City Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, mayor. I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Elwood Park Mayor and Council for November 13, 2025 to order at 7:01 p.m. From roll call, we have council members Folo here. Golette here, Samson present. Sheridan here. Tracy here. Council President Peller Green here. Mayor Kleti here. We have a quorum.

Thank you, Chenet. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Um let's get started with our prayer and frank salute. [clears throat] Oh God our father, we ask you to bless our meeting which we entrust to your fatherly care and protection. Please remove all selfishness and prejudice from our hearts and implant therein a keen sense of justice and a greater love for you and our neighbors. guide us in our deliberation so that our decisions will always please you and bring your peace and happiness to our community. Amen.

I pledge allegiance 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. [clears throat]

Whereas chapter 231 of the public laws of the state of New Jersey requirement require [clears throat] at the commencement of every meeting a statement of compliance be read by the presiding officer. Now therefore be advised that the meeting requirements for this meeting have been met by publishing a special special notice in the record and Herald News and by posting such notice in the office of the burough clerk also as well as in a public place within the municipal building and by notifying interested citizens. Said notice was posted and transmitted on October 12th, 2025 and published on October 17, 2025. [clears throat] Okay, we have ordinances on first reading resolution R-334-25 introduce ordinance number 25-31 on first reading be it resolved that an ordinance entitled bond ordinance to authorize the undertaking of storm and sanitary sewer improvements at various locations and by and for the burrow of Elwood Park and the county of Bergen, New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $400,000 to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment, to authorize the issuance of bonds, to finance such appropriation, and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds be passed and adopted on first reading. And be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard, at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being and she is hereby authorized to advertise an illegal newspaper in a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

May I have a motion on the ordinance? Second. Any discussion? Call the roll, please. First by council president, second by Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have council members. Yes. Golbeck. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Choice, yes. Council President Pelgraine. Yes.

Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-335-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-32 on first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-35.6 handicap parking and municipal parks to add to Cherry Hill Park be passed and adopted our first reading. And be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard, at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being and she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

May I have a motion on the ordinance? So move. Any discussion? Call the role, please. First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilwoman Sheridan. On roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Colbec. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Choicey, yes. Council president, yes. Motion carries.

Next, we have resolution R-336-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-33 on first reading. May it resolve that an ordinance entitled an ordinance enacting burough code section 20-5 use of personal recreation transport vehicles on burough turf fields to address turf field safety and maintenance be passed and adopted on first reading and be resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday December 18th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. where as soon thereafter as same can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being she is hereby authorized to advertise in the legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

May I have a motion? So move discussion. Call the role please. First by council president. Second by councilman Folo. On roll call we have council members. Yes. Golc. Yes. Samson. Yes. Sheridan. Yes. Troy. Yes. Council President Peller Green. Yes. Motion carries.

Next we have resolution R-337-25. Introduce ordinance number 25-34 first reading. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 16-1.2 two, lawns and shrubs height restrictions and 16-1.3 failure to maintain lawns and shrubs to address private tree hazard remediation by the burrow be passed and adopted on first reading and be it resolved that a final hearing on said ordinance will be heard in the municipal building on Thursday December 18th 2025 at 7:00 p.m. where soon thereafter a same can be heard at which time any persons interested in said ordinance can be heard. Be it further resolved that the burough clerk being and she is hereby authorized to advertise in a legal newspaper a notice of introduction and final hearing as required by law.

May I have a motion on the ordinance? So move second.

Um Mr. Full this is um to put some more teeth into our existing ordinance. So right now um you're you're you have an ordinance that doesn't have the ability for the burrow to remediate trees and then charge the uh property owner. You have the ability to do that with regard to cutting shrubs, cutting grass, removing debris. Um you have a separate shade tree ordinance uh imposing restrictions, but that doesn't have any teeth to it uh in terms of the burrow being able to do the work and then impose a lean. So this would give you the ability to go in after having given notice that the tree is in violation, it's dead, it's dying, diseased, etc. Um where eventually you reach the point where the burrow would do the work itself and impose a tax lean on the property for the work that it is uh conducting.

So basically we have an ordinance in place that does handle that, but this is uh embellishing it. You you have an ordinance that that handles restrictions in terms of dealing with dying trees, dead trees, hazard trees they're called, but you don't have any any teeth of what happens when the property owner ignores that requirement and doesn't fix the issue. This gives you the same ability that you have currently with respect to people not cutting their grass, people not um you know cleaning up debris on their property, having overgrown shrubs, uh goes the next step of also allowing the burrow to take the the the um uh step of removing the tree um and then imposing the cost on that on the property owner via tax lane.

So if the owner is ignoring it, this will expedite the process for the for the burrow. Yes, there there's a concern that that there is at least one property in town, I think that was the impetus for this that um has a tree that that is viewed as a hazard. They've been put on notice that it needs to be corrected. Uh they haven't done that. They've also failed to, you know, cut the grass, etc., which is something the burrow is already moving forward with addressing. Um however, if they don't address the tree, the hazard just continues remaining there, and then it's viewed as a liability issue. Um and this would give us the ability to go in then and fix that and and charge them for it. Okay. Uh, any discussion? Call the role, please.

