WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=D6-RM3kFPyg

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: D6-RM3kFPyg):
- 00:00:00: Introduction and Swearing In of Mayor for a Day
- 00:02:59: Pledge, Moment of Silence, Meeting Roll Call
- 00:06:14: Proclamation for Mayor for a Day and Photos
- 00:09:36: Story and Commendation for Hero Dog Yoshi
- 00:13:32: Recognizing National Weeks and Mayor's Experiences
- 00:16:44: Motion for Fourth Grade Homework Passes, Law Created
- 00:20:04: Farewell to Mayor for a Day and Appointements
- 00:20:57: Approval of Meeting Minutes from May 5th
- 00:22:26: Financial Business: Resolution Approvals for May
- 00:23:52: Unfinished Business and Pickleball Fees Discussion
- 00:25:45: Discussion and Proposal of 'Welcome to Emerson' Signs
- 00:32:27: Adoption of Salary and Construction Codes Ordinances
- 00:34:17: Reports: DPW, Fire, Board of Ed, Shade Tree
- 00:38:38: Reports: Recreation, Memorial Day, Chamber of Commerce
- 00:41:44: Reports: Primary Election, Public Works, Senior Center
- 00:46:34: Reports: Engineering Projects and Digital Sign Updates
- 00:48:58: Public Comment Period - No Speakers Present
- 00:49:47: Approval of Consent Agenda Resolutions 153-26 to 164-26
- 00:50:36: Move to Close Executive Session and Reconvene
- 00:51:11: Adjournment of the Meeting at 9:57 PM


Part: 1

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Okay. Good evening. I would like to introduce a very special guest this evening. Uh he is a fourth grader at the Lana school and he is our 2026 mayor for the day. Cameron Trask, would you please come up and join me and would you please

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bring your parents forward with you so that I could swear you into the office of mayor. Okay. I have a Bible. All right, who's going to hold the Bible? I'll hold it for you. Who's going to hold the Bible? And which hand did I tell you? Um left. Left hand on the

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Bible, right hand up. And then All right, you're going to stand there. You got All right, that's perfect. All right, you're going to go like this, but I'm going to go like this so that you can also maybe read along if you need to, okay? Right. All right. Ready? Mhm. I

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I Cameron Trask do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> United States and the Constitution of the state of New Jersey and the Constitution of the state of New Jersey

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>> and that I will bear true faith and that will bear true faith and allegiance >> and allegiance to the same to the same and to the governments and to the governments >> established in the United States established to in the United States

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>> 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 I Cameron Trask do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear that I will faithfully that I will faithfully

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impartially impartially and justly perform and justly perform all the duties of all the duties of mayor for the day mayor for the day of the Borough of Emerson of the Borough of Emerson

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>> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> NOW SMILE. >> [laughter] >> YOU ARE THE NEW MAYOR. SHAKE MY HAND AND CONGRATULATE YOU. WE'VE already signed our

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oath and Tricia will get you a copy of this. Uh and now we are going to I'm going to take all this and we're going to go back up [clears throat] and we're going to start the meeting, okay? You guys go sit down. Take your seat right next to Councilman Timmerman.

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Okay, and you're going to pick up Okay, you got Welcome to the meeting. Welcome to the May 19, 2026 meeting of the Emerson governing governing body. For those of you present, in case of a

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fire, follow the fire exit signs above the doors and exit calmly. Mom and Dad, please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. At the completion, we will remain standing for a moment of silence. Thank you.

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to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I would like to remember this evening and take a moment of silence

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for Emerson residents that passed away, Mr. Raymond Pacla, who I saw every month down at the senior center and you couldn't ask for a kinder, sweeter man. And for Marie Castrovalary. Marie was an Emerson treasure who spent every day of

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her life living and loving the community of Emerson. May they both rest in peace. Thank you. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings and Laws and

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adequately noticed pursuant to the N.J.S.A. 10:4-10. This meet This meeting of May 19, 2026 was noticed to the Record

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and The Virtual News on January 12, 2026 and published in said newspapers, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and on the website and has

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remained continuously posted as required under the statute. Ms. DeSimone, please call the roll of the governing governing governing body. Mayor Travers?

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Here. Mayor DePaula? Present. Councilwoman Angelina? Here. Councilwoman Argenziano? >> Here. Councilman Ellis is absent this evening. Council President Rey? >> Here. Councilman Timmerman? Here. Councilwoman Sayers? Here.

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May I have a motion to excuse Councilman Ellis from tonight's meeting? So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Okay. Oh, we need a roll call. Sorry. Um Councilwoman Celano? Yes. Councilwoman Argendzia? >> Yes. Um Council President Rey? >> Yes. Councilman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayers? Yes. Thank you.

