We're ready. Daniel, >> are we live? >> Yes, >> we're live. Good evening and welcome to the What's today's date? December 16th, 2025 uh regular meeting of the Emerson governing body.
For those of you present, in case of a fire, please follow the fire exit signs above the doors and exit calmly. Um Chris Johnson, would you please lead us in the pledge of >> allegiance 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 ask you to remain standing for just a moment for a moment of silence.
um for the victims of the Bondi Beach and the Brown University tragedies that occurred over the past weekend. Um the governing body sends our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. Um we also want to remember
Emerson resident William Bill Sorza and longtime resident uh Ron Griffin. Our prayers are with their families. Thank you. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the open meetings law and
adequately noticed pursuant to NJSA 104-10. This meeting of December 16, 2025 was noticed to the record and the Rididgewood 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 continually posted as required by the statute. Miss Shasta, would you please shasta forgot the V? Would you please call the roll call of the governing body? >> Councilwoman Rice.
Councilwoman Sers >> here. >> She went back. >> Councilman >> present. >> Mayor Depala. >> Um, >> present. >> Council President Argenzia >> here. >> Councilman Timberman
>> here. >> Councilwoman Chelino >> absent. >> Council uh President, did you want to say something? >> Deborah S. Oh, we want to remember her also. >> Yes, she passed away. >> Deborah Sansone also passed away. Um,
she our family is in our thoughts and prayers as well. Thank you, council president. >> Um, so everyone's here except for Megan and Ashley. Um, maybe they're watching. Hello. I'm homesick. Uh,
proclamations and citations, none for this evening. Appointments, none. Minutes for approval. May I have a motion to approve um the regular meeting minutes of October 21st, 2025? But before we do that, I skipped right over excusing
Councilwoman Rice and Councilwoman Chelino for this meeting. Can we do that first? Can I get a motion? So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Uh Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis,
>> yes. Council President Argenzia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Tim Timberman. >> Yes. >> Thank you. And now we will approve the motion. And I need a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of the October 21st, 2025 meeting. >> Second.
>> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Alice, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. And may I have a motion to approve the close session meeting minutes of October
21st, 2025 that are not available for release to the public as yet? >> So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman,
>> yes. And may I have a motion to approve the close session meeting minutes of December 2nd, 2025 not available for release to the public? >> So move. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis,
>> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Okay. If I do these, >> did I do four sets that I would say? >> Okay. Then we also need a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of
December 2nd, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Okay. Um, correspondents, we have none
this evening via uh number eight, financial business. May I have a motion to approve resolution 284-25 approve our December 16, 2025 bills list. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes. >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> Okay. And then we are on to unfinished business. Tabled from our meeting on
December 2nd, we have our consent agenda item 281-25 um regarding the author authorization not to exceed limitations um for Neglia engineering for the
professional surveying and and engineering services for the westside drainage area that was tabled. Did we receive any further information on that matter? I had a conversation with Dave um over
the week. Um and I don't know, maybe you want to piggyback on just how big of an area we're looking at. >> Sure. Um I don't know if it'll help you. What I ended up doing, I I have a map just showing the general overview so you guys get an order of magnitude. Um in
our proposal, it indicates it's 333 acres all in. Um this will just give you a general idea of that whole area. That'll help you understand. >> Oh, that's a big area.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. All right. >> So, as most of you, I'm sure, aware, um, you know, we've experienced a lot of flooding, um, with in and around the area over the last couple of years, or actually more than a couple of years. Um
there's articles and stuff dating back 15 20 years ago. >> This is for Jordan and the Forest on Jordan and Forest. >> Um so as you'll see in that map, that whole drainage corridor is made up of that the whole area. What you'll see there is there's a red box. Essentially
that's the whole drainage uh basin roughly um that goes to that one point up at the top of the piece of paper. So if you see the D that's in a box, that's your discharge point that goes into the mass sink uh brook. Uh ultimately um
what the study will involve is looking at this entire drainage area picking up all the existing um infrastructure that's there so that we can properly model it into the computers and see how the system functions in the computer
based on all the analytical data um for it. And then ultimately as part of the study, we'll look into different things that can be done to improve this to eliminate how we're going to be able to eliminate flooding all in, but to make
improvements to help mitigate and prevent the flooding from happening during different storm events. Obviously, the big major storm events. Um there's only so much we can do. Uh as you may recall, we've um requested grant funds over the last couple years. Uh the
bureau did receive a million dollar grant um to help assist with this. Uh we've had meetings with Bergen County uh on a multiple occasions um to look at this as well to get their uh buy in as well. Um they've agreed to um to be part
of the process. They haven't committed to any dollar amounts at this point because right now we don't have a set dollar amount on what it's really going to cost. Um, you know, we put numbers to it just for grant purposes of what potentially could go in there, but we
don't know until we actually model and look at this whole area to see what we can do to try to improve things. So ultimately our proposal will be to gather all the existing data here uh analyze it and come up with some
potential solutions whether it's you know upsizing pipes um looking at places where we could potentially store some of the flood waters uh to help reduce uh the downstream impacts. Um those are a number of things that we'll look at as
part of this process and part of this study. Um, so yeah, that's kind of the quick overview of it. >> So part of the study includes Cedar Park. >> Um, well, so that's where we're going to
potentially run the system today. >> I remember the pipes go right underneath the cemetery. >> Yep. >> And then go to the >> Yeah, >> you could say it the M mu pasa >> masqu. Yes. Starting to get >> the brook.
