Call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of Burough River Edge January 22nd, 2026. B uh 7:05 Kamak Road and Zoom 700 p.m. meeting is starting at 7:08 due to some technical difficulties. Thank you to all who um were patient
with us. Could I have a moment of silent prayer and reflection for all those people who are um trying to get over the aftermath of Hurricane Henry in the Mediterranean and also for all those people who will be um enduring severe weather conditions
throughout the United States. >> Councilwoman Darwell, if you'd lead us in the salute. 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. >> All right. Statement of compliance with the open public meeting act. This meeting complies with the open public media act by notification of January 9th, 2026 of location date, time and access information to the town news and record
and by posting of the same on the municipal bulletin board and burough website and following notice of the same with the municipal clerk. Madame clerk, roll call, please. >> Councilwoman Montasano Cohen, >> here. >> Council President Cansella, >> here. >> Councilwoman Malari is absent with prior notice. Councilman Glass
>> here. >> Councilwoman Darw >> here. >> Councilman Feffer >> here. Mayor Capo >> here. Okay. Uh we're going to add to the presentation portion an oath of allegiance and o office uh for Councilwoman Dariwall to a state
commission. We'll be talking about that in a minute. Uh right now we have approval of the minutes. Could I have a motion and second to approve the minutes of the mayor and council 2025 sen die and 2026 reorganization meeting of January 6, 2026? >> So moved.
>> Second. Um now if you need to recuse yourself and Bruce you would recuse yourself from the sani die you would say yes and then say but I recuse myself afterwards. >> All in favor please say I. >> I. >> Is there anyone who wishes to recuse or
abstain? >> Yes I recuse myself. >> You have any mic. >> Good. >> Yes I recuse myself >> from >> from the sign of die. >> Okay. Very good. Anyone else? Great. Um could we have administrators report?
Madam administrator, >> yes, it's very early in the year. The one item I do have to report is we had an internal meeting with um PSCG burrow engineer was present. Um we had representatives from the department of
public works and they are resuming work in the burrow in the spring to um for the high pressure gas main program and they plan to start in the beginning of spring of 2026 and they will be present along Concord Drive, Elm Avenue,
Greenway Terrace and Monroe Avenue and um to upgrade the gas lines they dig trenches that are inspected by our department of public works primarily in road surfaces and lay new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. And um
they will send notifications out to the impacted residents. And um after construction, PSNG will need a technician to access the home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas man. And we'll have this information on our burrow website that
has their dedicated hotline if anyone has any questions. And just as a reminder to residents, we are um undergoing the reevaluation process. In 2024, 100% of the burrow h was assessed.
And the way the program works is the first year is 100%. Then um each year um through 2029, 20% of the burrow is reassessed just to make sure there aren't any fluctuations in the market um
with the assessment. So if you see anyone from appraisal systems that is the company conducting the uh revaluation process and they have badges provided to them by the police department. >> Okay. All right then. Uh
>> sure. Go ahead. >> Um >> thank you for that download. Um can you do you have are you able to explain very briefly how the 20% is selected in each year?
>> Um they pick different homes in uh in a block. So it could be that your neighbor is was reassessed the second time last year and you're not being reassessed this year but you might hit um in the following year. So they have a formula
to just um go throughout the burrow and and select um certain properties. It's appraisal systems has it is random um but it's not like they do an entire block. They they within the block they may do two houses and then the other
block they may do three or four. It depends on on the neighborhood, the structure as well as if um there has been any new construction since the prior year. >> Thank you. Any other questions for administrator from
council? All right, great. Um, so we're going to start with oath o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oath of allegiance and uh for councilwoman Darwell. Counciloman Darwell, would you and your family please come forward? Can you hear me? Good. Good. So, um, so
great. Um, I'm going to give you this. So, um, our own councilwoman, uh, Darwal, Pretty Dariell, has been, uh, appointed by Governor Murphy before he left office to the Asian-American Pacific Islanders Commission. Uh, Pretty, if you could just explain to the
public what this commission does and how you were chosen. >> So, thank you, mayor. um AsianAmerican um uh Pacific Islander uh association is uh called API and API of New Jersey was
formed by Governor Murphy in 2021. It uh frames the it's it makes the policies for economic social growth and also for cultural awareness through education within um all the communities and across Jersey. So there are a lot of app within
uh RP New Jersey. Let's say RP Montlair, RP Livingston, RP Richmond. But the one that I have been appointed is RP New Jersey where uh there are almost 25 to 28 people appointed by the governor and uh it's a commissioner uh role I hope um
to go by it and uh you know it's a new role. Um I thank the governor's uh office for this and thank you to the assembly woman Lisa Swain who recommended me for this one. >> Yes, this is uh this is a great honor for River Edge as well as for the state
of New Jersey uh for you and your family. And so if you would please um please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. >> Say I. I haram >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I would support >> the Constitution of the United States >> this Constitution 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 will bear true faith
>> and that I would bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established >> and to the government 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 >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of >> of the office of >> AsianAmerican Pacific Islander
Commission >> AsianAmerican Pacific Islander Commission >> according to the best of my abilities >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations. Congratulations. Okay, please get back
to Okay, congratulations again. >> Okay, we have a annual insurance presentation. Ezio, come on up. would you please introduce yourself, your partners and uh uh we getting these
folders and explain to the public um what you're doing, what your presentation, why why we have it a yearly and and what you hope to achieve. >> Good evening. >> You need that mic is not on. You need to turn it back on. Press the button hold for five seconds
>> and you might want to pick it up. >> Good evening. >> Give it to the clerk. She'll do it for you. Here we go. >> Good evening. Okay, good. Good evening, mayor, members of the governing body, counselor, administrator, and clerk. Uh my name is Ezio Alamurum from the GEM
Otterstead Insurance Agency. Matt is one of my uh assistants that works with us. I'm here just to do an annual insurance review, especially for the new members of the governing body, just to bring you up to date um of how our property and casualty insurance works through the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance
Fund. Uh Matt handed out a packet to you. I'm going to briefly go through that in 5 minutes. I I promise you I won't be longer than that. Uh if you have any questions, my card is in there. If you take that home and you take a look at you have a question, feel free to give me a call. Um I'm always
available for you. I interact and work a lot with Lette and your clerk and your safety committee. I see Joe from recreation here. We have our meetings and I'll go through that real quick. And if you have any questions, please stop me. Okay, if you um look at the right side
of the packet and just take that out. So, the first page is just an introduction of our agency. It's basically what we do. It it's just a synopsis of um that we work with you, with your burrow attorney, with your administrator, your clerk, your
department heads. um some of the things that we do through our safety and loss control objectives through the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. Page two, if you flip the page, is basically um some of the public entities that we ensure. Our agency ensures uh
over 35 public entities in the state of New Jersey. Uh that's just a short list of of some of the uh agencies that we ensure. We have some housing authorities, school boards, the county of Bergen, uh throughout throughout our five offices. If you go to page three,
this is basically the resumes of myself and Matt. This we're your risk management team. We're the people who work with your department heads. Uh, and we are the go-betweens. We place your insurance. We make sure the burrow is protected properly with the proper limits. We attend the monthly meetings.
Lzette is actually one of our fund commissioners in the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. If you go to page five, this is the again, we are members. There's 38 members in the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. We meet monthly up
at Westwoods Burough Hall. This is the 2026 plan of risk management, which is basically a highlight of the coverages that are provided through the joint insurance fund. If you go to page six, these are some of the coverages. Uh under section one it says so we cover
worker compensation, work-related injuries, liability, public officials employment practices, volunteer directors and officers, crime, non-owned aircraft, environmental impairment, cyber property and equipment and emergency service, volunteer automobile
physical damage and terrorism is included under the policy. So as you look at the paragraph below which is limits of insurance, we use the term MEL. The MEL stands for the municipal excess liability joint insurance fund. That is the umbrella arm over 19 joint
insurance funds in the state of New Jersey where the Bergen Municipal GIF south of Route 4 is the South Bergen GIF. And then throughout the state uh the MEL covers over 600 public entities including counties, some housing department housing development um
housing development and municipalities. So, if you go through and go to page eight, and I'll just show you some of the optional coverages. So, on the top, number three, it says optional excess liability. That would be commonly what you would think of as an umbrella. If you have personal auto insurance and
home, you may have a personal umbrella. This is a business umbrella. So, for River Edge, you have the maximum limit offered through the joint insurance fund. You have a total of $30 million, and that's the the bold underline on the bottom. There are optional limits starting at $5 million. We have a total
of 30 million of optional excess liability which goes above the general liability, the auto liability um and the worker comp employer liability. Number four, public officials and employment practices that starts with a basic limit of $2 million. We have a very preferred
status because River Edge has excellent claims experience in that line of coverage. We really have no claims. So we have the deductible and the co- insurance as listed there. And then under number five, we purchased you many years ago since being your risk manager in 2016. We purchased you the highest
limit offered. So you have a total of $10 million of public officials and employment practices liability. If you turn the page to page nine, we have directors and officers liability for your ambulance corps and your River Edge Fire Department. That's wrongful acts and breach of duty if you get sued
for certain exposures to risk under as volunteers. under the crime coverage. This is an upgrade this year and in a minute I'm going to show you some of the things that the MEL municipal excess liability has done on the 2026 renewal, but we now
we used to have $2 million of crime coverage. We have now 5 million including your statutory positions. Okay, go to page 10. Um, we have environmental impairment liability. We have cyber which covers basically data breach, data recovery, ransomware. You
notice the limits are not listed there because of really privacy issues, but obviously I know the limits and Lette knows the limits. The limits are in the millions of dollars and that's to protect the burrow as well. Um, and you have the preferred status uh because Lette had filed a lot of the paperwork.
So if you ever had a cyber claim um you have a very preferred status with your deductible and your co- insurance under the cyber coverage. We have property and equipment. So all your buildings, your vehicles, your uh mobile equipment that bleach trailers, etc., snowblowers are all covered under the property limit.
