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Welcome and thank you for choosing free If you are the host, please enter your Thank you. There is one other participant in the conference. I thought we could introduce ourselves. >> Just tell me when when to start. >> Are we ready? >> I I pressed this red across.

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>> Yes. Yes. >> And we're on. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> Welcome to the Borough of Ramsey Council regular meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. This meeting is also being

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conducted telephonically. The dialing numbers 425-436-6365. Access code 213563. And of course, the meeting can also be viewed on the Ramsey YouTube channel, which can be accessed via the Ramsey Borough website. And please have the roll call.

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>> Mayor Dylan? >> Here. >> Councilwoman Cuset? >> Here. >> Councilman Brasoni is not here. Councilman Gotwater? >> Here. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Here. >> Councilman Papalo? >> Here. >> Councilwoman Poppy? >> Here.

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>> Thank you. I will now have the flag salute. I will ask Mrs. Mrs. Gersh to please lead us. >> I pledge 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

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for all. >> New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to ensure the right of all citizens have advanced noticing and to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this

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act, notice of this meeting of the mayor and council was published in the Bergen Record and the Suburban News on Wednesday, January 15th, 2026 and is posted on our legal notices page at www.montvalenj.com. Okay, do we have approval of minutes? >> Madam Mayor, this is Council President

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Cusack and I would like to motion to approve the minutes from the work session dated 10th of June, 2026. >> I'll second that. >> Okay, are there any comments on the minutes? Okay, not hearing any, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusack? >> Yes.

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>> Councilman Gotwetter? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Papaleo? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Papi? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Communications? >> Yes, Madam Mayor. I make a motion to receive and file the communications as listed

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on the agenda for June 24th, 2026. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusack? >> Yes. >> Councilman Gotwetter? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Papaleo? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Papi?

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>> Yes. >> Thank you. Now, we'll move on to hearing of the second reading. Thank you. Now, comes public comment. Anyone wishing to address the governing body, please give your name, spell it, and the last name and address. Please speak in an audible tone and address your comments to There will be a 5-minute time limit per speaker unless

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reduced because of the volume of business on the agenda. Please note, public comment is your time. Out of respect and fairness to all, there will be no interruptions or questions answered during your time. No time shall be ceded to anyone else and no time shall be saved for later use. Any

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responses may be given during the borough during the governing body's comments later in the meeting or as directed by the chair. The bureau clerk is the official timekeeper. Anyone here for public wish to make a comment? Come on up. I see you brought stuff.

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>> Well, it's not a bouquet of flowers. That's for you. My name's Raymond DeMeglio, 169 Pine Street in Ramsey. Good evening, Mayor and Council. >> Can you please spell your last >> D I capital M E G L I O. >> Thank you. >> And

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I understand we're doing something with bamboo. >> Mhm. >> This is bamboo from my backyard. It's coming to the foundation. It's from my neighbor's backyard. Very difficult to dig up. Doesn't like to die.

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That's how strong it is. The one thing is the pit bull should be My neighbor has it. He loves to water this thing every night. A resolution can be done. And my question is

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if it gets passed what is my recourse to have him pay for all of the remediation? >> We're introducing a ordinance tonight. >> Yeah, I know that. Yeah. So, let's go you're going to pass

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it, hopefully. How do I get my neighbor to pay to get this out of my backyard? >> I was just going to say the ordinance will not be adopted tonight. >> No, I know that. >> at the next meeting. It'll be the end of July. >> Right. >> I just wanted to >> No, I understand that.

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>> Okay. >> I'm just asking what happens at the end of July Do I sue him? Does the town go after him? How do I get rid of it? And I understand he might be moving. Does If he moves and sells the house and he

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doesn't take the bamboo down, that's encroaching four houses. Does the new person get stuck with that? Okay, because bamboo goes through tar, concrete, my shed, brand new fence that I put up.

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It's not nice. >> What When did he When did it start? >> Oh, my daughter's 34. I'm in town 32 years. It was there 32 years ago. It's getting worse increasingly. And every time I cut it,

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it'll come back in 2 days. But how do you resolve it? Sure. >> My question is I This is the right time. I am Mary Ann Carey, c a r e y. I live at 498 Island Road in Ramsey.

