Call to order. Open public meeting act of law 1975 chapter 231. Accordance to the open public meeting act, the Sunday meeting of January 3rd was published in the Bergen record and the Herald News on December 16th, 2025
and was sent to the Rtown. In addition, copies of said notice have and have been available to the public and are on file in the township in the office of the township clerk. May I have a roll call, please? >> Committee woman Okishi >> here. Committee woman >> here. >> Deputy Mayor Miller >> here.
>> Venuinsky >> here. >> Mayor Judge Corell >> here. Thank you. May we all stand for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 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. >> Thank you. All right. Here we go. So, we have the adoption of the minutes of the public session. And I'm going to
read them all from January 22nd 25 February 12th 2025 February 6 26 of 2025 March 12th 2025 March 26th of 2025 April 2nd 2025 April 9th 2025
December 10th uh was the work session and also executive session uh 2025 and special meeting December 17th 2025. Motion to adopt the minutes. >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Committee will answer. >> Yes.
>> Committee woman, >> yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller, >> yes. [clears throat] >> Committee, >> yes. >> Mayor George, >> yes. >> Thank you. Okay, we have the approval of the agenda. May I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion. >> We have a second. >> Second.
>> Call. Committee woman. >> Yes. Committee woman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Menchinsky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Judge. >> Yes. Okay. So, we're going to go through some reports. administrator. >> Real briefly, mayor, thank you. First and foremost, happy new year to everybody out here in the gallery and
those sitting se seated up on the deis. Again, 2025 was a great year. I want to thank the residents for their constant commitment um to come to these meetings and and express your concerns. And I want to really thank this committee for um helping me in every way possible
address those concerns on behalf of our residents. So, once again, happy new year and uh look forward to 2026. Okay. Thank you very much. attorney. >> Uh again, just briefly, uh happy new year to everyone and it was a a pleasure. Uh thank you for giving me the
opportunity for working uh in here in Royal Shell Park and working with everyone here. Everyone has been very supportive and I think you've accomplished a great deal this year. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Okay, committee reports. Uh let's start. Uh Chen, >> uh no committee report, but I just want
to wish everyone a very happy new year. >> Thank you, Tom. No committee report for me as well. Also want to say happy new year. Want to congratulate Gail and best wishes on your next endeavors and thank you for your service to Rochelle Park. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh Matt.
>> Yes. Uh thank you as well. I would like to also wish Gail on her on her future endeavors wherever she may go from here. Um thank you for your service to Rochelle Park and uh it's been pleasure working with you. I also want to say happy new year to everyone and happy
holidays. Stay warm. Thank you DPW for your service and what you do in keeping our streets clean. >> That's it. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. Hello. I'd like to say a few words since this is my um last meeting. First of all, I'd like to thank the Rochelle Park Volunteer Fire Department for their
annual Santa Ride. I mentioned at the last meeting that my cousin who was born in Rochelle Park and moved to Florida when he was about 8 years old still talks about the Santa Ride and he's in his 50s now. It's his favorite Rochelle Park memory. I also have a friend who lives in Rochelle Park. She moved here
because her grandmother lives here. Her grandmother passed away a few years ago and she carried on her grandmother's family tradition. She, her siblings, and her cousins have that same fond memory. For the last few years, she has invited me to her cousin's Christmas party,
which she had on the day of the Santa ride. Her cousins came from out of state to visit their grandmother's grave, celebrate Christmas, and share the joy of running outside to catch Santa on the fire engine with their kids, just like they used to do when they were little. Passing on that tradition brings them
comfort and bonds them with each other and with their next generation. It was so beautiful for me to witness this. Thank you, Fire Department, for continuing this beautiful tradition. You have no idea how many lives you've touched by doing this.
On Memorial Day at the American Legion, Mr. Sha Smith asked to speak with me. At the end of our conversation, he said that if he wins the election, he would like to meet with me to learn from me. When he won the election, he followed through and reached out. We met
for lunch and shared my experiences. I taught him how local government operates, explained our interactions with the police, the fire department, and other functions of the town, and shared what I have learned. It was a great opportunity for me because I didn't realize how much I
learned until I sat down and shared it with him. [clears throat] As much as I would have to have love, excuse me, as much as I would have liked to run again, I am grateful that the person taking this seat is open to learning.
And I ended our conversation by putting politics aside and gave him difficult personal advice. Sean, in a few minutes, you will be sworn in. Best of luck to you. Keep that attitude of openness and learning
and you will do well. No one knows what challenges may come. Look to your administrator first. He researches and proposes solutions. Look to your other professionals. Some of them have experiences in other towns that may work well here, too.
