Council - Regular Meeting

Hey,

[snorts] I'd like to call this December final council meeting of 25 to order. Would everybody please rise for a moment of silence and let's remember all those who passed away during the month. very much. Please salute the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Mr. Dylan, you want to do roll call, please? Mr. Peza. Uh, Miss Cullen, here. Miss Rodriguez here. Mr. Cousins here. Miss Big here. Mr. Johnson, he's on his way. Mr. Here,

here. And Mr. Pez has said he's going to be a few minutes late. So, at this time, it's always an honor to welcome uh Rosemary Migon Studsky, who comes here every year to sing to everybody at home and to council to end our yearly meeting with some Christmas carol. Christmas is coming. The goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in. If you haven't got a penny, a half penny will do. If you haven't got a half penny, well, I guess we're just rounding it up, aren't we? [laughter]

Thank God bless you. Thank you so much once again for inviting me. This is a highlight of my end of the year and I always appreciate coming and because I love to sing and I love people to sing with me. So please sing loudly. Our very first song when you walked into this building you saw beautiful decorations. They truly do deck the halls. Deck the holes with bells of holly la the season to be jolly. Fawn we now are gay apparel la the ancient time peril. See the amazing you before us la. Strike the harp and join the chorus la. Follow me in mer. I tell you treasure la. Fast away the old year passes la. Hail the new year lads and lasses. Fa la. Sing we joyous all together. Fadeless in the wind and weather. La. One of my favorite songs is Jingle Bells. But a long time ago, I found out

that this was not a song for Christmas. It was originally written for a school children to sing at Thanksgiving because they went to their grandmother's house, not in a car, but on a wagon, horses. In the olden days, you even walked. So, dashing through the snow, in the one-horse open sleigh. Over the fields we go, laughing all the way. Haha. Bells on bobtails ring. Making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and slay on a slaying song tonight. Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride. And soon Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side. The horse was lean and blank. This fortune seemed his lot. We ran into a drifted bank and there we got up. Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a onehorse open sleigh. Now, there's folks in our area that are

celebrating their own important holiday, Hanukkah. In fact, there are even Hanukkah minoras throughout the town. And I noticed there was one just on Green Lane and Rackliff Street that's glowing very beautiful with two candles on tonight. And during this time, you play a little game called the drrele game. A drrele is a small top with four sides. And whichever way the drrele falls after you spin it, you either get money, have to pay money, or go neutral. It's kind of like the casino. [laughter]

I have a little drreid. I made it out of clay. And when it's dried and ready, the drre I shall play. Oh, dre dre dre clay. And when it's dried and ready, then dre I shall play. It has a lovely body with legs so short and thin. And when my Dre's tired, it drops and then I win. Oh Dre, Dre, Dre, I made it out of clay. And when it's dried and ready, my Dre I shall play. My Dre's always playful. It loves to dance and spin. A happy game of Dre. Come play now, let's begin. Oh, Dre, Dre, Dre. I made it out of clay. And when it's dried and ready, now Dre, I shall play. Now, if you've been walking down Rackliff Street or driving down Rackliff Street, you may have noticed there's lots of houses that are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas. Now, don't worry. I'm not going to sing all 12 days of Christmas, but I have some information once again that I usually share with the everyone about what's expensive about the 12 days of Christmas this year. Well, we've got the partridge and pear tree, which is about $370. Two turtle doves, $750. Three French hens are costing about $347. But the most expensive things I personally thought it was going to be

the five golden rings from Moni Jewelry, but that's not the case. The uh the most expensive things is the labor intensive things like 10 lords of leaping, number one on the list. Then there's the seven swans. And I didn't think swans were that expensive, but evidently getting seven of them to go together and swimming must be quite the price. And then the third most expensive thing is the nine ladies dancing. Now that I believe because if you can get nine ladies dancing together, it's quite a sight. In uh Bristol, we have many nationalities and um of course my nationality is uh Italian and in the um St. Anne church which was founded by the Italian immigrants. We have traditionally sung this song since 1906.

