Borough Council - Regular Meeting

Definitely were record supporters and the athletics is something that play.

Over the bridge of course out of town as you know right next to great restaurants, right? So my sister my my daughter and her fiance moved out of You can't have any wife and I

I'm not sure the game. We were wasting a lot of money on food. That's I've only been there. I did it one other time actually 2000.

leave.

Good evening. I'd like to call the October 14th, 2025 Burough Council meeting order to order. Will the clerk please read the open public meeting statement? Adequate notice has been provided as required under chapter 231 public law 1975 specifying the time, date, and location of this meeting by posting a copy of the notice at the municipal building on the municipal website and providing a copy of the annual notice scheduled to the official newspapers of the burrow. Notice is also on file in the municipal clerk's office. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrano here. Councilman Collins here. Councilman Mango here. Councilman Pnansky here. Councilwoman Payne here. Councilman Potter here. Mayor Murray present. Burough attorney Peter Mcnolo

present. Burough engineer Mike Mlen. Burough engineer Luke Lasanka present. B administrator Frank Carr is absent. And I am also here.

Excellent. Will everyone please stand for a moment of silence which will be followed by the salute of the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for Now is the time for public comment limited to the resolutions on the agenda only. If you wish to speak, speak, please step up to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Again, this is the public portion is limited to the comments only on the resolutions listed on the agenda at this time. There'll be a fivem minute time limit as set forth by the rules of council. If someone raises their hands, please please come up to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. Seeing none, I'll close audience comments. Uh public comments authorizing payment of municipal obligations. Next on the agenda, we have authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-328 by title

authorizing the payment of bills claims and statements against the burrow of Miltown in the total amount of $562,435.13. You've heard the reading of this resolution. Is there any questions? I Yes, Mr. Mayor. I had a question on page 12 on 40 evident. We have a says monthly general 4892.50. Is it what does it mean by monthly general? Page 12. Oh, 11. I'm sorry. Page 11 and 12. What does that mean? Monthly general. That means that's my monthly billing. That's not Fort Avenue. Fort Avenue is a separate line item.

No. Oh, here it is. Ford Avenue is up the top. 4,900 $2. Yes, sir. And what what is that from? That's my legal fee, sir. If you look above, you see his name? Yeah, I see. And that's just for one month. Yes, sir.

There's no way we can do that on a contingency, can we? No. That's You wouldn't have a contingency for a redevelopment project, sir? Is it what? A redevelopment. What sir? It's redevelopment. It's Yes. The Ford Avenue redevelopment project. If I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong, Peter. I think it's part of litigation for Ford Avenue. Yes. It's it's everything that encompassed in Fort the redevelopment plan. It's it's the litigation. It's the condemnation. It's the bankruptcy. Yeah. Which if no one's noticed, there's been a lot of like work lately to try to like Well, it's still looking at the same pile of rocks, you know? I mean, same pile of rocks. Okay. Same pile of rocks with a couple more trucks here. Okay. But then we got another bill for $4,892.50.

Councilman Collins, if you would like to come to my office and sit down, I'd be happy to explain my bill to you. Sure. Okay. That's all I have. Okay. M. Um, for the 4 a.m. U, the town gets reimbured, correct? For not for my fees, for the agency fees. Uh I I I guess I was thinking that uh um the developer reimburse the burrow has certain obligations that it needs to do and and that's what I handle. Mr. Cahill handles the Ford Avenue redevelopment agency and that would be something that the redeveloper would be obligated to pay. Okay.

So I remember some I remember telling us when we formed the committee it wasn't going to cost the town burough anything. Well, I think that was before uh Mr. Burgerer filed a builder's remedy lawsuit and the bureau hadn't satisfied its second round of affordable housing obligation. Um, you know, it's not as if this has proceeded in a linear fashion as everyone imagined. I don't think anybody thought when this started 23 years ago that it was going to be a 23-year redevelopment project. But no end in sight, right? I'd rather not discuss pending litigation. May I have a motion in a second, please? So move. Second.

