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Good evening. Welcome to the July 14th, 2026 meeting of the Emerson governing body. This meeting is being videotaped and may be viewed on your local public access channel either 36 or 77. The meetings are also available 24/7 on YouTube. For

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those of you present, in case of a fire, please follow the fire exit signs and above the doors and exit calmly. Mr. Connolly, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? >> Pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of

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America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> I'd like to take a moment of silence for uh Senator Lindsey Graham, who served this country

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regardless of party for a good portion of his life. honorably. Thank you. This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, uh adequately noticed pursuant to NJSA 10:4-10.

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This meeting of July 14th, 2026 was noticed to the record in the Ridgewood News on January 12th, 2026, published in said newspapers, posted on the borough's website, and on the bulletin board in the municipal building, and has remained continuously

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posted as required under the statute. Ms. DeSimone, would you please call the roll of the governing body? >> Mayor DePaula. >> Present. >> Councilwoman Achilino. >> Here. >> Councilwoman Argenzia. >> Here. >> Councilman Ellis. >> Here. >> Council President Rice is absent this evening.

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Councilman Timmerman. >> Here. >> And Councilwoman Sayers. >> Here. >> May I have a motion to excuse Councilwoman Race from tonight's meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Celina? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenziano? >> Yes.

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>> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Okay. Um tonight the governing body would like to formally thank Don and Bobby Scrable at Emerson Fence for the generous

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donation of the fence around the new bee hives at our Centennial Park. Your kindness and swift construction has helped to keep the hives safely enclosed so the community can enjoy the new eco-friendly endeavor. And I will say that I was at the community garden this

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afternoon and everyone's vegetables are flourishing and I want to believe it's in large uh part to the addition of the bees that are pollinating all of the flowers so that we could grow the vegetables. Um so thank you very much to the Scrable

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family at Emerson Fence for your generous uh donation. We will also be putting a little plaque on the fence. So thank you very much for that. They were not able to be with us this evening. Um as announced at the June 23rd meeting, the committee had a difficult

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time selecting just one winner of our patriotic home front decorating contest. So the prize was split. Uh 250 was split down the middle as 125 and 125. Um as we drove around and and looked at

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the displays, uh we did ask, "Does it look better at night or does it look better during the day?" Some of them were both, some of them were one or the other, so we decided to do an evening one and a daytime one. Um will the winners please come up and accept your prizes.

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>> We'll go over here. >> My son's winning. >> Okay. I'm going to give Linda I have in my hand Linda this is for 91 Chestnut which looks absolutely beautiful illuminated in the evening. Stay up here. Um I personally when I drove by

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thought about It's a Small World in Disney. The way each little vignette was going on in each bush around the yard and I thought it looked absolutely And I did not steal my idea for the stars on the lawn or from the middle of the street from the Connolly's at 100

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Lozier. Um I had seen it probably on Tik Tok. I'm not going to lie it's maybe a couple of months ago. And uh I suggested to Perry that we do it and then when I went by your house and saw all of the stars it looked very Both homes were so patriotic. So

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congratulations. Do you mind taking a photo? Come on this side. And then Congratulations. And we'll go with this. My jailer. Thank you. Thank you. And we do have the photos that you submitted and they will be posted on Facebook and the borough website

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tomorrow so that everybody can see it. Is your your display still up? Oh yes. All right. So everyone Okay, good. And yours is still up? Perfect. So take a ride past 91 Chestnut and 100 Lozier during the day in the

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evening and you will be really They're really all of the all of the houses that were decorated even some of them did not even enter the contest but they were very patriotic and I think it really from the bottom of my heart I loved it and I love driving around Emerson as did the rest of the committee and see how patriotic this

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Emerson hometown of ours is. So thank [applause] you ALL FOR YOUR >> THANK YOU. >> AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN. >> And go buy more flags and bunting with the money. >> [laughter] >> I do just want to mention who the um

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special accommodations went to. 87 Dorchester, 21 Arechio, 149 Passaic, 157 Palisade, 90 Lozier, 176 High Street,

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113 Palisade, and 52 Overlook. Congratulations [snorts] to everyone for all of your efforts. And keep everything up. We are keeping up our patriotic display until Veterans Day and we hope that you do, too. That brings us

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>> You're welcome. >> That brings us to our uh next part of the evening, appointments and resignations, of which there are none. Minutes for approval. May I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of June 23rd, 2026.

