Uh, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to get started. >> Council ready? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you everybody and welcome to the regular monthly meeting of the mayor and council Monday, February 23rd, 2026, starting at 25th, my bad.
Starting at 6:34 p.m. Missy, could you please call the role? >> Mayor Niato >> here. >> Council President McGawan, >> present. >> Councilman Kley. >> Councilman Erico >> here. >> Cman Guzman >> here. >> Council Deborah Con >> here.
>> Councilman Mazone >> here. Thank you. If you're willing and able, please stand for the salute to the flag. Missy, could you please read the provisions? In compliance with the open public meetings law, chapter 231, public laws 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 February 23rd, 2026 and is posted on the bulletin board outside of Barrow Hall. >> Thank you. We have no presentations or proclamations this evening. Missy, could
you uh please read the review? >> We'll be adding a item J under the consent agenda resolution number 68 authorizing the execution of the NGSEA agreement pertaining the use of the firearm range. Also, there's a revision
to resolution number 59 raffle license. We'll be adding the little league raffles. That's all I have at this time. Thank you. Does anybody from the council have anything to add? >> Robert, >> uh, we have to discuss moving the March
9th meeting to March 11th. >> Uh, yes. I believe that the attorney and the burough clerk were just discussing that and I believe that Jonathan will get back to us as far as reasoning. >> Yes. Uh, that we will likely be moving
that meeting. We have to check as to some specific notice requirements uh to in order to determine exactly when, but the meeting will likely not be on the 9th. Uh it could potentially be on the 11th
and Jonathan will get with you Fred as soon as possible to discuss that. >> I ask for a motion. >> Motion. Motion by council president. May I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by councilwoman Delray Con.
Any questions or comments? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGawan, >> yes. >> Councilman Eric Co? >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Council Derek Con? >> Yes. >> Councilman Mazone? >> Yes. >> We will now be moving to a close session
to discuss matters of public safety and possible litigation. Missy. >> Whereas the Open Public Meetings Act requires that a public body adopt a resolution at an open meeting before going to a closed session to discuss a matter which excludes the public as permitted under section 7B. Now,
therefore, be resolved that the mayor and council hold a closed meeting at 6:36 p.m. on February 25th, 2026, 176 Park Avenue to discuss the following matters. Matter of public safety and possible litigation. >> Thank you, Miss for a motion.
>> I have a motion by the council president. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Ero. >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Deler. >> Yes. >> Councilman Mazone.
>> Yes. >> Thank you everyone. We're now going to move to a close session. >> That is not a point of order, sir. >> Okay. >> We're you have to wait. You have to you have to sir. Sir, we do not have an anticipated
See what the playlist has. You guys, you guys ready? >> Yeah, I don't think so. >> Thank you everybody. We're back here in close session. Um move now to >> roll call.
>> Roll call, please. >> Mayor Niato >> here. >> Council President McGawan >> present. >> Councilman Kley >> here. >> Councilman Erico >> here. >> Councilman Guzman >> here. >> Council Del Con >> here. >> Council Mone >> here. Thank you. Missy changes to the
agenda. >> Yes. We'll be adding a discussion to change the meeting from March 9th to March 11th. Uh, can I have a motion, please? >> Motion to accept a change. >> Motion. >> Motion by council president. May have a second. >> Second.
>> Second by councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, ask for a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley? >> Yes. >> Councilman Erico? >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman? >> Yes. >> Councilman Deler Con? >> Yes. >> Councilman Mazone? >> Yes. Thank you.
uh >> close session. >> I'd like to now have the uh burough attorney address our uh close session. Jonathan, >> thank you, mayor. Uh so the council as well as myself is uh
aware keenly aware of an outpouring of community concern regarding uh immigrants rights issues at at the present. Uh from the last meeting I was
tasked with doing an indepth review uh regarding current policy. present legislature and prospective pending legislation.