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And I have a question regarding um Ramsey Liquor and the Best Western. Is Is uh Is that on the today? >> The liquor licenses? >> Yes, the liquor licenses. >> are on the consent resolution and I will

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open them up to public hearing for anyone who wants to comment on those licenses at that time. >> But okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> He's He's working on the sound, Bruce. >> Okay. >> Remotely right now. And Mrs. Perry, just to let you know, um

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our borough attorney will discuss what those with the license did. >> Okay. There was a settlement on >> So, of the charges, he'll discuss that as well. So, you can know what happened, okay? Is there anyone else wishing to comment?

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>> Did you want to come up? >> No, it's I'm just worried about the rest. >> Oh, okay. >> Let's Let's keep it pointed. >> Got it. >> All right, then we'll close public hearing and we'll move on to advertised public hearing for final consideration ordinance and we will have ordinance

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12-2026. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Final ordinance number 12-2026, ordinance 12-2026, an ordinance amending chapter 7 of the code of the Borough of Ramsey, Bergen County, New Jersey, and more particularly section 7-32 thereof

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entitled mid-block crosswalks. Having been brought up for public hearing and all persons in interested having been given an opportunity to be heard, pass final reading by title and that said ordinance be adopted as an ordinance of the Borough of Ramsey. And be it further

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resolved that the borough clerk be and she hereby is directed to cause a copy of the title of said ordinance to be published in the official newspaper of the borough in the manner provided by law, together with the notice of the date of introduction and adoption of

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said ordinance. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Do we have any comments from council and Mr. Roselli on this? >> I'll give that to Mr. Rose. >> Okay. >> Yeah. This ordinance amends the mid-block crosswalk ordinance

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for the new crosswalk proposed between Ramsey High School and Veterans Park. This is a follow-up change the County of Bergen has requested for the ordinance which was not included in their original language modification which had previously been adopted and incorporated. The new ordinance language change is to

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include in this ordinance more than the new proposed crosswalk. Also, an existing East Main Street mid-block crosswalk in the area at the east end of St. John's Church which the county does not show having a record of. So, it includes both the new mid-block

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crosswalk and an existing one. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. Anyone from the public? I'll go open this up for public hearing. Is there anyone from the public who would like to comment on ordinance 12-2026? Okay, I'll just give it a minute. Mr.

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Chambers, is there anyone online? If I don't hear anyone, I will close public comment. Can we have a roll call, please? >> Councilwoman Cussick? >> Yes. >> Councilman Gotwetter? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Pappalardo? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Poppie? >> Yes.

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>> Perfect, thank you. Can I make the following appointments? Are you in town? To Ramsey Rescue Squad Explorer member. And then Cathy Danis, Zoning Board of Adjustment alternate member. Return. And I will swear you in after the consent resolution as well as the council

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ratifies the appointment. And let's move on to consent resolutions. >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh be it resolved that resolutions 130-2026 through and including 144-2026 have been been considered by the

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governing body of the Borough of Ramsey be and are hereby passed and approved. We don't have any special permit requests this evening, but we have a couple of block party requests. Chestnut Street is requesting permission to hold a block party on August 15th, 2026 from 3:00 to 8:00

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p.m. And Birch Street is requesting permission to hold a block party on July 3rd, 2026 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. >> Thank you. Can we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. At this point, I'm going to open it up for public comment for

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resolutions 132-2026, 133-2026, and 134-2026. Um before we open the public comment, uh Mr. Attorney, can you please talk about the settlement that was reached today? >> Today, >> [clears throat]

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>> we treat the settlement with Ramzi Litman LLC trading as Best Western. There were a number of violations that occurred at that site in February of 2020. >> You got my back. >> They have not operated

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since then. The state also brought charges against them, and that resulted in a 30-day suspension. Based on the settlement that was reached today, they will not be able to operate till at

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least September 1st of this year. That makes it have been suspended for 16 17 months. In addition, though, when we say they can operate, they still have to they still have to take care of the

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state's inspection. So, realistically, they're not going to operate by October 1st. The restrictions on the license that have always been there will remain there. The settlement, though, we met with the gentleman this morning.

