WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Gth7oUylq80 NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: Gth7oUylq80): - 00:00:04: Meeting Call To Order, Prayer, and Pledge - 00:01:30: Open Public Meeting Act Compliance & Close Session - 00:13:30: Return to Open Session & Prior Actions Summary - 00:15:25: Borough Attorney Summary Cultural Center Lease Discussion - 00:18:35: Council Comments on Cultural Center Safety & Communication - 00:23:52: Opening to Public Comments on Any Item - 00:24:42: Public Comment: Dela Carol, 788 Milber Road, New Construction - 00:29:15: Public Comment: Jim Carol, 788 Milber Road, New Construction (Cont.) - 00:32:25: Opening Public Comments, Continued - 00:32:57: Public Comment: Peter Dunay, Cultural Center Treasurer - 00:37:24: Public Comment: Sheila Dubet, Cultural Center Teacher - 00:39:05: Public Comment: Phyllis Angelo, Cultural Center Vice President - 00:41:34: Public Comment: Melissa Love Peron, Supporting Art Classes - 00:43:15: Public Comment: Marge Burns, Concerned about Lack of Transparency - 00:47:04: Public Comment: Angel Golden, Questioning Closure Reasoning - 00:48:04: Public Comment: Christine George, Communications & 250th - 00:50:52: Public Comment: Jane Seline, Cultural Center Board Member - 00:53:22: Closing Public Comment & Council's Response - 00:54:29: Reports Available & Resolutions 26-144 Through 26-154 - 00:55:41: Resolution 26-148, Public Safety Building Flooring Issues - 00:59:19: New Business: Vehicle List for Budget Packet 2027 - 01:00:46: New Business: Separate Website for Town News - 01:02:43: KBG Field Open; PSE&G Gas Line Work - 01:05:44: Farmers Market and Memorial Day Event Updates - 01:07:40: Adjournment of Open Session, Returning to Closed Session Part: 1 1 00:00:04.480 --> 00:00:24.480 Thank. >> Yeah. Yes. This is we're ready to begin. All right. Call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of Burough River Edge, May 14th, 2026. Burough Hall, 705 Kindmac 2 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:39.680 Road and Zoom, 6:30 p.m. regular meeting. I call upon all to stand. And Councilman Glass, do you have um a uh silent prayer or reflection that you wish to offer? >> Yes, I do. Thank you, Mayor. I just my 3 00:00:39.680 --> 00:00:56.960 thoughts go out to everyone that um every day all of um our residents and throughout the globe uh workers that um have the challenge of a uh daily commute to work every day. and 4 00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:13.040 sometimes it's not easy. So, just thoughts go out to all the difficulties that people experience sometimes getting to work every day. >> All right. >> Um, Councilwoman Dario, would you lead us in the pledge? 5 00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:30.560 >> Salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Statement of compliance with the 6 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:45.759 open public meeting act. This meeting complies with the open public meeting act uh by notification on May 11th, 2026 of location date and time and access information to the town news the record and by posting the same on the municipal bulletin board and then burough website 7 00:01:45.759 --> 00:02:01.439 and following notice of the same with the municipal clerk. Madam clerk, roll call, please. >> Um, Councilwoman Monsano Cohen >> here. >> Council President Della and Councilwoman Malari are absent with prior notice. Councilman Glass >> here. Councilwoman Darwal 8 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:17.840 >> here. >> Councilman Befer >> here. >> Mayor Papalo >> here. Okay. Um so we're going to go into close session. Uh we'll go into close session for about 30 minutes to an hour and then we will be back in open session. So could I have a motion and 9 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:33.200 second to go into close session via resolution 26-142 resolution to go into close session exclude the public attorney client privilege NJSA 10 col4-12B7 lease agreement Burrow Hall exterior 10 00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:52.040 project Burough Hall construction project grant agreement so moved second. >> All in favor please say I. We are in close session. No, you don't need to leave. We leave. You guys stay. 11 00:13:30.720 --> 00:14:22.480 Okay. Okay, you can make me um the host and you can return to your seats. Okay. Can we check with uh those who are at home if they can please uh text if we 12 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:38.800 know to uh someone in the deis if you can if we can be heard. Ah we can be heard. Very good. Okay. So, um, we have, um, we opened early at 6:30 so that we could go into close session and have a minimum experience of delay. I'm sorry 13 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:54.560 that the, uh, close session went for, um, so long. We came back, uh, approximately 7:30, 7:40, and we, um, we were honored to swear in a new firefighter. Uh, we passed uh, the non-consent resolution, resolution 14 00:14:54.560 --> 00:15:10.639 26-143. Uh we um also passed resolution um 26-151 and we also um uh approved appointments and personnel changes. So uh we're about 15 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:25.680 to open to the public on any item. This is the only time we open and remember the public has three minutes. if you are. Um, but before we speak, we're going to have uh a a a brief um statement from our burough attorney in 16 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:43.680 regards to um the cultural center. >> Sure. And it's not so much a statement, it's just as we're required to do a brief summary of the uh executive session and what was discussed therein. has noted we only discussed during this 17 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:58.720 executive session the lease agreement with regard to the cultural center. Generally that relationship was discussed with regard to uh the burrow as landlord, the center as tenant. We 18 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:15.199 discussed that the uh burrow had been invited in by the center uh to inspect certain conditions which were of concern to the center. During that inspection and subsequent inspections, 19 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:31.440 uh certain other concerns were noted uh by both our outside consultant as well as the burough's professionals with regard to the safe safety and health concerns of the building itself. Those 20 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:50.000 concerns once digested, once reviewed completely uh specifically the reports that were generated both internally and externally uh resulted in the notice of unsafe structure which was posted and 21 00:16:50.000 --> 00:17:11.919 that was dated May 8th of 2026. The council then discussed and I believe agreed the only action