Town Council Notifications - Regular Meeting

Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the open public meetings act was provided through the posting, mailing and filing of the annual notice of regularly scheduled meetings of the town council on December 10th, 2025. The notice was on that date posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building provided to the Westfield leader and the star ledger and filed with the clerk of the town of Westfield. Miss Lowshi, may I have a roll call? Mayor Burman here. Council members Gilman here. Dagalo here. Pecker here. Kefir here. Saunders here. Adoir here. Armentoto here. Megatron here.

Please rise for the invocation which will be given by councilwoman Adoir and then remain standing for the salute to the flag. In this moment of coming together, let us reflect on the shared humanity that unites us all. Regardless of our individual beliefs, let us commit ourselves to justice, fairness, and the common good. May our deliberations be marked by empathy and our decisions guided by wisdom. Together, let us strive to create a community where all are valued and respected. 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.

Good evening everyone and thanks to everybody who is joining us tonight both here and in person via and via the live stream on the town's YouTube channel. As always, the replay of this meeting will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and TV36. Public comment will be accepted in person only. I'll have a few brief remarks before we begin tonight's agenda. Uh, first, I will be hosting my next town talks on Wednesday, March 18th from 5:30 to 7:00 at Lions Roar Brewery. Please feel free to stop by anytime over the course of those 90 minutes to share your thoughts and feedback or just to say hello. No advanced registration is needed. I look forward to an evening of conversation and connecting with members of the community. Uh in order to assist the community with disposal of residual organic debris from the recent blizzard, we'll be offering all residents free use of the conservation center without a permit or fee on Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th. Proof of residency will be required, and landscapers are not permitted to deposit materials. Following the volume of branches and other debris from the storm, it's a good time to remind everyone that with the exception of leaf season, organic debris is not allowed to be placed curbside. Residents are responsible for disposal. Spring and summer normal hours will begin at the center on Thursday, March 19th, opening on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 2:30 and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 3:00. Annual permits for organic debris will be required at a cost of $60 and are now available for purchase on the town website. In addition, the C center's expense extensive drop off recycling programs are available free of charge to our residents year round with no permit required and bulk waste disposal continues to be offered through single-use permits. Uh today is the deadline uh for current Memorial pool members to complete their renewals for the summer, which can be done on civic wreck. Online registration for the weight list is also available once the renewal period is complete which is tonight. The pool staff will

begin working through the sequential wait list in mid-March as space permits. So for tonight's agenda, we have a busy agenda with public hearings for eight ordinances on second reading all from the code review and town property committee. The first is an ordinance to designate 625 Westfield Avenue as a historic landmark which was approved by the planning board at their meeting last week. The second ordinance amends the redevelopment plan for the Vantage uh located at Prospect and Ferris and formerly known as the Sophia. As discussed in our last meeting, the ordinance updates the redevelopment plan to allow the temporary use of 118 Ferris Place next to the project site to support construction activities and temporarily store uh the historic Mills Ferris Pierall House. This will reduce neighborhood disruption by limiting construction trailers, truck loading in public streets, and on-site parking by crews, while also reducing how many times the historic house needs to be moved, helping to protect the structure and potentially shortening the construction timeline by 3 to 6 months. The remaining six ordinances relate to Westfield's fourth round affordable housing plan. This plan was adopted by the previous town council in December and was formally approved by the program judge on February the 9th. Adopting these ordinances is the final step required to meet our compliance deadline. They include amendments to our affordable housing regulations ordinance and our affordable housing development fee and trust fund ordinance. They also include four zoning ordinances for fourth round sites. Each of these allows for inclusionary housing development at a density of up to 25 units per acre, consistent with the fourth round housing element and fair share plan. It's important to remember that these ordinances simply provide property owners, not the town, the option to build housing that includes affordable units on these sites in the future if they choose to do so. Our fourth round plan also added important protections by

lowering per lowering permissible densities and increasing the required number of inffortable units. I've received several questions about the zoning ordinance specifically affecting the current stop and shop site on Elm Street. To clarify, residential development has been permitted at this site for many, many years provided there is retail on the ground floor. That is not new. What is new in this ordinance is allowing a fourth floor, but also capping capping the density at 25 units per acre, a limitation that previously did not exist, and requiring the inclusion of affordable units. There are no current plans that we know of to redevelop this site, and it continues to operate as a stop and shop. Finally, I'd like to thank the previous town council for their work in finalizing the fourth round plan. This plan protects Westfield from builder's remedy lawsuits while ensuring that about 70% of the town remains zoned for single family residential use. Councilman Saunders and Domaggala served on that affordable housing committee that helped finalize these details. Thank you both for your work on this. And lastly, we have several resolutions related to financial housekeeping, purchasing new flooring for the memorial pool, and awarding a contract for tree pruning and removal services. Let's begin. And the first thing we have on the agenda tonight is a proclamation for our Girl Scouts who are here in the crowd. So I'm going to read the proclamation and then we'll take some pictures afterwards. Whereas March 12th, 1912, Girl Scouts of the United States of America was founded with a mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. And reflecting upon the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Girl Scouts is an important part of the American story as it launched a girl-led movement that celebrates girls independent spirits, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths and forge their own opportunities.

