Ready. I call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of the Bur River Edge, April 23rd, 2026, 7 p.m. regular meeting and on Zoom. I ask for a moment of silent reflection. Please stand, Councilwoman
of Darw. >> Remembering the victims and the families affected one year ago on the Pelgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir which took 26 innocent lives. May peace prevail. >> Councilman Feffer, if you'd lead us in the pledge.
>> Sure. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Statement of compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act. This
meeting complies with the Open Public Meeting Act by notification via January 9th, 2026. in January 16, 2026 sunshine notice cons uh containing the location date and time and access information to the town news and the record and by
posting of same on the municipal bulletin board and the burough website and filing notice of the same with the municipal clerk. Madame clerk, roll call, please. >> Sure. Councilwoman Monteo Cohen is absent with prior notice. Council President Gazella >> here. >> Councilwoman Malari >> here.
>> Counciloman Glass is absent with prior notice. Councilwoman Darwald >> here. >> Councilman Feffer >> here. >> Mayor Papaleo >> here. Could I have a motion and second to approve the minutes of the mayor and council regular meeting of March 12th and March 16th of the year 2026?
>> So moved. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Very good. Uh administrator's report. We're going to um Do you want to do that now or do you want to wait? >> Um I'll wait then. >> Good. Okay. Great. So, uh, we have a
very exciting, uh, experience. We are going to be promoting three of our officers. And before we do that, we actually have to, uh, record this as resolution. So, uh, and I'm going to do these, uh, as a group because they're going to be sworn in as a group. So
could I have um resolution 26-128-129 and -130 which are the author authorized the promotion of Michael McGinty to the position of police captain authorize the promotion of Marabati to the position of
police lieutenant. Authorize the promotion of Edward Blue to the position of police sergeant. Could I have a motion in a second? >> So moved. >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. All in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> Excellent. If I could call those three officers forward with the chief. Chief, do you want to do the swearing in separately or do you want to do that together? >> We want to do. >> We can do it either way, Chief. It's your call. >> I think we do. Do you want all three to come up and
witness each others or do you want us to go in order of Sergeant Blue to the captain or the captain to >> Captain? That's right. So, um, you're going to be in the center and you're raise your right hand so you can left side and you can stand right
here and then join me. Okay, raise your right hand and face the uh the public. Very good. An exciting moment. Repeat after me. I state your name. my own >> do solemnly swear
>> solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> state >> and that I
>> will bear true faith and allegiance >> will bear true faith >> to the same >> and to the government >> to the government >> established in the United States >> established in the United States and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority of the people >> I state your name >> I Michael >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faith >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> justly >> all the duties >> duty
>> as captain >> as captain >> of the River Edge Police Department >> of the River Edge Police Department >> to the best of my ability >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. You Uh, would you like to say a few words?
>> Would you like to say a few words? >> Uh, no, not at this time. >> Wait, >> we're going to stay here. >> Nice to meet you. Are you and you say swear or
>> please repeat after me. I state your name. I, Mark I, >> do solemnly swear >> do >> solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey
>> the state of New Jersey >> and that I >> that I >> will bear true faith and allegiance >> will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> the same >> and to the government >> to the government >> established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and in the state >> and in the state
>> under the authority to the people >> under the authority of the people. >> I state your name. >> I >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> all perform all the duties
>> as a lieutenant >> as a lieutenant >> of the River Edge Police Department. >> of the River Edge Police Department >> to the best of my ability to >> the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. We can find the elevator. >> I'll say a couple. >> Okay.
>> Uh, mayor, council, uh, my co-workers, chief, thank you for, uh, your trust. Um, I appreciate moving up to the next level where I will be able to utilize my experience and um
and knowledge uh to hopefully uh move us forward. And um I look forward to working with the patrol division. I look forward to working with the chief, to my family. Thank you. Um 28 years into my 29th. Uh it's been a long road and
you've seen the whole thing, so you know what it took to get here. Um, and to the residents, thank you for your support. Thank you for everybody that showed up today, my retired brothers that are out here that showed up. I appreciate that very much. Um, and
let's uh move this place forward. Thank you. Sergeant Edward Bloom, please come forward. You're here. All right, >> please repeat after me. I state your name. >> I, Edward Blue, >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey. that I >> that I >> will bear true faith
>> will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government >> and to the government >> established in the United States >> established in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority of the people >> I state your name >> I Edward Blue >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly ly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties
>> as sergeant >> as sergeant >> of the River Edge Police Force >> of the River Edge Police Force >> to the best of my ability. >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> She stole the show. Thank you. All right. Um, Chief, would you like to
say a few words? >> Excellent. >> Finger. >> We're good. >> So, just a few things. I want to I'd like to start by thanking all the officers on the police department. Um this has been a process that uh in our minds we started last July when we had a
vacancy had some bumps in the road that we ironed out uh along the way to get here. And during that time frame, you know, I think what's most important is to know that their dedication and um their work ethic kept them working
through all of it. uh delivering to the residents of River Edge and not letting uh the process which sometimes can take a while. That's it happens. Um but they dealt with it and we got through the obstacles and that's uh it's a tribute to every officer in the department. I
want to specifically thank Lieutenant Zedy, Sergeant Griffith and the PBA um who agreed to modify the procedure and that's part of you know the process that we had to work through uh which made made these promotions possible. I also wanted to thank Sergeant Diamond,
Sergeant Pryendorf, and Sergeant Sanchez who competed for Lieutenant, but they didn't get the spot. And um and you can see they're they're here. And I think that's a testament to um you know, they got right back in the groove. It's normal to be down. You didn't you know, you didn't win, you didn't get the spot.
Um but you saw I saw nothing of that in their work ethic. They came back to work. They were right in the game and they're doing a a same great job they were doing beforehand. I want to thank the the members of the council that took the time to understand
as I said it was it was a bit of a lengthy process this time. We had to work through some hurdles um you know the explanation of the table of organization that we had gone through and um to to really not only listen but several of you met with me and ask
questions to understand how important the table organization is which which um again we mentioned before but historically in this department the table organization that we have now and the number of officers that we have now is exactly the same as the department had over four years ago. Um, so you
know, it's uh it's it's great that we're able to keep it at uh the level in a place the spot where it is very important to the operations of the police department. I want to thank the residents who have shown their support um over basically the last 10 months or so and and always have and and continue
to do so. um we're uh you know they're very sincere about it and and I want them to know that we're very sincere about our dedication and our efforts into protecting serving serving the town and that's people that have come up to us. There's people that have called me,
texted me. Um just it's just a great community. Always have been. Everybody knows I'm prejudice to it because I love this town as much as I do. I want to thank Captain McGinty, Lieutenant of Body and Sergeant Blue. you guys have been basically working out of title for a bit of time um as we work through the
process and um and you've been doing a a great job at it and you know with a salary adjustment that is a bit delayed again something that we work through um it takes place a month from now and you guys haven't missed a beat um obviously congratulations to the three of you
worked hard to get here um I'm looking forward as basically you know you're all part of administration or the command staff and that's uh very important to me of the right people in the right cases and um you all did a great job getting to where you are.
