We'll get started right around 7 o'clock. Uh, welcome to the 2026 reorganization ceremony of the Rosal Park Mayor and Council. I appreciate everybody coming out tonight and I know the governing body does as well. I'm going to go a little out of order from the top. We do have a lot of people to
swear in tonight, which is a very nice thing. So, we're going to try to keep it tight. I want to actually start with the acknowledgement of dignitaries because we do have a few in attendance. Um I'll go one by one. You can applaud if you want and don't boo. Um uh first first up is Uni County
Commissioner Al Mirabella. We have Union County Commissioner Lordis Leon. Last and not least here we have Union County Commissioner newly minted Joseph Sigerella III. Uh we have uh Essex County Commissioner
Luchiano. We have uh Mayor Gio from the city of Rawway. We have Councilman Frank Qua from the city of Elizabeth. If I have any uh active elected officials that I didn't acknowledge, I apologize. you could you could raise
your hand if if actually if you sent a fire truck to Rosal Park yesterday raise your hand. Um I want to acknowledge some former elected officials, two in particular. If I miss you, I apologize. Former mayor Joe Dioro, former Rosal Park mayor Joe Dioro,
former Councilman Joe Dioro. Uh and former Councilman Phyllis Mirabella. And again, I apologize if I missed anybody. I'll call up now uh the Reverend Father Paul Provostto from the Church of the Assumption to give the opening blessing.
My brothers and sisters, let us begin in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit. We stand before you, oh holy God, conscious of our selfishness, but aware that we gather in your name for love of our neighbors who have chosen us to
serve. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own and to live it in our works for the sake of our home, Rosel Park. Guide us by your wisdom and support us by your love. We
desire justice for all. Enable us to uphold the inalienable rights of others. Do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor. Unite us in your love and keep us faithful to all that's good. And as we
gather, may we temper justice with mercy, so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you for the benefit of our fellow citizens we are called to serve. May God bless you all in your efforts to
care for the citizenship of Rosel Park. >> Thank you, father. Uh remain standing. I tried to catch it before you sat down. Uh we're going to go on to the pledge of allegiance. So, if you'll join with me in saying the pledge of allegiance. 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. >> We'll now have the national anthem sung by Michaela Munoz Guzman. Is Michaela here? >> See her? She here.
>> Wonderful. Oh, say can you see by the dawn light, what so proudly we held
at the twilight. lights last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the paral fight
or the rails we watched were so gallently streaming. And the rockets in
air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say
does that star spangled B yet wave or the land of the free
and the home of the Thank you. >> Great job. >> Thank you, Michaela. All be seated. Uh the next person I'd like to call up is Al Mirabella. But before I call him
up, I I do want to say this night is definitely not about me. It's not about Al. It's really not even about the people we're swearing in. It's about Rosal Park. And that's why I want to say just a couple of words. Um, I was the administrator here for over six years. Uh, and there were many ups and downs starting with COVID. Um, but I don't
think that any administrator in Rosa Parks history, whoever they may be, may have the first day that Al did yesterday, uh, in in the fire that we had. Um, but I do want to say that I know that Al will serve in his capacity as administrator of this town and obviously still as county commissioner.
uh and he will bring uh the care that he's brought everywhere he's went and the level-headedness and I can say that from a point where I'm not sucking up because I have tenure so I don't have to say these things but I know them to be true. So I want to welcome Almirbella to give a couple of remarks.
Well, thank you. Thank you Andrew. It was very very kind of you uh for those words and and I would be remiss if I didn't say uh what a good job you've done over the last six years as the first administrator here in Roosevelt Park's history. uh the work you've done,
the the the way you've le left this town uh for me is uh part of the reason it's in such good shape is is because of you and the hard work that you've done not only as the clerk for many years, but as the administrator and uh you are recognized countywide
uh for your efforts as a as a rising star in municipal government and county government and state government, whatever you want to do, the sky's is going to be the limit for you. And uh I'm really looking forward to to working with you uh during my time here as the new administrator and and yes, it was uh
quite a quite a start yesterday. Um I'm just happy that no one got seriously hurt. Um some first responders did uh have some injuries and they've been treated and they've all been released. And I really want to take a minute to thank the first responders, the police,
the firefighters, the EMS who did a great job with that fire on Valley Road. I know. Yes. Uh and and really I want to acknowledge to uh Mayor Signarella and uh his work uh on the scene not only as a
firefighter in his own right and the chief for many many years here in Rosel Park, but also I think his connections with PS&G didn't hurt. So Mayor, nice job. I I appreciate you. That's how I know you since um since middle school when we went to middle school together
is somebody who jumps right in and helps out where he can and cares about Roosevelt Park. So, uh mayor, I um I really looking forward to working with you as the administrator and the rest of council, all professionals, all seasoned
in municipal government. Uh we have uh newly um will be newly sworn in Councilman Castellins and I'm looking forward to working with you, George. we go back way back and I know you for a long time. You're going to add a nice new energy to this council and I'm
really looking forward to to working with you. Um I do want to say also my two colleagues Lordis Leon and and Joe Signarella III. Uh they could be anywhere tonight and they chose to be here in Rosel Park which is really terrific and uh and I'm really happy
that they're sharing this night and they're great colleagues. Uh we'll see about Joe. I I know Lord I know Lordis is a I know Lordis is a great colleague. I hope Joe is too and I'm sure he will be as long as he cleans out his office and you I guess you suggested that you did. You did. All right.
