Everybody ready? >> Hi, Dennis. >> How are you? >> Good, thank you. Uh, thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council, Monday, June 8th, 2026, starting at 6:30 p.m. Missing, could you please call the role?
>> Mayor Niato, >> here. >> Council President McGawan, >> hi. >> Councilman Kley. Councilman Ero >> here. >> Councilman Guzman >> here. >> Counciloman Del Conn >> here. >> Council Mone >> here. Thank you. Frank, if you're willing and able, would you please stand
and join us for the salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America for it stands nationy. Thank you. Missy, could you please read the provisions? >> In compliance with the open public meetings law, chapter 231, public clause
of 1975, notice of this meeting was transmitted to the record and Herald News and filed with the burough clerk on November 21, 2025 and is posted on the bulletin board outside of Burough Hall. >> Thank you. As we have u no uh presentations or proclamations, Brian,
could you please give us the engineers report? Uh yes, thank you mayor. Um diamond 3 is proceeding. Um we are in the middle of uh stockpiling the top soil. Uh grades are working out. uh the prior work to
move the sanitary sewer from underneath the line is uh the field is done and we're going through submissions and uh coordinating with uh the burrow sprinkler contractor to make sure that the uh main field where diamond 2 is and
new diamond for uh stay irrigated during the whole project and so far so good and um so that project is is in progress. the paving project. Uh we were on Irving. Uh we did the concrete work
there. We're now on the upper part of Silvin above the school towards Pake. And uh so we're working on that. And as soon as the uh concrete work is done, then we'll switch over to milling paving, which should be in a couple
weeks. And uh and also being mindful that the uh Eerie that stub of Erie is um important to the burrow uh to uh Katie's garden there. So we're going to take care of that as well. You'll see that marked out with limit of milling
spray paint. Uh that confirms that. And uh and that that's where we are in the capital projects. >> Thank you. Any questions for Brian? Seeing none, thank you, Brian, for your report.
>> Okay, thank you. >> Uh, any changes to the agenda, Missy? >> I have none. >> Does anybody else have any for the agenda? Seeing none. Uh, ordinances on first read. None. Ordinance in second read. Councilman
Guzman. Thank you very much, mayor. I have an ordinance on second read is to establish a four-way stop at Summit Cross and Eastern Way. Missy, would you please read, excuse me, read the title by or of the ordinance? Excuse me. I'll be all right.
Ordinance by title only. >> An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough code of the burrow of Ratherford. >> Like to motion that the ordinance be passed on second reading and advertised according to law. I have a motion by
Councilman Guzman. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Del Ray Conn. At this time now, I'll open it up for the uh public for any comments on this this subject matter only.
I was waiting. I was waiting. Uh seeing none from the public, anybody from the council? Seeing none, Missy, could I please have a roll call? Mayor, for the record, uh, Councilman Kley has arrived. >> Thank you.
>> Roll call. President Council President McGawan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> present. Yes. Sorry. >> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Debor Con, >> yes. >> Councilman Mone, >> yes.
>> Thank you. You're up, Frank. You're up. Frank Wilson 171 Montroford. Um, this stuff here is basically I saw councilwoman con's message to me at the meeting I had to run out of here for um
the board of ed and it's regards to the healthcare and while I don't have an answer for merging the two meeting with the uh school board their benefits are run by the New Jersey
Department of Pensions and Benefits and they the vehicle cost for the insurance which is done by the school alliance insurance fund is $1.1 million is what they pay for eight school buses 10 work trucks and the vans and it
appears what we have on our end we've got Etna on this sheet here it says Etna open access on basically everybody's here at dental so there's definitely two policies being written in Rutherford there's Etna on the left and There's the
New Jersey Department of Pensions and Benefits on the Right. Um, again, I don't know if it's viable to merge the two to whoever is getting a better deal that the other should take care of it, whether it's that that side or our side.