Do your best to work with your fellow township committee members. I offer to continue to be a support to you and to the other members on this township committee because even though I am leaving this seat, I still desire the
best for this town. And I hope that you will reach out to me in any way that you think I can help. And thank you for the township committee for recognizing my years of service at the last regular meeting. With my family and friends present, I received the
plaque. I was grateful that almost all of our police department was here because I was gave me an opportunity to thank them personally for the work they have done. They have advanced so much since the new leadership of 2020 and they have
continued to raise the bar every year since. I also share that it's been an honor to serve the people of Rochelle Park. I had a chance to speak then, so I won't go into detail now, but I shared that when I was sworn in 6 years ago in January of
2020, a few months later, the world went into lockdown. There were unique challenges then. Just as we were coming out of that year in 2021, the year I was mayor, there was a major flood. As a town, we have been through a lot
during my six years of service. Serving at at any time can be a challenge. But I tell you, with a team like this and an administrator like this and a clerk like this and professionals like this and a police department like
this and a volunteer fire department like this and a DPW like this and an OEM like this and a search team like this and volunteers of all kinds like this and residents like this. I was extremely
fortunate. Thank you, Rochelle Park. I will always cherish my six years of service to you. >> Thank you so much. Thank you. That was a beautiful speech. >> Thank you. Thank [laughter] you. >> Okay. So, first of all, I I'd like to uh
recognize a couple of our dignitaries here. We have Commissioner Tracy Zurk. We have Commissioner um uh Sullivan, I'm sorry, Tom. Uh we have uh our uh Commander American Legion, Mr. Daddy. We have our board president, Scott Cra,
school board president. We have so many other dignitaries here. I'm trying to see everybody else. >> We also have Commissioner Steve Tanelli. >> I'm sorry I didn't get that far yet, but Steve Tanelli is back in the back there. Um thank you all for coming to the Sunbine. This is this is my last meeting.
Um but uh I have a couple >> as mayor. >> As mayor, I'm sorry. As mayor, [laughter] I'm still on the days, but um I just have a few things to say. >> As we welcome a new year, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the residents for your continued support,
engagement, and strong sense of community. A new year brings renewed energy, optimism, and opportunity. Rush Park is starting this year from a position of strength. Together, we have built a solid foundation. and I am confident
that the year ahead will allow us to continue moving forward with purpose, progress, and pride in our township. This message also marks my final one as mayor of Rush Park. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve our
residents in this role. I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me and the dedication of our my colleagues up here on the deis all the township committee uh our employees our volunteers our attorney our
administrator um deputy deputy clerk I don't think she's here yet but um community partners who work together every day to make Roshel Park a great place to live over the past year together With the township committee, we
have made meaningful strides investing in crucial infrastructure, exercising financial responsibility, enhancing transparency, strengthening community programs and events. This accomplishment reflects what is
possible when you work collaboratively with a shared vision for our township's future. While my role as mayor concludes, my commitment to Rochel Park does not. I will continue to serve our community and work hard to keep Roshchel Park moving
forward, building on a progress we have made and continue the positive momentum of this past year. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve and I look forward to another year working together to ensure Rochaw Park remains strong,
vibrant, and a welcoming community. Thank you all. Okay, we got the issues now. We got some issues. >> All right, so we're going to move on now to the public portion. May I have a motion to open the public? >> Motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second.
>> Roll call, please. >> Committee. >> Yes. >> Committeewoman Naruto? >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller? >> Yes. >> Committee Schwinsky? >> Yes. Mayor George? >> Yes. Anyone from the public would like to speak? Um, >> thank you, Commissioner Tracy. Sir,
>> I thought for as young as I died, I just want to first of all thank you all for your unhealthy service. You know, this is not the most glamorous job in the world where you you deal with the real problems of your people and your neighbors in such a a way with such compassion. And I just want to say um
you know thank you so very much for the work that you're putting together because each is beautiful. It really does encompass what service truly is and how many people are in it with you and we are all in it together. And so I know that you know on behalf myself and my colleagues I'm sure we'll talk later. Um, you know, it is it is such a
privilege to continue to be able to look forward and continue to figure out how we're going to keep serving and and and do better and do more and continue. And congratulations. You're going to be such a great education, Sean. Um, but but thank you all for all that you do for
all of us. Make county and park in particular stronger. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Okay. [clears throat] Mr. Casmir. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Michael Casmir, former Rochel Park
resident, committeeman, and mayor. Um, this being the last time on the days, I would like to address committee one in October's service to Rochel Park. I first started working with Gail during the 2019 campaign. Uh, since we were both running for
office, we spent a lot of time going door to door. Uh, I quickly learned a few things about Gail. She was determined to hear firsthand what the residents of Rochelle Park wanted to see in their local government. She was willing to put the work in to
effectively [clears throat] represent her community and she had a personality that can reach people with compassion and sometimes comedy uh creating many longlasting relationships. We served on the township committee
together for a little over a year and I saw the evolution of a newly elected committee woman into someone willing to lead her very uh during very difficult times as mayor in her second year. Uh she has always been a strong supporter
of our police, fire department, search team, OEM and the volunteers that make Rochel Park work each and every day. As the outgoing senior member of the governing body, I'm sure Gail has her list of favorite moments and
accomplishments during her many terms of service. Gail, as you transition out of this role and into new ones, I know you will miss being on the governing body, but as time goes on, you will see that you have new
opportunities that you can now dedicate more time to. From time to time, residents will come up to you and shop right [laughter] or at the park and thank you for helping them with a problem that might not have been a big
deal to you to help with at the time but for them it made a huge difference. Those are the days that you will know your time here was worth it and those are the things that you will be most proud of. Thank you for serving the residents of
Park with professionalism, dignity, and respect at all times. Even though that same respect was not always shown to you. Congratulations on your time and service to good government in Roar Park. You should be very proud. Ann
and the kids also want to send their congratulations and are [snorts] excited to have you over to celebrate as soon as possible. I will even make my famous brisket for you. [laughter] Congratulations on a job well done. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone? >> Anyone else? No public. >> No. Okay. Hearing or seeing no one. I have a motion to close the public. >> Motion. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Committichi. >> Yes.