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Thank you, Sierra. Okay. So, I'm going to read this proclamation while we're standing here, and then we're going to go down and ask your parents to come back up and take some photos, and then the council's going to come down and take photos with us, okay? All right. Proclamation, Office of the Mayor. Whereas Cameron Trass, a

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fourth-grade student at Patrick M. Valano School, won the 2026 Mayor for a Day contest. Look at the camera and smile. Through a drawing sponsored by the Emerson PTA, and whereas Cameron Trass loves dogs. Lucky day for you. And

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enjoys playing soccer and video games, and whereas the governing body of the Borough of Emerson supports the initiative of introducing youngsters to and engaging them in the democratic process of local government, providing them with a hands-on experience of an

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acting policy and conducting business on behalf of the for the goodwill of the residents of Emerson. Whereas Cameron Trass, as Mayor for the Day, will gain insight as to what elected leaders are asked to do, the difficult decisions that they must make, and the procedures

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they must follow to ensure that Emerson residents' rights and freedoms are protected and valued. Now, therefore, I, Danielle De Paola, Mayor of the Borough of Emerson, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, May 19th as Cameron Trass Mayor for the

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for the Day, 2026. And in witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the great seal of the Borough of Emerson in the state of New Jersey to be affixed on this day, the 19th of May in the year 2026.

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So, now we're going to get up and we're going to go take a picture. And then I'm going to need that, right? And then where's the Yoshi? All right, let's go take a picture. Let's do a picture first and then your parents will come up and then the

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council will come down. So, here's the proclamation. All right, Michael's going to take our picture. Now your parents are going to come up. And your brother. Anywhere you want. So, get in here.

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And now the council can come down for a quick photo. Cuz I know they just love photos. Not. [laughter] Uh you can do one with you, one without you. How about that? All right, everybody get in. Emerson, we're all family. Thank you parents for coming up. Council, stay here and we'll do one just

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with our little mayor. All right, stand right here. You can come in a little bit tighter. And one more photo shot. All right, awesome. All right, now we are going to move on to one of your favorite things, remember?

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We're going to tell a story. Come here. Tonight, I have a beautiful story to share about resident Annie Der Ohannessian's dog Yoshi. This past December, on the evening before a major snowstorm, Annie's neighbor, Kathy Frost, who's also a dear

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friend, had a serious fall in her backyard in the dark and broke her hip. Unable to get up on her own, she was left in a very vulnerable situation. Annie let Yoshi out and quickly noticed he was barking with an unusual urgency

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that immediately caught her attention. She opened the door to see what was going on and heard Kathy calling her name. I'm going to cry. Annie had her sons run over while she got dressed and they all ran to help Kathy. Because of this chain of events, Kathy was able to receive medical care without

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delay. She has since undergone hip replacement surgery and is continuing to recover. At 76 years young, she has always carried herself with independence and pride and she continues to approach this new chapter with resilience and strength. Kathy shared how meaningful

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that night was to her and always refers to Yoshi as her hero. Kathy mentioned to Annie that she wanted Yoshi recognized for his heroic efforts and this evening we are doing just that. Tonight, we honor Yoshi. Bring him on up. Everybody come on up.

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FOR HIS HOW OLD WAS YOSHI? HE JUST HE TURNS TWO IN APRIL. SO, tonight we honor Yoshi for his heroic efforts in assisting a neighbor in need. Yoshi and Kathy's story is a reminder that even in difficult moments,

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there is a connection and care within the Emerson community. And we have a little gift for Yoshi. I'm going to open it up for him so that he can see. Little American Idol. >> [laughter] >> Excellent choice. All right, let's get a picture with

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Yoshi. Come over here, Kathy, what do you want? I didn't want her to trip on Yoshi, so why don't Why don't you come on this side, Beth? I I trust you to walk beside the dog better than I trust Kathy. And then we'll all get in here. You can't see the dog at all? All right,

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let's move in the front. You know what? Maybe we'll do a group picture. Come over here, you get up in front with the dog. Get over here, everybody get in the picture. Let's hold on to Yoshi. Good boy.

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Yoshi is here. Good. Does someone want to shake? Yoshi. >> [laughter] >> That's awesome. Kathy, we're so happy. Yes, thank you. Best dog in Emerson today. Congratulations on the Thank you, Yoshi. >> [laughter] >> I think we're going to need to back up.

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Good boy. That was the first commendation for a dog, I believe, in Emerson history. And it was, I believe, duly uh appropriate. And now we're off going to mention that it is What do you want to help me with

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this? Say these things. Tell everybody what week it is. Here, follow my follow my National Police Week, May 15th, 2026 to May 21st, [clears throat] 2026.