that was their first no action was taken or decided upon during that executive session other than I think a general commitment that 22 00:17:11.919 --> 00:17:28.720 we now as the landlord are going to be reaching out to the center to discuss the notice and to discuss each of the conditions that were raised in that notice and what is the best options for addressing ing each one of those uh uh 23 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:46.000 conditions. Again, more in the context of remediating all of those. But again, this was all done in the context of once it was determined that there were some serious concerns, safety concerns, and health concerns raised that the notice 24 00:17:46.000 --> 00:18:02.799 that was issued was mandatory. And that it should be noted that that notice was done by the construction official and he is the only one that has the ability to close the building and lock it off um in the manner that was 25 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:19.200 done. That is not an action that was taken by the municipality. It was taken by the construction official in his capacity uh as the official having jurisdiction over those health and safety concerns. 26 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:35.679 Thank you. Any member of council wish to offer a comment? >> Uh, mayor, I would just say I appreciate the efforts of all of our professionals. >> Little closer. >> Okay. >> Because I'm concerned that people at 27 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:50.000 home want to hear. >> So again, I just want to say I appreciate the efforts of all our borrow professionals. Um, I think there's an very intentional process in place now and moving forward I feel pretty 28 00:18:50.000 --> 00:19:08.080 confident that there'll be constructive dialogue between the burrow and the tenant. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Um, thank you for um bring I mean like I lost the words. Thank you for telling 29 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:24.240 us about the 2011 Continental Avenue. Um it is um it's it's a we should we should all know that it's a it's a property of the burrow. The burrow owns that property and uh it was being leased to 30 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:40.960 uh art and culture center which they which they call it which is a nonprofit organization. uh if any of the burrow's building um and at this point it's 2011 Continental Avenue is stated unsafe and uh the burrow's officials have stated it 31 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:58.480 unsafe. I think it is uh fairly u it's it's very fair to close. I agree with it that BU has the right to close the building because it is public safety and that comes first. >> Okay. Anybody else? 32 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:16.320 >> I'll go. Um I I look this is very difficult decision obviously and as member of council our priority is always safety as a residents and >> you might need to pull Michael >> and once you know um the the professionals did the survey obviously a decision had to be made to uh us as the 33 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:32.400 lassor um closing the borrow property is a necess necessary albeit difficult decision and to councilman glass the dialogue will continue and it will be in benefit of the town, but we had to take 34 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:49.200 issue of our professionals and the reviews that were conducted in the time frame that it was conducted. And for those reasons, uh the the the the building had was necessitated to be closed for the protection of the people. 35 00:20:49.200 --> 00:21:05.600 >> Okay. Yeah. The the only thing I'll add to that, I agree with everything that was just said. Um the only thing I would add is um the way I think that and again not speaking for the whole council but my observation uh is the way that this 36 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:23.039 issue I has been looked at uh is basically in two parts safety and communication. I'm convinced from the discussion that the council had with the mayor and with burough attorney uh that both of those 37 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:39.280 um priorities are being addressed and going to be addressed going forward um and will be top of mind of the council um that we always put safety first. We always make sure that safety and health 38 00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:56.640 issues are immediate uh get immediate attention. Um and at the same time that we do the best job that we can at communicating with members of our community, our neighbors on what we're doing and why 39 00:21:56.640 --> 00:22:12.960 we're doing it. And so I'm I'm convinced that um going forward those are going to continue to be the priorities of the council and the mayor. >> Cool. Um so our burough attorney has reminded me um that uh I should 40 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:29.280 emphasize the fact that the building was not permanently closed. Uh, in fact, the notice itself is a 60-day notice and that um we will be having a conversation with the tenant, which is the uh cultural center. That should happen very 41 00:22:29.280 --> 00:22:44.880 soon. Um, and I think we're going to, if the tenant can uh can can make this date, I think we're going to be looking towards uh probably the next council meeting close session because uh this is a this is a question of lease and 42 00:22:44.880 --> 00:23:00.640 obligation and responsibility. Um, and so um and it was also mentioned uh by some that we we moved quite quickly on this. We found out on Friday that the building was closed uh by our 43 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:16.559 construction official. Uh we needed to meet with our attorneys about the conditions of the lease and uh the obligations and responsibilities. And then uh and so we needed to hold off making any public statements. And then 44 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:34.559 we needed to um we needed to be as a group because uh and the first time opportunity for that was tonight. And so um and so that was um >> four business days at >> four business days. So uh rather quickly 45 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:52.080 um we we got um that we we come to this >> three business days. >> Yes. Three business days. >> Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. >> Well, you count Thursday. Okay, we'll count Thursday. So, um, so less than a week that we were able to get to this point and get legal advice and, uh, 46 00:23:52.080 --> 00:24:08.159 proper procedure. Um, uh, so I know there's a lot of people who'd like to speak and that's absolutely fine. We're going to, um, we have a resident who would like to speak first. Just a reminder, when you come