They were able to negotiate higher limits, especially in floodprone uh zones under the MEL. And I'll show you that again in a minute. Um a change this year, the deductible actually was raised for the first time in many, many years to 5,000. If you have a claim against a building, the autophysical damage
remains at 2500. If you go to page 11, this is very specific to certain GIFs. The Bergen GIF, we have emergency service volunteer automobile physical damage. So, if one of your emergency responders are are responding to an emergency and they have an accident with their vehicle, they'll
the GIF will cover up to $2,500 towards their deductible, if they have no physical damage collision coverage, they'll give them up to $2,500 towards their vehicle. That's an added coverage that the joint insurance fund offers. If you go to page 12, these are additional coverages that we write. So, I'll just
briefly go through them. We write you an accident policy with a half a million dollar limit for your recreation department as listed here, your participants and coaches. We have your statutory positions in your fidelity bond. So, in 2026, we had approval for Shaq Kakarski, your library treasurer,
Christopher Betaglia, your treasurer CFO, and Deborah Matty, your tax collector. So, they are statutoily protected under the crime and bond coverage. We have an accident and sickness policy. Oh, and by the way, that that's the crime coverage that went up from 2 million to 5 million because there were a lot of towns that uh the
auditor said you needed higher limits. In smaller burrows, 2 million was adequate, but now they were able to purchase up to 5 million. Uh we have an accident policy through VFIS for your volunteer firemen uh and ambulance corps. That's if uh they lose their life, there's like a life insurance
policy uh while they're responding on behalf of the burrow. So that's an addition to workers comp. If you go to page 13, we have an accident policy for your volunteer committee with a half a million dollar limit. We have an accident policy for your summer wreck program for a half a million dollar
limit. And we have your River Edge Volunteer Police Reserve with a uh death benefit and a weekly payout if they're injured during the course of their uh work their as a volunteer. We have quasi entities coverage. This is this is providing $5 million of liability for
over the years. Uh Riveridge has applied for and been granted coverage for your friends of the library, your alliance against alcohol, your senior citizens, your central athletic council, and uh most recently your River Edge Swim Club. So basically, they're you're covering their liability under your policy up to
$5 million. And then we purchased for you, and you'll see it on page 14, flood insurance. So if you have a building that and you have two that lie in a high hazard flood zone, we buy you the deductible which is a half a million dollars. The GIF attaches at 500,000
building in content. So we have the responsibility to purchase you a flood policy through FEMA or a write your own program. And every year we run those flood zones to make sure nothing's changed. Uh when you turn the page to page 14, we have the DPW building and the firehouse at Aerson Street covered
under a flood policy with those limits listed. Okay, if you turn the page to page 15, uh this is just the review of present coverages and trends is what I was uh alluding to a moment ago. Uh they were very successful, the Mel and their
underwriting team down in Camden uh with the joint insurance fund with the 19 GIFs to purchase more insurance this year and get a more reasonable rate. We have been in a hard market a few years ago. We all know what auto and homeowners is doing and that hasn't changed. But on the commercial side,
they were able to go out to reinsure a lot of our policies and get better terms and conditions. So I just highlighted under property liability some of the issues that they face and what the the increases or decreases were. They were actually going to able to get a decrease in cyber, a slight increase in liability
in property and by some higher limits. So that was a very favorable renewal for 2026 for all 600 members of the MEL system. If you turn the page to page 16, this uh are just some of the things I put in
there under risk management or work in progress. The first bullet point is on the left side. What I did is I gave everybody a three-year synopsis of property and casualty claims. I'm not going to go through them, but you'll see they're from 2025, 2024, and 2023. These
are the claims, the number of claims you've had, the amounts paid on these claims, and if there's any subregation or recovery. this document. We do this every quarter when we have our safety committee meetings with your safety committee. We provide the updated information and we leave packets for the mayor and council. So for the new
members of the council, as you see, Lette will have and Ann will have extra copies of a packet that looks like this from our quarterly safety meeting, which the next one will be in March. So I just wanted to give the governing body an idea of of your claims trends and your claims are very fa uh favorable. The
Burough of River Edge is a very safe community and really don't have a lot of claims in relations to a lot of the uh exposures to risk that we have in public works, police, fire, um a lot of exposure to risk. It's a 247 business. Government is a very hazardous business.
The second bullet point is the second item on the left side. That's just the way uh that's the training system. MSI live and MSI now. These are the login. River Edge had one of the highest participations in 2025. And I applaud
Lzette and her team. You had over 700 people trained in the MSI, the Mel Safety Institute live and online programs. So, the safety training is excellent and and that's really a testament to the governing body and to your administrative team. Um, and the
last thing I have on the left side, and we put this in every first quarter safety committee meeting. These are documents that I put together and update over the years. These are just recommended insurance coverages. So, when I'm working with um or your burough attorney on contractual issues with
outside vendors, um when I send my professional certificate of insurance in and my whole harmless, what I give you is what I expect from vendors. These are just guidelines that I put together once a year and I give out at the first quarter safety committee meeting. And that's pretty much page 16. And then
basically on page 17, just to recap, in 2024, because we haven't finished 2025 yet, um, in the safety incentive program, which exists for the Bergen County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, the burrow received a check for $750 for their silver safety award, which is
excellent. And the Burough of River Edge, because of your police accreditation, has a $5,350 credit towards being accredited in the police department, which is applied in 2026. And again, just a, you know, really big thank you for working with Lette and with an with all your department heads,
uh, Jason, with your safety committee. Uh, it's excellent. They they do a great job and River Edge is a safe community. So, thanks to the governing body for all your leadership and everything you do. Do you have any questions for me? Council, any questions or comments?
>> Yeah. has been on >> in >> No, it the imp there has been improvements. The crime coverage went from 2 million to five. Um the deductible went up a little bit on property claims as I explained to 5,000
from 2500 but not on vehicles and cyber steady they they got an excellent renewal on that. So all of that all of that renewal information council president translates back to the savings for the bureau and for all its members. This is the largest GIF in the state of
New Jersey and I believe the largest GIF in in the in the United States. Originated right here in Bergen County in 1985. >> Nice. >> So, this was the first GIF and it it runs like a clock. We're involved in many GIFs and second to none, the Bergen GIF.
>> I agree. I agree. Anything else? >> Anyone else? >> I do. Thank you, Councilman. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, NZO, for that presentation. Um on the list of claims the chart >> um am I right? Am I reading this right that uh in River Edge in 2025 there were
a total of 21 claims >> correct for all property and casualty lines. Yep. >> Okay. And then um there are two columns. One that says total paid and then total incurred which look like >> big differences between those numbers. Can you explain the difference?
>> Yes. So total paid will be what was paid to date when these were printed. So we just printed these last week. And then the reserve. So if you go from left to right, councilman, open reserve means the claim is still open and that's what they anticipate on being paid. Net paid to date would be what they've paid to
date. Net incurred would be what was incurred to date and then the total paid would be what they totally paid to date. But then when you go all the way over to the recovery column, that would be if we had subregation against a third party. For example, someone who hits our police vehicle, we would pay the claim less the deductible and then our claims
administrative people will subregate or file a claim against their insurance and get our money plus our deductible back. So the total incurred is all the columns from buying >> and the reserve is really a lot of claims to especially worker comp take a long time to mature. So that the reserve
column can stay open for sometimes years. >> Okay. And is there a play I don't I don't need us to go through this now, but I'm just wondering if you could point me to is there a breakdown of where these 21 claims uh arose from in
terms of categories? >> Yes. So if you look to the left, the first loss would be auto losses. >> Claims. So third party property damage. That means we hit somebody else or another vehicle. >> Then there's general liability. Those are tort claim notices that are filed
with hand. People come in burrow hall say I tripped on the sidewalk and we think it's your responsibility. >> Fortunately in New Jersey we have title 59 statutory protections where 95% of those claims and that the the attorney can speak to that we get released from
because there's a lot of immunities that protect public entities. Otherwise we we'd be responsible for everything. So when people come in they file a tort claim notice that would that's what that would be. And um if we're found negligent, it was prior constructive notice, we should have trimmed a tree
and we were notified five different times, for example, and we didn't do it and the branch hit somebody, then we may be responsible on the negligent side, but typically we get out of those claims. And then going down property, that's first party collision. There's three claims. Property damage would be
damage to our property, three claims. And then on the next page is worker comp. >> Okay. So in 2025 there's been no claims against agencies or departments. Is that >> that's correct? Public officials and employment practices that's not in this
that's not reflected casually. Privacy issues we don't share that unless somebody needs something specific. >> Okay. Even numbers of claims that's not shown. >> I can't even remember the last time you had a public officials or employment practices. That's why we have the preferred status of your deductible and co insurance.
>> Okay. So as far as Excellent. So, what you're saying is there are no claims pending. >> Not that I can remember. No. No. If they are, there there would be old claims that sometimes take years to adjudicate. >> Okay. That's all I have. Thanks. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> I just got to ask. >> Go ahead.
>> Um, nonowned aircraft liability. >> You would be surprised. >> So, >> yeah, >> we don't cover aircraft and we have very strict requirements for drones to cover for insurance. Um, so if you decide to get a drone, there's some protocols we
have to follow. Non-owned aircraft would be if we're borrowing or we're getting on a helicopter or a non-owned aircraft and we're we are pulled into liability because we had something to do with maybe renting. That's what that is. It's it's a given coverage.
I've never seen a claim in my 30 years. >> Yeah, we need that. We need that. >> It's part of the policy. You have no choice to have it. Part of the package policy. >> Oh, okay. So we're not paying extra. >> No, it's just all part of the just >> It's good to know.
>> So in case in case the bur with Bernie invites us onto his private jet, that's a non-owned aircraft. You know, >> we're friends a long time. So >> I wish. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Well, Ezio, you and Matt,
thank you for coming. We pleasing you next year. >> Yes, anytime. Always available. And we'll see you folks soon enough. and we'll be back in March or sooner, >> okay, >> for our safety committee meeting. So, thank you. Thank you everyone. >> Do leave that mic on. U Lette, our next
item is um environmental protection green team styrofoam collections. Who will be speaking to that? >> Yes, I believe they're online. Patty. >> Oh, hi Patty. >> Hi. Can you can you hear me? >> Yes. You have to state your name, your
address, and your role. >> You got it. to Patty Amberg 659th Aav River Edge. I am the co-chair for the River Edge Environmental Protection Commission. >> Welcome Patty. Uh you have presentation, right?