And with that, this just end with um all of what I just said is all part of teamwork, which which you've heard me say and know the mayor and the council have heard me say it many times. The teamwork of this police department is I I really feel is unmatched to many departments that you'll find. Um we work
together. I have a command staff that sits together. We discuss things. We figure things out. I have officers that discuss things, then they bring it forward. I have a PBA president and a delegate that can come talk with me and I can talk with them and we iron things out. I think that's shown that we
haven't had a grievance in five years and um and and just again the example of look at everybody that's here to support these promotions whether they competed or not, they're still here and that's awesome. So, uh thank you again to everybody. Thank you to everybody in the
audience that showed up to um support us. Thank you to the council forward. >> Sergeant, Lieutenant Captain >> and Chief, would it be okay to invite Well, not everybody's in uniform, but would you like to invite everybody to
stand behind or just >> Maybe we'll do uh >> you can take as many motions as you like. >> The four of us and then >> Yeah. I bring the CL You guys want to jump up >> guys? Why don't you come up stand behind the way?
>> You guys move forward. >> Any retired guys want to come? >> Oh yeah. Any retired look good? place to investigate. >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> Compensation compensation for that.
Sure. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Okay. Um got to cover all the bills. >> So, our next order of business is uh the 2026 municipal budget public hearing and
adoption. Um just give everybody a moment. high school graduation. >> Yeah, >> this my lip reading is >> Yes. Yes, there is.
Chris is here. >> Yes. >> Would you do a split screen? >> I think he just has to turn his camera on. >> Ah, here we go. Great. Okay. Thanks.
>> Okay. Um, so our next order of business is the 2026 municipal budget public hearing and adoption resolution 26-131. Resolution to be read to read the budget by title only. Could I have a motion and
second to move resolution 26-131? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. It is open for debate. Is there debate? Hearing none. Madame Clerk, >> Council President Canella,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dari Wall, >> yes. >> Councilman Feffer, >> yes. >> Guys, it was very thoughtful of you to close the door, but because it's a public hearing, the door has to stay open. Thank you for being thoughtful,
though. Um, so it has been unanimously uh moved. Uh, so we now go to resolution 26-132, self-examination. Could I have a motion and second for resolution 26-132?
>> So moved. Second. >> Uh, it is open for debate. Is there debate? Hearing none. Madame clerk, I call the question. >> Sure. Council President Canella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Maleri, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Jarwell, >> yes. >> Councilman Feffer,
>> yes. Okay, at this point we have our CFO, Mr. Bag Chris. >> Betaglia. Uh Chris, if you could unmute yourself and please do uh an explanation to the public what we're hoping to
achieve and do a very sw uh do a essentially uh short version of the budget. Uh just the highlights, please. >> Uh just the highlights, mayor. Um we're adopting a a budget uh we after thorough
review with total appropriations of about $22.8 8 million. Uh the amount in taxes that we will raise to support that budget is about $17.5 million. It's a $4.5% increase year-over-year.
Um there there were very few major drivers. Um it was almost entirely made up of medical contributions uh that were increased um the premiums that were increased by the state uh health benefit uh commission
and um you know that's that's 61% of it right there and then the rest of it is almost entirely contractual items. So we were able to keep it down to a total increase of $767,000. um when 473,000
was medical benefits alone and this year that was really the the summary. Uh that that was the majority of our of our challenge. >> Excellent. Uh any member of council wish to make a statement about the budget
either now or prior to adoption? All right. Well, we'll move to the public hearing portion. Could I have a motion and second for uh to open on the budget only public hearing on the 2026 municipal budget? Could I have a motion second?
>> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> The public can make comments about the budget if they wish to do so at this time, but only the budget. >> Would you please check online? If you are remotely uh visiting, please
raise your hand if you'd like to speak on the budget. Seeing none, could I have a motion and a second to close to the public uh on the public hearing of on 2026 municipal budget? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I.
>> I. >> Could I now have a motion and second to adopt the 2026 municipal budget? Uh resolution 26-133. >> So moved. >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Is there
debate? Is any member of council wish to make a comment? Hearing none. I call the question. >> Council President Canala? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Malari? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Darwal?
>> Yes. Councilman Feffer? >> Yes. >> All right. So um we now have proclamations and award. Who is receiving the proclamation on behalf of for today's uh Arbor Day? All right. Well, uh I'll read it into
the record and then we'll um um we'll present it to the Shade Tree Commission. Um who is the liaison for the shade tree? >> Lisa. >> Lisa. But Lisa's Yes. Lisa can't be here today. Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling
Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And
whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water and cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper,
wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in the in our city increase property values, enhance the economic viability of business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees wherever they are planted are a
source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, I Thomas Papileo, mayor of the Burough River Edge, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the Burough River Edge. And I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees
and woodlands. And further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations. So that's our proclamation. And on Friday, we will have a planting where I'll I believe I can make it. Uh I will
reread it. Um uh and if I cannot be there, uh I'm sure there are others, but I I believe I can OBV uh USA 250 or the River Edge 250 day tree planting at um Brookside Park. And so hope to see many
of you there. All right. Uh presentation of insurance alternatives. Uh gentlemen, if you could hold um for a second uh uh Lizette, did you want to speak first? >> Yes. I just wanted to give a history.
