volume. Let me try all the time. I call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of Burough of River Edge regular meeting Burough Hall, 705 Kinder Kamak Road, October 9th, 2025, 7 p.m. Ask for uh for us all to rise for a moment of
silent reflection uh for the Palestinian Israeli peace agreement um and for all those involved in this conflict. Councilman Benson. Salute. I pledge algiance to the flag of
the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Statement of compliance with the open public meeting act. This meeting
complies with the open public meeting. My notification on October 7th, 2025, sunshine notice containing the location, date, and time and access information to the town news and the record and by posting the same on the municipal bulletin board and the burough website following notice of the same with the
municipal clerk. Madame Clerk local >> present. Council >> here. Council Benson >> here. Councilman Glatt >> here. >> Councilwoman Darw >> here. >> Mayor >> here. Okay. Uh we begin with the
proclamation of Darw proclamation. I ask if uh Councilwoman Darwal and anyone uh who this would be a meaningful proclamation, please come forward. Right here. Be careful the wires.
>> And if you could hold them here, that way you'll be picked up on the camera. >> Yes. Just be careful. >> Good. If you wish, be careful of the um >> the seal. >> Seal. Yes. All right.
Very good. Very good. Um, >> are we on camera? >> Yes. And I think yes, we can see everybody's face, which is good. And I'll just back up a little bit more so that you guys are in for proclamation darwall. Whereas Dariwal comes from the
scan Sanskrit word >> Diwali. >> What did I say? I said whereas Diwi comes from the Sanskrit word deepali. >> Did I say it right? >> A row of lights while the festival is
known as a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, goodness over evil and knowledge over ignorance. And whereas Diwali >> Dvali is because I'm worried I'm gonna say it wrong again. Diwali is
celebrating um celebrated igniting traditional lay lamps. Oh wow, I'm doing okay. In the autumn of each year and at the end of harvest season during Hindu heritage month beginning on a new moon, the darkest
night of the Hindu calendar and China >> man. Okay. uh Diwali uh date being determined by the lunar calendar each year whereas Diwali is celebrated over five days by
Hindus, Sikhs, James and some Buddhists throughout the Bergen County and around the world each with its own significance and traditions. The five days of Diwali being done.
>> Thank you. And this is going to be a tough one. I can stand next to you >> now. Rocka, come stand next. Okay, >> all right. That's a hard one. >> Diwali. >> Yes. >> Puja. >> Yes.
>> And >> good. >> And >> and I'll pick up. No. Say good. And Diwali includes many traditions such as charitable giving >> providing >> providing selfless service
>> uh gathering with friends and family for prayer >> exchanging gifts >> eating sweets setting off fireworks and decorating homes with colorful colorful rice sand chalk and flour patterns
>> and whereas for Hindus towali marks Lord Rama >> Ramas >> okay return to his home >> after defeating King >> Raana >> and is therefore a celebration of goodness over evil and light over darkness and whereas the Sikhs Diwali is
the day when the sixth founding seek guru guru >> and guru >> harbin >> was released from confinement by the >> emperor Jang >> and whereas Jan's dwali symbolizes the attainment of
self-realization >> by the Lord >> Mahavira >> the last of the >> who were the great teachers of Janice I'm saying that right very good all right um okay whereas the Buddhist
Diwali represents the day of emperor >> chose the peaceful path of Buddhism over destruction and carnage whereas the holiday is a uniting forest as it's celebrated by the majority of the people from India regardless of their faith and is celebrated by more than one billion
people worldwide and whereas Bergen County is the home of nearly 35,000 Indian Americans residing uh who strengthened and enriched 70 maskcales with their valued history, culture, heritage and vibrant traditions. Oh,
come on in. No, come. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh, vibrant traditions. While diversity represents one of the burrow of river's greatest strengths and the burrow joins with the people of Asia
uh, Asian Indian heritage across New Jersey and those around the world celebrating Diwali. And now therefore be it resolved that I Thomas >> Mayor Thomas Papo Donn Bergen the state of New Jersey to hereby recognize and proclaim October
18th through October 22nd as five days of Diwali with October 20th 2025 as Diwali day and we all call this observance we are and we call this observance to the attention of our residents public officials of Bergen County and call upon our residents to
learn and recognize the religions, cultures, historical significance of the festival, observing the day with appropriate activities and programs. >> Councilwoman, uh, I know you're accepting as well as everyone else. Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. Stay here for a second.