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Angelina? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Okay. May I have a motion to approve the

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close session meeting minutes of June 23rd, 2026, which are not for release to the public at this time. >> So moved. >> Second. And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Angelina? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman?

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Correspondence is all listed uh on our agenda, but it is also in the office of the municipal clerk. Financial business, 205-26. May I have a motion to approve

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resolution 205-26, approval of July 14th, 2026 bills list. >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Celano? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenziano? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman?

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> That's a 5-0. >> Okay, that brings us to unfinished business, of which there is none this evening. Uh, new business, fire department bylaws. Mr. Corelli, would you please grab us? >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, so we have a

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request from the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department, uh, dated April 7th, 2026. Uh, we have had a chance to review their request for a bylaw amendment. Uh, there's two items that the fire department is requesting. Uh, number

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one, they're looking for a new class of membership, uh, called the designated member, uh, which would possess specialized skills, experience, or qualifications that would benefit the fire department. Uh, the members would be expected to respond to alarms and attend drills and meetings. However,

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they would not be eligible to vote on company business, hold elected office, receive clothing allowance, LOSAP benefits, or any other benefits or privilege as determined by the board of the fire department [clears throat] organization. And we also have a

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request, uh, to amend the bylaws that would permit a life member under the age of 70 to return to active firefighter status, uh, at which point the member prospective member would submit a new membership application for approval by

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the board of the fire department organization. Uh, so again, these two bylaw requests are on for workshop tonight, and if there's no questions or concerns, we'll move for ratification on August 4th. >> I do have a couple questions. Um, and

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maybe O'Neill could help us being uh, one of our volunteer firemen. Reporting responding to an alarm and attending a drill. Doesn't that require some level of um fire rescue? >> Yes. >> Yeah, so would they have to go to

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firefighter one? Isn't that what it's called, the the first stage of >> So, there's there's two phases. There's the actual fire ground where you go in and you penetrate the fire, then there's one where you're external outside the building. And if you're outside the building, you can get water, do

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refreshments, grab uh you know, wrenches or equipment. And that doesn't need any fire knowledge. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. >> So, that's So, I just need to be clear on what it is specifically when you say >> Yeah. >> if they're responding, if they're going to the fire ground, like they're

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wrapping a hydrant and manning a whole charger hose. If they're just getting like water and they're grabbing like, you know, the power pack or a fan to bring to a firefighter. So, that's that's the >> this is strictly for alarms and drills. So, >> To me, alarms

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>> [clears throat] >> sounds like a regular like alarm in a condominium complex, like a CO alarm or whatnot. >> Well, I guess I we need a definition of what an alarm is and what it what it what it Well, I know what a drill is, but >> Yeah. But, part of the process is we go

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back with recommendations to the department. So, that could be definitely one of them to further define alarms, perhaps. >> I I have a couple of >> comments >> Yeah, well, >> issues >> issues that need to be investigated because it goes to that definition what

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they're doing. I don't know if you could by ordinance omit low sat for a given position. It It has to be very narrowly defined. So, I have to look into whether or not after we establish what

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that position is, whether or not we can um omit them from the low sat. I don't know. >> Okay. >> The other issue is with the under 70 issue is there was an insurance issue a few years ago uh which is why we had it the way it

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was. We have to run that uh through uh our coverage our insurance uh advisor as to that specific kind of change. >> Okay. >> So those are just minor legal things that need to be investigated.

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>> Okay. >> But I can't do the low sap issue till I know what it is the position is. >> Okay. So we're going to need some better clarification from the fire chief what um [clears throat] this entails as as it relates to alarms and attendance drills

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and then we will check with um our uh Jeff and our uh insurance carrier to find out if there's any um insurance issues for the 70-year-olds coming back. Okay. Um does anybody have any other comments on it? No?

