Second, please. >> Now you should be good. >> Okay. Do we have sound now? Uh Neil Marie, would you just text me again if you can if you can be heard? >> J. >> Okay. Okay. Great. Thanks, Neil. I
appreciate that. Okay. Well, just uh for for the sake of uh the public uh great, thank you. Uh we read the statement of compliance of the Open Public Meeting Act. We uh had a silent reflection for all the athletes and the participants
and spectators of uh the world uh football uh cup uh what is it? FFI FIFA >> FIF FA >> FIFA FIFA uh and we had the flag salute. I'm sorry that we were having some technical difficulties. We just approved
the minutes in the mayor and council and we had a motion second to open to the public. Any member of the public would like to make a comment, please raise your hand to come forward at this time. >> I have a question. >> Come forward. Uh you state your name and
address and uh turn on the mic and you may want to sit down. It's just a little bit easier, but it's up to you. The mic is >> just a quick question. I was just wondering um I was wondering the road work that's been done on Bogurt. How long are we doing that? Like how long is
that going to be going on for? >> So everyone gets three minutes and when you're done we close and then we answer what we can. >> I need name and address. >> Name and address, please. >> Oh, sorry. Donna Miller, 6725th Avenue in River. >> Good. Any other question you want us to answer when we get to that? >> Uh, no. I was just wondering how long
that work is going to be be going on for. You know, we have to park. Um, >> totally get it. >> On different roads and sometimes it's a little bit inconvenient or >> Yeah, >> I'm running to catch the bus. I'm just wondering how long that's going on for. >> I get it. All right. Anything else? >> I know that's it. >> All right, then. Thank you. You may uh
return. And is there anyone else who would like to come forward? >> I don't think so. Could you turn off that mic so we don't get feedback? Great. And anyone else? Anyone uh remotely? No one remotely. Could I have a motion second to close the public on any item? >> Some second.
>> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Very good. Okay. Uh, Miss Appatella, could you please uh update the public on where we are with PSCG? I believe there are four teams in town. >> Yes. Uh, there are four teams in town doing
work along Boer and the ancillary streets. Um, they're doing sections 2, B, and C currently. And then 2D will be Kinder Kamak Road. They will be working throughout the summer to install the new
high-pressure gas manses. and then at the same time um doing the service connections. And so it all depends on um the crews are there. It all depends on the weather and also residents being available to have the service
connections performed. And then um about next spring once the trench is settled then the roads will be completely mil and paved. They can't do it beforehand because if they do it now or September, October, then we'll have sink holes. So,
it it needs a settling time, but the main work will be done throughout this summer. >> This is the work they began last summer and then they stopped and so we we had to negotiate with them and now they are back in and hopefully uh they will not
stop again. They will finish the second phase. The first phase was two summers ago. uh and uh and those streets and those homes are doing well. So, we're same thing. And um last summer um I lived on one of the streets that they did the connection. It's it's it's
inconvenient, but it's necessary to make sure that we won't have any failures of the system. It's a hardening of the system that uh grant money has been provided for throughout the state of New Jersey. So, okay. Uh thanks for that question. A lot of people are wondering
that. No. Okay. Um, appointments and personnel change. In a moment, can I have a motion and second after I read into the record that appointments and personnel changes approve the increase in longevity of Francis Gallagher, Labor and Department of Public Works from
$1,920 to $2,400 effective July 5th, uh, 2026. approved a salary change for Anthony Trudale uh Department of Public Works uh from laborer 47,761
to tree trimmer step 1 67,167 effective June 26 of this year approve the resignation of Joseph Collins crossing guard effective June 11th of this year approve the revised list of the camp staff on file with the burough clerk's office approve the resignation
of Peter Olan uh department of public work effective June 23rd, 2026. >> So move >> second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Uh does this need a roll call?
>> All fair all all four. >> I >> Any opposed? Any abstension? >> All right. Then it's unanimous. Uh there are two reports on land use board and library board of trustees uh that any resident can get. Uh they're both from
May from their uh our clerk uh office. Okay. Um so if I call our firefighters forward, Ethan and his family forward resolutions to be approved. >> Yeah, we're going to Oh, yes. We got to just hold on a second. Could I move to the front of the agenda resolution
26-196? Um for 26196 the approval of appointment of junior firefighter. >> Some move. >> All in favor please say I. >> All right. Great. Come on up forward everybody.
