I have my notes. I will formalize that and submit it. But uh pretty much it was all covered in the budget under the Any questions? Uh policy Mr. Wall. Yes. Um policy uh committee met on April 17th uh 4 p.m. virtually. Um all credit for this meeting lies with Miss Pster and administration. Um there's a number of policies that we're putting forth. There's nine policies that we're putting forth um this evening for first reading. These are policies uh largely we believe that came in during the 2021 2022 time frame um under a previous BA that many of them we believe were actioned by the policy committee and the board and did not subsequently make them into our actual policies. Um so these are missing policies uh that that are mandated and we need to have them. Um so we're putting these forward tonight. Additionally, there's about 35 policies that through our board docs process, we've we've updated, we've put them online, and then we found that the version that we have, there's actually updates from Strauss SMA since then.
Um like I said, otherwise we have to wait until the following year actually benefits residents as well. Um because if there's any kind of damage that would decrease the property value, um it would also be captured during that time period as opposed to the resident having to wait until the following year. So, um obviously we would hope that that wouldn't, you know, necessarily happen to um for somebody to take advantage of it, but um but uh yeah, that would be a benefit for residents as well.
And they're also they're continue to build the ShopRite portion of their program and a cafe where they're going to have where you can order foods etc. So it's really kind of exciting. It's very exciting and they're also starting with the um the automotive program and I'm like pick me because they're like we'll do oil changes and etc. And I was like, really and truly, I volunteer. But it's just nice to see the kids so involved with that and wanting to do it and with direct supervision. So everything that's going on there is supervised by, you know, a teacher and professional. So it's it's really nice. And that concludes my report. Outstanding. Any comments or questions for Sue once? All right. For item 4.6, Six. Since Southbound Brook is currently having their board of education meeting, Mr. Inc. Calcater is not with us tonight. So, we will await his updates at our next committee meeting.
So, these could be historical policies. So, it's it's, you know, close to uh 45 policies here um that need some work. Um so, again, thank you so much for for catching this. Uh our plan is to split those 35 up over the summer um to push those through uh once the board once the policy committee has a chance to meet and discuss them. Some of them are straightforward. Some of them we actually have to put in a specific decision for our school. So they do take some time to process. Um there's um in addition to that to try to stop this from happening in the future, you know, the board docs uh platform is working fairly well. Dianiana has been excellent putting as we get new updates into drafts. The the meetings flow very well. Now we we go through each one. Once we action them, they move into um uh they move into our final policy.
Any questions? Great. Okay. Uh moving on to article 12 uh which is to authorize a water treatment or water treatment capital project um which is again the previously mentioned um ozone uh filtration system. A lot of sorry there's a lot of movement going on around here in town hall. Gotcha. Um, sorry for that aside. But, uh, anyway, for uh, those of you that are wondering, we had approved $4 million previously uh, to do this project. Uh, once a certain level of engineering was done and we got revised cost estimates, we saw that it was going to be significantly more expensive. And so, that is what uh, this authorization for. It's is for, it's to adjust that appropriation. Like I mentioned uh during the budget article, this has been factored into the budget that's reflected in the increase that you see in the water in the uh water fund, the water appropriation.
Uh before I close, any other comments or questions regarding the committees? All right, we are up to item 5.1 now. Guidelines for public participation in board meetings. Uh so this is the portion of the meeting where any member of the public can come down and speak to the board regarding any of the items that are on the agenda. Just come down to the podium, sign in with your name, address, and affiliation. Um we ask that out of courtesy if we have a line of people or a queue that uh each person uh limit their comments or questions to five minutes uh and give others an opportunity to speak. So at this time, anybody to talk about agenda items? Seeing no one rushed to the podium, we will move on to item 6.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education upon recommendation of the superintendent approves the minutes for the following meetings.
