Wait one second. Okay. Now >> I quote order of mayor and council burough river bridge November 24th 2025 Burough Hall 705 King Road and Zoom. I ask um everyone to stand for a moment of
reflective silence. Um, why don't we think about the the week coming up for Thanksgiving and just think about those in your life um that you're very grateful >> 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 via October 7, 2025.
Sunshine notice containing location, date, time, and access information to the town news and the record that I post same in the municipal Bman board and the burough website and following notice of the same of the municipal clerk. Madam clerk, roll call, please. Council
President Mar here. Councilwoman Gonzalez >> here. >> Councilwoman M. Larry is currently abused. >> Oh, okay. >> Councilwoman Meri >> here. Councilman Benson >> here. >> Councilman Glass >> here.
>> Councilwoman Garwell is require notice. Mayor Papalo >> here. All right. Uh, could I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes of the mayor and council regular meeting in close session of November 13,
2025? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. U. Mayor, I have to obtain from the close session. >> Very well. Is there any other extension? Hearing none. >> It is.
>> Could I pass? >> No. No pun intended. >> Could I ask the Could I ask the um burough administrator to uh give us an update on all things concerning the burrow? Um just follow up our burough engineer
JV following updates to currently ongoing projects at the burough hall entrance and some of the floor park hall entrance is approximately 90% complete. The remaining items to be completed are
the installation of their reinforced concrete tag located next to the generator on the northeast side of the property, striking of the entire parking lot, cleaning of the front building area, placement of top soil, installation of planting which uh should take place starting this week.
completion of any lunchless items identified in the final inspection and they anticipate conducting the final inspection within the next few weeks accurate with respect stated that we remain on schedule. Key progress updates include the fields have
been properly created and the unders have been installed throughout the site installer is scheduled mobilized in approximately six weeks depending on the weather. Um also contingent on the weather studying is expected to begin in two weeks. All major construction
milestone for both baseball and softball fields have been completed on time. Um the first code like I mentioned at the last meeting where a tickle ball court was um laid down but the second code because of the weather will be applied in early April or once there are three
consecutive days dependency select to be used when process can take approximately two to three days um and then uh once irrigation and purchase are completed they will provide aerial photographs of the site and we remain on track for
midappril20 26 for opening this. >> Excellent. All right. Then um we have uh we have uh taekwond do center certificates and we have a new firefighter. So could uh without objection, I'd like to move
resolution 25-295 to the beginning of the meeting. Uh, and this would be um um to approve the appointment of volunteer firefighter math Polandic. >> I think without objection, I'd like a
motion to >> Mayor I think it's 291. >> My apologies. Moving 25-291. So >> second. >> It has been moved and second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Okay. So, what we're going to do is
we're going to swear in uh Matthew, one of our volunteer firefighters, and then after that, we're going to do our uh Taekwond do center certificates. And we're very proud of them. But since the taekwond do have seats and the firefighters do not, I thought maybe we don't do that in that order. All right.
So, um Matthew, why are you present? Great. And could I have the chief department and any firefighter present please come forward and fill in uh in front of the deis. >> Uh tonight we have a joint training
exercise with Orville Fire Department. So most of my firefighters are departing exercise across the street and made that aware of that. >> Oh great. Okay, Matt. Well, first of all, Matt, we really appreciate giving your time and energy. It is a tremendous um
want to make sure the people uh at home can hear. It is a tremendous commitment uh to become a firefighter. Chief, how long does it take to become a volunteer firefighter >> with the uh training that we do at the firehouse as well at fire academy? About
7 7. >> That's tremendous commitment. About how many hours would you say a week? probably about 12 to 15 hours a week of time. >> Yes. And so, uh, Matthew, we really appreciate it. Um, camera is there. So,
uh, I'm gonna come over here. I'm gonna let you and, uh, close it. And, uh, oh, hold on. >> Right. Great. Uh, Matthew, would you be okay um with a bottle? >> Yeah. >> Great. Can you hold it? You know, raise
your right hand. You guys can switch. >> All right. Raise your right hand, Matthew. And repeat after me. I state your name. I, you >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States
>> and the Constitution >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I >> and that I >> will bear true aid >> that I will bear true aid >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government >> and to the government >> established in the United States
>> established in the United States >> and in the state >> and in the state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of peace. >> I say your name >> I, Mand, >> 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 firefighter >> as a 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 >> to help me out. >> To help me out. >> Congratulations.
Chief, do you want to say a few more words or um anything at this point? Especially to possible volunt. We have a great junior program. So, you're more than welcome to come by the firehouse. We've been fortunate to get uh several new volunteer firefighters
and the department's doing real well. >> It's excellent. >> Yeah. And uh you know with the police department here, we're grateful for the uh support that we get from the river police. So thank you very very much and thank you mayor and council for your support. >> Um now we have Alto uh a wonderful uh we
have JS Iwando center certificate. Could I have the coach come up? Yes, he could. And any uh assistant coaches who are present manager, team manager my way. >> Absolutely. So, what we're going to do is u
what we're going to do is we're going to call up each um athlete and what we're going to do is you're going to call up the name and then hand certificate and then we're going to you guys are going to come forward. I'm going to shake your hand. Okay. Parents want to take a picture then that's good. Okay. And then
you're going to come and stand behind us and go all then we'll do a a group shot if that's okay. Right. You got this. Uh >> yes. >> Yes. Do you want to say a few things to put this in context? >> Um, so our athletes this year, well, every year we've been in town for
um, we've been having athletes train in our facility. Um, we're known to be a tough school. There's several others falling out, but our athletes put a lot of work, dedications, um, even on the weekends, Saturday,
Sunday training. So they achieved a certain amount of you know levels not just at the local state regional and students nationals. So this is like the biggest you can achieve um as an athlete at youth and junior age. So this is a
really big accomplishment. So um I just want to pause this before here and I'm gonna ask the come up this way. So if you could state their names >> versus Fabian number one national champion
congratulations right over We have Jeffrey Hait Noah H. Matthew. >> All right. So, so I just want to into the record. Uh each of them have a a certificate that says the mayor and
council of the Burough River Edge are proud to present this athlete a certificate in recognition of achieving the 2024 blue belt sparring gold medal in the AAU Taekwond do national
championship and the 2025 red belt sparring gold medal in the US national taekwond do uh championship with my future in the council. listening presently. Very good. I give you that a lot. Um, anything you want to say
about this achievement? You can you have a moment if you are not too nervous. >> So, let's take a picture. And uh so Jeff >> and coach and I'll stand over here.
