1 00:03:19,570 --> 00:03:24,910 from the health department, to our fire department, to our police department, human services, and more. 2 00:03:26,050 --> 00:03:30,090 And it's really supposed to give you an opportunity and give our community an opportunity to engage 3 00:03:30,090 --> 00:03:36,990 with us outside the bounds of a regular council meeting and also just to engage with community 4 00:03:36,990 --> 00:03:41,810 members in your area. So we're very grateful to have everybody here today. We're also joined 5 00:03:41,810 --> 00:03:48,010 at the table by, uh, we have Sean Schmidt, who's the director of DPW. We have, uh, 6 00:03:48,590 --> 00:03:54,650 uh, sorry, Paulie Sink, who is our, uh, engineer. I have Chief Lou Venizia from the Fire 7 00:03:54,650 --> 00:03:59,570 Department, Anthony Desenzo, who is our Township Administrator. I have Chief George Richie 8 00:03:59,570 --> 00:04:04,650 from the Police Department, and I have Saga as well from our Health Department. So, um, thank 9 00:04:04,650 --> 00:04:09,890 you all for coming as well. We appreciate it. Um, and then, of course, we have a couple of other 10 00:04:09,890 --> 00:04:14,370 elected officials with us tonight, I do see Councilman Nick Joano here and Councilwoman 11 00:04:14,370 --> 00:04:18,470 Jill Fishman are here as well. And I see a couple other folks from some of our boards 12 00:04:18,470 --> 00:04:22,890 and committees, and I'm probably going to forget one or two of you, but I saw Lorana Vega 13 00:04:22,890 --> 00:04:28,750 from our Board of Health, I do see Ryan Wagner and Ray McCarthy, former Mayor Ray McCarthy 14 00:04:28,750 --> 00:04:35,290 here today from our zoning board. And I think Robin Jones from our historic preservation 15 00:04:35,290 --> 00:04:45,830 So lots of folks here who are engaged in the community and can also help answer questions about specific things so we're very grateful for you as well. 16 00:04:46,570 --> 00:04:48,330 I just want to make sure everybody can hear me. 17 00:04:49,470 --> 00:04:50,350 Thank you. 18 00:04:50,510 --> 00:04:51,690 No, can you hear on this side? 19 00:04:51,970 --> 00:04:52,350 You can't hear. 20 00:04:52,510 --> 00:04:52,630 Okay. 21 00:04:52,870 --> 00:04:54,050 I'll speak a little bit louder. 22 00:04:55,270 --> 00:04:55,830 How's that? 23 00:04:56,230 --> 00:04:56,750 A little bit better? 24 00:04:57,290 --> 00:04:57,590 Okay. 25 00:04:57,850 --> 00:04:57,950 Great. 26 00:04:58,470 --> 00:05:04,290 So what we're going to do tonight is councilwoman Gonzalez and I are going to go around the room and just 27 00:05:05,070 --> 00:05:11,590 I'm sorry, we're going to give an update on a couple of town events and then we're 28 00:05:11,590 --> 00:05:13,850 going to share some important information about the community. 29 00:05:14,710 --> 00:05:19,250 So with that, I'm actually going to turn it over to Councilwoman Gonzales. 30 00:05:24,840 --> 00:05:24,940 Great. 31 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:26,580 Can everybody hear me okay? 32 00:05:27,420 --> 00:05:27,760 Okay. 33 00:05:27,980 --> 00:05:28,820 I tend to talk low. 34 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:30,120 Okay. 35 00:05:30,420 --> 00:05:35,800 So it's going to sound like I'm reading a lot and I will give you a lot of information, 36 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:37,480 but it's a lot of really good information. 37 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:44,800 So, you know, we have February's here and it is Black History Month and our Juneteenth 38 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:48,500 Committee works really hard to put on amazing events. 39 00:05:48,940 --> 00:05:54,380 We have a Zumba fundraiser coming up that will proceed to go to Juneteenth Committee. 40 00:05:54,980 --> 00:05:57,220 We did that last year for the first time. 41 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:03,500 That was tons of fun, so that will be held at Watson School, if I'm not mistaken. 42 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:05,980 and we have Black History Month open mic. 43 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,140 Last year again, amazing Black History Month community social. 44 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:12,840 And you can see these flyers at the table. 45 00:06:13,060 --> 00:06:14,720 So please take a moment after this to go 46 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:16,880 and take pictures, take flyers home. 47 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:22,420 And excited again for Ramadan celebrations beginning mid-month. 48 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,340 So Bloomfield will celebrate its first crescent lighting 49 00:06:26,860 --> 00:06:30,800 in partnership with Marie School with community partners. 50 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:38,340 This is going to be February 11th at 5 p.m. at the Marief School on Hoover Avenue, and 51 00:06:38,340 --> 00:06:39,960 you'll see more information also online. 52 00:06:41,280 --> 00:06:47,460 So let's see here, we have, and just so you know, the community, iftar organized by 53 00:06:47,460 --> 00:06:49,540 the Bloomfield Public Library and community members. 54 00:06:50,180 --> 00:06:56,140 So this is a second annual event which will take place on the 26th at sunset at the Civic 55 00:06:56,140 --> 00:06:56,520 Center. 56 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,720 And again, that was beautiful last year that we attended. 57 00:07:00,660 --> 00:07:08,220 So, and this is really exciting, also on the beautification committee, so we have our 58 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:10,140 save the date for the townwide cleanup. 59 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:17,460 It's April 25th, so market calendars, there'll be different days, times that date to sign 60 00:07:17,460 --> 00:07:17,860 up for. 61 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:24,640 So, and then lastly, we have, not lastly, we have a whole lot more information, but we did 62 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:29,520 launch our mayor on your block, which is an excellent way, you know, to just 63 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:34,700 really have your mayor, you're going to have town officials, you're going to have 64 00:07:34,700 --> 00:07:38,940 town experts who will just come, you know, if you have issues, if you have 65 00:07:38,940 --> 00:07:43,540 praises, you know, just arrange that and we're happy to come to whatever 66 00:07:43,540 --> 00:07:48,620 location and have the mayor on your block and we can discuss anything that needs 67 00:07:48,620 --> 00:07:52,920 improvement, anything that's just going fantastic. So we'd love to hear that. 68 00:07:58,940 --> 00:07:59,800 Thank you. 69 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:03,600 We also want to draw attention to our Clean and Strong initiative. 70 00:08:03,980 --> 00:08:08,340 So the Clean and Strong portal is an initiative we started last year. 71 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:15,420 It is a way for community members to notify the township of quality of life issues. 72 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:22,680 And then you also can, when you do it, you sign up and you'll get status updates on any 73 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:23,620 reports that you make. 74 00:08:23,620 --> 00:08:30,540 So it really helps us organize, keep our departments informed, everybody is accountable 75 00:08:30,540 --> 00:08:35,060 that way, we don't lose track of complaints that come in and it really helps us address 76 00:08:35,060 --> 00:08:36,660 concerns efficiently. 77 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:42,540 So if you have a community concern, please go online to the Clean and Strong Portal, it's 78 00:08:42,540 --> 00:08:47,260 right on the website and fill out a form and you will get information back there. 79 00:08:47,420 --> 00:08:51,940 You can also report snow concerns there, which we are encouraging folks to do and we will 80 00:08:51,940 --> 00:08:55,160 give us no update a little bit later in the program as well. 81 00:08:56,980 --> 00:09:00,080 And then we'd also like to encourage everybody to make sure that you were signed up for 82 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:01,180 Township Alerts. 83 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:09,160 So, if you go over to the Township Table, you'll see a form that looks like this, you can 84 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:13,820 scan the QR code with your phone, it has been both English and Spanish, and you can sign 85 00:09:13,820 --> 00:09:14,820 up for community alerts. 86 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:21,300 And this includes things like emergency alerts for the community and other alerts as well. 87 00:09:21,300 --> 00:09:26,100 So it's really one of the best ways for you to get information from the township 88 00:09:26,100 --> 00:09:32,280 So we would really like everybody to sign up for it and also tell your friends so we can keep getting good communication out to everybody 89 00:09:34,020 --> 00:09:35,860 Councilman Gonzalez would you like to continue? 90 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:49,660 Okay, so this is information on the fire department. So the department offers free smoke detector installation 91 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,380 for seniors in owner occupied single-family homes 92 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:56,660 monthly car seat checks 93 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,180 The first Saturday of every month from 9 to 12, 94 00:10:00,860 --> 00:10:03,020 and there's no appointment needed to show up 95 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:04,940 and get your car seat checked. 96 00:10:05,660 --> 00:10:07,960 And also, please announce that the Fire Department 97 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,720 will begin ambulance services as a backup 98 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,500 to Bloomfield EMS on February 9th 99 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:16,040 when the Fire Department staffing is available. 100 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:19,360 Now, a little bit about the police department, 101 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,840 so we're gonna continue the walk to school program in April. 102 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,460 That's always exciting, and it's adorable to watch. 103 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:29,160 The picture is posted online with all the kids walking with the cops. 104 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:30,200 They really enjoy it. 105 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:36,300 The neighborhood watch program is available for residents and coffee would a cop, community 106 00:10:36,300 --> 00:10:41,940 engagement events, additional information will be available at the police department table, 107 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:43,300 so please stop there as well. 108 00:10:44,660 --> 00:10:50,180 Now our human services, also another really important table to stop on your way out. 109 00:10:50,180 --> 00:10:55,680 residents experience hardships are always welcome to contact human services and 110 00:10:55,680 --> 00:11:00,360 I want to emphasize that they are there they're amazing and they are there to 111 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:06,820 help you they are resources so please please contact them so we have let's see 112 00:11:06,820 --> 00:11:11,200 expanded our senior programming is taking place at Oakside and it's going to 113 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,340 include new recreational offerings like let's see if I could say this right because 114 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:16,600 I've never played this game. 115 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:17,460 Matt John? 116 00:11:17,820 --> 00:11:18,280 Matt John? 117 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:19,140 Matt John. 118 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:19,720 OK. 119 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:21,820 So I may have to stop by and learn. 120 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,020 And then our health department is offering 121 00:11:26,020 --> 00:11:27,660 a full array of health initiatives. 122 00:11:28,460 --> 00:11:31,340 And you'll see that we post a lot of that online. 