You're good. >> Okay. Good evening. Welcome to the November 10th, 2025 meeting of the Emerson governing body. For those of you present, in case of a fire, please follow the fire exit signs above the door and exit calmly. Uh JD Marin, would
you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge 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.
>> I would ask you to remain standing for just a moment um as we remember um a resident uh who passed away, Mr. Pedro Ya Yafer, I believe is his last name.
Thank you. You might not know his name, but this is the older man that lived on Main Street that used to mow his lawn all by himself up until a couple of years ago, late to almost his 90s. God rest his soul. Um, 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 November 10th, 2025 was noticed to the record and the Ridgewood News on January 7th, 2025 and published
in said newspapers, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building and on the website and has remained continuously posted as required under the statute. Miss D. Simone, would you please call the roll call of the governing body? >> Mayor Deala,
>> present. >> Councilwoman Rice um is going to be late today. Counciloman Syers >> here. >> Councilman Ellis >> here. >> Council President Argenzia will be absent for today's meeting. Uh Councilman Timberman >> here. >> And Councilwoman Chelino
>> here. >> Okay. So what we know that um Councilwoman Rice is coming. So do you want to do a um an excuse just for Councilwoman Argenzia or for Councilwoman Rice and then when she gets here? >> We know she's coming.
>> I'll make a motion just for Councilwoman Argent. >> Okay. Yeah. All right. And then can I get a second? >> Second. >> Okay. And all in favor? >> I. >> Anyone else? I >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, that passes. Proclamations and citation. Tomorrow,
November 11th, is Veterans Day. There is a Veterans Day ceremony at 11:00 a.m. at the senior center for our seniors and their families. is the police department is being generous enough to um provide breakfast at 10:00 a.m. All community
members are invited to join us for the ceremony. Um the proclamation will be read there um at the ceremony and it will be posted in Burough Hall as well as on the website. Appointments, there are no appointments this evening. Minutes, there are no minutes.
Correspondence is uh listed on the um burough website. Uh there was a letter uh from Teresa Wallace uh regarding the deer management and I just wanted to let everyone know that the bureau is currently working through the grant process for the community-based deer
management grant. Um it was for $8,000 under the forest survey initiative. Um while there are other ways to help manage the deer population, part of the grant requirements is that we only use this money for a drone study.
financial business. Um, may I have a motion to approve resolution 258-25, November 10th, 2025 bills list? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Syers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis,
>> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Chelino, >> yes. >> That passes four. >> Okay. Unfinished business. There is none this evening. new business uh new time clock and PTO tracking software for burrow employees
um VCS. So um back in August, our CFOs started researching different software to better manage the burrow's PTO and schedule utilization, meaning their time off and um vacation days and whatnot. Uh the police department is already using
this service called VCS and they have been very pleased with the software. Lauren Perry and Triestessa sat down for a demo with VCS um a few weeks ago and felt this would benefit their departments as well. Uh the annual cost
for uh the software is $2,750 and we would uh break that up between administration finance and the DPW. Um with budget season coming up, uh Lauren is requesting permission to move forward
with the uh VCS system. Um I spoke to Lauren about this. Mike, had you spoken to her as well? >> Yes. >> And uh I think we're recommending that we go ahead and do this because it'll streamline um for all of the employees and also if somebody leaves the burrow, it's a very
easy way just to hit a button and see how many days they took for vacation or if they're owed anything if they're leaving or at the end of the year, how many could be moved over and held. Um and it's just a good recordkeeping system. Does anybody need any extra
information than what was available in the packet? >> No. >> You guys okay down there? >> Any questions? >> Okay. So, um, can we have a consensus to have Lauren move ahead with that? >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. We don't need a vote, right? >> No, we'll vote on it later. All right. Now, the next item is the amendment to the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department bylaws. Um, fire chief Tom Carlos sent the bylaws for review and approval of
the governing body. The resolution is on our consent agenda this evening. However, I asked assistant chief JD Mara and the bylaws committee member Kevin Feliche and of which I think we have the whole committee um to come in and answer any questions about this particular
bylaw change that we've been presented with for our packet. Um, does anybody have any questions about the bylaws that are on consent? I just so that you know, um, there's some ongoing talk about some older bylaws. That is not what this
addresses. This is this addresses the newest bylaw changes that were voted on by the department in the last two months. Is that correct, JD? >> Two or three months? >> Yes. >> Yeah. And it was longer than that. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
Um, and I think everything in is noncontroversial. Correct. Every the whole department voted on it and these are the bylaw changes. Does anybody have any questions about those bylaws that you would like to discuss? >> If if no, then we could move on. Is
there anything about those bylaws that anyone that was invited needs to comment on? Okay. Then I sus suspect that they will be voted on on consent. Um, the next item on the agenda is adoption of ordinances.
Uh, ordinance amending chapter 65, payroll schedule. Sorry, I don't have my glasses. Um, this is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1709-25. Miss D. Simone, would you please read uh the title of this ordinance?
