[Music] ladies and gentlemen I'd like to call to order the reorganization meeting of the elud park mayor and Council for January 4th 2024 to order at 705 p.m. whereas chapter 231 of the public laws of the state of New Jersey requires at the commencement of every meeting a statement of compliance be read by the presiding officer now therefore be advised that the meeting requirements for this meeting have have been met by publishing a special meeting notice in the record in Herald news and by posting such not notice in the office of the burough clerk as well as in a public place within the municipal building and by notifying interested citizen set notice was posted on December 19th 2023 and published on December 22nd 2023 at this time as the acting bar clerk for the B of EM park it is my duty to certify the general election results from November 7th 2023 for the position of Mayor Robert Ki 1,873 votes Daniel golc 1 155 votes certifying that the winner of said election for the position of Mayor is Robert klei at this time I would like to ask the audience to please rise as we welcome mayor elect Robert Ki to the day being walked in by ELO Park Police Department honor guard than mayor kti would you please come up to the D I would also like to ask for his family to join him on the days for his Saran ceremony which is being performed by former mayor of Woodland Park his brother Mr Gary klei one is this one all righty these people are nervous they haven't done this before well that's what I was just going to say this is like the sixth time I voted uh SW you win yeah that basically okay I just want you know the freebies are over now it's 20 bucks a PO bed on our our age I don't know him anymore all right we ready here prate I Robert colleti I Robert colleti do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey and the constitution of the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the united states in the United States States and in this state and in this state under the authority of the people under the authority of the people and that I will Faithfully that I will Faithfully impartially impartially justly justly perform all the duties perform all the duties of the office of Mayor of the office of Mayor according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God sit down thank you please remain standing while the colors leave the room to get the next council person please remain standing while the colors reenter the room with the next council person oh wait uh continuing on for the position of council and the certification of the general election results from November 7th 2023 we have Lorraine peligre 1,864 votes Pamela J choicy 1773 votes s biseri 1,476 votes Keith Place 1,390 votes certifying that the winners of set election for the position of council are Lorraine pelgrin and Pamela Choy at this time I would like to ask that the audience please remain standing as we welcome Council elect Lorraine peline to the day Lord Council elect line pelan can you please come to the de for your swearing in I would also like to ask for her family to join her on the de for her swearing in ceremony which is being performed by mayor klei now L you realize that my brother wanted to charge $20 for this you're getting your done for Fore for free apprciate that what's the many years you have served how many years I served this is my 10th year serving on coun 10 years and 11 years [Applause] actually if we could go back what 30 years we were candidates for the Board of Education an 11th Hour you pulled out because of family obligations I went on to lose right and here we are tonight together Victorious together so it's funny how C like things happen in life all right you want me to get this over with right yeah stop the talking b i i pel do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support that I will support the Constitution the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the constitution of the state of New Jersey of the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same into the governments established into the governments established in the united states in the United States and in this state and in this state Under The Authority Under the authority of the people of the people and that I will Faithfully that I will faithfully and partially and partially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties all the duties of the office of of the office of council member council member according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratul [Applause] give something yeah uh before we dismiss the colors I like to recognize assemblyman Benji Wimberly with us tonight thank you assemblyman for attending please remain standing while the colors leave the room to get the next candidate [Music] fu at this time I would ask that you would still remain standing as we welcome Council elect Pamela Troy to the de who's also being escorted in by the honor guard what I would like to ask for her family to join her on the day for her swearing in ceremony which is also being performed by mayor klei oh wow big family it's good big support this guy you sir okay i i p Cy do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States and the Constitution and the constitution of the state of New Jersey of the state of New Jersey that I will bear true faith that I will bear true faith and Allegiance and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments established and to the governments established in the United States in the United States and in this state and in the state Under The Authority Under the authority of the people of the people and that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully and partially and partially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties of all the duties of the office of the office of council member council member according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability so help me God so help me God congratulations I just my seat is usually over there please remain standing while the colors leave the room thank you thank you you may be seated okay at this time we will have roll call on roll call council members Dennis here pelo here GOC here peligre here here Sheridan here try here mayor klei here we have a quorum thank you shenet good evening ladies and gentlemen it's nice of you all being here happy New Year to everyone we're going to get started if everybody would please rise for a prayer in Flags starting off with uh we have three different sectors of religion being representative here tonight that's the way our community has evolved uh where we respect all religions and starting us off is a good friend and a good uh follower of of preachings um Pastor Ron thank you mayor good evening happy New Year in 2024 we still blessed by the best and we will continue to have attitude of gratitude on that now who the thought in September that the scales of Justice would be equal as it is counil that's saying a lot that's saying a lot and just a reminder God is the creator of everything he's the creator of govern and we have to continue to recognize this but I feel that he had something to do with this because it's Unity we have a pray weay prayers go up come down we have and I feel that God has set this Council up to even it so he can do his work a reminder God is the Creator and we all have Tak oath the Govern God's people that's nothing to play with both sides of the council you're not adversaries here to govern God's people to make the best decisions for the town of el and I'm sure my friend May is at the ti point but he is a he's a just man and when things come to him just in case if everything is down the line partis he's not swaying either way he's going to look at what is in front of them and make the correct decision for the town of el I believe that I believe that and apparently El believes that because re now it time to pray all heads B Eternal Father for in heaven I thank you I thank you for bringing us through thank you for thank you that everyone but right now father God I ask you to anoint it with your Divine wisdom any in all self-righteousness or any personal agend Let It Be extinguished remove it dear father so all decisions will be made just give them the for situations they will be able to recognize and be just with all of their decisions to stand by the mayor of is in a position that going to need you he's going to need your guidance and right now un standing in the Gap asking you for to prot hesty in your thank you Pastor Ron Rob about shs 2020 at the of into office on by a set wake upk God for allowing your open first of us has a mission that has been granted to us a purpose in life that God has bestowed upon us each of us discharges it in a unique individual way who stand and I stand before the elected leaders of our community who have also been given a charge from the almighty to lead the community to make sound decisions to hear the voice of the community and to respond accordingly leadership by example is a concept that's thrown around all what does it really mean it means best to keep in mind the consents serve it doesn't mean that mistakes W be made it doesn't mean that arguments won't occur but we have