I have a motion made by Council President Zambrana, second by Councilman Potter. Uh, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambrana, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Maker, I. Councilwoman Payne, I order. Councilman Posnetski, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries, ma'am.

Thank you. A consent resolution has been prepared for the resolutions listed on the agenda. All matters listed under the consent agenda are to be considered to be routine in nature and having been reviewed by burough council will be enacted on in one motion. Any item may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any council member and if so removed will be treated on a separate matter. Any items requiring expenditures are supported by a certification of funds. If any member of council wants any resolutions acted upon individually, please give me the resolution number and it will be pulled from the consent resolution. Mr. Mayor, 2025 337.

Is that it? We're good. Mhm.

Okay. Will the clerk please read the consent agenda resolution minus 2025-337 please? Whereas pursuant to the rules of council, the council may establish a consent agenda for any regular or special meetings upon certain conditions. And whereas each of the following resolutions presented before the burough council at its October 14th, 2025 regular meeting appear to have the unanimous approval of all members of the burough council. resolutions 2025 330 through 2025 3336 and 2025 338 and 339. Now therefore be it resolved by the burough council of the burrow of Miltown that each of the above list of resolutions be approved and adopted by the burough council with the same legal effect as though each was read in its entirety at the October 14th, 2025 regular meeting and adopted by separate vote.

May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second. Have a motion made by Councilman Potter, seconded by Councilman Collins. Will the clerk uh is there any discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambrano, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mo, I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, I. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries, ma'am. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025-337 by title? Establishing a subcommittee to assist the burrow in disposing of the South Main Street firehouse and the Cottage Avenue firehouse. Which pleasure council? I move the resolution be adopted.

Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Collins, seconded by Councilman Pazki. Is there any discussion? Yes, Mr. Mayor. asked to pull this um as I I did see uh a lot of detail in this resolution, but I don't see anywhere in this resolution where the uh previous analysis of the South Main Street rehab plan uh will be used as a template or a guide to put this uh subcommittee together. Uh I've always been and I continue to be I think we have enough talent on the finance committee. I think we have enough talent in the world professionals to not have a subcommittee to get something out the door before the end of the year.

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to add a comment um as well with regard to this resolution. Um as I had mentioned at the last council meeting, um I think a subcommittee will just delay the work that needs to be done to move this along. Um and so um I I don't think it's uh a wise move uh to create further delay. I' I'd like to add uh two things. I asked two meetings ago about evaluation for the for the structures. Has that occurred? Okay. Thank you. Um, another thing as far as um um having a subcommittee, I know there are people that say that that's where ideas go to die. It doesn't have to be that way. There there can be a time a time limit, especially if if everyone is is uh um doing their duty to get this to get this done. And that's all I'll say about that.

I would like to see if if this is going to be perhaps a motion to amend, I guess, would be the correct statement that would give a closing date, but also that it would uh, you know, I'd rather see it move to the finance committee and get some type of fast, if not immediate outside source that would assess the value of the properties for sure

and hopefully try and present something for this council about what they are worth and how we would accept the public's or people who want to rent or buy or utilize uh a format for the way they can present their ideas to turn it into something and if we could try and do that I mean right now we're you know we're of course in October uh but if it's only involving an outside assessor who would independent assessor who would come in and assess it and then create a system that allows people to bid on the property. I don't see why that couldn't be done in just a couple of months.

Well, we have six meetings left, six, five meetings left. Um, at the very least, I mean, I can't speak for our QPA. I can't speak for our BA who isn't here tonight. Um, I don't think an assessment is going to take that long, 30 days less. So, at the very least, by the second meeting in November, you'd have an assessment. you'd have a a general idea of how much it's worth. Uh I dare say that working with our QPA, uh we didn't have a QPA in the second part of last year, uh we could get something out the door to uh advertise and and see what kind of uh um interest there is from folks third party. So, I mean, I do think that the the council, interestingly, we're elected as council members to make decisions for a town. Yep.