>> As long as everyone else here, is there is there anyone who would like to say a few words about what Diwali means for them as uh as residents of Burber? Diwali means a lot to Indians in general. Yes, I would say. And then for
the citizens of River Edge, it's like a family gathering because nobody has immediate families with them. So we all gather together and then >> everybody's just enjoying as you can see it starts today. We are just dressed up for a different festival today. But this
goes on this whole month now. You can see in different eyes and all but more than that it's feel like a home here. Yeah. >> And thanks to Priti that she's putting effort for so many years and we appreciate your giving us a recognition in some way. >> Well, I'm glad. I'm glad. You know what?
I I hope she hasn't tortured you much that you are saying I have a gift for mems which is I say meal propisms and I get everything else wrong. Um so forgive me for that. Uh >> no worries.
>> The council sometimes giggles as I mispronounce things. Um but u you're right. It is a family event especially for you guys as a family of choice. >> Yes. >> Um celebrating here in River Edge and we welcome you as we welcome all immigrants
and new residents the United States with their culture and religion and their um >> I have a a small anecdote to share with everybody. >> Okay. >> We moved to Riverbridgeidge in 1991. >> Yeah. And uh we lived on Christy Avenue. And the first year I knew my wife here
lit some DAS on our which are those little play oil >> oil lamps. >> And we noticed that our neighbor had the same thing going on next door to us. And we said, you know, that's peculiar. Why are they doing the right because Shacks
and Sid, they're not Indians. Well, it turns out Shacks Shakuntala was from Trinidad of Indian origins had been in Trinidad. Well, her ancestors born and raised and had come here and and followed the Diwali tradition
>> right all those generations of through Trinidad all the way to uh coming to uh here to River Edge in 1991. >> Yeah. So, we celebrated Diwali in this town diversityely 40 years ago. And the other thing that they we all do is we uh
either make or buy sweets. Yes. >> And then we distribute it. We take it to our family and friends and um and and shacks made us Indian mai which is the sweet >> um Trinidad style and it was just so nice. Back then there was we were the
only Indians in town. >> Really? >> We were absolutely my my children didn't have anyone from their community you know their ethnicity I should say. >> Yeah. So uh but now I see there's such a nice growing up together
at home away from home. >> Exactly. And now you know over over Diwali you don't sit and call India too many times with tears in your eyes because it is the biggest festival that is celebrating now you have your own big family >> family of choice
>> and we all visit the doctor for diabetic medicine >> soon after we can't conclude without uh Burton County is going to the county is >> county celebr celebrating its first inaugural Diwali event next uh next next
Thursday October 16th at the county executive's office at two Bergen County Plaza. >> No, the time >> 5:30 p.m. onwards. So you see that the county meeting starts on time. So that starts sharp at 5:30 and everybody all from all
ethnic backgrounds everybody is invited >> and I hope to be there myself. >> Yeah. Yes. And who's going to be singing there? >> American American national. >> Can we have you in the picture? >> Sure. >> Ready? >> Yes.