>> Committ Rola. Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Menuinsky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Judge. >> Yes. Okay. Do we have any old new business? >> Anything that we >> Anybody else have anything like? >> Okay. So, we're going to go for an
adjournment right now. May I have a motion to adjourn? >> I'll make the motion. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Committee. >> Yes. >> Committee woman. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> Committee Shinsky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Judge. Yes, happy new year
everyone. We are now closed and that's meeting January 28th. Thank you so much. >> All right, so we will do the reorg uh 12. I believe that's 12:00 12 years, right? So, we have a few minutes to talk. >> Everyone, we're going to get the
reorganization meeting started. Please take a seat. Thank you. Time is now 12:05 and we will start our reorganization meeting. Open public meetings act public 1975 chapter 231. According to the open public
meetings act, this reorganization meeting of January 3rd, 2026 was published in the Bergen Record and Herald News on December 16th, 2025 and sent to the our town newspaper. In addition, copies of said notices are and have been available to the public and
are on file in the office of the township clerk. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. A moment of silence 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. Next we'll have Invocation by Deacon John Schmunk. >> Good afternoon everyone. Uh welcome and uh happy new year and great to see everybody here today.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we gather for this reorganization meeting with gratitude for the opportunity to serve our town. We ask for your blessing upon our leaders, both new and returning, and pray for wisdom to guide us as we begin
this new term. Grant us clarity to see the needs of our community, open ears to hear diverse perspectives, and courageous hearts to make decisions that serve the common good, not self-interest.
Help us to foster unity, practice justice, and build a community where all can thrive. May our actions reflect your goodness and lead to your glory. Amen. >> Amen.
>> Thank you so much, Deacon. Next, we have certification of the 2025 general election results. I have received from the county board of elections a certificate of election and I am certifying the results of the 2025 general election of committee member Sean Smith with a term expiring 1231
2028 and Mr. Smith receives a total of 1,235 votes. Now we will have the oath of office of minister to committee man Sean Smith. My honorable Bergen County Executive James Jesus III.
>> [laughter] >> Yeah. Burn. Burn. You should have done this. You were right. [laughter] That's it. >> [laughter] >> The oath of office. I state your name.
I, Sean Smith, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support >> that I will support >> the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and that I will bear true faith and
allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully Impartially >> and impartially
>> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of the township committee >> of the of the duties [laughter] of the office of the township committee >> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God.
>> So help me God. >> Congratulations committeeman. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, we'll get a picture. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
[laughter] Thank you. [snorts] Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Okay, I will do roll call at the new um transa committee. Committeewoman Jenna PJ >> here. Committeewoman Terresa Judge
Cavllo >> here. >> Committeeman Thomas Nord >> here. >> Committee Sean Smith >> here. >> Committeeman Matthew Trrowinsky >> here. One is here. Next, we'll have resolution 26-001, appointment of township attorney. >> I'll make I'll make the motion.
>> I'll second. >> Okay. >> Committee woman, >> yes. >> Committeewoman Judge Coelloo, >> yes. >> Men Miller, >> yes. >> Man Smith, >> yes. >> Committeeman Chuinsky, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Congratulations, Sean. >> Thank you. Thank you. [laughter] Thank
you, everyone. >> Okay. Nomination and election of mayor, chairperson. >> I'd like to make No, I'm sorry. I'd like to nominate Thomas Miller as mayor for Roshaw Park. Okay, >> I'll second the motion. >> Thank you. Committee woman.
>> Yes. >> Committee woman judge Cabllo. >> Yes. >> Committee Miller. >> Yes. >> Committee Smith. >> Yes. >> Men Shinsky. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. Congratulations, Senator. Thank you so much. The oath of office will be administered to um mayor by Bergen County Executive
James J. Pedoto. Sorry. >> Let's go. Let's get closer. [laughter] >> Ready? >> Ready? >> Yeah. >> Oath of office for mayor. I state your name. I, Thomas Miller, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution
>> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States
>> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully >> impartially impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of mayor >> of the office of mayor
>> according to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations, mayor. Picture Thank you so much. very much very much. Thank you so much. Alrighty. Thank you. I want to thank my
colleagues on the township committee for their support and confidence in me to serve as mayor. It's time for nominations for deputy mayor. And the first thing I'd like to do as mayor is nominate Matthew Trrowinsky to be the
deputy mayor of the township of Rochelle Park. Do I have a second? >> I second that. >> Roll call, please. >> Committee. >> Yes. Committee woman Judge Cabelloo. >> Yes. >> Committeeman Miller. >> Yes. >> Mayor Miller. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Committeeman Smith. >> Yes.