>> Yeah. So So Mayor Signarella and I this mayor I have to look which one he's an answer as mayor anyway. Uh we we were going to share the same office upstairs too and and uh mayor former mayor Signarella had to clean out all his stuff and he had quite an amount of stuff which my wife will be happy I
bring all the stuff from my house to to here and not be in my house right honey. So well I don't want to go on and on. I'm really looking forward to seeing um the swearings in uh tonight of Mayor Signarella uh Councilman Castelins's
Councilman Lions and uh and also Councilman Patel. It's it's a good night. I actually was um talking with former mayor uh Diorio and we had our battles uh surely and we ran against each other and and they were tough tough
battles, but we kind of were joking and reminiscing a little bit of of the battles that we had here in Roosevelt Park. We didn't really let it get in the way of of our friendship over many many years. and we disagreed, but we always at the end of the night was have a good
weekend and I hope hope your family's fine and whatever else. And uh that's how government should work. And unfortunately, too often it doesn't work that way. Uh whether it's the state level or more importantly the federal level. So um I think that's a good
lesson for this uh bipartisan council. I've seen the way you guys have worked together to this point. I hope that will be the same going into uh 2026. So, um I'm not going to hold up the swearing ends. I'm really excited to to see that and I just wish everyone here a
great new year in 2026. I'll be around. Uh my office is right there. I have a beautiful view of this uh orange room. Uh my wife and I both were joking that you uh took the orange carpet off the wall here. That was I
think an important move. Um uh and uh you know I'm going to spend a lot more time at Kostas since I'll be in in uh in Rosel Park. I see uh my friend in the back Nicola. So um anyway, have a great night. Congratulations to those
being sworn in. Congratulations to the council and the work that they've done to this point. I'm looking forward to being part of the success in Rosal Park in 2026. Andrew, thank you. All right. Now, we're at the point where uh everybody's here for her. We'll call
up uh the honorable Joseella Jr. Mayor. The oath will be administered by his son uh County Union County Commissioner and former mayor Joseph Scarella III. Uh I will place everybody because I know this is not going to work out for you guys. >> I also didn't know I was doing this.
Stand up. Perfect. I Joseph Sigerella Jr. >> Joseph Jr. Soyly swearly swear >> that I will support the Constitution >> of the United States >> and the Constitution >> of the State of New Jersey >> and I will bear true faith
>> trueame United States >> and the people of the people >> so faithfully >> impartially >> and justly perform all duties of
>> mayor of Rosal Park for the best of my ability for the best of my ability. I'll take that. We'll do uh we'll do we'll do some photos after the uh ceremonial bits are over. Um, next we'll call up the honorable George Castelin's Councilman
at large. Oath will be administered by Elizabeth Councilman at large Frank Questa. Uh, I have known that you I was 15 15 years old when I was the uh when I was the principal of Elizabeth um high school opera academy the gifted and talented high school in Elizabeth. Uh I
was uh impressed with his integrity, his passion and his love for education and definitely for his loyalty. Uh little did I know that months later that school year I would need some moral support and there was George to give me that support
and I will always remember that our friendship has lasted all over these years. I had the privilege and the honor to marry him and his lovely wife Angela a few years ago and I'm happy to see that the family is growing. Uh, and and
I have to say that I gave George a little bit of a window into politics, an introduction to politics. So, I think it's only fitting that tonight I do the Serenian ceremony for this elected official. Thank you, George, for the privilege and the honor. >> So, repeat after me. I
>> I >> George Castle >> I George Castle >> 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.
>> And that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> And that I will bear true faith and allegiance 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
>> I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties of >> all the duties of Councilman at large Rosal Park >> according to the best of my ability
>> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. All right. Next, we'll call up the honorable Rosanna Antui Alliance, third W council woman. There's a typo on your agendas out there. The oath will be administered by her daughter, Isabella
Lions. Are you able to hold it? Are you able to hold it? >> Here, mom. Come in. Come over here. >> Perfect. Okay, you ready? I, Rosanna Antonuchio Lions >> I, Rosanna Antichio Lions,
>> 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 >> and that I will bear true faith and
allegiance >> and that I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the same >> to the 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 >> I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly >> and justly >> perform all duties of >> perform all duties of >> third ward councilwoman of the burrow of
Rosal Park >> third W councilwoman of the burrow of Rosal Park >> according to the best of my ability. >> according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Unless you want it. You want it. You can take it.
