adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by forming a copy to The Courier News Star Ledger and posting on the township website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting all in accordance with the open public meetings act this meeting will not substantially go past 1030 roll Madam cler Mr Kudo here Mr anelly here Mr Foster here Mrs zillis here Mr Machado here mayor Jani I'm here would you all iedge Al to flag unit stes to the stands Nation God indivisible with liy Justice this evening we do not have a conference session so we will go right into the regular [Music] agenda make a motion open hearing on agenda item second any discussion Ru call Mr Kudo here Mr here Mrs Foster Mr Foster Mrs zillis here Mr Machado here okay comments are welcome during the public comment period during this meeting on any agenda items however if an ordinance is listed for its own public hearing on the agenda please hold your comments for that particular public hearing to make your comment the speaker must come forward to the microphone and state his or her name and address for the record each speaker is limited to three minutes the mayor council president will keep time John's got a beautiful toy please promptly yield in the floor when your time is called and return to your seat your cooperation and adherance B's Rules of Order will ensure an orderly and respectful meeting so with that the hearing on the agenda items only is now open this General reevaluation report and and I commend the berhe head's environmental commission who's taken a lot of time to to look at look at the St these attending meetings and I think it's important that everyone here in town attend the meeting it's all virtual and online you can go online to www..us ac. army. mgrr it's the greenbook flood riskmanagement project and one of the projects was putting a dam on the lower part of um by watch Young reservation and ber the heads opposes it and I agree with them so I just want to bring that to the general public so this way you can see it and read for yourself second uh we did have a meeting with the downtown beautification committee and I want to thank oural for an informative and collaborative meeting about the shriman Avenue revitalization project the project is being planned using all Grant dollars and we're planning on using no tax dollars the DBC discussed uh streetscapes design and keep everything with the downtown state standards bicycle racks were discussed lighting and possibly curb Cuts closing closings making this a more walkable downtown that we all want look forward to having uh this is all part of our master plan and we're keeping up with that so that's one two number three I want to thank OEM um for the work they're doing keeping us informed on these storms because we're getting backtack storms this week with a lot of ice our our DPW is doing the best job they can um you are using salt please bear in mind that some of the roads are County Roads we're doing our best with our roads and uh maybe we can find a way to put a system in place where the OEM will disseminate the information at the same time because it looks like the schools and our offices are all somewhat disjoint on information so maybe we can work something El the subtilizer later on and the last thing um mayor we having the DMV come back into Berkeley Heights I don't know the this officer Chief Arrow now you usually get scheduled through the police department the mobile motor vehicle coming back to Berkeley Heights usually yeah yeah because one one of the residents ask me if we need a if they need a current license for an electric vehicle and I told him no regular license is fine okay current license I think so a a current license thank you John man WR this materal you better fire that guy okay very good thank you uh Paul you're up next all right so I'll also say thanks to the DPW guys they work hard and you they deserve some recognition so thank you DPW guys um one other thing just to mention uh Governor Livingston's having a veterans food drive and I know my daughter's been pushing that um so please consider donating canned food cereal hygiene products to the front entryway of the GLS school tomorrow because tomorrow is the last day so if anybody's around please do that okay very good John I think it be open more supposed to be the late opening also maybe not yeah so maybe they'll extend it early dismissal early dismissal reevaluate at six may be another day off covers Mr President okay um I want to start out I I was remiss at the last meeting I went back and looked at what I did I forgot to welcome Margaret and Bill to the council and welcome to your first regular meeting because there's a lot going on at that last one to make everybody's heads SP so you know when you look at Pages this deep and how many numbers so um welcome to Fright um the historic preservation committee met on January 10th and where we welcome two newest members Michelle bomo and Stevie Yellen many topics were discussed as Farm say is now under construction Take a Ride by take a look at that we actually have some pictures um I'm not going to uh they're going to go up on the website shortly um and as a wise man once put it the eagle has landed it's landed in Berk Heights on Horseshoe Road okay so we're uh ready to go there um like I said the pictures going to be up on the town website so you as the Publican out there and track the progress of what's going on the farm was placed on a National Registry in 1976 so it's coming up on its 50th anniv AR so we're looking to do some uh big shinda for its 50th it looks pretty good for being on there for 50 years you know even though um we also had some discussions on Bell labs and the historical significance that they had on this town and the generations of town resence we also discuss what we may need to do as next steps to preserve this history um I want to point out that on going down to something else here um the next topic um January 17th of 1920 now I'm I'm not dating myself here but um it was the uh the act for prohibition got kicked in here so don't worry about it I'm not saying we're bringing it back so everybody's okay nervous out there um just want to point out some dates