Borough Council - Regular Meeting

going to Hanukkah. I'm like, "Oh, no. Sarah was last night. I got a pass."

No, there should be a fast one. I told my wife, I asked if she was in bed. I said between

I think I said between 8 and 8:30. So So 8:30 8:30 rush to that day. Thank you. like I'm in shot text. I don't know. So the uh the kayak guy looked at the uh

he did he looked at the fire for him. It his face was okay. It needed a little place directly. I um more than anything I wanted I didn't expect it to happen this year with him,

but I wanted to start a conversation which um I get I was thinking there's a place.

Good evening. I'd like to call the December 15th, 2025 Burough Council meeting 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 schedule to the official newspapers of the burough. Notice is also on file in the municipal clerk's office. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Dan Brana here. Councilman Collins here. Councilman Mango here. Councilman Posneski here. Councilwoman Payne here. Councilman Potter here. Mayor Murray

present. Burough attorney Peter Bnolo present. Bow engineer Mike Mlullen here. B engineer Laskanka here. B administrator Fred Carr. And I too am here.

Will everyone please stand for a moment of silence and followed [clears throat] by the salute of the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. First on the agenda, we have a proclamation for Councilman Collins. Please move to the vote. Councilman Collins. Whereas the Burough of Miltown Council would like to recognize Councilman John Collins for his years of service. And whereas John resides in the Bur of Miltown and has been living in Miltown for past 37 years. And whereas John has been part of the community has been a member of the Miltown Rangers, Sons of American Legion, and Miltown Lions Club. And whereas John has been involved in serving the community since his f first being elected in 2006, serving on various boards and community committees uh since first being uh elected to serve. Now therefore, I, Mayor George Murray, along with the Burough Council in the Burrow of Miltown, do hereby honor John Collins and thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to the residents in the Burrow of Miltown. [applause] [applause]

Thank you. Now is the time for public comment limited to the resolutions on the agenda only. If you wish to speak, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. again 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 hand, please come up to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. Seeing none, I will close public comments. Consideration of override of veto ordinance 25 1576. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025 370 by title please?

Overriding veto of ordinance 25-1576 pursuant to NJSA4A60-5D. [clears throat] What's the pleasure of councel? Uh I move that this uh resolution be moved forward. A second. Uh motion made by council president Zabrena, seconded by councilwoman Payne. Is there any discussion? Well, one question voting yes or no. What are what what are we voting? Is it um yes to is it no to override or yes to override?

The motion is to adopt an ordinance which would override the veto. So if you vote in with the motion, you are voting to override the veto. If you vote against the motion, you were voting not to override the veto. Okay.

And the reason why I vetoed this was because of the uh fees associated the fines associated the monthly fines associated with um with this ordinance for um the residents uh especially that Miltown at the time. Miltown had not themselves had the meters installed. Um I still don't know if the meters are installed in the burrow buildings. Um and I just think uh it should have been looked at considered a little bit differently uh when going after the residents uh on a monthly basis when the billing is actually done on a quarterly basis. Um,

well, I I I agree with the mayor because I I I looked at what I brought up as far as an opt- out option, and I realize it's not it's not going to come up as that, but I'm I'm looking for solutions just like like all of us here, and that that was my point of a solution, possible solution. I I don't I don't want to see the the people saddle saddled with fines. Seeing no further discussion, will the clerk please call the role? Council president, I. Councilman Collins, no. Councilman Moff, I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, no. Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Mayor,

thank you. Ordinance. Ordinance, public hearing, second reading. Following ordinance was introduced on November 24th, 2025. published in accordance with the law. If any member of the public wishes to comment on this ordinance, they may do may do so after the reading. Will the clerk please read ordinance 251580 by title? Ordinance to fix and amend salaries and wages for various Miltown B employees and providing the manner of payment thereof. May I have a motion in a second? So moved.

Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zabbrana, seconded by Councilman Collins. Is there any discussion? I'm sorry. I'll uh open it up to public hearing on ordinance 251580. Please state your name and address for the record. These comments are limited to the comments on this ordinance only. Someone raises your hand their hand, please come up to the microphone. State your name and address for the record. Seeing none, I'll close uh public uh comments. Is there any council comments? I I have a question. Does this change my salary?

My my reason is if it if it goes up, I would rather stay. I don't I'm not saying not speaking for anyone else. I'd rather if it's going up, I'd rather stay where I'm at. I I don't want to take an increase. This is only a range ordinance. So this this is the range within salaries must must fall. So it's not setting the ordinances. It's just setting the range within which they may fall.

Okay. And I I because I don't want to affect everyone else. I don't want to vote no because I don't want everybody to be stopped because of me. My question [snorts] it's just for clarity for myself. And just to answer your question, Councilman, the the range for burough counsel is not changing with this ordinance. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambbrana. I. Councilman Collins. I. Councilman Mango. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. I. Councilman Posnetski. I. Councilman Potter. I. Motion carries. Mayor,

authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Next. On the agenda, we have authorizing payments of municipal obligations. Will the clerk please read resolution 2025371 by title authorizing the payment of bills, claims, and statements against the burrow of Miltown in the total amount of 6,86,786.37. May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second. I have a m motion made by Council President Zimbran, seconded by Councilwoman Payne. Is there any comments.

I'd like to ask a question. It's on uh if I may. It's um 025-2365, 66 and then 2518. I just like clarity. Um I see I see three um three bills and I'm just wondering are they the same property? If any if anyone knows, Councilman, who's the vendor? It's um it's a COA. I'm sorry. It's a who? It's the It's the COA that we we pay out. It's on page It's on uh You know what? It's page three. Community grants. Oh, community grants.

Yeah, it's a the co rehab construction and uh the housing. It's I see also uh #1397 off. Just I just want clarity. So, I'm not fighting this. It's literally No, no, it's literally um uh payments for the month of um let's see here. But are they to the same location? Yes, but they're catching up. So, it looks like it's September, October, and November. All right. All right. Thank you. Thank you for the clarity. And that's it. Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zana, I. Councilman Collins, I. Councilman M. I. Councilwoman Payne, I. Councilman Posnansky, I.

Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries.

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 items may be removed from the consent agenda at the request of any council member and if so removed they will be treated on a separate matter. Any items requiring expenditures are supported by a certification of funds. If any member or council wants any resolution acted upon individually, please give me the resolution number and it will be pulled from the consent resolution. Will the clerk please read the consent agenda resolution? Whereas pursuant to the rules of council, the council may establish a consent agenda for any regular or special meetings upon certain conditions. Whereas each of the following resolutions presented by the burough council at the December 15th, 2025 regular meeting appear to have the unanimous approval of all members of the burough council. Resolution 2025 373 through 2025 382. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Burough Council, the Bur 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 December 15, 2025 regular meeting and adopted by separate vote.

And I do apologize. Does any council member want any resolutions, pulled? I'd like one um for clarity. It's uh resolution 2025 37-374. Is that it? Yes. Okay. Sorry about that, Gretchie. That's okay. Um, it's all the resolutions except 374. May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zimbran, seconded by Councilwoman Payne. [snorts] Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zambrana. I. Councilman Collins. Hi. Councilman MO. I. Councilwoman Payne. I,

Councilman Posnansky, I, Councilman Potter, I. Motion carries. Thank you. Will the clerk please read resolution uh 2025 374 authorizing hiring court administrator? What's pleasure, council? Sure. I I have a question. Um, this this person does not have certifications. That's correct. Okay. Is there is there a timing on the the uh acquiring of the certifications because I I believe that the certification is very important in this position. I think it's in the attachment um yep from judge heman that says basically um when she does this

yep it doesn't it does not state a time frame. Okay. But it does state um that her start starting salary will be and will go up once she passes the uh class the certification. Okay. Thank you, council president. That's it. Just question. [clears throat] May I have a motion in a second, please? So moved. Second.

