the mayor and council for regular session on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025. This meeting is also being conducted telephonically. Dial number is 425436 6365. Access code
213563. The meeting may also be viewed on the Ramsey YouTube channel, which you can access through the Burough website. Roll call, please. Mayor Dylan, here. Councilwoman Cusk here. Councilman Gweter here. Councilman Kilman here.
Councilman Poplo here. Councilwoman Poppy here. Councilwoman Woods here. Thank you. Uh flag salute. I will ask Council President to lead us. I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was an act to ensure the right of all
citizens to have advanced notice of 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 act, notice of this meeting of the mayor and council was published in the Bergen record and the suburban news on
Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Do we have approval of minutes? I would like to make a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on March 26th, 2025 as well as the work session held on April 9th, 2025. I'll
second it. Thank you. Are there any comments on the minutes? No. All right. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Cusk, yes. Councilman Gutwer, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes to March 26th and I abstain from
April 9th because I was away that day. Thank you. Councilman Pablo, yes. Councilwoman Poppy, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes. Thank you. Communications. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I make a motion to receive and file the communications
as listed on the April 23rd agenda. I will second. Thank you. Any comments on the communications? Hey, I'd like to note that we are receiving a local recreational improvement grant of
$76,000 to upgrade the electrical service at Finch Park and that is from the New Jersey Department of Transportation. And thank you to Burough Administrator Bose for pursuing that grant. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Cusk,
yes. Councilman Gutwer, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes. Councilman Capo. Yes. Councilwoman Poppy, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes. Thank you. We'll open up to public comment. Anyone wishing to address the governing body, please give your name, spell on the last time we address. Please speak in an audible tone
and address your comments to the chair. There will be a 5m minute time limit per speaker unless 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 seated. anyone else in no time shall be saved for later use. Any responses may be given during the governing body's comments later in the meeting or directed by the chair. The burough clerk is the official timekeeper. Okay. There is no one in council chambers for public comment. First call for public comment
for anyone on the line. Second call for public comment for anybody on the line. Third and final call for public comment for anyone on the line. Not hearing anyone. I will close public comment. Let's move into advertised public hearing for final consideration of
ordinance. Ordinance 082025. Thank you, Madame Mayor. An ordinance amending the Burrow of Ramsey code of ordinances to repeal chapter 25 flood damage prevention to adopt a new chapter 25 flood plane management regulations.
to adopt flood plane hazard maps to designate a flood plane administrator and providing for severability and an effective date having been brought up for public hearing and all persons interested having been given an opportunity to be heard past final
reading by title and that said ordinance be adopted as an ordinance of the Burough of Ramsey and be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is directed to cause a copy of the title of that ordinance to be published in an official newspaper of
the burrow in the manner provided by law together with a notice of the date of introduction and adoption of set ordinance. Thank you. Do we have a second? Yes, madame mayor. I second. Thank you. Any comment on this ordinance before I open it up for public hearing? Madame Mayor,
I can give a few comments and thank you, Administrator Boz. So FEMA reviewed the New Jersey model flood damage prevention ordinance and recommended that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection revise it to ensure that all 553 New Jersey participating community
ordinances are compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program. The model ordinance provided to New Jersey municipalities by the D incorporates the FEMA recommendations and adoption is required by June 18th,
2025. With the public hearing and vote on adoption at tonight's meeting, it will ensure our compliance with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections timeline. Thank you. Appreciate that. Okay. Now, I'll open up uh ordinance 08 2025 for
public hearing. There's no one in the council chambers. So, is there anyone on the line that would like to comment on ordinance 082025? Second call for comments. Third and final call for comments on ordinance 08 2025. Not hearing any, I will close the
public hearing. May we please have a roll call. Councilwoman Cusk, yes. Councilman Gutwer, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes. Councilman Papo. Yes. Councilwoman Poppy, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes. Thank you. I hereby make the following appointments. Joseph Sinanti
to the Ramsey Police Department, Probationary Police Officer, and David Pury to Ramsey Rescue Squad. And we'll now move on to consent resolutions. Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh be resolved that resolution 084 2025
through and including 090 20225 having been considered by the governing body of the Burl Ramsey B and are hereby passed and approved. Uh we have one block party request this evening. Uh Kevin Worst of Norman Drive is requesting permission to the block party on Saturday, June 28th,
2025 from 4 to 11 p.m. Thank you. I'll second that. Thank you. Do we have any comments on the consent resolutions? Not hearing any. Roll call, please. Councilwoman Cusk, yes. Councilman Gutwer, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes.