And then to farm it out to a group of just a couple of council people, some other people from town. Almost seems like uh it almost seems like a like me being like I don't want to put my name on something. And uh I'm here so I might as well put my name on it. But I do think uh I do think time is of the essence and that is a statement that we should probably put on a banner and hang on that wall cuz um I think the new firehouse was entered into in 2020. So we're already a little late. Well, I I asked for evaluation a month ago and maybe my voice doesn't carry, but I've also talked about the firehouse situation before also, but I did ask for evaluation. Basically, what you're saying also

should have called for the vote to take an immediate vote would be the words we got to use. That's not how I It's been sitting here five years and now you want to get it done by the end of the year. I mean, John, Councilman, it's not about getting it done by the end of the year. Nothing's going to Nothing no shovel's going to be in the ground. That's true. By the end of the year, um what we're talking about to get an assessment again, I think I think we can do that in 30 days or less. Well, we could but we could have done it in 5 years. I mean, now you're you're you're it's you know, if we're going to have a plan, let's have an an ambitious plan. Well, shouldn't we get public comment? I mean, I'm all for that.

So So we can sit here and we can argue. We we've already gotten public comment on the South Matri rehab plan, which you don't like because it costs money, but Well, we got nothing out of it. I mean, well, no, you you have an idea and you have the input from the people in in in the in the borrow and what has happened for me by not including that rehab plan. Okay. Is is a disservice and money not well spent. Well, well, he didn't say anything about it at that meeting when he said the Ford Avenue re South Main Street redevelopment program. the other the planner and he didn't say nothing about the Cottage Avenue firehouse. So, the planner ran the planner ran the meetings two properties. The planner ran that meeting.

But if you're going to how are you going to include the the the plan, the South Main Street redevelopment plan when there's a firehouse on Cottage Avenue. So, you're not letting the public have any input and the longer we wait, the more the value of the property is going to be.

What we're trying to do here, what we're trying to do here is establish whether a subcommittee is needed or not. That's all we're trying to do. I think we need a subcommittee. I mean, I like the public input and people have better ideas, go right ahead than me. I mean, I kind of have to see it the other way that this is my first, you know, term on council and the idea that, you know, I mean, I just saying they moved into the new building in uh 2020 and if there was what sounds like essentially built into or in some corner of the redevelopment plan, was the essentially what would be a subcommittee that already made some type of concept and thought about it doing that again just doesn't seem to be doing anything into the expediency of this and um I think

let's move let's do something maximize the benefit for the town we should have people it was input and maybe they have more to say than we do what you want is different people's input Right. I I I'm all for that. You want to like I represent the people. I don't represent myself. You want to throw away You want to throw away the people who actually came out to those meetings two years ago and and not listen to what they said. I didn't see anybody go up and ask about the firehouse. I don't Maybe they did, but I mean uh we didn't take their their ideas. You probably haven't read the South Main Street. Have you read the plan? Yeah, I've read the plan. And tonight, no one's getting up and asking, but it's been sitting there for a year and a half. It's been sitting there for a year and a half. Let's let's you know. Well, I I appreciate the idea. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrano, no.

Councilman Collins, hi. Councilman Mango, no. Councilwoman Payne, no. Councilman Posnansky, yes. Councilman Potter, no. Thank you. Mayor, the motion is defeated. Yep. Thank you. Reports from elected officials. Council President Zimbra. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm sorry, just to clarify because I had mentioned the motion to amend. No, it's still under reports would needed somebody who made there was already it wasn't you can't amend a motion they would need to withdraw their motion in order to amend it. So thank you. You got it. Yep. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I don't have any reports this evening. Okay. Councilman Collins.