>> Firefighters pressing one two three. Great. Mom and dad, all firefighters and we will post the pictures. Plus, this will go on. Testing one, two, three. Can you guys hear this or did it go bad? >> I think it's not working. >> Heard it before.
>> Testing one, two. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's cutting in and out. >> No worries. We have >> testing one, two, three. How's that? >> Yeah. >> All right. Um, good.
>> Okay, good. All right, then. Here we go. Um, first of all, Ethan, thank you for being a junior firefighter. Who's senior here amongst you guys? Okay. Will you be willing to say a few words? >> Absolutely. Great. Great. Okay. So, um,
we're going to we'll hear about the junior firefighter plan in a second um, program rather. And Ethan, would you repeat after me? Raise your right hand. I state your name. >> I, Ethan Miller. >> Very good. Do solemnly swear >> Do solemnly swear >> that I will support
>> that I will support >> the Constitution >> the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I >> and that I >> will bear true faith >> will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same
>> to the same >> and to the government >> and to the government >> established >> established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people. >> Well done. You're halfway there. I state your name.
>> I, Ethan Miller, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> as a junior firefighter >> as a junior firefighter >> of the River Edge Volunteer Fire
Department. >> of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department >> to the best of my ability. >> to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. All right. All right. Uh if you would uh
talk a little bit of them right there. >> How you doing? Uh Jim Carroll, captain of fire department. Uh Dave Miller's dad. He just started. He's uh become a really big asset to the fire department and it's really I'm really glad to see that he brought his son Ethan around.
Ethan's been coming around not able to do a lot because the town will let him till he gets sworn in. So, but I just want to go back and just say Dave at I don't know at his age. I'm old, but he's Dave younger than
me, but to do this with a family and the hours he's put in and the work he's putting into the academy and he's doing a fantastic job. I don't want to steal the thunder from Ethan, but and I'll go back to Ethan, the amount of work he's going to put in in the next um two years or when he turns 18. It's going to be
absolutely phenomenal. I just like to thank them for both of them. Uh I'd like to thank the family, everybody in there that that's uh part of this. >> Captain Carol, would you just introduce the firefighters that are present? >> No, >> you don't have to kill. >> You know, I might not know their names.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Andrew, Andrew Crackour, Porco, and Christoano. >> All right. Sorry to put you on the spot. You captain, brother. >> No, it's all good. I just We got a great thing going on down at Company One and we wanted to continue. New members are
really making it positive and um I enjoy showing up. >> That's it. >> Thank you, Captain. Uh if you look right here >> and if mom or dad or you Ethan would like to say a few words, you can, but you don't have to. Okay. Well, a round of applause for
Egypt and for all of our Okay. Um, if you give me your camera, I'll take your picture. >> All right. >> All right. All right. Can't see everyone's face. If you can't see me, I can't see you.
>> There we go. >> All right. I'll step in for one real quick. >> Jeez. I'll step out. >> No, you're going to stay here. You're going to stay here. >> All right. Again, congratulations. Thanks for coming here. Thanks. >> Thanks. Thanks so much, guys. Guys,
thanks for being here. >> Thanks. Thanks for being here. >> Yes. It's okay. >> Okay, >> I have another one. All right, here we go. >> Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. And we
are so lucky. Uh, our burough attorney was just commenting. He uh he's a burough attorney for a lot of different towns and has uh over the years and currently is a burough attorney of a lot of different towns. and he was commenting just uh just a few little while ago about how many wonderful
volunteers we have in River Edge where most towns their volunteers are constricting or we have had a growth and uh a lot of it has to do with um the quality of our current volunteers and that quality encourages new volunteers and we're so very very lucky and the
department heads and the administration and the council for all that they do to support them. So we appreciate that and thanks for noticing that. Uh Mr. Shidenian. All right. So we have resolutions 26-182 through 261 198 with the exception of 26
196 which has already been approved. Um so could I have a motion and second to put them uh on the floor. >> So move second. >> Is there any question concern uh anyone that you want to hold out for a separate vote?