>> Yes. So thank you for your time. I appreciate it. Um so the environmental protection commission and green team would like to start a consistent collection of what we what's called expanded polystyrene. We refer to it as EPS for short or you would know it as
styrofoam. Um we hosted a collection on December 28th and had a record number of residents come out. We filled five carloads of EPS. Um all the residents that came expressed appreciation for us having the collection. U many said they
had been holding on to their styrofoam for a while and we're glad to see that we were collecting it again. Um, so there's definitely a huge interest for our River Edge residents for this program. So basically, um, as we know, styrofoam, it's lightweight, it's versatile. Um, it's used for a lot of
different things. Packaging, you see it for TVs, um, all your kitchen cabinets come with it. Um, it's convenient and inexpensive, but it's not biodegradable and can take over 500 years to decompose. So, as a result, it poses
quite a significant environmental threat to our ecosystems, to our wildlife, and to our human health. Um, it's lightweight relative to volume, which means it takes up a lot of space in our garbage trucks and in our landfills. Um, it also can be easily carried away by
wind. It litters streets and ends up polluting our water. Um, but it is recyclable. So recycling it can prevent long-term damage to the environment and it offers an eco-friendly solution reducing waste and repurposing this for
new applications. Um so what we're what we're think we're hoping the reasons to recycle it is to reduce landfill space, reduces the need for new resources by giving it a new um basically a second life. Keeps harmful chemicals from leeching into the
environment. keeps it out of our waterways, our oceans. Um, it prevents it from breaking down into microplastics. Um, and it also creates a sustainable and circular economy rather than contributing to long-term waste and
plastic pollution. What products can be made from recycling this um picture and mirror frames, office supplies like rulers and pens, building insulation boards, decorative molding and baseboards.
Um what we are proposing, Rididgewood, the township of Rididgewood has an EPS densifier. Um and currently there are eight Bergen County towns that are participating in a shared service agreement with Rididgewood and they have three towns coming on board soon. We're
proposing to join a shared service agreement with Ridgewood to process this the EPS the styrofoam. The River Edge Environmental Protection Commission along with the River Edge Green Team would be solely responsible for this program. We are not looking for
any additional help from the township. We will collect the styrofoam. We will break it down. We will put it into plastic bags which are 96 gallons um and then transport it to be densified. The cost for the shared service is um they
charge $5 per bag from Ridgewood. Uh we thought we would do three collections for the year. Have about estimate of I think on the high side 20 bags per collection. So that would be 60 bags for the year which would be $300. Her other
expense would be to rent a truck to bring the EPS to Ridgewood. We need a truck or van because believe it or not only two of these bags fit into a car. Um I have a Tesla. Only two fit in. My husband has a Traverse. you can squeeze
three. So, it would take 10 trips to Ridgewood to bring all the the collected bags. Um, that's why we would need to rent a truck. The cost for the rental truck, um, I priced it out from Home Depot, Lowe's, and U-Haul roughly
between $40 and $75 per per event basically. So, the total annual cost would not exceed $500. Um, we feel that this is a great service for our residents who love these collections and really want to continue to do the right thing environmentally for themselves and
for the town. Thank you. >> All right. Um, Miss >> First want to go to Miss Apert. If uh if the council is interested in u authorizing this, would this be a line item in the budget? I assume it would be.
>> It would be. However, um the environmental commission and the green team have lines under the administration budget and um current funding can absorb these costs. So, you're not adding anything to the budget. >> Okay. And um is there uh is there a
possibility of a vehicle uh being instead of rented a vehicle from DPW or from um well DPW that could uh carry this these goods to the compressor? Now, this was um reviewed with Jason Moloto,
our DPW superintendent, and Lisa Hesman, our certified uh recycling professional, and they do not have any um spare vehicles or manpower for this. >> Okay. I asked them because those are two most obvious questions. Council questions, comments.
Um, in terms of vehicle, could we use the senior bus possibly to transport? >> Um, the senior bus is run five days a week. >> Got it. Okay. >> And our current bus is out of service and we're obtaining a loner from the
county until the new bus comes in. >> Okay. Just a thought. That is >> Yeah. No, it's a good thought. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Uh, I just want to thank Patty. I think it's awesome. Um, I'm constantly reading now in the news about microplastics and
styrofoam is a major offender and there's a real health link between microplastics, scary stuff, strokes, heart attacks, dementia, and we all have it in our bodies and we don't need more of it. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> I have a question. Yeah, the the state the state I believe has just passed some pretty um unique and like strong P pavs they call them laws. Um the skip the stuff is another good one to prevent some of these microplastics to getting
into our bodies, our waterways, our soil. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Question. Um first of all, thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Um, sure. >> In terms of getting the word out to the
community, how how has that been done in the past? How do you plan to do it in the future? And is there a cost to that? >> Uh, there is no cost. So, we utilize our Facebook page. Um, we also try to put things right up to from the Facebook our
Facebook page. So, this is River Edge. Um, I maintain I have the EPC uh email address and I maintain that. I have about 200 email addresses. So, I send those out to let them know what's going on. Um, it's really a word of mouth. Like I said, this this past one, we were
even surprised how much EPS we got for that one. So, people people that that save it know. Um, it's just to get it to the other people because again, if you drive around town, you will see some at the curb. Um, and you know, as soon as
you break that that EPS, it's all over the, >> right? and she froze froze up. >> Um, we packaged the last set and I we uh shopped back the garage for about an hour. >> And when is the next collection planned?
>> We don't we don't have a date because I was hoping to do it. Um, it's hard to collect it. Uh, those 10 bags took up my like a onecar garage. >> So, we prefer to have the cart in the garage, not this not the styrofoam.
>> Okay. Thank you. Sure. >> Thank you, Patty. Um, and I just I had the similar question like Bruce, but what about educating the school >> and the Yep. Um, that's a great, like I said, and I try to use the word EPS,
expanded polystyrene, because styrofoam is the um is is like a Kleenex, right? It's the brand. It's not the actual product. Um, we can try to get to the schools. Uh any suggestions would be welcome.
>> Okay. Anything else? >> I do have >> Patty. Thanks like always. Great presentation. Uh on the um schools, there's always a possibility to talk to the PTO and the PTAs. They're always always want somehow to get connected to
the community. I am more than happy to put you in touch with them if that is actually something you want. Um but you know I can both uh at least at the elementary schools in town. Okay. >> Yes, that would be great. Thank you. >> No problem. And the second thing is well
two two extra things is given the shared services agreement which is already self-funded given what Mortella explained. Is three collections enough? Should we ex should we think that maybe because we have that shared services agreement maybe three is not enough and
maybe consider a fourth one after I don't know Christmas time and you know things like that. >> So I think three would be enough. What my thought was like an April September and then the end of December one because it's after the holidays and people will you know from all the toys stuff they
get. >> Um so I do think three is we're only paying per bag. Um, so I think again for cost for renting equipment to renting a vehicle to transport it, I think three would do. I really do. >> And the last thing is maybe there's an
opportunity to work with DPW and I don't mean to speak by Superintendent Milo, but you I know people hold on to these materials for months until there is next one. And maybe there is an opportunity to see if there is a place within the yard where people can actually leave it
until the next collection so people don't throw it out. >> Yeah. >> Because people get desperate. The gar, you know, my garage gets filled. I'm going to throw it out. >> Yeah. It is hard. I know Oridel has a shed. Um >> and it's a tough thing to manage, I have
to say. people >> I'm willing to talk to him and see if we can find a way to see if the yard can sustain >> how in between the collections. I'm not making any promises but I can talk to him. >> One of the biggest things with the EPS is it can't get wet.
>> So you can't like leave it outside. You know that's >> people as we see will if it fills up the box people will leave it outside and then it's basically garbage. >> But it's worth it's worth at least. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> but we don't mind doing volunteer. We've
done it a few times and we've brought it to Ridgefield Park, but that kind of doesn't work out anymore. So, this we feel is the best option to at least provide that service to the residents. >> Okay. Thank you, Patty. >> Thank you, >> Patty. Um, just one thing, if I'm not
mistaken, um, when we're talking about this item, it has to be the hard one, not the soft one. Correct. >> Yes. So, it has to be the clear Oh, clear white. Um, we don't take no peanuts, no food trays, no egg cartons,
>> no soft styrofo that stuff that bends without popping is not not it. That's sadly garbage >> that because that was something I only found out recently and I be good as a public service to anybody who might be watching this later.
I have um Ridgewood has uh two great um flyers that I will pass along to you and one of them kind of states the things you can and can't bring. >> Okay. All right. >> So, uh if there are no further questions, we're going to thank Patty. Patty, thank you for coming. We
appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> Um so, I will look I will uh talk to it's Sean Hamlin from Ridgewood. So, I will reach out to him um and ask him to provide you with the shared service agreement. Um >> and then it would go through the council
and the council would vote it down. I assume from from the language that I've hearing from the council that they're going to vote it up. We just need the shared service. It has to go through the uh through our burough attorney and our BA. And so, uh the sooner you get it to us, the sooner it can get on the agenda.
But I would not expect it to be on the agenda until two meetings from now. That's Yeah, I know you're getting into budget season. No, >> just ask proper screening and discussion. >> If we can get it on the next agenda,
we'll put it on, but uh probably two two meetings from now. >> Perfect. Great. I appreciate your time. >> Sorry, just a quick question, Patty. >> Sure. >> Um are there other towns going to be joining um the shared services besides
you with River Edge? Do you know? >> So each each town does it individually. Ordell it has one. Waldwick, Glenrock, Fairlorn, uh I think Franklin Lakes, um yeah, there's eight towns with three coming on, but each town has to have their own
shared service agreement. >> Got it. Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Patty. >> Thank you. >> All right. Our next is KGB update. Mr. Costa, welcome. As always, you have to introduce
yourself in your role. Absolutely. And uh your associates and you can pull the chair up. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the council. Good evening. Robert Costa, COSTA, uh township engineer, burough engineer
in the Burough River Edge. Thank you. First thing before I get started, I just want to uh sir, >> you want to just quickly introduce your associates? I >> certainly apologize uh to this body, to the town uh based on the letter that I received yesterday morning when I walked in my office. I certainly
would never put this town at risk. I certainly would never put anybody on this board at risk, the public, uh embarrass anybody, or do any of the above. Now, uh, we met in the field, rec director, myself, uh, contractor,
Brandon Gallon, staff, uh, Jason, Greg, and just for the record, 38 years in this community, more actually, born and bred in this community, still lives here. The last thing we want to do is
make anybody look bad. Um, are we somewhat delayed? Yes. May 1st, it will be sooner than May 1st. It all depends on one thing, the weather. If the weather, and I've called a couple
other people, not about the weather, but in the past, March 20th should be when they will be able to get sad. March 20. The Assad if that happens will take roughly maximum of three days to put
down because you're not putting down one by one sections their roles. So let's say 3 days at worst case two days probably realistic. The field right now everything is prepped for the
infield. The turf will be in the first week in February. Um, as far as the outfield, everything is graded. At grade, there's a small section on the, as you're looking at the field looking south, heading towards the
water on the right hand side. We went over with Jason DPW uh, when we were down there for the meeting. There's some slightly regrading there. Not going to delay the project whatsoever. There's some concrete work, minimal, where the batting cages, uh,
the batting cage is to the right. Um, but I want to just say what happened with this project and I know we talked about public service. I just want to hand out I think everybody got all of our Dropbox um because in the letter it said that my
staff that we weren't there certainly were were there certainly there's photos certainly were on top of stuff there's memos back and forth but one big thing if I mayor if I Excuse me.