Say happy one. You should be invited. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It is smile. Thank you very
>> Can I take a picture? >> I'll send it to every [Music] Thank you. >> Enjoy the rest of your meeting. >> As exciting. >> All right. Excellent. >> All right. Um,
so, uh, can I have a motion? First of all, is there anyone in the queue? >> Yes. >> Three. Y. >> Okay. Could I have a motion to second to open to the public on any item on the agenda? >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> Um, is uh Bruce or Dance or Neil? If you'd like to uh ask a question about something on the agenda, please raise your hand at this time electronically. >> Seeing none, could I have a motion and
second to close on any item the agenda? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> Very good. Um could I have a motion and second after I read into the record the appointments and personnel changes? Approve the salary increase of Michael
McInny McGinty from an annual lieutenant salary of 160,361 to 162,175 per the contract effective September 30th, 2025. Second, approve the salary
change of Yusoft Abdelaza. Hopefully that's close. uh special law enforcement officer 2, which we sometimes refer to as SLEO2 from a weekly salary of 2,000 to an hourly rate
of $45 effective October 3rd, 2025. Third, approve the termination of Joel Gutterz >> Alonszo uh Department of Public Works effective October 3rd, 2025. >> So moved.
>> Second. Uh this is not open for debate. All in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Hearing none is unanimous. The public may notice that on the agenda we have listed the end use board and the tax collector reports for September which are available through the clerk's office if
someone wishes to get a copy. Uh first reading ordinances. We have two ordinances uh 2519 2520. I'm going to read both of them into the record and then ask for a motion and second. At that point, the RBA will tell the public
what we hope to achieve by this. And then uh because this is a first reading, it is not open to the public. We will simply uh either move it or not. A motion that follows ordinances uh be introduced and passed in the first reading setting October 23rd, 2025 at 7
a.m. or soon thereafter as the matter can be heard as the date and time in the council chambers as the place and zoom as the virtual platform for the hearing on set ordinance ordinance 25-9 an ordinance to a uh amend subsection LL
entitled land use uh commercial fees of chapter 206 of the revised general ordinance of the burough river edge entitled fees and ordinance 25-20 an ordinance amending the revised general ordinance of the burough river
edge chapter 17 entitled boards commissions and committees. Can I have a motion and second? >> Move. Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Uh Miss Albertella, would you please explain to the public what we're hoping to achieve
through these two ordinances? Ordinance 25-9 is >> just going to turn that >> 2519 amends the the part of the code involving fees particularly for the land use section
and it increases the legal escrow for site plan review for food handler licenses and um establishes the 200 foot list fee and ordinance number 25-20 establishes the attendance policy at for
meetings and events for our various boards, commissions, and committees as per state statutes. >> Okay. I now ask the council, is there question, debate, um inquiry, comment? All right. Seeing none, does
the council Is there an objection to moving both with one roll call? Seeing none, uh could I uh It's been moved and seconded. I call the role. Madam clerk, >> president. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Larry, >> yes. >> Councilman Bon, >> yes. >> Councilman left. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Dar. >> Yes. >> Okay. What I'm going to do next is we have uh 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. I'm going to move them as a group for
opening to the public and closing to the public. and uh for but we'll do the adoption uh separately for each which is appropriate at this time. Okay. Um the following ordinance published here within was first read by title only on
September 25th, 2025 and posted on the bulletin board outside the clerk's office. Ordinance 25-15 and ordinance of chapter 286 of the revised general ordinance of the burrow of river edge entitled multiple dwelling reg uh registration of uh ordinance 25-16
ordinance to amend section 438-4 entitled inspections of chapter 438 of the revised general ordinance of the burough river edge entitled child care facilities ordinance 25-17 an ordinance to amend chapter 206 of the revised
general ordinance of the Burough River Edge entitled fees and ordinance 25-18, an ordinance amending section 384-7 and 384-8 of article 2 of chapter 384 of the revised general ordinance of the burough
village entitled trees. Could I have a motion second to open to the public on all of these ordinances? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Okay. Uh there is no one in the chambers. Uh let's see who we have
remotely. Uh would anyone who is currently remotely uh available who'd like to ask a question or make a comment about these ordinances, please raise their hands electronically? Seeing none, um I ask the council, is
there debate? Is there inquiry? Is there comment on any of the ordinances? Okay. So, uh the process is we have to move uh pass each ordinance separately. So, this will be four roll calls. We'll
start Oh, I'm sorry. Um Miss Appetella, our business administrator, would you uh please uh explain to the public what we hope to achieve in ordinance 2515, 16,17, and 18? >> We have to close public. >> Oh, that's right. We did. Uh, could I have a motion second to close to the
public? >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Okay. 25-15 updates the number of apartments from 2 to three in a property that requires the forbidden um inspections pursuant to this chapter.