>> Sure. >> Um of where we stand with the insurance. Um and it's it's been very eye opening learning about insurance, health insurance, and IRS regulations, but it all goes back as far as I've been here
since the fall of 2022. Um, when the 2023 premiums were reported that they were increasing by 22%. I requested our claims history and it was shopped around through our risk manager with uh an insurance broker uh
with the health insurance funds that existed at the time and directly with insurance companies. However, based on our claims experience, no other insurance entity offered the burough coverage. Fast forward a little bit to the summer of 2024. The difference card
was presented to the unions which would require everyone to move from the direct 10 to the 2035 plan. That's a $20 co-pay for primary 35 for specialists. There was no interest from the unions in proceeding with this option. However, it
is important to note that while the premiums for all other medical plans increased by 36% this year, the 2035 plan received a 54% increase due to the number of entities who had employees switched to this plan
to use in conjunction with the difference card. A little more recent history. In July of 2025, I requested claims history since the original reported increase for this year was estimated to be 29%. I received the medical claims report in early
August and the prescription claims report in late August. Upon upon receipt of each claims report, I forwarded them to the risk manager for the shopping around process. On October 16th, I received the proposal from New Jersey Solutions, which I reviewed with
our CFO. And on October 20th, I met with Connor Strong to go over the proposal and steps that were required in the event the mayor and council wanted to switch. Uh this information was presented to the employees on October 23rd who requested that the mayor and council remain in the state health
benefits program. However, if the mayor and council wanted to change and have it effective January 1st, a resolution to opt out of the state program is required and the state had to be notified by October 31st. The state requires 60 days notice. The
mayor and council decided not to switch insurance carriers. In November of 2025, a bill based on Governor Murphy's proposal um that eliminated all the plans to reduce them to a direct 3550 PO, the tier network plan and an high
deductible plan with a health savings account was proposed, but no legislation moved forward to provide relief to schools or local entities for the 2026 increases. And most of the same bills were introduced again in January and still remain in committee. Over the past
few years, the state has lowered premium increases, but for state employees only. This new year, I received a request to revisit the difference card from one group of employees. Another group requested to look into a high deductible plan, citing Butler, Glenrock, and Orido. I hadn't heard back from
Glenrock. Um, but our labor council did not recommend mandating enrollment in a high deductible plan. I spoke with the Oregon administrator who said they implemented a volley voluntary transition to the high deductible plan, but according to the administrator, the
voluntary transition is not yielding enough relief and they're looking at other options. Butler responded to me that they did implement a high deductible health plan incentive program modeled with a health savings accounts of 2500 for single coverage and 5,000
for spousal parent child or family coverage as well as health reimbursement arrangements HAS of 3,700 for single coverage and 7,400 for spousal parent child or family coverage funded by that bureau. According to the Butler's administrator, participation was not
mandatory. However, it was incentivized through collective bargaining and during negotiations, they removed the direct 10 plan and tied salary increases to enrollment levels. If 70% of the union members enrolled in this high deductible
plan, raises would be 4% annually. If the threshold was not met, the raises would be limited to 2%. And the same offer was given to the non-UN employees with the same thresholds. 49 out of 50 enrolled. They have they haven't had any
issues with HSA funding or access. But early challenges are now emerging with the HRA utilization primarily related to employees navigating the explanation of benefits documentation and reimbursement procedures. Nevertheless, Butler's 2026
budget increase will be at 6.49%. On January 15th, since the lame duck legislative legislative session ended without any changes to the health insurance program, I requested our risk manager to look into options based on the suggestions received from the employee groups and asked if we can
engage in a shared service with another municipality. With regards to shared service, that's what the health insurance funds are for. On March 9th, I asked our risk manager if we can join the county since they are self-insured based on a recommendation from a member of our citizens budget committee. The
next day, I was informed that the county is not allowing any municipality to join their insurance. On March 26th, I received a proposal on combining the difference card with the high deductible plan. On March 29th, I received the current proposal from New Jersey Solutions, which would offer
coverage effective July 1st without soliciting a new medical and prescription claims report. I met with insurance representatives and the labor attorney on April 2nd. It was not recommended moving forward the high deductible plan with difference card option because based on the mid-year
analysis by the state, it appears that the high deductible plan will receive a greater increase and the rest of the plans for 2027, similar to what happened with the 2035 plans. I provided a memo for the governing body that day to review and discuss on their April 9th
close session. On April 13th, I notified employees that a presentation by a risk manager in Connor Strong Buckaloo regarding the potential of joining New Jersey Solutions would take take place on April 17th. It was a meeting of over two hours that included participation by
employees asking questions and stating their concerns. If the mayor and council want this change to be effective July 1st, a resolution is still required to opt out of the state program and the state has to be notified by April 30th. So, as you
see, it's a very time consuming process and it takes time um to receive information through the state and for risk managers and authorized insurance brokers to receive proposals. And as I had explained in this year's budget meeting, the state conducts its
open enrollment every October in which all employees can change their plans. Currently, there are six PO levels to select through either Horizon or Etna, one HMO plan again through Horizon or Etna to choose from, one tiered plan
through Horizon or Etna, and two high deductible plans to select through Horizon or Etna. The coverage levels and corresponding premium rates are single, member, spouse, parent, child, and family. It is a balancing act for employees to choose the right plan for themselves and their dependent. And
based on the employees salary, one can be paying up to 35% of the medical premium. Co-pays are a factor depending on one's health condition and frequency of medical visits. The high deductible high plan recommendation that
has been mentioned does provide a premium that would be about half the cost of the New Jersey New Jersey direct 10 plan. With the direct 10 plan all primary and specialist co co-pays are $10 with no deductible, a 10% co- insurance for select services and total
out-ofpocket maximum of $400 for individuals and one $1,000 for family for in network services. With the high deductible plan, the deductible must be met first, which is 4,150 for individuals and 8,300 for families,
including eligible prescription cost share. Then all medical visits medical visits except the physical requires a 20% payment of the cost after the deductible is met. And that also applies to prescription cost share. and a total
out-ofpocket maximum of 5,150 for individuals and 10,300 for family including eligible prescription cost share. A health savings account can be tied into the high deductible plan which can be funded by either an individual
and or their employer at a maximum of 4,400 for individuals and 8,750 for family coverage. These limits are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. The health savings account can be withdrawn to pay for qualified medical expenses. Can earn interest.
Unused funds can be carried over annually and the account belongs to the employee, not the employer. Even if the employer is contributing to the HSA, if an employee leaves, he or she takes the health savings account with him or her. The purpose, and this was said
yesterday, um, at the state health benefits plan design committee meeting, the purpose of the high deductible plan is for those who could afford self- insurance and are healthier. The premium is lower because the exposure is greater to the participant. However, due to
employer incentives to move to this plan, the more expensive risk pool is joining that that level. The number of claims isn't changing, just which plan it is going under. And again on yesterday's committee call it was emphasized that the 2027
um increases will have greater premium adjustment to the high deductible high plan as what had taken place with the 2035 plan and that is the background information on this matter. >> Okay. Very good. Um so our presenters please come forward uh bring an extra
chair and state your name >> and your uh role. >> Yes. Good evening, mayor and members of the governing body, counselor, administrator, out. >> While they're doing that, uh I just want to emphasize that it is the responsibility of the uh business
administrator to bring uh before the council any proposed u health benefit program that could meet the criteria of River Edge. And that is being recommended by our risk manager or at least um the risk manager is not um not
recommending it and uh because of the tight deadline uh for July 1st uh this is why we've had the compressed presentation uh the council is going to hear the presentation and then the council is going to decide whether they
wish to include a resolution at the end of the presentation to uh that would inform the state that we would be moving. If the council chooses to do that, that would uh begin the two-month time period. If the council chooses not
to do that, then nothing would change and everything would remain the same. >> So, thank you, mayor. Good evening, everyone. >> Uh would you turn on your green light? >> And your green light is on. >> Ezio, if you could know everyone here,
you know me. I'm Ezio Alamura. Matt McGarero works with me. We're from the Jim Otteret Insurance Agency. We are the risk managers appointed by this governing body for the burough of river for the past 10 years. I have with me Scott Davenport. He is our health broker from Connor Strong and Buckloo. Lzette
did an excellent job in itemizing really from start to finish of what's transpired in the past eight months. um as your risk managers and insurance brokers, just to reiterate a little bit, um we knew when that increase of 36 and a half% was coming down January 1 back
on July the 11th. On July 13th, we contacted all our public entity clients uh with Connor Strong and Buckloo to say, "We're here to help you. We can try to look for alternatives, see how your loss experiences, and as Lette uh basically enumerated, we went
through the process." So, um, this is where we're here right now. This one sheet was actually distributed at our Zoom meeting last week because we had a a very robust meeting for two hours and great questions were asked by um the members of the employees and the unions.
