WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=3gA7xBV6tkQ

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:25.279
CL meeting to order. Can you please rise for the flag to the flag of America and one nation under God indivisible

2
00:00:25.279 --> 00:00:44.079
and Torah? >> This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the public meetings law. meeting on May 11, 2026 was included in a list of meetings notice sent the career news on January 5, 2026, posted on the vote board of bro hall on the date and remain continuously posted as

3
00:00:44.079 --> 00:01:00.640
required. In addition, a copy of this notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the office of the bro club. The roll call please call >> here. >> Council vice president >> here.

4
00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:17.280
Councilwoman Herbert >> here. >> Councilman Le >> here. >> Let's see here. Council council president >> here. >> And mayor >> here. >> Okay. Um I have a couple of things on uh the mayor's report. I do have the

5
00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:34.640
monthly report from our police department as police commissioner. We had 27 criminal investigations this month. Uh they included harassment, sex, sexual assault, um sold vehicle, DUI assault, simple assault, uh

6
00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:50.560
trespass, um drug possession and distribution and manufacturing, missing person, uh theft and uh an angry driver who tried to like hurt somebody with his automobile. Uh

7
00:01:50.560 --> 00:02:09.759
there were 11 arrests made including uh drugs, DUI, um possession of paraphernalia, um theft and assault by autory person. Um we had 24 motor vehicle crashes. None

8
00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:25.440
had u were involved in commercial vehicles and one motor vehicle crash had an injury. And um that is it from the police department. Um I have some other things. Uh the

9
00:02:25.440 --> 00:02:41.519
obstruction of public right ofway ordinance that um Sergeant McN talked about at our last meeting. He did um he did um >> circulate. Thank you. That >> he circulated it and he got feedback

10
00:02:41.519 --> 00:02:59.200
back from council Herbert. Um nobody else. uh it was tweaked by our attorney um and circulated again by uh Sergeant McN to everybody. So, I just want to know if you're ready to have that put on for an introduction in our next council

11
00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:16.319
meeting. I actually received a phone call from our property um uh maintenance uh property um Dave Giuliani, our property maintenance uh officer and with some comments. So I maybe like to like I and I don't want

12
00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:33.519
to, you know, reiterate them now, but I am going to follow up with that >> just real quick. Um I I Beth had um mentioned probably some of the same things and Chris and I went back and forth reference referenced the outdoor dining >> and seating and that's not what he was.

13
00:03:33.519 --> 00:03:50.239
>> Okay, that's what David brought to our attention. >> Okay. She literally called me at 5:00 this afternoon. So, okay, let I I'll I'll I'll follow up in writing and and talk of Brian um as well in person, but that's the only thing I wanted to add. >> It's why I didn't respond very well.

14
00:03:50.239 --> 00:04:05.120
>> That's good. I think that's a good idea. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um I also received correspondence from the county planning board. Um they'd like the council to consider doing an ordinance to create a public path parallel to the Black River and Western

15
00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:21.519
Railroad line between Main Street and 31. That would be through the cut glass property as well as other properties um where they don't have the lack they don't have the width in their rightway to allow people to like safely walk in

16
00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:38.240
there. So, uh, if the council look and send us a bit of a planning for tomorrow night to work on, >> um, I'm fine with that. I actually, um, will expand upon that on my report as well. >> Your report tonight?

17
00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:54.880
>> Yeah, because I I my uh Trent and I both attended the bike meeting last week for the county and they mentioned that you had while we were there, they mentioned that you had met with the some county officials last night. It was really the chief of police much more than me.

18
00:04:54.880 --> 00:05:12.000
>> Right. They mentioned you and and chief. >> I just sat there. The chief did all the talking. >> Okay. >> Um and I think he had two meetings with him actually. So >> good. >> Um okay. Uh let me see. I just wanted to also let everybody know Jay Giuliani is back at work. Um

19
00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:26.960
>> first day was today. >> Well, he didn't come in first. >> No, he's working from home today. Catching up on all paperwork. Um, and just give you all a heads up that uh Ken McCormick identified on Spring Street

20
00:05:26.960 --> 00:05:44.160
that um there is the need to um block a parking spot out right where Worester Place comes down to Spring because the turning with for a fire truck is not big enough and because it's

21
00:05:44.160 --> 00:06:00.880
so close to a stop sign, it actually shouldn't be a parking space anyway. way because of this parking the stop sign one course doesn't require an ordinance because that is already the law um state law that you should have a car there. So that parking space is going to be zoned

22
00:06:00.880 --> 00:06:16.880
off and um uh he also Kevin McC would also like to see horse place marked off as a buyer zone so nobody can park there at

23
00:06:16.880 --> 00:06:33.759
all. that will require an ordinance. I'm waiting for um Jay Troutman to write a memo regarding that and losing at least one 15 minute parking space and trying to get back into a full two-hour parking space on Main Street also so I can articulate that memo to you all and have

24
00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:50.960
Chris write whatever ordinance we need to write on those. >> Was Ken not a part of the parking committee and asking other things or even got to this point? just trying to understand why >> he claims that he was not given any opportunity at all to opine on anything

25
00:06:50.960 --> 00:07:05.520
to do with parking or spring or the design or the construction of the entire plan until we went to him regarding changing the direction of Spring Street parking to um head on. But he wasn't

26
00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:22.479
actually I mean the fire marshall was obviously uh asked to give their uh their feedback when they went through site plan approvals but Ken wasn't here then >> but but Ken also said that when they go through site plan approvals they don't

27
00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:38.720
see the entire site plan itself is finished and finalized. And this plan has had a lot of changes a lot. So >> I don't disagree. I'm just saying that there's a process and when the site plan was approved in 2020, he wasn't actually on board. So >> there was there's that there's that

28
00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:54.960
issue as well. >> But I guess is when you're doing when Trin's doing this study studies that he's doing, I'm just I'm just curious because it just seems like we're cleaning up constantly. So was during that study was

29
00:07:54.960 --> 00:08:10.479
Kim McCormack even talked to or spoken with about the fire trucks >> because that should be a big >> looked at that area because they need to move >> and the right now of course there is a no parking at all but he wants it to be

30
00:08:10.479 --> 00:08:25.360
a fire zone because it gives the police more power to ticket and and it sends a stronger message about people idolling. So he is requesting it be turned into a fire zone where right now it's already a

31
00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:41.839
you know parking zone. So um I think that was an afterthought for Kent as far as the turning radius goes. Um, you know, I spoke to him about why this was so last minute. And he started explaining about that they didn't know

32
00:08:41.839 --> 00:08:57.360
where all of the mechanicals were going to be, where these fire hydrants and the pumps and everything else were going to be until this was actually completed. And he had no say about any of that. And where those pumps are inside the building, the first truck that gets there on Bloomfield Avenue turning onto

33
00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:14.000
Spring Street is going to block every other truck from getting in there. So, they're going to have to come down Corer. And so therefore, you know, he wants it. I mean, they're already, like I said, Jay looked at it now at Ken's request and it's already an

34
00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:30.480
illegal parking space because it's too close to a stop sign. But until those mechanicals and everything else were put into the building, Ken had no idea where fire trucks were going to be going. >> The problem was also about the parking when they went to the to the when they adjusted the parking that that was a

35
00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:46.000
part of the problem. That's what I thought heard. No, no, not at all. >> I'll ask Ken again. >> Not at all. >> I just misunderstood, but I'll ask Ken again. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, that's that. Um, and then I think the last thing I have is we've been traditionally cancelling

36
00:09:46.000 --> 00:10:00.640
the last meeting, the second meeting in May. And I just want a consensus that everybody's okay with cancing the second meeting in May. >> I am. >> I am. >> I need one more. >> Fine. I'm fine with it.

37
00:10:00.640 --> 00:10:16.240
>> Okay. By me. Okay. All right. Okay. Good. Um, that's it. Uh, Council President Parker. >> Yeah. A couple of things. So, I had a very long meeting with um

38
00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:32.720
last um last week and it looks like we're targeting July 1st for the opening of the hotel. I actually went on a tour of everything. The um they're they're now at the point where they're just hitting off on the punch list. everything's up. Um they just have a

39
00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:47.440
couple of things that they've got that they're waiting for, but um and I guess the that's also contingent upon the last um inspections. Um but the hotel is absolutely beautiful. I mean, it's it's

40
00:10:47.440 --> 00:11:04.399
really really really nice. Um, and then we we we've been talking about we're coordinating what it's going to look like in terms of the opening of the hotel, who's going to be invited to what, at what point. Um, there are some people that um that I've asked to be

41
00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:22.560
invited. Um, and we definitely want to put some focus on the business owners that on Main Street because they've been tolerating this for quite some time. Um, and so we want to make sure that they are treated special. He has hired a public relations and marketing company

42
00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:37.200
and I'm going to be meeting with them along with Ally. We'll be meeting with them sometime in the next week or so. It's very exciting. He's doing a lot of great stuff. Um he's doing it all right. Uh the it's I'm just excited. It's it's

43
00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:53.360
going to really put some focus on what what's going on. Um, we also talked about how it's going to look for the 250 uh parade because the hotel won't be open, but the plaza may be open that people can stand in the plaza to watch

44
00:11:53.360 --> 00:12:10.240
the break. Um, we're working on that to make that happen. So, we'll have some definitive things by the next meeting, but it's up and running. It's it's it's pretty much a go at this point. That's really really cool. I've also been talking to a you know one of the things

45
00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:27.120
that dawned on me that was that's been sticking my crawl a bit is that I just don't think we have a great community relationship between the county the burl

46
00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:43.360
the state the whole nine yards because it just seems disjointed and everybody's in these silos so I've actually been reaching out um I'm planning some meetings with um people from all from all levels including the federal level um because I think there needs to be

47
00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:59.839
some light brought brought to Flemington and how they can help us. Um we cannot do this on our own. We need to have some involvement from everybody's standpoint and they need our involvement as well. Needs to be it needs to be more of a a a

48
00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:17.440
a better relationship. I also because I actually wanted to understand what was going on. I I wanted to understand about cut glass because I kept hearing stories about this is happening that's happening and someone suggested why don't you just

49
00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:35.200
call Dave Dallas and I did and we met and so I got his view um not going anywhere. I just wanted to understand what's at stake here. What can we do? What can we do to to improve that? What

50
00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:50.480
can we do to get that to to do something? Because it's an isol. And when Trent and I and um and a couple of other people went to clean up that site and the way that it's being abused is

51
00:13:50.480 --> 00:14:06.560
absolutely just, you know, it just makes me feel as though there's a lack of respect because there's nothing on it. So, I'm going to throw I mean, I'm sure you guys have seen it. I'm going to throw liquor bottles on it. I'm going to throw tires

52
00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:24.880
on it. I'm going to throw pallets on it. And so, I just I just wanted to have a conversation to see what we can do to at least until something's done with what we can do better. So, it's all about how we can do better. Um, and so over the

53
00:14:24.880 --> 00:14:39.600
next couple of weeks, I'm going to have more meetings. um once they once I get to a point that I want to propose something then I will bring that back to council but I just think that this that everyone should know who the council is.