forward, you get three minutes. uh you 47 00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:23.840 need to give your name and address unless you are a member of law enforcement. Then you just need to indicate that you are or were a member of law enforcement under what's laws? >> Daniel's law. Oh. Uh come on up while I uh could I 48 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:42.159 have a motion and second to open to the public on any item at all? >> So move second. >> All in favor, please say I. I. Come on up. Would you turn on your mic and please be seated? and um speak into the mic and 49 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:57.279 just identify yourself. >> Good evening, Dela Carol, 788 Milber Road. Uh we have a house going up next to us at 784. It is three times the size of the house that was taken down. It is not on the original footprint. We were never 50 00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:13.440 notified of it. The construction started. I called the building department April 17th and told them about the um problems that I saw with the foundation going in and I never received a phone call back. I called again yesterday to state that everything 51 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:29.919 had been in worse condition than what it was and I'll start with we were told yesterday that it was a non-compliance lot because it was less than 60 ft. I would like to know how many lots in River Edge are less than 60 ft. Mhm. 52 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:47.200 >> Quite a few because everyone on Mil Brook Road is less than 60 ft. So to make it a non-conforming lot and give it a free wheel to do whatever they wanted to do is incorrect. So here on the River Edge site, I sent a 53 00:25:47.200 --> 00:26:04.559 letter yesterday stating that you state if there's anything that you need to do, you need to tell the land use people and it should have gone for variance and a hearing and we should have been notified as to what was going to happen. 5T from our property line, first of all, is a 54 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:21.919 safety hazard. You just swarm in a volunteer fireman here. five feet from anybody's lot is a danger to them. We'll start with that. There should be sprinkler systems put in when you do something like that. The trusses that were put in were put in cheaply with 55 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:38.000 little um what would you call them? Clips to attach them. If that house goes on fire, first thing to go are those trusses. And then secondly, our house and the house beside us. So before you make any of these decisions, you should think 56 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:53.120 about the safety of your current residents and the volunteer firefighters that you have. You just swore in a young man tonight. You should think about them first. Yesterday or today, my husband went down to the building department. They 57 00:26:53.120 --> 00:27:08.480 provided him with exhibit A for ordinance 2414 that was placed on record May 30th, 2024. that list that now they allow 5 feet and 12 feet in total between on their 58 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:23.600 property line. We have a house that's 38 feet wide by 53 feet long on a lot that's 50x 150 replacing a house that was probably 30 by 20. We were not notified what was going to happen here. 59 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:39.279 My biggest issue is the only thing on your website is the zoning ordinance which is revised July 2024 which is 2 months after this was passed. So we're assuming if you revised it in July 2024 60 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:55.440 this goes away and this takes effect. This states that there should be 7.5 ft from the property line and all the setbacks should be the same on Milick Road is a beautiful road. We have beautiful property, very happy with everything we have, all the 61 00:27:55.440 --> 00:28:11.679 setbacks. So when we did our addition in 20 years ago, we were told our building couldn't go any further than it was. We are allowed 5 feet to put a porch. Everyone else has done the same thing. We had another McMansion go up two doors down from us probably about two years 62 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:26.640 ago. Their front of their house is straight in line with everybody else's allowance. There's another house that's three doors down from us that was put in an addition was put in probably maybe three years ago. They were told they could only have a porch that went out 63 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:44.559 this far. So they have an overhang. So when did it become okay for a builder to do whatever they want, but your current residents are restricted for everything they want to do when they do want to do an addition. So now we're going with the non-conforming part. So in 64 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:59.600 >> Excuse me, Mr. come. But that's not the end of the story. So, >> January 25th, >> no, no, time is up because we have to stick to the procedures. But don't go anywhere. What I'd like for you to do is I want you to contact the burough 65 00:28:59.600 --> 00:29:15.840 administrator by email. And if you can scan those and send them, you can do that. Okay? You each get three minutes. You're gonna get three minutes in a second. And then um if you do not hear back by um by Friday afternoon, uh the 66 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:30.960 burl administrator will also give you my cell phone number. You you need to give me a call and we'll take a look at this. You have three minutes. >> Yeah. Jim Carol, same address. Um I've been a builder my whole life and I go as soon as I came out of the ground, 67 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:46.000 I measured and I talked to the builder and I said, "I think you have a 7 foot6 set." and he said to me, "I'll look at the plan." And he says, "It says 5 foot." We called the building office. They didn't get back to us. Uh then we the building department showed up the 68 00:29:46.000 --> 00:30:01.600 day after yesterday. And he said, "Nobody explained to me a non-conforming lot." And like I like my wife said, "I don't understand how every lot on Milbrook Road is 50 by 150 and it's nonconform." It said it says there 69 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:17.039 in these in in these bunch of papers that they could be five feet from my property. I looked down the side of that house. It's 53 feet long. It's over 35 ft high. It's all wood. 5T from my property. And then I was going to I complained about overhangs. They're 70 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:33.440 allowed overhangs. They said that doesn't affect it. That means they have another two-foot