>> And Committee Shinsky. >> Yes. >> Congratulations. >> CONGRATULATIONS again by County Executive James Jay to the third. >> Yeah. Jesus. >> I come bearing my own my grandmother's
Bible which immigrated here from Poland in 1913. Raise your right hand. >> You going to repeat after me? >> Yep. >> Oath of office for deputy mayor. I state your name. I, Matthew Troinsky, >> do solemnly swear
>> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance >> and I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same
>> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people >> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faith faithfully and that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly
>> and justly >> perform all the duties >> perform all the duties >> of the office of deputy mayor >> of the office of >> deputy mayor [laughter] that last one >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability.
>> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Congratulations deputy mayor. Oh, I get an award, too. >> Oh, yeah. >> I got an award, too. Thank you, Amaya. [laughter] >> All right. >> You got my first award, deputy.
>> All right. Thank you. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> Thank you. You got to get Is there a presentation? Presentation. And now a presentation from County Executive James Sedesco.
Thank you, Mayor. And uh good afternoon, everyone. Happy New Year. I'm honored to be here today um to swear in um Sean and Tom and Matt. Um, this is about what government's all about. Every January,
we change. We have a reorganization. And some people are reelected, some are newly elected. Some assume leadership roles as Tom and Matt have done as mayor and deputy mayor. But this is about we the people and about serving
and doing the things for the people. And I know that the the folks up here are going to do that for you. Here in Rochelle Park, I have colleagues here from the board of commissioners. And at the county level,
we work with our local municipalities. We have 70 municipalities in Bergen County, more than any other county in the state. We're the largest county in the state of New Jersey, almost a million people. And yet we still have a county that people want to continue to
live, work, and raise a family in. And that's because of the success of our local municipalities, which leads to the success of the county. So our commitment is to work with our local municipal
partners to make sure that they can deliver the services and the things that you want here in Roshchow Park and that we can help them deliver those services and those things that you want here in Rochelle Park. We
have a few initiatives that we're working with Rosho Park over the last year and I look forward to continuing to make those come to fruition. Um I hope you are appreciating the nice drive on Rochelle Avenue um after it was
resurfaced. Um but uh our goal is to continue to improve the things here in Northshaw Park that we can play a role in with with the uh committee and again continue to make Bergen County a better
place. So, in saying that, you've had a newly elected committeeman, Sha Smith, and it's my honor to be able to present Shan accommodation for being elected as a committeeman here in Roshaw Park. So, Sean, if you'd come
down, I'd present I'd like to present this accommodation to you. It reads, "A certificate of accommodation honor and committee member Sha Smith in honor and recognition of your election to the township committee for the township of Rosho Park and in
appreciation of your commitment to the betterment of the township, its residents, and the county of Bergen Township Reorganization Meeting 2026. January 3rd, 2026. James J. Tedesco. Congratulations, sir. >> Thank you very much. I really appreciate
that." And um I know you're wearing a Rochelle Park pin. Um but the county of Bergen has a pin and the county of Bergen would like to present you with the County of Bergen pin. >> Thank you. >> And uh also um the county executive has a coin and the county executive would
like to present that coin to you in congratulations on your election as a committee member. So congratulations. Thank you very much. And I also have two two uh certificates of accommodation. Uh one for Tom as mayor and one for Matt as deputy mayor.
And as I said uh um assume assuming leadership is not always the easiest thing um because you have to lead and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. Um being your neighbor next door from Pamis uh living there my whole
life. I was a councilman. I was a mayor. I know what it's like to sit up here and to have to try to please all the residents of Rochelle Park. We know that that may not be possible, but at the end of the day, the decisions that they're making in the leadership role will be
something that I know that you all will be proud of as they make decisions on the betterment of Rochelle Park and for all of you. So, to Tom and to Matt, thank you. Congratulations on becoming the mayor.
Thank you so much. Thank you everyone. Have a happy, healthy, wonderful 2026. Thank you all. Thank you, County Executive James Tedesco, for all that you do for Rochelle Park and Bergen County. We so
appreciate you being here. We're going to now move to the administration of the oath of >> Oh, beautiful. Come on, man. [laughter] >> Come on up. Come on. >> And now, ladies and gentlemen, a presentation by Commissioner Tom
Sullivan, Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Commissioner Steve Tanelli, and Sheriff Anthony Kuritan. >> Anony's not with me. Just saying. [laughter] So, we have a a commendation for Sean on being elected to a committeeman here in Rochelle Park. Um, we've gotten to know
Shawn pretty well out on the campaign trail. And, uh, Rochelle Park certainly picked a great guy, good family, just a a good just an allaround good guy. And my only advice for you is, well, he got the memo with me and Telli, no ties today, [laughter]
is just stay the person that you are. you got elected for who you are and just continue to be who you are and you'll be successful in Rush Park will be proud. So we have a commendation from the board just an honor and recognition of you being elected and for you to uh I'm thanking you for being involved in
public service on behalf of the Bergen County Commissioners just like to present this to you. Thank you COMMISSIONERS taking pictures. >> Good afternoon everybody. I must apologize for our commissioner Tom [laughter] Sullivan back there. >> He's jealous of my hair.