Uh in in conducting that research, we've we had significant conversation uh with respective council members who have all have a number of questions and concerns as well as with our uh police
chief and police department. Uh we are working toward uh finding a forum for meaningful discussion uh to to show the community uh the kind of work that the council is doing. There
will not be any action taken tonight, but that is not because no action is is uh underway. This is a a a significant issue, a serious issue that every single one of the people on this board is thinking about and working diligently
toward meaningful change or meaningful recommendations uh and opportunity for the public to engage in discussion to to answer questions and to uh provide information
that's going to be helpful. So, uh, with that, I think that sums up the issue. Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you. And I'd also like to thank the police chief for his involvement in our closed session. Um, and I believe that you guys will have a very meaningful, productive conversation with our community going forward on behalf of
the council and myself. Thank you. Uh, ordinances on first read, council president. >> Thank you, mayor. First is under first reading amending chapter 131 affordable housing overlay districts to include Park Avenue and Orient Way. Missy, can
you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to amend chapter 131 of the burough code entitled zoning and in particular chapter 131 article 13 general regulations to include Park Avenue overlay and Orient Way overlay.
>> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second, please? >> Second. >> Second by Councilman Guzman. Any questions or comments?
>> Seeing no may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan. Yes. >> Councilman Kley. Yes. >> Councilman Erico. Yes. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Counciloman Del Con. >> Yes. >> Council Mazone. >> Yes. Thank you, Council President. >> Thank you. Next. under first uh reading. Ordinance on first reading amending
chapter 51 for affordable housing. Missy, can you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance repealing and replacing chapter 51 article 7 entitled affordable housing production of the code of the bureau of Rutherford to address the requirements of the fair housing act as amended and the uniform
housing affordability controls as amended regarding compliance with the bureau's affordable housing obligations. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move that the ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised according to law. >> I have a motion by the council president. May I have a second, please?
>> Second. >> Second by Councilman Kley. Any questions or comments? Seeing no, may have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGowan, yes. >> Councilman Kley, yes. Councilman Erico, yes. >> Councilman Guzman, >> yes. >> Councilman Del Con, >> yes. >> Councilman Misone, >> yes. Thank you. Uh, second read.
Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. I have a Or excuse me, ordinance on second read to establish a handicap space on our place. Uh Missy, could you please read the ordinance by title only? An ordinance to amend and revise chapter 126 vehicles and traffic of the burough
code of the burough of Rutherford to establish a handicap parking space on Aer Place. >> Motion to move 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, please? >> Second.
>> I'm sorry. Uh second by Councilman Mison. >> Yes. >> Um I will now open this up to the public for any public comment on this subject in this subject matter only. >> Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the pub. >> Sure.
>> It's got to be specific to this uh handicap spot, sir. >> Are we're speaking about a handicap parking spot? >> No. >> Okay, then you're going to Yep. No problem. I understand. We're That's next. that comes next.
>> As far as being able to speak, >> are you speaking to the handicap parking spot? >> No. >> Then you're going to wait one minute. We'll be right with you. >> Thanks. Anybody from the council? Seeing none, may I have a roll call, please. >> Council President McGawan? >> Yes.
>> Councilman Kley? Yes. >> Councilman Ero? >> Yes. >> Councilman Guzman? >> Yes. >> Councilwoman Del Cohen? >> Yes. >> Councilman Misone? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Now, we're going to have to your assistance. You're up. >> Please state your name and address for the record, sir. And please keep your
comments 5 minutes or less. >> Viviano, one Orient way. Also, I'm an attorney and my office is 75 yards away on Orient Way. I'm on station Square. U about the uh
to uh introduce the ordinance. And of course it affects not only the overlay for Orient way but it also impacts the um the where you had the presentation on October 27th with regard to the bank
building 25 orient way. So so my question is um twofold. Uh I'd spoken with um Miss Knight was very nice and she says that even after this ordinance with the overlay that there would still have to be an amended ordinance if the
if the prism was to uh engage in the project on 25 uh Orient way and the two uh adjacent properties. Is that your understanding as well? >> Um we comment after everybody speaks. >> Sorry.