54
00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:55.600
I really do I think all of us should know we should know who they are. They should know who we are. >> Yes, please. >> Who is Dave Dallas for for the public? Dave Dallas is the owner of the property and what is the entity of the property or did you dis >> um No, no, no. It was just cut class

55
00:14:55.600 --> 00:15:12.240
Dave Dallas. Yes. Thank you, Adrian. Um, you know what? >> I just want to make sure we're commuting. >> No, I think that's really good. Thank you for calling me on that because you know what? I just assume everybody knows who he is because I don't know who he was, right? So, thank you. So, yeah, Dave Dallas owns Cut Glass. Um, and also owns

56
00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:27.519
Unity Bank. >> Question. He had approval, correct, Susan? >> Yeah, >> he lost it. And he lost his approval, right? >> Oh, because of the time the timeline. Yeah, it was extended because of COVID and because of the

57
00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:45.360
>> 2008 housing crash. Um, the state allowed extensions for a while, but after all that went through, you know, >> I wasn't really trying to go down that road with you. You know what I mean? No, I I Thank you, Adrian. But I was trying to I just wanted to understand

58
00:15:45.360 --> 00:16:01.440
>> like what happened and why all the time that I did. >> Okay. It was literally like this just awful like what you think now. >> Oh, really? >> It was terrible. >> Worse. >> Oh, yeah. It was the building still there. >> Okay. So, anyway, we we had a really

59
00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:16.959
productive meeting. I mean, he he's a really nice guy. Really productive meeting. Um, and you know, I'll be following up with him on some things. Um, and the last thing is when you see Mark, um, Mark Hayes, isn't he the one who's in charge of fireworks and all

60
00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:33.440
that, right? I sent an email to him because I do have people who will contribute to the fireworks and he was going to send me something. So, when you see him tomorrow night, >> can you just ask him if he could send me that information so that I can get it tonight? >> Yeah. >> Um I I know there's a couple of

61
00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:49.759
organizations that said yes. So, I just I just need to know what where to send it when they need it by, etc., etc. That's it for me. Thank you. >> Okay, great. Um, thank you. Uh, Counciloman Councilman Levit.

62
00:16:49.759 --> 00:17:05.039
>> Sure thing. Thank you, Mayor. You can all hear me. Okay. Yes. >> All good. All right. Cool. Um, if I read my email correctly today, it looks like we will be having a small uh pride flag raising ceremony on June 8th prior to our next council meeting. Um, want to

63
00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:20.480
make sure everybody is is good with us. I guess raising the flag on on June 1st and then kind of retroactively doing a proclamation after. Uh I have just uh gotten a new flag uh for the burrow and I'm more than happy to donate it to us. Um we had a parking meeting last night

64
00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:37.200
as was mentioned. Uh I made a new fun uh parking map for online publication which I put on the burough website today. Updated the old one that had one or two spots that we no longer use anymore or don't exist. Um also uh I don't think

65
00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:53.120
she mentioned it but Mayor Carol the uh traffic engineer Mr. Troutman completing exhaustive survey of the various uh 15-minute parking areas around town. And after thorough review uh by the parking committee, we'll be producing an ordinance to get rid of a few that are no longer needed, some of which are not

66
00:17:53.120 --> 00:18:10.240
currently marked or signed. And uh I think we'll be adding one or two, for example, in front of the new police headquarters in that little cutout there. Uh we'll be marking that officially as a 15-minute parking zone, I believe. Uh we also discussed a few reports of speeding issues on Spring

67
00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:26.240
Street and we discussed moving uh the speed measuring sign that we have around town uh there next so we can figure out the extent of the issue and figure out next steps for what to do about it. Um as was mentioned, Councilwoman Anglehart and I attended the county's most uh

68
00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:40.799
recent public meeting on their uh bike plan and I got to say it was it was really cool. got a lot of really cool plans for the county and whatever recommendations were discussed by whoever at whatever point I thought they looked great for the burrow and I hope

69
00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:56.640
when uh when they officially um you know publish the plan we can we can work to implement some of those ideas. The next Shade Tree Commission meeting is this Wednesday at 700 p.m. Um,

70
00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:11.280
I guess in case nobody else me mentions it, uh, if you haven't noticed already, uh, I believe Main Street is closed now and will be until next Monday at the absolute latest, right? Uh, they're working on installing that decorative stamp concrete intersection. And lastly,

71
00:19:11.280 --> 00:19:27.840
our DPW has installed the second set of RRFBs at the corner of North Main and Allen Street, and they look fantastic, and they're everything I dreamed they would be. And uh Mr. Campion told us that our guys are now so good at putting them in, which I am taking to mean that

72
00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:42.799
we should put in even more because we don't want to waste their wonderful talent. And that's everything. Thank you very much. So, so Tren, I just want to comment on that street on the on the stamping of the concrete in the front of the courthouse. >> It's also it's weather depending. That's

73
00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:58.720
the big thing. But also when they dug, my understanding is that there's concrete >> under there which no one anticipated. So that could enter a couple of days whether it gets on or not. So, when you say the latest, I don't want to say the

74
00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:14.240
latest because now that that's that they ran into a little bit of a snag, but >> I'm certain they will do their absolute best. >> Yeah, they they they they know the importance of it. Um, but yeah, I got an email a text this morning telling me that.

75
00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:29.679
>> Yep. I just want to add on also that the street is open until course or place heading north and open till court street heading south for traffic that is local going to the businesses. They shouldn't be discouraged just because

76
00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:46.799
um they see like the beginning of buffer areas but people can still park on Main Street and use those businesses um and then you know they'll have to go down Corer or down um Bloomfield. So, um, >> and the sidewalks are open.

77
00:20:46.799 --> 00:21:02.080
>> The sidewalks are all opening, >> right? And the police have done a really good job trying to make sure people know that for local businesses and kicking the contractors out of the parking areas to make sure that the parking spaces are open to the public. >> And at one point over the weekends, once

78
00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:18.400
they get the concrete poured and it's cured, they will have a metal plate on it on the weekends that you that that will allow people to walk over, whatever the case may be. But that's not right away. That's only when the the concrete is poured and it's and it's being in it >> in its cured point.

79
00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:33.760
>> And the other thing I just wanted to say was that it is all Chief Bella. He really put a lot of thought into safe, you know, and I know that he and Beth have talked about it in the past um about bike safety in town, but Chief Patella really put a lot of thought into

80
00:21:33.760 --> 00:21:51.039
it and um you know, I witnessed that conversation between the county planner and him and he was he had just very very excellent feedback to the county. I was very impressed with it. So, okay, thank you for your report.

81
00:21:51.039 --> 00:22:09.679
Um, Councilwoman Herbert. >> Hello. Quick quad. Tonight, the F FRSD school board meeting is coming up. Um, I'm sorry. The F FRSD, it's coming up and we just had it, so

82
00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:25.760
they're very close together. Um, the one on April 29th, the budget was introduced. Um I do advise everyone in the community to review it to understand the tax levy increase that it entails. Um there is detail on the um

83
00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:41.200
presentation that was part of the last uh the April 29th board meeting um that goes into the details. Um unlike the burrow um a significant portion of it has to do with um public employee um

84
00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:56.240
health care costs. Um, next meeting is this coming Wednesday. Um, parking committee, Trent and mayor already spoke to it beautifully, so I'll leave it at that. Um, communications, um, we are a step

85
00:22:56.240 --> 00:23:13.200
closer to having a website, um, uh, presentation scheduled. Um, look forward to being able to report on that next time. Um, and I know we have the um, believe it or not, we're coming up on the end of another quarter in about a

86
00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:30.000
month. Um, so we'll be looking for newsletter submissions again soon. Library board is meeting this Friday, uh, May 15th. So, nothing new there. Um, and, uh, mayor, thank you, scheduled a a meeting of the redevelopment committee

87
00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:47.600
and, um, we'll be speaking more about that in executive session. That's all for me tonight. >> Hey Beth, can I just ask a question about the about the newsletter? So the next newsletter comes out when >> it would be end of June.