Um, so with that said, I'm going to turn it over to Scott. He is our health broker. He is an expert in health insurance. He's been in the health insurance business as I've been in the property casually for over 30 years. he can answer questions and we'll field any
questions that anyone has. >> Great. Thank you, Ezio. Good evening and uh I really want to commend the administrator. That's probably the most thorough explanation I've heard about how this has gone for the last few years. So, >> Scott, >> yeah, very very good. So, we're really
at a at a point where obviously the state health benefit plan has been around for a long time. um people are comfortable with it and obviously remaining there is an option. However, the financial status of the state health
benefit plan, it's actually not treading water. It's actually getting worse. And um as the administrator mentioned, there was a plan design committee call earlier this week where the state's consultant AON gave an update on on how things are
are running. And I would say in 2026, we've seen the most number of entities exit the state plan than we've ever seen before, probably the last 10 years combined. Uh it's it's and it's only increasing. We have multiple groups
leaving June, July, um maybe even further than that. So the the the opportunity to get out of the state plan is is here and we have that that um that chance to do that. Um I don't want to
speculate too much because that's never a good thing. But when we look at the financials and look at what the state's consultant AON has said, um just a few things I might highlight. At the end of this year, they were expecting to have
two months of cash on hand to pay claims in reserve, which makes the plan sound financially. They're predicting that they're going to have minus one and a half months of cash. The difference between minus one and a half months and
a positive two months is 26% of the premium. So, right off the bat that they're they're short 26%. Then you look at uh medical inflation or trend is is the term that gets used in
our industry. Medical trend um is about 10%. Pharmacy trend is about 20. And when you look at trend, you're not looking at a 12-month period. You look at a longer period because of the time a claim is incurred before it gets to be
presented. It tends to run about an 18-month cycle. So an annual trend of 10 over 18 months is really about 15. And then you look at the fact that the uh state government plan has lo uh loaned
the local government plan $200 million and that still has not been accounted for. So when we start adding these things up, you know, we're we're expecting potentially, and I don't know this to be a fact, so I I want to be careful what I say, but we we're
actually expecting an increase worse than what we saw for January of 26, that doesn't mean that's going to happen, but if you just follow the financials and look at the reports, and the reports I'm referring to are available on the state's website. So
this is not uh myself or the administrator or anyone making up information. It's actually published by the state's consultant. It's available online. And you know um basically the term we would use is this plan is in a
death spiral. We don't know whether it's going to be in existence beyond a year or two. We don't know if the state's going to come in and come to the rescue. It doesn't seem likely based on the amount of money that uh would be involved. So, we do have an opportunity
to exit. There are lots of um public entity clients that unfortunately are not going to have that option and they're going to have to remain in the state because it would cost them more to get out. Um, we actually do probably for the first time
ever in my 36 plus years of doing this have clients that have said to us, if we have to pay a little bit more to get out now, it makes sense because of what is coming down the road. And I'm not suggesting that you do that here because we obviously have a chance to to save uh
save some premium dollars. About 6 and a half% roughly is what we could save over the current 2026 state rates. So, um I do know that the high deductible plan has been very popular. Um we have clients that have done it. So, they've
um you know what we've done with the state health benefit plan, you know, we've known for some time that some of the pricing models that they use between their plans don't make sense, but the state sets the rates and we play by their rules. And we've been able to help
a number of our clients. First it was with the 2035 card with the difference card and then um with the high deductible plan either with an HA or an HSA. Um but it's very clear again from those reports um that they're going to
correct those issues in the 2027 renewal. Uh and like the administrator said the high deductible health plan is about a 50% savings compared to direct 10. I don't know the specific number because it has not been announced yet, but I would suspect that number is going
to get cut in half. So, if you're looking at a 25% savings and looking at the size of those deductibles uh that the uh high deductible health plan has, most likely that's going to be a much less appealing alternative. So,
and actually in the in the quote that we got from NJ Solutions for that same high deductible health plan, that 50% savings didn't exist because the actuaries or NJ Solutions and and for any HIF quite frankly, they know that that 50%
isn't really accurate. So, they they're not going to certify that rate. So, that really is not an option going forward. So our suggestion would be to to move to the NJ solutions if July 1st. Um the benefits have been guaranteed to be
equal to or better than one of the nice things about that particular fund is they utilize Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield. So we don't have any concerns about any provider disruption. So any provider that any employee uses today that participates with the Horizon, it's
the same exact network, same plan designs, that's guaranteed in writing, and it's an opportunity to uh reduce our cost. And I think more importantly, in 2027, again, we don't know the final numbers, but I would expect any renewal that we
would have from the health insurance fund would probably be half of what it would be as compared to remaining in the state. So, I know that a lot of this was covered by the administrator who did a fantastic job going through the uh
through the timeline of the state and some of the things that that drive us crazy where, you know, they take 60 days to give you your claims experience. They make you pay for it. Um, and they want 60 days notice to leave. So, they don't
make it easy. They make it's a challenge and it's a lengthy process. But, uh, at the end of the day, we have an opportunity to to move and not have to go through that process again because if we don't take advantage of this now, we'd have to start over. We'd have to
request our claims again. We start that first 60-day window and, you know, the clock would would start over again for January. And this the the thing we the risk we'd be taking is we we don't know what our claims how much they've changed
because we have data through June. So that data is starting to get a little old and fortunately we were able to, you know, not have any change in our numbers if we make the make the change for July 1st. So if there's any questions, I'd be
happy to answer them. But so I want to thank you for your presentation. Uh we're going to open to the council in just a moment. Uh I did I don't know how many of the council were able to either be part of or watch the uh the presentation that happened uh last week.
Uh I'd like to say that uh the business administrator informed me of this option about two weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago. Uh and I had said that uh we want to make sure that we organize a meeting uh that uh with all those pre uh
with with our res uh not our residents, our employees so that they can ask questions. Uh that was the meeting that happened last week. I was uh out of state. Uh I also did listen into the um uh state health benefit plan uh design
committee meeting. Um and what I heard is what was reported. Uh I also directed the u business administrator to make sure that that link was sent to all of the employees and I believe that some of them did were able to attend. Um so I
don't uh at this point I don't need to ask questions. I think there's been a thorough presentation. I think the council needs to ask questions as they see fit or make comments as they see fit. Uh what would we uh where will this go? Just to reiterate, if the council
feels that this is not the time or it's uh or the pres the it's too compressed time for for us to move forward. Um then the council would simply not take any action at the end of this and no resolution would be added to the agenda.
