[0:00] Okay. Call this meeting to order. Please call the roll.

[0:05] Council Gary here. >> Here. Council woman Sanchez

[0:11] » here. >> Councilwoman

[0:13] » here. Council president >> here. Please rise the flag.

[0:22] I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:27] for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:31] justice for all.

[0:36] » Notice this meeting has been sent to all council members and all the newspapers

[0:41] in accordance with the provisions of the open public meetings act chapter 251

[0:46] public 1975. Public is hereby advised that any

[0:51] statements made during the meeting of the township council town saddlebrook

[0:55] may not be privileged or protected and that persons or entities who take issue

[1:00] with such comments or are offended by see may and have to pass so legal right

[1:04] to be redressed through the courts. Any member of the public who addresses the

[1:08] council speaks for themselves and not for the council.

[1:12] Notice is hereby given that beginning January 1st, 2026, the complete text of

[1:16] all legal notices required to be published in the township of Swork shall

[1:19] be obtained or viewed on the saddle websitej.

[1:24] us. In addition, New Jersey Secretary of State will be establishing a legal

[1:30] notice hyperlink page allowing members of the public to find hyperlinks. For

[1:34] every municipality on or about March 1st, a hyperlink to the Secretary of

[1:39] State's web page will be published on the municipal web page as soon as

[1:43] available. Entertain a motion to open the meeting

[1:47] to the public. >> Motion second.

[1:50] » All in favor? >> I the meeting is now open to the public.

[1:53] As I said before, because of the issue with the work session uh extending uh

[1:59] past our normal time, we will give everybody uh 5 minutes uh for comments.

[2:05] Please don't use it.

[2:10] » Is this a workshop or this is a regular meeting? Okay.

[2:25] Good evening. Our biggest cand so person you just mentioned five

[2:31] minutes. Yes. All right. I'm going to try to use that. Um first and foremost I

[2:37] would like to address some comments of an employee last month.

[2:42] Uh my understanding is that when the public pays your salary when you are an

[2:49] employee you cannot come to this you even as a resident you cannot come and

[2:55] criticize and attack somebody that's why this is the right notice and

[3:01] that's what I when I believe that the attorney could put a stop to this

[3:06] because I'm a grown up man and I'm not going to come out with nothing but uh it

[3:12] will open the town for litigation. So in the future I wouldn't like to see an

[3:17] employee of that town addressing any political questions or anything into the

[3:23] attack because last month one of the employees got here and no one is coming.

[3:30] So that's just a thing. Um, another comment. I'm just looking into the

[3:37] agenda. Um,

[3:40] I see the graffiti orders. I see the son code ordinance.

[3:46] Um, I believe that is of potential

[3:52] litigation. My question to the public is I don't

[3:58] know if we are being proactive or reactive

[4:04] because when it came to political science school political science they

[4:08] put a lot of restrictions the size the time where to put it when to put it how

[4:14] to put it penalties but then we miss the biggest picture which is

[4:20] actually to protect the town on how it looks. on how we wanted to um for months

[4:29] uh this particular ordinance has been tabled over and over again. I guess it's

[4:35] my guess I don't have uh access to privilege uh information but I can see

[4:41] it for that uh is coming legal challenges

[4:47] on the future I guess. So sometimes when you

[4:53] create something try to see the entire picture not just something so small like

[4:58] political science and actually I'm here for more important

[5:04] things. First I would like to talk to the

[5:10] public. As I'm knocking door to door

[5:15] a lot of people ask me where is Roseline?

[5:20] Roseline. Roseline is in the back of Milan Avenue by the old cemetery.

[5:27] They just finished building 60 low income housing units.

[5:34] When I was council president, I actually

[5:40] have in mind that to be a football field or a soccer field for warm-ups or a

[5:46] playground.

[5:49] Sometime in the last few years has been donated

[5:53] to a company for $1.

[6:00] Those kids that will be coming to that low income housing project that have two

[6:04] and threebedroom apartments as well as onebedroom apartment will bring kids

[6:09] those kids will be going to lon school have the town sit down together with the

[6:16] world members maybe to try to address some of the complexes questions that

[6:21] will be coming in the near future. Um

[6:27] when veterans was going to go for back in my time when I was council president

[6:34] I believe that more than 300 units were going to come into where we know now

[6:39] veterans feel. We negotiate with the develop with the

[6:43] owner that instead of developing 500 units we will buy it and we will build

[6:50] what we know now as veterans feel. But what I seen yesterday when I drove by 60

[6:57] units, my head started spinning off. If we can

[7:02] accommodate, if we have the infrastructure, emergency services, if

[7:06] everything has been a square away, good questions

[7:12] for $1. I don't know if he went out to if he just pick and choose. I don't know

[7:19] what what it cost. And finally, I just got a uh one last

[7:26] subject. Uh

[7:30] I believe that it looks awful the way Lyster looks now. One of the few streets

[7:36] I believe to bring down Nick, but having so many signs not working, no parking, I

[7:42] don't know if that is something to protect the residents or it was to

[7:45] penalize for bringing up the subject. is the only town in Bergen County, I think,

[7:50] or the state of New Jersey that got more signs than than residents.

[7:55] And uh when I speak about market history,

[7:59] it is because I attend most of those meetings, planning board, council, all

[8:06] kind of meetings and I still try to work around and I

[8:11] don't know why sometimes the attorney jump off his chair to ask some of these

[8:16] questions, but I'm very professional trying to hear from the land officials

[8:20] that are the main on maybe they got the right to do so when they saw sold 60

[8:26] units for $26,000 a piece. >> Mr. Rodriguez, in 5 minutes, your 5

[8:32] minutes has expired. >> Okay. Can I just go for this? Sure.

[8:38] » Uh there's another project at Eno Park. It's smaller, just one acre. We sold one

[8:44] acre and a half and they are selling it for $5.5 million and we sold ours for

[8:48] $1.6 million. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

[8:59] Good evening, Thomas family 128. Okay, so first things first, just some

[9:05] updates to provide to Mayor Council tonight.

[9:08] I mentioned this, I think briefly last month um from community partnership.

[9:12] together our sour community connections newsletter our latest issue and you know

[9:16] came out for the month of August um just highlighting all the great

[9:19] collaborations and partnerships from the different uh organizations in in town

[9:24] and our community calendar is in here which again anybody wants to add events

[9:29] to the community calendar you can add it on the town website there's a form you

[9:33] fill out to have it considered being added so that's in here just a bunch of

[9:37] community partnership mayor's youth group updates our recycling schedule And

[9:42] we have this available in digital and in print from the community partnership. Um

[9:46] we have copies right in this room here in the rec center and the town offices

[9:51] and and the library and a whole bunch of other buildings

[9:56] and the list goes on and on and really trying to bring these newslets to

[10:00] different businesses and different organizations throughout the town senior

[10:03] center as well. So please consider reading it and finding out what's going

[10:08] on in town. really the community partnership is striving to just bring

[10:11] bring the information, you know, about these collaborations, about the events

[10:15] going on to the people in our community. So, please check that out. Um,

[10:21] going to piggy back off the mayor's youth group. Now, we had a summer fun

[10:24] outing on July the 24th. We went to Vansstone Park um in Switch, which which

[10:29] was very which was a great day. The weather was perfect. Kids had a great

[10:33] time. I do want to thank the mayor and also Christine, mayor of the secretary

[10:38] for helping to put this together in addition to all the parents who chaper

[10:42] owned the trip and and helped with manpower and and you know, of course

[10:46] supervision and also want to thank our former President Tyler Posie for taking

[10:51] pictures and really helped us out um with Van Salon as well. So it was a

[10:56] great day. Looking ahead, we're going to be uh volunteering bringing food and

[11:00] beverages to the seniors and anyone else in need at the uh township picnic on

[11:05] August the 29th or the 30th if it rains. So, we hope to see everybody out and of

[11:10] course we'll attend the mayor's walk as well. So, and also we look forward to

[11:14] all the great events coming up that we participate in the town throughout the

[11:18] fall and into the holiday season. So it would again it's always open to any

[11:24] South Brook youth who lives in town from grades 4 through 12 as of September

[11:29] 2026. So that's all I got on that. Thank you very much.

