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