Mayor and Council Agenda

Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 Flag Salute ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Mr. Perloff was absent. STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE: Mayor Kovach read the following statement: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided, indicating the time and place of the meeting and the proposed agenda, which notice was posted, made available to newspapers, and filed with the Clerk of the Town of Clinton in accordance with Section 3(d) of Chapter 231 of the Public Laws of 1975.” OPMA authorizes municipalities to conduct public meetings through use of streaming services and other online meeting platforms. The Town of Clinton Council is meeting in person as well as providing an option for the public to participate via ZOOM video meetings. Please note that the option to attend is being provided as a courtesy, therefore, if Zoom becomes unavailable during the meeting and it cannot quickly be fixed, Council will continue with the remainder of the meeting. For those joining us via Zoom, please raise your hand during designated times to be recognized for a comment. Whether you are appearing in person or via Zoom, you must provide your name to be recognized. Please feel free going forward to email councilmeeting@clintonnj.gov with any questions or concerns between meetings. Please feel free to reach out with a note at jkovach@clintonnj.gov anytime! APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Kashwick to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on January 8, 2025. Vote all ayes Motion carried PUBLIC COMMENTS- NONE APPROVAL OF MONTHLY REPORTS A motion was made by Mr. Traphagen seconded by Mr. Bruno to accept the monthly report from the Police for December, 2024 as submitted. Vote all ayes Motion carried MAYOR’S COMMENTS Mayor Kovach presented MaryAnn Shea with a Proclamation for her commitment and dedication for over 20 years to the Town of Clinton’s Recreation Committee. Ms. Shea will be  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 taking a position as a member of the Board of Directors for the newly formed Friendly Sisters of Hunterdon County as a Service Coordinator. Ms. Shea will be truly be missed. Mayor Kovach attended the Clinton Public School’s Pep Rally on January 10th to celebrate the Boys Cross Country Team with a Proclamation. Mayor Kovach, Mr. Traphagen, Mr. Kashwick, and Ms. Padmos spoke with second graders from CPS about local government and the students were very inquisitive and interested in how local government works. Mayor Kovach stated that Governor’s Murphy State of the State addressed some topics such as, farmland assessment, (Ms. Kovach believes there will be a committee to address farmland assessments and all the qualifications), accessory dwelling units, changes to the state’s zoning and permitting laws, working with DOT on traffic accidents and fatalities, in addition to cell phones in schools. Mayor Kovach congratulated Mark from City Spot on his recent film about Clinton that was accepted in the Garden State Film Festival which will be showing on Saturday, March 29th, in Cranford, NJ from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Mayor Kovach thanked DPW for all their hard work to get the streets cleaned from the snow while also dealing with several water main breaks and the police officers and all that were involved. Mayor Kovach mentioned that the Motor Vehicle Mobile Unit will be here at the Municipal Building parking lot to do Real ID’s. The deadline for the Real ID’s is May 2025. Mayor Kovach stated that this was talked about last year but she wanted to make sure everyone knows that the town residents and CPS families will have priority to sign up their children for the summer recreation camp. Business Administrator, Mr. Phelan has put in the street addresses in the Town of Clinton including Glen Gardner, (not Lebanon Boro), who is tuition and they will be part of the external area. In addition, this year, there will be a $25 non-refundable application fee per family that will go into the Recreation Trust account. Once all the town residents and CPS have submitted their registrations then it will be opened to outside residents. Mayor Kovach stated that she will do Resolution #55-25 first because the new Recreation Coordinator Samanatha LaStrange needs to leave the meeting early. RESOLUTION #55-25 SUMMER RECREATION FEES A motion made by Ms. Padmos seconded by Mr. Kashwick to adopt Resolution #55-25 as submitted: RESOLUTION #55-25 ESTABLISHING FEES FOR 2025 SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton offers a Summer Recreation Program to the members of the community and surrounding communities; and  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton sets the program fees annually; listed below are the fees for 2025: Town Residents Out of Town Residents Full Day - $775.00 – One Child Full Day - $825.00 – One Child Discounted Rate per Additional Child Discounted Rate per Additional Child $725.00 $785.00 Half Day - $375.00 – One Child Half Day - $415.00 – One Child Discounted Rate per Additional Child Discounted Rate per Additional Child $350.00 $390.00 Employee Rate: Full Day - $400.00 Per Child Half Day - $200.00 Per Child NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council hereby authorizes the 2025 Summer Recreation Fees as listed above. ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Abstain: Ms. Stentz Mr. Bruno made a motion seconded by Ms. Padmos to establish a policy that the Town of Clinton’s Summer Recreation is solely for the town residents and current CPS students for initial offering and then if any remaining openings it will be opened to the outside towns. Motion carried SPECIAL EVENTS AND BANNER REQUESTS 16th Yuletide Bonfire event February 22, 2025 February 10 – February 24 – banner St. Patrick’s Day Parade event March 16, 2025 and March 10 -March 17 – banner dates A motion made by Mr. Traphagen seconded by Ms. Padmos to adopt the Special Events and Banner Requests. Mr. Bruno abstained. Motion carried  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 RESOLUTION #47-25 – PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SERVICES A motion was made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Traphagen to adopt Resolution #47-25 as submitted: RESOLUTION #47-25 A RESOLUTION OF TOWN OF CLINTON AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SERVICES FOR PUBLIC USE ON AN ONLINE AUCTION WEBSITE WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton has determined to move forward with the EMEX Reverse Auction in order procure electricity for electrical accounts for municipally-owned properties; and WHEREAS, the Local Government Electronic Procurement Act (P.L. 2018, c. 156) (the “Act”) authorizes the purchase of electricity supply service for public use through the use of an online auction service; and WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton will utilize the online auction services of EMEX, LLC, a division of Mantis Innovation, an approved vendor pursuant to the Act; and WHEREAS, EMEX, LLC, a division of Mantis Innovation, is compensated for all services rendered through the participating supplier that a contract is awarded to; and WHEREAS, the auction will be conducted pursuant to the Act; and WHEREAS, if the auction achieves a price of $0.08771/kWh or less for a 12-month term, a price of $0.08732/kWh or less for an 18-month term, a price of $0.08887/kWh or less for a 24- month term; the Town of Clinton may award a contract to the winning supplier for the selected term. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton hereby authorize the Town’s Business Administrator, Richard Phelan, to execute on behalf of the Town any electricity contract proffered by the participating supplier that submits the winning bid in the EMEX Reverse Auction if the auction achieves the prices noted above Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION #49-25 – GRANT FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A Motion made by Ms. Stentz and seconded by Mr. Bruno to adopt Resolution #49-25 as submitted:  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 RESOLUTION # 49-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDING FROM THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY’S LOCAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) provides loans and/or grants to municipal and county governments and grants to non-profit organizations for assistance in the acquisition and development of lands; and WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton (Town) applied for a grant to acquire the vacant property located at 19 West Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809, which is adjacent to the Landsdown Trail, and consists of approximately 204,216 square feet; for the purposes of future mixed-use commercial development; and WHEREAS, by letter dated January 2, 2025, the Town has received notification from the EDA advising that we have received a grant award in the amount of $2,409,108 under their Local Property Acquisition Grant Program for the purchase of the above-referenced property. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. The Mayor of the Town of Clinton is hereby authorized to execute an agreement and any amendment (s) thereto with the EDA relating to this grant award, and; 2. The Town agrees to provide a 20% matching share, equating to an amount of $600,000.00 and; 3. The Town agrees to comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations in its performance of the project as outlined in the awarding letter, and: 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Town of Clinton Municipal Planner. ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION #50-25 DEDICATION BY RIDER A motion made by Mr. Bruno seconded Mr. Traphagen to adopt Resolution #50-25 as submitted:  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 RESOLUTION #50-25 RESOLUTION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATION BY RIDER FOR OPEN SPACE RECREATION AND FARMLAND AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRUST FUND PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40:12-15.2 WHEREAS, permission is required of the Director of Local Government Services for approval as a dedication by rider of revenues received by a municipality when the revenue is not subject to reasonable accurate estimates in advance; and WHEREAS, N.J.A.C. 5:30-1.1 allows municipalities to receive dedicated funds for a specific purpose; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39 provides that the Director of Local Government Services may approve expenditures of monies by dedication by rider. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton, County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey as follows: 1. The Mayor and Council hereby request permission of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to pay expenditures for the Reconstruction of Halstead Street Park. 2. The Municipal Clerk of the Town of Clinton is hereby directed to forward two Certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services. Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION #51-25 TRANSFER OF FUNDS A motion made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Kashwick to adopt Resolution #51-25 as submitted: RESOLUTION #51-25 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS WHEREAS, various 2024 bills have been presented for payment this year, which bills were not covered by order number and/or recorded at the time of transfers between the 2024 Budget Appropriation Reserve in the last two months of 2024; and  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:4-59 provides that all unexpended balances carried forward after the close of the year are available, until lapsed at the close of the succeeding year, to meet specific claims, commitments or contracts incurred during the preceding fiscal year, and allow transfers to be made from unexpended balances which are expected to be insufficient during the first three months of the succeeding year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton that transfers in the amount of $300.00 be made between the 2024 Budget Appropriation Reserves as follows: FROM TO Housing Other Expenses $200.00 Land Use Board Other Expenses $100.00 Engineering Other Expenses $200.00 Affordable Housing Administration Other Expenses $100.00 ___________ __________ TOTALS $300.00 $300.00 ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION #52-25 AMENDING CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR NADER HOUSE OF DESIGN A motion made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Kashwick to adopt Resolution #52-25 as submitted:  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 RESOLUTION #52-25 RESOLUTION AMENDING CONTRACT AMOUNT FOR NADER HOUSE OF DESIGN WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton has a need to hire an Architect to help with the design of a new police building; and WHEREAS, a proposal was received from Nader House of Design and reviewed and met all the requirements for this project; and WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton wishes to utilize Nader House of Design to provide professional services to prepare engineering and architectural design construction documents for a new police station; and WHEREAS, there is a need to amend the original contract amount; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has certified that the amount is not to exceed $375,000.00 and has been encumbered under the Grant for the Emergency Services Building, Account #G-01-41-757-2300 and Capital Ordinance #21-18, Account #C-04-44-834-2300 and has not been previously certified as being available for any purpose other than the aforementioned purpose. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Clinton, that the continued contract with Nadar House of Design, 111 Mill Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 be amended to not exceed $375,000.00. ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried Mr. Phelan stated that there is an encouraged site visit for all bidders next week and the Town is hoping to award the bid at the last meeting in February or first meeting in March. RESOLUTION #53-25 APPOINTING SUZANNAH GIVONE AS REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS A motion made by Mr. Traphagen seconded by Ms. Padmos to adopt Resolution #53-25 RESOLUTION #53-25 RESOLUTION APPOINTING REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, due to an impending retirement, the Town of Clinton (“Town”) will have a need for the services of Registrar of Vital Statistics starting on February 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, Suzannah Givone, is currently a Certified Municipal Registrar; and WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton has determined it to be in their best interest to appoint Suzannah Givone as the Town’s Registrar of Vital Statistics effective February 1, 2025. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton in the County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey, as follows: Suzannah Givone is hereby appointed as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the Town of Clinton, commencing on February 1, 2025, and expiring February 1, 2028. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Division of Local Government Services, Department of Community Affairs on February 1, 2025. Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION #54-25 BONFIRE FIREWORKS A motion made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Traphagen to adopt Resolution #54-25 as submitted: RESOLUTION #54-25 RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIREWORKS DISPLAY AT THE ANNUAL TOWN BONFIRE WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton Recreation Committee has requested permission from the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton, to have a Fireworks Display at the annual Town bonfire on February 22, 2025, with a rain date of March 1, 2025 at Hunts Mill Park, and WHEREAS, Garden State Fireworks, Inc. has provided a Certificate of Insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 naming the Town of Clinton as an additional insured, and WHEREAS the Town of Clinton Recreation Committee will request the Clinton Fire Department and the South Branch Emergency Services to standby at the scene. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton that the Recreation Committee’s request for a fireworks display at the annual Town bonfire on February 22, 2025, with a rain date of March 1, 2025, be approved. Vote all ayes Motion carried  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 RESOLUTION #48-25 – FAIR SHARE AFFORDABLE OBLIGATIONS FOR 4TH ROUND A motion was made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Kashwick to adopt Resolution #48-25 as submitted: Tara St. Angelo, Town Attorney gave an overview of the program and explained that as part of the revisions to the Fair Housing Act for the fourth round, all municipalities must establish their obligation for this round. She explained that it is a very tight timeline. The Affordable Housing Plan must be adopted by the end of this June and then another 18 months to adopt the ordinances and resolutions. She is hoping for this to be wrapped up in two years. RESOLUTION # 48-25 RESOLUTION REGARDING FAIR SHARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OBLIGATIONS FOR THE FOURTH ROUND WHEREAS, the New Jersey Supreme Court, through its rulings in Southern Burlington County NAACP v. Mount Laurel, 67 13 N.J. 151 (1975) and Southern Burlington County NAACP 14 v. Mount Laurel, 92 N.J. 158 (1983), has determined that every municipality in New Jersey has a constitutional obligation to provide through its land use regulations a realistic opportunity for its fair share of its region’s present and prospective needs for housing for low- and moderate-income families; and WHEREAS, on March 20, 2024, Governor Murphy signed P.L.2024, c.2 into law, establishing a new framework for determining and enforcing municipalities’ affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel doctrine and the New Jersey Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et al.); and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.1(f)(1)(b), each municipality must adopt a binding resolution no later than January 31, 2025 determining its present and prospective fair share obligation for the Fourth Round; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Administrative Directive #14-24 issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts on December 13, 2024, “[a] municipality seeking a certification of compliance with the [Fair Housing Act] shall file an action in the form of a declaratory judgment complaint and Civil Case Information Statement (Civil CIS) in the county in which the municipality is located” within 48 hours of adopting the municipal resolution of fair share obligations; and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.1(d), the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs issued “a report on the calculations of regional need and municipal obligations for each region of the State” on or about October 18, 2024 (the “DCA Report”); and WHEREAS, on or about November 20, 2024, DCA provided a GIS data set that was used to calculate each municipality’s land capability factor in the DCA Report (“DCA Land Capability Dataset”); and  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, the webpage associated with such data set (https://njdca.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=12acdfe0a5104f8f8a2f604e96063e74) notes: The land areas identified in this dataset are based on an the best available data using publicly available data enumerated in N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.3c(4) to estimate the area of developable land, within municipal and regional boundaries, that may accommodate development. It is important to note that the identified areas could be over or under inclusive depending on various conditions and that municipalities are permitted to provide more detailed mappings as part of their participation in the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program. (emphasis added). WHEREAS, the DCA Report set the municipal obligation for the Town as follows: Present Need: 3 Prospective Need: 54 WHEREAS, the Town accepts the conclusions set forth in the DCA Report, except those regarding the land capacity allocation factor applicable to the Town; and WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.1(f)(1)(a), a municipality may determine its present and prospective fair share obligation for affordable housing consistent with the established methodologies; and WHEREAS, DCA maintains that the areas the DCA identified as developable may be “overinclusive;” and WHEREAS, the Town’s Professional Planner and Attorney, have determined that such data set is “overinclusive” and has prepared a spreadsheet listing all properties deemed vacant and developable by DCA, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the data