>> Uh I just want I just have a question mayor. I want to know what is 26 uh-193. >> Okay. Uh >> community development program. >> Uh Miss uh >> uh the community development block grant
program is a federal program where uh Congress provides uh funding for municipalities as well as nonforprofits to participate. Um right now we have completed our census tract but the
community development um program also provides assistance with um first-time home buyers um helps us with our affordable housing rehabilitation. So, um it's a federally funded program
that is administered through the county and every 3 years we have to um approve resolutions to participate and and approve a three-year agreement. >> So, majorly for housing. >> Yes. It's for housing and also um
infrastructure improvements, ADA access to to help those >> not for open land, not for parks. >> No, no, that's that falls under the open space tax program. Thank you. >> Anyone else? All right. Could I have a member of the
uh budget and finance committee read into the record 26-198? Even though we're moving all of them, we're just going to read that one for transparency sake. >> At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the board of river edge, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey, held on June 25, 2026, be it resolved
that the mayor and council of the board of river edge approve the following expenditures. Current fund 382,43860. General capital fund 21,87281. Grant fund $8,929.96. Animal control $32.40.
Trust other $72,761. Open space $15,225.50. Developers agreement $1,690. Recreation Trust $11,190.74. >> Okay. Uh, now we're moving all of them. We simply read that into the record.
It's been moved and seconded. Roll call, please. >> Councilman Malari >> here. I mean, yes. >> Councilman Darw. >> Yes. >> Councilman Fer. >> Yes. All right. They've been unanimously approved. We have new business. Bergen County Historic. >> I would like to abstain myself from Yes.
uh any resolution or bills pertaining to recreation department. >> Excellent. Thank you for saying that. All right. Um Miss Appetella. >> Okay. >> Bergen County Historic Society request. >> Yes. The historical society is seeking
permission to use the Burough Train Station parking lot in New Bridge Landing for their retreat to victory 250 living history event that will be held Sunday, November 26th. Um and it's up to the governing body to determine how to
proceed, whether to grant permission. Uh obviously a hold harmless agreement and certificate of liability insurance will be required and um it would also have to be reviewed with the police department about traffic and applying for a special event. So, what I'm going to recommend to the council, though, the council can
take whatever action it likes, is that we uh we send this to the traffic safety and the chief of police, and we ask for um their recommendation back since this would uh affect uh both a parking lot of the burrow that is actively in use. It
will require police officers if we should grant it and it would also um affect a street um uh a major artery with uh in in town. So, um, but it's up to the council what they'd like to do and we're open for discussion, debate,
and question. >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> If I'm correct, this is the, uh, parking lot that's on the other side of the tracks, the rail tracks at Newbridge Landing. Is that what we're talking about?
>> Yes. That um, where New Bridge Landing then becomes River Road into Hackinack on that side. >> It's near the storage center. Okay. Right. So, my understanding was that that space was leased to the uh I forget
the company now that handles the parking spaces. Is that not right or >> No, that that hasn't been approved. And it's just and it wouldn't be leased to them. It's just for them to put meters and I don't know if it was for >> the area that's leased to the parking
company is on the other side. Um and that's the New Jersey >> western side of the tracks. Correct. Right. Okay. So this >> this is our >> the other side of the tracks. >> Yes. >> There's no lease agreement. >> No. >> Okay. That was my question. Thank you. >> Very good. Anyone else?
>> No, I agree with you, mayor, to send it back to the traffic and safety so they can evaluate and see. >> Okay. And make a recommendation. >> Make recommendations. >> Do we have a second for that? >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Very good. Proposed ordinance for limiting cats, dogs, and feeding of
stray cats. And I think we can bundle that together with proposed ordinance feeding of birds. >> Yes. The board of health um recommended that these ordinances be adopted um because there is no enforcement mechanism. One would limit the number of cats and dogs per household um to no I
believe it's no more than six. If you currently have six you're grandfathered and it would also prohibit the feeding of stray cats and also with the feeding of birds. that would prohibit the feeding of birds on public property and create parameters for feeding of birds on private property.
>> So, we have a rat a bit of a rat problem that occurs in hotspots and those hotspots are almost always connected to bird feeders. Residents will call the health department. This has happened over the years. And um and it usually the health department will come out
because there's been a rat spotted in somebody's backyard. And 99.9% of the time it's because someone has put a bird feeder out. And um and of course stray cats and stray dogs, the problem with them is they carry disease and they
might uh also be sick or ravied. So um >> and they multiply. >> Yeah, they do multiply too. And um you know so if the council is uh in certainly questions and debate but if the council is interested someone would
need to make a motion that it be uh moved to uh an ordinance at a future meeting and then of course it wouldn't be approved until there was two hearings. >> So for the feeding of birds there's there will be requirements or limitation of the private properties as well.