If the council feels that it is time, then I would ask for a motion second. Uh and the council would then take a vote on whether to put the resolution on the agenda. And then of course there would be another vote when it comes to the resolution. Um and there was one other thing I I had
to say. Um give me a moment. Um I've Oh, I absolutely understand uh the employees concerns about the compressed uh two weeks. Uh this is uh I
would like to say that the it would have been better if we had more time. Um and I sure I'm sure the council is going to consider that in their deliberation. I also asked um the PBA offered but I also directed the uh the administrator to uh
pull uh to the best of their ability or or to encourage to the best of your ability the DPW and the uh non-contractual to uh offer their thoughts. Uh that was shared with the council. um they I should say uh I don't
wish to represent anyone's position but uh the um PBA the DPW and the non uh non-contractuals feel that this is not the time for us to move and the council should consider that too. Um and uh so
any member of council would like to ask a question of our professionals. Mayor, I don't have a question, but I have a comment, but I will wait until everybody asks their questions first until to the very end to make my comments. Sure, that's okay. >> Absolutely. Anyone else? Go ahead. Yeah,
just I just have one question, but I do want to preface it with a comment and and that is just to thank our bureau administrator for doing an outstanding job of of research, and this is on top of everything else that she has to do with her very busy responsibilities and
her very busy job. Um I you know however this this goes I think that everyone should appreciate that the burough administrator you know basically had to become an instant expert on insurance and >> thanks
>> you know as as I think our our real experts can testify um you can spend 20 years in the insurance business and and it's still a learning process. So um yeah so thank you for that. Um it's also a big help to all of us because we're
trying to digest this information also. Um and so my question is just based on uh and and by the way thank you. I did get a chance to watch the video. I wasn't able to attend the meeting but I did watch the video of the meeting and I thought all the presentations and all the comments and all the questions were
were excellent and very helpful. Um so appreciate that. Uh my question was on something that you said just today and that is that you mentioned that you do have clients who have chosen the HD model and I'm just wondering if you can
expand on that a little bit in terms of where where those municipalities are, why they chose that model. Uh did they did any of them choose that model over NJ solutions? Just a little more information on that would be helpful.
>> Sure. So we have uh clients all throughout the state. Um a number of them started with the 2035 plan uh back in 2024 and took advantage because that that plan design compared to direct 10 it's
it's a much simpler way of doing things. And as the administrator mentioned one of the towns that you would talk to there were issues with the explanation of benefits form. So, with the 2035 plan, there's not as much work on the employees part because it's just
basically swiping your card for most things that are covered with a co-pay. Um but the state recognized the rating differential which was about 24% between the 2035 plan and the direct 10 plan at
the time was um creating an adverse position for the state. Which is why the the 2035 plan received a 55% increase um last year. And because of that um other
options started to be looked at and the next um biggest pricing differential where you could make the math work was on the high deductible high option. So there were two ways to go about the high deductible health plan option. You could
do an HRA, which is employer funded, and um you could also do uh the high deductible plan with an HSA. Very few do both. It's typically one or the other. Uh and and the the reason that works is
because there's currently about a 50% difference in premium between the cost of Direct 10 and the high deductible health plan. So there's lots of savings to benefit both the employee and the employer even with incurring that much
higher deductible. The deductible for family in 2026 uh is $8,400 and the out-of pocket max is either 10,400 or 12,400 depending on whether you're in network or out of network. So it's it's much higher than the $1,000
let's say per family under direct 10. So, uh, because the math worked, that's why a lot of other public entities moved to that plan. And, um, if the state was going to continue that relationship
differential, that would still be a viable option. But uh several times when when the when the consultant AON reported to the state health benefit commission uh it was three or four weeks ago I believe and then earlier this week
when they met with the plan design committee and it's actually in their reports um they referenced the fact that um they have to address that problem because it's not working. they're losing money because the whole premise of how
they develop their rates uh is not working. So again, we don't know the specific number. Um and just to you know, this is this is kind of what the report looks like. So this is what's available online. AON is the state's consultant and you can you can look you
can look that up and look through it. But but um we do at at Connor Strong we do have uh licensed actuaries that work for us and uh actually one of them used to work for AON and used to work on the
state plan. So very familiar with how things work. So I had recently um talked with him about what we think's going to happen to that rate differential. And again, I I don't know and we won't know until July when they announce it, but we
expect that to go from about 50% to about 25. So, we expected to be cut in half. So, when you look at a a $68,000 premium for family and then 34, it's no longer going to be 34. It might be
50. Let's say that's about that's about a number in the middle. So when you start doing those calculations of funding that significant out- of- pocket max, the the math isn't isn't going to work because there's not enough savings to fuel paying those additional expenses
because of the deductible and saving money. That's why that um that is not going to be a feasible alternative in 2027 if the state follows through on what they've said several times and put in writing that they're going to do. If
they maintain the 50% then you can unwind everything I just said and it would be a viable alternative. And a lot of groups that did this, it it's it's a one-year it's a one-year savings. And
and I understand why an employer would do this for trying to stay a step ahead and trying to save money. You have to do this because of what the increases are and the and the havoc that it re uh you know reres on your budget. I mean, you have no choice. Um but the state is in
the process of closing that loophole. Um, we have one client that did the tiered network option, commonly known as Omnia. And, uh, we did go to the state last year for approval to put in the
difference card with Omnia and, um, they would not allow it. Um, I'm not sure why. I sent them plenty of information from the federal government how that would that would work, but the state declined to allow that. So they only
allow it with the high deductible health plan or the 2035 plan. So the really there are no other plans left. And the state did um make some changes to the state government plan that are starting
in July. Those same options are available to local government starting in July. For any employee that has a lifestyle event change or if you hire a new employee, there'll be additional options that are available in the normal
October open enrollment time frame. Those plan designs are pretty drastically different and they save about 2.2% on the premium. So, I don't know why any employee would change their benefits drastically to
save basically nothing. So, that's not going to help either. So, um you know, having a way to exit that seems to be the best strategy and then um you know, you go
from there. But um unless something dramatic happens, the state plan is it's not going to recover is my personal opinion. >> So thank you for that. So just a quick followup. Um >> and I just want to make sure I heard you
correctly. So the state the structure that exists presently could change dramatically in July. We just don't know. If it does change dramatically, then the high the high deductible option
is not really realistic or practical. If it doesn't change, then we unwind everything you just said and it becomes a viable option. But there's no way to know until after July 1st. Is that right? >> Yeah. When the state meets in July when
they introduce the rates for 2027, that's when we'll know. But they've put it in writing twice and they've said it in two different meetings that they are going to do it. So I'm I'm taking them at their word that that they're going to
address the rating differential because it's only accelerating their problem. It's causing the losses to be greater than they expected them to be. >> So when you say they're going to do it, what what does that mean? They're going to make some change, but we don't know what change,
>> right? So, as an example, if all the plans go up 40%. They could say the high deductible plan, it's going to go up 60%. So, you shrink that 50% difference between direct 10 and the high
deductible health plan. And the the smaller that gap is, the less viable it is for the math to work, for the employee to benefit and the employer to benefit. I mean that's that's why these plans have come about because there's a
mutual benefit because of the cost. Okay. Thank you. My pleasure. >> Any other member of council would like to ask a question? >> Thank you, Councilman Sher. >> Mayor, may I make a comment? Sure. I think it's important for the governing body to know that Scott's mentioned this
in the meeting last week and with many of our clients, the state health benefits plan, the rates are derived by the way they figure them out. They really don't have the same actuarial experience as these health insurance funds have. So the rate in Salem County,
some municipal government there is the same rate as in River Edge. So the rates go across the board. the New Jersey Solutions Health Insurance Fund, the actuaries promulgated the rate based on River Edge's experience. So that 6 and a
half eight% 6 and 8% savings. Is your rate your rates different than if Orodel applies and get accept gets accepted? Actuaries actually look at health insurance funds and say this is what we need to charge because this is what we think the experience is going to look
like based on past experience. this is what it's going to look like moving forward and then they get adjusted every year for the new year. They're on an annual basis. The state health benefits just has this big pool of every state employee. Of course, there's the state employees, there's the municipal, and then there's the school boards. They
just look at it and say everybody's going up at this number. So, there's sound underwriting and actuarial experience in health insurance funds where at the state level it's different. And Scott, is that that's fairly >> Yes. Yeah. the state takes all comers where health insurance funds or the
commercial market they don't accept everybody. They're going to underwrite you and look at your risk. >> I did not know that. >> And that's no different than we're in the Burton County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. Yeah. >> That's a pool started 40 years ago. Um we have in the Mel system we have out of
70 Burn County towns. In our different pools, we have I think about 65 out of the 70 towns. So we don't leave it once we join unless there's a better alternative. and I risk manage with many different funds I work with and the reasons I can't get out of some of the funds is because of claims experience on
a property and casualty side. So we take that rate for the 38 members in the Bergen GIF. We look at it, they strike a budget. Lzette is one of the fund commissioners. The actuaries come in. They say this is what we think we need. We need this kind of an increase. And then it's usually shared amongst the 38
members. If someone has very bad experience, they may go up 3% and the other one may go up only 2%. But it's a poolled fund based on sound actuarial underwriting. That's how the health insurance fund works the same way unlike the state.