here also with the delicious scent of Pop carel still in the air we happily celebrate National Popcorn day at January 19th every year this fun event honors popcorn one of the most popular snacks in the world popcorn has a way of bringing flavor to all kinds of occasions from festive gett togethers to Classic Movie evenings the 19th is guess what it's Friday go see a movie get some popcorn okay I also like to bring up that on the 21st of January is squirrel Appreciation Day squirrel appreciation day goes to our new new ordinance here per for keeping certain animals I know the role is everybody's ones so squirr appreciation is dat Express gratitude for the presence of squirrels in our ecosystem and to jooy their Charming behaviors it's an opportunity to connect with nature nature observe these agile creatures and deepen our understanding of their importance in the environment um I also like to point out that Saturday Governor Livingston ice team is going up against Westfield for the county championships at 6m at Warren AO so if you want to come out and cheer them on we can do that also on the 23rd of January we're going to celebrate National pie day guys celebrating everything pie bake them or buy them it's a important thing that you enjoy them okay those Pi are such a big part of American culture the UN officiality grew quickly and popularity around the nation and the 1986 the American Pi Council yes there is such a thing I looked it up before it came sponsored national Pi Day and that like it says right here that's right pies are so loved in America there's a special organization dedicated to quote preserving America's Pie Heritage promoting America's love affair with pies I couldn't believe when I read that myself um I also want to point out that on January 27th the world commemorates inter International Holocaust Remembrance Day um this is United Nations observance and honors and remembers the tragedy of the Holocaust of millions of people who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi government the 27th was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the date when in 1945 Soviet troops liberated alwiz and birkenau the largest concentration camp operated by nais this was done with resolution 6 sl7 I bring this up because of everything that's going on over in Israel now it's you just need to remember this stuff so isue does not to repeat itself thank you very good thank you John John one question sorry to interrupt I thought March 14th was Friday 3.14 okay he better oh you ready to give your report Mar I don't know but I can follow that I hope you have one bad joke in there yeah no jokes are my husband not mine okay so the grants committee met to discuss um what's coming up this year the team is researching grants that can be applied for in the coming year some of the subjects that we discussed were storm water streams and rivers the rescue squad Park Improv and historic preservation we are applying for the following brants we the township is applying for the following brants the 2024 FEMA assistance to Firefighters for protective turnout gear the 2024 DCA local Recreation Improvement Grant applied for by the Recreation Commission for Lower Columbia Park improvements um going towards the turf field and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture SP spotted Lantern fly treatment um this year as grants are applied for a resolution will be presented by the council um it makes it a little bit more transparent and easier for people to know what's going on and all of the good things that are coming to town um the economic development committee has not met yet um uh since the last meeting I attended the senior luncheon I was pleased to volunteer with um Carolyn and the rec department um they put on a fabulous program for the seniors um it was a treat for them to be catered with food from deos Pizza is always popular um but there were also vegetarian and gluten-free options um made available to the seniors and a good time was had by all um so I understand that volunteers are always being looked for so reach out to the recck department um or you know send me a message and I'll get you put in touch um before this meeting I attended the Sherman Avenue um enhancement Zoom meeting information meeting and the designs the preliminary designs look great there was a lot of wonderful information provided I'm sure that a recording of the meeting will be available on the website soon um and the presentation diagrams that he did um should be available for you as well so that's going to be a really wonderful enhancement to our town um and I've been working with members of the environmental Commission on um the proposed tree ordinance um to make sure that we get Buy in from them and that it's the best that it can be so hopefully we'll have more news on that soon and a draft that um can be shared publicly all right very good thank you Margaret Bill well as um Council Leone for the Township's Board of Health I was able to attend uh last night's meeting our first meeting for 2024 um and I was was told that we will be hosting a free rabies vaccin vaccination clinic coming up our first one ever in our town on April 13th um we're still trying to hammer out the location originally we're were looking at uh the municipal building but uh I thought perhaps maybe a better location might be at Lower Columbia um at the Pavilion there so um I'll keep everyone posted as far as that's concerned uh I'll make sure that I work and collaborate with them and we'll find out exactly the location and the time and um one more reminder I mean one thing about the rabies clinics I mean I'm sure that everyone here has uh their own vet that they have their pets vaccinated but if we have a small population of people that can't afford it I mean this is a prime prime time to get your pets vaccinated and uh also licensed with our with our town uh there's a lot of people out there that don't know that we need to license our pets so um and I believe it's about $15 so uh when you have a moment um when and and I think you do need to provide proof that the dog is or the cat is vaccinated uh you can come to the Town Council I think vital stats might be not clerk's office it's