##VIDEO ID:vmJgojyj-Zs## stand for the flag salute flag States indivisible and justice for all with our new president Sunshine notice Madam clerk thank you mayor uh Board of Commissioners public meeting agenda for Tuesday January 21st 2025 the time is now 7:05 pursuing to the requirements of the open public meeting act chapter 231 Public Law 1975 notice of this meeting was published in the November 21st 2024 issues of the nutly sun The Herald news and the Star Ledger a copy of this notice has been posted on the Nutley Town Hall butin board and a copy is on file in the municipal clerk's office commissioner Evans here commissioner Tui here commissioner scarelli here commissioner Petco mayor Kelly present all present mayor uh thank you uh minutes please yes we have uh Board of commissioner meeting minutes for December 17 2024 move it second commissioner Evans all commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner Baco hi mayor Kelly hi uh Communications Madam clerk thank you mayor yes so uh we have several this evening uh the NY music boosters Association has submitted a letter to request permission to hold a raffle on Sunday March 16 2025 uh at 300 Franklin Avenue uh the township has received three applications for social Affair permit as follows uh all three are from the Nutley Elks Lodge one is for a Paint and Sip for Saturday February 13th uh for from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a rate date of Thursday February 20th 2025 the second one is also for the nutly Elks Lodge it's the their uh annual St Patrick's Day Parade celebration on Saturday March 1st 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11: p.m. and the last one is for a cancer fundraiser for Sunday March 30th 2025 from noon till 6:00 p.m. and uh all three events will be located at 242 Chestnut Street motion please move it second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner Petco mayor Kelly I and that's it for communications mayor thank you moving on to bills please okay uh Bill list for January 21st 2025 public affairs $552,500 6,345 167 $63 Public Safety $66,667 40 Public Works $ 39,4 19138 parks and public property 1,761 16384 water utility $521,500 40 payroll as of um January 3rd 201 25th regular payroll total $98,500 18892 3 total payroll 1, 33,541 22 for a grand total of 9,735 52028 move the Bills second commissioner Evans hi commissioner tuchi hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner Petco mayor Kelly hi that's it for bills mayor thank you uh moving on to public comment on agenda items only uh this is public comment on agenda items only people wishing to be heard on agenda items only please approach the microphone and state your name for the record please seeing none uh moving on to board of commissioner announcements commissioner Evans nothing for me nothing there yes mayor uh we had a uh press release come out and a email announcement about our uh garbage can recycling program that's going to start this Saturday it'll be every Saturday for 10 weeks we've divided the town up into 10 sections and uh people can go on the website and see the map to see where they fall and uh we will be putting uh notices on the homes uh during the week prior to Saturdays so that will start this Saturday and we'll see how it goes that's it May thank you commissioner PCO yes I just like to once again comment on um these pedestrian crosswalks um we we do enforce I say it all the time I can't say it enough I can't teach people matters if if you see somebody in a crosswalk or going across especially now it gets dark earlier please stop for them one of the worst crosswalks in notle in my opinion is by the park over there on Center Street very difficult to see people are passing on the right I know myself from driving through town I'm urging the residents who walk all these streets especially at night wear bright clothing I can't tell you how many times myself I've have almost gotten an accident with get on a scooter you know dressed all in black are people walking it's difficult to see we have snow now um you know so let help us help you dress in bright clothes use a light at night so forth and so on thank you mayor thank you um I have a couple things to announce we we are we have a a number of events coming up this uh winter and and spring in the public affairs and health department but uh the uh I we'll start with some of the more I guess near future events uh we have we're celebrating uh the uh Lunar New Year uh this year is the year of the snake uh be on the lookout for more information pertaining to that event next month is uh Black History Month we'll be having some events associated with that and also uh it's heart health month and on February 8th we'll be doing our annual uh uh yoga event and walk through the park followed by some axe throwing at the uh the house here in Nutley uh and as we move into March we have women's history month and we have some health fairs coming up so uh be on the lookout for more information regarding all of that and uh we hope to see everyone there thank you uh moving on to public hearings commissioner Tucci yes thank you um I have two this evening my first one uh the purpose of this public hearing is uh we're seeking funding through the state of New Jersey under the Jake's law program uh in the amount of about $536,000 in change uh and this is a project actually it's at glotzbach Park there's an existing park there but we we will be installing an inclusive playground uh all with all the equipment and all the features to ensure ADA compliance there it's going to include accessible play structure safety surfacing uh ramp sensory friendly play areas and Pathways design the biggest issue the citizens want to hear is always the cost and if you could talk a little bit about that it's 536,000 e uh move the ordinance second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tu hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi my second public hearing this evening uh in the amount of 1,210 410 also for GL anyone wishing to be heard matter please approach the microphone and state your name for the record close public hearing second resolutions commissioner Evans yes I have a resolution tonight which uh fully referencing in section one the amount is for8 million dollars in notes two that section two that it's a bond anticipation note that will be administered by the Chief Financial Officer these would be notes that would be renewable annually uh and that uh the um budget impact of this will be included in our our budget each year the first interest uh payment associated with this would be in 2026 which would be uh covered by the lease agreement with uh 777 so it won't affect the municipal budget and uh for section four authorizes the Chief Financial Officer to move uh efficiently and quickly to get this done and section five all actions here to for taken by the township officials and professionals with regard to the s Award of the noes is hereby ratified confirmed adopted and approved uh section six this resolution shall take effect immediately so move I need a second second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tucci stain commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi uh my next resolution is for refund of overpayment of tax charges in the amount of$ 13665 for the lot and blocks that are listed in the resolution so move second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner Paco hi mayor Kelly hi my next resolution is for the renewal of our grant writing