>> Right. So actually I do have a question now that um thank you uh councilman because those questions actually illuminated. So if the council chose to take no action tonight and we waited till the July meeting, what then would
be the option for the employees and the burrow and the people of River Edge? So we would have to request our claims experience again and basically start over. So the uh bureau would send a letter to the state along with a check
for $2,000 and request uh your claims experience. They'll give you the most recent 24 months and that information would we go through the same process. Um the state would provide the medical claims and the prescription claims >> and that's essentially our history.
>> Yes. >> Not the history of anybody else. >> Just your history. And then we would submit that to the insurance market, you know, just like we did last time, whether it's the BMED, whether it's NJ Solutions, wherever it is, and seek competitive proposals. And the the
outcomes could be no one is willing to write us because our claims have changed since June of last year. >> Okay. >> Um we could get a proposal of a similar relationship to the numbers we have now.
It it could be better. It could be worse. But the the biggest concern is um because we don't know what's happened. Uh there could be a couple of employees that or dependents that go on a specialty medication and they may be
totally fine, but that medication is required and it could cost 150 $200,000 a year. Doesn't take very many of those to have a significant impact on your loss ratio which would make you less desirable uh to a health insurance fund or to the
commercial market. So there's a very real chance that we would be stuck in the state regardless of what their increase is. And again, based on everything that's been publicly released, we expect a significant rate in rate increase for 2027.
>> Okay. So you're you're saying there's basically a gamble, but if the gamble is not if it doesn't prove to be a fatal gamble, then we could put out we could ask for
uh we could put out to the market and the market could come back with offers. Um, and if the market came back with offers, how much time would we have to either accept them or reject them? And would
that then be a January 1st deadline? >> So the the next date would be January 1st. And so what we we'd like to have claims experienced through June. So, in order to get that data, we typically uh >> So, we couldn't if say the council chose
to take no action tonight, we couldn't simply tomorrow send them a check for $2,000 and then begin the pro to get ahead of the process. >> I mean, you you could, but what I would suggest is because um an underwriter will only go out so far uh with the
data. So, they're going to want for a January effective date because we'd be starting over, they're going to want claims through June. And the only We couldn't do like a September effective date or >> you could, but um if we started today, we've got to go 60 days
>> for uh the state to give us the information >> and then it's a 3 to four week turnaround time to get the proposals and then you review them and then you have to give the state 60 days notice if you're going to leave. So that's a
minimum of five, more like six months. So, probably the earliest we could go would be probably November. >> November 1st. >> Okay. Something for the council to consider.
>> Yeah. And then what would happen is if with most funds because they run on a calendar year basis. >> Yeah. >> They would give you a rate for two months and then whatever that fund renews in January, you'd have a 12-month renewal at at whatever that fund's renewal was. >> Yeah. But I think everybody expects
that. I get that. Yeah. But it's good to say it because maybe not everybody understands it. Okay. Um so uh so we we've heard the testimony. >> We got the comments. >> Yeah. No, I'm going to I'm going to come to you a second. So we've heard the
testimony. Uh we are uh we are um the council is uh received documentation on this. Uh and the council's also uh uh we we've uh made a a good faith effort to inform the u the the employees. Um we
have 45 employees who accept insurance. Uh uh the PBA is about a third. The DPW is about a third. Correct. >> Uh 14 for the PBA, >> 12 for DPW, >> 12 for DPW, >> 17 non-represented and two library.
>> Two library. Um, so this is who we're we're um we're considering uh staying or or leaving uh the state health benefits for. So I just want to kind of like summarize that. Um I think uh the we
also got from uh all pretty much uh all the 45 employees their opinion about what they would like for us to do on their behalf and that's also something for us to consider. So comments. >> Uh thank you mayor. I just uh have a few
comments. Uh one thanking um our BA Lette Arcatella for the history that she just explained to everyone and the idea of switching. It's been inferred that the idea of switching health uh providers or health insurance has been sprung on the employees is is a little
bit misleading. Um when the state insurance rates uh began to balloon for municipalities in the last few years, RBA has been looking into alternative plans. Last year, NJ solutions was discussed and employees were notified about this possible alternative. All
burough employees asked the mayor and council not to switch carriers because this group was too new to the market to switch and there was the promise of relief from Trenton, which did not happen again. This past year, River
Red's budget was hit with was hit with a cost of $473,000 for employee health insurance. This prompted another round of shopping for uh our RBA for possible alternatives which was mentioned in the budget
meetings. The shopping must be done through risk manager using an insurance broker broker due to the complexity of medical insurance as per the New Jersey state controller. The state controller recommends letting insurance brokers do what they do best, evaluate the quality
and cost of insurance. As we know, getting information from the state takes some time. Um, our BBA BA received the proposal that is being discussed just three weeks ago. New Jersey Solutions were are here to pre present a viable
alternative for the mayor and council to consider without the need to solicit claims history at this time. Um, just on a note, furthermore, like when my law firm changes insurance companies, I don't get a say. They don't ask me what I what I think. Um, as I as
I'm sure many in the corporate or public sector uh would can attest to. Um, I could not attend the April 17th presentation but watched it after the fact. The state treasur treasurer's office released a report dated May 19th,
2025 which was mentioned during the presentation called structural and financial challenges in the state health benefits program for local government executive summary. I would like to read into the record part of the conclusion to the report.