25-16 increases the fees for the inspection of child care centers by $25. It's the first increase in 25 years for this chapter. Um, chapter 206, our fee section. Um, what this does, it
increases fees for various health permits by about 25%. The last set of increases range between 7 and 22 years ago, depending on the activity for 2516 and 17, they were both uh recommended and approved by the board of health. And
lastly, 25-18 updates the our tree ordinance to preserve the canopy in the burrow and it includes a refundable bond requirement for tree removals on private property >> which is required by the DBW right now. Correct. >> It's storm water. >> The DPW is administering it because it
is required by the state division of environmental protection. >> The D. >> Yes. >> Yes. Excellent. Uh all right. Is there any debate inquiring question from the council? All right then, madame clerk, um at your uh convenience, please start
with 2515 and work through. We >> need a motion second. >> Oh, yes. To Could I have a motion and second to uh for 25-15? >> So, second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I'm sorry. That has to be a roll call, right?
>> Right. >> Reggie. Correct. Absolutely. >> Council President Mariano. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Canela? >> Yes. Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilman Benson, >> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Counciloman, >> yes. >> Could I have a motion second to move
ordinance 25-16? >> Roll call. >> Council President Mako. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Consell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Mar Larry. >> Yes. >> Councilman Benson. >> Yes. >> Council Glass. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Da.
>> Yes. Ordinance 25-17. Motion in second. So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Council President, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Canelo, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Malari, >> yes.
>> Councilman Benson, >> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Darl, >> yes. >> Okay, very good. Um, >> one more. 25-18. So moved. Second. Yes. >> Roll call, please.
>> Council President Mark, >> yes. >> Counciloman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mal Larry, >> yes. >> Council Benson, >> yes. >> Council, you know, this is getting so boring. I was just going to say, yeah, >> woman. >> Yes.
>> All right. Very good. So, now we have resolutions 25-255 through 25-266, which includes payment of the bills. We're going to move them as a block, but we're going to read into the record 25-226 simply for transparency sake, but we're
moving all of them. Is there debate or inquiry about any of the resolutions currently on the list? All right. Then, uh, could I have a motion and second to move 25-25 through 25-266?
>> So, move. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. For the purpose of transparency, would we please read into the record payment of the bills uh from our finance chair? >> Thank you, mayor. At a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of Beridge County at Bergen, state of
New Jersey held on October 9th, 2025, be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of river approve the following expenditures. Current fund 2,482,1956. [Music] General capital fund $328,88050
trust other $4,738.7 developers escort $150 recreation trust $4,227.77. [Music] U so moved. >> Okay, it um it's been moved and seconded. It will now call for now.