>> Yeah. Um so ultimately yeah it does go through the cemetery over there. Um there's been preliminary conversations with them. Um you know from my understanding is they're willing to cooperate with the burrow uh as far as
any improvements. Obviously can't um impact any of the grave sites or any of that stuff. So we would have to stick to you know running any new piping and stuff through their existing road network through there. But um yeah I mean an initial conversation with the
county. We've looked at potentially if there's things that can be done along Forest Avenue. Um the only problem with that is um there is a high point um somewhere in the middle. So we would have to kind of go against grade and have some deep excavation. So it's part
of our scope. uh we'd be doing some soil borings just to get an idea of what the soil conditions are there and see if um it's feasible to even dig that deep to be able to get some sort of pipe uh going the other direction. So um there's a number of different things being
looked at through. >> So this is truly the first step that needs to be taken in order to address the situation there. >> Correct. >> Um and this will also tell us how much more money we need in order to fix the problem. >> Correct. And then at that point we could
look at to our partners that are also impacted by this. >> Correct. >> Um to see >> you know as as a part of it is in on their um property um what they're willing to toss in in order to fix it as well.
>> Yeah. I mean I think your largest partner is really going to be Bergen County um >> as far as impacts and stuff. >> Again they they they're willing to come to the table. They haven't committed to a number because there's really we don't have a number of what we're thinking right now. I mean, we've put together
concepts, but >> but you don't really know, right? >> Yeah. Until you do the study. >> Does anyone have any other questions? It seems like this is the first step that we kind of have to take. >> No, my biggest concern was I know the county wanted to partner with us. That's why I wanted to talk to Dave about whether if they're going to be a
partner, whether they're going to want to re-engineer it on their terms and he seems to think that they're willing to work within our plan and whatever we come up with from the money we invest in this. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I mean, >> and they'll be listen, they'll they'll
receive >> the county works with Neglia as well, so they'll you will definitely be speaking to them as as it's going along. >> Yeah. It's not like we're just going to kind of come up with something and say, "Here you go. you need we need your buy in. >> Um they'll be involved in the process.
We'll give them all the information that we have um that we uncover as we go through this process. So >> all right. I know the residents on Jordan are very excited about um these grants and that we are um beginning to
address the situation. that I explained to them government is very slow um and not to expect anything you know by the by the by the spring or anything like that that it's uh everything takes time a lot of channels to go through. Okay.
Um so with that being said um this is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1711-25. Uh Miss Shvasta, will you I never have a problem with your name and all of a sudden I do. Um would you please read the title of this ordinance?
>> An ordinance to amend chapter 290 zoning article 2 terminology section six definitions definition of impervious coverage. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and this
ordinance only? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> um any opposed? All right, we are open to the public. Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting for
public comment on this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Um, all in favor? >> I think we did we screw up. That's about the impervious coverage and we were just talking about the drainage.
So I just >> So we So is this back on consent >> is the is the issue about the drainage that's back on consent? >> It's not consent. >> Can I make a motion to add? Yeah.
>> Back resolution 281-25 to consent agenda. >> Right. So then we'll vote on that then. Okay. I just got and now we are talking about the impervious coverage. So we wanted um Dave to do some explanation. Nicole, correct? >> Correct.
