whole board meeting of the mayor and council at Burough River February 26, 2026 radio meeting River Edge Burough Hall 705 King Road as well as remotely via Zoom. I ask for a moment
of silent reflection for um all those firefighters, DPW workers, police officers, EMS workers who uh put themsel as well as PSCG workers and state and local police who put themselves on the
line. Uh OEM who put themselves on the line during this recent weather uh anomaly, this blizzard. Um, may we always cherish the work they do and respect the effort they put in. Councilman, can you lead us in the
pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic indivisible with liberty, justice for all. >> Okay. Statement of compliance with the open public meeting. This meeting
complies with the open public media act by notification to your resolution company 6-52 contain location date and time and access information to the founders in the record of our family board
with the municipal authority. Mad deputy court roll please. >> Councilwoman Mons Cohen >> here. >> Council president Consella >> here. >> Councilwoman Malari >> here. >> Councilman Glass >> here. Councilwoman Derry Wall is absolutely prior notice. Councilman
Beard >> here. >> Mayor Paper >> here. Thank you. Okay. Could I have a motion second to approve the minutes of the mayor and council regular and close session meeting of February 9th, 2026? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? Any second. Hearing
none. So, we have uh we have a lot of wonderful things tonight. We're going to be swearing swearing in some firefighters in a few minutes. Uh but we start with plaques of recognition for years of service. Um Allan Silverman and
William or Bill Drew and uh Allan and William uh are 40 years of service in uh January first week in January. If I could call you forward. Thank you.
Very good. One, two. Anything help? Very good. Testing. One, two. Very good. So, um Allan and William, uh we are very grateful for your service to the Burough River Edge. tremendous commitment. Everything you do as fire marshal and
fire inspector. Um, you two have been working together for 40 years. It's pretty amazing. And I believe you also um Allan, at least I know that you work in other towns, >> right? Bill works for me in other towns. >> Excellent. Uh, so um we uh I wanted as
mayor to make sure that we recognize years of service. You're not retiring. >> We're So this isn't a retiring ceremony. This is simply an acknowledgement uh when we get to I think we're talking about 25 and years and above uh that we want to do this and thanks and
recognition for all the hard work that you do for the people of River Edge and other towns. Can I ask you uh to give us a few words on your 40 years uh on uh anything you like in regards to this great moment, this celebratory moment?
Either one. Okay. 41 years ago, Colin gave me a call. He said, "I just got a job in Riveridge. I need some help." Come on up. So, I came up a year or two. 40 years later. >> Yes. We've we've had a lot of
interesting experiences in River Asia. I was brought up here, went to Riverdale, >> and from there continued my career in music. And >> Ellen, tell me a little bit about that. That's pretty amazing.
>> Well, I I was a full-time professional musician and I worked for 45 years. I worked for many people. We don't want to get into >> I worked for you and I worked for these gentlemen here. >> Yeah. So I was lucky enough to start my
career in preparation in ' 86 and I continued 89 inward 92 in Milford 2006 in Denver etc. >> Wow. >> But this is my hometown web avenue. So I want to thank you for recognizing myself
and Bill this evening. >> And I I know you're a firefighter Bill. I don't know if you are. So, we're firefighters and can you talk a little bit about that because we have the fire department here and we're going to be swearing in two new firefighters. >> Well, I started my career in the fire service.
>> 1962. I was a CD. >> Oh, wow. >> So, I've been around a while. >> The year I was born. >> I started company one and eventually went to become a lieutenant.
>> Wow. And then from there I said I only want to live in River in Milford. River had no homes at that time. So I went to Newton less than a mile away. And from there
I continued my volunteer career became chief in New Mel six times and now fire. I go on my car, but I still a bad fire. I go to all the towns that
I'm the fire official in. And when I'm not around, Bill covers for. >> That's not >> And that's basically the history. >> Right. Bill, tell us a little bit about your firefighting service. >> Well, I started in 1967. >> Okay. >> As a junior, and I just never left. I
went through the bank. I was the chief officer at one time. Yeah. >> For the town. And uh >> which town? >> New Milford. Yeah, I'm sorry. Yeah, Al and I both from New Milford. >> And I stand. So, one more round of applause.