compiled by DCA to calculate the Town’s “land capacity factor” erroneously included approximately 24.58 acres as vacant and developed land as outlined in the attached spreadsheet (Exhibit A); and WHEREAS, removing such property from the inventory of vacant land in the Town reduces the total vacant land from 24.58 acres to 0 acres and reduces the “average allocation factor” from 0.46% to 0.3833%; and WHEREAS, the correction of the land capacity factor and the average allocation factor reduces the Town’s prospective affordable housing obligation from 54 to 44; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.1(f)(1)(b) provides that: “the municipality’s determination of its fair share obligation shall have a presumption of validity, if established in accordance with sections 6 and 7 of P.L. 2024, c. 2…” and  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, the Town’s calculation of need is entitled to a “presumption of validity” because it complies with Sections 6 and 7 of P.L. 2024, c. 2; and WHEREAS, the Town specifically reserves its rights to: a. Adjust the Town’s fair share obligations based on a Vacant Land Adjustment, a lack of public water or sewer infrastructure (i.e. a Durational Adjustment), Highlands Build Out Analysis, and / or all other applicable adjustments, permitted in accordance with applicable statute, regulations or law; b. Revoke or amend this Resolution and the Town’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations to account for decisions of a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in applicable legislation; and c. The right to take any contrary position, or adjust its Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations, in the event of a third party challenge to the Town’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, as follows: 1. The Town of Clinton hereby determines, based on the DCA Report, corrections to the data utilized therein, and advice of the Municipal Planner and Attorney, to adopt the following obligations as its binding Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations: Present Need: 3 Prospective Need: 44 2. The adoption of this Resolution and the aforementioned Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations is subject to all reservations of rights, which specifically include, without limitation, the following: a. The right to adjust the Town’s fair share obligations based on a Vacant Land Adjustment, a lack of public water or sewer infrastructure (i.e. a Durational Adjustment), Highlands Build Out Analysis, and all other applicable adjustments, permitted in accordance with applicable statute, regulations or law with such adjustments to be adopted as part of the municipality’s Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.;  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 b. The right to revoke or amend this Resolution and the Town’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations to account for decisions of a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in applicable legislation; and c. The right to take any contrary position, or adjust its Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations, in the event of a third-party challenge to the Town’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations. 3. The Municipal Clerk and Municipal Attorney are authorized to take all actions required by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-304.1(f)(1)(b), including: a. Filing a Declaratory Judgment Complaint, along with this Resolution and a Case Information Statement, in the appropriate venue with the Program or any other such entity as may be determined to be appropriate, to initiate an action within 48 hours of the adoption of this Resolution pursuant to the requirements of P.L.2024, c.2, and AOC Directive #14-24 b. Publishing this Resolution on the Town’s website. 4. The Municipal Attorney, Municipal Planner, and Planning Board are authorized to take all actions to draft documents necessary to comply with all Fourth-Round affordable housing obligations, including drafting a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan, and effectuating ordinances and resolutions. 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried RESOLUTION HIRING STEPHEN DAVIS AS A NEW POLICE OFFICER TO THE TOWN OF CLINTON’S POLICE DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton Police Department requires the hiring of a new officer, and; WHEREAS, the position was advertised for, applications accepted and interviews performed, and;  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 WHEREAS, the Police Chief and Police Committee recommend that the following person be hired to fill the open position at the level of 10th Class Police Officer at the 2025 rate of $65,480.61: STEPHEN DAVIS NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Town of Clinton, County Hunterdon, State of New Jersey hire Stephen Davis to fill the open position at the Town of Clinton Police Department effective February 17, 2025. Vote all ayes Motion carried CORRESPONDENCE – NONE REPORTS OF COUNCIL Councilman Perloff Mayor Kovach reported for Mr. Perloff. For the Recreation Committee, Elvira Bruno was appointed Secretary. Rachel Young is the Chair, Sean Rogan, Vice Chair and Brad Cohen will continue to