[11:35] Thank you, Thomas, and and thanks for all the volunteerism that you uh you do

[11:39] through throughout the year.

[11:49] 518, is there any update on the uh I seen on

[11:54] the paper you were going to talk about it. Is there any update on what's going

[11:58] on with street? We we did have as as you're aware we did

[12:03] have an extensive um close session meeting it was regarding

[12:09] personnel but also a lot of that had to do with

[12:12] um it is a legal issue. Um, I'm going to defer to the You know what? If you want

[12:19] to you you've got time. I don't want to take up your time. If once you're

[12:22] finished, so this way we're not taking up your time. You can [clears throat]

[12:26] talk and give comments about anything you want, you know, during your time and

[12:30] then we'll respond. Then we'll be responsible.

[12:33] » You're saying it's a legal issue. What's the legal issue?

[12:38] potential litigation is what we can uh >> So basically what you're telling me is

[12:43] the owner of the building is now threatening to sue.

[12:49] Okay, that's the only legal issue that could be there.

[12:54] And if that's the case, follow the suit. Are you all going to

[12:59] fold? I don't think so.

[13:04] Is the council and the mayor going to stick up for the president

[13:08] or a guy that lives in Scarboro, New York? Why about bringing a company in

[13:14] and changed it and does whatever he wants?

[13:18] Because if the council doesn't stick with the people, that's your right.

[13:24] But then I'm going to do anything I can to get the ones that vote against this

[13:29] happen. And I know there's only 13 houses on the

[13:33] block. 14,000 on a block, but I know a lot of people in town and people

[13:40] come first before outsiders. And if I find out any of our legal

[13:47] authority in this town votes against us, he speaks up to the building,

[13:52] there's going to be more trouble legally, but there'll be trouble.

[13:59] I heard every one of you stick up for us at the last meeting and

[14:05] I'm hoping you stick up for us again.

[14:10] And our township attorney works for us, not for anybody else. We pay your salary

[14:18] as taxpayers. So I hope you do a good job for us. Thank you. And the mayor, I

[14:24] know the mayor is want to raise here. is for our people. So, and I know most

[14:31] of you are, but as soon as people hear the word lawsuit or legal trouble,

[14:37] everybody kind of calls it to all. And I hope that doesn't happen.

[14:42] Now, if we are sued and people change their votes,

[14:48] don't hide from us who the people are. Let us know who changes their votes.

[14:55] I don't want to hear that. This is secret. It's got to be behind. It's not

[14:58] open to the public because we have a right to know as taxpayers in the town.

[15:04] Thank you. >> Thank you very much,

[15:08] Mr. Taylor. >> No, I'm good. Thank you.

[15:11] » Okay. I saw you twitching back there as well, ma'am.

[15:28] Monastery 25. I'm back again. Um, good evening and thank you for the

[15:34] opportunity to speak. I want to begin by clarifying that I am not questioning the

[15:39] merits of the many services and programs Saddleberg provides to seniors. Nor am I

[15:44] suggesting that Saddle Brook is anything other than a good and caring community.

[15:48] My question is much narrower as it centers on the decision made to

[15:52] discontin the saddle senior bus processes used during evaluation. I

[15:58] understand the reasons given for lower ridership specifically medical ride and

[16:02] the age of bus. What I'm trying to understand and wrap my head around is

[16:07] what analysis was done with those facts before the decision was made. First,

[16:12] it's important to put medical rights in context. when Southwork senior bus was

[16:18] reduced to four days. I don't know when that was. Um I'm kind of new to the

[16:23] service. Uh but it was narrowed down to uh 4 days a week, Tuesday and Thursday

[16:28] morning for earmarked for shopping trips which left Wednesday and Friday 9 to 3

[16:34] for medical appointments while also putting in the bingo uh coordinating for

[16:39] bingo transportation on those days. So low usage has a direct correlation with

[16:44] the availability of the actual service. Um and when the analysis was done, what

[16:52] facts were reviewed before the decision was made?

[16:56] For example, was the reason for low ridership examined? For example, as I

[17:01] just gave about it only being available limited days, was they considered

[17:05] whether seniors knew the service was available? I spoke about this last month

[17:10] um regarding important outreach um

[17:14] was the month given directions from the 3-month period that was given as an

[17:19] example of the low ridership for medical appointments. I'm just curious if that

[17:23] was an accurate representation of the service as a whole and were all the

[17:27] buses uses considered like shopping and recreation rather than just medical

[17:32] trips were available grants or other funding options for aging vehicle or

[17:38] alternatives and stuff aside from fully eliminating it um were all for all

[17:44] things considered and where seniors in South Brook survey or asked what

[17:48] transportation they could actually use. I'm not assuming these questions were

[17:52] not considered. I'm just asking whether they were part of the evaluation. And I

[17:56] also want to make sure that we're all working from the same ground level

[18:01] factual information. Um at the June meeting it was said that there was only

[18:06] one bag of groceries on the Saddle Brook senior bus. I used that service and I

[18:11] personally never saw this signing. I was told I could have only one bag. And it

[18:16] was also stated that every work had a transportation vehicle that was built to

[18:20] share accessible lifts, but they all had an aid. I had that not been my

[18:25] experience. So in order to to get accurate information to verify what I

[18:31] thought in the case, the county um through an open request said that 20% of

[18:36] its vehicles have less and that they don't provide any use. And again, these

[18:40] details, I just want to make sure they're all, you know, working from the

[18:43] same level of facts. Um, and more importantly, at the July meeting, I

[18:48] spoke about something very important that the senior bus provided beyond

[18:53] transportation, and that is a connection to our community. Uh, last year, the

[18:57] senior bus brought seniors to Natasha picnic, and I know there's also a

[19:01] struggle for residents that we had last year. This year's show, I think it's

[19:05] great. I know parking is tight over at the park. Um but for a senior who cannot

[19:10] get to the municipal parking lot, they can't use the shuttle. Um and the senior

[19:14] bus also did provide transportation to the evening events for senior events

[19:18] like the Halloween party at the BFW. And when I asked about seniors attending

[19:23] evening events like council meetings or recreation, the response is that other

[19:28] towns don't provide transportation at night. And every town makes it own

[19:32] different choices based on the needs of its resident. So the question really is

[19:36] simply what is doing to meet the transportation needs of its own citizens

[19:41] so they can age in place and remain active participants in the community

[19:45] where they lived. Finally, as a new writer to this out group bus, I'm trying

[19:50] to understand the history of the service. What led to its establishment?