Present you with black. So um Allan and William in recognition of 40 years of service to the Burough River Edge 2026. Alan William stay right there
if I All right. Smile. All right, gentlemen. Again, thank you for your service. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, now open for post comments on any item on the agenda or any item the
individual would like to comment on. >> So moved. >> Sorry. It's been moved and second. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any extensions? Hearing none, it is unanimous. >> Okay. Anyone remotely, uh, council president or anyone present who would
like to comment on anything um, regardless of whether it's on the agenda or not, >> anyone remotely, you're remote, please uh, raise your uh, electronic hand. Seeing none, could I have a motion
second to close to the public? >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All right. >> So, um, what we're going to do is we have both voluntary firefighters here. That's great, guys. Thank you. Could I have a we're going to we're going to
move up to the agenda resolutions uh 2688 and 2689. They are approve the appointment of volunteer firefighters. So code >> the other one too for the farmers market or is that just yeah is that also not
>> that's simply under resolution. >> Okay that's okay. So could I have a motion and second to move uh resolution 26-88 and 26-89. >> So second >> it has been moved and seconded. Is it
open to debate? Is there debate? Hearing none. Um, madams, uh, Deputy Clerk, please, uh, call the RO. >> Councilwoman Montto Cohen, >> yes. >> Council President Canella, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Councilman Fer,
>> yes. >> Okay. Now, can let's uh let's also do this before we call people up. Could I ask for a motion and second in a minute after I read the appointments and personnel changes into the record? Approve the resignation of Anthony Vizo,
part-time police dispatcher effective February 11, 2026. approve the appointment of student members Aish Darwal Caitlyn me Natalia Vada K Olivia Matthew to the
River Edge USA 25 committee effective February 26 2026 and approve the resignation of Theresa Espazito to the farmers market committee effective February 26th 2026 and approve
the appointment of Lauren Hughes to the farmers market committee. By the way, Teresa is the farmers market committee if I might have mispronounced that. Effective February 26, 2026. >> So move second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Is there
hearing? None. Madame Deputy Clark, if you call the role, please. >> Councilwoman Mana Cohen, >> yes. Council President Canelli, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. Councilman Glass. >> Yes. >> Councilman Bever. >> Yes. >> All right. Wonderful. All those who are
are have been hereby appointed or resolved, please come forward uh to be sworn in right here. So after I swear you in, you're going to sign and then I'm going to count and sign. You're going to sign where it says
signature and put today's date, which is February 25th, right? 26 26 26. >> All right, let's go. And uh this of course will be um it's being recorded and in a couple days it
will be uploaded to YouTube to the Burough River YouTube page and then I will put it on the mayor's page. So if you want to get see it or get a copy get Okay, great. I'm just going to pull one of you and uh I'm going to ask you to u
just repeat after me. Okay, if you could raise your right hand everyone raise your right hand. By the way, does anyone object to using the word square? Okay, very good. Okay. Um, so I state
your name >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> the Constitution >> of the state of New Jersey
>> of the state of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith >> I bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established >> and to the government >> in the United States >> in the United States
>> and in this day >> in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> I say your name >> I do solemnly swear >> domly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially
>> and justly >> justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> as a member of >> as a member of >> Okay, now this is where we're going to diverge Uh Lori, the Farmer Market Committee. >> Farmers Market Committee.
>> And Christopher and Jason, you're now going to say all the duties of >> All the duties of >> as volunteer firefighter >> as a volunteer firefighter >> of the Riveridge Volunteer Fire Department. >> of the River Edge Volunteer Fire Department. >> And now all three of you to the best of
my ability. >> To the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me. Congratulations. if you can come up. Uh Michelle, if you come up to first, which of you two would like to
go first? All right. Very very good. If you uh you can come over here and if you two can stand over there and I will counter sign while we hear from um basically the director of the farmers market and the chief of the river volunteer fire
department. >> Um congratulations to you two. It's great to have you on board and thank you so much to Lauren for agreeing to do this. Also, a huge thank you to Theres Espazito for four years of tremendous help she gave to the committee. Um, and
very excited to have Lauren on board. It's going to be a great fifth season uh since I've been running the farmers market. So, I'm very excited about that. We have a new farm, Allstead Farms, and it's going to be business as usual. So, great time outdoors with everybody.
Congratulations on your part to the farmer market. Welcome to the family, the brother. It is great to have you. I can't wait to you guys get started. Chris, I've known you for a couple years already and it's
a it's great to have you progression progress through the department and welcome to the to being a full-fledged member. Jason, I know it's been in your family. You know what it's like and it's, you know, it's a brotherhood. So, it's a growing family and
you guys at the bottom, but there's more coming in. Welcome. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Firefighters and any others who would like to come and stand behind them. You guys pull forward to the table's edge.
Michelle, that includes you or Lauren? >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> No, I know. I know. May 14th. >> All right. >> All right, everybody. Give me a winning
smile. >> Thank you. Now, you're all welcome to stay for the rest of the meeting, but it's kind of like watching Lauren and >> thank you Michelle.
All right. Uh there are monthly reports on record tax collectors in January library board trustees February and board of health February and historic commission February from a copy of those reports they may contact office. We have
uh two no one two three we have three ordinances uh for first reading. Um in a moment I'm going to ask for a motion in second then the thorough administrator administrator will then explain what we're trying to achieve with those three
ordinances and then because it's a first reading we'll move them as a group unless any member of council wishes to call out one or the ordinances for separate consideration. Okay. Okay. Motion that follows. Motions that follow. Motions that following ordinances be introduced and passed on
first reading setting March 12, 2026 at 700 p.m. or assumed there after he as the date and time and the council chambers as the place and Zoom as a virtual platform or the hearing on said ordinances. I'm going to read all three. Ordinance 26-03.