88
00:23:47.600 --> 00:24:05.440
>> Um because I'm wondering if um I have the the public relations person contact you from um the custo organization just to announce the hotel opening and the whole bit just so that the community knows it's open. Yeah. Um, please have them reach out to

89
00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:21.039
to the whole communications committee. So, myself, Mayor Caro, and Council Member Levit. >> I'll I'll I'll give her a contact. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That it, Council Warren. >> That's all. >> Thank you. And the library, that big room, they're working on cleaning that

90
00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:37.679
up now. That right or not? Is that by dream? um that they were working on getting the um estimates. Sorry, we approved estimates and which vendors we were going to go with in the last meeting. I

91
00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:54.559
do not know if that work has begun yet. Um although I think I might have the the report for this Friday in my inbox so I could take a peek at it and answer you in a little while if you'd like. And that's to turn it into like a lecture room or at least a usable space. And

92
00:24:54.559 --> 00:25:10.640
>> it's it's to turn it back into a usable space. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's great. Thank you. All right. Uh Counciloman, >> thank you, mayor. Uh the environmental committee chose not to meet this past week on the 5th as there was there was

93
00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:26.640
no uh there was no business that we had to attend to. Um, but I do want to remind everybody the burough cleanup is May 30th. Rain date is May 31st. It will be from 10 to 2:00 p.m. You'll meet at the DPW. Uh, you do not have to be there

94
00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:43.200
the whole time. I will only be able to attend for about the first hour. >> Say it again. When is it? >> May 30th. >> Okay. Thank you. >> The rain is May 31st. >> Okay. and DPW is providing gloves, uh, vest for safety, garbage bags, so just

95
00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:59.919
bring yourself. Um, reminder, we're targeting the areas of the historic home and garden tour. Um, and we will also be providing snacks. Um, from the fire department, I just want to say thank you to the DPW. We had three

96
00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:16.960
doors, if you look around them, that were rusting out, and they were able to get those painted. Um, and the only other thing that we really uh need to address, which I think we can address um at a later date, but the apron was approved by the council last year, and I know there were some issues with

97
00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:31.840
scope creep, but I think we can we can get that apron done, and we can focus on that as long as we get um a decent estimate. So, that remains a concern. And that is it. Thank you. Great. >> Uh, Councilwoman Egleard.

98
00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:47.360
Um, yes. Thank you. Oh, Adrien, I I I couldn't hear the beginning of a sentence. Uh, the apron where? >> The apron in front of the fire department. >> Oh my god. >> Fired part. Okay. Sorry. That's Sorry. When you and I are so far apart and you're talking straight and I couldn't

99
00:26:47.360 --> 00:27:05.520
hear it. Thank you. Okay. Uh so um a couple things that I wanted to mention was um I wanted to follow up on since we talked about that we attended the bike uh meeting and I wanted to thank the chief as well for his input. There was I

100
00:27:05.520 --> 00:27:22.159
also want to thank there was a a public survey that went out. So any any residents that actually responded to that survey um that feedback was in there too and and I want to thank anybody that did that. I was also going to bring the same subject up at the

101
00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:38.480
planning board meeting tomorrow and there was a lot of really great ideas there. Um, mayor mentioned one of them. Um, I think it might be a good idea to take the presentation that the um that

102
00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:53.279
the county did about bikes and that is actually available for everybody to see on the county uh planning board website. Um, I think it might be a good idea for the planning board to consider

103
00:27:53.279 --> 00:28:09.840
implementing some of the recommendations not only into the master plan, but perhaps into your checklist. um specifically addressing things like bike racks and um uh when you review a site

104
00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:25.440
plan, does it align with the county's recommendations for different right ofways and bike past that, you know, have that intention? we might be able to grab some of those um bike groups into

105
00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:43.039
some, you know, uh uh both private and public land improvements as it gets done over the years. So, I'd love to see the master plan reflect what the county recommend recommended with you. >> Yeah. So, that's what I'll be mentioning

106
00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:58.559
at tomorrow night's meeting. In addition, there is a planning board meeting tomorrow night. Um the two main things on the agenda are both completeness, so not um a lot of meat there. There's an application at 22 Allen Street as well as the Xiaoa

107
00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:15.039
warehouse um completeness hearing. Um that's the one on 12. Um and in addition, I just want to thank Karen Gifin for her service as as um chair of the planning board. She did step down as

108
00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:31.679
chair. So it'll be elections tomorrow and uh FDA has stepped up uh to to cover her work for the last couple weeks. Uh Karen is staying on on planning board. She's just stepping down as um as chair because of you know conflicts and and

109
00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:47.760
just busy um with her with her job and and uh really appreciate her um service and time on the on the planning board. Um let's see. Uh, I do want to mention, we all talked about the stamping, the

110
00:29:47.760 --> 00:30:04.799
concrete stamping on Main Street and that the the um street is closed, but the sidewalks are open as well as all the parking along up to that, you know, up to that certain point. Um, and in addition, there's a sidewalk sale on Sunday. So, that's all open as well. So,

111
00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:21.360
please don't forget your local businesses there. Um, let's see. I got that. Um, April Animal Report. I mentioned this at a previous meeting, but it actually was the only item that was in the April report, and that was there was a dog on dog bite. Um, as well

112
00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:38.799
as the fact that the people that were walking their dog, um, also had some minor injuries and, um, the, you know, the owner was was of the dog that bit um was was very remorseful. I spoke to the animal control officer and and and and

113
00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:56.320
felt horribly. Um, but just a reminder, please make sure that your fencing and whatever your, you know, you keep your your dogs in their in their um on your property. Uh, make sure they're secure. Just double check all your gates and stuff, please. And we don't want to have anybody get hurt. Um, so that was the

114
00:30:56.320 --> 00:31:14.000
only item on the animal report. Um, let's see. Bikes. Mayor mentioned that Dave Giuliani is back. We're happy to have him back. He did call me at the end of the day today and said, "Boy, you had a lot of things ready for me to go." So, he was very

115
00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:30.640
busy on his first day back. Um, and we discussed that. I did also speak to Ken McCormack on Friday um, regarding that fire zone versus parking zone on Corer. And I think this is a just as you know we already talked about this but I think

116
00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:47.440
one of the takeaways I think we can all make from that at least what I got from Ken McCormack on Friday was that I think this is a really good reason why we need to have a municipal representative involved on a regular basis maybe on

117
00:31:47.440 --> 00:32:03.919
monthly meetings or or whatever with each development um or or large construction project. It doesn't have to be an area needed of redevelopment for any large construction project. Um, we need to have regular meetings, regular monthly meetings with the owners,

118
00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:20.640
developers because things like this over years and years happen. Um, like you said, the site plan, they don't necessarily know where the utilities are going to be popping up. Things change, even if it's just a minor change. In this case, it affected one parking spot.

119
00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:38.720
And um Ken was pretty um supportive of this and really pushed for this because it seems like a small thing changing something from a parking zone to a fire zone, but it definitely helps both Ken, the police, and uh and Dave when it

120
00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:54.480
comes to um holding people accountable for where they're parking. So, it will help them in the end. So, I want to make sure I'm supporting the police and the fire department, but definitely having these regular communications with active consu uh construction sites would really

121
00:32:54.480 --> 00:33:10.320
be helpful. Um, let's see. I I mentioned that. >> Can I ask you a question? >> Yes. >> Um, I saw the minutes for the Liberty Village meeting on March 26. >> Yes. >> Have you had a meeting since? Because that those minutes reflected that you were going to be calling a meeting every two weeks.

122
00:33:10.320 --> 00:33:26.640
>> Yes. And you're you're right. Well, I know I did I did I did say I would like to have a meeting in two weeks and then it was Easter so there was nobody around then >> two weeks it's just going to be >> I wanted to have regular meetings. Yes. Um but I was hope I I'd like I would

123
00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:43.519
like to see in two weeks but in the end I did get an update from Dave on that right before he went on vacation. So I was I was comfortable with that and I also had spoken to John Tillitson um last Thursday quite a while about Liberty Village. So he and I also

124
00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:58.159
checked in. So I felt comfortable that we knew what was going on. Um and I also made sure I drove that everybody knows that the um Stangle Road is open at least at least on Friday, Saturday and

125
00:33:58.159 --> 00:34:16.000
Sundays is open for traffic now. So that's another good thing. So when I you know I saw all these different things happening and I checked in with Dave. Um, but yes, I would like to have another meeting >> because I mean only because there was another demolition of the brand new stormwater system again in the last

126
00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:31.280
couple of weeks and George Malone was nowhere to be found. Um, the police were calling him. John Tison was calling him. Um, who else was calling him? Dave Mike Campion was calling him. RV was calling

127
00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:48.240
him and uh RV is the one who caught it. the um contractor never reported it. RV's inspector caught it and RV wouldn't let him off site and so the work was completed and everything was put back on the same day. >> But um >> well, John did not mention that to me.

128
00:34:48.240 --> 00:35:04.640
Um so obviously it was taken care of, but um yeah, I'd like certainly I'd like to have another >> We definitely need to meet with him because it because there's a couple of other issues with with George Bone that we need to address. Well, my concern is that everybody is calling him and leaving him messages and he did not

129
00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:20.640
respond to anybody >> at all >> and that was our concern and what we what we expressed to him at that meeting. So obviously we have something to discuss with it. Like I said there is no development committee on there. So you asked me as construction leaves on to

130
00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:38.240
>> development committee right now President Parker and myself. >> Oh happy happy right now. >> Perfect. And um we'll call for a meeting immediately because I I don't know legally, Chris,

131
00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:55.839
how to get this guy to hire a GC. He doesn't have GC on site. >> Hold on. He does. That the person may not be. >> No, that's not experience. >> No, that's different. That's different.

132
00:35:55.839 --> 00:36:13.920
That's different. If you want to talk about the issue that you see I'm not going down this >> road happy executive session all these throw it in >> to talk about >> throw it in >> the fact that my reports are that I see throw it in

133
00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:29.280
>> watching so okay >> throw it in >> anything else council >> there is a QC there there's not a CI >> okay um anything else on your report >> uh very quick the high school is having a blood drive on on Monday, May 18th.

134
00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:44.800
And the strategic planning sessions that I know Tony was interested in, I know Beth was interested in, I know uh Brandon was interested in um is online with the high school and uh June 8th they're going to be presenting the

135
00:36:44.800 --> 00:37:01.599
results of that strategic plan. That's all I've got. >> Okay. Anything else? >> No. Okay. Councilwoman Aras. >> Yes, thank you. Um, yeah, it's just very short. Um, I really haven't had too many

136
00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:18.800
meetings this past two weeks. Um, other than that, it's just, uh, the semi plumbing house. Uh, the front of it has been painted, scraped. I know they're working on the sides now, but because of the rain and all that, you know, still take a little bit time, but should be hopefully done by the next month. Um, I

137
00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:35.839
know they had Saturday they had the Mother's Day event. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend. Um, and I I've been a little busy uh this past couple weeks. Uh, and I know we have a Historic Preservation Commission meeting on the 20th of May as well. And you know what?