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National Public Works, May uh week one, May 17th, 2026 to May 23rd, 2006. 26.

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National EMS. EMS Week, May 17th, 2026. 2026 to May 23rd, 2026.

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Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15th, 2026. And all of those proclamations are listed on the borough website as well as in borough hall. Okay. And now we are going to go on to

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Cameron, could you tell us what you did today? Speak into the mic. Tell us some of the stuff you did today. Um Today I got picked up from Emerson Borough School

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at 11:00. 11:45. 11:45. All right. Who picked you up? >> Um uh the mayor and the chief of police picked me up in his vehicle

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and drove over here to the Emerson Borough. And what's the first thing we showed you, the minute books? Yeah. And how long do we have to keep the minute books? Forever. Forever. >> [laughter] >> And how What's the oldest book we looked at? 1903.

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1903. So, he looked at some minutes from 1903. And then what else did we do today? Um We had lunch. We had lunch. And What did we do at DPW? We went to the DPW. And what did you like at the DPW? Um we

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liked the salt. So, a lot of salt. There was 300 tons of salt that he got to see in a pile. And then after the DPW, we went where? Um To firehouse? >> To the firehouse and we got to ride in a

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fire truck. And we beep beeped all around town, right? With the sirens. All right. And then after the firehouse, we went back to Borough Hall. Mhm. And then what did we do? We put you in the cage? Yeah. We explored the

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police station. And you met Sergeant Rizza. Yeah. Right? Yeah. And then did we do anything else? We did a lot of stuff in between. It was a long day and I think you had a lot Did you have fun? >> Yeah. Yeah? And was it worth it? Yeah. Was it worth every penny your mother

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paid FOR THOSE TICKETS? >> [laughter] >> PROBABLY. >> GOOD. ALL RIGHT. SO, now I want to ask you if you have any motions to make. Yes, may I have a motion to get the entire fourth grade no rain homework on

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a date chosen by Miss Vitali. Can he get that motion? >> So Second. And he's got it and you need a second. And now like all in favor. All in favor. And now's And then ask for a roll call just for fun. Roll call, please.

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Councilwoman Celina? Yes. Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. Council President Reyes? He will be very happy, yes. Councilwoman Zimmerman? >> Yes, absolutely. Councilwoman Sayers? Yes. That passes 5-0, Mayor. Okay. Now, these are the passes that you're going to bring to school and you're going to

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pass out to your friends and Mrs. Vitali will tell you when everybody could use them. Okay? And then we are going to You're going to have another Now, you're going to read this proclamation. I, Cameron Trask, fourth grader at Patrick M. Villano School and Mayor for

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a Day in the Borough of Emerson by the powers vested in me by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Emerson do hereby have authority to grant grant permission for a free

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homework pass for all fourth grade fourth graders at Villano School in the Borough of Emerson, County of Bergen, and the State. State of New Jersey.

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There. THAT'S A LAW NOW. >> [laughter] >> ALL RIGHT, AND BEFORE WE SEND YOU OFF TO BED, IS there anything else that you want to say? Really thank the Mayor. >> [laughter] >> No thanks is necessary. It was a lot of fun. Well, I'll say I had a great time with

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Cameron and we did do a lot of stuff, a lot of walking today in the heat. Um and we he we were very happy because when I picked him up what was the unusual thing? There were two other mayors in your class, right? So, two of our past mayors were in the class, so when he

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goes in tomorrow, there will be three mayors in Mrs. Kelly's class. Which I think is also a record for the town. So, you guys are the three amigos now, and you could show him them what you got as your gifts. And I also wanted to

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thank Corrine at Neenie and Company, who is one of our very talented Emerson residents who graciously donated personalized gift items for our mayor for the day. We always order them and expect to pay, and she always says, "No, no, no. I'd like to donate them." So, we appreciate that, Corrine. Thank you. And

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thank you for making this day extra special for the mayor with all of the goodies. All right, do you have anything else to say before you go? No? All right. Well, today's 2026 mayor for the day, Cameron Trask, is in the book, okay?

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All right. GOOD JOB. >> [applause] >> YOU CAN TAKE THIS ONE. THIS ONE, YOU CAN TAKE THAT. TAKE THIS. Take your homework passes. I'm going to make a copy of this, and then we'll send the original to your

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house, okay? Cameron, it's been a pleasure. We'll see you soon, okay? Trask family, thank you for playing along. >> [laughter] >> Now, go play soccer and hit some goals. Get some goals.