>> Okay, there we go. >> It's not very Thank you so much. Thank you. >> We will upload this to YouTube hopefully within a day or two. >> Uh you go to the burrow burrow um site YouTube site and you can watch it or you
can download it so they can have a memory of it or or >> Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. You're welcome. Oh. Okay. Um Okay. So, uh, we're going to open to public comments on any item on agenda on
the agenda. Could I have a motion and a second? >> What about the presentation about the >> Oh, the presentation. I'm sorry. I jumped ahead. I apologize, Eric. And um All right. So, we're going to have an HPC, which is historic preservation committee commission, uh, 2026 budget
requests. Uh, if I could have them come forward, state your name and address, and um, gentlemen, you can begin. Street. Uh, >> turn on the mic. >> Street Eric Homedale, 178 Bulker Road.
>> All right, gentlemen. Welcome and thank you for being here. The floor is yours. >> Thank you for having us. We are here in October to give you an update on the QR code project. at the time. I uh summarize some other projects we were working at and uh would suggest that we
send in formal summaries of them and we've done so of six projects. Tonight we're limiting ourselves to two in particular because the four others will update you in the future. They're not right for presentation for budget purposes. So the two tonight involve uh banners
along um Riveridge Road and Main Street. This is the one for grade roads about old bridge >> and this one's along the retreat route on Main Street. Yesterday was the commemoration of the retreat and the
retreat took place in River. So we want to mark that. >> And you've spoken to the superintendent of public works about this. So that uh this would be something that he feels we could do and the locations and the number of status correct. >> Yeah. availability. I've spoken to him
three times and we sat down and we've done a quote from Gates who done the heroes banners and the like and this is consistent with the protocol and the format on on that. So that's one of them. >> Go ahead. >> The other one, the second one is for equipment. I'll let Jim speak to that.
Uh we're doing a story telling project and a local history project and uh we're we're gathering stories and we do it on personal narrative also. We've done it for Joe and Jerry, Mary Donnu, and the like. And uh Jim has borrowed equipment
in the past. So, let's speak to that, but we made an application through grants and uh we're following up to that. we've done is we're doing a scaled down request from where we first started being mindful of the budget but I'll let Jim talk about we're just
looking to purchase a camera tripod microphone and cable so that we can use that for oral histories or anything else that we would use because we are doing lots of recording uh when it comes to the streets as well and then we also thought anybody else that's part of the river uh departments could also use we
can even house the equipment here I could train people how to use It's very easy. So it it would be equipment not just for the historical commission but for anybody within the burough uh community as well. >> All right. Um this needs to be referred to the budget committee. Um but we want
to give you a chance to present it and any member of council can ask a question. Any member of council wishes to ask the question before it's referred. Seeing none. Gentlemen, thank you for coming. >> Thank you. Thank you. All right. Very good. So now we would I
need a motion and second to open for public comments on any item on the agenda. There be two minutes granted. If there is an individual who uh if there are individuals who are willing to um give up their time uh to another individual, that individual can speak to
more than two mates, but that person would be giving up their opportunity to speak. they would be basically giving their two minutes to the main speakers as has been our practice in the past. So, could I have a motion and second? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I.
>> Okay. Um, is there any person who would like to speak to any item on the agenda? Please come forward. Okay. Um, law enforcement does not need to give their address. uh would like to state their role and don't forget to
turn the mic on that. Okay, Matt, you get two minutes unless there are others here who would like to um but you do have to state your name and your okay on behalf of Mayor Papo Council President
members of the council. Thank you for your time. My name is Matthewski, president to be able to one. I'm on behalf of the 23 members that are some of the hardest working men and women that help keep Right one of the safest communities in the country and the public we serve to respectfully request
we reconsider the decision to eliminate and not fill the captain's position or at minimum near our side before making a final staffing decision. I would like to state currently there are in the river edge police department table organization consists of 23 sworn
officers come January 1st and if this ordinance passes there will still be 23 sworn officers. This leads to my first question. Is this truly a budget issue or is it a personal issue between the council and the police department? If this decision was strictly about dollars
and cents, the council would have provided the chief with a specific dollar amount to cut, not just eliminate a supervisor rank in an extremely young department at a time when agencies across the state are adding supervisory positions and not cutting them. Over the weekend, I sat down with members of the
PBA and did our numbers, which seemed to differ from the numbers the council presented to us, which was believed cost of savings of roughly $32,000,000 after eliminating his position. Our numbers show that in 2025, the borrower
would only be spending roughly $26,32646 to fill the captain's position and backfill lieutenant and sergeants positions. In 2026, that number would roughly be $27,5057. For some history, the patent position has been a subject of discussion since
at least 1995 and under multiple chiefs. For decades, chiefs and the command staff recognized a V for its true second command. In 2017, the then council removed the captain position from the board for that. >> So, would you like to grant him time?
>> That's right. Okay, please state your name. >> Jeff Stern, delegate. Give you a local 20 time. >> Okay. Uh there can we can get other people to give you time now instead of going every two minutes. >> We can go every two minutes. >> Okay, cool.
>> In 2017, the van council removed the captain's position from the table of organization and attempted to replace the role of an administrative sergeant. Furthermore, that position was previously before that previous administrations tried hiring civilian employees to conduct the responsibilities of the
captain. Those experiments did not work and failed for a simple reason. Sergeant or civilian cannot fill the responsibilities of the second in command in the paramilitary structure. The rank and structure did not support it. The authority wasn't there and it created confusion, inconsistency, and
operational inefficiencies. The police department learned from those past experience and has proven exactly why the captain is so essential. In a paramilitary organization, the captain is the lynch pin of the command and responsible for acting as an incident commanders in the absence of the chief.
We have designing at the bal dispatcher, police licensing, scheduling mandatory training, which is ever expanding, fleet management, purchasing all department necessary equipment, hiring, evaluating all employees, in charge of the office of internal affairs and professional
standards, and managing our accreditation, which save the town yearly in insurance policy. Without a captain, those responsibilities don't just disappear. They simply get pushed downwards often without appropriate rank or authority which creates gap in leadership department inconsistencies,
morale issues and opens the borrow to possible unfair labor labor practices for working at a hire. A good example of this is when the bureau appointed a secondary command position and created a position of an assistant burrow administrator in March of 2021. The police department need the
same structure. Additionally, in comparison between department size, resident population is approximately 12,000 residents, school full district size and call volume. The Glenrock police department consists of 23 officer and 14.