>> Dave, could you explain that to I sorry I got lost in my own thoughts. I >> That's fine. It's all good. >> You're you're moving along. I got it. Um All right. So just um the purpose really behind this amendment um what we've discovered over the last um couple years
is the bureau's definition of impervious coverage um leaves a it's a little unforgiving as it relates to certain circumstances that we've encountered um in town um as it relates to different types of building materials and stuff on people's
properties. Um the concern is the way it's defined. Um a lot of things that don't allow water to go through them or are being able to kind of skirt the system as far as the impervious coverage on people's properties and stuff. So, um the revisions that were proposed and
that are before you this evening are really to eliminate um certain language from it which essentially was um the last portion of it which is said and which reduces percolation to a rate slower than 120 minutes per inch. Essentially that just means you know
whatever the surface is that allows the water to go through at a certain rate. Um so certain things such as you know permeable pavers uh permeable asphalt and those different types of materials the way your definition is teed up
somebody could essentially put permeable surface the the pavers or asphalt or concrete or what whatever other material they can find throughout their entire back property. U which I really don't think was the intent of this ordinance back when it was created. those
materials weren't necessarily a hot item to be used. Um, these are more used for green infrastructure measures and different things for water quality. Um, and it's not intended to kind of circumvent your your definition that you had or the intent behind it. So
ultimately this revision would eliminate that language um and then basically further defines um you know what would be part of that um you know anything that's adopted tonight obviously any prior applications
um anything that was you know before the town you know this doesn't impact those. really from this point forward um once everything's been adopted that this would be in place. Um so hopefully that kind of explained it. If anyone has any
other questions >> I'll try to dumb it down >> in lay language. Um so let me just make sure I'm understanding it. It's more for permeable or non-permeable surfaces on the ground. Like if somebody wants to put a patio in their backyard. So, if you want to put a patio in your backyard, there's different types of
materials, >> right? >> There's been cases where people have been able to use permeable pavers, permeable concrete, which allows which by definition today as it sits does not
classify as impervious coverage where that really wasn't the intent. So, if you wanted to put these in your entire backyard, you could do so. And that was not that's really not the intent of this because those materials don't function over
time. It requires maintenance and upkeep and unfortunately, you know, people don't maintain them. Essentially, you're going to have a a full heartscape and water is just going to sheep flow off. So, essentially, the revision would eliminate people from being able to do that as it relates to
the impervious coverage side. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Anybody else have questions? Okay. Um, with no more requests, may I have did we close the the uh closed it? All right.
So, uh, may I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1711-25 on second reading? >> Can I get a motion to adopt? >> So move >> and a second. >> Second. And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers,
>> yes. Councilman Alice. >> Yes. >> Council uh Council President Argenzia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Timberman. >> Yes. >> That passes 40. >> Okay. Great. That brings us to reports and uh we'll start with Councilwoman
Sers. Um just a report for the Emerson Rec Commission. Um they have posted a map for the Emerson Deck to Homes. um just holiday decorating. So um there were 10
homes who participated in the um in the map. So you could check it out. It's posted on Facebook in the Emerson Recreation Commission um Facebook page and you know just if you're looking for something to do, drive around town in
the dark and check out everybody's holiday display. Thank you. Councilman Alice, do you have a report for us this evening? >> Well, yes. Give me one moment there. >> Council President, do you have a report? We'll come back to um
>> Nothing. >> Nothing. >> Okay. Um Councilman Timberman, do you have a report for us? >> I am going to give Councilwoman Chileino's report tonight for DPW. Okay, great. >> A reminder to residents, the last day of leaf pickup is December 29th, Monday.
>> Um, and second, please remind uh a reminder to all residents, uh, when there's snow emergencies, and I'm sure you're going to touch on this in your report about street parking. >> Uh, the DPW over the last storm this weekend, uh, did have some trouble uh,
as it froze getting around cars that were left in the street. So, a reminder from them. >> Um, Councilman Ellis, you ready? >> Yes. Um, they just wanted to know um from the board of education, they wanted to note that uh Dr. Nisnoff will be
retiring as of January 1. And uh they've appointed Dr. Jillian Torrento as the new superintendent uh for the Emerson School District effective February 1. In the interim period, uh they will have Mrs.