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The settlement is quite clear that if there are any other violations of any type, on this ordinance, the license will be suspended immediately, and it'll be gone forever. The license will be revoked. >> The license will be revoked, gone and forever. They will not be able to

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operate. That's it. If they have fruit flies, if they have whatever, that's it. It's over. And he And I believe the gentleman under was quite clear to the gentleman, let's put it that way.

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Any questions? >> No, I didn't. Thank you. I'm here. >> What's your first >> Mary Ann Carey. C A R E Y. I live at 498 Island Road in Ramsey.

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Um and my question is referencing both the Best Western and Ramsey Liquors LLC. I mean, I'm a neighbor of this uh Best Western and uh this place has been a problem. Um I would just wondered over the years,

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you've said it, that that there has been several operators, and most recently >> And Ramsey Liquors LLC on West Main Street. >> Best Western almost 99% of the licenses.

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Best Western almost 99% of the licenses. >> On Main Street, did you say? >> She said on Main Street. >> The lit Ramsey? >> There's no relation. >> There's no relation. There's no relation. >> Oh, okay. Okay, thank you. Yeah, it's unclear to me. I'm I'm my voice is

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going. Um So, right now the the liquor license is not operating on Route 17. That's and then you described >> Okay, and you described the conditions.

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Yeah. We haven't missed them, sorry. Um Pre- previous approvals for operators at that location included conditions intended to address neighborhood concerns such as noise, outdoor activity,

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and such. Will those conditions remain in effect and be binding to the new operator? >> Yeah, there's a lot of restrictions on that license. And a lot That's actually that license has the most restrictions of any liquor license in the in the borough.

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>> Good to know. Thank you so much. Appreciate everybody. >> Of course. >> Okay, anyone else wishing to comment on the renewals of the three different liquor licenses? Okay, not hearing anyone, I will close it. Can we please have roll call? >> Councilwoman Kucera?

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>> Yes. >> Councilman Gotwetter? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Coppola? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Coppi? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, you're ready. It's time to swear in. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. I'm great.

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You think I'll take pictures while I'm watching? Okay, now we're going to go over here so that that's where the camera is for the future. So, come right over here. You like it? And then raise your right hand and repeat after me. I >> I >> solemnly swear

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>> solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> and partially >> and partially >> and impartially discharge the duties of the office >> discharge the duties of the >> of the office >> of the office >> of the office of >> of the office of >> Grand Trustee of the Grand Trustee Explorer

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>> Explorer >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the state of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance

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>> to the same >> to the same, and to the government of the United States >> and to the government of the United States >> and to this state >> and to this >> under the authority of the people of the state of New Jersey >> so help me God. >> so help me God. >> Congratulations. I'll take your picture here.

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Thank you. Sign here. Okay, so you just did the right side and then you give it to the spending and then I'll take care of the rest. All right? Thank you. >> Okay. I think let's move on to committee and liaison reports. Finance and

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administration, Councilwoman Gutwetter. >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Reports of the season and to the library board. Uh the library has a number of events all summer long that relate to the 250th anniversary of our country.

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And they will have a number of events for adults including local history presentations, revolutionary times, fiber spinning demonstrations, genealogy workshops, concerts, kid celebrations, and much more. The kickoff event for the summer reading

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program was this afternoon with various events and sign-ups for summer reading. There will be about 75 events all summer long for all ages throughout the summer. Uh the library has been and will be participating in various outreach events throughout the community to spread

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awareness of library services. And the library has partnered with the Bergen County Division of Senior Services as well as the Alzheimer's in Jersey nonprofit to become a dementia-friendly library. This is a program where our library now has a selection of books and materials that

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will be helpful to caregivers. Residents can check the library website for summer program. Uh for the recreation commission, the registration for school sports are available on the Ramsey Recreation website. So there are links to various sports.

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Summer day camp at Finch Park began this week and runs through July 24th. Uh spring men's and women's adult softball league is continuing into July. And the home run derby took place this past Saturday. Uh the Ramsey Farmers Market market is

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open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through out November through November and December hours will change from 10:00 to 1:00. And on July 5th, the Ramsey Farmers Market celebrates our nation's 250th anniversary with the best best apple apple pie dessert contest, scavenger

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hunt at the market, and children's photo booth. Uh lastly, I would just like to congratulate all of the graduates of the elementary schools, state events, of Ramsey as well as Ramsey High School, and wish those high school graduates much success in their future endeavors.