Councilman Papo, yes. Councilwoman Poppy, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes. Thank you. We'll move on to committee and leaison reports, finance and administration. Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. I just want to start off by congratulating uh Joseph
Senante on his appointment to the Ramsey Police Department as a probationary officer and David Pery on his appointment to the Ramsey Rescue Squad. I thank both for their service to the bur for the library board. Uh there's a Dr. Seuss magic show held in March with
101 people in attendance. Uh the team room is going to be getting some new furniture as part of a donation received by the library and is in the planning stages for this new furniture. The museum task program is adding several museums to the past including the museum
of the city of New York, the museum of the dog and the Bethl Woods Center for the Arts. Uh all work on the media room project has been completed and the library is adding a notary service by appointment only. The policy for this
service is uh located on the library's websites or else is in process of being uh completed and will be on the library website. The recreation commission uh team snap is being used for scheduling and registration. Wreck basketball was completed earlier this month and four
wreck soccer registration will open in early May for play in the fall. Uh girls volleyball clinic had a very strong registration and began the clinic in March. Uh men's and women's softball leagues will be beginning this Sunday and there is interest for an adult
pickup soccer league I guess or free play and depending on field availability. Uh summer camp at Finch Park will be held from June 23rd to July 25th and registration begins I believe this
Sunday or early next week. Check the Ramsey Rec website for more information on that. And the home run derby is scheduled for June 14th and registration is open. The Ramsey Farmers Market, this is the final weekend in April. So the time on the market is from
10 to 1 starting in May. The hours expand uh from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Uh the EV car show sponsored by the Environmental Commission will be held this Sunday the 27th of April. Uh on March 4th, the Ramsey Area Garden Club
annual plant sale will be sponsored by the Women's Club of Ramsey at the Farmers Market. And the Women's Club of Ramsey is also running their heirloom tomato and veggie sale at the Masonic Lodge on May 17th. That's my report this evening. Thank
you. Thank you. Public safety Councilman Corman. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, first off, I would like to congratulate Joseph Sananti um being appointed to the Ramsey Police Department probationary police
officer and David Pertie to the Ramsey Rescue Squad. I also would like to um publicly thank our burough admin bureau administrator, Mr. Ros and team for managing our grant process that has resulted in a number of very helpful
grants being awarded to our bureau. Always love seeing those grants come in and it takes a lot of work to get them. For my public safety report, currently the Ramsey Emergency Services Complex project has been undergoing further review and assessment. The challenge
given to those design professionals involved to accommodate both the present and future needs of the Ramsey Volunteer Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and OEM, as well as to stay within the feasible budget parameters initially estimated regardless of the current rise in
inflation and construction costs. When satisfactory, meaning that conditions meet the affformentioned requirements, it will be presented to the full mayor and council and the public. Currently, there is no estimated date for this to occur. Once the proposed plan and bid
package is completed and reviewed within the bureau, it will need to be submitted to the state office controller for their review prior to going out to bid. And madame mayor, that is my report. Well, thank you. Building planning and zoning councilwoman Woods.
Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and Passover. Uh, congratulations to the Ramsey Police Department probationary officer, Joseph Sanante. We're very happy he's joined us. And congratulations to David Party on his appointment to the Ramsay rescue
squad. The design review board meeting scheduled for this past Tuesday was cancelled because we had no applications. Uh, the senior trustee board met Thursday, April 10th. The seniors are up to 628 members compared to last year of 490 members. So, the uh,
senior center is being happily used. They are writing uh letters of encouragement to high school seniors. There are um there were 13 senior citizens that participated in the Sam Wright cleanup day. Um they're having a movie night this Friday at the senior center. So looking forward to that.