>> We we comment after everybody speaks. >> Okay. So, so that's my question and the concern is of course uh you've had and I wrote a letter so I won't be redundant. Uh that you have, you know, 48 unit owners and now their property is going
to be the view of the skyline will be blocked. Uh this is not going to be a 14-month project. Uh it will uh there's I don't have to tell you there's water issues on both sides, right? Lake Glenn from the 1800s
uh which they filled in because they were concerned about malaria and of course you have falling springs. I watched the building being built for four years from my office. Uh the I mean there'll be more I'm sure with uh when the final reading is done and there's open to public hearing. But this has a
great impact on people that have been paying taxes for 21 years and now it's going to be a war zone for probably years. experience is uh twofold. One is I watch this building being built and I know
what the issues are. And with Prism, which I'll get into details another time, it the projects that were supposed to take a short period of time took years and in one case they never finished it. So uh but I I appreciate your uh
response. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Biano. Anybody else from the public wishing to speak? David Laberno loud 423 Stason. I also wanted to speak on this uh affordable housing overlay districts. Uh
I don't believe in coincidences and um I find it curious that the overlay housing for zone for Orient way in the units or the description of it has exactly the requirements that this 25 orient was
asking just few you know few months ago. So, I do find that curious and I'm wondering when or why wasn't this Orient uh project that was previously presented. Why is that not in this zone
or are we to expect that in I guess once this is met once this is adopted a couple weeks after that I would imagine but maybe maybe it could offer some comment on that. Um and then uh I guess the question is just
about both of these ordinances since there is no presentation. Maybe there'll be one the next meeting or you guys had a meeting about it. But um the impetus for passing this maybe that could be addressed if it related to this COA
lawsuit or or COA agreement. Um, so may maybe there just could be some presentation to the public about what uh the impetus for this and and and why 25 or isn't included in there and can we expect that coming shortly after
this? It seems u odd. I wasn't aware of uh the particular properties that that this is drafted to on on Orient but um seems to be this the the I haven't had the
opportunity to look at the map that closely and the one in this presentation you were so kind to give me Mr. mayor is uh not really visible the actual lots and and the block and lots about which particular properties under are in this
uh addressed in this ordinance and so that the public could see what's exists there now and then what might be anticipated. So those are just a few questions and then we'll see you in a couple weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. Mr. Wilson.
Good evening. Frank Wilson, 171 Montrose Brotherford. Um, first, this is the second meeting I've come to this room and it's coincidence that it's the second time you guys have gone to close session before hearing of citizens
and everybody's gone. Can can you do it like somewhere in the middle? So after the hearing of citizens are over, you go in there to close session instead of doing closed for an hour and a half and then everybody leaves. And I was going to leave, but this would been the second time that I left and I wasn't going to
do that. So if you could consider that next time, I would appreciate it. Um what I'd like to discuss is um we got a historic amount of snow and this is not because of the snow. It's because of being in here for so long. I remember
when you couldn't park on the street at night that there was no on street parking in the town. You had to find a spot for your car someplace. With that being said, I think it'd be more logical if we restricted to especially when the snow's coming. One side you can park,
one side you can't park. This way the plows can go down, take it all the way to the curb and get parking spots because anybody that goes past the college realizes that that now is a oneway. All right. And then there was a bus there today for whatever dropping stuff
off at Felician which became less than a oneway. So it it just look at it saying it's got to be a better way to do this. My opinion, put emergency sign up. Right side of the street you can't park. Left side you can park. pile comes down, takes us to the curb. Now we have
parking. Okay? And anybody that lives in this town knows what I'm talking about. Why that's not an option, I I don't know. Because at one time you couldn't park anywhere. So I don't think that's an imposition. If you've got three people parking on this side, two people parking on this
side, plows goes down the middle, which creates a nightmare for everybody. Just make it one side or the other. Okay. Um, lastly, I saw on the list that we've got 184 Park is what you guys are going to be talking about tonight. And I find that kind of funny is because I
mentioned that we need to sell 184 Park and I was told that the tower behind it might be a problem. But that being said, if you do sell it to a developer, please, I can't beg you enough, please do not give another pilot,
especially if you're targeting uh low impact housing. You know, there's kids, the kids going to be going to the schools, and the pilot money does not go to the schools. The one that's on Orient already said they're not asking for a pilot, so that doesn't matter. Okay,
that is what it is. Whatever the tax is, the tax is. That's not going to impact the school system. If you decide you sell this one, don't give them a pilot because for the amount of units you're putting in there, even though a third of them are schoolbound, the school system
does not get any revenue. We all know that. So, please do not give another pilot to that. But that's about it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, M. Wilson. I'll now close it to the public and open
for any council comment from the council wishing to speak. Seeing none, I'm going to close it to the council. Uh resolutions separate from consent. We have nothing consent items. Council president.