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As has been previously stated, this was an extraordinary year for the Ramsey High School athletics. And there were five state championship teams. The girls soccer team was undefeated and ranked number 13 in the country. Boys basketball team won the first state championship in 75 years.

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The girls winter track really ran over their opponents. Girls softball, after winning the county championship, played 16 tournament games and outscored their opponents 63 to 1 in those games. And lastly, the baseball team, which was unranked, defeated the fifth number five

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ranked team in the state. Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, and parent supporters in town. That concludes my report for this evening. >> Thank you. >> Public Safety, Councilwoman Kilduff. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. I I echo Councilwoman Gottheimer's comments on

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the graduations and the sport accomplishments of our young people in Ramsey. It's quite an astounding set of victories they've had. Um I'd like to congratulate Irene Chung for uh her appointment to Ramsey Recreation Board as a board member.

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And to Kathy Dainy to the Board of Adjustment, alternate two. On another topic, earlier this year, Netta Architects and Ramsey Emergency Services Building Committee presented an overview of the project's design. The borough's Emergency Services

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Building Committee and borough officials met today. We continue to work toward finalizing a state-of-the-art complex while keeping the cost within realistic budget parameters. Once completed and approved by the mayor and council, we expect to go out for bids sometime this summer.

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We'll also showcase the new emergency services buildings final drawings at a future mayor and council. And that's my report, Madam Mayor. >> Thank you. Building, planning, and zoning, does anybody have any comments? Councilwoman Sullivan. >> I do not.

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>> Okay. I believe we have Councilwoman >> I'm going to make my final comments. >> Okay. >> That would be it. >> Yes, that would be it. Yes. >> That's right. >> I'll wait till you call me. >> Okay. Utilities, buildings, and grounds. Councilwoman or Councilman, whichever you say. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. It was wonderful

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to attend the Ramsey High School graduation on June 19th. Congratulations to the class of 2026, and thank you to the Ramsey High School community for hosting the gala and the venue, one of the best yet with a fun Stranger Things meets Downtown Ramsey theme.

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I thank our mayor and council for serving our seniors at the senior luncheon on Saturday afternoon, and I'm grateful for the Ramsey as for everyone community. We held our spring gala, which um Councilman Pappas will speak about, on Saturday night, and there was dancing and singing and pizza and

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chicken tenders and most importantly plenty of smiles. And today it was an honor to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for 13 North Central and the six support six unit supportive housing that it provides. The project was proposed by the non-profit

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Ramsey Housing Inc. and supported by former Mayor Barbara and our Mayor Madam Deirdre Dillon. Thank you, Iana, for your service, and I also want everybody to note that she is our developer for the website that's in

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progress, and thanks to Kathy. Um now on to business, my report will be an update regarding our planning board, Shade Tree Commission, and the Board of Public Works. For the planning board, the next meeting is the 21st of July as the meeting scheduled for the 16th of June was cancelled because the applicant did

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not make a public notice properly. Ramsey has a no knock registry that allows residents to opt out of door-to-door commercial solicitation. Enroll by visiting the bureau website and complete the online application. Search no knock list. The Shade Tree Commission's next meeting

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is July 16th. The commission is made up of Ramsey resident volunteers who dedicate their time to preserving, protecting, and expanding our tree canopy. Ramsey has proudly been recognized as a tree city for 32 years. If there are branches in your walkway from a bureau tree, please reach out to

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our bureau hall so that the trees can be properly maintained. Our Board of Public Works last met on the 15th of June. The next meeting is the 20th of July. The BPW continues to plan and implement measures to comply with NJDEP's lead

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service line replacement mandate, which requires all lead service lines in the water system be replaced by 2031. The bureau will cover the cost of replacing the portion of the water line service it owns, while property owners are responsible for replacing their

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privately owned portion. As an example, it would be unfair to require all taxpayers to pay for a lead paint remediation or electrical code updates on individual properties. Our approach in our bureau reflects the responsibility that comes with home

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ownership and is consistent with the framework used by other municipalities. Homeowners may apply for the bureau's $750 reimbursement for work performed through 31 December 2026. In April, we

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passed an ordinance to extend the rebate to the end of the year. Please go to the bureau website for more information. And lastly, SUEZ is working on completing the 2026 Consumer Confidence Report for our bureau water. So, this summarizes the results for our

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Ramsey Water Systems 2025 drinking water quality data. The report documents that there were no water quality violations during the 2025 year. The CCR postcard will be mailed to customers in mid-June, and the entire

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report will be available for viewing on the Ramsey website starting July 1st, meeting the NJDEP requirements. Thank you, Madam Mayor. >> Thank you. Public and Governmental Relations, Councilwoman Pappas. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor.

