We call to order the meeting of the mayor council of B River edge June 11th 2026 regular meeting uh Burough Hall chambers uh of mayor and council and zoom. I ask for a moment of silent
prayer and reflection for all of our service members who are currently in harm's way uh throughout the world but especially in the Middle East. Counciloman Mon, would you lead us in the pledge? >> I aliance 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 Open Public Media Act. This meeting complies with the Open Public Media Act
by notification on January 9th, 2026, January 16, 2026 of location, date, and time and access information in the town news and the record and by posting of the same on the Munville bulletin board in the burough website and following notice of the same with the municipal clerk. Madame clerk, roll call, please.
>> Council President Canelo >> here. >> Councilwoman Montasano Cohen >> here. >> Councilwoman Malari is absent with prior notice. Councilman Glass >> here. >> Councilwoman Darwall is absent with prior notice. Councilman Beer >> here. >> Mayor Papo >> here. Okay. Um could I have a motion and
second to approve the minutes of the mayor and council close session of May 14, 2026 and special meeting in close session of May 18, 2026 and the close session of May 28th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor, please say I. >> I. I need to recuse before I say I from the close session. >> Okay. Anything else? Yes. Anyone else? >> I need to recuse myself from uh the regular session and close session of May 14th. >> Okay. And any others? No.
>> All right. Good. Um so, um any opposed? Any objections? No. All right. Great. Okay. So, we have two proclamations. Do we have um uh someone from uh yoga present with us today?
>> All right, we'll hold that proclamation. Uh do we have someone here for LGBQ proclamation? >> You mean the flag? >> Yeah. >> Flying the flag. >> Well, the proclamation comes first. We're going to try to do the flag. Well, we're not going to try. We're It looks like we have a confirmed date of June
30th at 6 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park, but I'm wondering uh we would need someone to receive the proclamation for the yoga and someone to see the proclamation tonight for LGBQ plus Pride Month. Is there anyone here to receive
for the yoga? Okay, we'll hold it. Is there anyone here to receive for LGBTQ Pride >> Plus Month? >> All right, we'll hold that. Hopefully, someone will to hold my hand. >> I Yeah, I I was also expecting a couple
more people. So, how about we do this? Let's um Yeah, one of the one of the people who would be accepting for LGBQ is uh 7 minutes away. >> So, uh so let's let's hold that. And there's no one here for yoga, right?
We'll hold that here. Uh, and if there if no one's here for yoga, then we'll hold it until um 24th. >> 25th. >> Is that what it says? >> No. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. Um so, uh what we'll do is
we'll move to comments. Okay. Uh could I have a motion? And we'll come back to proclamations and awards. Could I have a motion and second to open for public com comments on any item agenda or not? I think John >> uh John says >> public.
>> Okay. >> Hold on a second everybody. Yes. Okay. Uh before we open for public session, we will have a statement from our burough attorney. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So um it was
brought to my attention uh that uh uh there has been um rumors innuendo uh um discussions regarding the cultural center um and facts surrounding the cultural center uh and 2020 2011
Continental Avenue. Is that the correct? Yeah, that's the address, right? And and what is going to happen with that property? Um I just want for the record to state that um the there's no uh intent to demolish that building or there's no decision to demolish that building. That's a decision that would
happen you know months and months uh you know uh when if if and when someone deemed that the building was completely unsafe and unable to be used and I don't think as far as I know we're that's not even in in the discussion. There's also nobody that has purchased it or intends to build anything on that site. Um the
burrow hasn't been any discussions with anybody about that. Um so uh again I know that there's a lot of speculation about what's happening with the cultural center. Um but uh from the perspective of the bureau it was shut down because our building inspector and other inspectors uh have looked at it deemed
that it's not a safe premise for the public to use. And obviously that's the number one function of all of our public safety individuals whether it's the police department or whether it's public whether it's inspectors. their job is to make sure that that public spaces are safe for the public at large. And if
that is not the case, we have to close those spaces off just like we did with the uh walkway uh or roof four when when they discovered that the steps were in disrepair. So, um I just for the public before there's public comment, I want to make sure that everyone's disabused of the notions because again I've heard
that uh there's speculation that the building is either like going to be demolished or that there's going to be a uh a 10-story apartment building built on the site. That's not happening. All right. There anything like that to happen, there has to be a significant
public uh participation uh for that to happen like both at the planning board, zoning board uh etc. Yeah. So, it's essentially false. >> It it sorry, this one was tricky. Uh, yes,
that would be that would be the case. >> Okay, >> I'll leave. >> And hopefully if there are false rumors going around, those who are issuing those rumors will cease and desist. >> Can't stop people from making public comment, but uh again, our job is to make sure that the public has the the full transparency and knowledge of
what's going on. >> Good. Okay, great. Okay. Could I have a motion second to open to the public on any issue? >> So move. >> Second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> If you are remote, please uh raise your hand. If you are present, uh please
raise your hand and we will call upon you. Yes, sir. Come forward. You have three minutes once you state your name and address unless you are a law enforcement or justice family in which case you can uh leave out your address. >> Uh good evening everyone council. Uh I'm
resid >> if you could sit that would be you don't have to if you don't want to >> and and I'm here to uh ask and let you know that uh >> can you turn on your mic? Press the button >> the great button >> and oh wait one more time.