of overhangs. It's a 16inch rafter sticking out. It's going to be a 2 by six on that and then a six-inch gutter. that's 2 feet from my property. If they don't maintain that gutter, it floods into my yard. They 71 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:49.279 don't It's just bad. It's just all around bad. It's a bad look for the block. It's a bad And when I complained to the building officer, which was very cordial to me. Everything was professional down there. You know what they said? Come here and tell you. Come here and tell you. Come here and tell you. They're saying that I'm not going 72 00:30:49.279 --> 00:31:05.440 to fix this for my property. I know I'm not going to fix this. There's there's I don't know 750,000 on the lot. There's $400,000 in carpentry. I understand this, but this can't go on. You can't do this to people in this town. This is embarrassing. This house is absolutely 73 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:21.600 embarrassing. It's a mess. Go walk down. It's an alleyway. I lost all my son in the fallen and winter. This is the biggest house on the block. It's 5t out of the ground. It's 10 foot on the first floor. It's 8 foot on the next floor. And then some kind of roof. And 74 00:31:21.600 --> 00:31:37.519 I don't It just This is horrible. It's absolutely horrible for the neighborhood. It's horrible for the town. I don't understand. Everybody should drive down there and look at this because it's bad. It's really, really bad. I don't need any more time to tell you how bad it is. >> And and I'm telling you, it's horrible. 75 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:53.360 >> I've lived there 25 years and now all of a sudden I lost everything on that side of the house. It's a mess. It's an absolute mess. >> I I'll go back again and say the building department very good to me. >> Okay. >> They told me come attack you. That's a statement. 76 00:31:53.360 --> 00:32:09.360 >> Well, actually um the the council creates ordinances uh but the ordinances are interpreted by the building department and then variances are done by the land use board. But I'm not supposed to be saying that because that we're got to go away. It has to go. You can't 77 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:25.600 let this happen. send this information to the uh business administrator uh tonight or tomorrow and um and then uh she's going to look into it and hopefully uh we'll we'll have some because I don't know any of this details and and hopefully we can 78 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:41.760 >> it's an absolute train wreck. It's a meth. >> Uh no he doesn't. Sorry. >> But um the first thing I gave >> I would say hang out and we'll talk to you but I think there's going to be a lot of three minute speeches. So, >> go pass. All these go past. It's a 79 00:32:41.760 --> 00:32:57.679 disgrace. It's an absolute disgrace. >> All right. >> Okay. Um, next you each person gets three minutes. Uh, and then if you'd like, um, please uh, and please give us your name and address. Who would like to come forward 80 00:32:57.679 --> 00:33:23.760 now? Good evening. Sure. >> Peter Dun say 446 Avenue River um from treasure the cultural center. >> Peter speak into the mic. Okay. >> Sorry about that. >> No worries. >> Okay. Um >> three minutes start now. 81 00:33:23.760 --> 00:33:39.919 >> Thank you. >> Welcome. the uh tonight you had the dedication of the fire department people put in hours. You folks put in hours and it's recognized and it's appreciated. 82 00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:54.880 The cultural center has put in hours since 1994 as an outgrowth of the centennial committee and we've put in thousands of hours as well. Since its founding in 1994, the River Edge Cultural Center has contributed to 83 00:33:54.880 --> 00:34:11.359 the town by hosting over 600 events. We displayed over 5,000 works of arts by students. We provided art instruction for over 1,000 students. Uh we sponsored art exhibits that 84 00:34:11.359 --> 00:34:29.440 featured local artists. Um we hosted scores of concerts including the Bantry Boys and two West Point concerts. We managed 25 car shows. We sponsored over 30 historic exhibits, including the traveling exhibits, several histories of 85 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:46.960 River Edge, and was selected by the burrow to host the 250 historic exhibit in October. Friday, the cultural center hosted in conjunction with the friends of the library a seminar by the police on 86 00:34:46.960 --> 00:35:03.280 scams. After the presentation, I went over to the cultural center only to find postit on each door a red sign that read, "This building is declared unsafe for human occupancy." I called the mayor 87 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:19.040 uh who told me to call the burough administrator's office who told me to uh to fill out forms to uh request the information I was looking for as to what the violations were. 88 00:35:19.040 --> 00:35:35.920 Um they told me that I'd get an answer in seven days. Uh we have repeatedly asked what is the safety issue? Aside from saying it's a safety issue, which you all agree we want the safety issue taken care of. What is the issue? 89 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:51.760 Because you can't address an issue that you don't know what it is. Um we've asked that question numerous times. We still haven't received an answer and we're entirely >> more seconds. >> We have received pledges in excess of 90 00:35:51.760 --> 00:36:09.040 $5,000 to address whatever the unspecified safety issue is. In fact, we receive more pledges here tonight. The building contains valuables that cannot be replaced. Nor is there any other facility or 91 00:36:09.040 --> 00:36:25.599 program in town that could hold a candle to what the cultural center has done for the people of River Edge for the last 32 years. So with that I hope that we could meet. I want one correction to the attorney 92 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:42.960 statement. We sent an email about the handicap ramp. We didn't say anything about coming inside the building. The policy of coming inside the building was always with some the tenant present and that was for good reason because there was an 93 00:36:42.960 --> 00:37:04.160 incident once when somebody came in. Okay. >> And something went missing. >> That is your time. >> Thank you. >> Next. >> Well, what if if you're unsure, I can always check online to see if there's anybody wants to speak. If you want to speak uh online, please raise your hand 94 00:37:04.160 --> 00:37:24.400 and we'll call on you after the next speaker. >> Sheila Dubet, 817 Park Avenue. >> Excellent. Your three minutes begin. >> Um thank I want to thank you. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak. >> Sure. Um, I have been a teaching at the 95 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:41.280 River Cultural Center since 2018 and it has been a transformative and deeply valuable experience for me. The cultural center provides kids and adults alike a safe and nurturing space where they can engage with the arts and the 96 00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:56.240 community. I believe this is something worth holding on to. In my clay class for older kids that ended last week, I asked them what they liked about it. One student immediately 97 00:37:56.240 --> 00:38:12.560 responded, "What's there not to like about clay?" I feel that could be said about the cultural center, too. It is a place of positive and creative energy where people experience joy. So, as a member 98 00:38:12.560 --> 00:38:30.560 of our community, I hope that the mayor and council will work together with the cultural center to preserve and protect what is a vital part of what makes River Edge such a special place. Thank you 99 00:38:30.560 --> 00:38:46.880 very much for your time and I hope we can come to some amicable resolution because I love this town and I love what it offers our community. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Uh is there no one 100 00:38:46.880 --> 00:39:05.599 online has raised their hands? Is there someone in the Yeah, come on. >> Soon as you finish saying your name and address, your three minutes will begin, fellas. I'm Phyllis Angelo uh 594 Elm River Edge. I'm vice president of the cultural 101 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:22.240 center and I'm chairman of the River Edge Historic Commission. Okay. Um been working with the cultural center since 1994. I think most of you have been to some of the exhibits and certainly some of your children have exhibited their artwork 102 00:39:22.240 --> 00:39:38.560 from Cherry Hill, Roosevelt School and of course the high school. And actually I've bought stuff from the high school stuff because the kids they say that the art jean shows up early and by the time I had did the high school exhibit I bought it and one time when I bought the 103 00:39:38.560 --> 00:39:54.800 one of the high school kids you really think my art is that good? So I said I think it's terrific and then I you know I gave him an amount of money for it and I put on it a great frame and and that's kind of the kind of thing that we've been doing all along. We we've encouraged art and and not only that, 104 00:39:54.800 --> 00:40:10.800 we've encouraged history. And how do you think I found out about Gene Rodenberry? James T. Kirk was the mayor. And I said, "Were you named after a TV show?" And he said, "No, it was just the opposite." And uh you know that he actually Jean 105 00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:27.680 Rodenberry was James's neighbor. And that's uh that's how it and then of course when he got famous he moved to Hollywood. Okay. And I've done lots of exhibits. I can't even go into all the exhibits I did. I've done Hamilton. Uh we got had the traveling exhibits 106 00:40:27.680 --> 00:40:44.000 from the New York Historical Society, Hamilton, and we thought, "Wow, we're going to have to go all the way into New York to get it." But guess what? The storage was in Bergenfield, so it was a simple simple drag to get it. And everybody was crazy, and everybody kept saying they came to the exhibit, Hamilton really lived in Riveridge. And 107 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:59.119 I said, I can't swear to it. I wasn't there at the time, but yes. And um and I guess the my main question is um whatever is unsafe, we need to know. >> We can't do any remediation if we don't 108 00:40:59.119 --> 00:41:16.960 know what it is that's unsafe. And I I I don't disagree with anybody about one set, but I don't know what it is. And as I say, we have we have sponsors. We possibly have funds. We have to know what's unsafe to remediate. 109 00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:34.079 Thank you. >> You're welcome. Anyone online? Still no hands online. Anyone else uh present in the Yes, please come forward. >> State your name and address and after that you'll have three minutes. 110 00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:50.800 >> My name is Melissa Love Peron um at 287 Web Avenue. Um so should I go now? >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Ty. >> So, thank you for opening this time up for the comments. Um, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the cultural center. Um, and I hope there's a place 111 00:41:50.800 --> 00:42:06.000 for the art classes to continue while the building's being properly maintained and brought up to code. Um, or at very least finding a new a new permanent home that would support the nonprofit art classes. I believe this center is part 112 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:22.720 of our town's identity and one of the only non-athletic afterchool activities available to children outside of school programs. It has given our kids a creative outlet and a sense of community and a safe place to learn and express themselves. 113 00:42:22.720 --> 00:42:38.560 We've been so appreciative of Miss Sheella um for many years of her calm demeanor and teaching and bringing art to life within our children. Um, I'd like to know if there's a place that Miss Sheila can continue her art classes and if you have another location in mind 114 00:42:38.560 --> 00:42:58.720 since this building abruptly closed. Um, I find this little house that supports the cultural center that's basically like the heart of our community when you think about it because it supports all the creativity that comes out of our children. And even 115 00:42:58.720 --> 00:43:15.520 for adults, there's classes for us. I'd really like to see it preserved and to keep some character in our neighborhood reflecting our neighborhood's history. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Is there anyone who Yes. Come on forward. State your name and address. 