We respect that the burrow of financial constraint, but we strongly believe there are other ways. >> Okay, that's two minutes. >> Patrick Diamond 94 North D. >> Okay. view. >> We respect that the bureau faces financial constraints, but we strongly believe there are other ways to save
money that do not compromise public safety or leadership structure, and we are more than willing to sit with the council, the administrator, and the chief to score them. Tonight, we are asking for the council to please delay and reconsider these actions of eliminating the visit captain
position. The PBA is not asking for 5% raises for free benefits. All we're asking is for our rank structure to be filled to ensure proper supervision and management in in this department. Without proper supervision, the bureau is opening the door of radiations for failure to supervise or failure to train
properly. This decision could create a lack of supervision on their own due to sergeants having to conduct administr administrative responsibility. This is not about title. This is about any functional modern police department align with the 2025 police and standards
and ensuring the residents of River continue to receive the level they of service they expect and more importantly deserve. >> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Is there another person who would like
to speak to any item on the agenda? Please state your name and rank a lieutenant of the police department and resident here. Mayor council, thank you for your time. I come tonight as an employee and a resident of our town. It disappoints me
that nine years after I sat in this very seat as PVA president, I am now sitting here as part of command staff and of the police department and a member of the superior officers association having to advocate for the captain position again.
Mayor, Council President Montasan Owen, and Councilwoman Canala acknowledged that we needed the position in 2021, and I thank you graciously for bringing the supervision in the police department to where it needed to be at that time to meet the standards of the
time. Many of the same arguments I made then, PBA President Peterski is making now. What is of greater concern to me is that we the reason that we are is what we are being told is the reason the budget and I think there's a twoprong
point to this. The first is the cost. A lot of numbers have been thrown around and that the police department has come up with a $300,000 date. I would offer that as you're aware we have a performant in place already which was budgeted for in 2025. There is no additional hiring that would have to occur. Captain Casey's salary
can come off the salary and wage line for the 2026 budget, which is in the ballpark of 190,000. Plus, his benefits can come off the healthcare one. To make all three promotions, a captain, a lieutenant, and a sergeant will cost approximately $30,000 using the high
numbers. $30,000 and a $20 million budget. I have attached the breakdown in the handouts that I've provided to you all this evening. Another number that has been floated is that there's a $3 million deficit. If that's the case, we have a bigger issue and serious questions need
to be asked in Michigan. We know that healthcare, debt service, and pension costs are outside the 2% cap. So, if that's the number without those items, where did the money go? All police lawsuits attack training and supervision of the department when there is blame
trying to be placed. >> Uh, is there another? >> I'll give my time. >> You got to state your name. uh gave me a vice president. >> Okay. Attorneys will drag out lawsuits and look for big paydays by questioning who was in charge and what training was provided by having a clear line of
secession in the absence of the chief. So there are no blurred lines of leadership and the fact that the person that is responsible for all the training that person is responsible for all the training aris compliance that allows the borrow to mitigate risk. I wanted to touch on accreditation for a minute
because I know it has come up in discussion. The jet gave the borrowed money as a loan, if you will, for $25,000 to go toward accreditation. Each year, they give a 5% discount on the liability insurance premium the town pays, which according to Ezio, our town,
the size of our town is about $7,000. The credit goes back to the 25,000 that was owned in the beginning. Once the 25,000 is paid off, the savings is realized. The gypsy accreditation is another layer to have to peel away during litigation because you know your department is following the best
practices by their self- assessment and independent auditors who come in. I have to say being responsible as the accreditation manager when I was first promoted was an honor and privilege and enhanced my understanding and application of the policies and procedures in place and also allowed me to become an intricral part in bringing
the police department up to best practices. I can also test is not just scanning some documents into a system. It is constantly updating policies as new directives come out from the attorney general as well as constant reviews to make sure the department itself is adhering to all the standards
in place following best practices. The police department is a 247 365 department. It operates on holidays, nights, and weekends, which is why it's the biggest budget in the overall town budget. It's also the only department that can take people's liberties away as
the first ones on scene of an emergency could have to react in a split second or make a a life or death decision. Those decisions have consequences. Having stable leadership at the top to make sure that all policies and procedures are in place and being followed, that all training is acquired
and documented, and that there is a clear line of succession. >> You have someone else, >> mayor. That is perfect. I use my time to um his part. Clear line of secession in an emergency in my opinion is worth $30,000.
I've talked about relationships before and at Father Mike's funeral today, Cardinal Tobin talked about relationships and the relationships that Father Mike had with the people of his past. The mayor and council, the PDA, and the police department have shared in a good relationship over the last five
years, much more so than prior to the tenure of Chief Walker. Let's continue to have that relationship so we can work together for the good of the people of this town. I provided a handout to all of you in the beginning. I just want to clarify on the second slide. I gave you
uh the population census. I also provided you what the school population is. The specific point of why I included the school population is because god forbid there was ever a critical incident. These are the potential um people that we could be looking at, right? that all these schools being
filled on any particular day. So that was the purpose of including that in case that particular slide wasn't clear. I believe the rest is self-explanatory um in the PowerPoint that I look forward to you reviewing. If you have questions, you all know how to get in contact with
me and I would look forward to questions to be honest so we can have a further dialogue about this. Is there another 247. >> You don't need to give your address. >> I'm no longer officer. >> Yeah, but you are.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Um 27 and a half years to police department. I retired in 2024 as lieutenant. Prior to that, four years as a police reuner, I borrow. Um, first of all, guys, really nice job with the
burrow call. Very nice job. Um, notice the uh the front border out there around this piece of steel from the World Trade Center. Very nicely done. The ingground heating, very, very nice touch. Um, I would like to think that when you guys took on this project, you consulted with
um, uh, engineers, uh, tradesmen, um, architects to get the job done correctly. I would hope that you would also reach out making such a big decision uh, as far as taking away the captain's position uh, to a consulting firm that deals with police departments
and manpower staffing. uh without that type of knowledge backing you up, your decision to disband the captain's position seems very arbitrary arbitrary and I'm gonna hold off on saying capriccious. Um I would like to think that doing your due diligence, you would actually reach out to people who
probably know police departments best and figure out what's best for making that decision. All right. Chief Walker River Police Department Chief Go and so
I'm I'm really looking for council people I met with the sub committee. I just want to make sure that for all council aware actually heard a lot and repeat some of it. Very important that please try to listen to what I think is
the simplicity of this transition. Right. Initially I asked for a personal subcommittee meeting um a meeting actually with personal subcommittee I felt administrator should be there. The chief financial officer should be there representative member staff and federal
attorney desire. All right. never have that meeting. Um, instead last week I was told I needed to appear to sub personnel subcommittee meeting. I asked the BA for the topic. She wasn't aware of the topic. I asked the mayor and the
mayor told me no need to prepare. See you at the meeting. Right. I didn't think that was uh I didn't think that was very professional. Right. At the meeting, I was told that the cabinet position was going to be removed from the table of organization.