123 00:11:31,540 --> 00:11:32,940 But we'll continue to do that. 124 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,260 So that's including oral health services. 125 00:11:37,300 --> 00:11:40,140 We have children's dental health awareness. 126 00:11:41,140 --> 00:11:43,860 And those will be presentations at the library. 127 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:57,880 We have nursing services, including monthly blood pressure checks and screening and heart disease, nutrition, disease prevention, and can go on and on, so a lot of great resources there. 128 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:04,900 There is also, I just want to emphasize also with homebound immunization, so that's a service that is available. 129 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,900 And then moving on to parks and recreation and cultural affairs. 130 00:12:08,900 --> 00:12:15,600 So the registration for the community garden plots start on Monday, which started already. 131 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:19,920 For beds at Oxide, there's Mill Bank and Polesky Park. 132 00:12:20,420 --> 00:12:26,240 So they are limited spots, they are $50 a plot for rent, and they are free for veterans. 133 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:34,460 So registration for senior citizen spring programming through recreation starts tomorrow Wednesday the 4th at 9 AM. 134 00:12:35,140 --> 00:12:36,900 That's in person or in line. 135 00:12:37,620 --> 00:12:42,140 registration for peppermint, softball, and suburban traveling softball. 136 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:48,060 Grace 3 to 8 starts tomorrow Wednesday 4 at 9 a.m. as well online or in person. 137 00:12:48,860 --> 00:12:53,400 So we also have registration for track and field that starts next month Wednesday the 138 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,980 4th of March at 10 a.m. 139 00:12:58,220 --> 00:12:58,860 Sorry, guys. 140 00:12:59,080 --> 00:12:59,800 I'm almost done here. 141 00:13:00,340 --> 00:13:02,600 There's a lot of information, but it's good information. 142 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:07,460 So registration for traditional cultural affairs programming starts next month as well. 143 00:13:08,180 --> 00:13:16,160 Our department is finalizing details on our summer camp, so I know a lot of people depend on that, so that will be up soon, so you can start making your plans. 144 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:18,840 It should be available in the next couple weeks. 145 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,100 So registration will start on May 6th at 10 a.m. 146 00:13:23,340 --> 00:13:29,800 As soon as the information is finalized, we post it on the website, you'll get down the e-buzz, so it'll be pretty much everywhere. 147 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:33,420 Township engineering, do I want to go on? 148 00:13:33,420 --> 00:13:40,200 Okay, so township engineering, township is actively planning, planning stage for road 149 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:46,140 resurfacing for 2026. I know, I guess I'm excited about that, using real data collected 150 00:13:46,140 --> 00:13:51,420 through AI technology. Engineering is reviewing streets throughout the town, all wars will be 151 00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:57,020 creating the priority of streets. So, you know, you can, again, clean and strong, utilize 152 00:13:57,020 --> 00:14:02,240 that. That's definitely taking some consideration. This will be made available to the public 153 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:07,700 as soon as it unfolds, and then just note that resurfacing is a budget dependent 154 00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:14,780 with 185 miles of road, so in Bloomfield. So it costs about a million a mile, 155 00:14:14,780 --> 00:14:19,540 which is insane, but we're doing our best to address that. The world is as 156 00:14:19,540 --> 00:14:23,840 fast as possible within the next couple of years, maintaining, just being 157 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:28,280 physically responsible. Collaborating with Essex County on some departments 158 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:33,340 transportation project. This is really exciting. So I'm just going to list some of the areas 159 00:14:33,340 --> 00:14:39,160 that they are focusing on. Franklin Street and North Avenue and Bloomfield. Obviously 160 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:46,580 we'll fill Franklin Street and GSP Northbound Ram. Franklin Street, GSP Southbound Ram. 161 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:52,200 Franklin Street, Municipal Plaza, Montgomery Street. Belville Avenue and State Street. 162 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:57,780 Bell will have new and broad street and then we also have major storm and 163 00:14:57,780 --> 00:14:59,680 sanitary projects that's on James 164 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:25,200 Chief, I'm going to be on the next level. I will be there for the first, and for the next three, third river bank stabilization, the Walnut Street bridge repair which I'm personally really excited about because I used to just walk there with my kids so I'm really excited to see that being taking care of soon. So repairs and cleaning on Washington Street and JFK quarter, and of course the library repairs, which you'll see. You've seen the library in action. So as soon as this weather lets up, that'll continue as well. 165 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,040 So, and 166 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:33,380 thank you, Councilwoman. 167 00:15:34,280 --> 00:15:39,920 I also want to talk a little bit through DPW and then talk about give everyone a snow 168 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:42,960 update, because I know that is on everybody's mind these days. 169 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:49,820 So I do want to acknowledge that DPW continues to offer full services throughout town, with 170 00:15:49,820 --> 00:15:53,780 keeping parks clean, helping to fill pop holes, managing water main breaks. 171 00:15:53,980 --> 00:15:58,640 We've had a few this week, unfortunately, expanded drop-off hours for recycling. 172 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:04,120 the compost program and in the works we have a firewood program, so more on that to come. 173 00:16:04,740 --> 00:16:11,320 But the main events, of course, I'd like to just acknowledge the DPW course for working 174 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:17,260 around the clock since we have the snow storm. And we really thank them for their hard work 175 00:16:17,260 --> 00:16:22,360 throughout this challenging storm season. The weather unfortunately has not cooperated with us 176 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:28,740 to allow most of the snow to melt, which is part of what we really like to see happen. 177 00:16:28,980 --> 00:16:35,860 So in the past, and I think the last storm that we had was maybe 2021, in 2021 we had a big storm 178 00:16:35,860 --> 00:16:41,340 like this, but it was 45 degrees the next day. So that's part of how we were able to clear roads more 179 00:16:41,340 --> 00:16:46,100 quickly when the snow melts. Well, it's been very cold as you may have noticed, and I do hope everybody 180 00:16:46,100 --> 00:16:49,540 is keeping warm. So that does present some other challenges. 181 00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:56,420 But to this, at this point, the primary roadway plowing has been completed and crews are 182 00:16:56,420 --> 00:17:01,980 now focused on clearing intersections and crosswalks throughout the town. Priority areas 183 00:17:01,980 --> 00:17:07,060 do include locations around schools, public safety facilities, business districts, parks 184 00:17:07,060 --> 00:17:12,100 and county roadways, intersection and crosswalk clearing expanded outward from school areas 185 00:17:12,100 --> 00:17:16,500 as following established alternate side of the street parking routes to ensure safe pedestrian 186 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:19,080 travel for students walking to and from school. 187 00:17:19,620 --> 00:17:25,160 In limited cases, the DPW has cleared sidewalks on private property where pedestrian access 188 00:17:25,160 --> 00:17:29,780 had not been addressed and solely to maintain safe and continuous walking routes and 189 00:17:29,780 --> 00:17:30,920 critical school zones. 190 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:35,480 And I do want to point out to that our code enforcement and health department have been out 191 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:41,820 issuing summons to folks who have not cleared their roads, I'm sorry, cleared their sidewalks 192 00:17:41,820 --> 00:17:46,640 because it is generally the responsibility of the owner of the property that is adjacent to 193 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:52,880 that sidewalk. In addition to that, following the storm, DPW assisted the Bloomfield Board of 194 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:57,540 Education with snow removal at Franklin School, Fairview School, and other school locations to improve 195 00:17:57,540 --> 00:18:03,560 pedestrian safety. This work included widening the roadways to restore parking, clearing sidewalks 196 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:05,940 on school grounds when needed and ensuring intersections 197 00:18:05,940 --> 00:18:07,780 and crosswalks are fully cleared. 198 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:10,180 We know that there are still some that we're working through. 199 00:18:10,940 --> 00:18:12,080 So, please keep that in mind. 200 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,120 And again, I'll refer folks back to the Clean and Strong Portal. 201 00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:18,060 If you see something that you feel like needs attention, 202 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:20,800 please report it there and we will get to it as soon as possible. 203 00:18:21,780 --> 00:18:23,960 Crews are also clearing parking lots and pathways 204 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:26,240 in township parks, so residents can continue 205 00:18:26,240 --> 00:18:27,920 to safely use these facilities. 206 00:18:28,300 --> 00:18:30,940 Once pedestrian areas and other critical access points 207 00:18:30,940 --> 00:18:34,680 are addressed, DPW work continue working throughout town as conditions allow. 208 00:18:35,420 --> 00:18:39,740 As temperatures rise, so we hope, I was just talking to somebody earlier that it was a 209 00:18:39,740 --> 00:18:42,900 BAMI 35 degrees today, so that was really helpful to us. 210 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:48,240 DPW will reassess areas where additional widening cleanup can be safely performed. 211 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:53,920 They do remain in close contact with public safety officials, thank you to everybody to ensure 212 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,580 emergency access is maintained at all times. 213 00:18:56,580 --> 00:19:01,260 So if you need an ambulance, if the fire truck needs to get to, they can get to you. 214 00:19:02,420 --> 00:19:10,080 So in this area, of course, I'm happy to announce that cleanup efforts are continuing. 215 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:15,040 Tomorrow, we'll be focusing primarily on clearing intersections and crosswalks. 216 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:21,120 Wednesday morning, crews will begin the work in the Fairview School area focusing on Montgomery 217 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:24,600 Street to Belleville Avenue between JFK Drive and Belleville Ave. 218 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:30,320 And on Wednesday afternoon, pending completion of that work, the Department of Public Works 219 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:34,480 will shift operations to the area around Franklin School, where we are right now, covering 220 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:38,880 the area from Essex Avenue to Ridgewood Avenue between Hoover and James Street. 221 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:41,900 So we do thank everybody for their patience. 