116 00:43:15.520 --> 00:43:33.440 And once you've completed that, you'll have three minutes. >> I'm Marge Burns. I live at 236 Wales Avenue. I have attended many of the cultural center activities. It is a lovely little place to go and 117 00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:50.960 see artwork and other unique presentations that these hardworking people have been putting together for years. It's just a gem. And I also think how 118 00:43:50.960 --> 00:44:06.480 would you if if you plan on doing something about it within 60 days, are you planning to have a renov renovation or are you pursuing other areas 119 00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:23.200 regarding that corner property? You now have the friends of the library using their garage. And that is another charming little thing that occurs in town in conjunction with the farmers 120 00:44:23.200 --> 00:44:39.040 market that open tonight. They usually have the the the uh the book club ladies there uh for Memorial Day weekend. They are open and sometimes generally for Fourth of July. And I 121 00:44:39.040 --> 00:44:57.440 can't see this going away. I just don't understand this. And I really don't understand since you have such professionals working the burrow engineer and everything and you have such professional people in in the burrow that no one realized that they 122 00:44:57.440 --> 00:45:14.720 never should have entered that building without one of the tenants that occupies that building there with them. I mean, I'm not denying what you what your your uh people said they saw or that they are 123 00:45:14.720 --> 00:45:32.960 concerned about in your in in your in your um in your assessment. But this is very very concerning to me. I find it I don't I don't see any transparency. I see uh maybe uh a uh an interest in the 124 00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:49.280 property uh to pursue other avenues within a year and possibly demolish and do something else with it. Uh that's my concern. My concern is that 125 00:45:49.280 --> 00:46:08.000 this is only step one because no one from this group of people that have been in charge of this entire program, no one was even given a call to say we need you there now. Could somebody come now? 126 00:46:08.000 --> 00:46:24.000 That's all I'm saying. It's very suspicious. And I am not the only one in this beautiful community that feels that way. And by the way, if you are planning to put up a senior center, would you please let those that have been chiming 127 00:46:24.000 --> 00:46:40.160 about it for the past year or so, let them know what your ideas are because somebody should I go to a lot of programs? >> And my time is up. Okay. >> Thank you for coming. >> You're welcome. I think you got the message. 128 00:46:40.160 --> 00:47:04.480 >> Uh, anyone else who would like to come over up and speak, please feel free to do so at this time. Yeah, come on up. Please state your name and address. And once you've completed that, you'll have three minutes. Angel Golden 684 Road Rege. 129 00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:21.280 Good evening. Good evening. Just a question. I'm a little confused as to why you cannot say what the conditions are that caused the closure of the building specifically. I mean, is there an ordinance? Is there uh a statute that 130 00:47:21.280 --> 00:47:37.359 says you can't do that? I ask. This is comment time. When everyone's done commenting, we'll close to the public and then we'll um address some of the issues. So, feel free to, you know, you have more time. Oh, my 131 00:47:37.359 --> 00:48:04.480 comment is I'm confused. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah. Come on up. >> So, Christine George, 291 Vansson Drive. And um I've been here before for very much the same reason that I'm here 132 00:48:04.480 --> 00:48:20.720 tonight. I don't understand why the mayor and council cannot communicate with the people of River Edge. I would love to live in a town where the mayor's Facebook page does not have to walk back something that came out that was not 133 00:48:20.720 --> 00:48:35.200 disclosed by that because rumors started. And honestly, I wasn't even going to comment about this until I heard the self- congratulatory comments about how the communication was speedily handled because you very well could have 134 00:48:35.200 --> 00:48:51.920 said, "This is closed. We're consulting with our attorney. More information to follow." That's not hard. library budget and hours, the camp counselor 135 00:48:51.920 --> 00:49:07.440 um issue with a bunch of them being fired. I know there was the police issue, there was something else. Like time and time again, it's becoming very very clear that the mayor and council cannot learn from past missteps, which is frustrating. I really hope you guys 136 00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:22.880 work on it. The other thing is everybody else has said with the cultural center, super important to this town. I don't doubt that there may have been like I am not questioning the experts. I don't know the building stuff and everything. However, I do know that they're in 137 00:49:22.880 --> 00:49:39.680 charge of the a lot of the 250th celebration which as you know July not terribly far away. So communicating with them about this trying to figure out because this needs to be dealt with before then or it's going to be really unfortunate 138 00:49:39.680 --> 00:49:56.960 in terms of the celebration with it. Also just like the general vibe in River Edge with it. I know because of this building you had displaced a lot of the different meetings in the River Edge library because you needed the space for council meetings and stuff. You're 139 00:49:56.960 --> 00:50:13.599 closing all the cultural things in town and taking it up. That's not the legacy you want. I mean unless it is. I don't want to judge but like the optics are really really bad. And honestly I expected better from all of you with this. So, I really hope moving forward 140 00:50:13.599 --> 00:50:30.720 you'll be able to work with the cultural center, be able to figure out how to fix this, especially in time for July, which honestly I couldn't do math. I should have looked at a calendar, but I it's again not terribly far away. So, I just 141 00:50:30.720 --> 00:50:52.319 please do better. Thank you. >> Anyone else like to come forward? Anyone remote like to come forward? Oh, there is a hand up. Oh, I see it now. Um, okay. Now I guess I go to here. 142 00:50:52.319 --> 00:51:07.839 I allowed to talk. Okay. Uh, I move to uh disable talking chat. Okay. Uh, ballet arts. Uh please state your name and address and you have three minutes 143 00:51:07.839 --> 00:51:28.079 after you have finished uh stating yourself. Identifying yourself. >> You have to turn on your mic. >> Can you hear me now? >> Yes. Please state your name and address and then you have three minutes. >> Uh this is Jane Seline. and I live at 144 00:51:28.079 --> 00:51:43.760 653 Bogurt Road and I was working so I missed the first part of the comments but um I volunteer on the uh River Edge Cultural Center board and I guess my uh biggest issue was that there there 145 00:51:43.760 --> 00:52:01.359 wasn't like a courtesy of um letting the board know or letting the cultural center know what was going on. And from my understanding, um, Peter had requested information and none was coming forth and he did fill 146 00:52:01.359 --> 00:52:17.520 out some forms and then they said, "This is too broad. You have to fill it out." But I just think as transparency that uh I think there should have been better communication and to certainly let them know the people that it affects because there are some upcoming events that we 147 00:52:17.520 --> 00:52:33.440 don't even know