And Girl Scouts at its core embodies a commitment to community through service and civic engagement. And Girl Scouts are active across the country every day, showing up to serve, lead, and make a difference in their communities. And Gold World Award Girl Scouts are trailblazers who collectively dedicate hundreds of thousands of hours to tackle the most pressing challenges facing their communities and beyond with measurable, long lasting, and far-reaching results. And the Girl Scout leadership experience offers girls 21st century programming in science, technology, engineering, and math, the outdoors, entrepreneurship, and beyond, encouraging girls to make meaningful connections and develop invaluable life skills along the way. And 2026 marks the 100th World Thinking Day, an annual celebration hosted by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts as celebrated by Girl Scouts in its 153 member organizations that uplifts international friendship, reflects on our global Girl Scout movement, and celebrates girls voices on important issues that affect girls and young women across the world. And in July 2026, Girl Scouts will host the 58th National Council Session and the Girl Scouts Unite event celebrating all the ways that Girl Scouts make history in Washington DC. A convention where more than 10,000 Girl Scouts, alums, and supporters to explore, celebrate, and reflect upon the history of the Girl Scout movement alongside fellow change makers, dreamers, and doers. and Girl Scouts of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey serves 13,000 girls across New Jersey. Now, therefore, I, Mayor Jeremy Burman, do hereby applaud the Girl Scout Movement and Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey for 114 years of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. And I

proclaim the week of March 8th to March 15th to be Girl Scout Week in the town of Westfield. as a former uh troop leader in town. I just wanted to take a moment to recognize Michelle Cunningham, who is the service unit 52 leader, which is Westfield Girl Scouts service unit. um which basically means everything that happens ultimately with Westfield Girl Scouts shuttles from her down or vice versa troop leaders up. Um and this is peak cookie buying time. If you did not order your cookies through your neighborhood Girl Scout, you should be able to find a cookie booth uh in town near you. Correct.

Yes. But so thank you to Michelle for for your leadership for West Boy Scouts.

Uh Miss Loushi, are there any advertised hearings? Yes, Mayor. We have eight advertised hearings tonight. Starting with general ordinance 20263, an ordinance designated 625 Westfield Avenue shown on the tax maps as block 4201 lot 35 as a historic landmark in modifying the building map. Anyone wishing to be heard on general ordinance 20263. Please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record.

Good evening. My name is Jacqueline Brevard, 266 West Dudley Avenue, and I represent the Westfield Historic Preservation Preservation Commission. And I'm here to say that the homeowners of 625 Westfield Avenue happily wish to reaffirm their desire to historically designate their home.

Kathy Ogara, 625 Westfield Avenue. and Dave Gordon, 625 Westfield Avenue. Uh just real quick, Kathy and I would like to thank Jackie uh for all of her support through the process. Uh as well as uh Jennifer and Cheryl. Uh they've been fantastic. I mean, we're big fans of the historical origins in general. Um we're just very pleased to support uh Westfield's effort to preserve our history and are happy with our designation application. Yeah, we love our home and and yet we feel grateful to live in a town that wants to preserve some of these beautiful old homes. Thank you. Thank you.

Any further comments? Seeing no one, may I may close a This hearing is closed. Next is General Orens 20264, an ordinance adopting an amendment to the Prospect and Ferris redevelopment plan. Anyone wishing to be heard on general or 20264, please come to the microphone. State your name and address for the record.

Please com. No, no, please. You may come to the front. Just please state your name and your address for the record. I'm new at this. Uh, my name's Henry Windsor. I'm a 50y year old a 50-year veteran uh um 50y year resident of Westfield. Uh I have a an opinion to render regarding a veterans uh housing that is apparently planned for Crossway Place opposite the CS. Sir, yes. I think we're going to That's a different ordinance. No.

No. You'll have a public comment opportunity. This public comment right now is for this ordinance alone, but we'll I'll signal you when it's time to come up for a general. Okay. Yeah. The public comment must be on each specific ordinance alone when they do it. So, this ordinance is for the redevelopment plan amendment for the Van Go property. Anyone wishing to defer? Seeing no one, mayor, you may close the hearing.