services uh with Millennium strategies for the year 2025 in the amount of $43,200 uh Millennium has completed and submitted the business entity disclosure certification which certifies that said Corporation has not made any report contributions to a political or candidate Committee in the township of Notting the previous one year and that all contracts will prohibit and that the contracts will prohibit Millennium from part Partners from making any reportable contributions through the term of the contract funds are available uh with the adoption of the 2025 budget which will be certified by the Chief Financial Officer in account 50129 205 now there be resolved by the Board of Commissioners the township of County of as state of New Jersey as follows the contract shall be entered into between the township of Nutley and Millennium strategies 60 Columbia Avenue SE 230 uh for grant writing services for uh for a rate of $3,600 a month for a total not to exceed $43,200 previous year contract was for $42,000 a copy of this resolution shall be published as required by law within 10 days of its passage and a copy of the resolution as well the contract shall be place on file with the munici so move second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner I mayor Kelly I my last resolution is for the temporary uh Appropriations U ordinances whereas in accordance with NJ sa 48 col 4-20 in addition to Temporary Appropriations necessary for the prior period to the prior to the adoption of the budget and the regular appropriation of the governing body May by resolution adopt a 2third vote of the full membership make emergency temporary Appropriations for any purposes for which appropriates may law May lawfully uh be made for the period between the beginning of the current fiscal year and the date of the adoption whereas the amount such emergency appropriation shall be included under uh the correct headings in the budget as adopted the total temporary appropriation for 25 includes 8, 832446 45 now therefore by the Board of Commissioners um in accordance with njsa 48 col 4s2 and emergency temporary appropriation being the same as made for the accounts that are listed in here which cover uh workman's compensation uh payments to the employee uh Retirement systems for both public employees as well as police and fire uh for total amount of $ 7,24 th000 $4,380 58 and temporary Appropriations for the Pake Valley Sewer Commission in the amount of 1, 88,000 uh $658 uh so move second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner Kelly hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi thank you commissioner Evans commissioner Tui yes whereas a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program provides grants Andor loans to Municipal and County govern governments and grants to nonprofit organizations for assistance in the acquisition development and stewardship of lands for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes and whereas the township of Nutley desires to further the public interest by obtaining total funding in the amount of $ 42,62407 1829 matching Grant and if available a zero a z loan from the state to fund the following project father glack Park inclusive playground Improvement at at a total cost of $536,500 of Mayor is hereby authorized to a make application for such a loan and or such a grant B provide additional application information and furnish such documents as may be required C act as the authorized correspondent of the above named applicant and two in the event State funds are less than the total project cost specified above the applicant has the balance of funding necessary to complete the project three the applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal state and local laws rules and regulations in its performance of the project and four resolution shall take effect immediately I move the resolution second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kell hi whereas New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program is providing grants to the urban Parks initiative and whereas the township of Nutley desires to further the public interest by obtaining Urban Park's grant funding in the amount of $1,210 th4110 from the state to fund the following project the father glotzbach Memorial Park Improvement project at a total cost of 1,210 2 $210,400 and whereas the township of Nutley desires to obtain greenacre funding if above Urban Parks grant funding request is UN underfunded or unsuccessful and whereas the state shall determine if the application is complete and in conformance with the scope and intent of the initiative and notify the applicant of the amount of the funding award and whereas the applicant is willing to use State funds in accordance with the applicable policies and laws and is willing to enter into an agreement with the state for the above named project now therefore be it resolved by the mutle Board of Commissioners that one the mayor of the township or the successor to the office of Mayor is hereby authorized to a make application for such a loan or Grant B provide additional application information and furnish such documents as may be required and C act as the authorized correspondent of the above named applicant two in the event State funds are less than the total project cost specified the applicant has the balance of funding necessary to complete the project three the applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal state local laws rules and regulations and its performance of the project and four this resolution shall take effect immediately I move to resolution second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PATCO hi mayor Kelly hi I'd like toh consolidate the next three um and I'll read them uh as as such whereas the township of Nutley has a need to acquire specialized Professional Services as a fair and open contract pursuant to the provision of njsa 19 colon 44 A- 2.5 and whereas the department of parks and public property has determined that there is a need to acquire specialized Professional Services for air conditioning heating and Refrigeration services and purchase of materials and supplies um also for Plumbing Service and purchase of materials and Equipment as necessary and for Roofing Service and purchase of materials as necessary and whereas the municipal clerk is hereby authorized and directed to advertise uh for all three of these items now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the township of not County of Bic state of New Jersey that the seal bid shall be due on Wednesday February 12th 2025 at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time addressed to municipal clerk Nutley township hall one Kennedy Drive Nutley New Jersey at which time they will be publicly opened and read I move all three resolution second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly I uh this is also a resolution authorizing application uh for dugouts for the East Little League Flor Len Park uh whereas the township notle desires to apply for an obtained Grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs local Recreation Improvement grant for approximately $100,000 in order to enhance the recreational opportunities for our residents by supporting improvements to floor allow in park by replacing the current dugouts with new and improved en closed baseball/softball dugouts whereas the township of notle does hereby authorize the application for such a grant and recognizes and accepts that the department may