First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilman Samson. On roll call, we have council members Folo. Yes. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peline, yes.

Motion carries. [clears throat] Moving on to our ordinances. On second reading, we have resolution R-338-25. introduce ordinance number 25-24 on second reading where is a public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending burough code section 4-34.2 2 license required fees expiration to revise towing license distribution was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday October 16th 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given the opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore it be resolved by the mayor and council of the brow of Elwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending burough code section 4-34.2 Two, license required, fees expiration to revise towing license distribution pass on final reading.

May I have a motion to open to the public? Some move. Anyone from the public? We got our two. Yes. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance or no? If not, I'll close the public portion. You You'll have to come forward. We can't Well, come to the mic there. back there doesn't do us any good. She wants to talk about the trees. She'll have to do it during public comment because we only introduced that ordinance. She wants to talk about the last ordinance, right? Which was only introd What ordinance or do you want to speak about uh the trees? The trees you were just talking about.

That's gone. That's come and gone. So, what you're going to have to do is when we open this to the public at the end of the meeting again, then you can make your statement. Okay. Great. Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks. Anyone else care to speak on this ordinance? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? Second. Call the roll, please. Okay. First by council president Paligine, second by Councilman Folo. A roll call. We have council members Folo. Yes. Golabbeg, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Choicey, yes. Council President Pellerine,

yes. Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-339-25 introduce ordinance number 25-25 on second reading whereas the public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code section 4-15 amusement parks to allow for designation of parkway lanes for amusement games was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday, October 16th, 2025. and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting. And whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be resolved by the mayor and council of the bur of Elwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code section 4-15 amusement parks to allow for designation of parkway lanes for amusement games pass on final reading.

May I have a motion to open to the public? Some second. Anyone from the public here to speak on this? Then I will close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? So move. Second. Call the role, please. First by Council President Pellegrine. Second by Councilman Folo. A roll call. We have council members Folo. Yes. Golbeck. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Peller Green, yes.

Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-340-25 introduce ordinance number 25-26 on second reading whereas the public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting burough code section 7-32 electric scooter regulations to address electric scooter use was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday October 16th 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in set ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now, therefore, it be it resolved by the mayor council of the bureau of Elwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance adopting Burough Code section 7-32, electric scooter regulations to address electric scooter use, pass on final reading.

Motion to open to the public. So, move. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance alone? If not, I'll close the public portion. Call the roll, please. Uh, can it motion? We need a motion first. Yes. I'm sorry. Motion, please. Second. Yes. Got one. Okay. First by Council President Peligine. Second by Councilwoman Sheridan. On roll call, we have Council Members Viso. Yes. Golc. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Choy, yes. Council President Peline, yes.

Motion carries. Next we have resolution R-341-25 introduced ordinance number 25-27 on second reading whereas a public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-20 stop intersections to add intersection on Van Riper Avenue was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday October 16th 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance would be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now, therefore, it be resolved by the mayor and council of the Burlwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-20 stop intersections to add intersections on Ben Riper Avenue pass on final reading.

Motion to open to the public. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? Some move. Second. Call the roll, please. First by Council President Pel Green. Second by Councilman Samson. On roll call, we have council members Fisolo. Yes. Golbeck, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Chisy, yes. Council President Pellegrine, yes.

Motion carries. Next, we have resolution R-342-25. introduce ordinance number 25-28 on second reading. Whereas a public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-7 construction zone traffic controls for street and highway construction and maintenance operation and adoption of manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways to address contractor compliance was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday, October 16th, 2025. and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting. And whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be resolved by the mayor council of the burough of Elwood Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-7 construction zone traffic controls for street and highway construction and maintenance operation and adoption of manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways to address contractor compliance. pass on final reading

motions to open to the public. Some move second. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance and this ordinance alone? If not, I will close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? Second. Call the role, please. First by Council President Pel Green, second by Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have council members Foso. Yes. Colbec. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Pellegrain. Yes. Motion carries.

Next we have resolution R-343-25 introduce ordinance number 25-29 on second reading. Whereas the public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-13.1 parking prohibited at all times on certain streets to allow additional limit parking on 16th Avenue pending school construction through October 1st 2026 was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday October 16th 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given the opportunity to be heard concerning the same now therefore resolved by the mayor and council of the B of Emma Park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-13.1 parking prohibited at all times on certain streets to allow additional limited parking on 16th Avenue pending school construction through October 1st, 2026. Pass on final reading.

Motion to open to the public. So move second. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? So move second. Call the role, please. First by Council President Pel Green. Second by Councilman Folo. On roll call, we have Council members Folo. Yes. Golc. Yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan, yes. Troy, yes. Council President Pel Green, yes. Motion carries.