>> No, we we moved and seeded the whole thing. >> Okay. >> You were simply reading into record for transparency sake. So, we're going to uh call on each council person. Council persons can say uh yay or nay, but if they say yay, they can say except for uh
I recuse myself or I vote nay on a particular ordinance. Okay, madame clerk. >> President, >> yes. >> Councilwoman, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mali, >> yes. >> Councilman Benson, >> yes. >> Council,
>> yes. >> Councilwoman Darwolf, >> yes. But I recuse myself. >> But I recuse myself from all bills uh pertaining to recreation. >> Very good. Okay. Uh new business exterior signs. Uh that was on the agenda and in your electronic agenda you
saw a link and there is a image of the sign. This would replace the electronic sign which really never served the purpose we had hoped it would uh out in front. So we're going to go with the static sign. If the council wishes to do an electronic sign in the future, Main
Street would probably be a better location um based on the way traffic flows. Uh is there uh Lizette, do you want to speak to it a little bit? >> Sure. Um there are three options that you have on your packet. there. Two of
them are signs that are um installed and the the vendor would also part of the installation put them on a brake planter. Um the the prices are either 18,900
or 22,400 and the 22,400 one has a longer gold leaf. This is custom um this is custom made from beginning to end. Uh the third option is the sign uh for 15,900
but instead uh the DPW will construct the brick planter and it has the long gold leaf. So those are the options before everyone if um you want to make a decision tonight or at the next meeting
then coordinate with Mr. Molo. >> Okay. So, um I I assume everyone's had a chance to look it over. Is there um are there thoughts or questions? >> A few questions. So, regardless of the price, what is the lifetime span of the
sign? >> Signed as um >> and what is the material? I'm sorry. I mean, if you put the public also >> hold on, I'll blow it up. inspired plastic. >> So, um
>> it is fabricated using 2 in HDU. I'm not sure what that is. On finished exterior latex paint as a lettering um municipal comp river edge municipal complex will be vcarved onto the base and gilded with
23 karat gold leaf as well as a filigree surrounding the town seal. The seal will be mounted to the base on a finished exterior latex and 23 karat gold leaf. The sign will be um mounted to the existing post which will be covered in
white ACM cladding uh with finials mounted on top. >> But do we know the lifespan of the signs regardless of the price? >> Um I could ask Mr. Molo. Usually these signs, this is weather resistant
material as long as there are no accidents, somebody crashing into it or a tree falling on it at least 20 years give or take. >> And with the 15,900 DPW will build the where it will rest.
>> Yes, the brick plant. And that is the one that our superintendent recommends. I I going with no brainer with whatever the DPW recommends, especially since we are >> the cheapest one to >> and it's the cheapest one and we're in
taking, you know, assuming some of the constructions ourselves. >> Well, it's not the cheapest one. It's the least expensive because we're doing the labor. >> Okay. True. But it's in house. >> Yes, >> it's in house. the it's the same uh it's the same look and style as the 22,000
>> and the same fabrication and the same gold leaf >> just we're we're saving monies by doing it >> by doing it in house. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So the is the council in agreement? Is there a consensus? >> Are there other questions? No. Could I have a motion and second to
uh off to direct uh the business administrator to work with the superintendent of public works to purchase and to install the new sign in the front of Burough Hall. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> Okay. Could I have a motion second to
open to the public on any issue? >> Old business. >> Um yes. Is there any old business? >> Yes, mayor. >> Oh, okay. Um we met at the historic commission and u everybody knows a walk through history is a project of the
historic uh preservation commission. Uh they have recently come up with more QR street names. So if you spot something in town which is they are there on the new ones are there on Tenny Avenue, Buris and Reservoir as well as Lake View
Street joining Bogurt Fifth Avenue. I think Howland and Zabraski were the ones from last year. So you can just simply uh residents can scan and know the history of that street and why it was named uh that. So it's it's a fun thing
to do. Um so just they have new new QR codes for for new streets. >> It's wonderful and I think uh Modell and others were very instrumental in getting this up and running and we're very grateful to them >> for uh especially as we approach the
2050 celebration. >> 250. Yeah. Okay. 250. Okay. Not doing too well. >> That's gonna be >> a new plans for additional um uh
>> Yes. So the the the very nice ones that they might be coming up assessing the stories of Joe Mori and Mary Lana. >> So they they would be coming up. >> All right. Uh, any other old business?