But we also do need to make sure that we keep record of the adoption date, the revision date, and have that paper trail. Um, and so Miss Pollster is also uh in addition to that, we're also going to have a check following the board meeting once the policies are approved for second reading to ensure that they actually get updated. And that's just going to be a internal internal procedure. Yeah, that was awesomely explained. That is exactly how I understand it. Uh, and we do appreciate that audit. You know, it's something that you committed to not just in a budget fashion, but policies and I had tremendous help from Mrs. spin a pond. You know, she really once we realized that we were missing a few and you know, then of course you kind of go down, you start peeling back a little bit more and you say, "Oh, we are definitely, you know, there's some things that, you know, wherever it got lost got lost." And so, you know, I think we have a very good handle on exactly where we are.
And um we do think that as of now the rates can handle that. So wouldn't necessarily see an increase in rates associated with this this year. Hey Claudia. Um any questions? How old in this town are the aqua filters in this town? Oh, let me see if I have that right off the top of your head. Um, [Music] Don't know right off the top of my head. Mark, I was just seeing if I had my backup material. Um, yeah, I don't have that with me, Mark, but I'll have it at town meeting. The reason why I'm asking that is the upgrade. There has not been an upgrade for those ocra filters at all throughout the town. It's just been there to help distribute water lines. How about the um we got do we still have any wells in this town? I'm sorry, say that again.
Regular and executive meeting minutes for March 12th, 2025. We have a motion. Thank you, Miss Mus. A second. Thank you, Mr. Minhas. Any discussion? Hearing none. Can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Item 7.1. Be it resolved that the superintendent recommends for approval the resolutions as outlined in district personnel resolutions. These are items 7.2 through 7.45. I have a motion. Motion from Sue. A second. A second from Miss Musen.
I know getting the policies to this point has been work on everyone's part. Uh but I'm very confident that by the end of August we will be exactly where we need to be. Everything will be in you know the correct dates. Um and you know and it it's really I'm so glad we discovered it. Um not only because it's something that we should do but we have QAC next year too. So going through that state bud the county process right we really and we really need to make sure that everything is eyes dotted tees crossed but we're definitely making progress and I think we're in a good good place to get there we all just want to say good night Isabelle yeah it's a big deal is there for a reason it's a big deal Um, no, no, I think everybody covered it and I'm excited that, you know, it's not just cleaning up, it's also a process moving forward, which is key to keep us on track.
Wells. Wo ls. Yeah, we still use the wells. And how old are them? Um, so, so you know, I believe those were built when the water treatment plant was built. So, you're talking around 2000, so 25 years. So, and if the ozone system had not, you know, if there hasn't been any replacement of them since that time, they'd be 25 years old as well. That's all for now. Thank you. Hey, Carlson. Hello, Michael. Hello, Jen. How are you? I'm Carlton Phelps, 161 America Boulevard. Um, so I just want a little bit more information about the transfer from the general stabilization fund. You probably are doing this speech over and over and over again, different meetings, but just a little bit more clarity on on those monies. Um, also I believe um it was there was a transfer last year that was similar. if you could just talk about that and kind of the moving forward plan of um why those funds are are being um transferred.
Any discussion? I just I just want to say summer's coming because you see all the summer stuff going on. I know it's a lot of work to organize. So, thank you. There you go. Something to be excited about. Hearing no other comments. Mr. Gorski, can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Thank you. Item 8.1. Be it resolved that the Bound Brook Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in district education resolutions. This is 8.2 through 8.21. May I have a motion? Motion. Thank you, Mr. Dawson. A second. Second. Thank you, Mrs. Guzino.
Seven, uh, Mrs. Reed, community relations. All right. Um, I did not get in uh, touch with all of our community partners this month. I was away last week and I'm still trying to readjust, still a little tired, but um I know the BEF had a really successful um last meeting of the year. Um Mrs. McDevit attended. Yeah. From the board. Um do you have anything that you'd like to um comment about that? I mean just you know credit to um uh the BPEK or sorry what do we is it it's BP sorry I lost my mind for a minute um for uh bringing in the specialist that um that they brought in. She was great. I thought it was very well attended um by parents and teachers. It was really great to see um the teachers there to um discuss uh neurodiversity in the classroom.