offer lesser or a greater amount upon receipt of the grant agreement from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and be it therefore resolved that the township of nut lead does further authorize the execution of any such Grant agreements and also upon receipt of the executed agreement from the Department does further authorize the expenditure of funds pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the township of nley New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and be it further resolve that the persons whose names titles and signatures appear below are authorized to sign the application and that they are their successors in said titles will authorized to sign the agreement and any other documents necessary in conjunction they are with the two people are uh John V Kelly III mayor Marl G Tui commissioner um so move thank you commissioner Evans all commissioner Tui hi commission scel hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi that's all I have thank you and thank you for moving the meeting along and consolidating those resolutions commissioner scarelli thank you mayor be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Township of Nutley County of ESS state of New Jersey that the Township Clerk is hereby authorized to advertise for seal bids for the 2024 CG Prospect Street intersection improvements project the township ofel be received by the Board of Commissioners of the commission Chambers Township Paul one Kennedy Drive nelon New Jersey on Wednesday February 12th 2025 at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time which time they will be open the read it move the resolution second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi that's all I have mayor thank you commissioner scarelli February 12th will be a big day for bids uh commissioner Peta yes whereas the tant Bali currently owns a 2003 Ford E350 truck which has been used as a Hazmat vehicle in the NY fire department whereas said vehicle is no longer needed by NY Fire Department and therefore pursuing njsa 48-11 the township desires to donate the said vehicle to nutly board of education for student related activities now therefore be resolved by board Commissioner of Township in no County as the state of New Jersey that the township is hereby authorized to donate a four mentioned vehicle to nutly Board of Education effectively immediately I move it second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi the township of NY currently owned a 2012 Ford F450 which was acquired in the transition of moving the nut emergency Rescue Squad Under the Umbrella of the nle fire department whereas the said vehicle is no longer needed by the nle fire department and therefore pursuant njsa 48-11 the township desires to donate said vehicles to the moonfield fire department now therefore be resolved by the Board of Commissioners Township and n county of the state of New Jersey that the township is hereby authorized donate the aforementioned vehicle to the blomfield fire department effectively immediately I move it second Comm Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly hi whereas not Police Department employee S1 SLO 2 and slo3 officers slo1 Officer is a volunteer who is trained to assist inell Police Department including but not limited to traffic crowd control and Civic events the S two offic and SLO three officers have a full police Powers while on duty whereas the nle police department has appointed Joseph Leon Mike lamboro as Leo two officers for one year beginning January 1st 2025 through December 31st 2025 whereas a not police department has appointed Joseph Castellano as a slo3 officer for one year beginning January 1st 2025 through December 31st 2025 whereas the not police department has appointed pregnant br and Rudolph Randol I'm sorry a farro as C1 officers for one year beginning January 1st 2025 to December 31st 2025 now therefore it be resolved by Board of Commissioners T in nle County best of state of New Jersey at the nle police department is authorized to appoint Joseph Leo Michael luro as Leo to officers Joseph Castellano as a slo3 officer prish br and randor aaro as SLO one officers for January 1st 2025 through December 31st 2025 I move it second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO mayor Kelly I be resolved by Board of Commissioners Township andali County of V state of New Jersey that Township Clerk is hereby authorized to advertise for seal bids for Surplus equipment that is no longer in use by the township equipment vehicles are listed below 2004 F 550 twoo pickup with cab 1991 for pickup twoo pickup with generator we have further resolved that the above Vehicles will be available for inspection Wednesday February 5th 2025 between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 contact the fire department at 973 284 49337 and if it interested in inspecting the vehicle be further resolved all bid submissions must be clearly marked seal bid document with reference to which advertisement the bids are for be further resolves that the equipment will be sold as is and and where is and seal bids are to be sent to Municipal clerk's office one counted Drive n New Jersey Wednesday February 12th 2025 by 11:00 a.m. prevailing time at which time they will be publicly open and read I move it second commissioner Evans commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi Kelly hi okay whereas pursuant New Jersey revised Statute 38a 4-4 2023 permanent or full-time employee who is member of an organ organized military is ordered to active duty that the individual is entitled to leave to leave absence from his perspective respect to duties and whereas the statute further provides that the employee is entitled to receive up to 90 work days of pay per calendar without the loss of time for all days that the person is engaged in active military duty inclusive of their vacation days whereas the police officer Vincent Santano Delair was ordered to act of Duty at picary Arsenal as a member of the New Jersey National Guard beginning December 1st 2024 through November 30th 2027 and titling him to the compensation and benefits in accordance with the njsa 38a 4-4 now therefore be resolved by the Board of Commissioners Township and Nell County County ofest state of New Jersey that officer V Vincent Santino Del F receive compensation and benefits contained to in njsa 38a 4-4 for the duration of his active service be fur the resolve that the Board of Commissioners has continuously supported our employees and Veterans who have served or are serving in our military we thank officer Dela for his service I move the resolution second commissioner Evans commissioner Tucci commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly I would like to thank officer Dela for his service to our nation to our state and uh to this town and uh wish him a safe uh safe safe Mission and uh we look forward to welcoming back upon the completion of his deployment I vote I that's all I have mayor I have uh three on for this evening I'll be tabling one and I'll have a brief explanation as to why um the first one I have on for this evening is resolution number 1925 uh whereas raffle license applications have been received from the following organizations uh Radcliff P school PTO and on premises 50/50 cash Raff on Friday February 28th 25 nutly music boosters association off premises merchandise raffle Sunday March 16th 2025 Friends of the Phoenix Center Foundation casino night Friday May 2nd 2025 Friends of the Phoenix Center