Okay, we're live. >> Ready? >> Yep. >> Good. Good evening. Welcome to the February 3rd, 2026 meeting of the Emerson Governing Body. This meeting is being videotaped and may be viewed on
YouTube. We are aware that there have been some issues with broadcasting of our meetings on television and are actively working on fixing this problem. If you would like to view a meeting, they are available 247 on YouTube. For those of you present in case of a fire,
follow the fire exit signs above the doors and exit calmly. Joseph Maro, would you kindly lead us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> For all. >> Thank you. Please remain standing for a moment of silence in memory of Emerson residents Finn Ray and Rose Anne Troopy,
widow of former Emerson Mayor Harvey Troopy. They both will be greatly missed. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law and adequately noticed pursuant to NJSA 104-10.
This meeting of February 3rd, 2026 was noticed to the record and the Ridgewood News on January 12th, 2025, published in said newspapers, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building, and has remained continuously
posted as required under the statute. Miss D. Simone, please call the roll call of the governing body. >> Mayor Depala, >> present. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> here. Councilwoman Argenzia >> here. >> Councilman Ellis >> present.
>> Council President Rice >> here. >> Councilman Timberman >> here. >> And Councilwoman Sers is on her way. >> Okay. Thank you. Proclamations and citations. February is Black History Month as well as American Heart Health
Month. And in honor of American Heart Health Month, Burrow Hall will be illuminated in red as a reminder to take charge of your health through regular checkups, healthy lifestyle choices, and managing risk factors. All proclamations
will be available on the burrow website. Appointments. I have a very special appointment this evening. I am very happy to appoint Michael Carelli as the burrow administrator via a shared services agreement with the Burrow of
Pompton Lakes. May I have a motion to confirm the my appointment of Michael Carelli as burrow administrator? >> So move second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes.
>> Council President Rice, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. And um Councilwoman Sers has not arrived yet. So that passes uh 50. >> Thank you, Triassa. Michael, congratulations. Um Michael comes to the burrow with some
great experience in municipal government. Not only is he a burough administrator, he is also a qualified purchasing agent, a registered municipal clerk and a certified municipal registar. Everyone here at the burrow is looking forward to working with Michael
and we anticipate a very smooth transition as he begins his role here in the burrow. Michael, would you like to say anything? >> Thank you, mayor. Just want to thank the governing body and looking forward to working with all of you. Thank you.
>> Excellent. Thank you. Um the next item is the swearing in ceremony for the Emerson Fire Department. Council President Rice, will you please assist me in administering the oaths of office to the 2026 Fire Department officers?
Of course. Uh before we begin, I would like to congratulate all of the incoming officers and executive board members on their new positions. We are so proud to have such a dedicated team of firefighters in Emerson, and we appreciate your unwavering commitment to answer the call of duty, no matter the
hour of day or night. I'd also like to point out that we are making Emerson history tonight. Our new fire chief, JD Mara, is the first third generation fire chief in Emerson history. His grandfather, Joseph F. Mara, was chief in 1975, and his father, Joseph R. Mara,
was chief in 1996. Congratulations on making history. Okay, I would like to invite the 2026 Emerson Volunteer Fire Department line officers up to the deis for their swearing and ceremony. With the fire lays on, please join me to hold the Bible.
What do you guys want? Whatever you want to do. You want to do circle. >> Other way. Other way. All right, guys. Ready? >> All right. I say your name. >> Do solemnly swearly >> swear
>> that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. >> And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same >> and to the government established in the
United States. >> And to the government established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> I see >> I do solemnly swear >> domly swear
>> that I will faithfully faithfully, >> impartially, >> impartially, >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties as >> perform all the duties as >> of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department. >> Emerson Volunteer Fire Department >> according to the best of my ability.
>> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. What >> is the third? So, I guess we're not keeping the They can take their photos and then we'll bring the families up and
then we'll do the next reverse. Father, >> you want to bring your families up? >> Go ahead. What? What? Take more. >> I know. >> I figured we were doing
>> No, no, we're getting ready. Look at you. >> Look at you. No one's even know Don't worry about it. People like together like you You're the tallest. >> Anybody else?
>> Anybody else? I almost I was going to wear it. I was like >> almost doesn't count. >> Only in horseshoes and hand grenades. I don't know if that would be for the >> page. I was just
looking at that next line. >> Changed my pocketbook and I hate it. It's too small. I missed my damn big bag that reach the bottom. >> All right, everyone. Can we have the executive board come up to the day for your swearing and ceremony, please?
I'm going to take a picture so my wife notices you nail the nail salon in there to a little Christmas present. No, not yet. >> Right hand. Thank you.