Will the clerk please call the role? Council President Zbrana. I. Councilman Collins. I. Councilman Mako. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. I Councilman Posnanski I Councilman Potter I carries.

Thank you. Reports from elected officials. Council President Zbrana. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um I just have a a short um summary uh not to do with anything other than human relations. Um so I'd like to wish everyone a happy Hanukkah. Um for those of you who don't know what Hanukkah is, it's it's the festival of lights. It commemor commemorates a miracle. Um where oil of the temple lasted eight days and and and that's where we got eight crazy nights. Um it's more by lighting a a nine branched manora nightly eating fried foods, spinning drreidles, um and giving gifts symbolizing hope and perseverance. So um the reason I bring this up is because I'd like to, you know, give thoughts and prayers to those folks in Australia.

Yes. who unfortunately um some of them won't see Hanukkah next year or or again. Um so I want to just give a brief um notation from from my rabbi in New Brunswick who said uh you know our light has been challenged before and it's never been extinguished. So with strength and solidarity I I just read that on behalf of myself and uh the rest of the human relations committee. Thank you. Councilman Khan.

Oh thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh we uh couldn't get through u on the environmental commission uh last Wednesday. Uh there's something wrong with the Zoom. I got a message from Mike. So I'm sorry I missed it, Mike. And I guess you'll have another one at the beginning of the year. Uh I have the library program to read. [clears throat] Tuesday, December 16th, exploration station program for 1 to 5 year olds. Registration required. Wednesday, December 17th, movie matinea, witness for the prosecution. Saturday, December 20th, ugly sweater bingo pizza craft and read to a pooch. Monday, December 22nd, adult coloring. Tuesday, December 23rd, drop in play. Saturday, December 27th, crochet for beginners. Also, Lego club. Monday, December 29th, family coloring and pizza. Monday, December 29th, Vicha Slow Yoga. Tuesday, December 30th, library club book club. The library will be closed December 24th. Friday, and oh, sorry, excuse me. The library will be closed Wednesday, December 24th, Friday, December 25th, Wednesday, December 31st, and Thursday, January 1st. The library staff wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. That concludes my report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Mao.

Thank you. Uh so in the in the interest of brevity, I will say that a lot of the basic maintenance was done from the electrical department. They did put up some new street lights. Uh some flags were removed and handed over to the American Legion uh for refurbishment. Some electrical meters were fixed. Uh the holiday snowflakes were taken out of storage and checked for proper operation uh prior to hanging. Uh I will also uh just mentioned there yeah the big trees that came down that were taken down uh on Durst uh really improve visibility as you're pulling on to that street. Um we appreciate that. And also uh I don't know if anyone had noticed it. I don't know exactly where it stem from, but the uh DPW and the electrical department somewhere over by the uh by the by the basketball court, there's a couple of trees or branches that were cleared and either a new light was placed or a much better light was fixed and installed. And a lot of people who walk their dogs in that neighborhood, especially women, uh, have commented that that was really welld deserved. Uh, they really appreciate it. That would be it for me.

Thank you, Councilwoman Payne. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First up, uh, the police report. Between November 1st and November 30th, the police responded to 1,42 calls for service. [snorts] They did 116 radar details and made 671 motor vehicle stops during this period. Uh investigated 21 motor vehicle accidents and there were a dozen rest arrests made. um shoplifting, DWIS, uh active arrest warrants. Um on tra on traffic safety, [clears throat]