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Bye. Thank you. All right, that brings us to appointments and resignations, of which there are none this evening. Minutes for approval by Kathy. Bye, everyone. Thank you. Bye, Yoshi. Thanks for bringing Yoshi in. Do you have the eagle?

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Yeah, he's going to tear that up when he gets home. Uh we have to Yeah, do you mind? Okay. May I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 5th, 2026? Roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina?

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Councilwoman Arganzia? Council President Wright? He might have had to run down the steps. What do we do since he walked up the dais for half a second to bring me uh You have enough. Okay, so we he doesn't need to vote. Uh

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Councilwoman Sayers? Okay, and may I have a motion to approve the closed session meeting minutes of May 5th, 2026, which are not for release to the public at this time? And a roll call, please. Uh Councilwoman Celina?

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Councilwoman Arganzia? Council President Wright? Off the dais for the moment. Um Councilwoman Sayers? All right, there was no Thank you. There is no correspondence this evening. Financial business, may I have a motion

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to approve resolution 150-26, approval of the May 19th, 2026 bills list. Sorry about that, Mike. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina? Councilwoman um Arganzia? Council President Wright?

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Uh Councilman He doesn't even know Hold that vote cuz you don't even know what we're voting on yet. We'll do the next one. So um Councilwoman Sayers? Yes. May I have a motion to approve resolution 151-26,

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certify the annual report of audit the year ending December 31st, 2025. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Tolentino? Yes. Councilwoman Argenziano? >> Yes. Council President Ray? Yes. Councilman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman

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Sayre? Yes. Motion passes. Very good. And may I have a motion to approve resolution 152-26, approval of the corrective action plan for the audit. So moved. Second. And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Tolentino? Yes.

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Councilwoman Argenziano? Yes. Council President Ray? Yes. Councilman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayre? Yes. Motion passes. Okay. We Can we just have a motion for the minutes that says that Councilman Timmerman left the dais at 8:33 and returned at 8:35 to assist our mayor for

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the day. So moved. Second. Okay. All in favor? Aye. Okay. So, that'll be in the minutes now. Thank you, John. Um and unfinished business, there is no unfinished business. New business, discussion of pickleball fees. So,

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um last year we introduced an ordinance and adopted an ordinance um that we were going to charge for the pickleball fees, and it was suggested to me by the school that it is just way too difficult um to

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figure out how to put lock them and then have a swipe card with all of the children they need to to have access to the pickleball courts, and that it was suggested by the um administration at the school that we not charge any fees, and I think when having

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just some sidebar conversations with council members, everyone's in favor of that as well. Um it's for the community, it's for the children. We want everybody out there playing pickleball, not worrying about how much they have to pay. Uh it was only a nominal $25, but um

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we need to rescind that ordinance. Is everyone okay with that? Absolutely. Okay, I am too. Everyone good down there? Now, do we have to do any kind of formal motion? I've never just rescinded, so we did we just do it? >> Just do it. All right, so I'm going to make a motion to rescind ordinance

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number 1706-25. So moved. And a roll call. Um Councilwoman Tulinello? Yes. Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. Council President Brinke? Yes. Councilwoman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. Council Vice President Brinke?

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Okay, tennis and pickleball court fees are now waived. Get out there and have some fun, Emerson. Okay, and that brings us to our next piece of business, which is welcome to Emerson signs. Michael. Thank you, Mayor. Uh yes, so tonight discussion will

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ensue. This has been a project that I've been working on since coming on board. So the intent at least you know, back to last year was to install new welcome to Emerson signs. Both the pedestal signs and the larger

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signs that you would typically see in some of our surrounding communities. So I did work with Perry, our superintendent of public works, to come up with some suggested locations. So locations have been produced in your meeting packets. We have seven

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locations. Forest Ave at Soldier Hill Road, Ackerman Ave at Woodside Ave, Lincoln Boulevard west of Hillcrest Ave. We have Kinderkamack Road at the Dairy Queen, Kinderkamack Road at Stop & Shop. Old

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Hook Road leaving Harrington Park, and Main Street north of Ridge Road. And we did break down our suggestions in terms of pedestal signs and large signs at all of those locations. We have large sign

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locations at Forest Ave at Soldier Hill Road, uh, Kinderkamack Road at Dairy Queen, Kinderkamack Road at Stop & Shop, and Old Hook Road leaving Harrington Park. So, those are the suggestions that we've come up with. I don't believe that

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we have signs at all of those locations right now. If we do, they are deteriorated and past their youth useful life. Um, so the second phase of this project was obviously to figure out how we would pay for those. Um, the governing body