a obligation obligation responsility us tonight of the community will shoulder a tremendous responsibility to that the and I invoke the Aly blessing for all of us blessed to start a new year 2024 by the way 2024 is a Le year one extra day this year one extra day to make an impact live every day as your last day but let us take this year to do work we were all created in the Divine image we all reflect God's Divinity may we be blessed each and every day to fulfill our individual missions and in turn and collabora we will fulfill the greater mission of the community the greater of soety and Liv country leadership Contin to blessed patience thank you IM and now for Imam laf last but not least everyone we are praying tonight for the leadership of our community leaders for your leadership your wisdom your responsibility that you bear before the people who elected you but first and foremost before the one who made you that will stand before him it is as the previous speakers my selected lovely colleagues have reminded me and you that the day will stand before him to ask the questions you are given to responsibility as many before you has Bo as many leaders of humanity as Adam as Moses as Abraham as Jesus as muham as all of them LED their people into what is best for them you have been given the responsibility of el whom I am a proud resent of my children are raised here and we stand before you and we pray for you for leadership wisdom guidance ciity and yes argue In fairness but let us not be disagreeable we are at the end of the day the same family and you are all serving us the people of El I ask Almighty to Grant you and your families Mercy guidance wisdom love and care for each other amen thank you now ladies and gentlemen that grand old flag I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands one nation God indivisible withy and justice for all God and Country Shen yes mayor at this time we at this time we will have the selection of council president for 2024 may have a nomination for council president i' like to nominate councilwoman Sheridan please I'll second that we have a motion on the floor I'd like to I'd like to nominate okay I'll second it okay so I think we have to to do here is take a vote on the first motion you have two motions correct okay yes hold on so one second what was the uh who my motion was for councilwoman Sheridan and uh counc Dennis Dennis second okay so the nomination for Council Sheridan on roll call council memb is Dennis yes P solo yes GOC yes um Sheridan I'm going to rest from this you're going to abstain from this okay choicy no council president peligre no mayor klei um am I the decid vote you're the deciding vote no no they got three votes here say yes or no she abstained I'm sorry okay so the nomination for councilwoman peligre on roll call coun I'm sorry excuse me that that that motion just passed for councilwoman Sheridan she's the council president pass 3 two to one correct she's the council president correct yeah okay that's it's done okay my apologies moving on resolution r- I'm sorry I'm sorry point of order isn't there a swearing in for the council president well yeah maybe in this case because I was I thought it might have been L's cuz she she was suggested up front um if if if you want it we will swear in it is I read the resolution yes after I read the resolution there's the swearing a yeah resolution r-01 d24 selection of council president whereas a nomination was made by council member felo and seconded by council member Dennis to name council member Sheridan as council president now therefore be it resolved that council member Sheridan is hereby named the council president for the year 2024 I'll call the roll again a roll call council member ZZ yes P solo yes GOC yes pelen no Sheridan choicy no motion carries at this time I will ask for councilwoman Sheridan to please come forward to be sworn in this is unexpected i s we swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of New Jersey that I will be of true faith in allegiance to the say until the government's established in the United States and in this state under the authority of the people and that I Faithfully and partially and justly perform all the duties of your fa council president according to the best of my ability so help me God [Applause] congratulations at this time we have the recognition of dignitaries and special remarks I will turn the meeting over to our administrator Chief Michael fno thank you chenet uh as I said earlier I'd like to recognize assemblyman Benji Wimberly uh assembly would just like like here to say a few words please good evening I'm par city council mayor buddy from street over here but uh on behalf of myself Senator po respond to something like to bring you greetings I wish you guys the best this coming year uh the uh election of the new officers congratulations to each and every one of you and know that ld35 is always here for you whatever we can do to help it's not about being Republican it's not about being Democrat I'm making the state of New Jersey and ld35 better so God bless you and have a great thank you thank you assemblyman Chief at this time I do have a certificate of election from the Bergen County Clerk Mr John Hogan who was not able to be here tonight the first certificate of election is being presented to Mayor Robert colleti thank you our second certificate of election is being presented to Lorraine [Applause] peligre the next one is certificate of election to Pamela [Applause] try thank you Council comments all right at this time excuse me we're going to ask the council to make any comments they would like on uh what has had come before us we'll start with the Miss uh Dennis at the end there thank you mayor um first off just want to congratulate council president Terry Sheridan on your new appointment um believe you're going to do very well in your position so I'm looking forward to to watching you do that and helping you along the way um congratulations to everyone on their new positions you know looking forward to putting the needs of our residents and our community first um it's 2024 it's a new Council and just want to make sure that you know we all work together and stay on the same page so congratulations mayor and everyone progress thank you for those kind words Mr folo thank you mayor I'd like to congratulate mayor klei councilwoman peligre and councilwoman troise mayor klei and councilwoman peligre you are veteran legislators that bring the go uh the governing body uh many benefits from that experience councilwoman troise I wish you the best of luck in your new role on the council and look forward to working together with you to better our burrow councilwoman Sheridan best of luck in your new role I know you will serve it well to the rest of my C Council colleagues to all of you we are all here because we care about the residents of Elwood Park we are their voices they elected us to lead them no matter what party we belong to when we're up here we all have the same goal to better Elwood Park although we might have different opinions on how to get there the end goal is always to better the Elma park for our residents congratulations and good luck thank you councilman councilman GOC thank you mayor uh mayor congratulations I want to I wish you all the best in uh in your new term um I know as we always do 99% of the time will agree that 1% of the time that we don't you know it is what it is but I know we always know how to slip in a smile and and a laugh uh into all of it so um um you know the people spoke I wish you all the best thank you yeah councilwoman peligre uh congratulations on being sworn in um uh back on to the to the council um you know you're very passionate about this job no one can say otherwise um and I look forward to working with you councilwoman troise uh welcome to the to the council look forward to working with you um during this term Council uh president uh Terry Sheridan congratulations uh I wish you all the best um I'm here to help anyone who uh who needs it or whatever you know so all the best to everyone thank you thank you councilwoman Sheridan uh thank you mayor uh first of all I want to say congratulations to the mayor um looking forward for the next couple years line same Pam congratulations um as far as council president goes I was totally shocked over this um thank you very much and I will try and do the best I can do thank you councilwoman and for the very first time I get to say councilwoman Troy good evening everyone as I'm seated up here today my heart is full of gratitude and I also feel a very strong sense of responsibility and it's with great honor and humility that I address you tonight as your newly elected councilwoman I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone of you who had the confidence in me to vote for me I'm truly humbled by the faith that you've placed in me I understand the weight of the decisions that I'll be making on your behalf and the enormity of the responsibility you've bestowed upon me I promise to approach this role with the utmost dedication integrity and transparency I'll work tirelessly to represent your interests and to ensure that Elwood Park continues