uh there are new no parking signs um that have been installed installed along a portion of Garver Avenue to ensure adequate access for emergency vehicles. In addition, both Garver and Jarnell Avenues now have no parking signs placed 50 feet from the stop signs at Main Street. This change is intended to improve visibility, enhance safety, and provide the necessary turning space for garbage trucks and other large vehicles entering these streets from Main Street. And I just want to point out that um this was raised by residents to us at council meetings and um I'm just so happy that the police responded. Um DPW, Ralph helped out as well. Um so I'm glad that all um was was um taken care of. Uh so we had snow as we all know. Um just a reminder that uh vehicles will be ticketed if they're left on the street. Um so uh the chief checked in with me um on the day that it's uh the next day, you know, the day of the snow and said that they had issued around 80 tickets in the morning and there would have been more uh but the shift uh the shift ended. So, um, so make sure that you pay attention to those, uh, snow parking, uh, rules. Um, the police department has been acti active, um, particularly busy, uh, this holiday season with DWI patrols. Um, so residents [clears throat] may notice an increase in police presence, and that may be one of the reasons why. And of course for to keep our roadways safe, um the chief will be assigning officers to conduct random DWI patrols throughout the season. Uh every impaired driver um that they remove from the road uh helps protect and save lives. Um these additional patrols are funded through

the New Jersey Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund, a grant supported by funds collected from convicted intoxicated drivers. Um just another reminder particularly um as bad weather may continue uh is to make sure that you're signed up for civic ready. Um and um there are currently the chief noted uh fewer than 2,000 residents that are enrolled which means many of our neighbors may not receive vital alerts about emergency road closures, power outages. So once again, the police are urging everyone to sign up uh and remind your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. It only takes a minute to do that. Um how do you do that? you text Miltown in all capital letters to 38276 uh and you'll see or you can go also online on the burough website um to the spot where it says how do I alerts and notifications and then you can choose the different notifications that you want to receive. Um, and again, um, remember that there's the non-emergency line. I haven't reminded, um, residents lately, uh, is 732-8281100. And of course, um, if there's an emergency, dial 911, and the police department wishes everyone a really happy [snorts] and safe holiday season. On behalf of the Miltown Fire Department, for the month of November, there were 21 total incidents and year-to- date 315. Two of the notable fire calls um were uh coverage uh with North Brunswick um where there was a dumpster fire that was extinguished by our Miltown crew at the movie theater. And there was also a tractor trailer crash um in in on the New Jersey Turnpike and our crew used the Hurst tool uh to cut the driver out

of the truck. Uh so kudos to our our folks for all that hard work. Um one notable thing uh that happened that uh I attended and I think I think all of our council members and the mayor attended um was a 75th anniversary celebration 75 years of service um by Mr. George G. Uh, and it was really a lovely event. And, uh, now we have George Gisway. Um, uh, you know, a memorial sign, uh, on the on the driveway, uh, into the firehouse. It was a really nice ceremony. Um, George is, I think, 97.

97. And he looks fantastic, right? So, um, congratulations to Mr. Guys. Uh, just some quick, uh, additional general information. Uh the um Miltown Fire Department has received some new equipment uh and it it really has uh upped their game and um they've been called out to accidents that required this rescue equipment that was attained for free by the way. Um and it helped in that incident with uh the driver of the tractor trailer at on the at the crash on the turnpike. Um so um December uh will also produce a new deputy chief for the department. Um and um of course uh you know Santa will be uh arriving shortly uh on the Santa tour on Saturday, December 20th uh starting at 6:00 p.m. start time. And tonight there's a uh we voted on the a new cadet application uh was forwarded for our approval. Uh so that's great to see another new member. And then to sum up with the Miltown Rescue Squad um report um they too are looking forward to joining the fire department and driving Santa around town. Uh they're looking to recruit. Um so um the total number of calls that they had in November was 61. 43 in Miltown, 10 on the turnpike. Uh mutual aid was six. So, um, again, our thanks, um, and in particular during the holiday season when I'm sure, um, they'll be, you know, um, it'll be very necessary for them to help folks during that during this time. So, thank you to the rescue squad. And that concludes my report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Penszki.