[singing]

Red [singing] Juno. Oh bambino voto. A quando deto [singing] when Christ came down to earth that blessed [singing] Christmas night. So gayely shown the stars so beautifully bright. So gay shown the stars so beautiful bright. Near earth reposing, seen opposing over blessed Bethlehem. The brightest, largest star, sent out its rays aar to call the wise men far.

sent out its rays afar to call the wise men for now. One of the songs I always like to dedicate to those first responders, those people that work every day keeping us safe. And we're talking about those that are in the armed forces, the police, the fire police, of course, the firemen, the fire um people who keep our equipment ready and wellkept. And all those who volunteer to do that kind of work is a a big responsibility and they do it with joy and danger. So I always like to sing let there be peace on earth and I hope everyone who can be in this audience please sing with us in response to those first responders. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let [singing] there be peace on earth. The peace that was meant to be with God as our father. Brothers [singing] all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now [singing] with every step I [singing] take. Let this be my soul vow to take each moment and live each moment in peace. eternally. Let there beace on earth and [singing] let it begin with me. Now, we have someone in the audience that many people may never um have met, but I was lucky enough to meet with singing. And that's my husband, Mr. Chad Swiftky. [applause] And Chad, could you come on up and sing with me Silent Night? So you got the mic.

Okay. Silent night, [singing] holy night, [singing] all is calm, all [singing] is bright, round, mother and [singing] child, holy inant, so tend Tender and mild. [singing] Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly [singing] peace. Silent [singing] night. Holy night. Shephers quake at the [singing] sight. Glory streams from thy holy face with the dawn of [singing] redeeing grace. Jesus Lord at thy birth. Jesus [singing] Lord at thy birth. Now, one of the things that I know almost every church in Bristol will be singing on e on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day is joy to the world.

So, could we all sing together? Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king. Let every heart Prepare him room. [singing] And heaven and nature sing. And heaven and nature sing. And heaven heaven nature [singing] sing. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes [singing] the nations prove the glories of his rightousness and wonders of his [singing] love and wonders of his love and wonders wonders [singing] of his love. By the way, in case you're wondering how Cadet and I met, the St. An's choir loft.

That's how how we met. He sang with the men of harmony for many years and the one of the most famous men of harmony uh singers was Danny Deidio from Bristol. Now, Danny's gone to heaven to sing with the choir of angels, but Chad's still here and he's still singing with me. So thanks honey very much. [laughter] Divine intervention. Absolutely. So um let me think one more song.

There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Der and Blixen. What do you recall? The most famous reeer of all. Rudolph the redeer. Reeer had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it saw it, you would even say it glowed. All of the other

used to laugh and call him names. Call him names. They never let poor Rudolph join in any games. Reeer games. Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa [singing] came in your best Santa voice. Sand wolf with your NOSE SO BRIGHT. WON'T YOU GUIDE MY sleigh tonight? Then how the reeer loved him. Ever shout it out with glee. The redeer

you'll go down in history. [applause] It's one way of getting counsel all together. Huh? I love it.

We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Good tidings to you wherever you are. Good tidings of Christmas and a happy new year. We want some figgy pudding. We want some figgy pudding. We want some figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer. [singing] We won't go until we get some. We won't go until we get some. We won't go until we get some. So bring it [singing] out here. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy [singing] new year. [applause]

Thanks so [applause] much for the invitation once again this year. Have a wonderful happy Christmas and a wonderful healthy new year. Thank you. Merry Christmas. Thank you so much. Very welcome. Thank you. [applause] Happy Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Hey Jay, what do you think?

Okay, so we're going to open our meeting up. We have anybody in the public on this side want to speak on anything? Go to the podium and state your name and address. Anybody I just Anybody on this side want to go to the podium.