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Okay, then we will move on to adoption of ordinances. This is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1723-26. Ms. DeSimone, would you please read the title of this ordinance? >> [cough]

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>> Excuse me. An ordinance Excuse me. An ordinance to amend chapter 248 streets and sidewalks article 1 street openings of the code of the borough of Emerson, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting

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for public comment on this and only this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? Aye. We're open to the public. Would anyone like to speak on ordinance number 1723-26? Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close the public comment on this ordinance? >> So moved.

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>> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Okay, we are closed. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1723-26 on second reading. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please.

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Councilwoman Celano? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Very good. Uh this is the second reading and public hearing [clears throat] of ordinance number 1724-26.

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Miss DeSimone, would you please read the title of this ordinance? >> An ordinance amending and fixing the salary ranges of the employees of the Borough of Emerson. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting to public comment on this and only this ordinance? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?

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>> Aye. >> Any opposed? We are open on this ordinance and this ordinance only. Seeing no hands, may have a motion to close this portion of the meeting of public comment on this ordinance. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Okay, we're closed. May I

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have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1724-26 on second reading. >> So moved. >> Second. >> And a roll call, please. Councilwoman Celano? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Ellis? >> Yes. [clears throat]

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>> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Okay. Um this is the second reading and public hearing of ordinance number 1725-26. Miss DeSimone, would you please read the title of this ordinance?

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>> Ordinance authorizing a special emergency appropriation of $445,000 for the preparation and execution of a complete program of revaluation of all real property. >> May I have a motion to open the meeting for public comment on this and this ordinance only?

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? We are open to the public on ordinance 1725-26. Anyone from the public wish to speak? Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close this portion of the meeting on public comment on this ordinance.

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? We motion carries. May I have a motion to adopt ordinance number 1725-26 on second reading. >> So moved. Second.

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>> And a roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chellino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Alice? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman >> Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> The next order of business is introduction of ordinances. Ms. DeSimone

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will announce by number and title the following ordinances. Upon approval, these ordinances will be further considered at a public hearing to be held on August 4th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter can be addressed in the Council Chambers of the

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Borough Hall, One Municipal Place, Emerson, New Jersey. As of March 1st, 2026, all ordinances are noticed on the Borough's website on the public notices page as required by P.L. 225, Chapter

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72, and are on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk. Ms. DeSimone, please read the title of ordinance 1726-26. >> An ordinance amending Chapter 77, Police Department, Article 2, Section 77-8,

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Promotions of the Code of the Borough of Emerson. >> May I have a motion to introduce ordinance 1726-26 on first reading. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chellino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes.

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>> Councilman Alice? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> 8:15. >> Very good. Um that brings us to reports. Um I do have a report. It is a little bit longer than my usual reports have

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been, but um first, I just want to remind everyone we are expecting a heat wave tomorrow and we're really hoping that we don't have any brownouts or any kind of PSE&G outages. If for any reason you do, um

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please call PSE&G and self-report your outage. And our OEM and our police department will be keeping an eye on that. Um we would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and patience in storing our last storm. Uh the proactive proactive efforts of our Shade Tree

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Commission and DPW kept the storm damage to a minimum by diligently pruning and removing dead and hazardous branches and trees around town so that when storms like these do hit, we are prepared. Thank you, Chief Savino and our and our OEM for monitoring the storm

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as well as the preceding heat wave to keep all residents safe during these extreme weather events. Um we also received a notice that I don't know if she you added this or if it's on here, but we did receive a notice that

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tomorrow we also are expecting um smoke conditions from the Canadian wildfires that may affect our area. Wednesday's temperatures are expected to be 96 to 100, high in humidity with northwest winds with 10 to 20 gusting to

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30-mph winds. Smoke is expected to become more noticeable in the evening where there's a chance for a brief rain shower. It is worth noting that this air quality event should not be to the same extent as it was back in 2023.

