Town Council Notifications - Regular Meeting

That's okay. [Applause] All right. Are we good? All right, everybody. Good evening. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided through the posting, mailing, and filing of annual notice of regularly scheduled meetings of the town council on December 17, 2024. The notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building provided to the Westfield leader in the star ledger and filed with the clerk of the town of Westfield. Miss Lashi, may I have a roll call? Mayor Brendle here. Council members have good here. Dardian here. Damaga here. Keeper here. Saunders here. Armentoto here. Contract Healey here. Please rise for the invocation. Give my council Dagala and then remain standing for the salute to the flag. As we gather, let honest honesty guide our words and listening deepen our understanding. With integrity and respect, we commit ourselves to the well-being of our community. Let wisdom and truth illuminate our path, strengthening the bonds that connect us. To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation, indivisible, with justice for all. All right, Jim, do you have any comments tonight? No. Okay. I think the first thing that we have is a proclamation uh for gun violence awareness month. This is the uh day. This is the I think the seventh year we've done this. And I'm going to ask Jen Gilman from Mons on Action to come up. Um

thank you very much. Thank you, Jen, for being here. Um, I have to say one of the very first things I did when I was elected and sworn in in 2018 and was signed on to Mayors Against Illegal Guns, incredibly proud of that track record of what we've done. And I met Jen as an activist with Moms Demand Action at the time. So, it's always a privilege to deliver this. So, okay. 11th annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Whereas every day more than 120 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded with an average of more than 17,000 gun homicides every year. And whereas Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other highincome countries. And whereas cities and small towns across the nation, including Westfield, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions. And whereas support for the Second Amendment rights of law- abiding citizens goes handinand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories. And whereas protecting public safety in our communities is our highest responsibility, and our law enforcement officers in partnership with local violence intervention activists and resources, know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep our citizens safe. And whereas gun violence present pre prevention is more important than ever as we see gun violence continue to impact communities across the country. And whereas in January 2013, Hideia Pendleton was trag tragically shot and killed at age 15. And on June 20 June 6, 2025 to recognize her 28th birthday, people across the United States recognized National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wore orange in tribute to Hadia Pendleton, other victims of gun violence, and the loved ones of those

victims. And whereas the idea was inspired by a group of Haya's friends who asked her classmates to commemorate her life by wearing orange. They chose this color because hunters wear orange to announce themselves to other hunters when out in the woods. And orange is a color that symbolizes the value of human life. And whereas we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe. Now therefore, I, Mayor Shelley Brindle, along with members of the town council, declare June 6, 2025 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the town of Westfield. and in doing so encourage all citizens to support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. Thank you all very much. So, next up on the agenda is something incredibly important and real a real privilege. Um, so tonight, uh, I get to present a resolution to reappoint our town clerk, Moren Lashi, to her second three-year term for New Jersey New Jersey state statute and will also perform her swearing in. So, Meen has was hired in 2014 as a town clerk apprentice. During this time, she worked primarily in the town clerk's office. Uh, and I do want to call out Tara Rally, our former clerk and who is a

great mentor and taught the ropes to Moren. And she also spent time working in the Westfield Police Department Records Bureau and Tax Assessor's Office. Moren obtained her registered municipal clerk certificate in 2016 through the state of New Jersey while also obtaining her bachelor's degree in public administration at Kane University. Moren was promoted to deputy town clerk in 2017. She also earned her master's degree in public administration in the fall of 2021 and was a graduate research assistant throughout her last semester for the public administration department at Kain. Moren was first appointed as our town clerk in May 2022, where she excels in a role serving the public by administering elections, including today's primary, fulfilling Opal requests, recording all public meetings, and overseeing various licensing requirements throughout town, as well as talking to all the Girl Scout groups I bring to her office. In addition to her daily duties, she continues to be a great leader in the town clerk's office as well as a role model for other clerks throughout the state as she continues to seek out creative solutions and technology to streamline municipal processes for residents and staff. I'm confident that the town will continue to benefit from Morin's knowledge, leadership, and dedication for years to come. And I'm going to ask Moren to come up. Um, we have to have the pre we present the resolution for state council for a vote. Okay. Um, okay. May I have a motion to authorize the reappoint of town clerk? Motion moved by Councilman Armentoto. Second. Second by Councilman Hapgood. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. All right. [Applause]