>> Thank you, mayor. All items are authorized to be consented 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 Kley. Any questions or comment?
>> Seeing none, may roll, please. >> Council president McGowan. >> Yes. >> Councilman Kley. >> Yes. >> Councilman Eric Co. >> Yes. With the exception of the minutes on February 9th, which I abstain. >> Councilman Guzman. >> Yes. >> Council Del Conn. Yes,
>> Mazone. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, now we have the uh new business discussion on changes to meeting times. Uh, Bob, I guess the first meeting we're talking about moving is the March 9th to March
11th. Uh but that is all subject to uh a discussion we need to have tomorrow with our uh outside council regarding the notice requirement that uh our burough attorney referenced earlier tonight. I don't know how you want to handle that, but I think uh moving it to March 11th
is probably the prudent decision tonight. And if for some reason that doesn't work, we'll address it next week. So I am asking to change the March 9th meeting to March 11th. uh that will help us facilitate uh the proper advertising of the
ordinances introduced tonight and to uh get them adopted uh by the required deadlines. Uh secondly, the the other meeting we're looking to move is the March I'm sorry, April 13th. Just want to schedule that
an hour earlier for our annual elected officials training with our uh risk management uh professionals. Uh that we asking that meeting to start at 5:30, close session from 5:30 to 6:30, then to begin the regular mayor council meeting
at 6:30 as normal. So there'll be no impact to the residents on that night. >> Thank you, Bob. Um would anyone like to entertain these changes? >> Yes, mayor. Um, for a point of order, do we need to do this under two motions or can we do it
in one? >> You do it in one. >> Perfect. Uh, mayor, I'd like to move that we uh move our March 9th meeting to March 11th pending approval from our council. and the start time for April
13, 2026 to begin at 5:30 p.m. for close session for elected officials training with the appropriate meeting uh our public meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. 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 I have a roll call, please? >> Council President McGowan, >> yes. >> Councilman Kley, >> yes. >> Councilman Erico, >> yes. >> Councman, >> yes. >> Councilman Derek Conn, >> yes. Council Mazone. >> Yes. >> Thank you. We'll move to committee
reports. Council President. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um uh this evening I uh under my liaison assignment at uh for finance. I wanted to thank uh second on finance uh Councilwoman Delray Conn. We have spent
uh the last two weeks working with our burough administrator Bob Kealleski. I think I did it right today. Is that better? You're welcome. And uh and and also to our CFO, Gordon Stelter.
I Tonight's my night. I got both of their names right. I'm like very proud of myself. Uh so uh anyway, uh all joking aside, I want to thank both of them for their uh diligent work in preparation for uh the councilwoman and
I to be working alongside them. And I'd like to also extend our appreciation on behalf of the mayor and council to all of our department heads uh who prepared in advance for these meetings um who are wonderful stewards of our budget. Um and
it it has been a very eyeopening and and um challenging discussion that's taking place. And so I I thank everybody for their stewardship in this process. And I know that uh within the next few weeks we will be coming together again to look
at the final recommendations and then that budget uh will be circulated and shared um with the mayor and council uh and and the public. Uh secondly, I would like to um acknowledge the amazing work
uh of our OEM Mike Tarantino uh to our police department, our fire department, our EMS. But I really need to take a moment and acknowledge the herculean effort of the DPW. Um the weather this week, uh you know, there's
there's something to be said. What I'm learning about weather forecasters when they tell you they don't want to tell you what the weather is going to be and that they they keep saying they don't want to predict something and they're not running to the screen to tell everybody it's coming and to go buy milk bread and eggs. That's actually when you
should in fact go buy milk bread and eggs. Um, and so I know that Rutherford ate lots of French toast uh on Monday and Tuesday. 30 inches of snow or somewhere around there is is just an
extraordinary amount of snow. And um and the men and women of our DPW literally were working around the clock shift after shift. And um I know they're a little weary because they're watching the weather coming up too. And so, um, I
know folks have been frustrated. Some of you have reached out to me about and and I'll acknowledge, Mr. Wilson, what you were sharing. Um, this is just an extraordinary amount of snow there. It is hard to find a place for it. Um, and yet they are and they
are clearing streets and it's just a 24-hour operation. Uh, you know, so so I ask for your patience and your kindness. um and and patience with your neighbors. And uh I'm taking a moment of personal privilege. I'm going to ask that if you
happen to be on a block that has a handicapped spot um and you see people um you know either shoveling snow into it uh accidentally or perhaps private plers that are coming in to do properties. Let's look out for each