The SHBP local government program has reached an inflection point. What began as a commitment to offer to offer affordable highquality coverage to public employees has become structurally unstable driven by adverse selection,
diminished participation and cost escalation. The plan's very high actuarial values, a depleted claim stabilization reserve, and a static governance model have have created a self- reinforcing loop of premium
increases and employer exits. What actuaries commonly refer to as a death spiral. Sorry, just came up. Um, local governments and state employees do not know what the rate will be in 2027,
but we can surmise it will be equal to or better than last year's increase. Earlier this week, the state treasurer testified that based on the plan actuaries midyear reports and SHBP local government fund levels, it is possible
that rate increases could be as high as the rate increases we experienced last year. And in in summary of the report um premiums are for 2027 could be just
under 40% in 2028 50% and in 2029 60%. With that said the mayor and council can I say the what I think we should do or wait >> you can. >> Okay. >> Because we're still in debate. >> Okay.
>> But this is this is part of debate. So you're you're >> I'm okay with you're doing what you're supposed to do. >> Okay. Uh with that said, the mayor and council hear our employees and their concerns. I believe at this time our best course of action for all involved would be to wait until we get the final
numbers from the state, but preemptively request another round of the claims reports and shop around if needed. Even under this scenario, since receipt of the claims reports already takes 60 days, the soonest we can expect to receive any proposals to consider would
be late September to early October and we will need to make a decision by October 31st. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any comments? I'm just going to um be giving in u
that we should wait till the state comes up with the the new rates or the new program whatever they're doing in July and uh then we'll take it from there. >> Right. Any thoughts? Any comments? >> Is that a motion? It can be.
Do >> you want? >> Well, it doesn't need to be a motion because we only need a motion if you would like to move for us to uh to inform the state that we're leaving. Now, if you're thinking to wait, then no motion and you just simply say I agree
or disagree to whatever degree because that's this type of informal setting >> and then no vote would be taken. >> No vote would be taken. >> Well, then my comment is I agree. we should gather more claims history and
take an actual vote on this later in the year. >> Yourself? >> I agree too. >> I think that's a prudent course too. Um but I do want to emphasize the fact that um that our BA has done a phenomenal job
that uh she was obligated to bring forward to the council and to the employees uh the information she only received three weeks ago. uh that um that will now um I think it makes sense
to wait um we'll wait until July. Um we will have to decide whether we want to wait till July to get the um new claims history or we want to do that now. Um you're saying that we should wait to your recommendation is not to get the
claims history right now. If we're looking to move January 1st, my recommendation would be to wait until we can get data through June, which would mean we'd request a letter around July 22nd. >> Is there a benefit to us by trying to look to move in November if we get a bad
report in July? >> You would you'd save two months potentially you'd save two month two months of the current year's increase. So that if assuming the numbers were the same, we'd save that 6 and a half% for the last two months of the year versus 6 months of the year. So there there could
be some value in that. So if you if you want to do it now, that's totally fine. We'll we'll um there's actually been a change to the procedure, but we'll we can get a form letter with the changes to the administrator, you know, by Monday at the latest so that we can get
started. So um it's uh it's it's the will of the council and I agree with it that we are going to wait do we wish to wait on do we do we want to try to move for a November change or do we want to wait to January change and if we want to
wait January change then we can wait until uh July to ask for a report. If we want to try to do a November change we can we would need to ask for a report um next week. Right. What is the will of the council on this? What are your
thoughts? Let's discuss that. >> I I >> or do we need more time to think about it? >> I mean I from what I said I think that we see what the rate is from the state and make that decision then because the state is not
>> it doesn't seem like it's going down >> 30 you know you know to 20%. it's going up >> and we we can make an that educated um uh guess. >> Let me ask you guys this. Um if if we
wait till July for a January 1 change um if that's needed then um and we got we got a proposal that repo proposal will be from an insurance fund
that wants to start in January 1. So we would know their increase. >> Correct. >> Okay. All right. So, uh, any other questions from our professionals? >> Mayor, I just want to state one other thing. I was just, uh, saying to Scott,
he also shopped it with another health insurance fund, which we got declined. That's the BMED here in Bergen. So, they did they wouldn't take us the NJ solution. >> Can you comment on why you think was there was did they give us any reason? Well, the the the BMED's underwriting criteria is a little different where u
they tend to uh be more conservative with smaller employers uh where the NJ solutions doesn't apply the same factors. So, you're a better fit for NJ Solutions because of how their underwriting works. >> Okay. >> It's a little bit different.
>> So, is there criteria that they used? The BMED said that they weren't going to offer us anything and NJ Solutions said this is a plan we could offer you. >> Correct. at this cost. >> at this cost. All right, gentlemen. Anybody have a further question? Thank
you very very much for your professionalism, your time, and um for answering our questions so clearly because I'm sure this is far more complicated than uh and we really appreciate it. >> We're here to help you, mayor, and governing body. Whatever we can do. >> All right. >> Thank you. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. So just to reiterate, we will not be uh moving a resolution onto the agenda to change our insurance that we were remaining currently where we are. We are going to be waiting for the July
report from state health benefits and at that point we will uh re-evaluate. uh we are always open to um to ideas but uh this seems uh currently to be the best idea uh for moving forward.
>> I just want to add um I did since this is a year where we would have to pay. I did reach out to Horizon just in case and asked, "Do we have to send a letter to the state and wait to receive like a copy of a cancelled check for you before you could do anything?" Because I don't
want any delays that that could put us in tighter time crunches um out of our control. And my contact at Horizon said that when we send the information to the state with the check, just send a copy and they'll start working on it until
while they wait for snail mail. And thank you. >> That sounds very efficient. >> Yeah, that's good. >> Yeah, the state wants the money this time around before they start doing the work. >> Always. Always. I get it. >> All right, guys. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh at this point uh we're going to open for uh any comment at all whether it's on the agenda or not. We only have one comment period open since uh January 1st. Could I have a motion and second to open to the public? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any member of the public who'd like to
make a comment both virtually or in person, please come forward now. State your name. If you are in law enforcement or in justice, you do not need to give your address. If you are, then you do need to give your address. Come on up. Is the green light on?
>> No, I know. No, it's fine. >> Uh, Matt Peterski uh with the River PBA. >> Sure. >> I just want to say thank you to the mayor and council for your consideration and uh listening to the employees and taking their thoughts into consideration and we hope to uh continue to have a seat at the table with with this
discussion. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other member uh in the chambers? Any member in uh the virtual? Please raise your hand if you would like
to speak. >> See, it doesn't. Yeah, it shows up. Uh uh seeing none, uh could I have a motion and second to close to the public for comments? >> So move second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Okay, we now move to uh there are
there's a report fire prevention for April take care guys April 15, 2026 uh that is available to the public. Please see the clerk. Uh there are resolutions 26-134 through 26-140. We will read 140 into the record. We
will not be reading the others into the record and we do so only for transparency sake. Uh could uh is there any member of council wishes to ask a question before we move them or to ask for a separate vote on any of them? Seeing none, could I have a motion and a
second? >> So move. >> Second. >> It has been moved and second. It is open for debate. Is there debate? Hearing none. Would we please read 26140 simply for transparency sake though we are moving all of the resolutions.