Okay. Okay. Great. Uh, could I have a most second to open to the public? >> So, >> second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> There's no one in chambers virtually. We have four individuals. Is there any member of the public who would like to
uh Yes, we do. Uh please uh when you uh are okay, could you please state your name and address? You have to unmute yourself. And if you have a camera, please turn on. >> I'm not sure. Um >> name
and address, please. >> You can hear me first, right? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Pamela Gold. Um 683 Road. Pamela, what's up? I am actually doing this for the
Environmental Protection Commission. Um I think our commissioner may be on the phone, but I'm I'm online, but I'm not sure. But she asked me um to go over this with you guys. We had recently um I work with a group
as a representative of the APC for River. It's called um the river pack hack river nation and they have identified a grant that um I could ex I need to read something to
explain it to you guys. We just wanted you to know about this grant. Uh it it it is a short turnaround time. There's not a lot of work to being do to doing it. It's possible that it can't be done at this point because of the short. >> I just want to remind you that you only
get two minutes. So, >> New Jersey D is providing a grant of up to 300,000 for an inter municipal cross-section team to be on a steering committee overseeing the development of a regional resilience plan. At least three contiguous municipalities and at
least one community based organization must be on the team. The plan will be created by consultants, selected by the D, public agency representatives serving on a steering committee, etc. There are three towns identified for this grant already. That's New Milford, Tene, and
Hackinson. They would like River Edge to join their application for this grant, which is competitive. And the end what you'll be doing is developing resiliency plannings plan plans um that will help
you know the town and work regionally. We will get reimbursed for time spent on this. There isn't a lot of time required. It's about two to five hours per month and it won't start till June 26.
>> So we wanted you to know about this. I've talked to Lette about it, but we we wanted the council and the mayor to know also that this exists because it is a regional um effort. >> Only thing is our procedure is we give you two minutes. That's your two
minutes, but we will uh I will speak to it as soon as we're done hearing anyone else. Okay. >> Got it. >> Is there anyone else who would like to uh speak to the council, make a comment? Okay, seeing none, could uh a motion and
second to close to the public. So move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> So, this sounds like uh uh a great opportunity for River Edge and uh it's been brought to our attention both uh through our administrator and through um
um through now at the council meeting. So, um, Lette, without objection from the council, Lzette, if you could work with them to, uh, bring it to the council with a full explanation and materials for the next meeting. >> Um, this has a very tight deadline of
two weeks from now and there isn't enough time to work on it. Um, and I had advise Miss Ful of that. Right now, our Department of Public Works is working with our burough engineer in renewing our storm water um permit tier A permit.
And depending on what the Department of Environmental Protection says with our permit and what work and requirements um will be imposed on the burrow, that would generate a project for the grant, but the time just doesn't work. So now
that we have the idea that we know it exists, um our information to the D is required to be submitted from our burough engineer by the end of this month. So we won't you know the time just doesn't >> we can't achieve the
>> we cannot and even when the information is submitted to the state, we may not hear back from the state until sometime in the spring what our mandate and requirements are. So um but we know it exists and once we hear from the D what
um will be required of the bureau we could look into it and work on a um with more sufficient time >> next year. >> Yes. >> All right. >> So there's no way to actually do anything until we get that decision. >> Correct. because it there are projects
that have to be submitted and one of the projects is um stormwater GIS but we already received a grant for that and are working with that so there's nothing else in in the queue right now >> and this is an annual grant so >> as long as the state funds it.
>> Okay. >> Yes. So we can go in with the other towns next year >> depending on what the requirements are. It you know the project may um you know shorten the number of municipalities that join together. The parameters
always change. It's just right now the timing is very unfortunate. >> Did we not have this on our radar? Why didn't we have this on our radar? >> This did not come from um our grant uh consultant provides us all the various D applications. We have so much already.
One with our leaf composting site trees. >> Consulting that question why it wasn't on his or her radar. >> I could reach out to them. >> Great. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Um, go ahead.
There's another hand. >> Yes. Thank you. No, the uh pro process is if they were here in council chambers, we could talk them once the meeting's closed, but our process is two minutes per person. So, um so that's not possible. Um anyone
else? Okay. Could I have a motion second to close the public? >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> All right. Uh we have a close session resolution 25-267. Resolution code to close session include
the public attorney client privilege river edge swim club lease agreement. >> Um >> Lette, >> will we need to return to uh public session? Uh is there a possibility we might need to return to public session
to move anything forward? Okay, so uh we will be ending or adjouring the public session and uh going to close session. Could I have a motion second to move resolution 25-267 close session? So move. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Could I have a motion and second to
close the public meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. All right. And that uh brings our meeting to a close.