[19:55] What changed when the hours were reduced? What led to its expansion at

[19:58] one point? And these questions are posed in order to reconcile for myself how

[20:03] public services in book is evaluated, how all the facts are made, and how

[20:10] decisions are reached. I believe we all share the same goal, making good

[20:14] decisions for the township and ensuring that our seniors needs are understood.

[20:20] Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Everyone else wish

[20:25] to address the council.

[20:29] See now, entertain a motion to close the public.

[20:33] » Second. All in favor? >> I meeting is now close to the public.

[20:38] Um, so we're going to kind of do a hybrid

[20:43] meeting here. Uh, we'll do mayor's mayor's comments, mayor's updates, and

[20:48] we'll go down. We'll ask the engineer and council administrator, and then

[20:52] we'll go to council council comments. But certainly, we want to make sure that

[20:56] we address Weiss during our our comments.

[21:03] » Mayor, you don't want me to address my >> uh, not right now. Oh, the mayor can

[21:10] Okay, you know what, John? Before the mayor goes, from a legal perspective, I

[21:14] know we had a close session. Um so if you can just do some explanation

[21:21] um as to what uh what the situation is why we're in close session and uh what

[21:31] indicate whatever you can without violating the uh the close session uh

[21:36] procedures. >> Yes. Well well first of all uh without

[21:41] progress has been made because the ordinance has been finalized. Uh I

[21:45] believe it's my understanding that uh the revisions that were made are

[21:50] acceptable. However, the uh adjacent property owner

[21:55] in my opinion has given us a heads up that any action we take may be

[22:00] challenged and contrary to the concerns that as the township attorney from my

[22:06] perspective, we wouldn't want litigation and perhaps the public should understand

[22:11] that litigation generates legal fees. That's how we earn a living. Whether we

[22:16] win or lose, we get paid. However, that being said, as an attorney, and I'm sure

[22:22] I speak for most attorneys, when we get a litigation, we want to win. We do not

[22:26] want to lose. So why I feel that getting notice of the

[22:32] fact that it may be challenged is actually benefit to us because now we

[22:36] need to know that we have all our ducks in order that all the evidence to

[22:40] substantiate the need for uh permitted parking only for residents

[22:47] 24/7 every day of the week meets the legal requirements to impose that are in

[22:54] order. And so we are going to be making sure we have all that evidence in place

[23:01] so that if the governing body go moves ahead with the ordinance adoption that

[23:06] if it is challenged it's successful. It's my job to your point to protect the

[23:11] public interest. It doesn't serve the public interest to not give the guidance

[23:15] necessary that where the governing body could take action they were going to

[23:19] incur significant legal cost and exposure and by the way lose the case.

[23:24] that would be not doing my job. So my job is to put the municipality in the

[23:28] best position to defend its actions. And to do that, we need to do a little more

[23:33] homework in terms of gathering the evidence to support our actions.

[23:40] » Thank you, Mayor.

[23:44] » Thank you, Council President. Uh, I just want to before I start with my uh

[23:49] comments, I I just want to mention uh something that that uh Mr. Rodriguez

[23:54] brought up um specifically. He mentioned during his

[24:00] term that he wanted Rosal Lane, the property that the town owned where the

[24:07] affordable housing is was built, uh he said he wanted to use it for recreation

[24:14] or for a park or field or something like that when in fact during his term and I

[24:21] think Mr. Saluca and uh Mrs. major would would be able to

[24:27] uh correct me if I'm wrong, but I I believe it was during that time that

[24:33] that property was designated for affordable housing on the master plan.

[24:39] So, >> you are correct.

[24:40] » Yeah. >> Okay. So, yeah, that and he was part of

[24:44] the council then and I I don't know how we voted, but I I imagine if we looked,

[24:50] he probably voted yes. uh because we needed we needed to have

[24:55] affordable housing. So that's why and uh I know Jimmy not now but maybe you can

[25:04] address it because you're more familiar with you know you've been working with

[25:09] our our uh affordable housing attorney and so you know all the particulars

[25:14] about what the price was and what kind of rent or where what kind of

[25:20] compensation the town's going to get from them. So maybe you can address that

[25:24] later. Um,

[25:29] and Mrs. Monoseri, you know what? Honestly, you're you're a very

[25:34] intelligent person. You're asking a lot of really good questions. I mean, I I

[25:41] can't formulate a response. I I would like to take what you said and and work

[25:47] on it and write down the answers to some of that stuff. I I know you've asked for

[25:52] some things, but um yeah, I I can't formulate a good response, not nearly as

[25:59] good as your question and you know what you brought up. So, you know, let me

[26:05] just say this. Um I I believe we made the right choice.

[26:11] You know, no one was we weren't looking to just willy-nilly just decide to

[26:16] eliminate the bus. And I believe that right now the residents of town have a

[26:23] better service. Yeah, I know what you're saying. It's nice to know who the bus

[26:28] driver is and get the same bus driver and uh and really it had nothing to do

[26:32] with the bus driver. It wasn't the bus driver. You know, we feel I know I speak

[26:38] for the council that a better service came along and it and it's for free. So,

[26:44] you know, I I don't know. You mentioned about the uh that not all the buses have

[26:49] aids and not all of them have lifts. You know, honestly, I don't know that. You

[26:53] know, you called and you're you're probably right, but uh you know, I

[26:59] believe if you need a lift and they know it, they're going to send the bus with

[27:03] the lift. So, I don't know. I I we really believe that

[27:09] right now. And and here's one thing. Uh the business administrator checked

[27:15] there's right now there's almost 300 residents that are signed up to use that

[27:23] bus. 300 I mean we never had even close to that. Not even close to that

[27:30] you know amount of people that were using the bus. I mean maybe 300 rides

[27:35] maybe 10 15 people that you know that use it 300 times a year. Maybe, maybe. I

[27:42] I I don't even know. And you know, you'd have to check the records if we even

[27:46] have the records. So, um you I I I wish I could I think we

[27:53] need to sit down and just talk and you know, in person and and and you know,

[27:59] maybe with me and the business administrator and uh yourself and and

[28:04] you know, trying to resolve this cuz you know what? We're trying our best. We

[28:08] really are. And and we care about the we care about the people. We care about our

[28:12] seniors so much. We really do. And we got a good senior program. Uh a good

[28:18] senior. The center is is really really flourishing right now. We're doing

[28:23] great. We have the lunch program which they love. I mean, so I think we're

[28:29] doing well. We can always do better, but you know, I'd like to hear your ideas.

[28:33] But as far as the the bus, I you know, I I don't know. I I I just think it' be

[28:38] we'd be better served to sit and just talk because

[28:42] you know you have a lot you said a lot there and and you know some of the

[28:46] things you know are require a lot of thought and and you know I might not

[28:51] even be the right person you know cuz I I don't you know I don't run a bus

[28:55] company I I don't know the answer to some of the things that you were saying.

[28:59] So anyway, uh but thank you. I I I do appreciate

[29:04] you coming and voicing your concerns. So let me get into uh last month I talked

[29:10] about the the budget. I'm going to repeat some things, but uh some news

[29:15] some new stuff. Um we reconciled the tax bills. So we sent out earlier we had

[29:22] sent out estimated tax bills. uh by the end of September, we're going to be

[29:27] sending out the the permanent bill. Um so it'll be going out by the end of

[29:32] September. The tax rate ended up coming out to be 2.239%.