So, I think I can speak for the administration and Jim and everybody else on I know I just went through a lot of Moren's credentials, but I think I can speak on a more personal note that her contributions to town the town hall go way beyond uh the day-to-day administration, what I called the heartbeat of town hall. Uh she operates with humility. I'll tell you she's much more comfortable being back there than she is up here. Um and uh she really sets a tone and uh and is a model for everybody in terms of how to operate professionally, diligently, and honestly with such attention to detail. And we couldn't be operating so flawlessly if it wasn't for you. So we're very grateful that you you've agreed to say another three years. So all right, you ready? Okay. I launch do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the government established in the United States and in the state under the authority of the people and that I will faithfully, impartially, and Chelsea performed all duties as town clerk of the town of Westfield. So, help me God. Congratulations. I forgot the thing. And you know, I didn't also add her culinary uh contributions. to town hall. It's always a question about what's to eat before Kel's meetings and she always

has an ETA on how long the meetings are going to last. So, little backup. And she I promised her I wouldn't make her say anything. Of course, you already did it. Congratulations. [Applause] Okay. And so just to um just to recap just a few minor things. Um you know, we're live streaming. Thanks to everybody here who's joining us in person, online. Um and I just want to comment thanks to all everybody who turned out for our Pride celebration yesterday. There's a great pride flag raising. I particularly want to thank the high school and middle school students that came out on what's always a joyous celebration. Um, and it was always great to reaffirm our promise to stand with our LGBTQ neighbors, especially in the face of adversity and to keep working towards a more just and compassionate Westfield. Um, Memorial Pool is now open, right? And hopefully the rain will stop. Um, I think the next few days are supposed to be great, but it say, as a reminder, the hours are uh 4 to 4 to 8 on weekdays through June 24th and then 10 to 8 on weekends. And then beginning June 25th through the 1st, September 1st, weekday hours are noon to 8. Um, Katy area opens at 10:00 a.m. and weekends are 10 to 8. And it's another soldout season. and really want to thank the hard work of our recreation department with a big lift by Heather um and our seasonal employees for getting this pool up great and it looks stunningly beautiful. It's incredible. So, congrats on all of that. Um and if you couldn't get in this year, the wait list is now open on Civic Wreck for the 2026 season. Um we had a couple new

businesses open in town, which is very exciting. The Solomix had their official ribbon cutting last week. A big congrats to them. An Indian fusion fast casual restaurant. perfect for grabbing a little my favorite chicken bowl on Quibby. Um but is really fantastic. And then we also had Cafe Isola just opened up um last week and for those of you that vacation in LBI, you'll be I hear you can't get in along each island. So maybe there's an opportunity if you get into the restaurant in um in Westfield. It's in the former Buddha fish location and just really thrilled that they've chosen Westfield as their second location. Um, and then another place that I tried, I was actually the fourth employee, fourth uh, patron I discovered is 787 Coffee. It's um, where across from Sweet Green where um, Forest Coffee used to be. They've opened their first New Jersey location here in Westfield. People, I guess, in New York are intimately familiar with 787 Coffee. They've got 24 locations in New York City, Puerto Rico, and Texas. And all their coffee is from Puerto Rico, and they give it in this very cool plastic bag. Um, but it was great. Um, just want to let everybody know about a few events. The MLK Association of Westfield on Sat this Saturday is celebrating uh Junth with uh with their African-American history of Westfield trolley tour that are always very very popular and quite um in interesting. Um it's going to be from 9:30 to 11. It's a guided tour for 90 minutes. It shows out all the historic landmarks in town that uh and it's you don't realize it's um what kind of rich history we have, African-American history we have. Uh and we it goes to the bure burial grounds and the church Presbyterian church, Fairview Cemetery, Brightwood Park, and then uh our Westfield's black professional zone. So, and including you'll see Langston Hughes's house, Paul Robersonson, and Zor and Zoran Neil Hston. So, um go to the mlkwestfield.org org site for um information. Following