other and our residents, particularly those who are dependent on handicapped parking spaces. Um, I'm just going to ask us to to really step up for each other. Um, and uh, last but not least, I am looking forward to uh, this weekend
despite all the cold weather. I feel like uh, they say March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb. Well, I believe deeply the Rutherford Irish is ready to to kick off March like a lion uh, with our annual St. Patrick's Day parade on
Sunday, March 1st at 1:00. Thank you to the Rutherford Irish for um putting Rutherford on the map across the state for this great event. Uh if you're watching this, if you're hearing this, if you're planning about joining us, if there's ever been a year to use mass
transit to come to Rutherford, um and or take an Uber, um you know, leave your cars parked, uh walk across town. It'll be a beautiful day to wear your green and celebrate uh everybody being Irish. Um and we look forward to seeing you on the parade route. Thank you, Mayor.
>> Thank you, Councelor Kley. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I would I too would like to uh echo my colleague, Council President McGawan's sentiments uh with the most heartfelt thank you to everyone who uh and Burough employees
and and the like who got us through um this incredible blizzard, this feat of nature. Um it really was impressive to watch and even uh I was late to the meeting this evening, but I coming to get my vehicle on Ames Avenue. Uh they were still hard at work. There was a front loader and trucks, you know,
moving a serious amount of weight. And so, you know, thank you to the burough administrator and heads of DPW and and everyone. Um it really is a privilege to watch you all work and get us through that. Uh to that end, and echoing my uh colleagues sentiment again about helping
each other out, um fire hydrants, if you live near one um or have one on your block, if you could kindly make an effort, our guys are and men and women are going around to to get to them. But if you have a minute or you have a teenager, uh who has some, you know, uh
volunteer time to put on a confirmation schedule or similar, uh if you could dig those out for us, you know, it's supposed to be two feet either side. I believe it's 2 feet uh all four ways around um just in case of an emergency, right? Um again, our our men and women are doing the work. Uh but it it takes a
village. So um just put that on your your radar, especially as more snow is expected in the next few days. Um, in close tonight, uh, I want to take a few minutes for myself and, um,
thought I was going to be able to get through this without getting upset, but um, I want to talk about nicknames. Um, my entire life, every chapter of my life, I've had some sort of nickname. Whether it was in grade school in science class getting dubbed the red
spot when learning about Jupiter because of my red hair or high school taking on the name Spider because I was exceptional at first base and a wide as a wide receiver and a cho a Halloween choice my freshman year of college dubbed me the leprechaun for the next
four years. Um, obviously moving out into the professional world, I was Maxim Matt and then Popsy Guy and then Mag Plus Matt and you know various forms of of different um nicknames. Councilman Kley has been one of my
absolute favorite. Um, as the third in line behind dad and husband, but it has been an honor and privilege to to carry that nickname. Um, I speak with this level of emotion tonight
because a year ago, I took on effectively my dream job back in New York City. I was born in the Bronx. I've been a city kid my whole life. Um, and I'm back working for New York Magazine. And it is an honor and a privilege to be there as
well. And unfortunately after long discussions with my wife we have decided that I just cannot give to this bureau what it deserves what I've given for the last now five and a half years but the at the end of this year six years. So I'm announcing this evening that I will
not be seeking reelection this fall. Um I wish my colleague and running mate Stephanie McGawan the best of luck. She has my heartiest support, always will, as everyone on this day does. Um, I extend my greatest thank yous to this
woman on my left and this gentleman here on my right, as well as many others for guiding me through the freshman stages all the way through to everything I have learned now. Um, working with new people like Jonathan down here, the mayor himself, and everything he taught me
given our differences. And I just thank the community for having my back right in the some of the hardest times. This is a thankless job, but it is oh so rewarding when your constituents pat you on the back and say
thank you and you're doing good and persevere. Um so that being said, I challenge everyone out there to find the next Democratic nominee. It is an incredibly rewarding job. It is a ton of work. Don't let anyone tell you
otherwise, but it is so very worth it. The interview process, the uh resume application process is coming up very, very soon. There are names and or excuse me, there are dates and information available. Um, unfortunately, I don't have them on me tonight. I was in a rush to get here. I apologize, but we'll get
it out in the newsletter on Friday. But those of you out there who have ever considered giving back to this place that we love, take the opportunity to consider it. the gentleman to my right here, the woman to my right further right and the three of them down the road.
