Call to order the meeting of the mayor and council of B River Edge December 11, 2025 at Burl Hall 70:05 King Road and virtually on Zoom. It is 7 p.m. This is a regular meeting >> 6:30 >> 6:30 correct. Uh so if we could please
stand for a moment of silent reflection for all of our uh soldiers and uh in involved in foreign combat and for those who are um suffering from um from the wages of war, especially those in
Ukraine. Councilman Benton's last night as a councilman. So I ask him to lead us in the flag salute. >> I pledge allegiance 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 Media Act. This meeting complies with the open public media act by notification via October 7, 2025 and December 9th, 2025. Sunshine notices
containing the location, date, time, and access information found news and the recording about posting of the same on the municipal bulletin board and of website and following notice of the same as municipal her. Madam clerk clerk, roll call, please. >> Council President Mar here.
>> Councilwoman Con >> here. Councilwoman Maler >> here. >> Councilman Benson >> here. >> Councilman Glass >> here. >> Councilwoman Darwo >> here. Okay, we're going to go into close session in a moment. I'm going to ask for a resolution to be moved and
seconded. That uh close session will last to 7 o'clock. If it ends early, we will still not g back in until 7 o'clock because for most of the public, they may not know that we needed to do a close session. And so we want to make sure every member of the public has an
opportunity to be present when we dabble back in for regular business. So in a moment, could I have a motion and second to move resolution 25-297 resolution code to close session public attorney client privilege NJSA 10
col4-12D7 personnel potential sidebar agreement. >> So move second. >> It has been moved and seconded. All in favor please say I. >> Any opposed? Any extension? Hearing none, it is unanimous. We will now uh
put the reporting device on um pause. >> Right. >> I call back into session the meeting of the mayor and council, Burough Riveridge, December 11, 2025. It is now 7:02
p.m. Madame Clerk, roll call, please. >> Council President Monstano, >> here. >> Councilwoman Canella >> here. >> Councilwoman Malari >> here. >> Councilman Benson >> here. >> Councilman Glass. >> Council Councilwoman Darwolf
>> here. >> Mayor Paleo >> here. All right. The first order of business now that we're back in session is a non-consent resolution. Resolution 25-298 authorizing the Burough of River Edge to execute and ratify a sidebar agreement
with the River Edge Superior Officers Association Local 2011 and the River Edge Police Benevolence Association Local 2011. May I have a motion and a second? >> It is moved. Is there a second? It is
moved and seconded. It is open for debate. Is there debate? Hearing none. Madame clerk, roll call, please. >> Council President Monttool, >> yes. Councilwoman Canoa, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Mer, >> yes. >> Councilman Benson,
>> yes. >> Councilman Glass, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Darwolf, >> yes. >> All right. Without objection, I would like to move forward ordinance 25-23. Ordinance amending section of 11-1. Is
there objection to moving it forward in the agenda? Hearing none, it is moved forward. Now, I've explained to the public what was on to do because we have just passed a resolution of sidebar agreement regarding the captain's
position that will now be um moved to forward for promotion. Uh and then a sergeant's position and the lieutenant's position. Um this resolution, this I'm sorry, this ordinance is an active ordinance. it has been moved from the
table to the floor. According to Robert's rules, we have three options. Option one, number one is to table it. Tabling it means we'll consider it again later. That would not be in keeping with what the uh the action the council has
just done, which is move the the sidebar. Option number two is to move it to be voted and then it would either be voted up or down. But that really wouldn't be in keeping with the uh resolution either that we just passed
because uh any according to Robert's rule if it's defeated which it should be considering the council has voted for the sidebar then anyone who votes in the majority can bring it back by asking for reconsideration. So the proper way to um
to deal with this uh ordinance is to ask for it to be moved. If the council does not move it, I will I will no one says so move. No one says second. Then I will ask two more times as proper procedure.
Once that occurs, the uh ordinance is dead and cannot be brought back, cannot be reconsidered. Now, if you know Robert's rules really well, uh sometimes it's called that it does not exist. That only exists for a motion that has never been moved prior.
But since a first reading has already occurred by refusing to move it for the second reading, it dies. It's declared dead and cannot be brought back. And that would be appropriate considering what the council has done with resolution 25-97.