Yes, Mr. Mayor. I have a short report from the library committee. Um Wednesday movie matinea 10:15 10:22 10:29 at 2:30 p.m. after school movie. Thursday 10:16 3 p.m. Read to a pooch. Saturday 10:18 12:30 p.m. Yoga Monday 10:20 9:00 a.m. Registration required creative journaling Monday 10:20 5:30 p.m. Exploration Station Tuesday 10:21 10:30 a.m. Please register. Craft Corner Thursday 10:23 3 PM Harvest Day Festival 10:25 face painting I'm sorry bingo face painting touch a truck pumpkin picking story time pup costume parade and friends book sale that's on 10 Saturday 10:25 and it doesn't say what time um costume parade and friends Book sale library book club Monday 10:27 slow flag yoga Monday 10:27 slow yoga I'm sorry slow yoga 10:27 6:30 p.m. Please register drop in plate Tuesday 10:28 10:30 a.m. game on after school gaming Tuesday 10:28 3 p.m. Wolves at the library. Tuesday 10:28 call for details after school Jeopardy Thursday 10:30 3:00 p.m. And that concludes my report. Mr. Mayor,

thank you Councilman.

For the electrical department, uh, substation maintenance was performed, oil samples were taken out and sent out for analysis. Uh this this process is very important to monitor the health of our transformer and to be able to identify potential problems that could lead to failure. Uh broken street lights were fixed uh and replaced with energy efficient LED fixtures in five locations. LED flood lights were installed at the Little League batting cages. Uh line clearance and some dying trees removed. Lighting at the senior center uh was uh replaced. A new cable will be installed shortly. Um, a call for sparking wires uh were answered and repairs were made. Regarding the water utility, um, along with daily work orders and daily pump checks, water and sewer mentioned a few things. The wet well at Church Street Station was clean. Um, and approximately 12 to 16 yards of debris was removed. A lot of the debris consisted of needles and personal care wipes which are not flushable. No wipes are flushable. This costly repair uh this caused costly repairs to the pumps. Nothing should be flushed that hasn't gone through you first. Do not rinse grease from cooking down the drain as this also contributes to clogs. We have replaced several uh fire hydrants including one at 32 South Wilson. Um there is a variable frequency drive which controls the pump number two that was replaced on the Church Street pump and hydrant flushing has started on 927 and has now been completed. Uh thank you all for your patience. Additionally, uh, regarding the water utility,

the phrase I was always heard was, uh, a nickel holding up a dollar. So until we get all of the meters replaced, we and we have a proper inventory of the leadline assessment in town, we can't really use any of the grant money that was so graciously accommodated us uh by the county or the state or however you want to say that trickles down. We can't do it until we get all the meters done. and the last people who aren't uh getting on board and getting it on schedule will likely start receiving an additional bill for not being on the system. It is uh the town went out of the way to do something to accommodate to work towards something that would save money in the future. There were people that expressed a lot of concerns about lead lines and galvanized lines and who was going to pay for it and what would they do? Well, there's a plan for that too now. And if we want to get to a second round of that money, we also need to get to that first round quicker. And we can't do that until all the lines, all the meters are replaced. So, uh, we can expect something to come in front of the council, uh, over the next couple meetings that will mandate that that charge. Um, just so you're not caught off guard, there's no surprises. It's not going to be a nice number. It is a motivational number. And, uh, the town needs it. The town agreed to do it. We agreed to do it. It cost us nothing to do it. and uh it saves us money in the long run, which is what everybody wants out of their utility. So, it's really everything everybody wants except for a couple hundred people. That's about it. Thank you.

Uh Frank or Lou, do you know how many remain? Um I don't remember the exact number. I think I'm thinking 224, but there is some uh in that list is some people who are incomplete or uh I can give you an exact number. I'll I'll check the list. So yeah, they they've updated the numbers. It's 210. 210 210. Yeah, it's a dropped 145 something like that. It's still need to get like below that. Okay. And when would the search charge go into effect? Well, it has to go through council first. Okay. So two meetings. Yeah. What what did you say? Two readings. Introduction two meetings. Two

and an approval. So that's two meetings. Um I think what what what did we discuss in our utility meeting? Effective 11 26. Okay. So it's gonna go do we have a number on what that search charge is? Is it not yet? But it'll be one6 equal for each person or for those folks who have not replaced their water meter, right? Replaced their water meter, they're good. Gotcha. So utilities committee will get together and discuss that. Yeah, we already we already kind of did. Again, now it's fine tuning what the language is going to be. Okay. But you can expect that probably second meeting in November. Okay. Councilwoman Payne, your report.