It has been an exceptional privilege to watch this deis evolve over the last six years. Um we just seem to keep getting better and better and better and so now it is my time to step away and watch that growth and evolution continue. I
cannot again impart my gratitude enough. I will at the end of the year with an even more silly speech. Um, but again, thank you one and all in this room and out within this zip code. I will forever be grateful for the
opportunity. Thank you, Councilman. >> Uh, Councilman Ero. >> Thank you, mayor, and uh, thank you, Councilman Kley, for those those words. Um, I too want to express my thanks to our first responders, but your your remarks uh made me relate a different
story which I want to tie back to what you've said, but I think underscores uh this community. I I suffered uh something of a tragedy a couple weeks ago and that my house was substantially flooded um and was forced to relocate outside of the burrow. Um and it made me
reflect on how uh tragedies or or you know difficult things happen to everyone um uh even if you don't know that they're occurring. Um so it might be privately, publicly, whatever else. But you know in my particular case I was um given a tremendous amount of support by
colleagues here on the council um by my friends, by my family. And you know it made me reflect um what Councilman Kulkley was remarking about our role uh in a community and our our role as leaders in a community which fundamentally I think is to uh make
things better uh and to give back and to improve where we can. And I uh am fortunate that there are so many in my life who are willing to give that grace to me. And as Councilman Kley expressed, I I think it's incumbent on both us as a
council, a governing body, and also our citizens to give that same thanks and grace to uh our fellow citizens. So I I you know I've seen with storms like this I think people tempers will flare with you know people saying that you know my
neighbor didn't shovel their street in a timely enough fashion or in the way I liked it or um the burrow has put snow or I didn't prefer it or whatever else. But uh I would encourage us to consider all of our our actions and comments uh in the light of how can we make things
better? How can we give back to the community? how can we extend the same grace uh to each other as what I was just describing and what Councilman Kley has expressed in his his comments. Uh and I I do want to express appreciation to everyone who's reached out to help me and I I would encourage as I said before
for everyone to pass that along. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Councilman Guzman. >> Thank you very much, Mayor. Um little difficult uh following Councilman Kley and Erico there. Uh,
you know, it's uh it's never great to hear when one of your colleagues decides to move on, but you have to applaud them and say, "Thank you for all your work." And at the end of the day, you got to do what's right for you and your family. We got you for quite a bit
yet, so we're not going to get into conversation, sir. But I do appreciate you and it's been an absolute really enjoyment for me to be working with you. Um, I'd like to uh, you know,
getting to the storm that we all had and Mr. Wilson, thank you for bringing up your suggestion. Much appreciated. Um, you know, there's a there's a lot of effort that goes into before before a storm hits the barrel. um our OEM team, DPW, EMS, fire, police,
bur administrator, mayor, my council colleagues. You know, there's there's a lot of coordinating that needs to go on to happen before these storms come in. And you know, it's always how much snow are we going to get?
Is it really going to happen? Well, at the end of the day, the barrel need makes a decision like we have to think that the worst is going to happen. And I'm very proud of our OEM team, our police department, our emergency services, our fire, our police. But with
this with this storm, I'm extremely proud of our DPW team. This was no easy task. They are still cleaning up. They are still trying to, you know, there's there's priorities. There's schools. There's major roads that uh main roads that are prioritized.