Foundation on premises 50/50 cash raffle Friday May 2nd 2025 Nutley Junior Raiders booster club on premise 5050 cash rafle Saturday February 22nd 2025 Nutley Junior Raiders booster club on premise merchandise for affle Saturday February 22nd 2025 Nelly High School crew boosters Association on premise 50-50 raffle Saturday March 8th 202020 2025 nle High School crew boosters Association on premises merchandise raffle Saturday March 8th 2020 2025 Nell Youth Baseball Club on premises 5050 cash raffle Saturday April 26th 2025 n Youth Baseball Club on premises merchandise raffle Saturday April 26 2025 uh with the license numbers uh written here in whereas the applications have been reviewed and approved by the municipal clerk and the police department now therefore be resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the township of Nutley County of Essex state of New Jersey that the aforementioned license are hereby approved and the municipal clerk is authorized to issue said license I move the resolution second commissioner Evans commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO mayor Kelly hi I will be uh tabling uh resolution number 2025 and we'll be having we'll be reading it at the February 4th uh commission meeting which will be held in this room on February 4th at 7 p.m. uh the reason being is we're trying to we had some scheduling conflicts we're trying to get clergy members from each of the different uh religious faiths associated with for chaplain day uh for those of you who don't know for chaplain's day is uh is a day designated to honor four uh United States military chaplain uh from four different faiths they on their way to World War II overseas to Europe uh their ship was struck by a tor tedo and was sinking and the the Panic uh not all the crew members were able to have life jackets and they calmed the crew through prayers and through uh their leadership and they offered their life jackets to uh crew members who didn't have them and they ended up uh perishing but those crew members ended up uh many of them survived because of their efforts and so we're going to honor Fort chaplain's day on February 4th uh and we look forward to that uh the next one I have on for this res for this evening is resolution 29 2025 uh and this is uh the recognition of February's Black History Month whereas in 1776 people envisioned the United States as a new nation dedicated to the proposition stated in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness whereas in the face of injustices people of goodwi and all Races in the United States have distinguished themselves with Comm commment and Noble ideals on which the United States was founded and have fought courageously for the rights and freedom of African-Americans and others whereas the contributions of African-Americans from all walks of life throughout the history of the United States reflect the greatness of the United States whereas many African-Americans lived toiled and died in obscurity never achieving the recognition those individuals deserved yet pav the way for future generations to succeed where as African-Americans continue to to serve the United States at the highest levels of business government in the mid mil whereas the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas inspired the creation of negro week the per precursor to Black History Month uh Black History Month celebrated during the month of February or originated in 1926 when Dr Carter G Woodson set aside a special period in February to recognize the Heritage and achievements of black people in the United States and therefore it be resolved that the Board of Commissioners of the township of n county of esic State New Jersey join the citizens of NY to observe and honor Black History Month recognizing the wealth and contributions made by African-Americans so moved second commissioner Evans commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli I commissioner Petco mayor Kelly I and the last resolution I have on for this evening is resolution number 3025 uh this is a resolution recognizing February as National heart health month whereas February is American heart health month a time when all people especially women are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health bre heart disease is very common leading cause of death for men women and people of most racial and ethnic groups one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease in in the United States someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds whereas about one and 20 adults age 20 and older have coronary artery disease and every year over 800,000 people in the United States have a heart attack whereas one out of every five deaths from cardiovascular disease was among adults younger than 65 years old and about one in five heart attacks are silent the damage is done but the person is not aware of it whereas February is National heart health month and Friday February 7th 2025 has been designated as National Wear red day at which time residents are encouraged to wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular risks and disease on this date all Township of n municipal buildings will be illuminated in red to bring awareness to this initiative whereas the town chutle department of public affairs through its Health Department American Heart Association are committed to changing the future of Health together by promoting healthy eating and Fitness and thus preventing heart disease through public and professional education about the risk factors now therefore it be resolved by the Board of Commissioners Township of Nelly County of Essex state of New Jersey that in recognition of the importance of the ongoing effort to prevent heart disease we do hereby declare February 2025 as National heart health month and urge all citizens not only to show their support for preventing heart disease by learning more about their heart health and eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy active healthy active lifestyle uh I move the resolution second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tucci hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner bco hi mayor Kelly and like I said earlier this evening uh on Saturday February 8th we'll be having some heart healthy activities uh on that day uh stay tuned for locations and times uh I vote I at this time we'll open the meeting up to the public uh those wishing to address the uh the board uh please approach the microphone St your name for the record your comments will be limited to 3 minutes and please address all comments to me uh and I will if appropriate uh hand them to the appropriate commissioner good evening my name is Linda Deora a 71 Lakeside Drive um the senior tax frees which I recently qualified for want to make sure that I understand it you set a base level and then after that you're reimbursed uh if you're tax taxes go up is that correct yes that is correct okay and you have to you have to establish your base year okay um so my question then is now that the sewer charges are taken off your taxes and put on your water bill if they were to remain on your taxes that would be capped now that they're on your water bill they're not you're you're paying them um which to in my way of thinking would create a hardship for people who are um eligible for this freeze um uh senior citizens in Nutley and I just wanted to know if if uh anyone had thought that through or if there's anything that would be done I understand you are giving reimbursements