40:36]
Hearing and seeing none, may I have a
motion to close the public hearing?
[40:40]
» So moved.
[40:45]
» Second.
>> Barady, Tolly, all in favor?
[40:48]
» Aye.
>> Aye.
[40:49]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins,
[40:52]
please read the ordinance by title only.
>> Ordinance appropriating $409,456 to
[40:55]
provide for improvements to Old Eagle
Rock Avenue at Park Street
[41:02]
in and by the Borough of Roseland in the
County of Essex, New Jersey.
[41:05]
» Is there a motion to adopt ordinance
33-2026?
[41:09]
» So moved.
[41:12]
» Second.
>> Motion, I make.
[41:14]
» Parady.
>> Trillo, roll call vote, please, Mr.
[41:16]
Watkins.
>> I'm ahead of myself.
[41:18]
Sorry.
>> Mr. Barady.
[41:20]
» Yes.
>> Mrs. Mrs. Parady.
[41:22]
» Yes, I think.
>> Mr. Schroder.
[41:24]
Mr. Schroder.
>> Yes.
[41:25]
» Mrs. Tolly.
>> Yes.
[41:27]
» Mr. Trillo.
>> Yes.
[41:29]
» Ordinance number 33-2026
will be advertised on the borough's
[41:33]
website as a passed ordinance.
Shall take effect 20 days after first
[41:38]
publication after final adoption as
provided by law.
[41:42]
» Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next is a public
hearing on ordinance 34-2026.
[41:45]
Mr. Watkins, please read the ordinance
by title only.
[41:48]
» An ordinance amending and supplementing
chapter 14 of the revised general
[41:52]
ordinances of the Borough of Roseland
entitled parks and recreation
[41:56]
amendment amending section 14-5
entitled use of pickleball courts.
[42:02]
» Is there a motion to open the public
hearing on ordinance 34-2026?
[42:06]
» Motion.
>> Second.
[42:08]
» Tolly, Trillo, all in favor?
>> Aye.
[42:10]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[42:12]
Hearing and seeing none, does anyone
wish to be heard on ordinance 34-2026?
[42:19]
Hearing and seeing none, I have a motion
to close the public hearing on ordinance
[42:22]
34-2026.
>> So moved.
[42:27]
» Second.
>> Trillo, Tolly, all in favor? Hi.
[42:31]
Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none, Mr. Watkins,
[42:34]
please read the ordinance by title only.
>> An ordinance amending and supplementing
[42:38]
chapter 14 of the revised general
ordinances of the Borough of Roseland
[42:41]
entitled parks and recreation, amending
section 14-5 entitled use of pickleball
[42:47]
courts.
>> Is there a motion to adopt ordinance
[42:49]
34-2026?
>> So moved.
[42:53]
» Second.
>> Bardi, Perrotti, roll call vote, please,
[42:55]
Mr. Watkins.
[42:58]
» Mr. Bardi.
>> Yes.
[42:59]
» Mrs. Perrotti.
>> Yes.
[43:01]
» Mr. Schroeder.
>> Yes.
[43:02]
» Mrs. Tolly.
>> Yes.
[43:03]
» Mr. Trillo.
>> Yes.
[43:06]
» Ordinance 34-2026
will be on the borough's advertised on
[43:10]
the borough's website as a passed
ordinance and shall take effect as
[43:14]
provided by law.
>> Thank you, Mr. Watkins. Next on the
[43:17]
agenda is resolution 244-2026
approving the August 5th bill list.
[43:22]
Everyone received the bill list?
Questions, concerns, recusal, or
[43:25]
comments?
[43:28]
If there are none from the governing
body, we'll take a motion to approve.
[43:35]
» So moved.
>> Second.
[43:37]
» Bardi, Perrotti, all in favor? Hi.
Opposed?
[43:41]
Hearing and seeing none.
Next, we have resolutions 245-2026
[43:46]
and 266-2026
by resolution number
[43:50]
by agenda items 1 through 22.
I'd like to move these in their
[43:55]
entirety. Any questions, concerns, or
recusals?
[43:58]
» I think I have to recuse myself on
number two.
[44:02]
» Okay, so that's all right, so
>> If he got it in on time, cuz he's he's
[44:05]
my son, so
>> Okay, all right, so we'll do this.
[44:07]
We'll we'll move resolution 246-2026,
number two, by agenda, by resolution
[44:13]
number 246-2026
with Councilman Trillo recusing himself.
[44:17]
Can we have a motion to approve Excuse
me, motion to adopt that resolution?
[44:20]
» Motion.
>> Second.
[44:23]
» Prado, Barty, all in favor?
>> Aye.
[44:25]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none.
[44:29]
Now, we'll move resolution 245-2026,
skip over 246, and then go 247-2026
[44:36]
through 266-2026.
Do you have any questions?
[44:40]
» I I have a quick question, I'm sorry.