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Um with both of those things in mind, please keep an eye on social media and the website as it relates to tomorrow night's concert. If for some reason there is complete extreme heat and we think people could be overcome or the air quality is is poor,

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um we would be postponing the concert, but as of now the concert is on. I spoke with the lead singer and they're excited. They said the heat will not bother them, but smoke may affect their voice quality. Um so that brings us to the summer concert series, which is sponsored by the mayor's wellness campaign. Uh I'm

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excited to share the lineup. Starting tomorrow is Lost and Found, July 15th. Beauty and the Grease, July 22nd. The Emerson Project, July 29th. The Edge, August 5th. And Stephen Connolly, who also happened to have been one of the winners of the house decorating, will

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perform August 12th. The conscious concerts feature Emerson and other local talent. And And they are held every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the steps of Borough Hall. Rain dates, if necessary, will be on Thursdays. Rain

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and smoke dates, I should say today. Um a flyer with all the details is uh posted on social media and the borough's website. Um >> Mayor, we still close the road for that? >> Yes, we close the road between Municipal Place and Thomas. And um

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>> The other street that borders our property, which I'm blanking on. >> Right. Keep Keep saying it. Deidrick. >> Kids love to go down there and run around and have fun. >> I believe Conrad's is coming tomorrow, right? So but it's So you do have to uh bring a small amount of money for the

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ice cream, but we do provide free water. So come on down if you're not playing cornhole or anything. >> [laughter] >> Love to tease her. Okay. Um I do want to report that I met with Sal Dinardi and Perry this morning. Um our new electronic sign is on. It

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looks fabulous. We're starting to really get the drift of uh putting up different notices. I think it looks fabulous. Like you could read it from woo way back. Um so I think it was a great improvement. And Sal Dinardi and and landscaping company are as they have for the past uh

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generous enough that they will be maintaining uh and preparing the area in front of it to make it look even more beautiful with some plantings and you should start seeing some work on that in the next two couple of weeks. Um Perry just has to get some uh

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water back into the area so that when they do do the plantings that they won't die and that they are immediately going to be nourished with water. Um I also walked around the train station today and um I noticed a few things that you know uh uh uh uh

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what do you call it? A shutter was off and some of the windows looked dirty, a door was propped open, so um we are going to attend to some of those things that are not making it look so nice and maybe do some more flowers. Um when you get out on your feet and you

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start walking around just like when you live in town and you're walking your dog, you're going for a walk in the evening, you notice these property maintenance things more readily when you're out of your car and walking, so I think it was beneficial today that I was able to meet Perry down there for the sign, but also take a look around the

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train station. So look for some beautifications there as the summer progresses. Uh that brings us to Senator Holly Schepisi and Assemblyman John Azzariti would like to make all aware of critical care and life support assistance programs through

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PSE&G. Um if you or someone or in your household depends on electricity to operate life-sustaining medical equipment or you have a serious medical condition, you may qualify for special protections through your electronic or gas utility company.

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Um please call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734. Um these enrollments in these programs can help by flagging your account as a medical or critical care customer, providing additional notice before service disconnection, offering payment arrangements during a financial

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hardship, and connecting you with additional assistance programs. Um I know that during the prior storm, I did reach out to Senator Shabazz because we do did have several uh members that were in dire need of electricity for life-sustaining,

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and uh I reached out to our um uh government rep at PSE&G, Donnette Verley, who was very, very receptive to me on Saturday evening and on Sunday, and we appreciate working with them and their urgency in getting uh those

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critical care patients their uh elec- electricity back. Um also during heat waves, the cooling centers are made available by the county. If we can and we have a large outage, we will provide a cooling center here in Emerson, but it will be done on

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an as-needed basis. Uh if you do need help locating a uh normal everyday cooling center by the county, you can contact the borough clerk's office at 201-262-6086, and they also on the Bergen County website have all of those cooling

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centers listed. If you just Google uh Bergen County cooling center, I'm sure all of the addresses come up because I did that myself during the last storm. Um since the summer is in full spring, I will repeat myself that you are spending more time outside, and property maintenance issues can become much more