I asked Why? And I sold his budget hard. I was told there would be savings between somewhere between 50 to 300,000. I asked, "Are we planning on laying anybody off next year?" The answer was
not at the time. I said, "Are you going to let me hire anybody next year?" The answer was no. Right? So that means we went from 25 officers on June, the last day of June in 2025.
We went to 24 officers. Okay. 24 officers pay January 26 on the first pay 24 officers will get paid. That 24 officer salary and benefits we are no longer paying.
All right. And we estimate that to be around 250 300,000. Chief, do you have someone who would like to >> for I asked I need the captain spot. I went on from there and it didn't it did certainly
didn't go my way. Right. So, here we are. In order to make it happen, I just want to follow present the steps of how this happens. 23 officers. The 24th officer isn't here. We're not paying them. We will not be paying him
next year. 250 to 300,000 not paying him. They said, "I'm going to do it with the 23 we have." How do you do that, Chief? Okay. I take a lieutenant and I make them a captain, right? We don't have to test for that because the
lieutenant the um tenant that's agreed when it won't take place. So, we save money on testing. How much does that cost? $1,900. Okay. the salary get us right now in the country, right? What about the lieutenant chief? Okay, we need to take
a sergeant. We need to make him a lieutenant, right? We need to test for that. All right, I have the money to full budget to test for that. Once that's done, how much does that cost? $13,000. Okay, so what are we in now? $15,000.
We didn't touch the retired captain 250 to 300,000 sitting there. We're not touching it, right? We're not replacing that physical person. Okay. What do you do with the sergeant then? You need to replace the
sergeant. We already have a sergeant on deck waiting. As you know, you put him on the list. Okay. No cost. How much does the sergeant cost? $13,000. What is that? 26 27 28 just under 30
like you said $30,000. What about the patrolman? We're not hiring. We don't need to. We have that patrol. He doesn't get an increase. We don't need to test under $30,000
to replace this captain with the man. You have someone else. >> Thank you. Sorry. All right. Now, honestly, I am a man and these officers know what I go up to the police department is teamwork.
I sit down with the command staff multiple times a week. I've had meetings with my sergeants and command staff. I had a whole departmental meeting unseen in the police department. Why do I do it? Because when we sit together, there's nothing we can't accomplish. I
don't need to stand up and be I'm the chief for all the answers. Okay? I asked that of you. I wanted to sit with that group of people and discuss this because if I was told, gee, we got a
budget problem. What are we going to do here? I'm telling you right now after I went to the subcommittee and I was told that I left and played with some numbers. I could save you more that 30,000. I could find that in budget and I could get you at least 40 more,000.
So you wouldn't know about that, right? Why? Because you you won't sit down and have a proper ping meeting. You know, sometimes you run things by attorneys, right? We have two good attorneys. You Mr. Gio, who's not here, who does labor, Mr. Shadane does borrow. You know, Mr.
Gio, outstanding attorney. So is Mr. Shadane. Okay. But if you ask him a question as a mayor on behalf of the police department, you're asking a question. You should ask him a question about the police department. All right? It's not having
me at the table. I run a police department. I'm damn good at it. I've been doing this for 37 years. I think you can see I turned this place around. All right. If you brought me to the table and said, "Chief, we got a
problem." I could have helped you with it. I asked not to do this tonight to put it off and meet and discuss it with all of you if you want with the labor attorney. Bring the burrow attorney certainly the CFO
>> someone else 268. >> Thank you. All right. It didn't happen. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure where the team approaches here. All right. It bothers me tremendously as
a resident to know that our taxes are going somewhere to where decisions are being made. You pay professionally to run your department. If you don't think I do a good job, then you should get me out of the position. If you think I do a
good job, you should include me as a team player with the other department heads to help you with the issues that you have. I don't feel there guys. This this last meeting and where I'm at right now, I'm
sorry. These numbers are they're numbers. They're you know, ask the CFO. We're not bringing that happen that back. We're saving that money.
I would ask that you guys digest this. Run it past the CFO. Tell me I'm wrong. All right. If you remember when I took the position, I said I wanted a captain through attrition. Two officers left, traffic
officers to the um savings of somewhere around 400,000. Right. We made a sergeant. We turned that position into a patent position for a reason. For the last four year, guys, I gave you a fiveyear plan. About 90% done, and
it's going pretty damn well. No grievances, no lawsuits. One officer left to go to his hometown. I understand that. All right. You're looking at me. You tell me I do a good job and then you don't include me
when it comes to something so serious. I pay taxes in this town, too. I totally understand it. I run this department very efficiently. Ask me about any line item, anything I have. Someone else for Chief Sber. Thank you, Chief. I run
it efficiently. My desk job, which is 90% done, is under budget. No change orders, no issues. I took care of that with the contractors
that work there. Please reconsider this. Have a meeting with the stakeholders. Include your burrow attorney, include the labor attorney, include the CFO. Let's Let's fix our budget problem together. Thank
you. Is there someone else who'd like to speak? Kenneth Layman 190 Kenny Avenue. So I wanted to come here and speak because I did find out about the news about the removal the possible removal of the acquisition. One of the things I
want to say is I'm I'm an 18year resident of this town. Okay. I've been I've had the pleasure of being able to raise five kids in this town. all who have had the pleasure of making uh good the becoming you know acquaintances of the uh you know all the police officers being able to have a good uh
relationship with them and also being able to have a good relationship through the scouting program with our police officers as well. I and I say that knowing that especially in the last five years, right, when you look at the relationship with the officers and their involvement in the
community in this town, okay, it comes down to one single word. All right, each officer is invested in our community more so now than I will say than they were maybe 10 years ago, whatever in my opinion. Okay? And I think the reason for that is because they have a vested
interest in staying this town. Okay? they have a vested interest in staying this time because they see your career path right they see that there's a succession that right so my I think that this you know even just looking at from my own business you know experience
right when you have you know roles that are that you can see that you can attain within your career okay it creates incentive to stay there you can see career progression okay without career progression I think that's when you start to see that you quite a bit
Okay. Chief said it himself. One officer left to go to his hometown. Okay. I would make the argument that 10 years ago we were seeing rapid numbers of officers for better opportunities elsewhere. Okay. Few other things I would say that the elimination of a role such as the captain creates a point of
of failure within the leadership. Okay. that leadership. Okay. Whether it's your goals that are shifted efforts to achieve or downwards, we probably take away from the focus on frontline responsibility. >> Do you have someone who'd like to directly stand state?