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Congratulations, Ramsey grads. I had the privilege of attending Tisdale, Smith, and Ramsey High School. I'm so proud of these these children who are moving up or moving on. And go, Rams. Great job,

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athletes. Thank you. I am for your service to Ramsey residents. You. I love seeing the younger generation move into our emergency services. I hope I hope my children are inspired to do

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the same at some point. So, thank you very much for setting that example, dear peers. And congratulations to Cathy Dorney for her appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment Alternate 2. We

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appreciate your service. I would like to take a moment just to go through the Independence Day celebrations because this these events are coming up next week, and I want to make sure that the residents have all of the necessary

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information. So, next weekend, we kick off our America's 250th Independence Day weekend events with a parade. We will have a costume contest where participants can dress up or decorate strollers and wagons. There's also a

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banner competition for any organizations who would like to create a banner. There is no size or materials restrictions. The winner will be displayed in Ramsey Library. Uh the parade will meet at South Island Avenue for lineup at 10:00

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a.m. And then all spectators will be invited to join the end of the parade for community walk to Finch. Um costumes will be judged and prizes will be awarded there. The VFW is hosting a home-cooked

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barbecue with several summer favorites beyond the traditional fare. Enjoy cold meats and sides such as collard greens and honey cornbread while watching our hometown hero softball game. Thank you to all of our emergency services personnel who are participating in the

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game. Our very own council president Kusick will also be playing. If the kids are getting antsy, we have a spectacular red, white, and blue bounce house with slide at Finch from 12:00 to 4:00. Ramsey Rec will also be hosting

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all ages relay races between the innings. So, come show us what you got at the three-legged race. A few items will be for sale including commemorative baseball caps and picnic blankets. The blankets will be $25 cash only and the

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hats will be offered by the RBSA for $35 or also at the snack stand in advance of that event. Um at 6:00 p.m. on the 3rd, our traditionally Independence Day celebration will begin with live music and a fantastic fireworks display will

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conclude the evening. On Saturday the 4th, please visit the Old Stone House from 1:00 to 4:00. Um and then kick back and relax until the pool party at 7:30 p.m. All pool members and residents are invited to attend, but registration through Civic Rec is

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required. So, please go online and register for the pool party. There's a limited number of giveaways for that event. On Sunday, visit the Ramsey Farmers Market. A patriotic photo booth and scavenger hunt will be held and visitors

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are invited to pre-register to bring an apple dessert for judging. There are great prizes, really great prizes. Um at 2:00 p.m. a patriotic concert will follow the market events at the Ramsey Library. And all of the details um can

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be found on the bureau website or facebook.com/ramsey 250. Um the pool commission will meet again on July 15th at 7:30 p.m. at the pool.

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And that concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mr. Brussani, do you have any comments you'd like to share? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay, proceed. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um the June

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design review board there was one sign application which was approved. Uh and the June zoning board uh meeting was canceled. The next meeting is July 15th. And this is all I have to report. >> Okay. Okay, thank you.

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Health, education, and social services, Councilwoman Pappalardo. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. That's a lot of passing going on there. >> I can't catch it. >> [clears throat] >> Uh I want to congratulate my Auntie Kathy on her appointment and thank you

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for your service. Um I did speak to Mr. Weber today and he said that you were doing an unbelievable job with that website. So, we will retain you as hard as we can to make sure that you continue with that website because it's a 180 to where it was before. So, thank you for everything

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you've done for Wright and the website that you have. Also, want to thank then Mayor and former Mayor Botta and uh former administrator Jose and probably a lot others for the ribbon cutting. Um as a parent of uh someone that with special needs child, it's uh

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was just unbelievable having that uh what Ramsey and this town has done for six adults and probably a lot more to their families, um to their friends, to their entire extended family. Uh to know that six individuals are in there and in in good

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uh shape to to be there uh for a long time and and it was just very emotional and very um gratifying uh ribbon cutting for for myself. Um I'll start with the Board of Ed. Uh congratulations as everyone everyone mentioned to the graduates.