Good evening. My name is Craig Whitaker, 805 Rackcliff Street. Uh you can see I wasn't planning on speaking tonight, but um just quickly want to say I've been a resident of Bristol my entire life, the past 74 years, and the progress that this council has made is just undeniable. But tonight with our mayors, his last meeting, uh over the last 10 years, I've been privileged to work with different volunteer organizations for different projects in town. And I just know that people don't know, Ralph, the amount of hours that you put in behind the scenes to pull some of these projects off. So, um, on behalf of the town, I like to say thank you and moving forward, wherever you go, and it's going to be big. I wish you the best. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause]

Anybody else? So that ends public participation. AJ, you have anything? Oh, yeah.

All right. Uh, I just have a few things to go over. Uh, the emergency operations plan for the burrow has been fully updated, now complete. Uh, I'm going to send that over to council and the manager for, uh, review and adoption. Emergency evacuation plan for the municipal building also has been updated and is complete. I'm going to send that over for review. Uh emergency contact forms with uh license and inspection. We still are getting these in from businesses. Uh this assists the fire department and the police department uh if we go out there and it's after hours so we know who to call. Uh if the licenses uh LNI hasn't been out to your business and you need a copy, you can email me directly at uh emergency contact information at brislboro.com. We are now doing a site safety plan program. So, if any current businesses or work sites in town uh would like a site safety plan or review, contact me and we will come out, go over all the stuff and you get to post it in one of these uh where everyone can see it so they know some basic uh information, who to call, evacuation procedures, muster points, and all that. uh special events. We now have a special event safety requirement form. It's double-sided. That's going to get attached to the application for every year so the event coordinators know what we're requiring. Uh the Christmas parade and the tree lighting were great success. We had assistance from the Bucks County Emergency Management Office. Uh they supplied equipment for us to use. We had a camera trailer, a drone team, the

command post was here for the parade and a UTV planning and compliance. So, I spoke last month about emergency operating plans for the uh facilities in town that needed it. I now have a blanket letter and a template that I'm going to send out to all those so they can review it. if they have one in place, they can give me theirs or they can use this as a template. Uh the damage assessment assessment team that I set up is in the process of taking the classes that are required. Um this is their form that they have and you should be seeing I have to update it again. Uh

he's you on steroids. Oh my god. I have our annual report. Uh it needs to be updated. We incident today. [laughter] Thank you. He just say that's all I have. You're on top of things. I try and we appreciate it. Uh does anybody have anything or I could go right to the chief?

I just want to say that I think AJ I've had the pleasure of working with you. you are Mer on steroids, but you the energy that you bring to your position is phenomenal and the things that you're working on, people don't realize how important they are until, god forbid, you need to put one in place, like the evacuation plans, safety in the businesses and things of that nature. I saw the post about the camera trailer and the command center during the parade. Like, it's phenomenal that we have something like that in town when we have an event. And again, it keeps the residents safe and if, god forbid, there was ever an incident, they'll be glad that you took the precautionary measures that you did. So, keep up the good work and I commend you for everything you've been doing.

Thank you. I'd like to say something. Go ahead. Um, on a personal note, I I want to say to Ralph, you are going to be missed so much and we've come become really good friends and I appreciate everything you do. You're the calm before, after, and during a storm. You're articulate, you're smart, you're caring, you care about this town like no other. And you are well loved by everybody in the whole Bucks County. Thank you. The the people of Bristol have done theirelves a disservice and I need to say that.

We love you. I appreciate it. I love you. [applause]

Brian, you have any

you love I

Yeah, I just want to um actually I'm going to third what Lorraine said. Um, but also I want to um remind Mr. Dylan now that the weather is uh [snorts] with the snow if we can uh remind the guys to make sure that they get the alleyways as well as the um roads. The the guys are doing a an awesome job um with the snow plow. Um just a little reminder to make sure that they get the alleyways. Um and you know, thank you again.

My pleasure. We're going to miss you.