So, having explained this, what I'm going to do now is ask the council to move ordinance 25- 23 for an open hearing. Now if it does not get moved after three requests it is
dead and cannot be reconsidered by this body for for the foreseeable future because the year will end on the semi die uh which would be December 31st technically but it will uh be not be
reported until January 6 but in other words it can't be it can't come back. Okay. So having said that, the council has a choice to make. If the council should move it, then it can uh be considered, but considering you've already in the resolution, I would
recommend that you not move it. Okay. Now, I'm going to read into the record. Ordinance 25-23, an ordinance amending section 71-7 of article one of the chapter 71 of the code of the burrow of river respecting the elimination of the position of captain from the table of
organization of the police department of the burrow of river. Is there a motion to open to the public? I will ask again. Is there a motion to open to the public? I will ask again. Is there a motion to
open to the public? I declare the ordinance day and I have just signed into uh law the sidebar agreement which has been previously signed by the president of the local TVA and the president of the
local SLA. Appreciate it. That matter is now complete. Okay. So, um, we now move on. If you'd like to stay, you're more than welcome to, but we're just going to continue with regular business. Okay. Could I have, uh, a motion and second to
approve the minutes? Approve the minutes of the mayor and council regular session, close session meeting October 23rd, the mayor and council regular meeting of November 24th, 2025. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say I. I.
>> Are there any abstensions? Okay. Uh, administrator's report. >> Would you pass the sidebar to the clerk for >> report? So, um, a couple of housekeeping items are DJW superintendent wanted me to
bring to everyone's attention that, um, and this happens from time to time. There's a company called Zyum Tree Experts and they will be doing working with PSC to here
at the substation. They're doing it throughout the county and they need assistance with parking. Uh they already uh work something out with Milford and they um um they coordinated with to park
at a swim club parking lot, but it would only be for a limited time. It would start later this month through May 1st. So once this team starts up, they can a little longer to be parking. So we have
obtained a certificate of liability insurance, but this again I said this is a housekeeping and growing of sewage tree stuff. Uh DMG has contracted with a
company called WP Line Services and what they do is a vegetation worksheet the power lines. They do this both on public and private property. Um it will
they'll come sometime in 2026. There is no exact um stage but when time come they already reached out to local police department. They reached out to the DCW and um obtain the proper permitting
through our tree foreman and our superintendent and once the time is closer they will provide ample notification to the residents. So people see free work along the power line. That's not a verbal project, but that is
a project from by PS. And then with our projects with KG contracting is working on temporary fencing at between the park and DW
permanent fencing can be solved as well as lighting issues and the high curb retaining wall. and they will continue to uh work with our burrow engineer superintendent and our director of recreation. And with respect to the
exterior, the punch list was sent to the contractor and the contractor notified that they are currently fabricating the signs by Penny Avenue as well as the Anat parking sign and they'll be installed once completed. Um on the left
side entrance stairs is scheduled to be completed here probably tomorrow as well as a railing in the back parking area is scheduled for conclusion tomorrow and that concludes my report. >> All right. Excellent. Any member of
council wish to ask question administrator. >> All right. Uh could I have a motion and second to open the public on any item of the agenda? Remote second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Anyone who like speak can come forward
and they may do so. And anyone remotely may raise their hand. >> Okay. Seeing none, could I have a motion second to close to any item on the agenda? >> Moved and seconded. All in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> All right. Great. Um there are monthly reports available December and November board of health library board of trustees and past lectures. If you would like to see a copy that please contact the clerk's office. Second reading hearing of ordinances. We have two
ordinances 25-21 and 25-22. We will move them both to be open for opening to the public for comment uh after I read them into the record. 25-21, an ordinance to amend subsection
double E entitled miscellaneous fees of chapter 206 of the revived general ordinance of the burough of river edge entitled fees and ordinance.5-.2 an ordinance amending chapter 337 rental properties of the code of the burrow of
river edge to add article 2 respecting the regulation of use of shortterm rentals. Um, before we open it, madame before I call for a motion and second, madam clerk, if I'm not mad clerk, madam business administrator, would you please uh explain to the public what we hope to
achieve by ordinance 25-21 and 25-22? >> 25-21 adds to our fee schedule uh the cost of ver supplement. Even though we do have it online, from time to time, people do ask for a paper copy of the
current supplement. Previously, people would be charged $15. Although we don't have any record on how that cost was established and um the cost of the supplement varies depending on the number of ordinances that are adopted
every six months. So this will codify what the cost is and the fee is the actual cost of supplement charged to the girl. And the other ordinance 5-2 establishes uh short-term registr short-term rental registration to
address um uh issues of short-term rental the Airbnb or or Verbbo or whatever other short-term rental platform especially in anticipation of the World Cup. >> Okay. So basically um we're doing our
best to um protect our residents from um large unruly groups um and our police officers from having to deal with them without proper support uh through ordinance. Okay. Uh could I have a motion to second to open the public? >> Second.