>> Okay. It was a cold and blistery Saturday morning. Mr. Smith, congratulations on uh I'm pretty sure you've been in the world of politics, but joining us in this great world and serving this great community of uh Rochelle Park and of course got a
great governing body over there, the chief. That's my guy over there. Chief, thank you for all the great work and I'm pretty sure I see him as the administrator. The township of Rochelle Park along with the great governing body has served well. So I just want to present you with a commendation from the office of recognition recognition of your
election. and the councilman of the township of Rochio Park presented on this day by yours truly Anthony Kuridan. I offer my office office to you like I said the good chief over there and chief you owe me. Okay, [laughter] great guy, great brother and I present
to you on this day. Congratulations. Thank you. >> Thank you. [laughter] Hey, you want to say anything to me? >> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> We we also want to congratulate Tommy or
your deputy mayor and wish them the best of luck from Bergen County. Thank you. Thank you for our county leaders for those presentations. Congratulations, Sean Smith. We are now going to move to the administration of the oath of office for
the special law enforcement officer that'll be assigned to Midland School. Before the mo oath is administered, I'd like to invite uh Rochelle Parks Chief of Police Dean Pinto to share a few words about Officer Joseph Katz. Actually,
I'll do it from up there. I'll have Joe come up. Thank you, Mayor. So what started with eight candidates and led to a second round of interviews for three highly highly qualified and decorated former law enforcement officers with members from the police
department, our board of education as well as school district employees including our principal and our our outgoing superintendent has led us to be lucky enough to hire officer Joseph N. Katsock who's resided in Wayne for the last 18 years with his wife Elena who
happens to be a labor and delivery nurse at St. Mary's for 26 years. So, thank you for your service as well. Uh, Joe and Elena have a son, Steven, who's here, 16 years old. Daughter Maline, who's 12, and their dog, Bella. You didn't bring Bella. >> No, Bell's not here. >> All right. So, um, by the way, Steven's
followed in his dad footstep his footsteps. I understand you're wrestling as well. You have a crazy nickname like Knuckles or No, no, not yet. We're getting there. Uh, so Steven wrestles at Wayne Valley High School. And Mattaline, I understand you're on the chorus and um you play volleyball and tennis as well,
so good for you. So Joe here is a graduate of Union High School, graduating 1983 1993 where he wrestled and played track and field. Uh Officer Kats started his career in 2000 with the Union County Corrections Department, then worked for the state department of corrections, then found a home at the P
County Sheriff's Office in the jail and then advancing to become a patrol officer. and with assignments that range from transportation, community service and release, labor assistance and community services, juvenile courthouse division, juvenile services and transportation ending in the chancery division of the courthouse as well as he
spent his entire career on the special emergency response team, the sir team um and retired as a corporal. We are very happy and very fortunate that Joe was interested in coming to Rochelle Park and again we're very happy that he's a part of our our team and I know he'll represent the police department and keep
our students and faculty and residents safe at Midland School and again we're very fortunate. So thank you. All right, let's get your family on up here. Uh, I want to invite the township committee to join me for the oath as well as any members from the Rochelle Park Board of Education that are here
with us today. God bless you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Someone put your left hand on the Bible and raise your hands.
>> All right. This is the oath of office. Please repeat after me. I state your name. I, Joseph Katz, >> 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 will bear true faith and allegiance >> that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the governments established >> and to the governments established >> in the United States >> in the United States >> and in this state >> and in this state >> under the authority of the people
>> under the authority of the people >> and that I will faithfully >> and that I will faithfully and partially >> and partially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all the duties of the office of special law enforcement officer 3 >> perform all the duties of the office of
special offic law enforcement officer 3 >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. CONGRATULATIONS. >> Awesome pictures. There you go. [laughter] >> Thanks. >> Thank you all so much. Appreciate it.