for people who have pools or um uh sprinklers the uh sprinklers systems um but what about your senior population that now this will impact I want to stay in town you know but um $600 or $800 a year on top of my water bill is it's tough now that I'm on a fixed income so so a couple things um one uh paying for the for Pur Seer as part of your property tax assessment right um basically it says that everybody no matter what your usage is right it's just based your you're in effect the the cost coverage of use of the sewer system is basically grounded on the assessed value of your property not your actual usage not your actual burden so uh in many cases throughout the town um that turned out to be a windfall for for many and a burden for others most towns have a separate utility not Le just has uh hasn't done it for a very long time we just found ourselves in need to to change to actually something that was uh hopefully Distributing the bill more fairly U the expectation with seniors is that uh their their water usage at a time is probably or there's their sewer usage at a time is maybe lower or different and they should not uh be and they might have a higher property value they shouldn't be subsidizing the usage of waste water for a laundry mat a restaurant understood if that's the way it works but I think that's a specious uh argument because and I'll tell you why the people who live next door to me there's three adults living there and I we compared water bills and Sewer bills when the new bills came in um their water usage because I I um do a lot of gardening and I try to eat as much as I can you know through what I grow I do not have a sprinkler system I stand there with a hose um my water bill is is much higher than theirs so I am a single person I'm paying much more for the sewer than three adults who are living next door who are showering washing you know uh water usage yeah so yeah and that that's an impact Commissioners scarelli and I have been talking about ways the ways of possibly addressing that okay right uh I don't we don't have an answer yet okay uh but we are looking at U different things to make sure that at least the system itself is has is is grounded In fairness okay so whatever the consumption is that's the consumption uh and then and when you and by the way our sewer bill is a fixed bill it's 4 point $3 million you know for the year so the allocate what we're talking about is the allocation of how we collect that money and where we collect it from if we go around and say everybody gets a break right where you start to give breaks along the way it changes the formula on how much money you can collect which has an impact on the rate I understand that I understand I'm just trying to I appreciate your question and I'm not not being AR who who um have a nice built-in pool and they have a sprinkler system and now they're getting you know something back for this and then you have a senior citizen who's just out there with their hose watering their garden and it just I don't know I just wanted to me I I had written to you and I had spoken to you Dr scarelli um prior back in September um because this concerned me as soon as I got my bill I want to stay in Nutley I've been here 40 years I raised my daughter here um I'm very happy living here I don't want to be priced out of my own home you know and it may not seem like a lot $600 or $800 but now that I'm retiring and I'm going to be on a fixed income every year you know that's going to go less and less far so that $600 or $800 is is enormous to me yeah so one of the things we are that we are tracking very very closely is the state New Jersey program that should become part of the the calend the fiscal 26 um state budget which takes effect July 1st 2025 but the expectation is uh based upon what they've said is that a new program will come out uh to assist uh folks that are 65 years or older uh with a a greater discount on their property taxes uh which the formula is pretty straightforward if you earn less than a half a million dollars a year uh you will get a break up to 50% of your property tax up to 6,500 read that tonight less if you're already getting freeze and anchor the net difference so the maximum benefit so you know one of the things we're we're looking at is the state's been trying to figure out a way for a long time how to deal with the property tax issue right U and I'm because it's impactful oh sure you know it is I'm hoping that we'll be able to talk more about that in the coming months the budget cycle just getting start okay I just wanted to make you aware of it because I'm really aware of it you know because it's impacting me directly I appreciate so all right Mr Evans thank you very much I just want to fish Evans and I met actually last week um you know this is a we're six months into this utility and uh we kind of mirrored what most of the other municipalities were doing as far as the water and the pool discounts um we looked at that and said that maybe that's not the way we should be moving forward um so we're as commissioner Evan said we're looking at some alternatives to what we can do we haven't made any final decisions um you know we're aware that the senior the senior freeze it's a little bit different uh because it's add of the property tax but those things we're all looking at and you know uh again as commissioner Evan said if you decrease the amount of money coming in you got to raise the rate on everybody else so uh it's it's a lot of things to consider uh it's a it's kind of a kind of in flux at this point until we uh get more data and we're 6 months in so uh we are obtaining more of that data and we're going to change as we move forward and hopefully it's what we expected is it's Equitable and fair and that's what we wanted right from the beginning I just think we tend to and without getting off on a tangent in this country don't necessarily uh take care of our babies or our elderly the way maybe they would in um well the fact that we have a senior freeze is certainly one way that we're protecting our elderly and helping them if the people in the middle had to shoulder a little bit more of the burden which I did I've done for 40 years you know um that that may be what has to happen in order to protect your seniors you know and now that I'm there like of course I would like to benefit from that because I want to stay here you know I don't want to have to move from my home I know you're feeling you know absolutely so okay all right thank you very much thank you thank you and you do raise a very good point about seniors being priced out of their homes and and that's something that this entire board is laser focused on especially when it comes to our budget we're all each every one of us I can say honestly uh looks at our budget and looks for ways to keep our costs down so that way no one has to get priced out of out of nutly because we want to it's scary yeah so all right okay thank you thank you good evening ni 35 wel Street n New Jersey uh just want to stop by give you guys an update uh as you are well aware it's been over well over two years and this this has consumed my life that you don't even can't even imagine sleepless nights headaches probably be part of your statistics with Cardiac Arrest because it really this is beyond I have good days and bad days and you know on the good days I'm fine and I have a bad day and you know I get a bill for my lawyer it kind of kind of is like anteed to me coming here when I got a deal with him I get a