>> Just hold it. Hold it down. >> Let it go. >> That's it. >> See the green light when you press look for the >> Yeah. No. Chief, could you help him, please? That'd be great. >> So the There we go. >> It's red. >> There you go. You're good. >> It's green. See this?
>> Oh, it's up here. Oh, I saw the one down here. >> No, I we had the same problem when we first got these mics. >> All right, I'll start over. >> Address, please. And your three minutes will begin. >> Okay. Uh my name is Paul Atunis. I live in Oradel. >> Address
>> and 50 Beverly Road. And um I came here because uh uh the lower portion of Oradel has been changed from a B3 zone to a B1 zone. And uh that means that uh
they're going to have to uh reduce the speed limit to 25 miles hour. Now, the reason I'm here is because I I I wanted to see maybe you uh uh River Edge would like to participate in doing
something like this also. And uh I was thinking from the area of the River Edge Post Office going north if you could reduce also ask the county because we have to ask the county in Oradal too to reduce it to 25 miles per hour because
of all of these uh different uh driveways and and businesses. They got the Dunkin Donuts. They got all these things going there. And uh it's it's tough for pedestrians as well as the drivers. And uh I I would uh hope that
uh the the chief uh of the chief police of uh River Edge could work with the county to see if they could do that together. I think it would make more sense. At one time it was 35 miles. It was 30 m hour here in uh River
Edge and then uh when it you hit the border of Oregon went to 35 for like four blocks and it went down to 25. So what uh what what happened then was we reduced it to to 30 as river edge had
it. So we we went together with with River Edge as 30 miles an hour for that portion and uh now it seems to that we we need to reduce it to 25. And u I I would hope that uh something could be uh
thought from River Edge and work together with Oradel to try to do something like this because of all of the different buildings that we're going to have. We're going to have a lot of units being built there in Odell off of Kindamac Road. there's going to be more traffic and everything and so uh I don't
know uh how uh how people are going to get around trying to make a left turn or trying to get out of uh where we live is very difficult. It's uh it's like taking your life in your hands because you can't see and we have some people that park on the corners too and then we
can't even see there. So uh so uh I if we could do something in that respect and that's why I just came down here for that to see if I could ask for something like this if you can work together and uh maybe you guys uh know of all this traffic problems and everything that's
that are happening and kind of kamak road. We've had a lot of accidents too lately. So uh some pedestrians have gotten hurt also in Oradal. So uh that's all I have to say tonight. >> Great. Please stay until the end because we don't respond until the last person
because there's a comment period and I will say something uh after after we have heard from all of the public. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Anyone else remotely or present come forward state your name and then uh
after that young lady behind please state your name and address. You have three minutes once the uh once you finished stating your name and address. >> Peter Dun say 446 Oak Avenue River. Uh
thank you for the opportunity to address the C mayor and council to clarify the cultural cent's understanding of the May 22nd meeting was stated on two occasions that our response would be address three
related matters. the safety items identified in the notice of unsafe structure, the replacement lease, the documentation concerning the installation of the boiler. The cultural cent's letter of May 31st
accept responsibility to remediate the safety items except for the burrow installed boiler and 4-in chimney float. The former burrow administrator Alan Negron's letter proved that the boiler was installed by the burrow. However,
the burrow by law should have replaced the 3-in chimney with a 4-in flu when they installed the replacement boiler. With respect to the replacement lease, our understanding was that the parties would agree on a 15-year replacement
lease with the start date occurring after the identified safety issues in the May 8th notice had been addressed. The lease remains critically important before committing significant organizational resources,
pursuing fundraising, or evaluating repair projects for a burough owned building. The cultural center must understand whether it will be permitted to continue operating at 2011 Continental Avenue under the new 15-year
lease once the building is deemed safe. In a spirit of cooperation, items could be potenti uh be addressed within weeks subject to approvals, funding availability, contractor availability, and the optical legal
requirements based on a preliminary assessments. Remediation course would be within the ability of the cultural center to raise the necessary funds. The cultural center has received to date
an unsolicited check that exceeds $6,000 and an organization's commitment for an additional $5,000. All without having launched a fundraising campaign. We have had a contractor review the work
in question and have lined up an architect prepared to to produce documents once we have a lease. The cultural center remains willing to cooperate with the burrow and respectfully requests clarification
regarding the bureau's willingness to issue a draft of a replacement lease agreement so that the board can make informed decisions regarding future planning and funding efforts. So, with that said, um we'd like to
know, is there going to be a follow-up meeting with the burrow to address things? >> Thank you. And is there uh next >> and of course uh when the comments are all done, the council uh will have an
opportunity to respond. >> Thank you. >> If they choose to. >> Yes. >> Hi, welcome. Please state your name, address, and you'll have three minutes starting that unless you come from a justice or police family. >> Okay. Gemma Stains, 780 Elm A. >> Go ahead.