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. On behalf of the police department, um for the month of September, uh the police responded to 1485 calls for service. During this period, the police conducted 116 radar details in numerous locations. The police made 569 motor vehicle stops during this period. and the police investigated 24-hour tw I'm sorry, 24 motor vehicle accidents. There were seven arrests that were made, uh, shoplifting, DWI, and active warrants. At the last meeting, I forgot last time that we did reports, I forgot to mention that there were some statistics that the chief had shared with me. um uh you know the chief is uh really um on it in terms of um sharing a lot of data and I just wanted to share um this from last month that he uh had forwarded to me. Um just a a comparison, a very ju just sort of quick comparison with regard to traffic stops and then crimes that happened in town from the year 2023 through to the year comparing it to 2024 and 2025. Just to give you an idea of the good work that um our men and women in blue um do for our town. Um in 2023 there were 2,657 traffic stops. In 2024, there were 5,45. So, there was a 96% increase in the number of traffic stops. And then in 2025, there were 6,000. And that's a that's an increase of 125%. And arrests reflect those kinds of increases. Um, there were in 2023 there were 71 arrests. Then in 2024, 109. and then in 2025 139 that's as of September. Um and so again like almost 100% increase in the number of arrests. Um and then in terms

of crimes it's it's interesting right? So in 2023 um there were 11 burglaries in 2024 five. Right? It did increase for 2025 but there still was a significant decrease. And it's the same for assaults and thefts and robberies. Um, you know, we're very fortunate that we live in a town where there's uh minimal crime, but you know, that's that you know, safety safety takes work, right? And um our police department um does um you know, such an incredible job. And I think that traffic stops and arrests are a result of hiring young new energetic recruits, right, that bring a freshness to the police department. So kudos to them. Um and congratulations to the chief on, you know, work that is continuing to be just uh amazing for us. Uh the Miltown Fire Department for the month of September, uh busy as always. There were 35 incidents during the month and that year to date there are 269 um and the number of hours that they have put in for the month of September were 365 and year-to- date 4,594. Um the um there were you know the normal equipment checks and firehouse calls uh and special assignments um that I do just want to make a note um that they were uh present at the American Legion for the 911 service as were the council and mayor. Um we were there um and many attended that uh event um and then on 9:27 they were at Burough Park for Miltown Day. Um and uh uh and that's always uh good to see. And then of course a special assignment at Crabial Funeral Home for the services for Deputy

Chief Tony Corbenic. So, um, one thing I just want to note, um, I know that we, um, acknowledged, um, the deputy chief, um, last meeting, um, but I just wanted to say that, you know, the department, as sad as it as it is and with a heavy heart, um, they will spend the next few months um, making sure that they find a new deputy chief. Um and you know at the same time understanding that to fill Tony's shoes is really a difficult task. Um the funeral service was one to remember the display of neighboring fire departments and agencies uh as well as the rescue squad did not go overlooked by the fire department. Tony's motorcade and last alarm was flanked by the Miltown Police Department which made all travel possible that day. And the fire department wants to thank the police department for their professionalism and understanding. Um they were a tremendous help on that particular day. Um I also attended um fire prevention night on Friday night at the firehouse and Sparky the dog, you know, the you know remote that was a big hit with the kids. The county had brought in uh a trailer and showed the kids around and it was really a really nice event and they hadn't done that in collaboration with the county in in in several years. So, um, the chief, Anthony Fmed, said, you know, they're going to continue to do that. And so, um, it was really fun to be there. The Miltown Rescue Squad, um, for the month of September, there were 69 total calls and 57 of those in Miltown and the remainder, um, were on the turnpike and rescue and standby and mutual aid. Um, they had their blood drive was very successful in September. Um, they'll be helping out at Horned Riverwalk. Um, the We had a meeting with the chief earlier and uh he was on his way. He had to run

over to the riverwalk as a parent as a parent, not as the chief and uh the Miltown Rescue SW will be helping out there. Uh they were also at Miltown Day as well and they're always looking to recruit new talent. And that concludes my report. Thank you, Councilman Pay. Sure.