Next, we have resolution R-344-25. introduce ordinance number 25-30 on second reading. Whereas a public notice has been given by the burough clerk that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-10.1 stopping or standing prohibited at all times on certain streets was introduced and passed at a meeting held on Thursday, October 16th, 2025 and that further consideration of this ordinance will be taken up at this meeting and whereas all persons interested in said ordinance were given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same. Now therefore, it be it resolved by the mayor, council of the brave and park that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending section 7-10.1 stopping or standing prohibited at all times on certain streets pass on final reading.

Motion to open to the public. Anyone from the public here to speak on this ordinance? If not, I'll close the public portion. May I have a motion to adopt the ordinance? So move. Second. Call the role, please. First by Council President Peline. Second by Councilman Samson. On roll call we have council members Fullo. Yes. Golibbec. Yes. Samson. Yes. Sheridan. Yes. Troy. Yes. Council President Pellegrine. Yes. Motion carries.

Just take a sip. Okay. Moving on to our consent agenda. Thanks. We have the following resolutions. Resolution R-345-25, approval of payroll. R-346-25, approval of bills list. R-347-25, capital budget amendment. R-348-25, authorized vacation buyback. R-349-25 award proposal for professional services alignment group for the Burough Park phase 2 improvements. R-350-25 authorized current estimate number three change order number three 2023 CDBG road improvements R-351-25 authorized payment estimate number two change order number one 2024 Burough road program R-352-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment R-353-25 resolution to refund tax overpayment R-354-25 authorized retirement compensation Police Department R-355-25 approval of transfers. R-356-25 approve Elwood Park Fire Department stipen program thirdarter compensation. R-357-25 approve the 2025 fire department clothing allowance. R-358-25 authorized execution of contract with Bergen County Department of Health Services, EAP. R-359-25 Award of B bid recreation bleachers. R-360-25 authorized voiding of steel checks. R-361-25 appointment of Elwood Park Emergency Ambulance Service Medical Director as provided by NJAC 841-1.1 for EMS/BLS

qualifications. R-362-25 resolution authorizing the endorsement of a treatment works approval permit application for the construction of certain sanitary sewer facilities and improvements related to the de development of property located at 401-47 Route 46 R-363-25 a resolution of the B of Elmwood Park Bergen County New Jersey supporting Revolution New Jersey R-364-25 appointment of special officer officers R-365-25 approved block party request R-366-25 appointment of firefighters and R-367-25 resignation of firefighters and R-368-25 resolution to approve the consent agenda.

May I have a motion on the consent agenda? Second. Any discussion? I just like to say in reference to the Revolutionary War, uh this uh this state is very rich with history regarding the Revolutionary War and for it to be emphasized and I believe Jerry Mhler from Epic will be heading some different events. Uh I think it's uh very good that we all jumped on board and and uh realized the rich richness of our state of New Jersey when it came to the Revolutionary War. Any further discussion? If not, call the role, please.

Okay. First by Council President Pel Green, second by Councilwoman Sheridan. On roll call, we have council members. Yes. I'm going to recuse on R- 356, 357, 366, and 367. I'm going to abstain on 349-25. And I'm going to say yes to the rest. Okay. Golbeck, yes. Samson, yes. Sheridan,

um, yes. I am going to on the R34925. Yes. Everything else. Okay. Tracy,

I'm going to recuse from R-349-25, R-356-25, R-357-25, R-366-25, and R-367-25. Yes, for the rest. Okay. Council President Peligraine. Yes. Okay. Uh, Mayor Kleti, believe I'm going to need you to vote on resolution R- 349-25. And what we're going to have to do, I have three um, recusals or and one abstinction. Okay. Whatever. And then three. Yes. I need one more. So, I need you to

I get the vote is what you're saying, right? Yes. It's tied. No, it's one extension. Are you abstaining? Are you okay? Okay, there's no tie. Okay, motion carries. I tried.

Next, we have departmental reports. We have the board of health meeting minutes for September 8th, library board meeting minutes for July 21st and September 15th, and the zoning board meeting minutes from September 24th, 2025. Motion to accept the uh reports. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? All in favor? Okay, mayor. This concludes my portion of the meeting. I'll turn it over to you for council reports. Bravo. That was a long Thanks.

council reports. Mr. Folo. Yes, Mayor. I just want to uh thank everybody for um you know the for the election. Um I commend everybody who was who has the courage to really throw their hat in the ring uh for these elections. Public service uh is a it's thankless and it's you put yourself through the ringer sometimes uh for public service. So, um, thank you for running, uh, Doug and, uh, Dan. Uh, congratulate Councilman Elect Oswald, um, and progress mayor. And I also agree with you on the, uh, the Revolution New Jersey, uh, project, uh, as a history teacher. It's it, you know, it's great for the 250 year, and I'm I'm excited to see all the events that are upcoming.