>> Hi, my name is Gemma Stains. I'm a student at Riverdale High School and I am a high school liaison to the green team. Um, last summer I brought up an idea about bringing a community garden to Bur Edge and um, I've done I we've
been looking into looking like we've been looking into potential locations for a community garden since. Um, I've researched several community gardens successfully like successful community gardens near us. One of them was the BOD community garden um which operates based
off of a lottery system where residents will apply and a select few will get a plot um they are they are expected to maintain their plot which lessens the burden on the DPW and I think that um sorry
>> thank you >> which lessens the um responsibly DPW and um if they do not abide by the rules of the community garden, then they will lose their spot. Um, one uh potential place for a community garden was the
Cherry Blossom Park right next to Cherry Hill School, which would be a perfect place since it is very apartment dense and it um would allow people who are not normally able to grow a garden, give them a space to have like have it would
give people who would not normally be able to grow a garden a space to do so. It also would allow people to appreciate agriculture, bring community together and address food insecurity and it is known to pro um it is proven to improve mental health. I think that it would
bring a sense of community and it would be um it would let allow people to interact which I think would be which I think verge needs more of. Sorry, I'm a bit nervous. >> You're doing great. You're >> doing great. >> You're doing great.
Um um however recently I was told that um Cherry Hill um Cherry Blossom Park is not available. Um while it despite it being vacant for 10 years. So at this
point I'm since I don't have a location and I have no outside approval, I'm unable to move forward with um establishing a community garden. So, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where a location could be or how I could approach this differently.
>> We will definitely get back to you once we're done with all comments. Uh, you have about 30 seconds more if you'd like to use it. >> Um, >> you don't have to. You did well. >> I think I like I was
>> Any other member of the public who would like to uh speak on any item? >> A member remotely. I do not see any hands raised, but we'll give it a m Oh, there's some hands. Yes. One, two. >> You got me excited. I thought there was.
>> Do you want to >> come on? Do you want to go? Go ahead. >> I wasn't going to speak tonight, so make sure you time me so I don't go over. Well, we we have to time everyone. >> I know. I'm kidding. So, um once you
give your name and address, you have three minutes. >> Okay. Regina Laurella, 205 Wales Avenue. Um I just want to first publicly say thank you to all of the leaders in the community that have taken time to engage with us after we spoke at the last meeting um and really engage in conversations centered around community
safety. This comment is really just for awareness for the council and the mayor um in hopes that it's something you're talking about even if it's not in public session. Um so there raids in Bergen County specifically this week. There were 10 people detained in Palisades
Park this week and four in Fair View. Today in Baltimore City public schools I know not local but um two parents were detained at a preschool graduation. I share this because I think there are things to learn from this. Um, I don't share it to raise fear, um, or to debate
if the detainments were lawful or not, but I share it because I think that as a community, we really need to be informed and we need to be prepared, just like we are for school drills. Um, my ask is really that we share the know your rights information with as many people as possible and that we work together so
everyone has the information they need. When I did see the detainment at Roosevelt, I didn't know what to do. Um, I didn't think like, oh, I should call the police. I froze. Um, and I'm a pretty informed person. So, I just ask that we really get information out there so that we can be one community and take
care of one another. >> That's it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And just for clarification, you're saying know what to do for. >> Yeah. So, there's know your rights information rights. >> Yep. >> And manuals. Thank you. >> All right. Yes. Come on forward.