But this I'll give this to Missy and she can forward to Bob and maybe somebody can look into it. I'm talking to the employees. >> Another concern is that sometimes they can get a lower cost on
their own versus having to go through the network on both sides, the schoolboard side and the burough side. The employees have said to me that pricing that they were able to get their own insurance for less
than what they've got to pay now with the the bank. If that's true, that also, if we do it the right way, benefits the employees that if they can do it on their own and get a better plan than being forced to
take the plan that is that is whether the schoolboard side or the municipal side, they both said to me that they can get it cheaper on their own. Don't know the details of it, but in passing why I was looking for this, they mentioned that to me. So, this is a
project you may want to let somebody take a look at. That'll benefit the employees and it'll benefit the town if we can get both on the same page. Don't know if we can, but it might be something to look into. There's
definitely two different insurers and it's definitely two different insurers for the vehicles. So, it might benefit both sides to put it under one large umbrella. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Anybody
else from the public? Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the public and open up for any council comment. Um, bur administrator. >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, Mr. Wilson, I just want to address the insurance to give you some clarity on it. Um, one,
the bureau of Rutherford or the Board of Ed don't have their own insurance. we're both part of a much larger group. Um it sounds like the board of ed is part of state health benefits plan which means they're part of a network of of hundreds of
municipalities and board of eds and counties whereas the burough of Rutherford is part of a health insurance fund. Uh specifically we're part of the BMEDs Bergen medical employee fund. Um we have about 30 to 35 uh or
municipalities and board of eds part of it and by being part of a larger group you're able to get better rates. Um the state health benefits plan recently has seen significant premium increases uh 30
35% over the last few years. Fortunately the bureau of Rutherford is not part of the state health benefits plan. uh we're part of like I said the BMED our increases much like the whole state and the whole country is facing uh significant uptick in in insurance
premiums ours have been significantly less uh first year like 10 to 18% and 25% last year I don't say 25% lightly I just say 25% in comparison to what the state health benefits plan was 35%
um so I think in terms of the burough Rutherford we're, you know, in a better place than what the the board of ed is right now. So, you know, maybe they can look to go into a health insurance fund or another avenue to get lower rates because we're both part of a much larger
group. Uh the the data you kind of talked about, it sound like you were confusing the medical premiums versus the property uh vehicle insurance because you mentioned buses and this and that and the other. So, I think it was two different things you were talking about. Um but we are much part of a much
larger group and as part of that group we are able to uh manage the level of benefits work with uh the Etnas of the world. Unfortunately the industry is just out of control. the GLP1 drugs are are
crushing not just for us but everyone um in this region alone you know Hackasac you know you Meridian is the largest medical provider in in Bergen County everyone goes there and it's not just the hospital but they're buying up all
the local practices so they're able to kind of control uh the the the level of charges While we try and negotiate at at the at the fund level, go out to bid, you know,
the Etnas of the world can bid on it. Blue Horizon, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Sigma, but right now Etna is is is giving the best rates in comparison to everyone else. Uh we are doing our due diligence. We are looking at the insurance uh you know not just here at
Rutherford but at the fund level where you know I'm part of the executive board up there and we meet regularly look at these driving factors uh the contract with hackath the cost of drugs look at making plan design changes uh but
sometimes it's a little bit difficult because they're all subject to collective bargaining agreements there's a level of benefits that you you have to kind of uh meet in terms of you know you can't change arbitrarily without going through uh the negotiating process. Uh and and finally, what I'll add is that
employees aren't required to take our insurance. They could opt out. If they can get a a cheaper plan elsewhere, they can actually opt out. So, uh I I I don't believe that's probably true. Uh but if they can, they should do it.
>> Thank you, Councilman. I I was merely going to just um clarify that employees are never required to take their health care from their employer. Um and so I I I I'm if if that's the case, if there are employees that feel they find better deals in the market, which as Bob said,
I I find unlikely unless they're entitled to Medicare. I mean, there's other benefits available, but unfortunately in this country, uh, cheap health care, especially when it's not under a plan provided by an employer or some other benefit provided, which frankly from the government there just
aren't a lot. Um, I would be very surprised if they can get cheaper healthcare every anywhere. But um, but that is their prerogative. We we absolutely have no right to force people to get health care through the municipality if they're employed by us.