This hearing is closed. Next is general ordinance 202605, an ordinance to amend the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield, article 23, affordable housing regulations. Anyone wishes to be heard on general ordinance 20265, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, may you may close the hearing is closed. Next to general ordinance 2026, an ordinance to amend the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield, article 22, affordable housing development de trust fund. Anyone wishes to be heard on general ordinance 2026, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, mayor, you may close the hearing.

This hearing is closed. Next is general ordinance 202607, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the fair housing act regarding compliance to the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing zone district designated as the ESH district and modifying the zoning map. This is for the Elm Street properties which include stop and shop. Anyone wishing to be heard on general orders 20267, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, mayor, you may close the hearing. This hearing is closed.

Next is general ordinance 20268, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the FRH district and modifying the zoning map. Anyone wishing to be heard on general ordinance 20268, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, may you may close the hearing. This hearing is closed.

Next is general ordinance 20269, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing zone district designated as the SAH district and modifying the zoning map. This is for the South Avenue properties next to municipal lot. Anyone wishing to be heard on general or 22609, please come to the microphone and state your name address for the record. Seeing no one may close the hearing. This hearing is closed.

And last is general ordinance 202610, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the Saw AHO district and modifying zoning map. This is for the South Avenue office building properties. Anyone wishing to be heard on general orders 202610, please come to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Seeing no one, mayor, you may close the hearing.

This hearing is closed. Councilman Pcker, please move for the adoption of these ordinances. Thank you, Mayor. First, I would like to move general ordinance number 2026-03, an ordinance designating 625 Westfield Avenue shown on the tax maps as block 4201, lot 35, as a historic landmark and modifying the zoning map. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Adoir. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council members Gilman, yes. Domagal, yes. Becker, yes. Keeper, yes. Saunders, yes. Ador, yes. Yes. Armentoto. Yes. Yes. Mayor Burman. Yes. This motion is carried.

Thank you, Mayor. First, I'd like to move Oh, we've already did it first. I would like to additionally move general ordinance number 226, sorry, 2026-04, an ordinance adopting an amendment to the Prospect and Ferris redevelopment plan. May I have a second? A second. Second by councilman Ventor. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council members Gilman. Yes. Yes. Yes. Keeper, yes. Saunders, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor Burman, yes. This motion is carried.

Thank you, mayor. Next, I would like to move general ordinance number 2026-05, an ordinance to amend the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield, article 23, affordable housing regulations. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Damagala. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council members Gilman. Yes. Yes. Parker, yes. Keeper, yes. Saunders, yes. Yes. Yes. Ramen, yes. Mayor Burton, yes. This motion is carried. Thank you, mayor. Next, I would like to move general ordinance number 202606, an ordinance to amend the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield, article 22, affordable housing development fee and trust fund. May I have a second? Second.

Second by Councilman Armento. Any discussion, please call the role. Council members Gilman, yes. Dagala, yes. Becker, yes. Kefir, yes. Saunders, yes. Agore, yes. Armentoto, yes. Ramen, yes. Mayor B, yes. This motion is carried. Thank you, mayor. Next, I'd like to move general ordinance number 202607, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance for the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing zone district designated as the ESAH district and modifying zoning map. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Gilman. Any discussion? Please call the role. Gilman, yes.

Dalo, yes. Becker, yes. Kefir, yes. Saunders, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor Burman, yes. This motion is carried. Thank you, mayor. Next, I'd like to move general ordinance number 2026-08, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the FR-Ho district and modifying the zoning map. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman uh Adoir. Please. Oh, sorry. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council member, yes. Yes. Yes. Kefir, yes. Saunders, yes.

Aar, yes. Armentoto, yes. Yes. Mayor Burman, yes. This motion is carried. Thank you, mayor. Next, I'd like to move general ordinance number 2026-09, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing zone district designated as the SAH district and modifying the zoning map. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Venamean. Any discussion? Please call the role. Councilman, yes. Yes. Yes. Keeper, yes. Sers, yes. Ador, yes. Armentoto, yes. Yes. Mayor B, yes. This motion is carried.

Thank you, mayor. Next, I'd like to move general ordinance number 2026-10, an ordinance amending the land use ordinance of the town of Westfield to address the requirements of the Fair Housing Act regarding compliance with the town's affordable housing obligations by establishing an affordable housing overlay zone designated as the SAW AHO district and modifying the zoning map. May I have a second? Second. Second by councilman Armentoto. Any discussion? I will be recusing myself. Councilman Domagel will recuse himself. Please call the role. Council members Gilman. Yes. Domus. Yes. Yes. Saunders. Yes. Adore. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor B.