Just pull the mic over. Name and address and your three minutes begin. >> Sheila Debay, 817 Park Avenue. Um, and I'm calling regarding 2011 um, Continental Avenue, the Riverage Cultural Center. >> Sure.
>> Good evening. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to speak. I'm here to entreat the honorable mayor and council to preserve and protect the cultural center. We need more places where people can engage with the arts
and culture, not less. We need places where peace, joy, beauty, and a sense of community reign supreme. Where where we forget our differences and share our common goals. Where we exchange knowledge and create a vision of a more
perfect world. The cultural center serves such a purpose. I know you want this. I know you want what is best for our town. And I am here to say that the cultural center is one
of the things that make River edge such a special place. The cultural center is an ideal and a vision and such things need to be protected and preserved for the sake of our children and our community. Thank you very much for your
time. >> You're welcome. Thank you for coming. >> Is there uh anyone else remotely or in uh chambers? >> Yeah. If you belong to a police family, you do not need to give your address, just your
name. If you do not belong to police family, name and address and your three minutes begin once you completed. >> Uh my name is March Burns. I live at 236 Wales Avenue. Um, I had a little bit of an issue finding parking to come up here because of all the um, work that's going to happen on Bogurt Road here and they
have the no parking signs. But I couldn't help but notice coming from uh, where I live on Wales Avenue that I had to pass through Continental and the area where the cultural center exists. Tonight it is beautiful. There are
people singing. There are people eating. They're enjoying themselves. Uh it is a perfect little spot in this town. The cultural center is a part of that. It may not be open now, but it should be. Uh it should have the garage open for
the friends of the library and give us a >> Just so you know, the garage is not closed. You can continue, but I just want the garage is not closed. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Go ahead. But this, in my estimation, is such a special spot that there is really
very little for you to argue that there should be any changes made there except for perhaps what is needed to keep it going. And monetarily, you had ample money to spend on all of
these shrubs, the good ones that were pulled out as well as the new ones that were pulled in. And I see no reason why this should even be a cintillaa of an issue when it comes to preserving our cultural center. Thank you very much.
>> Sure. Anyone else? Anyone remotely? >> There are people on if you have a question raise your hand. >> All right. Could I have a motion second to close the public? >> So move second.
>> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Okay. Uh so let's uh deal with this first. Chief, uh I would believe that a request for a change in speed would go first to the traffic and safety and um do do you want to address that and also
the uh know your rights uh item or I don't want to put you on the spot, but you are here. >> Here. >> Sure. So we'll address the uh Kendrick Mac Road. Y >> that has been looked at before. It's been a while. We can look at it again, but there's always you always have to remember there's a cause and effect with
with speed, right? So, >> um what we get a lot of complaints about are people trying to get onto Kendrick, but they can't because there's no break in the traffic. So, when some, you know, during rush hour, after school, early evening. So, if the traffic is there
and you slow it down, it actually creates less of a chance to get out sometimes. I'm not talking about letting them speed. I'm just talking about lowering it. So there's it's the point is just a cause and effect whenever you do anything like that and we have to look at that closely. I'll bring it back to traffic and safety like you
suggested, mayor, and we could take a look at it. >> Excellent. And um know your rights. Any comments on >> So I met with um >> know it. I I met with a couple well an individual um um after I had spoke the last meeting
>> um that represents you know the concerned I'll say the concerned citizens regarding ICE and um we had a good discussion I think about uh what I could do or what the police department could do and know your rights thing is something we certainly could put on our website um to try to you know if that if
that helps people feel more comfortable by all means it's not a big heavy lift. >> Okay. So, we'll take a look at that and um a couple other things we we discussed that are kind I'll say in the works or we're at least looking at as a as the police department. >> Excellent. So, we'll entrust that to you and if you need to come back to us, I'm
sure you will >> for for mine. Yes. And then I could you know pass it forward and if you you know the the website on the burrow side often we share stuff. So, that's >> Yes. So, if you I don't know how the rest of the council feels but I would assume that if you felt that this was
something that should go up on the website. I don't think the council would object. Of course. Would any member of council object? >> No. I would just add if it goes on, is there a separate place where the police department would post it or >> We have We have our website.