Okay, next we have the honorable Kanjan Espel, fourthward councilman. The oath will be administered by former mayor Joseph Dioro. >> Thanks big for Ready? >> Right hand up. >> And first I'd like to thank the
councilman for asking me to do the honor and privilege of his swearing in and thank the commissioner Mirabella for those kind words reminiscing about old times. It's because we're old now. But I am glad they got rid remember when we were young and much thinner. Lord,
what happened? But that being said, your your words ring true. Thank you for saying that. Are you ready? >> Okay. I, Kja Patel, >> I, KJ Patel, >> 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 >> and I will bear two >> and I will bear true faith >> and allegiance >> and allegiance >> to the same >> to the same >> and to the government established >> and to the government 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 I do further solemnly swear >> I do further solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> impartially >> impartially >> and justly perform >> and justly perform >> all the duties >> all all the duties >> of councilman of the fourth ward >> councilman of fourth ward
>> of ro park >> of Rosa Park >> according to the best of my ability >> according to best of my ability >> help me >> so help me God >> congratulations That rounds out the oats of office, but I do want to acknowledge a couple of dignitaries who just walked in. I want to acknowledge from the city of Rowway,
Councilman Moika and Somerset County Commissioner Sarah Suie. I'm going to invite Michaela back up again for a closing rendition of God Bless America. God
bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the
light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the wide with God bless
my home sweet home. God bless America. that I love. Stand beside her
and guide her through the night with the light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the
wide with God bless my home sweet home. God bless America. my home
sweet home. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's fantastic. >> I'll invite uh pastor on from the Community United Methodist Church for a
closing blessing. Let us pray. Most gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for the opportunity to come together in service to the town of Roosevelt Park. Lord, we pray grant wisdom and integrity
to all who serve and unite us in a shared commitment to justice, mercy, and the common good. God bless the people of Rosal Park as res residents, families, and neighborhoods. May all decisions made
today be for the benefit of the community and reflect care, fairness, and respect for every person we are called to serve. Lord, we entrust this town and the year ahead into your gracious care. In the
precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Happy New Year. Go in peace. >> Thank you. Okay, everybody, that concludes our ceremonies for this evening. We're going to break, rearrange some furniture, and take photos. You're welcome to stay,
take photos. Uh, and then we will convene the boring part of the evening, and you're welcome to stay for that as well. Happy New Year, God bless, stay healthy, and goodbye. Got to go down south. >> All right, we're going to do like the
60-second warning. If you're not if you're not quiet, then probably kick you out. It's up to the mayor. Okay. Good evening. This meeting is being held in ordinance uh with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act.
Adequate notice of this meeting was sent to the Union County local source and the Northstar ledger. Said notice was postponed was posted in a municipal building and a copy on file with the burough clerk. Fire exits uh where I'm
pointing in location and I'm indicating and if you are alerted of a fire, please move in a calmly orderly manner and near a smokefree exit. Proper notice have been given to the burrow clerk as directed to include the statement of
this minutes of the meeting. Roll call for the 26 mayor council meeting. Mr. Clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski >> here. >> Councilman Johnson is absent. Councilman Robin >> present. >> Counciloman Lions >> present. >> Councilman Patel >> here. >> Councilman Castellins
>> here. Mayor Sigarella >> here. >> You have a quorum. mayor. >> So, uh, wow. I didn't know I was going I forget it was going fresh. So, I'm going to make some my uh uh my remarks for the year and remarks for the year and a
little bit about the fire today. Excuse me. So, I'm going to repeat a little bit what I had to say a couple weeks ago. So just uh folks in the audience, folks at home, uh I I just want to let you know I'm not a Facebook guy. So please reach
out to me to my burough contact information and I will get back to you in a timely manner. I look forward to working for for and with all the residents of Rosa Park and all the mayor and council on the day tonight.