I also want to thank Ralph. It's been great working with him and working with him even before he became mayor. He was always very interested in this community and always helping us along as councilmen and I appreciate it. And I'm sure you'll be on to bigger and better things. But uh the other person who recently retired is Jean Williams, the former executive director of the Grundy Foundation. And I just want to mention because Gan has always worked really great with the community and always was very good with council and uh and we're going to miss him. Also, the Gundy Foundation uh donated or dedicated a exhibit room in his honor there at the uh at the library. So, if you get a chance to stop in the library, you can take a look at that. And it's a it's been good having him. The new director, Jamie Jamie, took over. I'm sure he's going to do a great job. has been in Bristol before with the theater. So now with the uh with the Grundy Foundation, I'm sure they'll continue to uh work right along with us. So want to thank the Grundy Foundation also.

Lee, you have anything? Yeah. Um just uh briefly um just to dot second and third what people were said about the mayor. Um the mayor when I became council took me right under his wing. Um There was countless conversations and just uh camaraderie and just just was always willing to listen uh to whatever I had to say and always passing along extreme knowledge and and guidance and wisdom and those words that I have here to this day that he bestowed upon me. So I'm I'm forever grateful for that and um I'm going to miss you, man. Miss you. Thank you for your time, man. I mean I appreciate that.

Eddie, you have anything? Yeah. Um, brother, [laughter] I never met such an educated, wellspoken mayor in this town like you. Thank you. Um, the next stuff that you put in place for us, I love it. Every time I get a, you know, an alert, I know what's going on. Especially being in the ward that I'm in because of the river and the flooding. everything you've done has been I I can't even find the words,

but I will miss you, but I know you did. So, just know I might be, you know me, I might be coming around and uh bugging you a little bit, but it's been a pleasure all these years I've been with you. We deserve to have you longer, but you know, at this time, maybe not now, but who knows? Maybe later. Thank you. Love you. Love you, too. Uh Chief, you have anything?

I do have a couple things. I'll do the easy ones first. So, I have an announcement for December 22nd from 300 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with our partners at Lower Bus Hospital and the Bristol Township Police Department. We're going to have a pie line out in front of the Lower Bush Hospital offer bathroom. So, people can come and they can get a pie for the holidays. We'll be giving out 750 pies. So, please come. And then [clears throat] I want to address Mayor DJ. Jake, your mic is muted. You want me to do that all over again? You have to. [laughter] They're not going to get their pie.

So, I just have a couple things. First off, on December 22nd between 3 PM and 6 PM over at the Lower Bucks Hospital, who we've been partners [snorts] with now for several years doing community um outreach and events, we're going to be giving out the Lower Bucks Hospital, the Bristol B Police Department, and the Bristol Township Police Department. We're going to be giving out pies to the community for the holidays. So, if you come off a bath road right in front of the hospital, there'll be a pie line there. We're going to give out 750 pies in three hours. So, please come get your holiday pie for Christmas. [clears throat] Secondly, I want to address the mayor. On behalf of Crystal Burough Police Department, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support over the past several years. Your commitment and steadfast belief in our mission has been in instrumental in moving our department forward. Through your leadership, we have been able to strengthen community trust, modernize our police operations, and better serve the citizens of Bristol Per. Your dedication in to ensuring our officers have the tools, training, and resources necessary to perform their duties safely, effectively has made us has made an lasting impact. Because of your vision and advocacy, our department is better equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community. Thank you for standing beside us, believing in our work, and helping us build a safer, stronger community for all. It's been an honor and a privilege, Ralph. We did things in light speed, and I feel tonight I should read some of these achievements off because people won't believe or probably don't know

what we accomplished under your leadership. So, you'll just indulge me for a minute. I like to read this list. [clears throat] Eight new police vehicles, unheard of in three years, all through grants. A brand new animal control officer van that we see driving around with Mr. Palmer in it daily, a [clears throat] new parking enforcement vehicle, a brand new Polaris ATV, and that's the all-terrain vehicle that the police use for all the events and the patrol the woods. That was with a grant. Four fully equipped BH electric police bikes that we use when the weather's warm. That was with a grant. All of our police officers have been equipped with outer carrier body armor, police vest. All officers have been equipped with brand new Glock 9 millimeter duty weapons with laser optics and new holsters. A laser optic is the red dot for anybody that doesn't know what that is.