>> All right. I'd also say need for governance, right? The elimination of a role like as captain even in my my in my little bit of of of uh in a research, right, introduces a gap in the risk and compliance factors that are giving you the vote. Okay. And and when you
introduce risk, those types of risks, they create problems within an organization. I see in my job and I'm sure it filters down anywhere else. Okay? Whether it's school boards or what have you. Um I would say that the financial savings that that have been
discussed tonight, whether it's 300,000, whether it's 30,000, whatever the number is that you want to tag into it, okay, I don't believe that something like that would outweigh the cost of such a lawsuit or a failed investigation or a mishandled incident because of lack of proper coverage. All right. And the last
thing that I would say is that I will go back and say that that captain role is necessary, right, for that leadership succession, right? Being able to give our officers an incentive that's stay and grow within our community and be able to continue to foster those relationships with our families. All right.
I would ask that is this proposal based off of an operational need assessment or is it a reactive cost uh savings measure to pose a gap somewhere else in in the budget? I think that needs to be considered because I'm a strong I
strongly advocate for the uh people in the position. Is there like to speak? Is there anyone remotely who would like to speak? >> If you would like to speak, please raise your hand. We'll be given two minutes.
Seeing none, could I have a motion and second to close the public on any item on the agenda? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> So, um I'm going to speak to a few of the things that were brought up. Um
first thing uh is the uh state of New Jersey has issued a 34.34% um 36.4%. 4% um health benefits increase. This is
uh going to be affecting all municipalities throughout New Jersey, 70 in Burton County, 564 in the state. Uh we asked our CFO to uh when when it was announced to tell us what the budget impact was and it was
approximately $525,000 >> about 532. >> It's about $532,000. That's two tax points. So what the state is um doing um to municipalities is creating a tax levy. So instead of
starting the year with zero, we're starting the year with two and a half tax points to the taxpayers. Last year at the end of the budget meeting, uh the chief spoke for an hour at that time about the captain's position. Uh the lieutenants, I think
spoke about that. So we we uh we have heard the chiefs and the PDA side. Um we uh realized that we were in a financial issue. We uh had no captain for over 20 years. We uh we attempted an experiment.
The police department asked us to consider the captain. We added table organization. We had it for two and a half years, but we had to fund the budget which creates a tax burden or tax obligation on the people of River Edge.
And we asked our CFO what that tax obligation was and it's $300,000 uh on average because it was a little bit un 300,000 for the first year about 300,000 for the second year and about 300,000 and three or four the first
year. That is the not what's paid to the officer but the burdens to the budget. that is the salary plus the pension payment plus the health benefits payment and uh the tax payment that we're
obligated to do. These are not imagine numbers. These are hard numbers. They come from the individual who was in that position that was $900,000 over three years. It was clear to us when that individual retired and uh served with
great honor in the River Edge Police Force. And I should stop and say we have I think the best police department in Bergen County and I have said this repeatedly uh to mayors when I meet with them to the residents. Um this council and the councils before it have been
very supportive. We've never said no to the police department in the 14 years I've been on the council. Um and um but that um $300,000 uh in the budget, not necessarily paid
to the officer because there are taxes he has to pay, taxes we have to pay. Uh we've gotten this from the CFO. Um we have that number. Um led the council to recognize that we were um as health benefits went up. Now,
I was just at the League of Municipalities down in um Atlantic Sydney, and I took uh seven forces. Um and one of the courses I took was um headed by the Department of Community
Affairs who reduced all budgets of all the towns. And one of the things that he had spoken of is that over the last four years, health benefits have gone up 80%. It's going up 34.4 this year, 80% all
overall. And this has been sapping all the budgets. Uh I sat in another workshop with um it was more of a panel with the uh assembly leader Greenwall Green's I think and uh the minority leader. So the assembly leader
Democratic, the minority leader, Republican um Deari I think his name was. Um and then um Senate Minority Leader Buo who is also Republican and they all said the exact same thing that happened in every other one of the
workshops. The uh health benefits failure is leading to all sorts of impossibilities of the budget. Um and that was said over and over again. I actually had a workshop that was called
can this state health benefit program be saved? And all three speakers, a union speaker, a state uh official, and a um well, I forget who the third guy was, said the exact same thing. No, it can't
be. But that's by way of background. So, we recognized that we had a budget problem and at the end of the budget meeting, I said, "Okay, we now have to talk about furloss and layoffs." And the council chose, and I think the council chose correctly at that time, to add
more surplus. So, we added $2.5 million worth of surplus. Did I hit that correct? >> 350 was added at the end of the budget. >> Yeah. So, we did a total of 2.5 of $7.2 million of surplus. Now, surplus does
replenish. I don't want to mislead anybody, but it only replenishes after two years. only the difference between what we fund and what we spend. But what we fund we have to tax. Now we're 25% of
the tax levy on the residents of River. The other 75% is the schools and the county and um open space. So, we realized back in um January,
February, and March that we couldn't afford to replace the uh captain's position, but we did have to put it into the budget. So, um so that $33,000, it's probably 300 and that last year's
budget. Um no, actually 303 is this uh >> 2025 2025. I think it was 2025. >> Yeah, it was 2025. The 303 or 302 was in last year's budget. The only way we cannot that we we wouldn't
have to fund it and therefore tax it is if we removed it and still the council uh was thinking about this. But what we found out later is that the chief had uh promoted uh asked for promot salary uh promotion.
How would we start that adjustment? >> Yes. >> Adjustment because he had placed one lieutenants in the captain's position which he shared with us on Thursday. Um when we found it out two weeks ago, we did not we had said to the chief in
writing and in publicly and to the police department that we were not going to fund it and the state reserves promotions and funding to the council. So we were surprised when we got this request to uh for an acting captain.
Then we found out that the chief had uh moved a sergeant into a lieutenant's position and a patrol officer into a sergeant position and then at the end of 72 days, the contract would require us to start funding them at the higher rate.