the trolley tours, there is a Junth celebration from 11:00 to 4 this Saturday hosted by Bethl Baptist Church on Trinity Place in partnership with the town of Westfield and we've been collaborating with them to provide them with all the setup and um and everything they need to hopefully keep fingers crossed for uh the rain rain to go away. Um also on Saturday there's a Westfield PBA car show at South Avenue train station. a lot going on from 9 to 2. That is sponsored by Westfield Collision Center, Apex One, and the Northeast Drivers Club. And it's got always a great variety of interesting cars. It's free. So, come on by. It's um but it this will not the Junth celebration is Rain or Shine car show is canled if there's rain. So, um there'll be announcement about that if that's the case. And then very exciting on June 21st, it is Teeth Ducks. I see them light up back there. um the 150th anniversary of the Westfield Fire Department. Um a century and a half of dedicated service and commitment to the safety and well-being of Westfield residents. Um and we're very excited. The spirit of the Westfield, the Westfield Fire Department established in 1875, which is kind of crazy when you think about it. So, there's going to be a parade through downtown Westfield, firet trucks, vintage apparatus. It's like right up every kid should love love this event. Um and it's going to end at the Westfield Armory. in in the Army there's going to be games, food, drinks, and more. So, um so there's lots of information about that and sponsorship opportunities on the town website. Now, regarding tonight's agenda, um we are on the finance policy committee. We're we're authorizing a grant to renew tenant of affordable units under our affordable assistance program. It's for a new low moderate income tenant at the park side on Springfield Avenue. And again, it's 100% funded through affordable housing trust fund. Um, we also have an annual resolution setting the tax payment schedule for the board of education for the fiscal year as well as another resolution authorizing the

issuance of estimated tax bills to maintain cash flow until the county certifies their final tax rate. Um, and a reminder final tax bills are sent out in September. And then always on the revenue side where we get very excited, we have a resolution to approves ins approve insertion of a special item of revenue of $100,000 to the budget for our safe streets for all grant award. And we're going to be using these funds in another resolution on this agenda to hire WSP to provide the necessary traffic engineering services to administer this grant for us. Then from public safety, we have resolution authorizing award of contract for the replacement of modems for our police vehicles which are uh reach reach the end of life and this has been already accounted for in the 2025 capital budget and this and we also have an a resolution award the amended traffic engineering services contract at WSP based upon the grant that I had just referenced which there'll be a lot more information about this state DOT grant which um uh we're very excited about. We also have an annual resolution to approve renewals of alcoholic beverage license including plenary distribution club license in Westfield. This is just an annual renewal that is required by state law. And then and lastly from public works, we have a resolution to amend the contract for tree pruning services in order to increase the not to exceed price of the outsour tree work that needs to be completed this year. So um with that, I think we can get on to tonight's agenda. Uh let's see. Okay, I think Oh, wow. We're going right through this. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the town council conference and regular meetings of May 27th, 2025 moved by Councilman Dardia. Second? Second. Second by Councilman Kefir. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Now it's time for open discussion by citizens. Anyone may come up to the microphone and speak to the council on any subject on which we have jurisdiction. Please state your name and

address for the record and limit your comments to five minutes. My name is Kevin Monroe. I live at 307 Windsor Avenue, Westfield. Um, the Presbyterian Church with the MLK had a presentation about Columbus school and that school was disposed of purposely. I know none of y'all had nothing to do with it, but it had something to do with the town council and the board of ed. So, I went to that exhibit and what I seen was was horrible. Now they need $188 million for two new elementary schools and to extend a high school. Our taxes is going to go woof like this. I don't think we deserve to even pay them some tax money. I know 80 80 to 90% go to the board of ed, but I feel as though until they get the kids in our neighborhood, cuz I still live in the same Columbus neighborhood to go to the same school, the kids that live on Broad Street, Myrtle, Granville, and Windsor go to Jefferson. Now, if you live on Livingston, Sterling in the right side of CAC, you going to Tomas. So your best friend Windsor for two blocks Windsor and Slon backyards run together less than 15 to 20 yards. So those kids are separated when I want to know when are they going to put all the kids in my neighborhood in one same school like we went to. But all the taxes keep going up. I don't mind paying my taxes, but I want to know when are the kids in my neighborhood