138
00:37:35.839 --> 00:37:51.520
I I didn't say I wasn't going to tell nobody. I wasn't going to say nothing publicly, but I'm g just say it. I'm g just say it. I got married today, this morning, at 10 in the morning. So, I want to say thank you to Mary Melie for

139
00:37:51.520 --> 00:38:08.560
uh you know uh helping me out there and uh she did a great job. It was Yeah. No, I just thought I let everybody know. So, it's just been a been a it's been a And thank you to Carla as well for helping me out there with all the paperwork. So, yeah, it's just been a it's been a been

140
00:38:08.560 --> 00:38:25.599
a couple busy weeks uh lately. So, yeah, that's it's pretty short, my reporter. So, thank you. Appreciate it. >> Congratulations. Thank you. We have public comment session number one. You have a comment online, please raise your hand. Other one, please come to the microphone. Take your hand for the

141
00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:50.000
record. And you got three minutes. Come on in. Jack, 102 Park Avenue. I'm very I've been I haven't been up here in six to eight months. I can't believe you haven't done anything for

142
00:38:50.000 --> 00:39:06.400
parking on Park Avenue, even making it just resident only. I don't know what's taken so long. We're making diagonal streets behind that appease Mr. Cus and you won't do anything to appease the citizens that don't have any park. Next

143
00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:20.400
thing, what's going on with the train station on Steve's property? Everyone knows this building. This is the reason why Park Avenue doesn't have

144
00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:38.160
parking that we had because someone deemed this historical and they couldn't make Park Avenue and Fan Boulevard to go straight across and having that jog. That parking lot that they took down and made Steve's parking

145
00:39:38.160 --> 00:39:54.720
lot half the size was because of this building. This building was supposed to be moved either to to Liberty Village, Turntable Village, or to the point by Steves. They're getting away with letting it deteriorate. I see this every single

146
00:39:54.720 --> 00:40:10.960
day. This is historic. What are you going to do about it? Next thing, we have a parking issue of tractor and trailers in front of that building. I have to call the police. Right in front of which building? >> That building right there. The train

147
00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:25.680
station. Everyone knows about it. I got diesel fuel on my vehicles because they idle. Again, I don't have to be up here and find out everything. You guys should be

148
00:40:25.680 --> 00:40:42.960
doing all this and appeasing and getting parking for us. And when you go to build all those buildings, I'll be up here if no one does anything and I'll make sure that we have our own parking lot put over in any one of those places for the

149
00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:59.040
residents who are in their 80s, in their 70s. This is not right. We have signs all over the place and no one obeys obeys them. They don't obey them. We have no left-hand turns. Every night I

150
00:40:59.040 --> 00:41:16.079
come home at 4:30 and the first car that comes right behind me comes up to the stop sign and makes a lefthand turn. If you don't want to have a If you want to have that, take the signs out. I have sign cancer in front of my house. I have signs everywhere for no left-hand turns

151
00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:31.040
and no one's doing anything about it. And no, I'm not going to call the cops every time it happens. I'm I have enough video to show that it happens daily. But what are we going to do about it? Again, the best thing to do when we came

152
00:41:31.040 --> 00:41:47.839
through this was to make it a dead end. Make it a dead end. It doesn't hurt anyone. It doesn't hurt Steve's property. It gives us the security that the block is used the way it was intended to. And this way here, if it's a dead end, we don't have to worry about

153
00:41:47.839 --> 00:42:05.280
moving our cars every snowstorm to 3, four blocks down the road as you want it. We use that parking lot where where the train station is falling down because under Away's property, we have a lot across

154
00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:21.920
the street from us that we use all the time. So again, I am not going to come up here. I I haven't seen a single person come by my house and talk to me at all. So, I don't need my three minutes. You can have whatever's left, but I'm saying if we don't fix the

155
00:42:21.920 --> 00:42:39.440
parking and at least get those six signs that say residential parking or it says permit parking to appease us that we have to worry about opening our doors into, it was the stupidest thing in the world. make it resident parking only and

156
00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:55.280
decide on how we're going to move forward because us residents, there's only five houses there. You can appease them like you appease cusp like you appease everyone else. This is not a big issue. If you make it a dead end, no one

157
00:42:55.280 --> 00:43:10.800
no one no one worries about it. We It's a It was called entrapment is what they said. If you got a car come down there and you couldn't make get out of there, it was entrament. They can go down Steve's driveway if they come up with it blocked off. That's it. Uh you

158
00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:25.920
know where I live. Please call me. My no my number's in the phone book. Uh and I don't want a truck stopped in front of my house. I don't want a building falling down in front of my house. And that's what's happening. So where's

159
00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:45.599
the what he thought? Knock it or knock it down and let Steve pay start paying property taxes for it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anybody else from the public? I have a hand. I can't see who that is. >> You sure?

160
00:43:45.599 --> 00:44:06.319
That's >> Yeah. Okay. >> FC's employee of the burrow. >> Well, no, actually Robel. I live at 77 Mine Street. >> What's your name? >> Rob Pochell. It's F O E H S E L.

161
00:44:06.319 --> 00:44:23.599
I'm a homeowner on Mine Street. Um I know last week there was an opponent's pass about the bamboo issue. I know it's a state law. I just have some questions about about it. Um I know um that bamboo is an issue that my house has it in my

162
00:44:23.599 --> 00:44:39.760
backyard when we bought it and apparently for a couple decades before. Um, just one clarification on maintenance removal. Is it required if it's already been planted? Um, >> you don't have to remove it. You have to

163
00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:54.960
just make sure it doesn't encroach in your neighbor's properties. >> Um, it's already in our neighbors properties. So, you know, my family just we don't know what they're supposed to do. >> I mean, basically, if your neighbors complain about it, you're going to have to go and mow it down. And then they

164
00:44:54.960 --> 00:45:11.359
have to maintain keeping it mowed down. >> So, if we Or I should say Chris, right, Chris? That's the deal. >> The neighbors complain. He has to go and get mowed down and then it's up to your neighbors to continue to mow it >> on on their side. >> On their side.

165
00:45:11.359 --> 00:45:27.440
>> But the initial >> Yeah. original. Yes. The initial >> mowing down is on you. And are there possibly any plans for assistance in removal in removal if people want to remove because I know

166
00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:46.000
>> Yeah, I know. >> So I I think it's the same problem that you experienced bought a house that was bamboo and then it just got worse and worse and worse. Right. We recently just had it taken down. Um we called a landscape to have it taken down. Here

167
00:45:46.000 --> 00:46:01.359
I'll give you a couple of tips. Take it down or take it out? >> Both. Both. So you you can cut it down yourself and put it out on the sidewalk and and DPW will pick it up. They will ask that you just cut it in half because if it's really high, they can't get it in.

168
00:46:01.359 --> 00:46:16.800
>> So, right. So, what I did is I I cut it down and then cut it in half. But the problem is it's just so invasive. It still comes right back. So, we just had it done, as a matter of fact, two weeks ago, and every single day, we've

169
00:46:16.800 --> 00:46:32.720
literally gone outside and just crushed the new growth. >> Um, I I can't even eat bamboo shoots anymore. I I just can't even do I can't even look at them. But, but the other thing is I will give you this is what someone gave me is there are veins.

170
00:46:32.720 --> 00:46:48.000
>> You'll see the veins. If you cut those in half, they can't grow. you you've got to kill them without having bringing a back hole in. You got to kill them that way. So, my suggestion would be is >> cut it down as far as you can cut it down.

171
00:46:48.000 --> 00:47:04.160
>> Um, new growth comes in this time of the year for the next three three more weeks. Yeah. And then it'll stop, right? Okay. But every day you got to go out and you literally got to just step on them. You don't have to do you don't have to cut them. You just have to step on them. >> Yeah. We we we just weren't sure if it

172
00:47:04.160 --> 00:47:21.000
was since it's already existing if it has to be taken down. >> No, only if you want to. >> Yeah. The ordinance doesn't require that. >> So, our neighbors complain about it. We have to take care of it. >> You have to take care of it initially and then it's on them to mow it. >> Okay. Wonderful.

173
00:47:23.280 --> 00:47:40.160
>> Um my second question is my backyard does have a township easement for a and it's a drainage ditch for storm runoff. Um, it is supposed to be, from my understanding from when we bought the house, it's supposed to be maintained by the township and it has never once been

174
00:47:40.160 --> 00:47:56.160
maintained. In the middle of the summer, it's so overgrown that when a big rain does come through, I live at 77. The backyards from, I'd say 81 up to 61 get flooded. So, we we do have extensive

175
00:47:56.160 --> 00:48:13.760
rain damage in our property that we will eventually need to get our property uh relined um or regraded and all that. Um is there any way to speak to somebody about maintaining this drainage? >> DPW superintendent is on this on Zoom

176
00:48:13.760 --> 00:48:29.280
right now, so he's I'm sure writing notes and when we bring him on >> Yeah. because our drain just it's it's getting wider and wider the growth and I know because it is an easement I don't want to >> touch it. >> No no stick around for stick around for after the public comment is we're going

177
00:48:29.280 --> 00:48:44.000
to be bringing them on to talk to him about a number of issues. >> So I know my my neighbors that that we >> that I've spoken to that have lived there for decades. My one next door neighbor has lived for 30 plus years. So that it's never been maintained and it's

178
00:48:44.000 --> 00:49:00.559
just getting it's getting bigger. It's >> there's no real channel for the water. It just kind of >> We'll see what he has to say about it. He may not be aware because my son's only been doing PW superintendent for 15 years, not 30. So, he may not be aware. So, we'll we'll when he's finished the public comment, we'll ask him about it. >> Okay.