to thrive and prosper as your councilwoman I'm committed to being accessible and responsive to your needs together we'll address the challenges we face and we'll seize the opportunities that lie ahead I'd also like to extend my gratitude to our campaign team and volunteers who work tirelessly to spread our message and connect with the community I look forward to a ser serving and living up to their expectations I'd like to congratulate uh mayor cledy and councilwoman pelen on your much deserved re-elections um I look forward to embarking on this journey of progress and prosperity with you thank you and we may may we continue to move forward and work together hand in hand thank you councilwoman peligre yes good evening everyone happy New Year I would first like to thank the residents of Elwood park for voting my team and me in in the November election congratulations mayor klei and councilwoman try I look forward to working with both of you as well as the entire Council I will be starting my 10th non-consecutive year as your councilwoman over all of these years I've worked very hard to bring ideas and programs to our Barrow such as the res president's assistance program people's Pantry as police commissioner I started the first police meet and greet with Chief alno currently I'm working with him on the upcoming police substation together we secured over $500,000 for this project start at Council Corner started the holiday decorations in my first term in 2005 with our DPW director Scott cars and each year more decorations are at it to bring more joy to our community also I am currently working on starting up the Chamber of Commerce with a great team of residents I will continue to work hard and make positive changes to help move Elwood Park forward no one person is responsible for all that we offer our residents it takes a team to get the job done I am so thankful that I get to serve all of you for another 3 years I'm a lifelong resident and I only want what's best for the community thank you all for putting your faith in me I would also like to congratulate everyone who was appoint well everyone who will be appointed this evening to a position on a board lots of good luck to all of you and thank you I know we have um Benji here but we have other dignitaries in the audience so I thank them all that you took the time to be here tonight to help us celebrate our Victory lastly I want to thank my family and friends who are always sticking by my side your love your patience and your friendship means the world to me and to my husband Pete you have stood by my side since I'm 16 years old you're always there to lend a hand and always my biggest cheerleader thank you for everything I love you again Happy New Year to all I wish everyone peace Joy good health and success in 2024 let's all work together and make our beautiful Community the best it could be blessings to all now before I end there was a big blessing that just happened in this new year we got a call from Schwab charitables and we were told that the Elwood Park residence assistance program got a $10,000 donation so with all the scam with all the scams going around I I didn't believe it so I brought this information to Chief Figo and he called me yesterday and he said Lorraine one of the detectives looked into it they want to remain anonymous but we have a $110,000 check coming and that will help so many of our residents in need so what a way to start our new year so we're blessed thank you all thank you Council woman I would like to thank the residents of elmood park for having the faith in me for four more years God willing and keep this town together I promise I will not disappoint you many thanks go out to my family uh I'm only going to mention two of of them there's so many here tonight you would think it was the reading of my will God bless you all thank you for coming and and our good friends too and to all the U people that are in this room thank you we appreciate you I think you all know that we're more of a family in this town we're creating a family uh as we go along uh regarding the winners and The Losers of this November's election let me say that there are no losers just putting your name on The Ballad and running possibly serving when considering all the time that it entails makes us all winners up here regarding my two running mates Lorraine pellerine and Pam chicy Lorraine's reputation precedes her what you're getting with her is a vintaged council woman whose compassion for people is second to none and she is a Delight to work for and with Pam try the newcomer to the council is a total devoted hardworking person to so many Town organizations once she gets something under her belt seeing how government works from the inside out she's going to be a tremendous asset to this Council so let's take a glance at some of the things that this mayor and counsil and administ are working on and have accomplished in the last four years the primary concerns for Resident and people who are looking to move in TM Park are probably safety School Recreation and taxes regarding safety we have a police department led by Chief fno that fell right in front of me here that is second to none this department has evolved into a model Force revered throughout the state for their safety procedures and Community involvement if a police officer does not possess these qualities he doesn't work here our ambulance squad for so many years of volunteer organization and we thank them all for their years of service it became increasingly harder to get volunteers subsequently the town took over the responsibility and I'm happy to say response time is great and that ship is running smooth clerk's office this lady to my right right here employees are doing an outstanding job each and every day fulfilling needs of our residents and keeping our government functioning the staff also doubles as secretaries for the mayor and business administrator saving the taxpayers at least $100,000 a year our senior section Center excuse me our senior center in conjunction with the county and our health department are all working together to create a new caring culture for our seniors regarding our schools we have forged a close relationship with superintendent ATI and the members of the board in the past there seemed to be an invisible wall between the two bodies I'm happy to say that that wall has been torn down with top consideration for the wellbeing of our children Recreation we are in a process of upgrading all parks for safety and recreational purposes as we speak a massive renovation to the Ballfield at Barrel field facilities are underway our library has undergone a complete renovation bringing latest technology to the facility along with a warm and fuzzy feeling for our residents we have added three chaplain from different religious sectors which screams which screams that element Park is an allinclusive Society correct four four excuse me okay our fire department has continuously been upgraded with required safety equipment for the safety of our firemen and our residents our DPW led by superintendent Scott cars with a thin staff has managed to keep our Town's infrastructure streets waterways and I want to emphasize the waterways cuz it was a time in this town where flooding was prevalent uh uh via the former mayor the iconic mayor mayor mola he was very cognizant of that and he instilled that in me and I hope I pass that on to the council people here along with our DPW uh director Scott cars and we are managing to to not get into that flood condition that that we had years ago so that that's been a major Improvement in this town and it will continue by the way we will stay on it and also his uh keeping the parks and and U and other functions of the Town clean then there's taxes I give the council a Grade B minus on this one we have managed a zero Municipal tax increase in the last two years which is a good thing nothing wrong with that was largely due to federal grants this year there is no Grant to offset our Rising costs due to inflation across the board I'm sad to say an increase seems inevitable going forward my recommendations for the council is to tighten the Reigns on spending don't spend assuming future Reven revenues until they are at hand and I would like them to little sidebar here my brother Gary who was the former mayor of Woodland Park which at the time was West patteron uh when I became mayor he was a mentor to me even though he's younger than me but he was a mayor before me so he became my mentor and there's one thing that he said about uh he called it a perfect storm in his town that they had 3 years of zero Municipal tax increase and he said there was a lot of things that had to come together to make that happen but that made me jealous so we're sitting at two years right now and Gary I have four years to bring in at least one more if not two now go for it okay there you go in closing I would like to be sitting here next year able to give you as good if not state of the town report this will only happen if the mayor and Council agree to leave politics at the council chamber doors and work in Synergy as charged by the electorat thank you for listening let's state of