So, resolution number 253-2026,
[44:46]
the Lula Salmon O'Riley Run, I I
absolutely love that idea. But, I have a
[44:50]
question. In it, it said if there was
money additional money's from, I guess,
[44:55]
the registrants, it was going to go
towards the community center.
[44:58]
» has, so
>> Yeah, what is But, where does it
[45:00]
» Any any money that comes in from the Run
for Roseland has always gone aside for
[45:04]
community room So, outfitting and
different things.
[45:06]
» Oh, okay.
>> Because we changed the name of the race,
[45:08]
now we have to say we're still using it
for the same purpose.
[45:11]
» Same purpose. Okay, I was I was
confused.
[45:13]
» have any money in there, trust me.
>> I thought we did.
[45:16]
That's why I was like, where's the money
coming from? Hopefully, we'll get some
[45:18]
this time. And then, um the
resolution 259-2026,
[45:23]
is that the continuation of Roseland
Avenue? That That sidewalk
[45:27]
» That's the new CDBG sidewalk.
>> That's the Yeah, that's the sidewalk
[45:30]
from back then.
>> Yes, yes, from
[45:32]
» from
>> 2020 Okay, I just wasn't sure. I just
[45:35]
was curious if it was the same one.
Okay, I'm sorry. Thank you.
[45:37]
» No, any other questions, concerns?
If there are none, can we have a motion
[45:41]
to adopt these resolutions, please?
>> So moved.
[45:44]
» Second.
>> Trillo, Prado, all in favor?
[45:46]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[45:49]
Hearing and seeing none. Next, we have
consent agenda, accept the resignation
[45:52]
of Ms. Escona from our accounts payable
position. We have a motion to accept the
[45:57]
resignation.
>> So moved.
[45:59]
» Second.
>> Trillo, Barty, all in favor?
[46:01]
» Aye.
>> Aye.
[46:02]
» Opposed?
Hearing and seeing none. Um
[46:05]
quickly we have
our second concert series concert
[46:09]
tomorrow night. We have our third
concert on September 12th, which will be
[46:14]
before our next televised meeting, which
will also have first responder
[46:16]
appreciation day before that,
approximately 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. That
[46:19]
concert really packed and hopefully
the new room will be done, so it'll be
[46:23]
from the terrace and not from the stage,
so we'll have more of a surround
[46:26]
experience. Um
Uh besides that, I have nothing. I'll
[46:31]
reduce any comments for the end, and
I'll move the committee reports along.
[46:36]
Uh Councilman Barty.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh so really quick, we
[46:39]
have our tax bill presentation.
Um we like to do this presentation right
[46:44]
after we mail our tax bill, so that our
residents know what to expect when they
[46:48]
get the tax bill in the mail. I got mine
today in the mail.
[46:50]
» I did, too.
>> So um
[46:54]
the uh just a quick recap, um we
um our our tax rate this year is up
[47:01]
» What was that?
>> 1.56,
[47:03]
uh which is an average of $49 a tax uh a
um
[47:07]
$49 increase per resident. Uh per
household, I should say. The um just to
[47:12]
really quickly just a recap of the of
the budget here. So, I mean, we have a
[47:16]
our municipal tax rate of .506. We got
that by taking our total appropriations,
[47:21]
we take out the library tax. Gives us
the tax to be raised by tax rate the
[47:24]
amount to be raised by taxation. We then
take that, we divide it by our total
[47:27]
assessed value uh valuation in Rosemont,
and multiply by 100, and there's your
[47:31]
tax rate, .506. So that you should see
that on your tax bill uh when you get it
[47:35]
in the mail.
The what does that mean to you?
[47:38]
Uh basically that means around for
municipal taxes around a $3,238.16
[47:44]
uh municipal tax average for the average
assessed home at $640,236.
[47:52]
Tax bill, uh now that we have um the all
of the the rest of the taxes certified
[47:57]
from the county, local taxes, uh and the
and and the West Essex School District
[48:02]
on the average home, the tax your tax
bill will be around $12,223.13.
[48:10]
Uh so, just we break down each one of
these now. Noecker, uh we received the
[48:13]
final the final numbers there came in at
an increase of 3.15%
[48:20]
uh from the previous year.
West Essex came in at an increase of
[48:24]
5.48%
from the previous year.
[48:28]
And Essex County came in at a decrease
of 0.09%
[48:32]
uh from 2025 to 2026.
So, when you take all that together, you
[48:37]
get this
large net valuation taxable number on
[48:42]
the on the right.
[48:45]
And then, uh what that really means here
is an average of again, an average home
[48:49]
in Roseland
is
[48:52]
the new average tax rate would be
Yeah, the average home 12,223.13.
[48:59]
So, it's it's about a $241
um increase per average home if you add
[49:04]
up all the taxes for all
of the various
[49:08]
uh components. But again, Roseland's tax
rate uh went up 1.56% at at $49
[49:15]
household.
And that's all we have. Uh taxes are due
[49:17]
on September 1st.
>> Had to throw that in.
[49:20]
» Thank you.
>> [laughter]
[49:23]
» Had to throw [snorts] that in.