work as Treasurer. Bonfire moving forward with fundraising and planning. Confirmed receipt of Budget form from Kathy Olsen and noted return date of January 31, 2025. Starting to plan out the Egg Hunt. Guild Meeting- Re-org is scheduled for February 5, 2025. Scavenger Egg Hunt will be discussed during tomorrow’s meeting. Economic Development- Mr. Traphagen has gotten the Town’s parking lots updated on Google Maps. Confirmed receipt of Budget form from Kathy and noted return date of January 31, 2025. Personnel- Met with Rich Phelan regarding potentially interviewing and filling positions within the Sewer Department. Kathy Olsen Kathy attended a webinar on the deductions that seniors and disabled residents are entitled too. There is a new form called a PAS form. It will have questions on it that apply to the 3 programs. Senior Freeze, PAS, and the Anchor. All of these will be included on one form. They are willing to set up a town meeting for the seniors to come out and answer their questions. Councilman Kashwick Mr. Kashwick said Environmental Commission will be meeting January 23, 2025. They will be discussing the pollinator garden and what points they can get for Sustainable New Jersey. Raritan Headwaters annual stream cleanup will be one week earlier due to Easter. It will be on April 12th at 9AM. This Sunday he will be participating in the Winter Tree ID Walk at Raritan Headwaters Association in Bedminster.  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 Councilwoman Padmos Ms. Padmos thanked Mr. Traphagen for his work with getting the Town’s parking lots on Google Maps. She mentioned that there are a lot of job opportunities on the Town of Clinton’s website. She said there are opening for summer rec and volunteer counselors and some opportunities for Water and the Roads Departments. She said to pass the information along to anyone looking for a job that might be interested. Councilman Traphagen Mr. Traphagen said South Branch will be having a blood drive tomorrow at High Bridge station from 1pm-7pm. He mentioned if you happened to be searching for parking in the Town of Clinton, you can now see more parking on Google Maps. He and Ms. Padmos had some conservations with ways to improve lighting down town. They have explored things such as lighting, sidewalks, benches. Historic and/or Economic Development will get involved and they need to have some engineer work done which would be $15,000. He had a good conversation with the Highlands at the NJ League of Municipalities and they have agreed to fund the $15,000. He said they will be looking at other grant opportunities for downtown improvements. Councilman Bruno Mr. Bruno thanked Mr. Phelan and DPW for their hard work with the snow cleanup. He said there were concerns with the summer rec registration process, which were addressed earlier in the meeting. But this only speaks volumes of how popular and successful the program is which is a good thing. He said the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are trying to coordinate with the Council and Economic Development for a photo due to the assistance the Friendly Sons gave for the signs. He spoke about the smell that comes from the sewer plant. Kings Crossing had a strong odor recently. He thanked Mr. Phelan for addressing it and it was due to a breakdown in equipment from the facility and we were told that our current Superintendent has not experience this in 18 years and from someone else who has not experienced in 40 years, however that does not address the unknown smell. He said they have exhausted all their options and it comes down to we are treating sewage. He did thanked the resident that brought this to our attention. He mentioned they will meet with sewer the first Wednesday in February to discuss this. Councilwoman Stentz Ms. Stentz stated that Shade Tree Committee met last Thursday. This year they will need to resubmit the Town’s five-year Forestry plan that is due at the end of 2025. They want the towns to do a tree inventory of all the public spaces in town. They will be offering a Green Community’s Grant to help fund the professional involved. Ms. Stentz will be writing the grant. According to the DEP Forestry no one has turned in their 5-year plan yet. She will be reaching out to the people in the Knoll to see where they would like to put trees in the spring and see if she can get people to help with watering the trees. She said they covered funds for their Arbor Day Tree in April and they will be dedicating the tree to Pat Dailey who was instrumental in the Shade Tree who passed away. STANDBY AND OVERTIME A motion was made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Ms. Stentz to approve the standby and overtime ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried PAYMENT OF BILLS A motion was made by Mr. Kashwick seconded by Mr. Bruno to approve the voucher list attached to these minutes.  Regular Council Meeting January 22, 2025 ROLL CALL: Bruno, Kashwick, Padmos, Stentz, Traphagen, Mayor Kovach Vote all ayes Motion carried ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Bruno seconded by Ms. Stentz to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. ____________________________ Cecilia Covino, RMC/CMC Municipal Clerk _____________________________ Mayor Janice Kovach