>> Thank you, Councilman. Anybody else? Thank you, Mayor. Um, thank you, Mr. Wilson, for your comments. Um, although I'm I'm sure you are keenly aware we are autonomous boards. Uh, the board of education and the and the council. Um,
and as such, um, the negotiations regarding health benefits often are a part of collective bargaining agreements. Um, and so although I appreciate what you're sharing, it is it is mired in much more uh complicated
processes for both agencies. Um, and so I I don't I am not aware, especially as somebody who's in education, I'm not aware of of some movement that would bring all agencies, local education
agencies, government agencies under one umbrella specific to this conversation. Um, but I appreciate the fact that you brought the the question back to us and that you are just looking out for the best way to uh spend our money
appropriately. So, thank you. >> All right, seeing that I'm going to uh close it and we're going to move on to um consent agenda. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. All items authorized to be consent by the council will be
enacted by one motion. These items are routine in nature. Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico,
>> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Captain Debor Con, >> yes. Councilman Mazone. >> Yes. Thank you. And now move on to committee reports. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, first I'd like to uh acknowledge and congratulate the
Rutherford Pride Alliance um and their South Bergen Pridefest and their um unifying of this opportunity across communities in South Bergen that may not have the opportunity to celebrate quite the way that we have established here in
Rutherford. Um it was a beautiful day. Um they should be commended for for such an inclusive and and well organized event. Um also I you know I wanted to take a moment and uh thank Jim Rizzo and
BCB Bank for his extraordinary commitment to Top Dogs uh which partners with our recreation department. Um, this was started 13 years ago by several families in this town um that wanted to
address the challenges of equality of opportunity specifically in soccer um for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And even though their children now are all grown, uh they still come every weekend to
provide an opportunity for children and their families in this community. Um and Jim, you know, just has embraced this uh organization from Jump and uh purchased uh soccer, USA soccer shirts in the
spirit of World Cup for all the kids and all of the peer buddies that worked it. And so I just really wanted to take a moment and thank all of the coaches, all the organizers of Top Dogs, um Jim, uh for his just unconditional support and love. Um
but I also want to recognize the families that keep coming back and especially our kids who have aged out of the program and now came back to be the peer mentors and are the coaches for younger children to see that that they're going to be okay and that this
is a fun thing to do. Um so congratulations and thank you for all of them for their support. Um upcoming we have uh on Saturday June 20th I I promised the Murray Haj Lodge that I would remind everybody in Rutherford
that although it is June they have fish and chips and they are delicious and you can have chicken fingers if you don't want fish and they call it the driveby fish and chips. It's in the Felician parking lot on Montress Avenue on Saturday, June 20. It's to support
Post453, the Murray Haj Lodge. Please, please, please. I'm going to tell you something. It is wildly popular and the line gets long, so buy your tickets in advance. Um uh uh just a final thought as we're getting ready to um have World Cup
start. Uh congratulations to our Chamber of Commerce um for their dedicated um effort in trying to rally Rutherford for some cheer. Uh I'm want to thank all of our departments, particularly our first
responders. Uh, Chief, thank you to you in the police department, uh, to the fire department, to EMS, to all of our DPW, everybody on OEM, um, that has tirelessly worked to get ready for for
this event and to protect our community and our residents so that hopefully the biggest inconvenience we have is a little extra traffic. So, uh, to all of them, thank you. Thank you. Um, feel like I left something out, but it's
hard to believe since I feel like I just thanked everybody in Rutherford. Um, if I remember, may I may ask to just come back to do one more thank you. Um, I think I left something out by accident. And, um, although our next meeting is
June 22nd, I wish everybody uh, all the dads up here happy Father's Day. My gosh, I knew it. Toby, thank you. I can hear him laughing and yelling at me right now going, "Are you kidding me, Stephanie?" Um, yesterday,
um, was it yesterday? Saturday. Oh my gosh. Saturday. Um, yeah, I know. Uh, the the family, Toby's family, the Gentile family, beautifully dedicated a
bench, a park bench on Park Avenue. Um it was a very short ceremony. Um for those who were there, the wind started to blow right when we spoke. It was just incredibly meaningful. Um I thank Toby's family, Lori, Dennis, his sister,
everybody just for keeping Toby's uh Toby's memory alive. Um Truck One, everybody that's that's really rallied around this. So um I encourage you to take a moment, have a seat, think of him. uh which I do often and I bet you
can hear his his voice yelling at you on Park Avenue when the wind blows. Thank you for not letting me forget. Thank you, mayor. >> No problem at all. And I think the wind was all part of that. >> Um Councilman Kogley.
>> Thank you, Mayor. I just will echo uh Council President McGawan's sentiments. Uh while I was unable to attend Pride due to a slate of softball games, uh I was driving by in between two and noticed just the sheer volume and turnout. So kudos to the uh volunteers
and planners and and all of my colleagues who could attend. Um it was absolutely mesmerizing day and incredible to see the the turnout. Thank you to all of our burough employees, DPW, police, and fire, who um ran a very safe and organized day as well and protected all who who came out to
attend. And in in closing, uh just want to echo her comments again on the Mark Toby Gentile uh bench ceremonial. It was incredible to see the turnout on the corner of Park and Ridge. If you get a moment to walk by and just take a seat in Toby's honor, I highly recommend it.
