Call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of the Bur of River Edge, June 26, 2025. Um, regular meeting at the River Edge Library, 685 Elm Avenue, as well as some uh test on Zoom and then put on YouTube.
I ask uh for uh for us to stand and have a moment of silence for all of our um armed forces as uh the world continues to be a dangerous place and in thanksgiving for their safe return to
the recent mission. Councilman Glass, if you'd lead us in the pledge from the honorable 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. Statement of compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act. This meeting complies with the open public meeting act by notification on January 6, 2025 of this location, date and time into the town news and the record by posting of the same on the municipal bulletin board
and the burough website and filing notice of the same with the municipal clerk. Madame clerk, roll call, please. Sure. Council President Monttoano Cohen, present. Councilwoman Canella. Councilwoman Malari, here.
Councilman Benson here. Councilman Glass here. Councilwoman Darwal is absent with prior notice. Mayor Papalo here. Okay. Um with the council's uh without objection. Without objection, we will be
moving resolution 25202 to after the approval of minutes. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so moved. We are now at item number five, approval of minutes. Could I have a motion and second from the council to approve the minutes of the mayor and council regular meeting of May 22nd,
2025? Second. All in favor, please say I. Okay. Uh we have I'm sorry, mayor. I need to abstain from the meeting. I was not here. Absolutely. And I failed to Good. Um and uh is there So we have the abstensions. Are there any opposed
hearing? None. There are two abstensions and the rest uh are in motion for so that was the three four and two against that would be okay. Correct. Well, the abstensions don't count. I mean they do count towards the so good. It's okay. Okay. We're going to move uh resolution
25-202 uh which if one looks uh that is approve the appointment of a volunteer firefighter uh Justin Agnoli. Uh so could uh I have a motion and second to uh move forward resolution 25202 and
pass it. So move second. All in favor please say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? All right. So uh I call Justin forward if he could come and stand right over here with his family and the chief. Could I have the
chief and any uh any other members family and the fire department if they could stand forward? Justin come forward. They're going to stand behind you. They'll need some room. Yep. And some folks. And if uh would you are you okay putting your hand on the Bible?
You don't ask if you don't want to. That's great. Okay. You can hold that. All right. And if you are from the chief over, you cannot be seen. So maybe two rows with taller people in the back. Don't come off the wall a little bit. Nobody's gonna bite you. If you can't see yourself on the screen,
you're not on the screen. No, no, no. All right. Very good. So, um, so we are we are very blessed to have such an active fire department. I'm gonna ask our chief to speak afterwards. Uh, if the chief doesn't mind, uh,
Justin, you can all say a few words if you like. Uh, but right now, we're going to swear you in as a River Edge volunteer firefighter. So, if you could raise your right hand, put your left hand on the Bible and repeat after me. I, Justin Agnoli, I, Justin Agnoli, do solemnly swear
do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey that I tr that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same. Under the authority of the people under the authority of the people. I state your name. I, Justin, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will faithfully that I will faithfully impartially impartially and justly and justly perform all the duties perform all the duties
as a firefighter as a firefighter of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department at the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department. To the best of my ability to to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. Justin, congratulations.
Thank you. Justin, again, we thank you and your family for this commitment because the family supports you as you put in the time. And we thank all of our fire volunteer firefighters who are here to support you. If you like to say a few words, you can. And if you don't, that's okay, too.
Okay. Well, first I'd like to obviously thank my family because they've known that I wanted to be a firefighter for a little bit. And uh they were a little scared at first. My dad's not dumb, but mom was. Um, sure. I want to thank them. But I also want to thank all of the guys
behind me because they've actually been really helpful with like learning um basically what a firefighter is and like what to do and I finally know what the uh, you know, irons are called. So, thank you. Um, and then obviously the chief for the opportunity to become a river voluntary
firefighter. Good. That's it. Chief is going to come forward in a minute, but why don't you sign as chief gun comes forward and says a few words and we'll make it official. No, I thank the mayor and council, but more importantly, in addition to Justin, I can't be any more proud of the men and
women that are in the River Volunteer Fire Department. The amount of time that they put in, Riverridge has had 11 calls in the last seven days. Our apparatus is getting out. These guys are trained as good, if not better, than most departments in Bergen County. and I
wouldn't have the success I have without these gentlemen and the ladies that are part of our department. So, thank you. So, on behalf of myself and the council, just fire service. Thank you, Chief. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Justin. Thank you, brother. All right, everybody. If you'd like to stay Oh, let's take a picture. Oh, yeah. I'll get there. right here. So, you can stay at the board of
meeting, but if not, have a good evening. No worries. Appreciate everything. Wonderful. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. He's been coming late. Still at work now. So, call me.