Yes. This motion is carried. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the town council conference executive and regular meetings of February 24th, 2026? So moved. Uh Councilman Saunders seconded second. Second by Councilman Domagala. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? The motion is carried. Now it is time for uh open discussion by citizens. Anyone may come up to the microphone and speak to the council on any subject uh which the council has jurisdiction. Please state your name and address for the record and limit your comments to 5 minutes.

Good evening. Uh my name is Henry Windsor. I'm a 50 year resident of Westfield and this is my opinion about the 24 unit proposed uh to house 22 homeless vets. There's an arithmetic uh challenge here. There are two extra units. I learned that uh they're reserved for uh VA mentors. I avoid the VA like the plague. Uh I served during the Vietnam era in uh France of all places. I worked in the DoD for 10 years as a civilian employee GS 10 or 11. I know GIS and I know the problem with uh veterans. Um uh are there any veterans here? Could you stand or do we have any veterans here? I'm alone. Uh I uh when I enlisted voluntarily uh we were paid 21 bucks a month. Today we're professionals and we're paid gross amounts of money. The main problem is the two extra units for VA mentors. They have sovereign among im immunity under the ferz doctrine from 1950. It's a Supreme Court of the United States uh doctrine that gives the federal government and any actors or employees thereof

immunity, sovereign immunity, just like King George III had uh and precipitated a revolution of which you spoke, mayor. Well, uh, if there are any lawyers here, uh, do you understand what I'm saying about sovereign immunity and the Farah's doctrine? Well, good. I'm not alone, then. Uh, state municipal law enforcement can be held accountable in a court of law. Feds and the VA can't. Even federal contractors can't be held accountable in a state court or a municipal court. I welcome my fellow vets. I think they should have home homes, but I don't think they should uh be under the uh the control of VA mentors. I don't want VA in my home, in my town. I could be homeless any time. We all could. Chaplain and mentors and state social workers subject to the rule of law, New Jersey law can be used instead of at less cost in my opinion and they should be used instead of VA mentors. That's my opinion. I have reasons. I have discussed the reasons with my congressmen, senators, etc., etc. It's above their pay grade, gentlemen. Believe it or not, thank you for listening.

Thank you, Mr. Windsor, and thank you for your service.

Seeing no others, I close this portion of the meeting and move to bills and claims. Councilman Vinket. Thank you, mayor. I'd like to move bills and claims in the amount of $469,145. May I have a second? Second by Councilman Kefir. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Next on the agenda is reports of standing committees beginning with the finance policy committee. Councilman Vinro.

Thank you, mayor. I have five resolutions which I would like to move as a package. One, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to draw warrant for dog licenses for February 2026. Two, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund recreation department fees. Three, resolution authorizing the tax collector to cancel disabled veteran taxes. Four, resolution authorizing an award of contract for the purchase of flooring for the Westfield Memorial Pool. Five, resolution authorizing an affordability assistance grant pursuant to the town of Westfield's affordability assistance program for a tenant of an affordable housing unit. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Damagala. Any discussion? Nope. All in favor? Yes.

Yes. Opposed? The motion is count uh carried. Councilman Pcker, please move the code review and town property resolutions. Thank you, Mayor. I have four resolutions I would like to move tonight. Starting with a resolution approving a second amendment to the redevelopment of Bango Westfield LLC concerning redevelopment of block 25504 lots 121314. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Armento. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council members Gilman. Yes. Yes. Pecker. Yes. Keeper. Yes. Saunders. Yes. Yes. Yes. Terron. Yes. May

yes. This motion has carried. Next, I would like to move a resolution authorizing the endorsement of round four housing element and fair share plan first amendment. May I have a second? Second. Second by councilwoman Gilman. Any discussion? Please call the role. Council members Gilman. Yes. Yes. Becker. Yes. Yes. Saunders. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mayor B. Yes. The motion has carried. The following two resolutions I would like to move as a package. One, resolution to adopt an affirmative marketing plan. Two, resolution to adopt a spending plan. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilwoman Adoir. Any discussion?

All in favor? Opposed? The motion is carried. Councilwoman Adoir, please move the public works committee resolution. Thank you, mayor. I would like to move a resolution authorizing an award of contract for tree pruning and removal services. May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Saunders. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? The motion is carried. May I have a motion to adjurnn? So move. Councilman Damagala. Second. Second. Second by Councilwoman Adoir. All any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? The motion is carried. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you all.