222 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,060 We do thank DPW for their hard work. 223 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,640 They've been working really hard to clear out the snow. 224 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,320 Unfortunately, it's hard for us to clear the snow. 225 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:53,600 There's not a lot of places to put it right now, but we'll continue to work for it and make 226 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:59,840 sure that everybody is safe and secure. And just a moment or two, we will open the floor 227 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:06,360 for questions, but I did want to address one other thing because I know that and I really 228 00:20:06,360 --> 00:20:14,740 want to acknowledge that a lot of our residents are fearful at the moment in particularly in response 229 00:20:14,740 --> 00:20:21,060 to recent federal immigration activity in our area. So these feelings are real and they absolutely 230 00:20:21,060 --> 00:20:23,540 deserved to be met with clarity, facts, and calm. 231 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:30,440 So I take my responsibilities very seriously in the situation, and the best that I can 232 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:35,260 do for you, and we'll continue to do for you, speak plainly about what we know, what we 233 00:20:35,260 --> 00:20:38,060 are doing, and what is within our local authority. 234 00:20:38,980 --> 00:20:44,060 Bloomfield has long affirmed its commitment to being a fair and welcoming community, and 235 00:20:44,060 --> 00:20:49,260 we have reiterated that commitment publicly when our town was explicitly targeted in federal 236 00:20:49,260 --> 00:20:49,720 rhetoric. 237 00:20:49,720 --> 00:20:54,760 The Township Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the New Jersey Immigrant 238 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:59,760 Trust Act, which would have codified and expanded protections ensuring that all residents 239 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:06,500 can have access to public services without fear of deportation or family separation. 240 00:21:07,380 --> 00:21:12,960 And while we are limited in the actions we can take at the municipal level to monitor federal 241 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:17,480 activity, oversight and notification must be led by the state. 242 00:21:17,480 --> 00:21:20,460 And this is why we are actively coordinating with the governor's office. 243 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:24,540 I am in fact on a call with the governor's office tomorrow, and 244 00:21:24,540 --> 00:21:26,840 this is one of the topics that we will be discussing. 245 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:31,620 I have reached out to the governor's office also separately to express 246 00:21:31,620 --> 00:21:37,740 fulfilled support for efforts to increase transparency and accountability around federal immigration enforcement, 247 00:21:37,760 --> 00:21:43,600 including proposed tools that would allow residents to report concerns safely and responsibly. 248 00:21:44,660 --> 00:21:49,520 We need to take the state's lead though here, and Governor Cheryl has committed to developing 249 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,440 a system for that, and we are looking forward to working with her. 250 00:21:53,180 --> 00:21:57,920 Our police department, thank you to our police department here, just for clarity's sake, 251 00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:01,040 they do not participate in federal immigration enforcement. 252 00:22:01,540 --> 00:22:05,880 This is guided by the New Jersey Attorney General's Immigrant Trust Directive. 253 00:22:06,260 --> 00:22:12,220 Their role is always to protect public safety, respond to crime, and serve residents regardless 254 00:22:12,220 --> 00:22:14,300 our list of an individual's immigration status. 255 00:22:14,940 --> 00:22:17,680 That separation is intentional and essential 256 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,220 to maintaining trust between the community 257 00:22:21,220 --> 00:22:22,420 and our local government. 258 00:22:23,320 --> 00:22:25,820 Bloomfield police officers do not inquire 259 00:22:25,820 --> 00:22:27,240 into an immigration status. 260 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,120 They do not conduct civil immigration arrests, 261 00:22:30,720 --> 00:22:33,640 and they do not assist with immigrant detainers 262 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:35,660 beyond what the law requires. 263 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:38,460 This protects residents' constitutional rights, 264 00:22:38,460 --> 00:22:42,020 and it absolutely strengthens overall community safety. 265 00:22:42,780 --> 00:22:47,660 I do want to address a couple questions that have come up as well and come my way, so 266 00:22:47,660 --> 00:22:49,740 I'm going to take that opportunity to do that as well. 267 00:22:50,860 --> 00:22:55,260 So I've had questions about whether Bloomfield shares information with ICE, and I want to be 268 00:22:55,260 --> 00:23:00,520 clear that the township does not voluntarily share immigration status information with federal 269 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:01,060 authorities. 270 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:05,740 Any information sharing that occurs is governed strictly by legal requirements. 271 00:23:06,580 --> 00:23:12,000 questions have also been raised about safeguards for civil liberties during federal activity. 272 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:17,780 While we do not oversee federal enforcement, we do ensure that our own personnel, so 273 00:23:17,780 --> 00:23:22,820 that means our police department, et cetera, act lawfully and do not facilitate violations 274 00:23:22,820 --> 00:23:24,380 of constitutional rights. 275 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:29,420 This is, and I'm sure that the chief would agree with me something in a responsibility that 276 00:23:29,420 --> 00:23:30,660 we take extremely seriously. 277 00:23:32,980 --> 00:23:38,840 In terms of information that we can get out to the community, if you go over to the human 278 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:44,220 services table, if you go over to the townships table, we are providing flyers and printed 279 00:23:44,860 --> 00:23:50,200 materials with noir rights information and verified resources. These materials are meant 280 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:55,660 to be practical, accurate, and legally grounded, and they are meant to empower residents, not 281 00:23:55,660 --> 00:24:01,860 to allow them. Bloomfield will continue to update and maintain a centralized list of immigrant 282 00:24:01,860 --> 00:24:07,880 rights resources. This includes legal services providers, know your rights guidance and information 283 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:12,480 on how to respond if someone believes their rights have been violated. And we do have a town, 284 00:24:12,820 --> 00:24:19,040 we do have that listed on our town website, which we will continue to advertise and let people 285 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:23,700 know that it is there. With resources we are also continually updating it. We updated it again 286 00:24:23,700 --> 00:24:25,140 and today with additional resources 287 00:24:25,580 --> 00:24:27,300 that were verified and stressed for thee. 288 00:24:28,220 --> 00:24:30,220 And if you're looking for other ways to help, 289 00:24:31,020 --> 00:24:34,080 although your local government, although the police, 290 00:24:34,340 --> 00:24:36,620 although others sitting up here are very limited, 291 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:39,180 not very limited, but limited in what we can do, 292 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,220 residents who want to help, I want to encourage them 293 00:24:42,220 --> 00:24:45,240 to focus on providing right now mutual support 294 00:24:45,620 --> 00:24:47,440 for your neighbors and your greater community. 295 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:50,640 This includes checking on neighbors who may be fearful, 296 00:24:50,640 --> 00:24:57,400 sharing accurate resources and supporting local nonprofits engaged in legal aid or social services and again 297 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,660 I will refer back to the 298 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:04,680 resources that are posted online on the Township website 299 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:14,820 and frankly I also went or a general one to rely on official state county and township communications for verified updates 300 00:25:14,820 --> 00:25:20,080 Please be sensitive to the fact that many of our neighbors are living with fear and uncertainty and 301 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:22,680 and refrained from spreading unverified information 302 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:25,800 that could be harmful even when it is well-intentioned. 303 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:28,480 Most importantly, I believe that strongly, 304 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:30,060 and I'm sure everybody in this room agrees 305 00:25:30,060 --> 00:25:31,460 we have to look out for each other. 306 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:34,340 So thank you for allowing me to give that update. 307 00:25:35,180 --> 00:25:37,760 And now I would like to open the floor to any residents 308 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:39,460 here who would like to ask a question. 309 00:25:39,660 --> 00:25:40,820 If you'd like to ask a question, 310 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:42,020 you're welcome to come up to the podium. 311 00:25:53,420 --> 00:25:54,540 I think it's for sitting this up. 312 00:25:54,960 --> 00:25:56,200 Just had a couple of questions. 313 00:25:56,960 --> 00:25:59,120 Oh, sorry, my Ryan Wenger, first word resident. 314 00:26:00,340 --> 00:26:06,820 Just a couple of questions, we all saw the PSE&G were kind of up into the edge of Ward 315 00:26:06,820 --> 00:26:07,200 1. 316 00:26:07,660 --> 00:26:09,440 I'm guessing that's not the end of it. 317 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,660 Do we know when that's going to continue or if it's going to continue? 318 00:26:14,020 --> 00:26:14,640 That's known yet? 319 00:26:15,060 --> 00:26:16,340 I'm going to touch that over. 320 00:26:16,500 --> 00:26:21,500 I think to Anthony or Paul, if you've been in touch with them, we do, and I'll just preface 321 00:26:21,500 --> 00:26:27,180 that by saying that we do try to work closely with PSE&G because we have been having regular 322 00:26:27,180 --> 00:26:32,580 meetings with them to try to get information from them. We are expressly telling 323 00:26:32,580 --> 00:26:39,140 them that if they are required to remove trees, we are demanding that they be 324 00:26:39,140 --> 00:26:45,080 replaced. And in fact, I think they have to replace them at least two or threefold, 325 00:26:45,220 --> 00:26:49,280 if I recall, per our ordinance. So we are working with them to do that. Of course, 326 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:54,360 if they're taking a tree down right now, I want to be clear. It's winter. They can't 327 00:26:54,360 --> 00:26:57,160 plant new ones, but we are absolutely staying on top of it. We've 328 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:01,960 multiple meetings advocating to make sure that it's the case, but I'm going to pass it over. 329 00:27:03,060 --> 00:27:07,820 Yes, I'm sorry, and roadway repairs. So that's the other thing that we hear about, 330 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:14,080 too, is that we know. So PSNG is only required to pave the part of the road that they've dug up. 331 00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:20,520 So if they dig up half the road, they will only repave half the road. So that's why sometimes you see 332 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:25,300 on our streets that half the road is done, and the other half is not, we do try to coordinate 333 00:27:25,300 --> 00:27:29,700 with them to make sure that's not happening, it does not always happen in the way that 334 00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:35,820 we want it to and I'm sorry I just threw that talk to more than I had planned on. I 335 00:27:45,580 --> 00:28:05,020 don't 336 00:28:07,420 --> 00:28:07,440 know 337 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:13,440 will give us a plan. We try to roll that into our capital, and if we're doing a road, let's 338 00:28:13,440 --> 00:28:18,880 say at the capital, you can get credit because that will give public service so they can take 339 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:24,200 that half into a whole portion of the road that they're doing. So we try our best to 340 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:30,980 coordinate so that we don't get too many votes, and our halfway done. I mean public service 341 00:28:30,980 --> 00:28:36,860 There's a private entity from the private entity we work as much as possible within. 