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could choose to fund it in a subsequent budget year, but typically, uh, most municipalities that I've seen, uh, do this type of program, uh, do have some sort of sponsorship program where applicable business owners could sponsor

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the signs at the cost of the sign. We're not looking to make any money on this. We're simply just looking, uh, to beautify the Borough of Emerson through this program. So, again, this is the season, uh, the the uh, signs typically take about 6 to 10 weeks

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to manufacture and have installed. And then, I did produce a sample sponsorship application for the governing body. Uh, so the pedestal signs are priced at uh, $1,500 per sign, and the large signs

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are $4,500 per sign. Um, so I was talking with Perry of the DPW. I think the strategy would be to approach the business owners that in which storefronts are where the sign proposed location is, such as Dairy Queen or Stop & Shop, or you know,

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whatever other locations we have, and give them the first opportunity to produce a sponsorship. Um, but in the same breath, the uh, program must be open to the public, uh, so we must advertise to the public, and it's a first come, first serve basis. So, if

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anyone has any objections, questions, or concerns, uh, please let us know, and we're looking for support for the project. Okay. So, if somebody wanted to sponsor one of the big signs, it's $4,500. >> Correct. And if they want to do one of the smaller post signs, it's how much?

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$1,500. >> Okay. And we're going to give right a first refusal to the business owners whose property or whose vicinity it is. >> Right. Cuz, you know, typically in my experience, you don't want to upset the business owner. Say, you know, you know, ShopRite for instance, and put

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a Stop & Shop sign in front of ShopRite. Um you know, it might cause some controversy. >> Controversy. So, we just want to give uh opportunities to those uh >> reach out to those seven businesses where the signs are first, and then if for some reason they're not able to do that, [clears throat] then we will open

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it up. Now, one one other point uh I'd like to make is the sponsorship application. In my experience in the past, maybe the verbage that I've included was too vague, but I did put uh I did put a clause in that individuals,

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families, nonprofits, and/or political associations are not eligible to apply. I've had local clubs try to apply in the past. I've had council members apply and subsequently leave office. Uh so, you have a donation plaque with a former council person's name on it, or a family

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and they move out of town. So, I think we're just The suggestion would be to keep it to businesses. Um but, it's open for discussion. So. >> go get in the businesses to purchase the signs or to to sponsor, and then if a family wants to do it, We could perhaps amend the program and

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open it up to families at that point. Um but I guess we'd have to see, you know, what type of response we get. I hate to say it, but the same thing could happen with a business. A business might move out of town, change their location, or retire, ultimately close.

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So, I think we just take one step [clears throat] at a time, start with the businesses, and then keep rolling with it. Right. And the program does call for the borough reserves the right to remove the donation plaque should the business leave Emerson. Um so we could do that

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for families, individuals, or clubs if the borough wishes. >> even if they paid for the sign, if they leave Emerson, we would remove the plaque but leave the sign. >> We have the discretion to do so. I don't know that we would do that, but we reserve the right to do that. >> Okay. Um

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So that's such a That's the suggestion, excuse me. Um should there be no objection, we would have a resolution memorializing the program at the next meeting. Anyone have any comments or concerns other than Councilwoman Genzia? Did we approve before anything was

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awarded when the applications come in? Did we look you know, what it will know before it gets to families or political things or whatever you said we didn't want that. If I'm just a little confused. Did we say we are allowing that over just the seven businesses? Go ahead, Michael. I would

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suggest we stick to businesses first and see where we go with the whole thing. >> And they have to be Emerson businesses. Emerson-based businesses. It can be an at-home business. You know, working out of your home, but Emerson-based >> or a doctor's office or something that's working out of their home. Okay.

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But but we're going to first offer them to the closest business to where we're going to place the sign. It's like he said, we don't want a Stop & Shop sign in front of ShopRite and a ShopRite sign in front of Stop & Shop. Okay. Okay. Does anyone else have any

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comments? No? I think it's a good idea. Um is there an update on the electronics sign on when that's going to come? I'll address it in my report. Yeah. Okay. That brings us to adoption of ordinances. This is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number

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1720-26. Mr. De Simone, would you please read the title of this ordinance? An ordinance amending the salary ranges for certain employees of the borough of Emerson. May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and only this ordinance?

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Second. All in favor? Aye. All right, we're open to the public. Seeing that everybody left, including the dog, uh may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting to public comment on this ordinance? Second. All in favor? Aye. Okay, uh we're closed. May I have a

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motion to adopt ordinance number 1720-26 on second reading? I'll move. Second. And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina? Yes. Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. Council President Reyes? >> Yes. Councilwoman Timmerman? Yes.