So basically, I just want to talk briefly about the fire today. Uh, excuse me, last night. Uh, I would like to thank the Chief Thompson and the Rosa Park Fire Department, Rosa Park Police Department, and uh, Chief Reno, Union County EMS, Union County Hazmat, Fire
Mutual Aid, and the Fire Mutual Aid Coordinators, Roso Park, Kennaworth, DPW, thanks for all the hard work. and to all the surrounding towns. Mayor Kobe, thank you for always sending an engine to to help us with our needs last night. I'd like to thank PSEG for their
effort last night. I do know they had to cut the power because of the uh danger of the fire and then some wires were coming down. And then uh I do want to say there they have a a really good governmental affair uh gentleman that called me last night and we worked
together with the DPW, the fire department to restore the lights and I was there to uh four o'clock this morning trying to get the lights on for these folks. Um, I did a call last night from uh um
Congresswoman uh MacGyver uh uh last night at 11:40 and uh and I was a text message uh I'm I'm learning as we go by the day by the week and I thought just I kind of assumed there was a uh uh one a
staff member and it was actually her and I she picked up the phone at 11:40 last night asking if we could do anything and She reached out to me uh in a couple days and today I did get a call from Governor Electrol to ask if we're doing everything from
the state level and I did tell her that the state fire marshals was there last night and you know a lot of concern the D was there last night and today you know monitoring uh um the what's going on the building and I know concern for
the with the air. So I it was a nice call from the governor- elect. So now I just want to briefly talk what are some of my goals for 26. I don't want to commit to many goals but
sometimes you know um uh when I personally make some goals it's a fiscal decision when you want to do something you know and me and my wife have made decisions you don't have the you don't have the money you know you can't purchase it. So, but one of the things I'm looking to shoot for this year, I
talked to Andrew and um it was Mr. Marabella today that uh I'd like to see it's one of some more uh bus stops for the folks that live in Rosal Park that have to sit and stand and all
kinds of weather and um hopefully to New Jersey Transit to some um um excuse me some funding that I'd like to see some more uh uh bus stops for people have to go to New York even to Union whatever. Look, some of us take advantage that we
have a car. We can get a car, an Uber, but there are folks that have to do have to stand out there when it's 92 degrees. And this this past December has it seemed like well um it's been a cool December and it's something I could do
uh for these folks. Um I just want to continue uh um my openness. I am a I get in the trenches uh uh guy and that's good and bad. um work with my professionals to help the residents of
Rosal Park and have that open book to please um come and meet me here. Please call me um um if you have constructive criticism or something you want to explain how we could do better. I'm open for anything, whatever. So, I just want
to let you know that that's my style of uh my leadership. police. Uh I did as fire chief when someone took me on a side and they had a suggestion. I like to see or talk to me in person. Um it could be done in a better matter to just
say can we do it this way. Other than that I wanted to make it short and sweet. Call me if you need me. Other than that that's all my remarks. Thank you. Uh now we go on to uh um
Councilman George Castins. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, everybody. Um, I'd like to start by first giving thanks to God for this opportunity and this profound honor. You know, I spoke about it a little bit at the last meeting, but when they talk
about the American dream, it's often considered an abstract idea, but I'm a first generation Colombian American immigrant, and I don't see it as a concept. I've lived it as a reality and I feel blessed and honored to be living this today. I see it in the face of my
mother. Mom, thank you so much for all of your sacrifice. Thank you for bringing us here so long ago and for raising me with a very simple yet profound and powerful truth, which is doing the right thing is always the right thing. Thank you for the way that
you've raised me. And because of you, I have learned that when you act in good faith. When you lead with honesty and with hard work, you don't just build a career, you build a life of purpose. So, thank you for teaching me that, Mom. In business and in politics, we're often
told that we have to go it alone. But I've been blessed with several mentors throughout my life. Someone like Ray Jacobe, my good friend, who's been a mentor to me. And um nearly 20 years ago, my high school principal, Frank Questa, you showed me what
leadership looks like. He showed me that leadership is selfless. He showed me that it is principled. And he also showed me that it must be inclusive. You've embodied all those principles, Frank. And I'm honored because 19 years ago, you inspired me to act. You showed
me that in the face of injustice, it is not enough to stay still and stay quiet. 12 years ago, you officiated my wedding. And today, it's only fitting that you were also the one to administer my oath of office. I'm here because you've paved the way, and I promise to carry that
legacy forward. Thank you, Frank. To my community, my friends, and my family, all of you who came out tonight, thank you for your continued support through all of your actions and all of your faces. Even in my darkest days when I was going through my cancer treatments
and through a lot of battles that we've had, you've propelled me also in my finest moments. And I'm here because of all of you today. And I appreciate all of your support. As humans, we're all social beings. And I know that nothing is worth doing if we can't share it with
others. We also live in the same world and we must be cognizant of that. We would always accomplish more together than alone. To my lovely wife, Angela, you are my rock. You and our boys, George and Joey.