Sure. Sure. I actually went over it previously, but I'm happy to kind of and sorry I I came in a little late today, so I just wanted to, you know, just briefly go over that. Yeah. So cover that. Um so you're correct. So looking at that, just going back to article two again, um which uh Mr. Phelps was uh referencing which is again that $2.2 million transfer from the stabilization fund. Yes. Again that is being used because right now the revenue that we have is not the recurring revenue that we have is not enough to sustain the increase in operating experiences operating exper expenses that we are experiencing. Um, and some of those that I detailed uh in a couple articles later when we were talking about the budget related to things like health insurance which is going up 12% uh unemployment unemployment insurance which is going up 60%.
Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. Can we have a roll call, please? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Item 9.1. Be it resolved that the Boundwork Board of Education approves the resolutions as outlined in board action resolutions. This is 9.2 2 through 9.45. I have a motion. Thank you, Mr. Dawson. A second. Second. Thank you, Mrs. High.
Um I think it was like classroom at home uh at the workplace as well because neurodiversity is continues into adulthood uh and when you're working as well. Um so she was it was very informative. I I definitely encourage um you know parents to check out I know that it the presentation has been published on the website um I believe right? No not yet. Okay. Okay. Sorry, my fault. I remember she said she was going to, but I didn't check up on it. Um, but perhaps maybe it's on a the BPAG something. No. Okay. Well, uh, I definitely encourage that to happen in some way. Uh, and, um, for, uh, parents and teachers to check out. I think that um a lot of the teachers that I spoke to after uh had really great feedback and um I think it's something that even within potentially the school for the future um to have you know that be part of professional development as well just in terms of of neurodiversity because that's also part of um and those goals.
Um, you are correct in that this that's the second this is the second year in a row we've had to do uh a similar treatment for the budget to make sure that we were able to go ahead and fund services at their current level and uh not necess not have to make any kind of cuts. Unfortunately, we're not able to make any kind of ads either. So, that's one thing I didn't um I really didn't hammer home when I talked about this earlier. This is just to sustain our existing services. There's no um additional ads uh really associated with this. The school department um they have some strategic ads associated with their budget. At the same time, they've got some decreases as well, which uh help offset that. And Superintendent Adams, I'm sure, would uh be able to answer a lot of those questions in a lot more detail than I am um over at town meeting or even if you reached out to him before town meeting.
Any discussion? That's my understanding as well. Dr. Freeman, can you confirm? Yes. All right. Any other comments or questions? Well said. Thank you, Mr. Minhas. Hearing no other comments, Mr. Gorski, a roll call, please. Yes. Thank you. Uh, I have received no other matters to come before the board. So, we are currently up to new business. Is there any business that the board members would like to raise at this time that has not otherwise been included or addressed on the agenda? All right, we are up to item 12.1, open to the public for participation. So, unlike item number five, this can be about any topic. doesn't necessarily have to be about anything that's on the agenda. Same general rules apply. Not seeing any commenters from the room. So, we will move on to item 13.1. Resolve that the Bound Brook Board of Education enter executive session as allowed by NJSA 104-11 for the purposes noted in the agenda under items 1 and 7.
So um working to to complete those goals. So, um yeah, I thought it was a great a very successful yes presentation and event. Thank you for attending and commenting. Um the PTO has a lot going on. Um as was mentioned, they Earth week going on this week. They have uh so much in store for the teachers for teacher appreciation week next week. and um you know they just have so much involvement in everything especially at the end of the school year field day the t-shirts and parties and a lot of uh celebration for the kids. So um that's exciting. And then of course the BEF has their big annual fundraiser next week. Um and they are still gathering and accepting donations I think for the baskets that they're going to be um auctioning off. Um, so as usual, our community partners are very involved in uh everything that they can do to positively contribute to our students education and well-being here.
uh your question about what the plan is moving forward um is I think that is you know I don't mean to deflect it but that is going to be a community conversation that needs to happen. We need to make a decision as a town whether or not we want to sustain the services that we currently offer, maybe even enhance those services, and are we willing to pay the price associated with uh maintaining those services or increasing those services, or are we going to make a conscious decision to cut what we currently have? Um, I think as that conversation evolves, um, and that conversation will probably happen over the next year, I think because we will need to find a solution in anticipation of the FY27 budget. I think you will hear a lot of conversation about what we have done as a community to reduce expenses, to be efficient, uh, to find efficiencies in different departments as well as overall within the town.