Yeah. You know, it's people don't realize how crucial this state was during that Revolutionary War. Absolutely. and that you could spend a year going to all different uh battlegrounds and historical sites and it was it's just one great history and it's good that we are going to be involved with it. Absolutely. Mr. Goombbeck.

Thank you, Mayor. Um, I too want to congratulate uh, Councilman Foso on his re-election, Councilman elect Joseph Oswald on joining the council. Um, I am very confident that Elwood Park is in good hands with these two gentlemen uh, being on the council uh, in January. Um, and I'm also uh, very pleased um, that we had such a tremendous turnout in Elwood Park. Typically non-presidential election years have between four and 5,000 people voting. I think we're at 6,200, which would be uh a high um probably a 20-year high for non-presidential elections, which just shows that, you know, the the the interest is in is there. People are paying attention to Burough Hall. People are paying attention to Trenton, and they're paying attention to Washington. So, I think that's a great thing and very very encouraging. Thank you, Mayor.

Councilman Samson. Good evening, Mayor. It's uh good to see you back. Uh glad you're with us tonight. Thank you. Nice to be with you.

Uh Veterans Day services were held uh this past Tuesday in the bitter cold. We started out at St. Leo's. Uh the the kids are very involved there and St. Leo's has a great program for the kids. U their their chorus, their their choir or whatever. It's very uh they're really at it. They're really sharp. It was good to see them. They're very interested. And then we went out across the street and like I said, it was cold and snowy. Mr. Galbec and uh council president and uh councilwoman Sheridan and Troy were there. It was it was really cold but uh we got it done. Thank you to to our veterans uh because they forged a way for us sitting here today having our uh our democracy at action. Uh I was at the planning board meeting last night. We approved two new businesses on Market Street. It's going to be a uh juice bar and a barber shop up right next to the monument where we were on that side of the street. It was all It was Steve's barber shop years ago and I believe he took ill and uh went out of business. Excuse me. So, we're going to add two businesses there. Uh they're going to spruce up that building a little bit on the inside and make it look good. I'm personally looking forward to uh League of Municipalities and the uh information in classes available. I've already been uh perusing the agenda to see uh what's of interest, what I think is really going to be be important as I uh make my way through this experience. Excuse me. My outside activities a Elmer Park AP meeting uh ARP club met this afternoon. Chief Lieutenant Woods, I I can't thank you enough. We thank you there. We got you a round of applause. uh Elma Park police um appeared the chief, the lieutenant and captain Kemp and gave uh passed along a lot of important information to our seniors and also advised them about um community policing initiatives that are available to them. It was very informative.

Uh attended the homeowners donation at St. Leo's last week. Linda doing a great job doing helping out uh our local causes and uh that was good over at St. Leos. Uh, glad to see the forecast is favorable for our car show on Sunday. Uh, I have two cars registered. Mine and my my wife's both going to be there. Look forward to seeing everybody else there. It's free admission. Uh, Joe, I know you're going to do a good job working with the police. Uh, the chamber in conjunction with the police are running that program. Our next Elk Sunday breakfast is set for 11:30, November 30th, right over here at starting at 8:00. and uh just on the um the revolutionary thread. This area, this specific area was rich with the uh Continental Army and um just over down River Drive in Garfield's Post Ford and that's where um George Washington crossed the Pac River. There's a monument there. Uh it's been there forever. They spruced it up. They made it look a little bit nicer when they had some improvements along River Drive, but I'm sure they were in Elma. Well, Dundee Lake. I'm sure they were in Dundee Lake camped out in this whole area.

Are you talking about the uh the bridge going from Wallington to Bake? No, sir. By Wawa by Wawa. By by Wawwa. Yeah. [clears throat] Okay. Right. Yeah. When you're finished, I'll tell you about that bridge going from the Gregory Avenue bridge going from Wallington to Pake. I'm sorry. That's fine. No, that's fine. uh wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Have a healthy and happy uh holiday. Mayor, as you can see, tremendous progress as burrow is moving forward and I'm proud to be part of it. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman. Just to piggyback on what you were saying. Also, it's and it's unknown and I don't as a history teacher probably it would be good to investigate that Gregory Avenue metal bridge that takes you from Wington into Bake the Armory used to be right there. Well, there was a wooden bridge there at one point and when Washington was retreating from Fort Lee, he had to go through Hackinack and there was a bridge there that was important also. Uh but had he got caught in between the Hackinack River and the Bake River and then and get it get over that Bake River into Bake and then eventually went south to Newark that would have been all over for the Revolutionary War right there and and then and there's a plaque there that's that states what I'm saying also. And also on that bluff there's a there's a plaque that says here lies the grandson tree where Washington took command of the Continental Army. Now I never proof check that but why would they have a plaque there saying that. So that area is very historical too. Very historical. Got some historians here. Huh. Moving along. Councilwoman Sheridan. Thank you, mayor. Um, getting back to what um, Councilman uh, Eric said, um, getting back to Veterans Day, um, I want to thank, um, Mr. Schultz, the, uh, principal over at St. Leo's. Um, he went above and beyond with the kids. The kids were great. Um, though it did walk over. Getting back to um what you said about that we made it through a half hour of being in the snow. Just imagine