course and Damn the Torpedoes and full steam ahead chenet yes at this time we have the selection of council representative to the planning board may have a nomination for Council representative to the planning [Music] board I need a nomination here select Terry did we did we get a nomination yes speaking of M it's I'm I'm getting a little hard airing as I get older I select Terry shardan I'll second we got a second any discussion call the r please resolution r-02 d24 selection of council representative to the planning board whereas a nomination was made by council member peligre and seconded by council member felo to name council member Sheridan as Council representative to the planning board now therefore it be resolve that council member Sheridan is hereby named the council representative to the planning board for the year 2024 on roll call I have council members Dennis yes pello yes goabc yes Tel green yes tryy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries moving on to appointments to the borrow Council I hereby nominate with the advice and consent appoint auses mcder mhro and Murphy author r t Jr Esquire and Kyle Trent Esquire as bur attorney for a period of one-ear term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r-03 d24 appointment of burl attorney be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the bur and with Park that the appointment of AES mcder masro Murphy author are T Jr Esquire and Kyle Trent Esquire as B attorney for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $660,000 from account 01- 201010 d2015 51-11 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolved that the mayor that mayor klei and acting bur clerk Shen Morris are hereby authorized to execute the contract for said term may I have a motion on the resolution mayor before we take a vote i' just like to say how uh disappointed I am uh in your decision not to reappoint um our previous burough attorney Mr enfia Mr Ang grafi was here for for many years since I've been on the council he saved this buau countless of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars uh through his hard work going beyond the scope of his work uh as burough attorney and and saving this bur countless of countless dollars uh he was invested as a taxpayer and as a resident of this burrow and it deeply disappoints me that your decision not to reappoint Mr Eng grafia for a bur attorney not to take any credit away from uh your um decision on who to appoint however it is in my opinion that it is deeply disappointing on your decision to not reappoint Mr Eng graphia any other discussion go ahead yes mayor if I may um I have no issue with the firm that's uh nominated per se they're on the agenda later on as a labor Council and I'll be voting to confirm them because they've done a nice job there um but I want to make two points two different perspectives the current setup we had was that this firm was the labor Council and we had a a b attorney Mr grafy who is a private attorney um and um this other firm that's up they come into a lot of situations labor they we use them for a lot of things and uh a lot of the discussions we have in executive session we've always had the benefit of having two distinct unique attorneys um even even if it wasn't the burough attorney's uh expertise per se they're there they give their opinion um you know the burrow Council can call them consult with them individually um now we're going to one firm being the burrow attorney and labor Council and we're we're losing the perspective we're losing one perspective in in our decision-making process we're going from two to one because generally you know the the firm is the firm and they're they're going to be on one side of everything um that's my first my first point I want to make uh the second point is my my you know my personal preference would be uh Mr andraia he's been our burough attorney for six years an Park resident um he's uh been an attorney for over 40 years a retired um a retired retired uh State judge um and um and I've been very comfortable with his performance and councilman F solo uh alluded to uh saving money and I want to put some teeth behind that we had a situation a couple years ago where uh between the Risk Managers and insurance companies came before the council and tried to basically you know uh twist our arm into sellling a totally bogus totally bogus lawsuit for um like $150,000 and like we were very very close to to to going with the flow on that uh Mr andraia got involved um wrote very sharp letters with very concise and specific um legal citation to the insurance carrier to the risk uh all the risk uh different people involved um between that and continuing the process we got to one deposition with this lawsuit and the uh this the the lawsuit went down from a $150,000 settlement demand to 30,000 and what one of two hours of depositions thanks to the buau attorney Salvatore in grafia my feeling is that the majority on this Council majority of people would like Mr in grafia to be there it is not too late to do the right thing and um by you know respectfully rejecting this firm the council could have the power to appoint Mr Eng grafia uh if it chose to do so thank you mayor so what are you saying councilman are you making a motion here no just just discussion on your idea my choice okay may I just give any other discussion mayor that lady on on the far end over there thank you mayor um third perspective um I believe that Mr graphia has done a phenomenal job in the position that he had and not only is our burrow attorney he represent our burrow our burrow attorney is here represent us as council members and nothing against this particular firm as far as I'm concerned they have done a phenomenal job as our labor attorney and representing Us in that form but as a council member I believe this should have been a discussion prior to now considering that this directly affects us because it's is our representation not just that of the burrow so I am not for this firm being our burrow attorney I have no problem with them being our labor attorney they've been doing great but I believe that Mr Ang grafia should have this position thank you [Music] mayor so I need a motion need ation need a motion so move second any discussion further discussion call roll please first by peline second by tryy and roll call we have council members Dennis no felo no gobec no peligre yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes Mary have the deciding vote okay I'm the deciding vote Yes yes yes yes for the for the resolution the way it sits okay motion carries was carried yes it's first time I got the vote in four years yeah Kyle can you please uh can we please have your presence up here kind felt kind of like uh with no clothes on without having an attorney up here congratulations congratulations thank you okay to the burough Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Stephen rogot Esquire as Bond Council for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r-04 d24 for appointment of bond Council they resolved by the mayor and Council of the bar of mwood Park that the appointment of Steven rogot Esquire as Bond Council for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $155,000 from account 01-20-20 d552 d027 term ending December 31st 2024 and that the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolved that the mayor Robert klei and active B clerk Chan Morris are hereby authorized to execute the contract for set term may have a motion on a resolution please so moved need a second Council second any discussion call the rooll please first by pel Green second by GC and roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes GOC yes pelen yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council here by by nominate with your advice and consent appoint Lurch Vincy and Blitz Lop as bural auditor for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Rober kti resolution r-05 d24 appointment of bural auditor be resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of Elwood Park that the appointment of lurch viny and Bliss LP as bar auditor for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $50,000 from account 01-21-20 d1352 - 028 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolved that the mayor Robert K and asberg clerk Chen Morris are hereby authorized to execute the contract for said term may I have a motion on the resolution so move any discussion any a second second thank you no discussion call the rooll please first by pel second by council president Sheridan on roll call we have council members Dennis yes P solo recuse GOC recuse pel green yes chyy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the burough Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Kelly MZ Esquire as bough prosecutor for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert Ki resolution r-06 for appointment of B prosecutor be resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of Elwood Park that the appointment of Kelly anda's Esquire as bough prosecuted for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $25,000 from account 01- 210- 25-27 51- 011 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolve that the mayor Robert kti and acting barl clerk sheny Mars are hereby authorized to execute the contract for said term may I have a motion on on the resolution so move second discussion call the rooll please first by peligre second by council president sherid our roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes goabc yes pelen yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the bar Council I hearby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Kurt gisler Esquire as public defender for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r-07 d24 appointment a public defender be it resolved by the mayor council of the barwood park that the appointment of Kurt gisler Esquire as public defender for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $20,000 from account 01210 43-49 51-11 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolve that that mayor Robert and acting burough clerk Chen moris are hereby authorized to execute the contract for said term motion please don't move discussion I need a second did we get a second we have one now I jumped the gun a little there any discussion col rooll please first by peligre second by council president Sheridan on roll call behal council members Dennis yes P solo recuse GOC recuse pelen yes choicy yes yes council president Charan yes motion carries to the bar Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint B Ley and saling as public defender for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r- 8-24 appointment of public defender be resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of Elwood Park that the appointment of Ki andami Lop as public defender for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $10,000 from account 01210 43-49 51-11 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolve that mayor Robert klei as clerk Shen Mars are hereby authorized to execute the contract for said term may I have a motion please second discussion call a rooll first by peligre second by council president Sheridan our roll call behalf council member Denis yes for yes bbec yes peline yes Choy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the bough Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Alo group as Municipal engineer for a period of onee term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r- 9-24 appointment of Municipal engineer be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of Alwood Park that the appointment of Alo group as municipal engineer for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $85,000 from account 01-20-20 d652 D28 including capital and esir accounts term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolve that mayor Robert klei and acting B clerk Shan moris are hereby authorized to execute said contract for said term motion please some second discussion col roll first by peline second by folo on roll call we have Council memb Dennis yes folo yes GOC yes peline yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the burrow Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint TMR Architects as burrow planner for a period of one-year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r-10 d24 appointment of burrow planner be it resolved by the May mayor and Council of the bur of U Park the appointment of DMR Architects as burrow planner for a period of one year at a cost not to exceed $440,000 from account 01210 d211 1822 d104 term ending December 31st 2024 and the same is hereby confirmed be it further resolve that mayor Robert klei and acon B clerk chenet MZ are hereby authorized to execute the contract for set term motion please some move second discussion call the roll first by pelig second by folo on roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes goabc yes pelen yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries moving on to our consent agenda we have resolution r-11 d24 open public meetings act R-12 d24 4 Declaration of official newspapers R-13 d24 annual notice of public meeting calendar r-14 d24 designation of official depositories R-1 15-24 cash management plan R-1 16-24 affirmation of the Civil Rights policy r- 17-24 2024 temporary budget Appropriations R-1 18-24 agreement adopting flexible benefits spending plan r- 19-24 resolution established in petty cash fund Police Department r-20 d24 res authorizing cash fund Police Department r-21 d24 resolution establishing petty cash fund Recreation Department R-22 d24 appointment of public agency compliance officer Paco r- 23-24 approv property tax delinquency rates r- 24-24 appoint licensed water operator d block Environmental Services R Dash 25-24 appoint licensed SE operator deblock Environmental Services r- 26-24 appoint license site remediation Excel environmental resources Inc r- 27-24 appoint Municipal grant writer Millennium strategies r- 28-24 appoint informational technology consultant inre Solutions LLC r-29 d24 appoint special legal counsel approves mcdermit mro and Murphy r-30 d24 app Point Special legal council Chason lamp pero melon and capuzzi Capo sorry r- 31-24 appoint special Council representation for property tax appeals r- 32-24 appoint Municipal financial advisor NW Financial Group LLC r- 33-24 appoint risk manager Professional Insurance Associates r- 34-24 resolution regarding Mutual Aid plan and Rapid deployment Force interlocal service agreement r- 35-24 appoint Rel leveling board secretary Carrie Paretti r- 36-24 appoint special legal counsel Matthew e glissen Esquire r- 37-24 appoint special legal councel cannabis and marijuana administrative board r- 38-24 appointing board secretary to the Cannabis and marijuana administrative board r- 39-24 resolution to accept the consent agenda may have a motion on the agenda so move any discussion need a second thank you no discussion I have discussion mayor yes I have a question on 36-24 appoint special legal councel Matthew eilson what what is what is this for we're giving uh all I see is a a law firm I don't know with a cost not to we see 25,000 is there any other information for the council that's a special Council and I'm sure you're familiar with that when we need a special counsel we'll call on this person other than our U FAL counselor and someone from the burrow has met with this group or met with representatives from the group I'm sure the Mr Sol you were on the screen on the um Personnel committee correct the Personnel committee got many um recommendation or rfqs for special legal counsel um and we had to decipher them to see where um each of them would fit for their specific need and under this one all of the applicants were scored the same so I have no idea I mean we we scored them all the same okay so the the if anybody else from the Personnel committee has any background on it um I would like to hear it true we did anyone else on the Personnel committee care to speak he's exactly right we scored them all the same we're all the same I guess my my question is has any anyone from the burrow whether Council anyone any employees talked to this firm engaged with this firm had conversations about their Specialties does anyone have any information about any of this well I believe their resumés were present for the uh Personnel committee so those questions I think would be directed to them correct mayor but if if a council member wants to delve more into this maybe we could um table it or and see the other applicants maybe if the council wants to open it up and and see the other rfqs that came in for this specific uh position I'm not sure it's up to you guys how does the balance of the council feel about that I would like to see the other recommendations that came in I'm not familiar with this the way we've operated honestly is like uh this is how it's gone labor Council seems to be the alternate Council and if they don't do something they recommend someone so just just to blindly put I don't know I don't know anything about the this Law Firm I mean I think if we need special counsel every time we need it for something that comes up we pick someone that's appropriate who has a specialty or whatever and we make that appointment we let them start the work and then we retroactively make the appointment but where I'm confused is that we have a committee that did the vetting and mayor if I if I may sure uh the issue that we had and when we put out the rfqs you you they blanketed them so it was all special counsel so we know that we need one for Canabis we know that we need one for labor and there were so many that came in that I guess this one went onto the agenda for some reason so so basically there was a lot but they weren't like nobody put in specifically for cannabis or labor they were all just blanketed into one so we had to like decipher through all of them and see what their Specialties were and this one was a general legal council and uh they were all scored the same for General legal councils because we had no uh you know there was nothing that stuck out in any of their applications to to to let so basically we're stuck with a tie and and at this point you'd like to table this for a further analyzation correct I think it I think it would do it the council's Reon yeah that's reason right okay so