342 00:28:38,220 --> 00:28:43,660 With this project particularly they've been pretty helpful, pretty agreeable to do something. 343 00:28:45,020 --> 00:28:46,460 So I'll try it. 344 00:28:47,780 --> 00:28:47,960 Hello. 345 00:28:48,820 --> 00:28:49,280 There we go. 346 00:28:50,420 --> 00:28:52,880 I don't want to make anybody dead. 347 00:28:53,340 --> 00:28:58,780 So we've been doing a lot of work with them to try to ease the whole situation, 348 00:28:58,780 --> 00:29:03,880 particularly with the roads to make sure that when they're done you know we 349 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:09,520 get the whole road paved. I mean we're not at verse basically they use a lot 350 00:29:09,520 --> 00:29:15,200 of the same co-op companies we do for paving so we're not at verse the working 351 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:20,520 with them under their contracts to get these roads done completely at the end 352 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:26,260 of the project. It's just a matter of time and you know what's going to be 353 00:29:26,260 --> 00:29:26,800 done anywhere. 354 00:29:31,570 --> 00:29:35,070 So just in terms of, so what I'm worried about, it was like, uh, I used to 355 00:29:35,070 --> 00:29:39,730 work, I used to cross nutty like about five years ago, they dug out like half the town. We are 356 00:29:39,730 --> 00:29:44,550 the engaging or planning anything like that similar because they're putting a large pipe in there. 357 00:29:44,850 --> 00:29:50,970 It's what I'm wondering about. If that's planned in the future, high pressure or. They will be 358 00:29:50,970 --> 00:29:56,710 replacing, they've been upgrading the piping and move fields for the last two or three years and 359 00:29:56,710 --> 00:29:58,770 and I anticipate they're going to do more of that. 360 00:29:59,190 --> 00:29:59,970 They typically put it in. 361 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:19,700 We have scheduled around this time is to which streets you're going to do. But yeah, they're basically replacing the old metal lines in the street with a newer plastic line. But yeah, that is coming because the main goal that they have, which we all have, is to make sure we win the gas leaks and the older pipes are getting old and they leak. 362 00:30:20,740 --> 00:30:24,580 And I've been on the receiving end of that surprise, is it for PSUG? 363 00:30:24,740 --> 00:30:27,180 Well, that's not yet. That's a moment. 364 00:30:27,740 --> 00:30:29,960 The other question I have is about the public safety. 365 00:30:30,380 --> 00:30:32,700 My son loves them. We love the bike, the police. 366 00:30:33,100 --> 00:30:37,640 But they did a bike program at the police, Joe Corio. 367 00:30:38,360 --> 00:30:42,600 And I'm thinking, he loves it. 368 00:30:42,740 --> 00:30:43,860 Is that plan for the spring? 369 00:30:44,260 --> 00:30:45,600 And it's hard to think about it. 370 00:30:45,620 --> 00:30:47,560 I don't think about something that's not snow-related right now. 371 00:30:48,580 --> 00:30:52,420 It absolutely is planned. We don't have the date yet. Obviously, we don't wait. 372 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:58,400 So, whether this weather is just crazy, but once this spring comes, we love them and out with children. 373 00:30:58,820 --> 00:31:01,820 We were out there, and I've actually wrote a motorcycle with them last time. 374 00:31:02,180 --> 00:31:06,160 So, it's a lot of fun, and we encourage it, and we're definitely going to be there. 375 00:31:07,420 --> 00:31:09,600 I'm sorry, I'm not going to lie to you. I have one more question. 376 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:13,760 So, the town is kept keeping up, and I have to be honest with you. 377 00:31:13,760 --> 00:31:20,060 I've had it loved Facebook as a late thing, really kind of platform is kind of devolving and very biased. 378 00:31:20,580 --> 00:31:27,860 Is the town engaging in something like with using sub-stack or some other sort of unbiased or more to prep form? 379 00:31:29,460 --> 00:31:40,580 Yeah, I think so we are actually right now starting to implement a strategic communications plan that we developed last year. 380 00:31:40,580 --> 00:31:46,800 So I think actually a talented department has had a whole presentation today, right, so there's a whole presentation for that today. 381 00:31:47,180 --> 00:31:56,770 So that is evolving, but I do think one of the things that the communications firm have reflected back to us is that the means by which the 382 00:31:56,770 --> 00:32:02,190 the township has been communicating, maybe we are going on a boat race, so we don't know 383 00:32:02,190 --> 00:32:06,470 what happens in the meta in the future, we don't know what happens with these other ways 384 00:32:06,470 --> 00:32:10,550 of communicating with the future, so they are advising us that we will continue to keep 385 00:32:10,550 --> 00:32:16,250 up with communicating in the best way possible, but that does go back to us, especially for 386 00:32:16,250 --> 00:32:21,130 emergency scenes, especially for information that we might need to get immediately, please 387 00:32:21,130 --> 00:32:22,630 please sign up for the township alerts. 388 00:32:23,450 --> 00:32:27,450 We put a lot of stuff out on social media about the bike ride 389 00:32:27,450 --> 00:32:29,190 and other things are going to be great. 390 00:32:30,390 --> 00:32:32,170 But when you really need information, 391 00:32:32,470 --> 00:32:33,970 you can want to be able to get it to you. 392 00:32:34,390 --> 00:32:35,790 And the other thing I would say to you 393 00:32:35,790 --> 00:32:38,990 is just sign up for the e-buzz, which is a monthly news letter 394 00:32:38,990 --> 00:32:41,070 that comes out I think I forgot to mention that before. 395 00:32:41,550 --> 00:32:43,630 But it's a monthly news letter that comes out. 396 00:32:43,750 --> 00:32:45,790 You can also sign up at that table or even go online 397 00:32:45,790 --> 00:32:47,870 right to the website and sign up for those as well. 398 00:32:48,170 --> 00:32:49,850 And then information comes to you 399 00:32:49,850 --> 00:32:55,270 monthly, so you can see all of those activities in there as well. So we're going to keep fighting 400 00:32:55,270 --> 00:32:58,790 that fight to get good communications out to the public. 401 00:33:00,030 --> 00:33:06,350 One more question, and last one, I promise. So, just a new mention, ICE, and handling that. 402 00:33:06,510 --> 00:33:11,910 So, in terms of our law of law, our law of law enforcement engagement, if we see something 403 00:33:11,910 --> 00:33:17,050 that we feel that we think is illegal for some illegal activity, are we still entitled to engage 404 00:33:19,670 --> 00:33:24,050 You see anything that you feel is illegal, or you feel is against the law of the criminal 405 00:33:24,050 --> 00:33:24,550 and nature. 406 00:33:24,870 --> 00:33:26,530 I don't mean it's not that this right away. 407 00:33:27,130 --> 00:33:29,110 But I just want to clear about something. 408 00:33:29,290 --> 00:33:32,570 So we follow the attorney general's directive on immigration. 409 00:33:32,870 --> 00:33:36,770 We do not enforce civil immigration law. 410 00:33:37,870 --> 00:33:39,110 And they know that. 411 00:33:39,350 --> 00:33:40,250 They won't call us. 412 00:33:40,410 --> 00:33:41,350 So there's going to be times. 413 00:33:41,970 --> 00:33:43,230 And I'd like to get this out. 414 00:33:43,510 --> 00:33:44,150 Click if you don't mind. 415 00:33:45,290 --> 00:33:51,810 So, anytime there's a law enforcement operation going on in the field that involves another 416 00:33:51,810 --> 00:33:56,450 town, another county throughout the entire state, they notify you. 417 00:33:56,730 --> 00:34:02,590 They let me know that we're going to have a team going to X-Y location at this time. 418 00:34:02,810 --> 00:34:04,010 We just want to notify you. 419 00:34:04,090 --> 00:34:06,650 We don't need any assistance but we just want you to know where our town. 420 00:34:07,350 --> 00:34:12,770 So once we gather that information, of course we monitor it, but it's imperative that 421 00:34:12,770 --> 00:34:18,250 we could not share that information. I just had a conversation with a resident a couple 422 00:34:18,250 --> 00:34:24,350 of years ago. At the quick chat they saw a couple of us in the bees and officers in 423 00:34:24,350 --> 00:34:29,770 tactical gear, so right away they thought it was a Department of Homeland Security. It 424 00:34:29,770 --> 00:34:34,790 wasn't. It was an agency that was here looking for someone who committed a serious crime. 425 00:34:35,390 --> 00:34:40,530 So it's important for us to keep that close to us and the event that it gets out on Facebook 426 00:34:40,530 --> 00:34:43,830 where it gets out on any social media that we're looking for a certain person, 427 00:34:44,390 --> 00:34:49,010 what happens is it becomes dangerous for the officers, for the public, 428 00:34:49,350 --> 00:34:51,370 so the other minute surprises what's there. 429 00:34:52,470 --> 00:34:56,530 Getting back to home and security guys, they don't tell us under here. 430 00:34:57,450 --> 00:35:02,770 We don't, they know that we can't, that our pretty general's directive does not cooperate with them. 431 00:35:03,290 --> 00:35:04,670 So they're not going to tell us. 432 00:35:04,750 --> 00:35:09,150 So if you see them and you call us, we're definitely going to pass on that information 433 00:35:11,990 --> 00:35:16,310 I hope that answers your question. 434 00:35:16,590 --> 00:35:16,910 Absolutely. 435 00:35:17,090 --> 00:35:17,650 Appreciate that. 436 00:35:17,750 --> 00:35:18,290 Thank you so much. 437 00:35:18,490 --> 00:35:18,830 Thank you 438 00:35:45,130 --> 00:35:46,530 very, very clear. 439 00:35:47,010 --> 00:35:53,670 If someone feels unsafe due to the presence of ICE, regardless of their immigration status 440 00:35:53,670 --> 00:35:59,310 and their citizenship status, are they able to call 911 and ask for help? 441 00:35:59,810 --> 00:36:00,410 They can. 442 00:36:00,410 --> 00:36:03,750 but you have to understand we are very limited on what we can do. 443 00:36:04,590 --> 00:36:09,490 We'll respond, of course, but we'll pretty much understand on the side. 444 00:36:10,130 --> 00:36:12,950 There are federal agencies, we have no jurisdiction of them. 445 00:36:13,470 --> 00:36:18,430 So if they have a reason to arrest someone, it's not for us to be involved. 446 00:36:19,390 --> 00:36:24,510 So we have to make sure that public safe, we have to make sure that our officers safe 447 00:36:24,510 --> 00:36:28,010 and we have to make sure the person they're taking me to custody is safe, right? 448 00:36:28,010 --> 00:36:34,970 So we do everything we possibly can to accomplish that, but we cannot, by law, 449 00:36:35,450 --> 00:36:37,130 get involved in federal law. 450 00:36:38,370 --> 00:36:41,390 Now, if it's a crime, it's a whole different story. 451 00:36:42,070 --> 00:36:43,690 Regardless of the immigration status. 452 00:36:43,930 --> 00:36:46,190 If you come into crime, you're going to be placed under arrest. 453 00:36:46,710 --> 00:36:47,830 I don't understand that at all. 454 00:36:48,090 --> 00:36:48,390 Oh, yeah. 455 00:36:48,550 --> 00:36:49,070 That's okay. 456 00:36:49,550 --> 00:36:50,430 So I get that institution. 457 00:36:51,010 --> 00:36:56,250 Yeah, I think, you know, I have lots of neighbors in this particular area 458 00:36:56,250 --> 00:37:04,870 who are very concerned about their safety and their status and I think it's just important 459 00:37:04,870 --> 00:37:15,110 for them to know that the town is able to look out for them and it's intending and will 460 00:37:15,110 --> 00:37:16,130 work to keep them 461 00:38:05,950 --> 00:38:07,070 safe. 462 00:38:07,070 --> 00:38:10,550 police officers from coming on to the trauma, 463 00:38:10,870 --> 00:38:10,950 and 464 00:38:16,550 --> 00:38:21,390 we trying to curtail the kinds of actions 465 00:38:21,390 --> 00:38:24,290 that I assist in, racial programming, 466 00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:28,100 things like that. 467 00:38:28,260 --> 00:38:29,100 It's meant to protect. 