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apparent. If you see something that needs attention, please contact our property maintenance official at 201-262-6086, extension 1216. Also, please curb your dogs and pick up their waste when necessary. I've seen a

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few posts on Facebook that neighbors are not happy and they're catching their neighbors on Ring cameras, and we don't want that kind of petty stuff going on. So, if you just curb your dog, I think everyone will get along very nicely during these heat waves. Uh Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission is holding a free memory

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screening on August 11th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Waldwick Health Clinic. The screening consists of a 30-minute personal interview. You will have the results immediately and can discuss them with a certified dementia prac- practitioner. If you are

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interested more details, you can call Triassa and she will put you in touch with them. There is no senior meeting this August because they have a scheduled trip. Their monthly meetings will resume on September 10th and you can go to www.emersonnj.gov/seniors

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for more information about their activities, trips, and more. I received an interesting packet today from Mrs. Carol Caputo who used to be part of our historic preservation commission, I believe, years ago. I

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was very cool and I will pass it on after I have a little bit of time for everyone to take a look at it. Apparently, during the Emerson Centennial 100-year anniversary, they put a skit together and there was a play and she gave me the two scripts

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that were read from with different characters that played different members of Emerson's government from years back and I thought that was very cool and she also gave me the Emerson Centennial Cookbook. So, if everyone would like to see them, I did take them home for the time being just to read it over, but I

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will bring it back and leave it in Borough Hall and everybody can take a look at it cuz it was very cool. So, thank you for that, Carol. Also, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Mobile Unit is scheduled to return to Emerson Senior Center on September 16th

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from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Online appointments will be open on August 27th for Real ID, new title, duplicate title, and registration renewal. Please visit the Borough's website for more information. Did you get the information

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about the e-bikes, whether they would be able to help anyone with the new e-bike registrations? >> I did ask, but they didn't confirm that yet. >> Okay, so we're trying to find out because there is a new law that's going into effect. I think you have 6 months to comply as our chief told us I think recently.

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Um, that anyone with an e-bike needs to have it registered and I believe it has to have um a VIN number or license for the drivers and we're trying to confirm whether New Jersey Motor Vehicle when they come here will be able to assist parents in um

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registering their children's e-bikes. >> They also have to have licenses. >> They have to have licenses. So we we have to find out and Tri S I did try. >> Tri S meant for the bigger bikes, not for the little ones. >> Yeah, I I think that New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is probably still working out their own kinks as it relates to this and since it's such a

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new law um and they're not able, but if you check back with us, we'll be able to tell you hopefully hopefully closer to the date whether they'll be able to um do anything related to the e-bike e-bike licenses and registrations. Um, there's only one Mayor and Council

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meeting per month in July and August. The next regular meeting of the governing body will take place on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Did I forget anything? Oh, Mr. Correlli, do you want to I'm getting a little

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I had a lot to say. Do you mind reading some of the rest of the reports that I had? >> Sure, thank you, Mayor. Uh, so for tonight, uh, the borough received bids for the West End Phase 1 Drainage Improvements Project and will award the contract, uh, as part of tonight's meeting agenda. Uh, for the

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West End uh, Phase 1 Drainage Improvements Project, the bid amount is within the borough's amount of available funding at $831,880, leaving approximately less than uh, a little less than a hundred thousand dollars available to address any potential

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change orders that may arise during the course of the project. We are rejecting all of the alternate bids as they do exceed the borough's amount of available funding, but we do have a grant request in for phase two of the project which we're working with the borough engineer

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on in the near future. In addition, our FY2027 NJDOT municipal aid grant applications for the resurfacing of Main Street have been submitted and are pending uh

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award from the state of New Jersey. Our other application for the Kinderkamack Road phase two streetscape improvements project was also submitted through the FY2027 NJDOT local aid infrastructure fund program.

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And again, that is pending review from the state of New Jersey. We are working with the borough engineer's office on a proposal for engineering services and construction management and inspection services for the FY2026 road resurfacing program.