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Uh it was a beautiful evening on on the 19th uh with wonderful weather. Congratulations to the softball team and and baseball teams. I did reach out to those coaches uh and asked them if they wanted to have a quickly uh get them in here for Mayor and Council

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uh and they will let me know for the July meeting if that is going to be doable um and to do that. So, we'll see. Um Ramsey is for everyone. We had an excellent gala on 6/20. Thank you to all the Mayor and Council and emergency teams uh for all their help in making

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such a special event successful. I believe this was I'm going to guess our 10th gala. Uh we did have a couple of years off with with COVID, but I believe it started around 2014. Uh next up for the Wright uh will be the

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pool pool party on on August 20th and that'll be right here at our beautiful uh Ramsey pool. And environmental and Norma will update next month. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Okay, for my reports,

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congratulations, Diane. Thank you for joining the Ramapo Rescue. I hope you have a great experience cuz it seems that every young person who joins the Explorers really enjoys it and gets a lot out of it. So, I look forward to seeing you at events. All right, and thank you for helping

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with the website. And thank you to Kathy Gurney for serving as alternate number two to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. That's a big help. One thing I wanted to mention that was I attended the Design Review Board Committee um Design Review Board meeting last night

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uh along with Dr. Roger Iorio, who's the chairman of the Planning Board. And last night the board um appointed a subcommittee to update the sign ordinance. Mrs. Carey um graciously volunteered for that subcommittee. And Mr. Iorio volunteered to be the attorney

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to help them with that cuz he's a real estate attorney and um Mr. Predraza actually asked if they could have help with an attorney and Mr. Iorio Mr. Iorio was happy to volunteer to help. So, I look forward to the updates and I know with his experience, you guys

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will do a great job on updating that ordinance, which really does need to be updated. Okay. Um I had the pleasure of attending the line dancing event at the library Monday night. Um it was a great event and thank you to the library for organizing and especially Debbie Burnett, who put it

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all together. A lot of people had a lot of fun and they got a lot of steps in during that time. Um and I'd like to thank Dr. Stum and Mario for allowing us to use the high school on Saturday for both the Senior

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Citizen Gala and the Wife Gala. It's so gracious of them to allow us to use the high school every year and there's custodians there helping us with the cleanup. So, I truly appreciate that. And the parents who did the decorations for the gala this year completely

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knocked it out of the park. The The decorations in that upper gym were simply fabulous. [clears throat] And there has to be a set designer among that group cuz they were so detailed and so well done. Um And thank you to everybody who volunteered for the senior citizen gala

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and the right gala. Everybody seemed to really enjoy it. So once again, those are great events that people look forward to the end of June. Um congratulations to all the Ramsey High School graduates and all the sports championships. And once again, Ramsey High School had a lovely graduation.

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Ramsey really knows how to do a high school graduation. Um Um last but not least, or one more thing. Um Thank you to everybody who came to the ribbon cutting today at 13 North Central. Um That project was such a labor of love.

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It's It shows if you persevere and you're patient, what you can accomplish to better your community and the people who live in it and the residents that we serve. So I'm very, very proud of that project and I want to thank Ramsey Housing Incorporated, United Way Bergen

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County, and Madeline Cole for joining with us and partnering with us to make that dream a reality. And I'm so happy for the six gentlemen who are living there because they're home in Ramsey where they belong. And they're right in the middle

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of all the action off of North Central. They can get everywhere. And last but not least, our next council meeting is July 22nd because we're going to a summer schedule for July and August. So let everybody know, July 22nd there will be one

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meeting of the mayor council in July and it's that evening. Okay? And that's all I have. All right. Third Wednesday. >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Just comment on a few of the resolutions on the agenda tonight. Uh, resolutions 135 and 138. These two

