[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.