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The contracting cost estimate will be on for adoption for the August 4th council meeting. Furthermore, for tonight's meeting, we do have a contract award on for Appraisal Systems Inc. for the borough-wide revaluation services and the second reading and adoption of the

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ordinance appropriating the funds for said revaluation. We are using state statute special emergency appropriations which helps deal helps municipalities deal with what are called extraordinary

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unspecifiable expenses and the mechanism to use them is very specific as certain projects fit within those guidelines specifically revaluation projects which allows us to fund those costs over a duration of five budget years

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and offers the option to use emergency notes or surplus funds. Recently the Township of Mahwah, the Borough of Northvale, Allendale, have all followed this procedure. Um Our process has been delayed. So the

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Bergen County Board of Taxation ordered the revaluation in October of 2024, but we were delayed significantly due to the adoption and approval of our tax maps, which also used the special emergency ordinance,

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which was passed in late 2024 and was started to be paid down in the 2025 budget year. So again, on tonight's agenda is the contract award for the revaluation. We are working with the appraisal systems and the borough tax assessor to schedule

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probably one or two public information sessions for the residents to come out and ask questions and hear from the company themselves before the revaluation begins. So we'll certainly let the public know once that's announced. Thank you, Mayor. >> Okay.

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When was the last reval? >> Uh 2013. >> That was a long time ago. >> 2013 or was it 2010? >> 2010. I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I don't think I was mayor then. >> Yeah, 2010. >> Um was it done the same way? >> Yes.

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>> Um Dave, do you have anything to report this evening? >> Stuff I had. >> steal your thunder? >> [laughter] >> I just noticed for the West Side drainage stuff. I did have conversation with the contractor already after this evening's

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award of it. I will look to get everything started with that and get a pre-con meeting and things rolling along so we can start that project. I know we have time constraints related to the grant. So he's ready and anxious to to get started on the project. Um

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so yeah. >> We're anxious, too. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> Yes. So that's really all I have. I had I was going to talk about grants, but >> Is there anything that you want to add that >> No, it was a team effort to get the grants for >> I mean, I know we got a we got a great

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um rate on the bond, but the double A plus rating that we have. And uh if there's anything else you want to add? >> I don't have anything. >> Okay. Does anyone else have anything to report that's timely since we only have one meeting? >> I do.

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>> Okay. Councilwoman Celina. >> Sorry. Okay. Um from the fire chief, um the activity report for the month of June. Uh the fire department responded to 20 calls for service. Incidents

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included fire alarms, carbon carbon monoxide incidents, outside grass fires, a structure fire, and multiple mutual aid requests. In total, department members contributed 491 hours of service encompassing emergency response, apparatus and equipment equipment

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maintenance, training, and drills, and special events. Among the highlights of the month, Emerson Fire Department responded to mutual aid on two occasions assisting neighboring departments with structure fire responses. 2026 continues to be a busy fire year for Bergen County. And we are proud to be able to help our

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neighboring departments in their time of need. During the month, we continue to maintain all of our apparatus and equipment. Fortune Tower experienced some mechanical issues, and after a few weeks out of service, it has since been returned to full working duty. Members also dedicated multiple nights to training including a Monday night

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session focused on thermal imaging camera operations, a key tool used in all aspects of fire scene operations. Um we were also proud to take part in successful Emerson Summer Kickoff working alongside the recreation commission, Emerson Police Department, Emerson EMS, Emerson DPW for a beautiful

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night capped off by fantastic fireworks display. We greatly appreciate the assistance of fellow towns who came to enjoy the show and help cover the mutual areas during the event. Um members continue to probably give up their time for this community and we are thankful for your continued support. Our membership numbers are on the lower side and we are

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making concerted concerted push to recruit new members. If anyone has interest in serving the community, we welcome them to reach out by stopping by the firehouse on any Monday night at 7:30 p.m. to earn to learn more about joining. The dedication and com- commitment shown by men and women of Emerson Fire

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Department does not go unnoticed and we are we are grateful for the continued support of the mayor and borough council. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide this community with the best possible service and coverage and that commitment will never waver. That's from the fire department. I do not have anything for evac um and I do