>> All in favor please say I. >> I. >> There any member of the public who would like to make a comment about um our two ordinances? Please raise your hand if you're in the uh virtual or please come forward if you
are in the building. Seeing none, could I have a motion and second to close to the public for ordinance 25-21 and 25-22? >> Second. >> All in favor, please uh please say I. >> I.
>> Okay. Could I have a motion and a second to adopt ordinance 25-21 which has been read into the record previously? >> So >> second. >> It has been moved and seconded. It is open for debate. Is there debate?
Hearing none. Madame clerk I call the question. >> Council President Mont. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Consell. >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Malari. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Benson. >> Yes. >> Councilman Glass. >> Yes. Councilwoman Darl. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Could I have a motion? And that was unanimous. Uh could I have a motion and second to move ordinance 25-22 basically short-term rentals uh for adoption? >> Second. >> It has been moved and second. It is open
for debate. Is there debate? >> Hearing none. Madam clerk, I call the question. >> Council President Monsan. >> Yes. Councilwoman Canal? >> Yes. Councilwoman Malari, >> yes. >> Councilman Benson, >> yes. >> Council Glass, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Dy, >> yes.
>> All right. We have resolutions by consent 25-299 through 25-307. For uh transparency, we will read 25-307, but we are moving all of those. Is there a member of council before we move them
who would like to ask a question or to make a statement about resolutions 25-299 through25-307? Seeing none, um could I have a motion and second to move 25-299 through25-307? >> Second.
>> Second. Madame um >> oh yes >> finance chair not uh council solo will you can you please for simply transparency effect read 25-307 even though we're moving all of these resolutions >> I don't meet mind beam call madam either
so um at a regular meeting of the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge county of bergen state of New Jersey held on December 11th 2025 be it resolved that the mayor and council of the burrow of river edge approve the following expenditures current fund
$684,83261 General Capital Fund $35,5761 Grant Fund $1,570 Animal Control $14,63046 trust other $432610 payroll $23,750.32
developers escrow $1,685 5 self insurance trust $2668 recreation trust $26349 so moved >> madam clerk I called the question >> I need a second >> what second
>> no no we did already you don't have to say that >> please do >> a little bit more appropriate madam clerk would I move the classroom for resolution 25-299 to 25-307
>> council President Marana Cohen. >> Yes. Will I be able to ask a question on one of the resolutions now or should I have done it before? >> Will allow it. Go ahead. >> I just want for the public's uh understanding what 25306 is.
>> Um uh if Miss can just leave a brief um about the rental agreement with the first congregational and how that impacts score. I think it's important to understand what that is about. >> Yes. Every year for our senior citizens uh recreation program. Uh we do have to
rent a facility and they've been at um Temple Abod and um and they came there every Monday, but it's a renewed annually. The temple was looking to increase the rent by 3%
for a total of $14,853 over the past couple of years. We've been looking at relocating our seniors um not just for cost purposes but for larger venue opportunities and our recreation director was able to uh work
out an arrangement with charge next door and we were moving forward a total of 13,000 for the year that would be saving as well um as the potential of expanding recreation programs and use
the church if they have availility in. >> Thank you, >> Madam Cler. Please continue. >> Oh, did you vote? Yes. >> I can >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Larry. >> Yes. >> Counciloman.
>> Yes. >> Councilwoman, what about the rest? >> Yes. All right, great. Okay, new business, a fire department alcohol policy. You speaking to this? >> Um, I'll speak I'll speak to it. The our
fire chief uh RER has met with incoming CH and they are requesting a modification to the alcohol policy. The fire department's alcohol policy is u adopted annually at the upcoming re
reorganization meeting and what they are recommending is to eliminate the direction that gives the company president the ability to request alcohol at a party and have it as a change makes the request which has been the practice of the past couple of years. So um if
the governing body is in agreement and also it puts the responsibility on the team to assure proper coverage for um any event that a specific firehouse is out of service. So the governing body is in agreement this version will be listed
for approval under the organization. >> So I open it to discussion. Is there uh is there support or is there opposition or are there questions? >> Just a quick question. So before it was each company would have to request for their house. Now the chief will be
responsible. This would contain both houses. >> Okay. Both companies I should say companies. Yeah. Okay. >> And also gives the chief the ability to keep River Edge open without having to ask the Milk Ordell to cover. So, for instance, if if um if a group of eight
firefighters would not be attending, then we could keep an engine or a rescue available and we would not have to go outside unless there was a structural fire call. >> Okay. This doesn't limit their requests. Correct. Okay. >> It actually gives them greater flexibility. >> That's okay.