It is the perfect spot for a man of such um stature. Thank you all. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Erica. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, I want to add my thanks and congratulations to the Rutherford Pride Alliance for their uh, event over the weekend. It was a fantastic event, and every year it seems
to be bigger and better. So, u, I had a fantastic time participating, and uh, I hope it's going to be bigger and better again next year. Um, I also want to uh in the sake of brevity, I won't repeat council president's comments about uh thanking our burough employees about the upcoming World Cup, but I know that's
been a tremendous burden on uh u almost every employee uh in Rutherford. And uh I'm I'm sure things will go safely and wonderfully and just reminded all residents to uh make sure to be safe uh when enjoying either watching a game on TV or if you're attending the game uh
this weekend. Uh but uh again, thank you to all the Pearl employees for their extreme efforts. Uh finally, the green team and DPW are hosting a styrofoam and paper collection event that is Saturday, uh June 20th at 9:00 a.m. at DPW
headquarters. So, if you have any rigid styrofoam, uh and would prefer to keep it out of a landfill, this is a great opportunity to uh contribute your styrofoam and uh paper products to the event. Thanks, Mayor. >> Thank you,
Councilman Guzman. Thank you, mayor. Um, I think that uh our pre council president should speak after all the rest of us so we have something left to speak about. Um, but I'd like to also echo your sentiments and your your
comments uh regarding the event of the South Bergen uh Rutherford Pride Alliance event which was phenomenal. It was a packed house. It was nice to see so many other towns here in attendance and taking part in uh in such a
wonderful se uh event uh of happiness. It was just a lot of really great uh energy there in the air. So I want to congratulate them on a well-ran event. Um, in police news, um, every please
mark your calendars for this year's National Night Out, which will be Tuesday, August 4th in Lincoln Park. It's always a great event. So, please mark your calendars ahead of time so you come and come down and see all that uh the great things that our police department puts together for us and does
for us in addition to protecting us every single day. Speaking of protecting, I want to thank our police department, our OEM, our EMS, our fire, our DPW. I want to thank you all for your preparations for the World Cup events
coming into the area. There's been a lot of work to be done and I and it's not easy trying to put all the pieces to the puzzle together, but I do want to thank you very very much on behalf of the people and uh your efforts are sincerely appreciated. So, thank you very much.
Um, and I think that's all I have for today. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, Councilman. Councilwoman Del. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just have a slight twist to the the pride. Thanks. Um, the RPA has worked endlessly hard. I I was talking with David Gracetti, who
is one of the chairs, who said that they never expected it to get this big, and I actually think that's a really nice thing to hear when you sort of outdo your expectations. Um the other thing I just wanted to point out is uh the level to which the community expressed their own inclusivity by the amount of
organizations that were at the event with tables whether it be the library, the Civil Rights Commission, the Chamber of Commerce. There really was a ground swell of other organizations that showed up to this event um both in solidarity but in just showing that the importance
of inclusion to these various organizations which I found really uh quite special. Um, the other thing I'd like to mention is, um, and I'm gonna mention the green team, John, because I think it's important that, um, the community know when we get grants so
that they think they understand we're doing everything we can possibly do to find money elsewhere besides taxes. Uh, the green team was awarded a $20,000 grant to help do some fence replacement at Memorial Fields, which is going to be along the riverbank, and it's going to
help have um some natural barrier with trees and hedges. Um, and the reason that that grant was provided was really because the green team does an impeccable job with sustainable Jersey um, in trying to make sure that we are doing our absolute best to be recognized
for our efforts for sustainability. So, I just wanted to congratulate them. And then the final thing um before I ask the mayor's indulgence to leave early to run to the varsity dinner before my son gets his award is um I posted this on Facebook yesterday, but I think it's
important to say here um when I attended the firehouse breakfast yesterday over on Ames Avenue, I parked in the Kip garage. The lesser point I'd like to make is I always find parking in the kip garage. So I encourage those of us who struggle with parking to go there. But the second thing is um there were quite
a number of youngsters riding their bikes up and down the ramps during business hours in the garage. Um it made it very very difficult to see them and um and I was pulling out. I drive a very small car that's very old with no uh
camera in the back. So um I heard the squealing brakes which was the only reason I was able to know that there was a child coming down the ramp. So, um, I love the fact that our community is full of young people riding bikes, but for anyone listening, if you could please encourage your children not to ride in
the Kip garage, especially during business hours. Um, it really is quite dangerous and made me very nervous as a mom and a council woman. And now, mayor, I'd like to leave a little early if that's okay. >> Thank you. >> Varsity dinner. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Go. >> Okay.