[29:38] I misspoke last month. I said estimated was 2.337,

[29:44] but it was actually 2.237. So I I apologize for that. But uh from

[29:50] last year to this year, we went up 6 thous0 of a point. So we're doing a

[29:57] really good job controlling our spending. Most of the increase is due to

[30:02] fixed non-discretionary cost. On the municipal side, the tax increase will be

[30:07] $188 on the average house, which is valued at 57,000.

[30:14] Um I also mentioned this last last month, but it's very important. There's

[30:19] there's three programs, the senior tax free, the state of New Jersey, and

[30:23] Yanker. They have one application for all three uh property tax initiatives.

[30:30] The application must be submitted by November 2nd, 2026. The purpose of the

[30:36] tax reason in state, New Jersey is to provide relief to senior homeowners 65

[30:41] and older. The anchor provides tax rebates for adult homeowners and renters

[30:47] of all ages. adult homeowners of all ages. So, check

[30:52] New Jersey Tax Release. There's a portal on nj.gov for the application and

[30:58] eligibility requirements and income limits.

[31:02] It's so important because a lot of people are eligible. They just don't

[31:06] know about it. Every year I I I run into a few people that that would have, you

[31:11] know, would have been able to get these these rebates and would have been had

[31:15] had the tax frozen if they just knew about it. So, you know, we try to get it

[31:20] out there as much as we can. I don't want to keep repeating it because I want

[31:24] everybody out there to take advantage of of what uh of these programs. So,

[31:30] ordinances. Tonight we have an amendment to the zoning ordinance second reading

[31:35] which is about the signs uh the size of signs of building signs. The planning

[31:41] board reviewed uh this ordinance and gave us feedback. So they're in favor of

[31:48] of the ordinance. Um we're also amending the graffiti ordinance. That's going to

[31:53] be a first reading. Um so events that happened since July's

[31:59] meeting. We had police promotions uh Thursday, July the the 30th. Uh Mark

[32:06] Buch, who's here tonight, and uh Rebecca Rivero were promoted to captain.

[32:11] Congratulations. Uh Irving Gutterz was promoted to

[32:17] lieutenant and Adam Tragarios was promoted to sergeant. National Night Out

[32:23] was uh Tuesday, August the 4th here at the municipal complex parking lot from

[32:28] 6:00 to 9:00. I want to thank all of you that joined us. Had an amazing turnout,

[32:34] fantastic evening, great food and fun. I want to thank our police department, the

[32:38] fire department, and ambulance corps. Also to our community partners and

[32:43] volunteers. Uh it's very inspiring to see the community come together and

[32:48] connect. Uh, it reminds me, it reminds all of us really that we have a strong

[32:54] community and we're there to thank our thanks. We have a strong and safe

[32:59] community thanks to our first responders.

[33:03] Um, the ambulance car show, Ambulance Corp car show was Sunday, August the 9th

[33:08] from 9 to 3 here at the municipal complex parking lot. Uh, the ambulance

[33:13] corp worked along with American cruisers. Um, all proceeds were donated

[33:18] to this out of the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Um, I think they they uh there

[33:24] was a check that they um presented the the the core with a check for $2,500.

[33:30] So, it was a it was a nice nice uh time and it was bene beneficial for the

[33:35] ambulance court. Um, Junior Police Academy was August 6th to the 14th here

[33:41] at the municipal complex. The graduation ceremony was Friday, August 14th, 5:30

[33:46] p.m. here at the gym at the rec center. It's a great program and uh most

[33:52] importantly, it builds trust between the the cadetses and the and law

[33:57] enforcement. The program also builds leadership and confidence in the

[34:01] cadetses. The cadets learn the values of discipline and teamwork, and it's nice

[34:07] to see how the kids step up to support one another. Um, it's really a great

[34:11] program. Um, thank you to to the police

[34:14] department. Um, upcoming events, the St. Phillips

[34:19] 67th annual festival. I don't have the date, but it starts, I believe, next

[34:24] Thursday. Um, >> Wednesday.

[34:27] » 26th to the 30th. >> The 26th to the 30th. Thank you. Um, the

[34:32] town picnic is Saturday, August 29th, 12 to 4 at South River County Park. The

[34:38] rain day is Sunday, August the 30th. It's residents only. Tickets are

[34:44] available at the rec center during normal hours of operation, 7:30 a.m. to

[34:48] 8:30 p.m. and uh Monday through Friday and then Saturday from uh 7:30 to 3:00

[34:56] p.m. I believe. Uh tickets will also be available on the day of the picnic. Uh

[35:03] the mayor's walk is also the day of the picnic, the morning of the picnic. 9:00

[35:08] a.m. Um, same thing. Um, it's Saturday, August 29th and rain day Sunday, uh,

[35:16] August 30th. Um, we we give out we walk around Auto

[35:23] Pale Pond. There's free t-shirts given out and they're sponsored by Ferrer

[35:28] Spine and Rehabilitation. Uh, finally, we have the 911 monument

[35:34] dedication ceremony. That's going to be Friday, September 11th, 5:30 here at the

[35:39] municipal complex. Some uh other things, the town hall and

[35:43] DPW personnel are off on Labor Day. That's Monday, September 7th. Section

[35:48] one yard waist will be picked up on Friday, September 11th. Uh the splash

[35:53] plat Veterans Field is in operation, happy to say. Uh that entire project was

[36:00] paid for with grant funds. Uh, one of our goals here has been to enhance our

[36:06] parks and create a safe space for a community to come together. It's a great

[36:10] place for the kids to cool off and seeing them personally going there and

[36:15] seeing them laugh and have fun reminds me of why I wanted to be a public

[36:20] servant. Um, it's really nice to see. If you have a chance, take a ride over

[36:25] there. Um, we're working on right now. We're working on the best way to install

[36:30] some kind of shade around that splash pl splash pad. It'll probably be done after

[36:35] the season, but uh we do need something there so so the kids can get out of the

[36:41] the sun and the water, especially the mountains. But thank you.

[36:48] » Okay. Uh Mr. Engineer, can you just give us an update on what's going on

[36:52] engineering wise in town? >> Thank you very much.

[36:54] » Okay, take care. >> Sure. Uh first thing we're awarding um

[37:01] South Street Road improvements tonight to uh Frank Mashion.

[37:05] Um that should be that work should be done this fall. It's CDBG funded. Um two

[37:12] other projects that we should be seeing soon. Um, one is the Fifth Street Park,

[37:18] the basketball court, and then the other one is the uh demo of the two houses

[37:24] [sighs] um along the river there. Uh, other than

[37:29] that, that's that's pretty much it for now.

[37:53] a new item on our hit list is the business administrator update. So

[37:57] please, Mr. Holy. >> Yeah. Um at the uh meeting in September,

[38:01] I'll be presenting the capital budget to the council. Um the reason it's coming a

[38:06] little bit delayed is that we do have a sewer emergency on uh on Grand Terrace

[38:13] and we're working along with engineer along with our auditor and attorney uh

[38:18] on an emergency basis to conduct that work which is a uh which would be a

[38:22] significant amount of money. So we will be I would have to revise the capital

[38:27] budget to be presented to the council at the following meeting uh to include that

[38:31] emergency work and there will be formal action uh to be considered for that.