179
00:49:00.559 --> 00:49:14.960
>> Okay. So, stick around. >> That's everything you do. >> Thank um Ally, I need to really just take a three minutes. Um we have a large work session, a large executive session. >> Okay, Ally, you're on. I will be very

180
00:49:14.960 --> 00:49:31.680
quick. Um, hi everybody. Uh, I wanted to first say thank you to um, Chief Rotella and um, Brian and everybody else. U, Mike from DPW who were helping with the communicating about the closings um, on

181
00:49:31.680 --> 00:49:46.800
Main Street. I do I know that Susan mentioned it, but we have tent sales on Sunday. There's a spring market uh, that's being hosted by two of our businesses on Stangle on Saturday. Um, and so, uh, it's been really helpful to get the communication out, uh, widely

182
00:49:46.800 --> 00:50:02.319
about the closures. Um, we do have a grand opening this Thursday at Mia Art on Mine. I sent an invitation to everybody on council as well as, um, to the FID board and to the public via Facebook uh, as we continue to look for

183
00:50:02.319 --> 00:50:18.240
new ways to um, welcome our new businesses. Um, our first sip and stroll will be on May 21st. um we have really pivoted uh to make it more of a community-based uh event and so I hope

184
00:50:18.240 --> 00:50:34.240
that everybody uh is able to attend as we have live music uh and lots of different activities for the public. Um a quick update on beautifification and signage. We have been working tirelessly with Fast Signs on the wayfinding

185
00:50:34.240 --> 00:50:50.880
signage. Um, thank you to DPW as we have been trying to fix some uh issues that we've had with the signage that um has been completed most recently. We are working diligently to get that fixed so we can get the signage completed. Uh we

186
00:50:50.880 --> 00:51:06.960
do have a new art installation going in at the Stangle um open air gallery which will be have a nice little grand opening at the Sip and Stroll on May 21st. and we're looking at new planters for flowers on uh Main Street and Stangle as well as some of

187
00:51:06.960 --> 00:51:22.880
the side streets. The last thing I'll share um which is very exciting, we found out um late last week that we uh Flemington is one of the recipients of the FIFA grant that we applied for. I mentioned it at my um at the last

188
00:51:22.880 --> 00:51:37.920
meeting that we were applying. Uh we found out that we were one of the few that were awarded. uh which means we are going to be hosting an epic FIFA event on June 19th on Stangle. Um it has not

189
00:51:37.920 --> 00:51:54.559
been announced uh publicly yet uh about our specific event. We I had a call today with the state and I have a meeting on Thursday with um uh with the county OEM police uh etc to ensure that

190
00:51:54.559 --> 00:52:11.680
we are doing this the exact right way from a safety standpoint. Um but it's really exciting because it's going to bring a lot of economic uh a lot of economic activity to the bureau for uh for that day. >> Thank you. I actually didn't mention that because I

191
00:52:11.680 --> 00:52:28.640
didn't want to steal your thunder. I didn't want to steal your thunder thunder on that. But I just have to say for Ally to get this pulled off, we and Hacketstown and a couple of others small towns got it's just so so cool. I mean thanks to Jerry on helping with this as

192
00:52:28.640 --> 00:52:46.960
well. Um so yeah, thanks Ally. >> Thank you. >> Ally, I have a really quick question about the planters. Mhm. >> Um uh I spoke to one of the main street businesses and um he was wondering uh

193
00:52:46.960 --> 00:53:02.240
and this goes for anybody I would assume around town that has existing empty planters right now. She wanted to know can she plant stuff in there or is >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Or or was FID planning on filling

194
00:53:02.240 --> 00:53:19.359
the existing ones as well? Okay. I'll let her know. M >> you might want to send a note to the rest of the >> Yep, we're going to be getting rid of those planters and uh but yes, I'll send a note. Thank you for that recommendation. >> Didn't know if she should plant stuff in there or not. If you were just getting

195
00:53:19.359 --> 00:53:34.319
rid of I don't think she's bothered. >> Yeah. Okay. I will let everyone know. >> Okay. All right. Great. Thanks. Thanks, Ally. Anybody else from the public? >> Seeing none, you want to put my champion on? >> I sure do.

196
00:53:34.319 --> 00:54:12.760
Work session. Um, so Mike, are you on? Hold on. >> I don't know what he's done. >> Yeah, I think you have to hit allow to talk, buddy. No, I promoted him, >> Mike. >> And he's not there yet.

197
00:54:16.559 --> 00:54:32.240
>> No, I mean, I think you have to hit the blue button there. >> Well, usually I promote to panelist, but let's try this. >> You just did. >> Mike, are you there? Oh, >> he's still over there.

198
00:54:32.240 --> 00:54:50.760
>> Maybe he stepped away for a moment. Oh. Oh, it declined. Why are you declining me? >> He's already in bed. Come on, Mike. Wake up. >> Come on. >> There you go. >> Are you there? >> You guys want to ask my question?

199
00:54:51.280 --> 00:55:08.800
>> Thought you might be walking a trench on Mine Street. Um before we get into the the the solid work session, can you address that um that easement behind the gentleman's home? >> Sure. Uh

200
00:55:08.800 --> 00:55:26.000
we've cleaned that out twice. Last time was about five or six years ago. We do have to go to the D to get a GP, which is a general permit. And that only allows us to maintain from the head

201
00:55:26.000 --> 00:55:43.200
wall at 81 line 20 ft downstream. Now, when we did do the two cleanups along there, we found that residents were throwing their brush along the stream. That's

202
00:55:43.200 --> 00:56:01.680
that's a stream, not drainage. D will not allow us to dredge the stream only 20 ft from the head wall. >> Did that make sense to you? >> I mean it's also a state violation.

203
00:56:01.680 --> 00:56:17.680
>> Yeah. I just wanted to make sure >> what he's trying to >> Yeah. So the head walls I'm assuming is where the pipe comes out. There's a concrete barrier where the the water comes out from the street >> and you can only maintain up to 20 feet

204
00:56:17.680 --> 00:56:32.160
after that. >> 20 feet downstream. Yes, sir. >> Once he gets a permit. >> Okay. So, we get a permit. >> Michael, when you planning on cleaning that next? >> Uh, we'll have to apply for the permit.

205
00:56:32.160 --> 00:56:48.640
It takes about eight months to get it. >> Okay. Why don't you apply as soon as possible? No problem. >> Okay. >> But that but but I I'm a little confused because um I'm sorry. You had said that

206
00:56:48.640 --> 00:57:06.880
that easement goes from 81 to 77 or >> 61 to 61. >> 81 to 61. So that's more than 20 ft. >> That that's that's an estimate. My my home is 77, >> right? >> And it's it's on my property. So it's on 81 and it it's actually the property

207
00:57:06.880 --> 00:57:24.079
line of 81 and 77. Um it comes from Mine Street. Comes from across the street at Mine Hill um whatever the condos are right there. >> Uhhuh. >> Under Mine Street and then there's another drainage in between my house and my neighbors at 81 and it runs along our property.

208
00:57:24.079 --> 00:57:39.599
>> Oh, I know where you are. Okay. And then it it makes a right angle >> turn right which come so all the water comes down >> the eastment which is on my property. >> Okay. Yes. >> Um >> I I know about I know. Yeah. I know where

209
00:57:39.599 --> 00:57:56.319
>> it starts at about 15 almost 20 feet and then narrows up. But with all the overbrush when it when we do get a significant rainfall it does go onto all it backs up onto all the properties. >> Oh >> yeah. So I know exactly that that problem. And I understand that they can

210
00:57:56.319 --> 00:58:12.880
maintain only 20 feet. That's not really much. Am I able to maintain further? Like what are are there any options that we can do to >> Mike? Do you think you can make an appointment with this gentleman and take a walk with him and see what you guys can do back there? >> No problem, Mayor.

211
00:58:12.880 --> 00:58:29.599
>> Okay. Why don't you leave Carly your phone number and Mr. Campy will call you tomorrow. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> Okay. He's great. Whatever you can do, he'll figure it out. >> Yeah. I just I just solution. >> Okay. And the second question, Mike, is

212
00:58:29.599 --> 00:58:46.720
that little section of Park Avenue extension, did we make that permit or residential parking only? >> Uh darn park meetings. No. >> No. But ever. It wasn't It wasn't already signed residential parking only there.

213
00:58:46.720 --> 00:59:02.799
>> No. No. That's public. We discussed it and I I this is why I'm asking >> I'm saying going back to parking. >> No, it was before the parking committee if you remember correctly. He came in and he made suggestion because we made that we made uh what you call it street

214
00:59:02.799 --> 00:59:19.359
um res parking and he came in and asked if we could do the same thing for him and I think we've all said yes we could do that >> but >> but I don't think we executed it. I didn't understand what he was talking about when he said there are signs already on the street that say permit

215
00:59:19.359 --> 00:59:35.200
parking only. That's what didn't make any sense to me. >> He's talking about like that you can't make left-hand turns. >> And then he's you also will start to see residents only. Residential only. >> That's on the other side of Main Street. >> Yeah. But that park but Park Avenue part

216
00:59:35.200 --> 00:59:50.640
of Park Avenue already is residential only from Court up and Court Street is part is residential only. program park resour >> because of the courthouse because of all the lawyers and the whatever. So

217
00:59:50.640 --> 01:00:06.640
>> park has been residential only for years. >> Yeah. So >> because of the court. >> Yeah, we can do that. >> But I thought that we had agreed to do that. >> I thought we did too. >> Yeah. And if there are like maybe maybe >> Okay. So let's just do it. Chris, can you please amend uh whatever we did for

218
01:00:06.640 --> 01:00:27.200
Wester Street and make um his section >> from from North Maine to >> North is that >> Corkran to Maine to North Maine? It is

219
01:00:27.200 --> 01:00:44.640
called Park Avenue Extension. Now, like before this gets like weird, do we want to make it permit parking only or res? Because it's two different things where he could get a permit like like resident means that the people who are in court can park there too. >> No, I think that we need to do permit.