>> Yeah. So, if it goes on the if it goes on the police department website, it should also go on the burrow website. >> And we also uh we could discuss whether to send out what is it a advisory is that no, not an advisory. a community mitzvah >> saying please check the website if you
want to know that what the chief whatever the police department recommends to us we we trust >> sounds good >> very well >> whatever you think chief >> all right >> thanks >> all right um cultural center um let's deal with that in a second because that
may be a little bit longer uh so the community garden so if I'm not mistaken that would go to uh environmental commission and the greening team and that they would then um brainstorm,
right? And um so what we can do is if you give your name and uh email address and telephone number to the clerk um she will then send you the contact information for the green team and the environmental commission and they would
then uh abdicate for a space uh and uh they can then of course talk to the DPW and to the council. But that would be the process. Is that correct? >> Um I'm actually a member of the great team and they sent me here to If the green team makes a recommendation
to the to the council, the council will then, you know, take that in, have the DPW look into that. Um, but no one's brought it to us as of yet. >> Yes, >> I think we um >> we're not supposed to really go back and
forth. But so um and if you want to talk a little bit more uh at the end of the meeting uh before we go into close session, the council is always available to anyone in in the in the chambers who wants to chat with them before we go into close session. Okay. Only because the process has to be respected so we
treat everyone fairly. Okay. Um Okay. Um so Continental Avenue, Mr. uh if you could uh respond to some of the items and then Miss uh Apatella if you could respond to some of the items
and if the council wishes to respond to that or anything else that would be uh the last item that was brought up by the six people smoke >> thing myself. >> Okay. >> Okay. So um we had a meeting >> with the cultural center uh
representatives and to discuss uh moving forward. I think the most the most important thing that was discussed was for the cultural center to give us a timeline of what they were going to be able to do to rectify the safety issues that have been identified by the uh
building inspector and the other inspectors. They did ident they did respond to a number of the items but not all of them. Uh and they didn't do it before our last meeting. So that's why we we were not able to discuss that the the legal issues in close session. Um so
therefore um now that we have some more response. Uh we're capable of discussing it tonight in close session. Um and potentially having a reply after our discussion if the council so chooses that that's what it wants to do. >> Okay. And Miss Avatel, anything that you
need to clarify? >> Um, no. >> Your mic. >> Mr. Chadanian hit the nail on the head. Um, we have some information and the governing body will discuss in close session and deliberate and determine whether or not to take further action
and if so, what kind of action? >> Okay, sounds good. >> Yeah, I I >> uh and then we're open to council now. So, absolutely. >> Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. I I think one thing we owe to the culture center because it's like fuzzy. >> Yep. >> Maybe it's just me, but who's
responsible for what? I think there's some gray there. And I think, you know, we're going to keep going back and forth until the cultural center gets clarity on that and they know what they're, you know, I
think there's some confusion about interior, exterior, what parts of the building We just had the question about the garage. We just have to make that clear. I think that'll be to everyone's benefit. >> Absolutely. There was a meeting and we and a legal opinion was given to the
cultural center about what they're responsible for and what they're not, but we can certainly reiterate that. So, that was there was a clear message from our attorney on that, but uh maybe it's still a little confusing and and we absolutely can and will and should. So,
that's I I agree with you that. >> Okay. Okay. >> Anybody else? >> Yes. I just want to mention um a young lady just said something about today and passing by the cultural center and there is people outside um and there's music.
That's because the farmers market is there from 3:00 to 7:00. So just as a clarification that's it's because of the farmers market being there right now. >> Anyone else from council? All right. Could I have a motion? Uh well, we're very close to the public. uh person. Oh,
we're going to go now to proclamations. Are there is is there anyone? Is there someone here to uh for the yoga international yoga day? Okay, we can hold that over to the 24th. Is there someone here for the proclamation for
the month of June 2026 as LGBTQ plus pride month? All right, come on up. If anyone else would like to come up, please do so. Um, Carmen, Jean, you guys want to come up?
Come on over here. >> All right, >> Mickey. Nice to meet you, too. And come. So, um, we're go I'm going to read the proclamation and we're looking we're shooting Nikki. I think we're shooting for June 30th at 6 PM in Veteran Bura
Park for the raising of flag as we've done in the past. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. Great. And I believe that there's some coordination going on with uh Ms. Murphy to get a high school uh club >> Riverdale. >> Riverdale River. >> Yes. Isn't that is that correct? Good.
So So and that will happen in the council. We'll uh now that we know found out today that that's a pretty firm date, we'll advertise it. Lette, if you could arrange for it to be advertised through uh through wreck like we've done it in the past and uh we'll have some
more information. Um, so, uh, just introduce yourself if you like. You don't have to if you don't want to. >> I'm Nikki Petrella >> and Jean and Carmen get it. >> Excellent. Very, very good. Um, okay. Um, so proclamation.