You guys are my northstar. You're my big why. Eight years ago, when we were looking for a place to lay our roots, we chose Rosel Park. Now, as a real estate broker, I I sell homes. I sell houses, but we chose this town because it felt like home. And this is where you were
raised. We chose this community of generational families that we see here tonight and neighborly support which was brilliantly exhibited last night and this morning through the fires. We chose Rosal Park because we believed in its principles and we also believe in its future. For the past six years, I've had
the privilege of volunteering my time on the land use board towards a vision of smarter government and strategic development. And today, I step into this new role with a simple pledge. I will work with anyone, regardless of party or perspective, who wants the betterment of this community.
I pledge to bring every ounce of my government and business experience, as well as my work ethic, to this council. My goal is simple, but it is significant to leave Rosel Park better for our children than we found it in. So, with that, I say thank you, council. Thank you, mayor. Thank you, God. God bless
the United States. And God bless Rose Park. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Now, uh, uh, Rosanne Antonuchi Lions, please. >> Thank you, mayor. Thank you, council, and residents of Rosal Park. Um, I just
want to say happy new year, happy, healthy, joyful new year, and congratulations to Mayor Signarella, Councilman George, Councilman Kanjan. Um, and it's just such a privilege to to be here tonight. Um, uh, I I do I want
to thank so many. Uh, my first is also God. I I thank God. I thank my savior, Jesus Christ, because without him, I'm nothing. Um, and I have to say, uh, the first time I ever was called to to run, um, I said no in myself. But then I I
told, um, the mayor at the time, I said, "Let me pray on it." And I I really felt to uh to take on that call uh to be uh not a leader but a servant leader. And my heart is to serve uh together and to
serve the community. Um and that is my heart. Um my first thank you is to my family, to my daughter. Sorry, I'm going to cry. Um my daughter is my treasure. She is um a
miracle baby. And um she has motivated me by her love to love and I I uh knew that I was just going to show her how to love in this world. Um and we used to actually have this thing that I used to
say where the crowd goes we don't. And I used to teach her you have to lead and you have to you know do things that no matter what if no one's looking you do it for the good. Um, I want to thank my mother. Uh, she is a powerful uh, mama
and uh, she's funny and um, and my late father. Uh, they came here to uh, America in 1969 from Italy from Calabria, Italy and I too am first generation and just growing up and being able to do anything for them was was how
I was raised. Um, and they uh, worked hard. My mom was the middle school uh cook and my dad was a brick layer in town and if there's the steps are still going uh the bricks are still withholding and it's been over 30 years.
Um I want to thank my brother. He's here um and he's a Rosal Parker. He was part of a champion football team. So I I I thank God for him and just who he is in our family. He is strong and he's smart and he um is a good family man and he
loves his kids. He's a good father. Um, and his beautiful fiance Lori, my niece Nina. I just I thank you for for coming here. I thank my cousin Maria who came from Italy and she's a pioneer. She is literally so strong. She's done so much for our family and I just am so grateful
for you. I also want to thank her husband Nola and um he's just like a brother also to me and his encouragement um even for me to run. Um, I was 47 years old back then
and I for someone to step out, especially in in a community, you really have to have a heart for it. And he was the one that said, "You should really do it. You love this town. You're from here." And uh, and you know what? Thank you so much just for your support, your
love. Um, he owns Costas. You need to go eat there. I know you already do, but he's amazing. Um, I also want to thank Commissioner Joe Signarella. He's still here, I think. Maybe not. Yes, he is. Okay. Um, former mayor. Um, and just his
encouragement as well. I just appreciate him and everything that he's done over the course of the years and just really his wisdom and and and being there for me. I thank Linda McGrady. She's here. She walked with me every single night, especially in the last campaign. I appreciate you. Um, just your heart,
your dedication, your your experience as a nurse. She's an amazing woman. and it comes from an amazing family and I just thank you so much. Um, I thank Miriam Caesar Carmen Morales, uh, Councilman Joe Petrayski, thank you so much for just walking with me and and being very
faithful. You are a faithful man to Rosal Park and we appreciate you and uh, I just thank you. I thank Jay Rabbina. I thank you, Maya, uh, Mayor Joe Sig. You guys are just, um, really encouraging and powerful and and just awesome to to
be with. Um, I just also, um, want to thank the third ward residents. Obviously, each family, each individual. Um, without you guys, I'm not here. Um, I know I knocked on every door that I possibly could. And every person that I
spoke to, uh, you have my heart. I am a phone call away. I'm an email away. I will come to your house. I'll bring you cookies, whatever you need. U, but more importantly, we're getting things done. um you know in the past three years I I wrote down like there was a lot of learning and developing uh there were
things that you know that come up uh but more than anything um is just to meet every concern just as family and that's what I want in Rosal Park is that we're just we're not separate. The only reason I'm up here I'll say me is that I said
yes I stepped in. I will I will go forward but I represent you and I appreciate every single one of you and I will leave you with this. Um I constantly say this and I really believe this. Uh the greatest commandment is to love God. Uh love yourself but love thy