220
01:00:44.640 --> 01:01:01.680
>> Let's do permit. >> I'm going to say permit. The reason being is because two too. If you just going up there, it's cha. A lot of the people that live up there feel like they're living in chaos, right? >> Get permanent parking just like North Main. So we'll probably have no

221
01:01:01.680 --> 01:01:17.680
extension only. >> Yep. >> We'll let Jerry know. Would you let Jerry know, please? Because our intention eventually is to do it all anyway. It's going to end up well at some point. >> Yeah. >> Look, I I've been I go over there because he's he's complained before and

222
01:01:17.680 --> 01:01:33.680
I've been over there. Every time I'm over there, I always see at least one parking. >> But that doesn't mean that that's not an issue. It just means that every time I've been over I found one. >> Yeah. my brush. >> He already greets. So, let's move on

223
01:01:33.680 --> 01:01:48.559
with this for holding out Mike. Getting his beauty vest, you know, Mike. >> So, um Mike, let's talk DTW prioritization list. Um the council received this Friday, the right list, not the screw up list. I said parking

224
01:01:48.559 --> 01:02:04.640
committee and um so let's see if anybody has any questions. So, this is the same format for Councilwoman Herbert and uh I think Councilman Mariah saw one of these last year, but you know, it's basically it's Mike's list. He does the Ro's

225
01:02:04.640 --> 01:02:22.400
priority. It's Josh's list, which is the water department, and it's Ken's list, which is the sewer department. It's their own priorities. They're not coordinated. there's no cross talk in order that they want to see the money spent for whatever reason whether it's

226
01:02:22.400 --> 01:02:39.839
infrastructure degradation or uh an order from the federal government uh whatever it is and then um we've added in an estimated cost. We try to keep that updated every year and if there is a funding source identified um there's

227
01:02:39.839 --> 01:02:55.359
no funding source identified then it's blank. >> So I do I do have a question. I I don't see the well on here. Where is that? >> It's under the police department. >> I don't see it. >> It's under uh Josh's number two.

228
01:02:55.359 --> 01:03:09.680
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, got it. >> It's hard to read without the line. I'm trying to >> All right. And that that's number two. So So all right, let me just kind of go through this again. And the funding

229
01:03:09.680 --> 01:03:39.280
sources for Ken's stuff is actually on the last page that got printed out. You got to align those with the others. You know what I'm saying? >> It's like Yeah. No, you can can be tell if we can get

230
01:03:39.280 --> 01:03:56.880
the >> I'll be the first one to tell you if we can get the EPA to back off on the ACO then this whole list changes, right? Because this is so expensive that we're under this acco and you're trying to

231
01:03:56.880 --> 01:04:13.280
get them like tell us They won't tell us when it's going to be like what's when is enough enough, right? They won't everything is open-ended with them. They won't tell us and commit to to what will make this satisfactory to them.

232
01:04:13.280 --> 01:04:35.039
>> And that's part of the problem. >> So, >> we have not heard from the EPA since January 26th of this year. >> Right. So, if I remember correct, okay, let me try to jog my memory here. Um, on

233
01:04:35.039 --> 01:04:51.440
this whole sewer thing. So, where did they stand? What was the last messaging we got from them? I can't remember. >> January. >> Yeah. What was Oh, less than January. I'm thinking about last year. So, January. You did hear from them in

234
01:04:51.440 --> 01:05:05.920
January. >> Is that correct? >> Correct. >> January. Yes. And what did they say in January? >> Our inspector from the E uh EPA was going to

235
01:05:05.920 --> 01:05:23.240
take the recommendations that public works discussed and bring it to their supervisor. Have not heard back since. Maybe because the government was shut down, but it's unusual we haven't heard from our inspector from the EPA.

236
01:05:27.359 --> 01:05:42.720
Well, when when the inspector came around, what what was Did you get a feeling for what they thought? >> Uh, she doesn't come around, she calls. >> Okay. Well, even during our conversation, >> where she if she was on board with us or

237
01:05:42.720 --> 01:05:58.319
she was like I I don't >> she liked the ideas that we gave her, RVA, RVE gave her, it's going to run it up the chain. We haven't heard since. >> Can we reach out to her?

238
01:05:58.319 --> 01:06:14.000
>> Uh, we could we can >> That would be my suggestion is somebody just reach out to her. Just um just trying to um get an update on the status of where we are with our recommendations. >> No problem, sir. >> Yeah.

239
01:06:14.000 --> 01:06:28.960
>> This this is this is a federal, right? >> Y. >> Yes. So, so the way Federal works, just so everybody knows, you have to constantly call them. So, if a month goes by and you don't hear from them,

240
01:06:28.960 --> 01:06:45.280
you have to call them. You have to just stay close to them because you have to understand they it's not an excuse, but they're doing a lot of these and you don't know where you are in the pile. So, that would be my suggestion.

241
01:06:45.280 --> 01:07:00.720
Other questions for Mike, regarding the DTW prioritization list? >> Um, I have a question, Mike, on number three. The uh under Josh's um

242
01:07:00.720 --> 01:07:18.480
Josh's number three. It's Shields Avenue, Pen Avenue, Water Tower Project, replace leaking water pegs, and resurface roads. >> That's equal to Mike's number one. >> It's It's equal to Mike's number one. You're right. >> Yes, that's what I said. Mike, >> it's really hard to read this. So sorry.

243
01:07:18.480 --> 01:07:32.960
>> No, no, it's not. It's It's fine. It's It's not your fault. I'm just saying, >> but >> because I just noticed that it's >> the same exact project. >> Mike, you're number one. Josh is number three. I was looking underwater because I'm because of the fact that it's a water tower. So, I just was looking to

244
01:07:32.960 --> 01:07:50.880
see where it was in Josh's kind of uh priority. My confusion is the water tower project itself is done. Is there more stuff that has to be done with the water tower stuff itself? I know that the I know that the the line on shields has to be

245
01:07:50.880 --> 01:08:06.960
replaced. >> Correct. >> What still needs to be done with the water tank? >> The the the tank job is done. The new building up there is done. The planning board resolution from Raritan had Shields A and Pennsylvania A

246
01:08:06.960 --> 01:08:22.159
in the township. We had to replace our lines and repave that road in the planning board resolution when we went for the new tank. >> So when it says water tower project,

247
01:08:22.159 --> 01:08:38.080
what you mean is that it's all part of that approval even though >> Yes. >> All right. I I was I saw that and I'm like, well, what else has to be done on the water tower itself? No, the answer is nothing. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. Sorry. I I just thought there was more work to be done that I

248
01:08:38.080 --> 01:08:52.319
wasn't aware of. The way >> Yeah, we're we're under a TCO with the township for the water tank and the garage that was built and to get off the uh TCO and complete our planning board

249
01:08:52.319 --> 01:09:09.199
resolution. That would be Shields A and Pennsylvania A in the township. >> And we can't close out the old bond ordinance with without that. Right. >> Correct. And we had a meeting with the USDA who's funding this. They funded the water tank and the new building

250
01:09:09.199 --> 01:09:25.759
>> and we we have a deadline of this year, which is not an issue. However, depending on how much uh how high the bids are, we may we only be able to choose one road and that road will be

251
01:09:25.759 --> 01:09:43.400
Shields Zav. >> Uh but if we don't do the Pennsylvania, then we wouldn't be able to close out the whole bond. >> Correct. We'll have to do it next year. We'll have to apply for more funding from the USDA.

252
01:09:43.440 --> 01:10:01.280
So if but we would below that deadline then >> no as long as we get one as long as we spend the money the remaining funds before >> December we're good depending what the bids come

253
01:10:01.280 --> 01:10:17.440
in we're building bidding out both roads depending what the bids come in no matter what we're going to use up the remaining funds hopefully It's both roads. If not, it'll be the one road. >> So, the remaining funds is the 70,000

254
01:10:17.440 --> 01:10:34.640
that are that's listed here. >> Um, >> that's the remaining funds or is that >> that? That's a question. Yeah, >> that is >> it says 950K, which that's like back from when March old and it says, >> 70,000. I think that's what you mean by

255
01:10:34.640 --> 01:10:52.880
this summary. >> Um, I'm looking at >> Get back to me if you don't know the answer. It's fine. >> Yeah, that's Yeah, that number is not correct. I'll give you the the remaining funds tomorrow. I I'll distribute it to everybody. >> Great. Thanks. >> Yeah, no problem. >> Other questions for Mike?

256
01:10:52.880 --> 01:11:08.800
>> I just want to go and I guess there's a couple of questions here. >> Um because I'm trying to understand this uh complete Main Street, Church Streets, Da D, and it has to be done by 2028. Is that >> 2028 is when we will lose our 100%

257
01:11:08.800 --> 01:11:25.480
reimbursement. And where are we with it right now? >> Uh, it's being engineered and designed for free by Remington Vernick because the state is paying for their design and they'll be ready to go next year in 2027. So, originally,

258
01:11:27.760 --> 01:11:41.760
you were gonna say something. >> Yeah, I was gonna uh correct that, mayor. Either Mine Street will be done this fall or Main Street this fall and then whichever one we don't do, we'll do in

259
01:11:41.760 --> 01:12:04.440
the spring of 2027. That's the plan. >> Okay. Got it. Well, I'm I'm only saying because Terry said at our DPW meeting on Friday that Main Street was going to be done in 2027. That's what he said.

260
01:12:11.600 --> 01:12:27.360
>> Any other questions for Mike? This is obviously crickets on that. >> I don't know. I I'm just trying to >> Okay, >> Mike, can you tell me what are some of these like six wish list things? >> Where are you at? >> No, the six numbers

261
01:12:27.360 --> 01:12:42.320
>> the you know the the of the of the you know that your your number one two three four five six that we did this a couple year last year and the year before where the three of you guys gave us your kind of your wish list and what was your um

262
01:12:42.320 --> 01:12:58.480
your priorities? What are what are some things that are on your list that aren't on Josh's and Ken's list? What are some things that are on Josh's list that's not on yours and Ken's list? And what are some things that are on Ken's list that aren't on yours and Josh's list?

263
01:12:58.480 --> 01:13:16.560
>> Well, for Ken's list, it was all based on the developments towards uh the Hopewell North main intersection because that's where we have the overflows which the EPA's been getting on us. And that obviously I don't know too much about

264
01:13:16.560 --> 01:13:33.040
what's going on with those two properties. So Ken's list was all predicated on that development towards that end of town. >> Except there's nothing going on then then that goes away. >> Well, I mean we still have to address the overflow issues.