>> Yes. So you don't you wouldn't need a license. It would be uh that it wouldn't create a nuisance to your neighbor. It would have to be I guess like in a certain bird feeder, not just an open container that would attract other animals. >> Okay. >> I mean,
>> go ahead. >> No. >> Isn't that limiting too much to a resident? Like you can't feed the birds. I mean like it's your private yard. You can't put a tray opposed to you need to buy those. >> Well, we we have all sorts of laws like that. So for instance uh if you do an
improvement on your home and that reduces permeable coverage then your home because you put you put uh permeable coverage which means water cannot get into the ground will now affect the neighbor and we have in the town we have several houses in town
whose neighbors uh who are getting flooded. So if we have a strong summer rain literally six inches of water their entire backyard it looks like a wandering pond. So we we have always and and every town everywhere in the United
States has laws that says you can do what you want on your property as long as what you're doing will not in some way be a nuisance or affect the property value of your neighbor. And then the uh state statute uh or ordinance local law
would say there are consequences or there are parameters that we do that. We we do that with sidewalks. We do that with trees. Well, the state created a law for trees and we had to follow that law. So, so this there there is a precedent for this, but um all we're asking now is for you to allow for Mr.
Cheney and others to come forward with a draft ordinance and then we can tweak it as we like before we even introduce it. M and it's if somebody already has uh bird feeders in the yard, are they kind of
>> Well, if it just says bird feeders are to be placed at least 5 ft above ground and the capacity for seed is no more than 5 pounds. It does not become detractive for rodents or other wild animals. >> The purpose of the ordinance is what the mayor was describing in the the legal
side of it. We call it quiet enjoyment. In other words, that you get to utilize Sorry, mayor. I apologize. that it's called the quiet enjoyment. It's that's like that's the legal principle or the legal term that they use um that you can't interfere with the quiet enjoyment of your neighbor. So,
um, what the mayor is saying is, you know, when he used the permeable impermeable coverage example, if one house covers their whole backyard in asphalt, I mean, you really can't do that anymore, but if you if the old days that you would do that, another one would do it. The guy in the middle or the person in the middle house in the
middle, like he said, would become a pond because all the water can't escape. It would be stuck on the one. And if you did that, you would be negatively affecting your neighbor's property. So, it's illegal to do that. In other words, and what this ordinance is just simply doing, I think, is putting some
parameters on the on the feeding of the birds. I think business administrator Apertella just said it very well when she was reciting the five pound limitation for how much bird feed you can put out. 5 pounds of bird feed is a lot of bird feed. It's a big bag. So, if
if you're putting five pounds out or more than 5 pounds out at a time, it's almost like unlimited. And for my own experience, because I got rid of the bird feeder in my backyard, not that we don't love seeing all the beautiful birds that we have in Berg County, but I got rid of it because the squirrels would constantly jump off the fence or
the tree that I had in my backyard onto the bird feeder and they would be the ones eating the bird seed, not the birds. And then that, you know, then there would be a million squirrels in the backyard. So, you know, I think it's it it's to keep it to what I'll say a a fair amount um and a fair regulation so
that it again it's not to interfere with anyone's ability to enjoy the wonderful and beautiful uh spectacle of color that we get from the from the birds and you know in your backyard. I think it's just to make it so to the mayor's point, you don't wind up having the squirrels and the rats and the other um vermin type
animals come out that carry disease and can create problems and also destroy your property. >> Yeah, if I can just add to it because I actually attended the health department meeting as the liaison council lean to health department. So I was there when this was discussed. >> Really the intention is not to outlaw
bird feeders or even to outlaw feeding of birds. It's really to protect residents in the extreme and you know for the most part unusual situations where somebody is complaining that it's getting out of hand. And it's
really not even just about bird feeders. There are also people unfortunately who, you know, they'll throw a bunch of whatever leftover bread they have, they'll throw it out there in the backyard and nine times out of 10 it's not a problem. But when it becomes a
problem and somebody complains about it, this at least gives the authorities the ability to go there and you know protect everybody who's involved um in the situation where it's it's just getting out of hand because like you said mayor
you or or actually council you said the the squirrels come. Well when the squirrels come then the cats come. when the cats come, somebody else the fox comes and before you know it, you have a whole managerie of of uh predators roaming around. So, um you know, and
sometimes that leads to dead animals in your backyard because somebody's you know, someone's been murdered in your backyard. So, it's it's really just to keep some some lid on a problem that for some people it it it has become a