U first I'd like to say I'm the leazison to uh public works senior center and Miltown historic preservation committee, not recycling. Uh and as as far as um preservation committee, I have not received the report since the beginning of the year and I have not been included in meetings in months. Now I'm going I will start now at the senior center. Um the remaining October trips will include October 22nd there will be a bus trip to Riomar Restaurant. The bus will leave at 11:45. October 23rd there will be a bus trip to the Amish Market. The bus will leave at 9:30 a.m. and October October 30th, there will be a bus trip to the Shrimp Box bus will leave at 10:45. And upcoming events in November, Middle Sex County Health Department will be sponsoring a flu clinic on November 6th from 2 to 3 p.m. And November 10th, 1:15 p.m. we'll have a presentation from our leazison, police leazison, Nicolasinski. The VNA nurse will be available for appointments on Monday, October 20th from 12 to 3 p.m. This service is available for Miltown seniors free of charge each month. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you're interested. We have a weekly lunch program on Wednesdays sponsored by Elijah's Promise on Wednesdays starting at 12:30. Please check the calendar for dates. There is such a need for shelters that we will continue collecting um throughout the year. This is for uh for pets. This includes unopened dog and cat food, litter, and unused toys and accessories. We have had so many generous donations. We have been able to donate to many different rescue organizations. I'm so thankful and would like to encourage people to continue to donate, especially around the upcoming holiday season. And they're also starting a new class. It's called the whole body fitness that will meet on Mondays from 12 to 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Now for the DPW meeting, uh we had an

important public works meeting to discuss end of the year review and new year new year plans and expectations. In attendance were Councilman Councilman Potter Mango and myself and uh from CME Lou Plazanka and uh Ralph Jezanowski and a junior associate from CMA. First, Lou brought us up to date on the projects such as North Brook Drive, East to West Foch, milling, paving, and drainage plants. The second phase of the Albert Avenue bike path, Ralph and I tooured the upcoming desired site. Ralph discussed the new recycling drop off center, and it is a very appreciated success. Leaf bags are available Monday through Friday and Saturdays when the recycling center is open. Milling and paving, the county is preparing quotes. The next big project is replacing the HVAC system at the DPW and the firehouse. The timing is important as the winter season approaches. The old DPW yard was discussed. I have mentioned possible uses here in the past. Councilman Mango had ideas that could be feasible, and I hope he mentioned his thoughts at some point here. New equipment such as various trucks and a new chipper were discussed. Miltown Day was, as usual, a big success with giveaways, a well- attended crowd, and much enthusiasm. And I have one more thing because I didn't have a chance to discuss with um with uh with John. Um it's uh TK1. Uh we're discussing um revision of of uh the cable television that we have here. And I spoke with the owner, Telly, and I'm having an appointment with him here next week, and he's sending me information uh by email. And that concludes my report.

Thank you, Councilman Potter.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh from the Miltown Recreation Department, we'd like to extend our sincere thanks to all who attended the 911 Candlelight Remembrance Service at the American Legion. Miltown Day was a tremendous success. Thank you to everyone who come out came out to support our community. We had an awesome time at the Ruckers Blackout game on December on September 19th. Despite the loss, thanks to everyone who came out and made it a fun night. All of our fall programs are up and running and are having a great season so far. Get creative and help us light up the Miltown Bridge for our first annual pumpkin carving contest on October 24th and 25th. Join the fun by carving your best pumpkin and being a part of this festive community display. Register today on Community Pass. The deadline to enter your pumpkin is Tuesday, October 21st. The Descendants musical theater program is excited to present their final performance on Tuesday, November 11th at Joyce Kilmer School. Register now for late fall soccer clinics. Join us for four weeks at Parkview School from November 13th through December 18th. Register now on Community Pass. Be on the lookout for youth basketball registration opening at the end of this month. We're offering a coach's incentive of $25 off one of your child's registrations. The adult co-ed softball league is off to a great season with five teams competing. The championship game will take place on Thursday, October 30th at Michelin Field. Please be sure to visit our recreation web page to familiarize yourself with the upcoming programs and help us continue to make Miltown recreation a community in motion. From the planning board, the meeting in October was cancelled and the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5th. And from the Miltown