bill it's it triggers me so I'm not here to bash people I never did never will very disappointed at most of you not all of you with exception and disappointing not in in an angry way just disappointed that it's been over two years and I'm I'm no further ahead in this drama than I was over two years ago again thousands more in debt can't tell you it just compiles every month paying the stupid ass loan excuse my mouth that I took out on the property thinking it'll be paid three four months interest rates High uh recently you know I just spoke to my wife I said that's it I can't do it no more I cannot pay the loan I'm going to go bed under the Alan I'm 55 God willing I still got you know some time ahead of me but once I go bad on a loan you know what happens you know I screw up my credit SC up my f some of my future thank God I'm pretty stable now but you always need your credit and so forth uh I I don't care if this gets back to my lawyer because it has I have no respect for him his days are numbered okay um you know we're doing depositions you know and I argue him all the time because he originally wanted to depose all of you because I think one of you made fun of him and you know he didn't like that so you know he took it out on you guys and wanted to do depositions and I fight why are you deposing that you know go after the people that put me in this position now again I don't believe anyone did this intentionally but I'll say it again if this is Corporate America things will be different okay you know it's hard for me to stand up here and be critical of anyone anyone you've always shown me respect from the beginning I'm a loyal guy so I will never go against you know the respect that you showing me Mr Evans you know we we know each other mus tomorrow I don't know I I can't say it again you know myself my family got a lot of love for you always did always will you know Mr Kelly I mean all of you doc I mean I'm just dumbfounded I'm up here still okay and I don't care what I say I don't care what gets back to my lawyer but you know you have an ordinance that you guys pass may scell you signed it I think you initiated yeah part talks about the duties of administrator which is South rer who also you have a lot of it's tough for me because s's daughter and my daughter our roommates have RS I love your nephew comes to my house I wish I didn't love all these people maybe I could you know be a little more angry but I can't he signed an ordinance and clearly states an ordinance that the flood administrator duty is to whether or not to recognize that a parcel is in a flood way I mean it's written out I don't get it's written out okay I know I'm pressed for time but uh you know I got the construction permit day Barry when I originally submitted my plans submitted for and uh put foundation plan I got emails from him saying move forward do the electrical due the pling I got the the affordable housing residential development uh fee calculation given by the township I guess you're more probably familiar with the code fee I'm not sure all if all of you are but it's a fee that you have to pay when you build a new [Music] home I got the fale report with the township I got I mean I got the survey with an email from your town engineer telling me he want to meet up date the survey or from Dave Barry I got the report from your Township engineer telling me once again this is approv for one family right right at the top this is approved for one family home okay you're Township engineer told me to do X Y and Z okay change my plans I know I'm reiterating everything but I I just again I'm dumbfounded that with all this you guys don't even work with me I'm not telling you to assume the full responsibility you I heard about the Anish grants and so forth I mean throw a little bit this way I mean you guys are elected to make the decisions for the township I'm not here say marrow come on man you know remember back in the good days Al come on we're B with people Dr scell I was your patient you know mayor Kelly you know I'm not I'm not here doing that I never did I never came to you out and put you on the spot and ask you to do something I'm asking you as the powers of this town to recognize this I mean how much more listen I'm going to Prevail in court God willing or I I truly believe I I'll Prevail okay but again there's no end in sight so you know if I gota away another two years I can't pay this set Bo it it's I want tell you how much I spent already and I I've said this a thousand times if I saw sat in that sea or sat in that sea this was your son and daughter all of you would have reached out to me said Nikki come on you got to help my son and daughter the township get him wrong and again I never never blasted the township employees I never call disparaging the marks they made mistake everyone made mistake I cannot emphasize again that prior to all this I went to the town Louis went to town Carl L I went to town all before I closed on this I did my doe diligence the township led me down a path of no return and I don't care what they tell you now because I I lost faith in certain people if they're telling you they told me show me one email one email one phone message that them tell me that you can't build on this property do any of you really think it's your department hopefully you know the procedures of building do any of you think that they would make me go through all this knowing that it's an unbuildable lot it doesn't even make sense I walk in I want to build the house if they knew that house that lot was unbuildable they would say Mr orama sorry you can't build on this lot no why I tell you what I don't care what I reveal because I've had people that want the buy the lot makes sense and you know I sure as is I would never sell to them I think uh ronaldi would tell you that because you could listen to conversations against my better judgment and my conscience I would never hurt someone like I've been hurt but when they go to the town ironically now they all find out you can't build on slot now meanwhile no one told me that and I know everyone I know they I Know Carl I know St I know anet I know them all you don't think that they knew this lot was unbuildable they would have told me that come on guys it's Common Sense we all made they made a mistake I just don't understand why none of you could just you know do the right thing put a pocket part you know I'm not looking for the full I'm 270,000 plus I just want this loan paid for it I just don't understand like you guys keep on saying you're helping me have you done anything for me m Mr Orma um I the the entire board certainly empathizes with with your situation and like I've said in the past these legal matters they they certainly take a lot of time more time than most people would like uh and my understanding from our my last update with the the attorney was that new parties have been added which kind of adds a little bit more time to that but what I will say is that you know I will we we we will continue to have a conversation with our attorney to see if we can't move this uh at an ex more expedited Pace to see if we can find an amicable amicable resolution uh to this situation especially now given your your current personal situation uh we'll see if we can't get something moving get get something going in terms of amicable resol solution to this matter and mayor I appreciate that language I've been hearing this for over two years I mean it's the same thing I leave and no like I mean I I don't get it I mean