>> Thank you. have an extra. >> Yes. Um, >> okay. >> Sure. >> One more time. When we when we designed the project originally, we sent obviously we send everything to public
service to Volia to make sure that there's no there's nothing there. Um, April letter comes back. We received it May 6th in my office and if you look at it, it went to Greg to my left. There are no
mainline underground electrical facilities in your project area. Doesn't exist. Doesn't exist in May. September. We received it in October.
Wait a minute. There are no underground mainline. However, there's a transmission pipe type cable. It sounds innocuous. It's a 260 KV oil line which I know I'm
not sure if everybody on the council knows there is one running down interact road that PSEG fixed many years ago. >> Would you explain what a KV c um is? >> It's it's coming out of the substation >> in New Milford.
It actually runs along this park. Unbeknownst to me, there's actually an easement that was filed. We didn't have it through our searches. The town didn't know about it. And quite frankly, PSEG didn't know
about it at first glance and said we have nothing there. Second glance, we have something there. What's amazing is when they did the which I didn't work on the musco lighting, it's amazing they didn't hit it. But what that created,
we needed to now move back stops. We needed to move everything out of this easement and away from their pipe, which now we know exactly where it is. And that's what we did immediately. Went back to our office, rearranged everything, and put it back in the
field. And that's what's down there today. So, that created a little bit of a delay. >> Not that I'm any excuses because we know we need to get the fields open, but it's not as dire as this certainly as this letter that was put to me. It's not that dire.
We are on top of it. We are there. It's not just this guy sitting in the field looking and and watching what Gallon's doing. We're also doing the other stuff. We're doing the layout work, the benchmarks, the asbuilts to make sure that the turf company has the exact dimensions, which they do. That's coming
in on February 1st. That'll be installed in March. He'll be back on site obviously weather permitting. Everything else will be done with the exception of Assad. If they cut the sad on the 20th of March, my opinion, I don't think you should play on it April
1st, but if you really want to, we can. >> Okay, >> it will not extend to May 1st. >> That in my opinion would be the worst possible case that we have snow on the ground in the end of March.
>> Okay. Um, Rob, do you have more to your presentation or you want? >> That's basically it. And as far as the contract, um, we pulled the numbers. I talked to Lette yesterday. Our total was 160 some odd thousand to date with everything doing the plans, the inspection, the management, rebidding it
because the first bid was thrown out. We rebid it again. I think we build to date $70,000. We don't do it as a lump sum. We don't say if we're there for 10 minutes, 10 hours, or whatever, this is what the burrow owes. And I don't think it makes sense. It never has in the past
that we're going to just sit on a job with nothing going on and and build a burrow. >> Okay? >> It's not what we do. It's not what it's not how we operate. Other engineers, I don't want to talk about anybody. They do. We do not. >> Okay.
>> We do not. >> Um our contract's not even going to get close to that number. I saw there was something else in there that you want myself or my staff there for the rest of this job demanding it not to get paid. If that's that is necessary, I will do
that. >> Okay. Um, anything else before I switch you to the council? >> That's basically it. >> Any member of council wish to ask a question, make a comment? >> I I um there's no above ground markings for
that transmission line. >> No. Do you think there should be >> right now? We we are exactly we as built it. >> So you have it on plans, but should it be marked? >> Everybody's going to have it. Not
everybody obviously because it's critical. >> Should it be marked in the field? >> It's critical infrastructure. So I'm not sure if that is if that should be or should not be >> something. It's not not that deep. Quite frankly, it's amazing that someone did
not get hurt. If you put the turf down March 20th, is there a potential for a freeze? >> That's why we couldn't put it down in >> Yeah. I'm just wondering, I mean, do is that >> if they cut >> is that appropriate timing or is there a
risk with that timing? >> It's it shouldn't be a risk because again, if they cut it, it should be tempered to to our climate, right? You're not going to cut sod from Florida and bring it here. Um, however, I would go down to Florida if
we had to do it right. I would make that uh, you know, that sacrifice. >> Beautiful. >> Um, but no, all kidding around, tongue and cheek. If they cut it, it it will it will as long as the ground here is not frozen, >> right? >> Okay, >> that's the key. The key otherwise also
we talked about it, you need to you should go through at least one growth cycle. But again, if you're not playing football, how how ripped up is it going to get? I again, I don't know if we're playing soccer on the first or the 15th. I think
we're talking about baseball in the outfield. I don't think there should be that much activity. Um, one other thing I want to put on the record. One thing I strongly disagree with and not that I'm a I have a Sai Young award
and I'm as a pitcher, but I've spoken to a couple of people making the mound out of clay and I understand why, but I'm putting it on the record. I spoke to I'm friendly with a gentleman at Crunch Gym, Tony. He's one of the coaches at form university.
>> Yeah. >> And he actually does some stuff. He uses some of the facilities in town. Do not do it, Rob. You're going to be it's going to be a disaster for you in the future. The problem is, I understand, budgeting, it should be turf. It's not.
It's it's clay. And that clay will go all over the place. And you're going to be sweeping it out. Jason DPW says, "No problem." My personal opinion, I think it's a problem. He said, "Don't do it. Not on me. If if it the clay is all
over, running all over the place. Mayor, council, please don't blame me. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Rob, I just don't Is it transmission pipe type cable? Is it an electrical line? >> Yes. >> And it's enclosed in in metal or plastic
or something? >> It's it's in metal and inside of it to cool it is oil cooled. There's oil running in the pipe. >> Dialectric fluid carries the pipe. >> Oh. if many years ago they did some work
at the south end of town I think I don't know if anybody was here during that um his name he was the public relations for for PSC Dave >> Dave Holland back so we had a meeting here and he looks at
me and he goes I go what you know is there any environmental hazards Rob absolutely not he says this is like like salad dressing Oh, fast forward, fast forward, something
happened during their construction and the oil leaked all over kinderg. So then when I saw Dave again, I said, "You know what's interesting, Dave? I was in the shop right in New Milford and a bottle of Wishbone fell off the shelf." I said, ' But what I didn't see
were a truck outside and people in Tyveck suits sweeping it up inside the shop, right? I go, but I did see it on Kinder Kamak Road. So, it's a serious it's a serious piece of infrastructure. >> They leak all the time.
>> And they leak all the time. Okay. Yeah. >> But it's not something we have any authority over. We're simply informed. They have easement that they produced to us. They have an easement. I think it was
>> Yeah. D but she was what year? 604 >> somewhere in 74. The mayor >> and that's now on record with the clerk's office. >> We just got it. We didn't Nobody had. >> Okay. It didn't come up in our our searches and they produced it and it's it appears to be executed and it's the
pipe is there. >> Okay. Yeah. No, my only concern is that we make sure we because we've had this problem before with the stairs and stuff like that. So, if you can just make sure the clerk's office gets a copy of it. So, it's now part
>> Okay. And we have it on it's on a plan. DPW has it. It's going to be digital. It's here. The broadcast is gone. We're gone. It's People should know it's there, >> okay? >> Because literally it wasn't marked out and according to
that letter, we didn't know it existed and somebody seriously could have got hurt. >> Yeah. Can I have a question? >> Sure. Council President, >> thank Rob. Uh, quick question. Um, the clerical error aside because that speaks
about bayon not riverage, >> right? Um so between April and September there was no way no way of actually noticing that that pipe type C cable was there by your team by any other survey done nothing.
>> No one I personally didn't know it was there didn't come up from my understanding according to Jason when they did the lights I mean they they drilled foundations pretty deep. >> Yeah that's what I'm asking because there's been light there for a long time.
So >> on the plan. >> Okay. >> I didn't do those plans. I wasn't involved in that project. What I'm saying is when they did that, they redid those lights. Those foundations are deep. They're deep foundation. >> Yeah. Because they're the same. >> Mhm. >> You know. >> Yeah. >> Yes.
>> Okay. And the second thing is that so for everybody's understanding from my understanding there has not saw it has not been installed at all. >> There was nothing done in November. I think I heard something was installed in November. We were try we were we were going to put it in.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Good evening, Mayor Councilmen. Um, I just want to put on the record on that regarding that. Yes. because I'm the one who sent the email regarding November 21 which referenced back into the letter regarding saying that within two weeks
weather permitted we were going to put S. So just to show you a picture of what we were done I know it's a small I will I wish I I wish I could have you know >> I'm not that blind. Okay. So then but you can see that the subbase is completed. The soft field is completed.
The uh you know the subbase for the uh turf of the baseball field is completed. All the concrete work. So when I send that email and we had a conversation with the contractor, the contractor says if weather's >> conditions still good, >> you know that's that's 11 that's November 21st. If the weather condition
is good, then we can put the salt down. Five days later, we go to the field >> frozen >> and the ground is frozen. So, it was a risk now to either make the decision as to put down almost $30,000.
No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. $130,000 worth of sod and just, you know, and leave it there and then burn having the risk that later on you're going to have to come in the spring, remove all that and do it again, which is going to even prolongate longer. now the you know the opening of the field. So then by that time what get
you know we have Thanksgiving then we came in December 1st the fifth week and then you know we say no we we we cannot take a risk on that. So um but just just to clarify on on that that's that's what it comes out >> but the answer is yes >> the yeah the well no the answer is that there is no s right now.
>> Okay so but was it installed or not? >> No it was never installed right now >> we could get sad today but >> it could be rolled down tomorrow. Yeah, I'm asking the question if it was installing November because that's $130,000 that we are entering the budget season and I needed to know.
>> Okay. >> Plus, this job is coming in at budget or under budget. Correct. Even with some of the the extra >> and there were modifications. I I don't want to bore you, but there was a lot of modifications. Lette certainly was involved. Joe was involved. Stuck stuff got bigger.