>> Um, it's an ordinance amending chapter 65 payroll schedule. May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and this ordinance only? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Okay. We are open on the payroll schedule ordinance adoption. Anybody?
Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting? >> Motion. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. All in favor? >> All right. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1709-25 on second reading? So move. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please.
Councilwoman Sers. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Ellis. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Timberman. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Telina. >> Yes. >> 4 Z. >> Okay. Um, introduction of ordinances is the next item on our agenda. Uh, first reading. Uh, Miss D. Simone will
announce by number and title the following ordinance. Upon approval, this ordinance will be further considered at a public hearing to be held on December 2nd at 7:30m or as soon thereafter as the matter can be addressed in the council chambers of the burough hall,
one municipal place, Emerson, New Jersey, and published in the record. All ordinances posted on the burough website and on file in the office of the municipal clerk if anyone would like copies. Miss D. Simone, would you please read the title of ordinance number 1710-25?
Ordinance number 1710-25, an ordinance to amend part one, administrative legislation, chapter 21, court of the borrow code of the borrow of Emerson to provide for the issuance of administrative search warrants. >> May I have a motion to introduce
ordinance 1710-25 on first reading? >> So move. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Syers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. Councilman Timberman. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Chelino. >> Yes. >> Passes.
>> Okay. Um and because of the um election being last week and the League of Municipalities, which most people go to, maybe not here, but in most other towns, um being in two weeks. We only have one meeting this month, which gives us
reports at this meeting. Um Councilwoman Sers, do you have a report for us this evening? >> I do not. >> Councilman Ellis, do you have a report for us? >> My meetings are after >> Okay,
>> Councilwoman Chelina, do you have a report? >> I do not. >> Councilman Timberman, >> just one quick thing. Um, from recreation, uh, winter sports registrations are closing at the end of this week, so please uh, if you're interested in winter sports, uh, get your registrations done. And second, I
know we're getting into the holidays already. This year they won't be holding deck the homes competition. Uh but they would like to provide residents um it's like a list or map of houses to view for the holidays. So they'll be uh putting out something on Facebook to collect
addresses so that residents can see decorations. That's all. >> So they'll give a map of the decorations but there's no competition. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, of course, you know, I have a report. Uh, free paper leaf bags are available through this Friday,
November 14th to residents at the DPW car garage on a first come, first serve basis. Bags may be collected by homeowners from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 20 bags per household will be given out during the first round of distribution. Please note that there will be no
distribution of leaf bags tomorrow in observance of Veterans Day. As a reminder for our senior citizens, the next senior meeting will take place this Thursday, November 13th, at 12 PM. There is no blood pressure clinic at this
month's meeting. The next one will be on December 11th. As always, the senior bus is available to our residents and uh disabled uh uh residents uh age 55 and up and those with disabilities.
Please call Stacy at extension1212 to schedule your ride. Save the dates for November and December. November 11th, Veterans Day ceremony, which is tomorrow at the senior center. November 15th is the rabies clinic at the DPW.
November 30th will be our Christmas tree lighting and December 17th will be our uh manora lighting. Details of all of these events can be found on the burrow website and social media. Um, I encourage all residents to sign up for
our emergency notifications and other information through our RAVE alert system uh by going onto our website. If you have any questions about that, um, please contact our clerk's office and they will help you about signing up. Um, we also ask you to follow us on our
social media pages, uh, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Um reminder that there are some upcoming Burrow Hall closures tomorrow, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day, November 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday. As always,
emergency services will be available. Um I also just want to congratulate Councilwoman Nicole Argenzia and Councilman O'Neal Ellis on their win on election day. And um I'd like to congratulate Governor Mikey Cheryl. Um,
you know, it's important that we get along with all facets of government and work in a bipartisan way. And, uh, we look forward to working with her in the new administration. Uh, the next mayor and council meeting is on Tuesday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. Tria, do you
have any report? >> Not today. >> Okay. John, do you have any report? >> Okay. >> Hi, Dave. >> Hi. >> Do you have any report for us this evening? Sure. >> I know we had a nice phone call with the county and New Jersey Transit. >> Yes. >> Okay. You want me to start there? I guess >> you could elaborate on that. >> Me off with that one.
>> That's the big one. >> So, uh, this past week, uh, we had a meeting, uh, this actually was the second meeting that we've had with Bergen County related to your train station and the traffic light and the whole configuration over there. Um, at this particular meeting, we did have New
Jersey Transit there, uh, on the call with us. uh we went over the issues with them discussing uh the traffic backup and different things that have been going on related to that intersection. Um big picture um the intersection is
going to require the DOT to be involved um with the review of the whole layout and configuration to see what potentially big picture could help the situation there with traffic backing up on Lynwood Acriman and the whole area.