And it's a lot to handle when you have this much snow and you have you don't have a huge team like other towns, not towns of our size, but we're not Hobok and we're not Jersey City. We don't have those uh that equipment to work with.
But I think our our team did a hell of a job. Great coordinating with our B administrator here and our police department. So, I just wanted to give a big shout out because I don't think they hear it enough and especially during these tough storms. They don't sometimes I feel our DPW team does not feel
appreciated the way they should be and my hats off to them. They did a great job. Um, other than that, Mayor, um, I really don't have anything else to share. I just wanted to send my gratitude to our DPW team. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Councilman Delray
Con. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'm going to save my remarks for Councilman Hokley until the end of the year, but um, I will say that as he knows, um, in the moments where I considered not sitting here, he
was the one that always pulled me back. So, I am uniquely grateful um, to Matt and I will miss him a lot. Although, he's not getting rid of me because I promise I'll be around. Um, I I will echo um, what everyone has said about
DPW. I had the unique privilege of being the liaison for DPW for my first term. I cannot overstate the amount of work that goes into those jobs uh for very little glory and arguably for not even great pay compared to other careers that
require a lot less on your body, mind, and energy. Um so I just think to give everyone a little bit of grace goes a very long way. Um, I read somewhere on Facebook in the sea of of missives that
uh Lynhurst and Carlstat were really completely clear, which I found interesting that anyone had that perspective of that it was completely clear. But um I don't want to live in Lynhurst or Carlat. I I want to live here. So um from my perspective, the
hard work I see happening um is just good enough for me. So thank you again to everyone that helped. Thank you to to the uh PBA which hosted a really wonderful um uh fundraiser for Special Olympics. I had the opportunity to show
what a terrible bowler I am alongside our council president and Councilman Mone as well as a lot of our officers families and friends and that was really quite wonderful. Um also thanks to the Chamber of Commerce which held its
annual event last week on Thursday. Um they did a really beautiful job. Special shout out to the Rutherford Arts Council who did all the decorating for that event. It was really special and celebratory of Chinese New Year. Um with regards to my liaison assignments, I am
the liaison for the Rutherford Civil Rights Commission. And I just wanted to add a little bit to what um to what Jonathan, our attorney, mentioned um and also address u Mr. Wilson's concerns about the the closed session. Um, I
think that we make great efforts to put the closed sessions at the end of our meetings. Um, it's unfortunate that the two you've experienced here, uh, you felt that they were illtimed. I could speak to the meeting today, um, in particular of why I think it was decided to put it at the beginning of the
meeting. Um we had uh understanding that a lot of the folks that were coming to the meeting today were here to speak to their concerns um for immigration issues and um the impact of ICE and law enforcement. Um and that was the crux of
a lot of what we spoke about in close session. As our burough attorney said, the reason we stuck it in the middle was if we were going to take action, um, and if we were going to speak in an educated way in response to the constituents that took the time to show up here, we had to
have that conversation first. So, it would have been very unsatisfying to our constituents for them to speak to us and then for us to take a break and decide collectively what we thought might help allay their concerns. Um, so it's unfortunate that it went so long, but
the good news is the reason it went so long is I think we accomplished something really productive, which brings me back to the Civil Rights Commission. Um, the Civil Rights Commission has agreed to hold um a know your rights session and an open forum for anyone who has these concerns. Um
and our chief of police has agreed to attend that session and answer questions about law enforcement's um relationship or lack of relationship to the various statutes that may be moving through um through the legislature in New Jersey.
So, um we are really looking to schedule that very quickly. So, hopefully the same folks that showed up this evening that couldn't stay will come to that session where we can all agree together. um how to take some really um meaningful
action and actually doing something together that allays everyone's confir concerns and really gets uh real information out. Um I think that where the everyone on the deis agrees certainly is that um we are empathetic to the immigration issues that are going
on in this country currently. we are understanding of the fact that people in New Jersey and in our community um feel a certain level of fear about what that means for us um and for uh people we care about and people we know. And I'm really excited to say that with the help
of the Civil Rights Commission and Chief Russo, I think we're going to be able to come together and decide how to foster or I guess again allay some of our concerns through action. So, um, we're going to try to do that very quickly.