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Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. Passes by zero. All right, good. This is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1721-26. Ms. De Simone, would you please read the title of this ordinance? An ordinance to amend chapter 132-3,

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construction codes, uniform fees. May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and only this ordinance? I'll move. Second. All in favor? >> Aye. Okay, we're open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close the portion of the meeting of public comment on this ordinance?

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Second. All in favor? Aye. Okay, we're closed. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1721-26 on second reading? Second. And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina? >> Yes. Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. Council President Reyes?

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>> Yes. Councilwoman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. Passes by zero. Okay, uh introduction of ordinances. There are no ordinances to introduce this evening. That brings us to reports. Um Councilwoman Celina, do you have a report for us this evening? Yes, a

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report. I will start with the short one. Just make sure you're talking to your microphone. It's awfully far away. >> Sorry. Thanks. Uh from >> [clears throat] >> um the DPW, uh they helped out the Environmental Commission with such a truck on Earth

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Day, which was a huge success. The kids loved it. Uh DPW did a cleanup and some minor repairs of community garden beds. Uh they worked with the Shade Tree Commission planting a tree for Arbor Day and Memorial Day tree plantings. Uh they created some garden beds around

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the train station in preparation of the Grow South planting beautiful flowers around the building. And they're in the process of putting up uh the military banners and getting the monument ready for Memorial Day. And then for fire, from the fire chief. Uh >> [clears throat] >> sorry, it's in small print. Uh during

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the month of April, the department responded to 19 calls for service, which included vehicle accidents, fire, activated fire alarms, gas leak emergencies, mutual aid fire structure responses. Uh in total, department members contributed

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264 hours of service encompassing emergency response, apparatus and equipment maintenance, training, and community activities. Amongst the calls responded to in April, the month began with a significant vehicle accident that underscored both the dedication of our members and the

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far-reaching impact of a single incident that can have that can happen upon our community. Upon arrival, crews were met with a serious accident scene on Elm Avenue that required an extended response and a coordinated effort to mitigate the situation safely. The incident resulted

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in the closure of Elm Avenue for a sub- substantial period of time due to the loss of power in the affected area. Uh ultimately led to the closure of our uh schools. Our members worked diligently alongside Emerson Police, Emerson DPW, PSE&G to

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stabilize the scene and restore normal restore normalcy to the neighborhood as quickly as possible. Uh the department also responded to mutual aid for structure fire during the month, supporting a neighboring uh community in time of need. These responses as a reminder of the strong partnerships that exist between our

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surrounding fire departments and the importance in helping to protect the lives and property of all our residents. Uh, department members continue to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and commitment whether it's responding to emergencies, maintaining apparatus and equipment, or training to sharpen their skills. The

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Emerson Fire Department is dedicated to providing this community with the best possible coverage and response. And we are so grateful for the continued support of the Borough Council and residents that they have provided. Very good. And just let the record reflect that Councilwoman Alice joined

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us at 8:48 p.m. Um, Councilwoman Argenzia, do you have a report for us? No, I do not. Okay, Councilwoman Council President Rice, do you have a report for us this evening? No, I'll just uh, share that the last Board of Ed meeting for the academic

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school year is June 15th. Oh, that's early. Yeah, in the summertime the last one is May's done for June. Yeah, but that's really early usually in the 20s. Um, Councilwoman Alice, do you have a report this evening? Yes, I'd like to share on from the Shade Tree

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Committee that [clears throat] um, DPW cut down four dead and dying trees around town including the Chris- the Christmas tree at Borough Hall which had a fungal disease. DPW planted a red oak tree >> [clears throat]

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>> at Rosengard Park as as a memorial for all the residents who we lost last year. DPW planted a new Norway spruce tree at Borough Hall to replace the old Christmas tree. DPW grounded uh, ground eight stumps

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with the new stump grinder purchased last year. This saved the town roughly $1,800. PSEG will be in town at the end of May or beginning of June to trim trees away from the wires. This will take place in

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the Soldier Hill area of town. And the next DPW Shade Tree Committee meeting is tomorrow night. Okay, good. Thank you. Um Councilman Timmerman, do you have a report this evening? Sure, yeah. Uh from recreation, uh fall sports registrations, uh early registrations

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are open for flag football, cheer, football, um recreation soccer will be opening shortly. Um the recreation commission also started uh a new event this year. They'll be hosting a seventh grade social.