>> Hope everyone's having a great summer.
[49:26]
» Thank you. So, once so so those those
numbers you just explained that
[49:29]
the impact that this governing body has
raised taxes $49 to the average home,
[49:34]
correct?
And as of today, we haven't gotten all
[49:37]
the tax rates from the county, but as of
today
[49:40]
unless something changes, for the third
year in a row, we have the lowest tax
[49:42]
rate in Essex County, correct? It should
be noted. Thank everyone on the on the
[49:47]
council for their work, especially
administration and finance in keeping it
[49:50]
$49 a home for the services and the
things that this bureau provides for the
[49:55]
community is remarkable for such a small
amount of money. So, thank everyone for
[49:59]
their hard work.
Councilman Traw.
[50:02]
» Uh not much to report on recreation. I
hope everyone [clears throat] enjoys the
[50:05]
lull for the next couple weeks, but
soccer will be starting up with
[50:09]
uh in the next few weeks with practices
and the season will kick off when school
[50:12]
starts. So.
>> Sign ups are still open?
[50:13]
» Sign ups it's a wait list, but yes, in
the summer everything gets delayed. So,
[50:17]
feel free to sign up. We'll We'll get
everybody on a team.
[50:20]
» Kids kickball, adult kickball, those
things are are slow moving right now.
[50:23]
» Yes, and you know, once once
>> No one's thinking about it. No one's
[50:26]
thinking about it. Everything is slow to
get going.
[50:29]
» Every year, same thing.
>> Thank you. Anything else, Councilman?
[50:31]
» That's all right.
>> Councilman Schroeder.
[50:32]
» Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Hope everyone is
enjoying their summer,
[50:37]
uh taking some vacations, enjoying the
weather, although we've had quite a bit
[50:40]
of rain. Um but again, just wishing
everybody a safe summer. Uh nothing
[50:44]
additional to report, Mr. Mayor. Thank
you.
[50:47]
» Thank you. Uh Councilman Braun couldn't
be with us. Councilwoman Barouty, or
[50:50]
totally anything from that committee?
>> No, we haven't really had anything.
[50:53]
» two quick items, but I'll probably
repeat them in September. The Greek
[50:57]
Church will be having their annual Greek
Fest on September 18th, 19th, and 20th.
[51:02]
That's the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
with authentic Greek food, dancing,
[51:07]
boutiques, etc. And then the Essex
County will be having their Essex County
[51:12]
Senior Wellness Day for Essex County
seniors only on Tuesday, September 22nd.
[51:19]
It will be held at the uh Richard
Cody Arena on Northfield Avenue from
[51:24]
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. And that's all I
have.
[51:27]
» Thank you. Councilman Flattau.
>> Um the only thing I have is just want to
[51:31]
let everybody know that the Cops in the
Crosswalk initiative is going to
[51:35]
probably start at the end of August. Uh
so, be on the lookout for some
[51:39]
information. And please stop at the
flashing lights, everyone.
[51:44]
» If you see the flashing
>> That's a pedestrian safety initiative to
[51:47]
encourage safe driving and safe walking
both. In around the town.
[51:51]
» If you're walking, [clears throat] don't
look at your phone as you're crossing
[51:53]
the street.
>> you got to put your your
[51:55]
» Look up and you know, but yeah, so
Captain Blauer had let me know that
[51:59]
they're going to probably start it at
the end of August. So information will
[52:02]
go out.
>> Thank you.
[52:03]
» This month. And that's all I have.
>> Um Councilman Tolly, nothing nothing
[52:06]
further?
>> No. I said no.
[52:09]
» Uh next on the the agenda is the
approval of our minutes.
[52:12]
Uh
we have full attendance for all three.
[52:14]
» Yes.
>> So we're going to look to move the June
[52:16]
16th executive session minutes and the
July 14th Council meeting and executive
[52:21]
session minutes.
Everyone received the minutes. There's
[52:24]
no questions, concerns, or recusal.
We'll take a motion for approval,
[52:26]
please.
[52:29]
» So moved.
>> Thank uh
[52:31]
» Second.
>> Second.
[52:32]
» Third.
>> Schroeder, Tolly, all in favor?
[52:35]
» Aye.
>> Opposed?
[52:38]
Hearing and seeing none, next on the
agenda is our second round of public
[52:40]
comment. Any member of the public
wishing to be heard, come forward, state
[52:43]
your name and address for the record.
>> JUST KIDDING.
[52:46]
» [laughter]
[52:49]
» MISSY, I LOVE YOUR SHOWS AT NOECKER.
THAT'S ALL I have to say.
[52:52]
» Thank you.
>> Hearing and seeing none, all that's left
[52:56]
on the agenda is a motion for
adjournment. Do we have a motion for
[52:58]
adjournment?
>> So moved.
[53:01]
» Second.
>> Schroeder, Tolly, all in favor?
[53:02]
» Aye.
>> Opposed? Hearing and seeing none. Thank
[53:05]
you, everyone.
[53:08]
» Thank you.