Fourth of July committee, save the date, Friday, April 18th. join the Miltown Fourth of July committee for our red, white, and brew event at the American Legion. Stay tuned for more details to be shared in the coming months. And Mr. Mayor, that concludes my report. Thank you. Um, I have no reports. I would just like to uh congratulate uh tax collector Kelly McCormack on her due diligence with getting um getting in touch with everyone and getting everyone off at a tax sale. So, uh, this is the first time in, uh, many years that there are nobody for the tax sale this year. So, congratulations to Kelly. Uh, reports from Burough Professionals. Um, Mr. Peter Vignelloo.

No report tonight, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Lou. No report tonight, Mr. Mayor. Okay. Uh, and does any member of council have any old business to bring before council? Seeing none, does any member of council have any new business to bring before council? Yes, Mr. Mayor. I had a question for Mr. McNola. Did the Ford Avenue uh property get sold off for a tax sale to the uh tax uh lean on there? Did the lean get sold? Not to the best of my knowledge, but why not?

Uh because it's in bankruptcy. And frankly, I think given the fact that he's in significant arars, I'm not sure there's anyone who's willing to take that financial risk. Well, if I declare bankruptcy, I still have to pay my taxes. They're obligated to still pay their taxes. That is correct. That is what they're supposed to do in in light of So, so it's not going to tax sale. It's my understanding it's not based upon what the mayor just said. I will admit I'm not intimately involved in the properties and their their tax statuses. So, um I can look into that for you, but sure, that'd be good. Find out why we can't get some money. We might bill you then. What's that?

They might given. So, don't question it. Yeah. So, don't Yeah. To the public charge

any public comment portion of our meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns or comments. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comments until the finish the speaker is finished. It should be further noted that the public comment portion of our meeting is not structured as a question and answer session. Please state your name and address for the record when you come to the podium. Just a reminder, under the rules of council, individuals wishing to speak during the public input part of the meeting shall be limited to five minutes and may after other speakers have finished be allowed to speak for a second fiveminut period. Someone raises their hand, please come up to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Hello, my name is Emily Reyes. Uh, I live in New Brunswick actually. Um, I'm here for Ruckers, a class in Ruckers. I had to attend this class. Um, so I had a question um about section 16 about the exe executive session. Is it possible to disclose what the pending litigation is in regards to?

It it doesn't need to be, but I will. It's it's regarding the Ford Avenue redevelopment litigation. Sorry. Can you It's the Ford Avenue redevelopment litigation. Okay. All right. That's all. Thank you. You got it. Thank you. Seeing no further audience comments, um I will close the public comment portion of the meeting. Does any council members have any comments? I do. I I'll go last if anyone else has something.

Well, uh sure. I just have a quick comment. Uh Councilman Pneski, if you would like to go last, I'll go first. Sure.

Um I just wanted to comment that um I utilized the extra recyclable day uh this this weekend on Saturday and I had uh because of Prime Day, I had a lot of extra cardboard and so uh I packed up my car and I went over to the garage at DPW and these uh two gentlemen, you know, one stopped me and asked me for my address and the other assisted me. I didn't do it. They just like did everything like and it was really a great service and I think um you know we should all utilize it and it took me literally five minutes. Uh cleaned out my garage so it's uh so thanks to the DPW. Um it's a it's a really it was really so easy. So don't hesitate that it's you know more complex than it is. pack up your car and then they just unpack it and throw it in the truck and it was great. So, just wanted to make

Council uh Councilwoman, I'm sorry, if if I can say one thing, um uh DPW is is responsible, but the main one is is Ralph because he created from start to finish. Yeah. Even going to the Amish, you got a building that's that's used there. Um and and the cardboard goes in the back of the garbage trucks and they actually sell that. So, he's created a wonderful thing here and and so many people do use it. Yeah, I'm glad glad to hear. Yeah, it was a great good experience. I'll I'll make sure that he knows that you said something here. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe he's watching. Hi, Ralph. Thanks. And and that's typically after um recycling day. It's the Monday.