neighbor. You have to love your neighbor. If you see someone is hurting to reach out not and and that's what happened even last night. Obviously, there was a tragedy last night, but those are the moments that you could tell who's who, who steps in, who runs,
who's saying, "What can I do? Who can, you know, we all did that." And I I just appreciate every single person that came out and and did that. Mayor Joe, you you were just exquisite. You were amazing. You were just on point. I thank God for your experience and really for for who
you were um on the scene. Um, I thank uh, Councilman Jay. You were same thing. You were just relentless and and just with heart and you uh were there and faithful and um, I wanted to stand next to you and that's what that was about. It's about standing next to you and it's
about helping each other, not elbowing trying to get somewhere. I'll just say that. Um, uh, Commissioner Joe Sigerella was on the scene. Chief Fino, Chief Thompson, DPW staff, all first responders, every single truck that was
flying by, Elizabeth, Hillside, Kennaworth, Union, Rawway, and Rosal Park, obviously, Springfield, the EMTs, um, every single person and all the businesses, Sun Tavern, 7-Eleven, Lydio's, Burger King, Frenchies, Wawa,
these, they were giving everything on the scene. So, it was so just powerful to stand there and and just absorb that for a second and see that's what it's about, you know, that that everybody was was helping. And I just want to mention one more person, Nicholas Rojopi. He
lives on the street. He was the one that was just helping as much as he could and he's just outstanding. Um, and I just mentioned the fire because that's this is what it's about. um you know, being able to serve and being part of the community and uh I am just I'm here. I'm
humbled. I thank you uh for for voting for me and uh please call me 9087268773rion rosealpark.net. Thank you so much. Good evening, mayor, members of governing body, uh, family, friends, and most importantly, the residents of Rosa
Park. First, I would like to thank all the first responder who were at the fire last night and as well as all the neighboring towns for your support. Thank you, mayor. It is truly an honor to be here before you again um as your reelected fourth w Councilman. I am
deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me not once but twice to serve as your voice on this council. Over the past three years, I had the privilege of representing the fourth w serving on several committees. Through this work, I have learned an incredible amount not
just about municipal government but about collaboration, problem solving and the importance of learning. I have also had the opportunity to meet so many dedicated residents, volunteers, and professionals who truly care about the future of the town. To my colleagues
on the governing body, thank you for your support and for working with me to making meaningful improvement in the fourth ward. While we may not always agree, I truly value the teamwork and shared commitments to doing what's best for Rosa Park. I would like to sincerely
thank everyone who volunteered during the campaign season and over the past three years. Whether it was dropping off newsletters, helping organize outreach, or simply offering encouragement. Campaigns don't run on signs alone. They run on people who believe in the
service. And I'm incredibly grateful for each of you. To the family and friends who were out out there campaigning with me, knocking on doors, handing out flyers, and giving up weekends, thank you. A very special thank you to my dad
was who was so annoying. He really was about making sure I went door knocking but who who was also absolutely right. Your support and belief in me meant more than you think. You know to the residents of the fourth ward, thank you
for taking the time to speak with me, for sharing your concerns, your ideas, and sometimes your frustrations. Thank you for allowing me to place lawn signs and for showing support in so many meaningful ways. Your voices are the reason I ran again and they will
continue to guide me uh guide my work over the next term. Three years ago, I spoke about my journey about immigrating to this com uh country back in 2012 and attending the Rosa Park Middle School as a shy kid who barely spoke English to
becoming the first Indian elected as a councilman in Rosa Park. That story still matters to me because it reflects what this community stands for. Opportunity, inclusions, and believing in the next generation of leaders. As I begin this new term, I recommit myself
to being accessible, responsive, and accountable to the residents of Fourth Ward. I look forward to continuing the work we have started and building even a stronger Roso Park together. Thank you again for your trust, your support, and the serving of honor of serving you.
Thank you. So I Roseanne, thank you for pointing out the the vendors. I I I forgot that. Um whatever. I didn't I forgot I had to go first all the time now. So >> yeah, that's okay. >> But uh all the vendors uh that did come true. And uh I just wanted to give it a
little extra 7-Eleven. I I can't tell you many, you know, firemen and police officers and love coffee. So the 7-Eleven just did a wonderful job. >> Wonderful. Yes. uh helping out. So, okay. Um may I have a motion uh to open
a public portion on agenda items only? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> If you'd like to speak, please come forward to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. I have
a motion. >> Excuse me. Yes. Anyone? See none. >> See, >> see no one. Um, may I have a motion to close the public portion of the agenda items only? >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I may have a motion for the position of council president. >> So moved. >> Uh, mayor, >> you need you need a you need a >> I'd like to Oh, >> yes, Mayor. I'd like to nominate uh Councilman Jay Rabbina for council
president. >> Need a second. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Clark, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski. >> Yes. >> Councilman Robbina.