All right. Okay. Could I have a motion and second to uh open to public comments on any item of the agenda? Second. It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing
none, it's unanimous. Uh Neil, I see you're on. I don't know if you have any comments. There is no one in the gallery. So, we'll give Neil just a few moments if he wants to raise his hand. Okay. Um, so can I have a motion second to close to the public on any item
agenda? So, second. All in favor, please say I. I. There are monthly reports available with the clerk's office uh for the public if they so wish to request them. Historic commission and the land use board. We have no ordinances. So we go
straight to resolutions. Could I have a uh before this uh it's our custom before we move it even though Robert's rules technically require us to move it to ask are there any questions or comments on 25190 through 25201?
I I do. Go ahead. Oh, I just have 25193. I just know what the process is for that. Um when it So, let's tell the public this is authorizing auction of surplus property. No longer needed for public use on an
online auction website. That is the resolution in question. Yes. under um the local public contracts law. Uh since equipment and you know vehicles, equipment and suppi and supplies are purchased using taxpayer
funds when they're no longer suitable for public use. We can't just scrap it. You know, there's a process to auction it. And what we do is we use Gov Deals. It's an online platform, but the first step is to authorize the sale of the
vehicle. And um once a vehicle is no longer in service, we take pictures of the body, of the engine, um whether it's DPW or the police, they fill out a vehicle inspection form, and we disclose
everything, you know, that's with the vehicle, you know, the the VIN, the mileage, the condition of the interior and exterior. And um once this is authorized, we do put an ad in the paper um stating the dates of the auction the all the information is already posted.
So based on the dates on the resolution, once it goes live um interested parties, they start bidding on it and it goes to the highest bidder. And once um everything is closed out, the the bidder
gets a a sales certificate that they bring with uh proof of their driver's license. We sign over the title and that money goes into miscellaneous revenue not anticipated which then is the following year deposited into our
surplus. Question. Um no, I thought property was like like land. I didn't realize everything This table would be property. Yes. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome, Councilwoman. Council President.
Sure. I have three, but uh El said it's just for the for my education and the public's education. Resolution 25197 is Would you please read its title? Sure. Uh I'll do it for you. Resolution requesting approval of items of revenue and appropriation. Uh New Jersey statute
484-87. Thank you, Nick. So, we're appropriating an an amount of money. Could you explain to us what the Clean Communities Grant is and what the appropriation is for? Yes. The Clean Communities Grant is based on recycling tonnage reporting
that is done by the Department of Public Works and you know based on collection rates and whatnot. The state gives uh communities a grant and this money is used for anything related to recycling whether it's containers um fixing the
truck any type of equipment. It's sole purpose it has to deal with the recycling program. Oh okay. So we're requesting that amount that it will come into our uh it will come into the budget. It goes into um a
specific line because in the event the state audits us and wants to know what did you spend this money on, we could pull the purchase orders and shows that it is tied into the purpose of recycling. Good. So for the public's benefit, this is money we're gaining, not money we're spending, though we will spend it in the
future, but we're gaining it. Correct. All right. And then is resolution 25-198 grant exception to noise ordinance to LA landscaping construction Aurora Hall entrance and police station parking lot improvement project. The question is are
the residents being made aware before this ordinance passes that there will be possible noise uh before the 8 in the morning. um that is to have on hand in the event the contractor if there is u
bad weather or um whether rain or heat waves and they need to catch up. It's just to have as a placeholder and the contractor as with all projects is responsible for notifying the abuing property owners. So they will do it if needed. If needed.
Okay. anything um associated with this if road has to be closed for equipment um heavy equipment whatnot they will coordinate with the police department all right thank you anything else that's it any other member of council okay could I have a motion and second to
move resolution 25190 through 25201 so second it's been moved and seconded all in favor please say I any opposed any abstensions hearing none it is unanimous. Could I have our
finance chair, Councilwoman Canella, move 25-203 and one member of the finance committee second? Chairman, thank you. At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the Burough of River, council of Bergen, New Jersey held on June 26, 2025. Be it
resolved that the mayor and council of the burough of River approve the following. Current fund $374,38522. General capital fund $69,192.91 grant fund $1,87787 trust other $10,51465 developers test $1,810
recreation trust $9,100 say I I any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none. It is unanimous. New business. Is there any new business? May I just like to mention um fire chief mentioned it while I was here, but just
again I want to get it on the record a second time. So in um the last seven days, the fire department responded to 11 fire calls. And I just want to remind everyone of the heat that we experienced over the last couple of the few days.
And just as usual, they responded effectively, efficiently, and safely. And again, wanted to remind everyone of the great job they're doing, and how thankful for that. Excellent. I agree. You're here. Any other uh new business?