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have a report from Perry for DPW. Uh the DPW worked with mayor to decorate the town for the 250th celebration. The DPW worked 4th of July throwing branches and trees off several roads in town. DPW also installed generators in both sewer pumping stations to keep sewage

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from going into residents' houses. On Tuesday, July 7th and July Wednesday, July 8th, DPW responded to 74 calls for wood chipping. DPW has been receiving between 8 to 10 calls a day for chipper service. And please remind our residents uh if you have branches to be chipped, leave them as long as possible to make

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it easier to chip. The It is unsafe to chip branches under 3 ft length. >> So I have a slight correction. I went on Recycle Coach when somebody asked me how long so I didn't want to bother Carrier on the weekend and on Recycle Coach it said 3 ft but our ordinance and our

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Recycle Newsletter said 4 ft. So 4 ft or longer is really the minimum for chipping branches. I just wanted to put that out there. Did you change the number on Recycle Coach? I didn't Thank you. >> Uh Nicole, do you have a report? >> I do not. >> Okay. Um Councilman Ellis?

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>> Uh shade tree uh during the last storm we had um uh four shade trees fall. One damaged a car on Clinton Street, one doing minor damage to a house on Remington Ave, one doing little more damage on Randolph Ave, and one just falling in the street

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on Glenwood Ave. There are several branches fallen throughout the town, one damaging the bleachers at Ackerman courts, but they've been removed and and they've been cleared. >> Michael and I actually did visit those homes that were affected and we did drop

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off letters letting them know if they felt that they had damage that was incurred by one of our town trees how to go about working out a claim. So, if you didn't get that letter and you're one of those four people, did we hear from everyone? We heard from two. >> everyone. >> Just about everyone now, but not all of

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them. Please reach out to Michael and you can start that claim. >> Mayor, can I just say something regarding that? I I actually forgot. I I just wanted to thank you thank the DPW, the police, and everybody for their quick response and, you know, their prop it was 4th of July, it was a holiday. I'm sure everybody was trying to have their own parties and then, you know,

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they left to come and survey and help you know, the people that were damaged. Unfortunately, one was right by us um and um you know, a lot of people were affected, but they were there you know, expediently and I we I appreciate that. Wanted to say thank you.

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>> I think we can all concur with that sentiment. So, thank you everyone that participated in helping all of us in our time of need. Councilman Timmerman, do you have a report? >> I do not have a report. I just wanted to go back to the West End drainage as we're finally here to the bid process

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and awarding tonight. If Michael and the staff could work maybe getting some information to the residents on Jordan kind of the scope of work, what we'll be doing. I know most of them have been following along through this process, but now that we're finally gearing up and getting ready to go.

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>> Okay. They're all pretty much there we will get more information I get questions all the time. I get a little text messages or I get pulled aside say, "Why aren't they starting the project? What's going on?" So, everyone is anticipating that and excited about it. Um Councilwoman Sayre? >> Until we're there, of course. soon as the

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>> What? >> Until we're there blowing up their front yard. >> Yeah, exactly. Then they'll want to know when you're going to be done. When are they going to be done? When are they going to be done? Um >> We can give them a rough timetable. >> [laughter] >> Everything will get to be restored when we're all done. So, they'll have to be patient with us

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through the process cuz it's going to be it's going to be a disturbance. >> Okay. I do not have anything to report. Nothing to report. Okay. Mayor John Yes. >> I may add something. I'm sorry. Uh I missed it before. Uh so, a memo was distributed to the

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governing body today. Uh we did hold our bond sale today for 6.6 million in capital improvement funds. Uh we did get a low bidder interest rate of 3.247%. Uh we did get several bidders

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uh and just wanted to point out that this was a very competitive bid. Uh we did get analysis from Phoenix Advisors, our um uh financial consulting company uh that similar municipalities such as the Borough of Mountain Lakes in Morris County who have a triple A bond rating

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received a higher interest rate than we did uh with a double A uh plus bond rating, which is still very competitive and very uh significant to achieve. Uh so, just wanted to thank the finance department for their work. >> I actually thought you read that before.