[38:36] It's going to require a sewer pipe to be lined

[38:41] and um if there if the council wishes me to highlight some of the um the

[38:47] agreement with Ingramman on Rosal Lane, I'm happy to do so. just to highlight

[38:51] some of the key uh uh facts of that transaction. Happy to do so.

[38:55] » I think that would be appropriate at this time since it was um possible

[38:59] misinformation that was uh shown forth. >> Yeah. There uh the transaction which was

[39:04] done in 2021 includes um uh it was a transaction for $1 with Ingram to do a

[39:12] 58 unit site 100% affordable housing um with the understanding that it's 6.28%

[39:18] to 8% of the U revenues will be paid to the township on a quarterly basis. Uh

[39:24] but the timeline is taxes are due. These types of transactions are are very

[39:29] common um in the affordable housing umbrella throughout the state. This had

[39:33] to go to several state agencies to be approved. And this is very common if not

[39:39] their uh more transactions include more funds to be given from the town local uh

[39:45] affordable housing trust fund to support their project. Um they Ingram um went uh

[39:51] themselves to get their own funding through other state agencies with you

[39:54] know on that end of what they do. uh some towns in their uh in these type of

[39:59] agreements um through the trust fund provide the developer cash [gasps] uh to

[40:05] do so to pro uh to be able to support their project to build their project.

[40:09] Um, one thing to keep in mind with why these are are very common is that with

[40:14] the affordable housing obligations to be able to get the credits like something

[40:18] like this project 60 units, 60 affordable housing credits, you would

[40:22] need a project triple or quadruple the size to be able to get those affordable

[40:27] housing credits. So, there's no market rate units in there. If it was a mixed

[40:31] commercial uh market rate uh uh development, you would have you would

[40:36] need several hundred units to be able to get those type of credits, which is why

[40:39] you see these type of transactions and buildings uh that are and transactions

[40:44] that are common under this affordable housing umbrella and the various

[40:47] agencies involved in this chair just to to follow up on our

[40:54] administrative session and to further clarify. So basically it's a trade-off.

[40:58] A town could give a developer tremendous amount of density, several hundred

[41:02] units, some of which would be affordable housing. Or rather than do that, they

[41:08] could have all affordable housing units on one single property, no larger units,

[41:13] and then if they have the land, which unfortunately some towns don't, the

[41:17] towns are willing to transfer the land versus, as the administrator said,

[41:21] giving the developer a few million dollars in order to build those

[41:24] affordable housing units. So in this case, whoever the individuals were at

[41:29] the time must have felt that it was a financial benefit to the community both

[41:34] in limiting high density developments to meet the affordable housing obligations

[41:39] and in addition to that to have the land transferred and get the 6.8%

[41:45] payment each year versus giving that developer a few million dollars towards

[41:51] the construction cost. And I'm sure that that was all discussed and the different

[41:55] options were presented to the governing body and the governing body felt it was

[41:59] in the best interest to go in this direction that they did.

[42:04] » Thank you very much. >> Yeah, I think was my report. Thank you.

[42:08] » Okay. Um I guess we'll start with comments. Mr.

[42:15] » Um I just want to congratulate Kath. I wasn't here. I'm sorry. I was on

[42:18] vacation. Best luck in your row to the other uh the other one individuals that

[42:23] were promoted. Best of luck and uh healthy and uh

[42:30] just a safe career.

[42:34] » Thank you. >> And that's it.

[42:39] » I too like to congratulate Ken Cap. You know you have our full support behind

[42:44] the whole police force always and also congratulations to our junior academy

[42:51] this morning Mr. Garrick. >> Uh good evening everyone. I guess I have

[42:57] to congratulate you again Mark. So congratulations to you and the other

[43:01] officers for doing a great job. So best of luck to you. Um I just want to speak

[43:06] a little bit about the county bus. Um, this is a form of really a shared

[43:12] service. They do a great job. Um, 10% of our property taxes go to the county. So,

[43:18] if you're spending $10,000 on property taxes, about a,000 goes to the county.

[43:24] Um, they also provide some ambulance coverage for us, which is greatly

[43:28] appreciated. We also have a beautiful county park that's really close, right,

[43:33] that we take advantage of. But in this time of challenging taxes, if we have a

[43:40] redundancy of services, we have to take advantage of what's being offered from

[43:45] the county. And we have hundreds of people taking advantage of that program.

[43:48] And we're very fortunate to be able to do that and get a little bit back for

[43:52] the 10% of your property taxes that go to the county. So, I think it's a it's a

[43:59] good thing. Do I like losing the bus service? In a perfect world, we have

[44:04] that, too. but it's a redundancy of services here. So, I think that we have

[44:08] no choice but to go with the county program and to allow them to provide

[44:13] that service to us and it's working out. It really is. And if anybody has a

[44:19] problem, let us know. We can reach out if there's a problem with scheduling and

[44:23] so forth. Um, we said that we have one other resident here. So, we're trying to

[44:27] help out and we're trying to save the taxpayers as much money as we can. you

[44:32] know, we have to get as much back from the county as we can, and they do. They

[44:36] they give us that uh ambulance core service during the day that we need, and

[44:41] they also give us that county park, which is beautiful. So, that that's what

[44:46] I'd like to say about that. Uh in regards to the township picnic on August

[44:51] 29th, I will be there. It starts at 12:00. Hopefully, I see many of friendly

[44:57] faces and our residents taking advantage of that and coming and saying hello and

[45:01] being part of that great day. Um, hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer.

[45:07] Uh, that's all I have at this time. Thank you.

[45:10] » Thank you, Mr. Carr.

[45:15] » Um, congratulations again to all the officers who were

[45:18] promoted. Um, congratulations to the police academy cadetses. Um,

[45:26] and I know the mayor said that he was going to look into a little bit about

[45:32] um, what you have mentioned about the bus service. Um, one thing that was

[45:37] mentioned was seniors attending the evening events. Um, I'm not sure how

[45:43] many seniors need assistance attending the evening events, but um, I know you

[45:49] said that the services don't run in the evening. So, I'm not sure if there's

[45:52] something that we might be able to look into in order to get these seniors who

[45:58] are interested to these events, you know, that'd be wonderful.

[46:03] Um, that's >> Thank you. Um, since again this is a

[46:10] hybrid type of meeting, there's some bold business that was on to be

[46:16] discussed at the work session. I just uh see the note here. The engineer from the

[46:21] last time was to look at stop signs on barrier streets. I think we talked about

[46:26] at least on the north end that I know about there's a number of streets,

[46:29] intersecting streets where there's zero stop signs.

[46:33] Luckily, uh there hasn't been, at least as far as I know, there hasn't been a

[46:38] lot of accidents, but you know, the next accident, the first accident is is, you

[46:44] know, something we don't want to have. Uh certainly somebody who doesn't want

[46:48] to be the first accident in in an intersection that's uncontrolled. Bob,

[46:51] if you had an opportunity to take a gander at uh the tree streets and um I

[46:58] would think it would be the streets east of Farewell Parkway.