>> Yes. >> Councilman Councilwoman Lions. >> Yes. >> Councilman Patel. >> Yes. >> Councilman Castellins. >> Yes. >> Five votes in the affirmative. The motion is agreed to. Congratulations. >> Yay. Um, may I have a motion for the position of class 3 municipal land use board
member? >> Yes, mayor. May I make a motion to appoint reappoint Jay Verbina, Councilman, uh, class 3 municipal land use board member? >> Have a second. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion?
Mr. Clark, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski, >> yes. >> Councilman Robin, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Lions, yes. >> Councilman Patel, yes. >> Councilman Castellins, >> yes. By voting the affirmative, mayor, the motion is agreed to. >> Thank you once again, colleagues. >> You're welcome. >> May I have a may I have a motion for the
position of diversity inclusion committee council liaison? >> Yes, mayor. I make a motion to appoint Councilman Greg Johnson to the diversity and inclusion committee as council liaison. A second. >> Is there any discussion?
>> Mr. Clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski, yes. >> Councilman Robin, >> yes. >> Councilwoman Lions, >> yes. >> Councilman Patel, >> yes. >> Councilman Castellins, >> yes. >> Five o the affirmative mayor. The motion is agreed to. >> I have a motion for the position of
recreation committee council liaison. >> Yes, mayor. I'd like to make a motion to appoint Councilman Joe Petroski to the recreation committee council leaison. >> Is there any discussion? Second. >> Second. >> Is there any uh excuse me, is there any discussion?
>> Mr. Clerk, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski? >> Yes. >> Councilman Robbina? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Lions? Yes. >> Councilman Patel? >> Yes. >> Councilman Castellins? Yes. >> I votes the affirmative mayor. The motion is agreed to. >> Thank you. I have a motion for position of cannabis review board member.
>> Yes, mayor. I make a motion to appoint George Castins. Have a second. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Mr. Clark, please call the role. >> Councilman Petroski? >> Yes. >> Councilman Robbina? >> Yes. >> Counciloman Lions? Yes. >> Councilman Patel?
>> Yes. >> Councilman Castellins? >> Yes. >> Five. Affirmative. Mayor, the motion is agreed to. >> Mr. Clark, read my appointments into the record. >> Yes, Mayor. All addresses are within the Bur Rosal Park unless otherwise noted. No confirmation of council is required for the following appointments. All appointments are effective immediately.
The 2026 standing committees of the governing body. Public safety committee chairman Joseph Petroski. Police Joseph Sigerella Jr. Fire Joseph Eie Petroski. First aid Rosanna Antuio Lions. The Finance and Administration Committee will be chaired by Joseph Eie Petroski. Municipal Budget and Finance Joseph
Petroski. Public buildings and facilities George Castllins's. Commerce Rosanna Antonuchio Lions. Municipal Municipal Services Committee will be chaired by George Castllins's Department of Public Works leazison Joseph Petroski. Construction and transportation George Castllins's code enforcement Gregory Johnson the public
services and administration committee will be chaired by Jay Rabbina legislative leaison K John Patel human resources Rosanna and Lions technology Jay Rabina animal control leaison for 2026 is Councilman K John Patel board of education leaison for 2026 is Mayor
Josephello Jr. The cannabis review board member of the public is Franklin Castillo. Chamber of Commerce leaison Councilman Robbina. Clean communities leaison Councilman Robbina. Uni County Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee member Andrew Jacias. Member Rupen Shaw. Alternate member number one
Diana Valerio Acasta. Alternate member number two John Reeri. Diversity and inclusion committee. These are all members. Farzana Najib, Michael Anne Regan, Zach Infonte, Britney Kirkland, Chris Monroe, Shana O'Keefe, Marielle Pasqua, Roger Thomas, and Christian Camilo. Environmental Commission member
Karina Rodriguez, Municipal Land Use Board Member, Andrew J. Casayas, alternate member number one, Marian Brener. Environmental Commission liaison, Councilman Conjan Patel. Historian/Historical Society liaison is Councilman Joseph
Petroski. Larry Berry Board of Trustees, Mayor's Representative, Councilwoman Rosanna Antonuchio Lions, Municipal Alliance Leaison, Councilwoman Rosanna Antonuchio Alliance, Municipal Land Use Board, Class One Designate, Councilman George Castelins, Class 2 member, Andrew J. Casayas, class four member, Darwin
Roman, class four member, Adalfo Dosmo, alternate member number one, Steven Barendika, alternate member number two, Miriam Cuspetes, alternate member number three, Saban Doic, and alternate member number four, Diana Valerio Acasta. Recreation Committee member Miranda Wilson. Alternate member number one