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So, when I was talking about our double A plus, that's what I was referring to, but I thought I knew that you were going to read that this evening. So, I thought that you would read it and I blanked. >> Thank you. >> But, um I that is to the good work from our staff. Um they don't only take the bond rating, but they take your whole history into

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into consideration and getting a rate like that is a wonderful thing for the borough and a savings for our taxpayers. Um Anybody else have anything to report? Tricia, anything? >> No. >> Okay. All right. So, then we will move on to the next order of our business on our agenda, which is public comment.

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Members of the public are welcome to speak on any topic by coming to the podium and stating your name for the record. In the interest of time, speakers are limited to 3 minutes. In consideration of all who may wish to speak, please keep your comments brief

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and concise. May I have a motion to open the meeting to public comment? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? We are open to the public. Anybody? Please approach. You just need to say your name. You don't have to give your address anymore.

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>> Okay. Leslie Salamando. >> Good evening. >> Um hi. Actually, you brought up something and you said something about the cooling centers. And it hit me because when I came through the door, I had said to Alan, "This is supposed to be a cooling center." I think that was in your message. And I thought to myself saying,

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"Who wants to climb those stairs?" And I know you have an elevator. Now, um so I I was thinking, wouldn't the library make a great place to be a cooling center? And it has books, but it also has the bathrooms. It

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has um tables. It's It's wide open, level. And I thought that would be a great place to have a cooling center. The only thing is it would need a generator. And I think that um

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maybe that's something you should think about. Uh a generator for the library uh for many reasons, but one is that would make an excellent cooling center. It does have a little kitchenette in the back there in case somebody had to do something, but I think it has everything you need. >> Well, I will say that um I have spoken

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to our OEM coordinator about the library, but it it would have to be staffed. And sometimes it's in the evening or overnight if we needed a cooling center. So, we would have to be sure that library staff was willing to be there overnight as well. >> Well, how about uh even here somebody would have to staff it, right? If it's

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here. >> Um the police are in and out of this building and we've worked something out as it relates to the safety of this building. >> I think it's something to to consider. >> Um and we did take into account that the lift would be working, that a police officer would escort anybody upstairs so that they were comfortable and that they

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got up here safely. >> Yeah. >> But I will take your comments into consideration. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Seeing no hands, may I have a motion to close the public portion of the meeting? >> So >> Second.

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>> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Okay, we are closed. The next item on the agenda is 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 council member requests an item to be removed for consideration. >> Mayor, can I can I jump in here? Can I make a request to table resolution 208-26 and resolution 217-26.

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>> Okay. Um Are you making a motion to remove >> think they're ready to be voted on. I'd like them tabled. >> Yes. >> You're making a motion >> a motion to remove them. Can we get a second? >> Second. >> And do I need a roll call? >> He's making a motion to table it. So you need a you need a vote of hands.

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>> Okay. May I have a May I have a roll call, please? >> Uh Councilwoman Gelino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzio? >> Yes. >> Councilman Alice? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayers? >> Yes. >> Yes, it's five zero. >> Okay, very good. So may I have a motion

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to approve consent agenda resolutions 206-26 through 220-26 minus 208-26 and minus 217-26. >> So moved. >> Second. >> And the roll call, please.

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>> Councilwoman Chellino? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Alice? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayre? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> Very good. We are now going into closed executive session to discuss matters exempt from the public pursuant to NJSA

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10:4-1 at sec and adequately noticed by resolution 221-26. May May I have that motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> And the roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Chellino? >> Yes.

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>> Councilwoman Argenzia? >> Yes. >> Councilman Alice? >> Yes. >> Councilman Timmerman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Sayre? >> Yes. >> Passes 5-0. >> 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

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action may be taken. Thank you for joining us this evening. >> No. >> Okay. May I have a motion to reconvene? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Okay, we're reconvened. Do we have any other business? I don't think so. With no further

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business, may I have a motion to adjourn at 8:58 p.m. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Okay, we are adjourned. Thank you for joining us this evening.