going to the same school? I don't think we deserve to pay them taxes because it's unfair because that was the school disposed of purposely. You had come to school teachers that was there at the Presbyterian church. I don't know if any of y'all went to see the MLK presentation, but I think it's wrong. I don't know what none of you guys think, but to me it's definitely wrong. I'm We trying to figure out what we could do to get all our kids back in the same school. I got a grandson now and his close friend live on Livingston, my backyard right there. So, what we going to do? So, Kevin, I'll just say, you know, we don't have any the town council doesn't have any jurisdiction. Yeah, but we pay the town council the tax money. Why should we be paying y'all tax money when 90 80% go to the border? Hey, they got to fix that. My what I would suggest is that you go to a board of ed meeting. Oh, I'll be there next Tuesday night. I would highly recommend that. And so that I know none of y'all had nothing to do with that cuz this happened in the 80s. Not only that, they got rid of the school for less than a million dollars. You talking about six a school with all that property. We had football field, basketball court, two baseball fields, and you I walk around and now I see all them houses over there selling for $650,000. That's ridiculous. I think we deserve better and more respect in our neighborhood than what we getting from the border. But the town council, the old town council had something to do with it, too. It's right there. Right there at the Presbyterian Church. Y'all need to go check it out. com. Wait one second. Thank you, Kevin. Um, anybody else have

any comments? Right. Well, I just want to point out for the for those council people who don't know this, I just let him talk, Mr. Monroe is probably the greatest basketball player in the history of Westfield High School. uh next to me. Uh oh. My name is John Turlington and I live at 301 Windsor Avenue. Um I'd like to piggy back u you know a little bit off of what he had to say. Um when we lost Columbus School, uh we almost lost the playground as well. They had to fight to keep the playground there as well. Otherwise, there would have been more buildings there, but there wouldn't have been a playground to service the children in that community. Um, my issue with the tax thing is I've chosen not to have children and I'm retired now. So I when I was working had no problem with paying my taxes going towards the school but um I just kind of feel that it's almost taxation without representation. I don't do I don't get anything from the school system. Of course, naturally, you know, we want a good school system, but as a retiree, I don't see why that portion can't be cut in some respects just to accommodate seniors so they can stay in their homes. You know, that's that's my issue, you know, with that. Um, the other thing I want to bring up is is there any attempt at getting a speed bump on Windsor Avenue? because there's a sign that says what somebody's doing coming down the street, but doing 35 or 40 miles an hour with nothing to slow them down uh is not good. Now, I've driven around town and I've seen other

speed bumps and there's no school, no playgrounds, nothing, but there's speed bumps there. uh for whatever reason they're there for a playground where children play and there are constantly children there that do play uh I think a speed bump would help in slowing the traffic down now as a senior you know maybe we might be looking out for the children and well we should but I get across the street a little bit slower now so you know I think a speed bump there just prior to where the playground is can help slow that up because I, you know, I get annoyed when I see it. You know, I've been driving a long time, but I've never got caught up into fast cars or anything like that. I've always been a responsible, you know, driver. And unfortunately, there are some things that need to be present to make other people be responsible drivers. So, I'd like to think and hope that that can be addressed. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay, with that, um I'm going to close portion of this portion of the public comment. Um and related to the schools, so there are some senior tax um programs for credits and I I can't what's I can't remember the what's the name of the senior tax. Thank you. Yes. Do you want to do you want to elaborate on that, Tom? I don't know it just how old the gentleman is, but there senior tax freeze program that he can take advantage of which freezes his taxes at a level um from basically when he retired. That's a significant uh benefit to seniors. So his taxes don't increase and there it is it is tied to income levels. So um but if you have questions about it, you can talk to Tom after the meeting. And regarding the speed bump, I think that's been reviewed. Jim, do you want to bring that up? Yeah, I know the public safety committee um over the years has looked at that. Um one of the