Sure. Um, first I'd like to to thank um, Councilwoman for bringing up George G. He truly is a treasure and and a noble man at Miltown. Um most my report which is not that large will will come up for uh council comment, but I'd just like to bring up a few things with public works. Um please check the Burr website to see notifications about changes to the garbage collection [clears throat] schedule changes during the holiday season. Leaf bags are still available Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 3 p.m. at the Burr garage if you think you'll need them. All snow removal equipment such as plows and sanders have been prepped and are ready to go for the upcoming winter season and you saw that a couple days ago. Um and also the um the electric speed sign on Oaks Avenue is is up and working and working very well. And that concludes my report, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you, Councilman Potter.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. from Miltown Recreation Department. Winter registration is now open for adult yoga, Pilates, men's basketball, and women's volleyball. Our angel tree lighting was held Friday, December [laughter] 5th. Thank you to everyone that came to support our kickoff for the holiday season. Special thanks to Santa and [laughter] Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, the Miltown Fire Department, Kate Pastori, the Remax Country Team, Mr. Gary Wittmann, Miss Sangeli in the JK band, St. Paul's Church, the Girl Scouts, the DPW crew, Ross Einbinder, and Lauren Cutar. Our fresh theater arts program registration is open with classes beginning on February 3rd. Our indoor soccer clinics have great sessions with the final sessions taking place this Thursday, December 18th. We had a great turnout for our cooking classes at Marcel's Kitchen in East Brunswick with today being the final class. Winter youth basketball registration is still open. Registration closes on January 4th. Registration is open for other winter youth programs including chess, kids yoga, and mad science funky forces. A reminder that the deadline to donate any new gloves or gently used jackets, coats, scarves, hats, and gloves will be this Friday, December 19th. Registration is still open, but but seats are limited for the Price is Right Family Fun Night at the State Theater on Friday, May 1st. The Miltown Recreation Department would like to thank everyone for their support [laughter] this past year. We can't wait to kick off the 2026 season and look forward to another great year of programs and events. Wishing you and your families a happy holiday season. And on behalf of the mayor and council, we would like to thank uh our rec

director Kim McGrath and her staff on a great year and wish her the best of luck and a speedy recovery on her upcoming surgery this week. From the planning board, the next planning board meeting is this Wednesday, December 17th. And from the 4th of July, two upcoming events. Saturday, January 24th, karaoke night at the Miltown BFW. And Saturday, April 18th, our first annual Red, White, and Brew to the Decades event at the American Legion. Stay tuned. [laughter] Additional details will be shared in the coming months. And Mr. Mayor, that concludes my report.

Thank you. Um, I don't have a report, but I would like to wish um all the burough employees and all the residents a uh happy holidays, merry Christmas, uh happy Hanukkah, and uh safe and healthy uh new year hopefully. Uh reports from burough professionals. Peter Vignola. No report tonight, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. B engineer CME Loop.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um first the uh update on the meter replacement project. To date um 2,379 meters are completed. We're about uh 91.5% plus or minus done. Two uh additional ones are validating. Um 11 are now scheduled and assigned to be uh replaced. There's still 173 unscheduled and 50 that are incomplete for various reasons. Um secondly, the Foch Avenue improvement project has been submitted to the DOT for authorization to bid. In anticipation of receiving that um authorization, we're going to start putting together a bid schedule with the QPA for the burrow. And finally, on behalf of all the staff at CME Associates, we'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a safe and happy new year. And that's all we have.

Thank you, Mr. McClone. [clears throat]

So, you don't want to hold up the the the uh sign board now? So, if you could zoom in on the sign board, please. Uh, thank you. So, the sign board, see, you didn't even see I put it there on you. The sign board is actually the uh the battery project at CME won the first place award in the state of New Jersey for the uh engineers burough engineers. So I'd like to uh thank you again for uh supporting us with this uh project this endeavor. So thank you. [applause] Actually, if I may say that the uh the engineering committee was impressed with Miltown's battery installation. Many of the towns can't do that because they don't own their own electric utility. So that's it's really Miltown's award too. So that's should say but thank you.

Thank you. Um Gretchen, do you have anything? Nothing. Thank you, mayor. Okay. Thank you.