[47:05] Uh before I go willy-nilly looking around town, I just need some clarity on

[47:10] what exactly you want me to look at or where. If it's one or two spots, tell me

[47:14] the spots over town things >> before you go spending hours and

[47:20] dollars. I don't think we should spend that much. We should take a 15-minute

[47:23] ride on the south end to the east side of F Parkway, go up and down the tree

[47:28] streets. There's no stop signs any place. Uh and there's intersecting

[47:33] streets all over the place. And I think especially young drivers

[47:38] are not going to know. They're just going to go through it and think, uh,

[47:40] you know, there's no stop sign there. I might as well go through it. Just if you

[47:45] want, you give me a call. I'll ride with you. It's going to take 15 minutes and

[47:49] we'll hit about 50 streets >> through through the chair.

[47:53] » Maybe the police department can you know they're out there all the time. You can

[47:57] assign them to make a list. >> General Poo.

[48:02] » Yes, sir. >> Do you um

[48:05] do you think you could help us out? You and uh Captain Joseph B. California.

[48:12] » Uh stop signs. >> What's that?

[48:15] » Lack of stop signs. lack of stops on on the tree streets east of Fairon Parkway

[48:20] especially what we noticed I think Todd brought this up at one time I believe

[48:25] that there's there's seems to be no stops I didn't realize it until I

[48:30] actually I'm just driving and I'm like that's the way I go so I'm not really

[48:34] worried about it but after traveling around it's like gez there's no stop

[48:39] signs any place um could you help us out the you know with the engineer to just

[48:44] try and look at at some places that you believe may be uh

[48:51] a good choice for the placement of stop signs and maybe uh let us know if there

[48:56] have been accidents at the intersections. I mean maybe we're just

[48:59] you know over regulating things and we've been accused of that in the past

[49:04] and you know maybe we're guilty of it but I'd rather have more stop signs than

[49:09] less stop signs uh just for the safety of our citizens. Just to clarify, you're

[49:13] talking about on the tree streets between uh Wil like Wilson side tree

[49:18] streets >> Wilson Wilson and going out to I guess

[49:23] where um maybe

[49:28] » yeah Skilman Weller Dana all those Strathmore

[49:32] » all in that in that general vicinity that I corner it seems like there's

[49:36] there's not there's there's no intersections that have stop signs.

[49:41] You'd think that that's the intersection of uh let's see Willow and and um what

[49:49] is it? Skillman and Skilman. You'd think that, you know, it's it seems obvious

[49:52] that you should stop, but you don't have a stop sign. All all those streets in

[49:57] that area. I mean, if you want, like I said, I'm okay,

[50:01] » I'm available if you guys want to take a a ride along. I'm more than willing to

[50:06] go around and just take a look at it. Maybe I'm overthinking. wear over here.

[50:10] But like I said, it was just uh when I thought about it and when I looked at

[50:16] it, I was kind of amazed that there's not a lot more stop signs. We put speed

[50:20] pumps, you know, every 10 ft sometimes, but there's no stop signs. So, um the

[50:27] Claremont speed study, do we do speed studies?

[50:30] » Yes, I have data I can forward to you, >> but you can get up here and tell us

[50:35] about it. Travel up.

[50:40] Travel up, my friend, to give us some data. Take a ride.

[50:47] » Stop doing your fantasy football draft and come on up here.

[50:50] » Try the B studies. >> Oh.

[51:13] So, the the studies that were forwarded to me from the traffic unit were

[51:18] from 2024, which is when these studies were originally ordered for these areas.

[51:24] You want me to review the data from that?

[51:27] » From 2024, >> correct? Don't Didn't we ask for uh

[51:32] studies? >> I don't I don't have the updated ones.

[51:35] » We say we asked for Samson and Claremont closer to the diamond. Did were those

[51:40] but the box? >> I don't have the uh updated ones. I have

[51:44] the data from 2024. I'm waiting on the updated ones.

[51:49] » Okay. So, I didn't know we did one on Samson before.

[51:52] » Uh Samson and Claremont are the areas that you asked around last meeting.

[51:57] » We did that in 2024. Correct. >> So, okay. Well, since you're here and

[52:03] you got some stuff on your phone, why don't you let us know what happened in

[52:06] 20124 cuz we have had complaints from people who reside on those streets in

[52:11] that area. >> Okay. Uh

[52:15] on Fairmont >> and again, you know where where it was

[52:19] placed on Claremont because now we're talk I know the studies were done to

[52:23] Claremont. >> Okay. February 21st through March 1st,

[52:30] there were 8,798 vehicles analyzed with an average speed

[52:34] of 27 mph. The fastest recorded speed was 57 mph

[52:41] and the uh traffic was also placed in front of 140 Claremont

[52:47] for the next study I have here. That's just folks. Can you

[52:53] tell us based on you living there? 140. Where would that be? Was that closer to

[52:57] the diner or closer to uh Westminster? 140 by

[53:01] » 40. Closer to Westminster.

[53:05] » Okay. You're just So you're you're 128. So it's it's a little Okay. It's a

[53:10] little west of you. Okay. So at 140 Claremont from March 1st to March 11th,

[53:16] there were 14,388 cars analyzed

[53:20] with an average speed of 26 mph with the fastest speed captured being 64 milesPH.

[53:27] Okay. >> So the first one you mentioned, can you

[53:31] tell us where in Claremont that one was? >> The first one was 92 Claremont.

[53:36] [clears throat] So that closer to the >> closer to Okay. And they're other than

[53:41] the ridiculously high speed you just mentioned, um they were uh kind of the

[53:47] same. 27 mph, 26 mph speed.

[53:51] » 27 mph and 26 mph. >> So just

[53:57] are we doing the study again closer to the dining room or have we done it? I

[54:03] don't know. We just don't have the back. >> We haven't completed yet.

[54:06] » You haven't done it yet. >> It's not completed.

[54:08] » Okay. Okay. So now we'll go to Samson while you're here.

[54:12] » Samson, uh, from 1113 to 11:24. In 2024, there were 16,269

[54:20] vehicles. >> 16,000.

[54:22] » Correct. Uh, with the average speed being 17 mph.

[54:27] Out of those 16,269 vehicles, there were four total

[54:33] enforceable violations greater than 35 mph.

[54:37] The low speed captured was 7 mph and the high speed captured was 44 milesPH.

[54:45] » There was also a they called a ghost reading which could be a a glitch with

[54:49] the radar which could occasionally happen that show a reading of 114 mph,

[54:54] » but it's likely that that was a a glitch. It was a a one speed that came

[54:59] up. >> Fast and furious was being filmed there

[55:03] » during that time frame. Yes. >> Okay. So, have we have we put the box on

[55:06] the street again? >> It's just it's full box. So, that's this

[55:10] is something that's been updated now. We'll have the September meeting.

[55:13] » Maybe by the September meeting. Okay. Awesome.

[55:15] » Okay. Thank you very much. Thanks.

[55:22] Okay. Um congratulations.

[55:28] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[55:30] uh September 14th at the senior center talking about seniors uh and senior

[55:34] center uh I believe that's the second Monday right the 7th is Labor Day so the

[55:41] 14th uh they're going to have a special uh Bobby Darren

[55:48] uh the person that kind of like is the biographer for Bobby Darren is going to

[55:52] be there giving a uh a presentation and uh I know him pretty well because I

[55:59] graduated high school with him and actually I'm sponsoring it so I'm paying

[56:02] for him so it's not costing a town. Um so hopefully that'll be well attended.