265
01:13:33.040 --> 01:13:48.640
>> Have to address the issue. >> I know. But does it have to be >> is it Well, okay. Go ahead. Go ahead and finish and then I'll answer. >> Okay. And then with Josh's is a lot of it's statemandated from the D like the PA and the lead service lines. >> Right. Right.

266
01:13:48.640 --> 01:14:05.760
>> And then mine is uh all of it put together and especially the drivable roads, the main roads that are traveled the most. Um I know if you see I did add Abbott Court

267
01:14:05.760 --> 01:14:22.239
to the list at the end based on how bad that road is. So as we complete rows, complete the list, we can start moving stuff up and adding stuff. >> Hey Mike, and I'm asking this for no not for any ulterior motive or anything like

268
01:14:22.239 --> 01:14:38.880
that but >> if you could only have one or two of these projects done for this year, what would they be? What are the most important things for us to do this year? Okay. Without any acco

269
01:14:38.880 --> 01:14:53.920
Pennsylvania have >> new well at 200 >> and then really we would have to wait on the EPA for the sewer, sir. Does that >> So >> that's going to cost a lot of money,

270
01:14:53.920 --> 01:15:09.199
>> right? So is that number one? I'm I'm I'm trying to think of what order. Is that number one or number two on? I'm sorry. >> Correct. Mine would be Shields AB, Pennsylvania AB, I'll speak for Josh, it would be the New Well. >> Okay.

271
01:15:09.199 --> 01:15:24.880
>> And then for Kenny is whatever the EPA is going to throw at us. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And uh um not to get off track here, but um if Cutlass wants to come in, I know they have approved site plan. We don't

272
01:15:24.880 --> 01:15:40.719
have the order for him. Just want to let you know. >> We don't have an approved site plan. >> No more gone. >> He He acknowledged that. He said, >> I thought he said he >> said I know they don't know. >> Oh, I dropped. >> Yeah. Okay, great. >> Any other questions for Mike on the

273
01:15:40.719 --> 01:15:58.000
priorities list? >> Yeah, just to follow up to the last question. I'm a little confused. So, um I I I understood the the lists to be in priority order. Um is that not the case?

274
01:15:58.000 --> 01:16:13.440
because it sounds like the um answer to to council president's question was not the first and second things on the list. >> Well, the question that the president asked was was

275
01:16:13.440 --> 01:16:27.840
>> where what would Mike want to do off this list? And he picked a project for each of them. >> Right. But so I mean I I would have my I understood this list to say like that question should just be answered by the

276
01:16:27.840 --> 01:16:43.440
list which is whatever is on items one and two >> priority is because we're under all these orders from the state and the federal government to do work but you know that doesn't so it's required right so that becomes a

277
01:16:43.440 --> 01:17:00.239
priority because EPA and D are saying so but for us, you know, is less of a priority than putting in a new well. >> Yeah. >> I I it um Beth, if I can chime in, I know it's sometimes hard to hear remotely. I the the question was more

278
01:17:00.239 --> 01:17:17.280
like I think the the way Mike answered it was if we didn't have to do the EPA thing, he feels that Josh would prefer the well over the EPA thing. Can I >> correct? So, do you get the nuance there Beth?

279
01:17:17.280 --> 01:17:34.320
>> Yes. It's not as easy for it. Yes, Mike Mike's answer could have been it's number one across the board, but I think Mike was kind of insinuating, you know, EPA aside, I think Josh would put the well as his wishless priority. Otherwise,

280
01:17:34.320 --> 01:17:50.960
>> it what I was asking it's what what is a must-have and what's a nice to have. That's that's basically what I was asking and Mike answered it. I get it. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's that's all I was trying to do is when 2026, what is this absolutely has to happen and what can wait? That

281
01:17:50.960 --> 01:18:07.080
was the plan. >> Does that help? >> Well, um I mean it's it's all based on the the order of priority and the budget, right?

282
01:18:07.360 --> 01:18:23.840
>> Well, I don't know what that means. I mean, if if this is the de what the D thinks are the most important projects for the town. So then the town needs to find funding for them if we want to move forward. >> She's getting the two. I think it's I

283
01:18:23.840 --> 01:18:41.120
think she's getting the two confused but I don't know how else to answer ask the question but it it really is Mike gave the answer and it is he gave us those three things that or those two things and saying if if this if this happens then everything else is then he kind of

284
01:18:41.120 --> 01:18:57.679
gets screwed up. >> Okay. So, can someone just recap then what those three items were because I was lost while he was saying it and I didn't get a chance to really capt. >> Mike, you want to recap? >> Sure. It would be the Shields A, Pennsylvania A. That would be number

285
01:18:57.679 --> 01:19:12.960
one, >> which is number one on your list. >> Number two would be the new well because we're our firm capacity is dwindling, >> which is Mike's number is Josh's number two because he wishes the EPA would go away.

286
01:19:12.960 --> 01:19:28.480
>> Correct. And then three would would be based um on the EPA ACL that they're going to come at us with for the sewer. >> EPA, I'm sorry, ACL. What does that

287
01:19:28.480 --> 01:19:44.719
stand for? >> ACL, administrative consent order is where the burrow enters an agreement with the state and we're mandated to do it. And that's fixed the fixed the the water issues when it rains hard down on North

288
01:19:44.719 --> 01:20:02.480
Main Street for bubbles out of the out of the manholes. >> Okay. And I'm sorry, which which road or sewer or water item number is that? >> That would be sewer number one. >> Sewer number one. Okay. Thank you.

289
01:20:02.480 --> 01:20:19.360
>> Sure. >> Any other questions on the priority, Mr. Mike? >> Yeah, Mike. I'm sorry. I have one more question. I I'm your number four and number five. Uh complete streaks for Porkin and uh

290
01:20:19.360 --> 01:20:35.440
Academy Street. Uh correct. And I get and Academy Street flooding. So you're number five and number six are kind of together. Correct. >> Um >> correct. What what what made academy go

291
01:20:35.440 --> 01:20:53.440
uh as number five and number six? What what ma what inspired you to put cork? I never can say that cork. Yes, you know what I mean. What inspired you to put that in front of academy? Uh

292
01:20:53.440 --> 01:21:08.640
well we have the plans done CME the prior engineer >> completed those but we our funding wasn't that great at the time so that's on the back burner. However,

293
01:21:08.640 --> 01:21:25.520
if RVE is willing to accept CME's plans, we can go out to bid for that once our funding is correct. >> And a lot of times the federal funding,

294
01:21:25.520 --> 01:21:40.480
especially if you've got the plans all done, you're you're likely to get that work uh through quickly. >> Correct. But we had to slide that down because of uh bonding issues.

295
01:21:40.480 --> 01:22:00.000
>> Okay. >> So, it's more a it's more a point of we could get this pushed through faster if we have the opportunity versus academy. >> Absolutely. Residents would be ecstatic on Corkran. >> I I realize that and they're just but

296
01:22:00.000 --> 01:22:15.600
they're just as important as the ones on academy. So it's it, you know, it's not a matter of which residents, you know, we want to make happy and which ones we want to have to push off. I just am trying to understand the um the priority, you know, what what inspired

297
01:22:15.600 --> 01:22:30.159
you to put one in front of the other. But I I get it. The plans are done for this one, so we're more likely to get funding for that one first. >> That makes sense. >> Yeah. Depending on the funding source. Correct. Right. Right.

298
01:22:30.159 --> 01:22:48.239
Anything else? >> Okay. U moving on with Mike to um so so Beth McManis sent out a memo regarding the little park on Brown Street, the

299
01:22:48.239 --> 01:23:05.199
signage and hours. This was discussed last year at the DPW meeting uh with Councilwoman Fousaro and health president Parker. uh myself and the TPW. Um but not everybody like heard the

300
01:23:05.199 --> 01:23:21.840
discussion or heard Mike Opine on his thoughts on consistency with um Morgan Park. So I'm just going to let Mike address this. >> Sure. Uh George Fu reached out to me in

301
01:23:21.840 --> 01:23:35.760
September of last year asking me the time of the park for the sign he has to make up. And I said I'll run it by the public works committee. I brought it in October

302
01:23:35.760 --> 01:23:54.880
and my recommendation was dawn to dusk. Like talk American especially on Brown Street because there's so many homes over there. You don't want people there at night. Uh, Tuck American Park has two street lights right there by the pavilion.

303
01:23:54.880 --> 01:24:11.679
There is lights at the pavilion, but it's kind of off the beaten path with the Brown Street one. It'll be right there on Brown Street. So, I would like to keep it uniform with Tuck American Park dawn to dusk,

304
01:24:11.679 --> 01:24:27.360
>> which we agreed to last year. >> That makes sense. We did talk about it on Friday at the TTW meeting with Councilman Oras and Levit. So, everybody okay with that? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Obviously, George never communicated that back to Beth, but that

305
01:24:27.360 --> 01:24:43.199
was on her list to him and he never responded. So, >> uh Beth reached out to me before the uh last council meeting and I told her everything uh in an email. >> Why'd you send the memo? >> Okay, never mind.

306
01:24:43.199 --> 01:24:59.360
>> She send it to him. Anything else for Mike while we've got Mike? We're all good. Thank you, Mr. Campion. >> Thank you, Mike. Have a good night. >> You're welcome. Please call me. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Bye-bye.

307
01:24:59.360 --> 01:25:20.000
>> Um, okay. So, we're on the approval of minutes, regular session, April 27, 2026. I have a motion, please. Is there a second? >> All in favor? >> I

308
01:25:20.000 --> 01:25:37.120
>> Any abstensions or >> second? >> Uh consent agenda. Resolution 2026-90 resolution approving a refund for the redemption of the tax sale certificate on block 35, lot 74.25. Resolution 2026-91,

309
01:25:37.120 --> 01:25:53.960
resolution approving a refund for the redemption of tax sale certificate on block 10, lot 21. Resolution 202692, resolution approving the refund for the reduction of tax sale certificate on block 35, lot 1725.