the clerk's office okay so the clerk's office I know that where I work in the city of Playfield it's vital stats that takes care of it so um once again April 3r is the date uh we'll we'll figure out the exact location and we'll keep everyone apprised thank you thank you very good um councilwoman POG is not here this evening and I just really want to extend uh our condolences collectively to her she did lose her father over the weekend and it's been a difficult time for for their entire family so we're sending love to them uh for my report to Administration um I wanted to depart a little bit from um committee reports and really focus on Martin Luther King day so Monday was Martin Luther King day and as many already know MLK day was transformed into MLK Day of Service the federal legislation challenges Americans each year to transform the King holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service in honor of Dr Kain some may not know but the federal legislation was only signed on August 23rd 1994 just shy of 30 years ago diving deeper into the vitalen of service to others I want to share a Chinese adage if you want happiness for an hour take a nap if you want happiness for a day go fishing if you want happiness for a year inherent a fortune if you want happiness for a lifetime help somebody in fact community service and happiness are not inextricably linked the correlation is steeped in scientific research when we give to others it activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure social connection and Trust being of service releases endorphins in the brain and boost happiness for us all as well as the people we help I'm sure the wellness task force will delve deeper into this topic in 2024 likewise when I tell you humbly that being of service in Berkeley Heights to the Berkeley Heights Community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life I also feel compelled to tell you that effectuating change and in an effort to make a positive impact is truly selfish not selfless selfish it feels good Council Foster just last meeting extoled the joys of being of service to the residents and serving on Council because it's fun to give back this brings me to this moment tonight I am incredibly proud of our legislative agenda which contains two important items the mayor's Wellness campaign task force and the Veterans Affairs committee to be able to collectively expand on the services we are providing for our veterans with a hardworking group of volunteers makes me being well with endorphin we also form our Wellness task for task force to help keep our residents of all ages happy and healthy as you know this is an area that I believe is vitally important to strengthening the fabric of this community Public Service can be brought with challenges and distractions if you allow them but when service to the community is the only gutting principle the greater good prevails and a sense of self is no longer important as Dr King taught us to do true happiness is a community contagion thank you L are report thank you mayor um as Council ill said uh we had our big public kof meeting for Sherman a tonight we will put the final presentation and Q&A on our website I'll also be getting in touch with um affected business owners in the coming weeks about specific improvements to perhaps our driveway aprons or sidewalks on Sherman AV we're working on the budget now with our department heads and CFO um and yes we will put regular updates including photos on the locel ls of our website as progress uh goes on there the construction should be done by uh April uh along with storm water mapping we're working with engineer DPW on other requirements requirements we may have to tend to in coming months and years for our storm water permit um tree planting will take place in March as phase one of our three plate Bas tree planting Grant from the New Jersey D if you received a notice in the mail please respond accordingly trees will be planted in the township right away which may be adjacent to some residential homes if you're part of the RightWay has been identified as a place that could use some treat to help help soak up storm water or another reason you would have received um a letter notifying you as such we're also working with our various departments on our doing business in brookley Heights web pages this will include information on basic permitting processes do when you need certain types of permits or go before any boards hopefully this will help future and existing business owners navigate the process more smoothly um as for our Department of Public Works we finished Le the Lea FP con slection program for 2023 uh once the ice recedes we'll get the street sweeper out again and sweep the streets and store storm grades from our last two uh few storms we do only have one sweeper so we can only do so many roads in one day so thank you in advance for your patience um some fun facts about our uh our DPW sewer and office of emergency management um days ahead of any snow or rain storm all of our crews spend days preparing try to get ahead of whatever they can this may include putting barricades out in known flooding areas having workers actually sit at known problem water areas so they can address it as best they can as soon as they start and calling for assistance as needed and other precautions so we're really glad to have them um on top of these storms as much as they can so um that's it for tonight very good thank you Lea what was that [Music] so well I'm sorry so what was it that I need to say you just said that you you're going to move to accept the township coun Administration we're going to move to accept the township Council reports I'll second it any discussion roll call Mr Kudo mral Mr bler yes Mr zis yes Mr Machado yes C second any discussion call please Mr Kudo yes Mr Donal yes Mr bler Mrs zis Mr Machado yes okay the citizen hearing is not open with the same rules in effect that I read earlier in the evening we have a whole place micro problem just state your name and address okay soop viia Donnell 70 deepdale Drive I constantly see the police praise themselves online for kicking criminals out of town but to be honest they don't really do their