Town Council Notifications - Regular Meeting

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. 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. This notice was, on that date, posted on the bulletin board of the Municipal Building, provided to the Westwood Leader and the Star Ledger, and filed with the Clerk of the Town of Westfield. Ms. Laoshi, may I have a roll call?

Mayor Rubin?

Here.

Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here.

Please rise for the invocation which will be given by Councilor Armento and then remain standing for the salute of the flag.

Today may we be open to others' ideas and beliefs, respectful of our differences, not threatened by them. May we grow in understanding of one another. Strength, real strength, can always find compromise. Working together may find a common ground and enable us to move forward with shared purpose. May we see what is truly important and unites us, focusing on that to banish roadblocks of ego and fear. Today may we be open to others' ideas and beliefs.

good evening everyone and thank you to all who are joining us tonight both here in person and via the live stream on the town's youtube channel as always the replay of the meeting will be available on facebook YouTube and TV 36, public comment will be accepted in person only. I'm gonna make a few brief remarks before we begin tonight's agenda. First, I would like to update everyone about the unfortunate accident that occurred on Saturday at Memorial Pool. A large tree branch fell and injured a 15-year-old boy who remained conscious and was transported to the hospital. I am grateful to the pool staff and our first responders for their swift and professional response, and it is our understanding that the child is thankfully now back at home and in good spirits. This entire council extends its best wishes to him and his family as he recovers from his injuries. On the local events front, I would like to thank everyone who joined us yesterday for our Pride celebration. It was wonderful to see a great turnout, especially from our middle and high school students at this important commemoration of inclusion for all. Looking ahead to the next few weeks, I hope to see many of you this Friday night at the Quimby Street Watch Party. to cheer on Team USA as they take on Paraguay in the World Cup in their first match. This event begins at 8 o'clock with live music from the Westfield High School Blue Devil Steel Band and will also include a photo booth, fan activities and more. Full details are available at the DWC website and we will notify residents via Nixle if weather conditions cause an unfortunate cancellation. We also look forward to celebrating Juneteenth, which is an opportunity to reflect on our history honor the resilience and contributions of black Americans, and reaffirm our shared commitment to building a community where every resident feels valued, respected, and included. This Saturday, the town will partner with the Bethel Baptist Church to host their annual celebration from 11 to 4 in partnership with the Westfield Neighborhood Council, the Westfield Community Center, and the MLK Association of Westfield. On June 20th, the MLK Association will host the Juneteenth Trolley Tours, highlighting African American history in Westfield. Additional details and tickets are available on their website. Moving on to Tamaqua's park, thank you to everyone who has shared feedback on the proposed design plan. The thoughtful input we have received will help shape the future of our largest park and one of Westfield's most significant gathering places. With the June 15th deadline approaching, I encourage anyone who has not yet participated to complete the survey on the town's website. I also want to say a few things about the importance of e-bike safety. With the arrival of summer and more residents and visitors outdoors, this continues to be a real concern, and our officers will be enforcing the updated state regulations. Riders and parents should be aware of the July 19th compliance deadline that e-bike riders must be at least 15 years old, E-bikes must be registered and licensed through the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission, and riders must follow all the rules of the road. Penalties for noncompliance may include fines and, in some cases, impoundment of the bike. The Westwood Police Department will be hosting additional e-bike safety presentations in the coming weeks, which will also be posted on our website. It is my very sincere hope that our e-bike riders take these new laws seriously, as the safety of our cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists remains a top priority. Tonight's legislative agenda. We have two bond ordinances on second reading tonight to fund necessary improvements at CIPFE Houlihan Fields. The first authorizes additional funds for the parking lot expansion and restroom storage facility construction. The second authorizes funding for the replacement of two turf fields at O'Hollahan-Sitt Faye, which have reached end of life and are in need of replacement. In addition to a handful of standard financial actions, we also have resolutions from finance policy committee to establish an estimated tax rate until the county certifies their final tax rate this summer, as well as a resolution confirming compliance with the local finance board rules after a successful 2025 audit. From public safety, we have a resolution authorizing our annual payment for the police department's body-worn cameras, and also a resolution authorizing an award of contract to purchase and install a security system here at Town Hall. From code review, we have a resolution authorizing an award of contract to Harvest Group for the Adams Fest beer and wine concession at the Charlie's Ale Garden on October 17th, following a publicly advertised bid process. And we also have a resolution authorizing an agreement with the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad that allows Public Works to conduct snow plowing services on their property. And lastly, from code review, we have a resolution that authorizes Westfield to enter into a court-approved affordable housing settlement as part of New Jersey's updated affordable housing process. As you'll recall, we finalized our fourth round affordable housing plan earlier this year. This resolution is essentially the very final step in securing the town's affordable housing certification from the court, which protects us from the affordable housing lawsuits through 2035. And before we actually begin our legislative agenda, I'm going to read one proclamation for National Gun Violence Awareness Day, which was actually last Friday. And we have Vita Larkin, who we're going to award that to, come up momentarily. Whereas every day more than 130 Americans are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded, with an average of more than 19,000 gun homicides every year. And Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries. Whereas cities and small towns across the nation, including Westfield, are working to end the senseless violence with evidence-based solutions. And support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping guns away from people with dangerous histories. And whereas public safety, protecting that in our communities, is our highest responsibility. And our law enforcement officers know their communities best, are the most familiar with local criminal activity and how to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep our citizens safe. And in January 2013, Hadiyah Pendleton was tragically shot and killed at age 15. And on June 5, 2026, to recognize her 29th birthday, people across the United States recognized National Gun Violence Awareness Day, and wore orange in tribute to Hadiya Pendleton, other victims of gun violence, and the loved ones of those victims. And whereas we renew our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have access to them, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep our families and communities safe, now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor Jeremy Berman, along with the members of this town council, declare June 5th, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the town of Westfield, and in doing so, encourage all citizens to support efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. So I'm going to have Vida come on up. Okay. Ms. Lausche, are there any advertised hearings?