>> Thank you. >> Any other questions? All right. Um, is uh is the council inclined to uh move this to the agenda for the rearch? Could I have a motion and second if the council? >> So move. >> Second.
>> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All right. We'll show up on this uh the order. >> Um any other business? Any old business? >> Yes. >> Go ahead. um 250 met yesterday
model who and uh he is the major uh and we here or any other resident who like to join that is for the 250 250th year celebration of USA for next year. So
they have charted out a few events. They're working in conjunction and speaking to Jamaica and uh they're also requesting if um they're still parting. So if they could they still need a few days to come up with this.
>> Okay. So any member of the public here or remotely or if you know a family member who is very much uh likes American history and stuff like that and is interested in helping plan and execute uh the uh some of the celebratory events that will be
happening at Riveridge for the 250th anniversary of the United States. um then uh please uh reach out to Eric Modell or to the liaison, Councilwoman Darwell or to the burough clerk and we will get your uh information and you can
join in on that planning. It should be an amazing event. Uh anyone else with new business? All right. Could I have a motion second to open to any public comments? >> So moved. >> All in favor please say I. I. Any member
of the public who would like to step forward in the B in the um in the chambers, please come forward. Any member of the public who would like to speak uh remotely, please raise your hand. Go ahead. >> Pull my close. See if I can pick you up.
Okay. >> Go ahead. I'm here to see if we can say thank you. Thank you to the council for sitting down having a meeting that allowed for meaningful dialogue back and forth chief professionals and personal club committee discuss the actual fall. Burl has realized the savings of the
budget of 2026 with the retirement of Captain Casey which had us go from 24 officers to 23 which resulted in a whole salary savings and the removal of the class two from the department effective in the new year. Class two program proved to be a
good supplement trolls in an ever challenging time to find crossing guards to fill posts while also supplementing coverage at special events covering class 3es in schools as needed and providing traffic control dur projects among other responsibilities.
In the spirit of negotiation, PBA has also agreed to be paid being withheld to the promotional spots for the first six months of the year, pending all promotions are made in accordance with the sidebar agreement and that no one will receive compensation for doing the responsibilities of the higher rank. The
PBA realizes this will assist the bur with their budget, respecting fiscal responsibility while still maintaining proper structure, organizational efficiency, and public safety. Most importantly, thank you to the residents who made their voices heard. What started as an idea for support by
posting a lawn sign turned into a movement that truly showed us that the community values the members of the PDA and the organization of the police department and Chief Walker. The comments on social media reinforced to our members that what they do every day when they come to work has an impact on
this community and the community recognized. Whether it was recruiting neighbors and friends to secure lawn signs, requesting a lawn sign for yourself, emailing members of the council and having individual dialogue with members of the council, river show up and what everyone
on both sides of the issue can agree with challenging two weeks, but we are grateful to in the end we arrive at an agreement that both sides should be able to walk away I'm satisfied and move forward. On behalf of the members of the Dual Local
21, I would like to extend holiday wishes and a happy health new year members of the community. Thank you. Anyone else in the chambers? Anyone remotely? Council, >> I have to take it down when someone
speaking. So, >> yeah, of course. All right, seeing none, uh, could I have a motion second to close to the public? >> So, second. >> All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> We are open to council comment. Would
any member of council wish to make comments? >> Sure. >> But also being a very amazing group. you will become. >> Excellent. Even better. That doesn't has never happened. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm glad you're going to do that.
That's great. Um, then we're going to have a resolution for you. You're going to bring me back to that proclamation. Thank you for your service. But, we thought maybe that would be uh it would be better to do it. at the reorg with any dire afterwards.
So you can do that. That that's wonderful. Do you wish to say anything now though? You don't you don't want to >> uh put me on the spot. So >> first I want to say I'm very happy with the outcome of this meeting and and uh coming to an agreement.