Does any member have any old business to bring before council? Seeing none, does any member of council have any new business to bring before council? So, uh, Mr. Mayor, I was I was asked because Mr. Carr uh wasn't available tonight because he has a uh meeting in Spotswood and because uh our CFO Joe Zang is in South River tonight with the meeting just to read uh the blurb about the the ban certification of determination and award. The ban acronym is basically a bond anticipation note and every year we go out and we do it once a year um just to make sure that um we we save costs and what we're doing is basically taking any debt that we have from a particular time or period and we're refinancing it and you do this obviously you do this if you have to do it but it's always best if you do it when the interest rate that you're refinancing is higher than what you than what it is now and so part of that came into play. Um we were awarded um some money last year about $200,000 for a firet truck. It is anticipated that that fire truck which be which will be about a million dollars over a million dollars will be delivered at some time in 2026. Not really sure, but that's that was the impetus for like uh doing that refi uh refinancing that debt um because you only do it when you actually need it in that year. So that concludes uh my summary.

Okay. Um, I'll close new business. Open to the public. The public comment portion of our meeting is to allow the public to bring to the council's attention their concerns and comments. The council will respect the public's time by refraining from any comment till 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 as a reminder, under the rules of council, individuals wishing to speak during the public input part of the meeting shall be limited to a fiveminut period and may after other speakers have finished may be allowed to speak for a second fiveminut period. If someone raises their hand, please step up to the microphone, state your name and address for the record. Um Debbie Miller, 92 Ford Avenue. Um I was wondering if there's any updates on the fire station appraisals.

Not at this time. Um also we all received letters about the the contamination in the water and the department trying to rectify the problem, but I was wondering where is the source being tested? Is it at the beginning of where it comes in from New Brunswick or closer through the town? We have not been directly involved in it, but I think that the uh testing is uh being done at the tank, the water storage tank at uh out towards Home Depot. So after it comes through New Brunswick.

So then maybe the contamination could be from New Brunswick or as it travels along to the tank.

Well, the um as I said, we haven't been directly involved, but what I believe they're checking for is something called uh trihalomemethanes, DHMs, and uh they're called uh disinfection byproducts from the disinfection system, which is chlorination from New Brunswick. over time these uh um organics degrade from the chlorine and I'm not sure they're actually finding organics or they're finding or or the catamish they're finding a potential for it. So I know that Mr. Carr has the water department flushing and I think that the problem is under control last I heard. So um and I should say and I res I understand the concerns but many towns have a very similar problem. Doesn't make it better but a very similar problem and uh um it's something that we believe New [snorts] Brunswick is working on their treatment system to help uh reduce organics and that should solve Miltown's problem also.

Okay. Thank you. And just so that you know um Chris from VO came and changed the libraries meter today. Well great and went smoothly. That's good. Good. Thank you. Seeing no further comments, I'll close audience comments. Does any council members have any comments? I do, but if I may, I'd like to go last.

Yeah. I I'd just like to thank all the residents for giving me this opportunity to serve serve them on the town council. And I wish uh all the best to my fellow councilmen for the new year with all the u challenges here. And um I will continue to work and the committees in Meltown that I'm on and the organizations to make Meltown a great place to live. And uh I just like to say happy holidays, merry Christmas, and happy new year all the residents and the workers here. Thank you.

Uh Mr. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to uh wish Councilman Collins it's been a privilege to serve alongside of you on council and I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors and I also wish all of our residents a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Thank you. Thanks, Dave.