Stephanie Sass. Seere Committee member Linda McCrady, Daniel Leaport, Joseph Sigerella III, Eric Larnick, and Dominic Pno, all members. Solid Waste Advisory Council of Union County member Gregory Buddhisims as superintendent of public works. Alternate member Mayor Joseph Sigerelloo Jr. Town Crier will be Linda
McCrady. Union County Transportation Advisory Board member is Jacqueline Garcia and alternate member Jay Robbina. That concludes the mayoral appointments for 2026. >> All matters listed with the asterric are considered to be routine and non-controversial
by the council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the governing body so requests in which case the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered
its normal sequence on the agenda as part of the general orders. Mr. Clark, please uh Mr. Clark, please read all resolutions on the consent agenda by title. >> Yes, mayor. Resolution 1-26 is reading the bylaws of mayor and counsel. 2-26 is
adopting the regular meeting dates of mayor and council for 2026. Resolution 326 is appointing Andrew Jacias as public agency compliance officer for 2026. 4-26 is designating official newspapers for 2026. 5-26 is authorizing the chief financial officer to issue
certain payments for calendar year 2026 without the need for further action by the governing body. 6-26 is designating a depository and authorizing check signitories. 7-26 is adopting the 2026 cash management plan. 8-26 is authorizing the mayor and council, the
mayor and council president to sign checks. 9-26 is authorizing personnel to certify labor and of receipt, I'm sorry, receipt of labor services and materials. Resolution 10-26 is establishing the interest rate for delinquent property taxes. 11-26 is appointing the 2026
commissioner and alternate commissioner of the Suburban Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. 12-26 is appointing officers of the Rosal Park Fire Department. 13-26 is appointing the 2026 commissioner and alternate commissioner of the joint meeting of Essex and Union County Sewage Authority. 14-26 is
adopting the 2026 temporary budget. 1526 is readopting the newly elected officials handbook of the Bur Rosal Park. 1626 is appointing Serinian Edwards Busac and Nolan as 2026 affordable housing attorney. 1726 is appointing Rogut McCarthy LLC as 2026 bond council. 18-26 is appointing
Clearary Jacobe Alfier and Jacobs LLC as 2026 burough attorney. 19-26 is appointing supple Clooney and Company CPAs as 2026 auditor. 20-26 is appointing Phoenix Adviserss LLC as 2026 labor um financial adviser. 21-26 is
appointing Murphy Orlando LLC as 2026 tax appeal attorney. 22-26 is appointing Skinsky Hollandback LLC as 2026 labor attorney. 23-26 is appointing Matrix New World Engineering Land Serveying and Landscape Architecture PC as 2026 L and
site remediation professional. 24-26 is appointing Russell J. Hugal, Esquire of the firm, Russell J. Hugal, Attorney at Law, as 2026 municipal prosecutor. 2526 is appointing Friend and Wel PC as 2026 public defender. 2626 is appointing McMan Bowman LLC as 2026 labor uh
redevelopment attorney. 2726 is appointing Acashore LLC as 2026 risk manager and insurance broker. 2826 is appointing Neglia Group as 2026 special project engineer. 2926 is appointing Deborah Dosmo to the position of clean communities coordinator. 3026 is
appointing Diane Kurs to the Rosal Park Library Board of Trustees. 3126 is appointing Dexter Dela Cruz to the Rosal Park Library Board of Trustees. 3226 is authorizing standard mileage expense for automobile business usage at 72.5 cents
per mile effective January 1st, 2026. 3326 is awarding an open good open-ended goods and services contract with Rich Tree Service Inc. for tree trimming, pruning, and removal services pursuant to New Jersey state contract number 24-GNSV1-108523 in an amount not to exceed $40,000. 3426
is authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for managed IT services to PCS. 3526 is appointing the commissioner of the Rawway Valley Sewage Authority and 3626 is appointing Timothy Hoffman Real Estate Appraisers, Inc. as 2026 Real Estate Appraiser.
Do any members wish to have any items removed from the consent agenda? May I have a um excuse me, anybody? Uh >> nope. >> I have a motion to approve the resolutions remaining on the consent
agenda. >> Mayor so moved. >> Second. All >> in favor? I >> I >> I have a motion to open a public portion on any subject. >> So moved. Second.
>> Uh seeing none. Um all >> in favor. >> All in favor? Yep. >> I I >> I may have a motion to close the public portion of the any subject. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? >> I
>> I have a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> So moved. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you. >> Great start everyone.