>> Thank you, mayor. >> Nope. Yep. Okay. >> Uh, at a regular meeting of the mayor and counsel of the burrow of river edge, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey, held on April 23rd, 2026, be it resolved that the mayor and counsel of the burrow of river edge approve the following
expenditures. Current fund 2,543,349.36. General capital fund $117,57246. Grant fund $4,9740 animal control $55.80 trust other $34,789.50 50 developers escrow $426.25
Self insurance fund self- insurance trust $13,39757 recreation trust $6,884.19. >> Okay. Uh could um Madame Clerk, it's been moved and seconded. >> No, it hasn't. >> Oh, it hasn't moved and second. I thought we did. Do I have a motion
second to move 26-134 through 26-140? >> So move second. >> Um, madam clerk. >> Councilwoman Montano Cohen. >> I'm sorry. Council President Cella. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Malari.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dario. >> Yes. But I want to recuse myself from all the bills and refunds uh pertaining to recreation department. Thank you. >> Councilman Beer. >> Yes. All right. Is there any new business for
the council to consider? >> I have the administrator's report. >> Yes. Let's uh That's actually old business. So, >> okay. >> Any new business? >> So, we're going to roll into old business, the administrator's report. Thank you. There's a lot of good things to report. >> Yes. >> Lots of good things to report. I hope
people stayed for this. This is really great. >> Yes. Totally clear. No, no. The I should say I hope people take the time to stay until the end because people people prefer to watch it on their own as >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> The beauty of YouTube
>> but I'll be brief. I'm pleased to report we had our annual safety incentive award and that is um every municipality accumulates points quarterly. It involves quarterly safety committee meetings with our risk manager. a lot so
much trainings on anything and everything. And this doesn't even include the cyber training that I harass you all on. Um, a lot DPW takes an insane amount of training. Law enforcement, our firefighters, um, our our regular white college staff, we take
safety training. There are job observation reports. There are inspections of facilities and and parks. And this year, we got platinum. we got the highest uh award. Um, last year we
had silver, so we bypassed gold and went straight to platinum. And it's, you know, it's kudos to all the staff, uh, our risk manager, our DPW superintendent, he's our safety coordinator, his admin, u, Miriam, in
addition to running the senior bus program, she helps call all the information that, uh, that DPW does, which is a significant balance of the training. our deputy clerk that runs the motor vehicle checks and submits these reports quarterly. And I warned
everybody, I am a very sore loser. I'm very competitive and we have to win big and and we did. So, a big round of applause to all of our employees. >> And a round of applause to our business administrator who led that effort and uh and sits on the GIF board.
So this and for all those who work to make River Edge safe for our employees, safe for our public. >> Yes. >> Um KBG, I have an update. So um significant process as the weather
turned and then turned back and then turned on and off um has been made. Turf installation was completed the last week of March. Final grading of the field was completed in early April, followed by installation of saw during the second week of April. Acrylic coating of the pickle ball course has also been
completed. The batting cage installation is complete. The irrigation system has been installed, tested, and is fully operational with only minor head adjustments remaining. Electrical work for the scoreboard has been completed as well with final testing. Um softball field clay
installation is being finalized today and it's expected to be completed by tomorrow. Fence padding installation is currently in progress and is anticipated to be early completed early next week. The dugouts are expected to be delivered toward the end of next week with installation anticipated to take
approximately 3 days. So the construction activities have progressed well and are aligned with the project schedule of May 1st. However, between the burough engineer, the contractor, deploy superintendent and recreation director, they had been meeting to
discuss re field readiness. And based on these discussions, it has been determined that the newly installed grass area should be allowed to properly take root and establish. This includes time for settling, growth, application of um treatments, and at least two
mowing cycles prior to use. So, it's recommended that the grass field area be deferred um until the end of May or June 1st um to ensure long-term durability and optimal performance of the field and not having to close it at the end of the
year, you know, and go through this process again. So, the project is on schedule to be completed May 1st. However, we need to because of the weather and the delay to impacting the installation of SAD. Just everyone be patient a few more weeks and then it
will be fully open for June 1st if not earlier but we have to give it proper time. >> Question. >> Yes. >> Pickle ball. >> It's still an active construction site. So for safety purposes it it's just wait. It's going to rain the next couple
of weeks. So you're not going to say no. Now, um we should uh also report that uh we're waiting on PSENG about uh their plans for uh and and we're working at uh trying to discuss with PSAG and others
about their plans because our um >> building and paving is dependent upon what they are or aren't going to do. >> Yes, >> I believe they only did phase 2 A and 2B. >> No, they only did 2 A. They only did 2 A of and they should have they promised to do A, B, C, and D for this for last year
and they only did A and right now we're not it they're not giving us a good sense of them even finishing phase two and that has a huge effect on our our residents and I want to say to our residents this is not fair uh that uh
PSAG is uh is not keeping their commitments to us and holding off um road repair and repavement. Um but we are working on it. We we are discussing with the people we need to discuss with and uh I'm working with the
business administrators and and if necessary we'll be working with others too. >> Yes. But on the other utility side, Violia, they started their water main replacement um along Madison Avenue and Center Avenue to correct low flow situations. Um they started actually
this week. The main installation will take place tomorrow and is about a 30day project, but it is moving along on schedule. >> And that's it for my report. >> Yes. Excellent. Any member of council wish to ask your report a question about
the report? >> All right. Uh any other old business? >> We have River Edge Day. Um >> River Edge Run. >> River Edge Run >> on Saturday. >> Yes. Do we want to council comments? Do we want to talk about that at all? >> I just hope everybody signed up. I'm
going to sign up tomorrow. Um, so uh but uh >> rain or shine. >> Yes, it is rain or shine. Um and unfortunately it's projected for rain, but I'll be there anyway. Um and uh our rec department has uh everything
organized. We're going to do the um it's I believe it's 9:30 for the one mile fun run and then at 10 is the um 5K then 10:05 is the walk. >> Okay. >> So, hope to see everyone there and I'm
sure PT you would like to see everybody in their costumes. >> Yeah, some of the people have signed up for historic uh costume contest on during the fun run. Hopefully the rain holds up till 10 or 10:30. Um otherwise
um conscious >> it's rain or shine. >> Rain. Yeah, it's rain or shine. >> Yeah, you could dress as a scuba diver. >> Scuba diver. >> Oh yeah. >> And you'll be fine. >> Um anything else? Uh either old business
or council comments. I just have a comment to say thank you to our board administrator for uh work and all the emails sending all the information back and forth. Appreciate it and I know it's it's a lot. So, thank you. >> Cool. Yeah, I agree. I agree. You're
here. Anything else? All right. Um, we have a close session 26 resolution 26-141 resolution to go into close session and exclude the public attorney privilege NJSA 10:4-12V7
subcommittee recommendations on RFQ. Could I have a motion and second to Oh, could I have a motion and second to approve resolution 26-141? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Could I have a motion and second to adjourn the meeting for uh until May? So
moved. >> All in favor, please say I. >> Okay. >> We are adjourned.