Yes, sir. We have two advertised hearings tonight starting to appropriate an additional sum of $862,000 for the undertaking of the parking lot, restroom, and multi-purpose facility improvement project in, by, and for the town of Westfield and county of Union State of New Jersey to make a down payment to authorize issuance bonds to finance such additional appropriation and to provide for the issuance bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds. Anyone wishing to be heard on special orders 2026-02, please come to the microphone and state your name and address to the record.

This hearing is closed.

Next is Special Ordinance 2026-03, a bond ordinance to authorize the replacement of synthetic turf athletic fields and the making of other improvements at Coolingham and Sinfe fields in, by, and for the town of Westfield and the county of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $808,000. to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment, to authorize the issuance of bonds, to finance such appropriation, and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. Anyone wishing to be heard on special ordinance 23603, please come to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. Seeing none, very good to hear.

This hearing is now closed. Councilman Packer, please move for the adoption of these ordinances.

Thank you, Mayor. I would like to move on to second reading. Special Ordinance Number 2026-02, bond ordinance to appropriate an additional sum of $862,000 for the undertaking of the Coolahan-Sitfe Field's Parking Lab, Restroom, and Multipurpose Facility Improvement Project in, by, and for the Town of Westfield in the County of Union, State of New Jersey to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such additional appropriations and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. May I have a second?

Second. Seconded by Councilman Armento. Any discussion? Please call the roll.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. This motion is carried.

I would also like to move on second reading special ordinance number 2026-03 bond ordinance to authorize the replacement of the synthetic turf fields and the making of other improvements at Hula and Sid Faye fields in, by, and for the town of Westfield in the county of Union, state of New Jersey to appropriate the sum of $880,000 to pay the cost thereof to make a down payment to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds.

May I have a second? Second. Second, Councilman Damagala. Any discussion? Please call the roll.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. This motion is carried. May I have a motion to approve the minutes from the Town Council Conference Executive and Regular Meetings of May 19, 2026? So moved. Councilman Saunders, second? Second. Councilman Pecker, any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Now it's time for open discussion by citizens. Anyone may come up to the microphone and speak to the council on any subject on which the council has jurisdiction. Please state your name and address for the record and limit your comments to five minutes. Seeing none, I close this portion of the meeting and move to bills and claims. Councilman Pecker.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to move bills and claims in the amount of $922,297.57. May I have a second?

Count second by Councilwoman Kilman. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? The motion is carried. Next on the agenda is reports of standing committees, beginning with the Finance Policy Committee, Councilman Pecker. Thank you, Mayor.

I have ten resolutions I would like to move as a package. Number one, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund dumpster security payment. Two, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund street opening cash bond. Three, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund performance bond. Four, resolution authorizing the chief financial officer to refund recreation department fees. 5. Resolution authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to draw a warrant for dog licenses for May 2026. 6. Resolution authorizing an Affordability Assistance Grant pursuant to the Town of Westfield's Affordability Assistance Program for a tenant of an affordable housing unit at 2212 Echo Lane, Unit 2212, Unit 1A. Seven, resolution revising an affordability assistance grant pursuant to the Town of Westfield's affordability assistance program for a tenant of an affordable housing unit at 440 North Avenue, East Echo Lane, Unit 1A. Eight, resolution establishing payment scheduled for Board of Education tax payments. Nine, resolution establishing estimated tax rate. Ten, resolution confirming compliance with local finance board rules regarding recommendations of annual audit.

May I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Armenta. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Councilwoman Gilman, please move the items for public safety.

Thank you, Mayor. I have two resolutions I would like to move as a package. One resolution authorizing payment to Axon Enterprise for the Westfield Police Department. Two, resolution authorizing an award of contract for the purchase and installation of security access control equipment for the Westfield Police Department.

May I have a second? Second. Second, Councilman Saunders, any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. Councilman Pecker, please move the code review and town property resolution.

Thank you, Mayor. I have seven resolutions I would like to move as a package. One, resolution to approve children's amusement device license. Two, resolution authorizing an award of contract for Adams Fest beer and wine garden concession. Three, resolution authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with the Westfield Rescue Squad. Four, resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute an agreement with the county of Union to modify the cooperative agreement. Five, resolution authorizing renewal of agreement with Eastgate Square Condominium Association. Six, resolution authorizing renewal of the agreement with Westfield Crossing Condominium Association. Seven, resolution authorizing the Affordable Housing Council to sign compliance certificate consent order with Fair Share Housing Center.

May I have a second? Second. Second by Council Member Mento. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried. May I have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Council Member Damagal, may I have a second? Second. Second by Council Member Gilman. Any discussion? All in favor? Yes. Opposed? This motion is carried.