They'll have all kinds of movie snacks. Um they're very excited. Carpet cleaning and window cleaning is being completed. Uh lastly, one of the board members mentioned that the town is in dire need of crossing guards. Uh they man 21 corners and pay I think $19 an hour. So
um reach out to the Ramsey Police Department if you know if you're interested or if you know anyone who would like to possibly do that. Um the zoning board heard two applications on April 16th. A residential application was approved and the commercial application for the Ramsey Golf and Country Club was carried to a later
meeting. And that is all I have. Madame Mayor. Thank you. Utilities buildings and grounds. Councilwoman Cusk. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I attended the Bureau of Ramsay's Office of Emergency Management Community Emergency Response
Team graduation and its 10-year anniversary last night, 22nd of April. There were 18 candidates who graduated as C members. These volunteers and our OEM instructors play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of
our residents and their willingness to give their time and skills is invaluable. And I'd also like to acknowledge Meredith is also a serve member. So, thank you. Uh, congrats to Joseph on his appointment Ramsey Police and thanks to David for his service on
the Ramsey Rescue Squad. My report tonight will provide an update regarding our planning board, shade tree commission and board of public works. For the Ramsey planning board, it met on April 15th and there were five waivers which were all approved. Three
businesses had waivers that pertained to space in the 663 East Crescent Avenue location. Um they were contingent, the waiverss were contingent on approval for that um 663 East Crescent Avenue. There was a public hearing, a continuation for
the 663 feast crescent plaza LLC and the project was approved. The meeting for May 6th has been cancelled. The next weing will occur on May 20th. The Shade Tree Commission met on April 17th. The next meeting is scheduled for the 15th of May. This year, there will be over 40
new trees planted in our burrow. The Board of Public Works met on Monday, the 21st of April. The next meeting is this 19th of May. Her and poly florinated substances POS are a group of chemicals used to make fluuro
polymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. There are US EPA POS water quality limits which impact our water supply. H2M, our architectural and engineering firm, is working with the Ramsey Water Department regarding
treatment approaches at our well treatment facilities at Arrow Road and at Darlington, Brookfield, North Central, and Spring Street. For the lead service line replacement, the Board of Public Works continues planning and implementing regarding the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's
lead service line replacement legislation. This project requires that all lead service lines served by the water system be replaced by the year 2031. Our team performed hydrant flushing so the water and sewer department completed the spring 2025
fire hydrant flushing program. Um there will be repairs made as necessary after the preventative maintenance work. And I also want to thank the team for their hard work on a water main break on Lake Street that recently occurred. 23 hours 23 hours, Madame Mayor said. So
incredible, Madame Mayor. That's my report for this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Public and governmental relations, Councilwoman Poppy. Thank you, Madame Mayor. First, I would like to um congratulate
Joseph uh Sinanti on his appointment to the Ramsey Police Department as probationary police officer and David Perie for his appointment to Ramsey Rescue Squad. Thank you in advance to for your service to our burrow. Uh last
night I also had the honor of attending the cert graduation. It was very well done. Um there were wonderful speakers including Councilwoman Cusk who gave a wonderful and entertaining
uh speech commending everybody's efforts on the search program. Um I hope to attend in the coming years as well. So um you know I appreciated the invitation. The Ramsey Municipal
Alliance will meet next on April 28th. Um Ramsey Stigmafree their walk and talkathon. The date moved. There were some scheduling conflicts at the high school. So they did have to move to Dator school for Sunday May 4th in the
afternoon. I believe that's noon. Um it should be a great event. They're doing a great job organizing everything. So, I encourage our residents to get out there and walk and learn more about um mental health and reduce the stigma. Um the
Lead Got Talent Leads Got Talent Show will be on May 17th. I just came from the auditions. We have a a very talented group of fifth graders and I would like to um just point out that Officer Bean is doing a great job with the lead
program. Um, so we're having great fun and I hope that everyone will come out May 17th to see those kids perform at Dator School at 6 PM. And um, the municipal pool early registration concludes on May 1st and their next
meeting will be May 21st. And that concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you. Health, Education, Social Services, Councilman Popalo. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh, congratulations to Joseph and David on their appointments and thank you for
your their service. Uh, congratulations to the 18 newly certified C members. I was at the ceremony last night. It was well attended and I appreciate their commitment and service. Uh, as for RIFE softball program begins this Saturday,
weather permitting. um at 4:26 at Finch Field number one 3M. Next week on 4:30, Reich will have a table at the resource fair at Smith School at 6 PM. Uh for environmental committee, I want a special thanks to the DPW for handling
the community garden tree trimming. That was something that was uh was kind of needed and they did it this week and got it completed. So much much appreciation for all that that was done and I'm sure they're going to be thrilled that it is done because they talked about it many
times at our committee meetings. Uh EV car show is 427 from 9 to 1 and styrofoam collection is May 17th at the Main Street train station from 10 to 12. The board of ed meeting is next scheduled meeting is 4:29. And that's
all I have. Thank you. Thank you for my report this evening. Um, thank congratulations on Joseph Sani being appointed as probationary police officer. He's actually transferring from another police department where um he'll
just have far more opportunities in Ramsey and we're a bigger department. There's more going on here. So, we're very excited about him joining us. Um, and thank you to David Per Party for joining Ramsey Rescue Squad and for going through all the training. I just want to remind everybody that tomorrow
the motor ve vehicle commission is doing inspection um program from 9 to 12 with the municipal pool and thank you to Bur Clerk Bending for organizing that. Okay. Okay. The PD must I'm I guess it's the PD because I know the PD put all the
signs up. But anyway, I'm I'm actually getting my car inspected tomorrow there. So, I'm very excited about that. Um, for people that need Real IDs, there are now emergency real ID appointments available. However, there are numerous restrictions on those appointments and
you also must go to Trenton to get it. So, if you need one, please go on the MVC website for all the details and to make an appointment. Um, congratulations to the CER graduates, all 18 of them. I'm sorry I could not be there last night. I was in the city and I got
delayed um, leaving the office. And to remind everybody that the RB RBSA parade is scheduled for this Saturday at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting. It's one of my very favorite parades because spring is here and all the kids look so cute in their uniforms and with all their
banners and all the enthusiasm that they have. So, let's hope the weather cooperates for this Saturday. And that's all I have. Burough clerk, I'm sorry, burrow administrator. Thank you, Madame Mayor. I have some comments tonight on agend
some topics and then resolutions and and ordinances. Uh first off, um it's in an ordinance later, but two items. One is the purchase of a new senior bus. Our current senior bus is at the end of its useful life and needs replacement.