Our officers are great. The issue is money. So if you take the 200 2.5 million that we had to fund from surplus and you always fund some from surplus because why should the people be taxed if we
have surplus but you can't fund a third of the um can't use a third of the um surplus every year because you'd run out of surplus and you'd also be downgraded by Moody's.
So, um, this is just not viable. This is not our this is not personal. Um, it was never personal. As I said, to my knowledge, we have never said no to the police department in the 14 years I've been on the council. And I actually in inserted myself into negotiations when I
was a council person to try to help get a better uh contract for the police department. Um, so we have uh last year we put 2.5 of our surplus into the budget. We can't
keep doing that. We have 520, you know, 532, you said, give or take 532,000. So that brings us up to 3 million. So we will be using surplus, but we can't use it at this rate of expenditure. So we
need to find not $30,000 in the budget. we need to find about a million dollars in the budget or we're going to be forced to consider furlows or layoffs. I don't want to do that. I think it's foolish. I think it's cruel to the people. Plus, we need to
also um do the contractual employees, the police and DPW have a contract, so they're going to get a raise next year. But our non-contractual pretty much all of our secretarial staff and clerical staff and finance department um and and
also the chief because the chief would not fall fall under contract need to get some sort of uh price of um >> cost of living >> cost of living increase and we need to do that. That's two to three% salary increase and that's um probably another
point half a point to a point. So we go from two and a half points to uh three four three three and a half points to four points before we even consider departments asking for more money simply because of
the cost of living because of inflation because of tariff tax or whatever you want to call it. It's just more expensive out there for everything. And um and so and this is the operating budget which is different from the capital budget. Uh, it is the operating
budget that has caps on it. But I'm sorry, I don't think that this council nor this the residents of River Edge want a five, six, seven, eight% tax increase. That's where we're at. It's not
personal. Uh, we had 20 years, at least 20 years that I know of without a captain's position. We tried it for two and a half year three years because we kept it it even though um the captain retired it had to stay in the budget. If it's in the budget it has to be uh
funded fully cannot be partially funded. The state doesn't allow us to do that. And so that's the situation. Also um in addition to reserving the right to the council of promotions and funding um the council is also reserved by the
state of New Jersey in the table of organization. Uh it is the council's decision. Um would I if we could afford it do I think we'd keep it? I don't know. I probably but we can't afford it. there isn't
enough money and the 303 is just the beginning of what we need to find in this year's budget. Now, what if the state does something different with health benefits? I would love to see that happen, but Senator Buku,
Assemblyman Deari, and Assemblyman Greenwald did not hold out much hope. Neither did the other six workshops I went to. Um, they're going to try to do something during Laney Duck. You may not know what lame duck means. It's the
period after the election before uh the newly elected get brought back in, sworn in, when um assembly men and women and senators um have less pressure for reelection because either they've not
been reelected or they have and they get hopefully a lot of things done that would be less popular. This is this is an awful situation. This is a terrible situation and I wish and I think the council wishes there was
something else we could do but these are not factors created by us. These are factors created by the outside and it's not just happening in New Jersey happening all over the country. I don't know if you noticed but um health
benefits are insane everywhere. And New Jersey just won a case against Horizon, which is the state's health benefit, for $100 million because they overcharge the state of New Jersey. Now, you might be wondering why did it take the state two,
three, four years to figure it out, or was it just simply that how long it went through the courts? Well, they explained in the workshops that uh due the lobbying power of the uh hospital systems, the pharmaceutical companies and the um insurance companies, the
state of New Jersey didn't have the rights that a self-insurance um uh if you had if you were self-insured instead of state insured did when it came to finding out what the coding was. It took them a while to realize that they were supposed that uh
that they had signed a contract Horizon to um charge people like teachers and police and DPW workers and anyone in the study felt benefit the lower the rate that was based on
um Medicare negotiated rate and they were charging the higher rate and they did it from day And that's why they settled for $100 million. This is a long- winded way to say we love our police department. We
can't. We wish you could. Maybe in a couple years we could revisit this, but over the next two years, probably three years based on unless something miraculous happens with uh inflation,
recession, and health benefits. I it's just it just isn't there. And the problem is is that if we don't fund properly, we have to tax properly. And if we don't do both of those, then we have to do
layoffs and furlows, which is not a is not a safe way to run a town. Um I'm sure in two weeks when this is an ordinance, so this is a first reading when if it passes it then goes there's a
twoe waiting period. Well, to next council meeting and uh December 11th um and we will open it to the public again, but I don't see the financial situation changing between now and then. I wish it would. Maybe something miraculous will
come from the state. Um also one last thing, uh the federal government has cut back drastically on its funding of states and that means the state is funding is cutting back drastically on its funding of municipalities.
I thank for for coming forward and sharing your concerns. I wish we could do something better. It is the council's decision and it is my role and responsibility to express the council's situation. Does any member of council want to add anything to the explanation
or >> I do I do I do I I I do >> You're open. You're just turned yourself off. >> Touch it again. I may your mic is just Oh, my mic's been off. Did you guys ever all hear me?
>> Why not? Can you repeat all that? >> Yeah. >> I just want to express the fact that uh I don't speak for everyone on the council, but this has not been a capriccious decision. This has not been a very very this has been a very difficult decision. And it
all goes to the money. It all goes to the budget and us having to cut the surplus again in the next year. It was neither capricious nor unprofessional. We have had conversations and it's a decision that comes to at the
end of the day as a budget issue and us trying to avoid taxing their residents of River understanding how valuable the police department is. It is not has has not been an easy decision. >> Yeah. And u I forgot to mention we're
not reducing the patrol officers. We we would never do that. in our district sergeants. Uh this is administrative position. Um and it was something we didn't have for 20 years and we had for two and a half and it was an experiment that just we can't afford. We could we
would we would hopefully do something different but all right um we have now readings first ordinances. Could I have a motion that follow the following ordinances be introduced in pass and post reason November 24th at 11 p.m. or soon
thereafter the matter can be heard. >> It should be December 11th. >> December 11th. That's something. Can I have a motion that the following ordinances be introduced and passed on first reading and setting December 11th, 2025 at 7 p.m. or soon thereafter. The
matter that can be heard is the date and time in the council chambers is the place in the zoom as a virtual platform for a hearing on this ordinance. I'm going to read all three ordinances and I'll ask for a motion on a second. Uh Mr. Do we have to approve these
individually? That's what I'm okay. Ordinance 25-12, Ordinance to amend subsection double E entitled miscellaneous fees of chapter 206 of the revised general ordinance of the Burough River Edge entitled fees.