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They do the fourth and fifth grade social. The sixth graders and eighth graders have their school dances, so they decided to open one up for the seventh graders. It's cool. Uh you can see it on Emerson Recreation Facebook page. There's a QR code with more information, uh and I think there's a

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small fee at the door for that. Um Again, Emerson Summer Kickoff is Saturday, June 13th at Hillman Field. Uh there'll be a lot of activities throughout the day. Uh look for some more information on maybe some additional activities this

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year. And again, it all wraps up with the fireworks display at the end of the night. And the rain date? The rain date? June 14th. It's the 14th, yeah, the next day. Sunday. Councilwoman Sears, do you have a report this evening? >> I do not, thank you. Okay. Um I'll give

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a brief report. Um the borough in collaboration with the BCUA held another successful shredding day this past Saturday, recycling thousands of pounds of paper. Council Councilwoman Iannacone took advantage. Um one day I will, I haven't yet.

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Thank you to everyone who had a hand in getting it coordinated, especially Perry Salamondo and Tom Carlos. Uh we will keep you posted with more details about the next shredding event in the fall, which is right now scheduled for October 24th. Um the next meeting of the uh

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well, no, that's not what I'm trying to say. The Memorial Day is this Monday, May 25th, and we will be having a ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the monument. Uh, we will be joined by American Legion Post uh, across from the Lano school,

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and we are working on details that should it be raining because there is a lot of rain in the forecast, Michael will probably move over to the senior center. And if we're So, if you don't find us at the monument, we are probably at the senior Well, we we will be at the senior center.

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Um, we are holding a patriotic home front decorating contest. The page is live on our website. Please visit www.emersonnj.gov/250 for contest details and the entry form. Uh, Councilman Timmerman already told us about the fireworks and the summer

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kickoff. Um, June 6th, the Emerson Chamber of Commerce Commerce is hosting their car show from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot at 800 Kinderkamack Road, just south of Dairy Queen. For more information, please visit www.emersonchamberofcommerce.org.

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Borough Hall offices will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day, and the next regular meeting of the governing body will take place Tuesday, June 9th at 7:30 p.m. Uh, Teresa, did you have a report this evening? >> I do.

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Um, I just wanted to say as we approach the primary election on June 2nd, uh, there's just some important information I wanted to highlight. Um, May 26th is the last day for the county clerk to receive vote-by-mail applications in the mail for the June primary election.

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The early voting period is from May 26th through May 31st. Polls will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The deadline to apply for a vote-by-mail

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ballot in person is June 1st, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. And that would have to be at the county clerk's office in Hackensack. Um and election day is June 2nd. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. And just a friendly reminder

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for Emerson District 6 voters, you will continue to vote at the high school cafeteria. This was a permanent change approved by the Board of Elections last year. There will be dedicated voter parking um right outside the door number six, which leads voters directly into

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the cafeteria. So, if you haven't voted in the last couple of elections when they've been there, you have to go to where you originally went to vote and then go around the back of the building so that you don't miss the cafeteria, just in case you don't know. So, the the cafeteria windows face

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Palisade Avenue behind the building. Um Mr. Corallo, do you have a report? Yes, thank you, Mayor. Please note that I met with the superintendent of public works and a contractor uh at the Department of Public Works for the salt bin project.

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The borough is investigating several options for the repairs to the structure, including capping the existing storage garage and constructing a new salt dome adjacent to the garage. This appears to be the cheapest option uh to ensure continuity of operations for the residents of Emerson. A

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construction cost estimate from our architectural engineers is pending, and we will circulate upon receipt. The borough will likely then phase in repairs to the garage structure in subsequent capital plans for the replacement of the roof, siding, garage

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doors, among other improvements. Um in addition, I did attend today a meeting with the Bergen County Community Development Block Grant Program, in which the allocation subcommittee approved funding in the amount of 52,000 for the renovations to the Emerson

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Senior Center kitchen project. Uh so we are looking forward to that. Uh we will be replacing >> Wait, I blinked. What did you say? Uh the whole thing? Just the that she got excited about. Oh, that's okay. >> You said we got approved for this. >> Yes, so I attended a meeting with the Bergen Coun- Bergen County Community

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Development Block Grant Program in which the allocation subcommittee approved funding in the amount of 52,000 for the renovations to the Emerson Senior Center kitchen project. >> Awesome. Uh this project includes replacement of the refrigerator, stove, and other amenities to bring the kitchen

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up to modern standards for our seniors and community members. So we're looking forward to that. We're looking with uh Catherine and Dave's office on that project. So thank you. >> will be very happy about that. They also just got new brand new um electric electronic doors. And we did have our

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meeting on Thursday, [clears throat] and they are overjoyed because as we know, they are hands-free, and the seniors did sometimes walk with walkers or canes or carrying something, and they love that they're hands-free, and they could just walk right into the building now without having to deal with opening