I'd like to I'd like to take this time to honor our military and those heroes that gave their lives on Sunday morning of December 7th, 1941. As President Roosevelt stated at the time, a day which will live in infamy. In an unprovoked surprise attack, the Imperial Japanese Air Forces devastated our military inst installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, thus forcing us into an already raging World War II. The American people rallied with patriotism and humanitarianism for all those suffering tyranny around the globe. America has America has always fought for freedom because to so many that is what our flag represents. And I'm going to go over um what I was speaking about with the DPW Senior Center. Um this is I'm I'm finishing my second year here and I don't know where I'll be as far as next year on on uh committees, but and I'd like to thank there a lot of people. I'm thanking all those that keep Miltown functioning well for the benefit of our residents and taxpayers. I'm including the areas that I am a leazison to or on a committee for. I'd like to thank Chief Johnson and all of our dedicated, well-trained police officers. They leave their families every day to serve and protect your families every day. If you feel safe in Miltown, please thank an officer. They have done their job. And Chief Fama and our loyal, brave volunteer firemen who are always ready day and night for whatever emergency may come their way. Don't forget to give them appreciation, too. Our rescue squad is well trained and staffed with caring, calming volunteers ready for your call. Please remember them, especially if you have if they have helped you in your time of need. I thank DPW Director Ralph Jazzinowski for his dedication to Miltown, his employees, and to the details of his department. They are a welloiled machine. Please remember the guys, whether it's plowing while you're sleeping, or Ian and John in a deep trench at 3:00 in the morning in 12°ree weather fixing a water main break again.

And finally, I thank Debbie Cuddy for her stellar job. She does keeping things running smoothly at the senior center. Debbie has given us 22 years of dedicated loyalty, allowing us much needed stability. And Bob Scarzinski has been president of the senior center for over 18 years. Steadfast in his position, I appreciate both Debbie and Bob. They make my job easier. Bob, a rather shy, modest man, has said he wants no accolades, no fanfare when he leaves. He has said all that he would like is a life-sized statue in his honor, nothing more. And um Councilman Collins, this one's for you. I have one more person to thank, and that would be Councilman John Collins. He is responsible for me sitting here and keeps apologizing for getting me into this. I know that Councilman Collins feels as I do that people feel at times invisible and someone has to be the voice for those that are voiceless and forgotten. I am thankful and Councilman Collins I'm sure agrees that it is an honor to be that voice that gives hope to their struggle. While it seems Councilman Collins and I fight lost causes, the only cause the the lost cause is the only cause worth fighting for. Councilman Collins leaves political life coincides with his next endeavor as a ski instructor. Please thank him and wish him well with another round of applause. [applause] I have one more thing. It's a Christmas message. I leave you now with Christmas message. I have two quotes. Remembrance like a candle burns brightest at Christmas time. And that's by Charles Dickens. And this is by Norman Vincent Peele. Christmas waves a magic wand over the world and everything. Behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Merry Christmas to those that believe. Happy Hanukkah to those that honor the

Jewish faith and a healthy happy new year to all. Good night. Thank you. Okay. Close council comments. Um, I only have uh a couple comments. I'd like to thank Councilman Collins for uh all his uh service on Burough Council and all the committees. Uh thank you. Uh I would also like to thank the Miltown Palestine Lodge free and accepted Masons number 294. My wife and I were honored to be invited to attend the installation of the officers for 2026. I would like to congratulate warship fold master Matthew V. Barlan and the new installation officers that were sworn in last night. The Freemasons is one of the America's oldest fraternal organizations arriving in the early 1700s deeply involved in the community service and charity like Shriner's Hospitals and predating many other civic groups making its foundation part of America's volunteerism and fraternity. The Miltown Lodge number 294, free and accepted masons, was constituted on May 17th, 2000 uh I'm sorry, uh 1958, located at 30 North Main Street, Miltown. Uh so it was a very nice u uh ceremony that uh took place. Next, we have the agenda session uh for next meeting. I don't think there's anything on there. Okay. and resolution 2025- uh 383. Uh if the clerk would please read resolution 383

entering into executive session pending litigation and just Mr. Mayor for the record the uh the council may be taking action after this executive session. So just that is a possibility. Thank you. Uh you have heard the reading as of this resolution. Um may I have a motion and a second please? So moved. Second. Second. I have a motion made by Council President Zambrana, seconded by Councilwoman Payne. Um may the clerk call the role. Council President Zambrana. I. Councilman. Councilman Mako. Hi. Councilwoman Payne. Hi. Councilman Posneski.

I. Councilman Potter. I Okay, we stand here. Oh, we're going to have it here. Okay, we'll have to for count for Councilman Potter. We'll have to have it here. Yeah, we could carry the phone with us. It'll make it to, you know,