our men and women that were in the snow for and the rain and everything monsoons for more than just a half hour, 45 minutes for months, for years. So, I mean, a half hour, 45 minutes, no [clears throat] big deal compared to what they go through. And I just want to give a big thank you to um the Elwood Park color guard. They stood there. They didn't move. Everything was great. The fire department, DPW was there, and um it was a very good turnout. It's getting bigger. Um the American Legion was there, [clears throat] VFW was there. Um we're we're trying to make it a little lengthier, a little bit more, and um little by little, it's getting there. And um I just want to turn around and say um thank you to all the veterans, men, women all over United States. Um God bless you. God bless America. And um everybody hope to have a safe return and happy Thanksgiving. Thank you, Councilwoman Chroy.

I'd like to start by congratulating the um the candidates on their victory. Um Joe, if my husband had to lose to anybody, I'm glad it was you. Um I look forward to working with you. Congratulations on your re-election, Franchesco. Um again, look forward to working with the both of you. for my rec update. Uh, adult volleyball will be coming to an end on November 20th. Uh, basketball registration is extended to November 1st and the draft will be held on the 22nd and the 23rd. Practice starts on December 1st. The cost is $130 per person. The Junior Crusaders wrestling registration is open. The cost is $180 per person. Congratulations to EP Crew soccer clubs U12 and U14 for ending their seasons undefeated. Elks will be holding a hoop shoot contest on December 6th at the rec center. It begins at 9:00 a.m. No pre-registration necessary. Uh my board of ed update, board of ed update. There's a single session on November 26th and school will be in recess on the 27th and 28th. I'd also like to uh wish the residents and my colleagues a very happy uh Thanksgiving. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman. Council President Peline.

Yes. Good evening, everyone. My border health update. Last night at the free rabies clinic, 23 dogs and five cats were vaccinated. Their next regular meeting will be held on December 8th at 700 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The new Elma Park Chamber of Commerce and our Elma Park PD will be hosting the Chris Willis charity car show in loving memory of Chris Willis this Sunday, November 16th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location 41 Slater Drive, Elwood Park. free event for games, food, vendors, music, and much more. Also, the residents assistance program will have a table there if anyone wishes to donate items. Uh, it will be for the pantry, and it will be so appreciated. Their next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at 6 p.m. at our local VFW, and our LPD will be the speakers there that evening. residents assistance program update and the people's pantry will be having a special event to help those in need. This event is only for Elwood Park residents on SNAP. Must have valid SNAP ID card with you when you attend. This event will have a pancake breakfast and food distribution. This is happening this Saturday, November 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location 500 Mhola Boulevard at our recreation center. For all questions, please call 2011-7961457 extension 2015 or 2013. We just want everybody to know our program is here to help you. Community helping community truly makes a difference. My police update on November 19th and November 20th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. our Elwood Park PD will be having a food drive to help those in need in our community. All items will be donated to our pantry, the people's pantry. Location 100 Broadway and the ShopRight parking lot. Thank you to our Elwood Park PD for all you do for our

community. Thank you to our local shop right for always helping to feed those in need. We are truly blessed. The Elwood Park PD and the residents assistance program annual turkey giveaway will be held on Friday, November 21st from 12 pm to 2 pm at our recreation parking lot. Elwood Park residents, please bring ID with you. Residents will receive a free turkey or ham while supplies last. On Tuesday, I want to also say something about the Veterans Day celebration. On Tuesday, our Veterans Day, our community, we had a beautiful ceremony at our monument to thank and honor all our veterans. Also, St. Leo school had a breakfast that morning with the students to honor and thank all who served. We will never forget all the sacrifices that were made so we can enjoy freedom each and every day. God bless all who served and all who are currently serving. And God bless America. Um, we're also a military family and my son has been serving in the US Air Force for 11 years. So, I just know a little very little about all the sacrifices that are made, but I clearly see them. He's been deployed three times. And I really thank our veterans for all they do each and every day for all of us. And lastly, since we don't have another meeting before Thanksgiving, I wish all of you here and all of you at home a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. I just like to say that uh I'm very sorry that I missed the veteran ceremony the other day. Uh 250 years of our veterans allow us to sit here and speak freely and live freely. So there's what more could you say but thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations to our our winners of this year's election council Mr. Folo uh third third uh term and the long this will be the longest lasting for solo. That's right.