Uh, council me. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, I'm not sure what more I can say about the Pride Alliance event other than it was spectacular. I couldn't be more proud to have been there um to represent um and proud of our community for coming together being
such an inclusive um community that bringing in all of South Berg. And it was a wonderful event and they should be quite proud of that and I look forward to next year already. Um, I wanted to give a shout out to um,
RPD, fire, DPW. Um, Saturday night there was a little weather system that came through. And I think that the response, even though PD and, uh, DPW were out all day with the Pride event, doing a spectacular job ensuring everyone's safety and well-being there, um, did
what they do, they reflexed accordingly Saturday night, Sunday morning, and still continuing on Monday. So, um I I appreciate their their effort. Um it doesn't go unnoticed. Um I would echo also the FIFA preparedness. Um as an emergency manager, we can never be
prepared enough. Um thinking about this being a SEIR one, a series of SER 1 events along with the 250th Fleet Week. Um again, whatever RPD, fire, health, EMS, and OEM need, um I think we stand ready to support them. And I hope our
community will take time to look at the information posted not only on our website but New Jersey Transit's website to keep themselves safe and moving on game days. And last but not least, I just want to give a shout out for Rutherford Congregational Church. They
are hosting a nonpartisan um workshop this Thursday night from 7:00 to 9:00 uh dealing with political grief, stress, anxiety. I know that Pastor Annie has done these in the past. Um, they're open to all community members. Again, they're nonpartisan. They're designed for people
to express themselves, to speak. Um, address is to East Pacic A. And I hope folks will um take advantage of the opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> Mayor, can I I I know this is going to be hard to believe. Would you indulge me
for 30 more seconds? I did forget something. Do you mind? >> Thought the Toby thing I was going to have to get back to, but then you got something else going. I I know it's hard to believe if you see all the chicken scratch. Um I also wanted to acknowledge that the Rutherford Police Department um
did the torch run this past week. Um it is near and dear for me. It is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Uh I I ran with the Lodi Police Department. I Yes, you should look at me with that face right now. I literally ran I only
made it four blocks, but I was very very proud. I ran with my students. I know. I I did I and I thought I was going to come run here in Rutherford, but I'm I'm not gonna lie, after four blocks, I was so winded. There was no way I was coming here. But I was so proud um to know that
the torch made it all the way here. And I I do want to circle back to the World Cup. Um there has been a great deal of planning that has gone on not just with World Cup and OEM but in my uh in my
acknowledgements of all the folks who've been working hard. I didn't acknowledge Kim Goian who has been putting all of our communication together and has been putting together the QR codes that I think will be very helpful for us particularly on game days when everybody's coming through and being
able to keep information in real time to our residents and people visiting us that um I I think will prove to be very helpful um and also for all the good work that's been done on uh the June 17th event when we welcome the world to
Rutherford. So, my mayor Kalpa for my my exclusion in my 18,000 thank yous. >> I'm good. >> You sure? >> I'm good. >> Okay. >> Sure. >> 100%.
>> All right. I'll move on to my report. Um, I have several appointments to make. Uh, Mary Monto, provisional appointment clerk to effective June 9th, 2026 in accordance with the rules and regulations of New Jersey Civil Service Commission. I ask for council consent. >> Motion.
>> Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by councilman Guzman and only because they're friends. >> All good. >> Uh any questions or comments? Seeing
none, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Mazone, >> yes. Thank you. Next, I have Ashley Saws to 2026 Kindred Camp Assistant
Supervisor at the rate of $20 per hour and ask for council consent. >> Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Guzman. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by council president. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes.
>> Councilman Ero, >> yes. >> Cuz yes. >> C Mone, >> yes. >> Thank you. Next, I have Rachel Villanova, rent board member. I'd ask for council council consent. Do I need >> I'd ask for a motion, please?
>> Motion. >> Motion by council Guzman. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Kley. Any questions or comments? See none. May have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. Councilman Kley. Yes. Counc. Yes. Councman.
>> Yes. Cone. >> Yes. And next I have Anneline Kurs to the green team. That one I do not need council consent for. Um I also have a few comments to make regarding
the uh upcoming events, the World Cup. Um I just ask that the public stay um acutely aware of the burough website which will be be live basically every change everything the police chief needs out everything
that's going on in town during these events will be happening in real time and will be updated in real time. Um we've been doing as much as we can to prepare for something that no one knows how to prepare for. But I believe that we're we've done our due diligence and
we will continue to do our due diligence. I just ask that the public please follow the site. We will keep it live in real time as best we can. Um that's all I have for this evening and I
will now accept a motion to adjourn this meeting. >> Motion. >> I have a motion by the council president. All in favor? I >> have a great night everybody.