I mean I'm here as a as a a citizen I have the right to speak and I think you have the right to you know you want to respond like not to call you out but come on that motion yeah I mean you know you you've sat on these boards and we've had many discussions right and I I wish I had magic W for you I'll keep saying that but I don't want to be out a turn I think in my own opinion my commissioner re she if you're changing your lawyer I think that's a win for you because you know what from the things that you have told me and that we discussed I mean that I think that would be a step in the right direction because we want to help you Nick and it's and there's a correction I'm from n not Bel you said Us Bel I said I grew up in Nutley but whatever still got that smile but seriously speaking you know I mean Jonathan you and I've talked Jonathan met with you a hundred times you know you know we're all friends up here we all want to do something because it's the right thing to do but listen not not to cut me off I think you're heading in the right direction for for for once go find a lawyer that could represent you properly because in my opinion I don't think he has it's not about all being friends and know each other okay let's set that aside I think I would have gotten further with this if I didn't know anyone okay here's Ocean First Bank here's what I owe I'm done I'm not paying any more so when I file the substitution of attorney which is coming and I don't care if you're I know John FR called him up and he told John told him uh I call him a weasel he's a weasel not John my lawyer because he has no backr he does a lot of barking you know he doesn't like you you know he barks bark works you know but you know you know he's you know once I get my depositions done I'm not a lawyer okay I I'm not spending another 34,000 a lawyer so guess what I'm I'm I'm going to be Pro and when I am I'll be able to talk to you and you and you but as a citizen like why why is so difficult for you guys just to purchase this for a minimum fee you know I'm glad no one comes here because I'm not Grand standing okay I'm here because some people don't even take my calls anymore not even hello text you know so it's like nothing personal it's like you know you think that you know for we think that I want to have to go to court and say oh you're friends with Nikki and this is what you said and this friendship I'm sorry no well forget the friendship right but if you weren't my friend you wouldn't have my cell phone number either you're right right so we are friend and you're everybody's friend but the thing that you have to understand is that you know what there's a process Nick and I think you're moving in the right direction do what you said Jonathan can you Jonathan is there anything that you could comment about or listen he's represented it's uh we've had this discussion it would be improper I I've advised all of you guys not to talk uh about this because there's pending litigation it's unfortunate everyone empathizes with you you know if I I am always happy and free to speak to anyone with the permission of their attorney but we don't have that you know right now and and I invite you and I continue to invite you whenever you want to have a a substantive meeting about the strengths and weaknesses of the case we we have always extended that that off you know I I I served now years ago and I'm sorry you know I I think you know my short tenure uh my reputation was pretty good and and and honestly when I ran no one supported me everyone you're not going to win but I was old school politics I ran close to being the top v c when everyone said no because I went out and I served the people I don't care your color your creator so forth you know if I could go back and pull the tapes you know from the meetings when you know we were about to have a budget I'm like know we stay here all night that's that's what we were elected to do I made choices back then I know some of them every time you cast a vote you say yes you're upset to no you say no you're upset to yes people but guess what I did was right I just can't comprehend where everything I have how you guys don't see that the township made a mistake and I'm not putting a full blame on them I have no respect for the land owner the the seller okay I mean the Ty but of all people can you do your part just like I just when I leave what you going to talk about like I I think Mr Bruno made a a a good suggestion uh go back to your attorney uh let's have a sit down conversation with with our attorneys with your attorneys and we can talk about the strengths and weaknesses and see if we can come to a conclusion regarding this matter uh if you are going to go prosay you know that kind of certainly uh will allow us to talk more freely with you about the strengths and weaknesses of this matter and see if we can't bring this to an amicable conclusion countship wants to offer me $55,000 that that's never been part of any discussion that any well that that's that's because I have that's this what leads me to I can't I have no respect for my attorney you know everyone's all bells and whistles and hugs when you know they want to represent you they want to take your your your initial fee okay your retainer okay you know I knew off the bat the first week when when he said we're like family buddy I chose you because I could have easily gone to someone local which I should have who have better relationships with you and make this work I chose an outsider purposely so I didn't have to do this okay that was a mistake okay I want to choose someone in town but I said I'm not doing that to you I'm not doing that to you I'm not doing that to you no disrespect I didn't really know you that well and you I don't I didn't you know I know you but not like these two right yeah so I mean I don't think it would have mattered who you went to we're going to do whatever is in the best interest for the town and listen to our attorney uh but like I like I said like Mr Bruno said we're willing to sit down with you talk about the strengths and weaknesses uh reach out to your attorney have him set up at a meeting through you through our Council and we're happy to sit down and have a conversation about you know where the strengths and weaknesses are and where we can reach an amicable resolution to this again he he serves in the best interest of you guys however you guys are the bosses okay I mean I I wish you know some of you have seen this paperwork work okay I just don't see how you can't just say listen this kid got hurt just you know let's give him our part and let's get out of this case I mean you going spent 40 50,000 legal bills another 50 you would have paid off my long any comments on there's I I know you a long time Nick I know your entire family despite what you may or may not think because I don't answer you I can't answer you on the advice of our attorney all right if it's you and I having a conversation about Ohio State in Notre Dame or what we're going to eat on Sunday then fine I can't talk to you about this case your attorney doesn't like me because I repeated something that someone else said about him not being a great attorney so so be it I don't care if he likes me or not that that that's neither here nor there but from what I'm hearing and what I witness your biggest problem is your attorney all right from what I've heard in the past all right and we can't get into details but there were several different options that were put on the table now I don't