Right. I I served with uh with your uncle uh way back. Uh so I'm I'm sure you had some conversations with him about that. And to Mr. Oswwell, welcome. Congratulations. It's got to be very exciting to come in and win on the on the first term like that. Uh I'll say this to all new people, council people that uh if we leave our politics at that door there, we're not going to have one problem. Very, very hard to do. Very, very hard to do. But we can do it. We work together. work work with work work for the people who have charged us to do so and cooperate not against each other. And to the uh two not so successful candidates uh I want to say to Doug and to Dan that uh first time in uh it was a top of the ticket year whereas your party doesn't do well in years like this. Not taking anything away from the candidates that won, but it's a historical fact and I would not give up. I'd stay of course. With that, I believe I'm I'm finished. Um, may I have a motion to open the floor to the public?

Second. Anyone from the public here to speak on anything whatsoever? Come on up, dear. We want to welcome you. Uh give us your name and uh name is Ruby Singh in the microphone. Okay. And your address.

Good evening everyone. My name is Ruby Singh. I live on 91 Lee Street and I've been at MU Park residence. Some of you know my face since last 10 years. We moved to this house when we were expecting our second child. My kids grew up in the town. We were very happy. We were very involved with the community. The kids literally no police department here like they everybody was so happy because the officers were so involved and we we we felt like we are blessed with the town. Right. Last year my husband got the job in Philadelphia in Jefferson University as a professor. So we moved. I did not move because I still work for bio reference here. I have a proper employment here on the weekends. So I work there three days and I come here on Thursday. So Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday I'm here. So we did not sell the house. And like I said, because it's our first home, the kids grew up here. Every Friday, everybody every weekend is here. So when he moved there, the kids school moved like we moved them to last year. But on the weekends like Friday, Saturday, Sunday we are here and I'm here always. So um saying that we had uh we decided okay we have to pay the mortgage. It's tough with two kids in the school and we bought another house in South Jersey. So we decided to rent our house. We did some construction. We extended the house and we just rented one room. But somebody uh like the lady that we rented, she was she allowed uh her boyfriend or

like we did not like it that okay you cannot allow an unauthorized people in our property. So she reached out to the town and said that we rented three we rented three rooms and it's a boarding house this and that. That's fine. People complain it's fine. So I got a call from the inspector here and he was very rude first thing and he say are you using your house as a boarding house? This is something you can even investigate with the neighbors too like how many people are coming or not. But then I told him he was like okay. And I said no we are not. It's just one room. I have my my family uh family my sister living in there but it's just one room that we rented and he say I got a complaint you rented three rooms three people are living there I'm going to send the fire marshall now in your property and I say listen I'm not there nobody should enter without my presence and then later I came next week and I I explained the inspector the whole situation he seemed satisfied But then we got the notice from the fire marshall saying you you violated the code and you don't have a certificate of occupancy. We did that's one more thing we did apply for certificate of occupancy because we were planning every single thing we did in the house we are honest people every single thing we took the certification. So we were when we were planning to rent one room, we have a certificate of occupancy on that tenant. We didn't know when you switch the tenant because the lady never moved, the other one moved. So we did we overlooked looking for another certificate for a different name. But when we realized and whole this

situation happened, we asked the women to wicket our house completely. So now the situation is if somebody's making a false allegation shouldn't it be a investigation rather than getting a phone call on a personal cell phone there should be a proper investigation I can say okay my neighbor is running a drug cartel but then inspector should go and check is it actually true or not and like I said we are honest professional honest voters honest taxpayer we never do anything to violate the board. We had the certificate of occupancy. The person did not move. Another person moved. She lived one month. The minute we realized it should be based on the name of that person, we told her to leave it to empty the house because we don't want to do anything against the rule. So, I don't know what to do in this situation.

The first thing is not to panic. That's the first thing. All right. Stay relaxed and follow the laws. I'm going to give it over to our attorney and he can advise you. So I I don't know the the details of your uh complaint or the the violation that you received, but you would have received notice uh and there's a process to challenge that. Uh and it's not before this body. It'd be through the the judicial process through that. So if you dispute a violation that you received, follow up on that with the the notice that you received. Does that make sense? Got it. Got it. So my question is because this is our first time and like I said even if we change any brick in that house

we took the proper permission for that every single thing. So when I have a certificate of occupancy for let's say somebody named Adam right and Adam did not move and Eric moved so do I have to change the certifi because it's from fire department and the CEO certificate. So I I can't give you legal advice. I represent the the burrow, but um again, if you dispute something, certainly you can retain your own attorney to to seek advice in terms of what you need or if you receive a violation and you dispute that, you can you can pursue the appeal of that through that um uh process, but I can't advise you as an individual unfortunately.