Uh whereas the struggle for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning LGBTQ plus people is reflected in the tireless dedication of advocates and allies who
strive to forge a more inclusive society. And whereas President Bill Clinton on June 2nd, 2000 declared June Gay and Lesbian Pride Month to commemorate the June 19 69 Stonewall
uprising in lower Manhattan. And on June 1st, 2009, President Barack Obama expanded expanded the commemoration further by declaring June to be le to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender pride month. And
whereas June 28th uh 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising which broke out following a police raid on the Stonewall in targeting LGBTQ plus patrons and other marginalized people in violation of their civil rights leading to the birth
of the gay rights movement. Whereas LGBTQ plus Americans, include those who live in our local communities, face discrimination simply for being who they are and for who they love. And there remains much work to do to extend the
promise of our country to every person. And whereas the landmark Supreme Court decision 2015 guaranteeing gay marriage equality in all 50 states was a historic victory for the LGBTQ plus Americans and continues to inir
affirm our belief that we are all more free when we are treated as equals. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Thomas Papo, the mayor of Burough River, in recognition uh thereof do hereby proclaim the month of June 2026 as LGBTQ
plus pride month and encourage all River residents to eliminate prejudice wherever it exists and to celebrate our great diversity by taking part in community events throughout the month of June which focus on and celebrate LGBTQ plus neighbors.
>> That's a long Just keep adding more. >> You did a great job reading it. Thank you. Thank you. Would you uh would any of you like to offer a few words? You don't need to. >> My question was about the flag. I just saw it on Facebook. People were complaining that the flag wasn't up. And
that was my question. >> So, we had no one come in in 2023 and 2024. We raised the flag. I was there and some of the council was there, but there were no Riveridge residents. And in 2025, no one requested it. and we were
>> Do you think that matters? >> It does. It we should have a representation from the town if we're doing it for the town. Uh we now have a representation that's coming. So we're going to be open raising it on the 30th because that was the date that worked for most
>> and each year. So next year 27 we have to do the same thing in order to frame people up again. >> If if anyone today if anyone says I'll be there I will too. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because in 2023 and 24, nobody was there except for half the council and
the DPW guy who put the podium out for us. >> So, but shouldn't it go up June 1st for the month of June? >> No. >> No. Is it only June 30th? I don't know. >> No, it's any time. What has to happen is, and I'm an activist in the community, what has to happen is that
people have to come together and say, "Okay, this is what we want. Go to the man council, ask for their permission when we can do it and when it's available." um their schedules and everything. So you have to go to the town. >> It only stays for one. >> Yeah. So that we know people are coming
>> because as I said for two years in a row it was half the council, myself and nobody else. >> So it didn't reflect that River Edge was interested in this. I I think people were interested. We did advertise it. We reached out to groups, asked them to
come, but uh when it occurred, nobody was there. So that's why I stepped in to take control of it >> because I felt your community I don't live in this community but I felt your community wasn't there >> and many people sent me emails and I called I said please give me your number
I'll call you I called each and every one of them I said I would raise the flag tomorrow if you want but if if people are actually going to show up why don't we do it with enough time to advertise it and u and I was talking to Nick Benetti who I talked to on a regular basis he's the owners of
feathers uh in fact the ordinance on for today. Nick had called and asked the mayor and council if we could consider it. So, the ordinance that we're actually doing today is being done for feathers. It benefits all the bars and restaurants in River Edge based on the governor's um proclamation
>> proclamation. Um so, and we we have a long and fruitful relation uh helpfully helpful relationship with uh with Feathers and it's it's an honored business. In fact, oddly enough, I was called by a reporter from the record on
the same day this whole thing on Facebook saying, "Mayor, would you would you we're doing a piece on feathers. It's 48 years. Would you do a uh would you do a press release for us?" And I said, "Absolutely, I would." I called up uh Nick because uh Paul rather. >> Yeah,
>> I know Nick Vetti and Paul Benett. So, I called up Paul and said, "Listen, you know, this is it. Is there anything in particular you want me to highlight?" We did release uh it was released to the record. I don't know when they're going to publish it. And um and >> I'm not trying to blow my own horn, but
but the reporter said to me, her name is Elizabeth, that you know, uh she said, "Mayor, I want you to know that Paul thinks that you're one of the greatest mayors. You've always been been there for feathers." Honest to God, you can call the reporter and ask her. So, uh yes. and and I've been a long supporter
of the LGBTQ as an NJA member uh supporting Tim Eustus, the first openly gay uh assemblymen in this uh in the state assembly. Um and uh in in many other things and of course I've had
family members who um have died of AIDS. uh one of my family members who died of AIDS, her his sister uh opened Pulse in Orlando where the massacre. >> And she opened it in memory of her brother who you know, >> right?