310
01:25:54.639 --> 01:26:10.159
Carla, where do these two the resolutions for the boy scouts? They're not on here. >> They're proclamations. >> Proclamations. Okay. >> Yes. >> Um, can I have uh anybody want any of these for a separate vote? Seeing none, can I have a motion to

311
01:26:10.159 --> 01:26:26.320
approve the consent agenda? Sorry. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Roll vote, please. Councilman Aries, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Inglehart, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fard, >> yes. >> Sorry. Councilwoman Herbert, >> yes. >> Councilman Levit,

312
01:26:26.320 --> 01:26:42.320
>> yes. >> Council President Parker, >> yes. >> Do you want to amend the agenda to add the proclamations now? >> Um, yeah. Can I have a Can I >> before the public hearing? >> Yeah. I have a motion to amend the agenda to add two proclamations to the

313
01:26:42.320 --> 01:26:59.440
brick house. >> Is there a second? >> Angler will second. >> All in favor? >> I have a motion to approve the two proclamations for these two uh scouts becoming Eagle Scouts. Is there a second?

314
01:26:59.440 --> 01:27:14.159
>> I'll second. >> Uh roll call, please. >> Councilman Eris, >> yes. >> Council Vice President Agelhart, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fesara, >> yes. Councilwoman Herbert, >> yes. >> Council Levit, >> yes. >> Council President Bark,

315
01:27:14.159 --> 01:27:33.639
>> yes. >> Um, we don't have any in any ordinances being introduced. We do have public hearing on the budget. If uh our CFO wants to come out. >> Billy

316
01:27:35.840 --> 01:27:58.159
Bill. >> Okay. So, I just want to read some budget points like I do every year and then we'll have go make a couple comments. will open us up to the public and see what happens. Um, okay. So, the 2026 budget did not increase our tax

317
01:27:58.159 --> 01:28:13.600
rate, uh, and through careful and conservative operational spending, pay down debt by $390,800 or 3.93% of our borrow debt. The 2026 budget decreases the tax rate by 1.43% while still permitting the bureaus to

318
01:28:13.600 --> 01:28:29.520
continue to aggressively address our debt issue. The municipal tax per 100,000 of assessed value is1 million 37 I'm sorry $1,3748 or a 33.7 increase from 2022 based on the value of

319
01:28:29.520 --> 01:28:45.040
the average house in Flemington. This equates to about $1,144 sorry $1,1442 increase. Several major cost categories went up worth noting including another large increase in the cost of public health insurance. The 2026 budget is

320
01:28:45.040 --> 01:29:04.480
783,000 more than the 2025 budget. The majority of this amount could be explained by insurance increases $331,600 and grants received $33,16857 which has to show as increase even though it's a good thing. This budget

321
01:29:04.480 --> 01:29:19.679
aggressively replenishes the capital fund which had been depleted from 600,000 in 2019 down to 93,000 in 2023. By the end of 2026, the bureau should have approximately $458,000 in our capital fund. And that includes

322
01:29:19.679 --> 01:29:34.639
buying, you know, those two fire trucks, which we paid right out of cash. Um, this budget aggressively pays down principle on financing notes in the amount of $288,000 over the next three years, avoiding costly and wasteful interest payments. The bureau avoids

323
01:29:34.639 --> 01:29:51.679
paying over 12,000 in interest payments. This budget continues to keep the burough on a track of financial soundness and positions us to pay off debt and plan for future capital projects such as completing the main street project, fixing the wet weather facility, academy street, finishing the new police facility, and at least one

324
01:29:51.679 --> 01:30:06.719
additional well while doing so with the stable and predictable financial environment. The budget brings our surplus to just over 2,217,000. It is the highest it has ever been in the history of the bureau and close to the amount recommended by our auditor.

325
01:30:06.719 --> 01:30:24.800
25% of our budget total or 2.2 7 million. So we're literally we're literally $100,000 short of what our auditor wants as well as where our bond reading company would like to see us. With anticipated pilot funds from the hotel project starting in 2026,

326
01:30:24.800 --> 01:30:42.080
income from cannabis licenses and pilot payments in the future from Liberty Village. We look forward to a future which allows us to structure a flat budget with no tax increases for several more years. So, Bill, what do you want to add to that? >> Um, just that, you know, I've been

327
01:30:42.080 --> 01:30:57.679
working with Council President Parker to uh try to get some options for us for the medical insurance um and hopefully bring that number down. And >> that would be grand. Yes, >> for grand. Hundreds of grand.

328
01:30:57.679 --> 01:31:12.639
>> I don't know how quickly we can do that. Um, but hopefully by by the fourth quarter of this year, we'll have something we think in place. >> So, yeah, >> great. >> That's the plan. >> I just want to say thank you. You worked really hard for us this year as you do

329
01:31:12.639 --> 01:31:29.360
every year, but um finding finding ways are getting to be such a struggle and you know, inflation this year is just it's it's going to be a hard year. And I also want to thank all the department heads for really, you know, getting it and and tightening their belts too with

330
01:31:29.360 --> 01:31:45.600
all the cost of everything that's going up. So, um, saying all that, can I have a motion to open this to the public? >> Angelart will move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Anybody wishing to

331
01:31:45.600 --> 01:32:06.000
comment on the budget? Raise your hand. Unless you're here in the public. >> No. No questions at all. Okay. Can I have a motion to close the budget to the public? >> There a second. >> Angelart will second. >> All in favor?

332
01:32:06.000 --> 01:32:22.000
>> I. >> Can I have a motion to adopt the 2026 budget? Love, >> is there a second? >> Angelhart will second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call, please. >> Councilman Rice,

333
01:32:22.000 --> 01:32:37.520
>> yes. >> Council Vice President Angelhart, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Placara, >> yes. Councilwoman Herbert, >> yes. >> Counciloman, >> yes. >> Council President Parker, >> yes. So my question to all of you is

334
01:32:37.520 --> 01:32:54.239
while Bill is still here um is the capital budget can be introduced you know like the next meeting but I think we want to have a work session on that or we can do it we can do the work session in our our first meeting in June and maybe introduce the capital budget

335
01:32:54.239 --> 01:33:11.920
at the end of June Bill or we could have a special meeting to do the work session. >> I I we we definitely want to do a work session. I don't want to do this like we did >> No. Do you want do you want to do it as a special meeting? Wait till the first meeting and figure out. >> Okay. So, first meeting June bill will

336
01:33:11.920 --> 01:33:27.920
be the work session on the capital budget. Hopefully, we can introduce it. >> Well, before before we I I agree with that for sure. I'm assuming you're going to be giving us some sort of draft prior to June 9th. >> 8 July 8th. I'm sorry I misspe. >> June 8th.

337
01:33:27.920 --> 01:33:42.560
>> Right. So then we'll have time. >> That's what I'm saying. We need time to finally go over. You're supposed to just get Yeah. >> Well, it's it's mostly the the projects that you've already seen. >> All right. So, we just need >> Do you want my He do you want my

338
01:33:42.560 --> 01:34:00.000
champion in here? >> I mean, they're mostly his projects. >> If you have questions on the specifics of >> I mean, I I I I think it's helpful to understand a couple things. I mean, I I asked you to do one more thing for us.

339
01:34:00.000 --> 01:34:17.199
um in terms of what we have in funding and the hope it so that everybody has a clear picture of what we're going into. Um so once we have all of that information and we have Mike's priority but we can have a discussion I think that's where we work. So I appreciate Bill thank you thank you I know you and

340
01:34:17.199 --> 01:34:32.719
I have worked pretty closely but thank you I appreciate your indulgence. So, work session 28. >> Yes. >> Yeah. But if Bill needs more time, Bill, we'll let like we're putting this on Bill. If you need more time, >> he'll tell me either way. >> Okay. That's why that's why I asked the

341
01:34:32.719 --> 01:35:00.400
question. I I I didn't want to. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, Bill's driving the ship, so >> that was good though. >> All right. Um, while here we have the resolution 202693,

342
01:35:00.400 --> 01:35:17.679
the 2026 salary resolution. Uh there's those that don't know, we do this every year and just uh salaries with inflation and contracts and whatever. These are ranges um that our employees live within, but they are adjusted annually.

343
01:35:17.679 --> 01:35:34.639
And I have a motion, please. Sorry. No. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Roll call, please. Councilman Rice, >> yes. >> Council Vice President, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Fara, >> yes. Councilwoman Harper. >> Yes.

344
01:35:34.639 --> 01:35:53.360
>> Councilman Le. >> Yes. >> And Council President Parker. >> Yes. >> Okay. You are free to go. >> I know, right? >> Um and then we have uh public commentation number two. Is there anybody on? >> Nope. Just Chris.

345
01:35:53.360 --> 01:36:12.159
>> Oh, are we on? Okay. Um All right. Um, seeing no comments. Moving on to number 15, payment of bills. Authorizing payment of bills in the amount of 3,621,265.50. I can do these big numbers. I was all over myself on the spot on. Can I have a

346
01:36:12.159 --> 01:36:27.840
motion please? >> Ankleart will move. >> Is there a second? Second. Roll call, please. Counciloman Rice, >> yes. C woman, uh, Vice President. >> Yes. Councilwoman Fara, >> yes.

347
01:36:27.840 --> 01:36:42.880
>> Councilwoman Herbert, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> We do have an executive session um or contract negotiation redevelopment kept Cardinal. Can I have a motion to amend

348
01:36:42.880 --> 01:36:58.800
this executive session agenda to add Liberty Village? >> And will move. >> Is there a second? Well, Carla, >> we took it off before. Now we're put >> Oh, yeah. I know. I know. Yeah, but we we mentioned it. >> Is there a second? >> Second.

349
01:36:58.800 --> 01:37:15.920
>> All in favor? >> Trent seconded. Can I have a motion to move into executive session, please? >> Is there a second? >> Har second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> like like a five minute break or less,

350
01:37:15.920 --> 01:37:41.400
please. Wait who's >> a motion to >> vote? >> There's a second. >> Parker. >> All in favor? >> I