like what to do now because we have no information. Uh, and I just wonder if there's uh other uh intentions for that property. Um, as like we saw like we've like a lot 148 00:52:33.440 --> 00:52:48.800 of trees around that area were taken down, the VFW was taken down and a parking lot was put in. So, I just have, you know, I would like to know if and the community, I think, would like to know what are the intentions for that property. And I think it just would have 149 00:52:48.800 --> 00:53:04.640 been um better communicated to let the people know that it affects instead of just saying slapping up a notice without any communication whatsoever. So, that's that's it. >> Okay. Thank you. 150 00:53:04.640 --> 00:53:22.400 >> Okay. Let me disable talking. Okay. Um, anyone else? Uh, nope. Uh, Ballet Arts, if you could lower your hand. And I don't see any other name. Anyone else? 151 00:53:22.400 --> 00:53:39.440 >> Okay. Could could I have a motion second to close the public? >> So, >> all in favor, please say I. Does any member of council wish to make a comment? Um I would like to start by saying um all the information that Peter 152 00:53:39.440 --> 00:53:57.440 requested is going to be released tomorrow. Correct. >> Yeah. And >> all the readily available information will be released. Um the council was not given prior notice that the building was going to be closed because this is not a 153 00:53:57.440 --> 00:54:13.359 political or council decision. this is um something that is determined public safety by the construction code um that we're going to be meeting with well as long as Peter is willing to meet with us we're going to be meeting with Peter and the cultural center um and that will be 154 00:54:13.359 --> 00:54:29.440 set up by the burough administrator uh forth whip and that this is the process that needed to be followed because there were legal questions that had to be answered prior to releasing uh the information. So um is that correct? That is correct. 155 00:54:29.440 --> 00:54:44.079 >> All right. So, um we will now move on. There are reports uh available to the public tax collector, library trustees and health departments uh April, May and May respectively. There is resolutions 156 00:54:44.079 --> 00:55:01.760 um resolution 26-144 through 26-154 with the exception of 26151 which has already been moved. Um, is there any member of council who wishes to uh pull out for a separate vote any of the 157 00:55:01.760 --> 00:55:18.160 resolutions? >> I don't um mayor, thank you for providing us with that opportunity. >> Um, >> I just I just want to um make a comment about the flooring. >> Which resolution are you responding? 158 00:55:18.160 --> 00:55:35.800 >> It's 26-148. >> Okay. I'll wait until the noise uh subsides. >> Sure. If we could have quiet in the um in the chambers, please. >> We appreciate uh you coming. 159 00:55:41.119 --> 00:56:07.599 It's okay. >> Yeah, no worries. All right. In the interest of time, I'll get this out there. Um, so I appreciate the efforts that's gone into um identifying issues with the flooring in the public safety building by our um 160 00:56:07.599 --> 00:56:23.839 burough professionals, including our DPW director. Um, and um, I spoke personally and looked at the flooring personally myself. I spoke personally with um the um people that 161 00:56:23.839 --> 00:56:41.920 were involved in procuring the flooring. Um I understand that there's been some reduction in scope of the flooring. Uh and that's um going to result in a approximately 20% reduction in cost and therefore I um am 162 00:56:41.920 --> 00:56:57.680 in agreement with moving forward with what's planned. >> Okay. >> Thank you for the opportunity to >> absolutely >> express that. Yeah. No, no, that's always your right. Any other member of council wish to make a comment, ask a question, or um ask for a separate vote 163 00:56:57.680 --> 00:57:17.760 on any of the resolutions that have uh that I'm going to ask to be moved. So, uh so this is resolution which one? >> 146. >> 146. >> No. >> Okay. So there uh we will I will ask for 164 00:57:17.760 --> 00:57:33.359 a motion and second to move 26-144 through 26-154 with uh with rem without without 26-151 which has already been moved and an amendment to resolution 26- >> 148 165 00:57:33.359 --> 00:57:52.200 >> 148 uh with uh and that that that amendment is the total cost has been reduced to $123,317.50. >> Correct. All right. Could I have a motion and second uh as amended? 166 00:57:52.880 --> 00:58:07.599 >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. For the sake of uh transparency, could I ask ask a member of the budget or finance committee to read in 26-154 simply for the sake of transparency? 167 00:58:07.599 --> 00:58:31.520 >> Got it. Sorry. I'm getting At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey held on May 14th, 2006. Be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge approve the following expenditures. 168 00:58:31.520 --> 00:59:03.520 Current fund 9,341,348.85. General capital fund 95,6616. Grant funds 16,98824 animal control 22 trust other $24,691.98 open space $6,35 payroll $26,778 developers escrow 169 00:59:03.520 --> 00:59:19.839 $8,875 recreation trust 9,2694 four cents. So moved. >> Uh well actually it's been moved and seconded. Uh it is open for debate. Is there debate? 170 00:59:19.839 --> 00:59:40.240 >> Hearing none. Madame clerk, I call the question. >> Yes. >> Yes. But I would like to abstain myself from all um the resolutions pertaining to recreation department. >> Yes. 171 00:59:40.240 --> 00:59:58.400 Okay. Uh, new business. Is there any new business before the body? >> I I do have something that I wanted as a governing body to consider for future budget meetings and as we think through and everything that is happening in our town. Um, could we have uh a borrow a 172 00:59:58.400 --> 01:00:15.280 list of all borrow vehicles make model mileage by department to be distributed and to be part of the budget packet for 2027 moving forward as part of the >> I thought vehicles were um were available to the council through DPW? >> No. 173 01:00:15.280 --> 01:00:30.960 >> Well, we we absolutely can do that. Um, is there a motion? >> So, move second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Uh, actually wait. Are you sure you want the VIN? >> Whatever is can be disclosed. >> Whatever can be disclosed. 