>> Curbs went in along the uh along the um parking lot. uh the dugouts got larger. There were some field modifications that took place, but again, we are definitely within budget. >> Okay. Right. So, there has not been an expenditure of $130,000 on sod and then
we're looking into that for March. That's what we're looking at. Weather peritted. >> Weather permitted. that they if they can cut on March 20th. If they do, I will make sure that this that Brandon orders sod like I said, if it's cut on the 20th, he needs two to three days to
install the sod. Once that's down, the irrigation system is is there. It's not operational. It's not energized obviously because of the cold weather, >> but it's physically there. >> No, no, thank you for that. I would again my question were more from a cost and budget perspective. if we already
have to spend the money and have to look for more money to do the same work. >> Um, you know, I trust you as a the professional when and when to to do that. And my question again was just about the the cost of the saw. >> Thank you. >> The good news is this field will be open
for May first. No question. So if if any high schooler is going to make a college team, we will make we'll make sure it gets started. And the pickle ball, as far as pickle ball, we might as well stay there.
That also couldn't have been done as far as the painting because we got delayed. Again, thank somebody donated, I believe, the nets. >> But in order to put the nets in, you need the sleeves. We couldn't get the sleeves until the council approved it. That delayed the paving. You can't paint
the next day after you put the paving because the oils have to come out of the asphalt. Otherwise, what you painted will be gone the next day. So that once it warms up that will be that surface will be cleaned and that will be ready to to run again weather permitting.
Right. So if we get some warm weather which again >> we're supposed to get x amount of snow. >> It it's we haven't had snow like this since I'm a child. >> Yeah. And >> so maybe maybe to in just to avoid
misunder understandings maybe there is a a better way to communicate that you know we foresee that we cannot put the sad because it's not going to be suitable even if it's by one degree I'm just making it out rob you know what I'm saying because again we're holding you
to the May first I don't want to go through this circle cycle again you know if we know that it's not going to happen then knowing that ahead of time even if it a god reaction. You know, you're the expert. You are the engineer. You know, you know, we trust you that March 1st
may not be conducive for that. >> I would say this, any person, any council per any person, if you want to call me, call me 24/7. Make you have my cell phone. I I live in this town. If you want me to meet you
somewhere, I will I'm available. Anybody here would be available at a moment's notice. But we know where to find you. >> Well, >> I'm just >> Well, that what do you mean by that? >> So, um I hope you understand where I was coming from with that line of questions.
Hey, thank you though. Thank you, Jason. >> Anyone else? >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Costa. And um on the same lines as Lisa um again please excuse my engineering skills because I have none um but uh I just we
received you you you've given us two papers. One is received May 6th. So between May 6th and October because the first letter says that all facilities must be field verified before any work commences. So this means PSG
did not okay. So we can do anything. is that >> and PS >> what they're saying is they they don't have if you have a private service that's that they're not going to mark that out their their stuff and basically they
went on to say obviously if you see overhead wires it's it's apparent which there are overhead wires down here they just did a lot of work down but this is a serious piece of it this isn't just an underground line like we have coming
into to this building. This is a ser this is a transmission line. This is a serious piece of equipment >> and they did not know the first time when they came in. That's what it says. >> And no maps. It's KBG is not a small project. It's a big project. So PSCG
when you consulted as an engineer, they did not give anything. >> It's not on we didn't find easements. We sent them obviously we do this to make sure that they they look at their infrastructure if we have on any job. uh whether it's a road job, anything,
but this is a serious piece of of equipment. And for them not to know it's there, it is is crazy. >> But it it happens all the time. >> Just to put in perspective, we >> so much infrastructure and so many
facilities, it's impossible for them to keep track of. This is this is normal stuff. >> Isn't aren't Don't they say dig before I mean before you dig call us? So, aren't they supposed to let us >> the contract that calls 1800 has to get a bigger law that's
>> but it's not it wasn't it wasn't marked because I guess in their mind there's nothing there in in in actuality there is something there are thousands of utility strikes a year thousands >> yes
>> thousands and thousands of utility strikes every year even with everything that and I appreciate everything you guys are doing. I've been on that side of the table and I get it. And this kind of stuff happens all the time. This is normal stuff.
I'll leave you on this note. This is many years ago. I'm doing work for the county and I'm in a car with the director, assistant director of parks going to look at a boat because we're working on the county pathway project. This will take two seconds. Barcer
Brothers fence company calls John Bali and he says we're in New Milford Avenue because they have the waterworks and they want to put a fence to protect the waterwork building because the county United Water was so gracious to give the county it for $1.
That that was the that was the Trojan horse that came through the through the front. And John goes, "Well, we hit some concrete. He's next to me right here. just keep drilling and and put it in the concrete. What they were drilling through was a 42 inch I believe water
mane that comes through there and two things would have happened. One the person if he ultimately went through it would have been cut in half seven. Secondly, if you remember Kletch Kramer lived on that corner to fix that pipe but that's how things happen. It's it
again the councilman recently utilities my company at least 100 a year >> and just to put in perspective also like just to put on the record we did milling and paving and concrete work back in 2023 in the same area PSG and B have
been there many times marking that out and never they never mark it they never identifying that >> and just so I'm clear Councilman Glass sorry Councilman Glass you're saying when you're saying >> you're Is it on? >> No. Sorry. Look for the >> When you When you say that that there's
a hund Your company has a 100 strikes, there's thousands of them. This is I You're saying after things have been called in and worked out already. >> It's not like >> Not only do we call them in and have the markouts by the utility company. We do private utilities. We have private
utility professionals that all they do is locate underground utilities and come in and do a mark out and there still strikes. And then we do what we call air knife soft digging and there still strikes. >> It's it's crazy.
>> And I I want to I've seen projects I've seen projects where they do the surface mapping, you know, with the and they still have they still hit things. >> Correct. >> So that 100%. >> I'm not saying that this is not exaggeration. I've been involved in projects where that's how >> this honestly why it went there and why
they took this route is beyond my my imagination. But again, it's there. We know where it is now and everybody in this burrow, not everybody's but people in the burrow now have mapping exactly where it is. >> Okay,
>> Councilman D. >> Thank you, >> Councilman. >> Thank you. Um, yeah, I had a few questions and then this whole conversation about the pipe generated a few more questions, so I apologize in advance. Um something that
uh council member Glass said sort of caught my attention um which was I think you said they leak all the time and >> dialectric fluid pipelines. >> Yeah. So this is transmission not distribution. Go ahead.
>> Okay. My my real question is um can you just number one state on the record where exactly this pipe is located in in respect to the project how deep it is and what would be the um
implications if there were a leak if you know in other words would we know right away? Is it something that saturates the ground? Would there be a a spout? And you know, I'm trying to get at what the what the risks and the dangers are.
>> Yeah. I think before I put any of that on the record, this is probably what would be considered critical infrastructure. I think the best thing would be maybe to set up a meeting with ESENG. Uh and Councilman, I think you should be present because
I don't think we should, so to speak, put it on the record. >> Okay. I'll I'll trust that um based on your >> I'm just thinking because it's critical infrastructure. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I understand that makes sense.
That makes sense. Um at the same time we just need to know like >> well my suggestion >> what the risks are >> again we set maybe we could set up meeting with PSEG distribution of gas obviously this is electric and I think >> quiz them on certainly how it happened
>> why no one knew about it and what's the implications if something does happen. Yeah, that that last part is really what I'm concerned about the most. Um, in light of what council member Glass said that this happens all the time, which is crazy, but
>> it would have it would have happened. >> Yeah, >> it almost did. Yeah, there's an existing fence >> pole. But, but now going forward, that's my concern. >> I'll leave you on this. There was a fence pole not put in under this project that was on top of it. So, a couple of
more inches. >> It's good we had the insurance presentation early. Um, >> Mike >> part of that meeting as well, right? I mean, the insurance should >> SEO and insurance should be part of that meeting because of the risk of actually
potentially leaking again or not knowing where it was. >> I think he certainly wouldn't be invited. >> Would you advise that or not? If you're going to have a if you're going to have the meeting with PSENG, I would because it's a matter of potentially what I'm hearing Mr. Kasa say it's a matter of
safety and security. I would have your insurance person, I would probably have the police chief uh there as well. Um and and part of the discussion because the police department should know where it is. So if it's something that could >> probably fire, >> right? Fire department, fire chief. >> Yeah.
>> And not the coordinator. >> Not also. >> I know. And also is it is it sa is it actually safe to have a high transmission line and I have a turf and I have kids play on it. >> Well like I said they said to me it was like salad dress but again when it I
can't think of the year um it was a while ago. I don't know if I guess you don't remember. It was on Kinder Macak Road at the south end of town >> and they were there in Tyvec suits. >> Oh wait, >> I do remember that. >> Oh yeah. >> Yes. >> The same line. >> So it's within the last 14 because I've been on council now 14 years. 15. This
is my 15. Yeah. >> Oh, it's the same line. >> Oh, wow. So, who will be setting up this meeting if I may ask? Who's the best one? >> To our government to coordinate. >> Terrific. Okay. Thank you. I also have a
couple other questions. Yeah. If I can just keep us moving forward. Um, you mentioned the pickle ball courts. Uh, well, before I even get to that, the May 1st date, I would just ask for your I know the I think I know
the answer to this, but just to get hear it from you. Obviously, it's possible to snow in April. We've had snow in April. So, if if there's a blizzard or a heavy snow in April, that could conceivably
push the May 1 date ahead. Is that reasonable to say? It's not >> if if we get a window. Here's the thing. If we get just a slight window and they're cutting sod, it goes down, >> right? >> If it snows, >> you can't put it down. If it >> No. Well, obviously the wind
>> if it snows afterwards then. Yes. Again. Yeah. Obviously, we're not going to play baseball in the uh snow, but >> Right. But the delay would be if you haven't put the sod down and it snows, then you have to wait till the the ground basically dries up.