468 00:38:32,770 --> 00:38:36,070 And I understand that law still needs to be enforced, 469 00:38:36,330 --> 00:38:37,210 and that there are, 470 00:38:41,910 --> 00:38:46,310 we can address, again, with due process. 471 00:38:46,910 --> 00:38:48,550 So what you 472 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:52,880 said earlier, that's 473 00:38:57,230 --> 00:38:58,510 being on the sidewalks. 474 00:38:59,890 --> 00:39:10,870 How are you defining the unlawful behaviors that would prompt you to actually act and address the unlawful behavior of ICE agents that were seen across the country? 475 00:39:13,490 --> 00:39:15,910 When you say unlawful behavior, what do you mean? 476 00:39:16,790 --> 00:39:18,450 You may have remarried. 477 00:39:19,170 --> 00:39:21,370 They don't need war. Just so you know they don't need war. 478 00:39:23,150 --> 00:39:26,350 They need reasonable suspicions to stop someone who takes them out of the custody. 479 00:39:26,990 --> 00:39:30,110 So that's, I think of this conception. 480 00:39:31,170 --> 00:39:34,390 It's not up to us to check their judicial warrants. 481 00:39:34,490 --> 00:39:37,590 It's not up to us to check whether or not there's an administrative warrant. 482 00:39:38,010 --> 00:39:39,170 There are federal agencies. 483 00:39:39,870 --> 00:39:43,770 So we hope as a federal agency, they know what they're doing. 484 00:39:45,010 --> 00:39:45,850 It's not... 485 00:39:45,850 --> 00:39:47,310 I don't know that. 486 00:39:47,630 --> 00:39:48,550 I don't know that. 487 00:39:48,550 --> 00:39:48,690 I don't know that. 488 00:39:48,690 --> 00:39:49,250 That's your opinion. 489 00:39:49,250 --> 00:39:51,430 So, yeah, the court case has already been. 490 00:39:51,430 --> 00:39:53,630 Okay. Well, in Bluefield, that's what we do. 491 00:39:53,770 --> 00:39:56,970 We follow the Attorney General's directive to the team. 492 00:39:57,230 --> 00:39:57,710 No more? 493 00:39:57,770 --> 00:39:59,010 Protect immigrants, right? 494 00:39:59,090 --> 00:40:00,870 No more know to protect everyone. 495 00:40:01,670 --> 00:40:02,490 To protect everyone. 496 00:40:02,990 --> 00:40:06,030 Right, so, yes, we try to protect everyone. 497 00:40:06,790 --> 00:40:09,510 Including the ICE agents, it sounds like. 498 00:40:09,650 --> 00:40:10,010 Of course. 499 00:40:10,490 --> 00:40:10,870 Right. 500 00:40:11,410 --> 00:40:13,550 So, at the, I don't know if you're aware, 501 00:40:13,770 --> 00:40:15,050 but at the Know Your Rights Training, 502 00:40:15,330 --> 00:40:18,010 there was a detective that said that we can call 503 00:40:18,010 --> 00:40:24,390 on our local police to come out and verify the identities is one of the issues of ICE is that 504 00:40:24,390 --> 00:40:29,950 we don't know if they are actual ICNs or not. Is that something that you are doing or is that 505 00:40:29,950 --> 00:40:36,090 misinformation shared by one of your detectives? One of my detectives said that so as far as that 506 00:40:36,090 --> 00:40:41,150 is concerned we just got a report from Eric asking me to get it whether or not there was a nice incident 507 00:40:41,150 --> 00:40:46,490 that's going on right now. We challenged and there was nothing there. Thank you for doing that. But 508 00:40:46,490 --> 00:40:50,450 So, if we do find that, that's what it sounds. 509 00:40:51,410 --> 00:40:55,850 We don't come back, we don't go online, we don't tell everyone, yeah, there are light 510 00:40:55,850 --> 00:40:56,570 stages for you. 511 00:40:57,150 --> 00:40:58,330 That's not for us to do. 512 00:40:59,130 --> 00:41:01,250 Our job is to protect the public, right? 513 00:41:02,290 --> 00:41:07,950 And trust that federal agencies that are conducting operations in our township are doing 514 00:41:07,950 --> 00:41:08,550 the right thing. 515 00:41:09,150 --> 00:41:14,170 There are channels you can go through if you feel they're not on a federal level to make 516 00:41:14,170 --> 00:41:17,950 complaint, just like as if you were a police officer at Luvio who would make 517 00:41:17,950 --> 00:41:21,710 internal affairs complaint, there are things in place with federal government where 518 00:41:21,710 --> 00:41:26,450 you can do that. It's not for the police department to to figure out whether or 519 00:41:26,450 --> 00:41:30,430 not they're doing things according to their policy. I get the difficult position 520 00:41:30,430 --> 00:41:35,410 that our police are in when it comes to actually regulating other law enforcement 521 00:41:41,220 --> 00:41:41,960 hasn't been. 522 00:41:48,150 --> 00:41:54,930 There's there's citizens in other states who are losing 523 00:41:56,450 --> 00:42:01,650 advocating with the state to be able to figure out what you can do because standing on the 524 00:42:01,650 --> 00:42:06,870 sidelines is important. So we know where we can do. We follow the attorney general's directive 525 00:42:06,870 --> 00:42:08,830 to a few. Right, but he's don't bother. 526 00:42:11,180 --> 00:42:14,140 We argue that do you have the the directive I can 527 00:42:14,140 --> 00:42:18,820 get it to you if you'd like to read it? And we do decide to specify anything specific. No, 528 00:42:18,840 --> 00:42:22,840 you can read me directly. It's online. You can go online and read the entire directive. 529 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:26,140 If there's anything I misunderstood, please. 530 00:42:26,220 --> 00:42:28,020 Well, I just think that you're the impression 531 00:42:28,020 --> 00:42:31,120 that the police officer's going to stop my separation. 532 00:42:31,580 --> 00:42:32,480 And that's not what's going to happen. 533 00:42:32,520 --> 00:42:34,760 No, no, I understand that you can't 534 00:42:36,230 --> 00:42:37,750 eviscerate in the same way that residents 535 00:42:37,750 --> 00:42:39,030 can intervene in the investigation. 536 00:42:40,210 --> 00:42:42,450 As long as that investigation is lawful, 537 00:42:43,350 --> 00:42:45,350 and I think that's where the question is, right? 538 00:42:46,350 --> 00:42:47,230 When is it lawful? 539 00:42:47,750 --> 00:42:48,850 When is it unlawful? 540 00:42:49,450 --> 00:42:52,150 And when it's unlawful, it'll always 541 00:42:52,150 --> 00:42:54,010 be an impacting public safety. 542 00:42:55,290 --> 00:42:59,670 law enforcement needs to also follow laws. And we're coming on you, the police 543 00:42:59,670 --> 00:43:01,670 department, to be enforcing that here. 544 00:43:10,060 --> 00:43:11,980 Thank you for expressing your concern. I 545 00:43:11,980 --> 00:43:18,100 think temperatures right now are very high. We're all very concerned about the safety 546 00:43:18,100 --> 00:43:22,780 of our residents, right? I'm just one of clarity. So, you know, but I think the 547 00:43:22,780 --> 00:43:27,140 chief did answer your question that they followed. The immigrant trusts directly are 548 00:43:27,140 --> 00:43:31,160 please follow me. Sure, so I'm about to the next question. 549 00:43:34,420 --> 00:43:35,480 It sounds like we 550 00:43:35,480 --> 00:43:40,080 just received information about deciding in a point of time, right? And I 551 00:43:40,080 --> 00:43:43,440 understand that there are certain that the LNFs are present necessarily in certain 552 00:43:43,440 --> 00:43:49,380 investigations. What has prevented that information from being released? When or 553 00:43:49,380 --> 00:43:53,680 when he's the appropriate time for that information to be released so that 554 00:43:53,680 --> 00:43:58,840 people then aren't left in the dark about what's happening. So just today we just got 555 00:43:58,840 --> 00:44:07,720 Well, if that was a month ago, first of all, okay, we don't share intelligence when it comes to other agencies or our own investigations. 556 00:44:08,080 --> 00:44:14,540 There's a reason for it. It's for safe reasons. Okay, so there are some things we're not going to just tell you. 557 00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:23,880 And that may be one of them. Okay, and it has nothing to do other than the fact that under police operations, that's the way it has to be. 558 00:44:23,880 --> 00:44:28,600 and it has, you know, we're not hiding anything, we're not drawing anything 559 00:44:28,600 --> 00:44:33,440 other covers where we can pull them over, there's a matter of safety and that's 560 00:44:33,440 --> 00:44:39,440 what we do. This is one of those great areas that it's not a great area, it's 561 00:44:39,440 --> 00:44:44,260 clean. It's sex with public trust, right, and the fears currently that are valid 562 00:44:44,260 --> 00:44:53,860 about ICE right now, like the mayor himself just acknowledged that, and it's 563 00:45:00,660 --> 00:45:07,280 The difference with other municipalities and counties in New Jersey who are passing regulations versus 564 00:45:07,280 --> 00:45:13,020 regarding us, keeping them all public properties versus what's happening in the field. 565 00:45:14,180 --> 00:45:20,300 I'm not sure what you mean by what's happening. We'll feel the bill is done in number of things to help ensure that 566 00:45:20,300 --> 00:45:26,720 our residents are safe regardless of the membership status. I've listed them when I gave that update before. 567 00:45:33,040 --> 00:45:41,920 I don't know what the county considers it, it's regulation and I'm just a big word for it but they're preventing I see this from being on public property. 568 00:45:42,640 --> 00:45:44,360 Jersey City passed some of the legislation. 569 00:45:45,260 --> 00:45:49,100 So all in our opinion, really passed the legislation, there were executive orders issued. 570 00:45:49,100 --> 00:45:56,060 And so, in our form of government, I don't actually have the authority to write as a governor like that. 571 00:45:56,720 --> 00:45:59,420 So, we don't understand, don't understand, don't understand. 572 00:45:59,480 --> 00:46:07,720 So, all lots and lots of municipalities in New Jersey operate under different structures. 573 00:46:08,180 --> 00:46:13,500 Our structure is something sort of like the Wagner Act, but it's actually under a special charter. 574 00:46:13,500 --> 00:46:22,660 It won't get too far into that but what is required is a vote of the board basically to make any legislation possible. 575 00:46:22,980 --> 00:46:28,620 I am asked for some information to explore what's possible. 576 00:46:29,440 --> 00:46:30,940 Our attorney is reviewing it. 577 00:46:32,660 --> 00:46:38,920 Sometimes there might be an executive order and at the end of the day the federal government could still... 578 00:46:38,920 --> 00:46:42,400 So one in Jersey City, right, for example, they could come in, right? 579 00:46:42,680 --> 00:46:44,200 The federal government could still come in. 580 00:46:44,540 --> 00:46:48,380 They could utilize the city's property. 581 00:46:49,020 --> 00:46:54,060 And then it would be a court battle to determine if what Jersey City, by executive order and 582 00:46:54,060 --> 00:46:55,820 determine, is actually a force that we're not. 583 00:46:56,300 --> 00:47:02,280 So rather than stand here and make false promises to people, I'm actually doing my research first 584 00:47:02,660 --> 00:47:06,180 to make sure that if we were to pass something like that, I would be enforceable. 585 00:47:06,180 --> 00:47:10,040 the last thing I would want to do would give people false hope by 586 00:47:10,040 --> 00:47:15,800 say passing a resolution that said, you know, federal law can't come in and 587 00:47:15,800 --> 00:47:20,240 utilize our municipal properties for their activity and then how it 588 00:47:20,240 --> 00:47:23,660 happened and people go, why didn't that work, right? 589 00:47:24,300 --> 00:47:27,900 And that's a little bit of like where all of us are sitting right now 590 00:47:27,900 --> 00:47:32,260 in global government is also why we are collaborating and relying on 591 00:47:32,260 --> 00:47:35,100 the state for some violence because there's more strength. 592 00:47:35,580 --> 00:47:38,000 and there's more strength than we're going to be in passes as well. 593 00:47:38,300 --> 00:47:41,140 So, it's not the case that Bluefield isn't doing things. 594 00:47:41,640 --> 00:47:44,600 It is the case that they're trying to approach it in a way that makes sense, 595 00:47:44,980 --> 00:47:47,240 and that is informed, and that is data driven, 596 00:47:47,600 --> 00:47:50,800 and that it is legally appropriate, so that it is safe. 597 00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:53,220 Thank you for that clarification. 598 00:47:53,940 --> 00:47:56,320 And it's not to say that you're not doing it all right as a township. 599 00:47:56,840 --> 00:48:00,100 We're just residency, other towns doing more. 600 00:48:00,620 --> 00:48:02,220 And I'm trying to understand the difference. 