motion to table so move second all in favor I that settled that quickly huh resolution r- 36-24 has been pulled from the consent agenda and is tabled sorry I didn't call the RO for the con for the consent agenda I'm calling it now motion by peline second by council president Sheridan on roll call we have council members Dennis this is for the consent agenda this is a roll call okay I'm going to say no to r- 33-24 we tabled our - 36-24 and yes to the rest okay P solo no to R 33-24 yes to the rest l no to r- 33-24 yes to the rest pen yes to all choicy yes council president Sheridan yes okay so resolution r- 33-24 has been pulled from the consent agenda with a split vote mayor I'm sorry I was sipping water at the time it's a timee for resolution um r- 33-24 appoint risk manager Professional Insurance Associates you need a resolution no V it's a tie it was a time yes um council members Dennis poolo and GOC has pulled it from the V against correct right so what am I voting for though voting for The GIF Insurance person on the list r- 33-24 Professional Insurance Associates absolutely yes okay motion carries moving on to appointments to various boards to the bough Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint John de Mario to the Board of Health for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r- 40-24 appointment of Board of Health member be it resolved by the mayor council of the barwood park that the the appointment of John Demario to the Board of Health for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution so move second any discussion caller roll please first by peline second by F solo on roll call we have council members Dennis yes F solo yes GOC yes pelen yes chyy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint James ginsky to the board of adjustment term ending December 31st 2027 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r41 d24 appointment of board of adjustment member be it resolved by the mayor and counsel of the b b of Elwood Park that the appointment of James ginsky to the board of adjustment term ending December 31st 2027 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution solution so move second any discussion call to roll please first by pel second by council president Sheridan on roll call behal council members Dennis yes Holo yes GOC yes pel green yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Angelo Panetta to the board of adjustment term ending December 31st 2027 respectfully mayor Robert klei resolution r- 42-24 appointment of board of adjustment member be resolved by the mayor and councel of the B of el Park that the appointment of Angelo Panetta to the board of adjustment term ending December 31st 2027 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution move a second second thank you any discussion call roll please first by peline second by for solo on roll call we have council members Dennis yes bolo yes GOC yes pelen yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the borrow Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Del fava to the recreation Advisory board for period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r- 43-24 appointment of recreation Advisory Board member but resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of el Park that the appointment of Del fava to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on a resolution so move second discussion yes mayor I'm going to abstain from this um I don't know if an attorney was consulted when you made the agenda but I don't understand how we put a a burrow employee on a board that has the power to advise the council about the performance of other borrow employees I just I don't understand it but I don't want to be I don't want to be labor the process okay any other discussion call the roll please first by peligre second by council president Sheridan on roll call we have dinnner Dennis sorry I I want dinner sorry I'm hungry um no no no F solo yes L of stained pelen yes choicy yes Council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the bough Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Eric Samson to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r- 44-24 appointment of recreation Advisory Board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of elw Park that the appointment of Eric Samson to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution so move second any discussion col Ro was this discussion that was a sidebar yes okay no discussion call the RO please first by pelig second by council president Sheridan on rle call we have council members Dennis no pello no GOC yes pelen yes chyy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint George shama to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r- 45-24 appointment of recreation Advisory Board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the B Park that the appointment of George shama to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 and the same is hereby confirmed motion please so move I need a second second any discussion call roll first by peligre second by folo on roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes GOC yes pelen yes Choy yes council president sharidan yes motion carries to the B Council I here by nominee and with your advice and consent appoint Neil McKenna to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 respectfully submitted mayor Robert Ki resolution r- 46-24 appointment of recreation Advisory Board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the bar of Elwood Park that the appointment of Neil McKenna to the recreation Advisory board for a period of 3 years term ending December 31st 2026 and the same is hereby confirmed motion please Mo second discussion call the roll first by pelen second by folo on roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes GOC yes pel green yes chyy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint danela bco bosio sorry to the library board for a period of 5 years term ending December 31st 2028 and the same is hereby confirmed respectfully submitted mayor Robert Ki resolution r- 47-24 appointment of Library board member be resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of el Park that the appointment of danela bosio to the library board for a period of 5 years term ending December 31st 2028 and the same is hereby confirmed motion on a resolution so moved second any discussion I I would like to have a discussion as somebody who has sat on that Library board for two years as an alternate I'm concerned about the attendance of this particular person that's being nominated she's uh she is often um missing from meetings pimer I had a discussion with her about it she is Val Val person on that board I believe she's a school teacher she brings she brings a lot to that board and I asked her if she could pay a little more attention to her attendance and she said she will fa enough any other discussion call the roll please first by go back second by for solo and roll call we have council members Dennis yes pelo yes golc yes pelen yes choice no council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the B Council I hereby nominate and with your advice and consent appoint Melinda rler to the rent leveling board for a period of four years term ending December 31st 2027 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r- 48-24 appointment of rent leveling board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the B of elud Park that the appointment of Melinda rler to the rent level L board for a period of 4 years term ending December 31st 2027 and the same is hereby confirmed motion please so move second discussion call roll first by felo second by peline I roll call we have council members Dennis yes pello yes GC yes peligre yes Choy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the burrow Council I hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Carl Roberts to the rent leveling board for a period of four years term ending December 31st 2027 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r- 49-24 appointment of rent leveling board member they it resolved by the mayor and Council the B of el Park that the appointment of Carl Roberts to the rent leveling board for a period of 4 years term ending December 31st 2027 and the same is hereby confirmed may I have a motion please so Mo I need a second second you second yes we have a second she uh council president sharan second any discussion yes mayor if I may [Music] um uh with with the information that the mayor and Council has I have to say mayor with all du respect this is the most perplexing nomination that I've had to vote on in my years on the council I'll be voting no okay any other discussion call the rooll please first by peligre second by council president Sheridan I will call behalf council members Dennis no folo no GOC no tryy yes peligre yes oh sorry I went on council president Sheridan yes mayor Ki you have the deciding vote I get the vote again that's fun by all means yes okay motion carries I went four years without voting so it was a little frustrating so tonight is like a a little reprieve in reference to that so to the B Council I he about nominee with your