>> You could we could move the snow off off of the uh the field and you could put you could put it down as long as the ground is froze. That's the key. >> Okay. So, conceivable conceivably the May 1 date may not hold, but that's what we're shooting for. >> I can't see us going past that. My my
personal opinion, it's going to be before that. >> Okay. Um, so now the pickle ball courts, the sad issue doesn't obviously have anything to do with that. What is the timeline on having that? >> Long as it's warm enough 45
>> 45 degrees consecutive >> like two or three consecutive days then it can be >> coated. >> Okay. And that's the last step as far as that's concerned. >> That's ready to go. Get your racket orthopedic surgeon and >> yeah play. I I keep him along with me
when I play. Yeah. Um Okay. Yeah. I had another question. Uh but I don't think it's an engineering question, so I will um I'll stop there. Thanks. >> Okay. Any other member of council? Councilwoman? >> Uh thanks Rob for coming in and letting
us know about the why the delays happen. Uh my question is about communicating the delays. Was the the the situation with the pipe as well as the weather, everything that happened to cause the
delays, were they communicated to the necessary individuals? >> Obviously not right because I don't think I would be here. we wouldn't be here tonight and we will make absolutely sure and again if you want we can come here if we have any major projects we can certainly take
10 minutes to come here >> face to face and again if anybody any counsel anyone has a question has a problem seriously call me I will meet you I will talk to you we will go there
if I screwed up I'll be the first one to say I apologize I screwed up and will fix this will get done. There is no question about it. >> Brandon Gallon, I know him for many years. Um he's he's not a fly by night
contractor by any stretch of the imagination. So this will get done. >> Okay. So, but going moving forward, we're going to have more of a back and forth communication. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> One that whatever you want, like I said,
you want me here, I'll be here. Whatever you guys want, I will do. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> Rob, actually I just have one more question. I know that is it true that there are several of the new lights that towers that are out.
>> They're all fixed. >> Yeah. >> Excellent. Good. I was just curious where we were with that. >> That was a uh that was a screening match. >> Really? There always is. >> There always is infrastructure. Yeah. >> Yes.
>> One thing I've noticed this evening, and this is a personal thing. I didn't realize how bold the back of my head really is. >> Bald is beautiful. Remember that. >> There's an onse for you.
>> But I got here and I'm really I'm even more depressed than my >> So, is there any other question from member of council? Mr. Costa and Associates, do you have anything else you'd like to say? >> We're almost we're waiting on two lights
for the peers that have been backorded for 12 weeks. Um follow up that that's there's two lights missing for >> Oh, yeah. There's one that's out right now. >> Oh, I didn't see that. Okay, we know about that. >> Get on Get on Steve. Call right now. >> Yeah, it might have just went out today.
I I noticed it when I walked in. >> Okay, >> it's on the right hand side. The ballard. >> Yeah. Is that a ballard? >> Yeah. >> Okay. We'll take a picture. We'll send it to Steve the oil electrician immediately down the north exit. >> I was going to call Jason, but this is better. >> We're feeding on two lights, two gear
lights. And then other than punch list items, this this project is complete. And there's some punch list. >> Are we also done with the former window to the bathroom? >> As soon as the weather gets better >> that gets bked up or something. >> Nice. Good. >> How to be done?
>> Cool. And I think it's I haven't heard any complaints on that. >> No, >> this could be a test. >> No. >> On the uh on the snow >> on the radiant heating. >> Oh yeah. >> No. >> For the radiant heating. >> For the radiant heating. >> And so far it's worked awesome and
Jason's very happy with it. >> Yeah. >> Well, he actually I said maybe we should put it throughout the entire town and then without >> it's so good you came. All right. All right. >> And again, I apologize. I
>> Yeah, pass. >> Okay. >> And I will get this done. I promise. >> Thank you, Rob. Thanks to all of you. >> Thank you, Jason. Greg. >> All right. Joe, do you u need to address the
council for uh fees for spring sports? >> Just depending on how >> do you just want to uh explain to the council what's going on? >> Sure. >> Would you state your name and your role? >> Uh Joe Reka. Joseph Reka, recreation director. >> Okay, Joe, go ahead. Um,
based on the presentation we just saw, I suggest as a recreation director to wave the fees for the spring sports that only use KBG. There's only
men's softball right now and two teams in the league, three teams, a couple teams in the league. the only leagues that use KBG until KBG is open to wave their their recreation fee for the time period >> for the council's benefit. How big is
that recreation fee and when would they have normally started? Um that we're why would so that there'd be justification for why? >> So they usually started first or the first week of April once the water is on >> as you heard weather dependent is shooting for May 1st. It could be
longer. >> So that's missing some. >> And what uh how much money is that fee and is how is it uh normally paid? >> It's usually paid outside of the registration fee. >> Okay. So, it's $20 a person roughly. I don't have the number off the top of my
head. It's roughly between two and $3,000, which I don't see that being an issue. Um, with the money that we have bringing in, >> I don't want to speak for the council, but I think that uh it needs to be written as a memo sent to the council uh prior to uh the next meeting or whatever
meeting you want the council to address it and then the council could consider it given the facts. >> Sure. Good to good. Well, that's what why I'm saying we should move forward with it because in my opinion, if you can't charge people a fee for a field they can't use, >> okay?
>> They would be paying for a fee for their recre. It would not be. So, how recreation works is we get $20. Every program on top of the instructional fee, instructor fee, on top of equipment fees, whatever these leagues charge themselves, we get $20 from there. So,
it's $50, 20 comes us, 30 comes them. They would still be getting that. They would still be getting charged $30. So, in the memo, you would delineate >> and I would give you 20 >> what the gross fee would be, what our net cost fee would be, and whether you're talking about uh an adjustment
for a period of the time or for the full amount. And you would be making that recommendation. Um, and if you could um send it to Lette and Lzette will send to the whole council. Uh, and the budget committee may want to review it before the council decides on it. But it seems
like I I don't say we can charge people for a field they're not using. >> Right. >> And we might want to prorrate it. So say, well, we would normally take 20. You're going to get you're going to get a month out of a two-month schedule. >> Yeah.
>> So maybe we we prorrate it 50%. So make that recommendation and uh bring it. >> Council is good with that uh process. Can I add something to that? Because again, I'm not sure where the pickle ball court fits into this schedule, but
uh and I'm just assuming that the pickle ball court is an easier situation. Um that they're going to code it just as they the engineers said they're going to code it when the as soon as we have 3 days of 40°ree weather. So probably it's not going to be an issue. But if for
some reason the pickle ball court is delayed beyond May 1st, >> interrupt you for a second. They are still have access to pickable court in the um >> tennis courts. Yeah. Right. Yes. >> You aren't going to close that until this is up and running.
>> So, okay. So, that so the fee structure though when people pay their fees for the tennis courts. The way it works now is you pay a fee for the use of the tennis courts, but but you're able to play pickle ball on the tennis courts. here. It seems if your if your plan is
to close the pickle ball courts on the tennis courts, then people will be paying a fee, a separate fee just for the pickle ball courts. Is that accurate? >> That is not correct. No. Can you clarify that? >> So, all residents pay either tennis memberships or pickle ball memberships.
>> The past couple years since we opened the tennis or the pickle ball memberships, the same courts. People get confused. They may sign up for a tennis membership. >> This will not affect that. If you sign up for a pickle ball membership, you will get access to the new pickle ball courts when they are up. >> It's just a change of venue. >> Just a change of
>> Right. But if you're paying if you're paying for So, for example, you wouldn't pay for pickle ball plus tennis now or last summer for example, you wouldn't pay a pickle ball fee plus a tennis fee. But now, if you play both tennis and pickle ball,
>> would you be paying one fee for pickle ball and then an additional fee for the tennis? That's my question. event. >> Okay. Thank you. Yeah, cuz that's >> and we may want to just have one fee for both of them until we separate them.
>> And that's something also you can recommend to the council in your memo. That's a great comment. Uh >> thank you, >> Councilman. >> Uh can I yeah keep going since we have you here. >> Is there a plan to renovate the tennis courts at some point? When when is that?
have any special >> projects >> special project. >> I'm not sure what that means in terms of timing. >> So the >> is that this year council? Go ahead. What's that? >> Yes. Um the governing body has to decide
what to do with the special projects engineer, but we have funding um to fix or refurbish or reconstruct the tennis courts at Memorial Park once um the once we have a special projects engineer to
work on the design. Um, we were able to move an o the open space grant for the memorial park renovation, >> but that renovation is much more extensive than we thought. So, instead of losing the funds or
having to go back to the county coffers for another municipality, we were able to since it's the tennis courts are still considered part of Memorial Park, we were easily able to transfer the scope of the project. So, we have the we have the funding in place. So once we
have the special projects engineer, we can move forward with planning design bid specs. We don't have to wait for the capital budget or anything like that. >> So that that timing is it would be sometime this year. >> It would be this year because we um in addition to transferring the project, we
obtain an extension to complete the project by I think December of this year. So it will be done. >> Thank you for that. >> Now where are we with the special project engineer? Um that requires discussion among governing body >> public or uh close session
>> closed. >> Okay. >> I have one last question. I'm sorry. Just a real quick question. Can on the new pickle ball courts can there be like now we have a AED? Um >> there is an AED at on location
>> at the new location. >> It's at it's on concession stand. is within the uh time frame that you need. >> Okay. So, it's it's it's in the vicinity of the pickle ball courts. Okay.
>> Okay. Okay. Thank you. That's it. Anybody else? >> Thank you, Joe. >> Thanks, Joe. >> Have a good night, guys. Thank you. >> You too. Can I have a motion and second to open the public on any item agenda or otherwise? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Any abstension? Hearing
none. It is unanimous. Uh are there any rem would you like to address the council? Come forward your name, your address, and you have three minutes and will you just check to see if there's anyone uh online. If you're
online, please raise your hand. Go ahead. >> Good evening. Uh Rob Berninger, 205 Madison Avenue. Um actually had something prepared, but with Mr. Costa's update
just for the benefit of the council 320 if the sad goes down which is on a Friday. >> Rob just for the public's benefit and for the council's benefit explain your role in regards to wreck. >> Uh my role I am um currently on the board
of rivers little league as the umpire and chief. >> Cool. Um, >> and you've had a long history with uh with that board and others if I'm not >> I've been a a volunteer with River Edge recreation programs for over 25 years. >> Yes, you have. >> Past president of Riveridge Little
League. I've coached baseball teams on all the fields in town. Cherry Hill Roosevelt Memorial KBG. I've played on KBG as a member of the River Edge uh men's softball league. Um, >> I just wanted the council as well as the public to understand that your comments
are coming from a wealth of history. >> Yes. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you. >> Um, just back on on his dates, that 320 date is a Friday. >> Um, six weeks from that date is May 1st. Mhm. >> Um
>> if there's anything that he could do or you guys can do to possibly push that up in March, >> um that would give you the 6 to 8 week time that you need that side to be down before it's played on. >> Um
just as a note, high school sports, which the high school is going to be using that field, uh they go out on the field on March 9th. they start playing on March 16th. >> Um,
so, um, back to this, I was thrilled to hear that the baseball field was going to be converted to a turf infield. I've umpired all over the state of New Jersey. From little league games, club tournament games, high school games. I've seen an increase in
turf fields over the years. If you were to ask me 10 years ago about turf infields, I would have answered that my preference is natural grass. However, as the technology of turf has improved, the game is actually safer when it's played on turf. There's no bad
hops hidden in the grass that come up and hit a fielder in the face. There's no crooked foul lines painted by a coach rushing to line of field without a guideline. As an umpire, having that straight line, I love it. Um,
there's no wet clay dragged off the field into the grass that eventually becomes a lip and a trip hazard or a burn spot in the grass. After a downpour, these turf fields drain quickly and play can resume almost
immediately. Majority of turf fields I've umpired on have portable mounds. >> Rob, 20 seconds. >> Okay. The slope is built to league specifications. the top of the mound is level with the pitching rubber, providing a consistent plate for a
pitcher to kick off. My concern with KBG is the decision to use a clay mound. This goes back 15 years of dealing with poorly groomed mounds. Historically, the teams that use the baseball field rarely take the time to condition and repair
the mound after games, resulting in a hole in front of the rubber, another hole where the pitcher lands. >> Rob, I have to stop you. I'm sorry. It's three minutes, but uh I take it that what you're saying is you want the council to look into reconsidering the clay mount.