601 00:48:02,220 --> 00:48:05,880 So, it sounds like you're trying to do your due diligence as best as possible. 602 00:48:07,520 --> 00:48:12,960 And it sounds like you have an experience about Jersey City's ability to enforce some of the things that you know. 603 00:48:13,060 --> 00:48:19,500 Anyway, anything that gets passed by executive order, anything that gets passed like that is all up for debate about the locality. 604 00:48:20,560 --> 00:48:23,740 Again, we wouldn't do it that way. I wouldn't do it that way here. 605 00:48:23,920 --> 00:48:31,240 When I asked council members to do it that way here, without us fully understanding the implications of that formal legal basis. 606 00:48:31,240 --> 00:48:36,000 That's why we have lawyers who do that, that's why we have discussion about it, right? 607 00:48:36,720 --> 00:48:41,240 Thank you. Again, these are the questions that are running through our minds and it's helpful to know 608 00:48:41,240 --> 00:48:48,980 how you're thinking about these things. So, I personally would like to embody what have been identified as 609 00:48:48,980 --> 00:48:57,840 Bluefield's values, inclusion, respect, and truth, and if not a pair, I go out of my way to seriously protect them. 610 00:48:57,840 --> 00:49:07,600 So, on October 20th of last year, the first board councilwoman, Benzales, and you may 611 00:49:07,600 --> 00:49:14,680 have passed or apologized, made a joint statement affirming an unwavering commitment 612 00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:16,940 to inclusion mutual respect. 613 00:49:17,480 --> 00:49:21,740 It further stated similar remarks to what I have expressed in passed-town home meetings 614 00:49:23,440 --> 00:49:28,200 that simply say advocating for one's culture should never come at the expense of another. 615 00:49:28,900 --> 00:49:35,560 The Council said it dedicated itself in the statement to anti-racism and community of mutual respect and value. 616 00:49:36,340 --> 00:49:42,160 A proposal was made last year that I believe satisfies the needs of each culture that this involves, 617 00:49:43,000 --> 00:49:46,120 but it did for me unacknowledged by the City Mayor and Council. 618 00:49:46,120 --> 00:49:55,440 It left the impression that no actual actions are going to be taken on this, which is unfortunate 619 00:49:55,440 --> 00:50:04,080 because it leaves implications of this monument that is still left in the work one, symbolizing 620 00:50:04,080 --> 00:50:06,980 genocide and the transatlantic slave trade for many. 621 00:50:07,700 --> 00:50:12,460 So I'm here to ask for your thoughts on that matter and to confirm if it is true that no 622 00:50:12,460 --> 00:50:13,740 action will be taken. 623 00:50:17,740 --> 00:50:19,960 You're being a little vague in your description. 624 00:50:21,420 --> 00:50:22,840 You know, recall what I'm okay. 625 00:50:23,060 --> 00:50:25,360 I showed up a couple of times to town hall to 626 00:50:25,360 --> 00:50:27,640 and regards to the Columbus Monument. 627 00:50:27,640 --> 00:50:30,080 That's one thing, word one, our public property. 628 00:50:31,240 --> 00:50:33,260 And I made a proposal about this. 629 00:50:33,480 --> 00:50:34,140 You're really close. 630 00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:37,620 Any discussion regarding removing monuments 631 00:50:37,620 --> 00:50:39,900 and keeping monuments in being a committee discussion? 632 00:50:40,920 --> 00:50:43,140 I mean, I appreciate your concern. 633 00:50:43,360 --> 00:50:43,980 I appreciate your thought. 634 00:50:44,360 --> 00:50:45,900 I appreciate the things I can prove forward with. 635 00:50:45,900 --> 00:50:52,840 And it is something we couldn't have a conversation with about, certainly, but I'm not committing 636 00:50:52,840 --> 00:50:58,820 to tearing down monuments and not committing to any of that, there's a lot of people that 637 00:50:59,200 --> 00:51:05,320 hold onto history here that have voices to and concerns of your members and all. 638 00:51:05,820 --> 00:51:12,080 So, of course, having to explore things always, and thank you for expressing your concern. 639 00:51:13,140 --> 00:51:15,160 Councilwoman, there's always any thoughts on this yourself. 640 00:51:40,770 --> 00:51:48,030 Community speaks, we listen, you know, but there's more than just one person we do, you 641 00:51:48,030 --> 00:51:53,330 know, everybody's entitled to course express their concerns and, you know, where you're listening. 642 00:51:53,690 --> 00:51:58,530 So, of course, and in no way am I saying yes, you just followed one person's interest. 643 00:51:58,890 --> 00:52:02,870 I think this is a shared community commitment, so I look forward to that discussion if I'll 644 00:52:02,870 --> 00:52:06,090 email the both of you about that. Thank you very much. 645 00:52:19,340 --> 00:52:23,500 First of all, I was actually just question kind of the town center. There's been a lot of 646 00:52:23,500 --> 00:52:27,180 work development going on there. I just wondered if the status kind of redeveloped the plan 647 00:52:27,180 --> 00:52:29,220 and also the transition. 648 00:52:29,920 --> 00:52:30,660 It's not a distinction. 649 00:52:31,840 --> 00:52:37,940 Sure. So a couple of things that are dollars that have been designated for New Jersey 650 00:52:37,940 --> 00:52:42,660 Transit. I think actually for both of our transitions, I have to figure out what the status is. 651 00:52:42,660 --> 00:52:46,060 so both of what's us saying as well as Michael and O'Puzzle, 652 00:52:46,880 --> 00:52:48,880 it's in the hands of the Jersey Transit. 653 00:52:49,080 --> 00:52:53,180 We sat through in a group presentations by them, 654 00:52:54,140 --> 00:52:58,240 and they told us like they're x percent of the way there 655 00:52:58,240 --> 00:52:59,200 and they'll come back to us. 656 00:52:59,440 --> 00:53:02,780 We do push them on it, because we know 657 00:53:02,780 --> 00:53:05,220 that roomfield's train station was in dire shape. 658 00:53:06,080 --> 00:53:09,400 And it needs help, and we've been strongly advocating 659 00:53:09,400 --> 00:53:12,180 for that actually alongside our assembly representative 660 00:53:12,180 --> 00:53:16,820 as well. So they're they're really pushing hard on it too. You know changing 661 00:53:16,820 --> 00:53:20,260 administration always makes things a little bit messy, but we're not going to let 662 00:53:20,260 --> 00:53:24,400 go. Money was designed for it. So hopefully that answers your question. I'm sorry. 663 00:53:24,540 --> 00:53:28,320 I don't have a better update for you, but I will get back. We'll put more 664 00:53:28,320 --> 00:53:34,860 information on it, so we have that coming. And then in terms of the center, there's a 665 00:53:34,860 --> 00:53:40,320 lot of, so there's zones throughout Bloomfield, right, that we're being out 666 00:53:40,320 --> 00:53:48,280 development. And so, in Bluefield Center, that's largely developed with the exception of, 667 00:53:48,280 --> 00:53:52,620 like, where I think there's a little theater I want to say. Exactly. 668 00:53:54,740 --> 00:53:56,320 We're actively always 669 00:53:56,320 --> 00:54:02,080 working to try to push for some cleanup over there and try to push for some new and creative 670 00:54:02,080 --> 00:54:14,160 ways to bring in better, maybe better uses of things other than open, you know, unused spaces. 671 00:54:14,500 --> 00:54:19,360 So there's conversations that are in the works, but again, it's really up to the interest 672 00:54:19,360 --> 00:54:24,360 of developers who come in. We're not building the township, the best that we can do is actually 673 00:54:24,360 --> 00:54:29,080 create the environment in which that's welcome to them. 674 00:54:29,600 --> 00:54:33,220 Yes, it's interesting. The Washingtonshire area seems to be almost thriving. 675 00:54:33,820 --> 00:54:35,100 The patches are also open out. 676 00:54:35,760 --> 00:54:37,340 It seems like a dancing social environment. 677 00:54:38,280 --> 00:54:39,340 I agree with you. 678 00:54:39,340 --> 00:54:40,000 I agree with you. 679 00:54:40,140 --> 00:54:41,060 We have a town planner. 680 00:54:41,260 --> 00:54:45,680 We do push the owners of those properties to get on whatever their plans are. 681 00:54:45,860 --> 00:54:47,440 Pretty actively at this point. 682 00:54:47,540 --> 00:54:48,100 We're pushing that. 683 00:54:48,460 --> 00:54:53,080 Again, we can't force the developer to develop as much as we can't force the developer not to 684 00:54:53,080 --> 00:54:53,440 celebrate. 685 00:54:53,800 --> 00:54:56,760 We don't make sort of control of the way that they do it. 686 00:54:57,260 --> 00:54:57,640 Thank you. 687 00:54:57,640 --> 00:55:02,980 Let's start. Thank you. Thank you 688 00:55:09,250 --> 00:55:22,570 all for being here tonight. I'm Cinemoraco. I live in the first ward and I've been pretty active with my previous councilwoman Jenny Mandel, now mayor and with my current councilwoman Rosalie Gonzalez. 689 00:55:23,370 --> 00:55:33,090 I'd like to thank the township and all different departments for their active involvement in improving the lives of senior citizens in Bloomfield. 690 00:55:33,090 --> 00:55:39,190 field. And one of the best things I think has happened, something I've been very involved 691 00:55:39,190 --> 00:55:45,670 with, is a calendar that includes all the different activities and locations and contact 692 00:55:45,670 --> 00:55:53,210 information for the seniors. So if you look in the e-buzz and you look through and you find 693 00:55:53,210 --> 00:55:59,070 the senior citizen section and you click on the calendar, you'll find all the things that 694 00:55:59,070 --> 00:56:05,330 available for seniors. And I'm guessing, but I'm just going to ask. I know there 695 00:56:05,330 --> 00:56:12,590 have been some increases in activities recently. At Oakside, we're going to do 696 00:56:12,590 --> 00:56:18,270 Monge out now on Tuesdays at the Civic Center. We've added a sewing club on 697 00:56:18,270 --> 00:56:25,450 Thursdays. And I'm just hoping that these initiatives and activities 698 00:56:25,450 --> 00:56:31,370 programming for seniors is going to continue. So Sue, I'll start with a thing 699 00:56:31,370 --> 00:56:37,570 thank you for all your hard work and making a very clear to us and advocating 700 00:56:37,570 --> 00:56:42,690 always on behalf of seniors. We have a lot of seniors in town, seniors are very 701 00:56:42,690 --> 00:56:47,310 important to us too. And you and I know that there's a whole senior advisory board 702 00:56:47,310 --> 00:56:51,770 which you have served on previously and now step decided let some new voices come 703 00:56:51,770 --> 00:56:55,290 and you know, we appreciate the feedback 704 00:56:55,290 --> 00:56:56,970 that's why we have that group. 705 00:56:57,450 --> 00:56:59,850 So, you absolutely have my full commitment. 706 00:57:00,110 --> 00:57:02,670 I know it's commitment, I'm gonna cancel 100% 707 00:57:02,670 --> 00:57:04,370 to keep these things moving. 708 00:57:05,270 --> 00:57:08,010 I know both our recreation department 709 00:57:08,010 --> 00:57:09,930 and our Department of Human Services 710 00:57:09,930 --> 00:57:11,770 are very, very engaged with seniors 711 00:57:11,770 --> 00:57:14,530 and they understand the mission and they get it. 712 00:57:14,610 --> 00:57:18,030 Like seeing where you're not gonna be left to science. 713 00:57:18,410 --> 00:57:19,850 They will absolutely continue. 714 00:57:19,850 --> 00:57:21,670 We have to look forward to hearing more ideas. 715 00:57:22,370 --> 00:57:23,390 Thank you so much. 716 00:57:23,650 --> 00:57:24,030 Thank you. 717 00:57:24,430 --> 00:57:24,670 In 718 00:57:51,130 --> 00:57:52,050 communities act. 719 00:57:52,930 --> 00:57:56,510 And the Safe Communities act to ensure safe access 720 00:57:56,510 --> 00:58:00,670 to essential services, including schools, houses of worship, 721 00:58:01,330 --> 00:58:05,450 healthcare facilities, food pantries, libraries, social services, 722 00:58:05,750 --> 00:58:06,250 and so on. 723 00:58:07,150 --> 00:58:08,850 Okay, so that was passed. 724 00:58:08,970 --> 00:58:12,830 It was passed by me, us, the assembly, it was signed by Murphy, 725 00:58:12,830 --> 00:58:19,270 that is now law. What does that actually mean when they say these are safe spaces? 726 00:58:20,010 --> 00:58:24,850 What happens if ICE chooses to visit those spaces? 727 00:58:31,300 --> 00:58:34,920 So there are different types of Lawrence, right? 728 00:58:35,560 --> 00:58:41,620 I think that's for an administrative warrant where there's not a judiciary warrant in place. 729 00:58:44,000 --> 00:58:54,620 So I think it protects the person from administrative warrants in those places, okay, but if it's a judicial war, it's a total difference. 