advice and consent app Point Franchesco solo to the Cannabis board for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r-50 d24 appointment of cannabis board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council the B of el Park that the appointment of Franchesco folo to the BS cannabis board as a full member term ending December 31st 2024 B and is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution so move second discussion call roll please first by peline second by GOC on roll call we have council members Dennis yes pello yes GOC yes pel yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the burrow Council I hereby nominate with your advice and cons and consent appoint Pamela Troy to the candidates board for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert klei resolution r- 51-24 appointment of cannabis board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the Burl El park with the appointment of Pamela Troy to the burls Cannabis board as a full member term ending December 31st 2024 B and is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution second any discussion Calla roll first by peligre Council second by council president Sheridan on roll call we have Council BR Dennis no pelo no GL abstain peligre yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the bough Council hereby nominate with your advice and consent appoint Joseph Pride to the Cannabis board for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert kti resolution r- 52-24 appointment of Canabis board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the B Elwood Park that the appointment of Joseph Pride to the Burrows cannabites board as a full member term ending December 31st 2024 being is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution so move second any discussion call the roll please first by folo second by pel a roll call we have council members Dennis yes folo yes gobec yes peligre yes Choy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries to the borrow councel he I nominate with your advice and consent appoint Janette Randazzo to the canidates board for a period of one year term ending December 31st 2024 respectfully submitted mayor Robert KY resolution r- 53-24 appointment of cannabis board member be it resolved by the mayor and Council of the barl El Park that the appointment of Janette Randazzo to the Burl's cannabis board as a full member term ending December 31st 2024 being is hereby confirmed motion on the resolution so move second discussion call the roll please first by peligre second by council president Sheridan on roll call behalf councilman members Dennis yes P solo yes gobec yes pelen yes choicy yes council president Sheridan yes motion carries moving on to mayoral appointments mayor we had to remove U the mayor's alternate because councilwoman Sheridan will be the planning board Council representative moving on to the other mayor real quick so the mayoral appointments councilwoman in earlier today was appointed by the council as um the the council representative to the planning board so she could also be the planning board mayor's delegate mayor's alternate so she would have two votes if the mayor is not there I don't I don't understand how this is working because she's a council representative and she's also I'm removing it you're removing it okay sorry okay good question councilman I was it had it was in my mind then I you know yes with that nomination from earlier it's being removed you don't want two representatives of the mayor on on any board no you know I hear you okay we have Antonio casono planning board member four years we have Carl Roberts mayor's delegate planning board pleasure of Mayor we have Jeanie frag mayor's Delegate for Library board pleasure of Mayor mayor if I may I know we don't get a vote on this I I just like to be on the record as uh in the minutes please that I'm opposed to um Mr Robert's appointment to the planning board for reasons the mayor and Council maybe not the newest council member are fully fully aware of okay we're duly noted and uh let us move on okay mayor this concludes my portion of the meeting I will turn it over to you for Council report Council reports okay it's that time ladies and gentlemen that had to be like heart-wrenching for you to sit through all that but that's that's just part of the nuts and bolts of running this government uh we have to go through it uh so uh we we'll go councilwoman uh Dennis first as far as comments and reports okay mayor thank you um just a couple things because they're time sensitive the uh the much anticipated the basketball season starts this weekend at the recreation center gam started this Friday evening and on Saturday afternoons so we encourage residents to stop by and purchase some snacks and catch a great game um time sensitive issues soccer shots winter Clinic signups are still open but the program starts this Sunday there's limited seats available so if you're interested it's for children in ages 3 2 to five um there's actually one spot available the others are sold out so if you're interested in that please jump on that the uh winter stem program also starts this week There's one spot available so please sign up ASAP um last month our longest Ser well one of our longest serving burrow employees retired from Recreation Center uh Penny she worked with Rec Recreation Center for 30 years I just wanted to make note of that and wish her well on her retirement thank her for countless years dedication to our burrow and to our children um the next board ofet meeting is on January 23rd at 6:30 we just want to congratulate Mrs gerardi and Miss asperis for their nominations as uh board President and Vice President the shear wishing them much success in their new roles um Project Graduation announced recently that their annual Tricky Tray tickets and Fashion Show is on sale for March 5th at the fiesta in Woodridge we ask that everyone supports this year's graduating class and attend the event tickets $65 each and you can find all the information online um Elmore Park police will be hosting a free wrestling lessons for wrestling practice excuse me for six weeks starting this Tuesday coming up at Tiger Showman's uh we're asking parents to just show up for the sessions no sign up required wonderful opportunity to train with EP finest as well as a current UFC fighter so it's a great opportunity we appreciate our Police Department for putting that together um the holiday season has almost ended I celebrate Three Kings that's on Saturday so we get more gifts but we had a wonderful season here in Elmer Park um we had many generous donors that helped that helped the burrow and the res assistance program throughout the season and it was heartwarming to see the amount of donations given to our programs this year so many families were able to have a meal on the table and get under the tree due to your generosity so we greatly appreciate that um and just lastly mayor you know I have this uh report here um over the years we always heard the mayor make comments about um how we work well together as a council and some meetings are a lot longer than others we always argue our positions but at the end we always come to an agreement and 99% of the time we are on the same page and I can't remember a time that we we were not on the same page we always put the concerns of our residents in our community first um up until today this statement has to change um I just wanted to make note that um there are six Council people up here our six Council people are also residents of this town we should be given the same respect and consideration when it comes to conversations regarding our community and I'm going to end it on this and it's going to be the meaning of integrity Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain this council is going to do everything they can to work together it's 2024 I'm looking forward to what we'll come up with and how we're going to serve our residents and I would just like to let everyone know that it is not about politics it is not about personalities it's about what doing right by our residents in our community and taking our position seriously and it's also about respecting one another's opinions and our values up here we're all nominated to sit up here and represent our town and we should be respected as such I'm going to stop with that congratulations to everyone of the new positions I wish you well look forward to what this year has to bring and progress mayor Mr folo thank you my your mind's not that long so now I feel a little bit um I want to congratulate all of the appointed board members to the rec to all of our different boards uh tonight it's it's really hard to get volunteers nowadays and and to have you guys come up and and step up for your community it shows what kind of a person you are and how uh you admire this community I know it's hard uh having children and and different work schedules so thank you all I also want to thank everybody involved in the tree lighting that happened uh between the the fire department the police department uh all the different departments between the rec and and the DPW all working together to make that a great success