[clears throat]

All duty rifles, patrol rifles that are in our police vehicles have been equipped with red dot optics and flashlights. And with the help of the Lower Bucks Hospital, another grant, all of our police vehicles have been equipped with GO bags first aid kits. [clears throat] For those that don't know, we participate in the SWAT team in Bucks County. We have officers on that SWAT team. The officers have from the SWAT have new SWAT equipped rifles equipped with suppressors and laser optics. Again, that's the red dot system. SWAT helmets with night vision. And we have a member of our Bucks County of the Bucks County Major Incident Response Team with all of his equipment and training. That is our newly appointed Lieutenant, Lieutenant Soda.

[clears throat]

for the schools. Continued partnership with the local school with the school board and securing the grants for officers to be present daily at our schools during the day. Active shooter training at the schools, not only with the officers, but with the staff of each school. And officer Beck is still teaching there at the elementary school and St. Marks. staff. The promotion of the first lieutenant of Bristol Burough as far back as I can find, Officer Sodto, the hiring of Karen Sylvester as police secretary to replace longtime police secretary Bridget Cullen, who retired in Jan on January 1st of this year. We also did some upgrades downstairs in the police department. All new paint throughout the department and all new carpet throughout the department. [clears throat] [snorts] Training. All full-time officers have been sent in the last three years to supervisor training. Comprehensive training and mandatory training for all officers, part-time and full-time. I attended a fivemonth course at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command Train for chiefs. You're getting close. Lieutenant Sodto completed the FBI leader trilogy training which included police supervision, police command training, and police executive training. and for the community. The initiative of the Passport Parking

app for the business district. We are still continuing to support the Bucks County co-responder program. Carnival with the Cops at St. An's Carnival every year. The Blue Christmas event that we put on for Christmas for the kids. National Night Out. The 21st Century Day Camp. First responders day at Snider Gerate and a newly launched initiative that we just did a couple months ago, the Autism Blue Envelope Project. It's a pretty long list. Yes, it is.

And we did that in light speed together. Mayor, I want to thank you for your support and your friendship and wish you all the best. Thank you. [applause] And I just want to I just want to take a minute to thank Joe. Um, you know, in my professional life, I manage 27 offices and 1500 people on the day-to-day. And when you have good people that you manage, you let your leader lead. And I believe Joe does that each and every day with this police department. And I always told him, we're in this together. I'm going to help you. I'm going to help provide you with the tools and resources and equipment that our officers need to keep the street safe. But it's your department. You are the head of that department. You are the figure head. you are the one dayto-day that these men and women look up to. So, I thank you for keeping our streets safe. We have an extremely safe community and that's because of the people that are patrolling, but also the leadership that you give them each and every day. So, thank you. Thank you. [applause]

You want me to speak now? Betty Betty has something for you. Whatever. Come on.

First of all,

I said brother [clears throat] [clears throat] um on behalf of this council, the president, the vice president, all the letter. Well, she um Mr. Dylan and all our residents, I'd like to make a proclamation of the burrow to the burrow of Bristol, Bucks County, honoring and thanking Ralph Jeppy III for serving as mayor of historic Bristol Burrow since August 8th, 2022 to January 4th, 2026. Whereas the strength and vitality of a community lie not in its geography, but in the character and actions of its people. Whereas Ralph de Jeppi III served as mayor of historic Bristolboro from August 8th, 2022nd to January 4th, 2026. And whereas Mayor Depy III served with honor and distinction, significantly enhancing the quality of life for Bristol Bar residents for many years to come. And whereas Mayor Dppy the third dedicated leadership continued until January 4th, 2026. And now therefore, be it proclaimed by Bristol Bar Council together with its residents who proudly recognize and express gratitude to Mayor Ralph DJ the third for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to Bristol Borrow duly proclaimed by Bristol Baro Council this 15th day of December. [applause]