>> And uh and I remember going to see him many times in the hospital. It was a tough time then because there was no >> there was no medicine and you know and you weren't treated all that well in the hospital and it was a hard time with our
family. So, okay. You're welcome. >> I appreciate you taking my call so the other day. Yes. >> I saw that online. I reached out to them where people were blasting on your social media and not respecting to give you a call, which I did, and you immediately jumped. >> Absolutely. >> I appreciate it.
>> All right. >> Okay. Um, we're going to hold this, I guess, until the 30th when we do the raising. Okay. uh 6 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park right in front of the uh basketball courts. >> Yep.
>> That's where we always do it. >> Okay. Um personnel ch and appointments. Um so approve the resignation. Uh can I have a motion second in a moment to approve the resignation of Elizabeth Escodoro Police Department effective June 17, 2026. approve the resignation
of Daniel Meade Police Department effective July 31st, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Do uh do I need I don't need a roll call for that. No. Uh there is a uh May tax
collectors report on record. If anyone's interesting, please contact the clerk. Uh second reading and hearing on ordinance. The following ordinance published here within was first read by title on July uh title only on May 28th,
2026 and posted on the bulletin board outside the clerk's office. Um ordinance 26-10, an ordinance to amend the hours of sale and service of alcohol beverages during the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament. Uh could I have a motion
second to open to the public on this? So move. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any member of public who would like to make a statement or ask a question about this ordinance, please uh do so.
I see no hands in the chambers. And I see what looks like no hands remotely. We'll give it another 15 or 20 seconds just in case I have problems pushing the button. Okay. Uh, could I have a motion second to close to the public on ordinance
26-10? >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Okay. Uh, we will, of course, enter into a debate if we wish to do so. But first, we have to move it. Could I have a motion second to adopt or ordinance uh
26-10? >> So, move. Second. >> Uh, okay. It is uh been moved and seconded. It is now open for debate, comment, inquiry. Um is there debate, comment, inquiry? >> So I had some concerns about this. I
didn't really understand how it benefited the residents of our town. >> Um I asked a few questions. Lette and Ann were very helpful. >> Yes. I I think I saw the email streams on that. >> Yeah. So, one one concern I had was, you
know, will it be a burden on our police department? I got a go answer on that. So, that's behind us. Um, another concern I had was if some of the neighboring towns were doing the same thing because I was worried about
people coming from neighboring towns into our town so they could drink from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. >> Yeah. which I didn't think was like an ideal thing for our town, for the residents of our town. Um, we got li and and canvased. We got limited responses
back. The indications are there's wasn't generally there's not a lot of awareness around this um in other neighboring municipalities, which is not surprising. I think it was brought to our attention because of one
particular establishment making us aware of it, putting in the request that we um extend the hours and I think it's a it's a understandable request and I think we
um absolutely support the business establishments in our burrow and I read the ordinance carefully and it has some restrictions and some limits and it's for a specific time period and I expect
in the future if a similar type of request comes up we'll take it on a case by case basis but for the reasons I just mentioned I uh support this >> excellent okay anybody else with a comment or a debate
>> yes or inquiry >> uh two quick comments >> you're green >> I was just moving it over >> um two quick comments one uh Just to uh echo what Councilman Glass said, I I uh you know, I I I think we need to be
clear that it's not opening the door to always >> getting requests to expand the drinking hours or the the sale of liquor hours, but every every application will be dealt with on a case- by case basis. I think that's a good a good observation.
Um I have a very technical um comment on the second page of the ordinance uh where it says section two. Uh it it says any and all other ordinances parts thereof in conflict or
inconsistent with any of the terms hereof are hereby repealed to such extent as they are so in conflict or inconsistent. My suggestion and and maybe uh council can weigh in on this, but my suggestion is that we take out the word repealed
and insert suspended because repealed is kind of a permanent >> extraction or or cancellation of the ordinance and it would require reintroducing the laws again uh voting on them again. Whereas suspended uh and
we could put in suspended from June 11th to July 20th, 2026. That makes it very clear that >> well >> that everything else is just within for that period of time. >> Yeah, I'll stop now. >> Oh, was that on the mic? Sorry.