[56:07] Um picnic uh you know anybody who's got some ideas about the picnic please let

[56:14] us know. We try and improve the picnic every year. I know that last year which

[56:20] was the first year we've used a certain vendor for the food and instead of

[56:24] having an hour and a half wait sometimes for hamburgers when I got there and I

[56:28] got there a little late um I thought the picnic was canceled cuz I didn't see

[56:32] anyone at the food at the food places. They had so many places to get food that

[56:37] there were no lines whatsoever. I think the ice cream truck maybe had

[56:42] something but the food itself the hot hamburgers that kind of stuff lines. So,

[56:47] uh, that's one thing that somebody mentioned to us or referred to us. We

[56:51] looked at it and, uh, we decided to go that way. Sometimes you, sometimes it

[56:55] works, sometimes it didn't. I think that it worked. Um,

[57:01] in terms of what Mr. Rodriguez said uh, about an employee at the podium, my

[57:06] understanding is that there's no restriction really um, on what somebody

[57:12] says. as the clerk reads. If you say something that's defamatory, you can be

[57:18] sued. Um, so that's up to the person that believes that he's or she is being

[57:23] defamed. Uh, but certainly just because you work for the town does not mean, my

[57:28] understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Escatino is that because you

[57:33] work for the town, you do not wave your right to come to a council meeting at

[57:38] the town that you reside and make a comment that uh might not be uh very uh

[57:46] nice to a particular person. Am I correct with that?

[57:49] » You're 100% correct. Employees do not give up their first amendment

[57:52] constitutional right to free speech because they're employed by the

[57:56] municipality. any employee can come here at a public meeting and voice their

[57:59] opinion of having on any subject matter just like any other resident can

[58:05] » uh in regard to Mr. Rodriguez's uh talking about affordable housing, Mr.

[58:09] Holmes has talked about it. I I do recall as the mayor had indicated being

[58:15] on the council when that area was designated for affordable housing. Um it

[58:22] was thought about for a long time uh and he did indicate something about a sports

[58:29] field. We did talk about that before there was an agreement for Veterans

[58:34] Field that that area was talked about as being a place that we might be able to

[58:39] put a recreation facility. Uh also the uh the area

[58:45] right by Mayo where the Mayo Apartments are now that was another area that we

[58:49] talked about. So we did have uh discussions. So I was for one spot, Mr.

[58:54] Sedicates was for another spot, Mr. Rodriguez was for another spot. Uh but

[58:58] we eventually agreed on Veterans Field uh for [clears throat] the uh for a

[59:02] recreational facility and we needed to uh designate in the area for affordable

[59:09] housing related Mr. Ino said we can get blasted by a builder coming in and

[59:14] putting up 180 units or 240 units to get our 60 affordable units. So we that

[59:22] place has been empty for years until we got somebody to put in our affordable

[59:30] housing uh units. I think six or eight of them. Jimmy, can you tell me which

[59:34] are for developmentally disabled people? >> Off the top off the top of my head, I

[59:40] believe it's uh 17. >> Oh, okay. More than I thought. Okay. So,

[59:45] there will be it's in that range. >> So, even though I say 15 and there's 45

[59:51] just for um um to to work out some numbers 45 units as opposed to 60. So,

[59:58] so just that being um 15 less or so, uh that would decrease the amount of

[1:00:04] children that might be going to school. And again, there were hearings on this,

[1:00:09] many hearings on this. And the developer, you know, they had their

[1:00:13] studies and everyone thinks because you put up 40 units and it's two bedrooms

[1:00:18] that you're going to have 80 kids and it doesn't work out that way. Uh, I forget

[1:00:22] what the numbers were, but when they put up the apartments next to um where Bob

[1:00:28] Skis was off of Midland Avenue, right by Route 46 over there, I forget how many

[1:00:32] units there are, but it had minimal or no impact on the school system. So, they

[1:00:38] they do present studies about how many kids are projected to be in school. And

[1:00:44] again, those kids can range from preschool to

[1:00:49] 12th grade. Well, you got 60 kids, maybe let's say 60

[1:00:55] kids, but they're they're spaced out between 12 grades and um so it's not the

[1:01:02] overwhelming impact that that some people uh might think and and the

[1:01:06] numbers, they have statistical data going back years to show that that's not

[1:01:10] the case. >> Through the chair, I have others to add

[1:01:13] because one uh during the public comment, one point was brought up about

[1:01:17] uh communicating with the school district. I'm sure at the time there

[1:01:20] there were communications but even uh when uh the site was going through the

[1:01:25] lottery process for um for filling the the rentals uh I did speak with I myself

[1:01:32] spoke with the school um business administrator who spoke with the

[1:01:35] superintendent and I off I just told them that it was that it was going to be

[1:01:39] they were releasing and filling up and I gave them some of the highle information

[1:01:43] and offered that if they needed any more information in terms of the actual

[1:01:46] breakdowns of one two and threes and so on and so forth that you know we of

[1:01:50] course would make available to them and um to your point the remaining units

[1:01:55] there are a mix of one two and three bedrooms. So it's not all three bedrooms

[1:01:59] it's probably majority one or two bedrooms

[1:02:01] » right so there might be a certain number of that 45 units where there's just uh

[1:02:07] you know one person or two person living there with with no impact on the school

[1:02:11] system whatsoever. Um and again they have data that they compile and uh

[1:02:16] that's what they came up I think I think they actually put a number of what they

[1:02:20] project to be the number of of students uh from coming from this and

[1:02:25] unfortunately I forget what it was but it was not it certainly wasn't high it

[1:02:29] wasn't anything that would you know raise our uh our interest in that and

[1:02:33] say oh my god that's what's going to go on here this is going to overwhelm our

[1:02:37] school system not at all um we talked about a lot of it was in close session.

[1:02:42] I just want to tell our our residents, our friends, our neighbors at Meister

[1:02:46] that we are doing what we can to protect you, but as Mr. Scino had stated, um

[1:02:54] sometimes um and I'm rushing into things that

[1:02:58] that's a bad term to use because we've been talking about this for months. Uh

[1:03:03] however uh things have been brought to our attention and uh as a group we felt

[1:03:10] that it was in the best interest of the community including their slice of the

[1:03:16] community to

[1:03:20] take um additional action additional investigatory action um before we uh we

[1:03:30] do anything and put this to a vote. So, uh, we're trying not to delay. It's not

[1:03:35] a purposeful delay. It's not an issue where somebody, um, somebody's got money

[1:03:41] and we're afraid of that person. I mean, we got money, too. So, uh, it's it's

[1:03:46] it's not that we're bowing down or or, you know, uh, turning away because

[1:03:52] because of something. That's not something that that I do. I know that fe

[1:03:56] my fellow members of the council are not afraid of uh of of you know litigation.

[1:04:03] We're not afraid of being bullied. Um but uh we all felt in in the close

[1:04:09] session that it was best to go about it in a different manner. Um we hope to

[1:04:15] have something more concrete very shortly. But we are working and we we

[1:04:20] are as we always do take the uh the citizens our residents uh concerns as as

[1:04:26] our number one priority. No one else um but our citizens. I thank you. I believe

[1:04:32] that we will go into ordinances at this point.