730 00:58:54,840 --> 00:58:57,380 So if they can't go anything, which kinds of signs by a judge? 731 00:58:59,580 --> 00:59:05,560 So it means that if there isn't judicial warrants and they're seeking a specific person, they can't go into those spaces. 732 00:59:05,740 --> 00:59:07,380 As far as I'm aware, yes. 733 00:59:08,240 --> 00:59:11,320 But if it's an administrative warrant, they 734 00:59:16,730 --> 00:59:22,350 have to adhere to their laws too, they just can't go in without a warrant. 735 00:59:22,830 --> 00:59:23,350 But they do. 736 00:59:24,170 --> 00:59:29,530 I think that you're looking for clear-cut answers from us. 737 00:59:30,050 --> 00:59:32,410 We're in a same position where you guys are in. 738 00:59:33,070 --> 00:59:35,990 Luckily, in Roofield, we haven't had any of those. 739 00:59:35,990 --> 00:59:36,410 Yes. 740 00:59:37,150 --> 00:59:37,710 Hopefully. 741 00:59:37,930 --> 00:59:38,390 Hopefully now. 742 00:59:39,170 --> 00:59:48,390 So we really don't know, but again, I think the distinction between an administrative warrant 743 00:59:48,390 --> 00:59:52,750 and judicial warrant is where the confusion may lie to. 744 00:59:53,210 --> 00:59:53,390 Okay. 745 00:59:53,910 --> 00:59:54,270 Okay. 746 00:59:54,370 --> 00:59:55,230 The other two parts. 747 00:59:55,510 --> 00:59:56,150 The other two aspects. 748 00:59:56,290 --> 00:59:58,250 Mary, can I add one thing to that? 749 00:59:58,410 --> 00:59:58,530 Sure. 750 00:59:58,530 --> 00:59:59,070 so 751 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,440 We rely on grade, obviously. I don't know all the rules to, you know, I rely on, like, our police department, as I write, to enforce the law as they are being told. I will commit, right, to seeking some clarity from both the Attorney General's Office as well as Governor Sheriff's Office. I'm sorry, I don't have a, we don't have, like, a very clear answer on that, but we're also struggling a little bit. That's what I mean when I say municipalities right now, we're all in the same boat. 752 01:00:29,440 --> 01:00:31,960 I am texting with mayors constantly. 753 01:00:32,120 --> 01:00:33,480 I was texting with the mayor of Hoboken. 754 01:00:33,660 --> 01:00:36,720 I'm texting with mayors in other areas, Ray, and they're saying, 755 01:00:36,900 --> 01:00:37,880 what are you doing in the situation? 756 01:00:38,200 --> 01:00:38,920 How are you doing this? 757 01:00:38,980 --> 01:00:43,620 We're sharing information right now, and we'll continue to do that, right? 758 01:00:43,960 --> 01:00:49,800 But I do want to say, I'm sorry that we don't have a more clear answer on that, 759 01:00:49,920 --> 01:00:51,540 but we will commit to getting more information. 760 01:00:52,020 --> 01:00:56,000 And just as an FYI, the other two acts that would not pass them or pass by the Senate 761 01:00:56,000 --> 01:00:58,660 and the assembly, they were not signed by Murphy, 762 01:00:58,920 --> 01:01:02,880 although we are working on revising those acts 763 01:01:03,540 --> 01:01:05,980 and putting them back in process. 764 01:01:06,900 --> 01:01:08,880 And we're introducing them into the legislature. 765 01:01:09,540 --> 01:01:11,240 There's the Privacy Protection Act. 766 01:01:12,260 --> 01:01:15,280 And then there is also the immigrant trust directive, 767 01:01:15,420 --> 01:01:17,060 which at this point is only a directive. 768 01:01:17,760 --> 01:01:19,400 And we are looking to get it codified. 769 01:01:19,880 --> 01:01:21,660 And that is still in process. 770 01:01:21,980 --> 01:01:23,320 So there's still work to be done. 771 01:01:23,320 --> 01:01:31,940 The directive doesn't, you know, have as many protections, build into it as it would in actual use of legislation. 772 01:01:32,940 --> 01:01:36,720 And so, hopefully, we will move things forward with Cheryl on that. 773 01:01:37,220 --> 01:01:40,380 And as well as privacy protections, that's also very important. 774 01:01:42,320 --> 01:01:46,960 And I'm just as an FYI, I'm immersed in this stuff at this point. 775 01:01:46,960 --> 01:01:50,120 And I'm happy to communicate with you many things that I do learn. 776 01:01:51,910 --> 01:01:54,170 Please do thank you new 777 01:01:59,550 --> 01:02:00,490 enough. Thank 778 01:02:17,320 --> 01:02:18,840 you everyone for tonight's 779 01:02:20,770 --> 01:02:24,170 Question regarding preschool for the town of Millfield 780 01:02:27,120 --> 01:02:28,370 Progress we may 781 01:02:28,370 --> 01:02:37,170 I think the 782 01:02:39,990 --> 01:02:41,090 question is expanded 783 01:02:42,340 --> 01:02:42,790 Yes 784 01:02:42,790 --> 01:02:50,870 So the municipal on the municipal end, we don't control that, that's something that has to go before the Board of Education. 785 01:02:51,630 --> 01:03:05,570 We are, and I've been made it very clear, very open to coordinating with the Board of Education if they're interested in talking about how we might be able to help make it happen, but it is really a Board of Education and the Board of Education issue. 786 01:03:06,050 --> 01:03:11,330 I'm sorry, I'm sorry, we don't, I can't help it, but I wouldn't, I wouldn't pretend to, yeah. 787 01:03:11,350 --> 01:03:15,690 No, no, no, it's fine, I just wanted to see if maybe you had any information you would share with us. 788 01:03:15,790 --> 01:03:18,730 No, but I would, I would take it, I'd take it to the board event for sure. 789 01:03:18,890 --> 01:03:19,290 Okay, thank you. 790 01:03:19,410 --> 01:03:24,850 And then my second question is, is related to the recreation space that's in the first board. 791 01:03:25,430 --> 01:03:30,010 I've been a resident here for 12 years, I have three little ones, so we're very involved in sports. 792 01:03:30,010 --> 01:03:36,550 I expected with the talent offers, so I think I've noticed that this is not a fit anyway. 793 01:03:37,830 --> 01:03:43,390 But I've noticed a lot of renovations and upkeeping is more focused on the Clarks lawns 794 01:03:43,390 --> 01:03:49,150 and Lionsgate, but when it comes to other recreation space, white, plastic park, 795 01:03:49,630 --> 01:03:53,330 or a growth site, it doesn't seem time to seem time to attention or upkeeping. 796 01:03:53,910 --> 01:03:59,410 So I wanted to see if there's any progress or renovations or any talks about how we can improve 797 01:03:59,410 --> 01:04:04,050 of those spaces. The reason I'm right there is because I love being a part of the blue field. 798 01:04:04,550 --> 01:04:10,210 And I know when we have the sports kind of kick off now, the spring needs to welcome a lot of people 799 01:04:10,210 --> 01:04:17,050 from all sides of the township when we're playing other towns. And it just kind of affects me in a way 800 01:04:17,050 --> 01:04:22,030 when I go and I attend these games and the park is not in the best conditions. It's a little embarrassing. 801 01:04:22,410 --> 01:04:27,290 As far as the city's space for the parents and just there's just a lot of garbage left behind, 802 01:04:27,290 --> 01:04:32,870 just a lot of overbleweed, and I just think that this area is a kind of left behind, and to me, 803 01:04:33,370 --> 01:04:38,370 you don't have a clean space that just kind of talks, you know, I just said a lot about the township, 804 01:04:38,530 --> 01:04:44,710 so I just wanted to see if there's any changes or anything planned for the new spread season as a plot house. 805 01:04:45,050 --> 01:04:46,670 Yeah, so I agree with you, right? 806 01:04:46,790 --> 01:04:49,290 I mean, you should get attention throughout town. 807 01:04:49,410 --> 01:04:51,930 We just had a meeting, actually, with the recreation director. 808 01:04:54,610 --> 01:04:57,890 I know he'll be able to give you a little more information than I would be right now. 809 01:04:58,410 --> 01:05:02,910 But we do have a part's improvement plan like the roads, right? 810 01:05:03,050 --> 01:05:04,490 Like other things that we do in town. 811 01:05:04,670 --> 01:05:07,450 We have to space it out because it's about dollars, right? 812 01:05:07,530 --> 01:05:08,770 So it's really budget-dependent. 813 01:05:08,930 --> 01:05:15,050 So we have more dollars, we get more CDBG money in when we get additional green acres grants 814 01:05:15,050 --> 01:05:17,330 we're able to do more for those parts. 815 01:05:17,330 --> 01:05:23,250 Lying Gate was something that actually came together through a series of men's 816 01:05:23,250 --> 01:05:26,610 amount of work and a lot of grant money that came in because we put a wet 817 01:05:26,610 --> 01:05:30,530 lantern and there was environmental remediation. So it's a beautiful part but 818 01:05:30,530 --> 01:05:34,710 it's also because there was willingness to help us put funding toward it, right? 819 01:05:35,050 --> 01:05:38,890 And it's newer so that one's going to look nicer, right? Pulaski's older has 820 01:05:38,890 --> 01:05:43,570 been there for a long time, you know, but that I mean we literally just have this 821 01:05:43,570 --> 01:05:48,230 conversation about, like, sort of the next round of where we're going to get some attention. 822 01:05:48,490 --> 01:05:52,330 We look here and talking about felt and feel, we're talking about rights, feel, I think 823 01:05:52,330 --> 01:05:55,210 Pulaski saw the list for some improvements. 824 01:05:55,770 --> 01:05:59,830 And then sometimes, and again, I'm sure to tell you this more specifically than I can, 825 01:05:59,930 --> 01:06:06,010 that sometimes he'll do specifically like basketball courts or we'll look at tennis courts 826 01:06:06,010 --> 01:06:06,950 that need to be upgraded. 827 01:06:06,950 --> 01:06:09,590 Can we restrict them from pickleball doing all the ones, right? 828 01:06:09,590 --> 01:06:18,490 So it's not always like a all all over the park. I once but but we do have a plan to make those improvements here 829 01:06:19,110 --> 01:06:25,490 The other thing I would say in terms of the cleanliness is if you see something tell us right so 830 01:06:26,090 --> 01:06:34,650 Some of it is that you know dpw goes out they clean on a regular basis like into those things but you know they're not everywhere all the time 831 01:06:34,650 --> 01:06:41,290 Yeah, so yeah, so if you call we'll absolutely say someone else and I know a lot of it has to do with the community support 832 01:06:41,290 --> 01:06:46,130 I totally get that not to throw shade on any one of them and I know everybody's going to report 833 01:06:46,130 --> 01:06:51,490 But I think the community of course also has to do with their report which is being a resident for 12 years 834 01:06:51,490 --> 01:06:57,370 I kind of see it on an ongoing basis where I thought tonight would be the next time I just kind of get back to the government's attention 835 01:06:57,370 --> 01:06:58,810 Yeah, absolutely. Thank you 836 01:06:59,390 --> 01:07:00,390 When the snow is gone 837 01:07:01,010 --> 01:07:05,990 We can re-evaluate of course, but if you have suggestions if you see something, if there's 838 01:07:05,990 --> 01:07:10,290 something that you, again, like we want the parts of our community to create, so if you 839 01:07:10,290 --> 01:07:15,750 want something in a specific park, let us know and we will, like, I've never known Mike 840 01:07:15,750 --> 01:07:21,070 Sherman not to explore something that wasn't like, you know, offered. He does that all the 841 01:07:21,070 --> 01:07:24,930 time, so we'll take that information back and we're really happy to do that, and we'd like 842 01:07:24,930 --> 01:07:28,710 the community to be feedback, because we kind of, we think about it from one perspective, 843 01:07:33,950 --> 01:07:36,090 I think of it from another perspective. 844 01:07:36,570 --> 01:07:39,950 Someone might look at it because they want different kinds of walking paths. 845 01:07:40,250 --> 01:07:40,650 Tell us. 846 01:07:41,350 --> 01:07:42,130 We'll respond to that. 847 01:07:42,570 --> 01:07:44,830 That's always on our radar panel. 848 01:07:45,050 --> 01:07:45,950 Thank you for the feedback. 849 01:07:46,290 --> 01:07:46,690 Thank you. 850 01:07:49,520 --> 01:07:52,560 That actually just reminded me of the Roxy Fars. 851 01:07:53,180 --> 01:07:54,200 Oh, yeah. 852 01:07:54,540 --> 01:07:57,840 And I think it's another topic part you'll talk about about when I'm in here. 853 01:07:58,180 --> 01:07:59,120 Is there any update on that? 854 01:07:59,240 --> 01:07:59,440 Yes. 855 01:07:59,660 --> 01:08:00,860 So Roxy Flores is one of the things that I'm going to talk about. 856 01:08:00,860 --> 01:08:05,060 We have finalized, finalized, I think at this point, the design for that. 857 01:08:05,840 --> 01:08:10,020 And we are in the process of working through two things. 