Councilwoman Woods as leazison to the seniors worked in conjunction with senior president canals and senior coordinator Hagen to identify specifications needed in the new vehicle. This group along with the mayor worked with a local private company to obtain an extremely generous donation of
over $70,000 towards the purchase of a new senior bus. This donation is approximately half the cost and the burough is very grateful and appreciative. To facilitate the purchase of the new senior bus and brought will to take some action on a couple of
resolutions and an ordinance as follows. The new bus is being purchased from HR Ha Dehartson under a cooperative purchasing system with the Hunter County Educational Services Commission Commission. Last meeting, the governor body adopted the resolution which
authorizes us to participate in this cooperating pricing system. The burrow will be funding the remaining cost of the new bus after the generous donation. Ordinance 9 2025, which I'll comment on later. On the agenda tonight for introduction includes 80,000 of
funding to cover the remaining portion of the van purchase and any needed upfitting such as painting or lettering for identification as the current bus has. Uh at the May 14th mayor and council meeting, the public hearing on that ordinance 92025 will be held with a
vote on the ordinance adoption. And in addition at this meeting, there will also be a resolution to authorize the purchase of it of the senior van through the cooperative once the funding is in place. Uh also purchase of a new ambulance. The Ramsey Ambulance Corps
has two operating ambulances. One of these has been at the end of its useful life and the ambulance corps for a number of months has been looking into options for replacement and had identified a replacement option and recently the ambulance corps voted to move forward with their replacement
plan. This replacement pan plan has been escalated a little in timing as the second due ambulance recently broke down on a call when transporting to Valley Hospital. The repair of this ambulance would be approximately $30,000. And given its recent repair
record and the fact it has little remaining useful life, it does not make any sense to put money into it at this point. The replacement plan approved by the ambulance corps would be to use approximately 300,000 of their Ramsey Ambulance Corps funding to provide the
majority of the cost of the new ambulance with the burrow providing additional 70,000 to the dealer to fully fund the ambulance purchase. Similar to the senior van purchased, the governing body has to take action on resolutions and ordinances to complete the purchase.