>> Yeah. >> Is there anything else you want the council to look into? And you can make a copy of that letter and email that to us or send it to us through Miss Appetella. And um technically I'm not supposed to give you any more time, but if you could just say real quick whether there's a
more of a concern that you have. Um, I would just ask you to consider that if the entire infield was turfed, it opens it up to other possibilities for other sports. Adult kickball, adult softball,
regal softball, rivers little league. If the need arose for them to have to use the field at night at under the lights and baseball wasn't using it, you have options if the entire field is turned. >> Okay. Um, No, you can also call any of
us and if you want to hang out the meeting, the rest of the meeting should not go along and talk to us personally. Uh just the public portion has to be limited to three minutes. Um and um and send it to Lette and uh your concerns
and uh she's our business administrator and she'll speak to Joe and uh and we'll see where where we go from there. >> Okay. Great. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. Is there any other person who would like to speak before this body? Hearing none. Could I have a motion and
second to close to the public? So move. >> That's I'm going to consent that a motion in second. All in favor, please say I. >> Okay. Uh any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none. There are monthly reports uh that are on record. Fire prevention for December, library board trustees
January, and tax collector for December. Any member of the public like to see those reports, please contact the clerk's office. Second reading and hearing on ordinances. The following ordinance published here within was first read by title only on January 6, 2026 and posted on a bulletin board
outside the clerk's office. Ordinance 26-1, an ordinance to fix the salary, wages, and compensation of the officers and employees of the Burough of River Edge in the B County of Bergen State of New Jersey for the year 2026.
Can I have a motion and second to open the public on this ordinance only? So move. >> All in favor, please say I. I. >> Madame uh uh Appetella, could you please uh explain to the public what we uh what
we look to do with this ordinance? >> This ordinance establishes the salary ranges, the minimum maximum for both um part-time and full-time non-represented employees of uh the Burough River Edge. non-represented, meaning they're not covered under any collective bargaining
um agreement. >> So, this isn't what we pay them. This is simply the range in which we could pay them. >> Yes, that is the range. Um on the consent agenda, the actual salary ordinance is listed for set employees within the range. >> Excellent. Um any member of public have
a question? Anyone online? No hands are up. All right. Could I have a motion and second to close to the public? Second. All in favor, please say I. All right. It is uh open for debate. Is
there debate? Could I have a motion second to adopt? >> Madam clerk, roll call, please. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Okay. In a moment, can I have a motion and second to move resolutions 26-58 through 2674? Uh, and once we move them for transparency reason only, we will we will read 2674, but we are moving all of
them. Could I have a motion for 26-58 through 26-74? So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Is there debate for any item listed? >> I don't have a debate, but I have a clarifying questions if you
>> Sure. Absolutely. >> Um and I guess uh like always we address it to Mr. Apertella. Uh resolution 2661. Um if you could for the edification of the council and the and the public, what is exactly the employee assistant
program share services agreement? >> Yes. through the Bergen County Health Department. They offer this to um all 70 municipalities. It is a conduit for employees, whether part-time or full-time, of the bureau, um to receive
assistance from the county, whether it's a mental health issue, a family issue, um anger management, um uh you know, issues within the family. and it helps guide them to programs that the county offers or makes
recommendations on specialists that because of the circumstances that employees are going through, they just don't know uh the resources and where to turn to. Thank you. and uh 2662 um uh as I understand it from the
resolution itself there is a grant uh that through the DPW we have been able to obtain money to refurbish the library bathroom. Could you explain how much the libraries stand to gain from the bathroom improvement with this grant?
>> Yes. through the federal community development block grant program. Um the bureau received an award to use up to $138,790 um just to cover construction costs to bring the bathrooms up to code in compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. the grant does not cover the soft cost of utilizing the burough engineer. And in speaking with them um about a week or so ago, they may also need to retain an architect just to make sure the um there are no structural
issues, but the construction value is again $138,790. >> Thank you. >> Anything else? No question. Any other member of council want to ask a question for clarification or state a position? >> Uh yes, mayor. Not uh stating a position
but just for clarification. Um 26-73. Um if that can just be clarified. >> So you're asking about authorize the burough rivers to execute ratify memorandum agreement with the river superior offers.
>> I don't remember seeing that before. Um sure with >> I just wanted to read it into the record for the public. Sorry. >> So um in December when there was the uh memorandum of agreement regarding the captain's positions and when promotions would go into effect um like for the
sergeant's position. We do have a waiting list for the lieutenants uh position. There in our code there's a promotional process that involves oral testing, written testing. um uh uh personnel jacket review, fear
evaluations, and then ultimately the interview with the mayor and council and the code um assign certain percentages to each level of the process. However, due to the time constraints um with the with this process um the testing does
take a a lot of time to schedule hold and then grade and um let us know okay who who from the written can move forward to the oral. So since this is timesensitive, um the chief first obtained information from the sergeants
who would be eligible for the promotion who was going to go for it and then those who are seeking to throw their hat in the ring, they had to agree to forego the written and and oral test. So but in
order to you know that can't just be a memo or just something signed. It requires an official resolution. Um and uh for once the officers once the sergeants sign it then it would would go to the mayor to sign it and then it's executed and we could just continue with
the process. >> Okay. So is this specific to these particular officers? >> Yes. It's only these particular officers for this particular position. >> Got it. Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Question. It's a good question.
>> Uh you need to turn in your mic. >> Good. You're on. I have a question regarding 2671. >> Sure. >> Regarding the salary resolution. So all the numbers written over here. If this is one of the resolutions then we are approving it. Is that what it is?
>> Yes. Is if there is anything we want to ask before we and I'm sorry I didn't read it before. Um can I wait till the meeting is over and can I talk to you? >> Um yes. if you have a particular question or if you need to digest it
further >> speak to you but I don't know if it's something but a close >> no that that would be discussed during the budget process at that grouping >> I thought like this is for 2026 >> yes but um as >> so it's been prepared
>> that's that salary resolution is what we have funded in the budget so if during the budget process if any salary salary for any position is to be changed then we do another salary resolution.
>> Got it. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anybody else? >> I would just note real quick uh 2673 to first exhibit a patch. I'm sure you guys will patch it. >> Um you see in the link though it's in
the link. >> It's in the link. Okay. Good. >> All right. Um any other questions? Excellent job, council. Um, uh, madame clerk, roll. Oh. Uh, yes. Would you please, uh,
>> last previous year when we just read it like in separate, >> you read it one way or another? >> I know. >> Go ahead. >> It's It creates one vote instead of two since we have to do a roll call. >> Yeah. Bergen State of the be held on.
Be it resolved that the mayor and council of the borrow of the following current funds 2,795,5546 general capital fund $172,660. Grant, 157. Trust others $88,84.
Pay $23,736. Recreat a trust 1,95,000. >> Okay. Uh, now we are moving 2658 through 2674. 2674 was read into the record for transparency. Uh, madam clerk, roll call, please.
>> Yes. Uh, madame clerk, you need to turn on your mic because uh, it doesn't get picked up. Uh, no. Try it again. Just look for the green light. You're on. >> Do you want me to start over? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Councilwoman Montano? >> Yes. >> Council President Canella?
>> Yes. >> Councilman Glass? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Darwal? >> Yes. But I would like to recuse myself from all um, resolutions and bills pertaining to recreation department. >> Councilman Bever. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, we have new business
proposed amendment to uh so that passed unanimously. proposed amendments to chapter 33 uh fire department. >> Okay. Administrator. >> Administrator. I That's right. Sorry. >> Okay. Sorry. Um yes, the fire department
is requesting a couple of amendments to the chapter in the code pertaining to them. um specifically using the national emergency response information uh system to record alarm data, updating uh language regarding civic officers. I
think there was a couple other changes, member status, removal of member um and the residency requirement. So, uh, the draft proposal was reviewed by the bureau of attorney and along with
the bylaws to make sure there aren't any conflicts. So, it's up to the governing body to determine whether you wish to move forward with the requested changes. And if so, then Mr. Shadenian would put this put the changes into ordinance form. >> And this went to the council just for
the public's uh knowledge uh prior so they've had time to look at this. Correct. Yes, it I believe it was before Chief Schlloberg's term was over in December. >> Yes. So, um is the council does the council first of all have discussion, debate or comment?