858 01:08:10,240 --> 01:08:13,380 One is the funding to do that work. 859 01:08:13,820 --> 01:08:18,120 And then two is really just like getting things out to bed and activating on it. 860 01:08:18,240 --> 01:08:23,180 So our hope with RoxyForest is that I have it done this year, which feels funny to be 861 01:08:23,180 --> 01:08:25,300 right talking about the snow on the ground. 862 01:08:25,460 --> 01:08:28,320 That is like, Ramman, hopefully we can pull that off. 863 01:08:28,320 --> 01:08:38,260 Um, the other pocket part, uh, yes, the one right, okay, the former heartbreakers say 864 01:08:38,260 --> 01:08:44,480 if I were gone, yes, um, that was sort of like we put kind of in this side for the moment, 865 01:08:44,480 --> 01:08:49,080 it's not, you know, you drive by it right now, yes, it will re-explore that, but that would 866 01:08:49,080 --> 01:08:53,280 have been a bit lower on the primary list for now, given other projects, we'd rather do 867 01:08:53,280 --> 01:08:57,100 rock c-first, there's some other projects that we want to make sure we're up great, uh, the 868 01:08:57,100 --> 01:09:11,220 The Children's Library, for example, already just put capital money to that, which is important and well-used, so we'll keep that heartbreakers property, which is now our property in mind, and we'll see you open in the future. 869 01:09:11,420 --> 01:09:12,660 So thank you for the question. 870 01:09:16,220 --> 01:09:16,820 Anyone else? 871 01:09:36,970 --> 01:09:46,270 I have to first say thank you everybody for coming out and going to pull the line and allow me so before to ask questions. 872 01:09:47,170 --> 01:09:54,230 I'm daughter of the eighth grade. She gets at the middle school bus stop on Belville app right by the forest hills. 873 01:09:54,550 --> 01:10:01,910 I have a bus stop there. It's a day in the civil section. I have more respect than the world for the crossing grounds. 874 01:10:01,910 --> 01:10:06,490 from way back with Jerry DeVarca and Charlie Osco. 875 01:10:06,910 --> 01:10:08,770 I don't think I remember that part back. 876 01:10:09,230 --> 01:10:12,110 But big thing, my kids lives on one medication. 877 01:10:13,030 --> 01:10:15,330 There was a mere accident during the other day 878 01:10:15,770 --> 01:10:17,730 where the car wasn't looking, wasn't stopping, 879 01:10:17,990 --> 01:10:19,590 trying to get around to the right, 880 01:10:19,910 --> 01:10:22,290 heading eastbound, down the land. 881 01:10:24,330 --> 01:10:26,590 And the kids were in danger of it. 882 01:10:27,030 --> 01:10:28,790 I know it's kind of a game of intersection 883 01:10:28,790 --> 01:10:30,210 because it's a Canada road 884 01:10:30,210 --> 01:10:33,370 and the light doesn't always work up by the gun condominants. 885 01:10:33,870 --> 01:10:40,590 But the crossing noise also put it yourself at risk at a moon tonight like this when it's dark 886 01:10:40,590 --> 01:10:43,490 when some of the kids get up to late, but she don't always see her. 887 01:10:44,150 --> 01:10:49,390 I know she ended up getting a sign that had some lights on the stop sign, 888 01:10:49,510 --> 01:10:58,030 but it was the only way to better mark the intersection or to better put some reflective beam 889 01:11:01,550 --> 01:11:09,730 So that one light has been this function, so it's out of date, we cannot get parts for it. 890 01:11:10,150 --> 01:11:15,810 We're scheduled to get a new light there, so we're waiting on a county. 891 01:11:16,730 --> 01:11:18,810 I guess when the weather gets a little better, is that right, Bill? 892 01:11:21,050 --> 01:11:27,270 Yeah, the county has plans to completely redo that intersection and make it more, 893 01:11:27,270 --> 01:11:34,050 like a standard intersection with a brand new traffic signal, I have to check on the time frame 894 01:11:34,050 --> 01:11:38,430 for this night to see initial concept plans. That's going to be completely redone. 895 01:11:38,930 --> 01:11:44,750 In the meantime, would it be possible to get Ms. Monica some kind of better safety or better 896 01:11:45,350 --> 01:11:47,850 protection as she does with child crossing the kids? 897 01:11:47,890 --> 01:11:54,090 So we constantly check on our crossing guards. That spot especially with the snow has made 898 01:11:54,090 --> 01:11:59,530 it really difficult for her. We've had a police officer out there, but as you know, every 899 01:11:59,530 --> 01:12:06,090 place, lots of police officers, so we kind of like go to where it's most needed and that 900 01:12:06,090 --> 01:12:13,510 intersection being one of them. But we constantly are out there and monitoring it. I actually 901 01:12:13,510 --> 01:12:17,730 was out there myself personally speaking with her because of all the snow. I actually 902 01:12:17,730 --> 01:12:19,650 She's actually, of course, the kids in the street 903 01:12:19,650 --> 01:12:22,230 and contacted Sean at D.P.W. 904 01:12:22,510 --> 01:12:24,630 and he sent the front-motor there right away 905 01:12:24,630 --> 01:12:25,610 and cleaned it up for her. 906 01:12:26,070 --> 01:12:28,610 So we are aware of it and we're on top of it 907 01:12:28,610 --> 01:12:30,350 and we're doing everything we can to keep her safe. 908 01:12:30,650 --> 01:12:31,310 She's a rock star. 909 01:12:31,450 --> 01:12:31,950 She's great. 910 01:12:32,690 --> 01:12:33,350 Thank you for noticing. 911 01:12:33,890 --> 01:12:36,390 And one other thing for us, like safety, 912 01:12:37,750 --> 01:12:40,250 outside Holyfield, I've had it. 913 01:12:40,550 --> 01:12:41,550 I'm more than one occasion. 914 01:12:41,710 --> 01:12:44,230 People mention about lighting better 915 01:12:44,230 --> 01:12:46,870 on the Kennedy Boulevard side of the field. 916 01:12:46,870 --> 01:12:52,750 not just for after school events at the field, but also for some of the 917 01:12:52,750 --> 01:12:57,190 businesses like the Toe Truck Place or the Landscape Place, they all believe that 918 01:12:57,190 --> 01:13:01,330 it could be better lighting when they turn it back into their driveways and traffic 919 01:13:01,330 --> 01:13:05,990 is coming down to 40 miles an hour. People come racing around that corner like 920 01:13:05,990 --> 01:13:07,730 you know they're in the NASCAR or something. 921 01:13:10,490 --> 01:13:12,350 I know that's a thing with PSE and 922 01:13:12,350 --> 01:13:17,330 G and PSEG would have to, like I'm sure the ratepayers between the school 923 01:13:17,330 --> 01:13:22,710 doesn't have businesses on the block, I'm sure they would be, you know, 924 01:13:24,860 --> 01:13:25,320 willing to pay 925 01:13:25,320 --> 01:13:31,260 for that bill, but PSUG should put better lighting on the fully-fueled on JK. 926 01:13:31,800 --> 01:13:37,700 So, Tom, there's a couple of things we can do. We can take that feedback back to the representative 927 01:13:37,700 --> 01:13:44,100 that we work with from PSUG. It's an easy do for that. But the other thing I would encourage 928 01:13:44,100 --> 01:13:50,980 to do actually is you can request a street link on the PSUNG website. And we have found 929 01:13:50,980 --> 01:13:57,660 sometimes there's more power in it if residents do that. So I'd encourage every... we will ask, 930 01:13:57,860 --> 01:14:05,680 right? No problem on that end. But it's helpful if people actually go to that site too and request 931 01:14:05,680 --> 01:14:10,920 the street link. I actually have the numbers of each poll on the block. That's the event that are 932 01:14:11,500 --> 01:14:25,060 And if you want to share them with us, if you want to send us an email, we will also ask, but also do it, too, because they seem to respond better with more people who are plugging it into their service. 933 01:14:25,600 --> 01:14:28,320 Thank you very much. I appreciate you doing coming out. 934 01:14:30,120 --> 01:14:30,540 Excuse 935 01:14:41,520 --> 01:14:42,120 me, Mayor? 936 01:14:42,440 --> 01:14:42,520 Yes. 937 01:14:42,520 --> 01:14:46,660 I just wanted to make a clarification on the transcript. 938 01:14:47,460 --> 01:14:52,600 Bloomfield has 85 miles of roadway, not 1805, because it's a typo. 939 01:14:53,240 --> 01:14:56,880 Sorry, it feels like 1805. 940 01:14:59,140 --> 01:14:59,980 I'll see you in the next video. 941 01:15:07,080 --> 01:15:07,660 Okay. 942 01:15:18,150 --> 01:15:42,410 If we're allowing ICE to enter schools. So, one, that's something that the DOE would need to respond to. I do think that what Sherry has spoken about before, which is the SAVE Community Act, thank you. Does put some protections into place, but we'll seek some clarity around that. We are not letting ICE into schools. 943 01:15:43,370 --> 01:15:50,610 If ice goes into schools, you know, I think actually it's a very fair question to ask the board of education. 944 01:15:52,430 --> 01:15:54,950 And they can get sincerity on that as well. 945 01:15:55,390 --> 01:15:55,730 Thank you. 946 01:15:55,950 --> 01:16:02,010 On that note, I just want to invite anyone who is interested in coming to the next school board meeting. 947 01:16:02,410 --> 01:16:03,890 That is Tuesday, next Tuesday. 948 01:16:04,630 --> 01:16:07,050 I think it's 7 o'clock. I don't have to double check the time. 949 01:16:07,190 --> 01:16:09,330 But I'll be there and maybe I'll see some of you there too. 950 01:16:10,230 --> 01:16:11,010 Thank you. 951 01:16:15,440 --> 01:16:16,280 Any other questions? 952 01:16:21,690 --> 01:16:23,950 I just want to say thank you to everybody for coming. 953 01:16:24,290 --> 01:16:29,850 Thank you as always to our departments for being here and being supportive of our community 954 01:16:29,850 --> 01:16:30,930 you are every day. 955 01:16:31,350 --> 01:16:37,090 But showing up in a moment like this is, we're especially grateful for you for doing that work. 956 01:16:37,950 --> 01:16:41,090 Thank you to everybody sitting up here for the good answers to questions. 957 01:16:41,690 --> 01:16:47,250 I know my business card is up at the town table as this Councilwoman gives all this business 958 01:16:47,250 --> 01:16:47,650 card. 959 01:16:47,890 --> 01:16:52,590 You can reach any of your elected officials on through the, if you go on the Township 960 01:16:52,590 --> 01:16:54,330 website, all of our emails are there. 961 01:16:54,990 --> 01:17:00,430 And like I said, please go online, go sign up for alerts, try to get good information from 962 01:17:00,430 --> 01:17:00,690 us. 963 01:17:00,790 --> 01:17:03,630 We encourage you to follow good source of information. 964 01:17:04,250 --> 01:17:08,250 You know, right now it's really easy for anyone to say anything online. 965 01:17:08,250 --> 01:17:12,290 And so we're trying to combat the spread of bad information, 966 01:17:12,630 --> 01:17:16,590 just really in an attempt to keep our community safe and secure and stronger. 967 01:17:16,950 --> 01:17:18,270 So we're very grateful for you. 968 01:17:18,390 --> 01:17:20,610 And thank you, of course, to all the residents who came out tonight. 969 01:17:20,830 --> 01:17:22,430 Thank you for asking excellent questions. 970 01:17:22,810 --> 01:17:27,250 If you have more, we encourage you to ask us any time we're here for you. 971 01:17:27,750 --> 01:17:28,830 Can someone do you like to see something? 972 01:17:30,290 --> 01:17:33,450 So I just, I also want to thank everyone for being here. 973 01:17:33,510 --> 01:17:35,330 I know I'm personally sitting here for the scene, 974 01:17:35,470 --> 01:17:36,850 so I've been shaking this whole time. 975 01:17:36,850 --> 01:17:42,990 So I really appreciate you sitting through this, everybody watching online and asking questions. 976 01:17:43,770 --> 01:17:49,750 I want to second that, I can't even emphasize how important it is, sign up for your alerts. 977 01:17:50,250 --> 01:17:57,790 There's so many resources out, there's so many ways to reach us, to reach town, so utilize those 978 01:17:57,790 --> 01:18:05,250 avenues. You know, we thank you for your patience to, you know, sometimes we wish we could just fix 979 01:18:05,250 --> 01:18:09,750 everything with a snap of a finger and that's just not how it always works but that doesn't 980 01:18:09,750 --> 01:18:14,070 mean that we don't care, that doesn't mean that we're not listening, but it is important 981 01:18:14,070 --> 01:18:19,610 for you to take the proper channels, you know, email us, you have our cards, go on our website, 982 01:18:19,810 --> 01:18:25,850 sign up for eBuds, use that clean and strong link that's really important because that's tracked 983 01:18:25,850 --> 01:18:32,790 and there's accountability there. So, and thank you and thanks for your patience, you know, 984 01:18:32,790 --> 01:18:37,110 just encourage you to continue to just reach out to us, you know, we want to hear you, 985 01:18:37,230 --> 01:18:41,770 we want to see you, and that's what community is, so thank you for being here. 986 01:18:43,010 --> 01:18:45,470 And thank you for everybody out in the department at this stage. 987 01:18:48,240 --> 01:18:48,780 Thank you.