The new ambulance is being purchased from First Priority Emergency Vehicles under Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract which we are already a member of. So we don't need any further action as we did with the other one on on the cooperative. The burrow will be funding the remaining cost of the new ambulance
after the ambulance cores funding. Ordinance 92025 on the agenda includes 70,000 funding to cover that portion which is a little under 20% of the total cost of the ambulance. And again at the May 14th meeting the public hearing on
that ordinance will be would be held for a vote on adoption. And in addition at that meeting there will be a resolution to authorize the payment for the burrow's portion of the ambulance through the soft well cooperative. Um resolutions on the
agenda tonight. Um people have spoken and congratulated Joseph Sananti as a probationary police officer. With the upcoming retirement of Sergeant Sanders, the bureau had conducted a process for hiring a new officer with the candidate pool focused on those who already had
their police training commission certification or PTC. Uh officer Sinanti has his certification and has been a police officer in Harding Township for about three years. He was in the pool of candidates recommended by the police command staff and was the unanimous selection from the public safety
intergroup interview group of Mayor Dylan, Council President Kilman, Councilwoman Cusk, and myself. His appointment is effective on May 1st. Resolution 88 uh is the assert insertion of a special item in the budget. When the bureau receives grants
or other revenue items subsequent to the adoption of the municipal budget that will have offsetting budget expenditures, the bureau may do a resolution to add that revenue to the current year budget revenue and have a direct offset line item on the appropriation side of the budget. On the
agenda tonight is the resolution for $1,120 of revenue received from the 2025 pedestrian safety enforcement grant. This revenue will be utilized to offset an appropriation line item for pedestrian safety program in line with the grant parameters. And resolution 90
on the agenda tonight uh was the extension of the Northwest Bergen Cooperative Pricing Program. Ramse's the lead agent for the 13 Northwest Bergen towns in a cooperative pricing agreement. On tonight's agenda was this resolution which registers the extension
of that agreement with the state for Ramsey continue as the lead agency. We have two ordinances for introduction on tonight's agenda, which I kind of mentioned. The first is the ordinance to authorize partial funding for capital improvements for the new acquisition of
a senior bus replacement and also a new ambulance replacement for the Rami Ramsey Ambulance Corps. It's a capital improvement ordinance with funding coming from budgeted funds to the burough's capital improvement account and therefore there's no no new debt incurred. The total ordinance is for
150,000 with 80,000 being allocated to partially fund the new senior bus replacement and 70,000 for the new ambulance replacement. Ordinance 10 2025 is an ordinance to establish restricted areas municipal building to safeguard public
records. This ordinance comes from discussions with our risk manager and joint insurance fund. Obviously, the bureau, its governing body, all recognize the importance of the rights guaranteed under the first amendment of the United States Constitution. These rights, along with those afforded in New Jersey state constitution, are subject
to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Burough officials and employees have a responsibility to maintain and safeguard public records that contain confidential information and information that exempt from disclosure by law. This ordinance allows the bureau to restrict public access to
areas within municipal buildings as necessary to safeguard confidential public records. That's all I have. Thank you. That was very fair. Okay. B administrator burough attorney. I'm found 100 tonight.
Burough attorney. Nothing better. Thank you. Burough clerk. Nothing. Thank you. Okay. Then we will move on to introduction of ordinances. Um, pass that down, please. Okay, sorry. No worries. Okay, so ordinance 092025.
Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um, intro or introduction of ordinance 09 2025. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance to authorize capital improvements for the purpose of acquisition of a new senior bus and partial funding of a new ambulance for the Ramsey Ambulance Corps
in the Burrow of Ramsey, Bergen County, New Jersey, and to appropriate the sum of $150,000 to pay the cost thereof. pass the first reading by title and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council to be
held on the 14th day of May 2025 7 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the municipal building in said burrow. And be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the burrow 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 for final passage and adoption. Thank you. I'm second. Madame Mayor, this is Councilwoman Cusk. I joyfully
second this. Okay, cool. Um, any comments? Um, I think, uh, burough administrator Jose has covered it extensively, so I don't have any comments. All I can say is that the seniors are overjoyed. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And also happy for the ambulance corps. So, terrific. Okay,
roll call, please. Councilwoman Cus, yes. Councilman Gotwer, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes. Councilman Papo, yes. Councilwoman Poppy, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes. Thank you. Okay. Ordinance 102025.
Thank you, Madam Mayor. Be it resolved that an ordinance entitled an ordinance amending and supplementing chapter 2 of the code of the bureau of Ramsey, County of Bergen, state of New Jersey to establish section 2-91 entitled municipal buildings
restricted areas to safeguard public records containing confidential or exempt information. pass the first reading by title and that said ordinance be further considered for final passage and adoption at a regular meeting of the mayor and council to be held on the 14th
day of May 2025 at 700 p.m. prevailing time or as soon after as the matter can be reached at the municipal building in said burrow. And be it further resolved that the burough clerk be and she hereby is instructed to publish in an official newspaper of the bureau in the manner
provided by law a copy of said ordinance together with the notice of introduction thereof and notice when the same will be considered for final passage. Thank you. Do we have a second? Second. Right. Any comments? Nothing beyond what Mr. Jose
cogently spoke about on this particular ordinance. Okay. Thank you. Can we have a roll call then, please? Council, yes. Councilman Gotweeter, yes. Councilman Kilman, yes. Councilman Papo, yes. Councilwoman Coffee, yes. Councilwoman Woods, yes.
Thank you. Any unfinished business or new business? No. Okay. May I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second. Second. All in favor? I I Thank you. All right.