know where the obstacles are I'm not a lawyer all right but there's nobody here that doesn't want to help just that there are impediments and I don't know if it's personalities I don't know if it's representation or a little bit of each but it's just it's not happening and it's not that anyone wants to not speak to you or ignore you you're a great guy Nick and and listen it's as hard as it is for you it's equally as hard for us to listen to what's going on and we know what's going on you and we don't want you to be hurt financially physically mentally or or anyway I mean and as long when we get something that we can deal with I I think we're we're we've always been prepared to deal with it right and I I do do want to say that we we all do feel for you emphathize for you we do want to come to a solution but we're in a interesting predicament too because let's say we actually did do exactly as you say buy you out give you the 100% that you're looking for we also have to answer to the rest of the the the taxpayers in in Nutley and the residents in Nutley and we have to be able to clearly and concisely say why we did what we did uh and right now there there's it's not as clear as we would like it doesn't get any clear I mean it it doesn't get any clear and we're engineer told me it's a build I was directed by Dave Barry to go to Township engineer in South farar how much Clear can it get when they tell me and as Mr Bruno suggested we're happy to talk about exactly what those issues are and what what our position is and what we see and we're happy to hear you out as to what your position is and see if we can come to some sort of agreement as to what the X facts are I'm going to cut everybody off because I think we're going down a a bad Road here that conversation has has never happened which one the substantive conversation about the case it has never happened for whatever reason that's a conversation we're always willing to have about what a settlement agreement about the case you know this is this really like it's it's comical because you know well guess what I'm gonna do again I'm gonna send an email and I'm gonna put you both in again I don't care who deals at mean my I don't care I'm sending email tomorrow not you know surprise you say I what did to uh you know he he forbids me to come here I'm a citizen okay I have the right to speak and guess what I can show you case law that you have to you you can answer me right now but I'm not trying to override Mr Jal again I thank you from day one so I'm I'm not a guy that you know goes people that have been good to me I'm a loyal guy if anything any my friends should tell you I'm a loyal guy so I'm not going to change my loyalty on you because things are going well but it makes me wonder I'm going to be honest you because my lawyer says these guys don't like you Nikki I don't know why and how I don't know what you you don't even other than you know I mean I'm like but it makes me wonder Marl like this is two and a half years $270,000 nobody up here is a mind reader we can't tell you why people may say certain things we continue to be available to have real conversations about the fs so when I I'm going to send an email and when you send that email make sure you CC your your counsel yes I am and he's because he doesn't want me involve anything because if I don't you know push things you know he doesn't do things like I said he didn't file motions on time he told me he was a courtroom filing this case only for me to H follow up the docet number he never filed so I have a whole problem with him but the problem is I'm stuck with if I but but marrow listen I know some people think I'm rich okay I I have limited funds still I have three kids you know I got two in college it's not I don't I'm not poor but I'm sure so can't give away $27,000 I don't think anyone is maybe you are in position to give up 270,000 maybe you too they probably you too Andel what am I say Andel I'm the poor person in here I don't know what you do for living Mage but i' be tired well then maybe you're not okay I'm going to send an email tonight and he could cry wants okay and then I'm going to say can we please set up I know a conference call all of us and just say and and during the conference call we're going to I'm going to ask for settlement but sa my save my energy right now if if you're going to come back with $5,000 then because that's what he said you guys offered me 5,000 come on guys man listen someday there's a good chance when you all retire I'm going to be up there okay and and the reason why I ran the first time because people hurt people and I know I truly believe my heart no one here is intentionally trying to hurt me but I also believe you guys are the powers of be you have a lot more pull than you real not than you realize you know what you can do what you can't do and I'm just unfounded that two and a half years later took Jonathan keeps telling us not to talk but I just have to say this one thing to you because you're bright and I know you probably the longest about anybody here the common denominator denominator is and you say yourself is your eternity come on man like you know you could you could stay here we could laugh joke we could watch you cry but it's you that keeps telling us what the problem is your braak fix your problem so we can help you well again want to make it clear you have an attorney well represented he advocates for you strongly it would not matter who your attorney is you have expressed your personal feelings about that do it that way you I don't know how how he advocates I mean that's that's a I guess a matter of opinion but I I will I will wait till I get the depositions and I'll decide what to do and I will file substitute of attorney and hopefully at least on this end we could talk and you guys could see this and say listen come on this kid got let down a ro a road of of you again thank you thank you Mr arama uh I don't see anyone else here this evening for uh public comment uh we do have a need for executive right Mr Bruno gu mayor to vation thank you uh accept the motion second whereas Section 8 of the open public meeting act chapter 231 Public Law 1975 permits the exclusion of the public for meeting in certain circumstances and where the public is of the opinion that such circumstances exist and whereas the Board of Commissioners of the township of Nutley and the county of Essex and state of New Jersey desires to proceed to closed executive session and now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of the township of Nutley move into Clos executive session to discuss litigation and as well as contract negotiations I apolog thank you and contract negotiations as well be it further resolve that at the time when such discussions may be disclosed to the public shall be when and such disclosures may be made without adversely affecting the township of Nutley pending Andor anticipated legal Personnel cont contractual matters and other matters within the exceptions provided for by Statute this resolution shall take effect immediately commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tui hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner Petco mayor Kelly hi and uh we won't be conducting any more business this evening our next meeting will be February 4th at 7 p.m. and I'll entertain a motion to adjourn second commissioner Evans hi commissioner Tucci hi commissioner scarelli hi commissioner PCO commissioner PCO hi mayor Kelly good night everyone I the time is 8:14