An ordinance to amend chapter 206 of the revis Oh, hold on. No, that's fine. Um, an ordinance to amend chapter 206 of the revised general ordinances of the burrow river edge entitled fees. Ordinance 26-04,
Ordinance of the Burough of River Edge, Birdie County, New Jersey, amending chapter 416, zoning of the Burough Code, to address the burrow's affordable housing obligation by creating new overlay zones for block 1418, blocks 1,
2, 3, and 3.01 and 4. And block 203, lots 2, 2.01, 013 and four to permit uh inclusion inclusionary and multifamily development and amending the existing AH1
uh overlay zone multif family and senior citizen housing conditional use district and the new bridge landing station redevelopment plan in accordance with the burough's housing element and fair share plan ordinance 605 an ordinance of
the burough river edge Bergen County, New Jersey. There's a typo there. Bergen does not have an end, but we'll just That's a minor change that needs to be done. New Jersey repealing and replacing in its entirety chapter 50, affordable housing of the
burough code consistent with the state amended affordable housing regulations. Could I have a motion and a second? Could I have that from Councilman Glass who is on the land use board? And if I
may, Milton Feer, who used to be on the landing board, could I have a motion and second for uh 2603 through 2605? >> Thank you, Mayor. It's an honor. So move. >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Uh if I could have our administrator please
explain what we hope to achieve through these uh ordinances on the first reading. There will be second reading of course in uh in a very short period of time. >> Yes. Ordinance 2603 codifies the fees for the annual 10 and 12 pickle ball membership. It specialize the designated
course for pickle ball and includes the $10 discount when registering for both membership at the same time. or 25-04 implements the settlement available with fair share housing to comply with the state's portal housing regulations and
as two new overlay zones are being created and the maximum growth density is in two existing zones and 26-05 replaces the current affordable housing regulations and chapters are proposed to comply with current state affordable housing regulations
>> and just for the record these required of the affordable housing requirements were statutoily put in place uh down in Trenton and they are an obligation and we need to we are obligated to finish this before I think March 15th and if we
do not then edge would lose its immunity correct >> correct >> could you speak a little bit about immunity so the public understands why uh we're doing this >> um by complying with the state law we have something called builders remedy immunity and um if we do not comply then
any developer could come in and put up whatever type of structure you know disregarding our zoning regulations density housing restrictions. So these are protections that are put in in place while at the same time providing opportunities for
affordable housing for those that are at low and moderate income. >> Yeah. And it's correct that we are not actually building any any of these things. We are simply create we are obligated by state law to create the opportunity for building uh with with
modified zoning rules that are the are the best protections we can offer the people of river edge. >> That is correct. >> Very very correct. Um it is open for debate. Is there it's been moved and seconded. It's open for debate. Is any member of council wish to call for
debate or wish to make a comment or ask a question? Hearing none, madame clerk, would you, Deputy Clerk, would you please call the role for 2603, 2604, and 2605? >> Councilwoman Cohen, yes.
>> Your mic is not on, then. >> Council President Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Councilman Becker, >> yes. >> All right, it is unanimous. Okay, now we have a bit of parliamentary procedure
that we need to do. uh resol um the second reading and hearing on ordinance 2602. We it has been requested by the fire department that we withdraw this ordinance, but you can't withdraw something that's already gone through a thorough reading. So, according to
Robert's rules, if you're going to uh you have to kill it. So, what would happen is I would read it into the record and then I would ask that the council not move it. If the council failed to move it, then it died. Now, it
can be brought back at a future date. Uh I believe the fire department is looking for some modifications, which we are glad to do for the fire department whenever they wish for it. Um so, if we don't open to public, it automatically dies. Okay. So, uh, I'm going to read it
into the record. And please remember, if the council wishes to, uh, wishes to kill the ordinance at the request for the fire department, then no member of council should move the ordinance. The voting is published here within was
first read by title only on February 9, 2026, and posted on the vulin board outside of court's office. Ordinance 26-02, an ordinance amending chapter 33, fire department of the revised general ordinance of the burough of bridge. I
remind the council uh if we move it, then we will have to vote on it, but uh I'm recommending to the council that they do not move it. So, I'm going to ask three times. Is there a motion and a second? Hearing none, I will ask the second
time. Is there a motion and a second? I will ask a third and final time. Is there a motion and a second? Carrying none and the ordinance 2602 is declared dead. Okay. Now we go to resolutions consent.
Uh we're going to move everything including payments of the bill. Though uh we will not be reading all them into the record, only payment of the bill. So, we're going to be moving 26-82 through 26-87 and then 26-90 through 2693.