Um but um so besides that which that's going to be a lengthy process uh there was some positive takeaway from that particular meeting. Uh New Jersey Transit uh did agree um with some suggestions that were made related to um
to some minor comp changes of the signal more or less allowing some additional stacking coming from Lynwood Lynwood making a left to go west on actually south on Kinder Quebec. Um that'll free up the intersection a little bit and
allow maybe about five cars or so to stack from Lynwood to the railroad tracks, which will at least help provide and alleviate some of the congestion um in your local businesses over here that are impacted when when the train comes. So, uh the county is going to be working
on what they can do with that. that's not going to be a tomorrow thing, but it'll be uh in the near future that we can get something uh integrated for that. So, at least there was some positive side that we can look to do. >> Yeah, I'm hopeful that something's
actually going to happen, just not, you know, next week, but that they are going to start working on something. They're also going to put us in touch with uh the division of transportation. Um New Jersey Transit is going to give us the contacts. Um, you know, I think the immediate is that
traffic light at Lynwood Avenue that is just way too long. And you know, they were transit was immediately saying that they could probably change the preeemption on that right on the light, the timing of the light. And I said, but the big picture is Acriman and Lincoln as well. I said, you know, we had this
big um kind road improvement project, you know, several years ago under a different administration and it's been nothing but a nightmare ever since the improvement was made. And I said that we really need to do a full look back with all of the interested parties in order to figure
out how to make it better um for everyone passing through the Pasak Valley, but especially for our residents that are going from east to west in town so that we don't have a pileups on all of our major arteries coming across. Um anything else? Uh Dave?
>> Sure. Um, just want to update to you all as well on your road program. So, the concrete work has been completed for from from the road that needed uh ADA upgrades and stuff. Uh, the contractor tentatively scheduled to begin next week
starting on Monday, weather permitting. Um, we're looking at about a 4-day process, two days for milling, two days for paving. Um, I'll read off the list of streets just so everybody can remember because I know there's a bunch of them that are going on. I got to put my glasses on so I can read. Um, so we
have Second Street from Roshio to Randolph, Hasbrook A from Acriman to the Terminus, Wharton from Acriman to Lynwood, uh, the half of Loer from Grant to Burch, half of Birch from Grand to
Lincoln, uh, Robin Court from Karen to the terminus, Allen Road from Colonial to Powell, and then half of Dyer from Kinderac to High Street. >> Okay. Are those posted on um We have those in writing, right, that you could send. Okay, good.
>> And then the last thing I have is so I think at the last meeting we talked about going out to bid for the senior center doors. >> So that was in the paper on Friday. We looking to take bids the end of this month and hopefully we'll get some favorable bids and look to award that at your December meeting. >> Good. I think that's really positive for
the senior center. >> That's all I have. >> All right. Good. And you don't have any report. Okay. So then we're going to move on to Dave, to clarify one thing, I had a few residents reach out that said their ADA sidewalks were redone after they were done prior and can you just
let them know why they had to be redone? >> Um, I'm sure the reason they were redone was the slopes didn't comply. While there may they may have had them there, >> um, the slopes probably didn't satisfy the ADA requirements. So essentially the
slope can't exceed the ramp portion one on 12. Um, and then there needs to be a level landing area behind it or in front of it depending on the configuration of it. So, most likely the configuration that was there before >> comply. Well, how long ago were the
first ones done? >> Uh, I don't recall >> what >> I don't I don't recall. >> In speaking with Perry, they said some of the changes to the the ADA compliance were made right after we put those in. So, he said this time when they came back, they had >> Oh, so it wasn't like a matter of settling. We weren't just redoing
sidewalks to redo sidewalks. >> Right. Right. >> All right. You piqu my curiosity when you brought that up, too. >> Well, you picked mine, too. >> Um, the next item on the agenda is public comment. Members of the public are welcome to come and speak on any topic by coming to the podium and
stating your name for the record. In the interest of time um and to to allow all who wish to speak, please keep your comments uh brief and concise. Uh there is a three minute limit on comments. May I have a motion to open the meeting to
public comment? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? We are open to the public. Would anybody like to speak? No. With no requests, may I have a motion to close the meeting to general comments from the public?
>> Some move. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carried. Resolutions on consent cons are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the council and one roll call vote. There will be no
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 259-25 through 25 266-25? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Counciloman Chelina, >> yes. >> That passes 40. >> Okay. Um that brings us to closed executive session where we will discuss
matters exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA 104-1 at SEC and adequately noticed by resolution 267-25. Can I get a motion to go into closed, please? So move >> and a second
>> and a roll call. >> Councilwoman Syers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Council Chelina, >> yes. passes. >> Okay, we are now going into close. Members of the public may remain on YouTube until we return to open session,
at which time formal action. >> Okay, we're live. >> Motion to reconvene. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? Do we have any other business? >> No. >> Uh, with no other business to attend to this evening, may I have a motion to
adjourn at 8:50 p.m. >> So move. >> Second. All in favor? >> We are adjourned. Thank you for joining us this evening.