>> I Joseph >> doly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
>> and I will bear true to the same >> and to the government established in the United States. and the governments established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> So help me out. >> So help me God. >> I >> I justice >> do solemnly swear
>> domly swear >> that I will faithfully >> I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties as >> perform all the duties as president >> of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department >> of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department >> according to the best of my ability.
>> My ability. >> So help me God. So, help me God. There we go. >> We knew we were missing the >> How are you? I was not uniform. I didn't want to carry over. >> Car's over.
There you go. >> Let me grab Oh, this one. >> Well, let me take your hand. Yeah. All right. warm the shoulder up. with you guys first. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Sorry for a moment
back there. literally. >> Everybody Everybody. Everybody. Everybody. Yeah. Everybody. Everybody. Everyone come on up. >> Yeah.
>> How about those guys back there? fridge. >> There aren't already t-shirts made. Yep. >> Come on, Nicole. >> Thank you. I left your message. I'll call you tomorrow after lunch. >> Okay. >> All right.
>> How you doing? >> Congratulations. Good job. >> Congrats again. >> Be safe out there, guys. >> Thank you very much. >> Always the way. >> Thank you. Hey, hold down the kitchen for me in my absence. Okay.
>> All right. But you left him behind. You don't leave a man behind. >> Kitchen squad. We stay deep. >> Good job. >> And now my job is done. >> You never leave this kitchen squad. >> That's a demerit. >> The state of California deer snake.
>> We could do that. virus. >> I sent all the pictures to everybody. big. >> Bye. way back. >> It's fine. >> Mostly everyone's out of their room. If you want to continue, you can.
>> Okay. Congratulations again to all of our fire officers. May God keep you safe as you are our bravest in the burrow and uh keep our residents safe. The next item on the agenda is minutes for approval.
May I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of January 20th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia, >> yes. Councilman Ellis, >> yes.
>> Council President Rice, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> That passes 6. Mayor, >> very good. And may I have a motion to approve the close session meeting minutes of January 20th, 2026, which are
not ready for release to the public at this time. >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. Council President Rice, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Syers,
>> yes. >> That passes 6. >> Thank you, Tesa. The next item on our agenda is correspondence, which there is none. Financial business, there is no financial business this evening. Unfinished business. There is no unfinished business to discuss this
evening. And new business, as of this evening, there is no new business. adoption of ordinances and introduction of ordinances. There will not be any of those this evening either. Which leads us to number eight on our agenda, reports. Council President Rice, would
you please read the mayor's report? >> Yes. Um Okay. Dog and cat license applications for 2026 were due by Friday, January 30th. There is a grace period for applications received and postmarked by February 12th.
Applications received thereafter will have the $25 late fee imposed. Applications can be found on the bureau's website under the health department page at www.emersonj.gov/halth. And we're also included in the garbage and recycling newsletter. Please contact Mary at 20112626086
extension1213 with any questions. The 2026 commuter parking permit for parking on Emerson Plaza East are available now at police headquarters Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The resident fee is $250.
First quarter taxes were due February 1st with the grace period through February 10th. If you have any questions, please reach out to the tax office at 2011-2626086 extension1211. No knock registration forms are available on the website and in the 2026
garbage and recycling newsletter. Please note there is a $5 fee for the decal for anyone under 65 years old. It is free for anyone 65 and older. Although it doesn't pertain to nonprofit, charitable, religious, and political groups, being on this registry prohibits licensed solicitors from knocking on
your door. The next senior meeting is on February 12th at 12:00 noon. New members are welcome. I encourage our seniors to join this vibrant and active group with many social events and fun activities planned. The senior bus is available to residents age 55 and up and to those with special
needs. It runs each week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please contact the deputy clerk Samantha at 20112626086 extension1201 to book a ride. The first Bergen County Utilities
Authority Household Hazardous Waste Collection of 2026 will be held on Saturday, March 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain or shine in Munaki. Please visit www.bcua.org for all the details. Mark your calendars and get your unwanted paper documents ready. We will
be having a mobile shredding day in collaboration with the BCUA on Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burough Hall. I encourage our residents to sign up to receive emergency notifications and other burrow information through our RAVE alert
system at www.emersonj.govrave. And as always, more information on all of our events and current news is posted on the burough website at www.emerson new jersey. I'm sorry. Emersonj.govnews or our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Um, oh, Punk Satwani Phil. Kids were telling me this name. Uh, Punk Satuani Phil did see his shadow on Monday, February 2nd, which means according to the legend, six more weeks of winter are on the way. Did I say that name right? >> I think so. Yeah, pretty close enough
for a groundhog. Uh, February is American Heart Health Month and this Friday, February 6th, is National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness for cardiovascular disease. On Tuesday, February 17th at 6 p.m., the burrow will be holding our second welcome Ramadan crescent moon lighting ceremony. Please
join us along with our Muslim residents on the front lawn of Burrow Hall to mark the start of Ramadan as a community. All are invited. Light refreshments will be served. And last but not least, the next regular meeting of the governing body will take place on Tuesday, February
17th at 7:30 p.m. All done. Okay. The next item on the agenda is uh reports from our new administrator. Mr. Carelli, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh no substantive
report tonight. Just wanted to let the government know that I'm meeting with the staff members and department heads uh getting to know everyone and their needs and I look forward to working with everyone in the next. >> Very good. Thank you, Michael. Uh John
McCann, do you have a report for us this evening? >> No, I do not. >> Okay. Uh that brings us to public comment. Members of the public are welcome to speak on any topic by coming to the podium and stating your name for the record. In the interest of time, speakers are limited to three minutes.