Thank you, Betty. Um, you know, it's been an honor to be the mayor of Bristol. I said before I never intended growing up that I was ever going to be the mayor. Um, politics, you know, besides a brief attendance on the school board was never something I ever aim for. I was always the guy behind [clears throat] the scenes. Um, helping with campaigns, helping with elections, doing everything we can. But the people in front of you right here, this council, they deserve all the credit. These are the people that make everything in Bristol Barrow happen. They are the ones behind all the events, all the progress, everything that happens. It's because of their decisions and their forward thinking that the restaurants are filled, that we have boat docks, that we have new street lights, that anything that happens starts with great leadership. And I was just blessed to grow up with a great leader, somebody that said a long time ago, we either need to get involved or we need to get out. But we didn't get out. We got involved and we made a difference. And I'm proud of everything that I've done here as the mayor. I'm proud of what this council does each and every day. I'm proud of the people that are in leadership because the naysayers are always going to be louder than the people that are positive. But what's happening in this town is unheard of. We are people are jealous of Bristol Barrow. I travel all over New Jersey, Delaware, the state of Pennsylvania, and people say, "I can't wait to visit Bristol." I've been in Bristol the other day. I went to a restaurant. It's a great place. Have you lived there your whole life? I said, "Yep, and I'm never going anywhere." I worked for 6 and 1/2 years in Delaware County, and people would say to me like, "When are you moving here?" And I'm like, "Never." So, I tracked an hour to an hour and a half every day to get to work. But it was worth it. But I am proud of what is happening in this town. Um, you know, as I said, Joe, AJ, Merl, everyone that serves in the emergency management positions or even our all of our police

and fire men and women, thank you for your service. I've always said and I will continue to say, not as the mayor, but just as a resident, when you can stop what you're doing at the drop of a dime to go help someone else and save a life, you have my utmost respect and you always will. And that's why I'm still going to try and do everything I can to help unify this police uh fire department because it's needed. It's needed for the continued future of fire service in this town and for the best possible fire service we can provide to the residents because the residents of Bristol Barrow deserve it. So, thank you for what you're doing. And you know, people say to me, "Well, what are you going to do now that you're not the mayor? [laughter] This isn't my job. the $180 after the taxes and everything else doesn't even pay the the Comcast bill these days, but I'm still going to be involved. I still believe that you give back to the community where you live and you give back to those in need. I serve on the, you know, finance committee for St. Marks. I served on the Bristol Riverside Theater Board. I just recently was part of the executive leadership team for the American Heart Association. You know, giving back is what I enjoy and it's what I will continue to do just in a different role. But I'm going to have more time for myself. I'm going to have a lot less headaches. I can tell you that. I'm going to have more time to do what I love most, which is spend time with my friends and family because that's what's most important. So, I want to thank my sister, my mom, my niece who's here, and the rest of my family. Obviously, thank my dad because he always shows me the ultimate example of what it means to lead and what it means to do things the right way. You know, he said a long time ago, when you put your head on that pillow at night and you know you did what you know it's in the best interest of everybody and you made the best possible decision, that's all you can do. You can't worry about the nonsense. So, I want to wish everybody a very merry Christmas, a prosperous, healthy, and happy 2026. We are 10 days

away from the holiday and a few weeks away from a new year and I feel like 2026 is going to be an awesome year for everyone in Bristol Barrow. So, God bless and happy holidays. [applause] Okay, you have any No. Uh other than uh I think another thing uh that the mayor should take credit for is item seven on the agenda that's for you this evening. I think it's another big step forward uh for our police department.

Yeah. I just want to uh add my voice to the course of people wishing the outgoing mayor well in his future endeavors and commend him on always rep representing the town with such professionalism throughout his tenure. Thank you.

I'm sure everybody I Brendan comes I introduce him. Brendan was from the burrow and is now a solicitor and working with Pegley Carla Mandio's firm and I think we're going to be seeing more of them because starting February we were going to go to two meetings a month. The reason we went to one is because our current solicitor only can make the second Monday, but we talked to Jeff Gart and said if he can't make the first Monday, then Brendan will start filling in. So, we're hoping that we see a lot more of Brendan cuz he's a a great solicitor. Yes, he's good. Welcome. Uh, anybody have anything else? Chief, we're good.