so I want to thank everybody uh for that progress mayor and I and I wish us a great and successful year thank you Mr for solo Mr GOC thank you mayor happy New Year everyone I want to start off by commending everyone on the council for their independence tonight we took about 40 votes and it was all over the place and I think that's a good healthy thing that's that's how we have to operate going forward you know uh vote with our our our our heart and our conscience and our mind and and do that um Elwood park has come a long way I believe in the last six seven years in a bipartisan way long long way but I still believe we have a lot of work to do to get it to where really needs to be and on that note I look forward to working with everyone in 2024 thank you mayor thank you councilman councilwoman Sheridan council president Sheridan I should say thank you mayor I just want to say um congratulations to everybody tonight I was over at the for of said when they had their elections I like to say again congratulations to the three of you um It's Beginning uh 2024 a lot of surprises already but we're all going to work say that again oh that's for sure we're all going to work together and it's all for the town that's it mayor thank you second time I'm going to say this councilwoman tryy in public well I I I don't have any um committees to report on yet but I do want to congratulate everyone for their appointments to the board and also the um uh Board of Ed uh members that are here that were sworn in the earlier this week and uh I look forward to the next meeting when I actually have a report thank you thank you councilwoman Pim worked hard this election was she works hard on everything she does and it paid off for her uh Council pres I'm sorry councilwoman peligre yes I just want to congratulate everybody that was appointed a position and to all those appointed on boards good luck if you need any help or advice the council mayor and Council are always here to help also the next board Health meeting will be January 8th at 700 p.m. and that will be their reorganization meeting and also I attended the Board of Education meeting the other night and watched the three candidates get sworn in and it was an honor to watch them they're very hard workers our Board of education's doing a great job and we're looking forward to a continued partnership with all of you and also I would just like to say um the residents assistance program had a really great year and we helped over a hundred children receive toys and to see the faces of the parents getting those toys to bring home for their children was really special and it it takes everybody to to do that not just the people on the committee but all of our residents our businesses everybody puts their hand in this and especially a thank you to my coordinators Angela fava and Dion York they're always there side by side helping me and each year it it's getting bigger and better and you know it's getting bigger and better because an anonymous person just gave us $110,000 I mean wow I couldn't get over that I just couldn't get over somebody believed that much in our program to do something like that for our community so we are blessed let's start off good you know what when when you get hit with something and you don't like it guess what you go on by the grace of God you don't get angry you keep doing positive work because that's what we're here on Earth to do and I learned a lot of that from Pastor Ron we're here to do positive work ignore the negative ignore the negative people ignore the wrongs just continue to do what you're doing try to make a difference in your community and that's all I'll ever do I'll try to make a difference to the best I can so thank you all thank you councilor so I get to wrap it up here uh what I'd like to say is I was remiss before and not mentioning u a person that's been uh very valuable to my life uh for some 54 years comes February 14th uh we will be married for 54 years it wasn't that easy though my grandson also shares that birthday February 14th Michael kti you got a little mention here I can't I said I wasn't going to mention any names because I have to mention everybody's uh but I do want to say about my wife uh What uh the rock she's been for me uh the foundation and she's kept me grounded for all these years and I do appreciate that and I love you sweetheart and I'm looking forward to spending each and every day until we move on with you so thank you for being who you are and we we talk about being bipartisan that's automatic up here you get you get through situations like this where people change their mind votes change but all in all uh this is a good Council all in all am I right Michael absolutely he's been too quiet we had to get him involved here tonight um and we like to weigh things out keep the politics out of it although around October and November it gets it gets political automatically and you try to keep it out uh but um I think knowing that the people that are on the the day is here uh all all good people in their heart uh put have different ideas but we'll we'll put it all together and we'll keep element Park moving in in the right direction um as we have and and I love the fact that we have Muhammad here and Pastor Ron um representing a God and keeping God into our meetings God and Country you hear that saying all the time God and Country God and Country well there is also a philosophy about there should be separation between church and government and and I agree with that however we this our democracy was founded on principles that surround God and that's why when we say God and Country I think it's a good mix and it's something that we will practice going forward until uh there is no more forward um with that said I think I will uh ask for a motion to open to the public so move anyone from the public care to speak on any item whatsoever you know the drill D Jeffrey fried tag 35 human and drive happy New Year good luck to everyone um just one thing that I think might need to be looked at you appointed this evening four people to the rec board the current roster shows six and seven is what you're supposed to have according to the Ordinance one of the people that you appointed according to the roster and I'm only going what's on online is already appointed to 24 through 24 he was appointed on here for 3 years okay so so we have a mistake there's what you're saying I don't know is is the website correct Mr sham yeah nothing against anyone no no I'm not saying he's appointed for 3 years and according to the roster it shows that his term does not end until 1231 2024 okay we got that yeah okay we we'll take care of that Jeff okay Happy New Year to you thank you anyone else care to speak any subject whatsoever going once I didn't get to put the hammer down on you with good evening Andrew telano 49 Kip Avenue um I don't know if it was an noite but I was called to be reappointed as an alternate for planning board and that wasn't on here so I don't know if they're going to be missing that alternate now we're going to correct you could fix it tonight or this way I can still make the next meeting all right thank you you excuse me angel come back your question was what again now was I was an alternate on the planning board and I was called to ask to be continued and I am willing to continue as an alternate and I wanted to know if we could be done tonight this way I could be at the next meeting mayor I think I think that's where the mistake was with Council Sheridan's name I think his name was supposed to be under mayor's alternator so what can we do here legal what could we do to make this happen it's your it's the mayor's direct appointment as soon as you say the words soon as I say the words iby you realize the power you're giving me it's pleasure you are an alternate and I I I I pardon you pardon well that that movie well I better not say the title but go ahead okay all right anyone else care to speak from from the [Applause] public the Buton on the right said the right there you go okay mayti congratulations thank you I would just like to ask that uh an effort be made for both the board of adjustment and the planning board to put the agendas on the uh on the website as well as the minutes I mean it's like two years some of them that have been haven't been posted so hasn't been posted yes they're both they're both like that okay okay they're not posting the minutes they're not posting the agendas I think that's very important for the town that they know what's coming up we we'll handle it it's it's been a a long uh issue it's been too long and uh I we hear you and we thank you for bringing to our attention thank you otherwise it might have got slipped through the cracks for another year thank you thank you anyone else here to speak if not I will close the public portion and with that I believe we are completed get something down yeah we're going to before we motion to go to adjourn I'd like to invite you all downstairs for some refreshments you've been a very patient audience there was a lot to read through here tonight uh we appreciate that so come on downstairs and join us uh with that motion to adjourn so move all in favor all