Scheduling schedules allowing. So, stay tuned for that. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman Mison. >> Thank you. So, as the council woman has said, um, had an opportunity to attend the chamber event. Um, very lovely affair. Um, and, uh, as for Bowling, it
looks like Jeff McGawan um, outscored all of us. Um, but it was a great event hosted by uh, our Rutherford uh, PBA for a great cause. Um so just happy to be there. Um I too like the my uh council colleagues would like to extend our
thanks to uh certainly our first responders, police, fire, EMS, OEM. Um I I'd also like to point out that um as the DPW liaison um it hasn't snowed a lot since I got this assignment and now it's snowing a real lot. So, um I don't
know what that means, but um I think Chris Sidler, his entire team, um have done an exceptional job. Um I know nothing's perfect. No one's perfect, but the effort, the hours um are just, you know, certainly so appreciated. Um
again, as uh Councilman Ero said, just expressing kindness to your neighbors and trying to support them and understand that, you know, there's a lot of snow and where do we put it, right, is um is very complicated. Uh Mr. Wilson, thank you. I do appreciate the suggestion you brought forward and um
certainly constructive feedback is always appreciated. Um and then uh last but not least um to our administrator, thank you for your leadership. Um lots of great messaging also went out um you know on social super helpful RPD again um so many thanks. Um I just want to
take just a couple minutes to just point out um something as my liazison assignment to the board of health. Um, if you haven't had an opportunity, I think just yesterday or today, the 2025 annual report went out or went up was posted. Uh, Jennifer Gazar Galarza
rather, our health official, um, I think does a wonderful job um, representing our health department. Um, take a look at this annual report. Um, it has financial information in there. It has information about vital statistics, but then some of the great public health programs that we're doing, public health
nursing, tuberculosis testing, uh, flu vaccinations, rabies clinics, blood screenings, um, just a lot of stuff. But I I want to, uh, highlight that this year um there was a new initiative for a child health clinic, right? And through the efforts of Midburg Health were able
to do that. Um, I think it's tremendous, um, that we're able to open it up not only to Rutherford, but to surrounding communities. Um, public health is something that I take very passionately. So, I'm proud to represent the board of health here. So, if you have a chance, um, go take a look at that for my, uh, council colleagues or anyone in the
room. I have three copies with me. If you'd like that, um, I carry them all day to the city and back, so please take one. And then last but not least, um, our, uh, Department of Health is also, uh, doing a community health needs assessment. So, um, if you have an opportunity, if you check it out on
social, there's a QR. If not, stop by the health department. Um, Midburg and Health is helping us do that. I know they've met with the administrator in the meeting with other bureau officials. So, um, yeah, let's stay healthy together, Ratherford. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. Um, I have, um,
no appointments to make this evening. Uh, I would just like to um also thank everybody who was doing their jobs during the storm. I just I want to give a big shout out to Chris Sidler. Chris has done an amazing job. Uh, this was unprecedented unless you lived here in
1996, which the last one I saw like this. Explains a lot when my father hit me with a shovel. Um, it just was it was something that I just hope the town could understand and and
it is what it is. We're doing the best as fast as we can and and I hope you you could just have the understanding and you know the the um empathy for for how hard they're working and you know doing the best they can what they have and
they're going to continue to do this. Um, you know, Bob has done a great job trying to help Chris manage the situation, but um, you know, they're they're tired. They're tired and um, they're out there and they're doing their job and Chris's leadership has really been it's it's been exceptional
during this particular time. So, I I just want to give a special shout out to them. Um, I wish the Irish a great event this weekend. I will not be here. I will be visiting my grandson for the first time.
um this weekend. So to all you folks out there that the party starts at my house, since the parade starts at my house, I won't be here. So um so I I wish everybody a great time this weekend. Um I hope you you all have a great time at
the event. Represent the town well and um I would now ask for an adjournment this evening. >> Oh, second hearing your citizens. My bad. Anybody from the public wishing to speak on agenda items and agenda items only
again? Seeing none, anybody from seeing none. Now I'll ask the council president. >> Motion to adjourn. >> I have a motion to adjurnn. All in favor? >> I I enjoy your uh Sunday and have a
great week. Thank you.