Pardon me. I'm I'm good till we get to the agenda, then I'll make a comment on number seven. We're going to the agenda now. If nobody has anything, do you want to comment on before we vote? No, he's going to do it on You want to do it on on item seven? Yes. Okay. All right. So, I need There's no [clears throat] public participation. Anybody else want to speak? Mike, you're here to speak? Yes, please.

All right. [clears throat] Council President, mayor, council, I'd like to uh introduce myself. I'm Mike M. I'm the CEO for Laura Bucks Hospital. And we have the CNO who was also born at the hospital, Renee Stewart and, uh, family has lived in in the burrow. So, uh, being not for profofit, we converted December 30th of last year back to not for profit. And, uh, in this case, we've been, uh, having events. We did, uh, uh, we did a Halloween event, had about 500 people. This time, we're going to try to beat 500. We have 750 pies. Now, we're not talking about Donniey's pies. We're talking about actual pies. You would, you know, like Costco pies, apple pie, uh berries pies,

apple pie, lemon custard or lemon mer, coconut custard, and pumpkin. You didn't bring any tonight. Didn't bring any. Didn't bring any tonight. But we'd like to get as many people as we can. First come, first serve. Uh, we'd like to beat the 500 number to 750. And with that, I'd like to introduce Renee.

Hi. So, thank you for having us, outgoing mayor. Thank you for your service. Uh, so it will be December 22nd. It's next Monday. You'll come down to Lower Bucks Hospital right off Bath Road. Chief Morris has graciously offered to help us direct traffic. We're hopeful to have a big crowd. It really is a way for us to say thank you for allowing us to serve the community. So, it's open to all residents and uh to really bring everyone together uh as a way to celebrate the holiday season. So, we look forward to seeing everybody uh next Monday, 3 to 6. You won't even have to get out of your car. You'll just drive right through. We'll take your order and we'll bring you out a pie. That's great. Thank you. All right. Thank you for having us.

Thank you. [applause] I just want everybody at home to know how important your hospital is to the residents of Bristol Barrow because it really really means a lot to a lot of people. So, thank you. Thank you. See you Renee for keep keep them in line. Oh, I should mention that the uh the chief is participating in the fire line as well as the parks casino. If anybody else wants to hand out all right, what do you have AJ?

I have two more things on the fire association. Uh number one, we have a firefighter's jacket uh that has seen and been taken from the firehouse. We don't know when it happens. It was somewhere between Christmas and Christmas tree lighting. The jacket is black and has a huge number 50 on the back and the name Ron D'Angelus. He is our most active firefighter in Bristol. Uh if we can get that jacket back, no questions asked to firehouse. It' be much appreciated. Second thing I have been a lot of questions. The personal fire association will be bringing Santa fire truck Sunday the 21st starting at 3 p.m. That's next

next Sunday coming up 3 p.m. listener up again and we'll post that on the uh the Facebook group so you can see. The only thing I would just like to say real quick before we get in for our meeting is the burough workers did a hell of a job in town with the snow. They fought the snow from midnight on Saturday until they got done at 1:00 in the afternoon, I think, on Sunday. All through the night, they were plowing. And today, they went and started doing sidewalks and alleys. So, let's think about Sunday. They plowed all night. They worked 12 or 13 hours, didn't sleep, went home to get some sleep, and first thing this morning, they start clearing off public sidewalks, things. The first thing was to make sure it was safe for the kids to walk to school. So, be patient. The guys are out there and they're doing the best they can

and they did a great job. I believe they were after 2:30. That's possible because someone had called me and they were there. So, all right. So, uh with that, let's no more public participation. That ends that number two on the agenda.

Mr. President, like to make a motion to accept the council meeting minutes for October 13th, 2025 and November 10th, 2025. The police chief's report for November 2025. The fire chief report for November 2025. inspection report for [cough] October and November 2025. The public works report for November 2025. The HARB report for November 24th, 2025. Gilmore report dated December 2025 for November 2025 work.