>> Congratulations. >> See you Monday. >> [laughter] >> wouldn't let him congratulate. Thank you so much. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. All righty. Congratulations, Officer Cast, and thank you for stepping into
this role. This shared effort between the school and the township strengthens our commitment to student safety and reflects the value of working together as a community. Township liaison. Every member of this governing body will
serve as liaison to various committees throughout the year. Those assignments have been printed and are available on the small round table for everyone to review. We greatly appreciate our volunteers and we are excited to be working with them and doing everything
we can to set them up for success throughout the year. All right. Agenda approval. Before we vote on the approval of the agenda, can I have a motion to amend resolution 26-003
to include the environmental commission and land use board leaison to the bylaws? >> I'll make the motion. Second. Roll call, please. Committee. >> Yes. Committee. >> Yes. Committee Smith. >> Yes. Mayor, >> yes. Mayor,
>> yes. >> Thank you so much. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Woman. >> Yes. Judge Pello. >> Yes. Committee Smith. >> Yes. Deputy Mayor Truinsky. Yes. Mayor
Miller. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. All right, happy new year, Rochelle Park. I want to begin by congratulating Sean Smith on his swearing in today. Congratulations, Sean, and welcome. I'm excited for you and your family, and I'm
very much looking forward to working with you. Thank you, Gail Arola, for your years of service to Rochelle Park Township Committee. I also want to thank Jennifer Piche as she steps into her fourth year on the Township Committee. I'm excited for the experience and
perspective you continue to bring to this role. Jen, >> thank you. >> I want to recognize and thank Teresa Joshella for her leadership as mayor this past year and for her active hands-on engagement in the role. And I want to congratulate Deputy Mayor Matt Ruinsky. Matt, thank you for your
leadership and continued commitment to our community. Big shout out to County Executive Jim Tedesco for being here today and for administering the oath of office. We truly appreciate all the support from our county leaders. And I also got to give a shout out to Assemblywoman Swain, Assemblywoman
Tully, who are also here with us today. I want to recognize my family, my wife Jessica, my daughter Mila, and my son Max. They're on my mind every second of every day, and their love and support mean everything to me. I'm also grateful
to my mother, Molly Miller, and to my in-laws, Janet and Bob Schmidt, for being here today. I love you all. As a father to a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old, while serving as mayor simultaneously is really a true honor because it reminds
me that the decisions we make up here do not end with us, but shape the community we are building for the next generation. Rochelle Park may be a small town, but it's a strong one that cares deeply about our community and how it's
governed. Our residents are informed. They're engaged and deserve accountable leadership. And I know this committee will protect the taxpayers and follow through on the priorities that matter most to this community. So whether you're just getting settled in town or
your family has been here for generations, my colleagues and I are here to serve you and you deserve nothing less than our best work in return. I take this role seriously. I don't take this opportunity for granted and I'm grateful to continue serving
Rochelle Park alongside my colleagues with a clear focus on the people who call it home. Thank you so much and let's get to work. [applause] AT THIS TIME, I'm going to pass the microphone over to the newly elected
committeeman, Sean Smith. [laughter] This is what I have to talk to you. Tommy said to me about a week ago, he goes, "You have to prepare a speech." And I'm like, "Yeah, okay." And then two days he goes, "You have that speech, Ricky?" I'm like, "Really? You were serious?"
>> [laughter] >> Um, basically I just want to let the residents of Rochelle Park know all the houses I knocked on. I've coached in this town for 8 years. I've come to know a lot of you really really well. Um,
this is an honor and I don't take this I take this very seriously and I just want to let you know that the residents of this town mean a lot to me and I'm going to make sure that I keep my promises to you. for the next
three years and we'll see what happens past that. But I really want to thank all of you very much. Um your vote and even people who didn't vote for me, it means a lot and I'm really thankful that you know I love living in this town. I love everything
about this town and I'm really happy of the faith that you put in me very much so. Um I want to thank Gail for her advice and leadership. Um, like she said on Memorial Day, uh, I went up to her, I said, "Hey, you know, if I win, you might give me some advice." And
she was like, "No problem." A week after I won, I called her. We met at the Saddle River Diner for like 2 hours. Could have been could have been there for 4 hours, she gave me a lot of advice. I really appreciated what she had to say to me. So, I want to thank her very much. You know, she really put
in a lot of She's been a towny forever hers. So, thank you. Thank you, Gail. Really appreciate what you've done. Um, Teresa, thank you very much for your leadership last year. Um, it is just getting to know you, knowing Richie. Me and Richie had hip surgery at the same time. Get to know Jesse. Uh, thank you
very much for your leadership last year. Really appreciate everything you've done. >> Thank you, >> Tommy. You and your family have been awesome to me, man. I can't thank you enough. Um, looking forward to your leadership this year. Um, got to know you really well. Knocked on your door with Chris who's
21. Uh, got to know you Neil was like a little baby. Got to know you really well. Um, really love getting to know you and looking forward to working with you as well. >> Matt, same with you, my man. Um, really get getting to know you and your family, Cara. Awesome. Uh, love watching you
play the guitar. Love, uh, hanging out with you in barbecues. You're a good dude and I'm really [laughter] and I'm really looking forward to working with you. and Jen. Jen and John are the first two people I met when I moved to this town, and they were incredible to me when we first moved