Oppenheimer. Oppon >> Opperman serve as the acting superintendent while uh continuing her current role as the director of curriculum instruction and technology. >> Very good. Um I'm going to piggyback on uh Councilman Timberman since uh he
started with that. Um we have a uh possible request from the police chief to change our parking ordinance again. So, that's how serious the snow parking um during the snowstorm is. There were several cars that did not
adhere to our um burrow ordinance and made it very difficult for our DPW to properly plow. Um we did send out a message telling everyone that we were um going to be uh
inciting our um snow emergency ordinance. And if you're not signed up for RAVE, please sign up for RAVE so that you know when those snow emergencies are going to occur. Um, we also have an ordinance on the book that
speaks to shoveling sidewalks. Um, all residents are responsible for their own sidewalks as well as businesses. Believe you have 24 hours in order to shovel after the last of the snow. Um, so please help the burrow help you by
keeping everyone safe, by being able to plow the streets and by being able to keep Emerson walkable with our sidewalks, by adhering to our ordinances. Um, I won't chastise everyone too much, but um, I know that DPW was upset and the police were upset
um, because there were problems. And if you do see something, say something. Um, if you see that one of your neighbors cars is parked and maybe they don't realize it, um, please call the police department and the police will go over, knock on the door, probably ask them to move it prior to issuing any tickets.
So, um, if you do see someone before the plows get out, please try to get that car moved for the safety of everybody in town. Um, tomorrow evening, I'm happy to announce that we will be doing our second Hanukkah celebration um, for our public manura lighting at
Burrow Hall. Um, it begins at 6 PM and the flyer is posted on social media as well as the website. Um, the fire department will again be running Santa around town from December 16th to the 18th. Is that they're around tonight? I guess they're not on this side. We'd
hear them. Um, at to the 18th, the map showing where Santa will be at what time can be found on the burrow's Facebook as well as um as the fire department's Facebook page. Um, Santa around town will be followed by the holiday workshop
held on December 20th from 11:00 am to 1 pm at the Emerson Firehouse. Um, the Emerson Environmental Commission and the Emerson Library will uh be joining them for crafts and a story corner. Um,
so bring the kids down. Um, I believe there also will be um a visitor from the north >> for photographs. So, bring the kids and um I think there's also a hot chocolate station, correct? >> Yes. >> If you read the flyer, you could know everything that's going on. Um like I
said, if uh you are not signed up for rave messages, uh and you don't know how to do it and that's the reason why you're not on it, please call Samantha and Triessa, our clerks. they will be more than happy to sign you up so that we don't have some of these problems
that we've been having lately with the snow. Um during uh 2026 garbage and recycling newsletter will be delivered in the mail shortly after the Christmas holiday. Due to the Christmas holiday being a Thursday,
there will be no recycling pickup on December 25th. Coming and paper recycling will instead be picked up on Saturday, December 27th. There won't be recycling pickup on New Year's Day and the regular schedule will resume the
following week. A calendar of the holiday week pickup schedule will be posted on our website and social media. This is the calendar that you're looking for. If you could see it, it's nice colorful icons. So, if you're unsure about where to put your garbage or your
co-mingled out, please look for this on social media and the website. Um, a reminder that Burrow Hall will be closed December 25th and 26th for the Christmas holiday as well as January 1st for New Year's Day. As always, emergency
services will be available. Um, we have had a change in uh regard to the scheduling a ride for our senior bus service. It continues to be available for residents ages 55 and up and for those with disabilities. But you will
now be contacting our new deputy clerk, Samantha, through extension 1201 to schedule. Um, please contact her several days in advance of needing transportation. Um, I did want to mention I uh attended
a uh Bergen County economic resiliency meeting obviously at the county. Um, all mayors from Bergen County were invited for a breakfast and to learn some uh shared services and different information on how we could work with
the county on shared services and to better serve our residents. Um, it was well attended and very informative. Um, I also attended a diversity um, I guess symposium at the high school
with um, some concerned residents. Um there was a situation at one of the schools and uh they are taking it very seriously and uh they're just trying to make everybody aware. Um let's see. I had a lot of different
things that I added. Um I went down to Bergen County Winter Wonderland. They're open on the weekends, I believe, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to check out the Emerson Christmas Tree. And a big shout out to Emerson Cub Scouts Pack 67 for doing a wonderful job decorating uh the
tree down there. I also wanted to congratulate um Keith Smith on three successful years as a board of uh ed member. And I also would like to congratulate Phil Nissenoff on his retirement of 33 years as Emerson's uh
superintendent of schools. uh not for the full 33 years. I'm sure everybody understands that, but he was employed for 33 years. Um and uh it was always a pleasure to work with Phil and um good luck in your retirement, my friend.