Got it. Okay. And little more information, this is not the first complaint we got. Like we did the sidewalk, we took the permit, the contractor forget to put the permit on the window, the inspector sent the notice to us. It's like back to back, back to back, back to back, and at the end of the day when they do the investigation, every certification is there. So it's it's kind of a harassment. Like it's it's it's crazy. Like I never felt in this town like that. Never. It's like somebody make false allegation. We got the notice. How about you check your office files first before sending me the notification. If I took the permit for the sidewalk, it's in my my file in there. So before the inspector send me the notification. Just a suggestion. Look into your documentation. I don't have to take a day off and come here to explain that to you because like I said, everybody is busy. So, just to just to let you know like this is this is not good.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Yeah, you're displeased, but whatever we have to do to make it right, we have to do to make it right. So, I would suggest you do your end, we'll do our end, and it'll come to an amiable pass. Okay. Can I ask you two quick questions? What was your address again? 91 Lee Street. And what was the name of the person that called you? Um uh I don't even remember exactly. The inspector here. Um I have to ask my husband. I don't even remember exactly. That's the one who come for the inspection in the house. Okay.

So, and same thing like when he he did complain about the the sidewalk, we gave the certification. It was in my fi file in the town too. So it's like it just it just take extra money and not extra money like extra time and it's exhausting for anybody to follow up. Like I know I agree with mayor as a as a town office. You have to do what you have to do. You have to follow the rule because I work as administrator in the lab. I'm a lab director. I know sometimes you have to do what you have to do but at least do your own investigation before you send anything to me. rather than wasting my time, your time or anybody's time.

Thank you, dear. Your your statement is duly noted. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else here to speak from the public? We had that lady that uh wanted to speak earlier today. Still is today, right? Yeah. Yes, dear. Welcome. First of all, thank you. Thank you, Mayor.

How can we help? Rosangelo Prey from 43 Kuth Avenue, Elmo Park. Um, I was listening to the attorney before about the trees and I too had an incident where one of my neighbors has a cracking tree and now half of the limb is still on the tree and the other half is in my property. And the first thing I said, I I called my agent, my insurance agent. He goes, "It's a fine line that you have to tiptoe when it comes to insurance. But the first thing you need to do is also let the city of Elmo Park know," which I did. And um in speaking with the people at the building department, I believe it's a building department, um they said that basically I had to cut down my part of the tree, but in doing so, something will happen to his tree. uh his will probably end up snapping and falling. So when I do cut it down, I have to make sure there's nobody on the other side of the fence that could get hurt, right? Because these are all repercussions about fixing a tree limb or a tree. So I just wanted to make it known that that did happen to me recently.

Is he cooperating your neighbor with you? Um no, my neighbor um I guess he's fell on some tough times and he cannot handle it. Last year, we had another incident with trees where poison ivy was on this tree. A part of it fell on my other neighbor's house. Well, actually on the fence and then some of my trees end up getting sick because of it. It, you know, things happen like this. You work through them. You work with each other. I tried working through it um for months on end. Last time it worked out well. This time it didn't. You know, you do what you can. But with that being said, it's, you know, it's important that we all do our part.

Mr. Floyd, now can we have our inspector take a look see 43 kuth and the inspector did come to my house already and he said that basically I need to cut it down. So I will do that but ensuring that there's nobody else on the other side of the property. So if that limb does eventually come down. So who's going to cut it down? Not yourself. You're No, no. I'm going to have an outside service responsible to make sure that there's no one side and the property gets damaged and no one gets in and they're insured for that. So if you need something reach me of course will help you.

One other thing um and I must add that um the police department here is great and um you guys do so much great work but we need a little bit more action on the market street side by the CVS. It's very hard to walk there these days and if you do you should always walk with someone else. Um not so much with the people of Elmo Park. It's more the strangers that are passing by or um standing around and it is a business area so you definitely understand as to why that would happen. Um but I'm not sure what we can do but if we all stay a little bit more vigilant obviously. Um the overpass is concerning sometimes. Um, sometimes you have debris there from people hanging around there. We've seen one or two homeless people around. Of course, that's no good for them, nor for us, but like we said, we try to be decent with everybody. So, if there's a way that um maybe you guys can come around a little more.

Yeah, we'll have extra patrols uh just as a matter of what you're saying, but certainly if you see something that doesn't look right, right, please follow that so we can get out. Exactly. See something, say something. Thank you so much everyone. Have a good night. Enjoy the holidays. You too. Anyone else care to speak from the public on any subject whatsoever? Yes, sir. And who might you be?