here, and you've been incredible friends to me since, and I really look forward to working with you. Thank you so much. Um, thank you Burton County Executive Chip Pedesco for swearing me in. I really appreciate him taking that time out. Thanks to uh, state reps Lisa Swain
and Chris Pully. Um, if you only knew the incredible advocates they are for Rochelle Park. They do a lot of stuff behind the scenes for this town and they should really be appreciated. Chairman Paul Giuliano, thank you for your support. And the commissioners Tom Sullivan, Tracy Zur, Germaine Ortiz, Mary Amaroso, and Raphael Marte. Steve
Tanelli, thank you so much. Mayor Andre uh Saiig, I think I pronounced that right. Uh, thank you so much, Mayor. I really appreciate your support. Dennis, American Legion, thank you, Dennis. You're an awesome dude. Thank you very much. should just be for being a friend
and being a good man. Uh I wanted to thank the deacon John uh Schmunk. Uh really thank you. Thank you very much for showing up here. Uh board of edress Scott Cra, thanks Scott for showing up. And Sheriff Anthony Kiran, thank you for showing up. Really appreciate everybody
taking time out of their day today. It's a Saturday. It's cold out. Really appreciate everybody coming in. And finally, before I get in trouble, I want to thank my family and friends. my wife Heather, you rock. Uh, thank you for being an incredible mom and an incredible wife. Stop crying. You're
going to make me cry. [laughter] Um, Keegan and Emma, thank you for walking with me. I would not have won this election without you. Believe me, you totally got some votes for me. [laughter] No doubt about that. Mom,
love you, Mom. Thank you for being the best. I wish dad was here. I know he's looking down. Bernie, you're just the best. Thank you for coming here, Bernie. You're just an incredible member of our family. Adam and Maggie, my brother and sister, people would come up to me and
go, "Hey, I saw your sign in Glenrock." [laughter] And my sister put, she lives in the Rock, she put my sign in front of her house, and I used to get people come up to me all the time. Um, Andrew, Linda, Mike, Chris, all you guys, thank you so much. Thank you everybody. You guys are the best. Really appreciate it. that I
rambled on too long, so I promise I won't do that going forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, SEAN. >> All right, Teresa. >> Yes. Hi. >> And my nephews and nieces. Sorry.
>> Well, welcome. I congratulations, Tommy, and and to Matt. I wish you the best going forward. I know your leadership will be of utmost quality and I appreciate you guys stepping into this position for us. Sean, welcome aboard. I know you're going to be great here and I
wish you the best. Any questions and concerns, we're all here for you to help you out and uh happy new year everyone and I wish uh everybody health and happiness this year uh moving forward and we're going to work it together and keep moving forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right, Jen, anything from you? >> I'd just like to congratulate both of you. I think you're going to do great. Uh Sean, welcome. I have high hopes for you and I know you're going to do awesome. You're an awesome person. You love the town. >> Thanks. >> Just as much as we do. Your intentions
are pure like ours. So, I'm looking forward to working together with you and all of us and continuing what we're doing. >> Thank you. >> And happy holidays to everyone. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jen. Deputy Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you. Thank you.
Welcome. I got I have to do a blanket welcome to all the dignitaries and family and friends. There was a lot of dignitaries that were here that came in and some who left, some are still here and professionals that are here. Thank you all for being here. And welcome. First and foremost, congratulations and
welcome to our newest elected member, committeeman Shan Smith. I have watched you work hard and keep Rochelle Park first through your campaign from start to finish. I appreciate your positive outlook and viewpoints you have shared
and discussed during your run to get here or should I say your endless walk from door to door to door. Now the work begins. [snorts] I'm looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and working together to find smart and innovative solutions for our
township. Former Mayor Teresa Judge Pllo, thank you for your leadership on the days this past year. I am aware of the endless amounts of time you spent right here in this building. So, thank you. >> Thank you
>> to outgoing committee woman Gail Arcola, which starts in an A and begin begins in an A and ends in an A, as you so graciously would remind us on the day. >> I wish you well in all your future endeavors and thank you for your service
to the township of Rochelle Park. Congratulations on your your new appointment, Mayor Thomas Miller. I am confident you will continue to be the same humble, intelligent, and honorable human being that you have been since I have first met you and to the township
and and to this township. Um, Jennifer returning, I look forward with you returning, I look forward to further understanding the unique perspectives from your professional and administrative background that you provide. Your input will continue to
serve this this township well. Thank you to my lovely wife Carara, my family, my friends, my son Matthews, wife Ali, children Nico and Amaya, who I got this wonderful award for today at the last moment. Very proud of that.
Um, your support, patient, your your love, support, and patience gives me the courage and confidence to carry out what is asked of me while serving as a Rochel Park Township committeeman. Your support is important and very much necessary for
me to serve this community with clarity. I am humbled by this appointment and eager to take on the responsibilities of deputy mayor. I look forward to continue helping this township committee find solid solutions to outstanding issues in Rochel Park. We have a busy year ahead
of us from rebuilding and funding our infrastructure as our pump station, continued road improve roadway improvements, muchneeded renovations to the fieldhouse at Matthews baseball field and dugout roofs. Continuing our township flood relief efforts to find
real solutions through collaborations with the county, state, and federal agencies. continuing the sports of green streets and tree plantings to restore inviting roadway canopies and to developing a new master plan which will
be necessary to prop propel our great township of Rochelle Park into the future. These challenges are very significant. Our individual roles up here are very defined. But yet our potential when working together is even greater.