>> I heard you. >> Uh, sorry, Councilman. Um, so uh I don't have any any uh uh concerns uh with amending the language of the ordinance even though this is the adoption, right? This is not this is the second reading
of the ordinance because it you normally can't amend ordinances at the second reading unless it's for a ministerial change. In other words, something that is just like a wording kind of like foot and this is not something that's going to >> material >> materially alter the I have too many lawyers on the day. It's not going to
mater always always I love it. They're not going to materially al it's not going to materially alter the context of the ordinance. So therefore, um if if the council agrees with uh Councilman Feffer's, uh amendment, um I would uh my
opinion is that it would be permissible. >> Okay. So, uh Councilman Feffer, are you uh making a motion to amend the uh uh the um >> ordinance currently on the floor? >> Yes, >> we have a motion to amend. Uh do we have
a second? >> Second. >> Okay. This requires a twothirds vote. Um uh it is debatable. Is there debate? Hearing none. Madame clerk on the motion to amend not to approve >> to change the one word.
>> Yes. To change one word from >> or actually to say suspended from June 11th to July 20th, 2026 >> or during the duration of the ordinance. >> We can say that too. >> But you have to decide your motion. I >> I would I would prefer for clarity to have the dates in there to say suspended
from June. Does that materially change it? >> I don't believe it does because it's consistent with the ordinance. >> Then if so moved. >> So moved. >> All right. That does not require another motion because it is simply clarifying what the motion is. >> So according to Robert's rules, we are
still on a motion to amend. >> Madame Clerk, >> Council President Gonzella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Montasano Cohen, >> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Council Bever, >> yes. >> Okay. Now we are on the uh amended motion. Is there debate, inquiry, uh
comment? Hearing none, uh we would now uh you would be voting to adopt the amended motion. Madam um Madame Clerk, >> Council President Canon, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Monsanto Cohen, >> yes.
>> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Councilman Feffer, >> yes. Okay, that is done. Um we now have resolutions 26172 through 26180. Is there any uh member of council who'd like to ask a question, make a comment,
or uh ask for a separate vote for any of the resolutions? Seeing none, uh could I have a motion second to move resolutions 26172 through 26-180? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. For the sake of clarity, uh we will not read all the the resolutions into record, but for um for transparency, we will read 26180, even though we are moving all the motions. Could I have the uh budget
finance chair please read 26-18? >> Uh thank you, mayor. At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey, held on June 11, 2026. Be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of riverage approved the following expenditures.
Current fund $292,268.92. General capital fund $56,21025. Grant fund $10,437.36. Trust other $3,33255. Payroll $25,8858. Developers agreement $758.75.
Recreation trust $8,479. >> Okay. Uh, it is open for debate. Is there debate? Okay. Could I have a roll call, please? >> Council President Canella. >> Uh, yes. >> Councilwoman Montano Cohen. >> Yes. Councilman Glass. >> Yes. >> Councilman Pepper.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Is there new business? >> Is there old business? >> Council comments. >> How about those necks? >> Unbelievable. >> Unbelievable. >> What is it? A 29 point comeback.
>> Yeah. >> I I do have a comment. I just want to It's prom night, so I just want to wish all the high school graduates >> that graduate next week >> to have fun tonight. be safe and congratulations on your graduation. >> Where are they going?
>> How do I know? >> I don't know. You just said congratulations. I want to know where they're >> I think she's not limiting it to River. Oh. Oh, it's for everybody. >> And as a as a retired educator, yes. May they be safe and may they return home at
the end of the evening uh uninjured and um and alive >> or the next morning. >> What? >> Or the next morning. >> No, whenever they returns. Hopefully tonight though. >> A lot of people had their proms like a
couple of weeks ago. No, >> high school week. >> Okay. Any other council comments? >> Okay. All right. >> All right. Um, close. Could I have a motion in second in a moment to move resolution 26-181 as I read it into the
record? Resolution to go into close session exclude public personnel NJSA 10:48 police department recruitment test. uh attorney client privilege NJSA 10 col4-12B7 uh constructive eviction former score
lease 2011 Continental Avenue assignment of duties potential litigation uh Burough Hall construction. >> Oh so move second. >> All in favor please say I. >> I. >> Could I have a motion and second to adjurnn for the evening?
>> So move second. All in favor please say I. >> I. >> We are adjourned. Welcome ladies. >> Um