Can I have um a motion and a second? >> Oh, well, anybody wish to pull out uh for separate consideration any of the resolutions? >> I I just have a question on one of them. >> That's okay. >> Does anybody wish to pull that? Does
anyone wish to make ask a question or make a comment before we vote on it? >> I do mayor. Um for 20 just for my edification that 2692 Yes. >> LOAP. So when the it returns to the M municipality, what then happens to it?
Does it go into the firefighters fund or or like how does that work? >> Um this goes back as um miscellaneous revenue. >> Got it. Okay. So this is in the general um for the
general borrow not for specific. Okay. Got it. Thank you. >> Any other question? >> I do. >> Sure. Um in on resolution 2690. I didn't see the fee for sweet spot. If you could
speak to that. What is the annual fee after that? >> The annual fee is 15,000. >> Okay. >> As I didn't in a resolution. I don't know if it was deliberate, but uh I just wanted the public to know. Will there some revenue to that?
>> Yes, if there will be in um 15,000 per per year in the number last year weren't able to open until the final quarter of the year. And then um they submit quarterly uh based
by department of a print out of the revenue received and tax that is then turned over to >> okay any other question or come hearing none uh could you please read into the record chair reading the record
of the bills >> sure thank you mayor at a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge county of bergen state of New Jersey held on February 26th 2026 Six. Be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of Riveridge approve the following
expenditures. Current fund 10,420,927.72. General capital fund $28,47. Grant fund $19,21747. Animal control $145.20. Trust other $26,942.93.
Payroll $23,978. Developers escrow $1,697.50. Self- insurance trust $6,670.36. Recreation trust $330. >> Okay. So, is that or that resolution and all the others uh listed before? Madame
Deputy Clerk. >> Councilwoman Mana Cohen. >> Yes. >> Council President Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Malari. Yes. Councilman Glass. >> Yes. >> Councilman. >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there any new business before this body?
>> Is there any old business? >> Council comments. Did any member of council wish to make a comment about uh anything related to the burrow or their leaisonship or anything else? >> Thank you. >> Councilman Pepper. >> Yeah. Um this week I had the pleasure of
um going on a tour of the Rosen Valley Yeshiva Kamak. Um definitely a pleasurable experience very eye opening. Um for people who may not know this makes those facilities available to our
fire department and our police department for training exercises and they contribute to our community in a lot of other ways. Uh, I was asked by Rabbi Claire of the Yeshiva to extend an invitation to all of us um who might
want to take a tour of the yeshiva. Um, please see me if you're interested and I can schedule that for sometime this spring. >> They have been very good neighbors. I have been there on several occasions and most of them if not all of them were
related to training of our firefighters. Uh and not just ours but uh Chief Thosber invited uh our fire and other fire departments to come and join um and uh it's very informative and they were
very we grateful to have them out. >> Any other council? Yeah, just I I mean the our EPW or our labor force, they just killed it again.
And I got to tell you, I was in other towns driving out there and they were nothing like our town. I mean, they were like smoke pack this on >> major roads >> and our secondary like tertiary
clear. So kudos to them. proud and thankful for those guys. Amazing job. >> They were I have to tell you I I was in contact with them, the fire fire chief, the uh OEM who is the same uh this at
this point. Uh uh I was in contact the police department and the uh and uh DP DPW fire police um and they were all doing a great job all through the night. Uh we had no breakdowns of equipment
previous in January. We've broken axle and a couple other things. Uh no breakdowns this time. Uh we were down I believe five workers and they still were able uh to get it done. Uh kudos to all of our DPW um our firefighters, our um
our um police department and uh and our emergency u medical support uh EMS uh as well as uh our administrator and others for all the work that they do all year round to make us prepared and uh and
that they did. I should tell you uh uh Superintendent Molo because we were down five, he was running the uh storm from a truck plowing in the north part of town. Uh commitment, incredible. And the and
and the and the DDW workers worked a lot of hours. I don't want to get in trouble by saying, you know, just how many I think they worked, but they worked a lot of hours and they took great pride in. I was in the supermarket today, the shop right in the Milk, our
sister city. We have two sister cities in the tribar. We have Bordell and we Milford. And I was there and we had a resident from River Edge who I volunteer with. Um, and he saw me. He came up to me. He said, "Hi, how you doing?" Everything. And he said before I said
anything, he was in the car. He said, "Oh, by the way, amazing. What a DPW did the road." Amazing. We hear that often, don't we? >> So, um, so we are very grateful and honored by the commitment of, uh, all of our employees, both paid and volunteer.
Any other member of council wish to comment? All right, great. Um, okay. So, um, we are concluding with business. Uh, could I have a motion and second to adjourn the meeting? Second. >> All in favor, please say I.
>> I. >> Good night, everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you.