I view the role of deputy mayor as one of partnership. I am committed to fostering a spirit of collaboration on this dance and ensuring that our local government remains transparent, efficient, and accountable to the taxpayers. I look forward to working closely with all of you this year to
move Roshel Park forward. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Matt. Administrator. >> Thank you, Mayor. Just [clears throat] rather briefly um and more as chief, I just want to uh thank the board of education for their ongoing commitment and this committee over the past few
years for combining our smarts and and giving us the the ability to protect the school and its faculty and obviously its students uh the very best way we've been able to. Um it's truly been a great collaboration on both governing bodies ends and it's just the bonds between us
has gone gotten strong over the past few years. Um to Gail, thank you so much. uh appreciate you know working together. It's it was interesting. We you know I was sprung into chief of police in August the 20 um during co and you started your term in in that year as
well. So we you know we struggle through it together. Um Tommy, good luck in your new role. I know you'll do fine. Um it's uh it suits you. Teresa, we we got a lot done under your leadership and I know it's going to continue under Tommy and
Matt. Congratulations. Good luck. and to Sean. Welcome aboard again. I look forward to giving you the tour around town uh via the PD and via the town hall as well. So you get to know and Jen will be here. You'll be able to chat in my ear. So thank you.
>> Thanks Dean. Clerk Gina >> just very briefly congratulations to everybody. Um Mayor Miller, Deputy Mayor Shinski um now former committee woman. Thank you so much for everything as well as former mayor Judge Pllo. You've done
such wonderful things and I look forward to working with everybody in the coming year. Uh, one thing we have coming up is the rabies clinic January 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the firehouse. So, please come. Pet licensing season is upon us. Um, please
get your pets vaccinated and start licensing your pets. Thank you. >> Thank you. Attorney just again congratulations Tom on the open position as mayor now deputy mayor doing a great job as the former mayor and now a
committee person and showing congratulations and now I know why you got some votes in Glenro. [laughter] Thanks John. All right new business at this time I'd like to make several appointments and reappointments.
I'm appointing Robert Schroeder to the recreation committee as an alternate and Leslie Fernandez to the library board. Debbie Kadra will be moving from alternate to full member on the land use board. I'm also reappointing Christopher Sheridan and Samantha Omeza and Gada Abu
to the environmental commission. Additionally, I'm appointing Diane Verhassel as chair of the community development ad hoc committee. Congratulations to all of our volunteers. And thank you for your willingness to serve our community. We currently have openings on the
recreation committee, land use board, and access for all uh volunteer forms are available, and completed forms can be returned to our amazing clerk, Gina Kim. And please help spread the word. We also have calendars available on the
small round table. Matt is holding those up right now. Gina designed that and we got them done so quickly right before New Year's Day. So, big shout out to our amazing clerk, Gina Kim. Those are available. Grab one for yourself, for
your neighbors. Thank you so much. Any other new business from the township committee? All right, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for public participation. Do I have a motion to open it up to the public? >> Motion.
>> Second. Roll call, please. >> Committee woman. >> Yes. >> Committee woman >> Smith. >> Yes. >> Deputy Mayor Chowinsky. >> Yes. >> Mayor Miller. >> Yes. >> All right. We're now open to the public. >> Sorry, you might have to turn around the
mic there. Uh Scott Craw 189 West Solen Street Oshell Park. Uh first of all um thank you for recognizing me for the uh the board of ed uh president but to be
honest with you I couldn't do it with the other people reown Michelle Jacob the rest of my trustees Christina Holes Joe Moralda who I miss I'm going to keep going
Michelle Baick our newly elected Don Pazudo's here today too So, a shout out to them. Um, you guys are like the body. Everybody knows that. And [clears throat] when you're sitting on that side looking out
on this side, it's a whole new perspective. As we all know, this is your heart and this is your soul of this community. And you got a lot of really, really good people. And I know you all know that. But you know there are times that you know these people go above and
beyond and they they really do a lot for Rochelle Park and you can't thank enough of them and you just thank God that you have them just like we have you guys. You guys are going to help us move forward. Fantastic. Uh, thank you so
much. And I just want to, you know, give a shout out to DPW, Dave Brown, the guys from the fire department, OEM, Santis, the Pete Donatello. You got uh your ex uh committee people in the back, Mike Warren, Lind Bonaface.
You know, you got a lot of people here. K, Gail, thank you. Uh, you put a lot of time and effort into this place and it shouldn't go unnoticed. as as we know from the school board too, you put a lot of time and effort in. So, it's a thankless job, but today, thank you. I
appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Scott. >> Thank you, Scott. >> Yes. Thank you, Scott and Elaine and Michelle, uh, for being with us today. We so appreciate it. Anyone else?
All right. Hearing or seeing no one. Do I have a motion to close public comments? >> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Smith. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> All right. Consent agenda. All items listed below are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the township committee and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a committee member or citizen so request
in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll call, please.
>> Yes. Woman judge. >> Yes to resolution 041 recusal. >> Recuse that. Committee manager slip. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Thank you so much. Motion passes. All right, folks. No reason to go home right away. Join us in the senior center for cake and coffee to celebrate Shaun's swearing in. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 28th at 700
p.m. Do I have a motion to adjourn our reorganization meeting? >> You do. >> Motion second. [laughter] >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Thank you so much. This meeting is adjourned. Don't forget