Uh, good evening, Mayor and Council. Joseph Oswald, 34 Phip Avenue. Uh, thank you for um being here. I'm I'm glad to see you and I'm glad that you look healthy and and happy and um I'm [clears throat] very happy to um to be standing here in front of everybody as usual. Um I'll start off by saying since it has already been uh said that I am incredibly grateful to have won this election alongside Franchesco and congratulations again if I didn't already say it. Um I really really believe in basically what Mayor Kleti said that you know you leave your politics at the door. Um, you know, I I'm not up there or will not be up there to look better than anyone or to be better than anyone, but to just do better for everyone. And that's kind of my goal. And I'm really hoping and looking forward to working with you. And um, Councilwoman Traes, I apologize. I don't normally uh blush when people talk, but that was a incredibly nice compliment. And your husband was very nice as well. We we talked throughout the election. Um, you know, we have consider each other friends and he's a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Um, you know, we discovered a fire alarm in the grass together. Uh, it was we had a good time and Doug, you were you were an amazing amazing person to run against. Um, it that the whole campaign was a model for how things should be done uh for the future for other people, too. So, I'm just incredibly grateful and thankful for all of you. Um, as well as the veterans is the I can't believe that, you know, it every year we go by and we think, you know, there before the grace of God go kind of thing as as Councilwoman Pel Green kind of alluded to. Um, so I'm just thankful that we have people up here that are willing to put their time into the cold and to to stand up to to the weather to do things like that. Um, I'm not sure if it was already mentioned too, but I just wanted to say thank you to the police department. And I saw some really good pictures of the women's self-defense class. Um, you know, just seeing kids like that doing that. I can picture my daughter being there soon. Um, it

actually made my son want to do karate. And I know it's not karate, but he started doing it in the living room. So, um, uh, I also wanted to, um, mention too on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, so we are really looking forward to doing the car show. Um, you know, the weather is just going to have to hold up on us, okay? They're going to they're going to have to to back off on that weather. Um, but I just wanted to quickly mention just in case some people don't go, um, we we had a lot of sponsors. We had a lot of people that gave 50 bucks, 100 bucks, 200 bucks. A lot of local businesses joined the chamber and then gave money uh only with the note that, you know, thank you so much to our police department. You guys do such a good job for us. Um, that was Palm Cleaners that sent that note. Um, and some other people that are just really looking forward to having that uh to do. And again, I apologize if it was mentioned already. Um, but there's a a ribbon cutting that that's going to be done on the 22nd Saturday, the meet us here on Market Street. Um, I'd like to make sure that everybody knows and and we all show up for for each other and do that. Um, because, you know, it might not be healthy to have burgers and milkshakes, but it is healthy competition and is healthy to be out there with each other. Um, a couple of the really hyper local businesses that really helped out with the car show um for printing and and graphics and things like that, Ramsey Graphics over at 262 Market. Um, we have the UPS store over on Market Street as well. Um, NJ Amusements, if you all remember, um, uh, fireman Chris Gilmore, uh, his business is providing inflatables for the car show. So, there's going to be lots of really fun things for people to do. Um the Insera group through uh Councilwoman uh Peligine uh was very very um key in making sure we didn't have to spend too much money and they donated um 500 sets of food, burgers, dogs, relish, ketchup, everything so the police have something to to cook for everyone. Uh America Dream Home Loans, AD carux. Uh these are people who do for the people in Elwood Park. They're they work with everybody here. These are people we know and I'm just really proud that we get to work

with um some of them. Um, we will have a couple of our celebrity judges. Um, the vice president of the chamber of commerce, Glenn Pedagano. Um, husband of our chamber liaison, Peter Peligine. Uh, it will be a judge as well. Uh, Joe Grotto, Janiro Rojos. Um, and then we'll have a fifth judge to be decided. Um, so we're really looking forward to all of that and we're very much looking forward to continuing these kinds of things going into the future, including uh doing a uh scavenger hunt for the last two weeks of this month to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Uh we've got some prizes that have been committed. So we're going to have a flyer and the event uh out on the 15th. So it'll run for 2 weeks. And all you have to do is go to any business in Elwood Park. Any business. Go to the dentist office. Go anywhere. Take a selfie in front of their sign, take a picture of your receipt with no revealing information and send it to the chamber's email address. Boom. You've been entered in for one of these prizes. No purchase necessary. So this is not a raffle. I don't want the clerk to get on me on that. Is not a raffle. I promise. Um, we are just giving things away and they've all been donated by members of the chamber. So, uh, we appreciate that. Um, some of the prizes include $150 gift certificate, Talente, uh, personal training session at Warrior Goddess, a free house wash from Bergen Softwash, and um, there are there's one more prize that I'm Oh, a TV, a nice big TV. So, um, I encourage everybody to shop local. Continue to buy your stuff in Woodwood Park. There's almost nothing you can't get here. And uh if there there's something you think you can't get, contact the Chamber of Commerce. We are putting together a business directory. Um I do apologize again, clerk, I know when you saw that open request, you probably but no, I just I'm just putting together a business directory. I promise it's nothing serious. Um but it worked in uh a town that I work for. Um and it's really helpful to encourage businesses and for us to reach out to them to join the chamber, to go to our events, to support our charities. And um I hope I didn't forget anything, but I just wanted to say thank you again. You

guys are doing a great job. Mayor doing a fantastic job. Chief Kyle, everybody's doing great. And uh thank you so much. Anyone else care to speak from the public? [laughter] If not, I'll close the public portion. Uh do we have an executive? No. So I guess that's this party's over. May I have a motion to adjurnn? So move second. All in favor? I. Thank you. Happy holidays.