>> Not looking forward to perhaps this being a more controversial meeting in the end. So I'm glad everything worked out. Um, and I just also want to say um it's my pleasure to serve the community and um I all I want to say maybe I
should say it next week but um >> yeah you can say it again. >> Yeah. Okay. Hold on. All I would say is this. Um, I do not don't know a lot about how local government has broadened until I was asked to run for this position. And it's been an incredibly learning lesson. And I was saying to
everyone out there in social media and all that stuff with conspiracies and stuff, it's very transparent. Everything is right out there. You can come to the council meetings. You can read the minutes. You can watch the videos. It's all out there. So, um, and I'm just so
impressed by how local government runs and the partnership between departments and the council and the administration. So, it's been my pleasure and, uh, I feel very confident that everyone is going to be running this town moving
forward. Um, and thank you very much. >> Any other member of council wish to offer a comment? Yeah, I I I have preferred something to read into the record given the nature of the of the meeting and if I may. >> Sure. >> And Barry, since you're going to be in the Senate, I'm not going to say goodbye
to you today. All right. >> So, good evening everyone. Uh, as we meet tonight, it is critical to acknowledge the fiscal realities before us. Municipalities across New Jersey are confronting extraordinary pressures in 2026, including the 36.5
increase in state health benefits. Financial pressures of the on the municipality won't end in 2026. Our responsibility is to maintain a fiscally responsible budget and that balances the needs of all departments while ensuring taxpayer dollars are
allocated truly. Nevertheless, public safety is and remains our highest priority. And it has saddened me that the some in our community have suggested otherwise and that we do not support our police department.
No patrol officer being reduced. No services are being compromised. Suggestions to the contrary misrepresent the intent of this governing body and overlook the significant investments made to the police department over the past years alone, including new patrol cars, upgraded equipment, the ability to
perform outside duty out of town, and the modernized communications and dispatch test. After extensive discussion with Chief Walkers that was mentioned before and others, the police department identified cost savings for 2026 that allowed this
ordinance 2523 to die. This ensures our budget deliberations continue with clarity while keeping the captain's position separate from the broader fiscal challenges we face beyond 2026. As new information emerges, whether related to fiscal impacts, department's
needs, or regulatory obligations, we will continue a comprehensive review of every department to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Thank you. >> Any other member wish to um
any other member wish to um speak? >> Yes, mayor. >> Sure. >> Um I just have a few words. Um, I just want to say year-over-year the finance committee with the council at large and the citizens budget committee work tirelessly to keep the town running on
25% of the overall taxes collected. This is no small feat, especially in recent times. It has been implied that the mayor and council do not support our police department. That is blatantly false. The record shows, if anyone cares
to look at it, how much respect, admiration, and backing we afford the River Edge Police Department. We make the best efforts to ensure our decisions are the best for the town. To be fiscally responsible is to look at the
budget in totality, not in a vacuum. Um, overall, one department's wants should not supersede another department's need. As of December 2025, 1.1 million American workers have been
laid off with more to come in 2026. There is economic uncertainty, trade policies, inflation, and a possible recession upcoming. These factors affect states and especially local municipalities. As a governing body, it
would be reckless not to take into consideration what is happening around us. Thank you. Any other member of council? Any other member of council? All right. So, um I'd like to uh I'd
like to thank um I'd like to thank the council, the chief, the PBA, um our attorneys, uh Mr. and Mr. Chakobi and uh our federal administrator, Miss Aertella for uh working on uh helping us come to
a positive resolution. Um uh our police department is in my opinion the best in Bergen County and uh I have said that many many times. I think our chief has done a phenomenal job. Um I think the council is amazing. Um and so are all of
the support people who uh are our administrator, our lawyers, our clerk, our um our CFO and everybody else. Um it it is difficult time and I appreciate what uh uh PBA president Matt Kosski said. Matt, thank you for that. Thank
you for all your words, the entire comment that you gave. Um and I thank the public for its participation. I do uh recognize as uh council president uh Montan Cohen and council woman that
there are things said in social media that are um inappropriate and uncalled for. But I do not believe it came from our police department. I do not believe it came from those who we know the inner workings. We have a tough year ahead. We
have a tough year ahead of us and and maybe the following year. Uh we're going to try to hold the budget to a reasonable tax increase. Um but um it's not going to be easy given all the outside pressures that we cannot
control. But this was a good night. This was a resolution. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Um Oh, Councilman Benson, I know that Lorine, we're going to have you at this any time. That's great. And so we'll recognize that. But
thank you for for your years of service. We really really really appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Yeah. Um so we have we have nowhere to do we have to go into close session. Um so could I have a motion second? Uh we will not be
returning. So this will be the end of the regular session. But could I have a motion and second to move uh resolution 25-308 resolution going to close section the public attorney privilege NJSA 10 column 4-12B7 portable housing fourth round and
potential litigation regarding street openings I have a motion >> so move second >> all in favor please say I >> have a motion second to adjourn the regular meeting so move all in favor please say I thank you all for