Oh, yes. I guess Sorry, mayor. Yes. I just want to mention that uh our Fourth of July um parade will be next Friday. um starting at 11:00 and the family fun
uh day will start at 12 12 to 4 at Memorial Park. Good. And it starts at Cherry Hill School. Correct. Correct. Correct. Good. And we thank all those who will be walking and all those who will be coming. Yes. And on um Dave, I just want to um
concur with you. the uh fire department is donating um the tickets or monies to towards the tickets for the rides for the kids. Yes. So, everyone's uh the kids kids rides bouncy houses will be free for all that attend. So,
which is awesome. It's for their 125th anniversary and that they have so generously donated that to the town. Excellent. Good. Wonderful. Anybody else under new business? Okay, we're going to do old business. anything. I'm going to I'm going to start all business by
asking the business administrator to give us a construction report uh for the public's benefit. Uh I know the council keeps apprised, but it's important that we allow public know where we are with all the different uh construction items that are currently going on.
Yes, we are in the midst of construction season. First up is Bogurt Road section seven and eight. And this is the project of replacing the curbs and sidewalks. That is the construction is funded through a grant from the Department of Transportation section seven.
And I saw you there just to underline that money would have went to another town, but our BA as well as um all of our staff have worked very hard to uh get this grant money so that we can improve the town without raising taxes.
Our only obligation I believe is the engineering costs. Engineering and traffic. Traffic. So um section 7 is about 95% completed. Section 8 is currently underway which um encompasses from Windsor Road to Concord Drive. And um substantial completion of
major items is anticipated prior to the July 4th uh holiday parade. So that's that project. Um, we are we did receive an award for section 9 and that would be the replacement of curbside walk and driveway aprons from
Concord Drive to Adams Avenue. But right now, uh, we did receive the award, but before we could go out to bid, the Department of Transportation needs to approve our bid specifications. So, that's something that will be on the horizon. Is that something that might happen this year or next year? Um likelihood
likelihood if we don't hear back within six weeks it would be next week's project. Okay. Um Burough Hall entrance and police department parking lot project. We the contract was awarded to Lasal
Landscaping and Construction. We're in the process of getting the contract executed and the bonds. Um we had a pre-construction meeting last week and a follow-up on-site meeting. Construction is anticipated to start on July 8th. Um
the project will be done in phases starting with the the entryway to the municipal building. It will be split into two phases and so um and meeting with our construction official with the first phase weather permitting because
weather is always a factor. We anticipate um that portion to be done by early to mid August and obtaining a t a temporary certificate of occupancy which would allow us to open the municipal building to the general public and then
um for a few weeks after that they would work on the police department entry portion. Um if somebody has to go into the police department at that time they would go through Burough Hall, cut through council chambers and either take uh the stairs or the elevator to the
respective police offices and then um once the concrete work is done they will work on the police department parking lots. Uh so again we anticipate opening Burl Hall weather permitting by mid August.
Uh just to add, there might be a temporary or a small closure of Tenny, not the complete street, but enough uh to move uh you know equipment and supplies in and so but uh that is being coordinated
with the fire chief so that it doesn't affect uh company number one uh getting out the engines or the firefighters getting to the engines. Mhm. Um but we have a bid open we have several bid openings scheduled for July
8th that was authorized at the last meeting. It's for the KBG improvements project the local road resurfacing project drainage improvements at Mohawk and Logos and fire company to and sidewalk improvement. Uh last meeting the contract was awarded for the
Riverside Cooperative to pave Manning June Court North drive and Aerson. We are in the process of scheduling a pre-construction meeting and um this ties in with PSEG phase 2A. Manning Avenue has been completed with the
trenching. They're working on the house hookups and then by the time that um the streets have settled, we'd be able to to pave so we anticipate doing that give or take August, September depending on the weather. Um, PSENG phase 2A will then
continue with Fifth Avenue, Monroe Court, those dead ends between Manning to Continental next. And then once that settles, um, DPW Superintendent Molita will work on getting um, Fifth Avenue micro sealed or slurry sealed to help
hold that street together because that would be the next set of DOT um, grant applications once we're done with Fogger. and we submitted the application for Bogurt Road section 10 and hopefully um we submitted an application to
continue Continental Avenue but that is a discretionary grant. So it it's a roll of the dice in getting that funding. So there's a lot of work ongoing and on the horizon. Excellent. And the DEIS also has been uh in Burough Hall has been the old desk
has been removed. The new desk is at the cabinet maker and should be installed within the next couple weeks. Um yes, within the next three, four weeks that should be complete. We're upgrading the the sound system also so we could um hold general hearing
meetings as well as the hybrid Zoom meeting. So, and that will be completed in time once we have the TCL for Burough Hall. Excellent. Any member of council wish to ask a question or to emphasize a point?
Okay. Well, this is going along swimmingly. Uh, can I have a motion second to open to the public for any comments? No move. Second. All in favor, please say I. I. No one in the gallery, but there is one person virtually. If you'd like to
speak speak, please raise your hand. You will have two minutes. Could I have a motion? Seeing no hand raised, could I have a motion second to close to the public? Second. All in favor, please say I.
I. Is there any council comments? Okay. Could I have a motion and second to adjourn the meeting? move. Second. All in favor, please say I. I.