Um to all of our residents who celebrate, um I want to wish everyone and their families a merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah as well as a happy new year. Our reorganization meeting is on January
6th um when we will swear in um council president for her third term and councilman O'Neal Ellis on his first elected term and uh hope to see everybody then. Dave, do you have a report for us this evening?
>> Sure. >> All right. Um I know last month we talked about the uh CDBG grant for the senior center doors. Uh unfortunately the bids were rejected due to the uh pricing of them. Uh we did go out for
rebid. Uh bids will be coming in uh next Tuesday and uh we're hoping that we'll have a more competitive price on that. Um I know we've had a little bit more interest um on picking up of the bids at this point. So >> we have had more interest.
>> We have had more. Yeah. So hopefully we'll get some better numbers. >> I will say that the seniors were disappointed. They thought that the work was going to start. I I thought so too. >> I explained the whole process to them. I get >> Yes. Yes. Um your uh 2025 capital road
program, everything was completed last month. Uh roads were all mil and resurfaced, striping has been done. Uh we're compiling a punch list and we'll work with the contractor to uh get that addressed. Um most likely it'll be in the springtime at this point given the
uh given the weather conditions of winter coming. So, um, happy to report, um, on November 17th, the DOT sent out announcements, uh, to all the local municipalities. Um, Emerson was awarded,
uh, $129,561 uh, for roadway improvements to South Dorchester and Dorchester Avenue. Um, so the bureau, just so you're aware, you have uh two years from that date of award to get a contract um awarded for
that project. Um, game plan for that project. And the reason we kind of went with that roadway is to kind of piggyback off of uh the drainage improvements we're looking to do over in that area. Um, so that'll help alleviate some of the costs and allow us to focus
um the grant funds we have for that strictly to doing uh the drainage work. and then the DOT funds can be used to restore the roadway. >> Okay. >> Um speaking of the drainage study, our office um after your authorization to proceed with it, my office has started
working on data collection at this point. Uh hopefully we should have that information by the end of this week. Uh which will allow us to begin uh doing the study on that and compiling and coming up with some suggestions and recommendations for improvements over there um to address the flooding in that
section of town. Um, additionally, um, the MS4 storm water infrastructure mapping. Our office has been working on that. We'll be submitting that by the end of this month, uh, to comply with the state requirements. Additionally, we're doing the uh, watershed inventory report.
Again, a requirement from the state of New Jersey uh, for all municipalities to do. Um, that's in the works at the moment, and we'll be submitting that as well at the end of the month. So, that's all I have to report. >> Okay. Any questions for Dave?
No. >> Okay. Thank you, John. Do you have a report this evening? >> Okay. Um, anything from administration? >> Nothing this time. >> Nothing this time. All right. Good. Um, that brings us to public comment. Um,
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, all who 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? >> Any opposed? We are open to the public. >> Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close to the public? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay, we are closed. Um,
now we will uh take a motion. I have a motion to approve consent agenda resolutions 285-25 through 294-25. Um, there will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member requests an item be removed for
consideration. Can I get that motion? >> Can we just uh we made a motion to add 28125 as well? >> Right. Well, we did that already, correct? >> Yes. >> Just added it to consent. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. So, it's 285. 28125
>> 28 now 281-25. >> Okay. What she said >> and we have a a roll call. >> Uh, Councilwoman Sers, >> yes. >> Councilman Ellis, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzia, >> yes.
>> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. >> That passes 40. >> I'm You know what's throwing me off? Just four people voting. I think I think I usually have more time in between. Okay. So, that sends us ready for closed executive session um to discuss matters
exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA 104-1 at second adequately noticed by resolution 295-25. May I please have a motion to go into close session? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Sers,
>> yes. Councilman Ellis. >> Yes. >> Council President Argentia. >> Yes. >> Councilman Timberman. >> Judges. >> May I have a motion to reconvene? >> So second. >> Uh all in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Is there any more business to
discuss? Yeah, I have one item. Uh, I'd like to make a motion for resolution 296-25, a motion to indemnify Emerson tax assessor Brian Smith in the matter that arose from the tax appeal case between the Armenian home and the Burrow of Emerson.
>> Can we get a second? >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Zers, >> yes. >> Councilman Alice, >> yes. >> Council President Argenzio, >> Councilman Timberman, >> yes. passes three 01 extension. Thank you.
Um, with no more business to discuss, may I have a motion to adjourn at 9:12 p.m. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you for joining us this year. Happy everything and God bless