job my dad a councilman and my family were ganged up on by two of our neighbors and assaulted by one of them not only did the police and mayor do nothing but they did the opposite they manipulated The Narrative tried to cover it up because of all the mistakes they made and have been manipulating my family for almost a year this should have been announced and my neighbor should have been arrested on the scene for the indictable offense he committed there were four police incidents over four months all on video it first started as harassment then threats to fight then harassing my parents by videotaping them doing work on our own property my neighbor told my mom to go back to her country and said do you even speak English he made another threat about how he has more money than us and that he's going to sue and break us in the last incident he he harassed us with a drone and it crashed on our property my dad retrieved it to hold for the police and then my neighbors threatened to bash my dad's face in trespassed over a no trespassing sign and chased my father into our own house this crime is called trespassing and burgly with attempt to do harm and it is indictable but the police did absolutely nothing they did not charge our neighbor even though we have video proof of all four incidents that nobody can deny the body cam showed the police ignoring my parents 13 requests to arrest him even after showing them the video evidence my father even emailed the police the day before this incident called dispatch the day of and they were very well aware of the situation and incidents leading up to being assaulted but even then when we called 911 it took 7 and a half minutes for the cops to arrive and they didn't even do their job in an emergency it should have taken 2 minutes max for them to get from the Department to our house after several minutes all the police coincidentally arrived at the exact same time after every event the body cam showed my neighbors profusely lying when we had video proof of everything and it went completely ignored my father provided all video and statements within 24s hours yet the police made our neighbor the victim not my parents our neighbor tried to charge my parents with breaking his drone and assaulting him when we have video proof of every single thing that happened after my father complained the police did a bogus investigation then added a supplemental report and manipulated the language when my family went and filed complaints our Police Department hid our evidence and manipulated the prosecutor's office court administrator and others during the investigation they out refused to interview our two witnesses after several requests but our attacker got his witness interviewed they refused to tie all the incidents together and to make things worse our other neighbor was providing false information all in video proof during a sworn statement and the police did absolutely nothing these are all indictable offenses my parents filed additional complaints against those people and they were all downgraded half of them never even properly presented to the prosecutor's office what is wrong with this town my parents aren't looking for any special favors because he's on Town Council but the fact that the town of police did absolutely nothing to protect their residents is embarrassing for every single one of you we pay taxes and nobody in town is doing their job they did the complete opposite and went against us why is that did someone get paid off to do this my family has been big supporters of the fire department rescue squad and especially the police my mom gave them gifts toys for their kids and even handmade hats for just about every cop in town and their kids and they stabbed us all the back we aren't asking for anything special just for them to do their job not to mention we later found out that none of them were actually allowed to accept those gifts the mayor didn't do her job my mom told her about the whole entire incident showed her videos and everything and all the mayor did was try to cover up misconduct the police didn't write up the report for the incident shortly after the mayor completely ignored my mother's multiple requests to talk the chief stopped talking to us told my parents to stop emailing him and then shortly after that he disappeared where did he go this whole town wants an explanation of why he disappeared for 6 months the core admin was manipulating and illegally working against us at the direction of others then Liza completely ignored my family's requests outright refuses to respond to our emails and also forc zoning to ignore us Liza refused to investigate clear zoning violations by our attacker she refused to provide documentation for site plans and she even accosted my father and kicked him out of town hall when he did nothing but request zoning to investigate and he can prove it if it wasn't for my dad you wouldn't even be sitting here right now why wasn't this made known to our public I'm sure that if you were attacked everyone would know and it would be on front page news the public needs to know what you're doing also for all the people that knew about this and said nothing to stand up for my family you should be ashamed of yourselves so since you can't answer my dad's emails I'll ask you now what are you going to do about this issue because I believe that you and Lia should resign and this town and the police needs to be investigated thank you for your comment so are you going to answer my questions I don't have any comment thank you I have multiple questions here you can ask them so why didn't the police do anything I'm not going to have any comment on any part of what you spoke about tonight I appreciate your bravery for coming forward and speaking but you can ask your questions but I'm not going to comment okay thank you that's what kind of anybody else electing to speak this evening on any matters related to the Township PA would you like to hearing propos of citizens hearing second any discussion call Mr Kudo yes Mrs an yes Mr Foster yes Mrs zis yes Mr Mado yes okay there is no executive session this evening so may I have a motion to adjourn all in favor all right have a great evening everyone