Second by Migo. Questions or comments? All those in favor? Opposed? Number three on the agenda. Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to approve the adoption of 2026 municipal budgets. Second by Miss Colum. Questions or comments? All those in favor? I oppose. Mr. President, like to make a motion to approve the adoption of the ordinance establishing the tax rates for the 2026 fiscal year. Second by Mr. Cousin. questions or comments? All in favor? I

The only thing I would like to say is there's no tax increase again this year. There hasn't been a tax increase for years. Yes. All those in favor? I oppose. Number five. Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to approve adoption of the ordinance imposing assessment for the removal of garbage and refues uh within Bristol Burough for the year 2026. Second by Miss Figaro. Questions or comments? All those in favor? I oppos. Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to approve borrow solicitor to petition to court for the additional five mills for 2026 general fund budget. And again, we have not raised taxes.

Second by Mr. Cousins. Questions or comments? All those in favor? I number seven.

Mr. Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to approve the purchase of body incar camera program for police department in the amount of $278,2242.75 from Axon Enterprises Incorporated 5-year installments in the amount of $55,64855 per year through 2030. I have a second. Second by Mrs. Robert comments. The chief, I know you want to comment. Yes. I'd just like to say first off. Yeah. I'm sorry.

That the mayor, myself, and the council's been working on this project for over a year and a half now. Met with multiple vendors and really just looked at all the options and picked out the best product that I think will suit us here in Bristol, Burough. So, I'm asking that the council move forward with the purchase of Axon's body and incar camera systems without the AI upgrade. The core camera hardware will enhance transparency, evidence collection, and officer safety while avoiding additional costs, technical complexity, and potential courtroom challenges associated with AIdriven features. This approach provides the essential benefits of reliable video documentation while keeping maintenance, training, and legal risk manageable for our smart small department. [clears throat] Like I said, this has been a long project. It's our final project together and I ask your support tonight in passing this motion

so we can get this done in February. If we decided that we wanted the AI later on, is that something we could add on at a later date? Yes, you can upgrade.

I just want to I just want to briefly say that, you know, when the chief and I first talked about this, you know, there's always this question around body cameras and, you know, [clears throat] lawsuits and things of that nature, but we spoke to a couple people and good police officers want the body cameras. They want to know that they're doing a good job and we have that in our community. So that's why this was a no-brainer in moving forward with body cameras because when you have a good department and good men and women down there, they will welcome, you know, this kind of technology. So I thank the council for getting this done.

So I'm wearing two hats here, Brandon. Do I since I I'm the RDA is probably going to approve this on Friday. Do I need to abstain from voting or abstain from there? What's your recommendation? You would have seen from the RDA vote. From the RDA vote. That's correct. So, just so you know that the RDA through the casino funding, we applied for this grant uh last year and we're supposed to vote on it this Friday as our meeting and [clears throat] I've worked very hard to try to get this approved along with Greg's dad and the the rest of the RDA board how important this is to the burrow. So I can vote on those.

That's correct. Thank you. Okay. All in favor? I oppose. Number eight. Mr. President, like to make a motion to approve advertising ordinance to amend section 15-406 of the motor vehicle and traffic ordinance to allow 15minute parking in front of Bristol Wellness Pharmacy located at 247 Mil Street. Second line, Mrs. Rodriguez, questions or comments?

Just one comment that um it's something we've been working on with the pharmacy to help their elderly customers be able to go in and get what they need and come out. Um and Lee and I were on top of this for a while and Joe. So, I'm glad this is being approved because it'll help the community. So, with that, uh all in favor? I

close. So before we adjourn, I just again want to thank council for your vision and your leadership in town. It's it shows and I want to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year and we'll see you on January 5th is the swearing in of council and the new mayor. So hopefully uh we see everybody on January 5th. Yes. Can I get a motion to adjurnn by second by All right. Thank you.