[1:04:36] Um let's see. We got uh ordinance amending and supplementing

[1:04:41] chapter 103 of the code of attachment of Southwork entitled graffiti.

[1:04:47] uh motion to open or to uh I guess to read read the ordinance. Give it give it

[1:04:54] a first reading. Motion second. What's that? That's graffiti.

[1:05:01] Oh Jesus. Okay. I'm sorry. That was table. So we have a it was table the

[1:05:06] last time. Uh motion to untot. Who did that first? Mr. Mando by a split

[1:05:12] second. Second by Mr. Chair. Uh let's take a roll call on table. Councilman

[1:05:19] Eric. Yes.

[1:05:23] Uh, Councilman Aldo. >> Yes.

[1:05:26] » Counciloman Sanchez. >> Yes.

[1:05:28] » Council Laser. >> Yes.

[1:05:30] » Council President. >> Yes. Now, we'll entertain a motion to

[1:05:34] give this a first reading. >> Motion. Motion by Mr. Akamando. Second

[1:05:38] by Miss Sanchez. Um, let's do a roll call.

[1:05:42] » Council Garrett. >> Yes. Councilman Okcomandanda,

[1:05:46] » yes. >> Councilwoman Sanchez,

[1:05:48] » yes. >> Councilwoman By,

[1:05:49] » yes. >> Council President,

[1:05:51] » yes. >> Please read the res resolution regarding

[1:05:56] passage now. Therefore be resolved by the township council of township that an

[1:06:00] ordinance amending supplementing chapter 103 of the code of town graffiti here to

[1:06:06] for pass on first reading be further considered for final passage at meetings

[1:06:10] to be held on September 17th 2026 at 7 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter

[1:06:16] can be reached at the municipal complex 55 Mayill Street and that at such time

[1:06:21] and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard

[1:06:25] concerning set ordinance according to law with a notice of its introduction

[1:06:29] and passage on first reading and of a time and place when and where set

[1:06:33] ordinance will be further considered for final passion to pass on first reading

[1:06:38] motion >> second major second by Mr. Amaz.

[1:06:42] » Council Garrett, >> yes.

[1:06:44] » Council Maro, >> yes.

[1:06:46] » Councilwoman Sanchez, >> yes.

[1:06:48] » Councilwoman Maser, >> yes.

[1:06:49] » Council President, >> yes. Certainly, if anyone has uh wants

[1:06:54] to speak about any of these ordinances, just when it's your turn to to vote,

[1:06:59] just please uh say that you like to address the public, address the council,

[1:07:04] address the mayor, address the legal representative, whoever you want to

[1:07:07] address. Uh next ordinance is uh 1805-26 ordinance amending and supplementing

[1:07:13] chapter 206 with the code of compass entitled

[1:07:20] motion uh motion give a second read second motion by Mr. Judge second by Mr.

[1:07:28] Roll. Councilman Garrick, >> yes.

[1:07:30] » Council Nakamando, >> yes.

[1:07:33] » Councilwoman Sanchez, >> yes.

[1:07:35] » Councilwoman Major, >> yes.

[1:07:36] » Council President Sul, >> yes.

[1:07:40] » An ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 26 of the Cota Township of South

[1:07:45] Title Zoning. Is there a motion to give it a public

[1:07:49] hearing? >> Motion by Maser, second by Sanchez. All

[1:07:53] in favor? I. >> Any against? Seeing none, meeting now to

[1:07:59] the public in regard to this ordinance and this ordinance only.

[1:08:06] Seeing the takers, entertain a motion to close the motion. Motion by Mr. Aando,

[1:08:11] second by Miss May. All in favor? I

[1:08:17] be resolved by the township council of the township of Sbrook that the

[1:08:21] ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 206 of the

[1:08:26] code of the township of Srook entitled zoning must now pass on second final

[1:08:30] reading and that the township clerk be directed to advertise set ordinance or

[1:08:34] title thereof in press together with the notice of the date of passage of said

[1:08:39] ordinance according to law. Okay. Is there a motion to pass on second reading

[1:08:44] motion to adopt this motion? >> Mr. Gard,

[1:08:46] » second by Miss Sanchez roll.

[1:08:50] » Council Garrett, >> yes. Councilman Amanda,

[1:08:54] » yes. >> Councilwoman Sanchez,

[1:08:56] » yes. >> Councilwoman Maser,

[1:08:58] » yes. >> Council President Salu,

[1:09:00] » yes. >> Okay, we now have the uh

[1:09:05] consent agenda. So resolution number five is going to be on submissions.

[1:09:14] » All items listed with an asterisk are considered routine and non-controversial

[1:09:17] by the town of council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no

[1:09:21] separate discussion on these items unless a council member so request it in

[1:09:26] which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its

[1:09:29] normal sequence on the agenda. The one motion signifies adoption of all

[1:09:33] resolutions, receive and file letters, correspondence, reports, and approval of

[1:09:37] minutes and applications. Resolution number five to be voted on separately.

[1:09:41] » Okay. Is there a motion? >> Second.

[1:09:44] » Second motion by Miss Sanchez. Second by Mer. Um roll.

[1:09:50] » Council Garrett. >> Yes. Council Ao.

[1:09:54] » Yes. Counciloman Sanchez. >> Yes.

[1:09:56] » Counciloman M. >> Yes. Council present.

[1:10:01] » Yes. And resolution number five. Is there a motion to pass resolution number

[1:10:05] five? >> Motion.

[1:10:07] Second. Miss Sanchez. Roll call. Councilman Garrett.

[1:10:14] » Yes. Councilman. >> Yes.

[1:10:18] » Councilwoman Sanchez. >> Yes.

[1:10:20] » And council president. >> Yes.

[1:10:24] Uh next is all business. Usually we do all business and new business together.

[1:10:28] um something that we haven't spoken about uh may or anything on your end. I

[1:10:34] I just wanted to thank Thomas Van Winkl for all the work that he does and he was

[1:10:38] he had a busy month for the junior police academy. I think he took uh 3,000

[1:10:44] photos. He was with him every day, you know, 6 days

[1:10:52] car show. He I think he photographed every national night out police

[1:10:57] promotion to all four of those. He was here. But thank you Thomas.

[1:11:02] and anybody about stuff we haven't spoken on yet.

[1:11:06] » Uh I too would like to commend Thomas and congratulate him on his new

[1:11:11] position. >> Yeah. Thank you.

[1:11:12] » But congratulations to you my friend. >> Happy to hear it.

[1:11:18] Sanchez. I see a number of notes in there. You like to say?

[1:11:22] » Not right now. >> Okay.

[1:11:28] All business. New business. Good.

[1:11:32] Okay. Uh motion to open the meeting to the public for agenda items and agenda.

[1:11:36] Second who said first motion by second by Mr.

[1:11:41] Akamand. All in favor >> I against seeing none meeting is now

[1:11:46] open the public agenda item agenda item.

[1:11:51] Seeing no customers will consider a motion to close the meeting to public

[1:11:55] motion by second by Mr. Garrick. All in favor? I

[1:12:00] » um any last comments before we have a motion to adjurnn?

[1:12:07] » Okay, take a motion to adjourn. Motion second. Motion by Maser, second by Mr.

[1:12:13] Aando. All in favor? I good night everyone.

Saddle Brook Township Council Meeting , August 20, 2026

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