Ordinance 45-22, ordinance amending chapter 337, rental property of the code of the Burough River Edge to add article 2 respecting the regulation of the use of short-term rentals. Ordinance 25-23 is ordinance
amending section 71-7 and article of chapter 71 of the code of the burough river edge respecting the elimination of the position captain from the table of organization of the police department of the burough river edge but I have a motion and a second
>> no it has to be brought you must give a motion second and then you can say >> so moved Second. >> It has now been moved and seconded. It is now an item for discussion. But first, could I ask the bur administrator
to please uh speak to these three ordinances? What we hope we do? >> Ordinance 25-21 establishes a fee for bur supplements. The clerk's office to purchase uh a copy of the latest supplement. Um it's
available online free but some people pay and um historically the office has charge $15 for the supplement but the rate of supplement um varies depending on the number of ordinances that has
been codified. So this ordinance establishes it as the actual cost to be what we are charged to the supplement for whomever asked for a hard copy. um 25-22 it establishes regulation including
demonstration for short rental otherwise known as Airbnb or herbal rental and from committee addressed the table of the city.
>> Okay. Um is there any comment or debate 25-22? Um I have couple of very minor comments on that don't go ahead. >> No, I was just gonna ask I can share
them. >> Oh, that is you know what? I'll send a mark. I'll share with everyone. I think >> yes. I'm sorry. I think the definition of
home as well is misplaced. Um, regarding 253, >> I just like to say I I thank you, ma'am, for all the explanation you provided. Um, very helpful. Um, I believe, um, the
burough budget is extremely important, but um, I agree that this decision should be based on safety of our residents. That's most important. >> Yes. >> Um, >> but I, as I said, we're not going, we
still have the same number of patrol officers and sergeants. We have the same number of officers going to protect the department, too. >> Yeah. I hope you can continue this conversation. Um, and for me personally, I'm going to have to continue to work
hard to understand all the issues around this and support the borrow uh in making and the right decision and support. Thank you. No, anyone else question.
All right. Um, madam clerk, roll call, please on all three ordinances. >> Council President Mariano, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Canella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilman Benson, >> yes. Councilman Glass.
>> Yes. >> All right. Uh, resolution 25-292 through 25-295. I'd like in a moment a motion and second to move them and then before we uh vote on them as a as an act of transparency.
We will read uh quentile 295 into the records. Uh but we will be moving all of them. Could I have a motion? Second. Second. >> Uh, could I could we please read into the record U finance chairs?
>> Thank you, mayor. At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of river, county of Bergen, state of New Jersey, held on November 24th, 2025. Be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of river approve the following expenditures. Current fund
1,921,235.3. Cap general capital fund $80,504.88 grant fund $21225 trust other $4,32610 recreation trust $9,41160. So, >> all right. Um,
madam clerk, roll call, please. >> Council president M. >> Yes. >> Councilman Gal. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Councilman Benson. >> Yes. >> Councilman Glass. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh, new business. Uh, library
holiday party request. >> Um, this is the library's annual request to hold a holiday event for all their employee um at the library to include the consumption of alcohol. This is a
routine request made at care but it's not automatic. It has to come before the mayor's confidence for approval to the library is immunizable. >> All right. Is there any questions or might there be a motion to approve?
>> Motion to approve. >> So move. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is it? Yeah. Before you do that, I know it's not I think this mistake. I don't remember last year. Did they get a permit to serve alcohol?
>> I don't think we ever >> I don't think we ever It's there's a there's a permit like for like the buyer house or whatever like it's like an event permit. You can give them like a oneoff event permit, but they can also
public. Um, we've never done that before, but we certainly can do it. >> The ABC special event, >> correct? Yeah. >> I mean, there's ways to make a chance to fill it out so that we have it provided to insurance carrier.
>> Are you doing a social affair? >> Yeah, it's a social event. Yeah, exactly. >> That's usually for nonprofits. >> Well, it's the library. The library is not part of the town is an independent or so. That's why nobody, my understanding is we own the bill. on the boat. Right.
>> So, is that is the permit something that your office can provide us with if the clerk cannot find it? >> Absolutely. I think they have you guys have it. >> Could I have could uh could the maker of the motion dear? I think you made the motion. Could you uh could um and can can you amend the motion? Could you make
a motion to amend as uh specified by the borrow time? >> Um >> you say yes. >> Yes. >> Can the person who seconded? >> Yes. >> So, yeah. Yes. All right. So, and the amended motion is on the uh floor. So,
uh is there further comment or question? Is there debate? All in favor, please say I. I >> is any opposed? Any abstensions? >> All right. Excellent.
All right. Uh very good. um 2026 meeting schedule. >> This is the draft schedule prepared by the bur on the response that we received for um the uh the guy and the
organization meeting to be held on January 6th and looking at the 2026 calendar by keeping the meetings on Thursdays unless there is the holiday. This is draft calendar. So um so
everybody has to decide on these dates so that way it would be included on reorganization meeting. And also highlighted in the bottom um there is a pause for the citizen budget committee meeting if
anybody wants to decide on this now or in January want to know more on the budget any >> all right. Um so um codes it's the second and fourth Thursday which keeping it consistent allows the public to anticipate our
meetings and be able to attend them with the exception of Thanksgiving. Correct. >> It's also February 9th. So that's a public >> that's happening >> on the fourth week which would be a first president.
>> So President's Day is that Monday. >> It is okay. Well then there it is. Uh is there any objection? >> No. Could I have a motion second to um authorize the VA to place it or to give it to the clerk and place it on the Senate? Not the same time really, right?
>> Yes. But the March meeting uh last year for 15. >> No, that was based on last year. >> Oh. >> Um so I think we can uh So do we know those dates? >> I don't. But you're talking about the
first Saturday and the second Saturday in March. Okay. >> We can we can approve it that way. First Saturday and second Saturday of March. Is everybody good with that? >> All right. So, got a motion to second. >> We'll move. Second. >> All in favor? Uh any debate? Any
discussion? Um all in favor? I >> I >> um I don't see anything else on new business. Is there any new business to council which is to raise? Good. Uh, is there any open?
All right. Uh, could I have a motion and second to open for public comments um on anything? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> All right. >> Is there anyone who's not spoken so far today who would like to speak?
>> Do you want to go to the participant online first? >> There's anybody wants to do you? >> Yeah. If I can speak public do we allow Oh, great. Okay, cool. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay, cool.