In consideration of all who may wish to speak, please keep your comments brief and concise. May I have a motion to open the meeting to public comment? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We are open to the public.
Please let me know if anyone approaches. >> There's somebody. >> Yes, there is someone who is going to come up. >> Okay. >> Good evening to the mayor and council. I'm sorry if I can state your name for the record. >> I'm sorry. Sorry. My name is William Beerman. I'm at 139 Eagle Drive,
Emerson, New Jersey. Can everybody hear me? >> Yes. Can >> you say your name again? I didn't. >> I'm sorry. William Beerman. If you have >> William. >> Yes. If you want me to spell it, I'll spell it for you. >> Actually, I'm old. >> Don't worry about it. I'm catching up to you.
>> Okay. For those of you who may not know who I am, um I'm also a former president of the Emerson Library Board of Trustees. In case you do not know that, that's fine. I I'm sorry I could not be at our last meeting. I may take a little more time than I might. So hopefully you
will please allow me to do it because it's for a special person. All right. Recently, one of our citizens celebrated their 105th birthday. Mrs. Francesca Ayura.
>> Trasa. I'm having difficulty hearing him. Is he speaking into the microphone? >> Uh, yes. >> Yeah, he's loud. Daniel. >> Yeah. >> If you wish me to repeat it, I'll repeat it >> if you would like me to. >> No, we can hear. >> It's clear. Go ahead.
>> Okay. All right. All right. Um, I've had the privilege and honor of serving with Mrs. Eonora. I also got in a lot of trouble serving with her, a lady with so many titles,
I wouldn't even know where to start, but that's okay. And so, I'm sorry, let me go back again. So, I've had the honor and privilege of working with her and also performing with her in the play called the birth of
her burrow back in 2003 which was put on by the Emerson Centennial Committee and she had a role in that play and I had the honor privilege of being in the play with her. So, I'd just like to spend a few moments
sharing some of my thoughts with her birthday lady and a lady who has so many titles to her name. In 2001, Mrs. Eur was appointed to the library board by Mayor Robert H.
Mandetto. She has been sub subsequently reappointed a number of times by both Democratic and Republican mayors. She was confirmed unanimously. In fact,
by both uh parties, candidate, I don't believe anybody ever voted against her confirmation. She was not many people can say that. Not many appointees, I should say. For two years, Mrs. Ionora served as a
president of the Emerson Library Board of Trustees. Okay. Sorry. I have had the honor of serving as her vice president and I can tell you as vi as as a president she carried out the duties and
responsibilities with grace, warmth and charm with honor, pride, integrity and respect. When I became president, when I was appointed to the presidency
in my early years, she was my vice president just as I served as her vice president. I could not have asked for a better choice to be my first vice president.
Although she didn't always agree with me how I carried out the responsibilities or how I did things, that was not an issue to her. She allowed me to do the job that I was elect I was appointed to do. And I say
that because whenever you have a president and a former president on the board, there could be an issue where the former president upstates the I'm sorry, upstages the current president and you have a deacto president.
Not a situation you would want. Mrs. never did anything like that. She just allowed me to be the president. Although she didn't agree with me at the time. Okay. Okay. Also, Mrs. Eora
started star had a starring role, I'm sorry, cameo role in the play the birth of a bow back in 2003. It was sponsored by the Emerson Centennial Committee, which Mrs. Einor
served on. In the play, she played herself and by then by Mayor Senator Kotti, she was recognized as one of Emerson's most recognized citizens.
Over a little less than 23 years later, she is still recognized as Emerson's most recognized most noteworthy citizens by again by Mayor Daniel Depalo. Mrs. Xanor had many other
accomplishments in life. She had 29 years as a school teacher. She had the honor and privilege of seeing two of her students become mayor of this burrow. Mayor Steven
Senakati from January 1st, 2003 to December 31st, 2006 and the current mayor Daniel Depalo from January 1st 29 2019 to the present.