Yes. It's the Saturday after the same the recycle. So, so that's how I remembered, you know, and uh Gretchen also gave me the schedule. Um so, when I stopped in during the week, and it's also not only cardboard. Sometimes they can bring bulk items too like Oh yeah. Well, yeah. And I mean I it wasn't just cardboard cuz I had all my other, you know, like I then did my extra recyclables that we normally put out and that they just threw everything in the garbage trucks and I felt like I did a good deed and I didn't really do anything. Just drove the Just don't bring the hazardous materials. That's a that's a separate day. So yeah. And as we move into the holiday season, I'm sure that uh you know that that we'll all be seeing each other there.

That's right. Uh I just as a quick comment, I really appreciated understanding the data and you know I I can see that there's certainly more policemen. Uh like I I always wondered when we when I get the count in in previous meetings um I don't have a any correlation about more or less or good or bad. So it's kind of it's nice to see that. Yeah. I I thought it was interesting trying to make it a habit because Chris is the chief is really good about sharing data like that and I'll try to you know do that more regularly with everyone but it's so impressive that is I was you know interesting the four DWI in town which um for such a small town uh and then you know someone said to me well there's a lot of people who cut through

that's right as well just you know yeah they're doing a heck of a job so thank thank you for that saying that

all right I I have two things that I'd like to talk about and I'm going to address the uh agenda change for a last hopefully a last time uh considering the loss of transparency the residents are the losers in the standoff that we are having first changing the unan unanimously voted for agenda 2025-22 the resolution without the forethought and wishes from the majority of council is not legal it was stated that the change was for the sake of expediency but for whom certainly it takes away or curtails the information to residents and second the surprise elimination of the committee reports from last week last meeting from council for council members as retribution for reestablishing council comments as a standalone information access for residents is seen negatively though our bylaw state committee reports are on the first meeting of the month which is true this has been disregarded until last meeting we've we've done reports every meeting and um my question is why have we been ignoring the bylaws? Because if if if it's stated that we do it on the first of every month and we've been doing it every month since I've been sitting here, we should continue to inform the residents of happenings every meeting. I do not believe in shortch changing my neighbors of needed information or our thoughts because someone desires to get home early. We are elected to be information contributors and I will continue to do so. And also I I'm going to add something about the uh old Michelin plan. I'm going to speak about the hope for upcoming change in our status regarding the old Michelin plan. I appreciate after 25 years there is possible resolution. What residents have received has been 25 years of blight, $7 million of misax collection, poisonous contamination, financial burden, etc. We could have done something to recoup our losses. For instance, an idea. We could have offered to lease some of his land, some of his property, say 10 10 acres,

get him to clean it up. We could have put a up a solar array field, much of it with grants, bringing in electricity, savings for the residents. We would be beating him at his game, not taking his land, yet helping our residents. Instead, we have him as a bad neighbor, owed $7 million, not to us, but to the taxpayers who have been footing the tax burden. I'm more concerned with the toxic exposure, land, air, and water to residents. I am also more concerned with the $7 million owed to the residents than I am to make sure that the developer gets to make his investment worth his while. It's a shame that the situation for all of Miltown has lasted for decades. Thank you. I share Councilman Fazinski's, you know, sentiment about the administrators changing the agenda and then somehow it wasn't legal and then we had to pass a resolution to change it back again, which that makes any sense, but some people want to go home early and others just want to get the job done. Thank you.

Okay, I have no comments. Next on the agenda, we have uh a resolution 2025-340. Will the clerk please read uh resolution 2025 340 by entering into executive session. You heard the reading of this resolution. Um may I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second. I have a motion made by Councilman Potter, second by Council President Zbrana. Um, will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zbrana, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman Mako, I. Councilwoman Payne, hi. Councilman Posnki, I. Councilman Potter, I.

Motion carries. Thank you. Uh, we're going to stay in here. Um, thank you.