nuisance situation. And you know, again, nine times out of 10, the neighbors themselves can work it out. >> Um, but this is a situation where once in a while they can't work it out. And so, somebody has to be brought in and then the question becomes, well, what are the rules? And so, we're we're
making some rules and setting some boundaries. That's all it is. The only other thing I'll mention is just when it comes to cats and dogs, just a reminder to the public, um, it's required that they all be licensed. Okay? And that's another another concern that has come up
um that people not um start harboring unlicensed animals and and that goes to mostly situations where you have a lot of feral cats walking around and suddenly people kind of adopt them by putting milk out and other things uh and
then claiming that they're the pets. So this puts a limit on that. Um so that you can't just say, "Oh, these 20 cats in my yard, they're my pets and that's why I'm feeding them." um they have to be licensed and there the intention of this resolution would be to put some
reasonable limit on that. >> Does that make sense? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. You're welcome. Uh okay. Uh so is there a motion to move forward with this um uh the draft ordinance that's already been provided to the council. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All in favor please say I. I. >> I. >> Okay. Great. Determination award certificate. >> Yes, this is just forformational purposes only. It is there's no action required. On June 16th, notes were sold
in the amount of $14,731,000. The determination and award certificate was provided by the bureau clerk on Monday. Uh these notes were sold at an interest rate of 3.75% which was the same rate as last year. According to the chief financial officer, we will only
need to budget 3.489% for net interest cost after which is after the premium is applied and the CFO um attempts to borrow as little as possible to avoid incurring interest. And as he advised in budget meetings, the amortization schedule drops in 2030.
So he'll be looking to sell serial bonds at that time which will be permanent rather than temporary financing. And the only requirement is to confirm that the certificate has been provided to the mayor and council in the minutes of the public meeting after the note sale. So it's purely FYI.
>> Okay. Any other new business? Any questions about that? Any old business? >> Uh Miss Albertella, just an update. Where are we with uh constructions uh that is current? We've already done
PSENG, but um where are we with any any other uh infrastructure or construction project right now that might need to be updated if there is any update at all? >> Um no, there isn't any any update. Um we'll have the final payment for the
Kenneth B. George Park improvements and soon have a maintenance bond and everything else. um our uh recreation director and our our DPW director are working for special projects engineer. So there is no active construction at
this time. >> Okay. All right. Um anyone else for old business or new business >> um coun between >> council council comments? Yeah, especially any liaison that you have or anything that's coming up. I just wanted to thank the recreation department
Jorika and Dan uh Japlansky for bringing uh international day of yoga back I mean to the residents of river edge. It was a lovely event on Saturday. Very nice turnout and a very good day for yoga and wellness activities. And also would like
to thank uh our EMT um ambulance department, police department and fire department for partnering up and showing up over there cuz the residents really appreciate it. So, thank you and thank you mayor for being there. I was glad to be here. >> Anyone else
like to say that we're going to have the raising of uh the gay pride flag on uh June 30th as requested by a resident. We only got one request and so I honored that and that's why it's being happening on the 30th. I hope council can be
present. Uh also um that will be in Veterans Memorial Park at 6 p.m. on June 30th. Also uh we have the Fourth of July parade coming up. I hope the whole council will be present. Uh it should be a wonderful event for the public, for uh the residents. It always is. Starts at
Cherry Hill and goes to Veterans Memorial Park. Uh there are lots of uh groups and and events and uh it's a lot of fun by the town. I also want to commend uh Michelle Kaufman and the uh
the uh farmers market committee for all that they've done to so far a very successful uh farmers market. I was there just uh a few minutes ago. Uh they were doing a great job and I stopped by every vendor and they said they had a they had a great day which was good.
Last week was a little bit uh harrowing for them because the wind drew drove all their uh tents away and and some of them broke and so uh they are all waited down now and there were a million kids playing around and the music from uh
Steve um Steve last >> Charlotte >> Charlotte u Michelle's husband and as well as an outside singer um musician so and we we've had a lot and last week we had I think what used to be the uh
Bogurt Boys, but now their group is a new name and we we commend them. So um so a lot of great things happening in River Edge over the summer. Anyone else before we uh move to adjourn? >> Could I have a motion second to move to ajour? >> So move second.
>> All in favor please say I. >> I. >> We are done. Very well everyone. Thank you.