>> Tom, do you want me to close this down then? >> Close down. >> The um >> Yes. Well, we'll do the >> afterwards. Got it. Okay. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> Uh Patrick Diamond. I'm here as a police officer.
Sure. 11 years. Just a little background myself. I am elected official in my hometown. I give you guys a lot of credit. We went through a budget crisis three years ago in the position I am in >> board right >> I'm the school board president >> school board president
>> four years and reelected still going um >> you deserve the same thing but going back on to the budget I understand your budget the numbers you guys cited does not make sense you're not saving $300,000 you're saving $30,000 we have 23 officers come January we will have 23
officers we actually have an extra off there So whatever the chief would like to do with it, he's going to do it. I I just don't understand the decision you're making with all the requirements that this department has to do with the
mandatory train as elected official. I actually find it right because how many lawsuits did you guys have for civilian person in that position? You had lawsuits. He bought vehicles that weren't even police pursuit rated that
sat in the back lot and got robbed because a police officer could not drive them. Just note that there was lawsuits throughout our captain who are civilian and there going to be people working out of titles. So the $30,000 you guys are
saving, Mr. Chan's office is going to be billing because it we're union operational just like the teachers union when the teachers worked out. Me as elected official when we had a budget official, I brought in department heads and principles and said
this is the dollar amount for the asset sale. We need to find it. Let's sit down as a team and find it. And every department we have four schools for events assigned a dollar amount. They found it. We didn't lay off a principal. We didn't lay off a vice principal. We
didn't lay off an administrator. Unfortunately, we were able to condense teachers and class sizes and we stopped using fun. >> Do you have anyone who'd like to go? >> I just reconsider the position. >> Okay. Yeah. Go ahead.
>> So, I just the numbers stated by this council, it doesn't make sense. That's all is my biggest thing. And the $30,000 that you are saving, you're going to pay lawyers for the next two or three years more than the $30,000. Thank you.
Anyone else? Yeah. Come on. President and representative. Um, again, I'll I'll echo what Pat just said is that the $300,000 number, Captain Casey's no longer here. Nobody else is getting
higher. So, that number just it's not it doesn't add up. The math doesn't work. the um oh Chris I think it would be great to have Chris here at the next meeting so that the CFO would be present so he could explain everything because you're
relaying this but again if the numbers aren't making sense I would think that there should be an opportunity for him to address it in a public session where hopefully the numbers could make sense to everybody. Um because I think at this point that would
be an appropriate next step. One last point that I wanted to meet. >> We've we've always had somebody in that role. >> And the health Yeah. There's always been somebody in the role whether it's a civilian or a sergeant. And as far as the health benefits go, what would you guys have done if if Captain K didn't
retire? How would you have made up that 500,000 in health insurance and then some that you're all of a sudden trying to saddle on the police department? What would you have done? I I think these questions need to be answered because now what you're doing is the amount of work that the AG keeps
saddling on police departments in 2025 with administration and policy. We, you know, there are positions in the burrow that are getting added because we need to fulfill certain requirements. The AG also makes us fulfill certain requirements and you guys are cutting us off at the neck here in order to balance
a budget again leaving supervision in jeopardy. And and I think you really need to think long and hard about that. And I have to commend you, Councilman Glass, for taking a minute to say that I want to learn about this more. I want to explore this and I look forward to
either having discussions with you or >> is there anybody else to advise you? Nobody has the time. Anybody else wants to talk this? I just Thank you. >> I just want to clarify something chief. Just I just want to clarify something. I didn't put any inactive
decision that's been said a couple times, right? again we have meetings and stuff but I've said that a couple times I think that's there the workload has to be covered right when you say the cap done I just can't go
skills responsibilities I'm not going to worry about somebody has to do them right once somebody I have to assign somebody do it right when I assign somebody to it the mayor knows this better than anybody by contract right
they fit their covering job function that's not theirs. The contract says within so many days they paid for that. I didn't I didn't make that. I didn't say hey let's get back for this. That's not the way it sounded. The workers just put people in place. I'm not I
responsibilities because I have to I have to cover the responsibilities. They just can't say we're not doing them. All right. So I just want to clarify that because um I didn't act the position right before
I gave the positions to have this responsibility solely to Lieutenant Handy, right? It was $2,000 a month over time, right? That's $24,000 a year, right? How much does it cost to go to
Wisconsin? $1,900. Thank said before I think if Chris was here the CFO or we have a meeting the difference because there's a great difference in our misunderstanding. Wouldn't you agree there may about how
we see opportunity and when you're done we council will recite >> that I'm putting that out there to you you recite numbers dismiss our numbers completely recite your numbers again and then walk away with your numbers but there's a great difference between our numbers and nobody's explain it to us
yet nobody has explained to us thank you >> is there anyone else who would like to speak uh remotely Please raise your hand if you would like to speak. Seeing none, could I have a motion?
Second to close the public to move. >> Second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Um Councilwoman um um the number 302,000. Could you read the actual number that we got from the
CFO? >> Just give me one sec. >> Uh, Miss Albertella, is the number from the CFO a correct budget number to best your knowledge? >> To best my knowledge the budget falls under this.
>> Yes. I have like a million names. >> I did. Um the this is what he said in his email. The captain position specifically was approximately $32,762. Salary consist of Do you want to break it down? >> No.
>> Okay. Uh but you did get that from CFO and that was his actual member. >> Yes. Department this is you guys want to talk about that meeting fine but this is a public meeting and must follow consistent rules
for the skewing the publicision. >> It is not and we will move on with the we treat everyone equally. Uh this has always been the process and we have used it over and over again. All right. Um could I just ask a question? Is there
any >> You may not but we have posed to the public. You can speak to us after the meeting. Absolutely. But this is a public meeting and it must follow consistent rules. Is there um are there any council comments? >> Uh yes, mayor. Just want to remind
the public that um there's an ornament contest that will submissions are due by midnight on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 and the holiday lighting will be on Saturday, December 6th from 4:00 to 6:00
at Burough Hall. >> Okay. Any other council comments? >> Yeah, I just build on what Councilman Glass said. I walked the topic to understand this a little bit better myself. that hour. >> Okay. Um, any other council comments?
All right. Um, could I have a motion second to go into close session? from 5-296 resolution going to close session in schools public training crime privilege affordable housing fourth round snow plowing agreement burough hall
construction litigation street opening >> second >> all in favor please say I >> I >> could I have we will we be returning to take any action >> so we will be adjourning the meeting uh for the evening and we will re rejourn on December 11th correct
>> correct Could I have a motion second to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All right, we are ajour.