>> No, just wondering this was um obviously proposed by both uh chiefs and and both houses. >> Chief Sanders and Chief who is the current chief >> the company um company >> both company one and two >> company company one and two. I just want to make sure not the both chiefs. I
didn't mean it that way. both houses I should say. >> Who's our liazison to the fire department right now? >> I am. >> You are. Um, do you have any comment from Chief Sber that you'd like to add? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, does any member of council
have a concern? >> Okay. Is the council in agreement? Do we have concession that this should move forward? >> Yes, if that's what they agree, that's >> okay. Let's move it forward. Um, River, let's do it real quick. Uh, can I have a
motion and second to move to move it forward? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstension? Having none, it is unanimous. River edge uh PTO tricky tray donation. >> Yes. The parent teacher associate
organization um they're conducting a fundraiser, a raffle known as a tricky tray. And what they asked is for if possible if recreation could help help with donations by offering um one free camp membership and that includes a
t-shirt um to raffle to put as part of the raffle for the fundraising. Um and that like I said is just the the membership and the t-shirt. If if this is authorized it would have to be done by resolution. Actually, >> no, >> we did talk. I
>> sorry, I'm not used to getting this on every time. Um, >> the business administrator asked bur administrator asked me um if this should be done by resolution. I think ultimately the answer is yes, but I think the resolution is actually going to be for the bureau to enter into a
contract with the PTO to authorize that relationship. I did a little more research after I spoke to um Sappertella and there's a the issue that I was concerned about and and I and I found that I was I remember there long time ago I read a case about this public
entity can't um give money to a private entity. You can't give anything of value to a private entity. It's public funds. So by us donating to the PTO which is a private entity even though it's for public purpose um there has to be a contractual document that ref references
that relationship and says that they will only use it for a public purpose which giving it to for raise money for the PTO and for the students at the schools is a public purpose. So you're allow it's the way you're allowed to do it. just a mechanism that keeps the burl from directly donating the money to a
private entity and not having it codified that we're doing this for a public purpose. So it's like why you can't we couldn't buy somebody's piece of property for them if they said oh this we needed to do this. >> My concern as always and has been historically does this create a
precedent and then are we obligated to say to other groups that may want us to donate. For instance, there was recently a request for us to donate to the Bergen County Academy. >> And so I I I caution the council from
doing something like this. I think it's noble. I think it's great. And if you want to do it from out of your own pocket, I think that's good. But I am very concerned about us doing it from the deis >> and doing it from taxpayer dollar.
>> I agree. And also there was there was um uh regarding RE250 they were thinking of getting uh gift cards from the recreation to be given at the fund run for one of their events and the recreation denied it. So for the same reasons
>> so I mean this body should discuss this. I I don't but um I I would caution whether this body should recommend this to move forward or not. >> What is the body's thought? I'm all in favor of making private donations to organizations and I'm happy to do it.
But I totally agree with you mayor. Thank you. >> Um I think because this is going to benefit River edge PTO, >> I'm in favor of it. >> Okay. >> Uh for the other entity, I agree with you. >> Okay.
>> Any other thoughts? Any other debate? >> I'm I'm in favor with what you said. Like if we open for one we should be fair to all. Why only river HP PTO? There are many other organization that would need help. >> H well I think I think my position is
if we're going to do it we need to make sure that we do it only for the benefit of organizations that are in River. >> Yes. I would not use taxpayer monies to make a gift to a school that is not within our
jurisdiction. That's one. If there is a contract to be made, the PTO will have to understand why there is a need to do that contract and why there is a difference between a public use which is technical at best and it would be a
conversation. My question is even though the BOE is a separate entity but they are beholden to the BOE. Can the donation be done through the BOE and
there is then negates the need for a contract with a private entity. >> You mean can we donate some can the bureau donate to the board of education and the board of education gives it to the PTO? I mean that's a workaround that would be I think um defeating the
purpose of not of requiring the PTO and and as a former BOE member in my town and as well as my wife was the PTO president for for a number of years the the BO the PTO is not beholdened to the BOE. >> Okay. >> PTO is an independent organization. They do what they want to do. Their funds
that they raise they're they're like a 501c3. It's a private nonforprofit entity. So they're they have a private corporate status and they don't they're not beholdened to the POE. So that's that's my that would be my same concern. >> Okay. I take back what I said before. >> So you've changed your position.
>> I have changed my position. Yes. As you just explained it. >> And just so the public understands and and we there's a lot of organizations we believe in very much and but it becomes very problematic because there is St. Peter's school
>> and there's the St. Peter's Carnival. There is uh there's daycarees, two different daycarees in town, I think, run by churches. >> Okay. There is and and the Bergen County Academy request was given to was sent to us because we have Riverade students
there, right? >> It becomes >> murky. >> It becomes murky and then what would be a reasonable amount? Would 50 be a reasonable amount? Well, if we're after 100, why would we say no to 100? what would be our criteria for saying no to
100 but yes to 50 you know it's it's it's such a great thing people should donate but it becomes problematic from the deis >> right >> so um does is there anyone on council who'd like to make a motion for us to move this forward if there if if no one
makes a motion then the um the item uh fails hearing none the item fails U for all the good reasons we suggest and we I strongly recommend that you know if you want to donate that that's and and that's >> you should
>> they reach out to me and I'll I'll send the chat tomorrow. >> Uh old business is there any old business? >> New business mayor. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Want to congratulate uh our new chief chief Sanders for to join I mean to be our new chief at the fire. >> That would technically be new business
at the council comments but that's okay. >> Okay. Congratulations, Chief Sanders. >> Yes. Uh we I was very honored to swear him in and uh Revas also River Age volunteer and service will be uh happy
>> soon. Uh and I know that that we we thank those volunteers also as well as all the volunteers who uh have become uh part of our many many commissions, committees, and boards. Yeah. No, but that's really good. I agree and I'm glad you brought it up as
a leazison from the fire department. >> Okay. So, um, any other new business? Okay. Any old business? >> Yes, mayor. >> Uh, the RE250 committee is forming a line of events to celebrate 250 years of
America all throughout the year. So, if anybody would like to help, reach out. Please reach out to either one of us or reach out to Eric Modell from the town. Thank you. >> Excellent. Any other old business? Okay. Any council comments? Any liaison
comments? >> I have a comment. Um, so with the incoming uh weather and the snow, everyone should just be helpful to the DPW if we can move our cars from the streets so they can plow and can start
salting and doing everything that they have to do in preparation for the shoveling after the snow falls. >> I think that's it. Great point. >> You know, I'm like down on the south end of town now and I was walking my dog the
morning of the last snowstorm and I had the unpleasant experience of seeing the police department and towing, you know, I mean, a subcontractor was towing cars that were parked on Bogurt Road. So, you know, I hope the word gets out this
time. So there are certain streets that are are no snow by by signage and the residents there do know it and it is there. Most of the streets in town don't and I think that's the common thing where you were going. Uh yeah it's terrible when people get towed but
>> it's it's you have to do it for safety. But >> and not only that don't blow the hydrants also. >> I'm glad you brought it up. I mean I think we got to get the word out anyway we can so people don't get their cars started and we avoid having to do that. >> Yeah. So, thank you >> mayor. Thanks all. Thanks.
>> And um I just have one comment, mayor. I want to thank you again for swearing me in tonight for the API um to the API commission as a commissioner. >> And and on behalf of the entire town, congratulations. Uh your success is our success. >> Thank you so much.
>> Good. >> Mr. Mayor, go ahead. >> Quick comment. We don't necessarily have to discuss this tonight, but I I wanted to at least put it on the radar. You and I have talked about this issue very briefly. Um but I have to mention it um if if only to preserve my marriage
because this is a big issue for my wife. Um but I I think a lot of people also would share this um issue. Uh the LED sign outside Burrow Hall, my understanding is that there's some discussion or a plan to
>> No, it's been decided by the council to replace it with a static sign. and Jason Molo is presented to the council a uh several different options. The council chose to have the DPW do it. Uh I don't know, Lizette, do you know where we are with that?
>> No, we cut the purchase orders fabricated. >> Okay. >> And what's going to happen to the existing? >> It's going to be removed. It doesn't work anymore. >> It work since before construction. Now, >> if you a place that the council could
consider putting a LED sign would be at Maine and Kinderac because there's first of all a light there where the sign would be on a corner and uh but that would require the council budgeting for it and there would also have to be removal of some trees if we did that
because we already did remove some trees to make the sign visible. Um, and the council could consider that and and you um we can certainly put that into new business for the next meeting. Would you like us to? >> I would like that. >> And if I may, it will have to be including traffic and safety because
that is a very heavy intersection for a sign that is bombarding people with messaging. >> That's true. And that so that I the procedure I just mentioned was wrong. It needs to go to traffic and safety. So um and you could champion that by going to the next sending an email to um
Officer Sergeant Diamond say, >> but also Bruce, remember that actually requires maintenance and that is at best. So there's a lot of downside to that that actually has a cost >> of maintenance that you will have to champion that. >> The cost for the sign is extremely high
as there's electrical issue. I mean, we had the tree there and the tree was lit up, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But it was an extension cord. >> Yeah. Just remember >> if we put it in, it'd be it would be run underground. >> Right. Right. Sure. >> Now you're saying there's a cost 100%
maintenance as well. So >> just remember there's also revenue that can be generated from that sign and we don't have to get into that discussion right now. But there's a cost to it, but it also benefits the town. >> Yeah. No, and I I have I'm not I have no
objection to it. Uh like anything else like we just talked about with uh the donation, you know, we we have to look at all the factors, but step one would be going to traffic and safety and uh then step two would be traffic safety would then send a recommendation to
council and if council uh wished to consider it, then it would go to the budget committee and it would also go to the DVW uh and uh so uh and then they would weigh in on it. >> Um >> okay, we'll do it one step at a time. You want Vinnie to be happy though?
>> I'll do whatever I can to make her happy. But I do think there's there's some merit to it. Other towns obviously do it. Um, a lot of other towns do it. So if it can >> Sorry, Bruce. A lot of the other towns, uh, if you see on the signs, they're donated by a car company or a
restaurant. >> And that may be the way to do it. Maybe that's the way that we should go as opposed to putting it into because it's it's it's upwards at the first time was 65,000. It's probably blown up since then. >> Yeah. If if there's an openness to
having it, then the question is how to pay for it. And if if people are open to having it paid for by a donation and everybody's happy with that, then there's a path. >> There's absolutely not to go down a rabbit hole. Okay.
>> Well, well, actually, we shouldn't go down the rabbit hole right now. It It needs to go to traffic safety first, then it would come back to us, and then we can go down that rabbit hole and it'd be on under new business. >> All right. Um, >> thank you, Mayor. >> Only because it's not a productive
conversation. >> Um, so, um, any other old business? No, we're I'm sorry, we're past council comments. Any other council comments? Okay. Um, could I have a motion and second? I'm going to modify to a
modified version of resolution 26-75. I'm going to read the modification in. So, resolution go into close session exclude the public attorney client privilege NJSA104-12 V7. Item one, burrow hall update. We're
adding um amending to include item two, potential commodity resale agreement. >> So, move second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> We will not be returning to public session. So, could I have a motion second to adjurnn the meeting? >> So, move.
>> I'll take that as a motion and second. All in favor, please say I. I. >> All right. Um, we are adjourned.