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resolutions were provided by the County of Bergen to renew Ramsey's participation in the community development program, which part of uh, provides grant opportunities through funding from the federal government. Resolution 135 authorizes our participation with the county, and

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resolution 138 authorizes participating in the grant program, acknowledging and confirming the use of federal funding and the parameters that go with that. Resolution 139, uh, authorizes the bureau to enter an agreement with GovDeals. The bureau has

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a number of vehicles that are no longer needed for public use. We will be auctioning them off. This resolution allows us to enter into the agreement with GovDeals for the online auction process. Resolution 142 approves a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters

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Local 469. It's a four-year uh, collectively bargained labor agreement with Local 469, which represents some of the managers and supervisors here at Borough Hall and at the DPW. It includes annual salary increases of

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2.75% for each of the years in the contract. Also working to mitigate the high annual excess increases in health insurance costs nationwide. Over the last two years, the bureau has introduced some lower-cost high-deductible health plans coupled with a health reimbursement

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accounts to mitigate some of the increases. Those are again incorporated in this agreement, and the new contract term runs through 2029. Uh, we spoke about earlier about the settlement agreement on the liquor license. The borough attorney talked about it. Uh, that the previous owner

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had charges with the state at the state and local level impacting their license. This is the settlement agreement approval uh, for the ultimate resolution of those charges and a time frame, assuming there's continued compliance by the owner, where they may be be returning to usage of the license by

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the owner as the attorney detailed earlier. Uh resolution 144 authorizes the mayor to sign an assignment and assumption of a development agreement for 425 Island Claremont Properties Acquisition. It's transferring the development agreement

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to US Homes LLC. There is no change in the project itself as has been approved. This is a change in the legal entity who will now be responsible for the actual development and construction of the project as it moves along to its project schedule. We have two ordinances on later on in

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the agenda for introduction. Ordinance 14-2026 amends the borough code for the regulation and control of invasive plants. As mentioned, this amends chapter 3 of the borough code to add regulations for the control of invasive plants. It particularly regulates and calls for the

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removal of invasive plants such as bamboo on properties in the borough. Ordinance 15-2026 amends the the borough salary ordinance. The borough sets salaries based on collective bargaining agreements with those employees covered under the applicable agreements and by resolution

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for those non-union employees. We do however maintain by ordinance a salary range for certain positions which is updated typically annually or every couple of years. The last update was a couple years ago and the salary ranges for some positions are now going

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to be consistent with the salary increases in line with those changes to the union labor agreements which will similarly be applied to non-union employees. And to reiterate, this is not set salaries. This is just setting a range. The salaries will be

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set by resolution subsequently by the governing body. That would conclude my comments. >> Thank you, borough attorney. Do you have any further questions? >> Thank you. >> Borough clerk, >> nothing. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. All right then. We shall move on to the introduction of

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ordinances. Ordinance 14-2026. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Intro to ordinance 14-2026. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending the code of the Borough of Ramsey, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, and more

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particularly chapter 3 thereof entitled police regulations so as to establish section 3-33 control of invasive plants. Pass the first reading by title and that said ordinance be further considered for

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final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Council to be held on the 22nd day of July 2026, 7:00 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the municipal building in said Borough and

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be it further resolved that the Borough Clerk be and she hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the Borough in the manner provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with notice of introduction thereof and notice when the same will be considered

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for final passage and adoption. Thank you. We have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cuset? >> Yes. >> Councilman Gressoni? >> Yes. >> Councilman Gotletter? >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Papalou?

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Poppy? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Introduction of ordinance 15-2026. >> This is an intro of ordinance 15-2026. Uh be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending chapter 10 of the code of the Borough of Ramsey,

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Bergen County, New Jersey, and more specifically section 10-23 compensation. Pass the first reading by title and that said ordinance to be further considered for final adoption passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council to be held on the 22nd day of June, 2026

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7:00 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the municipal building in said borough and be it further resolved that the borough clerk be and she is hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the borough in the manner provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with notice of introduction

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thereof and notice when the same will be considered for final passage and adoptions. >> I second that, Madame Mayor. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Cusack. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gressoni. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gottwals. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Papalou.

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>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Poppie. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, we don't have any unfinished business or new business. Can I have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make that motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> All right, thank you.

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The engineer Well, actually the engineer