God, another accomplishment for this lady. I don't know too many school teachers that can say two of their pupils became mayor. She also was very deeply involved with English sec as a second language. She did this for over 20 years. She also
moderated a book club for over 20 years. As stated, she served on the Emerson Centennial Committee and is also and I believe she's still currently elector of assumption.
Mrs. INR is a person who has a service as an education of service as a volunteer, as an educator, a family woman, and she has a record, no doubt, that I
don't think anybody could ever match. And I don't think to Mrs. Inora, she would just say to you, don't try to match my record. Just be who you are and make your own record. Just recently, Mayor Depalo described
Mrs. Aonora as a burrow, I'm sorry, as a treasurer treasure to the burough. If I got her words wrong, please forgive me. May I quoting you correctly? Am I saying the right words to describe it? Can she hear me? >> She's probably watching on YouTube.
>> Okay. But is is my statement correct? >> It's just a delay on YouTube. My recollection. >> Is that correct, everyone? If I'm wrong, I I'll correct it. It is correct. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. All right. Fair enough. >> I'm listening. I I hear every other word. Bill. >> Okay. Could you Did you hit Am I quoting you correctly? Am I saying the right
words? Because if I'm not >> Bill, Bill, Mr. Beerman, I appreciate all of your kind words about Mrs. and I'm glad that you're happy that we honored her. Um, we do have a threeinut to continue. >> Can I go a little bit longer since
there's nobody here? Would everybody would anybody object if I continue since there's no one here? I got a little bit more to go. >> Go ahead. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. In addition to that, in life, Mrs.
I can describe her in one word, is a winner. And she's also the first lady of Emerson. Okay. I'm sorry. And just uh for all of her accomplishments, there is no doubt
the one thing that Mrs. I believe this is the number one thing she is the most proud of and that is her wonderful, warm and loving family. When I first met Mrs. Einor, she impressed me with her wonderful charm,
personality, warmth, and a smile. She has displayed these characteristics of grace, class, humor, respect, integrity, etc. She has a great, wonderful, bright smile back then when I first met her. And today, she still has that wonderful
warmth, grace, and wonderful smile that can light up a room. I'm sorry. I'm I'm sorry. I got a little bit more to go. Sorry. God has laid out God laid out a path for Mrs. design or to follow.
God brought her here to Emerson. And for 70 years, she's still here. Might outlive us all. And this is a little hard to me. But God, I have a question. I have a request of you.
You have provided Mrs. with grace, warmth, health, an alert, sharp mind that is still there to this day. God, in the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, we ask that you please continue to provide Mrs. Onor the best
of health and all the wonderful qualities that you have provided to her in 105 years. You may ask why would I want this? Why would we want this? I can give it to you in three phases.
One, she's special to us. Two, she's perfect. Would anybody disagree with that? And most importantly, number three, we love Mrs. Ionora. Mrs. Eora, we want you here. We don't
want you going anywhere else. to her wonderful daughter and five children and their five grandchildren and to her entire entire family. Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful lady with us.
To the family to the entire Ionor I'm sorry I family may God bless you many more years of wonderful health. Thank you for allowing me to come up here and share some thoughts about our birthday lady, the
first lady of Emerson. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much for those kind words from Mrs. Ianor and Mr. Beerman. It's nice to see you at a burough council meeting. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other members of the public that wish to speak?
>> There's nobody else here, mayor. Okay, seeing no hands and hearing no other person wanting to speak, may I have a motion to close the public portion of the meeting? >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> Well, uh, all in favor?
>> I >> Okay, the next item on the agenda is resolutions on consent. Uh, all of these items are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the council on a one roll call vote. There will be no
separate discussion of these items unless a council member requests an item to be removed for consideration. May I have a motion to approve consent agenda resolutions 73-26 and 74-26? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Rice, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. That passes 6. Mayor, >> very good. Thank you. Um, the next item
on the agenda is closed executive session to discuss matters exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA 104-1 at SEAC and adequately noticed by resolution number 75-26. May I have a motion to go into close session?
>> So move to second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. Councilwoman Orzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Rice, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> That passes 6. Mayor,
>> very good. We are now in close session. Members of the public may remain on YouTube until we return to open session. At which >> Okay, we're on. >> May I have a motion to reconvene? >> So move. >> So move. Second. >> All in favor?
>> Any opposed? We're back in. Do we have any other business? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, with that in mind, uh, before we close, I would just like to thank the council president for doing an a fabulous job with the swearing in. Thank
you for assisting me with that. I want to congratulate Michael Carelli again. And I want to thank everyone for putting up with this via telephone. Um, with that all in mind, may I have a motion to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. >> moved. >> Second. Second.
>> All in favor? >> I. >> We are ajourned.