174 01:00:30.960 --> 01:00:46.480 >> We can do like the last four numbers of >> All right. All right. Um, okay. So, that was good new business. Anything else? >> Um, I have mayor. >> Sure. Um and just for the governing body and mayor uh to consider uh for future 175 01:00:46.480 --> 01:01:05.040 whenever to have um uh a separate uh separate website or a page uh only for um the town news which comes out from the mayor's office or the governing body's office. So there have been comments um around I mean it's freedom 176 01:01:05.040 --> 01:01:22.799 of speech but a lot of uh times residents including my husband uh who would probably go on social media and read hey what's happening uh the information that might be there on third websites might not be 100% true the best um I would like to tell the public is uh 177 01:01:22.799 --> 01:01:38.319 requesting the public that please come over to the mayor's page or to the burough website for any information and if there is any um information not there then email us. Um there are all of our emails listed over there. Um even the 178 01:01:38.319 --> 01:01:54.079 business administrator you can contact any one of us. We are here for you. Uh so there is no information that we are um I would say I can vouch for all the council and mayor that the mayor and council hides or uh is um could be 179 01:01:54.079 --> 01:02:10.480 suspicious about or uh fancies. We are public servants. We are working for the public. We're working for our own town where even we live. So for uh for correct information uh come to the burough website and going forward I would like mayor and council and I mean 180 01:02:10.480 --> 01:02:27.200 like governing body to consider a separate page uh only for town news which comes out from the administrator's office. >> Okay. Um, so, um, will you be presenting to the council some sort of, uh, program 181 01:02:27.200 --> 01:02:43.920 or some sort of, uh, uh, >> proposal? >> Proposal. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, um, so we look forward to hearing that and that would also be under new business in the future. and if you could direct that through the business administrator um Miss Appatella 182 01:02:43.920 --> 01:03:00.799 and uh and she will get it to the council prior to a meeting so there there can be a good conversation about >> anybody else. All right. Yes. New business. >> Yes. Um well a little bit is old. >> All right. Well, they're pretty much 183 01:03:00.799 --> 01:03:16.559 fine. Old or new. >> KBG is open. >> Yes. Yeah, Kharim is scheduled for Monday at 4 o'clock. It is open. >> Yeah. Yeah. Start again. >> KBG is open. >> Thank you. 184 01:03:16.559 --> 01:03:31.280 >> A little bit of my Spanish accent. Um the ribbon cutting will be Monday at 4:00. Our recreation directors already worked with the leagues and they've already started um I believe men's softball already started playing. Um, right now the double gates are locked 185 01:03:31.280 --> 01:03:47.760 with a master key just because of some punch list items that still have to be taken care of, but other than that, the park is open. And have fun everybody, be safe and um kind of old and new 186 01:03:47.760 --> 01:04:04.720 business. PSG, we met with them. our um our DPW superintendent, myself, our police chief, our lieutenants, our burough um engineers office was there. The Oridel Gas District received funding to complete section two, which are 187 01:04:04.720 --> 01:04:20.480 sections B, C, and D. All that information will be posted on the website once we have it from PSE and G. And what they plan to do is to handle sections B and C at the same time. They are bringing in four crews to install 188 01:04:20.480 --> 01:04:36.319 the mains and connect the services and are looking to start next week to with digging test holes. Bogurt Road from Manning to Continental will be worked on. Um after June once school is out and on the burrow end once we receive the 189 01:04:36.319 --> 01:04:52.160 approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation to go out to bid we will work on the curbs and sidewalks to complete um I believe it was from Monroe all the way to Continental and um residents into B and C will receive a 190 01:04:52.160 --> 01:05:09.440 general notification letter with the hotline number to report all concerns and then door hangers will be put on everybody's doors once It is known exactly when the work on the street will begin. Section 2D will start late in the summer and all the streets involved will 191 01:05:09.440 --> 01:05:26.799 be paved in 2027 except for Bogurt Road, Fifth Avenue, and Elm Avenue because that will be the burrow's responsibility. So, we are moving forward. There will be a lot of construction activity, a lot of detours, but um all in all is for infrastructure 192 01:05:26.799 --> 01:05:44.400 upgrades and paving roads and and that's where we are. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you for that. >> May one more old business. Uh farmers market is open too. >> I know it's the first day and there are new businesses over there. Alstad Farms 193 01:05:44.400 --> 01:06:00.880 is one of them and it's uh every Thursday. So please enjoy. >> Cool. Cool. And anything else? >> Yeah, I mean uh Councilwoman Do I will stole my thunder? But yes, it's the farmers market kick off his fifth year. >> I think the most important thing there 194 01:06:00.880 --> 01:06:17.599 is that it will be running from Thursday every Thursday until October 1st. And I will be remiss to thank yet again Michelle Kaufman for leading the efforts. >> Yes. Um, we have a new farm. Uh, for those that don't know, because I did not 195 01:06:17.599 --> 01:06:33.119 know, if you don't have a farm, we cannot have a farmers market. >> So, the success of the farmers market depends on the community involvement and supporting the event every Thursday. And on that note, I also wanted to thank the DPW for prepping Memorial Park for 196 01:06:33.119 --> 01:06:48.880 the memorial park events on November 25th. The flags are out, the decorations are out. Um, there was some repair done to the statue that is ongoing. Um, so all in preparation for for the event. >> I believe that event is at 10:00 or is 197 01:06:48.880 --> 01:07:04.000 it 11? >> I know I'll be at work, so I cannot make it, but I think you're right. It's at 11. >> So um, and I invite any member of council who can. We will first convene at fire company number one for uh, the 198 01:07:04.000 --> 01:07:24.240 memorial celebration there and then we will move to uh, veterans 11 o'clock. So, we'll meet at uh I think fire company number one is at 10:00 a.m. Who's our fire liaison? >> Please. >> So, if you just could convey to the 199 01:07:24.240 --> 01:07:40.799 council uh what time the memorial service at the fire department will will begin. Actually, it's either 9 or 9:30, I believe. >> But just check with the chief. Thank you. >> Um Okay. Um Okay. Any other council comments? 200 01:07:40.799 --> 01:07:56.640 No. All right. We still have uh some closed um close session business. So, but we will not be returning and we will not be taking any actions. So, uh we're going to we're and we've already moved the resolution. So, we're going to be 201 01:07:56.640 --> 01:08:12.000 returning to close session, but we're going to be closing the open session. So, could I have a motion and second to adjourn the open session? >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I. All right. All right.