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doors. Thank you. Uh please note that I'm in the process of meeting with the borough engineer and superintendent of public works to finalize the 2026 road resurfacing program uh now that the capital plan is in process, and we are working with Catherine and Dave on the

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FY 2027 NJDOT municipal aid program. We have selected a candidate. Uh so we will uh more to come on that. Um in addition, Perry and I met with the borough's contractor MRC Recreation at Ackerman

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Park to take measurements for the Ackerman Park phase one and phase two improvements project. Uh we will convene with the Parks Committee in the next few weeks to finalize our plan before it is implemented. So I'll be reaching out to Council President Rice and Councilwoman

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Chelino on that and the mayor. And lastly, I did distribute uh new statistics from the Valley Hospital on the new agreement for ambulance services. Uh so, the hospital is going to send us a monthly recap of all of the calls for service.

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Uh so, I will be sending that as we receive those. And that is all I have. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um Katherine Orellano from uh Neglia is with us this evening. Welcome. Do you have a report for us? I did. >> Okay. Um so, already mentioned by the

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mayor, but uh for the senior center doors, um with the effective Bergen County um community development grant, we did get the extension for that grant with assistance from uh Michael over here. Uh and then the doors were finally installed as of the first week of May.

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Uh they'll be coming back to complete the flooring after election day, you know, not to disrupt the polling location. So, they'll be in the week following uh to complete the flooring. We had to install the doors first to see how everything aligned before they could finish ordering the map parts. So, that will be

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shortly to come. Um following up with that, the Westside drainage project uh study was completed and finalized, and the plans and specifications are now in their final stages. Documents were submitted to the Department of Community Affairs for their review and approval. We got some

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comments back at the end of last week, and we've already resubmitted, so it's back in their court. Um we had our monthly meeting with DCA today. And that they advised us that um they'll most likely get the plans and comments back to us by tomorrow or the end of this week. So, we're looking to go out to bid

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and um pending advertisement and bid opening dates, we're coordinating with Michael and Teresa on those. So, that's to come. Uh looking to hopefully award that in the second June meeting. That's the timeline for that. Um for the 2026 road

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program as well as the 2027 fiscal year NJDOT grants. As Michael mentioned, we're coordinating with him and DPW as well on the selection of the roads for that. And then for the MS4 Tier A permitting and

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stormwater prevention plan updates, we were able to submit the annual report ahead of the May 1st deadline with the assistance of Department of Public Works. And we're working on completing the SP3 as well. Once that's finalized, we'll send it over to Alyssa so she can

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update the stormwater Emerson website. That's all. Very good. Thank you. >> [cough and clears throat] >> Yes, of course. Uh just really quick on the digital sign project. Uh we did contract with an electrician from the Department of Public Works and we are under permit

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review through electrical subcode. Uh and this this sign is in the process of being ordered from the manufacturer. So, we hope to have that scheduled soon. So, thank you. >> Okay. So, just note even the bureau has to wait for a permit. >> [laughter] >> Not just the residents, we have to wait,

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too. Um okay, John, any report this evening? Okay. Um moving on, we will go to public comment. Members of the public are welcome to speak on any topic by coming to the podium, stating your name for the record. In the interest of

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time, speakers are limited to 3 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 moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> Aye. Okay, we are open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to

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close the meeting to general comments from the public? So moved. All in favor? Aye. All right, we're now closed. That brings us to resolutions on consent. They are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the council and one roll call vote. There will be no

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separate discussion of these items unless a council member requests an item be removed for consideration. May I have a motion to approve consent agenda resolutions 153-26 through 164-26. So moved.

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Second. And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina? Yes. Councilwoman [clears throat] Argenzia? >> Yes. Councilman Ellis? Yes. Council President Race? Yes. Councilman Sayers? I'm sorry, Councilman Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes.

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It passed with 6-0. Okay, very good. Um that brings us next to closed executive session. Um may I have a motion to go into closed executive session to discuss matters that are exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA

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10:4-1 et seq. and adequately noticed by resolution 165-26. Can I get a second? >> Second. And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Celina? Yes. Councilwoman Argenzia? Councilman Ellis? Yes. Council President Race? Yes. Councilman

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Timmerman? Yes. Councilwoman Sayers? Yes. It passed with 6-0. Very good. We are now going into closed session. Members of the public may remain on YouTube until we return to open session, at which time formal action may be taken. And we're live. May I have a

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motion to reconvene? So moved. Do we have any further All in favor? Aye. Okay, do we have any other business? Hearing no more business, may I have a motion to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Second.

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Aye. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Thank you, Mayor Cameron, for joining us. Have a great school rest of the summer and school year.