reasons we have that that speed sign on Windsor to do just that monitor speed that that sign there not only shows the speed, it also captures the volume of traffic and it also captures speed data on that street. So that committee does look at that regularly. Speed bumps haven't been requested before. Speed bumps seem easy to do. Unfortunately, speed bumps do require a certain study to be done and depending on volumes of traffic and other factors, they may not be eligible. We looked at gak at Windsor before it was not eligible. But the committee has discussed other striping opportunities on the street for a visual cue to allow for people to actually have something to see in the street versus a speed bump so they can slow down especially before the playground. We've talked so we we'll react meeting this week actually. We'll revisit it again uh to talk about it further. So mayor, can I say one other thing about the speed bumps? The other thing I'll say is and we talk about speed bumps a lot. I'll just say that um a lot of times when residents uh once it goes in, a lot of residents realize that when landscaping trucks or whatever drive past it, it's also extremely loud. Um so I think we have meeting this week and there's probably other things we can do that aren't intrusive to the neighbors and loud noise that could also hopefully slow people down. But that was something I learned about speed bumps um is that once they get in and the landscaping trucks go by, it becomes a whole other problem. But I just wanted to bring that one up there as well. Yeah, good point. You also get a little bit of a not in front of my house. I've had that too where people everybody wants a speed bump except the guy who's house. Yeah, ex. It's very true. So, but anyway, it'll be addressed and I would highly encourage you um uh Mr. Monroe to go to the board of ed meeting and express your concerns. Yeah. And u Yep. And they also and they look at like the you know the districting and who goes where and so forth. So, you should definitely express that. Um And when is the portability? Um next Tuesday. Next Tuesday. Thank you. You're welcome. Um okay, so thank you

all for coming. Um okay, I'll move on to bills and claims. Councilman Hapgood. Thank you, Mayor. Um I'd like to move bills and claims in the amount of $541,312. May I have a second? Second. By Councilman Go. Uh, any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Uh, now on the agenda is reports and standing committees and finance policies. Council have good. Thank you again, mayor. I have nine resolutions I'd like to move as a package. A resolution authorizing the CFO to refund recreation department fees. A resolution authorizing the CFO to refund police department fees. A resolution authorizing the CFO to draw a warrant for dog licenses for May 2025. A resolution authorizing the CFO to draw a warrant for to refund overpaid taxes. Five, a resolution authorizing the CFO to draw warrant to replenish the bulk mail permit. A resolution authorizing an affordability assistance grant pursuant to the town of Westfield's affordability assistance program for a tenant of an affordable housing unit at 11:02 Echol Lane unit 11:02. A resolution establishing payment schedule for the board of education tax payments. A resolution establishing an estimated tax rate for this year. And uh the last a resolution to approve insertion of a special item of revenue for this um city streets for all grant that the mayor mentioned earlier tonight which is $100,000. May I have a second? Second by Councilman Mento. Um uh any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion has carried. Next up is public safety transportation and parking committee. Councilman Dardia. Thank you, mayor. I have two resolutions I would like to move as a package. Resolution

number one, authorizing an award of contract for modems for the Westfield Police Department. And two, resolution to award amended traffic engineering services contract for WSPUSA Incorporated. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Domala. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Next up is code review and town property committee. Councilman Healey. I move a resolution to approve the annual renewals of uh liquor licenses uh that are held in the town of Westfield. Uh second second by Councilman Saunders. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Wait. Sorry. Oh, wait. Oh, I just I have to I have I'm a member of the Italian American Club, so I have to abstain from I mean I guess that one little portion of it I guess separated out. Thank you. for the whole resolution. Okay, then I guess abstain for the whole resolution then. Thank you for reminding me. Any other abstensions? Got it. Okay. Um, you got that, Morin? Uh, okay. All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Next is the public works committee. Councilman Haley, I'll move the resolution to amend an award of contract for tree pruning services which are very seriously needed. May I have a second? Second by council Hapkin. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. And may I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion. Yes. So move by Dardia. Second. Second. Second by Councilman Saunders. All in favor? Yes. This motion is carried. Congratulations again to Moren, our fabulous clerk.